Tag: thriller

Avengement (2019)

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There are a ton of awful action movies on Netflix (where I orginally saw Avengement). This movie should have been one of them, but I loved it. It features English gangsters, almost non-stop fighting, a good story, and solid production values. You might need to turn on the subtitles, as the accents and jargon are very thick for the duration. Really that’s a minor quibble – this movie is a blast.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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No Tears for the Dead (2014)

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Here’s another very good South Korean crime film. It’s got all the elements that you’d expect: tons of action, a very complicated story, extremely bad bad guys, and slick production values. This one leans a lot on drama, but that’s fine. It kept reminding me of Léon: The Professional, which is a good thing. Like Luc Besson’s film, the drama serves a purpose, and the action is impressive.

Blu-ray available from CJ Entertainment.

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Dead Ringers (1988)

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I can’t believe it took me over 80 posts to recommend a David Cronenberg film. After all he’s one of my favorite directors, and is STILL making good movies. Dead Ringers is an excellent, more mature thriller than say, Scanners. It does feel a bit slower than the director’s earlier films but that’s ok. It makes up for that flaw with one of my favorite minor movie character names of all time, Anders Wolleck. He’s played by an actor you might recognize. Also, keep an eye out for Jill Hennessy (City on a Hill, Law and Order, ugh… Crossing Jordan) and her real-life twin sister.

I also highly recommend you check out the recent Dead Ringers series on Amazon Prime. Very different, but great.

Blu-ray available from Shout Factory.

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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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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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First Reformed (2017)

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I love this one, and have no idea why I didn’t recommend it yet. While I’m a big fan of director Paul Schrader, he hasn’t really impressed me with a film since Auto Focus (2002). However he redeemed himself big time with First Reformed. The story is about a small town minister who struggles with inner conflict. Sounds like a snoozer, right? Nope. The movie starts out slow and becomes wonderfully bizarre. All that is helped by a fantastic score by Lustmord (also his best work in years). See this movie as soon as possible.

Blu-ray available from Lion’s Gate.

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Deep Red (1975)

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Here’s another highly regarded Dario Argento giallo film. It’s a strange one in the sense of its highs and lows. The highs are some very artistic sequences and murder scenes, reinforced by the very first soundtrack appearance by the mighty Goblin. The lows are that the film is extremely convoluted, and sometimes excruciatingly slow. Don’t be discouraged. It is absolutely worth the effort to get to the crazy ending.

Available on Blu-ray from Arrow.

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What Have You Done to Solange? (1972)

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Here we have a beautifully filmed, very sleazy, but excellent giallo. This was part one of Massimo Dallamano’s “Schoolgirls in Peril” trilogy so, yeah… not for sensitive viewers. The film features one of my favorite cult actors Fabio Testi, as well as the debut performance of Camille Keaton (pictured above), and music by Ennio Morricone. Solange is essential if you’re interested in the giallo subgenre. You might need to take a shower after watching, but it’s worth it.

FYI – My favorite Morricone music is from this era. If you’d like to hear more, check out the album Crime and Dissonance. It’s flat-out amazing.

Available on Blu-ray from Arrow.

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The Invisible Guest (2016)

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

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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The Guilty (2018)

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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 Guilty 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. Oh and there was an American remake of this… don’t bother.

Available on Blu-ray from Magnolia.

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.