Modus Operandi

A rogue CIA agent (Russell) seeks revenge for his wife’s murder while searching for two mysterious briefcases. Like the creepy little brother to Machete (hello, Mr. Trejo!), this stilted but oddly compelling Milwaukee-based throwback to Me Decade cheapies pays homage to the entire spectrum of ’70s exploitation cinema, from the mucky Super-8 to the copious nudity. It isn’t winky like Black Dynamite nor as formally in control as Grindhouse; given director Frankie Latina’s sincerity with his material, this may be the bloodiest, perviest espionage thriller Ed Wood never made.—Aaron Hillis

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