| Reviews |
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| LOS ANGELES TIMES June 25, 1999
Movie Review 'Hard'
Takes a Provocative Look at a Gay Cop vs. Serial Killer John Huckert's "Hard," one of the best films from Outfest '98, is an ambitious and successful first effort, a taut, chilling police procedural that plays the plight of a closeted gay cop (Noel Palomaria) against the rampaging of a savage serial killer (Malcolm Moorman). "Hard" represents an imaginative, provocative use of genre that is rightly deeply disturbing in its implications. "Hard" is hard to take in some of its imagery, but it's not irresponsible; it emphasizes the consequences of violence over the acts themselves. Moorman's Jack is a gay man's nightmare. Rugged and handsome, he's physically a fantasy figure come to life, but he's also possessed of a psychopath's fearlessness. When he comes on to a man in a bar in his insinuating yet forceful way he has little reason to expect much resistance. Jack is an insatiable seducer but is in the grip of such intense internalized homophobia he feels compelled to kill his lovers; in this way he has much in common with Jeffrey Dahmer as an attractive yet lethally self-hating gay man. Hitchhikers and hustlers are especially vulnerable to Jack's deadly instincts. Arriving in Los Angeles to continue his killing spree, Jack cannot resist observing from a bridge a police investigation of the corpse of one of his victims. His gaze rests upon Palomaria's Raymond, a rookie homicide detective. Later on at a gay bar, when Jack recognizes Raymond as one of the cops at the crime scene, he comes on to the policeman; at the same time he hits upon a particularly diabolical scheme. Huckert and his co-writer John Matkowsky gradually intensify Raymond's predicament as a gay cop who leaves himself open to all manner of homophobia if he comes out of the closet but who eventually may face even worse consequences if he does not. That homophobia persists in America's police departments is well-documented, manifesting itself not only in the harassment of gay cops but often in indifference to gay murder victims. These concerns emerge implicitly within "Hard" and not in a preachy manner. Palomaria and Moorman head a list of outstanding actors. Charles Lanyer lends the entire film dimension and maturity as Raymond's veteran partner, a seen-it-all cop who teaches the rookie the ropes and is secure and wise enough to take in stride Raymond's homosexuality when it inevitably surfaces. Michael Waite, who has a Billy Bob Thornton quality, is wonderful as a naive bisexual security guard who gives Jack shelter. Mitchell Grobeson, the Los Angeles Police Department sergeant who filed the first lawsuit in the U.S. by a law enforcement officer to prohibit discrimination based upon sexual discrimination, has an effective cameo. With a whopping 40 locations and 56 speaking parts,
culminating in North Hollywood's El Portal
Theater, "Hard" had challenging logistics for a picture that cost only $87,000. With co-writer Matkowsky's
resourceful camera work and a suitably ominous
score composed by Huckert and Phil Settle, "Hard' proves that imagination and craftsmanship can still count for
more than money. Just in...reviews of the new CD: Hey Phil, Rick From JazzHouston, September 1999: A quick straw poll around town indicated that a lot of
folks knew & worked with Phil Settle when he was living here in Houston. "So
what's he up to?" This CD oughta get you up to speed. Ten tracks from April 1998 give
a glimpse into whuzzup with Phil. Excerpts from Houston Press, Summer 1999, Bob Ruggiero: Houston nightclub veterans of the '70s and '80s might remember Settle as a local singer and picker and leader of bands such as Bittersweet, Sweetrush and Bounce. During the past decade, though, the graduate [sic] of North Texas State University and former Houstonian relocated to L.A., where he has continues to pursue his rock and roll career while scoring movies and TV shows. His work has appeared on promos for shows such as Frasier, Suddenly Susan and The Tonight Show, and he even had a stint as the bandleader for The Chuck Woolery Show - and admits it in his resume! But you won't find Settle's version of "Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs" on the CD, a live recording of ten lengthy tracks from a 1998 outdoor show given on the record's namesake pier. Combining both his originals and some choice covers, Settle's combo of Texified jazz, funk and R&B makes for a pleasant summer listening, evocative of a Saturday at the beach with a cooler of tall cold ones and some party buddies for company. Things kick off with "Yo Mama," a head-boppin' instrumental of greasy guitar licks and "70s-style organ that might make, well, a great theme for a TV show. The tune segues into a cover of Bill Wither's classic "Use Me," which manages a fresh look at an overplayed number. Settle makes effective use of his instrument's pedals, and the band plays lustily on an extended jam. In fact, the extended jams are representative of Santa Monica Pier's greatest strength, which runs through many songs on the CD. This is not a collection of note-perfect and thoroughly planned out 12-minute guitar solos or revolving backup band instrumentals, which many artists mistake for improvisation on stage. Rather, Settle and his tight group (including Alec Milstein on bass) let the groove take them were [sic] it may. Wherever the band goes, it always seems to land back on a recognizable melody. This technique made the '70s live albums of such act as Dave Mason, Little Feat and Chicago stand out from their studio work. Settle and friends pursue their jam muse again on the funky originals "She Can Do No Wrong" and "Charlene." The former includes a fantastic popping solo by Milstein and nice rolls by drummer Herman Matthews. The band also cooks on Settle's eminently danceable "Till you Get It Right" and a take on the Duke/Peacock blues standard "Further On Up (Down) the Road." ... And from the guestbook: I acquired my 'pre-release' copy of "Phil
Settle & Friends" this past friday (May, 14th), naturally, I immediatly put it
into the CD player in my car so I could check it out on the drive home and I must tell you
this CD has not left the my car since. I listened to it all weekend. If you don't have a
copy BUY ONE, if you have one GET ONE FOR A FRIEND. What a great CD. It's a perfect blend
of styles so everyone will find a song or two to love. Not only is Phil a great singer
& guitarist but he has great "Friends" too. The ensemble sounds like they
are having a blast, I find myself wishing I could have seen the concert (did I get an
invite?). If anyone was in the audience that day E-Mail me and let me know what I missed.
Good-Luck with the project Phil. See-Ya soon....... That's Phil He's got a special kind'o'somethin' when you see him
If George Benson ever needs an understudy How I love when I feel
those goosebumps Here's a cat who's really burnin' at a mixer SOLO I have traveled all the world and found no better
copyright 1998 ZanChild Music(ASCAP) |