Cocaine Cowboys

Starring:Jack Palance, Tom Sullivan (XI), Andy Warhol, Suzanna Love, Pete Huckabee, Richard Young, Tony Munafo, Richard Bassett, Tzi Ma, Esther Oldham-Farfan, Chuck Blackwell, Ron Morgan, Chuck Hasley, Winnie Hollman, Jan Sullivan, Michael De Silvio, Catherine Guinness, Joyce Anne Finney, Marii Mak, Irene Holmquist
Director: Ulli Lommel
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

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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:

Cocaine Cowboys.......2007-07-05

Definitely a must see movie, shows the real side of miami that alot of people haven't seen.

The best drug story told...........2007-06-30

This documentary was so good, and so well told. It had me at the end of my seat in awe and shocked. One of the best drug told documentries ever...if you haven't seen it yet, please do. Miami was getting money fo' real.

Great In All Aspects.......2007-06-27

As a Miami resident, I found the film to be intriguing and very informative. Having grown up in South Florida, the film was 100% accurate and the way it was presented kept you glued to the TV. I do hope that the great city of Miami never repeats the past.

scarface aint got nothin on griselda blanco.......2007-06-13

watch this movie than watch scarface...its a trip

Unbelievable story into the dark side of paradise.......2007-06-05

This story is quite an eye opener to see placed together in one spot. I remember watching bits and pieces on the news over time when I was a kid about Pablo Eschibar and the Medien Drug Cartel, but to actually see all of the information in one place is quite impressive. This story is not only the story of the growth of the cocaine industry, but how the quite little vacation spot of Miami grew into a giant global competator of market cities. The interview detail was quite informative, and does capture the gruesomness of the violence that occured. Definately worth checking out if you like gritty documentaries.

Average customer rating:

As Is: The Breakdown of Cocaine Cowboys
Starring: Various
Manufacturer: As Is
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Cocaine Cowboys
Drug Wars
Plan Colombia: Cashing in on the Drug War Failure

ASIN: B000MG2LTK
Release Date: 2007-01-16

Average customer rating:

Cocaine Cowboys
Starring: Suzanna Love , Jack Palance , Andy Warhol , Richard Young , and Tom Sullivan
Director: Ulli Lommel
Manufacturer: Eclectic DVD Dist.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00008G7ZK
Release Date: 2003-01-28

Description

Cocaine Cowboys released in the 1970's with a rare personal appearance by Andy Warhol is one of the few cult classic pop rock films of that era.Filmed on Warhol's Long Island Estate, it is a real treat back to a time when Rock and Roll bands and cocaine smugglers were bonded in a stoned state. Starring Tom Sullivan, Suzanna Love and the Cowboy Island Band. includes a bonus interview with director Ulli Lommel. Sex, drugs and Rock 'n' Roll...a deadly combination!

Average customer rating:

Cocaine Cowboys
Starring: Jack Palance , Tom Sullivan (XI) , Andy Warhol , Suzanna Love , and Pete Huckabee
Director: Ulli Lommel
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00006LPE8
Release Date: 2002-11-12

Description

A shipment of cocaine ditched in the ocean triggers a rock 'n' roll escapade in this tune-filled counterculture cult film featuring Jack Palance (City Slickers) and the legendary Andy Warhol. Our oddball odyssey finds struggling rock singer Destn (Tom Sullivan), his manager (Palance), and his band contending with the mob after a drug-running assignment goes bad, leaving them stuck on an island running for their lives while finding the time for some chemical and musical recreation along the way. This delirious time capsule was filmed at Warhol's actual Long Island estate by director Ulli Lommel (The Boogeyman) and now makes its return to home video after a nearly twenty-year absence. It'll blow your mind!

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