Atrocious acting, gallons of cherry red blood, and a wildly inappropriate soundtrack -- yet Deep Red is still great. Following a string of murders surrounding him, a pianist finds himself the next target as he unravels the mystery behind the attacks. What makes Deep Red work is the mystery that keeps you in your seat, and the outstanding camera-work that pulls you to the edge of it. While rough by today's Hollywood standards, many of the shots are creative, evoke the intended mood/information, and are sometimes just plain cool. Next is the sound track, and well, there are a number of things to say about the soundtrack. For one, it is very interesting, and at times cool. For another, it kills many tense moments with some odd seventies rock. Lastly, it is obviously inspired by Tubular Bells (not a bad thing). However, there is one piece of music that is played twice that is a direct rip from Tubular Bells. The word plagiarism comes to mind when hearing those sequences. Despite these quirks, Deep Red is a great film to watch for aspiring Horror film directors. It shows how a little elbow-grease and a creative mind can make a movie great.
Reviews
27 Reviews
Off the Charts: The Song-Poem Story
(2003 TV Movie)
Silly and sweet
27 August 2012
Here's a little documentary you don't know, about a subject you've never heard of. And, man, it couldn't be better! Everyone has seen the suspicious ads in the back of magazines that look like schemes for separating a sap from his cash. Ads that want you to send in cash in order to print your book, song, whatever. Off the Charts is about those little companies and the people that send material to them. Song-Poems, those companies call them; God-awful, most everyone else calls them; downright entertaining is what I call this movie. These horrible little songs that people send in have charm and personality. There is also a certain sadness to the entire situation -- of people who are in limited situations sending out for impossible dreams, completely unaware of how bad the lyrics they are sending away. Or maybe, most who use these services do it just because they want to hear their own song, no dream of riches, no manipulation involved, just having fun making music. Either way, these Song-Poems are awesome. If you can get your hands on this film, give it a spin. It is full of quirk and will definitely put a smile on your face. And after all, that's what entertainment's for.
Altered States
(1980)
Wow! What a trip!
27 August 2012
Freaky. Trippy. Weird. Just a few words you might say after seeing Altered States. But that's just the tip of the iceberg, because AS is a hell of a trip. Much of the sci-fi from the 60's and 70's was very 'drug influenced.' In the greatest sci-films of that time, it is very visible (2001 A Space Odyssey). Altered States is no different, and maybe that is what makes it so good. It is a psychedelic trip turned into a physiological experience. The concept is both amazing and ridiculous. I mean, how plausible is this concept -- munching on a few shrooms and getting into a deprivation tank can open up a rift in space time, causing you to digress to a primordial self. But at the same time, this physio-psychological exploration is fascinating and it's amazing to see such ideas in a Hollywood film. The thing is, everything is done so right that whether the concept sounds cool or silly to you, it doesn't matter. It comes off believable and thrilling and thought-provoking and scary, all at the same time. Hurt also gives a great performance as the obsessed professor looking for God. This is sci-fi done right.
War Horse
(2011)
Stunning visuals can't save this lame horse
27 August 2012
Spielberg's skill and some outstanding cinematography isn't enough to save this lame horse. And it is the story behind the problems. With a simplistic sentimentality, and heavy-handed construction, it is as if this was written for children. The thing is, stories of war aren't for children. And while the concept is great, most of the 'tales' of the people around this horse aren't very unique, interesting or even related to a general theme. The second act could almost be cut out of the film. It's a shame because the production values are top notch, and there are some truly memorable visual scenes (in the fields of wheat and the last shots of the film). Unfortunately, a film is more than just pretty pictures. It should be a good story as well.
Schindler's List
(1993)
Devastating
27 August 2012
Holocaust stories aren't watched for entertainment. They are more for documentation, more for knowledge. So it is no wonder this film clocks in at over 3 hours long, because like most holocaust stories, Schindler's List was made to be evidence to those not born in the time of that tragic and horrific event, not for a jaunty, fun watch. Here, Spielberg weaves in the tragedies of the holocaust with an engaging story, balancing both perfectly, delivering enough plot to make you wonder what will happen next, and enough tragedy to make you appreciate what you have now. While there is much that is done to perfection in SL, it is the visuals that are the most memorable. Kaminski's spot on cinematography and the choice to shoot this in black and white brings frame after frame of picture perfect visuals, reminiscent of classics such as Casablanca. In addition to that, the performances are memorable for almost every performer. Neeson has the perfect persona for B&W and delivers a Oscar caliber performance, along with Kingsley and Fiennes. And lastly, and certainly not least, the production value here is amazing. They really brought this time alive with hundreds if not thousands of extras and sets. It is a tragedy that the Holocaust ever happened, but it is a godsend that Spielberg made this film. It is one everyone should see.
Know Your Mushrooms
(2008)
Unprofessional but fun
27 August 2012
With all the grace and finesse of some dude on shrooms, KYM takes a look at mushrooms and tries to make its topic fun. For the most part, it works. It teaches some interesting facts about mushrooms and is entertaining. But there is little else here. With no narration, there is no real plot or connecting thread between topics (other than everything is about mushrooms). And while a great deal seems to be aimed at kids, much of the focus is about the psychedelic properties of some mushrooms (making it easy to suppose this is not targeting kids). And if it is not targeting kids, one has to wonder what the purpose of formatting facts as "Did You Know" questionnaires is (of which the answer is glaringly obvious). In the end, what you have is a lighthearted documentary that isn't too bad (but it didn't convince me to like the fungi).
Buffalo '66
(1998)
Indie-self pity
27 August 2012
Vincent Gallo. It's amazing how notorious some people can get for practically nothing. Buffalo 66, Gallo's directorial debut isn't, however, a complete 'nothing,' for it definitely has its moments. Some of the stylistic elements are interesting, the strip-club scene in particular is very effective, and there are entertaining and memorable moments throughout. The music too is a particular highlight. But this film oozes 'indie.' In fact it reeks of it. Made with all the skill of a film school drop out, the camera-work is uneven, the story is lopsided, and the entire experience is a mixed bag. If you know anything about Gallo, this entire film is one big narcissistic self-blowjob (the bathroom scene about how 'big' he is? Come on!). But let's just forget about that. The biggest problem is Billy himself. It's hard to like him. Despite being called 'sweet/kind' so many times by his 'girlfriend,' he never does a SINGLE thing that is actually 'sweet/kind' throughout the film. He is crass, angry, and bullying to everyone he meets. So this film comes off more of a 'whoa is me. Feel sorry for me' story for a jerk. Not a good base for a story. That very story, too, is weak. The whole kidnapping premise (which is the whole story) makes little sense (there's no motivation for her to do what he wants or to continue on with him). That said, it is a nice treat to see Ricci, Huston and Roorke. And there are a lot of funny scenes here (some intentional, some not). This definitely will not appeal to a large audience, but for those who like 'cinema,' art, or the indie scene, you might get a kick out of this.
Twins
(1988)
Double the trouble, double the fun!
27 August 2012
This is not a good movie. That doesn't, however, make it bad. Because it's got a lot of fun -- bad acting, cheesy 80's music, a lame plot, and Arnie!! The idea of two genetically engineered twins being nothing alike is a fun concept. It's a great setup for a comedy (especially with two opposites like Arnie and DeVito). It's also a great setup for a drama. Unfortunately, the concept isn't explored too deeply and this follows a pretty standard, by-the-numbers story structure. Hey, this is an 80's comedy after all. But did I mention it has Arnie?. This is simple, feel-good, nothing-deep, sit-back-and-relax entertainment. Nothing wrong with that.
Man on a Ledge
(2012)
One ledge you shouldn't get out on
27 August 2012
Man on a Ledge starts off exciting enough -- a man gets onto a ledge to commit suicide but obviously with the intention to do more than just kill himself. Things unfortunately tumble downhill from there. For most of the movie the outlandish premise is forgivable because the events play out in a very exciting and engaging way. So for those first 40 minutes things look like this will be a fun, no-brainer, popcorn flick. But unfortunately, the end is aiming for that big, explosive, dramatic finale. It's got to have it so badly, that it just blows all credibility and coolness out of the film. Bummer. This isn't one ledge you should risk going out on.
Buck
(2011)
The Real Horsewhisperer
27 August 2012
You may be thinking, 'A documentary about someone who trains horses? Snooze alert!' Think again. Buck is about an extraordinary man. At 6 he was performing at rodeos. He was also being abused by his father. Now, he is training horses with a revolutionary method, understanding them, and understand those horses masters better than they could even imagine. Buck is his personal journey through life and how he has come to his 'natural horse-training' techniques, a way to 'break a horse' without having to actually break them. His philosophy in horse training reveals a lot about people as well, and how we treat those of our own species. At times, it's hard to get over that this is really nothing more than a big, promotion piece for a (still living) man. But then again, maybe he has something to teach that we could all use. Something to think about.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
(2011)
Riveting Sushi Action!
27 August 2012
Who ever thought sushi could be so interesting? Whether you like sliced raw fish or not, you got to hand it to the Japanese for how they prepare their meals. And Jiro Ono is the pinnacle of that precise perfection. The oldest 3 star Michelin chef in the world (at 85), his sushi restaurant starts its courses at $300 bucks a head (starts!). With some slick photography and some great tunes, Gelb does justice to Ono's work. But this intricate documentation of Ono's life, family and his passion shows more than just how that fish gets on to your table. It shows how a man, his past, and his passion can drive him to be the best at what he does. A very interesting documentary.
The Raven
(I) (2012)
Edgar Allen Poe -- Super Sleuth!
27 August 2012
Edgar Allen Poe -- Super Sleuth! Sounds a little funny doesn't it? Well, that's exactly what The Raven is. It's too bad, because at it's heart, there is a fun concept here and a good mystery. The story never gets dull, the mystery unravels at a good pace, and there are plenty of twists and turns. But it's Poe himself that is the weakest part of the story. He starts off as whinny and annoying, and then somehow becomes an adventuring flatfoot -- it's all a little hard to swallow. I've always had hangups against turning real people into fictitious characters, but it becomes clear at the end why they decided to do this. And it's kind of a nifty idea. Then again, this story wouldn't have changed, and probably would have been more believable if Poe wasn't the one in the title role, and this took place in another time with another protagonist. But it is what it is. And it is a fun, pulpy mystery.
Best in Show
(2000)
An underdog that wins!
27 August 2012
Dog shows -- one of the lamest and most pointless events that I can think of. Best in Show proves I'm not the only one to think so. With its zany, well-written characters, BiS makes watching snobbish dogs strutting around a hoot. All throughout watching this I felt the timing to the jokes was so perfect, the conversations were so dry and funny, that BiS reminded me of Spinal Tap. Low and behold this is not only written by Christopher Guest (the writer of Spinal Tap), but directed by him as well. And while there really is no story here, the jokes and timing are so spot on that this is too fun not to enjoy, thanks to Guest's writing and the ensemble casts' hilarious performances. Whether you are a dog fan our not, this is one dog show you can go nuts about. Very funny!
Chronicle
(2012)
Why was this made as a 'found-footage' film?
22 July 2012
While not a bad film, Chronicle isn't the groundbreaking event that it is trying to be. If you aren't a teenager, or if you have even an interest in stories from other countries, you'll see beyond the surface of Chronicle. But first, lets get to the good stuff. The climactic sequence is pretty cool. It is very reminiscent of Akira (both the manga and the film), and the use of found-footage makes for a great montage of sources to bring that action to life. That said, however, the rest of the film plods along with a story that is manufactured for teens, fails to have any conflict, and is really nothing more than a origin story for a comic-book villain. The thing is all of this has been done before, and done much better. Unbreakable (origin story, which actually had conflict, and an arc to the story). Akira (some REAL mind-manipulation). Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield (found-footage that actually served the story). And I'm not really sure why they made this movie as a found-footage film. It really didn't enhance the film in any way. It was actually distracting. Because I was constantly aware that this was supposed to be a camera floating around. And I kept thinking "who would actually be carrying a camera around in this situation?" But if you are a teen, or haven't seen any of those other films then you might like... no, screw it, go see those instead.
Control
(2003)
A perfect example of how an ending can make a classic (or not)
22 July 2012
This is a great example of how an ending can make a film. Because I loved this film. It is funny, quirky, smart, and reminds me of some of the best moments of Trainspotting/Snatch/Lock Stock. Following a group of numbskulls who work as ticket-takers in the Hungarian metro system, this is an deftly executed indie drama. Humorous characters, a hero, 'the girl,' a villain, and an unknown murder. Sounds like the perfect set of ingredients for an urban slice-of-life story. But in the end, for some reason, Antal decided to end things on an impressionistic note. With a climax that is the only thing in the film that really doesn't work (an over-long 'action' shot with snail-slow running, and some off-note editing tossed in), this could have been something truly amazing if only Antal had decided to connect all the dots. As it is, things feel unfinished, parts unexplained. The end works against the brilliance of the rest of the film. It's a shame. Nonetheless, you should watch this.
An off-kiltered look at off-kiltered news
22 July 2012
Fox has never been known for the its integrity or desire to improve society. That is probably why it has done so well. So it's no surprise that when it started a news channel that it would be any different. Outfoxed analyzes the channel and shows just how far off the mark this channel has become, how it has affected American society and why it is doing this. While the inter-cut titles and 'effects' make this feel a little amateur, the interviews and content put any questions to rest. Outfoxed is definitely not for the right wing crowd, conveying its facts with an agenda, but the off-kiltered reporting displayed is undeniable. A very interesting documentary.
Doubt
(I) (2008)
Subtle, deep, powerful. A must see!
22 July 2012
A minister accused of child molestation. Nothing new here. We've all heard these rumors/stories/books/films. And unfortunately this kind of story has been so often told/reported that it has become clichéd. Just start a story about a priest and you can guess it will be about child molestation. The thing is 99% of priests out their don't do this. It's sad to see a group of people who generally are trying to help people be so doubted, so linked to such perversion in a society's collective thoughts. That's where Doubt comes in. Intricately constructed to be almost a proverb, D is an example of how doubt can destroy someone, whether they are guilty or not. An aptly named film. Shanley constructs a story of a minister accused of wrong doing and the sister hell-bent on proving it. The story is so evenly balanced that it never becomes clear whether he has done anything or not. Things are suspicious, but nothing is clear, building doubt in the audiences' mind (both for the minister and for the nun). Only in the end is the answer revealed, and even then, it is not clear, doubt abounds. And to top off such an interesting concept are the riveting performances by Streep, Hoffman, Adams and Davis. Together they make an already mesmerizing experience into something unforgettable. This is a must see.
Taxi Driver
(1976)
Scorsese's break out film is a classic!
22 July 2012
Taxi Driver is Scorsese's breakout film. It is dark, visceral and haunting. Only his fourth film, this classic bears all the marks of a seasoned auteur. Intricately crafted shots, perfect timing, and on top of that, De Niro gives one of his most disturbing performances. Together they paint a portrait of a man slipping into insanity and his personal self-destructive fantasy. That said, I don't believe this film is as insightful as everyone says it is. I've seen in three times now and I can't understand it's 'purpose.' What is the point of this? Is Travis a representation of the angst filled youth (of the 70's era) -- wanting to change the world, but misguided in how they try? Is this a portrait of how isolation destroys a man? Is this a tragedy? But these ideas aren't overtly clear. Especially by the happy ending (how he is somehow turned into a hero). Only after watching documentaries with interviews with the creators did I understand their intentions with certain scenes. But like most creators, the writer/director here were so close to their art that they thought what they were doing was self-evident (when sometimes it wasn't.) The character Travis himself is not sympathetic, while even anti-heroes have some part of them that you can connect with, some part that makes you want to root for them. Maybe that's why it works. Taxi Driver is an unfiltered look at New York in the 70's. Most of the film captures this in such detail and finesse, it couldn't have been staged better (which many of the background shots weren't). And Travis is a dark portrait of a reject on the edge, pushed over by the madness of the city/society/humanity(whatever you want to call it), and this story has proved itself to be reality again and again since. This is a mark of accurate art. Maybe that is what Taxi Driver is.
Waltz with Bashir
(2008)
Not a real 'documentary,' but documents the truth brutally.
22 July 2012
War is a terrible thing. People use it for different purposes, but it only has one result: destruction. Waltz with Bashir demonstrates this perfectly, following one soldier 20 years later as he tries to remember his part in the 1982 Lebanon invasion. Going from friend to friend, hearing their sordid tales, his own memories come back, ending in his part of a massacre of civilians. The music and direction work together beautifully to build a haunting atmosphere for this mesmerizing journey. The animation also is vibrant, and the juxtapositions are beautiful. That said, I wasn't a fan of the animation as it often came off as static, much like a flash-animation toon (unable to rotate the characters or have fluidity). But that's a minor quirk in such a poetic and memorable film.
Unlike the original, but not a bad continuation
22 July 2012
With a phenomenally popular story, it's only natural for it to have a sequel. And like most sequels, they are (almost) never as good as the original. That's what has happened with The Girl who Played with Fire. For the most part this is a result from rather bland direction (almost even sub-par). With no flare to the presentation, nothing that really submerges you into the characters, the direction is nothing more than standard camera-work and often bad timing (relying on loud noises to try and make you jump). But the story saves this from being a regrettable experience. Expanding on Lizabeth's past, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep things interesting. But this is a different story. This is not a taut mystery with social implications, as in the first. This is a crime/drama that borders almost into comic book twists (characters with almost super-human abilities and twists that borderline on unbelievable). Still, if you liked the first film, you should find out what has happened in its aftermath.
I hate to say it, but more rounded than Fincher's version
22 July 2012
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has been a worldwide phenomenon for a while now. In book form, the original film, and the Hollywood remake. It is a disturbing, yet riveting tale, as is the story behind the author who made it. While Fincher's version is visually and stylistically more striking, I feel this original Swedish film does a better job bringing the disturbing mystery to the silver screen. Structured much more fluidly than the Hollywood version, the mystery of a missing girl flows and develops slowly, dishing out red herrings and suspense with each turn (something lacking in the Fincher version). It also stays closer to the original title of the book (and theme) Men who Hate Women. In the end, this is a dark tale of what rape does to women and to the world. Not everyone's idea of 'entertainment,' but a thought-provoking mystery for those with strong stomachs.
Fincher at the top of his game
22 July 2012
Fincher is back to doing what he does best -- gritty, dark mysteries. With a scene that feels directly lifted from the diabolical 'sin' of Seven, this is not a film for everyone. It is, however, intricately crafted, brilliantly filmed, wonderfully scored and well acted. Even the opening credit sequence is a blast. Reznor also brings another great score (although this time doesn't create a hauntingly memorable theme like in Social Network). It is the story, however, that is the weakest point. While the mystery is interesting, it could have been trimmed a great deal. About by an hour. For that is about how long it takes to get to the real story, for things to get going. While it would mean to edit out Fincher's signature scenes (the one I mentioned before), I believe it would have made the film better. I believe the whole side plot about Lisebeth and her care worker don't really push along the story. It doesn't really provide the motivation for why she would become interested in this case (which is what I think they were going for). The ending too was a very odd note. It wasn't connected to what the story was about (the story wasn't about Makel and Lisabeth's love) and leaves an unsettling and unsatisfied feeling. But those nitpicks aside, this is Fincher at his best, and it is a great film.
J. Edgar
(2011)
'Old person' suits and clunky storytelling spoil the show
22 July 2012
While I don't know a great deal about the man in focus, I know the basics about him. And there seems to be one problem with the whole idea of making a movie about J Edgar Hoover -- he isn't a very likable character. Black tries his best to construct a sympathetic character, but instead weaves a tale that is clunky and not cohesive. DiCaprio does a fine job as Hoover, proving again he has the magic, but the make up spoils half of the show. While all the prosthetics and makeup are wonderful and would have been great if used in only a few scenes, it is painfully obvious that you are watching a young actor in an 'old person' suit. And when everyone is in all that getup for 75% of the film, your chances of having a moment where all that 'aging' doesn't work is pretty high. All this complaining aside, however, J Edgar is not without it's moments. There are many elements that do work. Parts of the story are very interesting, the camera work is nice, Eastwood brings his 'soft touch' to the craftsmanship, and the human story of Hoover and his alleged lover is very endearing (although I find it hard to believe Hoover was a closet homosexual. I can believe that he was so detached from his sexuality that he didn't know how to love anyone ((and that's how the homosexual rumors got started)). But this film was aiming for waterworks). But once everything is all said and done one has to remember -- Hoover wasn't a very nice man. Look at what he did in context, even the things he did in this film. And that just goes to show, no mater how much you polish up a lump of coal, it will never turn into a diamond. That is the case here, with the man and the movie.
A mediocre finale
22 July 2012
While this final act isn't really necessary in "The Girl..." Trilogy (aka The Millennium Trilogy), it brings all the loose ends together and makes everything all nice and taken care of. Frankly I found some of it hard to follow (a lot of 'who is this guy again?'), but it was nice to see elements from the first film finally come to fruition here. As with the previous installment in the series, the direction was fairly bland here, not really using any techniques to heighten the suspense (or really lack there of) or connect the audience with the characters. I can only remember seeing one dolly/zoom that attempted to emphasize the emotions of a character and accent an important detail. On top of that, there are many elements of the story that felt unnecessary. For example, Neidermann's character felt completely irrelevant in this film. The story here would have been tighter without that element because his plot isn't related at all to what is happening (and after the main story has been resolved, the movie goes on another 30 minutes just to take care of his character). But seeing this is trying to follow the book and wrap up all various elements, I guess it can't be left out. As it is, for fan's of the series, TGWKtHN is a mediocre addition to the saga of Lizabeth. For all others, this isn't a 'must see.'
Angels & Demons
(2009)
Better than Da Vinci Code
19 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
It's hard not to compare this to The Da Vinci Code. It does use the same main character and same premise of secret societies and symbols. But really, other than that, the two films are nothing a like. And that is what makes this film so much better than the other. The point of this film isn't to make you believe in a fantastic idea. This is plain and simple a mystery that uses historical clues. The story too is much tighter, constructed with a countdown, and just all around more exciting. Howard also deals with the subject matter much more deftly (even though I still think someone with a darker touch, like Fincher, would have been more appropriate). In all, this is a very good mystery/thriller. There was only one thing really that rubbed me the wrong way: (WARNING! SPOILER) the ending. After the big reveal and you find out who was behind everything, if you think about things, its hard not to laugh. I mean, how realistic of a plan is this: OK, I want to become the next pope so I'll kill off all the other nominees, steal a nuclear(like) bomb and set it up so that they'll discover it at the last second. Then I will fly it up in a helicopter with the bomb (to be everyone's savior), have it explode (which would probably make the blast worst, cuz in real life, nukes are detonated in the air for a larger blast radius, not from the ground), but I WILL ESCAPE THE EXPLOSION IN A PARACHUTE, land safely, and because I did such a daring act of compassion, they will elect me as the next pope. Facts like it is impossible to actually expect to live through all that and that the papal laws will never allow this kind of election (and since the Catholic church ISN'T the most conservative group in the world, the first thing OF COURSE will be to break with two thousand years of tradition). Sounds like an airtight, realistic plan to me. Right? Anyways, to get back to the film, it is exciting, a fun mystery, and well made.
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