Tag: crime

Manhunter (1986)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Years before The Silence of the Lambs came out, Michael Mann directed this stylish adaptation of Thomas Harris’ book “Red Dragon.” Here is one of those movies that I think many people have missed or overlooked in recent years. I have been a fan since first seeing it as a teenager. I loved Mann’s Miami Vice and Crime Story series at the time. I almost recommended this years ago, but the streaming services always cropped the beautiful cinemascope aspect ratio to 16:9. You need to see this in the extra wide 2.35:1 or it loses a lot of it’s charm. The headline here is, this is a kick ass crime thriller that is dripping with ‘80s style, and loaded with awesome actors. It is easily Tom Noonan’s best role. Yes, Manhunter is a little different than the book. If you want a closer adaptation, watch Red Dragon (2002). I didn’t care for it as much, but it’s worth seeing. The thing that sets this version apart is the awesome soundtrack and score. I own it on vinyl, and still listen to an extended music blog version regularly. The Shriekback song “This Big Hush” is the standout. It’s a damn shame they didn’t record an entire album like that. There are definitely some cheesy bits in this film, it was 1986 after all, so don’t expect perfection. Just experience it with your psychoactive substance of choice, and try to enjoy the trip.

Only a crappy Blu-ray is available domestically as part of a “Hannibal Lecter” set.

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Foxy Brown (1974)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer (maybe skip this as it is full of spoilers)

Jack Hill directed this Pam Grier follow up to Coffy (it was going to be a sequel titled Burn Coffy Burn), and while is isn’t quite as good, it is a hell of a lot of fun. There is so much ridiculous ’70s cheese packed into 92 minutes you won’t believe it. The opening credits alone are jaw dropping. All there is to know is that Foxy is getting revenge by posing as a hooker to infiltrate the gang that killed her boyfriend. That means you get to see all the naughty stuff, and much ass kicking, while being treated to tons of quotable dialogue like this: “You pink-ass corrupt honky judge, take your little wet noodle outta here and if you see a man anywhere send him in because I do need a MAN!” Just turn off your higher brain functions and get ready to be entertained, sucka.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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A Prophet (2009)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

A French orphan of North African descent works his way to the top of the immigrant crime world. Noel Murray from The A.V. Club wisely compared this movie to Goodfellas. Yes, that is a very tall order, but A Prophet definitely impressed me when I first saw it. I rated the film a 10/10 back then, and I am looking forward to watching it again very soon.

The domestic Blu-ray is currently out of print.

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The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh (1971)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Julie Wardh moves back to Austria and starts getting stalked by a razor ripper. Sounds like stereotypical slasher fare, but this is one of my tippity top favorite giallo films, and one of the very best by Sergio Martino. The Strange Vice… stars the dynamic duo of Edwige Fenech and George Hilton who were also paired up in All the Colors of the Dark (1972), and The Case of the Bloody Iris (1972). This fantastic movie has many twists and turns, plus one of my most beloved sneaky tricks ever in a thriller film (you will know it when it is revealed). I am pretty picky about giallo cinema, especially as I get older, but this one I still rank a 10 out of 10.

Available on Blu-ray from Severin.

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Rebel Ridge (2024)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

Director Jeremy Saulnier does it again. Much like his film Blue Ruin, this is not an action movie, but it does have some awesome fight sequences. This is about an ex-Marine who gets harassed, First Blood style, by a corrupt small town sheriff (played very effectively by Don Johnson). If you just keep in mind this is a thriller, slower paced than most action films, but not as slow as Hold the Dark, you just might enjoy it as much as me. I salute Netflix for continuing to give Saulnier financing for his work.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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American Gangster (2007)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Frank Lucas was a NYC gangster that one journalist called a real-life Superfly. This was the last Ridley Scott film I truly enjoyed, and he did a solid job of making Lucas’ story into a fast-paced entertaining experience. Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe are both excellent in this, and the cast is packed with many familiar faces. This isn’t quite as good as DePalma’s Scarface, but it’s a dark and violent crime film that delivers the goods.

Available on Blu-ray from Universal.

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Man Bites Dog (1992)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

When it comes to disturbing fiction films, this one is often mentioned along with Salò, A Clockwork Orange, and Irreversible. I try to avoid obvious recommendations, but it just occurred to me that Man Bites Dog has never been available on Blu-ray. It came out on VHS shortly after the theatrical run. Then Criterion did a laser disc and DVD many years ago, but that’s it. Those of you who saw this in the past really need to check it out in full HD. Then there’s those of you who have just never experienced one of the most unique independent films ever made. All you need to know is this: Benoît is a very charming but egomaniacal serial killer, and you are watching a documentary about him unfold ala This is Spinal Tap. What you get is a weird mix of funny and horrific from start to finish. It has ALL the triggers minus animal abuse, so you should avoid this if you are sensitive about pretty much anything. I made the mistake of taking a date to see this in the theater back in 1993. It did NOT go well. Yes, it’s extreme. It also looks fantastic and the lead performance by Benoît Poelvoorde is a personal favorite. If you are a fan of the most edgy kind of cinema, this is essential viewing.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Keanu (2016)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I only liked bits and pieces of the Key & Peele series (2012-2015), but I seriously love this movie. Keanu is one of the few comedies released around 2016 that made me laugh out loud multiple times. It’s also got some decent action. Plus you get to enjoy an early appearance by Tiffany Haddish and the always amusing Method Man. However if you don’t like cats, or George Michael, don’t bother.

Available on Blu-ray from Warner Brothers.

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Serial Mom (1994)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I am a big John Waters fan, but have somehow never featured one of his films here. I really enjoyed his book “Crackpot,” his yearly top 10 lists are amazing, and my partner and I saw him do his live show in 2023 (on his 77th birthday no less!). Yet I didn’t recommend one of his movies as I figured that if you liked any of his work you’d have seen it already. Serial Mom is a bit of an outlier among Waters’ output though. It’s neither the gross out legend of Pink Flamingos, or the crowd pleasing schmaltz of Polyester. It also went years without being available on disc, until Shout Factory released a really nice looking restored edition in 2017. I recall looking to see if this was available to stream anywhere a while back, and was surprised to find it was not. Fortunately it looks as if the previously mentioned disc version is now streaming. The title tells you all you need to know about the movie. It’s campy, ridiculous, dark, and a hell of a lot of fun. If you’ve never seen Serial Mom, or it’s been a few years, sit your ass down and enjoy. Also do NOT wear white after Labor Day.

Available on Blu-ray from Shout Factory.

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The Quiet Family (1998)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer (sorry about the poor quality)

The first guest at a mountain inn commits suicide and wackiness ensues. This is a very good horror comedy by director Kim Jee-woon who also made the excellent A Bittersweet Life and I Saw the Devil, among other popular SK films. I just learned that The Quiet Family was also the inspiration for Miike’s The Happiness of the Katakuris that I recommended previously. This one is not a musical however. Do I really need to tell you more?

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.