Kojak (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

Michael W. Watkins

Writers (WGA):

Abby Mann (characters)
Tony Piccirillo (written by)

Release Date:

25 March 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Plot:

A bald police detective with a righteous attitude battles crime on his hometurf. |

Plot Keywords:

Prostitution | Police Brutality | Serial Killer | Character Name In Title

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Ving Rhames	...	Lieutenant Theo Kojak
Roselyn Sanchez	...	ADA Carmen Warrick
Michael Kelly	...	Detective Bobby Crocker
Chuck Shamata	...	Detective Henry Messina
Dean McDermott	...	Detective Dan Riggins
Demetrius Joyette	...	Darryl Harris
Peter MacNeill	...	Col. Vincent Barnett
Tom Rooney	...	Howard Fletcher
Chazz Palminteri	...	Captain Frank McNeil
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jacob L. Adams	...	Shop Foreman
Lyriq Bent	...	Billy Harris
Jude Beny	...	Femme Bartender
Craig Blair	...	Precinct Cop
Inga Cadranel	...	Detective Washburn
Jo Chim	...	Mrs. Tong
Ho Chow	...	Mr Tong
Michael DeArmey	...	Nicholas
Jemeni Gairy	...	Tiffany Faberge
Michelle Hospedales	...	Nicole Harris
Miranda Jade	...	Drug addict
Angelica Lisk	...	Jazz Club Woman
Gene Mack	...	NYPD Secretary
Heather Mathieson
Michael A. Miranda	...	Hector Desoto
Tony Nappo	...	Freddie
Paulino Nunes	...	Lt. Suarez
Rahnuma Panthaky	...	Detective Tucker
Pete Pastore	...	Sgt. Pernelli
Joe Pingue	...	Lowery
A.J. Saudin	...	Otis Redding
Hannah Simone	...	Sexy Girl
Jessica Steen	...	Kate
Briana Wilson	...	Nina Harris

Runtime:

120 min | Finland:87 min (2 parts) (PAL) (excluding commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

NBC Universal Television

Movie Connections:

Followed by "Kojak" (2005)

The GO word is Quality

The first episode of this show doesn't air until March 25th, but I managed to get my hands on the press kit, which contains (along with the press releases and the extremely creative promotional lolly-pops) the DVD of the 2-hour pilot, and if the subsequent shows are as well-written and absorbing as this initial offering, I will most certainly make damn sure I don't miss any of them.

I've always enjoyed Ving Rhames' work; he manages to bring humanity and substance to any role he undertakes, whether he's portraying a good guy, a bad guy, or anything in-between. Here, as the infamous Kojak, he's perfectly on the mark, managing to be tough without making it an ego thing, genuinely sensitive when it's called for, and thoroughly able to do what needs to be done (even if it's in conflict with the 'rules'). The part is tailor-made for him, and I would go so far as to say that if you'd never seen the original show, with Telly S. in the title role, you would swear the part was created FOR Rhames.

The pilot episode starts out good, gets better and better and still better, and by the time it was over, I was ready to sign up (in fact, I did - went to the USA Network's site and submitted my email so I could get the weekly newsletter). The plot has many traditional elements of the genre, of course, but it's the WAY it's done, the WAY it's written and executed that elevate it above the fray. I only hope the rest of the episodes live up to this initial offering. I have a feeling they will.

It's happened before here at IMDb that I've been the first person to post a comment on a movie or a show, but this is the first time that I've actually gotten to be one of the first 5 voters. It's an honor to be able to cast one of these first 5 votes for such a promising and inspired new venture.