Dangerous Men

Last updated
Dangerous Men
Dangerous Men poster.jpg
Poster for the 2015 re-release
Directed byJohn S. Rad
Written byJohn S. Rad
Produced byJohn S. Rad
Starring
  • James Brockman
  • Kelay Miller
  • Melody Wiggans
  • John Clure
  • George Derby
  • Honey Goldberg
  • Michael Gradilone
  • Roohi
  • Roya Saghafy
  • Bryan Jenkins
CinematographyPeter Palian
Edited by
  • John S. Rad
  • Roubic Zadourian
Music byJohn S. Rad
Production
company
Sima Sim International
Distributed by Drafthouse Films
Release date
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Dangerous Men is a 2005 American action thriller film written, directed, and produced by Jahangir Salehi Yeganehrad, under the pseudonym John S. Rad. [1] [2] The film took twenty-one years to make and release, production beginning in 1984 and edits being made throughout the intervening years.

Contents

Plot

The plot of Dangerous Men is nigh incomprehensible, and changes abruptly towards the middle of the film.

Mina (Melody Wiggins) and her fiancé, Daniel (Coti Cook) are walking on a beach when two bikers, named Tiger and Leo, set upon them. They kill the fiancé and attempt to rape Mina. In the struggle, Leo is killed and Tiger goes to leave the beach. Mina insists that he take her along, secretly plotting his murder.

After taking Mina for a steak dinner at a motel, Tiger retires with her to their room. Mina distracts Tiger by having him rub her knees and lick her bellybutton before producing a knife hidden in her buttocks and stabbing him to death, taking revenge for her fiancé.

Mina flees into the desert, where she is picked up by a British man driving a pickup truck. The driver pulls over and attempts to rape Mina at gunpoint. She threatens to castrate him with her knife and sends him off, nude, to wander the desert. The film follows him for approximately five minutes as he narrates his own misfortune, occasionally addressing his own penis. He is seen singing and dancing as he wanders about. Eventually a van passes him by and he is pelted with garbage.

Mina visits a sex worker and asks her to teach her to be "one of the girls of the night"- a ruse which she uses to kill several potential Johns with her knife. Mina's campaign of murders is reported on the news and comes to the attention of the police.

A police detective (who is the brother of Mina's fiancé) begins investigating a biker gang (led by the as-yet unseen Black Pepper, played by Bryan Jenkins), despite nominally being on vacation. He pays a bartender $300 for information about the bikers. Later, the detective tails one biker onto the beach where he is attempting to rape a young woman (Annali Aeristos). The detective chokes him into unconsciousness.

In the next scene, the biker gang is driving in a convoy. The biker from the previous scene is distracted by the young woman he failed to rape- who is sunning herself on the hood of a car by the roadside. Unbeknownst to him, the detective is concealed in the car, wearing a bulletproof vest and motorcycle helmet. When the biker pulls over to once again attempt to rape the young woman, the police detective attempts to intervene. However, he spends several minutes attempting to extricate his foot which is stuck under a seat. Eventually he frees himself and chokes the biker into unconsciousness.

The detective drives away with the biker bound in his back seat. He learns Black Pepper's location and drives to the foot of the hill where his house is located.

In an unrelated scene, Mina is arrested by several other police officers in a public park.

In the house, Black Pepper and a young woman watch a belly dancer perform. They then retire to Black Pepper's bedroom. They are interrupted in an amorous moment by one of Black Pepper's subordinates who tells him the police have arrived. After a fight in the house, Black Pepper flees into the brush and is pursued by the police chief.

The chief chases Black Pepper through a small cave and into a neighboring house. Black Pepper is poised to rape the young blind woman who lives in the house. However, she produces a pistol from under her sewing and starts firing at Black Pepper. Shortly after, the chief arrives and arrests Black Pepper. The film abruptly ends on a freeze frame. [3]

Cast

Production and release

Director-producer-writer John S. Rad was a trained architect who had worked in film production in Iran. He fled the revolution in 1979, and began auditions for his first American project in 1984. There was a screening of a 'finished' version of the film as early as 1985, but work continued on and off for the next two decades. The film was not released until 2005, when Rad paid for a week-long run in five Los Angeles theaters. [4] At least one person saw the film three times. [5]

Dangerous Men was re-released in 2015 by Drafthouse Films. [6]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 50% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.9/10. [7] Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 32 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews. [8]

In a scathing review, Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter noted, "In his handling his multiple assignments Rad shows no discernible talent for any of them. The pacing is bizarre (at one point there's a long belly dancing interlude, for no apparent reason); the dialogue is laughably atrocious; the production values are non-existent; the acting is embarrassing; the fight scenes are ineptly staged, with loud sound effects failing to compensate for the fact that no blows are landed; and the synthesizer-heavy musical score sounds left over from a '70s porn film." But the review also stated the film "is sure to become an instant cult classic." [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Detective Story</i> (1951 film) 1951 film by William Wyler

Detective Story is a 1951 American crime drama directed by William Wyler and starring Kirk Douglas that tells the story of one day in the lives of the various people who populate a police detective squad. The ensemble supporting cast features Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O'Donnell, and George Macready. Both Lee Grant and Joseph Wiseman play large roles in their film debuts. The film was adapted by Robert Wyler and Philip Yordan from the 1949 play of the same name by Sidney Kingsley. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Academy Award for Best Director for Wyler, Best Actress for Parker, and Best Supporting Actress for Grant.

<i>The A.B.C. Murders</i> 1936 Poirot novel by Agatha Christie

The A.B.C. Murders is a work of detective fiction by British writer Agatha Christie, featuring her characters Hercule Poirot, Arthur Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp, as they contend with a series of killings by a mysterious murderer known only as "A.B.C.". The book was first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club on 6 January 1936, sold for seven shillings and sixpence (7/6) while a US edition, published by Dodd, Mead and Company on 14 February of the same year, was priced $2.00.

<i>Violent Cop</i> (1989 film) 1989 Japanese film

Violent Cop is a 1989 Japanese neo-noir action thriller film directed by Takeshi Kitano, written by Kitano and Hisashi Nozawa, and starring Kitano, Maiko Kawakami, Makoto Ashikawa, Hakuryu, Ken Yoshizawa, and Ittoku Kishibe. It follows Azuma, a Japanese police detective known for his rough and unprofessional conduct, after he is assigned to investigate drug trafficking by the yakuza. It was Kitano's directorial debut, and marked the beginning of his career as a filmmaker.

<i>Ms .45</i> 1981 film by Abel Ferrara

Ms .45 is a 1981 American exploitation thriller film directed by Abel Ferrara and starring Zoë Tamerlis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Dupas</span> Australian serial killer and rapist

Peter Norris Dupas is an Australian convicted serial killer, currently serving three life sentences without parole for murder and primarily for being a serious habitual offender. He has a very significant criminal history involving serious sexual and violent offences, with his violent criminal history spanning more than three decades, and with every release from prison has been known to commit further crimes against women with increasing levels of violence. His criminal signature is to remove the breasts of his female victims.

<i>Miracles</i> (1989 film) 1989 Hong Kong action film directed by Jackie Chan

Miracles is a 1989 Hong Kong action film starring and directed by Jackie Chan. The film is set in 1930s Hong Kong and is a variation of Frank Capra's Lady for a Day (1933) and Pocketful of Miracles (1961), which in turn were based on "Madame La Gimp", a 1929 short story by Damon Runyon. The film is written by Edward Tang with inputs from Chan.

Jenifer (<i>Masters of Horror</i>) 4th episode of the 1st season of Masters of Horror

"Jenifer" is the fourth episode of the first season of Masters of Horror. It originally aired in North America on November 18, 2005. It was directed by Dario Argento and written by and starring Steven Weber. "Jenifer" is loosely adapted from a 10-page black-and-white comic book story, written by Bruce Jones and illustrated by Bernie Wrightson, that originally appeared in issue #63 of the horror anthology title Creepy.

<i>The Brave One</i> (2007 film) 2007 American film

The Brave One is a 2007 vigilante action-thriller film directed by Neil Jordan and written by Roderick Taylor, Bruce A. Taylor and Cynthia Mort. The film stars Jodie Foster as Erica Bain, a New York City radio host whose fiance is beaten to death by criminals. Terrified for her safety, she buys a pistol and undergoes a personality transformation, becoming a vigilante. Detective Sean Mercer investigates the vigilante shootings, which lead him closer and closer to Bain. The film features Naveen Andrews, Nicky Katt, Zoë Kravitz, Mary Steenburgen and Luis Da Silva in supporting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Tchayka</span> Ukrainian spree killer (born 1974)

Alexander Nikolaevich Tchayka is a Ukrainian spree killer, also known as The Fur Coat Hunter, convicted of the killing of 4 women in Moscow over a two-week period in early 1994.

<i>Bullhead</i> (film) 2011 Belgian film

Bullhead is a 2011 Belgian crime film written and directed by Michaël R. Roskam and starring Matthias Schoenaerts. The film is about the prohibited use of growth hormones on cattle by farmers with ties to organised crime "hormone mafia", and tells the story of Jacky Vanmarsenille, a young Limburgish farmer, who is approached by his veterinarian to make a deal with a West-Flemish beef trader. But the murder of a federal policeman, and an unexpected confrontation with a mysterious secret from Jacky's past, set in motion a chain of events with far-reaching consequences.

<i>The Loft</i> (film) 2014 film by Erik Van Looy

The Loft is a 2014 erotic thriller film directed by Erik Van Looy. It is a remake of the 2008 Dutch-language Belgian film Loft, which Van Looy also directed. The screenplay was written by Bart De Pauw and adapted by Wesley Strick. Starring Karl Urban, James Marsden, and Wentworth Miller, it also features Matthias Schoenaerts who reprises his role from the original film.

<i>American Mary</i> 2012 film by Soska sisters

American Mary is a 2012 Canadian body horror film written and directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska and starring Katharine Isabelle, Antonio Cupo, and Tristan Risk. Isabelle plays a destitute medical student who begins taking clients from the extreme body modification community to solve her financial troubles.

Cormoran Strike is a series of crime fiction novels written by British author J. K. Rowling, published under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. The story chronicles the cases of the fictional British private detective Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott. Seven novels in the series have so far been published. Rowling said after the third book that she had plans for at least another ten. The seventh novel, titled The Running Grave, was released on 26 September 2023.

The lynching of Marie Thompson of Shepherdsville took place in the early morning on June 15, 1904, in Lebanon Junction, Bullitt County, Kentucky, for her killing of John Irvin, a white landowner. The day before Thompson had attempted to defend her son from being beaten by Irvin in a dispute; he ordered her off the land. As she was walking away from him, he attacked her with a knife and she killed him in self-defense with a razor. She was arrested and put in the county jail.

<i>Exposed</i> (2016 film) 2016 American film

Exposed is a 2016 American thriller film, written and directed by Gee Malik Linton, in his directorial debut. The film stars Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Christopher McDonald, Big Daddy Kane, and Mira Sorvino. The film was released in a limited release and through video on demand on January 22, 2016, by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.

<i>The Cycle Savages</i> 1969 biker film

The Cycle Savages is a 1969 American outlaw biker exploitation film written and directed by Bill Brame, and stars Bruce Dern and Melody Patterson. The film follows a biker and his crew who go after an artist who sketched his nude girlfriend. It premiered in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 22, 1969. Casey Kasem served as one of the film's producers.

<i>Hush! Girls Dont Scream</i> 2013 Iranian film

Hush! Girls Don't Scream is a 2013 Iranian drama film directed by Pouran Derakhshandeh. It is about a woman on death row for killing a man. Most of the film's characters seem to feel her actions were justified, unlike the judicial system of Iran. Her lawyer tries to save her. The film stars Tannaz Tabatabaei, Shahab Hosseini and Merila Zarei.

<i>Breaking News in Yuba County</i> 2021 American film

Breaking News in Yuba County is a 2021 American black comedy film directed and co-produced by Tate Taylor, from a screenplay written by Amanda Idoko. The film stars an ensemble cast that includes Allison Janney, Mila Kunis, Awkwafina, Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes, Juliette Lewis, Samira Wiley, Jimmi Simpson, Clifton Collins Jr., Bridget Everett, Dominic Burgess, Keong Sim, Chris Lowell, Matthew Modine and Ellen Barkin.

The 2005 New Zealand bravery awards were announced via a special honours list on 29 January 2005, and recognised 26 people, including four posthumously, for acts of bravery between 1999 and 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathaniel Lipscomb</span> Executed American serial killer

Nathaniel Lipscomb, known as The Dawn Strangler, was an American serial killer responsible for three rape-murders in Baltimore, Maryland committed between 1958 and 1959, in addition to several sexual assaults and a possible previous murder committed in Charlotte, North Carolina. Convicted for his crimes, he was executed at the Maryland State Penitentiary, the last convict to be executed in the state prior to Furman v. Georgia.

References

  1. ↑ "Dangerous Men | Drafthouse Films". Drafthouse Films. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
  2. ↑ Snider, Eric D. (13 November 2015). "It Was Supposed to Be Bigger than E.T. It Wasn't. But Dangerous Men Is Finally Having Its Moment". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  3. ↑ "Dangerous Men Trailer: Prepare For One Of The Worst Films You'll Ever See". www.cinemablend.com. 2015-09-29. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
  4. ↑ Snider, Eric D. "The Unbelievable Story Behind Burgeoning Cult Classic Dangerous Men". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
  5. ↑ Cullem, Paul (November 10, 2005). "The Passion of the Rad". LA Weekly .
  6. 1 2 Scheck, Frank (November 13, 2015). "'Dangerous Men': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter .
  7. ↑ Dangerous Men at Rotten Tomatoes OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  8. ↑ Dangerous Men at Metacritic OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.