After the blazing success of Collateral, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Michael Mann's return to his iconic TV series would be a rousing success. However, Mann has never been one to tell a simple story. While adapting any of his storylines on Miami Vice could have been an excellent nostalgia pull, Mann swung … Continue reading Michael Mann’s ‘Miami Vice’ – A Stunning Visual Spectacle with Inconsistent Story
Michael Mann’s ‘Thief’ – One of the Greatest Crime Thrillers of All Time
A man watches the clock, shrouded in darkness, while his partner cuts through a safe. For nearly ten minutes, a group of thieves pull off a brilliant heist without needing to vocalize their next steps. The balletic opening of Thief, scored by a pulse-pounding Tangerine Dream score, remains one of the highlight moments of Michael … Continue reading Michael Mann’s ‘Thief’ – One of the Greatest Crime Thrillers of All Time
Review: ‘Trader’ – A Quippy and Fast-Paced One-Woman Show
In 1987, Gordon Gecko uttered, "greed -- for lack of a better word -- is good," and American business began to swarm. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the Oliver Stone film helped Wall Street. The best and brightest began flocking to finance. Stories like Jordan Belfort's became commonplace. Even through crashes, recessions, and pandemics, the American … Continue reading Review: ‘Trader’ – A Quippy and Fast-Paced One-Woman Show
Fantasia 2023: ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ Lets Nic Cage Be Nic Cage
Crime cinema allows its fans to embrace big characters. After all, the choice to actively engage in criminal activities can attract very specific kinds of people to professions. Of course, few actors play big like Nicolas Cage. The iconic Nic Cage not only swings for the rafters in Sympathy for the Devil, but he elevates … Continue reading Fantasia 2023: ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ Lets Nic Cage Be Nic Cage
TV Review: ‘Full Circle’ Ed Solomon and Steven Soderbergh Craft a Meticulous Crime Fiction
Few directors can balance an ensemble quite like Steven Soderbergh. The director behind Ocean's Eleven, Logan Lucky, and Traffic loves to let stars excel with big performances. Yet he's at his best when he turns down the temperature, allowing actors to embrace their subtle differences within a larger team. Working off screenplays from creator Ed … Continue reading TV Review: ‘Full Circle’ Ed Solomon and Steven Soderbergh Craft a Meticulous Crime Fiction
Review: ‘Bottle Rocket’ – Anderson’s Stunning Debut is a Comedy of Errors
Wes Anderson came out of the gate with an incredible eye for comedy. The now-iconic director caught the eye of James L. Brooks thanks to his short film collaboration with Luke and Owen Wilson. Soon after, the Wes Anderson train left the station, taking all three to new heights as stars. Yet Bottle Rocket works … Continue reading Review: ‘Bottle Rocket’ – Anderson’s Stunning Debut is a Comedy of Errors
Tribeca 2023: ‘Cinnamon’ – A Crime Story That Features Good Twists But Uneven Performances
Get-rich-quick schemes rarely turn out the way we hope. Yet when they involve a seemingly easy crime, those planning the crime often run into unexpected repercussions. Money has a way of making those who want it act out of character. In Cinnamon, what seems like an easy decision quickly spirals out of control. Director Bryian … Continue reading Tribeca 2023: ‘Cinnamon’ – A Crime Story That Features Good Twists But Uneven Performances
Tribeca 2023: ‘Blood for Dust’ Delivers a Throwback to Dark Crime Cinema
The dark crime flick was a staple of 70s cinema. The criminal underbelly had always been an exciting sight to explore. The post-code 1970s allowed sex, drugs, and violence to rise to new levels. Yet by 2023, the genre has fallen to the fascination of indie filmmakers. Still, when a director weaves a tight thread … Continue reading Tribeca 2023: ‘Blood for Dust’ Delivers a Throwback to Dark Crime Cinema
Tribeca 2023: ‘LaRoy’ – A Texas-Based Coen Brother Crime Comedy
Few movies go down as smoothly as Southern crime capers. A bag of money, a handful of idiot criminals, and infidelity make for a raucous time. The best of hard-boiled crime fiction expertly balances atmosphere and characters to create something unique. LaRoy is just that, oozing with energy and comedic sensibilities. Director Shane Atkinson's debut … Continue reading Tribeca 2023: ‘LaRoy’ – A Texas-Based Coen Brother Crime Comedy
TV: ‘Love & Death’ – A Christian Tragedy in the Aftermath of an Affair
Murder and infidelity make interesting bedfellows. The confluence of the two have made for excellent film and television. How we position ourselves in relation to these crimes will always fascinate us. In the case of Love & Death, the story of the other woman-on-woman crime boils to a head. While the series features an outstanding … Continue reading TV: ‘Love & Death’ – A Christian Tragedy in the Aftermath of an Affair