Tony ain't the Pitts: a crime month double rec

Tony Pitts is a captivating screen presence, his large physical frame and thick Sheffield accent make him a memorable performer and he happens to be in two fantastic British crime thrillers. So a flimsy excuse to promote an actor i like with a tenous link to this months challenge.

Hyena (2014)

Director Gerad Johnson's follow up to his 2009 low budget serial killer flick Tony follows a corrupt London detective Michael (great performance by Peter Ferdinando) as he tries to control the balance of power between rivals gangs and the law. Reminiscent of Bad Lieutenant in that we are with a man disintergrating into self destruction every step of the way, Hyena is a brutally violent, uncomprimising look into the London crime underground.

Where's Tony?

Mr Pitts plays one of Michael's police crew, a violent intimidating brute who will do anything to look after number one. He also sports some awesome tatoos.



The Red Riding Trilogy (2009)

Three made for TV movies in three seperate years (1974, 1980 & 1984) set against the backdrop of various murders including The Yorkshire Ripper, we follow an ensemble cast of characters through a bleak and violent world of multi-layered police corruption and organised crime. It's pretty grim, but compelling viewing.


Where's Tony?

TP plays John Nolan in the latter two installments, and once again he's a ruthless corrupt bobby, this time with the scary power and influence of a Detective Chief Superintendent. Ooof, don't cross him...

(I don't know how to make thread appear in multiple movies here, so i put this under Hyena, but Red Ridingis just as good, maybe better.)

British Horror babes of the 70s

How would you rank them?

Linda Hayden
https://scontent.fakl1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10013525_617256341687173_853061637_n.jpg?oh=6fab847ecef1c4f676b0ebbfe514b718&oe=5B119482
Susan George

Jenny Agutter

Hilary Heath
https://assets.mubi.com/images/film/11941/image-w856.jpg?1485111933
Lynne Frederick

Jill Haworth

How comprehensive is the movie database?

When we first started Trash Epics, I was pretty hung-up on b-movies, Troma, slashers, etc. I added a bunch of those to the movie database, then we brought in a few other users to add their titles, and now we have a few thousand titles on here. This is more than I've seen, but it isn't about me, which is why I've been adding those titles I don't particularly like, but some of you might. It's all about getting that contrasting perspective to know how shitty real shit is, and where other people's tastes lie.

With that said, I think it's great that we've got sort of a council of movie-goers here who rate as many titles as they know, and to those of you reading who don't vote on things... Why not?

I've watched a lot of movies in my life. I like movies, a bit more than the average man, if I do say so myself. That's why I can say I've seen over a thousand movies, and the quest always continues. We're always trying to find more movies to fill the void, and inspire us with concepts we've never seen before. I think there are still a plethora of b-movies, exploitaiton films, horrors, and ocassional normal-people movies out that have yet to be touched upon. It's all about discussing stuff, and getting those recommendations.

Are there titles we don't have listed that you think should be here? Perhaps an unsung classic that we've all miraculously overlooked? I only adds 'em as I sees 'em. Does this database mean anything to you? I think IMDb had weighted ratings that tend to make them rather useless. You know, all those people rating only 1s and 10s? Then there's those film snobs with their heads so far up their asses, they only like arthouse movies? Bias hits hard on IMDb, and I trust the voices of my peers over here when it comes to entertainment.

Hatchet IV Review

Just like "Jigsaw" trying to distance himself from the high numbers of his first series, "Victor Crowley" is trying to start something new, but of course... these films are exactly like their predecessors, so the name change isn't fooling anyone.

Hatchet IV begins with an unnecessary prologue in 1964, and then jumps into the present, which is 2017 (which is when the film initially came out). The film definitively states that the original trilogy happens in 2007, so I updated the timeline accordingly.
https://junkepics.com/calendar/timeline/?category=hatchet

Basically, Parry Shen is back, because like Kane Hodder, he's also a staple to the series. He "wrote" a book about his encounter with Victor Crowley from the events of the third film, and he's not getting a good reception on it. That's probably because his lawyer sucks, and she's played by Felissa Rose, who's actually pretty funny. In fact, there's a few good laughs to get out of this movie, and while I find a lot of Adam Green's attempts at humor to be cringe-worthy at times, it's mostly a win in this movie.

It's kinda shallow, and it's shameless, but it's an entertaining entry in one of our only current horror franchises, so Godspeed Victor Crowley! Keep on slashing!

The Crime Challenge Discussion Thread

The Crime Challenge will be the monthly challenge for this February. Any movie or show that focuses on crime on either side of the law counts. The points are run time based. Since the month has already started, the challenge is starting now. I hope you'll join in.

Any questions or comments regarding the challenge belong here.

Make your spot on the progress thread: https://trashepics.com/post/8/38/

brutal, grim but good crime shows

•edit - subject was the not so appealing 'Can anyone suggest any good...' so i spiced it up•

••that was a shit subject••

•TV shows with a genius but flawed detective hunts a genius but psycho killer. Or anything along those sorts of lines, doesn't have to be a murderer, or even a detective. Just some good ole grim nasty bleak miserable lovliness.


One of my all time fave shows is Cracker (1993) which imdb succinctly sums up as "An abrasively eccentric forensic psychologist (Robbie Coltrane) aids in the solving of difficult police cases." It is Most Excellent Dudes. They tried a US version called 'Fitz' which i've never seen but it didn't get positive reception by all accounts.







Other shows i enjoy along these lines are:

Hannibal
The Fall
Prime Suspect
Criminal Minds
Messiah
Broadchurch
Touching Evil

I suppose stuff like The Wire & Breaking Bad would technically fit the billl. But anyway, if ya can rec anything like this - the darker, gritter n more disturbing the better. which reminds me to get on finishing Miike Takeshi's Multiple Personality Detective Psycho...



#Cracker #MiikeTakeshi

Pink Flamingos have changed my life

It's hard for a film to make someone view the world differently. In a sense, the movies that changed your life could be your favorite films, because they have something that resonates with you beyond simple interest and into obsession. Or... they could be movies that you never want to see again because they show you asinine characteristics of humanity that you want to block out. Obviously, it wouldn't be a very large list, because not every movie is going to hit you in that profound of a way, but feel free to be moved either way.

---

Pink Flamingos was my first venture into what is sort of whole subgenre of its own, trash cinema. Seeing the trash epic on your first go sets some high standards, which I wont even bother to live up to simply for the sake or demeaning it's value, like the saying "you can't polish a turd". If I put too much thought into trash, then I'd be polishing that turd, and I can't polish that turd. I have to put it in my mouth and eat it!

Divine became a sort of pop icon because of this film, and John Waters became the pope of trash because of it, but why? What is it about this film that's sooo amazing? Well, Pink Flamingos is boundary-pushing, over-acted, taboo filth-fest. It's amazing how this grainy mess of film stock became a hypnotic cult film. It's the kind of low-budget film that was shot on weekends with a cast and crew of people who were making the film not for money, but for a fun experience. An exercise in bad taste!

Mostly, the film sets out to offend, and it does just that. It proves that your film doesn't need a good message to stand out. It just plays off any cinematic wrong-doing as experimental film-making, aka "artistic license", which brought me to the point of analyzing the people behind this film. John Waters is a very interesting man who had his own influences, and then you begin to realize that every film-maker out there has his or her own influences, but you can't set out solely to imitate or be influenced by someone. You just have to do what you want. Pink Flamingos goes there, and in it's own Dreamlander world, it can get away with anything.

The "Dreamlanders" are the surprisingly charming bunch of regulars that star in several John Waters films. I suppose it's infinitely easier to work with people you know, as compared to working with high-paid Hollywood actors who have to follow S.A.G. guidelines and the likes. Obviously, Pink Flamingos didn't give a fuck about any of that, and went the independent route. Our actors go all out, showing off their cocks, fucking with chickens, and eating real dog shit. Divine's motivation behind this was to prove himself to be the filthiest actress. We go beyond dedication to playing a part, and into the desire to be that part.

John Waters wanted to make a socially irredeemable movie, but even something as foul as two rival families fighting in the name of filth comes off as genuine, because Johnny put his heart into this trash, and that's what makes this bird legit. The big-budget productions come and go, but there's a reason we're still watching Babs Johnson lick furniture, hide steak up her legs, eat police officers, and kill people on live TV. This movie showcases the beauty of the cult film, and the cult audience. After all, what kind of lonely, miserable prick would enjoy watching this trash? Me.

Movie bullies

I almost never see a normal high school bully in a movie. They're always borderline homicidal psychopaths who have an inexplicably intense hatred of their victims. Stephen King writes these types a lot. I dealt with my fair share of bullies, but I never once felt like my life was actually in danger. Did I just get off lucky?

Does anybody know how to see Acción Mutante (1993)?

I've been wanting to see this movie for over 10 years and I can't find a way to do it for a reasonable price or on a website I trust. Does anybody have any leads? It looks great.

The John Carpenter Thread

Who?

Oh yeah, the guy that made the Elvis TV movie. Yeah, that guy.

Talk about this dude here, if you're so inclined. He's a fuckin' legend, ya know?

Been revisiting his films lately, which was the inspiration to make this thread. Started with Halloween a couple weeks ago, then Assault on Precinct 13, and Escape from New York the other night. These movies are like old friends and never fail to let you down. It makes me sad to think that next generation's kids (probably even this generation?) will find these movies too slow. They're perfect. I think these three particular movies are the peak of Carpenter's mastery, with The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China right up there as well.

Upon rewatching Assault on Precinct 13, it occured to me how similar certain shots (and lighting) in the film seemed to have been recreated by Dan O'Bannon in Return of the Living Dead. I know that Carpenter and O'Bannon worked together early in their careers, so I'm leaning toward it not being a coincidence.

And of course, no Carpenter thread could exist without mentioning the man's exceptional musical compositions. Eerie, subtle electronic scores that really set the mood. You know it when you hear a John Carpeneter theme, or at least, someone who was influenced by the man. I can't imagine his movies without it.