Dirty Harry (1971)

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This is such a well known movie I hesitated recommending it. I’m going to go ahead and tell you about Dirty Harry because I seriously love this film, and I think there’s many younger people that have never seen it.

Here’s two fun facts: this film was a major influence on all the Italian police action (Poliziotteschi) films after it, and was inspired by the Zodiac murders which were still ongoing at the time of it’s release. This killer is called The Scorpio, and is flawlessly played by Andrew Robinson (Hellraiser 1 & 2, Star Trek DS9). Robinson is so unhinged and despicable in this film it still blows my mind. Get ready for a grim, violent, blast of a movie, with beautiful cinematography and kick ass music by Lalo Schifrin. I’m green with envy for any of you that will be seeing this for the first time.

Update 8.23.24 – I am currently reading Quentin Tarantino’s book “Cinema Speculation” in which he calls Dirty Harry “a powerhouse work of art.” I fully agree.

Available on Blu-ray from Warner Home Video.

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The Beach Bum (2019)

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I wish someone was showing an HD version of Julien Donkey-Boy, but this will do in the meantime. Harmony Korine sells enough paintings to never have to make a film again. That means he made this his way, and couldn’t care less what we think. I respect that. This movie is dumb, but I laughed a lot. Harmony was smart enough to hire a kick ass cinematographer, so while I was laughing I was marveling at the saturated colors and composition. Yep. I liked The Beach Bum.

Available on Blu-ray from Universal.

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Believer (2018)

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This is a good, super-convoluted, South Korean crime thriller. It’s a bit slow at times, but it’s also sporadically crazy-violent. I found it entertaining, so there’s a good chance you will too.

Blu-ray available from Well Go.

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That Obscure Object of Desire (1977)

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Buñuel’s final directorial effort is a beautiful, infuriating, and confusing movie. The film is far more Art than entertainment, but it still manages to be funny at times too. It’s also one of my favorites among this director’s work.

Available on Blu-ray from Lion’s Gate.

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Sergio (2009)

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Here’s a sad but informative doc about the life and death of UN envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello. I was skeptical of the importance of this man at first, but it becomes clear quickly that he was trying to make the world a better place. Sergio was murdered in a bombing in Iraq, and the filmmakers do not shy away from the disturbing details. Netflix produced a dramatization of this story, it did not get good reviews, so I am going to stick with this very good documentary.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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The Pit and the Pendulum (1961)

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Roger Corman made several, very loose Poe adaptations starring Vincent Price. They are almost all good to excellent. I personally don’t care for The Raven or Tales of Terror, but check out all the others. This one is special because it was written by Richard Matheson (the novel I Am Legend is essential reading) and co-stars Barbara Steele. It’s very melodramatic, but has held up well for me after multiple viewings. To quote Don Nicholas Medina… “You are about to enter Hell, Bartolome, HELL!… The netherworld. The infernal region, The Abode of the Damned… The place of torment. Pandemonium. Abbadon. Tophet. Gehenna. Naraka. THE PIT!… And the pendulum.”

Available on import Blu-ray from Arrow.

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The Rover (2014)

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This one seems to have really disappointed people hoping for another Mad Max movie. I thought it was a much more realistic depiction of what life would be after the fall or law and order. The Rover is not an action movie. It’s very deliberately paced. There are little bursts of gun play here and there, but it struck me as more of a subtle art film than anything else. All the actors were excellent, but between this and The Lighthouse I have gained a ton of respect for Robert Pattinson’s range. Not everyone will like this movie. I loved it.

Available on Blu-ray from Lion’s Gate.

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Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972)

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This is not Sergio Martino’s best or worst thriller. It has a lot in its favor though: a great cast of essential giallo actors, twisty plot, a creepy villa, lovely Italian scenery, and maybe the best title ever. It also has several glaring flaws. In the end, if you’re a fan of the subgenre and haven’t seen this one, give it a try. Your Vice… delivers the goods.

Blu-ray available from Arrow.

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Bachelor Party (1984)

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I was way too young when I first saw this raunchy comedy. I probably wasn’t even a teenager yet, but I loved Bachelor Party instantly. In spite of its silliness and age, I’ve enjoyed watching this one every few years since way back when. Its got some brutally cheesy moments like Adrian Zmed’s singing, but you’ll probably find even the unintended humor pretty damned amusing. Be prepared for a few jaw dropping moments. What a mainstream comedy could get away with in 1984 will be pretty shocking to a young contemporary audience. It’s really ok. Turn your brain off, consume some psychoactives, and enjoy.

Damn I wish they would have made a spinoff movie all about Brad.

Available on Blu-ray from 20th Century Fox.

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Defiance (2008)

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Here’s a solid big budget history-based war film about three Jewish brothers that were resistance fighters in WW2. This has a good blend of drama and action. I was a bit torn on recommending Defiance as it’s a borderline blockbuster. What the hell, I liked it.

Available on Blu-ray from Paramount.

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