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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.

Action Drama - Film & TV on DVD

Electra Glide in Blue (1973) - Trailer Included

February 15th 2010 00:01

electra glide in blue, dvd, robert blake, motorcycle cop, cop films, harley davidson

Electra Glide in Blue DVD - Uncertain of Australian release

Director: James William Guerico
Writer: Robert Boris
Starring: Robert Blake, Billy Green Bush, Mitch Ryan, Jeannine Riley, Elisha Cook Jr, Peter Cetera

Robert Blake as Big John Wintergreen in Electra Glide in Blue

“Ten Hut! Good morning, you fascists. You pigs. You bigots. You Pinkos. You Fags! You Bastards. Fuzz. This indoctrination of vocal harassment was compiled by our own Juvenile Division in preparation for the concert this weekend.” – Srgt Riker

The desolate, hostile landscapes of Arizona make a statement in this cult Motor-cop drama.

Electra Glide In Blue is a gritty, restrained 1970’s gem that serves as a celluloid postcard to the past. An understated, politically minded character piece that possesses power and grace.

Set in an era of civil unrest and questioning of authority, the film studies the timeless sacrifices of struggling to do what is right despite opposition.

electra glide in blue, poster, dvd, robert blake, motorcycle cop

The Original Poster for Electra Glide in Blue

“Big John” Wintergreen (Robert Blake) is a short in stature, abundant in charisma by the book lawman. He is a likeable believer with simple philosophies, career minded and there to serve and protect.

“Incompetence is the worst form of corruption.”– Harve Poole

Dissatisfied with his current assignment straddling a Harley Davidson steed on Highway patrol, Big John is eager for a promotion to homicide.

“I hate that motorcycle they make me ride. I'm here to tell you there ain't nothing in the world I hate worse than that elephant under my ass.” – John Wintergreen

First on the scene at a suspected homeless hippie murder Big John gets a chance to earn the badge but soon clashes with counter culture, his fellow officers and his own strong beliefs in justice.

“You listen to me, hatchet artist! You're tampering with evidence and if you put your finger on one more thing in this room, I'm going to bust your ass! That's right... the officer in charge is talking to you and he's saying that you're going to be arrested as an accessory, after the fact, in a murder case!” – John Wintergreen

John Wintergreen shows them what John Wayne would do when you threaten his steed.

John Doe says:

A getting of wisdom tale set in the mold of Easy Rider, Medium Cool and Vanishing Point, Electra Glide in Blue is powerful without having to force its hand. Contemplative with a dust bowl atmosphere this is a film of introspect reflection and a secluded tone observing systemic violence. Paced for naturalism and carefully building character, the mystery plot enables the story to raise important social and ethical questions. The daring action stunts contribute to the motif like a burnt rubber, smoldering gun of consequence.

There is an improvised, guerilla feel and realism to the Direction that forms a relationship with the work as you watch. Known primarily as a Musician/Producer for bands like Chicago and Blood, Sweat and Tears, this was 36 time Grammy nominee James William Guerico’s lone Directorial credit. A tremendous loss in that Charles Laughton-Night of the Hunter way, we see an obviously skilled filmmaker offer a single peek into their potential.

According to imdb.com the Director insisted that there was only one cinematographer that could capture the heat hazed, sand bitten visuals and intimate nuances of the performers. The cinematographer was maestro Conrad L Hall (American Beauty, In Cold Blood, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) and because of budgetary constraints Guerico reduced his own salary to a buck so it would happen.

It was worth it. The imagery sears like a cactus stained midday sun, bleeding a deeper meaning or heightened sense of location, never overstating its presence the camera observes without disruption of environment.

No surprise considering the musical pedigree that the Chicago contributed soundtrack boosts the desired beats of each scene, filling out the frames and setting the mood for more poignant events.

electra glide in blue, robert blake, chicago, harley davidson

Robert Blake pleads for an answer to "What is it all about?"

Robert Blake (Baretta) may now be more famous for being found innocent of murdering his wife than his acting prowess. Take one look at Electra Glide in Blue and Richard Brook’s chilling In Cold Blood and you see evidence that his thespian talents are why he should be recognized. Larger than life, to match the parts demands Blake makes us sympathize with Big John’s flaws and strengths.

Recognizable character actor Mitch Ryan (Friends of Eddie Coyle, Dark Shadows) mines the persona of a corrupt cop mangling respect with greed and hubris, a type he would further explore in Lethal Weapon.

As Jolene the anguished bartender desperate for an empty destiny Jeannine Riley (The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) makes her few scenes in the film stand out. Her carefully exposed vulnerability causes the viewer the discomfort of raw honesty in performance. Surprisingly when researching on imdb.com it seems Riley was predominantly a television actress, though her short turn here is Awards worthy.

Elisha Cook Jnr, (Pat Garret and Billy the Kid, Rosemary’s Baby) Musician Peter Cetera (Bass Player for Chicago) and all the supporting cast are immersed. It’s hard to tell where the acting stops and the person begins making for convincing viewing.

Another much buzzed about underground staple that John Doe has searched for endlessly, now finally witnessed. Screening a lesser discussed but deserving reel of cinema lore is what JD is all about and Electra Glide in Blue resonates with its lyrical finale and passionate visualization.

Here is the Electra Glide in Blue Opening Title Sequence

No JD post on Electra Glide would be complete without a sample Motorcycle chase.

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

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Cockfighter (1974) - Trailer Included

February 8th 2010 00:00

The Individual Expression of Foul Torture.

cockfighter, warren oates, monte Hellman, dvd

Cockfighter DVD available in the U.S.

Director: Monte Hellman
Writer: Charles Willeford (Miami Blues)
Starring: Warren Oates, Harry Dean Stanton, Ed Begley Jr, Laurie Bird, Troy Donahue, Steve Railsback

Inhumane and barbaric, pitting animals in a ring to fight to death in the name of sport and entertainment is further testament to humanity’s dark soul.

It is understandable that within the annuls of cinema history this cult film has been largely ignored due to its vile subject matter and misleading original tagline, "He came into town with his cock in hand, and what he did with it was illegal in 49 states."

Don’t let Roger Corman’s Producer credit relegate this as Southern fried exploitation or a Foghorn Leghorn Rocky Balboa, Cockfighter is a bold and challenging work that demands respect.

Low budget pioneer Monte Hellman created a sparse and serious character portrait that succeeds in comprehending the social detachment of an immoral subject whose obsession is the despicable world of cockfighting.

Adapted for the screen from his own novel Writer Charles Willeford’s,(Miami Blues) offers the profound dissection of a warped man. The man in this case is a rogue outcast who struggles with complex, self destructive demons.

Frank Mansfield (Warren Oates) has no voice. He has taken a vow of silence since losing his prize fighting bird because of arrogance and ego. He will not utter a word until he wins the Cockfighter of the Year award and regains his self respect.

Travelling through the deep South, encountering eccentric and repugnant gamblers, wranglers and ex-lovers (Laurie Bird) Frank is forced to acknowledge his own flawed and hurtful nature.

cockfighter, harry dean stanton, warren oates, monte Hellman, dvd

Harry Dean Stanton and Warren Oates upon their cult stage

John Doe says:

Cockfighter is brave and fearless, cuss it, JD will say it, heroic filmmaking that operates on the outer fringes and delivers insight into an enigma. What makes this exceptional cinema is the emotional weight that it manages to pack even with its extreme handicaps. Imagine pitching modern Hollywood, "Yeah. We're going to use the detestable cruelty of rooster rumbling as a backdrop and the main character is all but a mute for 95% of the film....so we a go?"

Warren Oates sacrificing for his craft

As a serious study of loner masochism told with artistic integrity the film is effective and provocative. At times confronting and savage, blood flows and claws tear flesh. Unflinching as it motivates towards tender and thoughtful ambiguities, the insightful moments surrounding the toxic addiction make this unconventionally special and viciously unique.

Monte Hellman (The Shooting) at his best manages to conjure genuine depth with the subtext of his minimalistic creations. Due to his presence Cockfighter as with Two Lane Blacktop is far more relevant to the human experience than their surfaces may suggest.

Vividly shot by Cinematographer Nestor Almendros, (Sophie’s Choice, Days of Heaven) Thuggish blood sport and delicate poetry balance in the frame to reveal with care and compassion the projects deeper meaning and purpose. There is a sense of realism to the camera work that makes the entire casts performances that much more resonant and the frenzied battles in the ring raw and uncomfortable.

warren oates, monte hellman, cockfighter, cult film

Which is the caged warrior?

Expert craftsman Warren Oates (The Wild Bunch, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia) subtly manipulates with controlled facial gestures that express motivation without the need for dialogue. His introverted performance ensures a wicked core is not simplified but instead an intriguing, dichotomy the audience can comprehend. Onscreen is a fractured disappointment going through profound conflicts and we want to understand them all.

The legendary Harry Dean Stanton (Alien, Repo Man, Paris Texas) plays the nemesis in this early role. As the slimy cockfighting dandy who has a history with Frank, Harry Dean brings that trademark vulnerability to another defeatist presence.

cockfighter, laurie bird, two lane blacktop, monte Hellman, dvd

The gorgeously talented Laurie Bird in Two Lane Blacktop

The died too young Laurie Bird (Two Lane Blacktop, Annie Hall) could well have been the female John Cazale of the 70’s. With only three screen credits, each one a cult masterpiece in their own way she committed suicide at the age of 25 in lover Art Garfunkel’s apartment. In this film she plays a self created tragedy who is gambled and lost by Frank and manages to instill added layers to the seemingly weak part.

The film has been banned in a number of countries including the UK and Australia because of authentic, raw and disturbing footage of real cockfights staged for the film. John Doe himself has steered clear of it for years for just this reason, but JD is a huge of Warren Oates and after several trusted friends said it was an “amazing” film he took up the gauntlet and was rewarded for his sacrifice. Upon reflection Johnny also realized that the mechanized, cold blooded mass slaughter of poultry that occurs so he can eat a roast chicken is equally revolting and upsetting. This made him weep at his own hypocrisy, self reflection be damned!

Trailer for Monte Hellman's Cockfighter

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John Doe’s Trailer of the Moment: Alejandro Amenabar’s Agora

October 2nd 2009 00:01

Agora

Official Poster for Agora

Don’t dust off those swords and sandals, or stop cracking the whips to build that celluloid temple to the sky just yet. Agora, the latest film from Chilean born Director Alejandro Amenabar (The Sea Inside)has John Doe all worked up.

Character Teaser for Agora

Set in Alexandria, Egypt circa 4th century AD, the fall of the Roman Empire is imminent and a ~~crazy cult~~ religion called Christianity threatens to destroy civilization. This historical drama revolves around the Agora, an ancient forum for public speaking, politics, religion and commerce. After a violent upheaval its walls have become a prison for astronomer-philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria played by Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener, Enemy at the Gates, The Lovely Bones, Beautiful Creatures, The Fountain).

While turmoil flourishes a slave named Davus (Max Minghella – Syriana, Art School Confidential) secretly yearns for Hypatia's affections but is torn by a chance of freedom if he joins the Christian revolution. At the same time a wealthy aristocratic, Orestes (Oscar Isacc – Che, Body of Lies) also fights for the attention of the scholarly female who is blessed with a clarity of vision.

Character Teaser 2 for Agora

Alejandro became a must watch filmmaker for JD with his dark psychological debut Thesis. Following it with the satisfying cerebral science fiction of Abre Los Ojhos, (Open Your Eyes) which was later remade as the devoid of smarts Vanilla Sky. In 2001 the Director achieved the impossible with The Others, capitalizing on Nicole Kidman’s vacant emotions to make us afraid of the light.

Personal fandom aside the subject matter and deluxe visuals of the trailer for Agora have Johnny counting down the days till this Spanish productions release date of December 12th 2009.

Character Teaser 3 for Agora

This could be an epic mix of romance, adventure and intellect where science versus religion, theology clashes with philosophy and freedom against oppression marks the struggle for survival. A pivotal period in our cultural evolution often neglected in cinema. The film promises rich attention to detail, sumptuous lensing, a complex portrayal of pioneering Christianity and the violent tendencies of its surge.

Is that right wing controversy I smell on the horizon or just burning flesh?

The trailer for Agora