Vultural

Weiss, Andrea - Paris Was A Woman: Portraits From The Left Bank

Outstanding introduction to an overlooked chapter of the Lost Generation.
Except these women were not lost. They arrived in Paris to find themselves, to be themselves.
Sadly, for me, I had only been aware of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, along with Renée Vivien (who is barely mentioned in this).
Most of the chapters are of the artists, writers, painters, poets, muses, publishers, females who found greater liberty in France than what was offered in the American heartland.
The one who most captivated me was Djuna Barnes, and I launched searches to retrieve a few titles.
Relationships ranged from lifelong (Stein / Toklas) to tortured infidelities to acrimonious rivalries.
I enjoyed this immensely, and yet this is an era that has always fascinated, the unsettled period between the wars.
Weiss also scripted the 1996 documentary of the same name.
Anyone who fell in love with Midnight In Paris (2011) should find this an excellent companion.

Terra Formars - 2016 - 5/10

On Earth, over-populated like crazy, bigwigs decide the best plan is to colonize Mars.
First, we terraform the red planet with moss and cockroaches (!).
500 years pass (we ain’t extinct, still eating in Mister Bladerunner Noodle Shops), and Mars is suitable.
Best get rid of them roaches first. Send in the Marines? Nope, terrorists, yakuza, street trash.
Who soon find out – shoot, those cockroaches are huge!

Jumbo sized, built like bodybuilder contestants, and moving incredibly fast.
Despite a stellar cast, this bug hunt is unbelievably stupid.
Takashi Miike fans, if you feel you must …

Resurrection - 2015 - 6/10
AKA - Resurrección

Newly ordained priest Aparicio decides he is more needed in Buenos Aires, plagued by Yellow Fever.
Enroute, he decides to detour to his family estate, discovering it all but derelict and abandoned.

His brother remains, dying on his deathbed. His sister-in-law and niece hide in the chapel, terrified.
One servant, taciturn Quispe, tries to warn / assist Aparcio, tend to the family.
Viewers quickly realize the house is beyond healing, beyond redemption.
A slow burn tale of faith, judgment, evil, and the weakness of men.
Perhaps better for those who appreciate the insidiousness of Lucifer, the whisperer of lies.
Few believe in evil nowadays, despite what they witness daily.

Spy/Master - 2023 - 6/10

Romanian Dictator Ceausescu’s right-hand, Victor Godeanu, needs to defect.
Long a KGB sleeper agent, Romanian security is beginning to out him.
Bad timing. Washington, transfixed by the 1978 Camp David talks refuses to commit itself.
Instead, Godeanu is left with a devious and inexperienced CIA handler.
A Romanian series, this steers a wary course.
The US is distracted, Soviet Union formidable, Romanian Intelligence relentless.
Decent espionage thriller, based loosely on Ion Mihai Pacepa, parts are better than the whole.

A Man On His Knees - 1979 - 6/10
AKA - Un Uomo in Ginocchio

Word on the street is that a hitman has been hired to whack Nino.
Why? He is just a simple street vendor. Small stall where he sells drinks, snacks and papers.
Bad luck. Nino is in the wrong place, wrong time, and everyone assumes he is involved.
The police, battling gangs, assassins, shakedown artists.
No matter how hard he tries, luck lets him down, over and over.
Set in Palermo, and I imagine (having been there, and having been robbed there) things are still the same.
This is a drama, not Euro Crime, not Thriller.

In The Night - 1929 - 6/10
AKA - Dans la Nuit

Life in the pit is hard, brutal. Yet, as soon as the whistle howls, he hurries.
Gets cleaned up, dashes to his wedding, and the wild revelry afterward.
He and his bride are ecstatic. Love is bliss.

Until the accident, where he is injured. Actually, disfigured. Horribly disfigured.
And true love proves to be a transient thing.
For the attractive wife soon catches the eye of another.

Shocking tale of love, treachery, accidents, Fate.
Much of the film is excess. The wedding and party is exhausting.
The conclusion? I tossed my foam brick at the screen.

A Very English Scandal - 2018 - 7/10

Early 1960’s, Lib-Dem party leader, Jeremy Thorpe initiates an affair Norman Scott.
As with almost all romantic relationships, it comes to a sloppy end.
Jeremy, however reckless, is highly ambitious, and Norman, well, he is emotionally unstable.
He needs his National Employment card for work and health benefits.
Homosexual laws and stigma informs this brief series, but do not be put off.
This is extraordinary funny! Especially by E02, where Mr Thorpe tries to murder the pesky Norman.
Casting is top notch, the script razor sharp.
Based closely on real events and persons (stick for those credits); truth better than fiction.

Copper, Basil - Whispers In The Night

Unable to buy Mr. Coppers two Arkham House collections, “And Afterward The Dark” and “From Evil’s Pillow”?
Rest easy. This very fine assortment is still available from Fedogan & Bremer, reasonably priced, and available direct, since F&B are still extant.

“Wish You Were Here” opens in Hoddesden Old Hall, bequeathed by an eccentric aunt to her nephew, Wilson. The manor had been neglected and needs work. Fortunately, like so many, Wilson is a successful writer and awash with cash. Along with the money, Wilson has a fiancée, Deirdre, and a best mate, Barry. Together, they form a curious triangle.
Then there are the postcards. Curious things, Edwardian, perhaps? Smudged, barely legible, arriving with increasing frequency. An uneasy Yule tale, best when the fire burns low.

Following a row with Angela, Claverhouse feared their engagement was finished.
To clear his mind, he spontaneously decided to catch a carriage to Croxted. Mechanical difficulties, dreadful weather, finds him compelled to lodge at the Red Lion Inn – where – he spies the most beguiling female.
“In A Darkling Wood” is another novella, this set in lonely country, troubled country.

Oh, the rising artist and his model, perhaps his muse. In this case, two models (muses), whom Ainsley juggles to keep each unaware of the other. Jealously can be so unpredictable.
Ainsley worriedly finds himself “Riding The Chariot” of industry, deception and desire.

“Out There” makes for a change. SciFi, set in the far future where mankind braces in technological fortresses, besieged by forces unknown.

Selected and introduced by Stephen Jones, enhanced with appropriate illustrations by Stephen Fabian.

BlackBerry - 2023 - 7/10

Rise and fall of the communication device, ubiquitous in the early 2000’s.
The original company is a small software developer, exploited and going nowhere fast.
Until they hire a corporate shark who kicks, shoves and propels them into giddy heights.
For those with adequate memories, BlackBerry leapfrogged the pagers.
The film plays out like a docudrama, covering a lot of territory fairly comprehensively.
Marked as a “comedy” I laughed maybe once or twice, although I enjoyed very much.
Some of the accuracy is sketchy (I doubt the SEC had jurisdiction in Canada).
Note: I detested seeing that “Sent from my BlackBerry” in emails back when, much as I detest seeing “Sent from my iPhone” today.

The Effect - 2024 - 7/10

Connie and Tristan enter clinical trials for a new drug to combat depression.
She is a psychology major and wants to experience side-effects, he’s for the pay.
As subjects, a couple, they are paired: boy - girl.
A major side effect is heightened dopamine levels, and interest between the unlikely duo mounts.
The play is a study of attraction and medical ethics.
Also an examination of love. Is attraction, even spiked by chemicals, enough?
Held my interest, although the dilemmas may resonate more with younger audiences in uncertain relationships.
English subtitles = https://subscene.com/subtitles/national-theatre-at-home-the-effect/english/3268702

Golden Eyes - 1968 - 6/10
AKA - Hyappatsu hyakuchû: Ôgon no me

After the opening chase, a helicopter with skyhook chasing fleeing chauffeur, the “plot” gears up.
At the center is a gold smuggling cartel.
Justice includes the Japanese police, Interpol, a female race driver and an insurance investigator.
Double crosses are everywhere!
Spy fever was at a height, as were spoofs (Matt Helm, Derek Flint, Max Smart, Lemmy Caution, Shandigor).
This boasts weird assassination attempts, preposterous shootouts, a jazzy score, and silly humor.
If you are in the mood, if you enjoy these carefree parodies, this rollicks along.

The Skeptic - 2009 - 6/10

Late at night, the elderly aunt dies suddenly, and her ostracized nephew Bryan inherits the white elephant mansion.
Or so he assumes.
Since his marriage is in rough patch, he decides to move into the manor for a few weeks.
And starts to hear and see “things”.
Good psychological horror film, probably a decade too late (for audiences who need explanations).
Is the house itself haunted? Or is locked-tight, emotionless Bryan haunted?
One thing for sure, the home and new occupant act as triggers upon each other.
The spacious dwelling (a wonderful character) is immaculate throughout.

The Power Of The Whistler - 1945 - 6/10

As the man nears the city curb, a speeding car sideswipes him, knocking him down.
He dusts himself, heads for the nearest bar, soon wonders, “Hey? Who am I?”
Yes, amnesia strikes again!
Luckily, a fetching blonde, half his age, sees him as attractive and offers to help.
So, following bits and bobs in his pockets, they dig up his history.
Dark entry in the Whistler series, plays its hand too early, hinting at our hero’s tendencies.
Brooding Noir, well shot, although Dix as a romantic swain? C’mon.

Satan’s Slaves 2: Communion - 2022 - 5/10
AKA - Pengabdi Setan 2

Extremely dark film, loaded with jump scares. Check.
Children (teenagers) in danger throughout. Check.
A plot that has little to no bearing on the first film. Check.
In 1955, in an isolated area, graves yawn open and corpses shuffle into a shrine to bow before the icon.
That entire line is abandoned as the scene shifts to 1984, an impoverished apartment tower in oblivion.
A ferocious storm approaches, adults have vanished, and children roam dark passageways.
By and large, I enjoy Joko Anwar’s Indonesian horrors, but this is a let down.
Hardly a sequel, lacking the framework of a plot, clearly aimed at children and nyctophobiacs.

Murder In Provence - 2022 - 6/10

The Brits borrow a page from the seemingly endless flow of French mysteries.
Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll play the prosecutor and forensic whatever, investigating deaths around Aix.
The countryside is nicely displayed, the murders have clever trails, numerous suspects.
The investigating couple are already an “item”, so there are no silly romantic sparks.
Dry humor pervades, and this is fine for fans of cozy.
For all this, the brief series could just as easily have been set in the Cotswolds.

The Interview - 2023 - 7/10

Interview being the earthshaking one between Princess Diana and Martin Bashir in 1995.
The play shifts back and forth between the wary princess and the opportunistic journalist.
In the wings are a pair of advisors to Diana, who urge caution.
Yet, she is tired of discretion, while the royal Firm cuts, nicks, and whispers.
Tired of the double standard. And the journalist is a charmer.
Followed by the aftermath, the exposure of lies and betrayals.
The devious manipulation had me wondering if the princess had any trustworthy men in her life.

Gladysz, Thomas - Louise Brooks, The Persistent Star

Yes, yes, as others have pointed out, there are scattered redundancies here and there. Also, for casual readers, much here borders on trivia or minutiae.
My biggest complain is the lack of an index. Possibly this will be remedied in a later edition.
Nevertheless, this is a goldmine of information and photographs, not only of Brooks but also of her contemporaries, along with billboards, newspaper clippings, adverts, etc …
There are reminisces of those smitten by her, during and after her moment.
Gladysz’s passion is remarkable, his dedication tireless. He is the proper definition of fan, a fanatic.
Overall, an excellent companion to the biography by Barry Paris, which itself is essential.

She Fell Among Thieves - 1978 - 6/10

And the chief thief, her wicked stepmother, of course!
Young Jenny is due to inherit £20 million in a few days, once she turns 18.
Unless – she marries beforehand, whereupon said wealth belongs to her stepmother, Vanity Fair.
Who, as we learn, is a diabolical mastermind behind murders, robberies, blackmail.
The film dances between cozy murder and camp. Dialogue is a treat.
While set in France, I recognized Castell Coch (Wales).
Eileen Atkins delicious as the razor tongued villain.
English subs = https://subscene.com/subtitles/she-fell-among-thieves/english/3267249

Para Psychics - 1976 - 5/10
AKA - To Koritsi Vomva // Death Has Blue Eyes

A pair of low-level grifters, cheap adventurers, get “hired” by a mother-daughter combo.
The daughter is being targeted for assassination by, what seems a cheap government unit.
Big boss sits in front of a bank of reel-to-reel tape decks, killers all ride motorcycles.
The daughter, well, she can make stuff blow up, or make folks drop dead.
She’s got mind powers.
There’s about 30 minutes of actual plot. The rest is tentative sex and interminable chase sequences.
Limited violence. Flesh rompings that would make your mother yawn.

Pray For Blood - 2022 - 7/10
AKA - Todo la Sangre

The first murder, a beheading, occurs during the height of fireworks and celebrations.
Followed by another, with more severed body parts.
Police have their trails and sources, tabloid journalists have their own.
In the middle, a cultural historian, who recognizes the ritual Aztec slayings.
It is not a serial killer. Someone is laying the groundwork to open a portal.
Blood splattered gore in this dive down Mexican folklore, shamanism and corruption.

The Wandering Earth - 2019 - 6/10
AKA - Liu Lang di Qiu

Earth is doomed! Again. This time, it ain’t us, it ain’t alien invaders. Nope, our Sun is going supernova.
What to do? What to do? How about build 10,000 thrusters and shuttle the whole planet 4 light years distant?
Science majors, quit rolling your eyes and bail already.
Those who can tolerate heroic SciFi actioners, this should be OK.
Lots of characters, a fair amount who are annoyingly young and plucky.
Most of the drama occurs early in the voyage, around year 15 of a 2500 year trip.
Calculations for using Jupiter as a slingshot are a twee bit off, igniting a mad scrambling.
There is a part 2, and this was OK enough that I may view down the line.

Bell, Peter - Hauntings: Tales Of Supernatural Dread

At times, the sheer consistency of Bell seems uncanny, almost frightening.
Ten stories here, of recent vintage or new to this collection.

Rock climbers and Carl and William tackle the crags of Scotland in spring, before the horde of rookies, except they started too early and they are soon disoriented and trapped by a blizzard. In “The Bothy”, they find shelter in the self-named dwelling, only to encounter a fellow lost soul.

“Rounding The Stone” lingers in Machen territory, featuring an abandoned rural church, perhaps the grounds of an earlier pagan site, and the solitary explorer, overly curious, oblivious to the prickles rising on the back of his neck.

“Pict, Celt, Saxon, Viking and Norman had come and gone, yet the yews that crowded darkly round had outlived them all.”
So thought Blake, educated wanderer, with free time enough to traipse the back country, even take the wayward turn and finding an ancient chapel.
In “Ragnarok”, he scratches into the history, lightly, suspecting Norse origins, not suspecting how truly old the origins were.

The university professor and attractive female student. The thirst of knowledge, flirtation, followed by trysting. (I had witnessed similar scenarios during my college years.) In “The Curator Of Souls”, Dr. Slade proves a novice compared with Laura, in a tale that softly eddies into the realm of Aickman.

“Crucifix” concludes this strong collection and is a gem for bibliophiles.
Pamela worked for a Brighton bookshop, high end, prestigious. Until she was released owing to, shall we say, a misunderstanding.
Luckily, she accepts an offer to inventory a large, private collection in Scotland.
The owner, Lady Wilson Brodie, wants shed of the books, gathered over the years by her deceased husband, and his father before him, as well as … going back a century. Lady Gwen has no interest in, let alone knowledge of, books in general. She preference is for drink.
As for the books, Pamela spies numerous rarities, many worth a ransom, which could easily tempt the individual who was dismissed owing to “a misunderstanding”.

Murder Is Easy - 2023 - 6/10

Village resident, Miss Pinkerton, is heading for Scotland Yard with her suspicions.
Two have already died in mysterious circumstances, and she suspects a third.
On the train journey, she shares her thoughts with young Fitzwilliam, from Nigeria.
Then, in London, she is murdered, struck down by a hit-n-run driver.
Whereupon Fitz, an attaché to Whitehall, decides to head to her village and begin investigating.
Adapted from an Agatha Christie novel, this may tempt her fans, yet there are problems.
Directorial choices are poor. Excessive close-ups ruin the flow.
The actors have no chemistry. Rather than engage, they shift around, waiting to say lines.
The script, for those who have read the book, is a jaw-dropping fantasy.

The Murder Mansion - 1972 - 6/10
AKA - La Mansion de la Niebla

You know, you can warn people over and over. If the door to a subterranean world opens, don’t. If you find catacombs, tunnels, turn around.
Six disparate travelers, driving the backroads, get lost in rising fog, seek refuge in an isolated manse.
Out on the woods, stalking one of them or more, are ghosts of the original homeowner and her chauffeur.
Giallo takes a lot of time showing characters, building tension.
Midway between Horror and Thriller, with a fair dollop of Scooby Doo.
Eventually gets going, and the conclusion is satisfying. My version seems PG.

Driving Madeleine - 2022 - 7/10
AKA - Une Belle Course

Madeleine hires a cab to shuttle her from one side of Paris to the other.
Farewell to her home of many years, and a free-range existence. Awaiting her is the “retirement” home, and smiling, overly cautious imprisonment.
Enroute, she and the driver converse (this is French). About their lives, family, personal histories, the changing Paris.
Detours and side trips, cafes and jostling with street life.
Where would you go on your last day of freedom?
Haunting film catching the last flicker of twilight.