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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.
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.


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


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Continuing the pedigree of the British Gangster Breed.


44 inch chest, ray winstone, british gangster, film poster
Film Poster for 44 Inch Chest


“Tonight the kid gloves are off. Kill him quick. Remember he had your wife”Old Man Peanut

44 inch chest, ray winstone, british gangster, english crime
Ray Winstone as Colin Diamond


44 inch chest, ray winstone, ian mcshane, john hurt
Ian Mcshane, John Hurt and ray Winstone threaten a 44 Inch Chest
Sexy Beast, was a tea sipping, psychotic bunny crime flick that sits on JD’s shelf beside the likes of The Long Good Friday, The Limey and Get Carter. Now Louis Melles and David Scinto, the writers of that Ben Kingsley powerhouse have a new release titled 44 Inch Chest.

Remaining in their genre of choice, again the screenplay tackles a story entrenched in the UK gangster underworld. If the lineage isn’t enough to get all you crumpet and crowbars, fans riled up, then the A grade cast should.

44 inch chest, ray winstone, sexy beast
A little word about sexual morality
Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast, Scum) is hard nut Colin Diamond, a vengeful man who discovers that his tempestuous wife (Joanne Whaley) is cheating on him. Determined to make her young French lover pay in pain Colin calls in his boys for a little bit of vigilante marriage counseling.

‘I want you dead. I think you owe me that.”Colin Diamond

The rest of the lads include the dangerous melee of Ian McShane (Sexy Beast, Deadwood) and the eccentricity of John Hurt (The Hit). Tom Wilkinson (In the Bedroom) and Steven Berkoff (The Krays) also bring their own baggage.

44 inch chest, ian mcshane, john hurt, crime film
I'm just looking for directions to Deadwood and need to drop off my elephant man friend on the way
Interviewed by Empire magazine recently, Ian McShane said that 44 Inch Chest makes Sexy Beast "Look like Mary Poppins!" and the trailer convinces John Doe that it’s a violent cleavage he wants to explore.

Already doing the festival circuit in the UK and Australia back in October, this chesty beast is scheduled for an official release early next year.

Trailer - 44 Inch Chest



John Hurt talks about the language of 44 Inch Chest
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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
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A Motif of Madness


bunny lake is missing, otto preminger, dvd. mystery
Bunny Lake is Missing DVD-Available in the U.S

[ Click here to read more ]
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The Icy Machinations of a Hunters Psyche


blast of silence, criterion dvd, allen barron, hitman
Blast of Silence - Criterion Collection DVD

[ Click here to read more ]
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Pretty Little Things Try To Keep There Wings

collector DVD, terence stamp, samantha eggar, william wyler, thriller, serial killer, crime
The Collector DVD

[ Click here to read more ]
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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 ]
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The Life and Times of the Corleone Family


godfather coppola restoration DVD
The Godfather - The Coppola Restoration DVD

[ Click here to read more ]
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Gone Baby Gone (2007) - Trailer Included

September 10th 2008 00:02
The Painful Truth Beneath


Gone Baby Gone DVD
DVD Available in Australia this week
Writer/Director: Ben Affleck
[ Click here to read more ]
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Deity Sanctioned Power Corrupts the Kindest Beauty


name of the rose dvd
DVD Available in Australia
Director:Jean-Jacques Annaud
[ Click here to read more ]
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The People Mover that Did

Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 DVD
DVD Available in Australia
Director: Joseph Sargent
[ Click here to read more ]
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Truth or Dare, Come Inside Suburbia

blue velvet dvd
Blue Velvet DVD available in Australia
Writer/Director: David Lynch
[ Click here to read more ]
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The Killers (1946) and (1964)

April 13th 2008 00:01
The Companions of Death


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

[ Click here to read more ]
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I fought the law and the...law lost

Michael Clayton poster
Michael Clayton

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