Vultural

Spy Smasher - 1942 - 7/10 (Serial scale)

Yes, boys and girls, spies have infiltrated America and mean you harm!
Police - FBI - CIA (wait, there is no CIA) are outsmarted by the diabolical Mask and his gang of thieves, saboteurs, traitors, and the ever ready Kriegsmarine.
Fortunately, the heroic and rugged Spy Smasher is there to thwart their villainy!
One of the greatest cliffhangers ever from Republic features a pile of stunts that still impress.
Kane Richmond, starring in a dual role, is clearly in peak physical form throughout.
Fights are well choreographed and inventively staged. Many with double, or triple!, jeopardies!
(Lucas and Spielberg borrowed sequences for Raiders Of The Lost Ark).
A few too many cheats on cliffhangers for my liking.
This also informed a scene from A Christmas Story, where Ralphie and Randy stand in line to see Santa Claus behind a boy wearing costume and goggles - Spy Smasher’s garb.

Cutie And The Boxer - 2013 - 6/10

Painter Ushio Shinohara left Japan for New York back in the 70’s for greater artistic freedom.
Though one of the best known painters of his generation, his reputation is still largely underground.
Doc shows him with his wife of 40 years, Noriko, an artist in her own right, whom he openly regards as the poorer artist.
“The lesser talent must serve the genius.” (One can only guess how she receives his dismissive slight.)
Couple of sequences show him creating his trademark boxing paintings, paint-soaked material slammed into lengthy canvases.
Cult fame notwithstanding, the couple exist precariously in a leaky home, with New York sized bills and debilitating old age looming.

My Generation - 2017 - 7/10

Fab encapsulation of 60’s Swinging London, hosted by Michael Caine.
Early shortages, class system, the creative explosions in music, art, fashion, film.
Caine chats with David Bailey, Roger Daltrey, Mary Quant, Marianne Faithfull, Paul McCartney.
Other voices are included from historical footage and interviews.
Throughout, there is the juxtaposition of Caine in the 60’s, and Caine as he is today.
Exuberant, flashkick documentary makes a gear joyride.
Advice: Watch this, then read “Ready, Steady, Go!” by Shawn Levy, then rewatch this.

Boogie Nights - 1997 - 7/10

Cowabunga!
Rise and fall and rise again of Dirk Diggler, inside the happy family of porn.
The 70’s San Fernando Valley recreated in sweeping detail.
Costumes, soundtrack, hairstyles, even the Reseda opening shot (where I saw many a film), all were spot on.
Likewise, the laid back So Cal vibe, the hopeful insecurity of most of the characters.
Film seemed to run a bit long and was excessive, though, to be fair, excess defined the 70’s.
Story also glossed over the predatory nature of the business.
Despite flaws, a wonderful movie, and a breakthrough for many young performers.

Recruiting on Hollywood -
^

Off Hollywood Boulevard, there used to be a huge magazine/newspaper stand. Might still be there.
On display were newspapers from all 50 states.
Tourists would linger there, as well as kids who were lonely, broke, lost.
I was 19 and all that. Within six months, I would have one foot in the gutter, but at the time I was still optimistic.
Men in sunglasses and gold chains prowled near the stand, evaluated the meat, made the offer.
“Hey, my man, you ever thought about being in movies?”
I only got it once, and I shrugged a no. Don’t know why I got it, either, I was too thin.
Mostly girls, pretty girls, were approached. I saw several follow the tout out of earshot, then talk.
Never saw them again.
Anyway, that magazine rack was prime hunting territory for fresh faced, homesick kids.
At least back in the 70’s.
^

Neko Zamurai - 2013 - 6/10
AKA - Samurai Cat

An impoverished Ronin is approached for an assassination job.
Kill a family cat.
The anxious servant believes his master has been bewitched by a goblin cat!
Such a lowly assignment is beneath a master of the Muso sword technique.
Nevertheless, when one is starving and facing eviction … needs must.
12 half hour episodes of the proud, unemployed warrior and his pure white, household guest.
Brief swordplay, wry humor throughout, in a series aimed squarely at fans of felines.

Tribes Of Europa: S01 - 2021 - 5/10

After the Cyber-War and subsequent breakdown of technology, Europe is ruled by tribes.
Behold, our young heroes, two brothers and a sister, of the Origine clan, living secretly in the woods.
An unforeseen accident brings the brutal Crows, who destroy the Origine and enslave the survivors.
Our heroic trio are separated.
One is captured by the Crows (Mad Max), one joins the Crimsons (Rebel Alliance), one hooks up with a bandit-con man-smuggler (no wookie buddy).
To be kind, I gather this is aimed at the Young Adult market, those who have not yet seen thousands of films.
The plot is breathtakingly unoriginal. I’d watch a scene, thinking, ‘This will happen next,” and sure enough.
Or, ‘This person will …” Yeah, yeah, yeah. It is embarrassing, how totally lame the writing is.
(For a world sans tech, there is fuel for vehicles, bullets for firearms.)
Worse, by E03, I knew this series would not conclude. Six, 47” episodes (of which 7” are credits).
Will there be a S02? Do you feel lucky?

Haunted (Poltergeist) - Maniac

Overview - Maniac tries to make this more of a Tobe Hooper film, less the cutesy, carnival ride nonsense.

Video - 1280 X 720p AVC. Editing, as expected from Maniac, is solid and efficient. Everything is designed for lightning speed. A lot of shadows in this, and no fragmentation.
Audio - 160 kbps AC3. 2 channel Stereo. No subs. Conversations are clear, even when the score gets ridiculously loud.

Narrative - The new property development is a rollicking success! Even though the land used to be … what did it used to be? Anyway, soon enough the house of our protagonists seems to be haunted.
Enjoyment - eehhh. Too Spielbergy by half. Maniac does what he can, but the film has aged poorly and lacks bite. Definitely worth a watch. Brief, quick moving. Akin to a rough Twilight Zone episode.

Visions Of The Past (Le Jette) - jsweert123456

An arthouse offering, outstanding!
The original, “Le Jette” seems from another planet, it is so far ahead of its time.
I was stunned by how well the condensed narrative held together, and the emotion punch it still delivers.
Part Noir, part SciFi, of the guinea pig snared in time’s pendulum.
And “Love” as self deception, self betrayal.
Biggest complaint? Too many fade to blacks throughout, and they go on too long. And easy enough to remedy by adding more vintage stills during the voiceover.
I never saw the original, but I can envision Terry Gilliam screening it, jaw dropped.
Extraordinary closer to Disc 01 of the Time Consecution.

Savings Never End! (Batman) - Grievous Angel Draven

Consecution short.
The sheer chutzpah of the concept was lost.
Initially, I thought this was going to be an infomercial for either the Bat Workout or hiring our caped crusaders to do your dirty work.
Nope. (Though a well scripted, and well voiced infomercial could be a howl.)
This is a trainwreck on many levels. Poorly chosen material, haphazard editing, a rambling, pointless voiceover.
I cannot tell you how many times I wanted to fast-forward, or simply stop, but I could not turn away.
Dreadful – or dreadfully funny. Your turn.
Note: Where was the gatekeeper for this Consecution? How did this get included?

Psychos - Steven Soderbergh

Van Zant famously made a shot for shot of the Hitchcock classic. Mr Soderbergh rendered the 1998 remake into black n white, then interweaved it and the 1960 together.
Source material for the 1960 varies in quality, but is certainly low resolution. The editing was fine. A few scenes had splashes of color, which added nice surprise elements. The 1960 print had a softer look than the 1998, yet the contrast difference was not such as to be jarring.
The editor applied the Herrmann score to layer transitions and multiple image sequences. Smart move and good work.

A few of the jumps from Perkins to Vaughn are peculiar in that the actors portray Norman Bates a bit differently. Perkins is coiled nervous energy, Vaughn more like an immature eight year old.
Included are scenes from each movie that aren’t in the other. That benefits the narrative.

Enjoyment - I have tasked faneditor Soderbergh in previous reviews. Here, he has a clever concept and he executes it well. I really didn’t enjoy this so much as I appreciated it. In all likelihood, I shan’t watch this again. If I want to see “Psycho,” the 1960 original is the one for me.

At 430 MB, this is one of Soderbergh’s smaller files. Be aware that, while available, all of this faneditor’s reworkings require a bit of tinkering to transfer to your drive.

Tales From Hell: Vol. 5 (The Dead Next Door - The Midnight Hour) - Mikedrew87

Another entry in Mike’s ongoing series, this time a twofer.
First source, “The Dead Next Door” remains a bad cheapie, though with heart. None of the smug self awareness of Troma product. Second source, “The Midnight Hour,” is slicker, though more innocent.

The first feature looks shoddier, but that’s OK. No one has mentioned this before, but I really like Mike’s intros. The editing is suitable for both episodes. More abrupt with the first, in keeping with the grindhouse look.

Mayhem in the first one is limited. No crowd scenes of overrun Akron (ha ha ha). The focus on the Zombie Squad and the religious zealots is constrained. To the point, but feels over chopped.
I was too old when “Midnight Hour” aired. No high school, no junior high for that matter, was ever like this. The way students treated each other with civility and decency. Mike has reworked this extensively, though with love and care. It shows. The narrative holds together and is logical. Moreover, the central relationship between Phil and Sandy remains light hearted, romantic, and ultimately poignant.

I did like these, the second more than the first.

Lovecraft Actually (The Mist - In The Mouth Of Madness - Deep Rising) - Job Willins

Mr. Willins takes three apocalyptic films, “The Mist,” “In The Mouth Of Madness,” and “Deep Rising,” tosses them into the chopper, and makes a dark homage to “Love Actually.”

Note: This is an m4v, which I modified to mp4 so my system could play.
Some of the edits here are audacious. The jump cuts, in particular, are inspired and jaw-dropping.

Depending on the source material, the audio ranges from good to murky. Much of “The Mist” is a pain to understand, and Sam Neill’s mumblings during “In The Mouth” were not worth replays.

Sorry but this one does not work for me. Three different films that do not link or mirror each other. The tones vary, as do the “look” of each. One is a talkfest, one is an action ride, one is the dark plunge. The Beach Boy numbers do not serve to unify proceedings, either.

Full marks for what the editor attempted. For me a fail, though. A disjointed mess.

The London Nobody Knows - 1969 - 6/10

… or doesn’t want to know, or no longer remembers.
James Mason leads a walkabout tour of vanishing elements.
Cafes that serve fish pies and eels. The egg breaking factory.
The music hall, resigned to the wrecking ball.
Mason is by turns wistful, then pragmatic.
The old gets replaced by the new, and what is new today will be old tomorrow and similarly replaced.
Above, he points out a Ripper site in Spitalfields. Still existing in 1969, gone now.

Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story - 1988 - 7/10

Probably because I just watched a Paul Williams doc, I dug out this controversial film.
Superstar is a loving, banned, documentary/tribute to Karen Carpenter.
For multiple reasons, all too obvious, this is illegal to sell or distribute, yet easy enough to locate.
Todd Haynes short (45”) charts the rise, fame, and self destruction of the 70’s singer.
Unfortunately, he failed to get any sort of rights at all - no doubt because denials would have been across the board.
The Carpenters estate launched an injunction against the film.
Most of the music is from The Carpenters, as well as label mates, so another cease order came from A&M Records.
Finally, there were no clearances from his troupe of actors - Barbie dolls - so Mattel sued.
For all that, a brilliant, inspired work, that has never vanished.

Note: Audio is fine, video has always been nth generation.

Paul Williams Still Alive - 2011 - 7/10

Exasperating documentary about Williams, composer, celebrity, who was everywhere throughout the 70’s and 80’s.
If you don’t know Williams, think “Rainbow Connection,” “Rainy Days & Mondays,” “Evergreen.”
The ‘moment’ never lasts forever, though.
Filmmaker interference seemed intrusive and constant.
Williams wanted to talk about his difficult childhood, the early death of his father; the filmmaker focused on how Williams fell from Oscar winner to singing in hotels. Williams agreed to a tour through terrorist filled Philippines; the filmmaker griped and worried fearfully throughout.
The tour, by the way, was a huge triumph for Williams, in a part of the world where he is still renowned.
One gets the feeling the filmmaker had an agenda (similar to Bruce Weber’s), accenting the negative, concentrating on the artist’s fall from grace.
Afterward, I had admiration for Williams, not the least for putting up with that guy for two frakking years!

Step By Step - 1946 - 5/10

Recently discharged Marine chases a pretty blonde on the beach.
She smiles, laughs, but “slow down, tiger,” she struts away.
Later, he knocks the door when she works as secretary.
Except! Another female is introduced as secretary!
Fast paced, silly mishmash of stolen identities, spies, killings, and befuddled police.
Lawrence Tierney stars as the can-do, likeable Marine, with his trusty Scottie dog, Bazooka.
Interesting to watch Tierney here, before type-casting hardened his tough guy image.

You Never Can Tell - 1951 - 6/10

Eccentric, elderly tycoon (of Polly crackers, the nibbles) dies and leaves his fortune to his pet dog.
This time, bad guys target the heir King. And the dog, buys it!
In the afterlife, known as Beastatory, King pleads his case to the grand poobah and returns to Earth to put the bite on the real killer.
Dick Powell plays his incarnate human, detective Rex Shepherd. Swear, I’m not making this up.
Imaginative, lite screwball comedy.
Depending on your tolerance for corn, an obscure gem.

Rhubarb - 1951 - 6/10

Eccentric, elderly tycoon dies and leaves his estate and baseball team to pet cat.
Disgruntled heirs and gamblers betting against the team try to off or kidnap the feline.
Fairly predictable material here. Good cast anchored by Ray Milland.
The cat, a rather ugly orange tabby, is a force of nature.

Velvet Goldmine - 1998 - 7/10

Rousing film about glam superstar, based loosely (ha!) on David Bowie and Iggy Pop, steeped in the blood of Oscar Wilde.
Rise of folkie into feathered rocker, peaking into Ziggy Stardust character, before disappearing.
Powerful cast with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Ewan MacGregor, and a young Christian Bale.
Terrific soundtrack, too, as young reporter, searching for vanished rocker, stumbles into rooms of glitz and glitter.
And who the hell is Jack Fairy?

Inspector Lavardin - 1986 - 6/10

Jean Poiret returns as the French inspector, assigned to a seaside murder.
The corpse lies sprawled on the beach, stripped of clothes, the word ‘PIG’ written on his back.
An author, as well as a pious prig, he was not exactly popular
Prime suspects include the widow (second time around) who is Lavardin’s old flame, a jaded brother-in-law, and a secretive daughter.
Then there is a local club, catering to an underage set, and a prowler.
Everyone is rather shifty, including the Inspector, who ransacks interiors without warrants.
Chabrol film mixes dark elements with a satirical touch.

Ghost Stories - 2017 - 6/10

Muckraking reporter who exposes psychics, spiritualists, whatnot, receives summons from his inspiration, an older man who likewise derided frauds and phonies.
“I have three unsolved cases that make me wonder. Had I been wrong? Is there a supernatural sphere?”
Three investigations, three stories. Each quiet, almost prosaic, though each carries chills.
I watch, not bored, but hardly engaged.
Until, one of the case characters tears the fabric of the structure.
That caught me off guard and the story became inspired – for a bit.
Based on a play, which may explain why this is overly talky.
It also suffers “writing room syndrome,” being too timid and creative risks seem scotched by compromise.

Red Rings Of Fear - 1978 - 6/10
AKA - Enigma Rosso

Saint Theresa’s boarding school. For girls, a dangerous place.
One has seemingly been raped to death. Her three best friends keep silent.
The detective tries to break down the girls, school administration, teachers.
As he digs deeper, events grow more lethal.
Story is sleaze, but focus is on Inspector Di Salvo, and his deteriorating relationship with his casual girlfriend.
Procedural process dominates over the usual Giallo flourishes. Even colors seem toned down.

The Revenant - 2009 - 6/10

This was on the top shelf, looking forlorn. Also looked cheap and bad, yet it was calling to me.
Production was low-rent, but it did not wallow in its lack of money. Instead il overcame fiscal limitations.
An opening desert drive was filmed at night with halogen headlights, smoke and dust.
A later sequence filmed along Sunset Strip must have been shot at 3:00 AM; about the only time that street is ever deserted.
Nor was the film bad. The story was steeped in dark humor and acid comments. Most were from the two leads, but every character was given stellar moments.
Story wise, Bart ships off to Iraq, comes back dead.
Only he won’t stay that way.
He wakes up buddy, Joey, and they come up with a plan to keep him from rotting still further.
Laugh out loud funny.

White Night Wedding - 2008 - 6/10
AKA - Brúðguminn

On the eve of his second nuptials, Professor Jon reflects on the first marriage.
The first wife, an artist, grew bipolar. The second, a former student of his, is twenty years younger.
Quirky comedy from Iceland, dosed with bitterness and creeping regret.
Assorted neighbors of his current residence, the remote and sparsely inhabited Flatey, are a mix of harmless, deluded, or resentful. Add copious alcohol and an influx of wedding guests.
Mostly funny, and I gradually rooted for the young bride, but that twenty year difference gave me pause.
Time shifts occur frequently in this, viewers will need to stay sharp.

Le Chalet - 2018 - 7/10

Three couples head to remote, isolated village in French mountains for wedding event.
Just as they cross the boundary, the lone bridge is destroyed.

The village apparently has a dark history, and that story begins to interlayer this one.
Brutal French thriller, in the manner of “And Then There Were None”.
Traps and snares unleash memories in the older residents.
Well plotted and diabolically structured series, with characters you hope are honorable.
Great suspense in gorgeous settings.

" … the lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin
than does the smiling and beautiful countryside.” - S Holmes