Recommend a movie

[Vultural]

War Of The Stars I I - The Future In Motion - 2013 - 7/10

Fan-edited film.

Outstanding, highly inventive reworking of the path of Luke Skywalker by TMBTM.
Edit uses approximately 75% ESB and 25% ROTJ, but oh, what choices have been made.
Luke’s path now considerably darker.  The emotional problems that imperiled his father, more pronounced in him.
The Ewoks are minimized, and there is more splatter.
Vader’s character is bent, whereas Boba Fett - man - his screen time and importance is doubled.
Deleted footage used, along with clever insertion of sequences from other films.
Music also modified, most notably the use of Holst’s “The Planets.”
Well worth hunting down for Star Wars fans who have “seen it all.”
Definitely the road not taken.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

L’ Arnacoeur - 2010 - 5/10
AKA - Heartbreaker

Featherweight French comedy, laughs lighter than an over whipped souffle.
Man, his sister and brother-in-law operate a small outfit designed to break apart unhappy couples.
Prevent the doe eyed innocent from marrying the cheat, the abuser, the jerk.
All’s fair.
Only rule - they do not break up happy relationships.
Before you can say, “that sounds ...”  the man owes thousands to a loan shark and a very juicy offer comes from a gangster type to stop his daughter’s upcoming marriage.
The engaged couple is deliriously happy, yet the heartbreaker needs the money.
Narrative not only thin and predictable, but more than a little creepy.
To learn about the fiance, a lot of time is spent spying and stalking.
Cameras in bedroom and bathroom.  Nothing is humiliating is acting shown, but if you think about it, someone was watching everything.
Fans of Romain Duris, he has better films out there.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

Now You See Me - 2013 - 6/10

Mindless Saturday night diversion.  Four mid-tier magicians are gathered together to become major headliners as the Four Horsemen.  Part of their act involves robbery.
Very slick production with perpetual camera movement, rapid effects, as well as the various capers.  Plot sweeps swiftly, with barely a letup or quiet moment.  In other words, one doesn’t really think about particulars until the credits.
Then it’s like,  “Hey, wait a minute ... ”
Fun, but despite a stellar cast *, doubt I would ever rewatch this empty popcorn flick.

* Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

Hard Target - Ultimate Cut - 1993/2013 - 6/10

Nice fan tweak from Commodore Schmidlapp over at Original Trilogy.
He used sources from domestic US release, as well as the harder international cut, and the VHS “Sneak Peek” workprint. Made a couple of music changes as well.
The result seemed much closer to Woo’s final stage of Hong Kong output.

Plot involves an out of work veteran / seaman / drifter hiring on to help young girl find her lost daddy in New Orleans. Then it steams into Most Dangerous Game territory.
Several scenes seemed little more than echoes from Hard Boiled.
One of Van Damme’s better roles, with Lance Henriksen and Arnold Vosloo outstanding as baddies. Wilford Brimley as cajun uncle is a classic of imbecile acting.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

Lifeforce - 1985 - 6/10

Finally configured the old Laserdisc player to the HD and dug out a fave masterpiece.
Combined US / UK space mission to Halley’s Comet discovers 100 mile artifact (gasp - spaceship) embedded in comet. Of course, they investigate, come across three nude human looking types, and bring ‘em back.

In no time flat, the stark naked space vampiress (Mathilda May, all nude, all the time) wrecks havoc in London, transforming the city into a rampaging zombies, end of the world apocalypse.
This film is tremendously, gloriously bad. The plot goes from far fetched to silly to stupid to delirium. No one could create a narrative this terrible if they tried. And one gets the impression everyone involved really, really tried to make a A-level movie.
Steve Railsback overacts his little hammy heart out. Patrick Stewart channels his feminine side.
Mathilda May completely unforgettable.
Wonderful stuff.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

Mask Of Dimitrios - 1944 - 7/10

Old Warners Brothers chestnut pairing Peter Lorre and Sidney Greenstreet.
A writer of mysteries learns of the death of a career criminal in Istanbul.
Curious, and seeking inspiration for the next book, he follows the trail of crime across Eastern Europe.
Along the way, an old henchman for the villain enters and offers to pool information.
Film filled with flashbacks, betrayals, lies, and increasing danger.
The look is straight up Film Noir, hard shadows and fog, and while locations bounce from Istanbul to Athens to Budapest, the reality is 100% back lot.  (Europe was a bit unstable in 1944.)
This is a terrific rainy night film, with Greenstreet and Lorre superb.  Numerous low angle shots of Greenstreet make him seem enormous and imposing.
Supporting characters memorable, as well, as you find yourself believing their stories, only to wonder afterward how much is deception, how much self deception.
How little kindness there is in the world today.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

The Kids Are Alright - 2010 - 5/10

Acclaimed drama of two teenage children in a two woman family.
They seek out their biological (sperm donor) father.
Predictable and unpredictable complications ensue as disparate souls attempt to mesh.
Terrific acting all the way around.
The plot wanders stupidly midway in forcing a relationship that would never happen.
In fact, it struck me as rather insulting to the parties involved.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

Nightwatch - 1997 - 6/10

Law student (Ewan McGregor) hires on as graveyard shift watchman for city morgue.
Usual endless hallways, flickering lights, draped stiffs, assorted creepos, and seamy history.
A-listed talent involved for what is really a B-thriller.
Nick Nolte - Brad Dourif - Josh Brolin.  Arquette plays girlfriend.
Screenplay cowritten by Soderbergh.
Oops, a serial killer is also on the loose!
Atmospheric, often disturbing scenes, overwhelmed by aggressive music score.
Acting way over the top, as well.
Probably best late at night with the lights dimmed.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

Banksy Does New York - 2014 - 7/10

Documentary on street artist Banksy’s 31 day guerrilla exhibition in and around New York City.
Each day, Banksy’s website offers a clue where the latest art or installment can be viewed.  Then it becomes a race, a scavenger hunt, to see the work before it disappears.
Displays get tagged, smashed, “appropriated,” or on one memorable afternoon, bought.
The press gets involved - adding to the publicity - as well as the mayor and police who announce they intend to catch Mr Banksy.  Good luck -- London was never able to do so.
Selected locations often deliberately provocative: within inner city blight or near trendy galleries frequented by the clueless, shallow wine n cheese crowd.
The growing media frenzy brings out the best and worst behaviour in people.
As always, tour de force by the artist - or collective - known as Banksy.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

Lucky Jordan - 1942 - 5/10

Local racketeer gets drafted, quickly deserts cause he gives orders, doesn’t take them.
Next thing, he’s involved with saboteurs, Nazis, military police, and fetching USO hostess.
Mindless, implausible time-waster.
Alan Ladd and Helen Walker radiated chemistry, but nothing came of that.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

Fading Gigolo - 2013 - 6/10

Mixed bag comedy/drama written and directed by John Turturro, very much in the Woody Allen mold.
Allen himself plays the owner of a rare book shop, closing his New York storefront because his only customers are rare customers.
To help his soon-to-be laid off employee (Turturro), he hires him out as high priced gigolo to rich woman (Sharon Stone).
If you can buy that premise, you’ll have no problem with Allen becoming pimp daddy as Turturro expands his clientele.
Story and narrative move into the Hasidic community, and the comedy evaporates.
Saturated late fall New York locations, and interesting window on the Hasidic neighborhood, but film itself poorly structured with Allen having all the comic moments, and Turturro the bulk of the drama.
Enjoyable, but not as funny as the trailer promised.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

Mandalay - 1934 - 6/10

Smuggler, con man, in debt to Rangoon crime boss, offers girlfriend in exchange.
Kay Francis becomes - ahem - hostess in shady casino, and very popular with men.
She earns a lot of money, hops a freighter to Mandalay, meets alcoholic doctor.
Glossy trash that somehow slipped under the Production Code net.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

The Women On The 6th Floor - 2010 - 6/10

Empty headed French comedy set in 1962, though the only evidence I could see of that were references to DeGaulle and later someone driving a Corvair (where did they find that?).
The occupants of the 6th floor were the Spanish maids, merry and engaged in Life, contrasted to the well heeled in lower suites.  Of course, the rich were bored, vacuous, disassociated.
Over the course of the story, the master, played by dependable Fabrice Luchini, went on outings with the ladies, even moved upstairs to the cramped room of his wife's discards, and he started "living."
Pleasant enough movie, though not one of "This Years Best" as so many critics said.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

Obvious Child - 2014 - 6/10

Stand up comedienne is having a bad day, bad night, bad stretch.
Her job is going out of business (another New York bookshop bites the dust).
Her boyfriend dumps her.  She gets drunk, jumps a straight-arrow guy.
Next beat, she discovers she’s the winner of Baby Jackpot!
Story then follows the less traveled path - meaning the cliché of she and the guy hooking up, perhaps getting married, do right by the baby, does not happen.
Instead, she makes an appointment with the abortion clinic.
Realistic, funny at times (though her stand-up routine struck me a painful), based on a previous short film.
Therein is also a flaw with the film.  Most of the actors from the short (2009) reprise their roles, and they are now in their 30s - obvious 30s.  They  look too old to play 20-somethings.  Her actions don’t always ring true.
Intelligent, adult script with thoughtful, non-judgmental, non-hysterical performances.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

The Sapphires - 2012 - 6/10

Feel good rubbish, "inspired" by actual events.
I enjoyed this while I watched it, but afterward started thinking about it.
The oldest girl looked old - the actress was in her 40s.  Who was that white Irish guy who found and managed the group?  Phil Spector?
Since when did the war department carry entertainers into Vietnam combat zones?
Oh, I forgot, "inspired by."
Which means any fantasy will suffice.
Nice music, but otherwise this is complete fairytale.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Vultural

[Vultural]

Vampire Doll - 1970 - 4/10
AKA: Bloodsucking Doll - Bloody Eyes

Cliche ridden horror film.
Boyfriend arrives at spooky house only to learn his fiancee just died!
Or did she?
Next, his sister arrives, looking for her brother (that boyfriend) because he’s been gone a week now.
The mother is remote and warns all visitors to leave, while the deranged servant keeps trying to murder everyone. (Good staff is so hard to find.)
Add a creepy doctor, sinister music, thunder and lightning, gravedigger, empty grave, the basement, cliff fights, chases.
Nothing new here, though it went by quick enough.

[Vultural]

Lovelace - 2013 - 7/10

 - when harry met linda -

Fairly absorbing drama on star of Deep Throat, focusing on her nubile early years and stardom peak.
Ugly, but not as vile as it could have been.  A surprisingly strong cast throughout.
Very much in the Boogie Nights vein, but definitely lighter.

I saw the original Deep Throat back in the 70s at Hollywood Blvd's Pussycat Theater.
Part of a double bill with The Devil In Miss Jones.  Theater was terribly plush, and never fully dark.  Ushers prowled ceaselessly.
Aisles were packed with couples - porn was in its heyday.  The era when free love hippies gave way to disco clubrats.

Lovelace caught a lot of that vibe.  From the weed to the polyester wide lapels.  A fun film, perhaps because I had good memories.

[Vultural]

The Thief Of Bagdad - 1924 - 8/10

Fairbanks towering achievement, with eye popping stunts, incredible sets, and rousing action.
Lowly street thief falls in love with completely out of his league princess while Mongols plot to take over Bagdad.
Redemption, and the royal hand, can be gained through severe trials and heroic deeds.
One of those films for those who say, “I don’t like Silent Films.”
Great, great entertainment.

[Vultural]

The Mill And The Cross - 2011 - 7/10

Arthouse cinema with Rutger Hauer, Michael York and Charlotte Rampling.
Deliberately paced film shows the creation of Bruegel’s The Way To Calvary.  Hauer, as Bruegel, explains to his patron (York) various aspects of the composition.  Tree of Life on one side, Tree of Death (catherine wheel) balanced on the other.
I was ignorant of Flemish history and couldn’t understand why red garbed Spanish conquistadors were killing heretics.  Looked it up, the start of the Eighty Years War for Dutch independence was imminent.
Every image was jeweled painting in costume and design.
Film fell somewhere between Monk’s Book Of Days and Parajanov’s The Color Of Pomegranates.
Rewarding for the patient.

[Vultural]

Unforgivable - 2011 - 5/10
AKA - Impardonnables

Aging French writer suffers block and opts to recharge in Venice.
After one year, he has a young wife, and his grown daughter has run away ... again.
He hires a detective to find his daughter, then hires another to trail his wife.
No, it was not as interesting as is sounds. Snooze inducing narrative, boring characters, offset by nice shots of Venice.
For diehard French film buffs.