CRIME DRAMA: “Caught Stealing.” / “The Woman in Cabin 10.” / “The Painter.” / “Dragged Across Concrete.” / “Perrier's Bounty” / “First Snow.”

“Caught Stealing” (2025, Netflix) black comedy crime thriller directed by Darren Aronofsky. A former star baseball player-turned-bartender unwittingly runs afoul of New York City's criminal underbelly while pet sitting for his neighbor. 



       We got heavy-hitters here: Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D'Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, and Carol Kane + youngster D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai and Laura Dern (though uncredited).

       Austin Butler's charisma carries this show like nonstop fun. More importantly, this lighthearted romp is what director Darren Aronofsky needs to deliver once in a while. I enjoyed “Requiem for a Dream” (2000) and “Black Swan” (2010) but not the others, including the wildly confused “Mother!” (2017). 

       And there's a cat, Bud. And he wasn't hurt. So I am very happy about that! 🎥💻📽


“The Woman in Cabin 10” (2025, Netflix) psychological thriller, based on the 2016 novel by Ruth Ware. 


       Plot: Recovering from the trauma of witnessing a source's murder, investigative journalist Laura "Lo" Blacklock receives an invitation from terminally ill billionaire Anne Bullmer. Reminds us of Agatha Christie's whodunnits although this one is a bland cliché (sic) and a bit mawkishly soapy (another sic).   

       But I give Keira Knightley's Lo superlatives for the fine performance. That's it. 🎥💻📽


“The Painter” (2024, Apple TV+) action/thriller about a retired CIA agent who paints as a hobby. But his past has come back to haunt him, as a mysterious woman he met somewhere shows up. 



       Obligatory, stereotypical CIA “gone rogue” distraction while you concentrate on other house chores. Action cliches and a villain (Max Montesi as Ghost) who vainly tries to be funny at the same time, ruthless. He failed in both.

       I don't know who Charlie Weber is, the lead star. But we all know Jon Voight. But no big deal. Old man Jon still has to work, you know. 🎥💻📽


“Dragged Across Concrete” (2018, Roku) neo-noir crime thriller film, follows two childhood friends and two police detectives suspended for police brutality who, in a desperate need for money, are embroiled in a robbery done by a professional thief. Stars Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn. 



       Two hours and 39 minutes of this grim police drama is quite long, regardless of Mel Gibson's stellar performance as Det. Brett Ridgeman. Writer/director S. Craig Zahler made a slow-burn thriller instead a fast-paced banger, which worked in a way, till it got talky and boring. 🎥💻📽


“Perrier's Bounty” (2009, Pluto TV) Irish black comedy crime film set in modern-day Dublin. Michael is left with a bounty on his head following his non-payment of a debt to, and a rather more serious misunderstanding with, some particularly nasty Dublin gangsters, led by Darren Perrier. 



       Weird characters, popcorn drama/comedy, gangster swagger, and involved performances by three of the best in Irish cinema: Cillian Murphy (as Michael), Jim Broadbent (as the dad), and Brendan Gleeson (as Mr Perrier). Add Jodie Whittaker, Domhnall Gleeson, Ned Dennehy, and Liam Cunningham.

       The story is unoriginal and the mischief is bland but I kept up still because the ensemble acting is too committed to just ignore. 🎥💻📽


“First Snow” (2006, Sling) thriller. Guy Pearce is a fast-talking salesman who has big ambitions. Jimmy Starks has auto problems in a small New Mexico town and while his car is in the shop he visits a low-rent fortune teller to pass the time. The supposed seer tells him he will have good fortune soon, but looking deeper relates the information that his future is blank, and he is safe only until the first snow of winter beyond which there is no future to foretell. 



       Guy Pearce as traveling salesman Jimmy Starks has the apt swagger to keep this ride interesting. Add a kickass supporting cast: J. K. Simmons, William Fichtner, Shea Whigham, and Adam Scott. 

       But the thrill is gone after the first 15 minutes. An engaging premise or storyline but the slow pace and drained dialogue put me to sleep. 🎥💻📽

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