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Join date
19-Aug-2013
Last activity
28-Mar-2024
Posts
4,100

Post History

Post
#1404765
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Julieta - 2016 - 7/10

Stellar return to form from Pedro Almodóvar.
Older woman, on the verge of leaving Madrid for Portugal, suddenly decides to remain.
She returns to a previous residence then sets about writing a journal - memoir about her relationships with her mother, husband, daughter. All lost.
Writing is part therapy, part confession, meant for the daughter whom she has not seen in over a decade.
The narrative time slips, settings shift, and two different actors portray Julieta.
Much of the tone, indeed the whole music score, is reminiscent of a Douglas Sirk thriller.
There are no throwaway scenes in this, either, and several are outright magical.
The story pulls the viewer irresistibly into a past often shrouded with guilt and self deception.
For me, the best Almodóvar since Talk To Her (2002).

Post
#1404764
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Sinister - 2012 - 6/10

Promising thriller missteps early, succumbs to cliché, tired writing, formula.
True crime writer (aarrgghh, another plot with that most boring main character, the writer), Ethan Hawke, moves family into home where previous family was mass murdered.
Of course, he neglects to tell his wife any of those details.
In no time flat, he discovers cans of film reels, disturbing clues, and bumps in the night.
Does he move the family out? Ha, silly.
OK enough production, but the plot has been done dozens of times.

Post
#1404551
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Les Témoins - 2015 - 7/10
AKA - Witnesses

Absorbing French thriller of unearthed corpses, a serial killer, and a wolf.
Parties unknown break into model homes and arrange corpses as family units.
Most of the deceased were freshly dug, a few freshly slain.
Those draw police involvement.
One cop in particular, a famous investigator, comes out of retirement as clues are meant for him.
Not as dark as Scandinavian Noir, but full of surprises and bracing coastal scenery.
Despite a couple of bungles in the final episode, a shrewd interlocking puzzler.

Post
#1404550
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

House Of 1000 Dolls - 1967 - 5/10
AKA - La Casa de Las Mil Muñecas

Stunning beauties are being kidnapped by white slavery ring.
Key to this is a smooth magician (Vincent Price) and his wise assistant.
Meanwhile, police close in, as do private investigators, lonely boyfriends …
Good looking film (AIP), but lacks oomph. The “slaves” do little but fidget in negligees.
The story is older than dirt. In fact, Traffic In Souls did this better in 1913.
However … the audio commentary is tremendously entertaining.
David(s) Del Valle and Decoteau discuss Price, George Nader, scandals from Confidential magazine, and story after story of Harry Alan Towers who produced over 100 films, and the tricks and shenanigans associated with him.
The commentary is better, far better, than the film.

Post
#1404549
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Silver Linings Playbook - 2012 - 5/10

Mainstream film I resisted, but was eventually overruled against.
Grieving, dysfunctional widow meets mental case who doesn’t like taking his meds.
Parents are noisy, loud and street spectacles.
In a nutshell, white trash. (Yeah, that ain’t PC.)
When these types are your neighbors, you shun them.
When they are your coworkers, they are generally bosses, and you hate them.
Yet, when a movie is made about them, everyone hollers, “Masterpiece!” and it gets a load of Oscar nods.

Post
#1404297
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Zero Focus - 1961 - 6/10
AKA - Zero no Shôten //ゼロの焦点

After their honeymoon, Kenichi heads off on a business trip and tells his wife he will soon return.
Only he disappears.
After failed investigations, she boards a northbound train northwards, in search of her missing husband.
A cracking pace propels the first half of this film. A pile of jump cuts, hold on!
The pace noticeably slows, however, before long exposition sections snuff the energy.
Other have likened this to Hitchcock, but it lacks the tension.
Seen with the 2009 remake, a couple of plot puzzles are clarified.

Post
#1404295
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

13 Minutes - 2015 - 7/10
AKA - Elser

Dramatization of a World War II footnote.
The 1939 assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler that missed by 13 minutes.
Musician, factory worker, seducer, Georg Elser, decides Adolf is putting fellow Germans on a path to ruination.
He devises a powerful bomb with clockwork timer and places it inside the Munich Bürgerbräukeller.
Single-handedly.
The Gestapo disbelieve and intensify interrogations.
Well acted, and cannily arranged chronology maintain interest throughout.
Nagging questions notwithstanding, a strong drama with passing relevance to current events.

Post
#1404294
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

The Matrimony - 2007 - 6/10
AKA - 心中有鬼

For many, title is dead giveaway.
Matrimony = Horror film.
Ghost story set in 1930’s Shanghai.
New wife receives orders from her chronically depressed husband: DO NOT venture into a locked room …
Quicker than she can say, “This door is creaky," she channels her inner Pandora.
Lush sets, understated acting, definitely a mood piece, but an old fashioned ghost story.
Main problem is ham fisted sound mix, with music and effects cranked to the max during spooky moments.
Otherwise, decent “Ooooo story.”

Post
#1404035
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Cult Of The Cobra - 1955 - 5/10

Guilty, childhood pleasure here.
Six postwar GI’s do the turista thing in Asia (India) before shipping home.
They hear of the secretive Cult Of The Cobra, lamias who can transform from human to snake.
For $100.00, the men can view the forbidden ceremony. But - - - NO PHOTOS !!
Their guide repeats several times. No photos! No photos!
Guess what happens? Ha ha ha.
Afterward, the now-Stateside ex-GI’s worry about toxic snake bites.
B-film has acceptable curse premise, snooze inducing love angle (sorry, Marshall Thompson is no romantic hunk), yet boasts a slew of future television “faces.”
Within ten years, their shows included “The F.B.I.,” “The Big Valley,” “Daktari,” “Maverick,” “The Fugitive.”

Post
#1404034
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Murder In Provins - 2019 - 5/10
AKA - La Malediction de Provins

During the reenactment of a medieval hand to hand duel, someone attempts a killing for real.
The target is the director / star / tyrant / sexual predator / all-around jerk.
French police investigate.
Despite catacombs (not sure how realistic) and castle exteriors (shrouded in mist), this could be any episode of “Midsomer Murders,” “Murder She Wrote,” shoot, this could be a Hallmark Mystery.
Why? Because the two cops assigned to solve the case are divorced from each other.
Will they get back together?
The couple have the chemistry of a sack of beets, the script is lame and derivative.
Mediocre across the board. For insomniacs, this oughta work.

Post
#1404033
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Side By Side - 2012 - 7/10

Documentary hosted by Keanu Reeves.
He interviewed dozens of directors, cinematographers, editors, color designers, etc . . . about the ongoing transition from old technology to new.
From photo chemical film to digital. And the impact on movies, as we see them.
Many can’t wait to iron out the flaws and drawbacks with the new.
Others were wistful about the loss of “magic” as part of the artistry disappearing, replaced by technology.
Highly engaging for film buffs.

Post
#1403779
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Sky Sharks - 2020 - 5/10

Passenger airlines are under attack from a school of airborne sharks – well equipped with explosive weapons – being ridden by and under the control of Nazis – zombie Nazis.
Iron Sky fans, this is the film to watch, not the IS sequel.
Of course this is over the top nuts. It is also extraordinarily gory, with gratuitous buxom shtupping.
There is a collapsing Third Reich backstory, and an inspired explanation as to why the baddies had been quiet for 80 years. (The global warming thaw!)
Live action bloodlust mixed with CGI and graphic novel panels.

I must confess I enjoyed this nonsense.

Post
#1403778
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

The Impossible - 2012 - 6/10

“Based on actual events"
Vacationing family tries to stay together after being hammered by tsunami in Thailand.
No syrup or sugar coat on this one.
Just the struggles to survive, stay alive, find help.
Naomi Watts, Ewan MacGregor as leads are dependable as ever, actors playing kids are fine.
Lush scenery, great effects (helped by a robust sound mix), harrowing scenes.
Must see for vacation seekers who envision sandcastles, cool waves, and endless Sangria.

Post
#1403776
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

The Year The Town Hall Shrank - 2012 - 7/10

Discouraging, often infuriating three part documentary of Stoke on Trent dealing with £35 M funding cut.
Social services particularly hard hit. Retirement homes, childrens centers, libraries, pools …
Refreshing to watch and listen to politicians and leaders deal with vociferous opposition.
From angry moms to the extreme right wing.
In other places, politicians hide or doubletalk or flat out lie.
This is how the sausage is made, or rather, divvied up.
Then – there are the deadbeats. Don’t get me started.
Everyone I viewed this with expressed strong opinions afterward.
Our local rep never says anything other than, “I’m fighting for you!”

Post
#1403570
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

John Dies At The End - 2012 - 5/10

Oh, if only.
My expectations were too high after reading so much acclaim for this one.
After taking a new drug, “soy sauce,” two stoners stumble into the parallel world.
Clever film, but too wordy by far. Exposition delivers much of the plot.
Don’t tell, show.
Some genuinely funny moments, offset by strangeness.
All the leads are fine, effects adequate.
By the end, however, I was hearing Peggy Lee singing, “Is That All There Is?”

Post
#1403569
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

The Mad Miss Manton - 1938 - 6/10

Fast paced RKO comedy aims for screwball but is too scattershot.
Rich heiress, out walking her pampered pooches, investigates an open apartment and finds a corpse.
Police are alerted, police arrive – and no body!
Chalk it up as another prank by Manton and her rich girlfriends, whooping it up in the Great Depression.
The girls do their own investigating, with or without cops and a meddling reporter.

Actually, the girls, swathed in furs, gowns, and jewels, are fun.
Henry Fonda is out of his depth, and there is no chemistry between him and Barbara Stanwyck (terrific).

Post
#1403567
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Chimera - 1991 - 6/10

London emergency nurse hires on to work at idyllic, rural fertility clinic.
Once there, she soon realizes there is much more going on.
Somewhat dated, cautionary SciFi / Horror series about DNA cross genetics
Experimental research has gone off the rails and strong arm government forces arrive.
An ex-boyfriend pokes around, as does a grieving widower, and holiday copper.
Look, feel, clothes, locations, all were prime 80’s.
Though Horror elements pushed, this is more a conspiracy thriller.

Post
#1403250
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Dark Waters - 1993 - 6/10
AKA - Temnye Vody

After her father dies, a girl journeys to remote convent island, during a violent, midnight storm.
Dad had been funding the sisterhood for years and she wants to know why.
Also, she was originally born on the island, and she wonders why she was warned never to return.
A slow film, though dense with imagery and set design.
The island is riddled with caves, catacombs, candles and streams of trickling waters.
Lovecraft readers will find much to appreciate in this, as will Italian horror aficionados.
Dialogue is minimal. Show, don’t say, definitely applies, though that rule is overruled near the end and the film suffers, I think.

Post
#1403249
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Dead Nature - 2018 - 6/10
AKA - Natureza Morta

It’s almost embarrassing, the way females throw themselves at him.
Then again, Tim is a high end fashion photographer.
Too bad those gorgeous specimens don’t know he is a murderous sociopath.
Blame a troubled childhood, deep in the swamps, tangled like rusty barbed wire.
Tim’s camera eye, captures again and again, the juxtaposition of beauty amidst death and decay.
Secondary story follows Pitbull, a scruffy detective with a pitbull’s IQ.
The look of this Brazilian series is flat and cheap, like a telenovela.

Post
#1403248
Topic
A few reviews . . (film or TV)
Time

Amour - 2012 - 7/10

Long term marriage impacted after the wife suffers small stroke.
Then another. Before you know it, she is almost helpless.
Unflinching movie, best appreciated by those of a certain age:
Meaning, you have more days behind you than in front of you.
Not sentimental, but you could see how vital and important the couple had been, once upon a time.
Everyone gets forgotten, however.
Extremely well done.
An uncomfortable watch, as I know my own support network is ghost webbing.

Post
#1403247
Topic
<strong>The Expanse</strong> - <em>2015-???? TV Series</em>
Time

Ha ha. I just scrolled upward and noticed the OT “reader” of the book series has been banned. Hopefully, a temp ban, though I don’t wander the forum much.
Wikipedia indicates “The Expanse” consists of eight novels (with a final ninth planned), as well as novellas and short stories. I have no intention of reading any of those.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expanse_(novel_series)
So what I am wondering - if there is another reader of the series - will S06 offer closure somewhat as did S03?

Post
#1403075
Topic
FanEdit Reviews - Post Your Reviews Here
Time

Battle (Duel) - maniac

Duel, along with an episode in the original pilot for Night Gallery, launched Spielberg’s career. Ostensibly a TV movie, it has the feel and look of a theatrical release, specifically a roaring drive-in classic. The original length was around 70“ minutes, enough to fit the hour and a half Movie Of The Week slot. Later, it was padded out to 90“ with mostly needless scenes. Fan-editor maniac shaves this to 47“. There is next to no dialogue, all subplots and unnecessary characters jettisoned. The result is a hard driving bullet.

Two channel stereo improves over the original mono. Dialogue (Weaver‘s character mumbling to himself) is easily understood. Little in the way of music score, aside from talk radio and radio static. Like Bullitt, the growl of engines is ample soundtrack.

The narrative is cohesive and satisfying for a one-trick show. Neither the wife stuff nor the diner scenes, ever added to the story or made the character sympathetic (I’ll get to that). This edit boils down to a runt red car irritating, then provoking a rusty behemoth.

Enjoyment - Oh, God, yes! I caught the original when it originally aired and it was leaner and superior to the padded, extended version. This, even shorter than the original, is the best of all.
After this first aired, friends and I discussed this film at school. We loved that battered Peterbilt, belching exhaust, sporting license plates like trophies (though most semis had lots of plates back then). The scene where two beasts, the Peterbilt and the freight train, swap horn blasts was a capper.

Weaver’s character, Mann, was a wuss in our eyes. C’mon, he drove a Plymouth Valiant, for Pete’s sake, the same car my grandmother drove. A Valiant was just barely better than a Corvair. Could It go 80 or 100 mph? No! It would have rattled to pieces long before. It was a cheap, crappy, economy car. No muscle, and no air-conditioning.
Even worse, Mann was a godawful driver. Forever rubber-necking instead of using his mirrors, sliding into curves instead of downshifting, accelerating midway through. He could barely control that punk car most of the time, and we all wondered if he was that way with family, friends, his job. Careful viewers will note scratches on his car BEFORE bush swipes and wrecks. Even in the suburbs, Mann was a lousy, probably distracted, driver. Weaver was great in this role, by the way.

Recommendation? Definitely - definitely - check this out.

Post
#1403074
Topic
FanEdit Reviews - Post Your Reviews Here
Time

Klone (Solaris - 2002) - Elbarto1

I watched the Tarkovsky original at a revival house in the 1970’s and exited annoyed with myself for failing to understand the film, and annoyed at the director for being so opaque.
Soderbergh’s remake of Solaris was equally disappointing.
With Elbarto1’s version, straight off I perceived Clooney’s character as a troubleshooter, not necessarily a psychiatrist.
I particularly appreciate how the flow is worked, specifically the use of music which beautifully links scenes together.
Midway, however, I lost the thread.
When Kelvin wakes next to his wife, the pace races to conclude. I wish that had been handled somewhat better.
Cliff Martinez’s score through headphones is hauntingly evocative.
I wish Elbarto1 had done more edits. He seemed attracted to off route territory. He was also a nice soul, greeting all new members. His was a touch of grace we see less of nowadays.

Post
#1403072
Topic
FanEdit Reviews - Post Your Reviews Here
Time

Friday the 13th Part X Jason In Space - Reaper18783x

One of the fans’ least favorite of the Friday The 13th series, and one low on my personal list for rewatching.
Reaper18783x cut humor (most of which was atrocious), pointless dialogue, as well as several draggy sequences. A bit of comic relief abides, yet the result is a lean, grindhouse actioner without the usual grindhouse print damage.

Solid two channel stereo. Music volume during several action sequences had been lowered to highlight sound effects. Great decision. Reading the cutlist, I knew dialogue had been trimmed, but I caught no clipped sentences.

The sets were always cheesy, reminding me of leftovers from an MTV video shoot. For a ship with a detail of combat marines, most were as lethal as SW stormtroopers. The majority of personnel were in their early 20’s. Yes, believability jettisoned in mind of the target audience. The mesh of slasher Horror and techie SciFi failed in the original, little better here. That said, because the pace barrels along in Reaper’s edit, those inconsistencies weren’t as much a distraction.

Enjoyment - Friday 13th ain’t high on my go-to Horror list. Could be I’ve outgrown slasher bloodlust. This is a fine edit, especially for a first edit, and I can easily recommend this.
Hardcore fans of the series will enjoy this, especially those who disliked the original. This is definitely several steps toward redemption.