A nearly-forgotten thriller from 2001 that's only really memorable for one reason. The story follows two New York detectives, played by Robert De Niro and Edward Burns, as they investigate a series of murders being committed by two Russian immigrants. These two have come to America and having seen how much Americans seem to love watching murder and mayhem on TV, they decide that they will kill a celebrity, videotape it and sell it to a highly rated news show. When they're arrested they'll plead insanity and get away with it (because apparently it's just that easy) and reap the financial rewards later. When De Niro's character a celebrity cop in his own right foils one of their plans they decide that he'll be the one they kill. They break into his house, tie him up and elaborately explain their fiendish plot. De Niro decides he's having none of that and fights back, managing to get a few hits in before he's overwhelmed and stabbed to death. While 15 Minutes is a slightly self-important film that tries and fails to make a meaningful commentary on how the media affects society, this scene genuinely does manage to shock. You fully expect De Niro, cinematic icon and lead of the film, to somehow escape and his death is a disturbing watch. It doesn't necessarily make the film good, but you have to admire such a gutsy move.
