The Hot Spot (2015)

Roger Ebert gave this film three out of four stars and wrote, "Only movie lovers who have marinated their imaginations in the great B movies from RKO and Republic will recognize 'The Hot Spot' as a superior work in an old tradition." ... I couldn't agree more.My review won't contain the redundant synopsis... This movie was well directed, exceptionally well cast, included a superb blues soundtrack, and featured a rare nouveau noir story line that film purists will surely appreciate and enjoy.This is one of those rare gems that deserves a place in your personal library... You can watch it once every six months and enjoy it as much as the last time you saw it... 10/10 stars

Director Dennis Hopper seemed to Ride this Movie's Heat Wave with an unrestrained irresistibly to Linger on the Lurid. It makes the Film. Given that two radiant Beauties Headline the Cast, a Yin-Yang of Noir Stereotypes, there is much to Admire and Ogle.Virginia Madsen and Jennifer Connelly are simply Sublime and saturated with the Attributes Fitted for the Femme Fatale and the Innocent Lovely. While Madsen is never Off the Over the Top and is Parody personified, the Character is Pure Pulp and can never be taken as anything more than Annoying at Times. Connelly, on the other hand is Restrained and Cuddly as a Puppy Dog.Don Johnson, as the flawed Criminal with a Good Heart and a Throbbing Libido, is Fine and betrays expectations with a more than Phoned In Performance. Director Hopper frames this Neo-Noir with Beautiful and Deadly Images. The Geography is Stifled by the Heat, looks Over Baked and Sterile. The Characters that Inhabit the Small Texan Town go about Their Unremarkable Existence overwhelmed by the Rising Thermometer and Dirty, Dusty Architecture.The Blackmailer's Shack is something out of a Horror Show and the Boss's Mansion is Decadently Decorated with stuffed Dead Animals. All of the Actors contribute to the Jim Thompson like Ambiance Leiden with lurking Hustlers and Grumpy Citizens. The Bluesy Soundtrack is forever Present and adds Flavor to the Steamy Surroundings with an abundance of "Well, Well" and Primordial Grunts and Sexual Groans. Overall, it is a Better than Average Neo-Noir that is well Worth a Watch for Noir Fans that can Wallow in all of its excessive Glory. Dennis Hopper knows Why You are here, and is not Reluctant to let You Wallow and Wallow.

This film has received some so-so reviews however I recommend it highly. It has an all star cast with Don Johnson, Jennifer Connelly and Virginia Madsen. There are many other faces you will recognize in the film. It is quirky just like the director Dennis Hopper. Lots of twists and turns and plenty of sex. Virginia Madsen and Jennifer Connelly nude scenes are worth the watch alone. It is a good story complete with Don Johnson snappy one liners and him at his height of cool. This was made during the Miami Vice days. Don Johnson is a drifter who blows into town and gets a job at a used car lot. Soon there are tales of romance, lust, crime, murder and robbery that are woven together in a manner that makes sense. It is a very entertaining film. The scenery of the locations are great too. I dig the film so much that I bought it. Cool classic cars in it too.

The hot spot is complete package to me,as it contains drama, thriller, romance,seduction and everything was accomplished perfectly by Director Dennis Hopper.But i don't know why the rating of this movie is so low,certainly it deserves better rating.The plan of making fire and robbing bank by Harry Madox was good, but the ultimate game planing and game playing by Dolly Harshaw made the story certainly stronger.I think Virginia Madsen was the best performer of this movie playing very seductive and bad character. Jennifer Connelly was brilliant by expressing her innocent and good image.Don Johnson did his job very well also.Director made a good point in the end that we should certainly find our level.