CRIME DRAMA. “I Came By.” / “Emily the Criminal.” / “Out of the Blue.”

“I Came By” (2022, Netflix) British crime thriller. An anarchist graffiti artist breaks into the homes of London’s wealthy elite. While targeting a retired, ostensibly progressive judge, he uncovers a hidden basement. 


       For sure, this crime thriller isn't cliche but not exactly Hitchcockian but still a couch glue. Credit goes to Hugh Bonneville's Sir Hector Blake, whose sinister ministrations can be a comic cool or deadpan macabre. Still, worth your while. 

       The deal with (writer/director) Babak Anvari's work? Kinda tricky. To like it or to not like it. I just saw his “Hallow Road” on Hulu, click it and see for yourself. 🎥💻📽


“Emily the Criminal” (2022, Tubi) crime thriller. A young woman saddled with student debt and locked out of the job market due to a criminal record gets involved in a credit card scam that pulls her into the criminal underworld of Los Angeles. Stars Aubrey Plaza. 



       This movie offers compelling thoughts on what is legally criminal, justifiably bad, or morally wrong. But all these are erased or blurred by Aubrey Plaza's remarkable performance. 

       Regardless of the plausibility or good/bad discourse that this film elicits, writer/director John Patton Ford kept the interest level high and the excitement barometer active. A fine directorial debut. 🎥💻📽


“Out of the Blue” (2022, Plex) thriller film written and directed by Neil LaBute. Neo-noir thriller about an ex-con who tries to rebuild his life but falls for a seductive older woman who only pushed him–to the obvious. You know what it is. 



       Mr LaBute is a decent enough talent, I reckon. Both as writer (or playwright) and director. Refer to 1997's “In the Company of Men" and 2003's “The Shape of Things.” But some of his projects suck, too, like his 2006 remake of “The Wicker Man” (the 1973 British horror).

       And this predictable and bland “Out of the Blue.” Also, the sex scenes are not all sexy, made worse by lazy acting by Ray Nicholson and Diane Kruger. (Ray is Jack's son. I mean, in real life.) 🎥💻📽


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