CINEMA CYCLE
(Cardio Workout And Reviewing Movies At The Same Time)
DATE REVIEWED: 09/23/2016
FORMAT: LaserDisc
TIME RIDDEN / FILM LENGTH: 1 hour 45 minutes
DISTANCE RIDDEN WHILE VIEWING: 23.5 miles
TOTAL CINEMA MILES LOGGED: 5243.8 miles
SYNOPSIS: A team of undercover New York City police detectives try to uncover a large heroin smuggling ring.
CONCEPT IN RELATION TO THE VIEWER: How much things have changed. Our perceptions of law enforcement and crime aren’t the same as they were 50 years ago.
PROS AND CONS: This was a great film to watch after a long absence. It is dated now, but is also like a time capsule of the era in which it was filmed.
One of the aspects that stands out is that this is very much a ‘car’ film. There are a lot of chase scenes with large American cars from the 1970s that are featured throughout. Automobiles that are seldom seen on today’s streets.
The other aspect of note is the concept of law enforcement at the time and how it was done. In contrast to the current issues with policing and their interactions with minorities, this film shows the opposite. It was a time when police used intimidation and almost gang-like tactics to combat what they ‘perceived’ as criminals, where they were Judge, Jury and Executioner in one.
Also interesting is the ending of the film. Often overlooked among the car chases and gun-play, the bad guy eventually gets away and Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) accidentally kills a fellow officer in the final foot chase. Hardly a feel good story where the good guys defeat the bad guys.
This film is a part of my LaserDisc Collection.
Clicking on the title will take you to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) entry for this film.
This film was viewed while exercising on my recumbent cycle. A summary of my time spent working out on my journey through movie-land can be found on Strava.com.
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