I don't know what it is about crime movies. I find that I watch and enjoy a lot of them. Oh yes, I still manage to get in the drama/epics (Rob Roy, Kingdom of Heaven), comedy (Blazing Saddles), and horror (most recently Prince of Darkness - the region 2 disc with John Carpenter's commentary) films, to name a few. But, I have a warm place in my heart for those that deal with crime in general. Last weekend I put on The Godfather Part II after I got the kids down for the night (I had done Part I last month). Like these, there are plenty that meet the high commercial and box office thresholds studios strive for. But, some of my crime gems came/went when initially released, never attaining success, and quickly forgotten to the video store dustbin.
This post has been moved and updated to my current blog, which can be found here.
Looks like I have some viewing to catch up on. I've not seen 5 of the 7. And how could I have missed 'Hickey and Boggs,' I wonder?
ReplyDeleteH&B came out the year I graduated high school, 1972--it quickly was gone from theaters a year after Dirty Harry's debut. I mention that because H&B has a distinct Don Siegel feel to it. It's such a rare film that Amazon and eBay are only selling the crappy DVD (looking like someone just ran a digital recorder at a TV displaying the video tape) at premium used prices. And you can't even find the VHS version for sale there, either.
ReplyDeleteYou might try a Blockbuster or some independent video rental store (how many of those are still around?) to see if they have it in their stock. Heck, I'll lend it to you if you can't get your hands on it.
What two have you seen off of this list, Corey?
52 Pickup and Hard Times are the two I've seen, and a long time ago. I think I was still in the AF when I saw them. Looonnng time ago.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a movie I saw a few years ago, but the name escapes me. It was about a black woman and a sheriff in the south. Darn. I can't remember. I think though the woman was played by Jada Pinkett. Anyway there was blood and great drama. Walk this way? or some kind similar title. Any one know?
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ReplyDeleteOne False Move!!! Just put "move" into that icdm (?) data base and found it. Excellent movie with Bill Paxton and Cynda Williams. 1992
ReplyDeleteYes. You are referring to the Carl Franklin-directed One False Move.
ReplyDeleteBill Paxton is the Arkansas sheriff and Cynda Williams is old lover, now involved with some vicious criminals (played by Billy Bob Thompson and Michael Beach).
Agreed. A great and under-rated gem.
That's a great little list there. Good to see some respect for Romeo is Bleeding - excellent neo noir.
ReplyDeleteI personally feel the 70s, which is well represented in your choices, was the best time for crime pictures.
Charley Varrick
Laughing Policeman
and Hustle are some personal favorites that I must get around to blogging about some time.
I have a warm place in my heart for Charlie Varrick (the movie). A great Don Siegel film. Though, the R1 DVD by Universal is terrible. I hear there's a UK widescreen out, though. I don't know what made it so, but you're right that the 70's were something special when it came to crime films. It's been awhile for me with the Laughing Policeman (Matthau was great on either side of the law). One of the few Aldrich films I never saw was Hustle. Going to have to rectify that. I look forward to that post on those films. Thanks for your comment, Livius.
ReplyDeleteLivius: I give credit to you in today's post for spurring it :-). Thank you.
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