Tag: crime

The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008)

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Here is a dramatization of the history of the German Red Army Faction terrorist group from the ‘60s and ‘70s. The filmmakers make their rise look rather glamorous and sexy, but don’t let that put you off, you’ll see that aspect degenerate in their fall. This is a good, fast paced movie, but it is on the long side, so the the end drags a bit. For some reason the burned in subtitles on the streaming version are huge too, which might be a distraction. Really it’s worth watching in spite of those issues. My only real criticism is how good looking the actors are. The real RAF members were a pack of uggos.

Available on Blu-ray from MPI.

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Collective (2019)

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This bleak documentary starts with a devastating fire at the Colectiv nightclub in Bucharest, then goes into the corrupt Romanian healthcare system and the evil elements that support it. The footage of the fire is horrifying, but things get even worse as you see what happens to hospitalized survivors. This doc is not uplifting in any way whatsoever, but shows the importance of investigative journalism. It is also extremely well constructed. Collective is a film most would be unwilling to watch, but I rank it among the most essential issue-oriented documentary movies of the last ten years.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Bronson (2008)

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This film is based on the real life criminal Michael Peterson, who became his alter ego Charles Bronson in prison. Nicolas Winding Refn is very hit or miss for me, but this one was a pleasant surprise. The film is weird, dark, violent, and thankfully not as deliberately paced as much of Refn’s other work. I also didn’t really notice Tom Hardy until I saw Bronson. He’d been in several movies before, but he absolutely blew me away in this role. This is 100% pure uncut Anomalous Cinema.

Available on Blu-ray from Magnolia.

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Thoroughbreds (2017)

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This is a very good, unpredictable, dark comedy thriller of sorts. Two former friends are awkwardly put back together and, since at least one of them is mentally ill, bad things happen. Thoroughbreds will not be for all tastes, as it revolves around two privileged white girls who are arguably insufferable. Thankfully Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy are excellent and made it all work for me. This is also one of the final appearances of actor Anton Yelchin (1989-2016) to whom the film is dedicated – RIP.

Available on Blu-ray from Universal.

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The Outlaws (2017)

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Here’s a solid action / crime flick based on a true story. Moments felt like blockbuster cheese, but then the South Korean crazy action kicked in. Stick with it. Good stuff. Lead actor Ma Dong-seok (The Roundup, Train to Busan, The Good the Bad and the Weird) is particularly awesome in this. Legal services provided by Tasey Taser Esq.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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The Stranger (2022)

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This is a very good crime thriller based on the real life murder of 13 year old Daniel Morcombe in Australia. A cop goes undercover to try to lure the possible killer into confessing. The Stranger is extremely dark and every shot looks beautiful, but the highlight is Sean Harris’ performance as the murder suspect. You also get to see some creepy nightmare sequences that struck me as particularly well crafted. This film is not very bloody, also on the slow and long side, but I feel it’s well worth your time in spite of those minor issues.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

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A rich widow is murdered. A married man, whom the deceased was smitten with, gets the blame. Sounds rather dull, right? Far from it. This is a great ‘50s crime drama that keeps throwing twist after twist at you right up to the final minutes. The film is packed with great actors too. I had fun watching Elsa Lanchester, who played the title character in Bride of Frankenstein, in a role so vastly different. Younger audiences might be put off by the dated banter between the characters, but stick with it. There’s a reason that Witness for the Prosecution is considered a classic.

Available on Blu-ray from KL Studio Classics.

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We Own the Night (2007)

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Mark Wahlberg is a cop, his brother (Joaquin Phoenix) is a nightclub owner. The mighty Robert Duvall is their deputy police chief dad. The Russian mob complicates matters. Blood is shed. Cars are chased. This is not the greatest action / crime film ever made, but it is damn good entertainment. The car chase is probably the best of the mid-2000s. We Own the Night is worth a watch for that alone.

Available on Blu-ray from Sony Pictures.

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Revanche (2008)

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An ex-con does a bank robbery to try and help his prostitute girlfriend. A police officer who attempts to stop him starts off a chain of events that intertwines their lives. This is a really good artsy crime drama from Austria that I don’t want to tell you too much about. It’s bloodless, but does feature a lot of nudity, and has an unpredictable plot. I really enjoyed Revanche, so give it a try if you want to see a good neo-noir film.

Available on Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection.

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L.A. Confidential (1997)

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Back in post-WW2 America everything was just peachy. There was nothing but prosperity and apple pie family values from sea to shining sea, right? Sorry pal. As author Katherine Dunn said, “there were no good old days.” The grim side of life was just hidden from mainstream society. L.A. Confidential taps into that and cranks it all the way up. I remember this gritty crime film blowing my mind when I first saw it in the theater. It’s dark, complex, violent, and has a fantastic cast. What are you waiting for?

Available on Blu-ray from 20th Century Fox.

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