Movies
A pretty grim and relentless film. Keitel is perfect in the role of an unredeemable cop, but it's Ferrera's slow and deliberate direction that makes this film stand out. Maybe if I'd been a bigger fan of the 90s New York setting I might've liked it even better, but this was a pretty pleasant discovery nonetheless. LT is a crooked and morally defunct cop. He abuses his position, he loves to gamble and he's addicted to drugs. When a nun is raped and protects the identity of her assailants, he wants to make amends. He starts his own little investigation into her rape and manages to trace down the criminals. The cinematography can get a little dark, but the gritty visuals help to establish the grim atmosphere. Keitel's character isn't very likable, but his character is intriguing and while the outcome is pretty predictable, it's still a pretty hard pill to swallow. One of the better films of its kind.Read all
One of the more recent (as in, made since I was born) US crime flicks that had escaped me until now. It's not too big of a surprise, I'm not the biggest fan of the genre, but I had some hopes as this one was fronted by Christopher Walken. In combination with Ferrara's direction, it makes for one of the better crime flicks of its time. When Frank White is released from prison he isn't ready to better his life, on the contrary. He wants to seize control of the Bronx. He is a hardened criminal who knows how to stand his ground, still, he is respected by the local people as he gives back to the community. More so than the police and politicians. In essence, King of New York is a pretty basic crime/kingpin flick. But Walken's performance, the edgier hip-hop soundtrack, and Ferrara's subdued direction give the film that extra bit of much-needed flair. It's still not the most notable film, but compared to its direct peers, it's a pretty big stand-out.Read all
A pretty cool revenge flick. At first, I feared this would end up a US take on the Giallo, but Ferrara makes it more Day of the Woman set in a bustling metropolis (and without the outright exploitation elements). It makes for a pretty stylish film, but also one that lacks just a little bit to truly set itself apart. Thana is a young, mute seamstress. After a random guy on the street takes advantage of her and a robber breaks into her house, he snaps. She kills the robber and keeps his gun, using it to seek out lecherous men and end their lives. She gets a taste for killing though, becoming less choosy with every new kill. Lünd is great in the lead, Ferrera gives the film the necessary flair and the short runtime keeps it from getting stale and/or boring. I wasn't a big fan of the soundtrack and the setup of the film is pretty basic, but nothing that kept me from enjoying it while it lasted. A very interesting discovery.Read all