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Original Gangstas (1996)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
10 May 1996 (USA) moreTagline:
The original bad boys are stepping up in '96!Plot:
Marvin Bookman is a small shop owner in Gary, Indiana, USA. After he sees a drive-by shooting of Laurie Thompson's son by a local gang... more | add synopsisUser Comments:
Gritty urban fairy-tale. moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Fred Williamson | ... | John Bookman | |
| Jim Brown | ... | Jake Trevor | |
| Pam Grier | ... | Laurie Thompson | |
| Paul Winfield | ... | Rev. Dorsey | |
| Isabel Sanford | ... | Gracie Bookman | |
| Oscar Brown Jr. | ... | Marvin Bookman | |
| Richard Roundtree | ... | Slick | |
| Ron O'Neal | ... | Bubba | |
| Christopher B. Duncan | ... | Spyro | |
| Eddie Bo Smith Jr. | ... | Damien | |
| Dru Down | ... | Kayo | |
| Shyheim Franklin | ... | Dink | |
| Robert Forster | ... | Det. Slatten | |
| Charles Napier | ... | Mayor | |
| Wings Hauser | ... | Michael Casey |
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Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for non-stop violence and pervasive strong language.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
99 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColour:
ColourAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DTSCertification:
New Zealand:R18 | Iceland:16 | Australia:M (TV rating) | USA:R (certificate #34373) | Germany:18 | UK:18 | Australia:MA | Singapore:(Banned) | Germany:BPjM RestrictedMOVIEmeter: 
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Fun Stuff
Goofs:
Continuity: When John and Jake do a drive-by at the steel mill in an attempt to start the gang war, several fires in barrels are burning. When they make their second pass, the smoke and fire can be seen going backwards, back into the barrels. moreFAQ
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Directed with flair and lots of authentic flavor by Larry Cohen, "Original Gangstas"/"Hot City" is still little more than a reworking of "Death Wish 3" with an (almost) all-black cast. It's a strange movie: first it goes to great lengths to establish a realistic urban environment, and then undermines it with a cockamamie story that is completely un-realistic. The movie should have chosen one approach or the other. The stars are as engaging as ever (if a bit long in the tooth), but Richard Roundtree's fans will be disappointed with his very minor part. (**)