Vultural

Block, Lawrence - Killing Castro

Not everyone is happy now that Fidel is in power.
Consequently, a team of disparate types is commissioned for a whack job.
The five have nothing in common. Truthfully, only three are experienced killers.
Payoff for success is $100 K, no small change in 1961, to be divvied among the survivors.
Penned in 1961, when Castro was new, and already distrusted by the States, this what-if thriller crackles along. With hindsight, we know the missions (three) are doomed to fail.
Nonetheless, the book is an exciting page-turner.
Block’s misogynist tropes are evident, as well.
Great for fans of Block or caper thrillers.

Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls - 1970 - 7/10

“This is my happening and it freaks me out!”
In-name sequel to 1967 soaper of Jacqueline Susann’s blockbuster novel.
Russ Meyer and Roger Ebert deliver a giddy parody that improves with the years.
Female rock’n’roll trio Kelly Affair travel to decadent Los Angeles for fame, fortune, sex and drugs.
Their manager ain’t up to snuff, so Z-Man Barzell (stunning John LaZar) takes charge.
What are there, 12 narratives? All of them mad.
The pace is blistering, and, for a campy spoof, everyone is dead-faced (aside from Z-Man).
Tamer today, yet still wonderful!

The Return Of Chandu - 1934 - 5/10

The Egyptian princess flees her foes and hides in a Beverly Hills mansion.
Thank her lucky stars, this is the home of Chandu a powerful magician (sorcerer) who may be able to protect her.
“May” being the operative word, as this is a serial.
Every installment threatens death and danger to the princess, Chandu, friends and followers.
Occasional action, hokey script, yet this has an innocent charm for those with a taste for cliffhangers.
Bonus: Rare chance to watch Bela Lugosi as the hero of the adventure.

Kneecap - 2024 - 7/10

Busted for perceived criminality, Liam only speaks Irish to the irritation of English speaking coppers.
A temp-translator is summoned, one who is sympathetic to Liam, recognizes the poetry and the blotter.
No telling how faithful to real events, but in this docu-drama, this is the origin of the Irish rap group.
As a story, this is funny as can be, although loaded with profanity and bed bouncing.
The group perform in tiny venues, are harassed by police and militia thugs.
Persevere lads, and perhaps dreams may fulfill.
Fill yer boots, man!

Private House Of The SS - 1977 - 5/10
AKA - Casa Privata per le SS

Breasts and swastikas - for many, that will be inducement enough.
Following the botched assassination of Hitler, the SS decides to investigate the military command further.
The recruit a dozen high class prostitutes and train them (judo, fencing, ballet, shooting).
Then invite the top Wehrmacht brass to their brothel for a night of debauchery and orgies.
And when that group expends itself, the SS invites another batch.
You’d think with all the nudity and larking about this would be kinky fun.
While decadent elements recall Salo (1975), this one grows tiresome.

Black Cat Mansion - 1958 - 6/10
AKA - Bôrei Kaibyô Yashiki // 亡霊怪猫屋敷

His wife suffers from tuberculosis, so her doctor husband drives her to the country.
The family home, terribly dilapidated, damp (pouring rain outside), and haunted!
Her condition deteriorates, more once the deadly wraith arrives.
Eventually, the truth emerges.

The village priest relates the backstory or murder, rape, and the curse.
The vessel of vengeance? The family cat.
Modern story is moody black and white. Earlier tale in color, stylized sets.
The “cat-demon” will be the make or break for most viewers.

A Window On Washington Park - 1913 - 6/10

The young millionaire (in 1913!) suffers ennui, stares out at the wintry park.
Spies an older man, clearly a gentleman, now enduring harder days.
Invites him inside, shares a meal, hears the story.
Of an over-possessive father, whose sternness caused his daughter to elope.
Silent tale brushes Melodrama with broad theatrical strokes.
Spare sets and painted backdrops.
I predict Artificial Intelligence will routinely clean print damage in a few years.

Deep Rising - 1998 - 5/10

Shorthand: Titanic meets Abyss meets Aliens.
Skipper of a crap boat ferries a cargo bad hombres to the South China Seas.
Where luxury liner Argonautica, on her maiden voyage, has stalled dead in the water.
Turns out the hombres are mercenaries with high powered weapons.
And the Argonautica suffers a slight squid infestation.
Mindless mayhem, cobbled from numerous other adventure flicks.
Writer / director Sommers hasn’t a single original idea in his head.
Hollywood, please save humanity’s IQ and quit funding this guy.

Wake - 2010 - 7/10

After her father died, Charmaine was no longer under his control.
Reckoned an “old maid” she was now free to find herself a fella.
She sought out the conjure woman, holding a box of specifications.
Handsome, green eyes, sharp dresser, and capable of satisfaction.
After the barter, the demoness said she’d find out.
Charmaine found out.

An abandoned Blockbuster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL5yOZ2BWYo

The Buffalo Creek Flood: An Act Of Man - 1975 - 6/10

Rains fell and fell and fell, swelling the earthen dams.
Pittston’s general boss scanned the dam, declared it safe, and left the holler.
At 8:00 AM, cracks appeared in Dam 3. By 8:03, it failed; rushing waters destroyed Dam 1 and 2.
132 million gallons roared though 15 hill communities.
125 deaths, 546 homes destroyed, another 310 damaged and condemned.
Pittston promised to pay $15,000 per home, then lowered that $3000.
Folks got trailers. After all, Pittston had fended off citations and fines for years
The governor and officials were in their pockets. And them poor hillbillies, white trash.
Confession: Two years later, 1974, I started work at Buffalo Creek. High explosives, strip mining.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3357057

Super Cop - 1992 - 7/10
AKA - Police Story 3 // 警察故事３超級警察

For many Westerners, this is where Jackie Chan exploded.
Top Hong Kong cop “Kevin” teams up with Beijing Interpol officer “Jessica”.
Target, a powerful lord, with Kevin infiltrating as a friend.
With Michelle Yeoh as the Chinese cop, one should expect action on a colossal scale.
Indeed, the stunts in this are off the scale (Hollywood relied on explosions and one-liners),
As with all Jackie Chan films of this era STAY for the credits (outakes).

Woodlands Dark And Days Bewitched: A History Of Folk Horror - 2021 - 8/10

The term “folk horror” is now as overused as “Film Noir”.
Any eerie film with a tree, there you go. Or sheep, my God!
Notwithstanding, this is a marvelous overview.
No idea how many films are referenced. 100+.
UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, the States (mostly the South and Appalachia).
Are there missing favorites? Sure. Overlook that.
At three plus hours, you might want to break this down piecemeal.
And make notes, lots of films for your to-view list.
Horror buffs, an essential primer and guide to help you wander the world.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3357056

Crime Is Her Game - 2019 - 6/10
AKA - Le Crime Lui va si Bien

French female buddy cop mini-series.
Straitlaced, by-the-book transplant from the city, and the local who shirks protocol and actually does illegal acts.
The chemistry is awkward, the mysteries routine, supporting players mere caricatures.
Notwithstanding, this never takes itself too seriously.
Murders here and there, amidst jokes and jibes.
Mid-tier, but acceptable when you want a break from cozy or Scandinavian.

Marathon Man - 1976 - 7/10

“Is it safe?”
Nazi loot, diamonds, form the McGuffin of this high stakes espionage piece.
The younger brother is an idealist, the older is dodgier, a middleman between worlds.
Young innocents are ever drawn into shadows, and here is no exception.
Dustin Hoffman fine as the ordinary soul caught up, Laurence Olivier unforgettable.
Poster child for generations of dental practices.
Exceptional thriller as it unfolds, afterward don’t overthink the logic.

The Night Porter - 1974 - 6/10
AKA - Il Portiere di Notte

Ex SS officer Max has been incognito, working in the Vienna hotel.
Until camp victim / lover Lucia stumbles across him.
They renew their “relationship”, best described as toxic and obsessive.
Less taboo today (especially as nations nudge toward fascism again) this still provokes.
The SS imagery, the dangers to themselves and other hiding Nazis, songs, attire.
Tone gradually gets saturated in claustrophobia and paranoia.
Enjoyment / appreciation might hinge on how ruinous were your sexual relationships.

Conan The Barbarian - 1982 - 6/10

Decent adaptation of Robert E Howard’s Cimmerian hero.
Village destroyed by the Snake Cult, young Conan grows up thirsting for vengeance.
Milius was blessed with casting (James Earl Jones, Max Von Sydow, really?), an Oliver Stone script, and Ron Cobb’s design.
Money was spent on this, yet it still looks meager.
Simply not enough extras for the epic sprawl.
Nonetheless, I do watch this repeatedly, I appreciate the stunts, grim humor, and lack of CGI.

Love From Mother Only - 2003 - 6/10
AKA - Amor Só de Mãe

Fihlo’s mother is pious and in poor health. Not dead, though.
Which is what his girlfriend, prostitute Formosa, urges him to hasten.
Oh yeah, she is also a devil worshiper.
By and by, Satan digs his claws into both, with gruesome results.
Festering Brazilian horror reeks of sweat, semen and blood.
Nudity and positions coaxing the hapless fool.
Warned, you be.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3356786

Black Box Diaries - 2024 - 7/10

After drinks with a potential new boss, a passed-out Shiori is escorted to the Sheridan and raped.
Then congratulated. She got the job!
He is a media mogul, friend to Japan’s president, an untouchable man.
Shiori is a mere journalist, yet she is outraged and decides to use the courts.
Revealing documentary of Japan’s widespread tolerance for rape.
(Age of consent for girls is 13.)
Many support her, though police are warned off from someone at the top.
Uncomfortable from beginning to end.

Backwoods - 2019 - 5/10

Austere adaptation of H P Lovecraft’s “The Picture In The House”
Finding a “deserted” house, a young man enters and then sees a case of books.
Only the home is not deserted, and the ancient inhabitant shuffles in.
Slow boil horror sets a gloomy mood, with inspired pictures reminiscent of Lee Brown Coye.
Dialogue is poorly caught, however.

Oliver, Reggie - The Dreams Of Cardinal Vittorini

Oliver’s first collection for Tartarus Press is just solid in every way. Stories set among the theatre boards, others in the countryside, a few dipping into bygone times.

“Beside The Shrill Sea” is an actor’s recollections from his green youth. First roles, minor roles. The troupe. Unpleasant memories of toxic companions. The tightening of the spring until – well – I never specified the recollections were happy ones.

The painting was a curious sort. Forgotten in the manor of an aristocratic line all but tapped out. An illustration neither recognized nor valued, save by Jason, actor on location, still striving for that career break. He doubted anyone would actually miss the painting, a tranquil, bucolic scene, with an almost hypnotic allure, set “In Arcadia”. It exerts a tug, into thievery, into quieter depths.

It’s not that he was a lonely child. His parents were in the diplomatic corps, continuously abroad, while he was conveniently offloaded to boarding school. Bit of an afterthought, I suppose. Nevertheless, one of the masters takes a shine to him. Gordon and his wife Freda, a couple sophisticated and swank. Our lad is suitably impressed, yet as time rolls, his observation keens. So much so, that he spies the “Death Mask”, or the ghost in their home. Not to worry, others have witnessed it. There are ghosts seen and unseen, however, as the chic pair are also haunted. This is a poignant tale, drawing from friendship and loss, personal loss and cruel Fate.

Another inducement for this collection are the illustrations. Oliver has included line drawings (his own) prefacing each tale. And this is my only quibble, or wish if you like. Would that these were 30% larger.

The Terror Of The Tongs - 1961 - 5/10

The Count and the Master. Oops! The leaders of the Red Dragon Tong.
Opium smugglers, dealers in flesh and gambling in 1910 Hong Kong.
Merciless rulers of the Oriental capital of vice
Until they get of the wrong side of Captain Jackson, whose energetic fist is ready to resist!
This is bad in so many ways. Westerners wearing Asian makeup.
Fights that are American wrestling rather than martial arts. A lazy, confused plot.
Still, one gets to watch Christopher Lee and Roger Delgado ham it up.

The Voice Of Merrill - 1952 - 6/10
AKA - Murder Will Out

Jonathan is the first suspect interviewed.
The acclaimed author, playwright, caustic intellectual.
Then there is Hugh, lesser writer, not really up to scratch.
Finally, the publisher, bit of a bungler with finances that one.
All three knew Jeanne, up until she was murdered. Well, she was a conniving blackmailer.
Police deal with three suspects with no alibis.
Jonathan has the plummy dialogue, as well as the give as can get wife, Alycia.
Sharp cozy mystery spins like a play, and in a good way.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3356783

Crowhaven Farm - 1970 - 6/10

Maggie was not supposed to inherit the farm, but forces intervened.
Indeed, Fate’s hand casts its shadow throughout her time at the farm.
She keeps having flashbacks of, perhaps, an incarnation 300 years earlier.
Something to do with witch trials, torture, betrayal.
Meanwhile, her marriage is troubled owing to an insecure and jealous husband.
An early TV movie, clearly lensed in California, has pacing problems and a loose story.
Hope Lange miscast as the young wife, Cindy Eilbacher memorable as the grudge holding Jennifer.

Forgotten Silver - 1995 - 6/10

Documentary / biography of Colin McKenzie, New Zealand filmmaker of the Silent era.
A true innovator, yet is seemed everyone one of his breakthroughs collapsed.
His earliest film stock, for example, relied on albumen. He was arrested for stealing 2000 eggs.
Years before Vitaphone, he developed sound, yet his players only spoke Chinese.
Thus it goes, inspiration undermined by a complete lack of common sense.
Overlooked gem from Peter Jackson, coming between Heavenly Creatures and The Frighteners.