Hangman (2017)

Hangman (2017)

C – 98m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Hangman: The Killing Game
Starring: Al Pacino, Karl Urban, Brittany Snow, Sarah Shahi, Joe Anderson, Michael Papajohn, Steve Coulter and Michael Rose.

A homicide detective teams up with a criminal profiler to catch a serial killer whose crimes are inspired by the children’s game Hangman. The premise of the film is fairly simple and therefore could have been good or sucked. Thankfully it is the former. This reviewer is on the fence as to the star rating for the film. Due to being impressed with how well the suspense was built several times this could easily fallen into the 3.5 star rating, however, to play it safe it is at the very least the three stars indicated. The acting is satisfactory though unremarkable, though Al Pacino appears to be gliding through the film with his performance. This reviewer also has the nagging question of: Why does Pacino have a semi–Southern accent and no one else does? That point is never explained and is the only major complaint about the film for this reviewer. As noted the suspense is well built, particularly during the train track sequence. The story is basic but serves its purpose well. Worth a look.  

Trivia: This is the 9th time Al Pacino has played a police detective or law enforcement agent. The others were: Serpico (1973), Cruising (1980), Sea Of Love (1989), Heat (1995), Insomnia (2002), 88 Minutes (2007), Righteous Kill (2008), and Son Of No One (2011). This is the second time Joe Anderson was in a serial killer plotted project. The first was the television show: Hannibal (2013–2015).

Rated: [R] – Violent Content, Bloody Images, & Language|
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Frank Sinatra Detective Films (1968/1977/1980)

In 1968, after two outings as Tony Rome in: Tony Rome (1967) and Lady In Cement (1968), Frank Sinatra opted out of doing the third book in that series as a movie in favor of doing a film that pitted him against homosexual men: The Detective (1968). 

The Detective (1968)

C – 114m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Novel: The Detective by Roderick Thorp
Screenplay By: Abby Mann
Dir.: Gordon Douglas
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Lee Remick, Ralph Meeker, Jack Klugman, Horace McMahon, Lloyd Bochner, William Windom, Tony Musante, Al Freeman, Jr., Robert Duvall, Pat Henry, Sugar Ray Robinson, Renee Taylor, Tom Atkins, Jacqueline Bisset, Earl Montgomery, George Plimpton, Joe Santos, Diane Sayer, Philip Sterling and Peter York.
Music By: Jerry Goldsmith

A police detective tries to solve the murder of a homosexual man and finds links to corruption in New York City (NYC) and spends time in the world of Sex and Drugs, as he follows the clues. Soap-ish Sinatra film isn’t terrible but isn’t anything special either. Anyone who is a gay rights supporter may be offended by this one. 

Trivia: There was an unconfirmed rumor that Bette Midler was an uncredited Girl At Party in the film. Roderick Thorp wrote a sequel titled, Nothing Lasts Forever. It was later retooled are made into a movie titled, Die Hard (1988). Since Frank Sinatra’s contract for The Detective (1968) gave him first option to play the part in a sequel, he was offered the role in Die Hard despite being 72 at the time. As a bonus: Bruce Willis made his film debut in the Frank Sinatra film, The First Deadly Sin (1980). Sinatra and his then wife Mia Farrow were supposed to star in this film together. When she backed out due to another film she was in being behind schedule in filming, Sinatra cast Jacqueline Bisset instead and served Mia divorce papers on the set of Rosemay’s Baby (1968), after she chose to do that film against his wishes.

Rated: [R] (Original Rating) / [NOT RATED] (Rerated)
Out Of Print on VHS and Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Nine years after: The Detective (1968), Frank Sinatra made another cop drama: Contract On Cherry Street (1977).

Contract On Cherry Street (1977)

C – 145m
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 – Fullscreen
A.K.A.: Stakeout On Cherry Street
Written For Television By: Edward Anhalt
Novel By: Philip Rosenberg (as Phillip Rosenberg)
Dir.: William A. Graham
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Martin Balsam, Joe De Santis, Martin Gabel, Harry Guardino, Henry Silva, Richard Ward, Robert Davi, Jimmy Boyd, Randy Jurgensen, Michael Stroka and Jilly Rizzo.
Music By: Jerry Goldsmith

When his partner is killed, a New York City Police Department (NYPD) Detective and his crime squad go after the mob despite the legal restrictions against them and the protests voiced by the detective’s superiors. Solid little made for television police thriller features no nonsense characters and a basic 1970’s plot. Sinatra and the rest of the capable cast are in fine form. The only quibble is slight over–length. It may be by the numbers but it is still slick for its kind.

Trivia: Frank Sinatra made this film because it was one of his late mother’s favorite novels. He produced the film through his production company: Artanis. The film was shot entirely on location in New York City, New York (NYC). As such, it was in production during the New York Blackout on July 13 – 14, 1977. Sinatra was given a round of applause on the set because he walked down 20 floors from his penthouse to shoot a scene, he was 61 at the time. A theatrical release outside of the United States was considered but was abandoned.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy.

Frank Sinatra made one more police detective film: The First Deadly Sin (1980).

The First Deadly Sin (1980)

C – 112m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The 1st Deadly Sin
Novel: The First Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders
Screenplay By: Mann Rubin
Dir.: Brian G. Hutton
Exec. Pro.: Frank Sinatra
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Faye Dunaway, David Dukes, Martin Gabel, James Whitmore, Joe Spinell, Richard Backus and Bruce Willis.
Music By: Gordon Jenkins

A New York City, New York Police Inspector who has a dying wife and is near retirement himself tracks down a killer that is stalking the streets of New York. Morbidly entertaining police detective drama features a fine cast and a wonderful score by Gordon Jenkins. Fairly good suspense is built but one can see where Roman Polanski would have elevated this further.

Personal note: I had the honor and pleasure of meeting actor – writer Richard Backus, his daughter was one of my teachers while I was in school. He was gracious enough to answer all my questions about how Sinatra was to work with, and questions about another film he, Backus, starred in: Deathdream (1974). Although his scene was deleted he gave a very good description of the set and the atmosphere as people readied for Sinatra’s presence.

Trivia: This film was originally announced as a Don Siegal film by Columbia Pictures back in 1974. Roman Polanski was supposed to direct this but after the news of his rape case broke Columbia Pictures dropped him and Brian G. Hutton replaced him. Fay Dunaway previously worked with Polanski on Chinatown (1974). This was the final lead role that Frank Sinatra did in a theatrically released film and is also the final film of actor Martin Gabel. Gabel and Sinatra previously worked together on Lady In Cement (1968) and Contract On Cherry Street (1977). This was also the third and final film of Frank Sinatra’s production company, Artanis Productions Inc. The other two were: None But The Brave (1965) and Contract On Cherry Street (1977). This was also the final musical teaming of Frank Sinatra and Gordon Jenkins. The book’s ending is much more grand and epic than the ending the film has. Marlon Brando was offered the lead role but he rejected it.

Rated: [R]

Available on DVD & Digital Copy through: The Warner Archive Collection.

Jessie Stone Films

Stone Cold (2005)

C – 87m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Stone Cold
Jesse Stone: Stone Cold
Dir.: Robert Harmon
Novel By: Robert B. Parker
Starring: Tom Selleck, Jane Adams, Reg Rogers, Viola Davis, Alexis Dziena, Kohl Sudduth, Polly Shannon, Stephen McHattie, Shawn Roberts, Alex House, and Mimi Rogers.

A New England Police Chief investigates a series of murders and a rape of a teenage woman minor. This made for television movie is a slick but deliberately paced adaption of the best selling novel. It offers up some genuine laughs, some touching moments and a few surprises. After repeated viewings it is by the numbers of course. Swell acting and beautiful scenery help boost this to solid entertainment. There is a particularly funny subplot with Jesse Stone’s dog here.

Trivia: The fictional town of Paradise, Massachusetts, where the film / novel takes place, is supposedly a caricature of Marblehead, Massachusetts. And despite the aforementioned trivia, the film was shot in Ontario, Canada.

Rated: [R] – Violent Content, Some Sexuality, Nudity, & Brief Drug Use
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Night Passage (2006)

C – 89m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Night Passage
Jesse Stone: Night Passage
Novel By: Robert B. Parker
Starring: Tom Selleck, Saul Rubinek, Viola Davis, Kohl Sudduth, Polly Shannon, Mike Starr, Stephen McHattie and Stephen Baldwin.

Jesse Stone relocates from Los Angeles, California to Paradise, Massachusetts and finds himself in the midst of a couple of mysteries, one involving a former cop. Although this is the second Jesse Stone film made, it is the prequel to the first one, Stone Cold (2005). As such, it may make more sense to view this one first. That said, this is a rather sorry entry in the series after such a fine start with Stone Cold. The characters from the first film are more developed given their backstory here but little else comes of it. Pacing is once again an issue, this time more so. Tom Selleck, Stephen Baldwin, Viola Davis and Mike Starr are a treat as always though. A subplot with Jesse Stone’s dog that was funny in the first film is rather sad here. Despite this reviewer’s rather low opinion of this prequel, it should be noted that this reviewer sees the value of its inclusion in the television Jesse Stone cannon.

Trivia: Mike Starr’s brother Beau Starr previously appeared in the television adaption of Thin Air (2000), another Robert B. Parker novel that coexists with Jesse Stone.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Death In Paradise (2006)

C – 87m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Death In Paradise
Jesse Stone: Death In Paradise
Novel: Death In Paradise by Robert B. Parker
Starring: Tom Selleck, Viola Davis, Kohl Sudduh, Orla Brady, Gary Basaraba, John Deihl, Mae Whitman, Edward Edwards, Stephen McHattie and William Devane.

The body of a 14 year old girl is found in a lake, a man beats his wife and someone is a tad to close to his biographer who has something to do with, “helping,” underage kids. These are just a few loose ends of a far spread mystery that Jesse Stone must tie together. Well–done, third made–for–television film in the Jesse Stone franchise boasts of fine acting, excellent pacing and nice scenery. There are even a few slightly startling images here too.

Trivia: The novel actually takes place before Stone Cold, but a scene of Jesse visiting the grave of Polly Shannon’s character was added to change it to after for this made for television movie.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Sea Change (2007)

C – 88m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Sea Change
Jesse Stone: Sea Change
Novel: Sea Change by Robert B. Parker
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Rebecca Pidgeon, Sean Young, Mika Boorem, Stephen McHattie, William Sadler, Viola Davis, William DeVane

Jesse Stone’s relationship with his ex–wife takes a turn for the worse so he decides to investigate a murder to keep from relapsing into alcoholism. His life is further complicated when he is put at odds with the town council over a rape investigation. The fourth made–for–television film in the Jesse Stone franchise is nothing special but still not bad. The cast is in fine form but the movie is strictly formula.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009)

C – 88m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Thin Ice
Characters By: Robert B. Parker
Dir.: Robert Harmon
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Leslie Hope, Stephen McHattie, William Sadler and William Devane.

During an unauthorized stakeout in Boston, Massachusetts Jesse Stone and Captain Healy are shot. Meanwhile a mother of a missing son, who has been declared dead, in Paradise, Massachusetts receives a letter that leads her to Stone. She hopes it will reopen the case in spite of her son being declared dead. The fifth made–for–television installment in the Jesse Stone series is the first film not to be adapted from a novel by Robert B. Parker, but rather it uses his characters. The film is engaging and keeps a good pace. Performances are for the most part good, but hardly worth mentioning given how well everything else works.  

Trivia: This film was shot in 2007 but did not air until 2009.
Available on DVD & Digital Copy  

Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010)

C – 87m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: No Remorse
Characters By: Robert B. Parker
Co–Screenwriter: Tom Selleck
Dir.: Mark Harmon
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Stephen McHattie, William Sadler, Mae Whitman and William Devane.

Suspended Police Chief Jesse Stone begins moonlighting for his friend Commander Healy by investigating murders in Boston, Massachusetts. Meanwhile Rose and Suitcase are working on a series of murders in Paradise, Massachusetts. Jesse Stone gives his all to the cases while trying to swear off booze and women but when the trail leads to a mob boss, Jesse may be in deep trouble. The sixth made – for – television Jesse Stone franchise entry is again, not from a novel by Robert B. Parker, though it does use his characters. The film is formula but has a good pace and good performances. One trivia note: The watch Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone wears in this film is the same one he wore in Magnum P.I. Seasons 4 – 8.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011)

C – 91m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost
Characters By: Robert B. Parker
Co–Screenwriter: Tom Selleck
Dir.: Dick Lowry
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Gloria Reuben, Stephen McHattie, William Sadler and William Devane.

Jesse Stone is forced into retirement only to investigate the suspicious death of a young friend. Meanwhile the Police of Paradise, Massachusetts contend with a S.O.B. of a new Police Chief. The seventh made–for–television Jesse Stone franchise entry is again not from a novel by Robert B. Parker but does use his characters. This one has fine pacing, good acting and a good script. The down side is that it is by the numbers. For some that may bring comfort though. Also: How much guilt tripping over the dog can viewer stand?

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt (2012)

C – 90m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt
Characters By: Robert B. Parker
Co–Screenwriter: Tom Selleck
Dir.: Robert Harmon
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kathy Baker, Kohl Sudduth, Gloria Reuben, Stephen McHattie, William Sadler, Robert Carradine and William Devane.

After the Sheriff who replaced Jesse Stone is killed in an explosion in the cop car, Jesse Stone comes out of involuntary retirement to investigate the murder; only to find out he must solve the murder himself because all the other officers left the department. The eighth made–for–television Jesse Stone franchise entry is not from a novel by Robert B. Parker but uses his characters. This is a suspenseful and engaging, by the numbers entry, with a fantastic pace and good acting. On a trivia note: a small portion of the Boston, Massachusetts set film, The Last Hurrah (1958) plays on a television screen. This supposedly signaled to the audience that this might have been the final Jesse Stone outing.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Jesse Stone: Lost In Paradise (2015)

C – 86m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone: Lost In Paradise
Characters By: Robert B. Parker
Co–Screenwriter: Tom Selleck
Dir.: Robert Harmon
Starring: Tom Selleck, Kohl Sudduth, Gloria Reuben, Leslie Hope, William Sadler and William Devane.

Jesse hunts a serial killer in Boston, Massachusetts and worries over a wayward teen in Paradise, Massachusetts. The ninth made – for – television Jesse Stone franchise entry is once again not from a novel by Robert B. Parker, but does uses his characters. By the numbers entry is still enjoyable. Gone are most of the characters from the series but what remains is a pretty good cold case mystery.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy