Vultural

The Secret Glory - 2001 - 5/10

During the battle in Heaven, Lucifer lost the war and his crown.
The latter was recast into a cup, The Grail. Last custodians of which were the Cathars.
The Grail vanished when they were slaughtered.
In the 1920’s, secret agencies sought for it: White Eagle, Polaires Brotherhood, Thule Society.
Among them, one Otto Rahn, German fantasist, dreamer, who would soon catch the eye of Heinrich Himmler.

Documentary about the history of the Grail is absorbing, although film fans will be distracted trying to identity all the Silent film clips used in this section.
This is a biography Of Otto Rahn, however, and his story is simply not compelling.
He was, at best, a tiny historical footnote. His niece dominates talking heads.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3358739

Medusa Deluxe - 2022 - 6/10

Eve of the competition, one of the stylists, predicted to win, is murdered.
Backstage, contestants and models begin to speculate.
Muddying theories is the fact that the victim, a male, had his hair scalped off.
Dialogue driven mystery, listen and keep up! Broadly drawn characters ease identifying.
Tour de force camerawork appears to be one-take.
Engaging while underway (although I could have dispensed with the final dance video).
Might pair pretty well with Blow Dry (2001).
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3358740

Leap Of Faith - 1992 - 6/10

Religious hucksters, suffering a breakdown in Kansas, set up the tents.
Well, have to pay for the repairs and parts somehow,
The region is in the midst of drought and eagerly donates money for a miracle.
Even when the town sheriff exposes chicanery, townsfolk don’t care.
Last third sees a slow shift in direction, with the cynical edge being glossed.
No unswerving Elmer Gantry tone here.
Steve Martin good as heel (always enjoyed his dramatic turns over his comedy schtick).

The Man Who Changed His Mind - 1936 - 6/10

“I can take the thought content from the brain and store it.”
Perhaps that is when young Doctor Wyatt goes on alert.
True, the scientist she came to study under, Dr. Laurience (Karloff), is a genius.
Yet, dabbling in matters such as mind transfer could have dire consequences.
And – this wouldn’t be a mad scientist movie if he did not perform unethical experiments.
Karloff, eccentric, stymied, resentful, vengeful, is the driving power in this.
Everyone else is support, other scientists, journalists, chimps.
Loder as lovestruck boyish stalker has the charm of a dented bucket.
Fans of classic Universal, this could pass muster.

The Au Pair - 2025 - 5/10

Fashion designer Zoe and husband Dr. Chris hire an au pair for their too-old-to-need-one kids.
The French arrival, smiles on the surface, malice beneath, launches quiet sabotage from the onset.
Wily Sandrine holds your interest, wondering what drives her, and who or what she will destroy next.
To my annoyance and frustration, the narrative pivots midway into family angst.
This becomes a completely different story, and I start barking at characters with short term memories.
My suspicion is the writing room boxed itself into a corner, then shrugged.

Macbeth - 2025 - 7/10

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
Macbeth the Thane, aspires to the throne via blood, urged by his dominating wife.
Austere version of Shakespeare’s darkest play may not appeal to all tastes.
Minimal set design, however, serves to enhance the words.
Language, dialogue and monologue, is paramount, forcing viewers to flesh proceedings themselves.
Powerful play of ambition and treachery, of deceptive promises and muddled prophecy.
Inspired use of small folk ensemble offering sparse music.
“Cruel are the times when we are traitors and do not know ourselves.”
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3358197

Bon Voyage - 1944 - 6/10

During WWII, RAF gunner Dougall escapes from a German prison camp, back to England.
Of course, he had help through France, and a French officer wants details.
So, Dougall relates how he and his comrade navigated from one safe house to another.
Terribly obscure Hitchcock wartime short is absolutely worth tracking down.
Everything is first-rate: camera work, story, the murky undercurrent.
A Hitchcock vehicle, this does not shy away from unpleasantness.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3358198

Grant, Helen - Atmospheric Disturbances

Nicely chosen group of Grant’s supernatural stories, leaning toward the unexplained.

“Mrs. Velderkraust’s Lease” opens and provides one of the darkest tales in this. The house is goodly sized, and the rate more than reasonable. One stipulation, that the house be vacated for two days in December, is irksome. No excuses, no exceptions. She agrees, since December is months away. Time creeps ahead, however, as the weather gets colder.

Simon is a cautious opportunist. A thief, to be blunt. Scours the obituaries for estates, empty manors, than has a look-see before the arrival of agents or relatives. “50” is the vintage year of the dust covered bottle. 1950? 1850? Earlier? How would it taste? Curiosity can be so cruel.

She spots the private investigator straight away. Young, inexperienced, careless. Mélisande invites him into her apartment, permits him to search thoroughly. As she insists, her husband abandoned her. “Friday” is a satisfying read for those caught in an unhappy union.

An enchanting smile and a sheer garment that reveals hidden mysteries underneath. Nick, new homeowner, is agog. To the point he begins traipsing after her the lissom creature, even into what he soon realizes is “The Lost Maze.” Another of the darker tales, and, for asthmatic readers, you will enjoy an open car journey in bitter winter more than this. Not so? You’ll see.

Seven Days In May - 1964 - 7/10

During nuclear disarmament talks with the Soviets, the US President’s approval ratings plunge.
The man is ailing, out of step with the people, and stubborn.
While behind his back, a clique of Pentagon brass plot a military coup.
Far-fetched? The premise swings in and out of relevancy all the time.
Just as it’s hard for viewers to choose a side, depending on what team is in power.
Burt Lancaster plays the calculating general with chilling effectiveness.
The Cold War was ongoing when this premiered, and audiences probably gasped at coincidences.
As mentioned, the theme of takeover, or ignoring the Constitution never seems to go away.

I Walk Alone - 1947 - 6/10

Successful bootleg partners Frank and Dink have a gentleman’s agreement.
Should one of them go to the slammer, his 50% share of the business will be intact upon release.
Honor among thieves, hey? Make a prediction.
Yes, once Frank serves 14 years, his buddy is all smiles and excuses.
“Agreement? What agreement? I don’t know nothing about no agreement?”
Swanky nightclub, femme fatale singer, crooked accounting, a frame job.
Typical elements for a Noir, yet this is slow and rather boring.
Best is Kirk Douglas as the swindling, duplicitous partner.

A Time Out Of War - 1954 - 6/10

Late in the US Civil War, three soldiers guard a meaningless stream crossing.
A Johnny Reb and two Yanks exchange potshots, insults, jibes, pleasantries.
The war is almost finished, they know that and just want to return home.
After awhile, they decide to an hour ceasefire to go fishing.
Poignant short of the banality of war, along with the similarities that tie us.

Cesium Fallout - 2024 - 6/10
AKA - Fen Cheng // 焚城

Scavengers rake the industrial landfill looking for salvage, especially precious metals.
Oops, they stumble across highly radioactive material. Oops, oops, they start a fire.
Whoa! Deadly wastes explode, turning the junkyard into an inferno.
Worse, there is now radioactivity in the air, soon to turn Hong Kong into a wasteland!
Throwback to disaster films of the 1990’s is entertaining, preachy, predictable.
Heroic firefighters, bickering politicians, self-serving business elites.
Stemming the annihilation, a rogue scientist / activist.

The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living And Became Mixed Up Zombies - 1964 - 5/10

Rather than dinner and dancing, low-rent Jerry takes Angela to the carnival.
A sashay into Madam Estrella’s for palm reading only incenses him.
Then, near the sideshow, Jerry abandons milk fed Angela for gypsy Carmelita.
Strippers and cooch girls, yeah.

The plot, already crazy, now hits overload.
Fred Astaire dancing duo act as interludes, as does the burlesque revue.
The strolling guitarist, nightclub comedian, hypnosis, psychosis, the sinister knife.
At the core of evil lurks Madam Estrella.
A thoroughly slagged film, that I watched in an amused haze.
Good photography, slick editing, miserable acting, a cast who seem too old for every role.
Must for aficionados of trash cinema.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3358196

Eye Of The Devil - 1966 - 6/10

Philippe is summoned back to the ancestral home.
The surrounding vineyards are in decline, necessitating the ancient rites.
He tells his wife to stay home in Paris, with the children.
She disobeys, not understanding the danger she has placed herself and her children, into.
This is a fantastic looking film, yet it is a MGM vehicle for star Deborah Kerr.
And she dominates, hamming it up. Over-emoting, wailing, screaming.
David Hemming far more memorable as the mysterious archer.

There are the twelve robed figures, an upcoming village fete, and the fatalistic Niven.
Not to forget newcomer Sharon Tate, who seems an adept.

The potential for atmospheric Gothic Horror is rivaled by the disappointment in the Melodrama that this was.
Extremely disappointing as every other player serves the moody story.

Bingowings said:

doubleofive said:

Bingowings said:

He has pulled this once obscure Lucas buttslap device of a site too far into the mainstream.

I’m not sure I understand what a buttslap device is.

It’s a device for slapping butts.

I tried Amazon, I tried Ali-Express.
Where can we buy a buttslap device?

Killer’s Kiss - 1955 - 6/10

Grimy tale of washed up pug and dimehall dancer.
Sordid NYC tenement provides the location for this Pulp romance, with full Noir cinematography.
At barely an hour, this packs in fierce boxing, cheap dancing, jealousy, murder, and an irresistible fight amongst the mannequins.
Photography is breathtaking at times. Amazing that this was filmed for $75 K.
Weak point is the female actor, who has the magnetism of a worn out paper sack.
The director would ascend to greater films, but he often cast wooden types in those films, too.
View as a minor Noir, you should enjoy. Don’t overlay the director.

Night Of The Comet - 1984 - 6/10

Save for a pair of Valley girls (and a pinball pro), a comet has wiped out most of humanity.
And other survivors are hungry zombies.
Light-hearted Horror goes for satire and laughs and hits most bases.
Wry homage to Dawn Of The Dead as well as grrrl power.
Shopping mall is laugh out loud at times, and the scientists are proof that the smartest in the room often have no common sense.
No great shakes, but fun, although so many references will be lost to post X-er viewers.

Haunted House - 1921 - 6/10

Harried bank clerk Buster takes the rap for counterfeit currency, then a holdup!
He flees – into the notorious haunted house, actually a front for counterfeiters.
A film by half. First half, in the bank, is repetitive and the glue joke is used to death.
Once the setting shifts to the spook house, look out.
Gag after gag after gag, and the pace is hectic.
Well preserved prints out there, too, and nicely tinted.

Nyarlathotep - 2001 - 5/10

Rooting around during an archeological excavation in Egypt, the messenger is disturbed.
Promising concept does with best with budget constraints.
No dialogue, only narration finds Nyarlathotep, mascara and extended goatee, as celebrated prophet.
Still … a game attempt and worth a look. HPL short is easily found.

A Shop For Killers - 2024 - 6/10
AKA - Sarinjaui Syopingmol // 킬러들의 쇼핑몰

Is it just me, or did she leave the lens cover on the scope?
Jian’s highly protective uncle was a mercenary, now a dealer.
He made enemies, and, straight off, dozens come a’callin.
Repetitive shootouts grow boringly repetitive.
The adults and their stories hold your interest, while the teenagers complain or boast.
Sniper Seong-Jo is the best thing going, musing aloud, thoughts wandering like loose balloons.
Intentionally or unintentionally, he is funny throughout.
Series sorta quits, leaving doors open for S02 of this Disney “aimed-at-children” K-drana.

Hard Candy - 2005 - 7/10

Jeff, 39 something camera guy, likes them young.
He meets Hayley online, and they start exchanging dirty, flirty messages.
Hayley Is 14, of which Jeff is aware.
They meet at a small bistro, then he invites her back to his place for drinks.
Again … this guy … what? It’s all good, perfectly innocent.
Until the innocent yucks disappear into a drug haze.
While the narrative pivots into psychological suspense.
Edgy, provocative fare with teeth.

A Week’s Vacation - 1980 - 7/10
AKA - Une Semaine de Vacances

Her class is unruly, her partner wants a child, her parents are struggling, her brother is an idler.
Age 31, schoolteacher Laurence needs a break, which her doctor prescribes.
A week off. Do something, do nothing, recharge, reflect.
Which Laurence does, takes a week off and takes stock of her life, her situation.
Along with her, we encounter others, most are isolated, perhaps lonely.
The undercurrent of social pressures and personal aspirations quietly roil about.
An image of a neighbor, whom Laurence spies upon yet never meets, is haunting.

The Diabolical Doctor Z - 1966 - 6/10
AKA - Miss Muerte

The good doktor, acolyte / follower of Dr. Orloff, asks the board permission to experiment on humans.
His gizmo could remove the murder impulse from killers.
Denied and derided, with his dying gasp he urges his daughter to carry on.
Only she wants revenge.
She finds her instrument in a stage artist call Miss Death.

Perfect entry for anyone curious about Jess Franco.
Well constructed story of revenge and murder.
Fantastic Noir lighting, a fetching Estella Blain as the lethal huntress.
Recent DVD contains excellent commentary by Franco expert, Tim Lucas.

Daine Jir
https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Daine_Jir

Lucas couldn’t just write Danger?

Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In - 2024 - 6/10
AKA - Jiu Long Cheng Zhai: Wei Cheng // 九龍城寨之圍城

Supernatural fortress? No, action overload in the lanes, alleys and balconies.
The triad swindles him, so he grabs a sack of cocaine and flees into Kowloon.
Specifically, the “Walled City” controlled by Cyclone and his crew.
After awhile, Chan adjusts to the violent, claustrophobic environment and is grudgingly accepted.
Outside events are closing in on Kowloon, however, as authorities want to level it.
Whereupon the land, even in 1980’s Hong Kong, would be worth a staggering fortune.
Action and stunts dazzle, save for excessive wire-work, which feels out of place here.
High scores, I suspect, reflect nostalgia from Hong Kong for the bygone walled city.