Vultural

She Killed In Ecstasy - 1970 - 6/10
AKA - Sie Tötete in Ekstase

Dr. Johnson is stripped of his medical credentials. Well, he had been experimenting with – not embryos, as he declared – but fully developed fetuses.
His goals: to improve our species. And in 1970, this still smacks of eugenics.
Quickly, he falls into an irreversible decline, and his wife vows revenge on those she views as his murderers. Who? The four-person medical panel.
Intelligent (early) Jess Franco film is erotic, not pornographic, a stylish, thoughtful thriller.
Not enough skin and fluids to tempt hardcore fans, yet a safe outing for novices.

Bury Me Dead - 1947 - 5/10

The stables burn down, and Barbara, heiress, horse trainer, pugilist fan, is carried out, burned beyond recognition.
At her own funeral, heavily veiled, no one recognizes her.
She wonders who tried to murder her. Her resentful half-sister? Philandering, alcoholic husband? The husband’s grasping, greedy mistress? Or the butler!
Half-assed Noir has fantastic photography, courtesy John Alton, when the sets don’t wobble.
The mystery is marred by comic relief overload, along with – what? – 5 or 6 flashbacks.
This is a B-Noir, as well as a mystery comedy. Too bad the result awkwardly straddles genres.

Tokyo Vice - 2022 - 6/10

Missouri journalism major lands dream job with Japan’s most prestigious newspaper.
Assignments mean reporting news in such a way that does not offend, speculate, gainsay the police line.
Bland headlines, meekly espoused.
In the midst of the day to day, an outside Yakuza is trying to muscle in on territory.
Yakuza rivalries and tactics, absolutely! Police maneuverings, irresistible. Newspaper, great stuff.
That said, much of the “story” dawdles into club hostesses and their angst.
At best, the females are a distraction. By and large, they are written as stupid.
Together, they have the common sense of a sea sponge.
This could have, should have, been superb, instead of soap opera poo-poo.

Whitehead, Henry S - West India Lights

After a disappointing “attempt” from a modern press, I went to the shelves and retrieved this vintage Arkham House edition, purchased in 1984 for – get this – $1.50.
300+ pages, 16 stories and an essay explaining the obi to outsiders.

“Black Terror” is classic voodoo. A curse is laid, a Catholic priest summoned.

Recalling M. R. James “The Mezzotint”, the title story, “West India Lights” is of an eerie painting, and the soiled history of a privileged youth gone bad, quite bad, and the gallows.

“The Shut Room” lies in a small inn, losing business trade owning to thievery. Two of Whitehead’s recurring characters, Lord Carruth and Gerald Canevin, feature prominently.

The majority of these tales hail from the 1930’s and 40’s, published in popular pulps and magazines. All are eminently readable and should delight fans of old-fashioned yarns.

This was Arkham’s second volume devoted to Whitehead. I have never found volume one at a reasonable price. Good luck to all those who likewise hunt for books to fill your shelves.

Hoodoo Ann - 1916 - 6/10

Infant Ann was dumped off at the orphanage on Friday 13, and hard luck has been her lot since.
Mid-film, her inherent goodwill and generosity give her chance at happiness.
All the while, the hoodoo, the jinx, bides its time.
At an hour, this boasts enough plots for 3-4 films.
The orphanage scenes, domestic bliss in an unsettled neighborhood, a murder mystery!
Then there is the film within the film, “Mustang Charley’s Revenge” a Wild West melodrama.
Good role for Mae Marsh in a, at times exciting, if sweet little film.

Walking On Sunshine - 2019 - 6/10

Trials and tribulations of the weather division of a local Austrian TV station.
On one hand, the team does its own in-house analysis and forecasting.
One he other hand, they are tiny, and the German behemoth wants them as a feeder.
The team is a mix of likeable and bullying, professionals and fools.
Ex-alcoholic news presenter Otto is the most compelling as the self-deluded egoist.
Others, well, the writers try their best to make dullards seem intriguing.
Season 01 = 10 episodes. Doubt I shall return for more.

Count Magnus - 2022 - 7/10

The English tourist, a self styled scholar, delving into histories best left buried.
Mr Wraxall, a writer of travel guides, is vacuous and supercilious, and a classic wheedler.
His hostess, the publican, the priest, all warn him to avoid anything to do with the long dead Count Magnus.
And yet …
Probably one of the better adaptations by Mark Gatiss.
Previous installments have been adequate, hum-drum, but this scores points for atmosphere and a Jamesian style.
Cozy, not gory. Understated, not bellowing. Know thyself.

Hijack - 2023 - 7/10

Airline hijacking. Seven episodes for a seven hour flight.
Passengers are an assortment of families, turistas, professionals.
Also terrorists and a high stakes business negotiator.
One of the strengths is the casual pace, insomuch as we don’t know WHY incidents occur.
As aware as the passengers, are government officials, who hesitate until they have more facts.
Well constructed thriller is perfect for those about to take a lengthy flight.
A few explanations are still murky.

Murphy, Damian - The Explosion Of A Chandelier

Spain, possibly Sevilla, mid-1920’s, between the World Wars, pre-Franco.
Héctor enjoys a tenuous friendship with Vito, who professes more worldliness than he actually has.
While Vito poses and declaims a great deal, he is of a higher social standing than Héctor.
Both boys seem pre-teens, still engage in pranks, bound into mischief, tax their imaginations with wild role play. Viewing some adults as spies, saboteurs, anarchists, agitators.
Soon, Héctor, spending more of his summer afternoons in the enigmatic House Of Amaryllis, has a veil lifted: he glimpses a half lit world of alternative possibilities and ramifications.
This is a book that will carry you as far as you permit, in a variety of directions.
One may simply read a coming of age narrative. Another may read an analogy of Spain, or Europe, in an innocent, yet fraught period, just before the mass conflict. Yet another may see Fate’s hand, angels observing, utterly disinterested, the scrambling affairs of mankind.
This is the initial offering of the new Occult Press, and a real coup. One wishes them a long run.

Louise Brooks Arena - 1986 - 6/10

Eye-opening documentary back in the day, showing its age it bit now.
Vintage clips, especially from Brooks’ European films, along with films before and after.
Brooks’ interview in her apartment seems from Lulu In Berlin by Richard Leacock.
Readings stem from “Lulu In Hollywood”.
Images are soft and could benefit from a restoration. Audio, even more so.
Nevertheless, essential for all fans of this surprising icon.

Women At War - 2022 - 6/10
AKA - Les Combattantes

What do a convent nun, prostitute, abortionist and widow have in common?
Early Great War and the German offensive assails the Vosges.
In different ways, these women tend the wounded, run ambulances, struggle.
Narratives range from espionage to melodrama to preposterous to nunsploitation.
Creators keep adding more and more twists and turns until the plots topple precariously.
For me, this was akin to “What are they going to do this week?”
Excellent production values, explosive war sequences, but the personal stories run excessive.

Umberto Eco A Library Of The World - 2022 - 7/10

In his last move, Eco’s home library contained more than 30,000 titles.
After that, he quit keeping count.
Book lovers, readers or collectors, aspire or despair.
Eco’s personal collection is vast, his organization idiosyncratic.
Along the journey, he talks about reading: for enjoyment, for pleasure, for knowledge.
He differentiates between knowledge and information. A key distinction seeing as our current era provides infinite information, most of it useless.
The Professor manages to be perceptive and enthusiastic, and while you may not dash out to acquire titles referenced, he does make one long to read.

English subs = https://subscene.com/subtitles/umberto-eco-a-library-of-the-world/english/3242708

Wednesday - 2022 - 7/10

Living under a cultural rock, I was unaware of this until someone I respected posted a favorable review.
Anticipation turned to disappointment once I saw Tim Burton’s name in the credits.
For me, Burton’s forte is of odd weirdness, with storytelling at the toddler level.
I was on guard the entire season, bracing for Burton’s mannerisms.
Not to worry. This is reverent, faithful, packed with in-jokes, and Wednesday is a jaundiced gem.
After being booted from one too many schools, she is exiled to Nevermore Academy.
Where her curiosity is drawn to dark doings and a rising malevolence.
Jenna Ortega is ideal as the pigtailed scorpion.
Commitment avoiders, this sarcastic series reaches a satisfying conclusion with S01.

It’s True, It’s True, It’s True - 2018 - 7/10

Painter Artemisia accuses fellow painter Agostino for forcibly raping her.
He counters that she chased him, she forced herself onto him.
Artemisia says she had been a virgin. Agostino says she slept with half the neighborhood.
Accusations ring the courtroom in a trial that lasted months.
Based on court documents from the 1612 trial in Rome.
She said – he said. The more things change …

The Tough Ones - 1976 - 6/10
AKA - Roma a Mano Armata

The head of Rome’s police crime division is no fan of laws being used to coddle criminals.
Early Euro-Crime poliziottesco blisters with high octane excitement.
Car chases, rooftop fistfights, bank robberies, nudity, rape, not to mention brutal police interrogations.
Maurizio Merli is seething fury throughout, boiling over into violent reactions.
Music is terrific, as well, a pulsing backbeat even during rare lulls.
For fans of these (c’mon Giallo fans, check out Euro-Crime), this one is pounding hammer time.

Earth Spirit - 1923 - 5/10
AKA - Erdgeist

Lulu proves hard to handle for her husband, Dr. Schoen.
Admirers flock in, including the doctor’s son, Lulu’s elderly pimp, and a strongman.
Why this is not coupled with every version of Pandora’s Box (1928) is beyond me.
In this version, Lulu is as innocent as syphilis.
The acting is theatrical, melodramatic, with broad gestures and heavy makeup.
Almost to a soul, every player over emotes with facial contortions.
Definitely merits a watch – once – then go back to the masterpiece by Pabst.
English subs = https://subscene.com/subtitles/earth-spirit/english/3242706

La Belle Époque - 2019 - 7/10

The satirical cartoonist, out of work since newspapers collapsed, receives an odd gift card.
A time trip. Where many might choose the era of Napoleon or the 1920’s, he chooses 1974.
The year he first met his wife, before their marriage soured.
Being an artist, he sketches the small cafe, interior and exterior, as well as fashions.
The recreation of a personal memory means errors may be spotted.
(I certainly noticed the music, and commented that “I’m A Believer” by the Monkees was circa 1966.)
This half of the film is magical, and so is the “other” half.
The behind-the-scenes, the actors playing parts, negotiating their own reactions and impulses.
A must for French film fans, and I am surprised Hollywood has not made a sugary pooh version.

A Girl In Every Port - 1928 - 5/10

Once ashore, first mate Spike studies his black book for addresses of every waiting females.
Most have not been waiting. Or they’ve been “tagged” by a rival seaman.
Of course, he will meet his competition – Bill – and after slugging it out, they become fast friends.
The innuendo and implications are steamy throughout, but the pace feels slow.
Victor McLaglen’s Spike is effervescent, larger-than-life, and buoyantly optimistic.
Most view this to see Louise Brooks, who arrives quite late.
She is given barely anything to do, aside from look attractive and tempt males, but oh, how she does both.

Oasis Of Fear - 1971 - 6/10
AKA - Un Posto Ideale per Uccidere

A pair of free spirits (not hippies) make their way from London to Italy.
Main income comes from peddling pornography.
Smutty photos, a no-no in Italy (?!!?), gets them kicked out.
Except, enroute to the south, they break into a house to swipe gasoline.
The owner is headcase, change-her-mind-on-a-dime, female.
Sexual games, mysteries, locked rooms, lies, excuses, absurd explanations.
The young couple, to be clear, a shady pair, are completely out of their depth.
How producers talked Irene Papas into this steamy Giallo is beyond me.
She dominates every scene, although the couple, young nude skin and plenty of it, are easy on the eyes.

Whitehead, Henry S - Little Orange Book Voodoo Tales

Edited by Thomas Tessier.
The opening story, “Jumbee”, is sprinkled with errors. Typos, misplaced commas, periods, etc …
I envisioned the galleys lined on a wall, while a child with a magical editing spray gun, peppered the pages with spaces, commas, colons, in giggling, festive exuberance.
The proofing of these “Little” books seems more haphazard, depending on the diligence of the editor.
Nevertheless, this is an atmospheric juicy selection of voodoo yarns.
Perhaps mostly desirable for those seeking Mr Tessier’s signature.

Wild Guitar - 1962 - 5/10

Country boy motorcycles into Los Angeles with a guitar and a suitcase full of songs.
Lucky breaks hits straightaway when a local TV performer is ill, so he steps before the camera.
No time flat, he is a smasharoo, babe.
Along comes the crooked manager, cynical studio musicians, fake publicity.
Sort of a cross between “A Star Is Born” with “So You Wanna Be A Rock N Roll Star”.
Arch Hall Jr. is winning in this, although I don’t “get” this guy in the doggone least.
Arch Hall Sr. steals the film as the wily promoter / agent.
Superb restoration by Nicolas Winding Refn on his website, though the audio mix is super low.

The World Of Suzie Wong - 1960 - 6/10

American executive, suffering, I suppose, a mid-life crisis, heads to Hong Kong to become a painter.
On limited means, he cannot afford respectable neighborhoods, so he rooms in a cheap hotel.
Only to realize it is actually a brothel – where he falls in love with the most popular girl working there.
The photography shines throughout, exotic and colorful.
William Holden is too old in some ways, other times he is just right. (It hurt that I read the bestselling novel and knew his character was much younger.
Nancy Kwan is spectacular in what should have been a career making role.
This was momentous viewing for a younger me, heightened after reading the novel.
I vowed to move to California, attend college there, then emigrate to Hong Kong.
My childhood plans proved difficult, though eventually doable.
Hong Kong, however, took me decades.

Malfi, Ronald - The Mourning House

Following personal tragedy, Sam Hatch, physician, pushes himself adrift.
Literally. He becomes, in the truest sense, a drifter. Traveling without purpose, without destination.
Until he spies an abandoned, rotting homestead off Tar Road.
Hatch buys the house, unaware or unconcerned about its history or characteristics.
Repairs underway, he discovers the home does have ghosts – the ones he carried with him.
A grief haunted novella, one of a series of miseries that Delirium seemed to favor during its heyday.
While I am not necessarily a huge fan of this writer, Malfi’s focus is keen, his hand steady throughout.

The Musketeers Of Pig Alley - 1912 - 7/10

Every rewatch of this Griffith gem is a potent reminder of how rapid his craft was developing at this stage.
The young couple struggle in a cheap apartment in the new York slum.
In a few minutes, the story packs in the dance hall, the rival gangs, the alley showdown.
While the audience is supposed to identify with and root for the newlyweds, the camera is irresistibly drawn to the flamboyant Snapper Kid. (Elmer Booth, who would be killed in 1915.)
D. W. Griffith stodgy? No, this is an exciting outing.

Divided We Stand - 2022 - 6/10
AKA - ZERV

After the wall comes down, Germany reunifies in the 1990’s.
Relaxed freedoms, and – Hey! What about all those East German weapons?
A tiny agency is formed to dispose of them, and ensure they don’t wind up in the wrong hands.
Thing is, major weapons are financially lucrative.
Politicians never seem to have enough money, while arms brokers have cash to splash.
Squabbling team members are East and West, cursed with assumptions and misunderstandings.
Based, not surprisingly, on actual events. Series bears dark humor throughout.