Vultural

Damnation Alley - 1977 - 5/10

World War III ignites and much of Earth is annihilated, one exception being a Mojave Desert Air Force Base.
And yet … there are radio signals from Albany, New York.
A handful of survivors set forth in armored land vehicles (which might have inspired Aliens).
Obstacles include scorpions the size of pool tables, swarming killer cockroaches, and hillbillies.
I tell you this, those vehicles got damn good mileage. I never saw them refuel.
Every place they stopped, Vegas or nonworking gas station, every place had been hit with feather duster.
Altogether mediocre SciFi, that participants might have been foolishly optimistic about.
Unaware that, across the Atlantic, George Lucas was guiding a project in England.

Youngson, Anne - Meet Me At The Museum

Fifty years after being mentioned in an introduction, Tina writes Professor Glob of Silkeborg…
Mind you, he is long gone, but her query is answered by the museum curator.
From thence springs a lively correspondence between Tina and Anders.
That is much of the charm of this novel. Reading their letters, seeing their friendship deepen and progressing with each missive.
That is also the weakness of the book, and I have to set aside my skepticism and disbelief.
Ours is an era when few write actual letters. When even writing a paragraph is too taxing for most.
I found one early remark sadly accurate. “I have found that is no use to write … more than three or four lines because whoever receives it will not read to the end.”
That phrase hung with me throughout the exchanges, and I stayed disassociated.
Near the end, one of the characters receives a sharp turn which felt more like the heavy hand of the author. Then again, the time frame of the novel is barely more than a year, so I suppose compression of events might be forgiven.

Murder In Martinique - 2016 - 6/10
AKA - Meurtres en Martinique

Missing beauty contestant is found a year later under a mudslide.
Parisian transfer teams up with a grizzled veteran.
The beauty contest smacks of exploitation, the area is replete with superstition.
Plenty of suspects, not a lot of twists, but good use of off-the-track scenery.
I was hopeful since I doubted there would be romance between the white bearded cop and the beautiful transfer.
Sometimes these shows exercise restraint, other times they are more unbelievable than Hallmark.

Car 99 - 1935 - 6/10

A series of brazen bank robberies plagues the Midwest.
Michigan has state-of-the-art communications web, yet they are slim match for the Professor.
He has a crack gang, a police radio, and knows to send false reports.
Fred MacMurray plays the headstrong trooper, courting his superior’s daughter.
Fast moving action, with sporadic comic bits tossed in.
Marina Koshetz memorable as the moll, even better as the gang’s wheelman.
Best is Guy Standing, cunning mastermind hiding in plain sight amidst the officers.

Wingman: An X-Wing Story - 2023 - 6/10

A “Star Wars” chapter, which I suspect will be viewed as canon down the line.
Fifty-minute film of two halves.
First, an ambush / extraction mission, targeting an Imperial commander.
Second, a pair of X-Wing pilots left behind owing to craft damage.
Fan film from Germany, and I must say extraordinarily professional.
From costumes, to fighter crafts, to backgrounds, to storyline.
Narrative remains on point, never meanders, seldom loses momentum.
Restrained acting shames melodramatic hamminess of recent SW efforts.
Aspiring filmmakers, the costs were €3500.
English subtitles = https://subsource.net/subtitle/wingman-an-x-wing-story-2023/english/10132592

Slade In Flame - 1975 - 6/10

The Glam rock band throw a left hook here.
Rather than deliver a broad comedy, or feel-good, big show finale saga, this feels dark.
Flame forms from two journeyman bands, somehow gets a hit, then publicity.
Pressures on the road, rivalries, crooked managers, an indifferent label.
One gets the feeling that “the suits” regard them as disposable.
For the band members, this likely had the ring of truth.
They had either lived this scrabble life for years, or knew groups … like Badfinger.
Slade do well within their roles. They themselves never caught the breaks Stateside.

The Final Lesson - 2015 - 6/10
AKA - La Dernière Leçon

At her birthday party, her 92nd birthday, Grandma announces she is checking out.
Five weeks, then she plans to off herself. Time enough to settle affairs, say goodbyes.
Family reactions range from despair to apoplectic.
Film does not sugarcoat some unpleasant behavior by offspring.
There are glimmers that Grandma had a history of being selfish, putting her interests before her children.
Once taboo topic has witnessed a spate of end-of-life stories in recent years.

Mad Fate - 2023 - 6/10
AKA - 命案

Straight off, this proved excessively Chinese, even for me.
A fortune teller tries to avert the death fate of a client.
Then, he bumps into a young male, whom Fate has already cast as a murderer.
Concurrently, a serial killer targets females, while cop hounds all.
Marked as a thriller, this also has a lot of verbal comedy which flew past me.
The fortune telling, spells, talismans, chants … I couldn’t keep up.
Our main character is beyond wacko, and I just wanted another character – any – to kill him.
Messy, half-baked poo-pooh.

Kidō, Okamoto - Master Of The Uncanny

Not Horror per se, but strange tales, generally unexplained. Often relating to animals or (not so) ordinary objects. Perhaps best for those who enjoy FLIT.

The stranger appears at the doorstep of the woodcutter. His son, usually sociable, is terrified. “The Kiso Traveler” is polite enough, yet his presence makes others uneasy.

It was an ugly little antique. A carved monkey with glittering eyes that seemed to watch. “The Monkey’s Eyes” is one of possessing, watching.

“The Snake Spirit” involves the snake catcher. Most villages know of one nearby. Pythons can grow quite large, with appetites to match. The catcher has techniques, but one specific snake seems immune to all human snares and wiles.

Masuemon loved “Crabs”. Not to play with, nor merely regard, but as the dinner course. Except, when it appears they may be poisoned, and a friend prophesies more may be tainted. But why?

“The White Haired Demon” distracts the aspiring time and again during his bar examination. To the point he has failed time and again. He does not understand why it haunts him, although when he finally tells his father, the older man urges him to give up that ambition, return home and find a new career. This is a meandering tale that takes several turns.

This is not a collection or horrors, none are action oriented. Many have ambiguous conclusions, but all show and elegant charm. Kidō’s style is understated. Characters not always fully fleshed, yet the scenes and scenery are always well described and atmospheric.

Hotel - 2004 - 5/10

Irene hires on as desk clerk at Hotel Waldhaus, replacing Eva, who went missing.
Staff is cliquey and cut her out. Many are too old, a few religious, her own group disdain her.
Adjoining woods bear a sinister, if rumored, history.
Witches and disappearances.
Irene works midnight shift, which includes patrolling the basement areas.
The hotel is not a character, but a powerful liminal presence.
Irene is not a good fit for the environment, she knows this, yet shadows beckon.

Appointment With A Shadow - 1957 - 6/10

Journalist Baxter is a washed up lush.
As seen above, never saw a bottle that didn’t call his name.
Then he’s given an exclusive: a notorious fugitive is to be arrested.
Baxter will be the sole journalist; the scoop could land him work again.
If he can only stay sober long enough.
Middling Noir, awash with alcohol, makes for difficult viewing the first half.
Second half gets down to crime business and is worth waiting for.

The Gunfighter - 2013 - 7/10

Another dusty town, another crowded saloon.
Yet, before he can even finish his drink, the outlaw leans more than he desires.
This is one sordid shantytown. With secrets ripe for exposure.
And they emerge, boy, do they ever.
Comical upending of saloon tropes in inventive, just-the-right-length short.
For Western fans, track the down.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3360591

Sara’s House - 1987 - 6/10
AKA - Dom Sary

Beautiful Sara is a hunter, ever seeking young, vigorous men.
Who subsequently weaken, physically erode, then vanish.
The young doctor is her newest prey, but he is extremely wary.
Based on a story by Grabinski, this is tale of the succubus, and her attendant, Asmodeus.
Pacing is measured, and this is more a chess match and open conflict.
Photography first rate, however.

The Carpetbaggers - 1964 - 6/10

Having recently watched Nevada Smith, I opted to take another look at the predecessor.
Although this is set roughly a generation later, and Smith a faded film star.
The real story is of Jonas Cord, the arrogant, powerful son of Smith’s old mentor.
Cord is a thinly disguised, glamourous version of Howard Hughes, during his enfant terrible period.
Filmmaking, working on aircraft, enjoying the gusher of oil.
George Peppard plays despicable to the hilt, but he wears the role like a glove.
Carroll Baker plays his sexpot stepmother, the two together generate a lot of sizzle.
Best is, perhaps, Alan Ladd in his final role.
Trashy, titillating potboiler, tamer than the book by Basil Fawlty’s favorite author.

The Plastic Age - 1925 - 6/10

Hugh, college freshman, meets party girl, Cynthia.
She likes alcohol, dancing, juke joints and car backseats.
In due course, Hugh’s athletic prowess weakens, and his grades tumble off the cliff.
His wild girlfriend is a hot flapper, putting his college time in peril.
Clara Bow’s first smash hit, rollicks along, although tame by later standards.
Hectic energy, nevertheless, and Clara just takes your breath away.
Look for a young Clark Gable as one of the jocks.

Alice In Borderland is a superb series, particularly the second season.
Beware the King Of Spades.

Fast Film - 2003 - 6/10

Faneditors, take note!

Wild cut of over hundred films, starting with Bogart opening the door.
From there, long chase sequence on a dividing train (yes), then underworld entry.
Train escapades feature versions of Cary Grant. The subterranean realm, Bond. 007.
Classic film fans will have a field day tagging clips
One could rewatch this 13” experimental short over and over.

Mysterious Disappearance - 2014 - 6/10
AKA - Monsieur Max et la Rumeur (Mr. Max and the Rumor)

Village butcher Max is, what, 20 years older than live-in girlfriend, Caroline?
Tongues wag. She is a dish, and she flaunts it, strutting and sashaying.
Consequently, when there is a raucous argument, and she vanishes, and there is blood.
Rumors swirl. People love to talk. Gossip. Embellish. Vent.
Max is isolated, save for the busybody neighbor, a Jane Marple type, with motives.
About midway, I said out loud, “This is pretty hammy.”
Ah, not so fast youngling, as the final third shuffles the plot deck, changing everything.
Christie fans, you’ll probably enjoy this one.

Gardner, Erle Stanley - The Count Of 9

Private eyes Cool & Lam are involved in another mystery.
Bertha, less so much in this outing.
While she provides security for a shindig, guarding the penthouse elevator, a second jade statue is still stolen, along with a six foot blowpipe.
Donald Lam is a charmer, though, and soon sweet talks a bevy of lovelies.
Extremely fast moving read filled with arrogant boasters and brawny cops.
Did I mention the females? Ripe curves who find testosterone the greatest aphrodisiac.
Overall mystery is pretty fair, and Gardner keeps one guessing throughout.
The writer also plays fair and never cheats or adds revelations.
Typical of 50’s innuendo, don’t expect corks to pop in your presence.

Devil And The Deep - 1932 - 6/10

Commander Sturm is insanely jealous of any junior officers near his wife.
He watches, eavesdrops, lays snares, then acts, whether his suspicions are grounded or not.
Oddly structured film has several initial acts romantic triangles and jealously.
Followed by submarine dramatics in the depths.
Of course, one watches this for the cast: Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Tallulah Bankhead.
Charles Laughton dominates proceedings as the mad commander.

Nevada Smith - 1966 - 6/10

Following the murder of his parents, Max Sand grows up thirsting for revenge.
As a young adult, he changes his name and tracks down the villains one by one.
Violent Western freighted with soap business (script).
Excellent scenery, yet the lingering shots and pacing stall the film.
McQueen OK, although villains and shady ladies appear to possess more charisma.
Dated now, especially since few recall Harold Robbins, once a wildly popular novelist.
He wrote steamy potboilers; “Nevada Smith” was a prequel to “The Carpetbaggers”.

Show-Business At Home - 1943 - 6/10

Morale booster and propaganda reminder of show business during WWII.
USO clubs, Hollywood Canteen, Command Performance, stars touring the front.
Studios (image = Disney) given over to creating training films, along with Allied version of news.
Less than half the talent shown is referenced. Likely viewers then knew every star.
March Of Time newsreel from 20th Century Fox.

A Taste Of Honey - 2014 - 7/10

Jo tags after Helen to the latest dismal digs.
No heat, dirty rooms, an undesirable neighborhood.
They probably owe money to the previous landlord, and Helen is not one for steady work.
As far as mothers go, she’d rather have a drink. Or the whole bottle.
She does have a fancy man, however, who has followed her to the hovel.
Speaking of fancy men, young Jo has caught herself a sailor – who says he loves her.
Groundbreaking play (alcoholism, unwed mother, inter-racial, homosexuality) less risqué today.
One watches today for the caliber of acting which is high in this, and fierce.
Compare this with the 1961 film adaptation and this version bristles.

Hall, Leland - Sinister House

Pierre and Annette flee the grime and soot perils of Gotham for upstate New York. Small, rural Forsby. Fresh air and a wholesome setting to raise their children.
Neighbors and friends Eric and Julia live near enough in a run down dwelling that has seen better days. Julia had fallen in love with it at first sight, despite the flaws.
So much for domestic bliss.
The decaying house shelters a malignant spirit, bent on inflicting harm, then escalating.
Published in 1914, following the Great War, the narrative dawdles along. No flappers, no Roaring Twenties tempo here. The look and outlook of characters seem to presage a Norman Rockwell painting.
While the supernatural elements are dangerous, there are simply not enough of those forces. Instead, Hall fills the book with the kitchen sink dramas of Annette & Pierre & Eric & Julia.

Faceless - 1988 - 6/10
AKA - Les Prédateurs de la Nuit

After his sister is horribly disfigured in an acid throwing attack, Doctor Flamand turns to heinous methods to restore her beauty. Partner Nathalie in lockstep, perhaps even more brutal.
Beautiful women are kidnapped, butchered, discarded after one failed procedure after another.
Then he seizes the daughter of a tycoon / gang boss who dispatches a fixer.
Sleazy, exploitation fare dives into Slasher territory with giddy delight.
Late Jess Franco film has a cohesive plot, hefty budget, quality performers.
Oscar bait, hardly, yet should interest fans of the genre, who appreciate Euro attitudes.
English Subtitles (Commentary with Jess and Lina) = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3360251