Recent Viewings, Part 2

[lester1/2jr]

To Live and Die in LA (1985) - I didn't realize William Friedkin directed this. It's above average for a mid 80's action movie, but obviously didn't have the kind of impact that 48 Hours or something did. William Peterson, later of CSI, wasn't the all time flashiest choice for the "plays by his own rules" cop protagonist. He's a decent actor, but that show was a better use of his limited skills. Cable, not the big screen, was the proper arena for this memorably titled bit of car chase mania.

Has anyone ever seen "T-Men", the film noir about the Treasury Department? I've somehow seen it a bunch of times. This is also about a counterfeit operation, which in 1985 seems kind of random. Why would you bother counterfeiting US currency when, post 1971 gold standard ending, there is so much of it out there? Just sell crack or something.

Willem Defoe is striking as always as the bad guy and the title, later imitated in the x rated feature "To Live and Shave in LA", is again, relatively memorable. There is plenty of brutal violence and seediness.

solid 4/5




To Live and Shave in LA

5/5

[Dr. Whom]

Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

Hong Kong kung fu movies meet Looney Tunes. One of silliest movies I've ever seen and one of the funniest.