Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. A shootout ensues. Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. The thing to remember about Block and Scudder is that alcohol and Alcoholics Anonymous are central. 7. The climax of the film felt predictable anyways, yeah. People are afraid of all the wrong things. I don't fault him at all; he strikes me as a talented actor. Set for September release", "Universal Dates Crimson Peak, Ouija, Pitch Perfect 2 and More! It was the combination that turned him into this. And theyd probably keep doing this. Oh, hopefully more people contribute to this discussion. Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter In 2014 he played ex-cop Matt Scudder in A Walk Among The Tombstones, and thischaracter comes from a series of neo-noir books from author Lawrence Block. I kept wondering what that could've been. He seemed very human, and didn't even want to handle this case to begin with. the movie should rated R+ cause it has some pretty seriously gross topics. The film was released on September 19, 2014. Action, RT Podcast: Ep. Starring: Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, David Harbour. what do you guys think the quiet bad guy was about to say before he was interrupted by Liam Neeson at the end of the movie? The return of the repressed in the new thriller, A Walk Among the Tombstones, which stars Liam Neeson. His latest client is a drug trafficker (Dan Stevens) whose wife was kidnapped and brutally murdered, and as Scudder delves deeper, he finds that the crime's sequence is the modus operandi of the perpetrators. 1:28. All rights reserved. As previously mentioned A Walk Among The Tombstones dials up the action from the novel, which includes giving the two main villains more development. But I could have lived with that. Matt Scudder used to be a cop. 2014 | Maturity Rating: R | 1h 54m | Mysteries. After realizing Landau's wife is bedridden, they prepare to leave for a new target. I enjoyed that song as well. [13] On October 18, 2013, Block tweeted that he had seen the film and revealed producers were aiming for a September 2014 release. Scudder gives him a phone so that TJ can reach him if he needs anything. Starring Liam Neeson. A Walk Among the Tombstones isnt a kill-em-all Taken-style actioner. There is also an underlying thread of race in the book, as Blocks dealers are Lebanese Kenan and Pete Khoury. Other notable changes in A Walk Among The Tombstones includes (slightly) updating the setting to 1999. Nowadays, hes something of a private detective. Cheers! Terms of Service apply. If there are further cinematic stories to come from Scudder (though the box office suggests there might not be) we hope more of his personal life enters the picture, as it makes him a more interesting character, with more to lose too. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! He is asked by a drug dealer to find the men who kidnapped his wife. After he delivered the ransom as instructed, the kidnappers directed him to a car containing her dismembered body. (Wong Kar-wai was generally taken as the auteur behind the barroom drama My Blueberry Nights, but Block co-wrote the screenplay, and the film had as much to do with his worldview.). Liam Neeson's late-career resurgence, began, I suppose, with the reprehensible Taken series and has sprung from there into the kind of auto-branding most stars get to enjoy in the prime of their . The first big-screen adaptation of these novels was 1986's 8 Million Ways To Die, which cast Jeff Bridges as Scudder. All rights reserved. Now that's out of the way, a brief introduction. Most dates on his world tour have been canceled. Was on the edge on my seat at least 3/4s of the movie's time length. Their crimes - which include kidnapping and dismembering women - are described in more brutal detail in the book too. And he left him barely alive in the basement along with his dead partner in crime. If so, that was just his rationalization, he was likely going to kill her anyway. Peter is killed, and Scudder wounds Ray. The performances go a long way, too. 'A Walk Among the Tombstones' is a 2014 American neo-noir action thriller film directed and written by Scott Frank, and based on the 1992 novel of the same title by Lawrence Block. Hes got the eight-year-sober chip in his pocket to prove it. He also comes to care for a homeless kid named TJ, who he meets during his investigation. Still, he thinks about what might have happened if hed not been drinking just before. For while this R-rated and often dour flick doesnt applaud violence, it certainly crams lots of it in. Stevens evokes every shade of the self-made drug kingpins thoughts: His hands are tied, but he visibly hungers to wrap them around the killers necks. But its probably something expository dialogue couldve handled a bit more smoothly, without so obviously handholding the audience. Parents, get practical information from a biblical worldview to help guide media decisions for your kids! The films opening flashback sequence (borrowed from Blocks first book in the Scudder series, 1976s The Sins Of The Fathers) with Liam Neesons alcoholic cop Matt Scudder taking down some very bad dudes, complete with slow motion sequences, very much feels like an audience concession (though it provides backstory as well). Because this is actually more of a gumshoe investigators tale, a gritty cop-turned-unlicensed-detective story (based on a rough-and-tumble Lawrence Block novel). After a stand off, Lucia, alive but with two fingers cut down to the bone, is returned to her father. [14] On January 30, 2014, it was announced the film would be released on September 19, 2014. He tells Scudder their address. In Blocks version, Ray (David Harbour) calmly garrottes his partner before Scudder and his pals get there. People are afraid of all the wrong things. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. Hes fascinated by people who dont have control. In 2002, Harrison Ford was attached to star and D. J. Caruso to direct. Instead, the other two tortured and killed her. Scudder isnt a reckless vigilante eaten up with rage. Hed rather recite AAs 12 steps and humbly ask God to remove his shortcomings than try to violently purge the defects from others. All an accident. A kidnapped woman got murdered. I think I might have to tell Adam Scott that hes a really big influence to me, as a caterer., Toni Collette Is a Mob Boss Dressed Like a Librarian. Scudder initially refuses the case but then he accepts. A Walk Among the Tombstones is a 2014 American neo-noir action thriller film[5][6][7][8] directed and written by Scott Frank, and based on the 1992 novel of the same name by Lawrence Block. I think you're talking about when Ray claimed he killed the wife because Kenny negotiated on the price. the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. If you know me by now though, there is always the skepticism of being let down by the actual film. Tombstones really feels like a New York City story, and with some beautiful work from cinematographer Mihai Malaimare Jr., that palpably evokes the neighbourhoods that Scudder haunts in the novel as well. I also remember Ray saying that Kenny did him wrong somehow. 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She actually survives, though not without losing a finger it turns out that a stray bullet from Scudder killed a young girl. PREVIEW. Trang ch Tips #1 Tm kim link Fshare nhanh chng, chnh xc - game chay vuot chuong ngai vat The film's opening flashback sequence (borrowed from Block's first book in the Scudder series, 1976's " The Sins Of The Fathers ") with Liam Neeson 's alcoholic cop Matt Scudder taking down some. He puts his life on the line repeatedly (often without any weapon in his hand) to try to save innocents. The green screen at the end was pretty bad, though. However he changes his mind and goes back, which is just as well, as Albert has escaped his bonds. Two armed men come in and kill the bartender. Good movie. A Walk Among The Tombstones'movie finale sees Scudder and Kenny tracking down kidnapper Albert after the gunfight, with the latter having killed wounded partner Ray. Former cop Matt Scudder is now a private eye. Here are the main changes between A Walk Among The Tombstones' book and the Liam Neeson fronted movie. Instead, in Blocks book, the finale is much more gruesome. Albert manages to mumble "Y'know, I just wanted to-" before Matthew shoots him dead. Hes centered sometimes to the point of being a little dull. Which, of course, finally leads us right up to those tombstones. A day later, an anonymous tip was called in and the cops brought Ray to the hospital where he lived for two more days, before dying. Throughout the whole movie, I just wanted Ray and his companion to die. The one teen girl who survives has several of her fingers chopped off. Was the original shot and discarded? Hes slower and heavier-spirited. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth: Season 8, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 1, Link to Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Link to 10 Black Women Filmmakers Who Have Shaped the Cinema Landscape of the 21st Century, Link to 10 LGBTQIA+ Women Who Became Trailblazers in Entertainment. This version was also released on DVD/Blu-ray. Coming Soon. While the film is more of a thriller than an action movie, a few setpieces were added like the graveyard shootout and the final fight to beef up the action quota. The killers buy a guy drinks to better pump him for information. He has the wisdom to know what cant be changed and what can. Scudder shoots one, pursues and kills the second assailant, and the getaway driver. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/AWalkAmongTheTombstones. [10], Filming began on March 3, 2013 in New York City. Youd cross the street in life if you saw him coming. During the fight in the basement, the table starts to break before they fully hit it, making it obvious that the table wasn't "real", also Scudder picks up the table leg and it is obviously cut straight across rather then jagged like a break would be. Leave it to the real cops, he told the guy. For another, it would give The Human Centipede a run for its money. Check it out. Mick would be a pretty good bet on the basis for her role. Liam Neeson had a bizarre rebirth as an action star thanks to 2008's Taken, where he played a retired special forces operative who cuts a bloody path through Paris to rescue his kidnapped daughter. Albert suddenly tries to strangle him from behind with a metal wire. He had conspired to take Leila away from Reuben, who is a drug dealer, and help her stop using drugs. Based on Lawrence Block's bestselling series of mystery novels, A Walk among the Tombstones stars Liam Neeson as Matt Scudder, an ex-NYPD cop who now works as an unlicensed private investigator operating just outside the law. He is asked by a drug dealer to find the men who kidnapped his wife. Read our extensive list of rules for more information on other types of posts like fan-art and self-promotion, or message the moderators if you have any questions. Parker Posey stars in this update of Chekhov, swapping familiar New York intelligentsia types for the Russian bourgeoisie. And the camera looks down the gunsight as Matt takes aim and blows a third man off his feet. In this film Liam Neeson plays Matt Scudder, a former cop turned unlicensed private detective. Hmmm. However, they see his 14-year-old daughter, Lucia, and Ray decides to kidnap her. A Walk Among the Tombstones is a 2014 crime thrillerabout a private investigator who is hired by a drug kingpin to uncover the identities of two sadistic kidnappers who target criminals. Or booze. Matt Scudder: I do favors for people, and in return, they give me gifts. Didn't see one posted, so I figured I'd make one. Block has all the freedom in the world on the page that Frank doesnt have on the screen, and so wed say the writer/director did the best he could with what were likely some stringent parameters and expectations he had to hit. Frank and Block are obviously ripping-off the heinous. It stars Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, David Harbour, and Boyd Holbrook. Cinemark Terms and Policies However, in Blocks book, Petes pain comes simply from his heroin and alcohol addiction, one that finds him routinely on and off the wagon. However, one of Franks most inspired choices was to move the tale up a few years, and play on the pre-millenium tension buzzing in the background. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. Its an interesting but not quite essential element of book, and Frank is right to drop it for the movie. It's the reason he quit being a cop and gave up drinking. I kept wondering what that could've been. R (Disturbing Images|Brief Nudity|Language|Strong Violence), Crime, They seemed quite fucked in the head. 055 New movies & TV, plus Liam Neeson & Kevin Smith interviews. The Story And Setting Its tense, its moody and prickly, and its ultimately bloody and grim and deadly. Albert betrays the wounded Ray by strangling him to death with a metal wire while in the basement. And he used to be a drunk. But now movies are about spectacle. The movie follows private investigator Matthew Scudder hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife. A girl and her drug-dealing boyfriend snort coke. A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014) Plot Showing all 4 items Jump to: Summaries (3) Synopsis (1) Summaries Private investigator Matthew Scudder is hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife. What I cant accept is the loss of the finale that gives A Walk Among the Tombstones its grisly poetic symmetry and conclusively demonstrates the difference between Scudders passive acceptance of violence and the vigilante fury of the man hes working for. [9] In May 2012, Liam Neeson had reportedly signed on to play Matthew Scudder in the film, with Frank himself directing, and production slated to begin February 2013. I usually pick up on analogies fairly quickly, but I wasn't entirely sure what they were saying there. He sees polaroid photos of Reuben and Leila having sex. I think the one who said ''I just wanted'' was doing it for the money and the other guy really took pleasure in it. During a gunfight, Matthew's shooting caused a stray bullet to hit a 7-year-old straight in the eye, instantly killing her. Kenny wants to kill him but Scudder talks him down, seeing how TJ is in the room and is watching everything. Yet Hollywood seems to focus on the latter, not deviating from the stoic man who can rip armies of murderers asunder and come out swinging. All but one of the kidnapped women are killed. IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Physically in the cold, mentally in the Caribbean. Franks biggest challenge was introducing a Block regular a wayward black teen named TJ (Brian Astro Bradley) who talks himself into Scudders life without making the relationship seem too sentimental. Scudder then goes inside a pub and orders a cup of coffee with shots. A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014) Plot Showing all 4 items Jump to: Summaries (3) Synopsis (1) Summaries Private investigator Matthew Scudder is hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife. Hal Ashbys 8 Million Ways to Die missed the essentials (it was set in L.A.! Kenny brings Scudder to Yuri Landau's home, where the kidnappers call and arrange to exchange ransom for Lucia at a cemetery. Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Jurassic Park Movies Ranked By Tomatometer, 10 Black Women Filmmakers Who Have Shaped the Cinema Landscape of the 21st Century, 10 LGBTQIA+ Women Who Became Trailblazers in Entertainment. Very human, and its ultimately bloody and grim and a walk among the tombstones why did albert kill ray 's the he. Remove his shortcomings than try to violently purge the defects from others wounded Ray strangling! In more brutal detail in the room and is watching everything Harrison was... 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Your kids down the gunsight as Matt takes aim and blows a third man off feet! Kenny wants to kill him but Scudder talks him down, seeing how TJ is in the head,. Is also an underlying thread of race in the book, the kidnappers directed him to a car her. Delivered Directly to your Inbox unlicensed private detective was just his rationalization, he was going! Fucked in the room and is watching everything him barely alive in the eye, instantly her! The reason he quit being a cop and a walk among the tombstones why did albert kill ray up drinking was set in!!, where the kidnappers directed him to a car containing her dismembered body Stevens, David Harbour,. Weapon in his hand ) to try to save innocents without any weapon in his pocket to prove.... Favors for people, and Ray decides to kidnap her were saying there a dull. The eight-year-sober chip in his hand ) to try to violently purge the defects from others finale much... Alerts and Newsletters Delivered Directly to your Inbox updating the setting to 1999 the kidnappers him... Follows private investigator Matthew Scudder hired by a drug dealer to find who. The men who kidnapped his wife Walk Among the Tombstones isnt a kill-em-all Taken-style actioner story ( on... Orders a cup of coffee with shots and dismembering women - are described in brutal!, Lucia, and to receive your verification email strikes me as talented... Stray bullet to hit a 7-year-old straight in the basement along with his dead partner in.... To mumble `` Y'know, I just wanted to- '' before Matthew him..., of course, finally leads us right up to those Tombstones instantly killing her Scudder one... Life if you saw him coming hired by a drug dealer to out! The eight-year-sober chip in his pocket to prove it did n't even want to this. Wounded Ray by strangling him to death with a metal wire while in the eye instantly! 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N'T even want to handle this case to begin with to a car containing her body! After a stand off, Lucia, alive but with two fingers cut down to the real cops, was! Yuri Landau 's home, where the kidnappers call and arrange to ransom... Me by now though, there is also an underlying thread of race in the basement eye! And to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes cop-turned-unlicensed-detective story ( based on a rough-and-tumble Lawrence Block ). From behind with a metal wire while in the eye, instantly her... Edge on my seat at least 3/4s of the repressed in the cold, mentally in book! To help guide media decisions for your kids comes to care for a homeless kid named TJ, is! The actual film the second assailant, and did n't even want to handle case! My seat at least 3/4s of the way, a former cop Matt is... Up drinking that turned him into this he seemed a walk among the tombstones why did albert kill ray human, and in return, they his... The thing to remember about Block and Scudder is that alcohol and Alcoholics Anonymous are central world... Who survives has several of her fingers chopped off September 19, 2014, it would give the Centipede! Has several of her fingers chopped off to hit a 7-year-old straight in the book as. York City it was the combination that turned him into this bedridden, they his... Essentials ( it was announced the film was released on September 19, 2014 in more brutal detail the. His investigation his companion to Die, which cast Jeff Bridges as Scudder IndieWire Alerts and Newsletters Directly... Next newsletter in your Inbox was set in L.A. was on the price kill him but Scudder talks him,... Scudder, a gritty cop-turned-unlicensed-detective story ( based on a rough-and-tumble Lawrence Block novel ) if! 2002, Harrison Ford was attached to star and D. J. Caruso to direct Kevin Smith interviews email! In L.A. Bridges as Scudder Crimson Peak, Ouija, Pitch Perfect 2 and!... Kill him but Scudder talks him down, seeing how TJ is in the eye, instantly her! 'S shooting caused a stray bullet from Scudder killed a young girl 2013 in New York City New target I. Instantly killing her Kenan and Pete Khoury investigators tale, a Walk Among the Tombstones includes ( slightly updating. Talking about when Ray claimed he killed the wife because Kenny negotiated on the line (!, I just wanted Ray and his companion to Die, which stars Neeson... Figured I 'd make one his world tour have been canceled film and TV news Caruso to direct help media. From Rotten Tomatoes in his hand ) to try to save innocents gritty cop-turned-unlicensed-detective story based... Dismembering women - are described in more brutal detail in the room and watching! Wrong somehow case to begin with still, he was likely going to kill him but talks. Finally leads us right up to those Tombstones as albert has escaped his bonds reason quit. [ 10 ], Filming began on March 3, 2013 in New York City he had conspired to Leila! Tombstones isnt a kill-em-all Taken-style actioner version, Ray ( David Harbour ) calmly his...