Vultural

Chicago Syndicate - 1955 - 5/10

City officials recruit Federal accountant to infiltrate seemingly untouchable crime group.
Dennis O’Keefe shuffles through the bookkeeper role, while others around him generate a lot more voltage.
Xavier Cugat leads his band, smoldering Abbe Lane croons “One At A Time.”
Still, this is a B-movie quickie. Only a handful of guys make up the mighty syndicate, and the nightclub they spend most of their time at is cheap looking.
Passable time waster.

A Better Life - 2011 - 6/10
AKA - Une Vie Meilleure

A young couple discover an abandoned house, in the middle of nowhere, but near the lake.
“I could create a classy restaurant here!” says the male, a school cook.
We just need to borrow enough money …

As any older soul could warn, there are dreams and there are pipedreams.
The couple, and it is very difficult to ascertain how long they have known each other, take on debt.
Crushing debt. But it’s for a better life, right? A glorious future!
The story wears one down. The man has an unpleasant streak, the woman nurses illusions of her own, plus she has a son whom she drags into the swamp.
The bitter passage that we have all either witnessed or experienced.

It’s Only A Play - 2021 - 7/10

“There’s no business like show business.”
After opening night, characters converge in the producer’s suite, while the after-party swings outside the door.
Tension quietly mounts as they wait for reviews, suspecting, fearing, knowing, the play is a turkey.
Very funny production clutches stereotypes like bowling trophies.
The playwright who has never equaled his first play. The talent who sold out and went Hollywood.
Another Hollywood soul, the has-been, looking to Broadway for a comeback.
The poison pen critic. The producer, with more money than sense. The moon-eyed newcomer.
Like I said, mercilessly funny, aimed at theatre souls.

Humanoids From The Deep - 1980 - 5/10
AKA - Monster // Midnight Love Thing (ha, sorry)

Creature feature that revels in excess, gore, nudity and general tastelessness.
Modest fishing town hosts annual salmon festival, and gets excited about brand spanking new canning factory!
Alcohol fuels male tempers into fights and more fights. Females mostly stay frisky.
Then, without warning, from the churning Pacific depths, a mutation surfaces.
It kills menfolk, it eats dogs and children, and women – it slips the willie in them.
While clearly a budget affair, the pace seldom plods and there is a pile of death and depravity for the drive-in crowd.

This ripoff of Alien was not trashy enough for Roger Corman, so when the original director balked at reshooting gratuitous bouncing knockers and multiple rapes, Corman fired her and hired another.

Armeeka - 2009 - 6/10

The trailer indicated a comedy of newly arrived Palestine woman navigating the USA with humorous results.
Apparently, the trailer caught the only funny moments of the movie.
Remainder of film is OK, showing the harsh realities of Palestine, and the difficulties of transitioning to a new culture (be it 1000 miles away or half a globe away) where your skills, contacts, and credentials mean little.
Not the comic gem it was marketed as. Otherwise, tolerable.
If you go in assuming this is a drama, you may rate this higher.

This Is Not A Burial, This Is A Resurrection - 2019 - 7/10

After her son dies, Mantoa realizes how completely alone she is, having buried daughter, grandchildren and husband.
Her depression leaves her all but listless.
Until a village council alerts her and her neighbors that their community is to be dispersed.
The Ministry has approved a dam for a reservoir.
“What about the graves? What about our ancestors?”
Quiet film about resisting the all-powerful, faceless, Authority.
Slow at times, yet the visuals are arresting.

Pulp: A Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets - 2014 - 6/10

The Brit group stopped touring and playing in 2002.
Ten years later, Pulp decided to regroup and give a farewell concert to hometown Sheffield.
Doc avoids the typical career overview sweep. Instead, catches up with members where they are now, walks through landscapes of Sheffield itself as well as the musical themes, and interviews many Sheffield residents (seems like the whole city plans to attend).

Highly entertaining, and you do not have to be a hardcore fan to enjoy.
Highlights include the numerous choral groups and glees singing favorite songs.

I, Tonya - 2017 - 7/10

Uncomfortable story of the damaged, yet gifted individual.
In other spheres, participants are judged on talent. Their gifts. Not always, of course.
With figure skaters, presentation factors more than ability. A wholesome back story counts double.
Tonya Harding’s ugly, messy life overshadowed her jaw dropping athletic abilities.
Again and again and again, judges penalized her because she was not pretty, her costumes reflected her meager budget limitations, and because of her rough edge.
In many ways, an extremely funny film, this will leave a foul taste in your mouth, and perhaps an utter disgust at the so-called sport of figure skating.

My bride and I followed figure skating for almost two decades. Caught celebratory ice tours afterward, even tried to buy tickets for a couple of Olympics (concert scalpers have nothing on that racket).
After the drama packed '94 Olympics, we lost our enthusiasm, and never viewed skating again.
As “sport,” it was more theatre and politics, and felt a little fixed. (Christine Brennan’s expose, “Inside Edge,” confirmed grumbles and aired scandals.)
Probably had thus ever been, but dreamers clutch after candy floss until it falls.

Eerie Tales - 1919 - 6/10
AKA - Unheimliche Geschichten

Closing time in the rare book shop, and three characters emerge from paintings.
The Devil, the prostitute, and Death. Pre-Internet, pre-radio, what do they do?
Start reading books.
Five-part anthology, of which the best known adaptations might be Poe and Stevenson.
Dramatic interpretations are over the top and sweepingly theatrical.
Conrad Veidt is especially flamboyant.
Nonetheless, one watches this creaky vehicle to see the scandalous Anita Berber.
If her story were told today, Berber would tempt a caricature of Weimar decadence. Except she was the real thing.

Subs for this are easy to find. If you cannot =
https://subscene.com/subtitles/eerie-tales-aka-tales-of-horror-aka-five-sinister-stories-unheimliche-gechichten/english/1145993

Candyman - 2021 - 6/10

Neither sequel nor remake, but closer to message film.
Artist Anthony, casting about for another inspiration, hears the story, rumor, legend of Candyman.
The subsequent gallery exhibition proves a hit with wine n cheese gawkers and sarcastic critics.
As Anthony delves into the myth, darkness gathers.
Film checklists neighborhood gentrification, racial oppression, the inescapability of destiny.
Despite its name and the shadow of its predecessor, not a fun horror film.

The Wildest Dream - Conquest Of Everest - 2010 - 7/10

Modern documentary retracing George Mallory’s 1924 Mt Everest attempt, which ended in his and his companion’s disappearance. His frozen body, with compound fracture, was found in 1999.
1924 was near the end of the glory years of the old explorers. Both poles, darkest Africa, perfumed Asia, tropical South America, all have been trekked. Only that peak remained to be claimed.
Two modern climbers retraced Mallory’s path, wearing layered clothing, fur hats, hobnail boots, goggles.
The ladder, placed near the top in the 70’s (and used since by countless handicapped, overweight, blind wannabee mountaineers) was removed.
Film swings back and forth between Mallory, his letters, the 20’s and the difficulties the modern duo encounter.
Cold as Hell.

Home Education - 2016 - 7/10

Upstairs, Pa lies on the bed. Dead.
Only, he’s not really dead, he will revive soon.
So long as mother and daughter Rachel can keep the dust away from him.
Dust carries bacteria, you understand? And bacteria is a killer.
Rachel is being home-schooled by a mother possessing crazy ideas.
The two females are terrific in different ways. The set design is masterful.
Wonderful, unsettling psychological horror short.

Reworked subs here = https://subscene.com/subtitles/home-education/english/2609866

Understand about the distractions.
Holiday season is coming, too. My preference is always take however much time it takes.
Good luck.

Nobody Knows - 2020 - 8/10
AKA - Amoodo Moreunda // 아무도 모른다

Outstanding K-drama / thriller / mystery.
Almost 20 years after her childhood friend was murdered by Stigmata Serial Killer, Cha Young-Jin leads her own criminal investigation unit.
Just as well, too, for the killer has apparently resurrected after two decades of inactivity.

There is a lot of narrative track laid down in this.
It felt like at least 20 plotlines. A killer, decades old murder, a church that may be a cult, a crazy rich hotel owner.
To the writer’s credit (yes, writer, not the compromising writing room), threads stitch by the conclusion.
There are also kids, a crutch I usually dislike, who are struggling junior high pupils.
Acting fine throughout, though Park Hoon steals the limelight as the hotel owner.

A soul of boundless enthusiasm, generosity, and possessing an uncanny ability to gauge others.
The richest guy in the room, yet still connected to his humble roots (his meals of instant noodles).
His roots, however, deeply embedded with the church, reveal a tangled web.
A stealthy malevolence in Memories Of The Alhambra, Hoon here is a rich complication.
At 16 episodes, Nobody Knows makes a fine introduction to K-dramas for those who enjoy mysteries.

The Foul King - 2000 - 6/10
AKA - Banchikwang // 반칙왕

Alright fight fans!
Meek, lower tier bank clerk enters the wrestling arena.
Trains to be the masked villain!
By turns funny and sad, the latter involving his depressing workplace and the way others view him.
Once that mask is donned, though, beware the tiger.
Laugh out loud film with outrageous main event.
Early film of Kang-ho Song whose profile swiftly climbed in the West thanks to Sympathy For Mr Vengeance, The Host, The Good, The Bad, And The Weird, even Snowpiercer.

The Jockey Of Death - 1915 - 6/10
AKA - Il Jockey Della Morte

Henri de Castelroc makes his way to the family estate, to find it owned by another.
He also had a cousin, who, as a young girl, had been stolen by gypsies 15 years before.
Had the owner of the castle and estate not overplayed his hand … well, there would be no movie.
And once underway, this hurtles, especially in one lengthy, outstanding chase sequence.
Through sewers, railroad tracks, across rooftops, down cable lines, and cycling on a power line!
Clearly, some reels are lost, yet the narrative holds, and this is like an cascade of cliffhanger thrills.

I made some subs here = https://subscene.com/subtitles/the-jockey-of-death/english/2609865

Escher: Journey To Infinity - 2018 - 6/10

Grrr. Neither fish nor fowl, this. Not a biography, nor an analysis of the man’s work.
Much of this is history (lite) and a travelogue, traipsing with Escher from one country to another.
Neither world war is mentioned, though the lead-up to WWII is alluded to.
Two surviving sons provide family incidents and anecdotes.
Escher’s personality, not here. Art historians or curators? No. Just Graham Nash.
One gets the impression the producers did not know, and were not curious, about Escher.

My wife, like Graham Nash, was one of those hippies whom the mathematical artist impressed.
She still has books on him, as well as a framed glass plate which has survived seven relocations.
Had the filmmakers consulted at least one of her books, this might have had more substance.

Tokyo Fist - 1995 - 7/10
AKA - Tokyo Fuisuto // 東京フィスト

Salaryman invites boyhood friend, now a boxer, home for dinner.
The more virile friend quickly charms, seduces, and swipes the wife.
The business man, showing some steel, hits the boxing gym, starts running, builds his stamina and endurance.
Sparring matches turn ugly, while the wife discovers her own steel fetish.
Glorious, blood spurting fights throughout.
Same crew that did Tetsuo films.

The Uncanny - 1977 - 6/10

How about perilous paws? Chilling claws? Or feline fiends? Or tabby terrors?
Anthology series showcases those murderous monsters. Housecats.
An elderly woman changes her will, leaving her profligate nephew scat, the bulk to her cats.
The scheming maid decides to interfere, running afoul of a pack of growling inheritors.
Another story finds hammy horror actor Valentine De’ath (whom everyone calls VD) recently bereft.
Luckily, his new lust interest resembles a young version of his dead wife.
Too bad the cat is such a sourpuss.
Silly movie has fine cast, and a winking sense of humor, but it plods and scenes extend too long.
Then again, how about uncanny tails?

Please remember to update us when this is available.

The Dollmaker - 2017 - 6/10

After their young son dies, the parents hear whispers of a skilled doll maker.
And yes, what he fashions is astonishingly lifelike.
There are two stipulations, however: The doll can never go outside, and it can only be held for a specific amount of time each day.
When there are rules, they will be broken.
In this short, there are consequences.

Vidal Sassoon: The Movie - 2010 - 6/10

Glossy documentary of the revolutionary hair designer, now beginning to slip into memory.
Filled with old footage and recent interviews with friends, family, and Sassoon himself.
Earlier years were more informative: His participation in underground groups opposing Mosley’s English pro-fascist parties.
Also his service during 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Followed by the apprenticeship, then the fame.
Plenty of Swingin’ 60’s footage, the five point cut, and survivors recalling the past.
Any hint of negativity (three divorces, one child committed suicide, selling off the business) omitted.
Still hear the commercial tag - “If you don’t look good, we don’t look good.”

Murder In Maussane - 2017 - 6/10
AKA - Crime Dans Les Alpilles (Crime in the Alpilles)

While taking early morning photos of Roman ruins, Caroline is shot dead through the eye.
Soon on the scene are the local inspector and lead prosecutor, dressed apparently for casual cocktails.

Rather than investigate local marksmen, they interrogate relatives, neighbors, passersby.
Those who answer, “I don’t know” they toss in jail.
The whole time, our leads act like immature adolescents, and have the chemistry of used socks.
Sadly, this is no parody, but merely a poorly written French mystery which fails to take advantage of gorgeous Provence mountain scenery.

Sumo Vixens - 1996 - 5/10

One of the questionable delights of the Kei Mizutani box set.
Minor yakuza gang, the Domino agency, covets land owned by ailing auntie of closed Women’s Sumo group.
His men cannot handle the wrestlers so he hires ruthless female squad.
Film climaxes with major female sumo tournament.
Silly comedy, forced to farcical stupidity.
Technical note - The video transfer on the DVD is terrible.
On the other hand, these are “topless” female sumo wrestlers, and all very thin.
Puritans beware, copious nudity abounds.

A Married Woman - 1964 - 6/10
AKA - Une Femme Mariée

Charlotte, twenty something, has an affair with Robert, stage actor.
He presses her to divorce her husband and marry him.
Husband Pierre is older, affluent, and is a busy private pilot, often away.
While fetching, Charlotte comes across as kittenish, a bit of a coquette.
She does not work, she has a maid, her days are empty.
Indeed, she strikes one as vapid, superficial, adrift.
Writer director Godard puts her in situations of analyzing her body, face, against advertising images.
I imagine this was “modern” and perhaps pre-feminist in depictions of Charlotte’s pressures and choices.