FanCam: Star Wars - Troops (1997)

This is, hands down, one of the funniest short films I think I've ever seen. Regardless if it is a FanCam project or not, this is FUNNY. It may be generational, though. There are a some things that one need-be prepared with in order to watch this film, from a pop culture standpoint. Not only is this a Star Wars fan film, it is also a spoof on the COPS television program. For those of you too young, or too drunk in the 1990s, to remember, COPS was filmed 'on location, with the men and women of law enforcement.' This was the beginnings of reality TV, and some if it was actually real. Camera crews would follow officers for the night, filming what they did. The show was a lot of fun and provided us law-abiding citizens with entertainment galore as we laughed and cajoled those silly drunks, prostitutes and domestic abusers that filled COPS with a seemingly unending supply of Deplorables (see what I did there?).

Movie Review: Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence (1993, Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack)

Review By: Rob Sibley

Bill Lustig had a tough task with Maniac Cop 3. MC2 was easily one of the best action/horror films of the 80's. It's essential viewing if you dig these kinds of movies. It featured a stand out performance from Robert Davi, amazing stunts and gunplay that still is impressive to this day.

Maniac Cop 3 was released three years after MC2 and many fans say this was film that was better left dead. A lot of the blame went to Lustig but many didn't know the rather torrid production history the film went through.

In the making of feature director Bill Lustig had this to say "I hate the movie, I can't stand to watch it. Everyone got to piss in the pot, so that's what they got. A pot full of piss." My personal opinion is the film is much better then it's given credit for. For a film made esseintally by a comitte it came out well. Nowhere near as solid as part II but still it's a fun watch and at the end of the day... that's what counts.

Movie Review: The Sweeney (2012, DVD)

Review By: Rob Sibley

“The Sweeney” is Nick Love's re-imagining of the classic 1975 British TV series. Love had a tough task on his hands, the original Sweeney TV show was immensely popular back in the day and has built up a huge cult following. Fans of the series scoffed when they first heard that Nick Love was developing it for a film adaptation. Were they justified? Did Nick Love do the show justice and still be able to put his own spin on it? The answer to those questions is a mixed bag.

Now I got to say before I discuss the film I was a huge fan of the original TV series. My Dad is a big fan of British television and he was the one who first exposed me to classic shows like The Avengers, Fawlty Towers, vintage Doctor Who, The Prisoner and The Sweeney. The original Sweeney TV series was probably the most gritty cop show around till “The Shield” showed up. Each episode had that gritty urban decay vibe that the original “Get Carter” had. The film wasn't afraid to show violence, language and have coppers doing things that aren’t necessarily legal but things that needed to be done. The show also relied heavily on the chemistry of it's leads who brought a blue collar worker quality to their roles which made them easy to relate to.