refinedsugar

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 this had to offer 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 by nature it's not everything from them - few ladies MIA, no classic pictorials or passenger shot material - but fans / those in the know will be pleased.

Simple yet to the point intro features the ladies, the boobs clothed or not and lite funny business or dancing (2 mins). "Sarenna Lee" was no shock to see they'd start the video off with one of their most popular ladies. Quick montages make up a lot and honestly too many little pieces to go over in every detail. Just know between dropping from dresses, bikinis she's shown off very well. Little title cards tell you what year footage was taken from in this case the '95 cruise or '98. Wrapping things up is her stage dance for passengers (17 mins). "Lorna Morgan" highlights her one and only cruise from 2000 first posing for photos in a red bikini in tropical waters. A little montage per usual in between as we then watch Lorna try parasailing. Then it's back to the beach as she gets out of a bikini in lovely fashion (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 where looking great and big smiles. Transitions to a beach for a long video segment starting off already topless, but then removes the rest and looks fantastic head to toe. Couple of spicy closeups worth mentioning too. Then it's her stage show strip from '94. Now to '95 in a quick mix of posing for photos, candid bits and brief shots of her stage show. Lastly its '97 where she unleashes her boobs on stage to a round of applause and poses for photos which includes with passengers. Solid minute of her (and others) naked in a pool via underwater shots for an ending (17 mins).

"Angelique" the Brazilian bombshell with great boobs & sex appeal for days has a standard mix of clips - on the beach, posing, candid shots, interacting with fans - before settling on a lengthy onboard pool photo session. Getting out of her one piece white bikini looking super hot. Her dancing briefly at night onboard closes things out and my only complaint is there wasn't more of her (3.5 mins). "Brittany Andrews" shows her boobs to a lusty crowd at night before '97 stage show stripping from vinyl clothing takes over. Photo op on the beach for passengers has her looking at her best. Also joined by Linsey Dawn McKenzie as they pose for dual effect. From '98 she's in and out of either a strawberry dress or in a loud pink one for pics. For the latter it means the guys get to be a little handsy as Brit also supplies a few spreads too. Video segments next as she first poses dressed up as the captain complete with sunglasses and the views are great. Now on the beach solo with a few more spreads before another stage show where crowd interaction is the best (11.5 mins).

"Traci Topps" has '95 footage in & out of bikinis, talking to the camera. Now it's bts of a photoshoot from '97. Both parts have very nice shots within, but much like Angelique, I didn't get enough footage here to satisfy my appetite for one of my vintage favorite busty ladies. You do get another minute of her candid topless posing or with passengers on deck to wrap, but still not enough in my book (3.5 mins). "Busty Dusty" has a quick bit talking to the camera man, but then straight to her stripping on the beach from '95 from a brown bikini. The sights on the rocks or crawling along are winners. Quick piece of posing for photos before off to '98 and unleashing her massive puppies then the stage show stripping from a military costume by not the entirety of it. One more brief photo op before another stage show as she strips from a colorful pink outfit. Back to the beach for more photos and a very nice look at her body from different angles (17 mins).

"Heather Hooters" we follow along on some shopping, few topless shots and dancing onboard with passengers via '98. Jumps back to '97 for more nice views and a dance number / strip for the stage show. A photo session in a blue skirt & white top delivers the best. Many nice shots of her body - boobs in particular - also closeups of her kitty. More shopping before naked on the rocks right away in a video segment that has the tracking views you love. Back to the beach to strip out of a red bikini for pics and one more stageshow strip from a musical inspired dress with a killer moment of crowd participation. One more video segment for good measure already naked with a flower in her hair to finish things off (12 mins). "Casey James" gets right to unleashing her big guns on deck '98 before back to '97 as dudes got to handle those suckers. Misc shots before stage show stripping from country dress. More quick shots then to 2000 as she peels out of a red two piece in a video scene that has the views you crave. We go back on deck for more nude posing for pics and at the beach where some lucky guys get to apply baby oil to Casey and Maxi Mounds. Tons of huge boobs being rubbed including both of them together. 2000 stage show from a black Western duster is her finale (10 mins).

"Europe DiChan" has a montage of her boobs from '98 to lead off and then the sights turn to the beach including a guy super handy. Strip as an Egyptian princess for stage show but only a small piece (never naked) and then back to a montage of clips. Partners with Casey for a duo stage show that sees them strip. Best or most unexpected part is when a contest sees passengers try to remove a marshmallow blindfolded from their boobs. A photo session from '98 on deck. Another stage show from a race car outfit very energetic and a few spicy shots in the mix. Lastly it's candid footage of her and Sarenna Lee on the beach from '95 being silly (12 mins). "Tawny Peaks" only did one cruise - '94 - so the footage is a tiny bit lower in quality. Small candid onboard before a lengthy bit of posing and a strip at the beach. Savior it if you're a fan of her because this is the extent of things (7 mins).

"Sammy Black" from '98 quickly topless on the beach and plays / runs along with Linsey as they both (Sammy especially) bounce like crazy. Back onboard it's a secluded strip from a bikini down to nothing that has some nice views laying down. "Connie Kline" from '98 gets shown off a ton topless right away. Then her and Dawn Stone together for not just posing, but some lite girl/girl kissing & touching (2 mins). "Fantasia" is shown off in a montage of '97 topless shots before a stage show strip from a black vinyl dress for this fierce redhead (2.5 mins). "Sana Fey" another killer redhead is topless in a bunch of '97 shots before posing for passenger pics on deck. Moderate piece of her stage show before quick clips of her and Fantasia hanging out usually topless. In what was one of the my favorite moments she's then shown on the beach from '98 with crazy hot closeups and a spread of the kitty. Another stage show shaking both maracas and her lovely tatas. Posing in a tree solo before joined by Rachel Rocketts for still pics. Sana is the focus, but appreciated seeing Rachel here. Both their boobs and kitties shown off nicely (11.5 mins).

"Linsey" Dawn McKenzie shows off her great boobs in her first cruise of '97 on deck and in the sand. Brittany Andrews joins her and they pose. Candid footage before a photo session of 2000 onboard quickly and then back to the beach for more boobs and her gorgeous body. Few candid shots with passengers before another photo shoot this time via '98 which leads to a separate solo. Views of her from 2000 mean playing with fellow Brit Jessica Turner in the water and as photos taken. Linsey solo getting out of an aqua blue dress delivered the best of all. Legit scene and good camera work up close. Parasailing the last setup which goes topless before a bunch of clips of her in & out of bikinis (20 mins). Another montage via the 2nd disc has some of the same shots as before but throws in new ones for the next batch of ladies (2 mins). "Minka" gets silly in the opening which supplying boobs and as it jumps between '98, '97 you see them increasing in size. '97 was prime Minka before the boobs got crazy big. However views on the beach at any size are great. Then it's a sizable portion with her & Busty Dusty going around shopping and talking to locals. Fun, but not titillating. Back on deck for lovely sights of her massive bust and tight body includes a great shot of her all oiled up. Has the requisite stage show shown dropping from a dress and getting oiled up via a passenger once again. Now to '98 doing photos on the beach with Donita Dunes and Dawn separately. Now more solo shots in a yellow bikini are pleasing and then it's another stage show with some saucy crowd interaction (13 mins).

"Dawn Stone" after making appearances in other ladies parts now gets shown off to the max. A tanned blonde oiled up poolside via '98 is shown off "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. In the sand or water she's shown posing before more shots onboard at either the pool or at the helm of the boat. Back to the beach now with Minka in reused footage finishes things for Dawn (4 mins). "Vanessa" shown in '97 topless right away in a bunch of shots before standard photo op at the beach in & out of bikinis.

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 with so much girt and dirt surrounding it you'll need an XL container of Mr. Clean to scrap 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 intelligent 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 hit 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.

Director Ric Roman Waugh enjoys playing in a sandbox full of cops, criminals pulsing their way through the justice, prison system and on the streets. From lite popcorn fare in 'Snitch' to a well intended pic that missed the mark in 'Felon' he hits his stride from every angle in 'Shot Caller'. A title that traverses territory we've seen done before yet with a ton of believability, heart and grit. Fantastic cast, well acted, well shot. A great somber musical score too.

Stockbroker Jacob Harlon (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) lives a happy life with a wife and young son in LA that goes away when he's involved in a fatal car crash that kills his friend where he's deemed responsive. A plea deal nets him 18 months in prison where he quickly learns there's a different set of rules to live by. Joins up along race lines with Aryans to stay alive his actions see him do seven years as he rises in rank, but also crush a future with his family. About to be released on parole, he's told to head up a gun sale to a rival gang by leader "The Beast" (Holt McCallany) as veiled threats remind Harlon alias "Money" his association doesn't end when he gets out. Plus smart and tough as nails parole officer Kutcher (Omari Hardwick) is just waiting for him to slip up.

Omari as the most prominent man with a badge steals the screen, but Matt Gerald & Benjamin Bratt play fellow cops nicely. Jeffrey Donovan as a ranking shot caller in 'Bottles' lays groundwork and emotions early on when Hanlon is first incarcerated. He doesn't have a ton of screen time which only credits him more with the power of what he has to say. Fans of action flicks will recognize Evan Jones (Den of Thieves) as fellow gang member Chopper. MMA fans ditto Keith Jardine as 'Ripper'. Lastly 'Redwood' (Chris Browning) & Herman Gomez (Juan Pablo Raba) pump energy into what could be stock characters in lower quality pics. Story of Howie (Emory Cohen) and how he ties in, plays out is apt and Jon Bernthal as gang member 'Shotgun' is just a blast.

It crisscrosses the present, past in telling its tale which I found efficient. Never once did it lose me. Loads of atmosphere and emotions. An equal mix of the man himself - his thoughts, feelings, losing grip, adjustments and ultimate priority - where everything isn't spelled out. The theme of family is a strong undercurrent as they too get touched on. Effects its having without taking up too much focus or getting needlessly mushy. Add in the cops who have a job to do and the various scumbags angles played. It's a complete package and has to be said the physical, mental transformation Jacob goes thru adds weight and is a big strength. Of course the necessary action beats, violence satisfies and thankfully doesn't go over the top.

Still remember when I first saw 'Shot Caller' and thought it'd be a mild viewer only to have my modest expectations blown away. I've seen it another half dozen times since and it holds up incredibly well. Waldau shines brightly and a supporting cast particularly Hardwick, Bernthal, Donovan and McCallany put in solid work. A testament to the film it never once gets heavy handed, takes a misstep or misfires.