STREET CRIMES is another low rent thriller from PM Entertainment, seemingly filmed at night and with much the same stock plot ingredients as others I've seen from the studio. Old-timer Dennis Farina plays a hard-assed cop who goes up against a vicious drug lord terrorising a local neighbourhood. Farina's partner is the youthful Michael Worth, a kickboxer who spends his times round-kicking the bad guys in scenes undoubtedly copied from Jean-Claude Van Damme's films. There's little story here but lots of attempted tough one-liners and a plenitude of mildly repetitive fight and action scenes which hold your attention, just about.
5 Reviews
Harmless fun, ideal for students!
Corky198421 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Street Crimes is fun and easy viewing, but don't expect an Oscar winner. If you enjoy clichéd cop movies with a kick boxing twist then this is the film for you. There are plenty of laughs to be had, particularly from supporting character Flannigan, a middle-aged balding loser who for no reason at all mid-way through the film is seen wearing nothing but a sweaty blue towel! He regularly insults his so-called 'buddies' leading to charges that he is 'insensitive', but in reality nobody could take offence from a man so blatantly funny. Perhaps the real star though is bad ass maverick cop (how many of those have we seen!) Brian played by comedy king Dennis Farina. Brian has a penchant for eating glutinous amounts of food and throwing people through windows, so naturally he becomes a figure of fun almost instantly. The real gem vis-a-vis story lines however is that his daughter is blind and yes you guessed it his wife died in an accident, well what else? Brian's partner Tony fancies said blind girl and dates her, cue overprotective 'nobody is gonna hurt my baby' chats from daddy! The main plot though is Tony's kick boxing which he puts to good use to help the 'yoof'. This upsets the local rapper dudes who pedal pills etc so a showdown ensues, the result easy to predict. The fight scenes are extremely violent and make for good viewing, but there is a distinct lack of blood displayed on the fighters which renders the sequences completely unbelievable. Regardless of its plot holes and terrible acting from some of the 'stars', Street Crimes is well worth a look, if only to marvel at its unintended comedy. It comes from the same stable as Shotgun, but the quality is miles better, although its not as funny as the legendary 1989 actioner starring Stuart Chapin. I recommend you grab a copy of both for a night of unadulterated cheap movie magic. Get the beers in, invite your mates round (if you have any that is, once they know your film tastes) and enjoy the laughs. Best suited to students short of cash.....forget the cinema, you can have your own paradise of clichéd cops in the comfort of your own bedsit!
OKAY FOR A TIME WASTER
marigold_bay23 June 2018
I like when you can find 'crime' movies that aren't full of filler sex scenes and writer's block profanity. (Gee, what should I write? I know, the guy is angry he should say F*k before and after every noun)
Anyhoo, that being said, the only thing that was really hard to watch were the fight scenes. The cop who was supposedly the best of the best, going against street best - most lackluster ring dancing I've seen in a long time. How many times would a serious fighter swing his leg OVER his opponents head and have it returned in like. Or stand utterly still waiting to be hit?
It only bothered me because a great deal of the dialogue was about how amazing this fighter was, and how he earned street cred by being so AWESOME. Ah well, it's a Saturday and it was good pablum for the time.
Anyhoo, that being said, the only thing that was really hard to watch were the fight scenes. The cop who was supposedly the best of the best, going against street best - most lackluster ring dancing I've seen in a long time. How many times would a serious fighter swing his leg OVER his opponents head and have it returned in like. Or stand utterly still waiting to be hit?
It only bothered me because a great deal of the dialogue was about how amazing this fighter was, and how he earned street cred by being so AWESOME. Ah well, it's a Saturday and it was good pablum for the time.
Street Crimes is classic 90's video store action fun.
tarbosh2200015 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Brian (Farina) is an L.A. cop and Tony (Worth) is his new rookie partner. Tony takes a lot of good-natured ribbing by his buddies on the force, especially Flannigan (Gail) and Happy (Banks) due to the fact that he disdains the use of guns and prefers Martial Arts. That, and the fact that he's a teetotaler who doesn't constantly slam brewski's at the local bar. To add insult to injury, he also loves healthy food.
Almost by chance, Tony and the local "homies" turn an abandoned boxing gym into a community center by staging bouts for everyone to come and see. Little by little, the place gets fixed up and the homies get a true home. Meanwhile, Tony and Brian's daughter Susan (Zehentmayr) strike up a romantic relationship. Susan just happens to be blind, but that doesn't get in the way of their love.
The crime boss of the area, Gerardo (Morris, a dead ringer for Ernie Hudson, not the Rico Suave guy) doesn't like that people are now helping in the community instead of buying his drugs, so naturally his solution is to kidnap Susan and challenge Tony to the big final fight, settling a score from years earlier. Will Tony clean up the streets...and the STREET CRIMES?
PM delivers the quality yet again with Street Crimes, a completely enjoyable outing that really delivers the goods. Dennis Farina is perfectly cast as Brian, and he's as charming as all get-out, whether he's happily chowing down on a burrito with uncommon gusto, busting the baddies, or cheering on his friend and partner in the kickboxing ring. You really care about him and his daughter, and by extension, his partners, especially Tony.
Tony is the kind of young man who takes milk cartons out on patrol and still shouts HI-YA! while he's fighting the baddies. You have to appreciate his youthful enthusiasm. Like any of us, he goes to buy a new car at night right before the dealership closes, and gets involved in thwarting a holdup of said car dealership. He also wears what appear to be acid-washed sweatpants. While on duty. We didn't realize you could acid-wash cotton, but, hey, you learn something new every day.
What's interesting about Street Crimes is that it's a mix of cop drama, straight-up action, Punchfighting, Martial Arts, and clean-up-the-community movie, with a healthy streak of humor in there to leaven it all out. Max Gail provides a lot of the comic relief, but it's running through there subtly, as are the more romantic bits between Tony and Susan.
There's even some social commentary about drugs, child abuse, racism, and community-police relations thrown in for good measure. Somehow, it's all seamless. It never once feels like a mishmash, despite all the disparate elements. That was super impressive, and easily could have gone south. Thankfully, not only does it all hang together, it ensures the viewer never gets bored. You're really invested in what's going on.
Street Crimes is classic 90's video store action fun. It's bright, everything works well, and the time flies by. Stephen Smoke only directed two movies in his career, this and Final Impact (1992) - both in the same year!
Looking back, it is hard to beat 1992. All we can say in closing is that, when Tony is walking to the final fight with Gerardo, and all the local homies suddenly join him out of the steam and smoke of the night, and they're all walking with determination towards their destiny as the John Gonzalez music pumps on the soundtrack, you realize that Street Crimes is nothing less than a triumph.
Almost by chance, Tony and the local "homies" turn an abandoned boxing gym into a community center by staging bouts for everyone to come and see. Little by little, the place gets fixed up and the homies get a true home. Meanwhile, Tony and Brian's daughter Susan (Zehentmayr) strike up a romantic relationship. Susan just happens to be blind, but that doesn't get in the way of their love.
The crime boss of the area, Gerardo (Morris, a dead ringer for Ernie Hudson, not the Rico Suave guy) doesn't like that people are now helping in the community instead of buying his drugs, so naturally his solution is to kidnap Susan and challenge Tony to the big final fight, settling a score from years earlier. Will Tony clean up the streets...and the STREET CRIMES?
PM delivers the quality yet again with Street Crimes, a completely enjoyable outing that really delivers the goods. Dennis Farina is perfectly cast as Brian, and he's as charming as all get-out, whether he's happily chowing down on a burrito with uncommon gusto, busting the baddies, or cheering on his friend and partner in the kickboxing ring. You really care about him and his daughter, and by extension, his partners, especially Tony.
Tony is the kind of young man who takes milk cartons out on patrol and still shouts HI-YA! while he's fighting the baddies. You have to appreciate his youthful enthusiasm. Like any of us, he goes to buy a new car at night right before the dealership closes, and gets involved in thwarting a holdup of said car dealership. He also wears what appear to be acid-washed sweatpants. While on duty. We didn't realize you could acid-wash cotton, but, hey, you learn something new every day.
What's interesting about Street Crimes is that it's a mix of cop drama, straight-up action, Punchfighting, Martial Arts, and clean-up-the-community movie, with a healthy streak of humor in there to leaven it all out. Max Gail provides a lot of the comic relief, but it's running through there subtly, as are the more romantic bits between Tony and Susan.
There's even some social commentary about drugs, child abuse, racism, and community-police relations thrown in for good measure. Somehow, it's all seamless. It never once feels like a mishmash, despite all the disparate elements. That was super impressive, and easily could have gone south. Thankfully, not only does it all hang together, it ensures the viewer never gets bored. You're really invested in what's going on.
Street Crimes is classic 90's video store action fun. It's bright, everything works well, and the time flies by. Stephen Smoke only directed two movies in his career, this and Final Impact (1992) - both in the same year!
Looking back, it is hard to beat 1992. All we can say in closing is that, when Tony is walking to the final fight with Gerardo, and all the local homies suddenly join him out of the steam and smoke of the night, and they're all walking with determination towards their destiny as the John Gonzalez music pumps on the soundtrack, you realize that Street Crimes is nothing less than a triumph.
"STREET CRIMES" IS A REALLY GOOD LITTLE URBAN COP THRILLER WITH A HEART
lukem-527603 September 2019
Dennis Farina is the reason i searched for this little early 90s straight to video gem, Farina is such a good actor & screen presence, he's been in so many good films I've watched growing up & is similar in looks to another one of my favourite actors Tom Atkins, both great. Farina was great hosting Unsolved Mysteries, i love his voice & here Farina is a strong screen presence & gives an excellent heartfelt performance that keeps the movie grounded & real. In fact i would say that Farina gives one the best Cop Movie performances I've ever seen (up there with Riggs & Murtaugh from Lethal Weapon) & his strong Chicago accent adds to his authority. This is the best I've seen Farina in a role, he nails his part as tough street smart Cop & protective loving father Brian.
I've always loved Dennis Farina in Another Stakeout,Manhunter,Out of Sight,Deception,Striking Distance & many other great films & roles of his.
I was so gutted when i heard his passing R. I. P Dennis Farina you are a legend in my opinion & one of my favourite actors, his mustached serious face is iconic in my movie world!!!
Anyway, Street Crimes is a really good & well made urban Drama/Thriller, we have characters we really care about & a really engrossing story.
There's a nice 90s Noir look & feel to this slick B-movie, this fits into the "Kickboxing Noir" films of the very early 90s that came out & went straight to video but were stylistic with their cinematography that gave the noir look & always mixed with cool kickboxing action scenes, PM entertainment created this genre!!!
Street fighter "Michael Worth" is very good as a young troubled cop who likes to use his fighting skills instead of his gun & is partners with the older & wiser, street smart "Dennis Farina" who gives one of his best performances, he really shines as the natural talking,always hungry & tough Brian, it's a really nice role for Farina who was a real Chicago cop back in the days before acting, here he seems so natural & perfect in his part & he gets to show his sweet & caring side when we find out he has a blind daughter who he lives with & loves more than anything.
Farina also has the best moment in the whole movie when he throws a vile child rapist through a window!!!
Brian is a good man & a good cop.
Michael worth shows he's a great fighter like a young van damme with his cool fighting style & he's actually a good serious brooding actor & his character "Tony" is a good cop who wants to clean up the violent gang-infested streets of Los Angeles by creating a place to fight out their differences instead of shooting each other.
Tony is a loyal,brave & courageous hero who wants to help people & opens a youth club in a bad area to show he's not afraid of these streets or it's gangs, there's heart & soul in his character as there is in the brian character too, both have real chemistry & a sense of respect that grows between them.
I was very impressed with this little unknown 90s gem, the characters of Brian & Tony make a great duo similar to Lethal weapon in a way but more grounded in tone, these feel like real & interesting & flawed characters & that's because of the great performances & the gritty writing.
I want to watch this gem again to hang out with the great characters & that's it's magic & storytelling mixed with good fight scenes & dramatic performances, this is a great find of a pure 90s gem that is forgotten.
Gotta add i loved the very 90s saxophone music at the beginning of the film with the night time view of the city of los Angeles, it's very 80s & 90s cop thriller feel & i love it as i grew up watching all those late night action cop films & Street Crimes is one of the best, an action Thriller with a big heart at it's core. A video days Cop movie GEM.
I've always loved Dennis Farina in Another Stakeout,Manhunter,Out of Sight,Deception,Striking Distance & many other great films & roles of his.
I was so gutted when i heard his passing R. I. P Dennis Farina you are a legend in my opinion & one of my favourite actors, his mustached serious face is iconic in my movie world!!!
Anyway, Street Crimes is a really good & well made urban Drama/Thriller, we have characters we really care about & a really engrossing story.
There's a nice 90s Noir look & feel to this slick B-movie, this fits into the "Kickboxing Noir" films of the very early 90s that came out & went straight to video but were stylistic with their cinematography that gave the noir look & always mixed with cool kickboxing action scenes, PM entertainment created this genre!!!
Street fighter "Michael Worth" is very good as a young troubled cop who likes to use his fighting skills instead of his gun & is partners with the older & wiser, street smart "Dennis Farina" who gives one of his best performances, he really shines as the natural talking,always hungry & tough Brian, it's a really nice role for Farina who was a real Chicago cop back in the days before acting, here he seems so natural & perfect in his part & he gets to show his sweet & caring side when we find out he has a blind daughter who he lives with & loves more than anything.
Farina also has the best moment in the whole movie when he throws a vile child rapist through a window!!!
Brian is a good man & a good cop.
Michael worth shows he's a great fighter like a young van damme with his cool fighting style & he's actually a good serious brooding actor & his character "Tony" is a good cop who wants to clean up the violent gang-infested streets of Los Angeles by creating a place to fight out their differences instead of shooting each other.
Tony is a loyal,brave & courageous hero who wants to help people & opens a youth club in a bad area to show he's not afraid of these streets or it's gangs, there's heart & soul in his character as there is in the brian character too, both have real chemistry & a sense of respect that grows between them.
I was very impressed with this little unknown 90s gem, the characters of Brian & Tony make a great duo similar to Lethal weapon in a way but more grounded in tone, these feel like real & interesting & flawed characters & that's because of the great performances & the gritty writing.
I want to watch this gem again to hang out with the great characters & that's it's magic & storytelling mixed with good fight scenes & dramatic performances, this is a great find of a pure 90s gem that is forgotten.
Gotta add i loved the very 90s saxophone music at the beginning of the film with the night time view of the city of los Angeles, it's very 80s & 90s cop thriller feel & i love it as i grew up watching all those late night action cop films & Street Crimes is one of the best, an action Thriller with a big heart at it's core. A video days Cop movie GEM.
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