Category Archives: Crime

2010, Car Chase, Crime, Detective, Gangs, Mayhem, Mediocre, Mixed Martial Arts, Police Story, Revenge, Suspense, Violent

Takers (2010)

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From NetFlix:

With their collective eye on a huge payoff, a motley crew of bank robbers (including Paul Walker, Michael Ealy, Chris Brown and Hayden Christensen) get busy planning out their next heist. Their former colleague, Ghost (T.I.), convinces the boys to target an armored car carrying $20 million. But a detective (Matt Dillon) who’s obsessed with his work is just as obsessed with making sure the thieves never pull off their scheme.

Yet another gang planning that great final heist with lots of car chases, shooting, foot chases, and general mayhem (read that – violence). If there is a main star, it is Matt Dillon obsessed with his work and ignoring his family. You have seen this film over and over. There is a foot chase that defies belief even if the runner is a super athlete. And of course there is an opposing Russian gang. As I have just said, you have already seen this plot many times.

As far as cast is concerned, this is the first time that I have seen Marianne Jean-Baptiste (of “Without a Trace” fame) in a film. Paul Walker did just about nothing in the film.

Next film, please!

2007, Car Chase, Crime, Disturbing Image, Drugs, Gangs, Mediocre, Mixed Martial Arts, Motorcycles, Prison, Revenge, Suspense, Violent

Bobby Z (2007)

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From NetFlix:

DEA agent Tad Gruzsa (Laurence Fishburne) offers jailed ex-Marine Tim Kearney (Paul Walker) a way out of his prison sentence: impersonate legendary surfer-dealer Bobby Z in a hostage switch with a Mexican drug lord. Kearney takes the bait, but the plan quickly goes awry. Soon, Kearney finds himself on the run — with Bobby’s 6-year-old son in tow. This fast-paced action thriller also stars Olivia Wilde and mixed martial arts champ Chuck Liddell.

One bag of popcorn is pretty much like every other bag of popcorn. Similarly, “Bobby Z” is chuck full of Mexican drug traffickers (Joaquim de Almeida, age 54 from Portugal, seems to be type-cast as the quintessential Mexican bad guy), nasty motorcycle gangs, crooked federal agents (Laurence Fishburne of current CSI television fame), mixed martial arts, beautiful women, and last but not least a young, handsome, male hero. Now, isn’t that a lot better than a bag of popcorn?

Paul Walker, our hero, IS the film. Former heroes of movies in the past were strong he-men completely sure of themselves. Lately the hero is a bit less confident. Walker (now a 38 year old Californian) doesn’t take himself too seriously, is willing to show a softer side, and has a sense of humor that makes the film a fun bag of popcorn. Does he really do all those action scenes, including fighting and mixed martial arts, on his own? In the films of today the fighting action is better and more realistic, which is to say that it fools me.

According to a Wikipedia entry: In an interview to the Portuguese channel SIC, Paul Walker called it a “bad movie”. Why not take a different point of view: You know in advance it is a B-film, so just sit back and watch the forgettable fun.

2010, British, Car Chase, Crime, Dark, Drugs, Gay theme, Grim, Love Story, Police Story, Revenge, Serial Killer, Suspense, Violent

Blitz (2010)

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From NetFlix:

With an insidious serial killer known as “the Blitz” on the loose in London, Detective Brant (Jason Statham) takes to the case while working out his own aggression issues with a police-appointed psychiatrist. But when he and his partner (Paddy Considine) eventually corner a suspect, they don’t have enough evidence to apprehend him. Elliott Lester directs this frenetic crime thriller based on a novel by Ken Bruen.

“Blitz” offers the usual Jason Statham, take it or leave it. Of course he takes the law into his own violent hands despite being a British policeman, that goes without saying. Perhaps there is some novelty in the fact that:

  • His police division is noted for rough irregularities. That division gets a new boss (Porter Nash is the character’s name) who is both highly qualified and gay. Whereas the other policemen dislike and deride Nash, Detective Brant (Statham) respects and works well with him. In fact …
  • Brant confides in Nash that he, Brant, suffers from blackouts which Nash correctly attributes to burnout.

Cat and mouse with the serial killer is intelligently written. Eventually the killer gets his due. So does the amoral journalist who seeks glory in cooperating with the killer.

But in the end, it is the usual Statham.

2006, Bullying, Car Chase, Child Molestation, Crime, Dark, Disturbing Image, Frenetic, Gangs, Grim, Kidnapping, Mayhem, Revenge, Sadism, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Violent

Running Scared (2006)

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From NetFlix:

Low-level mobster Joey Gazelle (Paul Walker) is tasked with disposing of a gun used to kill cops during a drug bust. But when it’s stolen by his son’s friend and used in another high-profile crime, Joey must find the gun quickly — or pay the ultimate price. Along the way, he’ll lock horns with the Russian mob and other dregs of society, which includes a corrupt police detective (Chazz Palminteri) who’s hot on his trail.

Excuse me, I am out of breath just watching this frenetic and ULTRA VIOLENT film that just never lets up for a moment. Just when you think some situation is going to work out well, whammo! an unexpected event occurs.

Hats off to Paul Walker (“Fast Five”, “Takers”, “The Lazarus Project” – yes there is a violent streak here) and Vera Farmiga (“Source Code”, “Higher Ground”, “Henry’s Crime” – a cut above). But special credit goes to 13 year old Cameron Bright as the much abused but brave child Oleg.

Expect to see some really ugly and evil characters. Bring a strong stomach with you.

2009, 2010, 2011, British, Child Molestation, Complicated, Crime, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Lawyers, Made For TV, Rape, Suspense, Wonderful acting

Law and Order: UK (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Dick Wolf’s long-running “Law & Order” franchise expands across the pond in the first season of this gritty police procedural that’s set on the streets of London and based on scripts from the American series. The first case finds detectives Ronnie Brooks (Bradley Walsh) and Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber) teaming up with prosecutors James Steel (Ben Daniels) and Alesha Phillips (Freema Agyeman) to get to the bottom of a baby’s untimely death.

Don’t get me wrong, Kathy and I love all the American “Law & Order” shows. But I find that this British version is better, more intense, and offers more courtroom drama. Beginning in 2009 the series ran into 2011. And then one of the lawyers, James Steel, used some plot excuse to leave the show and as far as I know the series ended at that point.

If you like “Law and Order”, DO NOT MISS THIS TV SERIES!

2009, Crime, Drama, Gangs, Mayhem, Redemption, Revenge, Sadism, Suspense, Torture, Violent

Charlie Valentine (2009)

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From NetFlix:

When problems come to prey on an otherwise “perfect” crime, hard-boiled gangster Charlie Valentine (Raymond J. Barry) seeks assistance from an unlikely source: his estranged son, Danny (Michael Weatherly), who’s been living his own life in Los Angeles. With father and son working together, a series of crimes starts falling into place. But that doesn’t reduce the danger in teaching Danny the family business.

Michael Weatherly plays Anthony DiNozzo in the TV series “NCIS” which is one of the few TV series related to crime that is not violent (“Bones” is another example). Playing a character in a successful TV series is a wonderful meal ticket. But the question arises: could that actor survive outside the supporting cocoon of the show? As an experiment I watched Weatherly play Danny Valentine, the son of Charlie Valentine played by Raymond J. Barry. My verdict is that Weatherly can act, although in my opinion that acting is weak in the very last scene.

But Raymond Barry captures the show! He was born in my birth year, 1939. So here is a man in his 70’s doing a marvelous acting job. His lifelong list of credits is huge. Recently he plays Arlo Givens in the TV series “Justified”.

In a nutshell: Charlie has been a self-centered, violent sociopath his whole life. He abandoned his wife and son. On the run Charlie seeks help from his son Danny who has ambivalent feelings toward his father. On the one hand he is justifiably resentful, especially since his mother died not too long after his father left them. On the other hand he admires his father and longs to be the same kind of career criminal. So it isn’t that Charlie forcefully perverts his son, rather his son actually asks to learn the resourceful ways of his father.

Meanwhile aging Charlie is starting to feel remorse for his murderous lifestyle. As a climax to the story Charlie is put to some kind of test. Watch the film to witness the test and its resolution.

2011, Crime, Detective, Drama, Lawyers, Prison, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Violent, Wonderful acting

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Tasked with defending rich lothario Louis Roulet, who’s been charged with assault, lawyer Mick Haller finds himself and his family in danger when he deduces the truth behind this and former cases he’s worked on.

Let me just remind you of where we have seen some of the many, many actors in this film. After that, for the first time ever, I am going to quote entirely an unattributed review of this splendid film which I found in NetFlix.

  • Who could ever forget Marisa Tomei in “My Cousin Vinny” ?
  • Ryan Phillipe was one of the soldiers in Stop-Loss (2008). He makes a wonderful rich-boy serial killer.
  • Josh Lucas plays a pediatrician in Life As We Know It (2010). Here he is a frustrated prosecutor up against his opponent McConaughey.
  • Michaela Conlin has a very minor role. She has played for years in the TV series Bones (2005).

There is no way to know who provided the following helpful review for NetFlix, but thanks, whoever you are:

THE LINCOLN LAWYER is a smarter-than-average courtroom drama. It’s based on a book by Michael Connelly and definitely shows some signs of a full novel being chopped down to movie length. However, director Brad Furman keeps the movie tightly-paced and maintains a good balance between the lighter moments and the dramatic ones. If I were a betting man, I’d put money on Furman as a director on the rise. He did a movie a few years back called THE TAKE, which is also set in LA. It’s a gritty, well-made flick, which I also suggest. As for the LINCOLN LAWYER, McConaughey is (for once) perfectly cast. He’s a smooth talker, as are most of his characters, but he also shows a weariness that’s new for him. Furman shoots in extreme close-ups at times, which gets you in the face of the McConaughey’s alcoholic turmoil. He also does an interesting rotating shot that starts behind an actor and spins fully around them during a take. It was a bit disorienting but was used to good effect. For an average studio movie, this sure has its share of great actors in smaller roles. William H. Macy stands out as the investigator who works with McConaughey’s lawyer. Bryan Cranston from “Breaking Bad” has a small role as cop who’s not keen on ole Matthew, and he’s so good I wished for more of him. I love Marisa Tomei, but her character feels like it was more developed in the book though. Overall, the movie is well-shot, gritty but polished, funny and tense, and a fresh spin on an old story. I’ve seen movies about lawyers with a conscience before, but never has the predicament seemed so real and complex. I honestly had no idea how this lawyer would be able to get himself out of the jam he’s in. For once, it’s nice to have a movie one step ahead of the audience.

1975, Car Chase, Conspiracy, Crime, Drugs, Explicit sexual discussion, Gangs, Mayhem, Nudity, Redemption, Sam Peckinpah, Suspense, Violent

Killer Elite (1975)

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From NetFlix:

One of the least well-known films from legendary director Sam Peckinpah, this action-thriller reunites Godfather co-stars James Caan and Robert Duvall. After Mike Locken (Caan) is left crippled by George Hansen (Duvall), his traitorous best friend, Locken quits the CIA. However, he returns to the shadowy spy life as the bodyguard for Chung (Mako), an Eastern diplomat targeted for assassination by Hansen and his hit squad.

Somewhat dated but, if modernized just a bit, this film would be no different from today’s hired killer stories. There are even scenes featuring Kung-Fu in one form or another.

What would probably NOT be in a film today was following in much detail James Caan’s physical rehabilitation after being purposely crippled by Robert Duvall at the very start of the film. We get to watch the removal of plaster casts, stitches, etc. All this rehabilitation serves to show Caan’s determination to get back in action. Considering the damage done to his knee and elbow you have to suspend disbelief to think that he could actually overcome many Kung-Fu style attacks.

Arthur Hill plays the double-dealing Cap Collis. You may remember him as Marcus Welby in the like-named TV series.

Burt Young (Mac) played Paulie in all the “Rocky 1,2,3,4,…” films.

2010, Crime, Drama, Drugs, Gloomy, Grim, Not Feel Good, Sex Scenes, Spanish, Supernatural, Unusual, Violent, Vulgar

Biutiful (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer, Uxbal (Javier Bardem) — a divorced father raising two children — is determined to atone for his life as a black marketeer in this engrossing character study that unfolds in the slums of Barcelona, Spain. Co-starring Maricel Álvarez as Uxbal’s estranged wife, director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s haunting tale received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Foreign Language Film.

Why do you watch a film ? My most honest answer is “I want to be entertained”. “Entertainment” usually means “escape” or “relax” or “laugh” or “solve a puzzle” or “be excited by action (or sex)”. Therefore, this film, which is probably the most grubby film I have ever seen, might not qualify as “entertainment”. One possible subtitle for this film might be “Watching Javier Bardem Die” because there are an awful lot of shots that linger on his unshaven, haggard, unhappy face.

Another reason for calling the film “grubby” is that it takes place in the slums of Barcelona. Of course, every great and beautiful city has its slums. If all I knew about Barcelona was this film, I would avoid at all cost visiting the city. There is even a beautiful shot of a sunny clear sky into which ugly black factory smoke is pouring. Another view of the sea has dead Chinese immigrant bodies floating into the beach. Are you starting to get the picture ?

At least we get an honest view of how horrible life is for third-world immigrants (legal or otherwise) trying desperately to scratch out a meager living. Do you really want to watch that ?

One sub-theme centers around Bardem’s supposed ability to communicate with the dead for which services he charges a fee. Keep the initial snow scene in mind. Eventually you figure out what is happening.

Only Javier Bardem was familiar to me. However, the woman who plays his wife, Maricel Álvarez, has an unforgettable face. Because of the disproportionate size of her nose, she reminds me of another Spanish actress (whose name I could not find) favored by the director Almodóvar possibly for her striking looks (meaning her nose).

For some of you this film might be 2.5 hours too long.

2011, Acceptable Trash, Crime, Mayhem, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Violent

The Mechanic (2011)

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From NetFlix:

When his mentor is murdered, lone hit man Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham) trains the man’s son, Steve McKenna (Ben Foster), in the ways of the professional kill. Together Arthur and his eager apprentice hunt down those responsible for executing Steve’s father. But the partnership gives rise to new dangers and deceptions. Simon West directs and Donald Sutherland co-stars in this action-packed remake of the 1972 Charles Bronson thriller.

Whoever really performs in the action sequences is a real stuntman athlete. Needless to say, Statham’s firearm aim is always perfect. No matter how many or how big or how well-armed his opponents are, he always wins. So suspend all that disbelief, sit back, and enjoy the well choreographed mayhem.

Expect some completely unnecessary sex scenes. After all, you can’t just have “violence”, you have to have “sex AND violence”.

Actually the story line has a gimmick that works. But who cares ?