Tag: crime

The Killing (1956)

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Streaming on Amazon Prime | imdb | trailer

I have poked around quite a bit on the three streaming services I focus on, and there is very little film noir available in HD. One that I did find is by none other than Stanley Kubrick. This seems to be his first film to really show his directorial ability. His previous film Killer’s Kiss was damn good, but does not stick in my memory like The Killing. The one element of this movie that really hangs in my brain is the supporting role by Timothy Carey as Nikki Arcane (how great is that character name?). Carey was a very talented actor, and generally creative guy, who also happened to be functionally insane. I once heard Crispin Glover relate an incident where the two actors hung out. Glover said that it became clear that Carey’s behavior was not an attempt to be funny, or just the antics of an eccentric. He was officially bonkers. Anyhow, come to the show for Kubrick and Nikki Arcane, and stay for everything else The Killing has to offer. It’s a true classic.

Blu-ray available from Criterion Collection.

A Twelve Year Night (2018)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

This is a very good historical drama about the struggles of a group of political prisoners in Uruguay. It is just as grim as the name indicates. I have to give credit to Netflix for making a lesser known piece of history available to a wide audience. A Twelve Year Night features solid acting performances and some excellent sound design and soundtrack work. Highly recommended.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema please consider supporting the site over on Patreon. You’ll get exclusive content every week, and help in the creation of a book version very similar to what you see here.

The Invisible Guest (2016)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

This is a complex but enjoyable Spanish murder mystery with many twists and turns. There is little blood, and no guts, but The Invisible Guest is definitely worth your time.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema please consider supporting the site over on Patreon. You’ll get exclusive content every week, and help in the creation of a book version very similar to what you see here.

The Guilty (2018)

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Streaming on Hulu | imdb | trailer

A police officer is assigned to work the emergency call center and gets involved in a crime in progress. It’s not a spoiler to tell you that the film never leaves that one location, but damn if things don’t stay intense for the duration. The Gulity is not the first single-set film ever made but it still makes for one of the most original thrillers I’ve seen in recent years.

Available on Blu-ray from Magnolia.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema please consider supporting the site over on Patreon. You’ll get exclusive content every week, and help in the creation of a book version very similar to what you see here.

Shoplifters (2018)

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Streaming on Hulu | imdb | trailer

Do you need a palate cleanser after all my other various weird movie suggestions? This is it. Shoplifters is a nearly perfect drama, and by the end you will clearly see why I think it qualifies as Anomalous. My only problem is that it’s a bit long, so maybe don’t watch it straight through for maximum impact.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema please consider supporting the site over on Patreon. You’ll get exclusive content every week, and help in the creation of a book version very similar to what you see here.

Hell or High Water (2016)

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Streaming on Hulu | imdb | trailer

This was written by Taylor Sherridan, who wrote Sicario, so I knew it’d be good. Good? Nope, it’s excellent. While not as action-packed as his previous film, this is a tight, well-made drama with some shocking bursts of violence. It’s a shame I never hear anyone talk about this film. It is not to be missed.

Available on Blu-ray from Lion’s Gate.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema please consider supporting the site over on Patreon. You’ll get exclusive content every week, and help in the creation of a book version very similar to what you see here.

The Stranger (1946)

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Streaming on Amazon Prime | imdb | trailer

I am a big fan of Film Noir and this is an excellent example. Orson Welles has something to hide and Edward G. Robinson is on to him. Sounds too simple but damn this is a great film. It’s a pity that all the best movies of this type are only available via Criterion Collection. I’ll dig around to find some more to share. If The Stranger gives you the Noir Bug you may just want to sign up for The Criterion Channel or the new Kino Lorber streaming service.

NOTE: The version on Netflix is better quality than than the one on Amazon Prime.

Available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema please consider supporting the site over on Patreon. You’ll get exclusive content every week, and help in the creation of a book version very similar to what you see here.

I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

This is an excellent dark comedy with plenty of action by Macon Blair aka the star of Blue Ruin. The bad guy is David Yow, visual artist and lead singer of Jesus Lizard. Elijah Wood is also in there wearing (what I heard are his own) awesome metal shirts. Filmed in my home base of Portland, Oregon, one of the locations is The Sandy Hut bar. That place is a personal favorite and highly recommended if you happen to visit.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema please consider supporting the site over on Patreon. You’ll get exclusive content every week, and help in the creation of a book version very similar to what you see here.

Heathers (1988)

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Streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime | imdb | trailer

This may be the last great 80’s movie. Heathers is a one-of-a-kind, highly stylized dark comedy starring Christian Slater and Winona Ryder. So dark that if you’ve been even remotely effected by any of the horrible violence around High Schools since 1999 you better skip this one. On the other hand if you’re a Stranger Things fan and haven’t seen this you’re doing yourself a major disservice. I love that the screenwriter wrote his own slang terms to parody and outdo what was coming out of the mouths of teenagers at the time. My favorite involves a chainsaw.

FYI – There was a TV series reboot of Heathers in 2018 but it didn’t work out, and sounds like it wasn’t very good anyway.

Available on Blu-ray from Image Entertainment.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema please consider supporting the site over on Patreon. You’ll get exclusive content every week, and help in the creation of a book version very similar to what you see here.