Midnight Sting [DVD]

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Caine, not wanting to see his friend die, attempts to throw in the towel, but Palmer catches it and throws it back. He truly embodies a nasty greedy man who feeds off power and corruption and will stop at nothing to win.

The cons with twists and reveals are very satisfying and the boxing scenes are very well shot and add tempo bringing everything together for a very satisfying final act. Set in the fictional Diggstown, Gabriel Caine (James Woods) a recently released ex-con sets his sights of taking down the unspoken ruler of a small town who is responsible for his friend losing his life. But it differs in that the style of the film is far from slick and sharp, it`s not about quick thinking or sleight of hand, indeed the story eschews any such plot contrivance in favour of exploiting the sheer avarice of Gillon. Robby Gillon, the son of John Gillon, approaches the ring next, but then backs out under instructions from his father. Midnight Sting’ or as it’s probably better known in the US ‘Diggstown’ stars James Woods as a fast talking con-man looking to pull off a big hustle against an evil man.Luckily the movie never fully explores this as a romantic sub plot and we’re left with just slightly creepy flirting that doesn’t blossom into anything else thankfully! Part boxing flick (think Rocky) and part con thriller (think Oceans Eleven) the movie takes twists and turns where you’re never quite sure who will come out on top. Based on a tip by his cellmate, Wolf Forrester (Randall "Tex" Cobb), Caine heads for Diggstown, Georgia, a small town run by the ruthless John Gillon (Bruce Dern).

Raging Bull is of course a masterpiece so there is no touching that, but if you are in the mood for a good comedy and just a flat out good movie I recommend it. Diggstown is taken from our vast archive of rare publicity stills, portrait photographs and transparencies.Gossett, Dern, and Cobb all deliver fine supporting turns, as do Oliver Platt, Orestes Matacena, and Heather Graham. Palmer looks done for, but he gets new motivation after seeing Diggs, who is sitting courtside, move his hand slightly (which he interprets as a show of support). Diggstown is a small town built on the name of one Charles Macum Diggs, famous boxer now fallen on hard times.