What is the movie Alpha Dog about?
Directed by Nick Cassavetes, ‘Alpha Dog’ tells the story of Zack Mazursky (Anton Yelchin), who gets caught up on the wrong side of a young drug dealer, Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch). Johnny leads a posse of young men who aid him in his drug dealing ways.
When did Alpha Dog come out?
Alpha Dog is a 2006 American crime drama film written and directed by Nick Cassavetes, first screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2006, with a wide release the following year on January 12, 2007.
Who is the real Johnny Truelove in Alpha Dog?
The real Johnny Truelove, Jesse James Hollywood (left), and actor Emile Hirsch (right) in the Alpha Dog movie. Photo Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office Did the real Zack Mazursky say that he'd one day tell his grandkids the story of his kidnapping?
Is Sharon Stone in the movie Alpha Dog?
But despite their misgivings, Jeff and Susan Markowitz cooperated with director Nick Cassavettes and the “Alpha Dog” cast, including Sharon Stone, who plays a character based on Susan. (“Alpha Dog” is distributed by a division of NBC Universal, parent company of this network.)
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How much of Alpha Dog is true?
Cassavetes estimates that "Alpha Dog" is about "95 percent accurate" in its depiction of the August 2000 kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Nick Markowitz, a crime that was allegedly ordered by Hollywood and carried out by his gang of friends and fellow drug dealers.
Who were the real people from Alpha Dog?
The real Zack Mazursky, Nicholas Markowitz (left), was portrayed by actor Anton Yelchin in the movie (right).The real Johnny Truelove, Jesse James Hollywood (left), and actor Emile Hirsch (right) in the Alpha Dog movie.More items...
Was Alpha based on a true story?
According to a media portal's report, the movie is based on the murder of Nick Markowitz. In the movie, Johnny Truelove is a low-life who supplies drugs to his friends and others are indebted to him.
What happened to the real Alpha Dog?
It was Jesse James Hollywood. After four and half years on the run, he was finally under arrest for the kidnapping and murder of Nick Markowitz. Tough police will not talk about it publicly, sources close to the case say they were led to Jesse James Hollywood by listening in on phone calls with his father, Jack.
Where are the Alpha Dog killers now?
He was arrested in 2005 and is serving life without parole at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California.
Who is alpha dog based on?
murder of Nicholas MarkowitzAlpha Dog is a 2006 American black comedy/crime drama film written and directed by Nick Cassavetes based on the true story of the kidnapping and murder of Nicholas Markowitz in 2000.
What breed of dog is in Alpha movie?
The wolf Alpha is played by Chuck, a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog.
What is the meaning of alpha dog?
A dominant dogNoun. alpha dog (plural alpha dogs) (often figuratively) A dominant dog; a dog that is an alpha male or alpha female.
Who is Alpha Dog based on?
murder of Nicholas MarkowitzAlpha Dog is a 2006 American black comedy/crime drama film written and directed by Nick Cassavetes based on the true story of the kidnapping and murder of Nicholas Markowitz in 2000.
How many times was Nicholas Markowitz shot?
Hoyt then hit Nicholas in the back of the head with a shovel, knocking him into the grave, and shot him nine times with Hollywood's handgun. The grave was shallow, and was located near a popular trail. Nicholas's body was found on August 12, 2000.
Who is Markowitz brother?
Benjamin MarkowitzNicholas Markowitz / Brother
Where is Jesse Rugge?
Despite Gov. Jerry Brown's recommendation that Rugge remain in prison, the California Board of Parole Hearings granted Rugge parole and scheduled his release from a Chino prison for next week. The victim's mother, Susan Markowitz, expressed her dismay over the parole board's decision on Facebook.
Who is the actor in the movie Alpha Dog?
Directed by Nick Cassavetes, ‘Alpha Dog’ tells the story of Zack Mazursky (Anton Yelchin), who gets caught up on the wrong side of a young drug dealer, Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch). Johnny leads a posse of young men who aid him in his drug dealing ways. Jake Mazursky, Zack’s half-brother, owes money to Johnny- a fact that doesn’t go down well ...
Who kidnaps Zack in Alpha Dog?
Jake Mazursky, Zack’s half-brother, owes money to Johnny- a fact that doesn’t go down well with him. In a curious turn of events, Johnny kidnaps Zack as bait to receive his debt. A story of Stockholm Syndrome gone horribly wrong, ‘Alpha Dog’ is a gritty and realistic cinema portraying the Californian Valley’s decadence.
Is Alpha Dog based on a true story?
Yes, ‘Alpha Dog’ is based on a true story. In fact, all the characters in the film are inspired by real-life individuals involved in the murder case of Nicholas Markowitz, which shook the community of West Hills, Los Angeles. Nicholas Markowitz lived in the West Hills with his parents Susan and Jeff Markowitz.
What percentage of the murder story is in Alpha Dog?
Later in an interview with a media publication, Susan said that the film Alpha Dog represents 90% of her son’s murder story. She also accused the film producers of not giving credits. She also said that certain events and names were ofcourse changed while some incidents like the infamous bar fight scene was added for dramatic effect.
Who is Mark's mother?
After the murder of Mark and following the release of Alpha Dog, Mark’s mother Susan Markowitz wrote a book about her son’s murder. In the book, My Stolen Son: The Nick Markowitz Story, Susan detailed the murder of her son.
Is Alpha Dog based on a true story?
The film had an elaborate star cast, but it failed to impress the audience and critics. But, the film is believed to be based on a true story. Alpha Dog has reportedly been inspired by the murder of Nick Markowitz.
Who is the guy in Alpha Dog?
The Alpha Dog true story confirms that Jesse James Hollywood (Johnny Truelove in the movie) and two friends, Jesse Rugge and William Skidmore, snatched up Nick Markowitz while he was walking along the side of the road in the late morning.
Who was the real Frankie Ballenbacher in Alpha Dog?
Nick's body was discovered three days later on August 12, 2000. -LATimes.com. Like in the Alpha Dog movie, the real Frankie Ballenbacher, Jesse Rugge (left, circa 2013), helped to kidnap Nicholas Markowitz and was present for the murder. Actor Justin Timberlake (right) portrays Rugge in the movie. Could Nicholas Markowitz have escaped his captors? ...
Who played Brian Affronti in the movie?
Brian Affronti, who is portrayed by Alex Solowitz and renamed Bobby '911' Kaye in the movie, testified that he saw Nicholas Markowitz unbound and playing video games on the couch at a house in Santa Barbara. He also testified to helping Markowitz smoke marijuana out of a bong while he was still bound. -Independent.com.
Who kidnapped Zack Mazursky?
Nicholas Markowitz, the real Zack Mazursky, was kidnapped off the side of the road by Jesse James and his friends shortly before 1 pm on August 6, 2000. Markowitz was killed two and a half days later, sometime after midnight in the early hours of August 9. -LATimes.com.
Who is the real Johnny Truelove?
The videos below include footage of the real Johnny Truelove (Jesse James Hollywood) and the real Zack Mazursky (Nicholas Markowitz).
Who killed Nick in Alpha Dog?
Like in the Alpha Dog movie, the true story confirms that Jesse Hollywood decided to murder Nick after his father's attorney, Stephen Hogg, told Jesse that he would face serious penalties for the kidnapping. Jesse had called Hogg for legal advice.
Did Zack Mazursky tell his grandkids about his kidnapping?
Did the real Zack Mazursky say that he'd one day tell his grandkids the story of his kidnapping? Yes. Like in the movie, Nicholas Markowitz (the real Zack Mazursky) did not believe that he was going to die. "I talked to him about it," 17-year-old Natasha Adams-Young told a grand jury, "and he said that he would tell his grandkids about it, just the story." Nick believed that he would be okay in part because Jesse Rugge, 20, had assured him (Rugge is portrayed by Justin Timberlake in the movie, renamed Frankie Ballenbacher). Adams-Young testified that Rugge told Nick, "I'm going to take you home. I'll put you on a Greyhound. I'm going to get you home." -LATimes.com
What is the movie Alpha Dog about?
Alpha Dog is a 2006 American crime drama film written and directed by Nick Cassavetes based on the true story of the kidnapping and murder of Nicholas Markowitz in 2000. It was first screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2006, with a wide release the following year on January 12, 2007.
Who is the actor who plays the Alpha Dog?
Cast. Emile Hirsch as Johnny Truelove, the leader, or the " alpha dog.". Inspired by Jesse James Hollywood. Hollywood was convicted on July 8, 2009, for ordering the kidnapping and murder of Nick Markowitz and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was 20 years old at the time of the murder.
Where does Zack stay in the movie?
Zack stays with Frankie at his father's house and the two develop a friendship over drinking, smoking, and doing chores around Frankie's house. The next day, Zack ingratiates himself with Frankie's friends Keith, Julie, Sabrina, and Susan; although the latter is the only one who seems concerned.
Where is Johnny Truelove?
In 1999, Johnny Truelove is a young drug dealer living in the San Gabriel Valley, in Southern California. His father, Sonny, supplies him with marijuana, which Johnny distributes to his gang of friends, which include Frankie Ballenbacher, Johnny's right-hand man; Tiko Martinez, the muscle of the group; Elvis Schmidt, ...
How much did Alpha Dog grosse?
During its opening weekend, Alpha Dog grossed $6,412,775 and was #7 at the box office. The film closed on February 22, 2007 after grossing $15,309,602 domestically, and totaled $32,145,115 worldwide over its six-week release.
Who is convicted of kidnapping Zack's grave?
Tiko, Keith, and Frankie are all arrested, convicted, and are given their respective sentences. Tiko is convicted of kidnapping and sentenced to nine years in prison; Keith is convicted of second degree murder for digging Zack's grave and remains at the California Youth Authority until the age of 25; Frankie is convicted of aggravated kidnapping of special circumstances and receives a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 7 years; Elvis is convicted of kidnapping and first degree murder, and is currently on Death Row in San Quentin State Prison .
When was Alpha Dog first screened?
Alpha Dog was first screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2006 as the closing film. The film was originally to be distributed by New Line Cinema, however, the company sold the film to Universal Pictures after they requested edits to the film that director Nick Cassavetes didn't want to make.
