refinedsugar Reviews

Playboy Video Playmate Calendar 2003 (2002 Video)

Everyone Has Their Favorites

[7/10 · 8 May 2024]

Another year, another batch of lovely Playmates and 2003 has some choice picks. These video compilations can be hit or miss or largely down to your tastes, but this edition had some standout names for me. The high quality production values Playboy held at their high mark are here with great camera work, closeups and decent music. Not every lady or scene choices they're placed are top notch, but it's still a solid package overall.

"January" is Darlene Kurtis - PMoTY 2002 - and initially revolves around firefighters and old fashioned America patroristism. Going with the theme dalmatian dogs are here intercut with shots of Darlene in costume, nude being held by the men, riding the truck or at a newstand. It might not deliver as much eye candy of the variety that you want however. Her second is a long drawn out bit that features her in a wedding dress then getting naked on a couch intercut with the story-like ceremony (9.5 mins). "February" is the busty blonde Tina Jordan - Mar 2002 - playing up her (second?) career as a real estate agent. Having the time before the next showing of an open house, she gets naked and climbs into a luxiorous bathtub but trust me I'm not complaining. This means plenty of nice closeups of her boobs, legs, shaved kitty etc as liquid soap gets applied. Her second scene has her looking very glammed up getting naked from a robe, bra & panties in bed. Which again has more nice views, closeups of her body in store (8.5 mins).

"March" is petite redhead Heather Carolin - Apr 2002 - first in & out of a plaid skirt, top playing up her Irish roots. She looks great and the scene is pleasant. Her second trip she's has much more makeup on for a strip on a circular bed that rotates during the scene (6 mins). "April" returns us to the busty blonde variety again in Cristi Shake - May 2002 - as she does a professional photoshoot on an outdoor lot. The best shots come intially as she's in a open tied up top, cutoff jeans that highlight her butt and she looks fantastic. For her second scene, a common trope to Playboy - a male neighbor catching a Playmate in a state of undress from a window - returns as we watch her drop from black clothes for her lover who appears at the end (7 mins).

"May" is lovely Heather Spytek - Jun 2001 - and in another common theme it's eating fruit. Heather snacks on peaches and closeups of her lips, body are shown. Cream makes an appearance dripped down her boobs too. A lot of ladies who pose for Playboy, become Playmates have dance, ballerina backgrounds. So that's her second scene that has her move around before posing naked in a chair with some nice sights (6.5 mins). "June" is Lauren Anderson - Jul 2002 - who gets naked on a white set as cute puppies stumble about, lay on her body, etc. I like Lauren's look and the scene is naturally cute, but it doesn't have enough prolonged shots of her. Second scene has a strip for her boyfriend when they sneak in the Dean's office at college and root thru his files briefly. It's decent, but also short (7 mins).

"July" is Lindsey Vuolo - Nov 2001 - who first drives a sky blue cadillac across the desert, arrives as a gas station and strips from her summer dress, bikini. Then it's a diner solo fantasy scenario because a cute guy who works there catches her eye. A nice shot or two with her laying on the counter nude was the standout here for me (7 mins). "August" is Nicole Narain - Jan 2002 - as she gets out from a few pieces of clothing including a white fur top on a purple set complete with a suspended swing and zebra print floor. The second time out has her strip from a dress on a bed in a tribal feel. I like Nicole's look and was looking forward to her month, but I got to be honest and say the visuals let me down somewhat (7 mins).

"September" is blonde hottie Stephanie Heinrich - Oct 2001 - as she starts out with frizzy hair in a black bikini looking sultry. I really like her look, attitude here and there's some hot shots of her body. Then it's a traditional photo session in a bedroom that delivers good shots of her in lingerie, but can't top her first scene (6 mins). "October" is Shanna Moakler - Dec 2001 - in a horseback polo theme to start. Takes a bit of buildup until she's naked on a couch where too much time is spent on needless shots. Throwback to 40's movie stars has Shanna done up glamorous on a classic movie set that nails the theme, style but I didn't think was very hot (5.5 mins).

"November" is brunnette stunner Jennifer Walcott - Aug 2001 - and features hand down my favorite moment of the video. Her first scene has her stroll through a neighborhood where three guys wait for her to pass by of course intercut with three dream sequences. First she's in a hot pink bikini where Jennifer looks killer and it has a bunch of nice shots, closeups. Then in a black top, jean shorts she's getting wet, naked washing a motorbike. Lastly in a summer dress she quickly gets naked while attending to some flowers. She puts a hose over her buns, boobs which is always a hot look. I've always been a fan of Jennifer since her appearances in 'Barefoot Beauties' and the Christmas themed 'Playmated Unwrapped'. Now she practices martial arts that doesn't give much views of her sans clothes and is very short in length (7 mins). "December" is Kimberly Stanfield - Jul 2001 - in a fashion designer segment that sees her in and out of various pieces. Then her on a swing in a tophat before it settles down to her getting naked on a bed or on a big chair (5.5 mins).

If you're familiar with Playboy, their video calendars you already know they're solely comprised of preexisting Playmate profiles in shorten form and thrown together into a typically decent package. Some years are better than others, but 2003 is a solid title and the presentation is on point. If you like any of the females featured be sure to track down their extended profiles to see more from them.

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me (2023)

Her Story ... Again

[5/10 · 8 May 2024]

I was too young to get caught up, be interested in Anna Nicole Smith's saga during the 90's. My appreciation for her (like others) never went beyond physical, hormonal attributes. Saw her Playboy pictorials and then much much later her two action pics, PB videos and those exploits made about her life. I honestly didn't expect 'You Don't Know Me' to add anything new to the tale because frankly I don't think there's any deep secrets to be told. This documentary didn't change my view.

From growing up in small town Texas, chicken shack, topless strip club. Howard J. Marshall, her son Danny onward to fame, stardom. Playboy, Guess jeans, appearances in legit movies, talk shows. Natural charm, love for the cameras, paparazzi. The reunion with her estranged father than went sideways. Then prescription drugs, alcohol, a fondness for partying and the wheels slowly come off. Howard K. Stern enters the picture, the reality show, her weight gain, a new baby with it's father in doubt. Danny dies and she passes soon afterwards at only 39 years old.

Everything here is well shot, put together and flows nicely. A lot of the details are old hat if you're up to speed, but the narrative is decent with interviews from people who've never spoken in depth about Anna or their roles in her life until now. It's a talking heads style of doc that uses footage from shows, home footage, Playboy or shot specifically for use in montages. Every topic is touched on in compact format rarely dragging on or overstaying it's welcome.

Put this two hour Netflix doc 'You Don't Know Me' in the curiosity category that will get views from lifelong ANS fans or those who think there's deeper meaning to be found when really there isn't. Her undoing was her own. You get sprinkles of new details, but the end result remains the same. At the end of the day, we love our celebrities. We love underdog stories, beautiful woman. Praising them where they're up, tuning in or kicking them when they're down.

Fast Food Nation (2006)

Diluting the Point

[6/10 · 8 May 2024]

'Fast Food Nation' has a lot to say about the multi-billion dollar business that is food. Particularly a type that millions of people (me included) eat on a weekly basis. Bits about the cleanliness of the product, heavily processed to taste better, last longer and the true cost may or may not be news to you. However the film goes down a few loosely connected paths and not all is insightful, interesting.

VP of Marketing Don Anderson (Greg Kinnear) for Mickey's must get to the bottom of unclean meat coming from a plant that affects their most popular burger 'The Big One'. Illegal immigrants including couple (Catalina Sandino Moreno, Wilmer Valderrama) pay to be shuffled over the border looking for a better quality of life where many of them end up working in said plant. A teenager working the local burger joint (Ashley Johnson) gets caught up in ideas of protest, going against what her former employee stands for (horrible mistreatment of people, animals).

Here's the bottom line. It does a great job of spelling out the real cost, how it'll never change because of the vast money being made. Faceless mega corporations, self-serving politicians, government indifference, the public masses who continue to be naive or support this "huge machine" as it's put at one point. Will you give up your Big Mac or Whopper? Does anyone really care? How many people watched 'Super Size Me' and then craved some McD's?

Putting that aside, the film is very uneven and Don's part is the most solid. He's perhaps more naive than his real life counterpart would be, but it works because he represents the uninformed. His journey has him cross paths with some faces (Bruce Willis, Kris Kristofferson) that really drive the point home. The sideplot of widespread illegal labor is very real, sad but it's also very surface level. Relying on a horrible supervisor (Bobby Cannavale) to make it's mark. The less said about the segment involving a teen switching moral paths the better. Beyond trite.

From heavy hitter director Richard Linklater and of course a best selling book, you never stop feeling the message 'Fast Food Nation' wants to deliver. However like the burgers it features, there's a lot of unwanted filler. A scene where cows are slaughtered isn't one of them however. Reawakening you to how heavily we've become domesticated to eating meat without getting own hands dirty. It's a decent watch, but the end result isn't always entertaining.

Alien Private Eye (1989)

I Love the Power Glove - it's So Bad.

[1/10 · 6 May 2024]

A gang of thugs threaten a lady when a dude looking like a Michael Jackson impersonator complete with black fedora hat comes to her rescue. Chop socking guys one by one until head goon decide to stick his gun in the hero's face only to be disarmed. What does a hero do now? You start dancing in your apartment, call up a random friend and gloat about the hot lady you've meet and then go dancing again in a club. When another cheap action showdown follows, an bare bones aliens subplot emerges and the bad acting continues, it quickly dawns on you 'Alien Private Eye' is a piece of the absolute bottom of straight to video realm and not in a fun way.

Lemro (Nicholas Hill) saves Suzy (Judith Burke) twice within the same day, the two become involved and he reveals he's an alien. It turns out a gang is trying to track down a powerful disc that is the key to a highly addictive otherworldly drug and Suzy has the second piece. Now Lemro the private eye is thrust into a battle of good vs evil versus this gang. Until he comes face to face with it's leader Killgore (Cliff Aduddell) who'll let no one stand in his way of power & wealth.

I appreciate a good b-movie and sometimes a bad movie can be a barrel of laughs, but it's a fine line. Especially if friends or alcohol is not involved. 'Alien Private Eye' is a 80's flick that some poor bargain bin souls paid for literally that gets resuscitated in conversation because of a love for badness. This is the type of trip I don't enjoy or usually seek out. I cracked a smile once or twice at it's absurd elements - wait until the hero wields a laser gun mounted to his arm near the end - but I can't in good conscious recommend it.

The Fall Guy (2024)

Ode to Stunts

[7/10 · 6 May 2024]

The likable pairing, chemistry of Ryan Gosling & Emily Blunt will get your butt in a movie seat, but it's the organic stunt, camera work capturing the action that stands out the most. Stuntman turned director David Leitch partially explains this and of course it's based on a television series before my time of an stuntman's escapades too. The romantic angle anyone could have seen coming from a mile away, but I'm disappointed the story didn't have more depth, substance beyond a one note mystery, villains.

Mega action star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is filming a movie and his highly skilled personal stuntman Colt Seavers (Gosling) has a thing going with Jody Moreno (Blunt) a camera operator before a stunt goes wrong on set. 18 months later with a broken back, Colt has left the biz. Depressed, disillusioned he ghosted Jody because of his fall from grace. Then Ryder's personal bigtime producer Gail (Hannah Waddingham) pulls him out of retirement to be his stuntman once again on his latest sci-fi action trip. Except it's really all a cover to find the star who's gone missing and Colt only does the movie because he's told Jody - who's now doing her big budget directing debut - wants him involved.

I enjoyed quite a few pieces of dialog, some zingers and the music soundtrack utilizing licensed tracks at the right moments (thank you Dolby ATMOS). Gosling has no issue headlining as his easy going charisma, physique chops make it believable. Blunt easily sells someone who's been hurt, feels kinda bitter but really all she wants is a proper explanation, apology. Johnson also gets kudo for nailing an egotistical movie star with suspect acting credentials, aloof personality but also the charming, good looks package that makes a star.

'Fall Guy' is really a love letter (and doesn't hide it) to the unsung hereos of the stunt work that directors, producers, stars & audiences alike take for granted in this day and age. A fundamental part of any good action, sci-fi, thriller flick. A lot of money has been thrown into the project and you can see it, sense it at all times on the screen alongside the likable big actors, but there isn't a lot of heart in the story. Kinda just going thru the 1-2-3 setup delivering fights, explosions, chase scenes galore in between little character moments, rekindled romance on route to a formula finale. I enjoyed pieces of 'Fall Guy' but it's first and foremost action that saves the day.

Good Day for It (2011)

Good Atmosphere, Simple Story

[5/10 · 5 May 2024]

I put 'Good Day for It' in my queue solely because it stars Robert Patrick, Lance Henriksen. Imagine my surprise when opening credits sprung more familiar names. Hal Halbrook, Robert Englund, Samantha Mathis & Kathy Baker. Cast aside, there's elements to appreciate here. It has a down to earth feel and the people ring true, but you gotta know it's a low budget slow burn affair. If you like simple tales, simple themes there's some worth but deep dark crime saga this is not.

Emily (Mika Boorem) plans to meet up with her estranged dad Luke Cain (Patrick) unbeknownst to her mom (Mathis). At Rose's Cafe, they bond under the friendly eyes of owners Rose (Baker) & Hec (Halbrook) as the daughter finds out why he left them over fifteen years ago. Luke also comes face to face with cronies of Lyle Tyrus (Henriksen). One of which reports back to his criminal boss. Turns out the two share a past association and Lyle has a score to settle with Luke.

A tale of broken pasts, bad decisions, coincidences or being in the wrong place at the wrong time (if you'd rather) in rural America coming to a head. 'A Good Day For It' has some real heart. Also a high dose of predictability, a few cliches and surface level characters. Fans of Patrick, Henriksen should give it a go to see the two men share the screen together in a real way, but nothing ever rises above including the last minute finale.

Staying on Top (2001 Video)

Muff Galore

[6/10 · 1 May 2024]

We all know what type of flick 'Staying on Top' is and thirty minutes in spells it firmly out. Everyone screwing everyone both figuratively and literally. Well worn territory. With the amount of times muff showed up, I knew I had watched the unrated cut too. The female nudity, simulated sex you've come looking for is here, but it might not occur as often as you'd like. You also have to tolerate a largely boring story to get it.

Katherine Phillips (Holly Sampson) fresh out of grad school with some cutting edge ideas is courted by all the marketing firms but joins CBB. Her name alone attracts Lip Ink Cosmetics to have them do their next big line. Except exec Cindy La Conte (Angela Davies) - emphasis on that last name said slowly - won't give up power & control easily. When she unfairly sidelines Katherine and takes over, Cindy thinks she's won the battle. That is until Kat quits, discovers truths and decides to go after that contract for her own newly formed company.

The deception between the two ladies is one note, easily discoverable. There's typical cheating, use of seduction to get ahead. Way too many lines of bum dialog. Story issues aside, it's shot well where it counts. Sampson has sex nine minutes in then later the prerequisite shower masturbation scene. Davies has sex twice (limo, couch) ditto Sasha Peralto as an office secretary (bathtub, poolside). Holly Hollywood (as a masseuse) rubs down both Sampson & Peralto. Then Mia Zottoli (Kat's friend) gets the same treatment followed by some lite girl/girl that provides explicit kitty shots. A model (Leila R. Hashemzadeh) ends up getting naked, sex in a shower too.

'Staying On Top' is a low budget affair from Indigo Entertainment - a shell company Playboy used to release softcore story titles - that explains why the first 40 secs look, feel, utilize familiar female talent. It might even be taken from their 'Girls of Hard Rock' video and not newly shot. If you're going to give it a go seeing the unrated version is a must, but it's not next level hot as some are suggesting.

Outside Ozona (1998)

Lots of Charm

[6/10 · 1 May 2024]

'Outside Ozona' is an OOP dtv title largely forgotten about from the 90's with a plot of intertwining characters, their life stories that you don't see made much anymore. At the center is a serial killer and a radio station everyone listens to driving down the back roads, highways of California. It's cast might be the first thing you notice, but it's real life sentiments, blurbs fleshed out by fine atmosphere brings it home. Only a slightly long runtime keep it from being stronger.

The latest victim sits dead behind the wheel with a particular radio station still on. It's DJ Dix (Taj Mahal) butts head with manager Floyd (Meat Loaf). Broke couple Wit (Kevin Pollak) and Earlene (Penelope Ann Miller) take to the road when he's fired from his latest job. Sisters Marcy (Sherilyn Fenn) & Bonnie (Beth Ann Styne) on a cross-country trip for their fathers funeral pick up Alan (David Paymer) who's car has broken down. Widowed long haul driver Odell Parks (Robert Forster) prone to stops for coffee, gas, food has a chance meeting with Reba Twosalt (Kateri Walker) who he lends a hand. Meanwhile FBI Agent Deene (Lucy Webb) follows the bodies two steps behind.

If you haven't seen the film before chances are you're thinking a large part will be figuring out who the serial killer is, but thankfully that's not the case. They don't try to pull any twists. If you're paying attention you know who it is before it's spelled out. The enjoyment is watching, listening to a bunch of people from different paths, perspectives. Taj does a great job as the DJ who's the backbone of the tale. Pollak & Miller give a honest picture of unfulfillment, drifting & countless bad decisions. Forster, Walker supply a large dose of heart, warmth.

'Outside Ozona' is one of those movies that looks to be dividing people. Either you'll enjoy it's simple down to earth nature, characters & accept the contrived bit of how they all come together or you'll find the whole experience a bore. I saw this back in the late 90's and I thought it was alright. That feeling is still largely here two decades later. Though it does lose some of it's spark near the end when the nonstop talking has run it's course.

Karla Faye Tucker: Forevermore (2004)

Sappy Portrait of a Killer

[2/10 · 30 April 2024]

I have to say when I read Karla's story, saw an episode of 'Law & Order' loosely based on it and found a movie had been done I thought it might be from the Lifetime network. After 2003's 'Monster', I didn't expect 'Forevermore' to play fair with the rules governing convicted female killers. This film doesn't feature a big star playing the titular role or go into the fictional realm. It does however play up it's religious, romantic and redemption themes to the hilt.

Crusty female "Prison Official" (writer, director Helen Gibson) makes a pass at preacher Dana Brown (Kenny Jezek), but his heart belongs to one woman. Convicted murderer Karla Faye Tucker (real life wife Karen Jezek) aka "pickax killer". Thru meetings, correspondence he falls in love with a soul he feels has been reborn into a higher spiritual power. Their bond becomes deeper, they marry as public sentiment, support grows as she awaits execution on death row until that fateful day and the aftermath is all that remains.

There's a lot of positivity is the nice way of saying things. Contrived scenes where Karla is shown to have changed thru the involvement of the lord & even the most hardened faces like prison lady soften their stance. Murky flashbacks hint to a time when Karla was on the wrong path making bad decisions. Obviously downplaying the murders (they're not shown) little mention of gruesome details. Choosing to focus on the bitter criminal justice system faces looking to impose a cruel sentence. Falling in love, talk of God. Get used to seeing her prison "cell", people laying on beds, sitting in offices for the majority of the 2 hour runtime.

Religious motivational speakers in prison, Karla's transformation, uplifting music. Not only am I the wrong audience for 'Forevermore' but I strongly disliked, disagreed with it's point of view. There's talk to be had about the death penalty and whenever it's right or wrong, but it seems people only get bent of shape when a woman is involved. I believe people can change too, but after you viciously kill folks ... that's not a conversation I'm interested in being a part of.

Law & Order: The Brotherhood (2004) Season 15, Episode 3

Justification for Murder

[5/10 · 29 April 2024]

L&O was often a commentary on real life events, people, topics in their wheelhouse. When it was carried out effectively the results really stood out and when it wasn't they had the habit of missing by a mile. 'The Brotherhood' is one of the latter. Supposed to be a powerful piece on prison gangs and their scary reach, but the delivery is botched leaving one to feel any sweeping message they were going for is lost. You can piece together the intent, but the end result is weak.

An ex-con recently released from prison is found with a bullet in his brain and after a few conversations, Det. Fontana (Farina) & Green (Martin) learn he had history with corrections guard John Worley (Gary Basaraba). Evidence supports the theory that he killed him because of a beef with 'The Brotherhood' gang who was using their reach to harass him & his family on the outside. At trial his defense is one of fear that the man was going to do something leaving McCoy (Waterston) & Southerlyn (Rohm) to note there was no immediate threat and what he did amounts to premediated murder.

You get a bunch of faces to fill out roles. Daniel von Bargen is head of the prison guards, Candice Bergen the judge overseeing the trial and Giancarlo Esposito as the defense attorney. However none of them are memorable. The episode goes down in predictable fashion showing how awful the gang is. The head boogeyman for a leader with threats, threats and more veiled threats. You're supposed to sympathize with Worley and what he did because of some scary sentiment. A reveal in literally the last 30 seconds doubles down on this viewer manipulation as to say "look he was right all along". I went into 'The Brotherhood' hoping for a standout episode and was highly disappointed here.

Law & Order: Self Defense (1992) Season 3, Episode 7

Above & Beyond

[7/10 · 28 April 2024]

Plenty of movies, tv shows get on a soapbox and thru entertaining manipulation using emotion typically try to make you feel, think a certain way. I'm not about to say L&O wasn't immune to this baloney, but 'Self-Defense' in my humble opinion is not one of those times. Of course the case is largely at the mercy of your own preconceived opinions. I however think it presents a fair and balanced look into things going overboard and the image of the store owner isn't unfair.

A dead man is discovered in a car and meters away another also shot dead. Store owners including Greek immigrant Costas (Alan Arkin) are mum on seeing anything, but he's quickly discovered to be lying. Soon a picture is amassed thru further evidence of a robbery that went past the point of self defense. Det. Cerreta (Sorvino) sympathies with Costas while Logan (Noth) sees things differently. In court it comes down to the line in the sand about where justice, standing your ground crossed over into murder, unjust vigilantism.

Notable actors in Arkin (copping an accent) and Ron Rifkin as the type of defense lawyer you love to hate punch this episode up a notch. Not to say the topic isn't already interesting on it's own and emotionally charged. However remaining level headed you'll see the moral stance being presented here is routed in logic. It's a slippery slope. A parting word about public opinion, mob mentality on justice rings true and leaves a lasting impression as well.

Law & Order: Golden Years (1994) Season 4, Episode 11

Don't Need A Smoking Gun

[7/10 · 28 April 2024]

There's frustration thrown 'Golden Years' way because it doesn't spell things out. As the law, real life tell us everything isn't always airtight. Customary suspects are here per usual, but it's clear what the real story is. People should be less upset about it not being cut 'n dry and acknowledge that in a roundabout way the lack of real justice at the end shows how little society cares about old people.

Mildred Bauer an elderly lady in failing health is found deceased and cause of death is ruled starvation. Enter granddaughter Laura (Julie Dretzin) who's law school is being paid for amongst other financial favors. Soon the lies, suspect decisions amount to a mole hill. She takes the stand in her own defense and presents a picture of a caring family member. A piece of evidence gained last minute casts more shade on her character. Suddenly a religious component is introduced to explain that Mildred herself wanted to die without any collaboration to the fact and Laura was just ceding her wishes.

The only problem I had with 'Golden Years' was the phony way Stone (Moriarty) & Kincaid (Hennessy) waiver near the end on Laura's guilt. Remind me to toss away my conscious, lie repeatedly to an elderly family member to gain favor. Then put them behind lock & key and wait for the financial windfall to come my way. When confronted with my series of suspect decisions by the legal system, I'll claim they wanted to die. Pull out some religious, suicide rhetoric as a defense. This episode works on your emotions - perhaps not as intended - but that alone makes it worth a view.

Law & Order: Bitter Fruit (1995) Season 6, Episode 1

Using Children as Pawns

[8/10 · 28 April 2024]

Issues of justice, vigilantism are a powder keg that often get lost in waves of emotions. Add an innocent young child slain into the mix and things become less logical. These elements could have been a slam-dunk for 'Bitter Fruit', but it doesn't stop there. This season premiere of 'Law & Order' adds an additional stop in the last third to make things even more juicier. I think it's up for debate if they needed to go with this final twist and if it dilutes the goodness that came before it, but the episode as a whole is still above average.

A 12 year old girl is found murdered, dumped in a vacant lot and the picture becomes clear she was kidnapped. Briscoe (Orbach) & Curtis (Bratt) trace the crime to a glass company employing ex-felon Nick Capetti (John Ventimiglia) and more evidence cements his obvious guilt. As McCoy (Waterston) & Kincaid (Hennessy) move with an open & shut case, the girls mother Karen (Ellen Greene) opens fire in court killing Nick. Given the circumstances she's given a slap on the wrist until it's clear she had more involvement that just being a grieving divorced parent overcome with vengeance.

As I stated off the top, I think 'Bitter Fruit' was already strong with the initial themes in play. However the twist highlights a real issue with warped parents doing selfishly things without care to what harm it causes their own children. I can't lie and say the measure of justice felt sufficient at the end, but that moment of gunplay was one of the most shocking turns I've ever seen in an episode of L&O. Plus knowing actual people like the mother portrayed here brings it a sense of reality.

Law & Order: Bronx Cheer (2001) Season 11, Episode 16

Never Admit You're Wrong

[7/10 · 28 April 2024]

Law enforcement, lawyers ... positions of higher authority. Ask them to publicly admit they've made a mistake and you'd think a request was made to carry out a death sentence for themselves. At the very least it's a blow to their ego that pride can't allow. That's the heart of L&O's 'Bronx Cheer', but it arrives at this through a formula murder whodunit very much routine on the surface. You be left to judge if the sentiment that picks up steam in the latter half makes up for it.

A woman is discovered murdered and Det. Briscoe (Orbach) & Green (Martin) find she sold drugs. This leads to Francis "Taz" Partell (Peter Greene), but their case isn't strong enough to get him convicted or even to proceed to trial. When they find out he was the guilty party in a shooting death in the Bronx and an innocent man went to prison for the crime, McCoy (Waterston) & Carmichael (Harmon) must correct the mistake. To do so they have to make a deal favorable to the real killer and battle Bronx DA Robertson (Keith David). Who won't overturn the conviction and make his department, county look bad.

I always like seeing Peter Greene pop up and once again he's asked to play another bad guy heavy, but there's no denying he does it well. Though it's really Keith David who plays the silent villain in the second half with his stubborn nature. This is also one of those episodes that has a disclaimer I'm sure to appease the TV networks legal department and cut down on the risk of a lawsuit. 'Bronx Cheer' isn't a standout episode, but what it has to say comes across pretty well. We're human, we make mistakes and have to be able to admit that.

Law & Order: Corruption (1996) Season 7, Episode 5

Hackneyed

[5/10 · 28 April 2024]

I've sat thru a ton of films, tv shows exploring this topic and it takes a steady hand to pull it off without coming off cheesy, cliche. 'Corruption' is not a finer example because everything is telecast from a mile away. It's also one of those tales that tries to do it without any preexisting history, background on the villain. You're supposed to be satisfied with a simple setup and be emotionally invested because it involves a main character. It's really an example of episodic tv at it's rushed lazy lowest form.

Det. Briscoe (Orbach) & Curtis (Bratt) are detailed to an undercover drug bust with Lenny's past partner Det. Flynn (Kevin Conway). At the moment of exchange, Flynn call "gun", shots are fired and the suspect is dead. He claims he went for his piece but neither Briscoe, Curtis or other cops as backup saw what really occurred. Curtis digs into it feeling something is off and uncovers a link to a major drug pusher Hector Garcia that goes back to Flynn, Briscoe's days in the 116th precinct. When it becomes clear there's a case of a dirty cop, McCoy (Waterston) goes after him but faces not only issues from the court system, but a man willing to throw old friends under the bus to save himself.

It's hard to be entertained or care when you can predict where the story is going at every point and it isn't done with any real emotional weight. Some history into Briscoe is interesting - his drinking problem explored more, a past girlfriend - but counterbalance that with cliches about cops sticking together, getting their stories straight, mistresses, payoffs, murder for hire, slaps on the wrist. Don't even get me started on that last minute hollow ending meant to deliver a sense of justice, but doesn't. 'Corruption' is as one note as it's title going thru formula paces without any heart.

Law & Order: We Like Mike (1997) Season 7, Episode 20

Do the Right Thing

[7/10 · 28 April 2024]

'Law & Order' in it's prime did sensational cases where the crime was vicious or the details so lurid you'd think it was completely nuts if it wasn't based on reality. On the other hand this episode 'We Like Mike' presents a more down to earth scenario when the initial suspect turns key witness (hence the play on words title). It's this element that is largely it's calling card and fans of 'Band of Brothers' will recognize, appreciate actor Frank John Hughes in an earlier role.

Tiffany (Reiko Aylesworth) waits for her brother to pick her up, but he's late so she decides to leave. Brushing shoulders with Mike Bodack (Hughes) on the way, she's horrified to discovers her brother shot dead up the block in his car. They track Mike down and with circumstantial evidence, he starts to look good for the murder and is arrested. Until it becomes clear Ricky Garcia (Benny Nieves) an Hispanic man with a dragon tattoo on his hand who Mike saw is the real killer. When a confession, evidence gets tossed McCoy (Waterston) and Ross (Lowell) need him more than ever to make the id, but it's a bridge that Mike might not want to cross after he got burned by them.

The theme of getting involved, talking to the police makes for an interesting basis and there's some good developments allow the way that feel real and up the stakes. Mike's willingness to continue doing the right thing is admirable, but perhaps like me you'll feel the ending is a little too clean & pat given what hangs in the balance. I don't know if I'd be so forgiving especially if you wrecked my wedding day, but 'We Like Mike' is a decent episode.

Forensic Files: The List Murders (1996) Season 1, Episode 12

One of 'Files' Best

[9/10 · 27 April 2024]

In the halls of chilling true crime stories 'The List Murders' is really up there. To kill your whole family and take the time to compose a letter explaining your reasoning is next level cuckoo. Of course you don't stick around to face responsibility. You take off and go about living your new life under an assumed name until forensic science helps catch up with you and gets you the delayed justice you so awfully deserve. The man was sick. John List was true evil.

What must be going on in the head of a person that killing their family is their only way out. Lose your job, can't pay the bills, can't go on welfare. Plan everything out a whole month in advance. You can read that he was socially awkward, religious to a fault and he professes that he didn't commit suicide after the horrible acts because he wouldn't go to heaven and be reunited with his family. Since when did heaven start letting in people who commit multiple murders? I love how he appealed a bunch of times and made excuses for his actions repeatedly.

'Forensic Files' has covered a lot of cases quite well, but the reenactments here are really eerie in addition to the always stellar narration by Peter Thomas. Plus the fantastic bust work done by Frank Bender that's so close to what he looked like when caught it's crazy. It's also not an episode for the queasy. They show crime scene photos that are violent, quite brutal. There's also a vintage look into another staple of this genre in 'America's Most Wanted' with John Walsh that gets it's credit for putting away one of social's worst once again.

Forensic Files: Double Cross (2008) Season 13, Episode 5

Navy Trifecta

[7/10 · 27 April 2024]

The US Navy in the early to mid 90's was a treasure trove for true crime. 'Law & Order' took stabs at fictional retellings of the 'Tailhook' scandal and the fallout over female aviator Lt. Kelly Flinn involving cheating which undid her poster girl status. 'Forensic Files' of course sticks firmly to the non-fiction side of things, but tell me after the fact if you think two devious minds went looking for a payday based in large part due to that first controversy I mentioned.

This 22 minutes piece of 'Forensic Files' sports an intriguing element and Peter Thomas's fantastic voiceover as usual, but it becomes clear what the real story is quickly. 'Double Cross' reminds you why criminals can't beat science, solid investigations from law enforcement. Things don't add, the evidence doesn't support the story being told by the sole witness. I don't gain pleasure from the outcome for one person here, but I wonder if in their last moments of life they realized how far their co-offender was willing to take this scheme.

Law & Order: Causa Mortis (1996) Season 7, Episode 1

Everyday Insanity

[7/10 · 27 April 2024]

You see it all the time - family members leaping to the defense of a criminal - on the nighty news. It's an oddly amusing, irritating mix of human psychology that gives 'Causa Mortis' it's best moments. What does it say - how damaged in the head - must one be to view cold blooded murder as acceptable? A murder I might add for the sole benefit of a car and everyone is in on the idea! Calling these people human trash is an understatement.

Maureen Rankin (Rebecca Nelson) a teacher and mother of four tries to talk an attacker down in vain. Det. Briscoe (Orbach) & Curtis (Bratt) make id quickly because her car is reported stolen and a tape of her last moments yields clues to the identity of the suspect. When they find the car it's been sold to Anna (Cyndi Cartagena) who wants it to drive her mother (Divina Cook) to work. Then it becomes clear the guy who "sold" it is her fiance Fernando Salva (Víctor Sierra) and they knew of the entire plan. Now McCoy (Waterston) and his new ADA Jamie Ross (Lowell) try to punish the guilty as evidence gets tossed out and justice looks like it might go unserved.

Another of L&O's episodes "ripped from the headlines" the glue to 'Causa Mortis' is the lack of remorse. As Ross's debut, it's clearly a showcase for her but it's the lying, silence & complicity that is the strongest element. Save up money to buy a car? Nah I'll preplan a murder, carjacking and spent $500 on a phony vehicle registration then bash a random person's head in. It'd be crazy if only stuff like this didn't happen and you didn't see these people on the news semi-regularly.

Law & Order: Conduct Unbecoming (1993) Season 3, Episode 17

Watered Down

[6/10 · 25 April 2024]

Catching up on random history is sometimes time well spent. I'm sitting watching a vintage episode of 'The Simpsons' when a joke gets made about the 'Tailhook scandal'. Not knowing what is it lead me down a rabbit hole that included a long read, eventually lead me here. 'Conduct Unbecoming' is the fictionalized tale of the event, but 'Law & Order' bumps up the stakes to murder. It doesn't make for a bad watch, but it's also a rather simple straightforward slice of the pie and less interesting that the entire event, fallout it's based on.

At a NYC hotel Navy officers have a party that gets out of control and one of their own - Lt. Tracy Hagen - is found dead. Briscoe (Orbach) & Logan (Noth) have to fight lies to find the guilty as do Stone (Moriarty) & Robinette (Brooks) battle the bureaucratic nature of the US military with a tendency to protect it's own. An ensign who drunkenly tried to have sex with the deceased ends up confessing. The Navy is satisfied he's their man, but further digging uncovers Cpt. Bunker (Len Cariou) had a antagonistic past with this female officer, was at the party and they spoke privately before her death.

The event which this was based highlights the "old boys club". Outdated sexist monogynist attitudes towards women where abuse, harassment & sexual assaults are kept quiet, brushed aside, never reported. Then of course the bungled government investigation, media frenzy where an image was left of protecting it's highest ranking men in the wrong. This episode touches on select pieces of the fiasco, but it feels relatively surface level at best. It's all about finding the killer and less about the different elements that surround, lead to it. They're window dressing at most.

'Conduct Unbecoming' is a serviceable whodunit using a topical theme "ripped from the headlines", but it's not amongst L&O best work. It's also one of those episodes that doesn't make it hard to guess who is the bad guy based on the guest spots. A young Julianna Margulies puts in an early role and seeing George Coe (Best Seller) play another lawyer you love to hate was fun. They'd return to this Navy world again seasons later with 'Navy Blues' and I thought it did a better job of presenting it's theme, bag of lies and military ignorance rooted in reality.

A Peek of Pandora (1999 Video)

Ride It, Pandora

[7/10 · 24 April 2024]

It used to be common business practice for adult films to release R rated versions to DVD and tv markets in addition to it's X rated original and 'A Peek of Pandora' is a perfect example. One cut features explicit kitty spreads, oral action, dildo insertions and the other obviously does not. As either a fan of Pandora Peaks or naked ladies in general, I recommend you check out the uncensored if for no other reason to be honest about what the allure really is here.

Each lady has a solo to begin that also double as interviews (mostly in voiceover). First up is the titular lady in a black top, pink skirt. Then things get naughty in matching red tube top, pants. Naturally a lot of focus goes to Pandora's huge enhanced rack, but I appreciated the close-ups of her kitty (14.5 mins). I'm not a big fan of talking over a scene, but this continues as Rayveness strips from matching bra, panties. Nice visuals - inserts her fingers, spreads and hits a variety of poses (9.5 mins). Last but not least is Polish beauty Envy talks about herself, sex as she gets down to wearing nothing. Again plenty of poses, spreads her kitty, inserts a finger, etc (7 mins).

A backyard scene involving all three has a mix of kissing, rubbing boobs as bikinis come off. Pandora in the middle is the obvious focus and the money shot comes when she mounts a dildo and rides it for a good minute or so. The other two ladies then follow suit briefly before Pandora turns around, pops her butt towards the camera and takes the dildo being shoved into her again from behind. It's a long scene with chunks of time that aren't super hot, but it delivers where it counts and hearing them moan helps (24 mins).

Pandora goes solo again rubbing a rose over her breasts (box cover) in a black leather S&M costume on a bed. She talks, strikes some poses and there's closeups before Rayveness joins her and starts slapping her ass. It moves from sucking on Pandora's boobs to her getting some oral (11.5 mins). Now in a bathtub all three get soapy and wet which is always a hot. Pandora's massive boobs look pretty nice and a brief moment where Rayveness gives Envy oral isn't bad. The oral theme continues and being able to hear the ladies moan over the background music enhances the mood again (14 mins).

'A Peek of Pandora' contains the lady's only "hard" content and was easily the most looked forward to portion of this video when I first saw it. Already a fan of softcore, really busty ladies and familiar with Pandora Peaks, I probably fit their target audience. Decent solos deliver a level of explicitness and the girl/girl scenes kick things up a notch. It's not wall to wall sizzling, but the camera work is good just make sure you see the proper version.

Law & Order: Attorney Client (2002) Season 12, Episode 22

Butterball Turkey

[5/10 · 24 April 2024]

I happened to sit down for 'Attorney Client' and not thinking highly of it thought why not salvage something from the viewing, do a review. OG 'Law & Order' had plenty of memorable episodes especially during it's earlier run, but it also had many for the mediocre side. This happens to be one of those times. It goes thru their typical formula, but the story is pedestrian without any real satisfying moments and the main cast is left to go thru the motions.

A lady shot dead in her car turns out to be the wife of defense attorney Harold Jensen (Peter Friedman). Notions of a carjacking, former client are looked at and produce one solid lead. When he's found to be not involved, the work of Det. Briscoe (Orbach) & Green (Martin) turn up an exotic dancer Jasmine (Annie Parisse) and her boyfriend Bobby (Victor Verhaeghe) who have connections to either the lawyer himself or his wife. Suddenly a picture starts to emerge that Jensen might have killed her and tried to throw off the scent.

Defense lawyers make for good villains with little to no work, but the tale is a predictable whodunit with or without this element. Issues of infidelity, divorce, frame job pop up on route to a simple finish. Speaking of such, it ends on an odd note like we haven't heard the last from this guilty party. It's like they tried to create energy out of a nothing moment or when someone knows they're the idiot but have to get in the last word to save face. Of course Parisse pops up here in a early role before going on to portray ADA Borgia for the 15th season too.

Law & Order: Venom (1998) Season 9, Episode 7

Sick Parade

[7/10 · 23 April 2024]

Sometimes 'Law & Order' used true stories as a jump off point for their tales and 'Venom' has one of the more sicker cases. Murderous men sometimes seem like a dime a dozen, but a woman - especially the black widow type - standout. The lack of conscious, the lust for greed and manipulating, grooming your son into becoming your accomplice makes it all the more vile. Built around the crimes of Sante & Kenny Kimes drops the background of abuse, neglect that created a monster & inserts a sexual component that is just disgusting.

Liann Crosby (Laila Robins) is wounded by a gunshot, her male escort killed where it first appears the latter was the target. Soon the picture emerges that the shooter was Dennis Pollock (Matt Keeslar) a young husband to the widowed wealthy much older Joyce Pollock (Penny Fuller). It smells like an affair going on he was trying to keep under wraps. So what a bombshell is it when it's discovered that Dennis is actually Liann's son and digging uncovers a long criminal history defrauding, killing people that come into their lives and two people very mentally unwell.

There's a fair number of L&O episodes that are made / broken on a last minute reveal or a satisfying piece of resolution, but 'Venom' doesn't get that honor. It's big surprise comes just past the halfway mark. Of the main cast, Abbie (Angie Harmon) gets to sink her teeth into the material the most, but reoccurring Dr. Skoda (JK Simmons) has an efficient piece too. The ending isn't shocking because you can sense it a mile away, but at least the real case it was based on served maximum justice. If you have a distaste for awful people, pathological liars this episode is a treat.

Law & Order: Agony (1998) Season 9, Episode 5

Imperfect Justice

[6/10 · 23 April 2024]

'Agony' is one of those episodes with a list of suspects, lies & elements - divorce, S&M, drugs, cold cases, jealously, multiple jurisdictions, plea deals - by the boatload. It quickly narrows into a picture of a serial killer on the loose. If you're like me it's the second half where you'll find the story comes awfully close to not making sense, losing you. The thing not in question is it let's ADA Carmichael (Angie Harmon) really sink her teeth into feeling personally involved.

Det. Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) & Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) on the scene of a mailman murder discover a second victim Catherine 'Kitty' Lansing (Christina Haag) barely hanging onto life. The primary suspect her separated husband is ruled out. They arrest Bergstrom (Chris Mullen) with a prior incident of almost killing a lady (charges were dropped) and it appears they have a serial killer in custody. After Kitty recovers and leaves the hospital though, she gets a threatening note which couldn't have come from him and points to it being someone closer than a stranger.

There's clues sprinkled along the way - sort of stuff easily missed - that yes when put together lead back to the guilty parties. Some of it rings true while one piece feels like it should have been looked into sooner. It's the serial killer subplot that stumbles. You have to accept that he's willing to plea to crimes in NYC not involved in to avoid possibility of extradition, death penalty. However up until this point everything has shown he's meticulous for details, doesn't leave evidence behind so why this concerns him so much feels lightweight.

Ultimately 'Agony' gets by on twists, nods to McCoy's (Waterston) bending of the rules in the past and Harmon. Her body language almost rivals some of the juicy dialog she's given and a palpable level of disgust. Of course she's the first ADA fiercely in support of the death penalty as well. It's an episode that comes down to legal bluffs, emotions and a killer that so hates women that he can't bear to see Abbie have any power or control over him.

Cocaine Cowboys 2 (2008)

Brush With Greatness

[5/10 · 23 April 2024]

Director Billy Corben struck gold with 'Cocaine Cowboys' so naturally he followed up with a sequel 'Hustlin' With the Godmother' two years later and ... it's a big step down. We all know horrible characters make for the best true crime so once again top dog Griselda Blanco's tale gets explored. The problem is when it's not recycling facts, interviews from the original doc, the focus goes to Charles Cosby and his involvement with the infamous lady. Much of it is either unverified, bragging or mundane.

After things fall apart in Miami, Griselda relocates to California but the DEA catch up to her. After a trial in 1985 she's sentenced to 15 years and it's front page news. Small time Oakland drug dealer Charles Cosby sees this, starts idolizing her and in the early 90's ends up writing to her behind bars. It leaves an impression on the woman and they strike up a relationship. Even incarcerated she's calling the shots and her empire is still doing $40 million worth of drug business a year and now Cosby works for, sexes the lady he once only knew by reputation.

It can't be downplayed how much is filler. Listening to her #1 hitman "Rivi" Ayala from the same interview taken behind bars again. Same snippets with Blanco's former lawyer Luis Casuso, DEA Agent Bob Palombo, Miami police officers Al Singleton & Nelson Andreu. Then you have some silly animated cutscenes and words from some of Cosby's associates to fill the air. There's no denying Charles knew Griselda, was involved with her but there's an eager energy here to feel more important, bigger than I suspect he actually was. None of the interviews bring him up. It's always Cosby talking about himself. Lots of vintage pics, camcorder vids hyping his own exploits.

At the end of the day, CC2 'Hustlin' With the Godmother' remains passably because of Blanco and Rivi. Plus the whole thing is only 90 minutes long. Though once again Cosby's tale doesn't add anything new, anything of real substance to Blanco's tale and running thru his life story, filling in blanks about the women herself is up for question. He's also not the smartest cat if you believe what he has to say. Stick with the original 'Cocaine Cowboys' particularly the 'Reloaded' cut.