8MM (1999)
Joel Schumacher's film based on an Andrew Kevin Walker (Se7en) script is a dark and sleazy thriller (Although not quite as sleazy now as it seemed back in 1999).
Set in the grimy world of underground hardcore bondage film making, 8mm has private investigator, a more subtle Nic Cage, investigating the probable murder of a young girl by a gang making snuff films.
Cage is in excellent form as is Joaquin Phoenix as a adult video store employee who helps Cage with his investigations. It's not difficult to figure when you see the other cast members such as James Gandolfini and Peter Stormare, which side of the fence they sit and both are impressively scuzzy villains.
The general atmosphere of the film is grim with barely a chink of light to be found. It's violent naturally, but the sexual violence on show is there to disgust rather than titillate allowing Schumacher to create a dark disturbing atmosphere and ask some morality questions of the audience rather than simply taking them on a Hollywood thrill ride.
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