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Cocaine Cowboys

starring: Jon Roberts (III), Al Sunshine, Sam Burstyn, Mickey Munday, Bob Palumbo
directed by: Billy Corben

: Cocaine Cowboys
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Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: DVD
Brand: MAGNOLIA HOME ENTERTAINMENT
EAN: 0876964000635
Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Label: Magnolia
Manufacturer: Magnolia
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Magnolia
Release Date: January 23, 2007
Running Time: 118 minutes
Sales Rank: 1380
Studio: Magnolia
Theatrical Release Date: 2006



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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
The cocaine trade of the 70s and 80s had an indelible impact on contemporary Miami. Smugglers and distributors forever changed a once sleepy retirement community into one of the world s most glamorous hot spots the epicenter of a $20 billion annual business fed by Colombia s Medellin cartel. By the early 80s Miami s tripled homicide rate had made it the murder capital of the country for which a Time cover story dubbed the city 'Paradise Lost.'System Requirements:Run Time: 118 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: R UPC: 876964000635 Manufacturer No: 10063

Amazon.com:
More of a real-life exploitation film than a bonafide documentary, Cocaine Cowboys is tailor-made for anyone who worships Brian De Palma's Scarface. It's no surprise that this slick, energetic film found a niche audience among crime-obsessed hip-hoppers; from a journalistic perspective it's an irresponsible mess, but director Billy Corben is obviously more interested in capturing the thrills and danger of the drug trade that transformed Miami, Florida during the Miami Vice era of the late 1970s and '80s. Corben has no particular interest in seriously examining the sociopolitical implications of Miami's drug-fueled rise and fall, so Cocaine Cowboys lives up to its title by focusing on some of the most colorful, daring, and outrageously successful survivors of that era, when tons of cocaine were distributed through Miami by the kingpins of Colombia's notorious Medellin cartel. Chief among the many interviewees are Jon Roberts and Mickey Munday (who personally transported over $2 billion worth of cocaine into Miami) and Jorge 'Rivi' Ayala, a convicted drug-trade assassin now serving consecutive life terms in prison. They're lively storytellers who are egotistically eager to share their coke-tales, and Corben's only too happy to capture their exploits on film, up to and including the dubious use of violent reenactments that could easily serve as a recruitment film for Tony Montana wannabes.

It's simultaneously disgusting and compelling, especially since Corben has a knack for matching swift editing to the pulsing score by TV's original Miami Vice composer Jan Hammer. In the final analysis, it must be said that Cocaine Cowboys succeeds as a brash and breathtaking record of a bygone era, when murder rates were at an all-time high, coke was everywhere, and Miami was financially transformed into a nightlife mecca where criminals were kings. Or queens, as in the case of Griselda Blanco, the ruthless and self-appointed 'Godmother' of the cocaine trade, who was responsible for countless murders and as of 2007 remained at large, her whereabouts unknown. All of this deadly life in the fast lane makes for a fascinating movie, but Corben and coproducer David Cypkin's breathless commentary makes it clear that they're young, immature thrill-seekers, and their film makes no apologies for glorifying the drug trade while exploring its bloody and frequently fatal consequences. Their commentary also accompanies an abundance of deleted scenes, and there's also a bonus featurette, 'Hustlin' with the Godmother,' in which Griselda Blanco's former lover and big-time coke dealer Charles Cosby tells his story, which clearly has all the makings of a Hollywood movie along the lines of Blow. You can bet that film will eventually be made, and don't be surprised if it's Corben who makes it. --Jeff Shannon



Customer Reviews
Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Cocaine Cowboys
It is a great documentary shows how Miami Beach became Miami Beach. Great gift idea for hubbies lady's ... Read More


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - Money, Power and Drugs make for great entertainment
I caught this on Showtime a few weeks back and wow was it entertaining. More of a shockumentary then a ... Read More


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - You can't make this stuff up....
To anyone who watches films like "Scarface" or shows like "Miami Vice" and said to yourself, "that's ridiculous, ... Read More


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - You'll Never Look At The Miami Skyline In the Same Way Again
A Real Life Weeds - Season One,Weeds - Season Two,Weeds - Season Three

A documentary that details the ... Read More


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - Perfect Documentary About Miami
This movie is great because it makes you think about Miami in a different light. I had no idea how the city was actually ... Read More

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Copyright ©2003, Mark Carey.