The Detective (1968)

A tough realistic crime drama. Leland (Frank Sinatra) is a tough uncompromising hard-bitten (almost but not quite to the point of self-parody). He investigates the brutal killing of a homosexual, eventually catching an unstable young man (Tony Musante) who ends up in the chair. 

However, the suicide of businessman MacIver (William Windom) opens up a whole new can of worms, which leads Leland to the realisation that he was wrong before and there is a whole nest of vipers behind the scene...

Meanwhile we also explore Leland's life in flashback including his troubled marriage to Karen (Lee Remick) and his various run-ins with his superiors and peers. Leland is a troubled soul in a troubled city...

This is a highly entertaining film with Sinatra playing the role with suitable intensity. The film takes a very mature approach to society and policing and was one the first mainstream films to explore homosexuality. 

The book which this film was based up also had a sequel which was turned into a movie. That movie was Die Hard, so in a way this is a prequel to the Bruce Willis film!

A Fire Has Been Arranged (1935)

A superbly strange crime-comedy-musical with many elements of classic British music hall humour. Bud Flanagan, Chesney Allan and Hal Walters rob a jewellery store and hide the loot in a field before they are pinched by the Old Bill. After doing ten years bird and now free men again, they come looking for their buried loot and find a swanky Art Deco department store has been built on top of it!

The store, run by the even more crooked Cutte (Alastair Sims) and Shuffle (C. Denier Warren), is in trouble though. The books have been thoroughly cooked and the shareholders are in revolt. Cutte has the bright idea to have the store burnt down to claim the insurance money. He needs to commit arson, when his security catch Bud, Chesney and Hal casing out the store he discovers the perfect men to carry out his dastardly deed. What can go wrong? Well basically everything!

A very funny and silly film full of gags and silly situations. There are also a few sound and dance routines by the Buddy Bradley Rhythm Girls. Betty (Mary Lawson) is the daughter of the jewellery store owner who now works at the department store, however this bit of plot isn't really explored in any depth. Despite that a definite hit.

Five Elements Ninjas (1982)

An exhilarating martial arts film and also incredibly violent and bloody. The martial arts headquarters comes under attack from Japanese ninjas led by Kembuchi Mudou (Michael Chan). The master is poisoned and his troops, which includes Xiao Tian Hao (Ricky Cheng), fortify their base. However, the ninjas in the lovely form of Junko (Chan Put-Sai) infiltrates the base and then facilities a full ninja attack. The master is killed and Kembuchi now rules the martial arts world...

Xiao is the only survivor and escapes, with the help of Junko who seems slightly conflicted - probably the only depth or shade of grey in this film - to learn ninja fighting skills himself. With three friends he returns to challenge the ninjas in a final showdown against the five elements of ninja: gold, wood, water, fire and earth...

Don't expect a huge amount of story here, the film is about 95% fighting, but that's really what you want from a film like this. The action is often rather over the top with various wire-fu and mysterious bending of the laws of physics. There is also quite a lot of literal destruction of the human form. An amazing film full of bizarre ninja weapons, men in white capes and Junko in her leather and fishnets outfit.

Lizzies of the Field (1924)

A frantic auto-race comedy short with some incredible (and dangerous looking) stunts. Two garages have a heated rivalry. When an auto-race with a large prize is announced then both garages enter cars. Billy Bevan and Sidney Smith hope to win the race and will do anything to win, unfortunately their rivals feel the same way...

This is an incredible little film packed full of visual gags (for example a car which is actually a bed) and superb stunts. The film's plot (such as it is) lacks much in the way of sophistication. What it certainly doesn't lack is spectacle. 

Shoot to Kill (1947)

An enjoyably tough crime drama with Noir touches. When a police chase ends in the felon's car crashing the police find to their surprise the occupants of the car was wanted gangster Dixie Logan (Robert Kent), DA Laurence Dale (Edmund MacDonald) and his wife Marian (Luana Walters) - the only survivor. In hospital Marian recounts to reporter Mitch (Russell Wade) exactly what happened, which we see in flashbacks.

DA Laurence Dale was corrupt, and had framed Logan for a serious crime. Marian knows that Laurence is in cahoots with the mob and worms her way into firstly the DA's employment and then his affections, with the help of Mitch. Marian is playing a dangerous game though and wants Laurence to bring down the mob, this puts her directly in the firing line. Why exactly is she risking so much?

A rather complicated plot full of double crosses though the rapid pace of the film means you seldom have enough time to get too confused. The Noirish edges and the strong female character help make the film a decent watch.