City of Lies

Really good film showing the real life of what really went on beneath the surface of the hip hop industry a must see film Depp and Whitaker pulled it off as usual.

I came across this movie by chance while searching for something to watch. I wasn't expecting much, given the rating, but I got pleasantly surprised.

This is a solid movie, with great acting and an interesting and engaging story. I'm not from the US and I'm not really into rap, so I can't speak for the accuracy from a historical standpoint. But it was very entertaining. More like a 7.5 in my opinion. So if you had any doubts, watch it, you won't regret it.

I wasn't expecting much going in. Both Leads are on the downward arc of their careers and both have made some turkeys in their days. Not the case in this movie, Johnny Depp is very good as a retired detective who has all the answers but no ability to get things done and Forest Whitaker as the reporter whose star has faded. The two leads play off each other very well and Whitaker complements Depp whose character just might be unstable. Depp is the lead character and Whitaker is definitely the consummate supporting actor. This is a murder mystery with intrigue about the Biggie Smalls murder. I know very little about rap and was engrossed with story of corruption and the toll that the search for the truth has exacted on the two male leads. A entertaining film with a above average performance from Depp.

This Movie had some impact on me. The Movie actually mainly accounts to the Death of Notorious B.I.G.

Harsh in realism, but full of passion by 2 great actors.

Harsh from the beginning , to imagine LAPD Cops acting like Straight Up Ballers.

I know Depp and Whitaker could have done better, but still I give their Passion as actors a 10, I see in this Movie, they where both affected by this never solved (hi)story. The Movie can feel slow, but it's merely to show how this Detective got caught up in this corrupted murder puzzle. Also great acting from Shea Whigham ! Definitely...a Must See!

I mean the wait for the movie to finally being released. As you can see the year this states is 2018 - yet it is 2021 when this finally has a release I can finally watch. Not sure what the reason for the delay was. I doubt it was the subject matter or anything controversial that is in it. But blaming the things that went on in Johnny Depps private life also seems to vague to be true.

Whatever is true, I'm glad this was finally released. I reckon this does not have much that those who are in the subject matter would not know about. It is an easy entry point for those who are only familiar with some vague dates and incidents that happened. The structure is very well done and easy to access too. Acting is great and there are connections being made that are very likely to paint a picture of what happened back then ... even when you can not be sure of everything ... and it does concentrate more on the case of Christopher Wallace (better known as Notorious BIG) rather than take up the Tupac Shakur case - the latter is being talked about, but only to then again shine more light on the other case.

Whittaker and Depp are a great pair and the supporting case is incredible too. Playing broken characters ... who seem to be fighting against windmills (yes you've probably heard that analogy before). Tension filled from start to finish ... and still frustrating most of the time too ... there is no easy way in or out and only the fact remains that we lost two of the greatest rappers of all time - probably for or over nothing.