Cosa Nostra News

I wish all of you -- whomever you are, wherever you are --  a very happy new year -- and here's to dedicating ourselves to realizing our potential in 2014! I liked " The Family " despite its much-lamented unevenness, as the critics kept pointing out. The fact that the film swings from comedy to violence as bloody as anything seen in movies like Goodfellas seems to have confused some--disturbed, is more likely. We all know how popular top 10 lists are this time of year; this one is as good as any. Manzoni, a former Mafioso from the U.S., is hiding out in France (didn't know WitSec was allowed to stuff criminals into neighborhoods in other countries -- turns out they can't). The film is based on a book written by a Frenchman about the U.S. mob. Only he seems to know the Sicilian mob a lot better; that is why the American Mafia in this film behaves more like its Sicilian brethren. But don't worry about that -- enjoy the clip.

Vito Rizzuto in his prime. If Mafia history were taught in school, the date May 5, 1981, would be wrought with significance. That was the day of the infamous three-capo take-down in Brooklyn, when Bonanno family loyalists took on three bosses who were forming a rival faction to take control of the family. The loyalists won--and the family would continue to be run by its nominal boss, Philip Rusty Rastelli, a mostly impotent figure who held the top spot much longer than he would've liked in order to provide the true boss, Joe Massino, with cover.

Yes (48%) No   (51%) I probably wouldn't stop covering "Mob Wives" in any event; the show is too popular. I don't "do" show recaps (some of the best I've ever read can be found here  and here , to name a couple). But when the show, in some way, shines a bright light on the inner workings of La Cosa Nostra, I try to capture it. As for the too popular comment, of my top 10 posts for the past month, half were related to "Mob Wives": Entry Leaked Court Records Expose D'Avanzo Mob Ties Bull Victim's Son Prompts 'Mob Wives' Reboot: Kare... Wanna Know Each Mob Wife's Net Worth? Read This...... Renee's Mob Candy Line: 'Everything a Mob Princess... Lee D'Avanzo, Not Tall Guy, Behind "Mob Wives" Reb...

Cosa Nostra News wishes you all a belated Merry Christmas Eve/Christmas Day -- and my gift to you all is a little "mob candy"... no, I am not Renee, I am referring to mob candy of the eye candy type... My friend Miami says "happy holidays" as well.... Special video clip from Robert DeNiro coming soon....