http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx They don't make 'em like this one anymore, do they? The closest Hollywood has come to mimicking the hard-boiled gumshoe antics of CHINATOWN was with L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, and either it's a real pity, because those are two great films, or it's a boon, because it makes them really stand out. Raymond Chandler definitely would be proud of the legacy he left behind, and no one has come close to touching Jack Nicholson as J.J. "Jake" Gittes, the ultimate private dick. At any rate, CHINATOWN is the 1974 film that was inspired by the California Water Wars. You can check out that Wikipedia entry for the full skinny, but it boils down to the bullying City of Los Angeles shoving around little Owens Valley for rights to their water, which L.A. desperately needed. Through a smoke and mirrors deal and some political flim-flammery, they rip the valley off and start bleeding them dry, literally. Before long, Owens Valley doesn't have enough water to support their livestock and agriculture, and they come calling on Los Angeles and they aren't too happy about it. It's a true story, and Southern California is still feeling the effects of it. In the movie, Jake gets hired in what seems like a basic "I think my husband is cheating on me" case, and the husband in question is Hollis Mulwray, a play on words for William Mulholland who was an actual figure in the real water scandal. Gittes tails Mulwray and finds out that even though the Los Angeles is under drought conditions, the city is dumping fresh water into the ocean at night. He tires going to Mulwray for answers at his house, but finds him dead. He soon finds out that the Mrs. Mulwray who hired him was someone else posing as her, and whammo... we're deep into a mystery. en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx#2414 if i win this one......... i will let u know how it is....lol brokun1 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx#2414 Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:55:36 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx#2421 same here tinkluvspan http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx#2421 Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:44:11 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx#2834 I SEEN THIS YEARS AGO. AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT AGAIN. IT IS AVERY GOOD MOVIE. WAVELYN http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx#2834 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:07:46 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx#2840 WELL, I WON IT BUT HAVE YET TO RECEIVE IT. LOL. LET U KNOW WHEN I DO. brokun1 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx#2840 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:12:33 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx#2841 yea same here when i get it i will let you know what i think:) tinkluvspan http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/12/04/CHINATOWN-Forget-It-Jake-Its-Chinatown.aspx#2841 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:56:46 GMT