TORRANCE TRIBUNE April 9, 2015 Page 3 Police Reports Film Review Kill Me Three Times is a Humorous, Self-Referential Thrill Ride By Ryan Denman for CINEMACY Kriv Stender’s Kill Me Three Times is a very interesting take on the classic botched murder storyline. Screenwriter James McFarland infuses this thriller with a sense of selfreferential farce, with Simon Pegg’s (Shaun of the Dead) British wit-fueled performance Simon Pegg in Kill Me Three Times, a Magnet Release. Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing. as the cherry on top. However – don’t be fooled by this casting choice. While Pegg strings a comedic thread through most of his films, Kill Me Three Times is an exciting “who’s gonna get it next?” type of film, and his comedy serves well as a way of greasing the wheels for this action flick to maintain the audience’s focus. Another aspect that helps keep this focus is the use of colored lighting through neon lights, shades, and other movie magic cheats for source light. Stender’s fellow Australian cinematographer Geoffrey Simpson takes a cue from classic ‘70s Grindhouse films to create a postmodern aesthetic that reminds viewers that they are watching a movie, not real life. It is a simple concept, but in order for the violence not to be taken as truly grotesque, they must remember this truth: Simpson’s use of his on-screen stylizations is key in allowing the audience to accept the hijinks of murder, maybe even with a laugh or two. Simpson also takes advantage of a beautiful Australian backdrop to set the story. The gorgeous isolated island setting is established early in the film, however – the catch is that, besides the people involved in murder (this includes being a killer, victim or extortionist), there seems to be no one else around. Who knew that such ugly crimes and motivations would look so great with a sunny beach paradise behind it? Speaking of looking good, the cast does just that. Both Teresa Palmer and Alice Bragga could win a beauty contest, but far more impressive and important is that both of them gave powerful and unique performances as displeased and unfaithful romantic partners. In fact, both Palmer’s and Bragga’s characters are so strong that they help to make clear a distinct choice in a reversal of traditional gender roles seen in most action flick shootem up’s, which is made even more explicit by the very emotionally erratic and sensitive performances of Sullivan Stapleton and Callan Murphy. This gender reversal makes for a much more interesting action story than the traditional male-driven noir stories. Stenders addresses his playing with traditional character roles to be a direct distinction of the film’s postmodern style. Kill Me Three Times plays upon peoples’ past film experiences by referencing classic film styles and characters, such as the crooked tough cop and the femme fetale. While the film also adds new dynamics to the traditional nihilistic tale of murders gone wrong, and by choosing a plot template that is so deeply rooted in chance, its goal of creating a new version seems reachable. However, while the film has style and entertainment value, it lacks enough of a signifier to really stick to an audience’s palate for very long. There aren’t any overlymemorable action moments or trademark lines or catchphrases that fuels the film here. Nor are there any moments of outrageous comedy or snappy one-liners to steal and use on your friends later. It’s still fun to watch though, and while it remains a very technically proficient film, it most likely won’t be on people’s top ten list in a month or so. But for a film whose influences are so entertaining, perhaps the film is doing just what it was meant to do after all. • Vandalism 3/28/2015 11:18 PM 22700 BLOCK CYPRESS ST Suspect(s) dents victim’s parked vehicle’s door Battery-Simple 3/28/2015 9:01 PM WESTERN AVE & TORRANCE BLVD Suspect spits on police officer during the course of police officer’s duties Burglary-Residential 3/29/2015 9:20:00 AM 400 BLOCK VIA SAN SEBASTIAN Suspect(s) enters open side window, ransacks and takes property/ laptop Robbery-Weapon 3/28/2015 12:34 PM 26000 BLOCK CREST ROAD Suspect brandishes a screwdriver and forcibly takes victim’s vehicle’s keys Burglary-Commercial 3/30/2015 8:00:00 AM 300 BLOCK PALOS VERDES BLVD Suspect(s) pries open door, enters laundry room, and takes property from coinoperated laundry machine/quarters Battery-Weapon/Agg 3/28/2015 4:00 AM 3300 BLOCK LOMITA BLVD Suspect(s) uses a shotgun to hit victim in the face Burglary-Residential 3/27/2015 9:23:39 PM 5300 BLOCK CALLE MAYOR Suspects knock on then kick in victim’s front door and flee upon realizing victim is home/ no loss Battery-Weapon/Agg 3/27/2015 8:45:23 PM 1800 BLOCK 208TH ST Suspect punches victim in the face, causing injury Burglary-Residential 3/28/2015 4:53:06 PM 300 BLOCK CAMINO DE LAS COLINAS Suspect(s) throws rock through window for entry, ransacks/ unknown if property loss at time of report Burglary-Residential 3/28/2015 9:00:00 AM 20700 BLOCK TOMLEE AVE Suspect(s) enters rear yard, removes two window screens/ no entry, no loss Burglary-Auto 3/30/2015 7:00:00 AM 17500 BLOCK PURCHE AVE Suspect(s) enters vehicle by unknown means, ransacks and takes property/ GPSs, power saw Burglary-Residential 3/27/2015 9:45:00 PM 4800 BLOCK NEWTON ST Suspect(s) removes garage window screen, enters residence through the garage and flees when victim returns home/ no loss Theft 3/27/2015 2:45:00 PM 19300 BLOCK HAWTHORNE BLVD Suspect(s) takes property from victim’s purse as she shops/ wallet Burglary-Residential 3/27/2015 11:43:00 PM 400 BLOCK VIA LA SOLEDAD Suspect(s) removes window screen, forces open window, ransacks and takes property/ jewelry Burglary-Auto 3/27/2015 6:10:58 AM 3600 BLOCK LOMITA BLVD Suspects enter vehicle by unknown means and flee without taking any property when confronted by the victim Battery-Weapon/Agg 3/27/2015 3:51 AM 22700 BLOCK HAWTHORNE BLVD Suspect throws victim to the ground head first, causing injury Vandalism 3/27/2015 2:10:00 AM 3400 BLOCK 229TH PL Suspect(s) pours unknown liquid on victim’s two vehicles, causing their paint to bubble Vandalism 3/31/2015 8:30:00 AM 22300 BLOCK HAWTHORNE BLVD Suspect(s) shoots at business windows, causing damage Auto Theft 3/26/2015 5:21 PM 17000 BLOCK DELIA AVE Stolen property/ ‘94 Honda Accord Burglary-Auto 3/27/2015 8:25:00 AM 23500 BLOCK LADEENE AVE Suspect(s) pries door lock for entry and takes property/third row seat Burglary-Residential 3/26/2015 1:29 PM 2900 BLOCK 168TH ST Suspect(s) enters unlocked door, ransacks, marks property with “x”/ unknown if property loss at time of report Auto Theft 3/25/2015 8:17:00 AM 20900 BLOCK HAWTHORNE BLVD Stolen vehicle: ‘15 Jeep Wrangler Theft 3/26/2015 12:20:00 PM 22900 BLOCK ARLINGTON AVE Suspect(s) takes property from construction site/ air compressor Auto Theft 3/26/2015 10:09:15 AM 20000 BLOCK HAWTHORNE BLVD Stolen vehicle: ‘05 Chevrolet Tahoe Auto Theft 3/26/2015 6:32 AM ARLINGTON AVE & SEPULVEDA BLVD Stolen vehicle: ‘08 Toyota Yaris Auto Theft 3/25/2015 9:00:00 PM DANA CT & 231ST ST Stolen vehicle: ‘90 GMC P/U Auto Theft 3/28/2015 2:34:00 PM 200 BLOCK CALLE DE ANDALUCIA Stolen vehicle: ‘09 Toyota Matrix Theft 3/25/2015 4:52 PM 21300 BLOCK HAWTHORNE BLVD Suspect(s) takes property forgotten by victim in hotel room/ bathing suit, cover-up Burglary-Auto 3/26/2015 5:09:00 PM 23900 BLOCK ANZA AVE Suspect(s) enters possibly unlocked door, ransacks and takes property/ leather case, manual, warranty Burglary-Auto 3/24/2015 7:00:00 AM 18700 BLOCK FLORWOOD AVE Suspect(s) forces open window for entry and attempts to take third row seat Auto Theft 3/25/2015 5:25:08 AM 21300 BLOCK ANZA AVE Stolen vehicle: ‘00 GMC P/U Burglary-Auto 3/25/2015 10:36:44 PM 20700 BLOCK WESTERN AVE Suspect(s) smashes window for entry and takes property/side airbags Burglary-Auto 3/24/2015 6:30:00 PM 3500 BLOCK CARSON ST Suspect(s) enters vehicle by unknown Burkley & Brandlin LLP MAXINE’S CAFÉ A T T O R N E Y S A T L AW Living Trusts/Wills, Probate, Employment Law, Personal Injury Trust and Estates Litigation, Business Litigation, Civil Litigation 310-540-6000 *AV Rated (Highest) Martindale - Hubbell / **Certified Specialist Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization & GRILLE Appetizers, Salads, Burgers, Sandwiches, Pizzas. 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