CINEMA STANK
  • Home
    • Barfie Scale
    • Recently Added
    • Coming Soon!
    • A Word About Spoilers
  • The Laughter Dies
    • An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1998)
    • Best Defense (1984)
    • The Best of Times (1986)
    • The Bounty Hunter (2010)
    • Cabin Boy (1994)
    • Cats & Dogs (2001)
    • Cecil B. DeMented (2000)
    • The Choirboys (1977)
    • Class (1983)
    • Cop and a Half (1993)
    • Death at a Funeral (2010)
    • Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009)
    • Dirty Love (2005)
    • Drowning Mona (2000)
    • Ed (1996)
    • Exit to Eden (1994)
    • Far North (1988)
    • Freddy Got Fingered (2001)
    • Going Berserk (1983)
    • The Gong Show Movie (1980)
    • Grandma's Boy (2006)
    • Grown Ups (2010)
    • Happy, Texas (1999)
    • Harold (2008)
    • Harper Valley P.T.A. (1978)
    • Haunted Honeymoon (1986)
    • Ishtar (1987)
    • Killers (2010)
    • The Master of Disguise (2002)
    • Me, Myself & Irene (2000)
    • Midnight Madness (1980)
    • Modern Girls (1986)
    • Mr. Wrong (1996)
    • Mystery Men (1999)
    • A Night at the Roxbury (1998)
    • The Opposite Sex and How to Live With Them (1993)
    • Partners (1982)
    • Porky's (1982)
    • Porky's II: The Next Day (1983)
    • Private School (1983)
    • Screwballs (1983)
    • Spring Fever (1982)
    • Step Brothers (2008)
    • Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)
    • The Swinger (1966)
    • That Old Feeling (1997)
    • Tim & Eric's Billion Dollar Movie (2012)
    • Wacko (1982)
    • Wanderlust (2012)
    • War, Inc. (2008)
    • What Planet Are You From? (2000)
    • What's Your Number? (2011)
    • Where the Boys Are '84 (1984)
    • Yellowbeard (1983)
    • Your Highness (2011)
  • Thrill-Less
    • Abduction (2011)
    • Adrenalin: Fear the Rush (1996)
    • Airport (1970)
    • ATM (2012)
    • Avalanche (1978)
    • The Avengers (1998)
    • Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002)
    • Band of the Hand (1986)
    • Bear Island (1979)
    • Beneath the Darkness (2012)
    • Body of Evidence (1993)
    • Cardiac Arrest (1980)
    • Certain Fury (1985)
    • City on Fire (1979)
    • Cold Creek Manor (2003)
    • Cold Heaven (1992)
    • Color of Night (1994)
    • Crack in the World (1965)
    • Cruising (1980)
    • The Crush (1993)
    • Dangerously Close (1986)
    • Dead Heat (1988)
    • Death Valley (1982)
    • Diabolique (1996)
    • 88 Minutes (2008)
    • Extremities (1986)
    • Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)
    • Eyes of a Stranger (1981)
    • The Fan (1981)
    • Fighting Back (1982)
    • The Happening (2008)
    • Horsemen (2009)
    • Hush (1998)
    • I Know Who Killed Me (2007)
    • In Dreams (1999)
    • The Island (1980)
    • Jade (1995)
    • Lipstick (1976)
    • Lisa (1990)
    • Love Crimes (1992)
    • Mad Dog Time (1996)
    • The Medusa Touch (1978)
    • The New Kids (1985)
    • Nightwatch (1998)
    • Obsessed (2009)
    • 187 (1997)
    • Oxygen (1999)
    • Phobia (1980)
    • Red State (2011)
    • Rollerball (2002)
    • Rollercoaster (1977)
    • Savage Streets (1984)
    • Scissors (1991)
    • The Seduction (1982)
    • Sphinx (1981)
    • Silent Rage (1982)
    • Sleeping With the Enemy (1991)
    • Sliver (1993)
    • Snake Eyes (1998)
    • Superman Returns (2006)
    • The Swarm (1978)
    • Taken (2009)
    • The Tall Man (2012)
    • Tattoo (1981)
    • 10,000 B.C. (2008)
    • This World, Then the Fireworks (1997)
    • Tough Guys Don't Dance (1987)
    • Trespass (2011)
    • Truth or Consequences, N.M. (1997)
    • Turbulence (1997)
    • The Vanishing (1993)
    • Vertical Limit (2000)
    • Visiting Hours (1982)
    • When Time Ran Out... (1980)
    • Whispers in the Dark (1992)
    • Windows (1980)
  • To the Shredder!
    • Angela's Ashes (1999)
    • At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991)
    • Atlas Shrugged Part 1 (2011)
    • The Blue Lagoon (1980)
    • Blood and Chocolate (2007)
    • The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)
    • Boom! (1968)
    • Breakfast of Champions (1999)
    • Brenda Starr (1992)
    • Butterfly (1982)
    • The Cider House Rules (1999)
    • The Cobweb (1955)
    • Congo (1995)
    • Desire Under the Elms (1958)
    • Endless Love (1981)
    • Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1994)
    • Everybody Wins (1990)
    • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
    • Fight Club (1999)
    • Gymkata (1985)
    • The History Boys (2006)
    • Indecent Proposal (1993)
    • Jonah Hex (2010)
    • The Lonely Lady (1983)
    • Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)
    • Miracle at St. Anna (2008)
    • Myra Breckinridge (1970)
    • Pay it Forward (2000)
    • The Prince of Tides (1991)
    • Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967)
    • The Scarlet Letter (1995)
    • Seven Days in Utopia (2011)
    • The Sheltering Sky (1990)
    • Shining Through (1992)
    • Slapstick of Another Kind (1984)
    • Staircase (1969)
    • A Summer Place (1959)
    • Ten Little Indians (1989)
    • A Thousand Acres (1997)
    • Tropic of Cancer (1970)
    • Valley of the Dolls (1967)
  • Epic Fail
    • Alexander (2004)
    • American Anthem (1986)
    • Bolero (1984)
    • Branded (2012)
    • Caligula (1980)
    • Chastity (1969)
    • Conan the Barbarian (2011)
    • Courage Mountain (1990)
    • Drum (1976)
    • Fever Pitch (1985)
    • 54 (1998)
    • Fireproof (2008)
    • Heaven's Gate (1981)
    • Hercules (1983)
    • Hudson Hawk (1991)
    • Inchon (1982)
    • King Kong (1976)
    • Lady in the Water (2006)
    • The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968)
    • The Man Who Wasn't There (1983)
    • Mandingo (1975)
    • Moment by Moment (1978)
    • A Night in Heaven (1983)
    • One From the Heart (1982)
    • Over the Top (1987)
    • The Patriot (2000)
    • Perfect (1985)
    • Pirates (1986)
    • Rapa Nui (1994)
    • Ready to Wear (1994)
    • Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991)
    • Revolution (1985)
    • Sahara (1984)
    • Showgirls (1995)
    • Silent Tongue (1993)
    • Skidoo (1968)
    • What Dreams May Come (1998)
    • Wild Orchid (1990)
    • Wilder Napalm (1993)
    • X, Y and Zee (1972)
  • Oh, the Horror...
    • An American Haunting (2006)
    • Amityville II: The Possession (1982)
    • Amityville 3-D (1983)
    • The Apparition (2012)
    • Army of Darkness (1993)
    • Bad Moon (1996)
    • Bats (1999)
    • The Beast Within (1982)
    • The Being (1983)
    • The Black Waters of Echo's Pond (2010)
    • Blood Beach (1981)
    • BloodRayne (2006)
    • Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)
    • The Boogens (1981)
    • Bride of Chucky (1998)
    • Burnt Offerings (1976)
    • Curtains (1983)
    • The Dark (1979)
    • Darkness Falls (2003)
    • Deadly Friend (1986)
    • Death Ship (1980)
    • DeepStar Six (1989)
    • Demon Seed (1977)
    • The Devil Inside (2012)
    • The Devil Within Her (1976)
    • Don't Go in the House (1980)
    • Don't Go in the Woods (1981)
    • Dr. Giggles (1992)
    • The Evil (1978)
    • Evilspeak (1982)
    • Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
    • The Exorcist III (1990)
    • Fatal Games (1984)
    • The Final Terror (1983)
    • The Food of the Gods (1976)
    • The Forest (1982)
    • Friday the 13th (1980)
    • Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
    • Friday the 13th Part 3 (1982)
    • Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)
    • Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (1985)
    • Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)
    • The Gates of Hell (1983)
    • The Godsend (1980)
    • Graduation Day (1981)
    • Great White (1982)
    • The Guardian (1990)
    • Halloween II (2009)
    • Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
    • Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
    • The Hills Have Eyes Part 2 (1985)
    • The Horror Show (1989)
    • Hospital Massacre (1982)
    • House by the Cemetery (1981)
    • Humongous (1982)
    • In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro (1986)
    • The Incubus (1982)
    • The Initiation (1984)
    • Intruder (1989)
    • Jaws: The Revenge (1987)
    • Jennifer (1978)
    • John Carpenter's Vampires (1998)
    • Lake Placid (1999)
    • Madman (1982)
    • The Mangler (1995)
    • Maniac (1980)
    • Man's Best Friend (1993)
    • Midnight (1982)
    • The Mutilator (1985)
    • My Bloody Valentine (1981)
    • Night of the Lepus (1972)
    • Nightwing (1979)
    • Nomads (1986)
    • One Dark Night (1983)
    • Open House (1987)
    • Orca (1977)
    • Pieces (1983)
    • Pranks (1982)
    • Prom Night (2008)
    • Prophecy (1979)
    • Q (1982)
    • Schizo (1976)
    • Scream (1981)
    • Season of the Witch (2011)
    • The Sentinel (1977)
    • Shark Night (2011)
    • Sleepaway Camp (1983)
    • The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)
    • Soul Survivors (2001)
    • Spasms (1984)
    • Superstition (1982)
    • Survival of the Dead (2010)
    • Tintorera (1978)
    • Valentine (2001)
    • Virus (1999)
    • What Lies Beneath (2000)
    • The Wicker Man (2006)
    • Without Warning (1980)
    • Xtro (1983)
  • Sci-Fried
    • Alien: Resurrection (1997)
    • Apollo 18 (2011)
    • Armageddon (1998)
    • Barb Wire (1996)
    • Battle: Los Angeles (2011)
    • Battlefield Earth (2000)
    • Carnosaur (1993)
    • Communion (1989)
    • The Darkest Hour (2011)
    • Def-Con 4 (1985)
    • Embryo (1976)
    • The Fifth Element (1997)
    • The Fly II (1989)
    • Forbidden World (1982)
    • Galaxy of Terror (1981)
    • Hardware (1990)
    • Horror Planet (1982)
    • John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars (2001)
    • Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
    • The Last Airbender (2010)
    • Lifeforce (1985)
    • Looker (1981)
    • Nightfall (1988)
    • Parasite (1982)
    • Saturn 3 (1980)
    • Skyline (2010)
    • Solarbabies (1986)
    • A Sound of Thunder (2005)
    • Split Second (1992)
    • Sssssss (1973)
    • Supernova (2000)
    • Timerider (1982)
    • Trog (1970)
    • Yor, the Hunter From the Future (1983)
  • A Little Pitchy
    • The Apple (1980)
    • At Long Last Love (1975)
    • Can't Stop the Music (1980)
    • From Justin to Kelly (2003)
    • Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984)
    • Glitter (2001)
    • Grease 2 (1982)
    • Lambada (1990)
    • Lost Horizon (1973)
    • Mame (1974)
    • The Pirate Movie (1982)
    • The Producers (2005)
    • Rock of Ages (2012)
    • Roller Boogie (1979)
    • Sextette (1978)
    • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)
    • Shock Treatment (1981)
    • Shout (1991)
    • Song of Norway (1970)
    • Staying Alive (1983)
    • Xanadu (1980)
    • Year of the Horse (1997)
    • Yes, Giorgio (1982)
  • This is Art?
    • Anatomy of Hell (2004)
    • Bamboozled (1999)
    • Being Human (1994)
    • Beyond and Back (1978)
    • The Dark Backward (1991)
    • Downloading Nancy (2009)
    • 8 1/2 Women (2000)
    • Film Socialisme (2011)
    • Futz (1969)
    • Gummo (1997)
    • Holy Smoke (1999)
    • Hugo Pool (1997)
    • I Melt With You (2011)
    • Inserts (1976)
    • Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005)
    • The Moon in the Gutter (1983)
    • Passion in the Desert (1998)
    • Querelle (1982)
    • Rubber (2011)
    • Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)
    • Siesta (1987)
    • The Singing Forest (2003)
    • Straight to Hell (1987)
    • Track 29 (1988)
    • Two Girls and a Guy (1998)
    • Zabriskie Point (1970)
  • Gut Check
    • Amin: The Rise and Fall (1981)
    • Andy Warhol's Bad (1977)
    • Angel (1984)
    • Anthropophagus (1980)
    • The Baby (1973)
    • Bitch Slap (2010)
    • Bloodsucking Freaks (1976)
    • Captivity (2007)
    • Chaos (2005)
    • Escape 2000 (1983)
    • Forbidden Zone (1982)
    • The Gore Gore Girls (1972)
    • Guyana: Cult of the Damned (1980)
    • Hobo With a Shotgun (2011)
    • House on the Edge of the Park (1980)
    • The Human Centipede: First Sequence (2010)
    • The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence (2011)
    • I Spit On Your Grave (1978)
    • Jail Bait (1954)
    • The Love-Thrill Murders (1971)
    • Luther the Geek (1990)
    • Mother's Day (1980)
    • Otto; or, Up With Dead People (2008)
    • Reform School Girls (1986)
    • The Room (2003)
    • Strangeland (1998)
    • Survive! (1976)
    • The Tempter (1974)
    • Vegas in Space (1992)
    • Vice Squad (1982)
    • Vulgar (2002)

Vice Squad (1982)

Picture

        Vice Squad is a seedy, violent exploitation wallow masquerading as a gritty, 'you are there' depiction of the mean streets of Los Angeles.  What saves it from being a total slog through the sewer are good performances, a brisk pace, and a detestable villain.

        The plot basically revolves around a trio of characters, first is Season Hubley who plays the cliched role of the dutiful single-mom by day and hardened streetwalker by night; Gary Swanson is the head of L.A.'s vice squad unit and Wings Hauser, in his star-making role, is Ramrod,  a particularly vile pimp.

        The opening scenes of Vice Squad pretty much set the tone for what will follow.  A prostitute friend of Hubley's is hiding out in a motel room after being beaten by Hauser.  Hauser finds her, sweet-talks her into letting him into the room and then ties her to the bed and beats her to death with a coat-hanger.  Scenes like this, and there are many others, straddle a fine line between misogynistic voyeurism and gritty reality.  Sure, things like this do happen, but the way the film lingers just a wee bit too long on the brutality, it makes one feel kinda uncomfortable.

        Anyway, the hooker dies and Hubley is coerced by Swanson into setting up Hauser for arrest.  It works, that is until Hauser escapes custody and spends the rest of the movie tracking down Hubley, beating up one woman after another, and also stabbing a black guy in the process.  Hubley is soon caught and Hauser straps her to a bed and beats her with his favorite coat-hanger until Swanson and the squad come in to save the day.  Hauser is shot dead and Hubley goes back home to her daughter to probably rethink her career trajectory.

        The best things about Vice Squad are the performances by the entire cast, but especially Hubley and Hauser.  She's an appealing actress and is able to gain the audience's sympathy from the very first frame.  We do care about what happens to her and hate to see her in peril.  On the other side of the spectrum is Hauser.  His work here was so effective and scary he was pretty much typecast as villains or crazies for the rest of his career.  A mixed blessing, I'm sure, but in the pantheon of the greatest screen villains, his work as Ramrod ought to rank right up near the top of the list.

        There are some good qualities about Vice Squad.  Watch it for the performances, but just close your eyes and ears during some of the excessive brutality and you'll be fine.

Powered by
✕