King Lee

Machine-gun toting secretaries, Allen Ginsberg spewing nonsense, John Lennon servicing the Syracuse Mayor, and a Dickens-inspired look at the Syracuse-future all mix together in a wildly funny homage to 70's style blacksploitation and kung-fu films.

If you miss the big Afro, over-sized convertibles and clothes that are a little too loose take the time to go see the public premier of King Lee on May 9th at the Eastwood Palace in Syracuse.

Many of the jokes are inside-Syracuse ones, but are still funny to those who did not grow up in Syracuse or were not here during the Alexander-Era.

This film is both a love letter and breakup letter to the city of Syracuse. Anyone not from this city should still identify with what happens. Anyone not from this city will still sense a familiarity of the topics discussed. Anyone not from this city will still laugh, even if they don't know why. It is that enjoyable.

But if you ARE from Syracuse, you will identify exactly the story being told and the feeling permeating the film. You will recognize the truths it exposes, even if the film is, in itself, not a truthful work. You will cry because it is so funny and, when it is being raw and honest, find that all there is for you to do is laugh.

When you love a place you are saddened all the more by its flaws. This is a story made out of love and hate. Joy and disappointment. Hopefulness and defeat. It should be mandatory viewing for all Syracusans, young and old, long-time residents and new transplants alike.

King Lee in a word... Awesome!! Set in 1970's Syracuse you get a humorous and satirical look at past Mayor Lee Alexander. This is by no means for the most part historically accurate. Some of the events depicted did actually happen but they are exaggerated and therefore should not be treated as real events. Tons of action sequences, groovy clothes, hair and plenty of hilarious scenes. Easily offended or faint of heart should be aware there is a lot of adult content. Still not convinced? You get to see Syracuse be in a movie... when has that ever happened? Exactly! Go see this movie it's exciting and you won't regret it!! -T Barnes