When you think of movies based upon true crimes, popular classics like ‘Good Fellas’, ‘From Hell’ or maybe ‘Monster’ spring to mind. In our latest blog, Curator Joel has scoured the shelves of the Museum’s film collection to bring you…
FOUR BRILLIANT True CRIME Movies you probably missed;
THE HONEYMOON KILLERS
In late 1940s America, lovers Ray Fernandez and Martha Beck posed as brother and sister to befriend and murder lonely women for their savings.
This little gem from 1970 is a tale of the destructive power of obsessive love. We join the couple on their bloody journey across the USA, Ray seducing widows and Martha struggling to contain her raging jealousy. Raw and sordid, but also tender and heart breaking the two performances are brilliant and the low budget makes it all even sleazier.
POINT OF ORIGIN
Based on the real life investigations of John Orr, California’s leading Arson expert during a spate of horrific and deadly fire bombings.
Point of Origin has a slightly US daytime TV movie feel about it, but on the plus side it features two of my favourite actors, the ever watchable John Leguizamo and ‘Good Fella’ himself, Ray Liotta. Leguizamo’s character idolises Liotta’s and the film cleverly toys with the viewer until it takes a churning 180 degree turn that I found unexpected and fascinating.
MILK
The true story of the life and death of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in America.
The always excellent Sean Penn plays Milk as both sweet and loving, but also selfishly bloody minded. As infuriating to his friends as to his enemies, this is a nuanced film about a man who would rather be murdered than accept prejudice or defeat.
THE HILLSIDE STRANGLER
The true story of cousins Ken Bianchi and Angelo Bueno who terrorised and killed 10 women in 1970s Los Angeles.
There’s something about the 70’s that makes it the sleaziest decade in the history of murder. Torture me, murder me, roll my corpse off the edge of an LA freeway but PLEASE don’t wear hip-hugging beige flares while you’re doing it.
This is a masterpiece of sleaze, deviancy and depravity from director Chuck Parello. C Thomas Howell and Nic Turturro give outstanding performances as Bianchi and Bueno as two of the lowest and most deceitful cowards to crawl across the earth. Difficult to watch for even the most hardened true crime viewer, it is nonetheless an outstandingly powerful movie.
FOUR BRILLIANT True CRIME Movies you probably missed;
THE HONEYMOON KILLERS
In late 1940s America, lovers Ray Fernandez and Martha Beck posed as brother and sister to befriend and murder lonely women for their savings.
This little gem from 1970 is a tale of the destructive power of obsessive love. We join the couple on their bloody journey across the USA, Ray seducing widows and Martha struggling to contain her raging jealousy. Raw and sordid, but also tender and heart breaking the two performances are brilliant and the low budget makes it all even sleazier.
POINT OF ORIGIN
Based on the real life investigations of John Orr, California’s leading Arson expert during a spate of horrific and deadly fire bombings.
Point of Origin has a slightly US daytime TV movie feel about it, but on the plus side it features two of my favourite actors, the ever watchable John Leguizamo and ‘Good Fella’ himself, Ray Liotta. Leguizamo’s character idolises Liotta’s and the film cleverly toys with the viewer until it takes a churning 180 degree turn that I found unexpected and fascinating.
MILK
The true story of the life and death of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in America.
The always excellent Sean Penn plays Milk as both sweet and loving, but also selfishly bloody minded. As infuriating to his friends as to his enemies, this is a nuanced film about a man who would rather be murdered than accept prejudice or defeat.
THE HILLSIDE STRANGLER
The true story of cousins Ken Bianchi and Angelo Bueno who terrorised and killed 10 women in 1970s Los Angeles.
There’s something about the 70’s that makes it the sleaziest decade in the history of murder. Torture me, murder me, roll my corpse off the edge of an LA freeway but PLEASE don’t wear hip-hugging beige flares while you’re doing it.
This is a masterpiece of sleaze, deviancy and depravity from director Chuck Parello. C Thomas Howell and Nic Turturro give outstanding performances as Bianchi and Bueno as two of the lowest and most deceitful cowards to crawl across the earth. Difficult to watch for even the most hardened true crime viewer, it is nonetheless an outstandingly powerful movie.