Dead Bang

The race murders committed by a group of neo-Nazis in Dead-Bang are based on fact, but the down-on-his-luck, L.A. homicide detective (Don Johnson in a role inspired by a real-life cop) investigating them is the real show here. His personal life in such turmoil that he vomits on a witness, his finances so bad that he has to tape his broken glasses, Johnson's gumshoe is a study in dedicated grimness. There's adequate suspense and drama surrounding the killer fascists, but this 1989 film by John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate) is more noteworthy for a few examples of the director's stylish flair for hard action than social commentary. --Tom Keogh