Vultural

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

The Spider Woman Strikes Back - 1946 - 5/10

Arachnids? Barely. Think poisonous, carnivorous plants. Being watered with blood.
Jean answers a “companion wanted” advert for blind Miss Dollard.
The only other servant is the mute, deformed Mario.
Even at not quite an hour, filmmakers struggle to lay down narrative.
10-15 minutes are used to pad with stealthy shuffling about
Holmes fans, you know this is not canon. Background program, at best.

Russell, R B - The Woman Who Fell To Earth

The woman would be Catherine, who fell to her death on Tanya’s roof. Once friends, they had cooled after Catherine wed Tanya’s favorite uncle, and began appropriating.
Is there a police investigation of just how Catherine fell, apparently, from open sky? Alas.
Catherine was the champion of an esoteric horror writer cum hack. After his death, she had jealously guarded his papers, as well as the sixtystone *.
Tensions notwithstanding, Catherine’s will made Tanya the executrix of everything. Almost immediately, interlopers appear: rivals, cheats, liars, poseurs, thieves.
All simmering the narrative. Until – midway – an unexpected individual arrives.
The plot becomes haphazard, loose, improvised, bordering on what I call fantasy island.
I will guess the author was being playful, lightening the tone, although I found it awkward.
I read to the conclusion, hoping, hoping, yet the energy had drained and the tale sputtered out.

• Sixtystone: an in-joke or knowing reference. To familiarize yourself, read Machen’s Three Imposters first; it’s a brief novel. If time pressed, read the story “The Novel Of The Black Seal.”

It Feels So Good - 2019 - 6/10
AKA - Kakô no Futari // 火口のふたり

Naoko is getting married to a 40-year-old officer.
First, however, while he is away, she calls old flame Kenji.
She wants sex. A lot of sex. All through the night, every night.
In between, there is a lot of talking. About parents, aunts, ex-partners. Their youth.
Two souls who could not commit when young; now in their thirties, and now too late.
Coitus may put prudes off, lengthy conversations may irk the impatient.
Undercurrent of catastrophes overshadowed by taboos.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subscene/159560

Night Monster - 1942 - 6/10

Servant Milly has had enough of Ingstron house, too many weird goings-on.
The sheriff pays no attention to her warnings, until she is found dead in the road.
About the same time as three doctors arrive at the house.
No, make that four, except the fourth is female psychiatrist.
Along with an Indian mystic. A swami!
Headliner Lugosi wasted as butler. Lionel Atwill fans, don’t blink.
This is a “old dark house” mystery, and a pretty good one.
Moody photography, rising body count, no end of suspects.

World At War - 1973 - 8/10

Good companion to The Great War which covered WWI.
Massive amounts of newsreel and combat footage. Talking heads include veterans and historians.
Chronological, with numerous detours into specific campaigns or nations.
Burma, for example, is not always included in docs. Nor is Holland. Both are here.
Focus more on common soldiers or airmen or seamen, rather than brass, save for generals who were actually field generals, out there.
Deaths from the war = 55,000,000.
One quote stayed with me, “There are a great many soldiers who take great pleasure in destroying people, wasting things. This aspect of human nature is not discussed enough, but it is surely one of the causes of warfare.”
I don’t see us evolving much.

Night Shift - 2017 - 6/10

Security guard patrols the sprawling building. Offices, corridors, conference rooms, parking lots.
Same ole routine, until one locked door will not open. Pained noises within.
Complex is vast, vigilance is tiring, and, being alone, the guard has no backup.
Tightly wound thriller, quite well done with bare bones crew.
Excellent quasi-Rachmaninoff music heightens mood.

The Concert For Bangla Desh - 1972 - 7/10

Monumental benefit concert with an impressive array of talent.
George, Ringo, Ravi Shankar, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Bobby Dylan, Billy Preston, Badfinger …
The sound mix and camera work are excellent for a live concert.
Mind you, the TV series In Concert had been airing for a year.
Who was missing? Stephen Stills, who was royally irritated, as well as Lennon.
The DVD has both afternoon and evening shows, and there are differences.
High watermark for many involved.

All This I Will Give To You - 2024 - 7/10
AKA - Tout cela je te le donnerai

Aymeric is brother number two to die under mysterious circumstances.
Which means the final survivor, Joffrey, inherits the estate and vineyard.
Not so fast! Aymeric’s will leaves everything to his husband, Manuel.
Manuel doesn’t necessarily want the estate, let alone deal with the nest of vipers that inhabit the manor.
Nonetheless, he does suspect the death was suspicious.
A retired gendarme, who hates the entitled family, launches a stealth investigation.
From here, the mystery twists and coils, with seedy revelations.