B-Movie Gazette: TOM BERENGER IS A CRUSTY OLD VET HUNTING IN THE WOODS WHO FINDS A DEAD BODY AND SACK OF MONEY IN "BLOOD AND MONEY" (2020)

B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - THE DEATH OF RITCHIE (TV 1977)

Looks like a lot of fun to me, I don't know. Seriously and for those that don't know, The Death Of Ritchie is one of the most iconic TV movies of the entire '70's decade. I was roughly 15 when it aired and i can tell you that both Robby Benson and teens taking drugs were very hot topics at the time. The film is based on a true story where a father who couldn't control his teen's behavior from drug abuse was forced to take the law into his own hands. The father here is good ole Ben Gazzara and he is at his Gazzara best with a ferocious intensity, his scenes with Benson as father and son a perfect chemistry. At the time more emphasis was on Benson as a model but his performance here is really amazing. Streams free on Tubi, Freevee, Roku and Plex, if this was being rated on the standard scale I would give it five stars, 'nuff said. 2.75 stars/2.75

Sunday, December 11, 2022

TOM BERENGER IS A CRUSTY OLD VET HUNTING IN THE WOODS WHO FINDS A DEAD BODY AND SACK OF MONEY IN "BLOOD AND MONEY" (2020)

Good Ole Tom Berenger, looking quite the silver fox these days, stars in this Maine woods thriller by first-time director John Barr. An under-appreciated actor who never quite got enough exposure or proper dues for that matter, Berenger does a more than serviceable turn as the protagonist trying to stay sober after a year in AA. He finds a dead body and a bag on money, of course this has been done in a million formats land air or sea, but there's still more than enough here to keep the movie lover entertained. The photography and Berenger are high points.

Released in May 2020 to both theaters and VOD at the same time, Blood And Money was privy to several different DVD cover renderings (see below.) It's a worthy entry in the crowded woodsy thrillers genre, most professional reviews gave it two to two and a half stars. I think it's deserving of just a bit more, going to go 2.75 out of 5 on this. Currently streams on Tubi and just about every free outlet including Vudu and Crackle.