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Reviews
The Illusionist (2006)
"ABC Movie of the Week"..?? Words you are looking for..
I was disappointed with this movie as well. It had the feel of a TV movie, as I say in my title. Or even a children's program or movie. Moreover, I want to piggy back on something someone else picked up on - and that is the problem with Norton's and Biel's childhood romance. Something just doesn't fit..!! Perhaps this is where my idea of child's program bears fruit..! Was it a "platonic" relationship..?? And still moreover, the court intrigue is stale and contrived. Very disappointed in Paul G's performance. And the idea that the Sewell character is snooping on Norton is a joke and doesn't go anywhere. So again - overall this would have made a good "ABC network Xmas movie at best. Or a movie you could show in school.
Colorado Sundown (1952)
The Women of "Colorado Sundown..!!
I am not going to go on at length here..!! But I want to discuss the women characters.. I want to chime in w/ the the reviewer who said that the Hurley woman (June Vincent) who committed the murders was over the top. And here is something I would like to share w/ you. Did anyone else notice how the other female lead, Jackie Reynolds (Mary Ellen Kay), recedes into the background.?? It's like: "Where did she go.??" Was Louise Beavers a bigger star..?? I just saw Miss Beavers in "Bombshell". And going back to Miss Kay - she seems like the type who would marry the male star or at least have some flirtation. Finally, overall better than expected. But not perfect either.
Crime and Punishment (1979)
Indoor Scenes.... Outdoor Scenes....
Let's face it.. John Hurt's performance gets a lukewarm reaction.. It was OK at places.. And he is too old for the part. And when the little boys, as Raskolinikov is looking at his reflection in the water, drop stones which distort his face: isn't this a metaphor for the whole film?? And some good supporting cast. And some not so good i.e. Medvedeev. Moreover, I noticed concerning the photography. The outdoor scenes are more realistic; and the indoor scenes are like a filmed play. And, for some reason, there are more outdoor scenes in Part 1 and less in Part's 2 and 3. And, again, moreover - correct me if I am wrong - but they refer to Raskolnikov (Hurt) as a professor, lawyer, student, law student...etc..etc.. One positive aspect of the film was how characters would recur in the film. And that was the closest thing to Russian novel, how there are so many characters. So - in closing - it is definitely worth a watch, but again, keep in mind it is like watching a "filmed play".
Hellhole (1985)
Better Than You Might Think..
As we walk thru the seventh circle of hell with our "lamb to the slaughter" little miss red riding hood - Judy Landers. Not only was the soft-porn homage to the 70's Euro-trash scene. Did you see the nod to the SS-Nazi exploitation films of the 70's?? And. Of course, I almost forgot, - "women in prison" movies. I haven't seen many of the SS-Nazi movies. But I did see Jess Franco's - Ilsa the Wicked (aka Greta the mad Butcher). Which is a tangential member of that group, and a "girl in prison" movie. Moreover, this movie is moody and atmospheric and evokes such classics as 1932's "Island Of lost Souls" and maybe even "The Snake Pit". I could go on; but I will stop here. You be the judge..!!
The Night Caller (1998)
A Real "Chick-flick"..!!
Did anyone notice that all the victims are female? This movie is the female version of Hitchcock's "Psycho"!! With a few twists and turns thrown in. But with female togetherness the object!! Her demons are trying to bring her closer to someone, rather than keep them apart. Moreover, the shovel recalls some of the "Psycho" sequels.. Thank You.
Pick-up (1975)
Greatest Movie Ev...er!!!!!!!!
OK!OK!I just discovered this movie this week, and was so "blown away"!! It brought emotions within me to the fore; emotions I did not even know I had!! IT left me "butterflies" in the pit of my stomach. However, everyone has touched upon things I wanted to discuss. "Journey of self-discovery..." blah, blah, blah. Someone even used a title for their review, similar to mine. I would like to discuss some things people have not touched on. For example, this film recalls two better known films: "Easy Rider" and-of course-"Deliverance". Further, someone mentioned it is like a nature documentary. However, someone complained the nature photography is pretentious. Claiming that it is like it came from a "game park" somewhere. I think, as do many others, that the nature photography is very good. But, for some reason, the mention of bogus nature photography made me think of legendary exploitation director: Jess Franco. Next: I would like to talk about the plausibility, or rather - implausibility of some of the items found on board the mobile home ("Gilligan's Island" anyone - "..for a three hour tour"). 1) the bow and arrow - it is possible the camper is equipped with sporting goods! Perhaps?? It is set in the south after all. 2) the "book"?? Toward the end of the film, before Maureen and Chuck's tryst, she is reading a book on the Delphic oracle-an over-sized "coffee table" type book. The ladies do have bags with them, and Maureen does have a guitar with her. So?? I do not know?? In the same scene, what about the Gauguin type (or it is a Gauguin) painting behind Maureen? Possible the camper has some decorative attributes?? We are treated to the two females' sexual awakenings. And it has been discussed how the two girls are opposites:"dark and brooding" Maureen and "bubbly" Carol. Each has had adifferent sort of experience: Maureen (Gini Eastwood) negative - being raped by a Catholic priest, and Carol having a much more positive experience, just with some local kid in the bushes. By the way, I am a fifty year old man and I do not care. The scene of Karen's sexual awakening effected me so much. Sugary pop song and all. She has the vulnerability so perfect. One thing I would like to discuss is that the DVD case for 'Drive-in cult classics' has the release date for this film as 1980. This confused me. And is apparently wrong; the year is 1975. But there is still something about this. This movie does seem like a last breath of the 60's and 70's. There are even allusions or references to demonstrations. And the war (Vietnam war -that is) was over!!
Baby Blood (1990)
Better than expected!
Yeah, I found this movie better than expected. It really has a bizarre twist to it. Its "gross out" science fiction premise: ugly worms crawling inside of people, is really a front for a slasher movie. I thought, perhaps, I might not even be able to watch it. And again, the "gross out" images were minimal. And perhaps a later anthologist will put it an offshoot "vampire" film category. With the films female protagonist, Escourrou, drinking so much blood. (By the way, to some other reviewers: Escourrou is incredibly beautiful and hot) So the movie is really overlapping several genres. It, of course, has its origins in "Alien", and "It's Alive", and other films as well. And watching the dubbed version, really harks back to the seventies horror films. Primarily, Italian.