Tag: Jeff Corey

BRUTE FORCE (1947)

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Directed By: Jules Dassin
Written By: Richard Brooks 
Story By: Robert Patterson
Cinematography: William Daniels
Editor: Edward Curtiss 

Cast: Burt Lancaster, Hume Cronyn, Charles Bickford, Yvonne De Carlo, Ann Blyth, Ella Raines, Anita Colby, Sir. Lancelot, Jeff Corey, John Hoyt, Roman Bohnen 

At overcrowded Westgate Penitentiary, where violence and fear are the norm and the warden has less power than guards and leading prisoners, the least contented prisoner is tough, single-minded Joe Collins. Most of all, Joe hates chief guard Captain Munsey, a petty dictator who glories in absolute power. After one infraction too many, Joe and his cell-mates are put on the dreaded drain pipe detail; prompting an escape scheme that has every chance of turning into a bloodbath.

This was certainly an eye-opener. It tries to live up to its title as it was definitely that way when it was made and might be considered light for today’s times, but shocking that it was made when it was. 

One of the films where Burt Lancaster definitely seems mroe engaged and it lets him use his physicality more. 

One of the more violent Black and white movies the type of film used makes it timeless. As it will always going to be the same. In prisons and for anyone watching the film. 

No one is innocent but still don’t deserve the brutality that they endure.  We see their pasts that got them stuck in prison, from time to time so we also get to know the characters along the way. The camaraderie that exists and how they bond. So that we get to care about them, their demise is all the more shocking And heartbreaking like a horror film. 

Hume Cronyn as the main villain is absolutely brutal and scary. Though he also seems so finely tuned. Not a bloodthirsty psychopath. Not even is he physically intimidating. He’s more threatening and cerebral.

The strength of the film is that we are introduced to the characters mroe in the middle of something larger and as the film goes along it builds in intensity and pressure. Until the end where it finally blows in a well-orchestrated ending. 

It’s Beautifully filmed you can constantly feel the claustrophobia in the prison more than in the cells. Just as the prisoners try to feel like they are still on the outside, busting themselves to pass the time Cronyn’s character wants to not only own and be in Charge with them but remind them where they are and keep them small. 

It’s a film that is captivating but has a sadness hanging over it. It has a fluidity to it. So that it keeps moving even when it has its moments with the characters 

Grade: B

SURVIVING THE GAME (1994)

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Directed By: Ernest R. Dickerson

Written By: Eric Bernt

Cinematography: Bojan Bazelli

Editor: Sam Pollard

Cast: Ice-T, Rugter Hauer, Charles S. Dutton, F Murray Abraham, Gary Busey, John C. McGinley, William McNamara, Jeff Corey, Bob Minor 

A homeless man is hired as a survival guide for a group of wealthy businessmen on a hunting trip in the mountains, unaware that they are killers who hunt humans for sport, and that he is their new prey.

At the time this might have seemed like an action film that was a fine by the dozen, but looking back it feels like it was a bit ahead of Its time.

As at the time it might have felt too basic or familiar. To a film like Jean Claude Van-Damme starring HARD TARGET. 

Casting Ice-T during a starring hot streak and then surrounding him with well-known character actors. As seemingly types though as the film goes alongside actually revealing decency or having specific reasons for their savagery and blood lust.

His casting works as he is not your typical action hero presence. So that gives him a kind of wild card status in which to impress and win over the audience. As he is the protagonist, we still don’t know exactly what to expect. 

Though race isn’t brought up it can easily be seen or interpreted. Even if the argument is over classism. As Ice-t’s character is a military vet who is homeless and most of the hunters are rich, successful white men. Racism and capitalism usually walk hand in hand. As for something to have value another must not have any. As really the only other person of color is Charles S. Dutton who helps discover him and convinces him to take the job.

The film offers plenty of surprises and double-crosses. It also offers ice-T’s character who was suicidal a reason to survive, a passion for life, and live again. 

The film comes across as a little bit more realistic in its action sequences. Which are quite impressive. As no one is an expert, some characters actually need to reload or rest. Though it never feels overplayed, overwrought, too expensive or stylish just to look cool.

The ending is a bit of a letdown by bringing up a point that is repeatedly brought up so many times. You know it will be integral later.

One of the reasons for the audience to enjoy the film is that most of the cast, the hunting party if you will, is made up of classic character actors who usually play villains. So it’s a murderer’s row hunting our hero down. Which gives the film and the lead a kind of bonafide status 

This ends up being one of the more memorable ice-t leading roles, especially in an action film. No less treated a certain way maybe because it is more contained. As far as cast size goes. 

Grade: C+