Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders Review

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(More customer reviews)Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders is a surprisingly good movie that anticipates the upcoming neo-noir/crime films like L.A. Confidential and Mulholland Falls (both of which came out 6 or 7 years after this one). While it may not be up to the level of those two films (it was a TV movie, after all), it isn't all that far off, either.
The script is actually fairly tight with some snappy dialogue, and the plot is also first rate for a TV movie. George Peppard is perfectly cast as the tough as nails cop heading the anti-organized crime squad in L.A. His performance is just right for the movie, and the supporting actors all do a fine job as well.
The sets, cars, and wardrobe all come across as authentic 1940's L.A. - except some high tension wire riggings across the docks in one shot. Other than that one flaw the movie really captures the atmosphere of the late 40's really well. The score is noteworthy as well - some really good Jazz written by Artie Kane.
Overall, Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders is a great buy at under $5. If you like 40's film noir or crime movies, definitely check this one out. It may not be great, but it is good - and it is very entertaining.

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First Degree Review

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(More customer reviews)Made for cable, "First Degree" has more twists than a bag of pretzels, and is in many ways over-plotted, but for TV fare, it's entertaining, and has some interesting characters in the story. Detective Rick Mallory (Rob Lowe) is called in to investigate the murder of a rich businessman, and almost immediately falls for the beautiful widow Hadley (Leslie Hope). Before you can say "whodunit," they are madly in lust. The question that needs answering is who committed the murder? Did Hadley hire a hit man? Was it Joe the gangster? Suspicions abound, and sometimes the plot gets a little muddled, but the cast is attractive, and the lovely soundtrack by Bruce Fowler adds to the enjoyment of the film.
Det. Mallory's precinct buddies (Tom McCamus and Joseph Griffin) are clever and amusing, and most endearing is Jacob the writer (Peter Boretski), who is the only one Mallory can't fool. There's a lot of drinking, smoking, and one grisly murder scene, so this police thriller is not suitable for young children. Directed by Jeff Woolnough, written by Ron Base, and with cinematography by Glen MacPhearson, "First Degree" is sleek looking, never boring, and remembering that "it's just a TV movie" helps. Total running time is 98 minutes.


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Dragnet 1968: Season Two (1970) Review

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(More customer reviews)OUT with Universal and IN with SHOUT! Factory.
Major kudos to Universal for allowing SHOUT! Factory to take over the Dragnet franchise! This is THE classic Dragnet that we grew to and know love with Jack Webb's Joe Friday teamed with Harry Morgan as Officer Bill Gannon. SHOUT! Factory has a superb track record with crisp video/audio season sets as with "Adam 12", S.2-5, and "Dragnet 1968" has followed suit. Among the 28 episodes of Season 2 are two of Dragnet's finest narratives; "The Shooting Board" & "The Big High".
And just check out the super bonus features for Dragnet 1968: Season Two--
*Dragnet 1966 Pilot Movie
*"Jack Webb: The Man Behind Badge 714" Featurette
*Original Dragnet Trailer
*Commemorative Booklet
Optimistically seasons 3 & 4 are on their way. This really makes up for the short comings of Season 1 from Universal!UPDATE: 07.14.10
As many reviewers have noted, SHOUT! Factory initially excised the 1st 2:15 minutes from the 1966 Pilot Movie. This footage, while fairly tame for today's dramas, is slightly disturbing but really should have been included. Now I'm hearing that a replacement disc will be offered with the 1966 Pilot Movie intact. Hearing this I promptly sent an email to SHOUT! Factory for a replacement disc on a Friday afternoon and there was my replacement disc #1 in the mailbox the following Monday. Talk about a DVD distributor taking prompt responsibility; Woo Hoo!!!!
UPDATE: 09.07.10
Super good news for Christmas 2010 - SHOUT! Factory will be releasing Dragnet 3rd Season - (Dragnet 1969), being released on December 7, 2010 and now the final season, Dragnet 1970: Season Four spring of 2011!
Much obliged SHOUT! Factory.....


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Kill Zone (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)Now this is how you make a crime-drama action film. The less said about this film, the better. This film is directed by Wilson Yip, and is without a doubt one of the greatest action films to come out of Hong Kong in a long, long time. My friend gave this DVD to me a few months ago, and I can't believe I waited so long to finally open up the package and watch this film. It's terrific. The other reviewers are not exagerating or over-emphasizing how great this film is. It's totally terrific! The beginning, middle and ending of the film is just great!
As for the choreographed action scenes--they are the best I have ever seen. Donnie Yen is just outstanding! The film centers around a group of cops who have attempted to put a crime boss named Po (Sammo Hung) behind bars. However, they have run out of patience and decide to frame him for a crime he didn't commit. And I can tell you, in the action scenes, Sammo can move as quickly as anyone can. Don't let his physique fool you. He's lightening quick.
When Ma (Donnie Yen) is pegged as the replacement for Detective Chan (Simon Yam) he finds that he is in a pretty tangled predicatment. With Detective Chan making up rules as he tries to nab Po, Ma finds his loyalties to Chan in question. However, he views things from a distance. He is a clean cop, and wants to catch the bad guys the right way. The fight scenes with him in this film are so realistic, they are incredible. Please viewers, do not give away this film's ending. It's incredible. I never expected the ending of this film coming. It totally floored me. Highly recommended. [Stars: 5+]

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