Theorn "Touche" Lykes Movies
Greed and mistrust poison the friendship between two men who have known each other since childhood in director Zeke Gonzalez's cautionary look at the criminal lifestyle. For as far back as either can remember, Lino and Weecho have always been the very best of friends. Recognizing the potential for profit in trafficking drugs into Chicago's Westside, the pair gradually drifts apart after Weecho is taken under the wing of a Miami-based drug kingpin and Lino is left to fend for himself on the city streets. Later, jealous Lino and his street smart pal Jimmy set into motion a diabolical plot to bring down the now powerful Weecho and assume control of his profitable corner of the drug trade. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Gladiator is the kind of boxing movie that goes that extra mile -- a self-loathing boxing saga that relishes in bare-knuckled sucker punches, illegal eye-rubs, and gentlemen boxers who obey the Marquis of Queensbury rules by drop-kicking opponents when the are not only down but unconscious. James Marshall plays Tommy Riley, a Windy City high school student conned into participating in the illegal underground boxing arenas of the South Side of Chicago. In high school, Tommy was a prize boxer, and this skill comes in handy when his Father (John Heard) runs up a large gambling debt. When a sleazy boxing manager (Robert Loggia) spots Tommy defending himself during recess, he offers him quick money to box. Tommy, although he hates the sport, readily agrees, thinking his winnings will help his father pay off his debts. He quickly comes under the thumb of unscrupulous boxing promoter Horn (Brian Dennehy), who is involved in fight-fixing and dirty fighting. Manipulating the odds and exploiting his boxers make Horn rich and more venal. In the rancid environment, Tommy befriends another fighter, Lincoln (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a black fighter who sees fighting as his way out of poverty. Inevitably, Horn arranges for the two friends to duke it out in the ring together. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cuba Gooding, Jr., James Marshall, (more)
