Vultural

Maelström - 2000 - 6/10

Bibi (Bibiane) is having another bad day. From the looks of things, she’s on a streak of hard luck.
The abortion, losses inside her boutiques, the post dismissal she’s been dodging.
Curiously enough, her story is told by a fish. Gasping its last breath, waiting its turn on the chopping block.
What goes around, comes around, however, the fish declares to a heedless fishmonger.
Dark film of individuals unhappy or empty. And yes, there is a difference.
Ostensibly a personal journey, Bibi is flawed to the core and it is hard to imagine her straightening her trajectory.
Unexpected use of “Hair” music adds a touch of bizarre.

Altered Carbon: S01 - 2017 - 6/10

Gleaming SciFi series is, at its core, a futuristic gumshoe saga.
A murder is committed in the cloud-piercing spire, home to the über wealthy (think Elysium or Metropolis).
A bygone “name” is resurrected from cryo-prison to investigate (ala Demolition Man).
He prowls neon alleys, sex cafes and drug dens. Sequences recall The Cell, Mad Max: Thunderdome and other movies.
Catching on?
Viewers who have logged a heavy amount of SciFi will see regurgitated themes and scenes.
Writers and producers serve up influences and copies rather than originality.
Two of my pet peevs are here. Cars (but they can fly! Whatever, they are still stupid-ass cars).
And handguns. Really? Three hundred years in the future, guns, really? Not even phasers?
For less fussy types, this boasts slick production values.
The look is Tech-Noir (ref Bladerunner) and every episode is filled with fights.
Disappointing overall - for me - though the final two episodes tighten the threads to an OK conclusion.

Elusive Justice - The Search For Nazi War Criminals - 2011 - 7/10

Incisive documentary hounds the trail of escaped WWII criminals.
After the Nuremberg show trials, and regional / national trials, the major powers opted to put the past behind.
(Rarely on trial were the scientists, whom all nations wanted).
Especially interesting is the Vatican to Argentina conduit, used by hundreds.
The “ratlines” as they were known, used Nazi gold as payment though that was not discussed.
Second half of the doc followed ongoing hunts and extradition attempts.
Race against time, as it were, before now quite old Nazis die off completely.

This was real news in the 80’s, and I often wondered, “What’s the point?"
These are frail, elderly men, just forget it. Except - no - we should not.
There should never be a “statute of limitations” for war criminals or mass murderers.
Otherwise, the next generation will assume they too can kill, and die of old age in their sleep.

I watch a fair amount of war documentaries and their aftermath.
To my eye, history seems on the verge of repeating itself, as nations everywhere place a “strong man” in charge to solve their problems.
People wave and cheer and scream, as the tide eddies us closer and closer into Corryvreckan.

Fascism In Colour - 2007 - 6/10

Two part documentary pertaining to Fasci di Combattimento, or Fascismo Italiano.
The rise of the Fascist party in Italy following World War I, accepted by half the populace, as well as the Vatican, as a strong force to combat the rising tide of Communism.
First part sees the formulation and street battles between Blackshirts and Socialists.
Second part, foreign military excursions and then the disastrous, jealous alliance with Nazi Germany.
Flaw with this series is its reliance on dramatizing events (ie: staging scenes with actors).
Focus is on Mussolini, caught between wanting to raise Italy’s world rank, yet knowing 30’s Italy is not on the same level as England, France, and especially Germany.

What draws me to these subjects is increasing global polarization.
Many nations now have proto-Mussolinis with broad appeal running for office or in change.

La Antena - 2007 - 7/10

Silent cinema continues to flourish, this time from Argentina.
In the metropolis, the citizens have lost their voice. Literally.
Only one individual still has the ability, the mysterious singer, The Voice, her face shrouded in deep black.

The city is controlled and dominated by Mr TV, who owns the silent broadcasts, food, buildings, and enforcers.
Typical of megalomaniacs, he wants still more.
Heavy on German Expressionism and UFA films, experienced viewers will catch Russian elements, as well as modern cinema such as City Of Lost Children.

Visuals in this will be a feast for Silent film buffs, spotting homages and sly references.
The narrative, while simple, seems increasingly relevant to current distracted humanity.
Highly inventive and also fun to watch!

The Madness Of King George - 2018 - 7/10

Theatre junkies, roll up!
During the Covid lockdown, the National Theatre began limited airing of stage classics.
The American Colonies have gained their freedom, though none dare mention this in the King’s presence.
Nevertheless, the burdens of state weigh heavily on this industrious monarch.
So much so, that he begins to crack. Perhaps from the strain, or from illness, or something more sinister.
As his governance grows ever shakier, courtiers and pretenders circle for power.
Modern day viewers may be disturbed, watching the most powerful man in the nation grow eccentric, then insane.
Effective use of Handel compositions to punctuate key events.
Mark Gatiss peerless as the king losing his mental faculties and painfully aware of it.

Various (Editor: Valentine, Mark) - The Far Tower: Stories For W.B. Yeats

Homage to, inspired by, celebrations of the mystic and poet. Two roles that are missing today.
Early on, a family connection enables a young scholar to examine unfinished manuscripts. With unsettling consequences.
Next, in “Daemon Est Deus Inversus,” the prodigal son, a bitter wastrel, inherits the family home. And he finds messages from the past, which the modern era no longer leaves. Letters.
“The Shiftings” peers through an open door, from this world, if there is such a thing, and into the next.
The staircase beckons in “The Property Of The Dead”. Rising almost imaginably, the treads end under blinding moonlight.
There are other tales, all of high quality, including an engrossing Reggie Oliver, which afterward had me going, “Huh? That was fey.”
Therein is my difficulty. Most of these works slide along the border of faerie or fey, not the Disney sort, either. As an individual, I am observant, but I am not remotely “sensitive”.
Editor Valentine and writer Antonia bookend this collection with two insightful essays on Yeats.
Those more attuned with worlds outside our own will find greater depths throughout this collection.
This is also a beautiful book, gorgeous design, wonderful to hold.

La Dama Rossa Uccide Sette Volte - 1972 - 7/10
AKA - The Red Queen Kills Seven Times

“Centuries ago,” grandfather explains, “the black queen killed her sister, the red queen. But the red queen returned and killed six more people before killing her sister. And every hundred years, the curse repeats.”
“And when will the next hundred years be?” asks one girl.
“In 14 years …”
And so, 14 years pass. The sisters’ hate for each other escalates.
Until one accidentally kills the other.

Baffling Giallo set in the fashion world is loads of fun.
Part of the confusion stems from the two surviving sisters who look similar.
Also two of the models (one being Sybil Danning) who bear resemblance.

Delicious audio commentary by Alan Jones and Kim Newman.
Both are funny, informative, and extremely entertaining. It’s apparent they love this film.

Un Adultère - 2018 - 6/10
AKA - Infidelity

Alice shares a flat with Morgane, and increasingly, Morgane’s boyfriend,
Desiring more freedom, 25 year old Alice hires an estate agent to find her a new apartment.
For no reason whatsoever, the young girl / older, married man drift into an affair.
Seems purely physical, guilt-free, even after one increases the risk of exposure.
Viewers expecting sophisticated chic will find bourgeois characters and settings.

La Ragazza Nella Nebbia - 2017 - 7/10
AKA - The Girl In The Fog

A 16 year old girl disappears from her small village.
The media savvy inspector and his assistant are dispatched from Rome.
The inspector does not rely on DNA, forensics, science, but uses leaks to reporters to pressure suspects.
And yes, there are suspects. A stalker, and the fact that the girl belongs to the Confraternity Church, which the inspector regards as a cult.
The contrast of secretive villagers and cynical city interlopers is sharp.
Initially, I thought this was going to be patterned after Les Oubliées or Le Mystère du Lac, two French series with vanished girls.
Only no, the plotting here is diabolically clever, with a progression of twists that spring like traps

Scandal And Beauty - 2020 - 7/10

Mark Gatiss guides a loving tour of Aubrey Beardsley, young man in a hurry.
Painter extraordinaire of fin de siècle Victorian London.
Everything is touched in this. Early tuberculoses, approval by Burne-Jones.
Commission for Oscar Wilde, the Yellow Book, a series of misfortunes.
Beardsley’s energy and output is breathtaking. Quite a few of his drawings remain disturbing.

I have several books on / about Beardsley. I particularly recommend the one by Stephen Calloway.

Sex And Sensibility: The Allure Of Art Nouveau - 2012 - 7/10

Fine three part documentary on the Art Nouveau period.
Paris - England - Vienna. Lalique, Mucha, Beardsley, Klimt …
Host Stephen Smith shifts between droll and skeptical, presenting well known icons and half forgotten masterpieces.
It is remarkable how many buildings and interiors survive, especially in light of two world wars and the public losing interest in the style by the 1910s.
There was a resurgence of interest with the counter-culture 60’s and it has been with us since.
Not essential viewing, but superior to never-ending dramatic fare.

Die Frau, Nach Der Man Sich Sehnt - 1929 - 6/10
AKA - The Woman Men Yearn For // Three Loves

Young heir to powerful industrialist embarks on his honeymoon.
One the night train, his wife slides into the sheets and eagerly awaits locomotive revels.
While out in the corridor, the heir spies Stascha, a damsel in distress.
What to do? Oh - Stascha is played by a young Marlene Dietrich.
He dumps his bride, halts the train, dashes across snowy woodlands, into a posh resort.
Story of naive swell getting embroiled with a shady couple.
Borders on melodrama, but the camera work is fluid and often ingenious.
Rollicking New Years Eve party is a highlight. Must for Dietrich aficionados.

Note - I’ve watched this Silent with two different soundtracks. Orchestral and piano.
Neither seemed to enhance the proceedings. Better luck, you.

Crooked House - 2017 - 6/10

Stylish adaptation of the Agatha Christie murder mystery.
Ostracized private detective is approached by his old flame to investigate her family.
She suspects grandpapa was poisoned.
Family being wealthy and politically influential, police are hesitant to delve.
Once inside the suffocating manor, the detective realizes he is in a viper pit.
The beholden heirs hated or resented grandpapa, almost as much as they loathe each other and themselves.
Everyone, it transpires, is suspect. Everyone.

Argon - 2017 - 6/10
AKA - 아르곤

K-drama about a television magazine news show.
Not the news/weather/sports show, but the special features.
Exposes, scoops, headlines, and human interest fluff.
Juvenile comedy mars first couple of episodes, though that vanishes if you hang with the series.
Decent drama, though few care about “news” any more. People hunt for, and believe what they want.
Limited crying in this, thank God, and no real romance.
Nice premise of rookie employee looking up to mentor she admired when she was younger.

Maiden - 2018 - 7/10

High seas documentary.
In 1989, an all-female crew entered the Whitbread, round-the-world, sailing competition.
Scoffers declare women will quit, women will never get along, women are weak.
The girls do have problems, mostly through inexperience.
But they are also fairly fearless, taking the tightest route near Antarctica to shave time.

Mix of still photos, crewmates (and competitors) reflecting, newscasts, and home footage.
What is equally astonishing is the sheer amount of film taken at the time.
Well done, though the DVD extras bored me.

Einsatzgruppen: The Nazi Death Squads - 2009 - 7/10

Four part documentary of the units that accompanied or followed the Wehrmacht.
Maps, disturbing home movies, somber music, and interviewees.
The interviewees include historians, survivors, witnesses, and men who pulled the triggers.
The home movies are revealing on two levels. How German officers photographed the dirty work carried out by Lithuanians, Ukrainians, Russians against Jews, Catholics, intelligentsia, neighbors …
And that those films would have been developed back in the Fatherland, challenging the later claim of, “We didn’t know! That wasn’t anyone I knew!”
Similar themes can be found in Lost Home Movies Of Nazi Germany (2019).
Both are powerful reminders of what humanity is capable of. And likely will be capable of in our future.

El Monte De Las Bujas - 1973 - 5/10
AKA - The Witches Mountain

Early on, we follow Carla as she arrives home to discover her cat has been killed.
By her young sister-cousin-daughter (?), because the cat terrorized her pet snake.
In quick order, Carla sets fire to the snake and child, flees to her ex-boyfriend (who says No), then drops from the film.
From there, the narrative follows the ex, Mario, a photographer, who takes an assignment to a cursed mountain.
Yeah, hang on, the story jumps throughout.
Though desolate, Mario’s camera catches images in the abandoned village, which the eye overlooks.

I enjoyed the photography. The atmosphere is forbidding, and the clothes and look drip 1970’s.
The ending is rushed and downright confusing. Nor is there any sort of mountain backstory.
Music reminiscent of Diamanda Galás.
Deeply flawed film “may” appeal to those who appreciate mood over mayhem.

Our Kind Of Traitor - 2016 - 6/10

While vacationing - trying to rebuild broken marriage - in Morocco, professor Perry meets mafia boss, Dima.
They strike up a friendship. Then Dima asks for a favor.
Contrived, implausible spy thriller based on Le Carre’s novel.
Slick, yet empty headed, and, in many ways, this feels like a plot from the 80’s.
As turistas, middle aged Perry and wife Gail, make decisions teen travelers would avoid.
If you can go with the flow and switch your brain off, this is another way to kill two hours of your life.

Love In Memory - 2013 - 6/10
AKA - 러브 인 메모리

Bittersweet K-drama of the lingering ghost.
Female has been in steady relationship with her dependable, analytical consort for seven years.
At times, however, she recalls the other boyfriend, her first love, whom she abandoned.
They were too different, she reminds herself.
She was ambitious, career driven, while he was an artist, head in the clouds.
Then she catches sight of him, and memories, accurate or nostalgic, gnaw her heart.
Refreshing to see how emotions of regret, hope and fondness are elaborated.
At one point I imagined a Hollywood remake - - and cringed.

5 Fingers - 1952 - 6/10

Consider Diello, lowly valet at the British embassy in neutral Turkey during World War II.
He is trusted, he has access to confidential documents, and he has aspirations elevate his social class.
That takes money, however. Money that the Nazis will pay … for documents.
Based on the real life spy, “Cicero,” James Mason plays the cold, cynical opportunist.
Though set in Ankara, most of the exteriors are Istanbul, and downright exotic.
Fans of Harry Lime will nod in approval of Diello.

Savage Sword of Conan: Mask of Archeron (Conan The Barbarian) - Agent9

Say what? Which Conan? That 2011 dud?
Nice overhaul of the Jason Momoa reboot, courtesy Agent9.
For a supposedly lite edit, the film has been trimmed a hefty 25% of the running time, the original score replaced with the Poledouris score, and the film recolored.

Still, axe 25% of the narrative, can the plot still make cohesive sense? Well - yes.
C’mon, you ever read any of the Robert E Howard original tales? They pound like a racing cheetah.
As does this edit and is the better for it. Plot is sheer pulp, with few lulls.
Plus, being briefer, I could have loaded up another barbarian quickie.
Ooh, Hundra, maybe.

X-Files: Exordium (taken from S01 episodes) - ThrowgnCpr

An excellent introduction to “X-Files,” especially for newcomers.
“X-Files” found an audience readily enough, but finding its narrative footing took longer.
Neither Duchovny nor Anderson seem comfortable in their roles in the Pilot, though by “Deep Throat,” Duchovny had found his Mulder. The “Erlenmeyer Flask” section is by far the strongest, with Anderson secure as Scully.

Video - Grain is to be expected (all my “X-Files” DVDs suffer from it). Cropping to create a widescreen view worsens this, but blacks remain solid and aside from a few pan jitters, the look is fine.
Editing is OK, though it is apparent when one episode concludes and another begins.

Audio - Solid work here, as well. I could do without the final music at the end. Editor’s perogative, I understand.

Narrative - The three episodes selected are wise choices of the earliest views on the “myth” strands of arcs that would be elaborated and explored to dizzying heights in subsequent seasons.
Did this feel like a movie? No. The three stories never transition or connect well.
Best intentions notwithstanding, the resultant edit remains locked in its episodic roots. Not that this is a bad thing. For me, however, the Season 01 pales in comparison with S02, S03 and S04.

Enjoyment - Very much, though, again, I am not a fan of S01. Aside from a handful of episodes, I never view that season. This edit, however, I suspect I will return to numerous times. If nothing else, it is a concise package showing Duchovny and Anderson grow into characters, and spotlights how swiftly the overall writing improved.

Kafka - 1991 - 7/10

Non-descript insurance clerk (and part time writer), Franz Kafka, finds himself entangled with revolutionaries, secret police, anarchists, spies, and the imperious palisade known as The Castle.
Highly stylized film by Soderbergh is part Noir, part Gothic.
Unsettling narrative steeped in paranoia and anxiety.
Third act “Castle” sequence borrows heavily from Brazil. The same black humor abides, though in Kafka it is more brittle, less fatalistic.
Dialogue often conveyed multiple meanings so one has to keep alert.
Outstanding set design (Prague) of empty streets, endless midnight.
Kafka’s works, like Orwell’s, grow disturbingly relevant to our era.

Hagazussa - 2017 - 7/10
AKA - A Heathen’s Curse

Labeled as Horror, though I don’t necessarily agree.
Close in tone to 2016’s The VVitch, only the environment is more primitive, and the community more fragmented.
A mother and daughter live isolated from the nearby village. They raise goats, barter milk.
Because they are isolated, they are viewed with suspicion. Outsiders.
Film beautifully captures the austerity of hardship.
While slow (the girl, later woman, Albrun, often spends great lengths staring, seemingly vacantly), there is a lot going on. An immersion, if you will, into Nature, the pulsing life force.
This is also a tale of vengeance, though the distracted will probably miss it.
Well worth your time. And I still dislike the Horror label as I fear that will mislead casual sorts into expecting modern attitudes and plot devices. I wish there was another label.