Euro-crime: policier, polar, poliziesco all'italiana, poliziottesco/poliziotteschi

[Paul L]

Videogames no longer interest me. That would be an expensive bluray player.

Scott, if I could buy you a cheapo Blu-ray player and send it to the US affordably, believe me, I would. They can be bought for peanuts over here in the UK.

[Scott]

Videogames no longer interest me. That would be an expensive bluray player.

[Darcy Parker]

It was great, definitely up there with VIOLENT NAPLES and THE CYNIC THE RAT AND THE FIST. Just ridiculously fun, even when viewed through a shit transfer.

I saw that double feature BD and I really want to see WEAPONS OF DEATH. Once I can swing it I'm going to get Blu-Ray player and get it along with a bunch of other stuff. It's weird to say but one of the reasons I've held off is because I know I'll buy more stuff! I also got off the upgrade train a long time ago. The last video game system I owned was a PS2. I got tired of constantly buying new hardware, I'd rather spend that money on content instead. And most of the Euro BD's a lot more than a standard dvd. But I guess that's the premium you have to pay to get a niche product. Hopefully when the time comes this double feature along with the Lenzi Giallo set and dozen other discs I've been eyeballin' will still be available.

Ironically, if you'd upgraded to a PS3, you'd have a blu-Ray player!

[Scott]

KILLER COP is excellent. Very much focused on a theme of terrorism and with an unusual lead character, in terms of Cassinelli's bookish performance (as compared with the macho Merli pictures of the same era).

I wasn't sure how much I'd like the more serious euro crime pics but in some ways I like them more, the themes and the tone stick with me longer.

[Paul L]

So a month ago (or maybe two now?) I watched KILLER COP and thought it was fantastic. It's always great to see a movie that has music featured on the old BERETTA 70 compilation. I've known the music for so much longer than the films they came from and it's always a joy to finally see the movies.

I've had TO KILL A JUDGE sitting here ever since but just haven't been in a movie watching mood.

KILLER COP is excellent. Very much focused on a theme of terrorism and with an unusual lead character, in terms of Cassinelli's bookish performance (as compared with the macho Merli pictures of the same era).

HOW TO KILL A JUDGE is excellent but slightly overlong, imo.

[Scott]

So a month ago (or maybe two now?) I watched KILLER COP and thought it was fantastic. It's always great to see a movie that has music featured on the old BERETTA 70 compilation. I've known the music for so much longer than the films they came from and it's always a joy to finally see the movies.

I've had TO KILL A JUDGE sitting here ever since but just haven't been in a movie watching mood.

[Scott]

It was great, definitely up there with VIOLENT NAPLES and THE CYNIC THE RAT AND THE FIST. Just ridiculously fun, even when viewed through a shit transfer.

I saw that double feature BD and I really want to see WEAPONS OF DEATH. Once I can swing it I'm going to get Blu-Ray player and get it along with a bunch of other stuff. It's weird to say but one of the reasons I've held off is because I know I'll buy more stuff! I also got off the upgrade train a long time ago. The last video game system I owned was a PS2. I got tired of constantly buying new hardware, I'd rather spend that money on content instead. And most of the Euro BD's a lot more than a standard dvd. But I guess that's the premium you have to pay to get a niche product. Hopefully when the time comes this double feature along with the Lenzi Giallo set and dozen other discs I've been eyeballin' will still be available.

[Andrew Monroe]

SPECIAL COP was fantastic! Watched it via a dreary VHS rip on youtube but it hit every single spot. I am going nuts now. I want to see every single movie Merli was in. Thanks, Andrew!

Glad you liked it! It's definitely one of my favorites. Dorado Films released it on BD as part of a double feature with WEAPONS OF DEATH (another good one), but both films are kinda worn and not restored at all.

[Scott]

SPECIAL COP was fantastic! Watched it via a dreary VHS rip on youtube but it hit every single spot. I am going nuts now. I want to see every single movie Merli was in. Thanks, Andrew!

[Andrew Monroe]

SPECIAL COP IN ACTION is right up there among Merli's best, imo Scott. If you liked those others, you'll dig it I'm certain. It has one of Franco Micalizzi's best scores too. VIOLENT ROME and HIGH CRIME are top notch as well.

Edit - By the way, VIOLENT ROME and SPECIAL COP IN ACTION were directed by Marino Girolami, Enzo G. Castellari's father! That's what the G stands for. I actually prefer Papa G's films.

[Scott]

Yesterday I finally got to see ROME ARMED TO THE TEETH! And it was just a fun as everyone said it is. At the beginning of my euro crime journey I had only seen the Enzo G flicks put out by Blue underground and a couple other titles. Now that's I've seen VIOLENT NAPLES, ROME ARMED TO THE TEETH and THE CYNIC THE RAT AND THE FIST along with some other Lenzi and Merli flicks I feel like I have a totally different appreciation of the genre. It's hard to top the fun of those three titles above. But please let me know if anything else comes close!

I still need to see VIOLENT ROME and HIGH CRIME, among many others I'm sure.

[Andrew Monroe]

"(aside from Antonio Sabato maybe)"

I liked him him better here then in the Lenzi movies but yeah he just rubs me the wrong way. After seeing Mike Malloy's EURO CRIME doc it's clear he's just and ass.

Yeah, he comes across as an egotistical jerk in any interview with him I've seen. He sure has a high opinion of himself but the truth is he's almost always bland and boring and the inevitable weak link in any cast.

[Scott]

Salerno was great in this and EXECUTION SQUAD, I'm glad I saw both of them. Paluzzi was really good too. She kinda goes missing in the last third which is too bad. Giovanna Ralli seemed more integral to the plot of DAUGHTERS.

"(aside from Antonio Sabato maybe)"

I liked him him better here then in the Lenzi movies but yeah he just rubs me the wrong way. After seeing Mike Malloy's EURO CRIME doc it's clear he's just and ass.

[Andrew Monroe]

I watched CALLING ALL POLICE CARS via the Mya WITHOUT TRACE disc. Thanks again Andrew, this was exactly what I was looking for! Perfect blend of cops and giallo. Like everyone says it was very similar to WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOUR DAUGHTERS?, with the social worker lady taking a big part in the investigation and everything. Tons of nudity but never felt as sleazy as other pics.

I thought the Mya disc was fine but I'm not really a stickler for this stuff, as long as the aspect ratio is right and it's uncut and not terribly faded I'm usually satisfied.

I'm glad you liked it, Scott. It's a pretty underrated film really, should be better known. Great cast (aside from Antonio Sabato maybe), Luciana Paluzzi and another outstanding performance from Enrico Maria Salerno. He's one of my favorite actors. The only thing I don't like about it is the lame score by Lallo Gori. One of the worst Italian composers.

[Scott]

I watched CALLING ALL POLICE CARS via the Mya WITHOUT TRACE disc. Thanks again Andrew, this was exactly what I was looking for! Perfect blend of cops and giallo. Like everyone says it was very similar to WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOUR DAUGHTERS?, with the social worker lady taking a big part in the investigation and everything. Tons of nudity but never felt as sleazy as other pics.

I thought the Mya disc was fine but I'm not really a stickler for this stuff, as long as the aspect ratio is right and it's uncut and not terribly faded I'm usually satisfied.