‘Booze, Broads and Blackjack’ scratches the mob movie itch
The independently produced, fledgling-star-studded film learns from genre icons while offering screen time to rising stars
By Freddy Moyano

Vegas, New York and most recently Newark. Add in an unquenchable thirst for fame and money, power and control, questioned loyalty and treason to these iconic locations, mix in a memorable handful of Italian-Americanāor Italian, periodāneighborhood vigilante characters who engage in endless battles and you have a recipe for genre success. This recipe is largely based on the success of Mario Puzoās āThe Godfather,ā which was adapted to the big screen in the early 1970s.
In this same flavor is the highly anticipated āThe Sopranosāā prequel āThe Many Saints of Newarkā which premiered in most theaters and HBO streaming services on Oct. 1.
Movie buffs who canāt get enough of tales of sawed-off shotgunsāor luparasācoupled with vendettas over betrayals and olive oil-greased dishonor are sure to find something to sink their teeth into in the independently produced crime film āBooze, Broads and Blackjack.ā
This 2020 release was directed by up-and-comer Rickey Bird (āNaked Zombie Girlā), with A-listers like āThe Sopranosāā own Vincent Pastore, coupled with a rather faint guest-star like appearance by Vincent M. Ward (āThe Walking Deadāā) and old-timers like James Duval (āDonnie Darkoā, āGone in 60 Secondsā), whose scene-stealing, memorable work at an office complex scene in Vegas is among this filmās gems.
Based on the Carl Nicita novel of the same, āBooze, Broads and Blackjackā is initially set in the upper East Coast with Pastoreās character, Uncle Vinny Bombayo, running a family business as usualāno deep spoilers hereāuntil an unexpected chain of events leads Bombayoās nephew, DJ Jack King (āGreyās Anatomyāās Joe Raffa) and his troubled girlfriend to Las Vegas. Soon enough, this 90-minute film shows there are no saints in Vegas as King disobeys his uncleās orders in the middle of the casino-loaded city and ends up crossing paths with Alicia, opening a can of troubling zigzags spinning around a mysterious suitcase.
Aliciaās character was rather refreshing to see. The tumultuous character is played by rising actress Sarah French, who is also known for her work in the new age horror film āPretty Boy.ā French adds a spicy, yet genuine āWelcome-to-Vegas” touch that keeps the plot interesting. She keeps viewers guessing at her true intentions throughout the second half of the tape.
On the other hand, Raffa starts out with a likable performance but seems to lose fuel with every scene. Thankfully, his sassy DJ character is well supported by French and the sparsely sprinkled genius-worthy appearances of Pastore and Duval. Every line delivered by Pastoreās Uncle Vinny has a well-matured āSopranosāā flavor throughout. If you enjoyed the late James Gandolfiniās hit series you will appreciate Pastoreās cold and comic range in his handful of appearances. Of special note is the dialogue in one of the initial scenes when Uncle Vinny meets Savannah for employmentāinfiltration is a better term–at his club.
Rumor has it that Pastore left āThe Sopranosā on rocky terms and his exit was earlier than anticipated. A big portion of the seriesā core audience (myself included) did not take his quick exit too lightly. Pastore has an irreplaceable acting ability and is an enjoyable piece of candy to savor in almost every scene he works. Aging like the best of wines, his work in āBooze, Broads and Blackjackā reminds me of character-filled artists such as Michelle Rodriguez who somehow were born to shine as supporting at heart.
Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Freddy Moyano has spent almost two decades in Northeast Wisconsin working as an actor, voiceover artist, film editor and entrepreneur. Moyano has produced over 20 motion pictures and earned international recognition such as Best Nature/Wildlife Film Jean Luc Godard Award in 2020. He is the founder and a director of Green Bay-based, international film festival, MLC Awards. Find more information about Moyano and the MLC awards atĀ www.mlcawards.comĀ andĀ www.imdb.me/freddymoyano.
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