Murder My Sweet (1944)
Is this the best movie ever or incoherent nonsense? I tend to think a statement made from an amalgamation of those two questions is correct. A confusing journey of going nowhere but cutely summarised at the end is this film's MO. You can either enjoy the ride or opt out.
King Boxer aka Five Fingers Of Death (1972)
Is this the most beautifully photographed 70s kung Fu flick? It is absolutely stunning to look and the story is ace too. This is the kinda kung fu movie I would recommend to those who enjoyed Crouching Tiger Hidden Camera.
A Woman's Vengeance (1948)
A murder mystery from the pen of Aldous Huxley, directed with an unbearably heavy hand. Still it's not a bad story but I couldn't recommend it unless you're a womens picture enthusiast or a noir completist.
Cops V Thugs (1975)
Kinji Fukasaku directed Yakuza soap opera about real estate deal disputes and corruption in society. Hard to recommend this to anybody unless you're a Yakuza fanatic.
After Dark My Sweet (1990)
This adaptation of the Jim Thompson novel is a flawed cult neo-noir. California's relentless glaring sunshine and desert mountains as the backdrop make this cinematically epic. Thirty five years later Rachel Ward's acting is still a bit ropey but I now think that maybe-perhaps Jason Patric's performance is genius and hey Bruce Dern never misses.
An escaped mental patient a Punch-drunk ex boxer meets actual drunk in a bar and uh-oh all of a sudden he's involved in a kidnapping conspiracy. He is coerced by a femme fatale and her uncle to kidnap a rich kid. A perplexing study of one man's mental turmoil.
Larceny (1948)
Good fun little crime con story. Underrated noir with legends Dan Duryea and Shelley Winters.
Mr Vampire (1985)
Vampire-zombie-ghost comedy kinda thing that could have only come from Hong Kong in the 80s! So much fun if you can surrender to its silly charms, otherwise you're gonna hate it.
Under The Silver Lake (2018)
David Robert Mitchell, director of 2012's It Follows, very obvious homage to Altman's Long Goodbye and other sprawling noirs. In the first half hour I thought this was gonna be the great neo-noir of the new millennium. I was cursed from the moment that notion entered my head as it started quite the drastic downslide in quality from then on. In a word bloated. However Elvis' grand daughter Riley Keogh does make an unforgettable appearance.
Deported (1950)
An Italian-American crook is deported back to Italy after spending time in prison for a bankroll heist? How will he ever be able to live off the spoils of the loot without the American and Italian authorities catching him doing so? Includes romance with a wealthy countess, hang on just what is a countess. Unusual crime/noir from legendary director Robert Siodmak.
Violent Cop (1989)
Takeshi Kitano's auspicious directing debut. There's a doomed slow burning inevitability about this grim nihilistic tale. Does what it says on the tin in a very strange and effective manner. This outsider cosmic cop is fed up of the criminal degeneracy and corrupt police force and aims to stamp some of it out but is he a goodie or a baddie?
Taken (2008)
Somehow I managed to miss this pop culture moment at the time. A tale of a daughter's kidnapping by an illegal immigrant in a foreign country and her fathers relentless crusade to track her down then exact revenge. Prescient themes to this day. No holds barred visceral filmmaking. Absolutely entertaining.
Can you imagine what the twerps at The Guardian would say about Taken today as they bury their heads in the sand and ask for more censorship and cheer on cancelations. I mean Hollywood and the dead inside courtiers of the mainstream left press tried to bury Sound Of Freedom last year by running an unhinged smear campaign because it was a true story about the horrors of modern day slavery pedophilic sex trafficking. Apparently pointing this out or caring about such things makes you a deplorable.
Casino Raiders (1989)
An epic romantic saga disguised as a crime action flick. Gambling themes were a big thing in 80s Hong Kong gangster movies and it makes perfect cinematic sense as this device is a gift to visceral suspense.
Romancing The Stone (1984)
This could only have been made in one decade. Once you suspend your disbelief and submit to the silliness, this is whole lotta fun. Romance, adventure, exotic jungles, lost treasure, über 80s-ness and Michael Douglas dancing: What more do you need?
Wheels On Meals (1984)
More great Hong Kong 80s comedy action fun. This one's set in Spain with two mates who own a food truck, a detective, a mysterious pickpocket lady, swords and a looney bin. Let the shenanigans ensue.
This Gun For Hire (1942)
There aren't many iconic films from the noir cannon I can't get on board with, there's The Asphalt Jungle, The Big Clock and This Gun For Hire, otherwise...
A Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
A deadly assassin with amnesia living a quiet suburban life starts getting flashbacks of her former life. Then the supreme action and absurd storyline unfurls. Some of the best ott action sequences and banter from the 90s. Charisma galore with Geena Davis and Samuel L Jackson plus top villainous performance from David Morse. Written by Shane Black. Entertainment!
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