56 followers

1874 daily readers

rank of 4

Category Quick Links

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.

Action Crime Thriller - Film & TV on DVD

Sundance 2010 Buzz: The Killer Inside Me

February 1st 2010 00:00

First Promo Reel for "The Killer Inside Me"

killer inside me, casey affleck, kate hudson, jessica alba

The Killer Inside Me loves a good Noir fix.

killer inside me, casey affleck, michael winterbotton

Casey Afflecks stars as The Killer Inside Me

It’s Sundance Film Festival time again and this year’s roster is certainly not starved for quality of feature films or documentaries. As happens annually John Doe is cursing the celluloid deities for not being able to attend the event in person….maybe next year.

is that the scent of doom?

At the top of JD’s most anticipated of Sundance 2010 list is a film that has already caused a festival stir with its unflinching examination of the violent frenzy hidden by sociopathic charm. Directed by Michael Winterbottom and staring Casey Affleck, The Killer Inside Me promises to be a descent into gritty, morose noir hell.

killer inside me, jim thompson, pulp novel, crime film

The original Killer Inside Me Novel

Adapted from pulp author icon Jim Thompson’s (The Getaway, The Grifters) inside-the-mind-of-a-psychopa th novel, here is a synopsis courtesy of the Official Sundance website.

“The Killer Inside Me tells the story of handsome, charming, unassuming small-town deputy sheriff Lou Ford, who has a bunch of problems. Women problems. Law-enforcement problems. And an ever-growing pile of murder victims in his west Texas jurisdiction. All the while Lou manages to remain his stoic self. However, as evidence is discovered over the course of the investigation, suspicion begins to fall on Lou. But in this savage and bleak universe, nothing is ever what it seems… This violent, stylish psychosexual thriller is imbued with all the amoral energy of its genre and is sure to shock some and dazzle all.”

Never restricting his artistic expression to a single genre, over the course of his career Michael Winterbottom has quietly sculpted a diverse and insightful filmography that includes JDM favourites like 24 Hour Party People, Road to Guantanamo and 9 Songs. Consistently rewarding, his unfiltered realism is sure to be part of the raw emotional reaction audiences had to this week’s premiere screening . (Specifically a scene involving the Jessica Alba's damaged goods character being repeatedly smashed by Casey Affleck provoked a minor audience evacuation.)

killer inside me, casey affleck,villian, serial killer

Casey Afflecks on a road to villiany.

The unencumbered by DNA brilliance of Casey Affleck continues to prove that lineage need not restrict talent. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and Gone, Baby Gone put a spotlight on Casey’s ability to communicate the complex subtleties of human frailty and The Killer Inside Me potentially offers the same sort of immersion in his role.

The versatile Bill Pullman (Lost Highway, Zero Effect) and Elias Koteas (Zodiac, The Thin Red line) add extra attraction. The inclusion of Ned Beatty (Deliverance, Superman: The Movie) doesn’t go unnoticed either.

killer inside me, casey affleck, jessica alba, noir film

Jessica Alba lets it loose.

There is room for trepidation though when the names Jessica Alba (Sin City) and Kate Huston (Almost Famous) appear in the credits, but early reviews say that they both deliver brave performances uncompromised by what has preceded it.

killer inside me, casey affleck, sundance film, crime film

Destined to arouse discussion and provoke reaction when it is finally released, Thompson’s novel was previously realized on screen in the under seen 1976 film Directed by Burt Kennedy (The War Wagon, The Train Robbers) and starring Stacy Keach (Up In Smoke, The Squeeze). This latest version is said to be much more loyal to the original source and promises to challenge on screen with savage seductions and pleasurable beatings amongst other crimes of a crumbling mind slamming a damaged psyche.

Set in the 50's and driven by a cool rockabilly beat, if your not already as excited about this as Johnny D then take a close look at composition and content of the images above. Still not convinced then cruise over to joblo.com and read their review for a more indepth taster..

The Killer Inside Me - 5 minute Sundance Promo Reel courtesy of RopesofSilicone.com
Warning:This clip contains spoilers and is certainly Not Work Safe. It includes the controversial, brutal beating of Jessica Alba's tantalizing character and more.

Vote

Comments (5)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Crime, Thriller

Email this Post to a Friend

The Seven-Ups (1973) - Trailer Included

November 18th 2009 00:00

The Gritty NYC Streets go Boom and Broom with Prestigious Connections

seven ups, roy scheider, cop films, french connection, DVD

The Seven Ups DVD

Director: Phillip D’Antonio
Writers: Alex Ruben & Alexander Jacobs
Starring: Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Larry Haines, Victor Arnold, Jerry Leon, Ken Kercheval

“Look at my hands. I've been here before, so do what you gotta do. I didn't talk then, and I won't talk now.” - Toredano

When the lists for best cop films come around this neglected scrap of bottled intensity is often wrongfully absent. Perhaps the distinction between The French Connection and this blur in the memory due to the presence of most of the same production team. Maybe it’s the similar cinematic style or because the Director channels the same procedural tone and complex plotting. It is after all based on a story by Sonny Grosso who was the inspiration for Roy Scheider’s character in the earlier film. Regardless, JD does not know for certain but is here to tell you this film warrants attention.

seven ups, roy scheider, mob films, cop films, french connection, DVD

Roy uses some gentle persuasion.

The Seven-Up's are a specialized branch of the New York police department that only investigate crimes worthy of seven years or more in lock up. They aren’t after the low end street hustlers, they are after the suppliers, runners, cop killers and traffickers.
Headed by the field hardened Buddy (Roy Scheider) this crew of ruthless blood hound detectives is made up of Baralli (Victor Arnold), Mingo (Jerry Leon) and Ansel. (Ken Kercheval)

As the film opens we witness them at work, staking out an antique store that could serve as a way station for treasured stolen merchandise. We see that they work with confidence, precision and an innate knowledge of the anatomy of the criminal mind.

The job is always risky for these underpaid tough guy enforcers and when one of their own is killed their violent nature means brutal vengeance will follow even if it means throwing down against the Mob.

“There's something going on the boys downtown never told us about. Have you heard rumors of Mob kidnappings?” – Inspector Gilson

seven ups, roy scheider, crime thriller, cop films, french connection, DVD

What do you mean you have seen me somewhere before?

John Doe says:

As mentioned earlier The Seven-Ups is very similar to The French Connection in style and substance. It’s a gritty, disenchanting portrait of police life with all its painful ambiguities and long stretches of anticipation included. When the sporadic action comes it’s startling, swift and ugly.

One time Director Phillip D’Antonio obviously paid attention to the artists around him when he produced for others. He utilizes over lapping dialogue and ambient sounds from the urban background to illicit a feeling of realism.

The pace is always in the moment and the cinematography by Urs Furrer (Shaft) brings its own sense of impending urgency. Completing the immersion is another striking score from Don Ellis. (The French Connection)

seven ups, car chase, roy scheider, cop films, french connection, DVD

Roy gets ready to film THAT chase

The highlight of the film is arguably as with The French Connection and Bullitt, the epic car chase that comes in the middle of the film. Employing Bill Hickman, the same stunt driver/actor that was used in the previous two movies, this is a visceral actual high speed pursuit with steel bent out of shape and edge of the wire velocity and choreography. The buffs like John Doe may notice an anomaly in the fact that the sound of Roy Scheider’s Pontiac Ventura is over dubbed with the FX from the Steve McQueen GTO Mustang in Bullitt.

There is a feeling of improvisation with both the chase and the actor’s performances, which is testament to Alex Ruben (Kojak) and Alexander Jacobs (Hell in the Pacific, Point Plank) palpable script and the focused filmmaking.

All the cast resemble on location extras and benefit from the films dramatic pathos. Roy Scheider (Sorcerer, The French Connection, All That Jazz) is in fine form here, looking as at-home on the New York streets as John Doe is in a cinema. His chiseled physicality and mangled appearance belong in the violent, high tension environment which the film occupies.
Real Life tough guy and Golden Gloves boxing winner Tony Lo Bianco (Nixon, Serpico, The French Connection) is in his element too and brings a duplicity to the part of informant Vito Lucia.

Rather than single out one standout it is safe to say all the actors in the cast, even those with dialogue free moments inhabit their characters.

Rereading what JD wrote in the first paragraph it seems the answer to the question of this films being ignored is the inherit comparison’s to William Friedkin’s masterpiece. (How many times did he mention The French Connection in this review anyway?) When put side by side this may lack that indefinable something that makes it monumental cinema, but still contains so much brilliance that the pissing contest is unwarranted. The Seven-Ups is quality that should sit on the shelf right beside the best in the genre.

Watch the original trailer for The Seven-Ups

Here it is, the classic chase that can cross the finsih line with the best of the best

Vote

Comments (4)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Crime, Thriller

Email this Post to a Friend

Blast of Silence (1961) - Trailer Included

November 12th 2009 23:20

The Icy Machinations of a Hunters Psyche

blast of silence, criterion dvd, allen barron, hitman

Blast of Silence - Criterion Collection DVD

Director: Allen Barron
Writer: Allen Barron and Waldo Salt
Starring: Allen Barron, Larry Tucker, Molly Mccarthy

"Remembering out of the black silence, you were born in pain." - Narrator

The hitman genre has a tendency to focus on ‘the best” in the business, the guy with a reputation for almost super human stealth and economical execution. (Leon: The Professional, Le Samourai, The Killer, The Mechanic) Never garnering the attention it deserves, the low budget, indie noir A Blast of Silence takes an alternate route with its character driven narrative.

blast of silence, allen barron, hitman, film noir

Allen Barron on target.

Fatalistic and bleak in its excursion into a soul consumed by hatred and societal detachment, the film bleeds dark atmosphere and unfiltered realism.

“They all hate the gun they hire. When people look at you, baby boy Frankie Bono, they see death. Death across the counter.” - Narrator

Following the deadly but non-distinct hired assassin named Frank Bono (Allen Barron) through every scene, the story begins with our spiteful thug returning to his hometown of New York City on assignment to whack an inept rival mobster. Before the job is done faces from his youth trigger a self awareness that forces the focused professional to examine the internalized damage of his career path.

“You don't have to know a man to live with him. But you have to know a man like a brother to kill him.” - Narrator

blast of silence, criterion dvd, film noir, allen barron, hitman

Allen Barron makes noise in Blast of Silence

John Doe Says:
Made long before there was such a thing as the “low budget indie” genre, this shot on location gem captures New York’s urban ennui of the time. Sparse on character dialogue, the inner machinations of Bono are revealed through a third person vile voice of god narration written by Waldo Salt (Midnight Cowboy, Serpico, The Day of the Locust).

Salt’s contribution is important but it is Screenwriter/Director and Star Allen Barron that is responsible for the engrossing complexities where this work dwells. Labeled the new “Orson Welles” at the time of the films lackluster release, the promise shown here was ignored by the studios. Though his next film Terror in the City was equally impressive artistically it also failed, instead Barron went onto a successful 40 year career as a television Director. Shows like Night Gallery, The Night Stalker and Charlie’s Angels being a few of his credits.

blast of silence, DVD, action film, classic

The Director is armed for any guerilla conflict on the streets.

On Blast of Silence his Direction is disciplined in style and organic in capturing performance, their is a precursor to Scorsese's Mean Streets that permeates. The brutality is unflinching and sudden, the occasional action scenes carry power and drive plot. The stripped back-to-basics economy and black and white cinematography enhances the morose mood. Executed with the raw naturalism of Cassavettes, the performances from all the cast are filled with meaningful eccentricities that embrace their parts dissolving morality.

As Frank Bono the actor Allen Barron implies menace in every gesture while somehow carrying an incognito nature.

Molly McCarthy (The Flamingo Kid) as the representation of innocence lost and the object of Frank’s regretful unfulfilled desire is unhampered by any idealism. Playing Big Ralph, Larry Tucker (Shock Corridor) is a freak show reflection of the hedonistic desperation and duplicity of the disconnected modern world that our lead inhabits.

Few films reach the level of insight this one does and for John Doe it ranks as a noir masterpiece. Staggering like a gunshot to the belly, giving us time to live each step of the process of a paid killer. Blast of Silence is an early example of how quality cinema need not cost millions or need a name brand actor in order to resonate through decades, possibly even centuries.

Blast of Silence Trailer.

Watch the first 10 minutes of this cold, calculated thesis called Blast of Silence.

For more details visit the official Criterion Site HERE

Vote

Comments (2)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Crime, Thriller

Email this Post to a Friend

The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973) - Opening 10 Minutes Included

August 31st 2009 00:01

Mitchum boils as his Fiends Coil

friends of Eddie Coyle, criterion DVD, crime drama, 70s film, robert mitchum

The Friends of Eddie Coyle - Criterion DVD Just Released

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (6)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Crime, Thriller

Email this Post to a Friend

The Taking of Pelham One, Two, Three (1974) - Trailer Included

May 2nd 2008 00:01

The People Mover that Did

DVD Available in Australia

Director: Joseph Sargent
[ Click here to read more ]

121

Vote

Comments (8)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Crime, Thriller

Email this Post to a Friend

The Killers (1946) and (1964)

April 13th 2008 00:01

The Companions of Death

A rebadged edition of this U.S release is now available in Australia

[ Click here to read more ]

113

Vote

Comments (6)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Crime, Thriller

Email this Post to a Friend

Heat (1995) - Footage Included

January 2nd 2008 00:01

Explosive motivations in the mirror

Heat DVD Cover- Available in Australia

Writer/Director: Michael Mann
[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (9)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Email this Post to a Friend

Miami Blues (1990) - Trailer Included

August 30th 2007 05:08

Hot times in Miami's vice.

DVD Cover

Writer/Director: George Armitage
[ Click here to read more ]

109

Vote

Comments (9)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Crime, Comedy, Thriller

Email this Post to a Friend

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance – Another FilmInk Review

August 15th 2007 00:15

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance – Another FilmInk Review

This is a review that was published in FilmInk I did awhile ago. Figured with Cib’s review of the confronting thrillride Old Boy igniting interest in the second part, it would be a good time to focus on the final chapter.
[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (5)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Action, Crime, Foreign, Thriller

Email this Post to a Friend

[ Film & TV on DVD Home ] [ Create A New Post ]