MASTER OF THE SWORD. AVENGER OF THE TRUTH... AND BLIND AS A BAT: WHY BLIND FURY IS AN ACTION CLASSIC (full article at Diabolique Magazine)

With Rutger Hauer’s recent passing, many reflected on a long and varied career that included memorable bad guys (The Hitcher, Nighthawks), heroic warriors (Ladyhawke) bizarre adverts (Guinness, Lurpak) and post-apocalyptic sports dudes (Salute of the Jugger a.k.a. The Blood Of Heroes). It goes without saying that his iconic role as replicant Roy Batty, in Ridley Scott’s tech-noir potboiler, Blade Runner (1982), is the one he’ll be best remembered for.

But another of Hauer’s films that is well worth revisiting, is an action comedy directed by Phillip Noyce (Rabbit Proof Fence, Patriot Games, Dead Calm), with mediocre critical scores and tucked away in the middle of his filmography. Loosely based around the classic Japanese swordplay serial character Zatoichi, but transposed to modern day U.S.A., Blind Fury’s (1989) gloriously simple plot sees Hauer’s blind swordsman, and that kid off Baywatch, facing off against some drug dealers. So while we’re not debating the quality of Blade Runner, forget all that ‘tears in the rain’ stuff for a moment, because what we really want to see is Rutger Hauer mistake an alligator for a pet dog, ‘accidentally’ thrash a barroom full of tough guys and slice some geezers up with a hidden sword.

Read the full article at Diabolique Magazine:
https://diaboliquemagazine.com/master-of-the-sword-avenger-of-the-truth-blind-as-a-bat-blind-fury-is-an-action-classic/

IMDB: Blind Fury

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN (M.I.F.F.)

Despite it’s superb premise, and the presence of the frankly wonderful Rutger Hauer in the lead role, Hobo With A Shotgun failed to deliver. The ‘high concept’ storyline revolves around Rutger Hauer’s Hobo of the title, exacting bloody revenge on the lawless criminals of the city and underworld boss The Drake.

Unfortunately Hobo With A Shotgun just didn’t work. Not even as being an enjoyable piece of nonsense. Rutger Hauer has many entrants in his back catalogue that qualify as enjoyable trash – not least the SUPERB Blind Fury, and the entertaining Salute of the Jugger – but Hobo just couldn’t manage it. It looked good; like 80’s video trash. Reminiscent of Street Trash for example, in both acting ability and aesthetic. Some nice touches were in there – I can’t help but feel when the villains put manhole covers around the necks of their victims, it was a cheeky nod to Rutger Hauer’s 90’s action classic, Wedlock – and there was a spirited 5 or 10 minutes in the middle where the Hobo takes up his vigilante crusade and it seemed like things might fall into place.

But despite the gore and the look of the movie, it felt mean spirited. It was nasty, and perhaps that was the intent, but it ended up meaning that there really was no fun at all to be had here.

It felt contrived. Like the dialogue was intentionally terrible. One part in particular, where the Hobo is talking about bears, was excruciating. The script felt like it had been written precisely for hipsters with terrible moustaches and oversized brogues to laugh at ironically.

Most unforgivably of all, it was toweringly unfunny. I’ve nothing against crude or juvenile humour. In fact I positively celebrate it. But just being crude or juvenile does not necessarily make you funny; and that’s the case here. It was a total laugh vacuum.

On the MIFF rating system I gave this film 1 star out of 5. Hobo with a SHITgun.

IMDB: Hobo With A Shotgun