Vultural

Heaven And Earth - 1990 - 7/10
AKA - Ten to Chi to // 天と地と

Sweeping epic of the multiyear conflict between warlord Takeda and local daimyō Kagetora.
Ambition versus protection. One wants to conquer and unify Japan, the other safeguards his area.
Unfamiliar places and persons, along with shifting alliances, I simply rolled with.
My version is interspersed with English narration by a classic mumbler.
A huge draw for this, is that this is pre-CGI. Thousands of extras, 800 horses.

After skirmishes and feints, the final battle is a doozy.
Thirty minutes of full bore action, often chaos.
Watching the generals shift formations, alter strategy, improvise.
Confusing at times, yes. Yet admirable for the high reach.

Miss S - 2020 - 7/10
AKA - Qi Pao Mei Tan // 旗袍美探

After a few years in Europe, Su Wenli returns home.
Just in time to observe police ineptitude during a drug sweep.
She intrudes, assists, then discovers at least one inspector is intelligent.
Major retooling of the Miss Fisher franchise, set in 1930’s Shanghai.
Thirty, two-part episodes. I watched ten episodes a year.

Straight off, this looks fabulous! Costumes, cars, interiors. Luxury overload.
Minor quibble is the streets (sets) are too clean and not crowded enough.
Fans of the original will relish how Wenli assembles her “team”.
Including her building relationship with Inspector Luo.

Yili Ma and Weiguang Gao have sparkling chemistry. Two characters who genuinely seem to like each other.
Individual episodes range from good to very good, similar to Miss Fisher S01.
Miles above cookie cutter Hallmark drivel.
Best – really good here – the writers and producers never quite drop the murder of Su Wenli’s sister.
Whereas team Fisher quit, here Ding Ru Shan percolates through the series, rising to a deadly forefront by the end.
Fairly satisfying. Next time your girl requests Hallmark, suggest this series.

Flesh And Fantasy - 1943 - 6/10

Follow-thru film to 1942’s Tales Of Manhattan.
Three stories of Fate, disguises, palm reading, premonitions.
The opener during masked Mardi Gras is the most romantic, perhaps the weakest.
Next is the misfortune of a dire palm, based on an Oscar Wilde story.
Nice camerawork here, watching Edward G. Robinson argue with himself.
Finale of aerialist suffering premonition, then meeting the girl from his dream.
Charles Boyer and Barbara Stanwyck as star-crossed lovers.
Fine anthology, lacks the powerhouse cast and snap of the first film.

Tabitha - 2021 - 6/10

After Lily dies, her twin sister inherits her stuffed bear, an empty envelope, and the cat.
Tabitha.
The feline is suitably wary, while the bear … I must confess, I’ve never liked bears.
Horror short will strike a chord with those who dislike the stuffed or the purring.

The Last Round - 1976 - 6/10
AKA - Il Conto è Chiuso

Two families control the northern city.
Manzetti’s with drugs and smuggling, Belmondo through nightclubs and prostitution.
From the South, Marco arrives, looking for work.
After he beats up a half dozen Manzetti thugs, their own boss, Rico, hires him on.

Not knowing Marco has his own agenda, and will soon set the rival families into conflict.
Italian Euro-Crime borrows heavily from A Fistful Of Dollars, and an effect from For A Few Dollars More.
Marco (boxer Carlos Monzón) is no Eastwood, but Luc Merenda as the calculating Rico owns his every second onscreen.

The Big Boodle - 1957 - 6/10

Ned, Havana blackjack dealer, is passed a fistful of counterfeit bills.
Next, everyone is after his hide: Cuban police, criminals, T-men, the original counterfeiters. Ladies.
Yes, there are females. This is an Errol Flynn vehicle. No longer a star, he still exudes grace and charm.
Noirish story moves along. Local cast is fine, Flynn solid as the borderline soul.
Real attraction here is the Batista era Cuba. Paradise for the rich.
Time capsule of a place that would shatter within a year.

Sinclair, Iain - Agents Of Oblivion

Four section “travelogue” (using this definition very loosely), referencing four emissaries:
Blackwood, Machen, Ballard, Lovecraft.
I freely confess that the first section, with its nod to Algernon Blackwood, flummoxed me completely. I simply could not get into the rhythm of this. Mind you, I struggle a fair amount with Blackwood’s own stories.
Entering the Machen section, I was on surer footing, or at least I was beginning to grasp Sinclair’s cadence. Dense writing here, every sentence a compact prose poem. Not to be rushed, even if I could, but a heady flood of images, observations and thoughts to savor.
The journey with/to/acknowledging J G Ballard I enjoyed most, perhaps because this veers closest to our own period. The signposts were more familiar. Foolishly, I hoped I understood Sinclair.
Not so. With the HPL adventure toward the mountains, I felt unmoored again. In many ways, this section is also a dream quest.
To be direct, this is not a book that yields easily. I imagine a second reading might prove rewarding. Finding the time, though, oh for the time.

German Crime Story: Deadlock - 2023 - 7/10
AKA - German Crime Story: Gefesselt

Could be because he’s a furrier, that Raik suffers women troubles.
Or so he says. I mean, females attracted to this overstuffed blowhard?
That, and they are also attracted to a wee bit of S&M.
Unaware that Raik is a more hardcore operator.
Innocent that a walk into his underground bomb shelter is a one-way trek.
Based on real events, this swings between apprehension, terror and comedy.
As police interrogators discover, Raik is not one to easily pin down.
The man can concoct alibis, explanations and fibs on a dime.
And the stories he weaves are generally comical.

Hoopla - 1933 - 6/10

Cooch dancer Lou is paid to seduce Nifty’s son.
Nifty is the carny manager, and son Chris, a college kid, is naïve and sexually inexperienced.
Well, Lou schools the lad right quick. So much so, they fall for each other and elope.
This would be Clara Bow’s last film, and she is still radiant.
Steamy, sexy, hard-boiled, romantic. The tough broad with a heart of gold.
Her voice is fine, the camera adores her, she still has “IT”, the rest of the cast … mmm … serviceable.

Brotherhood Of The Wolf - 2001 - 7/10
AKA - Le Pacte des Loups

Grégoire, knight errant sent by the king, arrives in a remote village.
Where locals are being slaughtered / terrorized by an unknown beast.
Werewolf, whisper the superstitious.
While a young lord welcomes Grégoire and his companion, Mani, cutthroats are more dangerous.
A lot is packed into this 18th century adventure: mystery, horror, thrills, action.
Including martial arts, exciting to behold, but completely out of place.
Gorgeous production. Action fans, it this was “before your time” it is definitely worth watching.

Sex Madness - 1934 - 3/10

This winner will ofttimes be found in el cheapo, early exploitation box sets along with Reefer Madness, Cocaine Fiends, Marijuana, etc …
Beach parties, encounters with burlesque dancers, lesbians, even a quick bounce with a casting agent results in -
Yes, Syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, crotch crickets.
Leading right quick to blindness and insanity. Stop scratching already.
Unlike the films mentioned earlier, this is not over-the-top, but educational, preachy, and dullsville.
♪ VD is for everybody, not just for the few ♫
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdA2Z4Qt2K0

A Private Affair - 2022 - 6/10
AKA - Un Asunto Privado

Marina’s father was police commissioner, and throughout her childhood he schooled her well.
Trouble is, there is no room for female officers in 1940’s Spain.
Nonetheless, when a serial killer targets discreet prostitutes for elite gentlemen, she investigates.
Along with butler Hector (a skittish, yet knowledgeable Jean Reno).
Fun mystery series is a romp, despite occasional screeching, and periodic silliness.
Light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek, save for the finale which is narrative packed and quite dark.
Really, the conclusion feels like it is grafted from another series.

The Adventures Of Robin Hood - 1938 - 8/10

Errol Flynn was already a Warners star, but this vaulted him into the constellations.
Robin Hood, Little John, Will Scarlett and the Merry Men, square off against the duplicitous Prince John and his sinister henchman, Sir Guy Of Gisbourne.
Stealing from the rich, giving to the poor. In between, Robin finds time to woo Maid Marian.
While the costumes come across as Disneyish, everything else is first rate.
Lavish Korngold score, fantastic chemistry all around, thrilling sword fights.
This is the bar against which all other Robin Hood’s stand – and fail.
Note: The Laserdisc has bolder colors throughout in this Technicolor gem. The DVD, by comparison, appears washed out. I have not viewed the HD upgrade.

Moore, F Frankfort - Secret of the Court: A Romance Of Life And Death

A “lost adventure” novel. Short novel, at that.
After being attacked and left for dead by bandits, Major Hampden is rescued by an old army comrade, Rodney Sefton.
While recuperating, he learns secrets of immortality, although there may be perils.
Meanwhile, his fiancé, missing him, marries his brother.
This first half of the book, rollicks along, despite random speechifying.
The second half returns to England, a death, and mysteries that would not fool a child.
Bit of a letdown there.
Moore, by the way, was Bram Stoker’s brother-in-law.
The edition I read had the illustrations, so hunt down that one.
Referenced in Swan River’s Green Book #20

Arthur - 1981 - 6/10

Arthur, an eternal manboy, stands to inherit hundreds of millions of dollars if he marries well heeled Susan.
Sure, why not? Have the lawyer make a prenup, marry Susan, then move to Amalfi.
No, no, that would not make a Romcom, but possibly a decent Noir.
Arthur is an alcoholic, he adores New York, then he falls in love with poor, klepto, Linda.
Liza Minnelli (Really? Oh, right, right, he’s an alcoholic.)
John Gielgud is a delight as the sarcastic butler, Hobson.
Arthur made Dudley Moore a star for a brief time.

Death Of England: Face To Face - 2021 - 6/10

In the middle of Lockdown, Michael visits Delroy, bringing Delroy’s new daughter.
There, they rehash old issues, opinions, instability.
One family is utterly toxic, while one soul is akin to a doormat, or moth to flame.
The two men – “mates” – declare their friendship frequently, yet their history is strained.
While the pairing is interesting, this show, and the performers, pale against the originals.
Death Of England and Death Of England: Delroy.
This is not a play, but a TV show.
A back glance at two characters, adding little to the powerhouse originals.

The Touch Of Her Flesh - 1967 - 4/10

As soon as Jennings departs, wife Claudia lets in her lover de jour.
While they start grinding (keeping on trousers, black panties, and socks), Jennings remembers he forgot something.
Astounded by the groping, he dashes into the street, is struck by a car, loses an eye, and is temporarily paralyzed.
Recuperating, Jennings vows revenge on all lustful and lust inspiring females.
An incredibly long sequence by à go-go dancer before death – Jennings takes his time watching.
Next, a burlesque house, where no one notices the guy in a wheelchair, with an eyepatch, and dart blowgun.

Artsy grindhouse has vast stretches sans dialogue. Instead, music by Rachmaninoff or Bach.
Dialogue is atrociously looped. Watch for the telephone, on and off the cradle.
Unbelievably bad, though essential for fans of buxom women. Topless throughout.

Sleep, My Love - 1948 - 6/10

New York woman, Alison, wakes on the midnight train to Boston.
No idea how or when she boarded the train.
No memory of having shot her husband.
All instincts point to her losing her marbles.
Except, wait a minute, her patient husband has a slice of cheesecake stashed.

Noir in look only, and the opening and closing.
In-between, melodrama-splashed, psychological thriller.
Douglas Sirk directs, though his flourishes are minimal.
Also involved are Mary Pickford and Buddy Rogers.

A Simple Robbery - 2020 - 6/10

Becky and Stacey hitchhike in the bucolic rural locale.
Young grifters, they target pricy cars with a lone male driver.
Only this time, they break their rule, and climb into the car with two men.
Short thriller, predictable, gory, and funny at times.
English subs = https://subscene.com/subtitles/a-simple-robbery/english/3120404

Tales Of Manhattan - 1942 - 6/10

Better suited would be tales of a tailcoat.
A posh dinner coat (with tails) goes to Broadway’s top actor.
Followed by a soon to be married roué.
Next a down on his luck lawyer.
Then – – you get the idea.
Six stories follow the stories, lucky or ill, of the recipients.
Astonished how the Robeson speech (Socialist, if not Communist) made it into the film.
My print also had the W. C. Fields section, often omitted.

Cold Shores - 2019 - 6/10
AKA - Холодные берега

Wife Maria storms out of the car, leaving Mark in a cold fury.
Days later he reports her disappearance, and, of course the police are highly suspicious.
Until a witness surfaces, whereupon the lead female investigator marries him and leaves the police!
Far-fetched? Wait, Floyd.
Four years later, Mark’s first wife, or a lookalike, resurfaces with amnesia, and his marital wand waves.
Oh yeah, and a serial killer in the area also resurfaces.
The men are boors, the women are fools in this poorly subbed, snaggle-toothed mystery.
Subs were from someone with rudimentary English skills, the subs need a second pass.

El Cid - 1961 - 5/10

Bombastic turkey that helped drive another coffin nail into spectacle films, for awhile.
Charlton Heston plays the Spanish leader against the Moors.
Castle locations, hundreds of extras bedecked in lavish costumes.
Add a mighty length (3 hours) for this medieval epic.
Alas, there is an on-again off-again romance amidst court intrigue.
The pace drags and plods, Heston compensates by overacting.
Action is like an impulsive teenager: too little, too late, too quick.

Venus Beauty Institute - 1999 - 6/10
AKA - Vénus Beauté (Institut)

While stories weave around the three beauticians and the owner, the center of the film is on Angèle.
Already in her forties, she declines an offer to manage a new location.
And the owner reminds her, she is no longer a “girl”.
Nevertheless, Angèle still chases after men, at times with desperation.
Comedy stems from numerous oddball clients.
The undercurrent of women trying to clutch youth is a sad one.

Target Earth - 1954 - 5/10

Alien robots invade deserted New York City.
How did New Yorkers know about the imminent invasion? How did they flee so completely? Where did they go?
Silly me. A handful of Manhattanites abide. Alcoholics, suicide types, killers. Yay humanity.
The pace drags, the story ain’t much. Run and / or get zapped by beams.
Our formidable aliens resemble robots that kids made out of cardboard refrigerator boxes (with codpiece).
At one point the military want to nuke Gotham. They should have bombed this film instead.

The Ceremony - 1971 - 7/10
AKA - Gishiki // 儀式

Post World War II, Masou and his mother return to Japan after imprisonment in China.
They are the latest of the Sakurada family to return, whether they want to or not, into the family fold.
Unspoken is why they were in Manchuria (undoubtedly when Japan claimed it as Manchuko).
Young Masou meets his cousins and begins his role in the clan.
So much of this is told through childhood flashbacks, as the adult Masou and cousin Ritsuko race to an emergency.
Gradually. childhood observations reveal a corrupted family, ruined from within.
One realizes how incestuous relationships are. The casualness of the rot.
Elements of this escaped me, although I gathered the family is a metaphor for post war Japan.