Vultural

The Red Circle - 1970 - 8/10
AKA - Le Cercle Rouge

Before being released from prison, one of the guards tells Corey about a perfect heist.
Meanwhile, prisoner transfer Vogel escapes from a train.
Chance – Fate – Luck. The two criminals meet, start planning the caper, assembling the team.
Wonderful Noir is an example of minimalism and efficiency.
Almost no music, dialogue is spare.
These are professionals, men, who respect each other and don’t babble like 30 year old manboys.
Honor among thieves, at odds with human weakness and treachery.

Something For Everyone - 1970 - 7/10

Wickedly funny comedy will definitely not be for all tastes.
Konrad is the charming, young opportunist who glides into the castle of the von Ornsteins.
They are impoverished, as is he, yet he is calculating.
As daughter Lotte declares, “Thinking all of the time. Clickety-click.”
Enter the visiting nouveau riche boors, what they lack in manners, they compensate with gobs of money.
One can see how this failed in the States. Much too European in sensibilities and sexuality.

L’autre Aile - 1923 - 6/10

After Reymat perishes in an aeroplane crash, wealthy fiancé Hélène decides to be an aviatrix
In no time flat, this buxom beauty is the toast of the tarmac.
The press adores her, men chase and grope after her, women hate her.
One even tries to kill her!
Yes, Grade A melodrama.
Restoration is outstanding, tinting sublime, aerial sequences likely state of the art in the 1920’s.

Rocketship X-M - 1950 - 6/10

On a trip to the Moon, X-M over-accelerates and is swept to Mars.
Well, as long as we are here, our crew decides to explore.

Finding an extinct, advanced civilization. Catastrophe? No, nuclear war.
Very low budget is blessing and curse for “message” film.
Thought provoking, yet the odd series of predicaments look cheap.
Lloyd Bridges leads this old favorite, enjoyable if you don’t dissect the “science” too much.

Ruby - 2020 - 6/10

Unemployed, bills piling up, Ava decides to take on phone work.
Adult phone work. Not for prudes, not for squeamish, as callers can be pretty filthy.
There is a stalker, though. One who realizes who she is, where she lives.
Short, borderline thriller, too mild-mannered to be erotic, and lacks thrills.

Clarence And Ginni Thomas: Politics, Power And The Supreme Court - 2023 - 7/10

Informative documentary, very enlightening about background and influence.
Clarence Thomas is especially interesting, viewing his swing from young Malcolm X radical to far right Conservative.
Ginni Thomas less compelling, as she was a very conservative child, and never changed.
The closer the time frame nears our current period, the more producers tiptoe.
There is money involved, perhaps influence peddling, perhaps bribery, which is briefly commented on.
Also, by extension, if justices can be purchased, then Courts are corrupt and meaningless.

Mocata said:

Huh I really need to catch up with Ringo Lam especially Wild Search. Are you on letterboxd?

No. The two main sites I swing by are here and the nihilist forum devoted to Thomas Ligotti.

Deconstructing Harry - 1997 - 7/10

Harry is a quasi-autobiographical novelist, pilfering his own history and that of family and friends.
(Nothing new there, I’m afraid. Artists swipe from everyone around them, me included.)
Harry, played by Allen, has substance abuse issues, is a womanizer, self-loathing and arrogant.
A dark, uncomfortably funny film, gouging fame and pride.
There is a memorable side trip, make that down side, to Hell, where Harry argues with Satan.
Film is packed with moments, but much of the humor consists of in-jokes at Allen’s expense.
Many “know” something about Allen, or think they know him, based on the rumor cesspool.
A sticky, ugly joyride, best for strong stomachs.
Note: The gallery of talent for this, even bit-parts, is incredible.

Death Of England - 2020 - 7/10

One man, tour de force by Rafe Spall.
Working class man is severely buffeted by outside disorder.
Brexit implications emerging.
Michael’s racist father, over stimulated during the 2018 World Cup semis.
He hurtles back and forth across a slim stage, spewing rage, despair, ever on the brink of completely losing it.
Spall is riveting. Spitting lines a mile a minute, slipping into characters. His father, mother, sister, customers.
The energy is boundless, even engaging with audience members.
Nonetheless, this is quite English. Viewers should have a tight grasp of Brexit before and after.
Likewise football, particularly the year 2018, when “It’s Coming Home” promised so much.

Valentine, Mark - Time, A Falconer: A Study Of Sarban

Labor of love from Mr. Valentine will be a trove for ardent fans of Sarban, a curio for the casual.

Sarban”s (John William Wall) life, long experience and success in the diplomatic corps, along with sundry relationships. The latter seems a mixed selection of suppressed longings and misspent alliances. Compared with his civil service, his personal life is somewhat shrouded.

Most readers will delve into his literary progress, which launched almost happenstance. But of this wife’s prodding, there may well have been no Sarban.

The book flows nicely and is enlightening. One wishes Sarban had written more, yet writing is largely an unrewarding task.
Kudos to Mr. Valentine for a biography that yields more than expected.

Wild Search - 1989 - 6/10
AKA - Ban wo chuang tian ya // 伴我闖天涯

Detective Mew receives a tip of a major gun deal.
The bust goes wrong, with most escaped or dead, including the mother of a small girl.
Gritty Ringo Lam actioner dawdles midway, yet boasts explosive set pieces.
Chow Yun-Fat’s Mew is underwritten (brief mention of the deaths of his wife and son).
Nevertheless, he shares warm chemistry with Cherie Chung (the small girl’s aunt).
Comic breaks don’t always play well, and the film has a bit of a hashed feel.
While not as well known as more famous examples, this is prime Hong Kong cinema.

Demons Of The Mind - 1972 - 6/10

Fleeing through the woods, Elizabeth is befriended by a young, hermit scholar.
After an idyllic night, she is recaptured and taken back to the forbidding manor.
Home of the baron. Her father. Whom one realizes is a control type. And mad.
Set somewhere in middle Europe, this well shot Hammer production touches on several taboos.
Cursed bloodlines, incest, Christian zealotry, surviving paganism.
Fair amount of female nudity, as well as romping.
Despite a languid pace, there are enough goings-on to hold interest.

Japan’s Nazi Alliance Mastermind - 2021 - 6/10
AKA - A Man Who Aligned Japan With The Nazis

WWII footnote,
Hiroshi Ōshima, Japanese ambassador to Berlin, helps align the two nations.
He was influential in writing the Anti-Comintern Pact in 1936, followed by the Tripartite Pact in 1940.
The notion that the Axis would aid each other was folly, with dire consequences.
His prediction that the Wehrmacht would trounce the Red Army was a catastrophic miscalculation.
Interesting documentary based on cassette tapes Ōshima recorded in the 70’s, fleshed out with an assortment of talking heads and experts.

The Climb - 2017 - 6/10
AKA - L’Ascension

Nadia likes Samy enough, but does not want a deeper relationship.
He has no job, no prospects, and yet he declares, “What if I climb Mount Everest for you?”
Foolish boasts aside, Samy finds backers and is soon in Katmandu.
Climbing experience? What climbing experience?
Mountain scenery is beautiful, although the narrative stays on Samy’s struggles, in a light manner.
Feel good movie recycling the fish out of water template.
Scoff at the plausibility all you want, this was “inspired” by the true story of Nadir Dendoune.

Thank you for the thread and links!

Restoration - 1995 - 7/10

Meandering story of the feckless soul.
Merivel is court physician to Charles II.
He indulges numerous vices, neglects his calling.
Events intrude in 1665 and 1666, the Plague and the Fire.
Robert Downey makes interesting casting, although he is quite good as the debauched roué.
Despite a sprawling narrative, the story is coherent, the settings superb.
Most of the cast is excellent (Meg Ryan seems clueless).
Surprisingly entertaining and apparently overlooked.

War Sailor - 2023 - 6/10
AKA - Krigsseileren

Ship’s cook Alfred is in the middle of the Atlantic when World War II breaks out.
Home country Norway had declared neutrality before the conflict, yet Nazis quickly occupy the nation.
Alfred and friend Sigbjørn work on merchant ships supplying England, and witness incredible losses.
Three part series offers glimpses of the homeland, underscoring the chaos and poor communication.
Two installments are seagoing, full of tension and at times carnage.
Finale is post war adjustments, bearing scars to the grave.
If wondering, this is not Hollywood.

Official Competition - 2021 - 7/10
AKA - Competencia Oficial

The fabulously rich man realizes he has left no mark other than wealth accumulation.
He decides to finance a movie. A prestige film. Arthouse. With the very best talent.
The director is controversial, award-winning, difficult, unpredictable.
She requests two leads: the premier actor, and biggest “star”.
Then the rehearsals. Where tsunami sized egos begin to clash.
Much is exaggerated to absurd lengths. Personalities and situations.
Entertaining comedy, packed with in-jokes for cinema buffs and theatre players.
That is a liability, however, as only a select audience with “get this”.

Tonight Or Never - 1931 - 6/10

She has the vocal talent, the pipes, but does not have the oomph.
The passion. For she has not lived, has not suffered.
Somewhat on a whim, opera starlet Nella initiates an affair with an admirer, despite hearing reports he is a gigolo.
Once risqué comedy seems dated now, plods at times, and is over talky, perhaps owing to its Belasco roots.
Swanson is melodramatic throughout, a diva in Chanel.
Alison Skipworth underutilized.

The Beasts - 2022 - 7/10
AKA - As Bestas

Only gradually does Frenchman Antoine realize how despised he is in his new Spanish home.
The villagers, impoverished farmers, counted on the gigantic wind turbines to provide a financial windfall.
Antoine, with his organic methods, his middle class background, was among those who vetoed.
Nor can he make the locals, who are less worldly, less educated, understand his reasons.
They only know the hate they feel.
Slow burn thriller of the stubborn idealist, wary eyed in lonely country.

White, Edward Lucas - Little Green Book Of Grue

I won’t go into “Lukundoo” which every Horror reader will have in at least one collection.

Early on, there is an auto accident in “The House Of Nightmare”. I had to remind myself of the 1906 publication. Roadworthy motor cars were still very new. The house where our driver seeks shelter has seen better days and is in dilapidated condition. The story itself seems even older than the manse, and you will predict every plot turn.

“A Picture Puzzle” concerns the stolen child, a precious daughter. So much has passed, however, that her case has gone cold. Parents clutch hope, and find distraction when a most peculiar puzzle box arrives unannounced.

“Amina” is a desert adventure, while “The Song Of The Sirens” is a seafaring yarn, moving slowly across the waves until it reaches uncharted territory in the Indian Ocean, somewhere off Madagascar.
Sea spray yields to blissful terror, to melodies bewitching. Think lotus eaters.

Little Green Grue is a well rounded, well chosen collection. Credit editor Kelly Laymon (yes, related to Richard) for selecting and sequencing. This is probably my favorite of this years crop of little books.

Over Your Dead Body - 2014 - 7/10
AKA - Kuime // 鬼門食女

Frictions emerge during rehearsals of “Yotsuya Kaidan”, a classic ghost story.
As the leading man / lady start to drift apart, the new ingenue becomes a love rival.
Roles begin to bleed into reality, to the point some see apparitions.
Highly stylized film mixes theatrical with cinematic with physical obsession.
Viewing The Ghost Of Yotsuya (1959) a few years earlier, prepared me for the bones of the story.
While visually arresting throughout, this may be too leisurely, too stagey, for restless types.

The Battle Of Hermann - 1924 - 6/10
AKA - Die Harmannschlacht

Too long have the Germanic tribes endured the Roman yoke.
Enslavement is still that, no matter how friendly the captors, how light the chains.
As always, once the occupiers start stealing womenfolk, weapons emerge.
Stodgy Silent suffers from too many characters, many with similar names.
Battle spectacles pocket sized. Acting in broad strokes.
Costumes, especially Germans looking like Vikings, enjoyable.

Life On Mars - 2006 - 7/10

Innovative, influential series that launched numerous imitators.
DCI Sam Tyler, struck by a speeding car, reawakens not in 2003, but 1973.
He is now DI Tyler, transfer from Hyde, and policing in 1973 Manchester is a different animal.
Violence, graft, language riddled with swearing, pervasive sexism, racism, intolerance, a sunken dream.
He is the proverbial square peg, admired and distrusted, respected and resented.
Sparrings with DCI Gene Hunt range from harrowing to excruciatingly funny.
The “look” is terrific: clothes, cars, music. Nothing elaborate, just enough to evoke the 70’s.
S01 funny and poignant, S02 darker and provocative. The conclusion, nailed it!
If you decide to view, choose wisely. Episodes run an hour. If less, beware cuts.

The Andromeda Strain - 1971 - 6/10

After a space probe lands, a deadly, hitherto unknown contagion snuffs out a small desert town.
Scientists rush to the scene, then try to isolate the virus before it spreads to populated areas.
Thoughtful thriller (courtesy Michael Crichton) plays out in what seems like realistic time.
A small team of specialists attempt to isolate the pathogen, while not pointing blame (military?) for bringing it back.
Tech is dated now, but the parallels to current outbreaks could not be sharper.
If only officials could reassemble this team for today’s widespread pandemic.