Midnight Heat (1983)
Midnight Heat (1983) Overview"Midnight Heat" is directed by Roger Watkins, known for his cult classic "Last House on Dead End Street." Following this success, Watkins transitioned into hardcore films, maintaining the distinctive elements that characterize his earlier work.
Plot Summary
The film centers on Alan, portrayed by Jamie Gillis, a hitman who embraces a dangerous lifestyle. The narrative begins with Alan casually committing murder and soon finds himself embroiled in a conflict after having an affair with a mob boss's wife. This leads him to hide in a rundown hotel while evading threats to his life. During his time in isolation, he experiences flashbacks that explore his relationships and emotional detachment, ultimately portraying him as a "hollow man."The storyline also includes a secondary character, a prostitute who shares her own troubled past while staying with Alan. Their experiences highlight the darker aspects of their lives, culminating in a disturbing conclusion.
Critical Reception
A review praises Gillis's performance, describing it as one of his darkest roles. The film is noted for its murky aesthetic and compelling acting, with the sexual scenes characterized as neither purely erotic nor sleazy, but rather a poetic representation of the characters’ descent into despair. However, the reviewer mentions a discrepancy in the film's ending compared to their previous viewing, suggesting it may have been edited.
Technical Information
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Director: Richard Mahler
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Studio: VCA
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Video Quality: Decent, with clarity and color rated at 5/10.
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Container Format: AVI with a bitrate of 1.4 Mb/s and MPEG-4 video encoding.
Quality Guide Notes- Ratings are subjective and consider overall quality, clarity, and color accuracy. -
Vintage films typically receive ratings between decent and good, while high-quality releases can achieve excellent ratings.
Additional Notes
When uploading vintage films, only superior quality or encoding versions are shared to enhance the viewing experience. Original DVD encodes aim to closely resemble the source material, ensuring a better presentation of the film. This summary encapsulates the film's essence, key themes, and technical aspects while maintaining a neutral stance.