Vultural

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.

Danger Island - 1968 - 6/10

“Uh oh, Chongo!”
Professor Hayden and his young crew find sunken treasure in the waters near Tobanya.
They are soon overrun by pirates with Link (Jan Michel Vincent) kicked overboard for shark bait.
Although the boat is blown up, Link survives, is washed ashore, and is befriended by two other castaways.
Who inform him the island is replete with cannibals and headhunters. Not to mention predatory animals.
Pirates, cannibals, snakes, sharks, lions!
Fast moving serial, aimed at children, originally aired on the old Banana Splits show.
20-30 episodes, but only 5 minutes each. Easy to dip in and out.
Mindless, yet the stunts, action, settings, indicate a quality budget and good faith effort by Hanna-Barbera.

Conjuring Spirit - 2014 - 5/10
AKA - Chung Cu Ma

The adulterous landlord fixes up the apartment for his girlfriend, then murders her.
Thereafter, tenants of that apartment are killed, commit suicide, or flee in terror.
Enter writer Lan and her five-year-old son, Bi.
Strange occurrences begin almost immediately.
Low-level Vietnamese horror is fairly predictable, with a range of acting.
The lack of sophistication is the handicap and attraction here.
Bizarre plotholes, and also an interesting twist.

Hey Cartooners! - 2024 - 6/10

Loving biography of the Tri-State’s Mr. Cartoon, Jule Huffman.
Generations ago, after-school programming devoted to children was ubiquitous across the land.
Every city and burg had their Cousin Cliff, Uncle Willie, Captain Chesapeake, Ranger Jim …
Playful souls who know how to embrace children without talking down to them.
In between noise and camaraderie would be cartoons, a Stooges short, or Flash Gordon episode.
What is surprising is how good this documentary is for a regional show.
Early life is profiled, WWII service, aspirations (some dashed), and his iconic status as weatherman, children’s host, and ambassador of genuine good will.
Not the faux bonhomie of national celebrities.
This also shows the demise of children’s programming in the 1980’s, replaced by dubious adult fare (Oprah / Springer).
A much older me met Jule once at a function. Very gracious man.
A gentle reminder of what passed away in our gradual coarsening.

The Immigrant - 1917 - 7/10

Shipboard romance during the voyage to America.
Little Tramp befriends a young female and her mother.
Stateside, Fortune proves fickle, at best, yet has a heart.
Lovely Mutual film makes a perfect introduction for anyone curious about Chaplin.
Here, there is slapstick (from the earlier Essanay era), yet he is moving towards the more romantic (schmaltz) of the later features.
Lot of detail is packed in this, and Edna Purviance was always his most sympathetic leading lady.

The Villain - 1979 - 5/10

I have NEVER been in the proper mood to appreciate, let alone enjoy, this one.
Kirk Douglas is the meanest, baddest man in the West.
Ann Margaret the innocent daughter fetching a box of money for Pa.
Schwarzenegger the handsome here with the IQ of a tree stump.
A “comedy” based on Roadrunner cartoons, packed with cameos and comic relief.
Almost everyone tries too hard (Arnie actually seems to “get” his role).
Complete misfire across the board, save for Warner Brothers’ cartoon obsessives.

True To The Navy - 1930 - 5/10

Hash house waitress Ruby specializes in sailors. Flirting shamelessly and receiving gifts.
How much exchange is involved? With Clara Bow’s screen persona, a lot.
Getting even, the seamen send in their dashing shipmate (Fredric March?) who ignores her.
Thus, she falls for him!
Early Bow talkie is a RomCom, but lacks spark. The boom mic made her anxious, and March is no romantic.
It also looks cheap, as Clara’s star was dimming and Paramount was cutting her budget.
There is a Silent version of this in supposedly an excellent print.

Murder In Guadeloupe - 2023 - 6/10
AKA - Meurtres en Guadeloupe

The first corpse was on the roof, splayed out, covered with feathers.
Next body, feathers again. Lowered talk whispers a soucouyant.
The lead detective is an arrival from Paris; although born in the Caribbean, she had left years ago.
Her “assistant” is a retired commissioner, well-liked and accepted by the locals.
The settings are exotic, much mention is made of the era of slavery and racism, then there is the magic.
No romance in this, and the plotting is OK, weaving a tangle.
Locations and invention elevate this up from formula.

Die Herrin von Atlantis - 1932 - 6/10

Trying to control feuding tribes, two French Legionnaires get lost in the Sahara.
Who are then abducted and transported endlessly downstairs.
Based on the opening monologue, we are supposed to accept this as Atlantis.
Everything from attire to activities to kief abuse argue against this.
Then there is the ruling queen, Antinéa, who, aside from local music, dining, and a pet leopard, her main distraction is capturing and draining lost menfolk.
Frustratingly, this aspect is barely alluded to. Director Pabst of 4 years earlier was bolder.
Very slow “adventure” film. Check the sexier 1949 remake, Siren Of Atlantis.

The Capture - 2019 - 7/10

Imprisoned Gulf War soldier Shaun is released on trumped up charges after experts show his body-cam footage had been inaccurate.
Next beat, surveillance cameras show him assaulting and kidnapping his barrister!
Crack detectives are assigned, but Shaun, insisting on a frame, escapes and eludes.
While the detectives, the deeper they dig, the more questions they raise.
And they become increasingly aware of clandestine government agencies, meddling with camera footage.

Two season thriller mixes politics, security, espionage, and big data.
Almost everyone involved has tainted hands, justifying all manner of misdeeds.
A prescient series, frightening in ways, indicating how controllers and AI can “correct” realities.