Shame (2011)

Shame (NC17) - Review

"Fool me once..."

Michael Fasbender (Prometheus) had breakout success here as Brandon,  a sex addict living in New York city who is constantly at odds with his own behavior.  A man who lives (and sleeps) a very stripped down life between one night stands that gets complicated when his boss gets wise to his porn addictions at work and his over the edge younger sister comes to crash at his pad.  Fasbender is great in the role as his character begins to unhinge and delve deeply into the morass of sexuality but the threadbare story and ending left little impact.  Shame shame, guys, it also has the continued indy film tradition of pretty footage making an outstanding artistic trailer, but when stretched to feature length it just can't stand up in bed.

6 Third Legs out of 10 (GOOD)

Bad Lieutenant (1992)

Bad Lieutenant (NC-17) - Review

"How about those New York Mets?"

Harvey Keitel is at his absolute best here as the corrupt NY police Lieutenant who owes the bookies, hooked on drugs and has his fingers in every diseased pie imaginable.  Told during a NY Mets NLCS run, Keitel is betting against his home team as he quickly circles the drain to his final summation.  Along for the downward ride is his favorite crack providing prostitute (played by screenwriter Zoe Lund), and a sexually abused nun who refuses to accept the Lieutenant's help in punishing her attackers that leads to an emotional and religious breakdown which sees Keitel sink faster into his world of drugs and immorality until we literally see all there is of the lieutenant, a desperate crying fully nude man lost in the mire of his own creation.  This movie is sleazy and grimy and on the wild side of authentic, so crazy it probably could be true.  Keitel so far off the leash he'll change your mind about his abilities as an actor, Bad Lieutenant is dangerous and unlikeable and out of left field, just like those Mets.

8 Hells Kitchens out of 10 (GREAT)