Vultural

Flash Point - 2007 - 6/10
AKA - Dou foh // 导火线

The inspector has been reprimanded repeatedly for excessive use of force.
Injuring, hospitalizing and maiming suspects.
His partner has been working undercover for months, ferreting a Vietnamese gang.
Police thriller never simmers below mid boil, with furious fight scenes.
Donnie Yen electrifying here, the speed of his movements breathtaking.
Collin Chou (Seraph from the Matrix) makes an incredible foe.
Full credit to the action and stunts; pity about the generic plot.

The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent - 2022 - 7/10

Career in something of a dumpster fire, Nicolas Cage accepts a birthday party gig.
Cheer the attendees, share Hollywood anecdotes, pocket a million dollar fee.
His conscience / alter-ego Nicky urges him, in no uncertain terms, to refuse.
Nevertheless, since when did Mr. Cage listen to anyone?
As soon as he lands in Majorca, he is recruited by the CIA to spy on his host, kidnapper and head of a crime family.
Wild shaggy dog film grows weirder, and funnier, with each passing minute.
Numerous Cage movies are referenced, parodied and quoted.

Mysteries Of Black Magic - 1958 - 6/10
AKA - Misterios de la Magia Negra

Damnit, this has so much going for it!
His daughter drags Professor Eladio from his research to enjoy a magic show.
Where the professor, a specialist in superstition and witchcraft, recognizes a centuries old incantation.
Who is this Eglé? How are her tricks so realistic? Where did she learn her conjuring?
Long story short, he asks too many questions, alone, and does not fare so well.
Daughter and fiancée Raúl investigate to their peril.
One look at Raúl and the sorceress realizes she has a cozy chamber for him.
Gothic Horror has sets, shadows, fantastic camerawork, spooky atmosphere.
By the final act, it mirrors Haggard’s Ayesha and the tone weakens.

Accident - 2009 - 6/10
AKA - Yi Ngoi // 意外

Kwok, the “Brain” plans for the next assignment.
His team, assassination specialists.
Method, convoluted diversions. Rube Goldberg distractions. A fatal accident.
Unfolding, these are exciting to watch.
When one misfires into an accident, the Brain begins to suspect there was a hand behind the fail.
Midway, this Hong Kong film shifts into Noir territory, steeped in paranoia.
Criminals behind criminals, games behind games.

Pushover - 1954 - 6/10

After the bank heist, Officer Sheridan is tasked with keeping an eye on the robber’s moll.
She’s wise to him, ensnares him in the petals, corrupts his rather weak integrity.
There is money, a lot of money, for just the two of them.
If they can evade surveillance, wiretaps, suspicious colleagues, underworld characters.
Moody Noir lacks malevolent characters, instead troubled, damaged souls.
Viewers can root for these people, while knowing Fate is a cruel mistress.

Sherlock Holmes - 1916 - 6/10

Upon the death of her sister, Alice comes into possession of compromising letters.
The Prince hires Holmes to retrieve the letters, before a pair of schemers steal them.
Vintage Silent is not as creaky nor as stuffy as feared.
Excellent dissolve closeups, detailed sets, and a reworking of several stories.
Sherlock fans will have fun going, “Hey that’s from ‘Scandal In Bohemia’, and that‘s from…”
The real draw is seeing William Gillette, acclaimed stage actor, approved by Doyle.
Current print has been lovingly restored, and the supporting cast is Gillette’s theatrical troupe.
Bit melodramatic at times, just go with it.

Sky High - 2003 - 6/10
AKA - Sukai Hai // スカイハイ

Killed on her wedding day (heart ripped out) Mina stands at the gate of the afterlife.
Three choices offered: Ascend and reincarnate. Wander the Earth as a ghost. Or vengeance.
Mina opts for Door #3, despite the cost being damnation to Hell.
Supernatural / Fantasy has intriguing ideas, a parallel mystery investigation, adequate leads.
This is excessive, however. Everything is too much, especially the running time.
The film feels padded, and lacks the furious momentum of the director’s previous film, Versus.
Later research revealed that is was made as a prequel for a popular Sky High TV series.
Following the film, there was a S02.
I have watched neither series, but they may inform the movie.

Hitch - 2023 - 6/10

She is young and attractive, needing a lift.
He is middle-aged, divorced, hoping for an opportunity.
Mansplaining is his forte, she clenches a rock.
Short film of two bruised souls.

A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors - 1987 - 6/10

Outside of the original, this is my favorite of all the Nightmare films.
A teen, haunted in her dreams by – who else – is packed into an asylum.
The female psychiatrist (great casting!) recognizes Freddy and aids other teenage patients on how to deal with him.
This sequel doesn’t mess around.
Trained, and as a squad, they have strategies to deal with the monster.
Sets, music, lighting, acting, everything is of high quality.
Not to overlook Freddy, sadistic, repellent, yet wickedly funny.

Zatōichi - 2003 - 7/10
AKA - 座頭市

Modern “update” of the extremely long running franchise.
Blind swordsman Zatōichi wanders into small village, oppressed by criminals.
Expect swordplay and bloodletting.
Stylish reworking, with high production values.
Kitano is somewhat odd casting, but he is writer / director in what must have been a labor of love.
Finale apparently a surprise twist, although I viewed it as cheating, or misfired joke.

Captain Sindbad - 1963 - 5/10

When I watched during its theatrical run, I remember enjoying the sword fights and exoticness.
Guy Madison was, after all, Zorro, and knew how to wield a blade!
I also remember, even as a kid I found much of this pretty corny.
Sindbad returns home to find an evil usurper on the throne, with designs on the princess.
Our hero and his hearties set forth to restore the kingdom!
Very dated now, with poor special effects – although the heart and giant hand are memorable.
Matinee fare all the way; for those who still tend their garden of childhood.

Club Zero - 2023 - 7/10

Teacher, guru, zealot, fascist, temptress.
New teacher Ms Novak offers a course in conscious eating.
Students, rich and affluent mostly, voice goals of what they want this class to deliver.
Ms Novak ticks of each goal with, “Yes, conscious eating will deliver that.”
And what is this method. Those in the workplace, think ‘do more with less.’
Here, eat less, be healthier. The less you eat, the healthier you will become.
Disciples who remain begin to exhibit signs of their radical diet.
Unfunny comedy, subversive, potentially dangerous to those with eating disorders.

Chime - 2024 - 6/10
AKA - Chairmu // チャイム

Takuji teaches cooking skills. Most, not all, want to learn to be better cooks.
One student is not there; he attends, but is distracted, removed, remote.
Takuji is also being interviewed to become head chef for a French restaurant.
Yet, his pupil’s remoteness seems to have infected him.
He has lost all interest … in everything.
Violence seems an outlet, while the malaise spreads to others.
Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa has a history of moody dramas, tinged with the unexplained.

Immaculate - 2024 - 6/10

Novice Sister Cecilia, wide-eyed and innocent, arrives at the remote and exclusive convent.
She is assigned the usual duties, until priests and the doctor determine she is pregnant.
Nevertheless, Cecilia is still “intact”.
Clearly, God has chosen her.
Well, not so fast.
And fast is hardly what you would call this slow, simmering film.
Not exactly Horror (what’s here ain’t much); certainly not Nunsploitation.
Target audience might be lapsed Catholics or those suspicious of the Church.

Valentine, Mark - Lost Estates

A new collection by Mr. Valentine is always a welcome addition to the library.

In “A Chess Game At Michaelmas”, our narrator is a scholar of sorts, seeking old customs, old folklore. The home he seeks out belongs to the king’ tenant rent is free, for an unnamed service.

Mr. Warringer is fussy about Christmas cards. They should not arrive too early, nor should they hail from strangers. His organization is shaken when “The Seventh Card” arrives from the Post, sender unknown.

Collectors will relate. Cogenhoe is after a legendary pamphlet, referenced as lost. He has his methods, and here the author shares tips and suggestions for newcomers to the passion. “Laughter Ever After” suggest that it is not always fellow collectors one should beware of.

The tides may be predictable, yet the sands are not. Three “Readers Of The Sands” are invited to investigate a mystery at Driftwood End. A professionally appointed guide, a fortune teller, and an artist who works in sand. The sands seem to form shapes, hide shapes, and guard.

Lost treasure. The Dutchman’s mine, the Valley of Kings, Hitler’s gold, Montezuma’s treasure.
Two friends, writer and photographer, undertake a new book regarding the missing loot of King John, vanished during a tidal surge. In “The Fifth Moon” they question local experts, who share plausible if conflicting theories. They consult maps, attempt to chat up taciturn denizens of the pub. As with friends, dwellings, jobs, some things do vanish, and vanish for a reason. Seek at your peril applies.

A generous Swan River collection, with considerate production touches, and an ideal size for holding.

Never Open That Door - 1952 - 7/10
AKA - No Abras Nunca Esa Puerta

Two Cornell Woolrich stories of greed and allegiance.
Louisa is in trouble, of her own making, and is being squeezed by dangerous creditors.

Who can help her? Maybe her brother, Raúl. Their relationship seems more than cozy.
She confides nothing, however, and he can only assume.
In the second half, blind mother Rosa has not heard from son Daniel in eight years.
Hopefully, he has done well in the big city.
When he shows up, pursued and hardened, she realizes he has not led a righteous life.

Stylish Noir from Argentina is saturated in blacks and carved in shadows.
Both stories deal in Fate and bad hands, which is what most of us receive.
You play as best as you can and pray for a break.

Destiny - 1921 - 6/10
AKA - Der Müde Tod

Enroute to the village, the coach picks up a black garbed man.
Also aboard are a young couple, engaged, and very much in love.
Inside the inn, the caped man follows, and the girl soon realizes her fiancé has disappeared.
The man is actually God’s messenger, Death, and her fiancé’s time had run out.

“Each candle is a life,” he explains. “Some longer than others. His was short.”
He permits her to intervene in three fates: Persia, Venice, Cathay.
Fritz Lang film is measured, perhaps sluggish, but has impressive sets and visuals.

The Serpent - 2021 - 7/10

Sometimes reality is just scarier than fiction.
Charles Sobhraj, murderer, gem dealer, stealer of identities - after murdering his victims.
Victims were the hippies in New Delhi, Nepal, Bangkok, seeking experience, releasing steam.
Trusting types, addled by drugs, flashing too much cash.
Series is part lengthy crime spree by Sobhraj, his partner Marie, and lethal sidekick Ajay.
Also Interpol procedural, as various agencies attempt to unearth the crimes.
And domestic / government dramas as most shrug off deaths of reckless young travelers.
Insidious problem with this is Sobhraj is coldly charismatic, while the Dutch aide who obsesses over him and his deeds is insufferable.
Wiki = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Sobhraj

The Quick And The Dead - 1995 - 6/10

“Lady” rides into Redemption to participate in a death duel contest.
The Old West town is ruled by ruthless Mayor Herod, who organized the tournament of death.
Paper thin premise enlivened with plenty of gunpowder.
Powerhouse cast includes Sharon Stone (riding fame), Gene Hackman, Leo DeCaprio, Russell Crowe, Lance Henricksen.
One gets the feel they wanted to emulate Leone, but everything is overload.
Sharon Stone electric throughout, and this plays better the second time around.
Do not confuse this with Bad Girls (1994) from the previous year.

Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood - 1942 - 6/10

Millionaire buddy Manleder asks Blackie to break into his Manhattan house safe and bring him $60 K.
Police apprehend him, then let him go. Why? There is a valuable diamond, gone missing.
Once in Los Angeles, Blackie realizes his buddy is in as much trouble as suspected.
With the New York cops in pursuit (jurisdiction in California?).
Breezy formula, too much comedy, Chester Morris effortless as the unflappable private eye.
Predictable, although perfect for lunch break.

The Last Wave - 2019 - 6/10
AKA - La Dernière Vague

Lovely day to go surfing, even with that overhead cloud doing a rotisserie turn.
Until the cloud suddenly descends to the waves and the surfers vanish.
Hours later, they stagger to the shore, and … we find out … are magically altered.
Some can breath underwater, some can heal, others can “see”.
Meantime, the village has its squabbles, betrayals, conflicts, and ecological disasters.
Ending is something of a head-scratcher, which those who watch wider fare are accustomed to.
Big logical error is the omnipresent cloud attracts no crowds, no press, no internet egoists.

You may want to consider announcing this at one of the subtitle forums.
Example - https://www.sub-talk.net/
I have belonged there a decade, and half of the members are French.

The Wasp Woman - 1959 - 5/10

Everyone wants to stay young, or at least look young.
Including the owner of a cosmetics firm who decides to test a new youth serum derived from wasp enzymes.
Test on who? Why herself, you silly innocent.
And will there be unexpected side-effects?
Silly film from Mr. Corman moves fast, and to be fair has its moments, but it is laughable.
Not being there, I suspect this played better in a 1959 drive-in, rather than from a living room couch.
Note: Star Susan Cabot’s story makes for an engrossing read.

A Trip Down Market Street - 1906 - 6/10

Shot from a cable car heading toward San Francisco’s Embarcadero.
Lensed by the Miles Brothers, apparently days before the earthquake destroyed much of the city.
Several automobiles appear again and again, suggesting staging or contrivance.
Various prints of this are out there.
From black and white with no sound, to saturated colors and robust sound mixes.
For non-purists, a middle ground restoration of some audio effects and minimal color retouching might be best.
Mesmerizing time capsule.

The Revenge Of Frankenstein - 1958 - 6/10

Not the “monster” but the scientist, Dr. Frankenstein.
Escaping justice, the medical man relocates and now goes by Dr. Stein.
Wealthy clientele pad the purse, and he does charity work among the poor (ready supply of spare parts).
With a new apprentice, experimentation into creating Life continues.
The plot moves in unexpected directions, and Peter Cushing and Francis Matthews make a strong team.
Solid Hammer film, glossy looking and intelligent.