logo Sign In

A few reviews . . (film or TV) — Page 98

Author
Time

The Snake Girl And The Silver-Haired Witch - 1968 - 6/10
AKA - Hebi Musume to Hakuhatsuma // 蛇娘と白髪魔

Sayuri is being adopted. By her own parents!
Owing to a mix-up at birth, another child was switched in her place.
No matter, now she has a big sister.
Who is completely alarmed about being displaced by the blood child.
Sayuri cannot help but notice the mask her sister wears, and – wait – is her back covered in scales?
She soon realizes her sister is a snake, in league with a murderous witch.

Horror gem boasts frightful costumes, wild optical effects, and hundreds of snakes.
Locked rooms, experiments in the basement, a mother losing her mind add to a complicated plot.
A bit campy now, though I wonder if children saw this during its run.
I can imagine it unsettling them.

Author
Time

You Won’t Be Alone - 2022 - 7/10

Nevena, newly born, catches the eye of Maria, a centuries old “witch”.
Her mother agrees to hand over her daughter once she turns 16, then hurries to hide Nevena.
As if anything can be hidden from a witch.
After 16 years, the witch claims the girl, who has been hidden in an isolated cavern.
Much of the film follows the girl, who is given shape-shifting ability, as she tries to understand and fit in with humans.
Supposedly set in 1800’s Macedonia, this could just as easily be set in 1400’s.
There is a timeless, pre-Industrialization quality throughout.
Some have equated this with The VVitch (2015), but it is actually closer to Hagazussa (2017).
For devotees of folk horror, this is indispensable.

Author
Time

Stung - 2015 - 5/10

Poor marks on IMDB should have warned me, but a glowing review on DVDTalk tempted the sucker in me.
Two caterers drive into rural nowhere. Birthday party for elderly WASP’s in a crumbling manor house.
Lance Henriksen is the most recognizable player.
WASP’s are soon attacked by wasps, big ones, maybe three or four inches long.
Them what gets stung gives birth to a fresh wasp, roughly the size of the host body.
Clearly, you want to keep pissed off insects near field mice and away from sumo wrestlers.
Plot is predictable, the pace grows boring, and the script has more flaws than invention.
There are a decent amount of meals (victims) at the party, but most get killed within three minutes.
One suspects filmmakers could not imagine different ways of killing, so that’s their fault.
Also, numerous small sized, crafty wasps are easier to hate and fear than laughable jumbos.
Then again, real wasps likely don’t take direction well. Again, blame the filmmakers.
To be fair, I was drinking, yet that didn’t make this retread any more entertaining.

Author
Time

Straight Line Crazy - 2022 - 7/10

Theatrical production of Robert Moses, emperor of inner city expressways and urban renewal.
First half deals with early, somewhat idealistic days negotiating with powerful Long Island estates, the Vanderbilts, the Morgans, etc … Then wheeling-dealing with Governor Al Smith.
Second half is the attempt to ram a project through Washington Square (the Village), where he encounters ferocious, organized resistance spearheaded by ***Jane Jacobs.
Moses’ legacy endures to this day. The thought that road congestion can be solved with more roads, wider roads.
Understanding urban planning might enhance enjoyment of this play, though it is not necessary.
Ralph Fiennes casts a spell as the visionary who grows entrenched, then autocratic.

Author
Time

Backbeat - 1994 - 6/10

Ballsy retelling of the Beatles’ baptism of fire in Hamburg.
This focuses on the Stu / John relationship, then Stu / Astrid.
Gritty throughout, with nightclubs, bars, brothels, vermin infested digs.
Music is recreated by a pool of 1990’s talent, and is edgy and punky.
Paul is given short shrift in this (which he has commented on), while George and Pete are virtually nonexistent.
Astrid has praised the portrayal of Stuart, and their relationship as shown.
Ian Hart memorable as John, he has played Lennon three times now.
One of those docu-dramas which, I think, is mostly accurate, and worth seeking by Beatle fans.

Author
Time

Pieces - 1982 - 6/10
AKA - Mil Gritos Tiene la Noche

Gory thriller that navigates between Giallo and Slasher.
Opening has dear mom watching her son work a jigsaw puzzle. Of a nude model.
Mom wrecks his puzzle and junior finds a nearby axe.
Decades later, an unseen, gloved stalker starts solving that nudie puzzle.
By chopping up a bevy of college beauties.
Mounting body count of Euro lovelies baffles police!
Though set in Boston, filmed in Madrid.

There is a valuable audio commentary with Jack Taylor.
Most of the discussion is not about this film, but rather Jess Franco, with whom Taylor made eight films.
For Franco fans, this will be great.

Author
Time

Pumping Iron - 1977 - 7/10

Overlooking Stay Hungry (1976), this is where Arnold started his ascent.
While supposedly a documentary on bodybuilding, one gets the feeling several of the participants are “acting” in front of the camera. This seems especially true with Schwarzenegger and Ken Waller.

Most of this is hugely entertaining, watching the men train for the upcoming Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia.
One does get a feel for the more innocent rivals.
Then there are the strategies, diets, trash talk, behind the scenes.
Arnold already radiates charisma, though it would be another five years before he blew up to the masses.

Author
Time

Arachnophobia - 1990 - 6/10

Oliver Douglas moves from New York to Hooterville … oops, wrong story.
Dr. Ross moves his family from the metropolis to rural California.
He doesn’t blend with the locals, though family does fine.
Worse, by far, is a spider infestation, and he has a phobia of arachnids.
Wickedly funny horror comedy, bolstered with a strong cast, and plenty of cobwebs and spiders.
Not to mention John Goodman as the exterminator, in an over-the-top role that feels patently real.
Spiders, mmm, if you suffer a “thing” about spiders, there are a lot of spiders.

Author
Time

Horse Latitudes - 1975 - 6/10

If you cannot win a race, or achieve a feat, how about you fake it?
Our seaman, Donald, wants to be the first to sail single handed around the world.
Instead of actually sailing, he parks in the S. Atlantic “horse latitudes” and sends in falsified position reports.
He reckons without the isolation and the torrid heat.
Months in, he is losing his sanity.
This excels with the ennui, the lethargy of enforced idleness, though I never had much feel for the character.
Based on a true story.

Author
Time

Northern Soul - 2014 - 6/10

Companion film to documentary Northern Soul: Living For The Weekend.
This opens as the scene seems near its zenith. Wigan Casino, “the” dancehall, is many miles away, however.
Drugs, primarily amphetamines, are a given (dancing till dawn) and dealing is a major subplot.
A secondary plot is tracking down obscure RnB 45s, or figuring out what mystery track a DJ is playing.
There is also a love - infatuation - story. Male bonding. Dance numbers.
The film suffers from a little bit of this, a little bit of that,
Really, the viewer unaware of the Northern Soul period might have trouble connecting the links here.
Fine soundtrack of lost Hard Soul music.
Enjoyable, though it meandered.

Author
Time

Truly, Madly, Deeply - 1990 - 7/10

As in, do you love me truly, madly, deeply?
When cellist Jamie dies, partner Nina is inconsolable.
Would that he could return.
Only then, well, fulfilled dreams are seldom what one expects.
Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman totally believable as characters, as a couple.
Wonderful little film, haunting, poignant, about the flame of love that burns and burns.
Although living with a spectre has limitations.
The sun ain’t gonna shine anymore.

Author
Time

Houdini & Doyle - 2016 - 6/10

Escape artist and Sherlock creator solve crimes along with a female Scotland Yard inspector.
Fun, but not remotely historically accurate.
Doyle and Houdini have ongoing disputes over spiritualism, some episodes are borderline absurd, and the parade of “guests" grows strange, indeed.
Fans of Murdoch Mysteries ought to enjoy as H & D strongly resembles that show.
On the plus side, this series seems to be a one-off. If only more shows were thus.

Author
Time

The Last Bus - 2021 - 6/10

Likeable crowd pleaser should ring with the geriatric set.
Thomas sets off from Scotland for Lands End by bus. Make that buses.
Tom travels light: briefcase, some currency, Scotland transit pass.
Along the way we glimpse slices of his history, his wife and child.
Not much, though. Very little. Yet enough to realize his is the classic road trip.
15-20 minutes in, I suspect what is in his briefcase, and so will you.
The film panders to a nonexistent world, where young onlookers are mostly quiet and respectful and curious.
It is also WOKE informed, which I shrug at (woke folk aren’t going to watch this, anyway).
As in Mr. Turner (2014), Timothy Spall sports a frowning pout much of the time.
A tired crutch, and Spall is a better actor than this.

Author
Time

Hearts Of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse - 1991 - 8/10

Documentary on the making of Apocalypse Now (1979).
Watching this, it’s a wonder how films, especially large extraordinary films, ever get made.
Script problems, blown budgets, actors (eg: Brando).
Location shooting, a heart attack (Sheen), constant studio meddling.
What is spectacular is how much private film footage was shot and assembled for this.
Typically, what we get are laughfests from players reminiscing how much fun things were.
This romps behind-the-scenes of massive creative egos, battles, waste.

Author
Time

In the Name Of My Daughter - 2014 - 6/10
AKA - L’homme qu’on Aimait Trop

Catherine Deneuve struggles to hold onto a high end casino, circa 1976.
Local politicos and developers would like her to close, so they can build luxury hotels.
A mega casino combine - who launders money for the mob - wants to push her out.
Her daughter returns after a messy divorce, demanding her inheritance.
Gliding, slithering, shifting between all parties is a young, smiling attorney.
Loosely based on real events, the film coils around the players, none of whom are truly clean.
Talky French drama, with nebulous resolution, had me wondering about double jeopardy in France.

Author
Time

Werckmeister Harmonies - 2000 - 7/10
AKA - Werckmeister Harmóniák

We follow our narrator / observer Janos around his village as a circus sideshow arrives.
The “show” consists of the carcass of a massive, stuffed whale, and an unseen ”Prince.”
Townfolk mill around, grumbling, discontent rising into fiery destruction.
I do not know my Hungarian history, but I will wander out on a limb and guess the whale represents a regime of sorts, and the Prince is a puppet figurehead.
Much of the conflict, late in the film, reminded me of the Bosnian War in the 1990’s.
Then there is Janos’ uncle, a creative soul (the intelligentsia) and the estranged aunt (the deal maker of rebellion).
A very heady film, where I was baffled numerous times, but never lost interest.

Author
Time

Munkie - 2021 - 6/10

22 year old Rose still lives with her strict, controlling parents.
They disapprove of her “bad” boyfriend and lock her inside their home.
Growing more furious by the minute, Rose and boyfriend target the obstacles.
Slow burn crime story, based on Jennifer Pan, a Vietnamese-Canadian girl.
Think Kristi Koslow, or Alyssa Hatcher, or Jasmine Richardson, or Nina Holbrook, or Esmie Tseng …
One note short should stir resentful teen viewers.

Author
Time

Straight Outta Compton - 2016 - 7/10

Rousing biopic of badboy rappers, N.W.A.
Standard tale of friends forming a band, hitting the big time, then the money fights.
Focus is on Eazy, Cube and Dre, and the latter seems to have been smoothed a shade.
Not too many liberties taken, though my knowledge is basic at best.
I checked for inaccuracies later and found minor, aside from Heller’s litany.
Should appeal to the mainstream despite expletives, weed use, nudity, coochie poppin …
By a quirk of casting, Paul Giamatti plays NWA’s shifty manager. Soon as I saw him I hollered, “Look out guys! That’s Dr Landy. He fleeced Brian Wilson (“Love And Mercy”). Look out!”
Oddly enough, I found myself giving footnotes to innocents around me. “What does OG mean?” “Who is Suge Knight?”
I watched the extended cut, almost three hours, and it never dragged.

Author
Time

Tokyo Fiancée - 2014 - 6/10

20 year old Belgium girl moves to Tokyo and offers to teach French lessons.
She gets one client, a male her own age, who seems to speak French passably well.
Nonetheless, money is money and they meet weekly.
Sparks don’t exactly fly as both seem to suffer cultural misperceptions of each other.
He introduces her to friends as his fiancée, she is convinced he is Yakuza.
Story winds in unpredictable directions and often dead-ends.
Several scenes were, perhaps, symbolic, except I was unable to comprehend their meaning.

Author
Time

Last And First Men - 2020 - 7/10

Text by Olaf Stapledon, images from Yugoslav memorials.
From the far future, 2000 million years from now, surviving humanity tries to contact us.
As the sun expanded, the populace relocated to Neptune.
Dwellings are twenty or more miles at the base, and tower into and above the atmosphere.

Humans evolve beyond recognition.
Some exist in a group mind, others, far-flung, are navigators.
Others pass through diverse time frames, akin to what, non-Euclidean time?
Their collected voice reaches out because they want to help, and because they need help.

Stimulating and challenging fare, the first (and last) by Jóhann Jóhannsson.
Arthouse SciFi, those familiar with Lovecraft’s cosmic scale will appreciate.

Author
Time

Shakespeare On Stage, Screen And Elsewhere - 2016 - 7/10

Part of 2016‘s Shakespeare Lives celebration across Britain.
I thought this would be a film survey, but it is actually a lecture by Ian McKellen.
Personal memoir, anecdotes of productions, bios of bygone actors.
As well as the conspiracy theory of questionable authorship - which McKellen does not subscribe to.
Knowledgeable audience had apparently seen many of the lesser known works.
McKellen, a cheerful raconteur, frequently pauses to find his thought.
Impatient or multi-tasked souls may glance at the exits.

Author
Time

Flux Gourmet - 2022 - 7/10

Stop! Many movie sites list this under the Horror genre. It is not.
This is a stinging, often hilarious satire on performance artists and culinary shows, with gory elements.
It is also a Peter Strickland film, arthouse territory with mannered dialogue that skitters across the dining table.
In short, Elle is the frontman, the food performer, with her two “Sonic Caterers”.
They are in residence at the (unnamed) Institute for a month, honing their art, despite administrative interference.
Many cast members from In Fabric (2019) are here again, and that film approximates Aickman or Ligotti, meaning strange. Not visceral gore.
With this director, I would suggest viewing Berberian Sound Studio (2012) first, which hews closer to horror.
Strickland is an auteur whose films are cult now, but will gain in stature over time.

Author
Time

Look Back In Anger - 1989 - 6/10

Jimmy, educated working class, runs a sweets shop and lives in a cheap attic flat with his wife.
His wife, Helena, middle class, with better family, friends and connections, endures his tirades.
And my God, what tirades they are!
The self-satisfied middle class (of which he is not a member), Helena’s family, the newspaper, church bells.
On and on, though increasingly, he unleashes his fury onto his wife, a passive, stoical doormat.
This is a one set play, and Kenneth Branagh’s Jimmy is a resentful, hate spewing force.
While well acted, Jimmy’s wallowing pity party grows tedious at times.

Author
Time

The Making Of A Man - 1911 - 5/10

The acting troupe makes a whistle-stop in a small town.
And the lead actor makes an impression on a star struck girl.
So much so, that before you know it, they are hitched.

“Yes, I have the license here, so … what … she’s how old?”
True love is crushed again. Only then, nine months later, whoops!
Decent Biograph melodrama has little to do with “the man” and more with the girl (15 year old Blanche Sweet).
An early silent, I suspect most of actors had toured theatrically for years and knew this tale too well.

Author
Time

Roosevelt Game - 2014 - 8/10
AKA - Ruzuveruto Gemu // ルーズヴェルト・ゲーム

Nine innings J-dorama, set in the corporate boardroom, in the research lab, and on the diamond.
Small manufacturing firm finds itself under serious attack by king sized competitor.
The larger outfit has deep pockets, and they launch every trick in the book to destroy the smaller group.
To add insult to injury, the big guys even poach three top players and coach from the small firm’s baseball team.
(Footnote - Corporations in Japan sponsor their own teams, have a season, and a tournament.)
To save money, the small firm initiates layoffs and decides to shutter the baseball club.
They compromise, however, and the team will be disbanded only after they lose in the playoffs.

Bet you can see where this is heading? Well, not exactly.
In the best tradition of J-doramas, the villains are wicked, sinister types.
But they are not stupid. In the ballpark, or in the boardroom, they are crafty and intelligent.
They countermove every tack the smaller electronics firm attempts to stay alive.
An addicting, nine episode series, with the battles played across multiple fronts.
Of course, the ball teams will square off eventually.

Enjoyed this greatly, and I truly despise baseball, specifically overpaid, MLB players who give the impression they don’t even like playing the game, disdain fans who root them on.
The games in this are old-fashioned, and the players earn next to nothing, so they play for love of the game.
Baseball fans, track this down!