"Across 110th Street" (1972), Directed by Barry Shear

Across 110th Street is where it's at. While Bobby Womack's title song's fame undeniably supersedes the film for which is was made (much like Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack for Superfly), 110th St. the film is seedy, sleazy, brutal, gritty, and most importantly.... real.

Anthony Franciosa (Tenebre) is uncompromising in his performance, and the true standout of the film. His demeanor in this film is more terrifying than anything Argento had him do. A hidden gem from the 70's... a favorite crime flick of mine. A bleak look at a troubled town, always in turmoil, where an almost anarchistic attitude is commonplace. An unabashed and unbiased look at racism and the division of power that surpasses the "law" and renders ambiguous the concept of authority.

It is hard to put a number rating on any underground jewel like this when we have other similarly themed but drastically different films such as the Godfather (1 & 2) both deserving of an equal or higher rating. However, the rarity of this piece and its lack of audience absolutely demands a much higher audience count and so a 9.0/10 seems an appropriate numerical representation of this rare gem's merit.

A cynical cinematic smash.