Safe (2012) | Picking Up Streetwalkers in Cabs

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay find themselves in a mob war between the Russians and Chinese as they discuss the criminally underrated actioner 'Safe.' Bombay kicks things into action with a story similar to what Jason Statham does, as he took a cab to pick up a lady of the night. Then the boys talk about an action flick that is overflowing with bone crunching action, and pithy Statham one liners. The movie is referred to by some as John Wick 0.87 as it was a dry run for the 87North stunt guys to test out their fight choreography concepts before launching the John Wick franchise. In many ways, 'Safe' is as important to action cinema as any American movie of the past two decades. Along with being an incredible vehicle for Statham to flex his chops, it also has a '90s New York feel, and that's thanks in large part to being directed by Boaz Yakin. The Israeli New Yorker who wrote the 1989 'The Punisher' movie, and has a varied filmography including 'Fresh,' 'Remember the Titans,' and 'Uptown Girls.' Besides the incredible action, there's a ton of heart in this film as it uses the trope of two loners forming a family themselves in a cruel world. It's riddled with otherworldly action, but also grounded in a grittiness that will have you wondering why the 87North crew hasn't given Statham his own franchise.