Category Archives: Drugs

2014, Action Film, Action Hero, B-movie, Barely Acceptable Trash, Bloody scenes, Car Chase, Digital Effects, Drug Dealers, Drugs, Mayhem, Often downright silly, Psychedelic Visual Effects, Ridiculous plot, Strange Ending, Violent

Lucy (2014)

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From NetFlix:

In this action-thriller set in Taiwan, a young woman forced to become a drug mule for the mob develops superhuman abilities when the narcotics she’s carrying in her stomach accidentally leak into her system.

Way back in 1968 a certain subset of our population would ingest some psychedelic substance and sit for hours watching the flashing colors in the film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” But now welcome to the 21st century where you could do the same participant-watching with the mostly visual film “Lucy.” And it might as well be called a digital-visual adventure because the plot and many impossible action sequences are straight out of vaudeville.

Whatever was Morgan Freeman thinking? Scarlett Johansson at least has a history of appearing in strange films. For example, she was the voice of a computer (Samantha) in “Her”. Also she was a predatory alien in “Under the Skin.” Let us hope these actors made a lot of money while diminishing their reputations.

So why did I bother finishing the film? There are two choices: a) I was bored out of my mind, or b) I hoped that eventually the film would make sense, alas!

You probably don’t have the time for this psychedelic wonder.

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.

2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, Basically Sad, Child custody, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Father-son relations, Mental Illness, Murder, Netflix Streaming, Nothing special, TV Series, War Veterans

The Guardian (2001)

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From Netflix:

Nick Fallin is a fallen corporate lawyer who’s working off a drug conviction with 1,500 hours of court-mandated community service, splitting his time between helping kids in trouble and patching up relations with his workaholic father.

Simon Baker for me will always be “The Mentalist” which started airing in 2008. Therefore it is striking to see how much younger he looks in this TV series which aired in 2001 when he was 32 years old. In this series playing Nick Fallin he does not emote much, to say the least.

Each episode has two themes. His position in his father’s law firm is an ongoing theme. Additionally in each episode he tackles the problems of some unfortunate child. More precisely, his community service job requires that in the usual case of several people (parents, grandparents, step-parents) fighting to get custody, he has to try and satisfy the child’s wishes. Every such episode has a sad side and most often NOT a happy ending. Usually some imperfect compromise has to be made at the expense of the child’s true happiness.

Nick’s father Burton Fallin is played by Dabney Coleman whom you may recognize as Commodore Louis Kaestner of the TV series “Boardwalk Empire”.

NetFlix offers this TV series via streaming: Season 1 has 22 episodes, Season 2 has 23 episodes and Season 3 has 22 episodes. Kathy and I find that the more episodes we watch, the more involved we get with Nick’s life. If nothing else this series offers non-violent, intelligent entertainment which at times can be compelling.

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.

2012, 2013, 2014, Abduction, Addiction, Alcoholism, American Indian culture, Based on a Book, Bloody scenes, Car Chase, Cowboy, Crime, Divorce, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drugs, Father-daughter relations, Forensics, Horse story, Love Story, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Race Relations, Revenge, Stalker, TV Series, Western

Longmire (2012)

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From Netflix:

Based on the Walt Longmire mystery novels by Craig Johnson, this contemporary crime thriller focuses on a Wyoming sheriff who’s rebuilding his life and career following the death of his wife.

First review was for Seasons 1-4. See below for later seasons.

IMDB offers a better summary:

Walt Longmire is the charismatic, dedicated and unflappable sheriff of Absaroka County. Widowed only a year, Longmire is a man in psychic repair that buries his pain behind a brave face and dry wit. Struggling since his wife’s death and at the urging of his daughter, Cady, Longmire knows that the time has come to turn his life around. With the help of Vic, a female deputy new to the department, he becomes reinvigorated about his job and committed to running for re-election. When Branch, an ambitious, young deputy decides to run against him for sheriff, Longmire feels betrayed but remains steadfast in his dedication to the community. Longmire often turns to close friend and confidant Henry Standing Bear for support as he sets out to rebuild both his personal and professional life, one step at a time.

“Longmire” is available on disc or streamed from Netflix. There are three seasons: Season 1 offers 10 episodes. Season 2 offers 13 episodes, and Season 3 offers 10 episodes. Seasons 3 and 4 can now be streamed from NetFlix.

Seasons 3 and 4 both end with serious cliff-hangers. Stay tuned for season 5.

Once you start down the “Longmire” path you will almost certainly be hooked. Running throughout the series are themes such as the murder of the wife of sheriff Walt (Robert Taylor), his relation with his daughter Cady (Cassidy Freeman), his friendly rivalry with his deputy Branch (Bailey Chase), and the antagonism between the white men and the nearby Cheyenne reservation.

Plot lines, scripts, acting, and local color are all excellent. Of course there is violence and a small bit of gore (headless horse, anyone?), but after all this is a “modern” Western. Only Walt is the Luddite who refuses to own a cellphone.

You won’t be sorry, DO NOT MISS!

SEASON 6:

Season 6 has 10 episodes, each running between 60 and 70 minutes.

There are two parts to this season:

Part 2 involves several topics:  tracking down heroin dealers targeting the the Indian reservation which involves Jacob Nighthorse and  Malachi Strand;  Sheriff’s assistant Victoria ‘Vic’ Moretti must face up to her father; Walt’s daughter Cady runs into trouble with the tribe and finds a love interest;  Sheriff’s assistant The Ferg has challenges with a bank robber and romance;  Henry Standing Bear plays a major part.

2013, Action Film, Amputee, Based on a Book, Bloody scenes, Child abuse, Dark, Drugs, Ethical struggles, Fantasy, Mayhem, Personality or religious cult, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Torture, Violent

Snowpiercer (2013)

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From Netflix:

The Earth’s remaining inhabitants are confined to a single train circling the globe as revolution brews among the class-divided cars. Based on a French graphic novel and set in a new ice age, this futuristic thriller stars a top-notch ensemble cast.

Owing to a failed climate-change experiment that essentially froze the earth, when you look out of a window on this perpetual motion train, you see snow everywhere. Although the idea of a dystopia with a brutal separation of classes is nothing new, placing the only remaining inhabitants of the planet in a train is a novel approach. From a visual standpoint, “Snowpiercer” is one of the more original sci-fi films I have seen. Progress in the story is measured by the struggle of the underclass in the rear of the train to reach the front of the train. Moving through the train offers some wonderful eye-candy.

Chris Evans does a good job as the “hero” Curtis. Ed Harris as the god-like Willford is sufficiently amoral and heartless. But Tilda Swinton as the quirky class enforcer Mason steals the show.

Now for the WARNING: This film is incredibly violent. At certain points the punishments inflicted on anyone foolish enough to rebel are possibly hard to watch.

In all honesty I was mesmerized, but then good guys against bad guys always holds my attention.

2014, Abduction, Addiction, Bloody scenes, British, British Mystery Series, Could Be Hard To Watch, Crime thriller, Depression, DO NOT MISS, Drug Dealers, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Ethical struggles, Gritty, Kidnapping, Melodrama, Mental Illness, Murder, Murder Investigation, Mystery Film, Netflix Streaming, Not Feel Good, Police Corruption, Police Story, Psychological Drama, Rape, Sociopath, Suicide, Suspense, Thriller, Violent, Wonderful acting

Happy Valley (2014)

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From Netflix:

From the creator of “Last Tango in Halifax” comes this police drama starring Sarah Lancashire (“Coronation Street”) as Yorkshire police sergeant Catherine Cawood, a strong-willed officer coping with the suicide of her daughter and struggling to raise the young son she left behind. When the man she blames for her daughter’s death is paroled, Cawood embarks on a mission to bring him down, unaware that her target is plotting another heinous crime.

Update to initial Season 1 review: Netflix now offers Season 2 of “Unhappy Valley” which continues the story line of Season 1. Season 2 is at least as riveting as Season 1.

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Original Review:

“Happy Valley” is NOT happy. After I tell you what is brutal in this riveting British TV series, I will then try and convince you to watch one of the most spellbinding detective series I have ever watched.

First the ugly news: Years ago the handsome sociopath Tommy Lee Royce raped and drove to suicide the daughter of sergeant Catherine Cawood. He is just out of jail and has joined in with a kidnapping of young Ann Gallagher whom he rapes in captivity. While transporting the kidnapped girl in a van, the kidnappers are approached by a young woman policewoman whom the sociopath runs over and over and over with his automobile. Get the nasty picture? You never see any rape, but you do see some brutal fights.

Now the reasons why you should not miss this drama: Sarah Lancashire is (as the British would say) “positively brilliant” as Catherine Cawood. Here is an incredibly strong woman with a long list of problems. For example, her dead raped daughter had a resulting son whom Catherine raises alone as a grandmother because Catherine’s remarried husband left her when the boy was born. Yes, it does sound like a good old melodrama. But the acting, the complicated personal relations, and the exacting plot details and surprises are well worth the uncomfortable price of admission.

If you can stand the barbarians and their callous behavior, then I feel duty bound to say: DO NOT MISS!

2013, Bloody scenes, Corruption, Detective, Drugs, Erotic Thriller, Father-daughter relations, Irish, Mental Illness, Mostly About Sex, Murder, Netflix Streaming, Nudity, Police Corruption, Police Story, Psychological Thriller, Redemption, Revenge, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Stalker, Strange Ending, Suicide, Suspense, TV Series, Use of Irish Brogue, Violent

The Trial (2013)

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From Netflix:

When the Belfast police are stalled in their investigation of a spate of murders, Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson is drafted to investigate. Under her lead, the team uncovers an intricate web of lives entangled by the killings.

These days serial-killer dramas are standard fare and often very similar. Nonetheless some of these presentations are different enough to be of interest. So what makes this one season, 5 episode TV series which I streamed from Netflix worthwhile?

  • Both the police investigation and the ordinary home life of the married-with-kids serial killer develop at the same time. You constantly switch back and forth.
  • Instead of black and white, good and bad, the killer and the cops are humans with their own mixtures of good and bad.
  • Relations between different parties are intricately interwoven.
  • In the psychological makeup of the killer is an element of remorse and a desire for normalcy.
  • Gillian Anderson (of “X-Files” fame) is as good a stone-faced actor as she is beautiful
  • Jamei Dornan, the killer, deserves to be better known.
  • Be on the lookout for Archie Panjabi (Reed Smith in “The Fall”) who is the clever and mysterious woman Kalinda Sharma in “The Good Wife”.
  • Just as interesting as the main thread, are some secondary themes.

Tell me what you think of the ending. Since I was glued to the screen, I can only heartily recommend this TV series.

2000, Amusing banter, Art Treasures, Bank Robbery, Based on true facts, Car Chase, Clever Plot, Comedy, Cynical, Detective, Drugs, Gangs, Irish, Motorcycles, Netflix Streaming, Nudity, Satire, Sex Scenes, Torture, Use of Irish Brogue, Violent

Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000)

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From Netflix:

In this taut crime thriller, a charming thief delights in plotting heists with the kind of élan that makes him popular in the very city he plunders.

While browsing Netflix streaming I stumbled on this clever comedy spoken in an Irish brogue. Kevin Spacey plays Michael Lynch. In this film he is also well-known as a bigamist. Both wives have important parts in the film.

From IMDB:

Brilliant, flamboyant master criminal Michael Lynch is more interested in his image and his posterity than the actual profit from his ill-gotten gains.

Michael Lynch’s greatest pleasure comes from eluding and tricking the Irish police, the Garda. Watching one clever stunt after another is the guilty pleasure this film offers.

You will see many familiar faces: Peter Mullan (Death Eater Yaxley in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 “), David Hayman (Jonas in “The Paradise”), Patrick Malahide (Balon Greyjoy in “Game of Thrones”), and of course Colin Farrell.

Yes, there is violence and death. But it is all in fun, after all.