Vultural

Jacobi, Carl - Revelations In Black

Jacobi’s first Arkham House collection is a doozy. One can see how he was held in high regard by fellow writers in the “weird” sphere.

The title story is a dreamlike echo of “Carmilla”, as our narrator is drawn to a rare set of autobiographical journals, and from there toward the dark eyed pearl.

Mr Grenning somehow acquires a cursed walking stick in “The Cane”. It exerts a sinister influence over him, while the history of the previous owner quietly unfolds.

“Canal” is a change of pace, set on the somewhat colonized Mars, where a desperate thief escapes through one of the forbidden waterways, where others have entered, and disappeared.

One collects books, to the other weapons, both obsessives, yet in different fields, so they are not rivals. The common link in “The Spectral Pistol” is that their remote village is best by a ravening wolf

‘The Tombs From Beyond” dives deep into HPL territory. A Polynesian temple has been transported, block by block, to the explorer’s country lake, in hopes of a museum or tourist draw. The wealthy adventurer failed to consider that something unspeakable might accompany the tomb.

Royalton Manor has been crumbling for decades. Repairs were beyond the last of the line, so he lives with memories and rising dust. And a tenant, Classilda, charity case, a crone of foul aspect. A wall that has stood for centuries needs restoration, despite warnings to leave well enough alone. In “The Face In The Wind” the wall is, indeed, reworked and forces are unleashed. A classic supernatural story, steeped in old myths.

Three cheers to Valencourt Press for reissuing this long OP book.

Kafka - 2024 - 7/10

Inspired construct / retelling of the writer’s personal life, work life, writing, outlook.
Kafka’s domineering family, his circle of friends, suffering women.
Then there are the ever-present men in dark suits or trench coats.
Major works are shown as daydreams or nightmares.

Visual style enhances the overall surreal outlook.
Tone at once paranoid, pointless, despairing, and painfully funny.
Kafka is among a select few who realize life is meaningless, with participants the butt of a cosmic joke.

48 Hrs. - 1982 - 6/10

Buddy cop flick finds unorthodox detective paired with temp parolee.
Forty-eight hours to track down and cuff or kill a crime group.
Nick Nolte has the gravitas with the badge, but Eddie Murphy in his film debut is a ball of fire.
Loose, wise-cracking, with terrific lines. He more than held his own with a very macho cast.
Film, and dialogue, is not remotely “correct” or “woke”.
Nolte and Murphy are terrific, and launched a series of buddy films.

A Great Day In Harlem - 1994 - 7/10

In 1957, Esquire magazine ran a Jazz series: the inexperienced writer wanted a photo of the leading musicians.
A veteran would have shrugged, “That ain’t gonna happen.”
Nevertheless, through persistence, naiveté, and sheer good luck, an image was taken in dawn hours.
Engrossing documentary told from the creators, and from surviving artists.
Talking about the day, fellow musicians, influences, styles.
This makes an essential primer and introduction to classic Jazz, the 50’s.
An acclaimed Jazz documentary came out in 2001, although it gave short shrift to this era
Numerous “Great Day In –-” followed. This is the one.

Crisis In Six Scenes - 2016 - 6/10

Late 1960’s, a free-spirited radical invades the home of her quasi-aunt and husband, straitlaced middle-class types.
Lenny (a good Miley Cyrus in a one note role) is on the run following a bombing and shootouts.
She is opposed to all isms save for the utopian Communism.
Woody Allen’s foray into a series has its moments and gags, but often treads water.
Aside from fashion models, most 60’s agitators were more scruffy. Lenny is Hollywood.
Best episodes are the first and last (homage to A Night At The Opera).
Historical references seem like cliches, plus a lot of characters for six half hour episodes.
Not as bad as the Allen or Cyrus hate legions decry.

Subspecies - 1991 - 5/10

Three college girls (two Americans, one local) investigate folk culture in Romania.
Where in Romania? Transylvania.
And yes, vampires do exist, friend. In this case, two rivals, brothers.
The “good vampire” is magazine handsome and has his eye on one of the girls.
The “evil vampire”, Radu, seems a descendant of Murnau’s Nosferatu, and has his eye on world domination.
Straight off, I root for the baddie.
Location filming in Romania is the best thing here. Script likely penned by a fanboy reading issues of Forrest Ackerman’s “Famous Monsters”.
3-4 sequels expand this Full Moon vampire saga.

Love In The Afternoon - 1971 - 6/10
AKA - L’amour l’après-Midi // Chloe in the Afternoon

Despite a pleasant marriage, Frédéric has a wandering eye.
He sizes up women on the street, in shops and cafes, on trains.
Are they single? Intelligent? Lonely, adventurous, stimulating?
Frédéric seems too young for a mid-life crisis; perhaps it is malaise.
Enter Chloe, ex-girlfriend of one of his old buddies.
Scornful, needy, dismissive, more than a little toxic.
Nevertheless, Frédéric sets aside afternoons to listen to her talk, or to assist in problems.
At once, the story goes “nowhere”, yet shows how slippery are morals, ethics and vows.

Kainer Dies Here Today - 2021 - 6/10
AKA - Heute Stirbt Hier Kainer

The brain scan explained the increasing fainting spells.
No cure, his time is running out.
Ulrich heads off to the country, disembarking at random, for a peaceful place to kill himself.

Unfortunately, the sticks prove to be rotten: deadly business rivals, young punks, crooked police.
Drunken oldsters concoct a rumor that Ulrich is a Mafia hitman.
Even the craziest rumors often bear an inkling of the truth.
Droll German comedy, with explosive violence ever simmering.

Last Looks - 2021 - 6/10

After a TV star is accused of murdering his wife, the studio exec lures a disgraced cop out of retirement.
The PI is not really interested, until various factions violently order him to stay away.
The alcoholic star, played with boozy perfection by Mel Gibson, is a fallen Shakespearean.
Shyster lawyers, femme fatales, Chicken, vindictive cops, Inuits, more …
This is one shaggy dog yarn, prepare to hold on.
Light-hearted mystery with an edge.
Some have commented on a Chinatown vibe. For me, Big Lebowski.

Aoyama, Michiko - What You Are Looking For Is In The Library

Five stories of disconnected or lonely souls. Underachievers, never-weres, has-beens.
They gradually intersect at a small community library. Not necessarily physical connection, yet their stories and fates brush.
By the end, these threads are more apparent, and more contrived.

The librarian is stereotyped as gargantuan, which may put some off.
There are messages of a second act, even a third, and in many ways this is an inspirational read.
Female characters seem to fare better than males, in terms of actually improving their lot, or doing something about their lives rather than planning to do something.

Hiroya, 30, still lives with his mother, does not work, shuffles through life.
He wants employment he can be passionate about.
Masao, 65, retired, vegetating in his home, while his younger wife may or may not care.

Thinking afterward, I wondered if author Aoyama was making sly comments about men in society.

The Forger Of London - 1961 - 6/10
AKA - Der Fälscher von London

His father was insane, a murderer. What if he inherited –– What’s that sound?
Jane marries the wealthy Peter who suffers from amnesia and missing time.
Nonetheless, he is rich. Money smooths problems, such as the occasional corpse.
At the same time, counterfeit bills are flooding various countries.
Suspect #1? You got it, wealthy playboy, AKA who am I again?

Krimi based on Edgar Wallace novel moves briskly.
Superb use of lighting, possibly too many characters (more dead bodies).
None of the camp or comedy that hampered latter Krimi.

Pink Floyd: The Making Of Dark Side Of The Moon - 2003 - 6/10

Entertaining, generally informative documentary of the genesis and creation of the classic album.
Aside from band members, talking heads include engineer Alan Parsons and influential critics.
Band members are interviewed separately and are civil toward each other.
This album, they regard as their finest moment as a unit.
Subsequent problems that would wedge the group are merely alluded to.
All members in 2003 are alive, lucid, although some recollections vary.
The techniques were so very old school, no computer software in 1973.
Not necessarily essential, yet fascinating for fans of the group.

Untamed Mistress - 1956 - 3/10

In India, two white hunters listen to a dying maharajah talk of a strange tribe.
Gorillas, who kidnap women. White women.
Scene shift, and they are in Africa (elephants, lions, giraffe) where they meet the well dressed, well fed, Velda.
Painful adventure film sees our crew wander sets then gape at footage of wild Africa.
And yes, there are gorillas. They stalk, they fight, they dance.
They kill. What’s theirs stays theirs.
Spectacularly bad.

Workers Or Shirkers: Victorian Benefits - 2019 - 6/10

Things never change. You want to aid the less fortunate, those down on their luck, the injured.
The lazy, the idlers, the spongers, the loafers? Not so much.
Traces the earliest solutions, devised by those ever-industrious Victorians.
From the workhouse, to unemployment benefits.
Until the government money begins to tap out.
Then the rabble hear a posh phrase – austerity measures.
Even today, no easy solutions, perhaps no solutions.

Hotel Europa - 2021 - 6/10
AKA - Das Weiße Haus am Rhein

Emil returns to Germany after World War I, carrying a dark secret.
The victorious French have requisitioned the family Dreesen Hotel, yet Emil is able to broker a deal allowing the family and staff to remain, giving the French commanders luxury service.
The hotel is struggling, although Emil has new ideas, bold concepts, at odds with traditions.
Two-part series goes from 1918-1938, an era of uneasy peace, building to war.
No dates are mentioned, so those with a knowledge of history and events might fare better.
Dignitaries include Charlie Chaplin and Adolf Hitler, both of whom actually stayed in the hotel.
The “events” are eerily accurate, family dramas – who knows.

Here Be Monsters - 2023 - 6/10

Most people would not call us hunters, but monsters.
Over white wine and barbequed meat, the girls discuss reasons why they do what they do.
Or should not do. Olivia wants to abandon the long practice of sourcing their own meat.
Luna disagrees, no matter that the last meal was only nine years old.
Disturbing horror, set in wooded Los Angeles (Mulholland?).

Cocaine Fiends - 1936 - 4/10

Small town Jane flees to the bright lights, meets Nick who gives her “headache powder”.
Soon hooked, and with few prospects, Jane finds illegal work.
Brother Eddie soon arrives, hunting his wayward sister.
Another of Life’s suckers, he’s soon on the powder himself.
Preachy melodrama, often shown in tandem with Reefer Madness, a better, and campier, film.
Actually, this is a remake of The Pace That Kills (1927), likewise more energetic and fun.
Watch if you must, but this is dull and dreary.
Hey, kids! Try this, instead,

Glory - 1989 - 7/10

During America’s Civil War, Massachusetts forms a regiment of black volunteers.
Training, drilling, facing the same discrimination as before.
Yes, the narrative goes into that, but this is a war film, with a lot of action.
The cast is exceptional
While historical accuracy is a bit suspect, the historical elements ring true.
Characters, motivations, prevailing attitudes.
Somewhat ignored during its release, and awards were spotty, this has aged well.

Uncle Vanya - 2024 - 7/10

Vanya and his niece have managed the large rural estate for years.
The money flowing to his brother-in-law, The Professor, a pompous, untalented scholar.
Forcibly retired, the penniless sponger arrives with a much younger trophy wife.
Insists on changes to the daily routine to suit his predilections.
Meanwhile, the trophy wife catches the eye of menfolk.
Chekhov’s play skews class and education, industry and indolence.
Well acted, although like “Hamlet” I have never warmed to this play.
Others laughed throughout.
Acquired taste.

Mark Strikes Again - 1976 - 6/10
AKA - Mark Colpisce Ancora

Detective Mark works undercover in the plaza, catching petty drug dealers and small thieves.
By chance, he is drawn into a team of terrorists, specialty – assassination.
Italian police brass approve, as does Interpol, who wants Mark to gain trust and find the leaders.
Euro-crime flick dashes along with shootings, bombings, betrayals.
Surprisingly, things misfire from time to time, like when street thieves snatch a purse carrying a bomb.
Franco Gasparri exudes breezy charm, and he is not one of those unstoppable killing machines.
Alas, this was to be his last film.

The Pyx - 1973 - 6/10
AKA - The Hooker Cult Murders

Elizabeth, business class prostitute, swan dives off the roof of a tall building.
Did she leap, or was she pushed? Suicide or murder?
Police investigations into her death dovetail with Elizabeth’s final days.
Gloomy Horror laced with fatalistic Noir.
Plummer spot-on as the taciturn, cold blooded detective.
Karen Black quite good was the working girl, requested by a “special client”.
Overlooked during its run, worth a look by fans of diabolical religious films.

Walk The Walk - 1970 - 5/10

Film opens as the heroin addict struggles with the monkey.
From the religious iconography, we soon realize he is a seminary student.
That’s right before he goes to a zonked out hippie party to score more –
And instead he picks up a floozy redhead, or maybe she scores him.
Numerous set-pieces in this, no narrative, no coherence.
Bernie Hamilton (later the captain of Starsky & Hutch) is the only capable actor.
Most of the dialogue appears to be looped.
For those who like weird or bad cinema, this calls for you.
Lovingly restored by Nicolas Winding Refn.

Weighell, Ron - Child Of The Dawn

A grief stricken husband takes the plunge and embarks into the netherworld, seeking his wife.
Leighton is no adept, nor a master; he is a mere dabbler. A wealthy tourist, perhaps he assumes his earthly skills will serve in the chaotic afterlife.
Things go terribly wrong. Fortunately, an adept is at hand, Malcroft, as well as his disciple. Along with Leighton’s two adult children, both of whom possess gifts.

Once this story gets going, the energy is propulsive.
Three narratives, Leighton in the void, his artistic son and the disciple beside his near-lifeless body, while his spiritualist daughter and adept Malcroft race to Egypt, enlisting the ferocious Mona.
To attempt a summoning that Aleister Crowley shirked, and regretted to his dying day.
The Egyptian track is the meat of the book, and is a thumping, pulpy adventure.
Much of this echoes “Entombed With The Pharaohs” (HPL / HH), and is claustrophobic, dangerous, laced with exploits.

This can be read as a page-turner, in which case this is a lot of fun.
Weighell has jammed this with references, however. Readers with an interest in Egyptology will seize with delight. Me, I know major deities, I know Bast (living with felines means awareness of Bastet is de rigueur). The ruins of Bubastis? Never heard of it. Weighell makes it unforgettable.
Other references dance around. Aleister Crowley, to a lesser degree Austin Osman Spare.
Again, these are backgrounded. You can enjoy this book, knowing nothing of them.

Down the line, if curious, there are plenty of areas to explore.
The novel is an erudite cliffhanger from a master storyteller, with a fond afterword from Ron’s widow, Fran.

Sister Long Legs -1960 - 6/10
AKA - Chang tui jie jie // 長腿姐姐

Jingfang has two eligible daughters.
Although Binbin is underage and a terrible flirt, and Tingting pushes men away with those black frame glasses and her dismissive attitude.
And there are so few attractive (ahem, rich) single men available.
Plus, other women are pushing their own daughters front and center.
Romantic comedy of wealth and manners and assumptions.
For those who have lived or visited, this offers a peek at Hong Kong, way, way back when.

Groundhog Day - 1993 - 6/10

TV weather guy (Bill Murray) as a world-class, self-centered jerk.
He hates his job, hates the assignment (please, groundhog reports), hates the small town and the folk.
His contempt is all too evident.
Fate, however, can play cruel jokes, and not always on innocent rubes.
He is caught in a loop, one Groundhog Day follows another, with no end.
Of all the flimsy plots, yet this Rom-Com works, despite the concrete female thespian.
Murray is droll, sardonic, cynical, frustrated. Terrific range. Film has dated, though.