Jamie123
Veteran
I think the (or at least a) point of The Sopranos is exactly, as ebino adequately put it, to demystify the Mafia. It's not supposed to be fascinating. Entertaining, yes, but not fascinating.
Sure all organized crime has rules and hierarchy (that's why it's called organized) but they're not all equally structured or rooted in tradition and not all of them have codes. The Yakuza and maybe even the Russian mob are certainly comparable to the Mafia. However, I think one has to keep in mind that not all organized crime is a form of Mafia. There's a big difference between a code and a rule. Any drug lord can make up rules for his organization and change them at his will but a code is something that everyone has to follow. To give an example, I don't think the Medellin Cartel had much to do with organizations like the Mafia or Yakuza.
As for the gangsters in the 20s being more interesting, I'm not sure. What's probably most interesting about them is the fact that it was the 20s. Having said that, I started watching Boardwalk Empire but despite the fact that I like both Steve Buscemi and Michael Pitt as actors, I just don't find myself being very interested in the show.
easyrider
Photo addict
Great shots. Congrats. Longer lens loses the intimacy. I am amazed you got as close as you did. I saw shots of news guys shooting from across the street. Black and white was the right choice too. The high contrast adds drama.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
andredossantos
Well-known
While Pablo Escobar is forever associated with the Medellin Cartel, in reality it was an alliance of drug lords: Pablo Escobar, Carlos Lehder, the Ochoa Brothers, their top people stateside mostly based in Miami, etc. This is actually a very similar structure to the American Mafia in that the core nucleus of guys all have their respective turfs, operations, lieutenants etc while one person at the top is deemed the leader but mostly because he has proven himself to be most ruthless, canny, and able to survive.
In Medellin, that guy was Escobar mostly because of the above qualities and also because towards the end the others fell while he had managed to evade the authorities for a very long time.
The only real difference is that there was no ethnic component. While the American Italian mafia allows associates of any background to work within the organization, only Italian's are able to take an oath and be "made" a ranking member who then can rise the ranks, participate in decision making, claim areas of operation, etc. Drug Cartels like Medellin generally allow anyone who has talent into the mix.
Nowadays you are correct however. Modern "Drug Cartels" are much more specialized and compartimentalized. They are also smaller. Having someone or a small identifiable group at the top who control the entire chain of production to smuggling to distribution is a great liability and ensures that a heavy crackdown easily disrupts the organization. Cocaine headed for the United States for example is produced and smuggled by smaller (but no less ruthless) cartels in Colombia to criminal organizations in mostly Mexico but also the Caribbean who's job it is to take it across the border (they assume most of the risk and thus are the most profitable). It is then distributed in bulk to street gangs, smaller groups, and freelancers for the street level dealing.
This loose, cross border scheme is vastly harder to disrupt since specialists can move the product and if one link in the chain is taken down another can quickly step in. Then there is the complication that this happens across several borders in countries with different governments, laws, interests, whatever.
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filmtwit
Desperate but not serious
filmtwit
Desperate but not serious
Also, if you get the chance, rent "Homicide: Life on the Street." (or pick the book up).
This was David Simon's first work (book-into TV show). He served as a writer and then producer on the show. First two seasons are OK, but seasons 3-4 are nearly up their with the Wire.
Honestly either read or rent everything you can from David Simon. Brilliant writer and producer.
tomalophicon
Well-known
Thanks Filmtwit
Tom
Tom