'Phoenix' (1998) – Danny Cannon.

A close-knit group of wayward, Teflon tough Phoenix cops find their somewhat fragile loyalties greatly tested by a dramatic escalation of increasingly stressful events. Marital infidelities, larceny, and a gruesomely bungled heist fatefully pushes them to breaking point! Screenwriter Eddie Richey's snappy, Noirish text is brought to vividly cinematic life by director Cannon and an exceptional cast of gifted actors. As this tense, downward spiralling crime thriller reaches its explosive conclusion, it is Ray Liotta's electric performance as charismatic Detective Harry Collins that dominates. Harry's laudable qualities as a maverick, yet frequently humane, lawman are undone by the poor choices borne of his skyrocketing gambling addiction. Well-made, with exemplary performances, this is one slumbering Phoenix that is long overdue a rise from the undeserved ashes of budget DVD obscurity! In closing, while Liotta is quite brilliant, Tom Noonan, Anthony Lapaglia and Angelica Huston are equally resplendent.