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Film & TV on DVD - John Doe News & Reviews

 
Greetings Film Fiends and welcome to John Doe's Film Blog. 30 years of dedicated celluloid obsession has meant that I have seen a few films. Drawing attention to some of the lesser discussed gems that I love. Cult classics, obscure curios and quality genre pictures. This blogs purpose is to translate some of my passion for these films and with luck, inspire you the reader to go check em out.

Brace yourself for a Bitch Slap

August 4th 2008 00:01
The Bullets, Brawls and Breasts of Bitch Slap


Bitch Slap Poster
Bitch Slap Poster - Prepare to be Slapped



Harking back to the days of Russ Meyer, Roger Corman and other sexploitation era pioneers comes a modern day self aware salute. Inspired by cult classics like Faster Pussycat Kill Kill and Dragstrip Girls, the official Bitch Slap website begins its synopsis: “Bitch Slap is a post modern, thinking man’s throwback to the “B” Movie/exploitation films of the 1950’s-70’s as well as a loving, sly parody of the same.”

bitch slap screenshots
Bitch Slap Screenshots



John Doe didn’t need to read any further than that to know this was his favourite flavour of trash cinema. This flesh for fantasy story is about a trio of full chested, double barrelled vixens on a mission to extort cash from a drug lord. The whole thing goes pear shaped when deranged villains, violent crooks and twisted morality enter the equation.

bitch slap Trixie
Trixie put a spell on you


Structured for a plot collision in the vengeful finale, there is a second story told in reverse character flashbacks, Memento style. Bitch Slap is written and Directed by Rick Jacobson and Eric Gruendemann. (Click HERE to see a video interview with Jacobson and Gruendemann)

bitch slap camero
Careful, Camero causes pain


Providing the hard bodied, moist torsos in front of the camera are Erin Cummins playing Hel the corporate brains behind the crime. Julia Voth as the erotic temptress Trixie and America Olivo is the ass kicking, drug runner Camero.

bitch slap hel
Hel hath no Fury


Searching through their names on imdb.com these girls credits extend to beautiful woman #1 on How I Met Your Mother. Speaking of B grade, Hercules Kevin Sorbo and Xena Lucy Lawless also show up, though JD has never been a fan of either show.

bitch slap pinky
Pinky uses the shadows


The trailer certainly shows signs of Faster Pussycat, Kill Kill and though no dialogue is revealed, if you go to the official site you will find a few words of wise female empowerment.

bitch slap characters
Yeah, you want to click on the Picture to see larger version


Rated PG - DD For Pervasive Naughtiness. With a Parental Advisory on Guns Jugs and True Love, this is a man bashing girl power treat that this boy is lining up to ogle.

bitch slap camero
JD's hand are up.



Images courtesy of www.impawards.com


Kick back with a beer and soak in the Red Band Trailer for Bitch Slap



Behind The Scenes of Bitch Slap


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Miami Blues (1990) - Trailer Included

August 30th 2007 05:08
Hot times in Miami's vice.

Miami Blues DVD
DVD Cover
Writer/Director: George Armitage
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Fred Ward, Charles Napier


“Thinking he is alone... breaking, entering... the dark and lonely place-places... ... finding a...big gun…... smelling like a rose.”Junior improvised Haiku

Occasionally a screenplay foresees the direction that film culture is heading and post dates a genre revolution (EG: A Clockwork Orange). So hip and cinematically symbiotic that only those looking for the fresh original material can begin to appreciate it, Miami Blues was that film in 1990.

Based on the first book in Charles Willeford’s Hoke Moseley detective series this quirky, black comedy mixes crime and unpredictable violence into a cocktail of visceral thrills.
“Now I'll tell you what I want you to sew my eyebrow back on.” - Junior

It’s the 80’s and a volatile sociopath Frederick J. Frenger Jr. (Alec Baldwin) is fresh out of the joint and heads to Miami Florida. Not for the sun and fun but to launch a frenzied crime wave. Entering the airport it isn’t long before he commits his first homicide, breaking the fingers of a Hari Krishna who goes into shock and dies of a heart attack.

Assigned the case is aging, haggard detective Hoke Mosley (Fred Ward), slipping in his false teeth he is soon in pursuit of Junior. Meanwhile our unhinged thief has hooked up with Susie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a trusting, easily led student who works as a prostitute to pay the bills.
“The first thing they shoulda told you at your hooker classes is that you shouldn't ask so many fucking questions.” - Junior

As Mosley closes in on his prey Junior’s rampage escalates when he ferociously bashes the cop and steal his badge and gun. Now no one is safe as the warped hoodlum begins exploiting his new found artificial authority and targets anyone who gets in his way.
“He got your gun... your badge... and your teeth? You are a disgrace to the police force.”Sergeant Lackley


Miami Blues Baldwin Leigh
I'm sorry you looked like Billy, or is it Stephen?


John Doe says:
Immediately establishing a tone of dangerous, pulp hyper-reality with Norman Greenbaum “Spirit in the Sky” blaring over the opening credits. Miami Blues edgy humour, eccentric characters and colourful staging all create a mood of spontaneity seldom achieved in this type of film. Brash and occasionally outlandish, stringently avoiding formula effectively circumventing stereotype.

Roger Corman alumni Director George Armitage (Grosse Point Blank) is obviously open to ideas, confidently keeping the narrative purposefully loose and skilfully embracing the craziness inherit in the screenplay. Managing to surprise with each new scene, the actors are given free reign becoming fictional individuals each with unique traits.

The often wooden Alec Baldwin (Hunt For Red October, Heavens Prisoner, BeetleJuice, Talk Radio, Thick as Thieves, State and Main, The Cooler, The Departed) lodges his most defined performance this side of Glengarry Glenross. In his hands the twisted morality of Junior is made plausible, emoting charismatic intelligence like a DNA mix of Tyler Durden and Patrick Bateman.

The actress of her generation, Jennifer Jason Leigh (Last Exit to Brooklyn, The Hitcher, Kansas City, Flesh and Blood, Palindromes, Existenz, Georgia, Hudsucker Proxy, fast Times at Ridgemont High, Short Cuts, Rush) is as always bold with her body language and manages to play naïve without stupidity, charming without sugar.

Often ignored Fred Ward (The Right Stuff, Tremors, Uncommon Valor, Southern Comfort, Remo:Unarmed and Dangerous, Henry and June, The Player, Bob Roberts, Short Cuts) balances a tough guy exterior with sly comedy to become the ideal foil to Baldwin’s necessary screen hogging.

Miami Blues is regularly mentioned by John Doe alongside the likes of Things to Do In Denver when Your Dead as a modern unsung gem of the genre. Avoiding Tarantino’s derivative style that would arrive 2 years later, there is a distinct personal flavour to the film taht sets it apart from all that came before or followed.


The DVD:
Transfer: 16:9 Widescreen/Dolby Digital 2.0
Extras: Nil


The Trailer


An alternate Trailer

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