FRANCIS COVERS THE BIG TOWN (1953)

I’m beginning to suspect that there is pretty much zero continuity between the Francis films. At the end of the last movie, Francis and Peter parted ways (yet again) but in this film they’re living together while Peter works as a copyboy in a large newspaper office. Soon though, Peter is promoted to a full-blown reporter thanks to the endless scoops that Francis gets for Peter by talking to various horses and mules around New York. It’s not all sunshine and carrot-flavored carrots though, no siree bob. You gotta remember (I guess there is some continuity after all!) that Peter is an idiot. So, while working on a story about a “protection racket”, his dumbass gets framed and arrested for murder!

Out of the series so far, FRANCIS COVERS THE BIG TOWN is the most enjoyable and best constructed. It even had a scene with Francis and Peter walking down a crowded street together. That was cool, I really enjoyed that. (I think it was West 46th St, but never been there. So just guessing.) Good pace, zero nudity, zero gore, a few goofy jokes that made me roll my handsome eyeballs, movie theater ads for SATURDAY’S HERO, HERE COMES THE GROOM, THE WELL and QUO VADIS, a brief John Qualen sighting.

I have more to say, but too depressed to think (or breathe). In short, Francis 4 is a fun addition to the series and worth checking out for those curious.

Part 1 - Francis (1950)
Part 2 - Francis Goes to the Races (1951)
Part 3 - Francis Goes to West Point (1952)
Part 5 - Francis Joins the WACS (1954)
Part 6 - Francis in the Navy (1955)
Part 7 - Francis in the Haunted House (1956)

HATCHETMAN (2003)

It’s a small world after all. The Los Angeles police are stumped when a new serial killer, known as The Hatchetman, shows up. But they really shouldn’t be stumped because she or he or they is only killing strippers who work at a certain club and live at a particular apartment complex. The lead (aka only) Homicide detective should have figured this out since he’s dating one of the strippers! What an amazing coincidence.

The story might be shabby, but for an early 00’s skin flick/slasher, HATCHETMAN is alright. Although it's too weak to be classified as Horror. I remember watching it when it was new and not enjoying it, but while watching it again for this review I actually got a few giggles out of it. It probably had something to do with the nostalgia of it.

Script that probably took less than a day to write, multiple nude scenes early on, vintage electronics, cool old fashions, a random U2 CD, multiple strip club patrons that looked very bored or confused and nowhere near as excited as that dude at the strip club in WISHMASTER 4, okay pace that never dwelled for too long, a storyline (the hidden camera) that just disappeared without explanation, zero gore, very little blood.

HATCHETMAN isn't great Cinema (it's barely even average Cinema), but in a state of crushing depression it can be an amusing distraction.  Or, if you're looking for a better early 2000's obscure slasher, you'd probably be better off with BLOODY MURDER since it actually tries to be a Horror film.  And it's way funnier.

Back to HATCHETMAN, I'm kinda surprised that the two main female leads didn't star in more films since they were both good actresses.

U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind