The Yards 2000

     Contractors repair and rebuild New York’s subway cars in the rail yards of Queens.  This is a big business and there is a lot corruption involving companies, contracts, bosses and workers.  Leo Handler spent 5 years in prison but he didn’t rat on his pals also involved in his crime.  Leo didn’t know that his aunt married Frank Olchin and he’s one of the big contractors.  Leo arranges an interview with Frank about getting a job.  Frank recommends that Leo learn a trade such as machinist.  Leo doesn’t think this will work since he needs money now?  Willie Gutierrez is Leo’s best friend but Willie is involved in damaging the work of a Puerto Rican owned company.  He's also involved in a lot of dubious activities.

     This film is based on a real corruption scandal in the mid 1980’s.  The father of co-writer and director James Gray was involved in this case.  Initially, I thought this was a new film until I saw how young the actors are.  My copy was a new release of the 2000 film.  Charlize Theron has dark hair and that makes her look very different.  It was nice to see the older actors mixed in with the young actors.  3* (This movie is OK)

115 min, Crime directed by James Gray with Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, James Caan, Ellen Burstyn, Faye Dunaway, Steve Lawrence, Andy Davoli, Tony Musante, Vicor Argo, Tomas Milian.

Note:  Imdb 6.4 out of 10, 64% critic 51% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3*, Amazon 3.9* out of 5* with 93 reviews, Metacritic 58 out of 100 with 31 critics 8.2 out of 10 with 22 reviews, Empire Online 3* out of 5* with 31 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Roosevelt Island, Queens, Brooklyn and Bronx, New York City, New York and New Jersey.  Originally, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) refused permission to film on its property.  Instead, filming was done at an old abandoned freight yard and on a studio set.  A deal was reached allowing one scene to be shot inside the 207^th Street Car Shop and Yard on NYCTA property.  Filming was done in the spring and summer of 1998 but the release was delayed until the fall of 2000.  The list of films with Mark Wahlberg doesn’t show this film on Imdb unless you click on 65 credits as an actor?