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Not new, at least 12 months old. Stars Willem Defoe and Billy Connolly
Violent? Big time! Stylish? Without a doubt! Do I recommend this film? You betcha! Although you might find yourself debating the moral and ethical dilemmas of writer/director Troy Duffy's new film, you can't underestimate its entertainment value. The film, with its feverish kinetic energy, and good sense of humor, is a mix between "Pulp Fiction," and "Reservoir Dogs." The films has it all: different angles, black and white shots laced with color, slow-motion scenes, all of which are accompanied by a sizzling soundtrack. It's like "Run Lola Run" with a vigilante flair. Duffy's story follows two brothers who work in a meat packaging plant a third of time; drink themselves silly another third; and take out the scum of the streets in "Magnum Force" type style (the Russian Mafia in this case) with the rest of their time. Enter FBI agent Paul Smecker (a priceless Williem Dafoe), a flamboyant and brilliant investigator, who does a solid job of analyzing and recreating the murders. He not only pieces together what happens, but is slowly closing in on the brothers (who have not only become the talk of the town, but heroes to many in a "Death Wish" type way). Visually, Duffy throws everything that he can at us----maybe not the kitchen sink, but you gotta watch out for the flying toilet from high above. Sean Patrick Flannery and Norman Reedus, as the brothers who believe that God has spoken to them to clean the streets of criminal trash, are both good, but the film belongs to Dafoe, who eats up the screen as the master investigator. Please note that this film is incredibly violent, and not everyone will appreciate what it has to say, but as far as action pictures go, this is one entertaining, little shoot-em-up with a Tarnatino type flair that should blow you away.
Jay Rittenberg
(c) 2000 Jay Rittenberg.
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