Category Archives: Bloody scenes

2005, Action Film, Action Hero, Bloody scenes, British, Conspiracy, Corny at times, Dancing, Dystopia, Lesbian Theme, Mild Torture, Prison, Revenge, Some exaggerated violence, Unscrupulous drive to power, Violent

V for Vendetta (2005)

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From NetFlix:

A masked freedom fighter known as “V” takes up arms against the totalitarian government in a futuristic Britain. Finding an unlikely ally in a young woman named Evey Hammond, V urges the citizenry to fight the oppression of the state.

Who doesn’t get involved when it’s really nasty, mean bad guys against all us good guys? Add to this a huge movie set (which happens to be London) where lots of buildings get blown up, plenty of blood is spilled, and good triumphs over evil in a fireworks filled finale. What kind of digital photographic magic was used to show the population of London converging on Trafalgar Square all dressed like V himself? Kid stuff maybe, but I was glued to my seat. Just plain old revenge is always fulfilling.

Natalie Portman is beautiful, even without hair. Best of all was “THE VOICE” of V brought to you by Hugo Weaving whose biography stresses his “deep dramatic, rich yet flawless voice characterized by a calm, reserved delivery of his lines.” And there are a zillion other well-known British actors all doing their part to bring us 132 minutes of mindless entertainment.

Just pretend you are ten years old, sit back, and enjoy.

2014, Amnesia, Bloody scenes, British, Clever Plot, Marital Infidelity, Psychiatrists, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Violent

Before I Go To Sleep (2014)

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From Netflix:

After surviving a brutal assault, Christine Lucas awakens each morning incapable of remembering anything about her past, including the previous day. Little by little, however, she begins to suspect that her husband played a role in her misfortune.

Remember the 2000 film “Momento” with Guy Pearce? “Before I Go To Sleep” reminds me of that film because it is basically a film about memory and amnesia. In addition the film is basically a mystery story that initially does not seem to be a mystery. Details are not that hard to follow (“Momento” was notoriously difficult, causing much discussion) if somewhat implausible. If Christine had to begin all over each day, I am not sure she would have the time through the accumulation of days to really accomplish what she did.

While not a great film, nonetheless Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, and Mark Strong give good performances. Mark Strong played Stewart Menzies in “The Imitation Game”.

Not at all a waste of time.

2014, Adultery, Bloody scenes, Complicated, Conspiracy, Crude Talk, Detective, Divorce, Drama, Drugs, Erotic Thriller, Explicit sex, Grisly, Marital Infidelity, Mostly About Sex, Murder, Murder Investigation, Nudity, Prostitutes, Psychological Thriller, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Suicide, Suspense, Violent

The Loft (2014)

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From NetFlix:

Five married co-owners of an upscale loft enjoy their investment as a discreet hideaway for their adulterous pursuits. But when a murdered woman is discovered in the apartment, each suspects the others of committing the grisly killing.

At least titillating, with the addition of a clever plot, a set of new actors present an involving who-done-it with at least one good plot twist.

As far as actors are concerned, I personally recognized only Rhona Mitra whom I first saw in the TV series “Boston Legal” in 2004 playing Tara Wilson.

None of the five friends are especially honorable (they have, after all, pledged themselves to an adulterous pact in their lofty hideout). Nor, possibly, is there honor among thieves. But when the film ended, I found myself wondering how many of the five men got their just desserts.

But I had a lot of fun watching.

2015, Abduction, Amazon Prime, Bloody scenes, Child abduction and murder, Child abuse, Crude Talk, Detective, Dysfunctional Lives, Ethical struggles, Family Conflict, Father-daughter relations, Male Prostitutes, Orphans in Foster Care, Physical child abuse, Police Politics, Politicians, Prostitutes, Psychiatrists, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Suicide, Suspense, Violent

Bosch (2015)

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Because I am an Amazon Prime member, I could stream for free Season 1 of “Bosch”. Bosch, as you are probably aware, is the detective character who appears in many novels written by Michael Connelly.

Season 1 consists of 10 episodes. As is often the case, throughout the series there are three running themes: The obsessive detective work which destroys Bosch’s family life; The search for a serial killer named Renard Waits; The constant political battles taking place in the police department. Of course Bosch sleeps with one of his female colleagues, which is a no-no according to the rules.

IMDB offers the cast rundown.

Titus Welliver (who played Glenn Childs in “The Good Wife” TV series) plays Bosch, and plays him VERY WELL.

Jason Gedrick (who played George Novikov in the “Dexter” TV series) plays the serial killer Renard Waits, and plays him VERY WELL.

Those two actors steal the show. But there are a zillion other supporting actors. Thanks to the IMDB site for helping me remember that Shawn Hatosy, who played the character Johnny Stokes, also played Terry McCandless in “Reckless” and Detective Sammy Bryant in “Southland”.

TV serials featuring serial killers and lonely detectives are a dime a dozen. But some, such as “Bosch” are done very well.

2014, Action Film, Based on a Book, Based on true facts, Biographical, Bloody scenes, Crude Talk, Iraq War, Love Story, Military, Navy Seals, Suspense, True Story, Violent, War, War Veterans

American Sniper (2014)

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From NetFlix:

Based on his memoir of the same name, this military biopic centers on legendary sniper Chris Kyle, who amassed a record number of kills on the battlefield during his 10-year career as a Navy SEAL.

Certainly each battle episode was exciting. But that is more or less the content of the film, i.e. many harrowing battle scenes. Chris Kyle’s insistence on going back for 4 tours (1000 days) caused his wife much unhappiness. In the film when he finally comes home, his rehab is made to look easy because he dedicates himself to helping other veterans. It could not have been that easy. Toward the end of the film he is murdered by a veteran he was trying to help, although we do not see that murder. As the screen credits go by we see the actual photos of the funeral held in a stadium with much pomp and ceremony. In fact, Bradley Cooper looks quite like the real Chris Kyle. Compare the Bradley Cooper of “Silver Linings Playbook” with the Bradley Cooper in this film, my guess is that he gained quite of bit of muscle for the role.

In the Wikipedia article, Bradley Cooper is quoted as saying:

“We looked at hopefully igniting attention about the lack of care that goes to vets. Discussion that has nothing to do with vets or what we did or did not do, every conversation in those terms is moving farther and farther from what our soldiers go through, and the fact that 22 veterans commit suicide each day.” Cooper said that an increasing number of soldiers are returning from conflict psychologically damaged, only to be more or less discarded.

2015, Abduction, Acceptable Trash, Bloody scenes, Bullying, Erotic Thriller, Marital Infidelity, Mental Illness, Nothing special, Nudity, Psychological Thriller, Sex Scenes, Stalker, Suspense, Teenagers, Violent

The Boy Next Door (2015)

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From NetFlix:

Adjusting to life without her husband, a recently separated mom is pleased when a teenage boy moves into the neighborhood and befriends her son. But before long, she becomes intimately involved with the teen — and comes to regret it.

Looking for an exciting B-movie? Looking for some sexy scenes? Looking for some exciting violence? Want to learn how to stalk someone effectively? Go no farther! Do I have a film for you!

Jennifer Lopez is the beautiful mom currently separated from her philandering but loving and remorseful husband. Ryan Guzman is the creepy, handsome nephew of the elderly next door neighbor. Ryan stalks Jennifer in very inventive and increasingly threatening ways, all of which lead to a blazing and violent conclusion. Meanwhile just keep wincing at all the stalker’s tricks.

At the time of film shooting Jennifer Lopez was 46 years old and Ryan Guzman was 28. Accepting Ryan as a high school student is a bit of a stretch. Jennifer’s parents were born in Puerto Rico and Ryan is Mexican-American.

While nothing special, this film can at least enliven the task of folding laundry.

2014, Bloody scenes, Car Chase, Creepy, Crime, Crude Talk, Cynical, Dark, Detective, FilmReview, Journalist, Murder, Psychological Thriller, Sociopath, Suspense, TV news industry, Unscrupulous drive to power, Violent

Nightcrawler (2014)

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From Netflix:

Eager for any work that will make ends meet, Lou Bloom joins the flock of camera crews prowling the nighttime streets of Los Angeles in search of scandal and crime. But before long, Lou finds himself caught in the tabloid limelight.

Jake Gyllenhaal provides a creepy, masterful, unique performance that for all purposes is a solo piece. His character here is like none other that he has created. In the past he was quiet, moody, and reflective. Here his amoral and ambitious character Louis Bloom is a very intelligent, manipulative fast talker. And when I say “fast”, I challenge you to pay close enough attention in order to take in his rapid but amazingly well thought-out spiels. He took my breath away. At the same time he repulsed me because he will stop at nothing to provide sensational and gory news film footage for ever increasing fees. Throughout his ego drive to fame and fortune in the TV news industry he is willing to take advantage of whomever comes his way.

Expect an exciting multiple car chase near the end.

In summary, Jake Gyllenhall unerringly portrays a true sociopath as well as painting an frightening and cynical picture of the TV news industry.

You might be a little sickened.

Based on true facts, Basically Sad, Bloody scenes, Brother-Brother relations, Creepy, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Emotional abuse, Horses, Mental Illness, Mother-son relations, Murder, Not Feel Good, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, True Story, Wrestling

Foxcatcher (2014)

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From NetFlix:

Preparing for the 1988 Olympics, two sibling wrestlers cross paths with a paranoid schizophrenic millionaire in this drama based on a true story. The competitive Schultz brothers soon learn their new acquaintance is a dangerous distraction.

Steve Carell makes such a perfect creep that the tension never leaves the film. You just sit there waiting for him to explode. Meanwhile he tries to make Channing Tatum emotionally dependent on him as a father substitute using psychological trickery such as introducing him to cocaine, encouraging him to imbibe, and especially trying to turn Tatum away from his brother Mark Ruffalo. Tatum plays a fatherless young man emotionally dependent on his brother, who has been a father to Tatum his whole life. To a degree Tatum resents his dependence on Ruffalo and Carell uses that as amunition in his increasingly jealous conflict with Ruffalo. Another detail in the story is Carell’s constant but useless efforts to gain the approval of his horse-obsessed mother.

If the story seems harsh, remember that it is based on a true story. For a reference see the Wikipedia article. Be sure to read the final historical follow-ups.

Not a happy story, just a film that is as good as it is ugly.

2010, Bloody scenes, British Mystery Series, Child abuse, Complicated, Dark, Detective, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, FilmReview, Forensics, Grim, Gritty, Mental Illness, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Physical child abuse, Psychological Thriller, Revenge, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Suicide, Suspense, TV Series, Violent

Thorne: Sleepyhead (2010)

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From Netflix:

Investigating a series of attacks on young women, detective Tom Thorne is dragged back into the nightmares of his past as he races to find a killer.

SLEEPYHEAD

Lasting more than two hours, this British TV one-episode detective story is as good and as harsh as any of the many other British detective shows. This and the next self-contained Thorne episode “Scaredy Cat” may both be streamed from Netflix or be viewed on DVD. Both stories involve serial killers. You should see them in order because the second story refers back to the first story.

In story one “Sleepyhead” the serial perp does not want to kill the girls. Rather he wants to put them into that conscious but immovable state known as “locked in”. Yes, I did mention that the story is harsh. For most of the story I was sure I knew who the serial perp was but I was completely wrong.

SCAREDY CAT

Because of events in “Sleepy Head” we see Thorne come on scene a bit at odds with the rest of his department. In this serial killer episode there are two killers working together. Episode two is just as rough as episode one.

For those strong stomachs out there this is an acceptable pair of serial killer stories.

2014, Based on a Book, Bloody scenes, Clever Plot, Dark, Detective, Drama, Dysfunctional Lives, Explicit sex, Grim, Lawyers, Marital Infidelity, Murder, Nudity, Psychological Thriller, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Sociopath, Suspense, Violent

Gone Girl (2014)

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From Netflix:

Based on Gillian Flynn’s novel of the same name, this unsettling thriller follows the mercurial Nick Dunne, who finds himself dogged by police and caught in a media maelstrom after he becomes the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance.

Even though I had already read Gillian Flynn’s novel (in an e-book that contains her first three novels) awhile back, in fact long enough to forget all the marvelously designed details, the film is just as tense and scary. Thankfully the film stays close to the book. For me, however, one sad exception is that in the book Nick’s last words to Amy are outstandingly appropriate, but the movie does not use those words. Hint: read the book instead.

Watching Rosamund Pike (as Amazing Amy) lie so cleverly (with the superb acting to match the lies) is to see a cracker-jack job of meta-acting (does that sense?). In other words she is the perfect sociopath.

Lo and behold Doogie Howser, aka Neil Patrick Harris, plays Amy’s former sweetheart Desi Collins. His part did not require much effort.

In case you seem to recognize the Television Tigress named Sela Ward, she is played by Sharon Schieber who was Stacy Warner in the TV series “House MD”.

In general the books by Gillian Flynn that I have read are very very dark. This film is no exception. Do NOT watch this film before bedtime.