Bad City Blues

Anyone who is a fan of his fiction should check out this movie, a prequel of sorts to his book, Blood Stained Kings. Michael Massee and Michael McGrady stand out as two men on the opposite ends of a mystery involving a botched robbery, a woman and, of course, money. Massee as the tortured Grimes is excellent as the strong willed Grimes who refuses to bend to McGrady's, Clarence Jefferson. McGrady, to his credit, embues Jefferson with the right blend of empathy and malice, creating a very human monster. As a matter of fact, the film seems to have almost a theatre-like structre, especially in the scenes between Massee and McGrady. It is only in the explosive conclusion, that we find out where all of the twists and turns lead.

Fans of Willock's should note that the events in the movie are different from those described in Blood Stained Kings. That said, this film holds up on it's own as a tightly-directed crime thriller that stands up with the best that Hollywood has to offer.

Now, Mr. Willocks, please bring Green River Rising to the screen.

It's funny to see good ol' Earl Holliman from the 50's making a comeback as an actor. But NOT in a movie like this! No wonder this isn't available in so many countries. Cuz NOBODY would ever thinking about releasing it on video except the germans and the swedes. Don't care about the plot or the good actors (Dennis Hopper i.e) or anything else if you see this movie in a video store. Just forget that it even exist...