Vultural

Murders In Font-Romeau - 2023 - 5/10
AKA - Meurtres à Font-Romeu

The corpse, ritualistically laid out in a church, was a priest, popular and well-liked.
A new captain arrives from Paris and is soon disliked by the way she treats locals.
After the second murder, again with ritualistic clues, things get messy.
Messy sorta describes it all, too. Wandering subplots, meaningless characters, stagnating pace.
Often, one views for the outdoor scenery, and this does not disappoint.
Not quite predictable, but definitely a lesser offering.

The Sinners Of Hell - 1960 - 6/10
AKA - Jigoku // 地獄

Shimizu and Tamura are returning home after visiting with Yukiko and her parents.
A drunk staggers in front of their car, Tamura runs him down and drives on.
Turns out he was just a low level Yakuza. Now dead. Who cares?
Witnesses? The thug’s mom, who, along with his girlfriend, swear murderous revenge.
Guilt ridden Shimizu wants to go to the police, but his girlfriend, a little pregnant tries to dissuade.
The movie is stuffed with crimes: lying, theft, adultery, covetousness, you name it.
And everyone – everyone – is going to hell.

No forgiveness, no atonement, no confession.
One moral error or crime, and boom, you are damned.
The final third of the film is set in a dizzying parade of torture and punishment.

Predator - 1987 - 7/10

“The demon who makes trophies of men.”
Dutch and his team of elite soldiers strike a remote base of insurgents.
Unknown to them, they are observed by an extraordinary hunter.
What follows is kill or be killed.
Testosterone overload in this Schwarzenegger actioner, along with thousands of rounds of bullets.
First and finest of a franchise that refuses to die despite derivative scripts and actors sans charisma.
Pre-CGI, this remains as fresh and exhilarating as ever.

Crisp, Quentin S. - Ikaho

The chance encounter between two travelers. A young girl, more of a child actually, and an itinerant monk. Even though he is poor, begging for alms, Jirō recognizes the hunger in Ohisa’s face immediately and shares his food.
As both walk into Ikaho, a small place and a bend out of time, they reveal thier stories. Recent histories. The sorry reasons why both are on the road, and not indoors, safe and warm.
With encounters, there is often an exchange. As well as understanding, empathy, perhaps a solution to temporary difficulty.
Crisp’s novella is the muted connecting of sympathetic souls, not kindred spirits, although they both “see” each other.
While Ikaho itself is not dissimilar to Erith, it does seem less solid, more a place we stroll into in a dreamlike amble.
Ikaho would be a magical village to wander, rest, observe, recharge, before continuing on.

The Empty Man - 2020 - 6/10

From Bhutan to Missouri, the soft, wind-blown note draws those susceptible.
An ex-cop is asked by a friend to look for her missing daughter.
What he finds are her best friends, murdered or suicides.
Investigating deeper, he finds a cult like group, Pontifex, and the word tulpa.
While never officially warned off, he is increasingly spooked.
This is a flawed film. The cult, the philosophy, worldview, are creepy and bear an odd echo.
Here is the inverse of aspiration, the embrace of nothingness.
Yet, the driving force, the “empty man”, is ridiculous and out of place.
Buried within this is a fantastic, eerie gem, but the beastie is beneath stupid.

Dementia - 1955 - 6/10

Her day starts at dusk, as she wakes in a cheap hotel.
Outside, the hustlers and winos hit on her, while she walks into the night.
Finally, into the rich man’s limousine.
Then the restaurant, where he gorges himself. Then, the rowdy nightclub.
I would not call her a prostitute, more an escort.
Dialogue free, Expressionism and Noir to the max.
Shadow filled, experimental film.

Hornblower - 1998 - 6/10

Very fine adaptations of several Forester novels.
This is the young Hornblower, learning the ropes under Captain Pellew.
One anticipates sea battles, although the intrigue and skirmishes within ranks are revealing.
Perhaps not. There is seldom enough bounty and glory for all.
Unsure how faithful to the source these were.
Production values were very good, scripts intelligent, action exciting.
Should have filmed more installments. Not telling the ROI, however.

Daniel Deronda - 2002 - 7/10

Young Deronda encounters fortune hunter Gwendolen.
They spark off each other immediately.
Nevertheless, she is searching for money, while he searches for “meaning”.
Each finds more than they bargained for.
A bit of a soap opera at times, this churns through unpleasant muck, while being eminently watchable.
Hugh Bonneville particularly memorable as an abusive cad.
Never warmed to Deronda myself, viewing him as a priggish do-gooder.

Cherry Stars Collide

Very affordable 4 CD set of Dream Pop from the 90’s.

Gosford Park - 2001 - 7/10

Well, he was despicable anyway, no matter how entitled.
I’m talking about the victim, proud lord of the stately manor.
Host of the weekend shooting party. Guns and grudges, and a little murder.
Droll mystery / comedy sandwiched somewhere between Upstairs-Downstairs and Downton Abbey.
Relationships between staff and gentry, graduations within classes. Keep a keen eye and ear out for the barbed wit,
Outsiders include the Yanks and the police.
Powerhouse cast, luxurious set design, costumed to the nines.

Paddington Bear - 1976 - 7/10

The first, and, despite limitations, arguably the best adaptation of the marmalade connoisseur.
Stop-motion for Paddington, all other characters and backgrounds are cartoon standups.
More importantly, the stories stem from Michael Bond’s writings.
There is a charm to this minimalist approach, which also might push the child’s imagination.
Narration by Michael Horden is incomparable.

I Walked With A Zombie - 1943 - 7/10

Nurse arrives at a Haitian sugar plantation to care for the owner’s ill wife.
The story told, is that the young wife was stricken with fever which left her mute and listless.
Nevertheless, there are drums at night, voodoo, a priest, and the long shadow of slavery.
Genuinely eerie film, shot for next to nothing, has layers of meaning that reward repeated viewing.
Understated performances help, as does the serious tone.
Nothing cheeky or overwrought. Good intro for those curious about Val Lewton.

The Bridge At Remagen - 1969 - 6/10

Closing months of WWII, German officers receive conflicting orders.
1 – Destroy the Ludendorff Bridge, the last one standing across the Rhine.
2 – Maintain the bridge as long as possible, to allow Wehrmacht troops to return home.
Meanwhile, American troops race to capture the bridge intact, no matter casualties.
What would normally have been a gung-ho flag waver in an earlier era, here reflects the late 60’s antiwar sentiment.
Both sides are disillusioned, hardened and cynical. Plenty of action, yet the tone is soured.
Based on a book by a local Congressman, which was required reading in our area.

Gates Of Heaven - 1978 - 7/10

Strange documentary, championed by Siskel & Ebert, alerted discerning moviegoers to Errol Morris.
Profiles of pet cemetery owners, those who have burial plots, and some of the shadier practices.
Throughout, the camera does the talking. No narration. Keep up.
It would be easy to view this as satire, or a mockumentary, but it is dead earnest.
I would say a one-of-a-kind film, except Morris followed this with a string of original concepts.

Brokenwood Mysteries - 2014 - 6/10

Amiable mystery with eccentric city inspector Shepherd assigned to a rural backwater.
And like all TV hinterlands, there are murders and nefarious doings aplenty.
By the end of S01, the ensemble team has been assembled (although none display much personality).
The mysteries range from pretty good (a wine competition) to predictable (a revenge).
Well written, passable entertainment, spawning 10+ seasons.
One season was OK for me, doubt I will watch more.

Brighton Beach Memoirs - 1986 - 6/10

First installment of Neil Simon’s coming-of-age autobiography is possibly the best.
Pre-WWII, 15 year old Eugene lives with his large and extended family.
There are financial struggles, odd reports coming from Europe, and dreams seem like a distant horizon.
Enjoyment of this hinges on how comfortable one is with the boisterous family.
Eugene acts as our observer, although the family enters soap opera too often.
Unfortunately, I had seen the play, which had an electricity this lacks.
For a large family, likewise in New York of this era, watch Radio Days.

The Rise And Fall Of Legs Diamond - 1960 - 6/10

More gangster than Noir, yet close enough.
Two-bit hood, Jack Diamond, lands job with one of the top bosses.
With the death of his boss, Jack, now Legs, peddles protection, and shoots enemies.
Exuberant hubris and unchecked ego, he starts to make demands on the Syndicate.
Ray Danton is ruthlessly wonderful in the title role, from the exciting rise to the seedy fall.

Hang ‘Em High - 1968 - 6/10

A posse decides Jed is a thieving, lying rustler, stings him up, then trots off.
Dead? Not yet. Rescued, he catches the eye of the territorial judge who appoints him marshal.
Jed is warned not to seek revenge – but – should suspects resist …
Being a Clint Eastwood Western, viewers ought to expect resistance and shootings.
Thing is, this does not move as well as the Leone predecessors.
Despite a fantastic cast, the pace dawdles without visual compensation.
(Inger Stevens and Arlene Golonka notwithstanding.)
The judge, morally complicated and forward thinking, makes an extremely interesting character.

The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad - 1958 - 6/10

Sinbad and crew rescue a magician.
Not exactly the most grateful soul, the magician makes demands all the way to Baghdad.
Even as a child, I knew this ingrate had something up his sneaky sleeve.
Sure enough.
The plot is fantasy adventure with a dash of romance.
Even today, the special effects by Ray Harryhausen are jaw dropping.
Not to overlook a gorgeous Bernard Herrmann score.
And the acting! It had to have been challenging.
Great when a film lives up to childhood nostalgia.

Various (Editor: Higashi, Masao) - Kaiki: Uncanny Tales from Japan Vol 1

Tales old and new, yet all set in the era of Old Edo (pre-Tokyo). Masao provides a lengthy and sterling introduction to this collection, which leads into the opening essay by Lafcadio Hearn arguing for the value of supernatural fiction.

Early on, there are three very brief tales, appetizers. The book finishes with three brief mangas. In between, riches.

All new girls must spend a night in “The Futon Room”. The household of saki merchants has always been prosperous, yet the succession of male owners have seldom lived long. Hand in hand with this mysterious coincidence is the secluded storage room.

For the complete anglers among you, “The Pointer” provides buckets of fishing tips, lore, as well as a magnificent bamboo rod.

“The Inō Residence” finds a young samurai contesting with a ghost or demon or spirit, one trying to drive him from his house. Fleeing would cost face. Terrors and struggles vary from night to night, and are detailed in sequential chapters.

The young woman has shown up lost, without a memory. Her lone recall is that she came “Through The Wooden Gate”. She is a strange creature, somewhat fey, yet everyone takes a liking to her, especially Seishirō, who seems destined for advancement. A wistful tale, quietly exposing how fleeting time and experiences are.

The Accountant - 2001 - 7/10

The farm is in hock to the bank for $250K.
Brothers O’Dell hire a fast-talking accountant to examine the books and offer suggestions.
Despite a thirst for Pabst, this guy is slick, and soon comes up with some dodges to help.
Translation: How to get hold of insurance payouts.
This 40” short is laugh out loud funny, skewing the American Dream of debt for lifestyle.
Now, this is Southern out the wazoo, but if you’re a wage slave you will relate.
Soon as I finished, I loaded up Dancing Outlaw.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3355818

Present Laughter - 2019 - 7/10

Dash it all, just hold tight and keep up!
As he prepares for an African tour, the great man of theatre – popular theatre – wobbles in his own world.
At 40, he still attracts young lovers, although he knows his hair is thinning and his skin is getting soft.
Self-denial wars with admonition.
Nor is his staff much help. Essendine’s secretary is blunt and caustic, his valet casual and cynical.
The play itself is breathlessly paced, with enough staccato dialogue to spin your head.
Andrew Scott is absolutely marvelous as the narcissistic whirlwind.
Kevin Kline did this in 2017. While the same play, the flavor differs.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3355817

The Second Woman - 1950 - 6/10

Jeff is still haunted by the death of his beautiful fiancé.
Worse than that, it appears someone has it in for him!
Attempts on his life, whispers that he is suicidal, and an aura of death that accompanies him.
Worse to those or things he cherishes.
Noir / thriller / mystery is strikingly filmed, with good performances.
This does seem to hark back to earlier techniques and styles.
Nevertheless, a brooding Noir should you hanker for one.

Prince Of Darkness - 1987 - 5/10

For 2000 years, the priestly Brotherhood Of Sleep have watched over this glass cylinder of swirling evil.
Now, the time has arrived for Satan or his son to unleash his father and wreck the world.
A priest consults, not the Vatican, but a college professor.
Together, with a clutch of drafted grad-students, they prepare to square off.
Intriguing premise by Carpenter bounces off the rails quickly and irretrievably.
Pointless romance, tons of candles (who’s been maintaining those), contamination via discharge, an insidious army of street people (?), computes and electric power yet no phones, glass lasts 2000 years, the usual ‘where’s so and so?’
Shoddy schlock or disappointing garbage.
Oh, yes, and characters who have never viewed a single Horror film.

Bailey, Catherine - The Secret Rooms

Nonfiction.
Flimsy story, further undermined by padded, bloated writing, and whining by author.

Yes, there was a secret in the old manor house, but it was neither important nor memorable.
Perhaps to the original “secret keeper.”

The book moved quickly, but for every twenty pages about the Manners’ family, there would be another ten from the author lamenting how hard it was to locate files.
Real historians never wail about obstacles in the search. Bailey was one big pity party.

This book could easily have been a hundred pages shorter.
Even at the big revelation, I was, “This? This is the big scandal? I wasted hours for this?”
Spare yourself.