Alpha Dog (STRONG LANGUAGE & ADULT CONTENT)

irina · 14 Mar 08 :: 02:38

anytime i read something about this movie and the true events behind the movie i feel so emotional.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 14 Mar 08 :: 02:48

I'm on the AD IMDb board everyday, Irina. I live with this story everyday. I just try to make sure everyone knows the truth. And remembers Nick Markowitz. I talk to his mom sometimes. She's such a sweet, broken soul. I ache for that family. And Graham Pressley's family. They did not deserve such agony.

Illinoisguy1 · 16 Mar 08 :: 13:32

I thought some would like to see some of the DVD artwork from around the world.

Got these from the DVD Profiler program - so they are all legit since they don't allow bootlegs to be contributed.

Belgium

Denmark

France

Germany

Italy

Netherlands

Norway

Sweden

UK

TeeJay · 16 Mar 08 :: 15:24

I love it how the Germans put on the front cover "with pop mega star Justin Timberlake". Yay, I'm sure a million Justin-crazy teens will buy that movie only because he's in it. :doh:

-TeeJay

domesticelefant · 16 Mar 08 :: 17:59

Yeah! LOL
What is the difference between that normal version and that "Home Edition"? I somehow don't get it.

TeeJay · 16 Mar 08 :: 18:39

The normal version doesn't seem to have any bonus material. Or at least it's not listed on the cover.

-TeeJay

TheCentralScrutinizer · 16 Mar 08 :: 19:18

Two of them have the pool pic with Chris on the back, so that's cool. But man, they sure are all in love with that shot of Ben Foster with his ax, aren't they? And I like the really exploitative one with Olivia Wilde in her underwear on the front. LOL!

Illinoisguy1 · 16 Mar 08 :: 21:02

Just thought I'd let you know that Circuit City will have the dvd on sale for $5.99 the week of March 23-29.

BiggestChrisMarquetteFan · 17 Mar 08 :: 03:05

Cool dvd covers. The only thing missing is a picture of Chris on the cover of all of them. = ]

TeeJay · 23 Mar 08 :: 11:49

This is from an interview with Anton Yelchin:

Why do you think the characters in this film ultimately killed your character? I only ask because it seemed like they had options, they knew they had options, yet they chose to ignore them?
Anton Yelchin: Well, I think those guys are really paranoid, you know? Paranoid and, to be honest, not really that intelligent. They're just paranoid, not thinking people and ultimately apathetic enough not to care that they're just taking this kid's life. They just didn't care. I don't like putting people in categories of good people, bad people, there's good and bad in everyone, it's just how much you care to let either out, you know? They just didn't give a sh*t. You don't kill a person if you actually care.
It seems like after they kill your character they don't even realize what they've done? It's like business as usual.
Anton Yelchin: Yeah, not at all. They were just kind of dumb people.
source: http://www.movieweb.com/dvd/news/96/19396.php

And it underlines again that Graham Pressley (Chris's role) was actually a real smart kid who just ran with the wrong crowd.

-TeeJay

TheCentralScrutinizer · 02 Apr 08 :: 17:21

Do we have this exact shot?

TheCentralScrutinizer · 02 Apr 08 :: 17:22

Or this one...

domesticelefant · 02 Apr 08 :: 19:34

I think we have the first one, but I'm not sure. I have no clue about the second one.

TeeJay · 02 Apr 08 :: 20:58

Yes:

And yes:

They're actually just zoomed-in versions of other pics we have that look like they were taken from a wider angle. These are just cropped and blown up.

-TeeJay

Illinoisguy1 · 04 Apr 08 :: 15:24

Best Buy will have the Alpha Dog DVD on sale the week of April 6 - April 12, 2008 for $5.99

domesticelefant · 04 Apr 08 :: 17:52

Heather wrote:

I love his eyes in the second one.

Actually there are the same eyes in the other one.

domesticelefant · 04 Apr 08 :: 18:53

I know. I just couldn't resist.

Illinoisguy1 · 12 May 08 :: 21:11

High court lets prosecutor remain on 'Alpha Dog' case
The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 05/12/2008 10:24:23 AM PDT
SAN FRANCISCO—The state's high court says a Santa Barbara deputy district attorney who helped in the making of the movie "Alpha Dog" can stay on the real-life death penalty case the film is based on.
A lower court removed Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen from the case after he turned over probation reports, police files and other sensitive materials to director Nick Cassavetes.
The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled Monday that Zonen can be reinstated on the case of Jesse James Hollywood. The defendant is accused of masterminding a plot to kidnap and kill 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz in 2000 because the teenager's older half brother owed Hollywood a $1,200 drug debt.
"Alpha Dog" is a fictionalized account of the case that stars Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Justin Timberlake.

http://www.montereyherald.com/state/ci_9233837

TheCentralScrutinizer · 12 May 08 :: 22:08

Well, I don't know if that's good news or bad news, but at least it's news. At least something is happening. Although I'm sure now JJH's lawyers will find a way to drag it out even longer since this goes against what they want. This guy's never going to trial if they have anything to say about it.

Illinoisguy1 · 14 May 08 :: 00:13

Looks like you were right Deb.

California's highest court ruled that a prosecutor who helped in the making of "Alpha Dog" may remain on the death penalty case on which the film is based.
In the "Alpha Dog" case, an appeals court had removed Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen after he turned over probation reports, police files and other sensitive materials to director Nick Cassavetes.
"Alpha Dog," a fictionalized account of the killing of a Southern California teen starring Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Justin Timberlake, was released last year.
Prosecutors accuse Jesse James Hollywood of masterminding a plot to kidnap and murder 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz in 2000 because the teenager's older half brother owed Hollywood a $1,200 drug debt. Four people have already been convicted in the case, including triggerman Ryan Hoyt, who was sentenced to death.
Zonen said in court documents he aided Cassavetes with "Alpha Dog" to help publicize the hunt for Hollywood, who was captured in 2005 in Brazil after spending nearly five years on the lam.
Hollywood's lawyer, James Blatt, claimed Zonen -- who was not paid by the filmmakers -- acted unethically in giving confidential documents to Cassavetes and that "Alpha Dog" unfairly demonized his client in the eyes of potential jurors.
The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled Monday that a trial judge in Santa Barbara correctly concluded that Zonen's behavior didn't warrant removal.
"This is not to say that Zonen can or should escape censure," Justice Kathryn Werdegar wrote. "We find his acknowledged actions in turning over his case files without so much as an attempt to screen them for confidential information highly inappropriate and disturbing."
Still, Werdegar said kicking Zonen off the case was too harsh of a punishment because he appeared to be motivated solely by a desire to capture Hollywood.
"While Hollywood disputes that conclusion, it is supported by substantial evidence," Werdegar wrote.
Blatt said he was disappointed in the ruling and was considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"This sends a negative message. I don't think he can be fair," he said.
Blatt said no trial date was scheduled pending the outcome of the appeal. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Hollywood, who is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.
Zonen couldn't be reached for comment Monday, and District Attorney Christie Stanley didn't immediately return a phone call.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/05/13/alp … ecutor.ap/

TheCentralScrutinizer · 14 May 08 :: 01:12

What's disturbing is that Blatt knows his client is guilty. He has a documentary on his own website that details JJH's role in Nick's murder quite blatantly. And as a lawyer he KNOWS that it doesn't matter whether Zonen is "fair" in his prosecution. There will be a judge there to keep him in line and a jury to weigh his performance in court. Blatt is lying when he claims to be afraid that Zonen can't be fair. It's just more stalling and more bullshit. I feel so bad for Susan and Jeff. This is not good news for them at all. If Zonen really wanted to see JJH prosecuted for this finally, he'd just recuse himself. It's the right thing to do. Unfortunately, lawyers don't seem to be capable of such lofty ideals as doing the right thing.

Illinoisguy1 · 30 May 08 :: 08:05

An article on the trial.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7409613.stm

Mixing US justice and showbiz
By Chris Summers
BBC News
Defence lawyers in a California murder trial may appeal to the US Supreme Court after a district attorney helped the makers of a film based on the killing, starring Justin Timberlake.
When the body of 15-year-old Nick Markowitz was discovered in a shallow grave just outside Los Angeles in August 2000, it set in train a saga which is still unfolding.
The boy was the brother of a small-time drug dealer and it emerged he had been killed after a dispute over $2,000 (£1,000) worth of marijuana.
Four young men from the prosperous San Fernando Valley were arrested and, with emotions running high in the area, were convicted. Three were jailed for life but 21-year-old Ryan Hoyt was sentenced to death.
It emerged during their trial that Nick had been held hostage for several days, before being bound with duct tape, struck over the head with a shovel and shot several times.
All four said they acted out of fear of the gang's leader, Jesse James Hollywood.
Fugitive from justice
He had vanished after reading in a newspaper about the body being found.
In 2003 Nick Cassavetes, the director of movies such as The Notebook and John Q, hired Michael Mehas to research material for a film based on the Markowitz case.
The movie, Alpha Dog, was released last year and starred Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and, in his first feature role, pop star Justin Timberlake, whose character was based on 20-year-old Jesse Rugge, who is serving a life sentence for his role in the boy's death.
While researching the film - and writing a book, Stolen Boy, which came out of his research - Mr Mehas contacted the Santa Barbara District Attorney's office and spoke to Ron Zonen, who was keen to track down Hollywood.
Mr Mehas said: "He wanted to use the film as a sort of global wanted poster to help find Hollywood and bring him back to face justice."
Mr Zonen handed over virtually all his case files to Mr Mehas.
But before the film came out Hollywood, who had been on the FBI's Most Wanted list, was captured in a surfing resort in Brazil in 2005 and extradited back to California.
His lawyer, James Blatt, soon discovered the cosy relationship between the prosecutors and the film-makers and kicked up a fuss about it.
Attempts were made to prevent the film's release until after Hollywood's trial. In the event the film came out last year to mixed reviews.
Mr Blatt then sought to throw Mr Zonen and his colleagues off the case, claiming their integrity had been compromised.
He said it was the first time a prosecutor had effectively acted as a "co-producer of a film" based on a case he was due to bring to trial.
Mr Blatt told the BBC News website: "Any time you have a major motion picture presenting the district attorney's viewpoint of the case it may have a damaging impact on the chances of someone receiving a fair trial."
'Highly disturbing'
Earlier in May, the California Supreme Court rejected his arguments to have Mr Zonen and his colleagues thrown off the case but he has 90 days to decide whether to appeal to the US Supreme Court.
But Mr Zonen, who has now in fact been replaced on the case, was criticised by the California Supreme Court judges, who said: "We find his actions in turning over his case files... highly inappropriate and disturbing". However, they accepted his motives were honourable - to find Hollywood.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Jerry Franklin said: "The complaint was that he turned his file over to Mr Mehas and that is probably bad form but it was not anything they could not have obtained from the court records. His motivation was that he hoped the film would end with a picture of Hollywood, saying he was a wanted individual."
Despite the success of Alpha Dog and his own book, Mr Mehas said: "Prosecutors should not be involved with the mass media. Justice is about being judged by a jury of your peers and the mass media tilts and slants things.
"I hope no other prosecutor makes a movie or a book and then tries to kill the guy."
But Mr Franklin said there was no rule forbidding prosecutors from contacting the media before or even during a trial.
"The only thing that is not allowed is releasing something to the media which is not factually accurate or may be prejudicial to the defendant. That is a no no," he said.
Mr Mehas said he believed the murder of Nick Markowitz was not as black and white as it had been portrayed.
He said his book made it clear Hollywood, then aged 21, and his gang were young, intoxicated men who were driven by their own fear.
He said: "Hollywood fell out with Markowitz's brother, Ben, and there had been a number of threats made to him. Hollywood's dog was killed and he was frightened."
Panicked
Mr Mehas said that clearly did not excuse the kidnap or murder of Nicholas but he said he felt the gang panicked.
He said the case was a wake-up call to many middle-class parents in prosperous parts of America.
"The parents had slept through it all. They were too preoccupied with their own issues to know what their kids were getting up to," he said.
Hollywood's trial may not take place until next year as his lawyers are seeking to change the venue to reduce the chances of prejudice against him.
If convicted he faces the death penalty.
The parents of the dead boy, Jeff and Susan Markowitz, simply want closure.
The prosecutors hope they may get that soon. Mr Franklin said: "There is a good chance that the trial might be this year... and we will be seeking the death penalty."

TheCentralScrutinizer · 30 May 08 :: 15:29

OK, I don't understand. Zonen is off the case. So now what's the hold-up? Why can't they proceed? Blatt got what he wanted but that's not good enough. Now he's gonna stall some more with a request for a change of venue? God, this guy's the worst kind of creep. If his client is so innocent, why is there a documentary on his website that paints him as guily as sin?

Like Hillary Clinton, Blatt just keeps moving the goal post.

Simon · 30 May 08 :: 16:53

WooHoo I have now finally got Alpha Dog on DVD.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 30 May 08 :: 17:10

Awsome Simon. We wanna hear your thoughts on the movie once you've seen it so start watching!

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