Defiance

There goes the neighborhood, at a snail’s pace

Thriller
Rod Lott
Perhaps AIP’s answer to “Death Wish,” “Walking Tall” and “The Warriors,” 1980’s “Defiance” feels late to the vigilante party.

Friday, June 3, 2011

The Cat o' Nine Tails

Get whipped with another hi-def slice of Dario Argento.

Thriller
Rod Lott
Blue Underground continues its all-aces reissues of Dario Argento's work on Blu-ray with his sophomore film, 1971's "The Cat o' Nine Tails."

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Big Bang

Not-bad thriller needs more zip

Thriller
Rod Lott
Sienna Guillory, yes. That's my review of "The Big Bang" in three words.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Smile Jenny, You’re Dead

A compelling crime drama, even decades later

Thriller
Rod Lott
How ironic for this made-for-TV movie to sport “Smile” in its (incorrectly punctuated) title, because for network television — especially in 1974 — it’s remarkably morose.

Friday, May 13, 2011

The Ambulance

Sly, entertaining thriller

Thriller
Rod Lott
Larry Cohen comes up with some of the best ideas in Hollywood.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Poor Pretty Eddie

Tough stuff, from the drive-in to your door

Thriller
Rod Lott
If Cultra's Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack release of Al Adamson's "Carnival Magic" had you thirsty for more affordable, remastered obscurities, start writing your thank-you notes and pick up "Poor Pretty Eddie."

Monday, May 9, 2011

The Caller

A kooky, ooky, little-seen thriller that's not worth much

Thriller
Rod Lott
* Ring ring! * "Hello?" "Hi, it's the 1987 film 'The Caller.' May I waste 97 minutes of your time?"

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

I Saw the Devil

Staggeringly good, alive with color, tension and dread.

Thriller
Rod Lott
If you don't mind subtitles and have a strong stomach, "I Saw the Devil" may be the best thriller you'll see all year.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Cop Hater

Book this ‘87th Precinct’ adaptation into your schedule

Thriller
Rod Lott
In 1992, Ice-T had "Cop Killer"; in 1957, MGM had "Cop Hater." My, how times have changed.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Black Death

Works more often than not, despite glacial pacing

Thriller
Rod Lott
Pestilence, witches, necromancy — “Black Death” should be more fun than it is.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Street Kings 2: Motor City

A just-meh effort that runs on two flat tires

Thriller
Rod Lott
I watched a terrific cop movie this week.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt / While the City Sleeps

Enjoyable slices of old-school noir the way it should be

Thriller
Rod Lott
In 1956, three years after helming the film-noir classic “The Big Heat,” director Fritz Lang returned to the genre for a pair of films that prove to be his final for America: “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” and “While the City Sleeps.”

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Black Heaven / Heartless

Two IFC imports test ideas of reality with good results

Thriller
Rod Lott
In films, the line between reality and fantasy is forever being drawn, erased, redrawn and blurred.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Squeeze

A surprising, harrowing thriller

Thriller
Rod Lott
I’ve now seen two films titled “The Squeeze.” One of them, a 1987 Michael Keaton vehicle, is perfectly awful.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

The Resident

1 bed, 1 bath, 2 bad

Thriller
Rod Lott
It’s a buyer’s market out there, Hilary Swank. There’s no reason you should rent a New York City apartment in which Jeffrey Dean Morgan watches you bathe from his hidey-hole within the walls.

Monday, March 28, 2011