Tweekums

As this film starts a woman returns to her apartment and is strangled by an unknown assailant. It is the latest of a string of murders, one per month, that has left the NYPD baffled and the population concerned. Needing to try something new the mayor orders the Police Commissioner to reinstate disgraced former detective Lt Nick Starkey... who just happens to be the Commissioner's brother. Nick is somewhat eccentric; he insists on bringing his friend Ed, an artist, to help him and it isn't long before he is involved with the mayor's twenty three year old daughter. Together they set about trying to determine when and where the killer will strike next. That means cracking three patterns; the date of the crime, the building it will take place in and the apartment within that building.

This might not be a great film but it is a rather fun addition to the serial killer genre. The tone is fairly light; there is inevitably some violence but it is neither gory nor particularly nasty. It is a cliché of the genre that serial killers have a pattern; this plays with that by giving him three separate patterns which must be identified... the first fairly obvious and the second and third so esoteric that it's unlikely anybody would spot them if the script didn't demand otherwise. The cast, which includes plenty of well-known actors, does a fine job. Kevin Kline is good as Lt Starkey but, as was often the case, Alan Rickman, who plays Ed, manages to steal most scenes he appears in. The mix of comedy and drama can seem a bit odd at times as it lurches from one to the other. Overall I'd say this is better than its current score suggests but still isn't a must see unless you are a real fan of one of the stars... that said it passes the time well enough.

As this Dutch crime drama opens police officer Martin Oudkerk is heading to a Chinese restaurant where a shooting has taken place. The action then flashes back two days and we quickly learn that Martin isn't only a police officer; he also worked for one of the dead men; a drug dealer named Henk; in fact it was Henk who placed him in the police. Once Henk is out of the way a new group, represented by Dwight, is determined to take over and expects Martin, and friend Willem, to work for him. It is clear that those who oppose him don't last long. Martin is now caught in the middle with the police investigating various crimes on one side and Dwight on the other.

I thought this was a solid crime drama. It opens well, grabbing the viewers' attention, before spending time introducing the key characters and their various relationships. Even though it is clear from the start that Martin is a corrupt cop he is still a fairly sympathetic character. The cast does a fine job bringing the characters to life. The story is gripping, even if there aren't too many surprises, at least not so far. Some details are wrapped up by the end of the first season but many aren't... hopefully we'll get the second season soon. Overall a solid drama that fans of Euro-crime drama are likely to enjoy.

These comments are based on watching the first season in Dutch with English subtitles.

Secret Service agents Richard Chance and Jimmy Hart are on the trail of artist and counterfeiter Rick Masters. When Hart is killed while following a lead alone Chance vows to catch Masters; no matter what. With new partner, John Vukovich, he sets about doing just that. Getting close to Masters will not be easy and it will certainly be dangerous. It will also mean crossing several lines that shouldn't be crossed.

If you like gritty eighties action with immoral characters, a top notch car chase, an impressive sound track and a good look then you need to check this out. The story is solid and serves to justify the action; which is impressive. Almost as impressive as the characters... these, even the 'good guys' aren't exactly moral. Chance isn't bothered who he uses to get Masters and Masters is even less pleasant. The film has a great feel thanks to is LA locations and fine sound track from Wang Chung... it is almost a West Coast 'Miami Vice' but with big screen scale and lack of TV restrictions. The cast is solid, most obviously William Patterson and Willem Dafoe as Chance and Masters respectively. The car chase is one of the best I've seen as Chance and Vukovich flee heavily armed characters in front of a freight train, along the LA River and the wrong way along the freeway! Director William Friedkin, best known for 'The Exorcist' and 'The French Connection' did a great job here. Overall I'd certainly recommend this, it is a pity this film isn't better known.