Vultural

Hapkido - 1972 - 6/10
AKA - Lady Kung Fu // 合氣道

After five years of learning, three students say farewell to their Korean teacher.
They return to China, now threatened by militaristic Japan, and open their own Hapkido school.
(Hapkido is a martial arts style focusing on joint holds, throws, kicks.)
The Black Bear school, Japanese, bullies townfolk and intimidates the other schools.
Headstrong and impulsive Fan Wei (Sammo Hung) attacks and thereby provokes a war.
This is Angela Mao’s vehicle, however, and she is a master of the slow boil.
Also, a hapkido artist. For the knowledgeable (I am not) this is a great film to analyze different styles and techniques.
Melodrama and overblown villains scream chopsocky, but the choreography dominates.

Road Games - 2015 - 7/10
AKA - Fausse Route

Jack, English, doesn’t understand French.
Otherwise, he would not be hitchhiking in rural France, in front of a sign that warns against picking up hikers.
And he might be aware that a serial killer is extremely active on this lonely stretch.
Fortunately, he meets a stray French girl, also on walkabout.
Then a car stops and the driver, a talkative soul, offers them a ride.
The lies are small initially, as lies so often are.
Convoluted thriller excels in offering numerous shady characters, including Jack.
Similar to Only The Animals (2019) with a tangle of threads that stitch together.

The Racket - 1928 - 7/10

Silent mobster film, packed with bullets, steeped in cynicism.
Mob boss Scarsi (think Capone) is muscling in on a rival’s territory.
Despite a police presence, the downtown shootout is violent with a surprising amount of deaths.
Copper McQuigg, trying to arrest the criminals, is reassigned to an outlaying precinct.
By the mayor – per request by mob boss, Scarsi.
Louis Wolheim as Scarsi steals the film from star Thomas Meighan.
The notion that crime controls politicians would be whitewashed by the Production Code.

Marie Prevost fetching as a gold digging hussy.
On par with The Underworld (1927) this provided a template for hundreds of gangster flicks.

Blade Runner: Version Never Seen Before - Zombie84 - Brunei1992

Filesize = 8 GB, Video = 1920 X 1080p, Audio = 126 kbps AAC, 2-Channel stereo. No subs.

Straight off, this is not Zombie84’s original DVD, but a DVDrip. There are several 480p versions out there, if your bandwidth is limited. (Note: This is a review thread, not a request thread. Search.)

Zombie84’s version is very interesting. The story is the same, but the point of view often differs, scenes play out differently, dialogue is truncated or extended. The experience takes unusual turns.

The 1982 sound is fine, dialogue clear. Subs are unnecessary, although Gaff remains indecipherable. The temp score, used in many cases, often heightens the 80’s vibe. Swings between diverting and cheesy.

Other people have quibbled in posts about video quality. For me, the image is alright. My player is 4K but my screen is an older plasma, not HD, certainly not 4K. Elsewhere, krausfadr referenced how the supplementary footage has a different bitrate. This will likely be much more evident in this older edit. Try to be forgiving as this is what Zombie84 had to work with, and what Brunei1992 ran through Topaz. I am OK with the “look” but those of you with state of the art screens should be aware of limitations.

An irritation I noticed was the film simply quit while Deckard and Rachel are driving north. No fade to black, no THE END. An incomplete DVDrip, similar to the impatient partner incapable of finishing. The last impression, and an annoyance.

Nevertheless, this is worth watching. Credit to Zombie84 for editing, to Brunei1992 for upscaling and sharing.

War Of The Stars: A New Hope Grindhoused (Star Wars) - TMBTM

Nifty reworking of a classic viewed numerous. Edit incorporates plenty of ugly, deleted footage, making the experience greasier and dirtier. No disrespect intended. This is a snickering subversive retelling that takes its sweet time before slithering into broken territory.

The outtakes were all crappy, poor resolutions and bleached colors. Editor TMBTM matched the look across the edit, so there was no jarring issues. The editor is utterly professional, transitions and edits were smooth and well-thought out.

2 Channel stereo, no subs (yet R2D2 is subbed throughout, and it proves to be one smart ass astrodroid).
I wondered about reinserted footage of storm troops on Tatooine. If redubbed, clever dialogue of poorly motivated workforce. The old saw about good help being hard to find applies.

This is an altogether deceptive story that feints like an extended version, but midway begins to weave into a different direction.
I can reassure uncertain readers that the modifications progress logically and bloom in the second installment.

A lot of this is funny as hell. Storm troopers, who cannot shoot for shit in the original trilogy (Jango must have been rolling in his grave over nth generation clones) in this edit blast resistance left and right. Jawa haters, check this out. As noted, R2D2 sees all, chatters away, but no one pays attention to him. Probably because he talks too much. A generous assortment of bonus goodies here, and you can’t beat Frances Gall (thank you for not going with the obvious ”Chick Habit”).
There may be purists who hate tinkering with this installment, at canon. Forget ‘em. This is a gaspipe kick. Go for it.

Pulse: The Forbidden Room (Pulse – Kairo) - den_nado

Filesize = 1.8 GB, Video = 1920 X 1080p AVC, Audio = 253 kbps AAC, 2-Channel stereo. Hard subbed.

Although this is a “light edit” the cuts are well thought out, serving to enhance the storyline, heighten the uncanny atmosphere, and leave the viewer with a sense of unresolved unease.
For the uninitiated, even with trims, Pulse is never action paced. This is a moody, at times cerebral journey.
A tale of emptying cities, empty lives, the emptiness of existence.
When this was released in 2001 the internet was an exciting new frontier, part Wild West, part beckoning Utopia. Not the beguiling Janus of today.
As Harue explains to one, the internet is supposed to connect us with others; instead it is more isolating.
Along with this concept is the powerful fear of displacement.
Both themes have grown in prominence, and Pulse is eerily prescient.
The audio is 2.0, adequate and what most DVDs had. Mine was a Hong Kong R03, boasting 5.1 which was magnificent, particularly the rear surrounds.
Despite that comment, this is an excellent edit and fans of J-horror ought to hunt this down.

Clone Wars: Episode I: Army Of The Republic - smudger9

Intelligent condensation of the heavily padded animated series. smudger9 wisely cut the juvenile elements, as well as Jabba’s kid, choosing to focus on Domino squad. I didn’t understand what he was doing initially, but it makes sense as the edit progresses.

Video - Good cutting throughout as the narrative weaves between Jedis Obi-Wan and Anakin, and the Domino squad, skitters to Greivous and the delicious Asajj Ventress.
Blacks are solid throughout and there are no problems around flares, bursts, explosions, etc …
Some of the edits seemed quick but never too noticeable.

2.0 stereo. No subs, though the dialogue was clear and understandable. That includes droid-speak and garbled mutterings of Admiral Trench.

The narrative suffers unavoidable problems, I’m afraid. smudger9 has shaved chunks of time, so there is a loss of cohesion. Despite re-arranging, there is a “jumpy” feel to the story. Character arrivals and departures are abrupt. (The same could be said for the Lucas originals and live action.) Clone 99’s story was nicely done, yet the subject of a spy onboard Resolute was broached and forgotten.

smudger9 has removed all the lame sections for us. Despite above-mentioned quibbles, this edit holds together well and is enjoyable from start to finish. His version is more battle action heavy, less character study. Yet it is also Clone Wars, so what do you expect? Anyone who does not have a problem with the animated series in general will have a blast with this.

Shaun The Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas - 2021 - 7/10

Shaun realizes his stocking is smallish and decides to appropriate the Farmer’s.
Along with a very young confederate, they enter the home for a quick burgle.
Whereupon the plans misfire, the youngling disappears, and Shaun is in big trouble.
What to do? Head to the village, High Street merry with people.
Brisk outing is chocked with jokes, visual and musical gags, and a stream of mistakes.
Thirty minutes of pure confection.

How The West Was Won - 1962 - 7/10

Overlong “Western” is as good or bad as any given chapter.
The West sweeps from the Alleghenies to Arizona in a rough fifty year span.
Generations of one family are profiled, but they are stand-ins for everyone.
Yarns about river pirates and the Civil War seem the weakest, with poorly drawn characters.
The wagon train is too Hollywood for my taste, but this has one of the few roles I’ve enjoyed Gregory Peck in.
Final two chapters are rousing excitement.
Railroad going though Indian territory, unflinching is observing (broken) agreements with tribes.
An outlaw gang trying for a train robbery as civilization begins to the “wild” West.
Recent BluRay addresses / fixes the Cinerama bars.
I originally saw this old-fashioned Hollywood spectacle with my grandfather, and a recent rewatch reminds me of how completely immersive it had been – and how it is less now.

Lone Wolf Spy Hunt - 1939 - 6/10

Retired safecracker, Michael Lanyard (the Lone Wolf) is set up.
War Department plans are stolen and dropped clues incriminate Lanyard.
While police are skeptical, and he provides alibis, he remains suspect #1.
Meanwhile, a bright-eyed young heiress (Ida Lupino) wants to marry the reluctant bachelor.
Plot zig zags between mystery, cheeky innuendo, and farcical comedy.
More silly than sinister.
William Warren effortless as the Lone Wolf, Rita Hayworth makes an alluring femme fatale.

Spitting Image Christmas Special - 2021 - 6/10

Not quite the old series, which irks the faithful, yet this has its moments.
Elton John, mixing two chestnuts, is visited by ghosts and learns what life was like for his closest if he had never existed.
Three magi, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg sing how important their empires are to Yule.
This is short, swift and rushes, which is good. Parts feel out of touch, though.
Hits vs. misses = 50-50.

Vardeman, David - April Is The Cruelest Month

In many regards, this seems a continuation of “Tramp On The Street” from An Angel Of Sodom.
The usual barflys cluster at Uncle Miltie’s, where sitting is preferred.
“Uncle Miltie’s is not a place where people stand. We prefer our drunks seated.”
At the noisiest table, one of the cronies is absent. Eddie. The quiet Eddie. The Eddie who strangled his mother before blasting his brains out.
Around the table, slurred mouths express theories, opinions.
Why? How could he? Do you think? Will this impact us – meaning, me?
Miltie’s is a dump, the regulars are assorted failures, more sodden with each pitcher of beer.
For every stray nugget of insight that spills from someone’s lips, the remaining dribble is drivel.
If you enjoy following drunken warbling, inebriated boasts, and a brawl of misunderstanding, then crack this one already, junior.
If, however, you prefer to drink yourself to stupefaction by your lonesome, thank you very much, then this collection of eightballs might be your ticket to paradise.

Still Mine - 2012 - 7/10

Both are old, elderly, but Craig notices his wife has slight dementia.
Their two-story Canadian house is too much for her, especially the stairs.
Consequently, he decides to build a smaller home for them.
Build, as in DIY, using his own trees, his own blueprints, just as he had done decades earlier.
Of course, there were no building codes back then. And no “rules is rules” inspectors.
Enthralling film of the fiercely independent soul clashing with the bureaucratic machine.
James Cromwell’s character will linger with you for weeks, and all scenes with Geneviève Bujold are the definition of “growing old together”.

The Whistler - 1944 - 6/10

Tycoon Earl, bumming after the death of his wife, hires a killer to snuff him out.
Only condition, he doesn’t want to know when or where.
Then he finds out his wife ain’t dead.
When he tries to cancel – oh, hell.
Fast paced B-film makes decent Noir, although undermined by absurd plot twists.
Richard Dix, the businessman, looks disheveled most of the time, with ill-fitting suits.
The OTR on which this is based is a terrific series, worth listening to.

Hoosiers - 1986 - 7/10

One of the great basketball films out there.
Small town team has the same ambitions of thousands of high school programs.
Make their way to the annual state tournament.
Their new coach, soon in trouble, receives strategic advice from the town’s alcoholic.
The focus is on the boys, however.
Well paced film is an underdog fable, set in a world that is now a ghost.
Sports before steroids, before endorsements.
Evoking a lost Americana that may never have existed.

Night Shift - 2019 - 6/10 UK

Luv looks forward to the Halloween party with his girlfriend.
Until his boss hands him a stack of work he needs completed by morning.
His lone colleague is the weird new guy, going on about the messenger of death.
Tight horror short builds atmosphere, although overly bright interiors work against it.

Lawman - 1971 - 6/10

Predating Robocop by decades, Burt Lancaster plays a zealously by-the-book marshal.
After a shoot ‘em up leaves an old man dead, a lawman arrives to arrest the whole ranch gang and bring to trial.
The usual “bargaining” is applied to no effect. Lancaster’s sheriff is righteous to the point of being insufferable.
Some exchanges are akin to negotiating with a computer.
Revisionist Western filled with hotheads, weaklings, cowards, grafters.
Robert Ryan as aging sheriff, glory days well behind him, makes a compassionate conscience.
Slow boil throughout with violent finale, without heroism.

Diva - 1981 - 7/10

Jules, passionate about opera, makes an HQ copy of his favorite singer, one who has refused any live recordings.
Round about this time, a hooker drops an expose cassette into his mail pouch, before she is killed.

Police want Jules, hired killers plan to murder him, music bootleggers want his tape.
Visually arresting film, packed with memorable characters and high energy.
Terrific chase in the subway are one of many highlights.
Dominique Pinon, in his second role, is unforgettable as the lethal “priest”.

Slumdog Millionaire - 2008 - 5/10

Low caste Jamal is a contestant on popular quiz show (version “Who Wants Be Millionaire?).
Defying the odds (ha!) he performs well. Really well.
So much so, authorities suspect cheating.
Extensive flashbacks narrate his life and expertise.
Overtly manipulative aims for feel-good, but this is highly calculated.
Every twist, every reveal, felt contrived and obvious, and I began disliking this film intensely.
This was the movie that had me reevaluate director Danny Boyle.
I truly enjoyed this earlier films. From this point on, not so much.

Bend It Like Beckham - 2002 - 6/10

When this came out, I knew there was no escape.
My wife, fan of World Cup, Premiere League, Man U.
Resistance is futile.
Friends Jesminder and Jules want to be professional footballers.
Parents of the girls feel otherwise, for different reasons.
Cultural and social. Obstacles are emotional, physical, schedules.
Nevertheless, this is feel-good so there will be important moments.
Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley would go on to big careers.
Entertaining, even if you know jack diddly-doo about football (soccer).

Payback - 1999 - 7/10

Porter is left for dead by his partner, Val, who pockets the $70,000.
Left for dead ain’t the same as dead, however, and after an ugly recovery, Porter comes after the money.
Val, it turns out, used the funds to join a crime family.
Where Porter starts killing his way through the ranks.
Powerful Mel Gibson film, far darker than his popular persona of this period.
Exceptional male cast includes Kristofferson, James Coburn, William Devane, Bill Duke.
Director’s cut is more hard-nosed, less audience friendly, and superior in numerous ways.

Stay Tuned - 1992 - 5/10

Lazy salesman spends his home life watching TV.
To the fury of his wife smashes the set – whereupon – a visitor arrives with a satellite dish.
Capable of viewing 666 stations. 666. Does the couple pick up on that? Please.
Soon enough they are sucked into the set, into bizarro, deadly programs.
Parodies of TV shows aren’t vicious enough. Horror elements, silly.
“Stars” John Ritter and Pam Dauber lack oomph, chemistry, charisma.

Anatomy Of A Fall - 2023 - 6/10
AKA - Anatomie d’une Chute

Author Sandra is being interviewed at her Alpine home.
Not for long, however, as her husband begins blaring music at ear rending level.
Jealousy, spite, wounded male ego? In any event, the interview ends abruptly.
And, within an hour, the husband falls to his death from an attic opening.
Did he fall by accident? Was it suicide? Was he pushed?
Suspect number one? You got it, the wife, the famous writer.
The police and coroner are inconclusive, leaving the verdict to the French judicial system.
Owing to insufficient evidence, the prosecutor’s strategy is to besmirch.
Courtroom drama compels, but is overlong to the point of tedium.

The Believers - 1987 - 6/10

Recently widowed psychologist relocates from the Midwest to Gotham.
Where, he being working with the NYPD as they investigate a voodoo cult, sacrificing children.
Oh, yeah, our psychologist has a child of just about the right age.
The Santerai elements are skirted over, although blood embellishment is heavy.
An undercurrent of Yuppie scum predominates, much as resentment of that group heightened during the 1980’s.
Frightening moments seem at war with the moralizing.

The Devil’s Stairway - 1964 - 6/10
AKA - Maeui Gyedan // 마의 계단

The affair between the head surgeon and an attractive nurse has frayed.
His attitude is, “This is all fun, but not permanent.” Her reply is a terse, “I’m pregnant.”
Meanwhile, the director of the small hospital wants to make the surgeon his successor.
Contingent on him marrying his attractive (and younger than the nurse) daughter.
So, nurse Jin-suk has become a major inconvenience, and needs to be sorted.
Solid psychological thriller looks like a Noir, with supernatural overtones.
Since solving the “nurse problem” leaves surgeon Hyeon in a worsening state.