Genre: crime

Published: December 23, 2024

Marraskuun harmaa valo

A man attempting a bank robbery flees to a large hotel located in the center of Tallinn. In the process, he has accidentally killed a bank clerk and forces his way into the room of a Finnish businessman—a cynical and disillusioned man dissatisfied with his life. After the situation calms down, the businessman’s wife tries to persuade him to return to Finland, fearing the situation will end badly for him. However, the businessman chooses to stay in Tallinn and begins a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the local police and the mafia, who also become entangled in the events.

Published: November 19, 2024

Jumalia ei uhmata

Defying the Gods continues the popular series of Chief Inspector Hanhivaara adaptations. A well-known Finnish man is found murdered at a popular Sicilian holiday resort, and a Finnish police officer already on site begins investigating the case independently. The investigation shifts from Sicily to Finland, taking increasingly complex turns. (Source: VLMedia)

Published: November 19, 2024

Isku vasten kasvoja

An Olympic champion is found murdered. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that one by one, people harbored grudges against a former national hero. The victim’s widow becomes all too familiar to Hanhivaara… (Source: VLMedia)

Published: November 19, 2024

Isku suoneen

Isku Suoneen (Blow to the Vein) is a crime series directed by Anssi Mänttäri, based on Pentti Kirstilä’s novel. The series follows Chief Inspector Hanhivaara’s battle against drug-related crimes. A large shipment of heroin arrives in Finland, prompting Hanhivaara to launch an investigation. Even the criminals seem on edge as the smuggling operation escalates, and bodies begin to pile up. The exhausting investigation starts to take a toll on Hanhivaara’s personal life as well.

Published: November 18, 2024

Damaged

Damaged is a crime drama and thriller film starring Samuel L. Jackson as Chicago detective Dan Lawson. He is called to Scotland to investigate a brutal string of murders with methods eerily similar to a case he worked on five years earlier. Teaming up with local detective Walter Bravo (Vincent Cassel), Lawson is forced to confront harrowing secrets as the murder cases intertwine with increasingly personal threats.

The film combines intense crime investigation with psychological suspense, set against the dark landscapes of Scotland.

Published: October 14, 2024

Calvary

Irish drama film directed and written by John Michael McDonagh. The film is known for its profound themes, dark humor, and strong performances. Calvary explores deep subjects such as faith, forgiveness, guilt, and the meaning of life. The title refers to Golgotha (Calvary), the place where Jesus was crucified, which emphasizes its symbolism of sacrifice and suffering.

The film also addresses scandals within the Catholic Church and their impact on communities, particularly cases of clerical abuse. These themes, however, are handled subtly, and the story focuses more on personal soul-searching and the complexities of human relationships.

Calvary tells the story of Father James Lavelle, a Catholic priest working in a small Irish village. One day in the confessional, someone threatens to kill him in a week’s time. This person does not want revenge for James’s sins but for the past wrongdoings of the Catholic Church. Under the shadow of this death threat, Father James tries to carry on with his life and help the villagers, though his own faith and purpose are put to the test. The film focuses on Father James’s journey toward his potential fate and the moral choices he faces along the way.

Published: August 21, 2024

Laitakaupungin valot

In the modern industrial setting of Ruoholahti, Koistinen (Janne Hyytiäinen), a lonely man working as a night watchman, is relentlessly bullied by his coworkers. He dreams of starting his own business and shares this aspiration with Aila (Maria Heiskanen), who runs a sausage stand by the waterfront. Unbeknownst to Koistinen, Aila harbors deeper feelings for him.

One day, Koistinen meets Mirja (Maria Järvenhelmi), who is secretly working for the criminal boss Lindström (Ilkka Koivula). Mirja pretends to be infatuated with Koistinen, but at the opportune moment, she drugs him and steals his keyring to assist Lindström and his gang in robbing a diamond store. Koistinen refuses to implicate Mirja and is sentenced to two years in prison.

After his release, Koistinen tries to rebuild his life from almost nothing. By chance, he encounters Mirja and Lindström in a restaurant. Seeking revenge for the betrayal, he later attacks Lindström with a knife, but is subdued by the gangster’s henchmen. Lindström spares his life, though Koistinen is beaten nearly to death and left on the shore. Aila hears of his condition and finds him, bloodied and lying on the ground. ‘I won’t die from this,’ Koistinen promises her as their hands meet for the first time. (Text by Lauri Timonen)

Director:
Aki Kaurismäki

Starring:
Janne Hyytiäinen
Maria Järvenhelmi
Maria Heiskanen
Ilkka Koivula

The film won the 2007 Jussi Awards for Best Film, Best Cinematography, and Best Set Design.

Published: August 14, 2024

Drive-Away Dolls

The film is directed by Ethan Coen, known for being one half of the Coen brothers. This movie is special because it marks Ethan Coen’s first solo project without his brother Joel.

“Drive-Away Dolls” is an action-comedy that follows the wild journey of two women, Jamie and Marian, as they embark on a spontaneous road trip in search of change in their lives. Jamie has just broken up with her girlfriend and is looking for a fresh start, while Marian is her carefree friend who is always on the hunt for new adventures. Along the way, they find themselves caught up in unexpected and often comedic situations that lead them deeper into trouble.

The film’s story blends classic road movie elements with humor and crime film aspects. It is fast-paced and full of surprises, but at its core, it is about the friendship between the characters and their journey of self-discovery. The movie also highlights feminist themes, focusing on strong female protagonists who take control of their own lives.

“Drive-Away Dolls” features an impressive cast, including Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beau Bridges, and Pedro Pascal. The film has garnered attention for its sharp dialogue and quirky humor characteristic of the Coen brothers’ style, while also offering a fresh perspective through Ethan Coen’s personal direction.

Published: July 18, 2024

The Beekeeper

Adam Clay, retired from the Beekeepers special forces, leads a peaceful life tending to bees. When his elderly neighbor falls victim to a scam and loses all her savings with tragic consequences, Clay must spring back into action. Adam Clay uncovers a conspiracy reaching the highest echelons of power, where ruthless businessmen plot against society’s most vulnerable. With no one else interested in bringing the perpetrators to justice, he must take the law into his own hands.

Published: January 17, 2024

Amsterdam

The year is 1933. In the aftermath of the First World War, wounded war veteran friends, Dr. Burt Berendsen, who employs unconventional methods, and attorney Harold Woodsman find themselves accused of murder when their shared clients, a United States senator and his daughter, die. The duo must uncover the true culprit behind the deaths and clear their names. “Amsterdam” is loosely based on real events surrounding the Business Plot conspiracy, where an attempt was made to overthrow U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and replace him with a dictator.