Dark City

This neo-noir thriller starts with Tommy Gunn as a no-nonsense private eye stalking through the black-and-white streets of downtown L.A. as ominous music swells around him. Remember it, Jake? It's "Chinatown."

The mystery woman who walks into his office is a period-perfect (except for the jeweled piercing above her lip) Ava Rose, who wants to engage Gunn to catch her hood husband, bad guy Big Boy Mahoney (Ron Jeremy). She has bloody evidence that Mahoney murdered a senator — or so she says.

When Gunn checks out Jeremy's nightclub, he sees Rose singing onstage ("My God, she sings like an angel," he says, breaking rule number one). Gunn looks into Mahoney's public records, gets nowhere, and finally comes to terms with his desire for Rose in a confrontation with Mahoney, who knows Gunn's shady past. It doesn't save Mahoney, though, and the gun-wielding Rose has another surprise up her sleeve before the movie ends.

The use of black-and-white transition scenes adds to the noir feel, and intense colors keep the eye interested. The use of period-style costumes, hard-boiled dialogue and the downbeat ending build the noir cred as well. Excellent videography, with Dutch angles and creative lighting. Sex scenes seem added-on: interesting to watch, but not essential to the plot.

Director: Ethan Kane

Cast: Ava Rose, Karlie Montana, Ashlyn Page, Marie Luv, Maya Hills, Faith Leon, Paulina James, Victoria Sin, Tommy Gunn, Ron Jeremy, Ben English, Dirty Harry, Jay Lassiter and Tee Reel