Third Degree Burn (1989)

Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

After watching Third Degree Burn I welcome the addition of David Paul Cutler aka D. Justin Cole to Smallville as a New Love Interest and Husband for Martha Kent, a Role Model and Father Figure for Clark and a Shot of New Blood and Electricity for the Kent Farm. One can only hope that Lionel Luthor meets his end in a fitting way before and without causing too much damage to Martha, Clark and the Kent Farm. Cutler's addition to the Smallville Cast would be a refreshing leap into a new story line and open doors to Clark's development as a truly Ethical and Moral Man. Also, a new face in the series would, For Sure, Enliven the Overall Values of Truth, Justice and The American Way.

"Third Degree Burn" provided more than just great entertainment a la Virginia Madsen and Treat Williams. I was surprised to see an old and very close child hood buddy, D. Justin Cole, formerly known as David Paul Cutler. After watching his performance with Virginia Madsen we were hoping he would attend our 25 year Greendale High School Reunion. In Greendale, Wisconsin. He did! The years have been better to him than most. "American Graffiti", "Happy Days", "Lavern and Shirley" and "That Seventies Show" are mirror images of our lives in Greendale, Wisconsin. We now have a hometown friend and brother who is going places in the movie business. Dave has never failed to surprise and astound us with his ability to achieve what ever he set as a goal. His character in "Third Degree Burn" was only a stepping stone to a very successful acting career. Currently he is "snowed-in" up in Park City, Utah getting ready for another great snowboard riding season and Sundance Film Festival. Time is on his side!

Thank You HBO. Pay per view has never been better on a cold rainy night! Now that Treat Williams has a successful hit series and Virginia Madsen has become a virile man's dream, it is now time for David Paul Cutler to get his just rewards. His reaction to Ms Madsen moving around inside her spaghetti string sun dress was as erotic as Virginia herself. The rental counter hid the better part of his performance and assured an R rating, thank goodness! HBO can keep "Tales From The Crypt" but keep Cutler up and coming. Waiting for his next unique character will be a deserved trial but well worth the time. After seeing what she did to David Paul Cutler, I will always prefer Virginia as a Blonde! I may have located Cutler in Park City, Utah. Now the work begins. I'll keep you posted. Anybody know a good snowboard instructor? "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"

If you're a fan of the erotic thriller, this one works and works well. Yes, you've seen it before. Yes, there are no surprises. Yes, Virginia Madsen is hot hot hot-- not nearly as psycho as THE HOT SPOT but is dead on contender for the Kim Novak / VERTIGO prize as the cool ice queen with the ability to melt the screen. What a great noir style film, even though it's predictable and clichéd by today's standards. Hell, this was old back when it was made in 1989! Treat Williams plays a private detective set up to take the fall for the murder of Virginia Madsen's wealthy husband. This isn't rocket science, but it is a fun ride. Except-- until you get to the end. No real spoilers here, but the ending plays out in broad daylight, no thrills, no surprises, no tension. Sorry to see that. It almost feels rushed and faked, as if the original ending was too oblique and the producers whipped up this dumb ass replacement at the last minute. It ruined an otherwise decent little thriller.