Blue Thunder (1983)

One of many films in the 1980s about advanced technology (gone wrong), and one of the best.

Murphy (Roy Schneider) is a grizzled helicopter pilot working for the LAPD, haunted by his past in Vietnam. He is invited to take part in a secret new programme with an advanced helicopter called Blue Thunder which can listen in on conversations, travel silently when needed and has a Gatling gun!

The helicopter has been developed by a team involving Murphy's old comrade Cochrane (Malcolm McDowell) whom Murphy loathes. Murphy and his assistant Lymangood (Daniel Stern) discover (using Blue Thunder's capabilities of course) that a secret government group including Cochrane is planning to use the helicopter for nefarious purposes...

So, this is a very good technology action film with a good helping of conspiracy and corruption as well. To be honest if you are an aviation fan Blue Thunder looks a bit suspect (a light Gazelle with extra plates bolted on basically) but the action scenes are solid and very tense.

Charlie Chan in Paris (1935)

Charlie Chan arrives in Paris on holiday but of course he is really on a case!

Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) has been tasked with investigating a case of forged bonds at a Parisian bank. Unfortunately the criminal gang are ruthless and kill Chan's contact (Dorothy Appleby) before she can tell him much (though she does have time for an energetic dance at the club she works at!) While Chan hunts for the gang, Yvette (Mary Brian) - the daughter of Chan's banker friend - is falsely accused of murder...

A decent entry in the Charlie Chan series, Number 1 son (Keye Luke) arriving in Paris to help his Dad out. No one speaks with a French accent so the setting doesn't feel very French (though is set indoors mostly anyway!)

Tokyo File 212 (1951)

A rather tedious early Cold War drama though offers some interesting views of early post-war Japan.

Jim (Lee Frederick) is a US agent posing as a reporter in Japan looking for the communist gang leader which is passing on information to the Reds during the Korean War. He links up with the rather unusual, and suspicious, Steffi (Florence Marly) - who rather annoying refers to herself in the third person. Jim is looking for his old school friend Taro (Katsuhiko Haida) who is now a communist and part of the gang...

The film is rather dreary and slow, the acting quite basic. At times the actors seem to need their lines dragged out of them. Not a good film but the period footage of Japan getting back on it's feet is undeniably interesting.

Crime Story (1993)

A tough police drama, but quite unlike most Jackie Chan films.

Jackie Chan is a police inspector tasked with protecting a controversial businessman who fears he will be kidnapped. The businessman is indeed kidnapped for a huge ransom after a thrilling chase around HK island involving Chan. 

Chan leads the case to track down the kidnappers who are thought to be in Taipei. Chan is accompanied by experienced detective Hung (Kent Cheng). However, unknown to the police Hung is part of the kidnap plot...

A cool and stylish and pretty violent film. Unlike most Jackie Chan actions films, including the iconic Police Story series, there isn't the high octane slapstick action humour. There are some incredible stunts though. There is also a chance for Jackie Chan to do some serious acting too. A really great film.

The Seven-Ups (1973)

An excellent hard-hitting early 1970s crime drama.

Buddy (Roy Scheider) leads a controversial squad in the NY Police which isn't averse to using dirty tricks and bending the rules to get an arrest. However, someone is kidnapping mobster bosses for ransom. When the mob kidnap one of Buddy's squad thinking he is involved things get tense. When the poor policeman is shot by accident by Moon (Richard Lynch), things fly out of control. How is Buddy's childhood friend Vito (Tony Lo Bianco) involved?

Early 1970s New York is grubby, decaying and dangerous. It is often very violent too with life being pretty cheap. A good story punctuated by some excellent action pieces including a thrilling car chase.