refinedsugar
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Plot summary for 'Rush' painted a very clear picture that from a mile away I knew what I was about to watch. A gritty slice of the war on drugs and the human cost from every angle. Anyone who thought they were in for a cliche but entertaining action pic read into something that just ain't there. Ultimately this movie works best if you soak up the fine acting and a decent level of tension. However if you've sat thru your fair share of this genre you might find its tale doesn't hit quite as hard.
Undercover cop Det. Jim Raynor (Jason Patric) is mandated to take on a partner by both Cpt. Dodd (Sam Elliot) and acting Chief of Police Nettle (Tony Frank). Doing so he spots traits in female recruit Kristen Cates (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and chooses her. After a bit of schooling on the realities of the job they start circulating making drug buys. What starts as a nasty business to maintain their cover having to shoot up, snort or pop the product they're trying to take off the streets however soon becomes a problem. One complicated by their main mission per the Chief's orders to get close to allegedly big dealer in town Gaines (Gregg Allman) who won't sell to them.
Two big takeaways here that drove most of my interest after the film kinda settled down to routine pattern. First was seeing actors who I primarily knew for roles in other dope movies playing similar parts. Max Perlich because of 'Blow', Dennis Burkley from the Charlie Sheen pic 'Beyond the Law'. Second item was trying to read as much into the true story this was loosely based on. Putting together a more complete picture of cops who lost themselves only to become criminals, go to prison mixed with political bungling.
'Rush' is by no means a bad film, but I'd be lying if I told you it held my interest in the second half like the first hour had done so successfully. You get great leads in Patric and Leigh which means their chemistry is what ultimately holds together a story that soon turns onto predictable grounds. Being set in the 70's means the use of some great licensed music tracks and also a soundtrack provided by Eric Clapton.
Undercover cop Det. Jim Raynor (Jason Patric) is mandated to take on a partner by both Cpt. Dodd (Sam Elliot) and acting Chief of Police Nettle (Tony Frank). Doing so he spots traits in female recruit Kristen Cates (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and chooses her. After a bit of schooling on the realities of the job they start circulating making drug buys. What starts as a nasty business to maintain their cover having to shoot up, snort or pop the product they're trying to take off the streets however soon becomes a problem. One complicated by their main mission per the Chief's orders to get close to allegedly big dealer in town Gaines (Gregg Allman) who won't sell to them.
Two big takeaways here that drove most of my interest after the film kinda settled down to routine pattern. First was seeing actors who I primarily knew for roles in other dope movies playing similar parts. Max Perlich because of 'Blow', Dennis Burkley from the Charlie Sheen pic 'Beyond the Law'. Second item was trying to read as much into the true story this was loosely based on. Putting together a more complete picture of cops who lost themselves only to become criminals, go to prison mixed with political bungling.
'Rush' is by no means a bad film, but I'd be lying if I told you it held my interest in the second half like the first hour had done so successfully. You get great leads in Patric and Leigh which means their chemistry is what ultimately holds together a story that soon turns onto predictable grounds. Being set in the 70's means the use of some great licensed music tracks and also a soundtrack provided by Eric Clapton.
I've watched this in small pieces and even the entire five hours in one sitting which I'm sure says something bad about me, but hopefully it also tells you how much I enjoyed what it offered too. Any complaints I had about 'Ben Dover Does The Boobcruise' are gone in 'Best of Boob Cruise' which covers not only the '97 edition, but all of them (94, 95, 97, 98, 2000). It has to be said its not everything - few ladies MIA, no classic pictorials or passenger shot material - but fans / those in the know will be pleased.
Can't describe every little moment found here, but know most comes down to repeating places. Ladies on tropical beaches or in the water. Pics being shown shot either professionally or by passengers. Candid moments, quick words from some of them featured. On the ship for more posing, pics or stage show dance / strip numbers. Simple to a point montage intro features the ladies, boobs and lite funny business or dancing (2 mins). "Sarenna Lee" as one of their most popular women was no shock to see up first. She drops from either a few nice bikinis or dresses and looks great. Little title cards make note of when footage is from the '95 or '98 cruise (17 mins). "Lorna Morgan" in her one and only cruise in 2000 looks great and the naked highlight for me was posing for photos in a red bikini (7 mins).
"Chloe" Vevrier gets out of a matching body wrap and bikini against a palm tree from the '94 cruise. Because of it's age the quality of footage is lower. Next comes a standard mix of posing for different photo sets ('94, '95 and '97) some of which are lengthy and give good looks at her plus a few short interactions with passengers (12.5 mins). "Danni Ashe" starts with sights from the '94 cruise looking great and big smile. Stage show strip from '94. Now '95 quick mix and lastly to '97 which ends on her naked in a pool via underwater shots (17 mins). "Angelique" that Brazilian bombshell with killer boobs and sex appeal for days has the standard mix of clips before settling on a lengthy onboard pool photo session. Getting out of her one piece white bikini looking super hot. My only complaint is there isn't more of her (3.5 mins). "Brittany Andrews" shows off boobs to a lusty crowd at night before her '97 stage show stripping. Photo op on the beach for passengers has her looking at her best. From '98 she's posing in different dresses continuing to look hot. Another stage show where crowd interaction is nice (11.5 mins).
"Traci Topps" has '95 footage in & out of bikinis then bts of a photoshoot from '97. Both parts have very nice shots, but much like Angelique, I didn't get enough footage here to satisfy my appetite for one of my fav busty ladies (3.5 mins). "Busty Dusty" stripping on the beach from '95 has sights on the rocks or crawling along that are great. Unleashes her puppies in a stage show from '98 in a military costume. Another one as she strips from a pink outfit. More beach goodness and nice looks at her whole body (17 mins). "Heather Hooters" has your standard parts, but it's a photo session in a blue skirt and white top that delivers the best visually. Another video segment posing on the rocks and one more for good measure with a flower in her hair (12 mins). "Casey James" gets right to unleashing her big guns on deck '98 before its back to '97 as dudes got to handle those suckers. Misc shots before stage show strip from a country dress. More quick shots then to 2000 as she peels out of a red two piece. At the beach some lucky guys get to apply baby oil to Casey and Maxi Mounds. Tons of huge boobs being rubbed (10 mins).
"Europe DiChan" has her boobs from '98 to lead off and then the sights turn to the beach including a guy super handsy. Strips as an Egyptian princess for stage show but only a small piece (not naked). Partners up with Casey for a duo stage show that sees the best part be contest as passengers try to remove marshmallows from their boobs blindfolded (12 mins). "Tawny Peaks" only did the '94 cruise so footage is a tiny bit lower in quality. Small candid moment before a lengthy posing / strip on the beach that is it (7 mins). "Sammy Black" from '98 is quickly shown topless. Back onboard it's a secluded strip from a bikini down to nothing that has nice views laying down (9.5 mins). "Connie Kline" from '98 is shown off a ton topless / naked right away then lite girl/girl with Dawn Stone in the sands (2 mins).
"Fantasia" is shown off in a montage of '97 topless shots before a stage show strip from a black vinyl dress (2.5 mins). "Sana Fey" another killer redhead is topless in a bunch of '97 shots before posing for passenger pics. Moderate piece of her stage show before clips of her and Fantasia hanging out usually topless. Then at the beach from '98 has lots of hot closeups and spreads her kitty. Now poses solo before being joined by Rachel Rocketts for pics. Appreciated seeing Rachel here even if it's only this one little piece. Both their boobs and kitties shown off nicely (11.5 mins). "Linsey" Dawn McKenzie shows off her wicked boobs in her first cruise of '97. 2000 see more of her great body the best of which comes getting out of a aqua blue dress. Gets naked and out of more bikinis shown off quite nicely (20 mins).
Another montage intro via the 2nd disc has some of the same shots as before but also new ones for the next batch of ladies (2 mins). "Minka" gets silly in the opening supplying boobs and as it jumps between '97, '98 you see 'em increase in size. Shots in a yellow bikini are pleasing for 2000 then another stage show with some saucy crowd interaction (13 mins). "Dawn Stone" after making appearances in other ladies parts is now shown off to the max solo. A tanned blonde oiled up poolside via '98 "with her shaved pussy and sizzling sex appeal" (female narrator's own words, haha) looking fantastic. That short slicked back hairstyle is a winner that matches a killer body (4 mins). "Vanessa" shown in '97 topless right away in a bunch of shots before photo op at the beach in & out of bikinis. On deck taken up a notch by lovely risqué closeups as she poses. Once again for her '98 voyage (7.5 mins). "Valerie Fields" has the usual mix of yummy topless shots, piece of a stage show and more nude posing (2 mins).
"Summer Leigh" has '98 posing on the beach or onboard. Sometimes in a bikini, but mostly always topless from the start (11 mins mins). "Maxi Mounds" next to a jacuzzi has those huge melons on display, but also her entire tanned body. Onboard or at the beach hot visuals include a spread and rubbing herself. Huge boobs and a nice body, but its also a down to earth personality on camera (8 mins). "Lisa Lipps" much like Tawny only did the maiden '94 cruise so the lack of footage here of her saddens me as a fan. Her and Tawny pose for a pictorial onboard and has a couple of quick candid shots (2.5 mins). "Windy Leigh" drops her bikini via 2000 cruise and she belongs to the stacked tanned blondes category which there is no shortage of here (7 mins). "Jessica Justice" a very pretty brunette is naked from the start at the beach in her top moment (5 mins).
"Donita Dunes" from the 2000 cruise wastes no time showing off a killer pornstar body naturally including her big tits (5 mins). "Ariana" also on the 2000 cruise poses for pics at that same jacuzzi Maxi was at but just as great. Ditto a professional shoot at the ship's bar that has lots of hot awesome visuals (5 mins). "Jessica Turner" looks killer in a purple bikini on the beach for 2000 before and after it comes off (3 mins). "Brittany Love" poses for the 2000 cruise as well including a spicy closeup as she fingers both holes (8.5 mins). "Melody Foxxe" another brunette stunner has the honor of getting her photo shoot in the ship's boiler room. It sounds bad, but naked sights of a beautiful women work anywhere and this proves it (4.5 mins).
"Adina" gets out of a red bikini on the beach as those kind of shots you want get ticked off (3.5 mins). "Nicole Tyler" on '97 cruise gets shown off nicely in the usual beach / on deck / stage show clip mix (6 mins). "Skye Blue" & "Summer Cummings" share this part because they were a dancing duo at the time. Summer would go onto dare I say a bigger career solo, but enjoy the shots of them both posing on deck together there's some good ones (5 mins). "Angel Eyes" wraps up the five hour title and though you can see the backend is loaded with lesser known ladies, Angel is an absolute busty stunner. Great boobs, fantastic body. She poses up against a tree for the longest and most pleasurable part (11 mins).
There's not much in the way of downsides. I grew tired of those stage shows, but not enough to derail my enjoyment. Worth mentioning Score did many titles over the years covering the boobcruises so there's some overlap / recycling / deja vu going on. Plus as already mentioned a few busty ladies who participated didn't make the cut who I wish had.
'Best of Boob Cruise' does a superb job highlighting how these events were lightning in a bottle. You don't have to be absolutely gaga for huge bustlines (many of the man made kind) to enjoy this, but it'll certainly help. A snapshot to a time when top heavy ladies were skyrocketing in popularity and became a genre onto themselves. This title is loaded up with the biggest (excuse the pun) names from back in the day.
Can't describe every little moment found here, but know most comes down to repeating places. Ladies on tropical beaches or in the water. Pics being shown shot either professionally or by passengers. Candid moments, quick words from some of them featured. On the ship for more posing, pics or stage show dance / strip numbers. Simple to a point montage intro features the ladies, boobs and lite funny business or dancing (2 mins). "Sarenna Lee" as one of their most popular women was no shock to see up first. She drops from either a few nice bikinis or dresses and looks great. Little title cards make note of when footage is from the '95 or '98 cruise (17 mins). "Lorna Morgan" in her one and only cruise in 2000 looks great and the naked highlight for me was posing for photos in a red bikini (7 mins).
"Chloe" Vevrier gets out of a matching body wrap and bikini against a palm tree from the '94 cruise. Because of it's age the quality of footage is lower. Next comes a standard mix of posing for different photo sets ('94, '95 and '97) some of which are lengthy and give good looks at her plus a few short interactions with passengers (12.5 mins). "Danni Ashe" starts with sights from the '94 cruise looking great and big smile. Stage show strip from '94. Now '95 quick mix and lastly to '97 which ends on her naked in a pool via underwater shots (17 mins). "Angelique" that Brazilian bombshell with killer boobs and sex appeal for days has the standard mix of clips before settling on a lengthy onboard pool photo session. Getting out of her one piece white bikini looking super hot. My only complaint is there isn't more of her (3.5 mins). "Brittany Andrews" shows off boobs to a lusty crowd at night before her '97 stage show stripping. Photo op on the beach for passengers has her looking at her best. From '98 she's posing in different dresses continuing to look hot. Another stage show where crowd interaction is nice (11.5 mins).
"Traci Topps" has '95 footage in & out of bikinis then bts of a photoshoot from '97. Both parts have very nice shots, but much like Angelique, I didn't get enough footage here to satisfy my appetite for one of my fav busty ladies (3.5 mins). "Busty Dusty" stripping on the beach from '95 has sights on the rocks or crawling along that are great. Unleashes her puppies in a stage show from '98 in a military costume. Another one as she strips from a pink outfit. More beach goodness and nice looks at her whole body (17 mins). "Heather Hooters" has your standard parts, but it's a photo session in a blue skirt and white top that delivers the best visually. Another video segment posing on the rocks and one more for good measure with a flower in her hair (12 mins). "Casey James" gets right to unleashing her big guns on deck '98 before its back to '97 as dudes got to handle those suckers. Misc shots before stage show strip from a country dress. More quick shots then to 2000 as she peels out of a red two piece. At the beach some lucky guys get to apply baby oil to Casey and Maxi Mounds. Tons of huge boobs being rubbed (10 mins).
"Europe DiChan" has her boobs from '98 to lead off and then the sights turn to the beach including a guy super handsy. Strips as an Egyptian princess for stage show but only a small piece (not naked). Partners up with Casey for a duo stage show that sees the best part be contest as passengers try to remove marshmallows from their boobs blindfolded (12 mins). "Tawny Peaks" only did the '94 cruise so footage is a tiny bit lower in quality. Small candid moment before a lengthy posing / strip on the beach that is it (7 mins). "Sammy Black" from '98 is quickly shown topless. Back onboard it's a secluded strip from a bikini down to nothing that has nice views laying down (9.5 mins). "Connie Kline" from '98 is shown off a ton topless / naked right away then lite girl/girl with Dawn Stone in the sands (2 mins).
"Fantasia" is shown off in a montage of '97 topless shots before a stage show strip from a black vinyl dress (2.5 mins). "Sana Fey" another killer redhead is topless in a bunch of '97 shots before posing for passenger pics. Moderate piece of her stage show before clips of her and Fantasia hanging out usually topless. Then at the beach from '98 has lots of hot closeups and spreads her kitty. Now poses solo before being joined by Rachel Rocketts for pics. Appreciated seeing Rachel here even if it's only this one little piece. Both their boobs and kitties shown off nicely (11.5 mins). "Linsey" Dawn McKenzie shows off her wicked boobs in her first cruise of '97. 2000 see more of her great body the best of which comes getting out of a aqua blue dress. Gets naked and out of more bikinis shown off quite nicely (20 mins).
Another montage intro via the 2nd disc has some of the same shots as before but also new ones for the next batch of ladies (2 mins). "Minka" gets silly in the opening supplying boobs and as it jumps between '97, '98 you see 'em increase in size. Shots in a yellow bikini are pleasing for 2000 then another stage show with some saucy crowd interaction (13 mins). "Dawn Stone" after making appearances in other ladies parts is now shown off to the max solo. A tanned blonde oiled up poolside via '98 "with her shaved pussy and sizzling sex appeal" (female narrator's own words, haha) looking fantastic. That short slicked back hairstyle is a winner that matches a killer body (4 mins). "Vanessa" shown in '97 topless right away in a bunch of shots before photo op at the beach in & out of bikinis. On deck taken up a notch by lovely risqué closeups as she poses. Once again for her '98 voyage (7.5 mins). "Valerie Fields" has the usual mix of yummy topless shots, piece of a stage show and more nude posing (2 mins).
"Summer Leigh" has '98 posing on the beach or onboard. Sometimes in a bikini, but mostly always topless from the start (11 mins mins). "Maxi Mounds" next to a jacuzzi has those huge melons on display, but also her entire tanned body. Onboard or at the beach hot visuals include a spread and rubbing herself. Huge boobs and a nice body, but its also a down to earth personality on camera (8 mins). "Lisa Lipps" much like Tawny only did the maiden '94 cruise so the lack of footage here of her saddens me as a fan. Her and Tawny pose for a pictorial onboard and has a couple of quick candid shots (2.5 mins). "Windy Leigh" drops her bikini via 2000 cruise and she belongs to the stacked tanned blondes category which there is no shortage of here (7 mins). "Jessica Justice" a very pretty brunette is naked from the start at the beach in her top moment (5 mins).
"Donita Dunes" from the 2000 cruise wastes no time showing off a killer pornstar body naturally including her big tits (5 mins). "Ariana" also on the 2000 cruise poses for pics at that same jacuzzi Maxi was at but just as great. Ditto a professional shoot at the ship's bar that has lots of hot awesome visuals (5 mins). "Jessica Turner" looks killer in a purple bikini on the beach for 2000 before and after it comes off (3 mins). "Brittany Love" poses for the 2000 cruise as well including a spicy closeup as she fingers both holes (8.5 mins). "Melody Foxxe" another brunette stunner has the honor of getting her photo shoot in the ship's boiler room. It sounds bad, but naked sights of a beautiful women work anywhere and this proves it (4.5 mins).
"Adina" gets out of a red bikini on the beach as those kind of shots you want get ticked off (3.5 mins). "Nicole Tyler" on '97 cruise gets shown off nicely in the usual beach / on deck / stage show clip mix (6 mins). "Skye Blue" & "Summer Cummings" share this part because they were a dancing duo at the time. Summer would go onto dare I say a bigger career solo, but enjoy the shots of them both posing on deck together there's some good ones (5 mins). "Angel Eyes" wraps up the five hour title and though you can see the backend is loaded with lesser known ladies, Angel is an absolute busty stunner. Great boobs, fantastic body. She poses up against a tree for the longest and most pleasurable part (11 mins).
There's not much in the way of downsides. I grew tired of those stage shows, but not enough to derail my enjoyment. Worth mentioning Score did many titles over the years covering the boobcruises so there's some overlap / recycling / deja vu going on. Plus as already mentioned a few busty ladies who participated didn't make the cut who I wish had.
'Best of Boob Cruise' does a superb job highlighting how these events were lightning in a bottle. You don't have to be absolutely gaga for huge bustlines (many of the man made kind) to enjoy this, but it'll certainly help. A snapshot to a time when top heavy ladies were skyrocketing in popularity and became a genre onto themselves. This title is loaded up with the biggest (excuse the pun) names from back in the day.
A few subdued bursts of action and/or violence paint the way, but 'Narc' is no dumb action film. This a pic about undercover cops, murder, drugs has so much grit and dirt surrounding it you'll need a huge container of Mr. Clean to clean it off. An unpretentious level of atmosphere combined with two fine leads in Ray Liotta and Jason Patric make it memorable.
Undercover drug narc Det. Sgt. Nick Tellis (Patric) sees his latest detail go sideways in awful fashion as he both takes the blame / voluntarily leaves the force due to the fallout. However the department desperate in it's investigation into the death of fellow undercover cop in Det. Mike Calvess that has gotten nowhere ask Nick to help. Who does so with a stipulation he gets a desk job when he provides closure to the case. Lots to dig thru, lots of unsavory people to meet and old school cop Lt. Henry Oak (Liotta) brought onboard who was very close to the victim ... maybe too close.
Chi McBride has a role as a police superior, Busta Rhymes as a suspect, John Ortiz as a pathetic mess of a man. Canadian actor Alan Peterson one of the department faces of higher authority in an early conference room scene that are usually flat and lifeless in other movies, but works pretty well here due to real attitudes and dialog. A quality the movie doubles down on throughout.
Questions of right and wrong swirl around displays of morality. The pic might not hold up too well after you're seen all its cards and starting thinking, but it's fairly straight up in being down to earth. Both stars in Liotta, Patric sacrificed to see the underbudgeted and faltering film get completed and in the case of the latter it brings back feelings he once established in 'Rush'. Which also dealt with cops neck deep in the drug trade losing themselves.
I saw 'Narc' in theaters back when it came out and then again when it hit DVD. Sitting down for it a third time 22 years after it's debut it still hits hard and in all the right places. Gritty no holds barred with seamy elements to make your skin crawl. Shame a finale and reveal can never play the same way like it did the first time, but that doesn't diminish a very good film that has class for days. A must watch for fans of director Joe Carnahan, Ray Liotta and amongst Jason Patric's best work.
Undercover drug narc Det. Sgt. Nick Tellis (Patric) sees his latest detail go sideways in awful fashion as he both takes the blame / voluntarily leaves the force due to the fallout. However the department desperate in it's investigation into the death of fellow undercover cop in Det. Mike Calvess that has gotten nowhere ask Nick to help. Who does so with a stipulation he gets a desk job when he provides closure to the case. Lots to dig thru, lots of unsavory people to meet and old school cop Lt. Henry Oak (Liotta) brought onboard who was very close to the victim ... maybe too close.
Chi McBride has a role as a police superior, Busta Rhymes as a suspect, John Ortiz as a pathetic mess of a man. Canadian actor Alan Peterson one of the department faces of higher authority in an early conference room scene that are usually flat and lifeless in other movies, but works pretty well here due to real attitudes and dialog. A quality the movie doubles down on throughout.
Questions of right and wrong swirl around displays of morality. The pic might not hold up too well after you're seen all its cards and starting thinking, but it's fairly straight up in being down to earth. Both stars in Liotta, Patric sacrificed to see the underbudgeted and faltering film get completed and in the case of the latter it brings back feelings he once established in 'Rush'. Which also dealt with cops neck deep in the drug trade losing themselves.
I saw 'Narc' in theaters back when it came out and then again when it hit DVD. Sitting down for it a third time 22 years after it's debut it still hits hard and in all the right places. Gritty no holds barred with seamy elements to make your skin crawl. Shame a finale and reveal can never play the same way like it did the first time, but that doesn't diminish a very good film that has class for days. A must watch for fans of director Joe Carnahan, Ray Liotta and amongst Jason Patric's best work.