Search - Kingpin

Widely touted as NBC's answer to The Sopranos, the six-episode series Kingpin also drew heavily from the British mini-series Traffik. The nominal protagonist in this seamy, violent tale of a Mexican drug-trading family was Yancey Arias as Miguel Cadena, the Stanford-educated heir apparent to the Cardena criminal dynasty. Together with his icy, coke-addicted wife, Marlene (Sheryl Lee), Miguel coolly guided the destinies of his worldwide family business, eliminating enemies, friends, and loved ones alike to maintain his empire. Others in the cast included Bobby Cannavale as Miguel's vicious "enforcer" brother, Chato; Ruben Carbajal as Miguel and Marlene's disillusioned eight-year-old son, Joey; Angela Alvarado Rosa as relentless DEA agent Delia Flores; Brian Benben as the Cardenas' personal plastic surgeon, Dr. Heywood Klein; and Shay Roundtree as Texas-born torpedo Junie Gatling, who acted as a sounding board for the other characters. Among the creative contributors to the series was Allen Coulter, who direct several episodes of The Sopranos. Originally slated for a March 2003 debut, Kingpin was moved up to February 2, 2003 to take advantage of a traditional network "sweeps week." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Yancey Arias - Miguel Cadena
Sheryl Lee - Marlene Cadena
Bobby Cannavale - Chato Cadena
Brian Benben - Dr. Heywood Klein
Ruben Carbajal - Joey Cadena

The widescreen treatment of cinematographer Tim Ives' feature film-like photography, the show's most distinctive element, looks clear and sharp, with the sepia-toned exteriors holding firm; the Dolby Digital 5.1 adds the expected, but no less welcome, fuller dimension to the sound. Otherwise, extras are skimpy. Disc three includes brief on-camera sit-down interviews with the principals in the cast who simply, and repetitiously, describe their characters' traits in accordance to the way they are playing them. Creator/director David Mills frankly admits to pinching elements from Shakespeare's Macbeth (the ruthless wife aspects of the plot) as well as The Sopranos (the "human" side of ruthless behavior) in giving the network what it wanted. His candor is appreciated, but inspirations should be worn up the sleeve, not on it. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide

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