Der Amerikanische Freund (1977) aka The American Friend

3.5 / 5  Apr '11
Tagline:  N/A
Directed by:  Wim Wenders
Written by:  Patricia Highsmith, Wim Wenders
Actors include:  Bruno Ganz, Dennis Hopper, Lisa Kreuzer
Genre:  Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Length:  125 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review: 
The cinematography is simply gorgeous and the music within perfectly suited.  Heck I like the cast too and the basic concept, I just felt like something very big was missing from this.  It's definitely more of a character study (which is fine) except a little more "why" info might have helped out significantly.  We meet Tom Ripley (Dennis Hopper) who is an art forger that is offered an opportunity to become a hit man.  Instead of agreeing to the task he suggests his friend who is a picture framer for the job.  See the picture framer has a deadly disease and a family to support (very Breaking Bad no?) so why wouldn't he jump at the extra chance for income?  Although this is interesting it's too stretched out and some more clarity would have been appreciated.  Still a very interesting '70s German thriller that should at least appeal to most though it wasn't my absolute favorite or anything.

Availabilty:  On DVD

The Mechanic (1972)

4.5 / 5 Feb '11
Tagline: He fixes people so they never work again.
Directed by: Michael Winner
Written by: Lewis John Carlino
Actors include: Charles Bronson, Jan Michael-Vincent, Keenan Wynn
Genre: Thriller, Action, Crime
Length: 99 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Charles Bronson plays a Mechanic (erm hitman) named Arthur who is very into his job, he's tough as nails and very private. Life is going relatively well until he kills a Man who just happens to have an annoying son Steve (Jan-Michael Vincent). For some unknown reason Arthur takes Steve on as a trainee teaching him just about everything he knows. The problem being that Arthur's "crew" aren't very happy about this new inclusion as he didn't really get permission first. The story has loads of violence, explosives, chases and excitement around every corner. It's a very satisfying little film that I hadn't heard very much about until the remake came out. It really is a good film and heck I may even try the remake after this. If you are looking for a well made hitman flick, this is one of the most fun examples I've found.

Availability:  On DVD