Category Archives: Violent

2002, Based on true facts, Basically Sad, Book Review, Conspiracy, Disturbing Image, Ethical struggles, Grim, Historical Fiction, Love Story, Murder Investigation, Revenge, Sadism, Spanish, Torture, Violent

El Peso del Silencio (2002) [Book Review]

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Written in Spanish with no English translation available, you can purchase this book for your kindle. Jordi Sierra I Fabra, the author who lives in Spain, wrote the book in 2002.

Brief summary: Agustín Serradell, a dying Spanish millionaire, proposes to pay a Spanish journalist, Daniel Ros, to travel to Chile in order to find the grave of Serradell’s son Santiago who was tortured and killed by Pinochet’s henchmen. Ros agrees. Many adventures await Daniel Ros in Chile as he tries to find the son, his only starting clues coming from a recently released CIA document. That document points to three men involved directly in the torture and murder. Ros will begin his effort by trying to locate those three men. Here I stop the summary so that I don’t present you with any “spoilers”. Rest assured there are many surprise twists and turns as the story progresses.

In order to appreciate the background of the Pinochet era in Chile a bit of history is in order. Here my source is chiefly the book “Overthrow” by Stephen Kinzer (Henry Holt and Company, 2006).

Beginning in 1964 the CIA spent $3 million in Chile to help Eduardo Frei win an election against the nationalist Salvador Allende. Because the U.S. also gave $163 million in American military aid, the U.S. felt it had earned legitimate control of Chile. Kennedy had promoted his Alliance for Progress in order to encourage Latin America’s “democratic left”. Nixon hated Kennedy and decided to counteract this Alliance for Progress by supporting instead the business elite and military. Allende wanted to nationalize industry and return to Chile control over its own resources such as copper and the telephone company. American ambassador Korry and the CIA, urged on by Kissinger and David Rockefeller, asked Nixon for permission to wage a “spoiling” campaign against Allende. “Spoiling” meant planting propaganda in newspapers, stirring up fear of Communism, and supporting rightist candidates. Despite such efforts Chileans elected Allende. Nixon then ordered CIA director Helms to prevent Allende from coming to power. Effort One was to encourage President Frei to deny the election. Frei refused. Effort Two was to foment a military coup. Kissinger directed this effort. Despite objections from members of the CIA and the State Department, Kissinger and Nixon were determined to use bloody chaos to achieve their ends. Part of the CIA’s standard methodology for overthrowing a government is to destroy the country’s economy and blame the failure on the targeted victim, even if this means bringing severe deprivation to the population. Another tactic is to defeat military supporters of the targeted victim. In fact the U.S. delivered weapons to Chilean conspirators who assassinated Allende’s loyal supporter General Schneider. Chilean citizens were outraged by the murder staged by America and determined to remain loyal to Chilean democratic principles despite such American interference. After Allende’s inauguration many leading American companies active in Chile (ITT, Anaconda, Firestone, Pfizer, Bank of America, etc) joined in the effort to unseat Allende. Washington columnist Jack Anderson exposed 24 ITT internal memos which brought the “ITT Papers” scandal against Nixon. Helms was convicted of perjury when he lied about CIA involvement. Schneider’s successor, General Prats was a strict constitutionalist and defeated a CIA tank coup against Allende. In retaliation the CIA stated public and violent demonstration against Prats who was forced to resign and hand over power to the CIA puppet General Augusto Pinochet. Ironically Pinochet chose 9/11 (September 11, 1973) to bring a military attack against Allende. Infantry units, British Hawker Hunter fighter planes, eighteen rockets moved against the presidential palace. Allende died. Our Pinochet (after all, we the U.S. created this monster) was then free to unleash his reign of imprisonment, exile, torture, and murder.

“El Peso del Silencio” makes this sad history all the more personal by centering on its effect on a few characters in the novel. Strong reading, reader beware!

Acceptable Trash, Action Film, Action Hero, Digital Effects, Fantasy, Gangs, Mayhem, Mixed Martial Arts, Ninja Warriors, Revenge, Violent

The Wolverine (2013)

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From Netflix:

Wolverine travels to modern-day Japan in this kaleidoscopic epic based on the Marvel Comics character. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his limits, Logan confronts lethal samurai steel and his inner struggle against his own immortality.

Some digital effect films are really stupid (e.g. “R.I.P.D.”) but sometimes the effects fit so well into the story in an unexaggerated way that they are fun to watch.

Hugh Jackman does just what he supposed to do: be muscular, be really angry most of the time, and get into a lot of steel-claw-ripping fights. Why else would you watch this film?

If you can get past the lovely woman with the serpent’s tongue, then there is enough sensible plot to get you through at least two bags of popcorn. It also helps if you are a fan of ninja warriors.

Some few details are not really explained: Hugh seems to lose and then regain his steel claws several times.

There is even somewhat of a surprise twist in the last fight sequence. At least I did not see it coming.

Why do these action films include our hero falling in love? Somehow, it just does not work.

Well-done digital kid stuff! Enjoy the popcorn.

Based on true facts, Black History, Drama, Ethical struggles, Father-son relations, Human spirit, Optimistic, Political statement, Race Relations, Slavery, Thought provoking, True Story, Vietnam, Violent, War

Lee Daniel’s The Butler (2013)

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From Netflix;

Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker delivers a powerful performance as Cecil Gaines, who served as the White House butler under eight presidents. His three decades of service unfold against a backdrop of unparalleled change in American history.

By combining the history of the civil rights movement with the life of a particular family, that of the butler Cecil Gaines, you can feel the impact of the events much more personally.

All the black actors, including Oprah Winfrey, do a fine job, while the white presidents were merely acceptable. Special mention to Jim Gleason in his small role as R.D. Warner with his pitch-perfect portrayal of a nasty, arrogant, dismissive and probably racist White House staff manager. Similarly the murderous white Southern plantation son was equally hate inspiring.

More need not be said about a historical drama that really nails it! DO NOT MISS!

2013, Abduction, Car Chase, Clever Plot, Could Be Hard To Watch, Creepy, Detective, Disturbing Image, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Plot Twist, Psychological Thriller, Serial Killer, Suspense, Torture, Violent, Wonderful acting

Prisoners (2013)

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From Netflix:

When his 6-year-old daughter is abducted and the investigation stalls, carpenter Keller Dover tracks down the culprit himself. But his vigilante action pits him against the case’s lead detective and puts his own sanity at risk.

Hugh Jackman plays the father who becomes violently involved in the investigation. In this respect this role is somewhat of a departure for Jackman since his character’s behavior is so far over the line that he is almost a villain. But still the plot is clever enough that for almost the entire film you are not really sure Jackman is on the right track or just plain unhinged.

Jake Gyllenhaal as Detective Lokki plays the calm, deliberate contrast to Jackman. Gyllenhaal’s job is complicated because he is both trying to find the kidnapped girls as well as keeping a suspicious eye on Jackman.

WARNING: Be prepared for violence, psychotic behavior, and torture.

Also expect some plot surprises. It takes the entire 153 minutes for answers to arrive. Finally I would enjoy hearing your reaction to the very end of the film, whose style is becoming more and more “trendy” and which has always made me chuckle.

Read the warning label and then DO NOT MISS!

2006, Acceptable Science, Amusing banter, Book Review, Crime thriller, DNA, Drugs, Father-son relations, FBI, Forensic Anthropologist, Gritty, Jefferson Bass, Murder Investigation, Police Corruption, Violent

Carved In Bone (2006) [Book Review]

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From Wikipedia:

Jon Jefferson (born 13 November 1955) is a contemporary American author and television documentary maker. Jefferson has written eight novels in the Body Farm series under the pen name Jefferson Bass, in consultation with renowned forensic anthropologist Dr. Bill Bass, as well as two non-fiction books about Dr. Bass’s life and forensic cases.

Dr. Bill Brockton, the leading character and forensic anthropologist, is called from his office at the University of Tennessee where he teaches by a sheriff who has found a mummy-like body stored in a cave.

My neighbor Linda Oates gave me a list of books she enjoyed. Linda is a nurse which, according to her, helps explain why she found this somewhat technical crime novel intriguing. You can skip all the medical details and still enjoy the story which offers all sorts of variety:

  • Bill Brockton has retreated within himself grieving over the death of his wife two years ago.
  • Cooke County deep in mountainous Tennessee is the scene of the crime.
  • In this untamed region we get to visit cock fights, dodge bullets, and be threatened by helicopters.
  • Lots of action keeps the story moving.
  • Much of the back and forth banter is funny.
  • At one point Brockton and his friend Art must escape from a cave which has been purposely collapsed at both ends.

Rate this book a non-demanding light entertainment.

1996, Abduction, Based on true facts, Bicycles, Book Review, British, Complicated, Conspiracy, Cynical, Daniel Silva, Ethical struggles, Flirting, Gangs, Gay theme, Gritty, International thriler, Love Story, Physical child abuse, Political Suspense, Sea Rescue, Sex Scenes, Small British village, Spy Theme, Suspense, Thriller, Violent, War, WWII

The Unlikely Spy (1996) [Book Review]

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Book Description:

In wartime,” Winston Churchill wrote, “truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies.” For Britain’s counterintelligence operations, this meant finding the unlikeliest agent imaginable-a history professor named Alfred Vicary, handpicked by Churchill himself to expose a highly dangerous, but unknown, traitor. The Nazis, however, have also chosen an unlikely agent: Catherine Blake, a beautiful widow of a war hero, a hospital volunteer-and a Nazi spy under direct orders from Hitler to uncover the Allied plans for D-Day…

Daniel Silva was a journalist and TV producer before he began his first novel “The Unlikely Spy” in 1994. This book was such a success that Silva left CNN in 1997 to pursue writing full-time. One of his more known series of books are those featuring the character Gabriel Allon.

Although Silva was born and raised in the U.S.A. (he was raised Catholic and converted to Judaism as an adult), in reading this novel you would swear he was British. We had just returned from visiting our daughter in London and it was an extra pleasure recognizing all the London streets, parks, and subway stops that figure in the plot.

Once you get used to the 20 or so characters that stay continually in the plot you may find this WW II spy novel a real page-turner. Besides the usual cloak and dagger details, the novel is saved from dryness by romances, personal ruminations, political one-upmanship, historical tidbits, and an essential focal point: an effort to prevent Berlin from knowing exactly where the allied invasion will be, i.e. Normandy.

Finally I stayed up late reading for three hours just to see how the final great chase after the clever Nazi spies ended.

2013, Abduction, Dark, Detective, Drama, FBI, Flirting, Gay theme, Grim, Lawyers, Love Story, Made For TV, Mental Illness, Occasional gore, Psychological Thriller, Revenge, Sadism, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Torture, Violent, Wonderful acting

The Following (2013)

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From NetFlix:

When escaped serial killer Joe Carroll goes on a new killing spree, reclusive former FBI agent Ryan Hardy is called in, having captured Carroll nine years ago. Hardy soon discovers that Carroll has a loyal following of killers ready to terrorize.

Fifteen TV episodes of psychosis, ugly violence, and really good acting offer you a guilty pleasure. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Kevin Bacon always delivers a great performance, including this gory series. James Purefoy makes a great psychotic and insidiously clever villain. Take note, in addition, of the trio of very young adults (Valorie Curry, Nico Tortorella, and Adan Canto) who provide a sadistic bisexual mini-drama on their own. Nothing is nice in this series except possibly Kyle Catlett who plays the little boy Joey.

Stream along with NetFlix and expect to be absorbed.

2013, Action Film, Good digital effects, Love Story, Medical Theme, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Violent

Elysium (2013)

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From Netflix:

In this dystopian thriller set in 2159, the wealthiest humans move to a fabulous private space station, while life on Earth grows ever more grim. With no other options, an ex-con agrees to join a risky mission to bring balance to the two worlds.

Is science fiction pessimistic or realistic? First read a newspaper and then tell me the gap between rich and poor is not widening. As a limit to this widening gap we have “Blade Runner” and “Elysium”. In both cases planet Earth is a real mess. Enter Matt Damon who tries to lead an honest life inside this earthly mess. Eventually industry mismanagement accidentally dooms him to death by radiation exposure. To save his own life he undergoes a painful physical operation to become a bit robot-like. What carries the film along is not Damon’s merely acceptable acting, but rather the plot.

As far as acting goes, Jodie Foster can be one real hard-hearted woman. Sit back and watch her make nasty “management” decisions.

Every successful sci-fi film needs some “gimmick”. In this case households in Elysium each have a machine that can cure any human illness. Sign me up!

2013, Acceptable for children, Action Film, B-movie, Bullying, Corny, Could be boring, Fantasy, FBI, Good digital effects, Mayhem, Sci-Fi, Violent

Man of Steel (2013)

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From Netflix:

In another revival of the Superman legend, reporter Clark Kent must keep his alien origins and fantastic powers hidden from the world at large. But when the Kryptonian General Zod plans to destroy Earth, the Man of Steel springs into heroic action.

No amount of digital eye-candy can turn a B-movie into an A-movie. Kids (some of whom are in their 70’s) will enjoy the visuals. However, if you are looking for anything but corny dialog and bathos, look elsewhere.

How does it happen so often that such an extravaganza features as actors a long list of well-known personalities? Look for Michael Shannon, Diane Lane, Russell Crowe, Richard Schiff, Christopher Meloni, Kevin Costner, Lawrence Fishburne. And the list goes on. Assumedly they were each paid a great deal of money.

To be sure, the bullies never win. But it might be almost boring fun watching them try. For awhile my money was on the evil General Zod and his evolutionarily advanced buddies.

2010, Acceptable Trash, Action Film, British, Car Chase, Conspiracy, Crude Talk, Explicit sex, International thriler, Kidnapping, Marital Infidelity, Military, Mixed Martial Arts, Nudity, Revenge, Spy Theme, Suspense, Terrorist Attack, Thriller, Torture, TV Series, Violent

Strike Back (2010)

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From Netflix:

Two members of an elite, secret branch of MI6 — a British sergeant and former U.S. Delta Force operative — track an international terrorist around the globe to thwart his plans to use weapons of mass destruction for a deadly attack.

Let’s suppose you read detective novels. Isn’t one novel similar to the next in many ways? But still you read the novels because you enjoy them.

Let’s suppose you love basketball. Isn’t one game similar to the next is many ways” But still you watch basketball.

In like manner “Strike Back” is a clone of, for example, “MI-5“. But still I continue to get an adolescent kick out of watching the good guys shoot the bad guys. However, the distinction between good guys and bad guys is ever more blurred in TV series such as “Strike Back” and others. Indeed a recurring theme is that of morally ambivalent choices directors make to achieve the “greater good”. “Collateral damage” anyone?

On a personal level this series features a competitive bromance between Philip Winchester (Sgt. Michael Stonebridge) and Sullivan Stapleton (Sgt. Damien Scott).

As an added bonus you are guaranteed in each episode to see (a usually naked) Sullivan Stapleton having sex with some (almost certainly naked) attractive and amply endowed woman. We call this bonus feature “Great Expectations”.

OK kids, have fun watching all the violence. Who do you suppose pays for all those exploded automobiles?