Tag Archives: Crime

Blue Velvet (1986): The Criterion Collection [4K UHD/Blu-Ray]

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Now Available from Criterion Collection.

My first experience with David Lynch was with “Mulholland Dr.,” a film that is far and away breath taking but also difficult to decode. After trying to find an explanation for it someone told me that it was only one of his easiest to access. But I like to think that it’s “Blue Velvet.” Lynch’s 1986 Neo Noir is a nightmarish fever dream in to the American dream. Lynch paints a portrait of two mirror worlds, one with the perfect Norman Rockwellian picket fences and women with babies on their shoulders. The other America is a bleak and violent Wonderland where deviants and criminals lurk in every corner waiting to prey on the weak.

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Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)

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Now Exclusively in Theaters.

I’ve had my problems with the “Bad Boys” series in the past, but unlike the “Fast and the Furious” franchise, it’s been one of the most consistent series of action films ever released. The vision for “Bad Boys” has remained very precise and direct without adding too much or taking too much away. The stakes get higher with every film, and through it all we’ve stayed with Marcus and Mike only without adding on so much excess characters like “Lethal Weapon” fell victim to. “Bad Boys” has mainly been a vehicle for Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, sure, but at least it knows what it is and tries to deliver on more complex ideas and bigger stakes.

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Prison Walls: Abashiri Prison I-III [Masters of Cinema series] 

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Available on Blu Ray May 28th, 2024, from Eureka Entertainment 

In this series of 10 movies (according to the internet today), the first three are being released on Blu for the first, bringing the story of Shinichi Tsukibana, from his time in prison, his escape, and his official freedom in later entries. The set presented here has 3 of the films, so we get to see limited adventures for Mr. Shinichi Tsukibana. 

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The Bulls’ Night Out (2000)

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Now Streaming For Free on Youtube.

Although Lindley Farley’s crime thriller was filmed in 1998, it feels so much like a displaced hidden gem that feels like it was made in 1978. It often watches like a gritty entry from William Friedkin or Don Siegel (I mean that as a compliment). It’s pretty awesome how well directed and composed “The Bulls’ Night Out” is as it’s teeming with top notch collective talent as well as an engaging narrative. “The Bulls’ Night Out” is that classic crime thriller about aging crime fighter trying to adjust to a new world where crime is much different than it was when they were younger.

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Jericho Ridge (2024)

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Now in Select Theaters and on VOD.

If you’re looking for a tightly packed and well-constructed classic siege action thriller than “Jericho Ridge” might be the cure that ails you. I was frankly very surprised with how well Will Gilbey was able to compose such a tense and well-crafted picture on what looks like a pretty small budget. The flaws reveal themselves in small increments, but they thankfully never hinder what is a movie so worthy of experiencing. “Jericho Ridge” owes a lot to “Assault on Precinct 13” where Gilbey pits one lone Sheriff against a skilled group of criminals, all of whom are trying to infiltrate her only strong hold.

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