Thursday, January 21, 2021

Thursday Movie Picks: Police Detectives

On this episode of Thursday Movie Picks, Wanderer at Wandering Through the Shelves gave us a topic with more options than we could possibly count. We're talking police detectives. Welp, let's get to it.


Sharky's Machine

(1981)

Drug-fueled neo-noir action flicks. I'm a fan. And I feel robbed. Where are my Sharky's Machine sequels? I mean, the movie features our cool as hell detective standing on a ridiculously high balcony, unflinching, while a bad guy falls backwards from him firing shots at him. Seven years before Die Hard. And it's Burt f'n Reynolds. I know, right?


Running Scared

(1986)

Funny 80's salt and pepper buddy-cop flicks. I'm a fan. And I feel robbed. Where are my Running Scared sequels. I mean, the guys engaged in a high speed car chase on an elevated train track. Yes, in cars. I know, right? Plus, Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal had some of the best banter this side of Glover and Gibson. A year before Glover and Gibson.


Action Jackson

(1988)

Stupid 80's action-flicks. I'm a fan. And I feel robbed. Where are my Action Jackson sequels? I mean, the man chased down a moving car and leaped over it. Silly one-liners? He had 'em. See that shot above? It's preceded by him asking that guy, "How do you like your ribs?" He follows that up with, "Barbecue, huh?" We then immediately cut to a slab of ribs being thrown on the grill. Best. Filmmaking. Ever.


Click here for more Thursday Movie Picks.


19 comments:

  1. Sharky's Machine is the one film on that list I haven't seen but I have heard of as my dad was a big fan of Burt Reynolds. Action Jackson is awesome and... Running Scared was alright. I think the film is remembered more for the song that Michael McDonald did as I remember Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines in the video.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You gotta check out Sharky's Machine. Gotta.

      Delete
  2. Geez I haven't thought about Sharkey's Machine in years. As Burt Reynolds action flicks go it's one of the better ones before they really started to slide in quality.

    I am surprised that both Running Scared and especially Action Jackson didn't generate sequels. Billy Crystal probably nixed them in the case of Running Scared since he was at the beginning of his super successful phase and had lots of other opportunities. But Action Jackson seems just made for a bunch of direct to video knockoffs but Carl Weathers was cast on Tour of Duty almost immediately afterwards so that could have something to do with it.

    I also focused on a single decade (and films with single word titles) for mine, just ten years sooner.

    Serpico (1973)-Based on the autobiographical book of the same name this looks at honest NYPD cop Frank Serpico (Al Pacino) and his struggles against the corruption that permeated the department in the 60’s and his ultimate role of whistleblower after earning his detective shield. Gritty drama anchored by Pacino’s Oscar nominated performance captures the feeling of a grimy corruption plagued New York City.

    Brannigan (1975)-Chicago police detective Jim Brannigan (John Wayne) hops a plane to England to extradite American gangster Ben Larkin (John Vernon). His brash ways clash with the more reserved British methods of Scotland Yard Commander Swann (Richard Attenborough) but when Larkin is kidnapped before Brannigan can take him into custody rough and tumble cop takes off on a manhunt through the streets of London assisted by Detective Sergeant Jennifer Thatcher (Judy Geeson). Fun actioner was one of the Duke’s final films, the fresh locale invigorating his performance.

    Stone (1974)-In 70’s Australia members of the biker gang The GraveDiggers witness a political assassination while under the influence of hallucinogenics and shortly afterwards begin to be killed one by one. Police detective Stone (Ken Shorter) goes undercover within the gang to try and ferret out the killer. He bonds somewhat with the members but when he uncovers a conspiracy, he must make a choice between his job and loyalty to the gang. VERY 70’s film is more concerned with footage of motorcycles, skinny dipping and exploitation than telling a really cohesive story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't watched Sharky's Machine in years, myself, so it's time for a rewatch.

      Serpico is amazing, one of Pacino's best performances, if you ask me. Haven't seen your other two picks, though I am familiar with Stone due to it being mentioned in a doc on Aussie exploitation films.

      Delete
    2. Stone was VERY much of its time and sort of a mess overall. Brannigan isn't one of Wayne's essential films but a decent, actiony adventure with his fully seasoned star power on full display and some great shots of 70's London.

      Delete
    3. From what little I know of Stone, it does appear to be a mess.

      Delete
  3. Love your first 2 picks and forgot all about them but they are great. I haven't seen your last one but that one scene you have up made me laugh..I must be sick. I believe the stuntman for that scene died if I recall my memory because it was in all the news. I loved that car chase in the 2nd pick and those 2 were great together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, the stuntman for Sharky's Machine did die doing a stunt. I don't think it was that one, though.

      Delete
  4. I'm 0/3 on your picks this week but I've seen parts of Running Scared. Sharky's Machine sounds wild.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the Running Scared call out! I rewatched it not that long ago and had forgotten just how entertaining that movie really is. Crystal and Hines were as good a buddy cop duo as any I've come across; their chemistry was real.

    "They don't pay me no more!" is said around my house with relative frequency.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay, another fan! Don't see too many for that movie, which is a travesty.

      Delete
  6. Hmmm...I haven't heard of these movies, but they sound interesting! Great list!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I haven't seen nor heard of any of these. Sharky's Machine sounds kind of interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I haven't seen any of these before (or even heard of them) so thank you for introducing me to them. Running Scared sounds like great fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Running Scared is a blast. Hope you get to see it.

      Delete
  9. I haven't seen any of these but man, how could I miss Running Scared? Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal sounds like a fun duo. I did like Lethal Weapon so I probably would enjoy that movie!

    ReplyDelete