Stellar low budget noir following a contract killer in Harlem on Christmas. Memorable for so many reasons including the voice over of Lionel Strander, the jazzy score, and the director/writer/star’s visual eye.
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Marnie 1964
“Marnie, mind my leg.”
A strange and sprawling epic from Hitchcock, one that deals with so much at once it can be hard to keep up. The outdated psychoanalytical concepts seem to mesh imperfectly with the sexist overtones. It makes it difficult to tell if the screenwriter is condemning how men exert control in relationships or if it sees Sean Connery’s character as a white knight. The rhythm of the picture really dies down by the third act. From the…
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The Andromeda Strain 1971
Meticulous application of realism with a low key cast, smart script, incredible set design, and a real sense of terror.
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Violent Streets 1974
Gosha’s bloody take on Yakuza politics is brutal and honest, with very little humor. The ending seems to suggest that the street level thugs are caged chickens while the ones who make the money are caged dogs. In the 2nd to last scene, we see two “corporation,” bosses flying away together bragging about how much money they will make in the city and how they pay “worms,” to fight their wars for them. Gosha refers to farm animals more than…
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Red Cliff 2008
Americanized Cut
A massive war reenactment and visual spectacle with Woo paying homage to his favorite films including heavy doses of Seven Samurai and Lawrence of Arabia. Can’t wait to see the international version, which is almost twice the length. That long-take from the bird’s perspective is unforgettable, as are many of the strategies employed by the characters. A strong picture and one that is better the longer it runs, and the bigger the screen.
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Bullet in the Head 1990
A brutal epic and likely Woo’s magnum opus, having much to say and unwilling to hold back. The aftershock from the picture lives up to the title.
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Cops vs. Thugs 1975
Fukasaku expands after the Battles Without Honor or Humanity series by focusing on the similarities between cops and street Yakuza. Hierarchies in both factions are also explored and major corporations are shown to be controlled by both. Artful photography is a highlight as the camera uses space to focus on posture and body language that bullies from either side use to persuade, manipulate, and control others. Patient interior shots lend to the dialogue driven scenes in between chaos and violence.…
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A Better Tomorrow 1986
A little heavy on the Buddhist brotherly love motifs, A Better Tomorrow still kicks ass and shoots as many people as possible, while telling an interesting story. John Woo has a warped sense of morality.
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Hard Boiled 1992
While holding a baby, after shooting someone:
“Hey, X-Rated Action.”Pretty cool. Lots of guns and ridiculous deaths, but sweet, humorous, and self aware. Awesome stunts and an all-time cast.
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