Across 110th Street
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Movie Reviews of Across 110th Street
Movie Review: Tough as nails black crime drama
Summary: 4 Stars
Not a blaxploitation movie at all, this film is a smart, sharp, tough black crime drama that pulls no punches, and because of that is still remarkably fresh today after 30 years. Made in 1972, it features an early performance by Yaphet Kotto as a by the book black police lieutenant who has to work with a crude, unruly white captain--Anthony Quinn in a very strong performance.They're after some black hoods who slaughtered five men--three whites and two blacks--in a holdup that netted 300 grand. The getaway driver is played by Starsky and Hutch's Antonio Fargas and is just one of the several excellent performances that give this film real power.
Another is turned in by Tony Franciosa playing a Mafia lieutenant who finds out about the hit and, with his henchmen, goes after the hoods. In one of many violent scenes, he finds Fargas' character and slices and dices him in a Harlem whorehouse.
The dialogue here is much more intelligent than in many dumber films and is another reason this is a real winner. When somebody talks--cop, hood, Mafioso, junkie, girlfriend--it's natural, real, uncontrived, and completely credible. You understand who these characters are and you get involved because they're not shooting bull--they're telling it like it is.
The mix of this down to the bone talk and '70s dress and behavior makes this a tremendously entertaining film. The inclusion of violence is not gratuitous at all; it's an integral part of what happens--and what has to happen, given the circumstances.
Highly recommended for fans of crime drama.
Movie Review: Who would have thought.....an art film!
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a big fan of so-called blaxploitation flicks. The combinaton of high camp, low budget, charismatic actors in over the top farcical roles, the slice of 1970s stereotype, all add up to terrific entertainment. what I was really surprised at watching Across 110th Street is that cheap (and plentiful) gore notwithstanding this film is a work of art. Sure blaxploitation stallwarts like Antonio Fargas and Yaphet Koto are here. Sure there are cartoonishly racist white cops, racist Italian mobsters, parasitically pimpin' black criminals, longsuffering and abused black women, just like most of these flicks. But there is also a real sense of drama here. The timing and camera work, the characterization and detail, are all a step above the standard. The acting is generally witty and convincing. Makes me wish I knew more about this film and where it fit in the development of the genre.It gets only 4 stars because the DVD lacks special features. A commentary track would have been great.
Movie Review: Don't Cross It!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Three Harlem crooks make the big mistake of killing some mafiosos and stealing their cash. The mafia send Anthony Franciosa(from Dario Argento's Tenebre) "across 110th Street" into Harlem to find these three guys and put some major hurt on them.
Detectives Anthony Quinn and Yaphet Kotto catch wind of this plan and set out to find these guys before Franciosa does. Kotto leads the investigation much to Quinn's disapproval. Quinn's not hardcore racist, but he's not the most tolerant man in the world. In fact, his grumpy character isn't really sympathetic at all. Kotto is the one you end up liking quite a bit, and Franciosa makes a great and sinister mobster.
The movie is violent, grim, and much better written than you'd expect. Too bad it's not more well known, coz it's definitely worth a watch.
Movie Review: UNDER APPRECIATED GEM
Summary: 4 Stars
ACROSS 110th STREET sad to say, was lumped in the blaxpop genre and was denounced for it's violent content. Wrong on both counts: This is an under appreciated gem that is brainy, tough and quick. Veteran action pro Barry Shear was the right director for the film and his experience shows in every frame. The Bobby Womack soundtrack deserved a better fate than having the title track be remembered as an opening for JACKIE BROWN (but this had to be a favorite film of Quentin's...you can read between the lines). The best cuts are: QUICKSAND, IF YOU DON'T WANT MY LOVE and HARLEM LOVE THEME. Too bad none of them charted.Movie Review: 110th Street Review
Summary: 4 Stars
Great police vs. mob flick. Yaphet Kotto & Anthony Quinn outdo themselves in this movie. Wardrobe & set designers were very accurate in capturing time period of movie.