Crime

  • Anthony Mann – Side Street (1950)

    1941-1950Anthony MannCrimeFilm NoirUSA

    Joe Norson, an expectant father and a New York City postman of modest means is chased by both cops and crooks when he steals a shipment of dirty money.

    New Crime Story
    The respectable but somewhat tedious formula of M-G-M’: “Crime Does Not Pay” shorts has been used by that studio for “Side Street,” a feature-length drama of crime and its profitless consequences, which came to the Palace yesterday. The story is semi-documentary, being a detailed account of the fearful adventures of a young mail carrier who recklessly steals a wad of money that is “hot,” and it is played for considerable realism against the actuality background of New York. In the principal role, Farley Granger makes a vividly terrorized lad, and James Craig, Paul Kelly and Edmon Ryan stand out as assorted thugs and cops.Read More »

  • Eliseo Subiela – Rehén de ilusiones AKA Hostage of an Illusion (2012)

    2011-2020ArgentinaCrimeDramaEliseo Subiela

    Synopsis:
    Pablo is a 60 years old writer. He meets by chance an ex pupil, Laura. Now, she is an attractive 35 years old woman. She was very much in love with him, when he was her professor at college. Now, she bursts into his life, as a passionate lover. He rediscovers his sexuality and the illusion of being young once more. But Laura seems to suffer a psychotic brake. She feels chased by the porter and militarism from the neighboring barracks. Laura is put in an asylum, but from time to time, Laura will appear and disappear, becoming someone ethereal, like a picture from an unrecoverable youth.Read More »

  • Jean Delannoy – Maigret tend un piège AKA Maigret Sets a Trap AKA Inspector Maigret (1958)

    France1951-1960CrimeFilm NoirJean Delannoy

    Synopsis:
    For some time now, women coming home at night have been savagely murdered by a mysterious serial killer. Inspector Lagrume thinks he has found the culprit in the person of Barberot, a local butcher. But Maigret, who takes over the investigation, is not convinced. Deep inside himself, he knows the murderer is still at large. But how to trap him ?Read More »

  • Nai-Hoi Yau – Gun chung AKA Eye in the Sky (2007)

    2001-2010CrimeHong KongNai-Hoi YauThriller

    Plot summary: (from Variety.com)
    A Hong Kong police surveillance unit finds itself caught up in the rough-and-tumble of underworld violence in smart action-thriller “Eye in the Sky,” helming debut of longtime Johnnie To scripter Yau Nai-hoi. Well-received at its world preem in Berlin’s Forum, and stuffed with To regulars on both sides of the camera, this looks to have a similar fest and distribution arc to the best of To’s own signed movies, and will be welcomed by the same aficionados.Read More »

  • John Farrow – Where Danger Lives (1950)

    1941-1950CrimeFilm NoirJohn FarrowUSA

    Faith Domergue, the latest of Howard Hughes’ protegees, made her film debut in 1950’s Where Danger Lives. Domergue plays Margo Lannington the wife of Frederick Lannington (Claude Rains), an elderly millionaire possessed of a sadistic streak. Robert Mitchum co-stars as Jeff Cameron, a poor soul who falls in love with Margo without knowing that she’s married. During a violent confrontation with the jealous Frederick, Cameron knocks the older man out and stumbles out of the room. Upon his return, he discovers that Frederick is dead. Margo had smothered her husband during Cameron’s absence, but she insists that Cameron is the killer.Read More »

  • Edward Dmytryk – Crossfire (1947)

    1941-1950CrimeEdward DmytrykFilm NoirUSA

    Quote:
    Homicide Capt. Finlay finds evidence that one or more of a group of demobilized soldiers is involved in the death of Joseph Samuels. In flashbacks, we see the night’s events from different viewpoints as Sergeant Keeley investigates on his own, trying to clear his friend Mitchell, to whom circumstantial evidence points. Then the real, ugly motive for the killing begins to dawn on both Finlay and Keeley…Read More »

  • Yair Hochner – Yeladim Tovim AKA Good Boys (2005)

    2001-2010CrimeDramaIsraelYair Hochner

    17-year-old Meni wears only the most fashionable clothes, interested in music, loves the cinema and works as a rent boy. He had a baby from Mika, a young drug addict prostitute. He has an adoptive mother who is also a trans-gender prostitute and clients that contact him on his cell-phone. One night he meets Tal, also a hustler and they decide to spend the night together. During that night their lives get a new meaning, but can the little hope change the life they are used to from early age? In the morning they decide to meet later at the club. Until the awaited meeting, both of them will have to deal with their weary routine of clients, marginalised people and unexpected events.Read More »

  • Stanislav Govorukhin – Voroshilovskiy strelok AKA The Rifleman of the Voroshilov Regiment (1999)

    1991-2000CrimeDramaRussiaStanislav Govorukhin

    A very typical post-Soviet era storyline. Three young men lured an innocent teenage girl to their apartment, offered her a drink, intimidated then gang raped her. Local cops are incapable to undertake an adequate action against the scoundrels – prevented by the superior chief of the local police (militia) which is the dad of one the scumbags. The case is closed. The girl’s grand-dad tired of endless circumlocution decides to take revenge of his own.Read More »

  • Alexander Mackendrick – The Ladykillers (1955)

    Comedy1951-1960Alexander MackendrickCrimeUnited Kingdom

    Quote:
    A gang planning a ‘job’ find themselves living with a little old lady, who thinks they are musicians. When the gang set out to kill Mrs Wilberforce, they run into one problem after another, and they get what they deserve.Read More »

Back to top button