"Other Men's Women" is a great example of old fashioned melodrama. Released in 1931 it is the story of two guys, one girl, and a train. Of course from the title you know that the happy go lucky single guy is going to make time with his best friend's wife. They actually discover that they love each other and he wants to do the right thing and tell his best friend. Probably not the best idea. When it all comes out it ends up with a fist fight on a train. Train crashes. Our hero (?) takes the blame for it, not that it matters though because he friend was struck blind by the crash. Stricken with guilt he takes on a suicide train run over a bridge that is likely to collapse. Her the the film just gets into a crazed overdrive as his blind friend wanders through the train yard, finds the train, and throws his friend off the train. In the end his blind friend is riding on the doom train with an odd smile knowing that in time his wife and friend will get over their guilt and marry.
It's pretty crazy film as you can see. It also has a host of small details which for some reason just tickled me. Like our hero would always offer a stick of gum to everyone (no I mean it everyone) and say, "Have a chew on me." The details of working the trains was also interesting, like how he'd get off the moving train at the train yard go to the diner and eat while counting the cars passing so he'll know when he'll have to run and hop on. Definitely this is an interesting old film and worth a look.
STRANGE SPANNERS being an accounting of strangeness of the warp and woof of my mind For those of you new here, think of this as 1/2 "Night Gallery" Our Motto: Nos somnium quisnam es futurus fatum quod insolitus tutus vos!
Showing posts with label Film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Film. Show all posts
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Skin I Live In
Well Pedro Almodovar has created a brilliant film that ultimately I didn't enjoy. The concept is certainly interesting. A rather disturbed, dare I say mad, Doctor is keeping a mysterious woman in his mansion. He is using her as a lab subject grafting a new type of skin that resists all damage. Why is he doing this? Who is this woman? The film reveals all in an out of sequence way.
I really can't say too much more about the film. Generally I'm not afraid to talk about "Spoilers," but in this film it's all about the spoilers. So, let me just say a few overall observations. The film is well acted, Antonio Bandaras was really intense. The film was well shot, edited, and well written.
So why didn't I get into it? Well, first there's not to put to fine a point on it a lot of rape in this film. Just one of those things, I find it hard to get into a film with a lot of rape in it even if one person is wearing a tiger suit. On a similar note there's a lot of Stockholme Syndrome going on here and that's just a form of mental rape. Finally, there is just an over all "ewwww" factor that for me just killed the film for me.
It should be noted this was well received on the film festival circuit. Make of that what you will.
I really can't say too much more about the film. Generally I'm not afraid to talk about "Spoilers," but in this film it's all about the spoilers. So, let me just say a few overall observations. The film is well acted, Antonio Bandaras was really intense. The film was well shot, edited, and well written.
So why didn't I get into it? Well, first there's not to put to fine a point on it a lot of rape in this film. Just one of those things, I find it hard to get into a film with a lot of rape in it even if one person is wearing a tiger suit. On a similar note there's a lot of Stockholme Syndrome going on here and that's just a form of mental rape. Finally, there is just an over all "ewwww" factor that for me just killed the film for me.
It should be noted this was well received on the film festival circuit. Make of that what you will.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Medium Raw
Ok, I could tell you the plot of this film. But really it's unimportant. Here is what IS important. The director has obviously spent WAY too much time play "Arkham Asylum." Basically, what we have here is all the batman villains with no batman. So, down in the depths of this maximum security horror show of a mental health facility we have, for example, a copy of bane. You can even see cables running out the back of his neck like the real Bane.
So you have a bunch of super villain style loonies in a place that would look like a Cenobite's rec room and then everyone gets locked inside including some cops. So as I said you don't really need to know the plot, this is a pretty instinctual thing. Run, run, hide. Oops, get killed. Next.
It has a nice gothic feel. It tries hard to make the characters individuals. Some of the designs are frightening. The Big Bad Wolf suit is very well realized. It just feels more video game than film. More "neat idea," less well realized story. A little too much style, and a little too little substance. Still, it's better than most of the slasher style films so there's that. I shudder to think though what will happen after the director places Arkham City.
So you have a bunch of super villain style loonies in a place that would look like a Cenobite's rec room and then everyone gets locked inside including some cops. So as I said you don't really need to know the plot, this is a pretty instinctual thing. Run, run, hide. Oops, get killed. Next.
It has a nice gothic feel. It tries hard to make the characters individuals. Some of the designs are frightening. The Big Bad Wolf suit is very well realized. It just feels more video game than film. More "neat idea," less well realized story. A little too much style, and a little too little substance. Still, it's better than most of the slasher style films so there's that. I shudder to think though what will happen after the director places Arkham City.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
A Woman, A Gun and A Noodle shop
I've been doing a little bit on what films I'd like to remake. I'm not the only one with thoughts along those lines, I'm just safe because I don't have any money. Now somewhere in China someone said... "You know.... I really really love the Coen brother's "Blood Simple." Let's remake it! Oh I know, let's set in China a couple hundred years in the past!" And thusly was born, "A Woman, A Gun and a Noodle Shop."
It actually is a pretty well done film. I love the attention to detail. The Police for example ride through the wastes with a staff with a type of mooseblower on it to make the police siren sound. I don't know if that's historic, but man it should have been. It's set in the desert, but a very beautiful part of the desert where the dunes seem to be literally painted.
The story of a woman who wants her husband dead, her lover who is afraid of her husband, and the bent cop who just wants money is pretty much straight from the original film. It's played a bit more for laughs but there are still some scenes of suspense.
Definitely worth a look!
It actually is a pretty well done film. I love the attention to detail. The Police for example ride through the wastes with a staff with a type of mooseblower on it to make the police siren sound. I don't know if that's historic, but man it should have been. It's set in the desert, but a very beautiful part of the desert where the dunes seem to be literally painted.
The story of a woman who wants her husband dead, her lover who is afraid of her husband, and the bent cop who just wants money is pretty much straight from the original film. It's played a bit more for laughs but there are still some scenes of suspense.
Definitely worth a look!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Metropia
Strange.
I've seen strange and this is strange. It's got that David Lynch feel to it. That feel like you are on acid, except you'd never do acid, so why does it feel like you are acid, and how do you know how that would feel like, and oh god oh god my fingers are bending backwards.
Yeah that feeling.
Our hero is a normal schmoe. He works in customer service, he's unhappy, and he sort of looks like someone who went to summer concentration camp. He tries a new shampoo and now he has a voice in his head. One of THOSE voices. The paranoid ones. But just because you are paranoid doesn't mean there aren't world conspiracies.
Done in a very interesting animated style, this is a compelling but low key film. Playing to a noirish feel, it doesn't worry too much about internal logic and concentrates more on that feel I was describing earilier. Certainly one of the more enjoyable art house films.
I've seen strange and this is strange. It's got that David Lynch feel to it. That feel like you are on acid, except you'd never do acid, so why does it feel like you are acid, and how do you know how that would feel like, and oh god oh god my fingers are bending backwards.
Yeah that feeling.
Our hero is a normal schmoe. He works in customer service, he's unhappy, and he sort of looks like someone who went to summer concentration camp. He tries a new shampoo and now he has a voice in his head. One of THOSE voices. The paranoid ones. But just because you are paranoid doesn't mean there aren't world conspiracies.
Done in a very interesting animated style, this is a compelling but low key film. Playing to a noirish feel, it doesn't worry too much about internal logic and concentrates more on that feel I was describing earilier. Certainly one of the more enjoyable art house films.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Finally the Human Centipede
Ok, I'm not proud. I sat down and watched "The Human Centipede." In high school kids would pass around a purity test. Your answers were rated how pure you were. I've just slipped down another notch, and you never go back up.
The plot? Please. Mad German decides to grab three people and link them together mouth to butt. Bad things happen. That. Is. The. Plot.
So, then does it work? Honestly, and sadly, I've seen worse. In fact, it was actually rather bland given the over the top expectations. Some might say that the director, Tom Six, was trying for a Croenbergian restraint. If that was intent, he missed it. A couple of pointers for Mr. Six.
One: Character, character, character. As in we'd like some. Yes the mad Doctor has dehumanized his patients to the point where he called them A, B, and C. That doesn't mean, we the audience don't want to know SOMETHING about these people, even if it is only one. In fact, it might have been cool to let us know only one character and then have the others speak german and other languages without translation. But in any case, considering that half the cast is going to spend half the film with their ..um.. mouths full we really do need a little something before the madness begins to hold our interest in these characters. I may be cheap but I at least demand dinner before the motel Mr. Six.
Two: Don't cheat. Restraint is one thing, but Croenberg knows that at some point you got to whip those bandages off. You promised us a freak show, we need at least one shot of the human centipede in full gorey glory.
Three: A gross idea is fun, but it is not a movie. You got maybe 20 minutes here of good film and then filler. Unfortunately, most of that filler is the ending. Tom Six, you need an ending. You need something a bit more than you got here. You need a LOT more.
Sadly, these tidbits of helpful information might not fall on deaf ears. It is said, that Mr. Six (who does have a cool name I'll give him that!) is planning a second film with a 12 person "centipede." Sort of his version of the "full monty." I do hope he has other ideas, otherwise we'll see "Pretty Centipede," "Demolition Centipede," and of course "Planet of the Centipede."
So now you know, and knowledge is power!
The plot? Please. Mad German decides to grab three people and link them together mouth to butt. Bad things happen. That. Is. The. Plot.
So, then does it work? Honestly, and sadly, I've seen worse. In fact, it was actually rather bland given the over the top expectations. Some might say that the director, Tom Six, was trying for a Croenbergian restraint. If that was intent, he missed it. A couple of pointers for Mr. Six.
One: Character, character, character. As in we'd like some. Yes the mad Doctor has dehumanized his patients to the point where he called them A, B, and C. That doesn't mean, we the audience don't want to know SOMETHING about these people, even if it is only one. In fact, it might have been cool to let us know only one character and then have the others speak german and other languages without translation. But in any case, considering that half the cast is going to spend half the film with their ..um.. mouths full we really do need a little something before the madness begins to hold our interest in these characters. I may be cheap but I at least demand dinner before the motel Mr. Six.
Two: Don't cheat. Restraint is one thing, but Croenberg knows that at some point you got to whip those bandages off. You promised us a freak show, we need at least one shot of the human centipede in full gorey glory.
Three: A gross idea is fun, but it is not a movie. You got maybe 20 minutes here of good film and then filler. Unfortunately, most of that filler is the ending. Tom Six, you need an ending. You need something a bit more than you got here. You need a LOT more.
Sadly, these tidbits of helpful information might not fall on deaf ears. It is said, that Mr. Six (who does have a cool name I'll give him that!) is planning a second film with a 12 person "centipede." Sort of his version of the "full monty." I do hope he has other ideas, otherwise we'll see "Pretty Centipede," "Demolition Centipede," and of course "Planet of the Centipede."
So now you know, and knowledge is power!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A Very British Gangster
Sometimes a film maker is lucky. Director Donal MacIntyre lucked out when he managed to contact Dominic Noonan. It would be extremely hard to make up such a character and even if you did the audience might not buy such a pile of contradictions.
Who is Dominic Noonan? He goes to church every week. He's respected in his community. He owns his own security firm, and "bank" to which locals use for loans and protection. He's got a big family and two sons and loves them all.
Dominic Noonan is also alleged to be involved in 25 murders. Dominic Noonan once was part of a successful prison uprising. He has his own gang and always has a brigade of young toughs at his side. He manages to ride the local macho crime scene while also being unabashedly gay.
All these sides make for a fascinating portrait of a modern criminal. It helps that Dominic is not shy about the camera. He's very willing to speak on crimes that are well passed the statutes of limitations. For example, he'll tell the director evenly that he not only tortured one bloke but it was "quality torture."
The film not only charts the highs and lows of Dominic's career but also current problems including a shooting in the family and legal woes. Dominic himself is a very personable guy. You have to look twice to see the inner bull dog toughness that got him to where he is. You can't really like or root for him, but it would almost be worth the risk to share a pint with him, just to say you did. This film is a much safer way to have the same experience.
Who is Dominic Noonan? He goes to church every week. He's respected in his community. He owns his own security firm, and "bank" to which locals use for loans and protection. He's got a big family and two sons and loves them all.
Dominic Noonan is also alleged to be involved in 25 murders. Dominic Noonan once was part of a successful prison uprising. He has his own gang and always has a brigade of young toughs at his side. He manages to ride the local macho crime scene while also being unabashedly gay.
All these sides make for a fascinating portrait of a modern criminal. It helps that Dominic is not shy about the camera. He's very willing to speak on crimes that are well passed the statutes of limitations. For example, he'll tell the director evenly that he not only tortured one bloke but it was "quality torture."
The film not only charts the highs and lows of Dominic's career but also current problems including a shooting in the family and legal woes. Dominic himself is a very personable guy. You have to look twice to see the inner bull dog toughness that got him to where he is. You can't really like or root for him, but it would almost be worth the risk to share a pint with him, just to say you did. This film is a much safer way to have the same experience.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Ray Bradbury's Chrysalis
I have always said I'd like some more real science fiction in the movies. Oh we get space ships and such galore, but often as not they are serving other genres more than science fiction. Nothing wrong with that, I'd just like to see more thoughtful films from time to time. Ray Bradbury is often associated with science fiction which is interesting. Yes he has done a lot of novels on mars and in the future, but really his stories generally are about as truly science fictional as the above mentioned films. He tends to use the tropes of science fiction more than the over all guiding philosophies of the genre. This is not knocking him, on the contrary. Bradbury is such an original writer that he really isn't contained in any genre.
"Chrysalis" is certainly an example of this. It is a very thoughtful film. Certainly it is set in the future. Also a lot of science is slung around with abandoned. "Go measure that," is the mantra of one of the scientists present. Yet, in the end. I don't get the feel of science fiction, but rather of something more sublimely spiritual. I don't think Ray knows exactly what he's reaching for either. Is it God? The Universe? Everything? But the story is more about the reach than the grasp.
Storywise its a little slow, in fact it would be a lot slow if the director didn't pepper the preceedings with super fast, hallucinatory montages alternating with Faux news on how bad the world has gotten. Nice tricks, but still this is a slow film about a guy that turned into something, what no one is sure, and now they wonder if he is still who he was or not and what does it all mean. This isn't bad mind you, but if you are out for something lighter or more actiony best give it a pass.
"Chrysalis" is certainly an example of this. It is a very thoughtful film. Certainly it is set in the future. Also a lot of science is slung around with abandoned. "Go measure that," is the mantra of one of the scientists present. Yet, in the end. I don't get the feel of science fiction, but rather of something more sublimely spiritual. I don't think Ray knows exactly what he's reaching for either. Is it God? The Universe? Everything? But the story is more about the reach than the grasp.
Storywise its a little slow, in fact it would be a lot slow if the director didn't pepper the preceedings with super fast, hallucinatory montages alternating with Faux news on how bad the world has gotten. Nice tricks, but still this is a slow film about a guy that turned into something, what no one is sure, and now they wonder if he is still who he was or not and what does it all mean. This isn't bad mind you, but if you are out for something lighter or more actiony best give it a pass.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Tapped
"Tapped!" is a documentary that just proves you can't win. Hey kids, remember when bottled water sounded like a good idea? Better than coke, or pepsi. Just good clean pure water? What can go wrong?
Or as they said in the trailers in "Westworld," "go wrong, go wrong, go..."
Ok, so basically here's the deal. Multinational corporations like Nestle form shell corporations. They find nice little towns and basically suck off all the tap water. So basically 9/10 of all bottle water is just tap water in a plastic bottle. But wait there's more, some folks are saying chemicals are leaching into the water from the bottles (doubltlessly true, but then there's always the question of how many parts per BILLIONS you should worry about.) Oh, and I forgot you are such a stupid, inconsiderate slob that you aren't recycling so now we have all those plastic bottles killing wild life. Bottles made from oil.
Don't you feel bad now? All you wanted was a bit of water and now you are killing the earth. Look, as always a bit of moderation here would be appreciated. I hate folks who will never touch tap water and live on aspen spring water whatever, but not because they are killing the earth but because they are snobs and rather silly ones at that. But, if I'm on the go I'm not going to feel an extra ten pounds of guilt because I decide to get a pint of H2o from a vending machine. That's just me, but in penance I'll go watch "Soylent Green" again.
Or as they said in the trailers in "Westworld," "go wrong, go wrong, go..."
Ok, so basically here's the deal. Multinational corporations like Nestle form shell corporations. They find nice little towns and basically suck off all the tap water. So basically 9/10 of all bottle water is just tap water in a plastic bottle. But wait there's more, some folks are saying chemicals are leaching into the water from the bottles (doubltlessly true, but then there's always the question of how many parts per BILLIONS you should worry about.) Oh, and I forgot you are such a stupid, inconsiderate slob that you aren't recycling so now we have all those plastic bottles killing wild life. Bottles made from oil.
Don't you feel bad now? All you wanted was a bit of water and now you are killing the earth. Look, as always a bit of moderation here would be appreciated. I hate folks who will never touch tap water and live on aspen spring water whatever, but not because they are killing the earth but because they are snobs and rather silly ones at that. But, if I'm on the go I'm not going to feel an extra ten pounds of guilt because I decide to get a pint of H2o from a vending machine. That's just me, but in penance I'll go watch "Soylent Green" again.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tormented
I generally don't like young teens in horror films. Mostly, cause most writers can't write teen for sanskrit, and also even when they do get it right I'm old enough now not to generally give a fly fig newton bar for what a 15 year old considers earth shaking. Still, I'm an open minded fellow so I'll give a film like "Tormented," a chance.
The plot is simple enough. Fat kid gets bullied to suicide and then comes back for a little extreme justice. I think it helps that the kids were brits, it makes their school just alien enough from my own school memories that I watched with a bit more interested. I liked that the dead kid really did look like a loser, and STILL looked like a loser after death.
Still it dragged from in bits between the set pieces so I can't give it a hundred percent recommendation. I have to admit, being the sick jerk that I am, that I was amused watching a character with her hands cut off trying to call 911. Wrong I know. Anyway, it's a horror film neither outstanding or cringe worthy.
The plot is simple enough. Fat kid gets bullied to suicide and then comes back for a little extreme justice. I think it helps that the kids were brits, it makes their school just alien enough from my own school memories that I watched with a bit more interested. I liked that the dead kid really did look like a loser, and STILL looked like a loser after death.
Still it dragged from in bits between the set pieces so I can't give it a hundred percent recommendation. I have to admit, being the sick jerk that I am, that I was amused watching a character with her hands cut off trying to call 911. Wrong I know. Anyway, it's a horror film neither outstanding or cringe worthy.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Red Riding Trilogy
A trilogy of films set in North England in 1974, 1980, and 1984. They broadly are based on the Yorkshire ripper cases but then take that thread and run with it. These are dark raw films that are very noirish as corruption beats like black blood for these films. I really can't write more about it without having to get out the neon "Spoilers alert" sign. I love the feel of these films. I love the beaten down horrible architecture of these dying streets of britain. Definitely watch. I love the quote in the first film as one policeman says "THIS IS THE NORTH, WE DO WHAT WE WANT!!!"
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Harry Brown
Michael Caine can kill me any time. First because you can tell he really didn't want to kill me. We are just all victims of circumstance, mate, nothing personal. And secondly, he would cooly inform me as I was dying that "You Sir, did not maintain your weapon." See, I'd not only be killed but get a valuable gun safety tip.
Harry Brown is about an older gentleman who saw time in war and wants to put that all behind him. But, like in the Godfather films, they just keep dragging him back. In this case it is because of young punks running around thinking they own the streets. Well they don't and after a friend of Harry gets off'd it's time to show them what an old war dog knows. Before you know it the cops are investigating as well, but they more want to keep to their preconceived ideas on what is going on.
This is a good taunt little thriller that is lean and mean. Of course the star of the show is Mr. Caine is is as wonderful as always. Not to gush, but I'd watch him read the phone book. He's lucky he's a brit or I'd petition he run for the presidency. We've already had one actor, why not now a good one?
Any hoo, definitely give it a watch and this would be a good double feature with grand torino!!!!!
Harry Brown is about an older gentleman who saw time in war and wants to put that all behind him. But, like in the Godfather films, they just keep dragging him back. In this case it is because of young punks running around thinking they own the streets. Well they don't and after a friend of Harry gets off'd it's time to show them what an old war dog knows. Before you know it the cops are investigating as well, but they more want to keep to their preconceived ideas on what is going on.
This is a good taunt little thriller that is lean and mean. Of course the star of the show is Mr. Caine is is as wonderful as always. Not to gush, but I'd watch him read the phone book. He's lucky he's a brit or I'd petition he run for the presidency. We've already had one actor, why not now a good one?
Any hoo, definitely give it a watch and this would be a good double feature with grand torino!!!!!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Dark House
"Dark House," is the Fangoria film festival entry that I like the least. That's a shame cause I love me some Jeffrey Combes. He's fine as egotistical, bombastic showman who has the brilliant idea of using cutting edge holographs in a real house of mass murder. What? He never saw an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation?" I swear their holo room was a menace to society.
This doesn't work much better as the ghost takes over things and makes the holographs REAL. Can the ONE person who was actually in the murder house at the time of the original murders get her little traumatized butt together to save herself? Perhaps, but I really didn't care. Every other other actor save Combes was a collosal bore. The closest to interesting was the fellow that tried to look like Captain Jack Sparrow. However, hair acting never substitutes for the real thing.
It has a few jumps, a few scares. But really after some nifty entries this is a let down. Note, never in your commentary say: "We wrote the script in 13 days, I hope that comes as a suprise to everyone listening."
Umm, no.
This doesn't work much better as the ghost takes over things and makes the holographs REAL. Can the ONE person who was actually in the murder house at the time of the original murders get her little traumatized butt together to save herself? Perhaps, but I really didn't care. Every other other actor save Combes was a collosal bore. The closest to interesting was the fellow that tried to look like Captain Jack Sparrow. However, hair acting never substitutes for the real thing.
It has a few jumps, a few scares. But really after some nifty entries this is a let down. Note, never in your commentary say: "We wrote the script in 13 days, I hope that comes as a suprise to everyone listening."
Umm, no.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Copped out
Kevin, I love you man, that's a serious geeky hetro love for you dude. I have watched everyone of your movies since "Clerks," yes even "Jersey Girl." I would say without hesitation that if I wasn't afraid of young ears, I'd hear you in a second for any public speaking gig. Heck, you should even ask comedy central if they can squeeze you in on the next roast they have. Few people have the command and timing of the art of the insult that you have.
But...
Oh Kevin, you are until proven otherwise a one note director. "Cop Out," did not break that streak I'm afraid. I see what you were going for, specially after your stint on the Batman comic book where at one point you had Batman pee in his tights. You want to deconstruct the action hero, and I see that you are working from the premise that when you strip the action hero down he's nothing more than a big jerk. You even originally titled this film "A Couple of Dicks."
Well, ok. I can see where you are coming from. Slight, slight problem though Kev. It is very, very difficult to make a film about "A Couple of Dicks" watchable. Oh sure Bruce Willis makes a game try at it, and you did write nice bits here and there, but no. This film hurts to watch. It is sand paper on my eyes. It grates my soul, and is not great.
Kevin, my man. My buddy, my pal. Remember that Woody Allen movie? The one with the aliens at the end who tell Woody to go back to making his funny films?
Take the hint.
P.S. And I know you were pissed off they asked you to change the title. But really never give critics a free shot with a title like "Cop Out." Might have well named it "The Losers," oh there's a film already called that? Never mind.
But...
Oh Kevin, you are until proven otherwise a one note director. "Cop Out," did not break that streak I'm afraid. I see what you were going for, specially after your stint on the Batman comic book where at one point you had Batman pee in his tights. You want to deconstruct the action hero, and I see that you are working from the premise that when you strip the action hero down he's nothing more than a big jerk. You even originally titled this film "A Couple of Dicks."
Well, ok. I can see where you are coming from. Slight, slight problem though Kev. It is very, very difficult to make a film about "A Couple of Dicks" watchable. Oh sure Bruce Willis makes a game try at it, and you did write nice bits here and there, but no. This film hurts to watch. It is sand paper on my eyes. It grates my soul, and is not great.
Kevin, my man. My buddy, my pal. Remember that Woody Allen movie? The one with the aliens at the end who tell Woody to go back to making his funny films?
Take the hint.
P.S. And I know you were pissed off they asked you to change the title. But really never give critics a free shot with a title like "Cop Out." Might have well named it "The Losers," oh there's a film already called that? Never mind.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Spike
Now "Spike" is the low budget horror film I like. Yes it has zero budget but dang if it don't have heart. It's sort of a dark fairy tale. Our heroes are out in the wood when bad ju ju happens. Turns out one of the girls is the object of affections of Spike. Spike is basically a human porcupine that talks like ariel in Shakespeare. He has a serious, stalker love on for the girl and it becomes a question of how far will Spike go. Will he kill her boy friend? Will he keep her in the woods forever? Can she manipulate this crazed human hedgehog? Does she have any real feelings for this poor "Beast" to her "Beauty?"
The film starts slow, but it builds nice once Spike appear. The appearance of Spike is a very nice design and the actor is doing his best. There's not much blood or action but I believe it is a very imaginative and interesting entry. At least it's not another damn slasher.
The film starts slow, but it builds nice once Spike appear. The appearance of Spike is a very nice design and the actor is doing his best. There's not much blood or action but I believe it is a very imaginative and interesting entry. At least it's not another damn slasher.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Kick Ass
Well, nothing could live up to the hype that "Kick Ass" generated before its release. I fell in fan boy love with it from the first. And there was trailer after trailer, each with good solid crunch to it. Then it finally got released and it did.... so so. I don't get to the theaters at the moment cause of my condition so I waited. Finally, finally, it came out in dvd. And I watched it.
It did not live up to the hype, but only by " " this much. I love this film stupidly. This is not an objective review. I love it, love it, love it. I finished watching it and did high kicks into the empty air going "SHIT YEAH!" There have been very few films that grabbed my adrenal glands by the boo boos and yanked that chain like tarzan on a fricking vine. "Kick Ass," is one of those films.
"Kick Ass" starts with Aaron Johnson who plays Dave. Dave is a typical high school student, not really a loser, but not a winner either. Sort of nerdy, and a lot of horny. He asks himself the question one day, "Why doesn't someone try to be a superhero." His friends answer "Cause he'd get his ass kicked," But our hero is undeterred. He buys online a wet suit and he practices to be the hero Kick Ass. He goes into his first battle.
Gets stabbed.
Gets hit by a car.
Goes to hospital.
Still dreams are bigger than reality so he tries again. This time he becomes a hit on You Tube. Now though he draws the fire and attention from both mobsters and some folks who are the real deal. The real deal being "Big Daddy," and "Hit Girl" who are driven and more than probably psychopathic. They kill with joyous abandon and leave our hero feeling weak and confused. Can he get his own act together? Can he defeat the mobsters? Can he get the girl? Well you'll have to watch and see.
Aaron Johnson does very well in a somewhat thankless role. Yes he's the title character, but he's surrounded by even more colorful characters that he risks being upstaged. Also, honestly Kick Ass as a hero doesn't really kick ass. He tries, but ultimately he's just like us in that regard. Still what makes him and the movie works ultimately, is that he's the one with the heart. He's the one who is pure enough to really believe someone can make a difference.
Well, ok not so pure. He really likes this one girl. Unfortunately, she believes he is gay. Which leads to some incredibly funny Clark Kentish action. But heck even superheroes want some.
I would be remiss and possibly retarded not to talk more about Big Daddy and Hit Girl. Big Daddy is played by Nicholas Cage, and in this role he redeems himself. He plays both a weirdly, creepy, "normal" daddy type, and then a weirdly scarey Adam Westy guy in a mask. The.....pauses..... as ... he......talks.... as...... Big.... DADDY.... are.... awesome. Hit Girl is played by chloe Moretz. She is more believable as an action hero than say a certain actor who played Rambo. She is the one that kicks ass. It is incredible. It is breathtaking. It is to the theme song of the "Banana Splits." It is seven types of awesom rolled up into one little spitfire of fury.
So watch this film. Buy It. Give money to the director for a sequel!
It did not live up to the hype, but only by " " this much. I love this film stupidly. This is not an objective review. I love it, love it, love it. I finished watching it and did high kicks into the empty air going "SHIT YEAH!" There have been very few films that grabbed my adrenal glands by the boo boos and yanked that chain like tarzan on a fricking vine. "Kick Ass," is one of those films.
"Kick Ass" starts with Aaron Johnson who plays Dave. Dave is a typical high school student, not really a loser, but not a winner either. Sort of nerdy, and a lot of horny. He asks himself the question one day, "Why doesn't someone try to be a superhero." His friends answer "Cause he'd get his ass kicked," But our hero is undeterred. He buys online a wet suit and he practices to be the hero Kick Ass. He goes into his first battle.
Gets stabbed.
Gets hit by a car.
Goes to hospital.
Still dreams are bigger than reality so he tries again. This time he becomes a hit on You Tube. Now though he draws the fire and attention from both mobsters and some folks who are the real deal. The real deal being "Big Daddy," and "Hit Girl" who are driven and more than probably psychopathic. They kill with joyous abandon and leave our hero feeling weak and confused. Can he get his own act together? Can he defeat the mobsters? Can he get the girl? Well you'll have to watch and see.
Aaron Johnson does very well in a somewhat thankless role. Yes he's the title character, but he's surrounded by even more colorful characters that he risks being upstaged. Also, honestly Kick Ass as a hero doesn't really kick ass. He tries, but ultimately he's just like us in that regard. Still what makes him and the movie works ultimately, is that he's the one with the heart. He's the one who is pure enough to really believe someone can make a difference.
Well, ok not so pure. He really likes this one girl. Unfortunately, she believes he is gay. Which leads to some incredibly funny Clark Kentish action. But heck even superheroes want some.
I would be remiss and possibly retarded not to talk more about Big Daddy and Hit Girl. Big Daddy is played by Nicholas Cage, and in this role he redeems himself. He plays both a weirdly, creepy, "normal" daddy type, and then a weirdly scarey Adam Westy guy in a mask. The.....pauses..... as ... he......talks.... as...... Big.... DADDY.... are.... awesome. Hit Girl is played by chloe Moretz. She is more believable as an action hero than say a certain actor who played Rambo. She is the one that kicks ass. It is incredible. It is breathtaking. It is to the theme song of the "Banana Splits." It is seven types of awesom rolled up into one little spitfire of fury.
So watch this film. Buy It. Give money to the director for a sequel!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
All My Friends are Funeral Singers
Hmmm...
Title that is engmatic? Check!
A story of very little real action? Check!
Semi annoying music by a "post punk" band? Check!
Enough 'quirkiness" to have it coming out your ear till the next film festival? Double Check!!
And here we are in independent filmland ladies and gentlemen. "All My Friends Are Funeral Singers," is not bad. It is however, a good checklist of all things that tend to haunt independent films in america. The worst offender is the quirkiness, I mean I like nonconventional characters and stories, but I don't like it pretty much SHOUTED WE ARE NONCONVENTIONAL CHARACTERS AND THIS IS A QUIRKY STORY. If you get my meaning.
Speaking of story, this is the story of a psychic trying to make a living with the help of all the ghosts filling her house. She has so many ghosts that she has to put salt along her bedroom door to keep them out. The Ghosts themselves want to go into the light but can't and until then interview each other and play slide guitar. There's also a little girl ghost who seems to do most of the work in the being psychic department but doesn't talk.
So can our lady reach some accord with her ghostly guests? Can our ghosts go into the light? What is it with the little girl ghost? It is actually a decent story, sort of "Ghost" with out his holiness The Patrick. Some of the hoodoo details are pretty interesting. Also, while I kid the moniker of "post punk" (about a useful a phrase as "post modern art") the music isn't so bad when it's not being shouted out as QUIRKY.
So if you are into the independent scene it is worth a look. If like a good little ghost story, well it's not the best but it has interesting points. So there you go, and now I'll go play my slide guitar.
Title that is engmatic? Check!
A story of very little real action? Check!
Semi annoying music by a "post punk" band? Check!
Enough 'quirkiness" to have it coming out your ear till the next film festival? Double Check!!
And here we are in independent filmland ladies and gentlemen. "All My Friends Are Funeral Singers," is not bad. It is however, a good checklist of all things that tend to haunt independent films in america. The worst offender is the quirkiness, I mean I like nonconventional characters and stories, but I don't like it pretty much SHOUTED WE ARE NONCONVENTIONAL CHARACTERS AND THIS IS A QUIRKY STORY. If you get my meaning.
Speaking of story, this is the story of a psychic trying to make a living with the help of all the ghosts filling her house. She has so many ghosts that she has to put salt along her bedroom door to keep them out. The Ghosts themselves want to go into the light but can't and until then interview each other and play slide guitar. There's also a little girl ghost who seems to do most of the work in the being psychic department but doesn't talk.
So can our lady reach some accord with her ghostly guests? Can our ghosts go into the light? What is it with the little girl ghost? It is actually a decent story, sort of "Ghost" with out his holiness The Patrick. Some of the hoodoo details are pretty interesting. Also, while I kid the moniker of "post punk" (about a useful a phrase as "post modern art") the music isn't so bad when it's not being shouted out as QUIRKY.
So if you are into the independent scene it is worth a look. If like a good little ghost story, well it's not the best but it has interesting points. So there you go, and now I'll go play my slide guitar.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Terribly Happy
The film starts with an odd little story. One time a cow sank into the mud. A month later the cow rises again, bloated like a balloon. It gives birth to a two headed calf, one of the heads being a human head. This causes all sorts of trouble till the farmers bury it in the mud. From then on there was no trouble for humans or for cows. This is the type of place for such stories. Isolated with nothing but cows and mud, and people you know too well and not at all.
Our main character is a cop who did something to get him exiled here. The locals don't like or trust him. There's a girl though who he becomes very attracted to. She's married to an abusive man, or at least that's what she said. Her husband shows his scar that he says he got when she stabbed him with a butter knife. So who's telling the truth? What is the truth? The movie takes it time telling a tale set in nowhere.
This is a wonderful film, the quirky elements are kept in control so you don't get a "Twin Peaks" feel. What you do feel is that feeling you get when you stopped at that town for gas once and everyone seemed to be looking at you. It reminded me of a european version of a Cohen brother's film, and it's definitely something to see.
Our main character is a cop who did something to get him exiled here. The locals don't like or trust him. There's a girl though who he becomes very attracted to. She's married to an abusive man, or at least that's what she said. Her husband shows his scar that he says he got when she stabbed him with a butter knife. So who's telling the truth? What is the truth? The movie takes it time telling a tale set in nowhere.
This is a wonderful film, the quirky elements are kept in control so you don't get a "Twin Peaks" feel. What you do feel is that feeling you get when you stopped at that town for gas once and everyone seemed to be looking at you. It reminded me of a european version of a Cohen brother's film, and it's definitely something to see.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Parasomnia
"Parasomnia" is actually an interesting premise for a horror film, that's a pretty rare bird some times so enjoy it just for that. Our hero visiting his rehabing sib finds a gal who spends say 80% of her life asleep. Like Prince Charming he falls instantly in love. Our sleeping beauty is endangered by a bunch of eggheadery who want to poke her (he wants to poke her too but at least he's polite enough to wait til she wakes up), so he frees her from the mental institution.
Bad move.
See there's this crazed, killer hypnotist chained next door. Though having never been near her somehow he's got psychic claws in her. So soon a possessed sleeping beauty is doing very naughty things, and of course you know killer hypnotist guy is going to get out. It is all getting very bad for our hero, can there be a happily ever after?
Beyond the premise, I like the actors. They make the most of their rolls, specially our sleeping beauty who really communicates who alien she is to our world. There are also some impressive dream sequences where our villain exerts control over fair damsel in distress. Overall, certainly a good low budget effort. I was never bored!
Bad move.
See there's this crazed, killer hypnotist chained next door. Though having never been near her somehow he's got psychic claws in her. So soon a possessed sleeping beauty is doing very naughty things, and of course you know killer hypnotist guy is going to get out. It is all getting very bad for our hero, can there be a happily ever after?
Beyond the premise, I like the actors. They make the most of their rolls, specially our sleeping beauty who really communicates who alien she is to our world. There are also some impressive dream sequences where our villain exerts control over fair damsel in distress. Overall, certainly a good low budget effort. I was never bored!
Badness can come for many directions. From Japan we have "Killer Car," about young adults driving a car that is possessed with a killing spirit. Like the car the film is a featureless box. The cast is boring and the killings are as well. Best to avoid as the addition of subtitles make it a sleep inducing experience.
Syfy once again downed itself with "Goblin." A town is cursed and every halloween a goblin like thing terrorizes everyone, specially if you happen to have a baby, aka yard ape, with you. It tries for some personality by the cast but it is undone by haphazard pacing and just a bad creature effect. Really folks I don't understand it, the creature is human sized, and human shaped. Why bother with cheap craptastic CGI to make this wonder? No one ever heard of make up? Stan Winston? Ok, stan's dead but you get the idea. IF you are going to continuously do CGIwtf effects why not change up the looks? At least it would be interesting to render a Goblin ala say cubism.
While no doubt it will be as equally sucktastical, I do want to see "Sharktopus" when it comes out. I want to see a half shark, half octopus monster. Really. That's it. I'm easy.
Syfy once again downed itself with "Goblin." A town is cursed and every halloween a goblin like thing terrorizes everyone, specially if you happen to have a baby, aka yard ape, with you. It tries for some personality by the cast but it is undone by haphazard pacing and just a bad creature effect. Really folks I don't understand it, the creature is human sized, and human shaped. Why bother with cheap craptastic CGI to make this wonder? No one ever heard of make up? Stan Winston? Ok, stan's dead but you get the idea. IF you are going to continuously do CGIwtf effects why not change up the looks? At least it would be interesting to render a Goblin ala say cubism.
While no doubt it will be as equally sucktastical, I do want to see "Sharktopus" when it comes out. I want to see a half shark, half octopus monster. Really. That's it. I'm easy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)