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The Apprentice (2024)
The Apprentice - and The Mentor
With the recent victory of Donald Trump in the American presidential election it's a good time to view this flick that showcases his rise in the business world and the public eye. A production of several countries that took some time to take off (thanks in no small part to Trump) the film is a fascinating display of a time, a place and the collective mindset of a group of people who have too much without really much to show.
Tall, blonde and handsome Donald Trump seemed to have a one of a kind advantage from the start. Born into affluence and all the advantages that buys Trump instead really had it rough. Enduring a bully of a father (who his own psychiatrist sister called "a highly functioning sociopath") and having to witness the tragic decline of an alcoholic brother he was close to, Trump's familial difficulties were exacerbated by the sluggish pace of his business career. Reduced to collecting the rent of his father's mouth-breathing tenants Trump seemed stuck until one night fate crossed his path with Roy Cohn, and that's when things started to roll, ushering a saga of friendship, business, power, sexuality, amorality, illness, betrayal and redemption.
Sporting a strong cast, solid direction and a good soundtrack "The Apprentice" delivers from start to finish. With a down at the dumps New York City as a glitzy and squalid backdrop in the 1970s to its recovery after the movie takes the viewer on a ride into the corridors, halls and skyscrapers of wealth and power and the ugly reality that underpins them. Sebastian Stan is a restrained Donald Trump who develops from normal and deferential to snobbish and arrogant, lacking and missing out on The Donald's embarrassingly boisterous bragadoccio. As a fan of "Succession" I was glad to see Jeremy Strong turn in a strong (pun intended) and memorable performance as the ruthless Roy Cohn.
While no classic and perhaps there could have been more interesting and juicy tidbits that should have been included (don't get me wrong, there are good ones here - Trump had lipo and a hair transplant?) this is one of the finest bioflicks and a prime representation on what defines success to the masses and why they get what they deserve. See this.
Wolfs (2024)
"If it ain't broke..."
A woman invites a young man up to her fancy hotel room for a night of fun and good ol' bedside romping in New York City. Trouble occurs when the young whipersnapper pogo on the bed and crashes on a glass table looking very much dead. Who's she gonna call? The Fixer! So begins a roundabout journey of disposing supposedly dead bodies, professional enmity, gunshots, organized crime, a moral conscience, a budding friendship and a young man running the streets of Manhattan with just his underwear on.
An Apple TV+ limited cinema release, "Wolfs" is all about the actors with the script as a customary tag-along. Brad Pitt and George Clooney deliver as the A-Listers that keep this prosaic plot going with their natural chemistry. The amusing back and forth between the two are mostly entertaining with Pitt's flippant character a good complementary counter to Clooney's grumpy personality. The directing and supporting cast add able support in this bumpy and pretty bloody ride that leads to a cool twist in the end.
Considering the caliber of its leads the film is surprisingly lightweight in its overall approach. After a good start the movie regresses to a typical chase-thriller bag of tropes. After watching Matt Damon's and Casey Affleck's recent charmer this pales in comparison. With a better script this could have packed more oomph and punch.
It's mostly a delight to have big stars on the same boat in a project and "Wolfs" is no different. Funny, entertaining and watchable it's good to see Pitt and Clooney and the old school suave and charm they personify in action together again. A fine film and a good watch.
Succession (2018)
Television at Its Best - A Modern Classic
The outstanding drama on business and hands down one of the best shows to grace the screen, "Succession" has it all. The tale of media giant Logan Roy and his family is one of the great epics of filmdom. With a stellar cast, topnotch direction, memorable music and scintillating script the viewer is taken for a wild ride into a rollercoaster of scenes, thoughts and emotions as one is privy to familial intrigues, business deals and human nature at its best and worst. The leads are archetypes: crude and towering Logan Roy, the irascible patriarch who dominates and is the bedrock and foundation where everyone revolves on; university smart but weak and indecisive Kendall Roy who just doesn't have the "It" factor to get things done; soft and snivelly Roman Roy whose barbed cynicism is as strong as his character is weak; Siobhan "Shiv" Roy, the only daughter who exemplifies the female in a male dominated field: eager to impress and usually disappoints in the end; the marginalized and barely there Connor Roy whose sheltered state of mind borders on the delusional. Add in Shiv's fruity and weasly hub Tom Wambsgans and their obnoxiously detestable within the spectrum cousin Gregory Hirsch and you've got a personality stew that'll crackle the screen. With an equally compelling rotating cast in support the show is a powerhouse from start to finish. While a number of episodes are all over the place this is one show where it hits bullseyes all the time.
An excellent example where perfect casting combines with outstanding filmmaking, when it comes to business and drama, business drama, "Succession" is the model and the standard, the one to beat. Nominated numerous times and winner of multiple awards throughout different categories this is one show where art and finance superbly meet. Essential.
Plein soleil (1960)
Purple Noon
With the recent passing of Alain Delon it's good to check out one of the highlights of his long and storied film legacy and "Purple Noon" (Plein soleil) is arguably his peak. Based on the 1955 novel "The Talented Mr. Ripley" by Patricia Highsmith the film is a sunny and watery take into a tale of deception, sexual ambiguity and murder.
Tom Ripley is commissioned by a wealthy businessman to convince his son who's living it up in Italy to return to America. Finding himself in an awkward situation and being out of place amidst rich young uns without a care in the world the prospect of failure and penury looms larger and larger in the horizon. Desperate, he sets off a chain of events that leads to hair-raising highs in an endless rush of cat and mouse that promises freedom only to find it come crashing into an amusingly fitting end.
Delon is the subtle focus as his chiseled pretty boy features exude an enigmatic intensity that add weight to the screen. The rest of the cast add able contributions. The Italian scenery serves as much as a highlight providing a bright and refreshing contrast to the dark story that unfolds.
As good overall as the film is the flaws that pepper the screen go toe to toe with its attributes. The poor pacing, awkward acting and hence shaky scenes, jarring soundtrack and questionable choices made concerning the film marr this Mediterranean cruise. It would have been better if the characters were French as it's odd to see a bunch of well-off Americans and a drifter speaking nonstop fluent francais.
And couldn't they have worn socks?
Although the 1999 version starring Matt Damon is superior, this is one of the better and more watchable non-U. S. flicks to emerge from the postwar era. An aesthetic visual on Euro chic and a compelling story well told, this is one film fans can appreciate.
Come and Get It (1936)
"I miss the comfort in being sad..."
Being a Nirvana fan I've inevitably been familiar with the Frances Farmer story for a long time now. Intrigued that the seminal band even went out of their way to jam out an ace tune as tribute to her the myth engendered by the group surrounding her fuelled by time kept her in my mind since. Breaking the ice I decided to check out her film legacy and picking the one that gave her her first brush with fame it's quite the view and reveal.
Based on the Edna Ferber yarn of the same name "Come and Get It" is trad drama familiarly well-delivered. Set in the turn of the late 19th - early 20th Century, a plump, chuckly "aww shucks" lumberjack finds himself in the snowy woods of Wisconsin and charms the locals while satiating his ambition as he sets his eyes on the "big prize". Taking advantage with an opportunity handed him in time he gets what he wants. But playful fate throws him a curveball and he pretty much finds himself basically where he came from.
Good acting from all involved and a steady pace keep this Depression-era vintage to watchability. Edward Arnold steals the show as the hefty and loquacious Barney Glasgow while Walter Brennan won the first academy award for Best Supporting Actor as the endlessly-accented sidekick. Frances Farmer exudes subtleness and restraint with her generally laidback approach highlighted by her husky voice and reserved demeanor. Even when she emerges from her shell to express emotion there's an air and atmosphere of distant introversion that permeates her scenes. Her fine thespic display is highlighted by her boyishly comely Julie Andrews allure that's quite the eye candy and feast for the senses.
While no classic and anything outstanding, "Come and Get It" is solid Golden Age Hollywood for film historians and film fans to appreciate. Transcending time, fashion, technology and trends this is one that survives. "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle", indeed!
Trap (2024)
The Neverending Gig
A serial killer is on the loose. His crimes are horrible. What to do? Try to catch him in a 20,000 seater arena concert! Thus begins this intriguing and strange tale where one is in on a pretty surreal trip where you can't quite place yourself either in the realm of fantasy, reality or just plain absurdity.
M. Night Shyamalan is at it again with his latest foray into the dark and unsettling; writing, starring and directing his latest release with twists and chills in tense display. Whether set in a live performance in a huge arena or a quiet suburban dwelling the film navigates this suspense-ridden cat and mouse game with a steady and languid pace that never makes you forget what's at stake. From the initial idyllic opening to the devilish closer one is in for quite the ride.
Ah, if only. With the glaring plot hole that the film is itself one need not mention the miscasts, the erratic pacing, the length and the lousy soundtrack. Josh Hartnett does fine as everyone's dad but lacks the chops to embody someone who dismembers human flesh as a hobby. Saleka Shyamalan is pretty but when it comes to acting and songwriting the term "Nepo Baby" is immediately apparent. The unrealistic scenes which serve as "twists" are embarrassments for someone of Shyamalan's stature and if he's going to run out of ideas next time perhaps he should stick to directing alone. Tack-in the usual pc insertion (an elderly woman as top criminal profiler?) and you've got the recipe for a film that should have been much better.
One of the more interesting and imaginative flicks of recent times (Yay! No superheroes!), "Trap" brings the serial killer trope into a novel setting that fittingly delivers in distinct fashion. Panoramic and quite engaging this is one worth the watch.
Watchmen: Chapter I (2024)
"We don't need another hero..."
Based on the famed graphic novel by Alan Moore, "Watchmen: Chapter I" sets the well-known tale of superheroes in distress in an animated format. One by one the caped and masked crusaders of yore are either being killed off or disgraced. Who or what's responsible? And why?
For one thing, this flick's a one-off. With a futuristic Manhattan nocturne illuminated by bright neons amidst a dark tone you've got a raspy-voiced thug who's supposed to be a superhero interrogating everybody; a sociopathic meathead called "The Comedian" flung out of a high-rise out of his misery; a nude man in blue who flies to Mars; an effeminate blonde whose supposed to be the smartest man in the world; and a woman dying of cancer. Throw in a love story with the usual law chase tacked in the end and you've got your adult toon in a nifty package.
I had high expectations for this being a fan of cartoons (wholesome and otherwise) for the mature crowd. Like the comic it's based on I found it satisfactory and underwhelming. While watchable with the intriguing plot and quite appealing graphics the flaws rear out early on. Aside from the somewhat crude animation the disappointing script and storyline left a lot to be desired. It's as if some dork let loose with his social shortcomings highlighted his interactional inadequacy by stymying what should have been a deep and compellingly well-rounded thriller on the proverbial battle between good and evil. Instead what you get is a fairly run-down chronology of ho-hum characters with ho-hum lives and the obligatory fistfights and beatings inserted amidst a filmful of talk. With animations like this, 6 year olds with theirs have more fun.
At the end of the film there's a preview (albeit a too lengthy one) of the sequel to this film and it seems to hold more promise: seemingly more action-packed and less talky it bodes for a punchier, more consistent view.
Who's watching "The Watchmen" ?
The Instigators (2024)
Crime Doesn't Pay (And It Sure Is a Hell of a Lot of Fun!)
One of the most fun and entertaining films of recent times, "The Instigators" packs a wallop of laughs and a lot of action in delivering this explosive package. When I saw Matt Damon and Casey Affleck leading this flick I knew I had to see this and I certainly wasn't disappointed.
When a disgruntled former grunt doing therapy and a smart-aleck crook take a dive into a heist there's a strong possibility things could get interesting and with this it definitely does. It's election time and the bad boys team-up with some local no-gooders in the great city of Boston and plan not just to rob a bank but THE MAYOR HIMSELF. Of course, nothing turns out as planned and our heroes go on the run. Contemplating their road to freedom, the charming Einsteins come up with a brilliant plan: to pretty much replicate their previous attempt which they barely escaped with the skin of their teeth. Good acting, witty and hilarious back and forth repartee, car chases that don't make you go to sleep and good ol' fashioned explosions and you've got quite the thrilling ride. The movie slows down a bit towards the end as it settles for common cliché but rounds off well at the end with a fine twist (albeit clichéd too).
Proof that many or if not most of the time good actors make good films, "The Instigators" highlights why A-Listers keep their mansions and why the public willingly let them so. Plop on the seat, stretch out your legs, pop off the drink and gobble the snacks and forget everything in this hour and a half ride into mayhem and freedom. Enjoy.
Entourage (2004)
A Fun and Lighthearted Romp in the City of Dreams
One of the finest series in television and one of the best in Comedy, "Entourage" takes on the value of friendship and places it in that most dazzling and trying of places, Hollywood. Based on A-Lister and Executive Producer Mark Wahlberg's experiences as an up and coming actor in Tinseltown the show cruises through the palm-covered streets and flashy offices onto glitzy movie premieres in its entertaining depiction of life as an actor in the film capital of the world.
Vincent Chase is an aspiring hopeful from rough working class Queens, New York who dreams of stardom in the City of Angels. Cool, friendly, loyal, generous, optimistic and hopelessly idealistic he moves to Los Angeles in his quest and loyally tags along those closest to him from back home: his over the hill thespian older brother Johnny "Drama" Chase, diminutive and no nonsense best friend and manager Eric "E" Murphy, and equally short and always put-upon Salvatore "Turtle" Assante. Together they go through their day to day experiences in the movie industry in amusing and hilarious fashion as the friends navigate their way through fame, women, sex, wealth, drugs, business and the complex journey called life in all its myriad ups and downs.
With a quick, fast-paced half-hour timeline, witty script and memorable characters each episode is a riveting wallop that lures you on to the next. The term "binge watch" sprang from shows like this. With personalities like the over the top agent Ari Gold and his devoted gay assistant Lloyd Lee, the endless stream of sexy women, the interesting glimpse at the wheelings and dealings that go on in the business, the cool soundtrack and the celebrity cameos one gets a visual and sensual panoramic view of the thrill, excitement (and downside) of show business.
While there is a noticeable dip in quality in the last few seasons one can understand the realism and range the writers went for. The formula was sacrificed for reality and rather than go for the same old-same old the show's scribes depicted real life with characters, scenes, scenarios and fates altering in their refreshing and convincing portrayal of life's changes. This is highlighted in the final episode of the show where, while it seems somewhat rushed with a questionable storyline ends on a lovely note with a happy ending that's fitting and deserving for these basically wimpy but charmingly nice guys.
If it's a nonstop party you want filled with nudity, hot babes, steamy sex, drugs, uproarious banter filled with vulgarity, wit and humor then look no further. One of the outstanding shows from television's recent renaissance, "Entourage" is one every film and TV enthusiast should see. So go grab a beer and some snacks with your buddies, settle on the couch, and watch these memorable characters take you in on the glorious ride we call life.
Nightcrawler (2014)
Nightcrawler
Filmed in dark tones that highlight the gritty and disturbing subject matter, "Nightcrawler" is modern L. A. noir as psychological thriller. An unflinching look at the life of a stringer, a freelance media grunt who provides services for news outlets and gets paid on a case by case basis, the film cruises the dark alleyways and paths that blur the line between ethics and professionalism. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as the wide-eyed spectrum touched sociopathic news cameraman who glibs his way to the top of his profession while breaking and overtaking moral codes "to get to the story". Co-star Riz Ahmed delivers as the regular Joe who finds out while it's too late the situation he finds himself in is more than he has bargained for while Rene Russo cuts an elegant female touch as the sexy boss. Thrilling car chases, a good script, impressive directing and effective acting round out impressively this unsettling portrayal of madness and L. A. at night.
A triumph for first-time director Dan Gilroy, "Nightcrawler" has since been elevated to the status of a cult favorite and has since been regarded as one of the finest films made. A penetrating depiction and study on one of the more disturbing aspects of the human psyche this is one fans of edgy, darker material in movies will appreciate.
Psycho (1960)
"Why, she wouldn't even harm a fly..."
One of the best and most influential Suspense/Thriller films of all-time, "Psycho" transcends time and place embodying the horrors of the mind in all its depravity and complexity. Based on the novel of the same name by Robert Bloch which was inspired by infamous serial killer Ed Gein, the tale of Norman Bates and his aberrant fixation for his mother is one of the most well-known sagas in filmdom.
The plot is a staple in cinema history. Lovestruck Marion Crane decides to flee with $40,000 in cash entrusted to her by her boss to deposit in the bank. Hair-raising moments that augment her guilt lead her to a long and winding road (literally and figuratively) to a quiet and secluded motel where her fate meets with justice in a most gruesome, bloody way.
One of legendary director Alfred Hitchcock's greatest artistic triumphs, "Psycho" is tense-paced motion serving the climax. A triumph of casting and directing the film succeeds on all fronts. The freshness and immediacy of the realistic acting which make it admirably contemporary are highlighted by the striking and memorable leads - Janet Leigh's blonde arch-browed sexiness highlighting her nerve-wracked plight as the embezzling damsel in distress; and Anthony Perkins' tall, gangly boyish look as Norman Bates where he delivers his finest performance portraying the amiable facade of normalcy then revealing the dark, unsettling sinister mind of the delusional and murderously insane. His seamless shifts from boy next door to psychopath through his eyes and facial reactions are among the most impressive in all of filmdom and hallmarks of topnotch acting. The ace cinematography captures moving images of tension and foreboding while the ornate interiors of the domiciles emit an aesthetic of Gothic sophistication fitting the story. The memorably jarring soundtrack slices through like a knife on flesh heightening the terror. All in luminous B&W.
Despite its strengths the film creaks with age, its impact lessened by time. The stiff, near-theatrical acting of the time underlies throughout the flick. The laggy parts (the crime-tampering scene is filler) slow-down the build-up while the awkward and amusing headshots, curse-free script and refreshingly un-pc stream remind one that the film is from another era.
One of the first psychological and slasher thrillers (and one of the best), "Psycho" was a commercial and artistic success that ushered in a new style in cinema paving the way for classics like "The Silence of the Lambs" and standout series like "Criminal Minds" focusing on the twisted world and distorted mindframe of the criminally insane. With recent studies that psychopathy is inherited from the mother the film is more prescient and relevant than ever.
"Why, she wouldn't even harm a fly..."
Essential.
Hotel Chevalier (2007)
It Is What It Is
A stylish short on slice of life relationship mores, "Hotel Chevalier" is a watchable little snippet on the ho-hum humdrum of day to day experiences in romantic affairs. Director/Writer Wes Anderson's prologue to his film "The Darjeeling Unlimited" this is a portrayal of romance in all of its anticipation, dread, awkwardness, uncertainty, pleasure and contentment.
Lodged in a somewhat classy Parisian hotel, a fruity mustachioed Jason Schwartzman gets an unexpected phone call from his lover announcing her more unexpected desire to visit him. After some hesitation he accedes to the visit and from then on the film takes on the course of an interaction dealing with sex, doubt and a nude Natalie Portman. The latter's androgynous Jean Seberg look is a fitting complement to the "Boogie Nights" air of her beau and her slight assertiveness edges quite smoothly with the man's beta sensibilities. The dim orange-lighted hotel room with its atmosphere and vibe of 3 star pretension serves as a somewhat heavy decadent backdrop to the erratic personalities involved. As the two enter and settle in the balcony at the end the stiff ornamented edifices surrounding them and light-grey sky ease everything to a quiet and comforting balm of relief.
While nothing of major importance and perhaps the longest 13 minutes you'll experience in front of a screen, "Hotel Chevalier" accomplishes it's point. Men and women and oh the things they go through to figure out each other and endure the myriads of complications and tangles just to work it out.
Show People (1928)
"Don't anticipate!"
One of the first silents to feature synchronized sound, "Show People" is a fun and wacky romp through the world of Jazz Age Hollywood. An aspiring young actress from Georgia is accompanied by her father to Hollywood hoping to make her dream of becoming a successful dramatic actress become a reality. Going through the mores of the filmmaking process she meets, befriends and falls in love with a handsome comedic actor and together they plan to help each other in making it. Fate intervenes and as their paths diverge in opposite directions life instills in them the values of honesty, humility and patience.
This ride is filled with gags as slapstick abounds with pie splats, water splashes and rib-tickling car chases. My interest in viewing the film stems from my long-time interest in lead stars Marion Davies and William Haines, the former for her connection to media tycoon William Randolph Hearst and the latter for being considered the first openly gay actor in Hollywood. Davies is memorable as the doe-eyed blonde with enough acting chops to deliver her comedic role convincingly while Haines complements her with his tall, handsome and gangly demeanor whose camp fripperies come through which no acting could conceal. Like a lot of these vintage flicks a huge charm of viewing them is the time travel to that distant era and I for one couldn't help but be moved with all of the Model T's, fedoras, knee-high skirts and what have you. The cameos of the stars of the day are cool and it was nice to see Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, John Gilbert, Marion Davies herself and director King Vidor all lending a hand. Some corniness and cliches popping here and there slow down the laughs but overall this baby's one of the bee's knees.
One of the more appealing artifacts from the dawn of sound, "Show People" is a simple and fun portrayal of the movie industry and its goings on. Still entertaining as it nears its century mark this is one film fans and historians can still enjoy.
Longlegs (2024)
Into the Grotesque
Part Horror, part Suspense, part Thriller, part unintended Comedy, "Longlegs" is an ambitious attempt at psychological and supernatural scares but doesn't quite get there as its fake and cosmeticized talons strain to grasp its distant and unwilling victim.
Set in the 1990s (with matching Bill Clinton posters in the background) a young and odd female FBI agent with psychic capabilities is tasked to find a serial killer whose been going on a killing spree since the 1970s. The investigation reveals a strange pattern in the murders that puts law enforcement to the test as the case seems to defy logic and natural phenomena. As the lead protagonist delves deeper situations unfold where events seem to reveal the matter strikes too close to home (literally and figuratively) for our heroine.
With its settings of cold, damp, sunless suburban sprawls the film moves at a slow burn pace that evokes an ominous, eerie atmosphere and vibe. Prolonged silences ruptured interjectionally by chilling music brood out this comic grotesquerie, immersing the viewer into an experience like a bad dream.
Alas, if only it worked. With a cast including star Nicolas Cage and veterans Alicia Witt and Blair Underwood together with interesting up and comers Kiernan Shipka and Maika Monroe the film should have been a banger. So what went wrong? The film moves at too slow a pace for the complex plot where edge of the seat tension heightened by a fitting soundtrack should have been done instead. Cage's over the top lunatic portrayal as the serial killer comes across as more clownish and buffoonish than terrifying with his exaggerated actuations and awful prosthetics. If you want to see a murdering psychopath with something akin to a botched plastic surgery you're in for a treat. Lead star Maika Monroe is neither comely nor sympathetic but she carries the film well with her bizarre within the spectrum performance as the beleaguered and rattled cop who would've probably been more comfortable as a stenographer or a work at home call center agent.
Watchable but nothing to write home about, "Longlegs" is good for snacks and a nice big bottle of Mountain Dew. A zone out sleeper good for some chills and thrills this is one to pass a boring afternoon with.
Murder in the Front Row: The San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Story (2019)
When Gods Walked the Earth
Tired of Disco and the stadium-corporate-mainstream Rock that dominated the airwaves in the late 1970s, teens throughout the U. S. wanted music that was faster, louder and more intense, something that they could call their own. Hearing about and listening to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal but being unable to watch those bands live due to geography what did the kids do? Form band's of their own! Documenting this great and influential scene filmmaker Adam Dubin relives the origins and eventual breakthrough of the movement called Thrash that elevated Heavy Metal music to one of its most successful peaks both artistically and commercially.
Blasting forth with the ascent of Metallica, the foremost band of the scene the film depicts a community of men and women who hung out, formed bands, jammed and partied like no other. With interviews of band members, friends, writers, label owners, scenesters, etc., the doc showcases a highly creative and vibrant scene that thrived on great music and a lot of beer and wanton destruction (and a whole lot of fun in doing so!). Images and archival footage show priceless photos and vids of great bands like Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus, Testament, etc., hanging out and ripping it up onstage with rabid appreciative fans moshing and stage-diving in communal frenzy. Great music is the soundtrack and it's great to see James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, Tom Araya, Gary Holt, Alex Skolnick and a host of others relive the glory days of their youth and the music. The fanzines and tape trading that were a huge part on why the music flourished are touched on not to mention the few ladies who were a big part of the scene including the one of a kind Debbie Abono who served as both manager and mother figure to the motley group of monsters.
With its direct, no nonsense approach that gives off a cool, somewhat amateurish vibe, "Murder in the Front Row: The San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Story" is an essential documentary on one of the most seminal and important genres in Rock history. This is one every crazed Rock fan and unhinged metalshead should watch and bang his head to. Two devil's horns up!
Highlander (1992)
"In the end, there can be only one"
One of the most memorable and entertaining series in television history, "Highlander: The Series:" is an action-packed, drama-filled and comedy-laden trip throughout history. With characters and scenes that will stay in the viewer's mind long after the credits have faded the series is a compelling view on life, friendship, morality and the quest in finding one's self and purpose.
Born in 1592 in the highlands of Scotland to a prominent tribal family, Duncan MacLeod is a brave and honorable individual born and raised to be a warrior. With a strong moral code and at the same time a flippant sense of humor his destiny to lead his family seems secure. But a discovery that shatters his illusions and sets him on a unique journey through centuries enlightens him on his one of a kind path.
Adrian Paul stars as Duncan MacLeod and shines in the role that defined his career. Tall, dark and handsome he portrays the mercurial lead character shifting easily between action, drama and comedy with natural ease. The supporting cast complement handsomely and are among the most memorable in filmdom: Rock legend Roger Daltrey as the charming trouble-finding rake Hugh Fitzcairn; lovely Alexandra Vandernoot who plays MacLeod's doting and fragile love interest; the late Stan Kirsch in one of the great sidekick roles as cocky and loyal Richie Ryan; Elizabeth Gracen's sexy and beguiling 1,000+ year old master thief Amanda; musician and actor Jim Byrnes as the gruff and reliable Joe Dawson; and Peter Wingfield as "the oldest man alive", 5,000 year old Methos who's as carefree as he is deceptive. The villains are as unforgettable and they're a who's who in the Entertainment world: Pop star Roland Gift as the money-hungry immortal Xavier St. Cloud who lives and thrives on crime; Rock icon Joan Jett as a devious blade-wielding murderess; and Pop sensation Sheena Easton as a fanatical revolutionary misguided in both time and place; to name just a few. Thrilling swordfights, fascinating flashbacks, rib-tickling comic banter and moving dramatic scenes elevate this show to quite like no other.
Problems with the lead actor and erratic scripts led to a noticeable decline with the quality of the episodes in the last two seasons. The profusion of lightweight comedy and the then emerging pc-multicult insertions disrupted an otherwise stellar run but the strength of the series overall overrides the unfortunate misses.
One of the best and most unforgettable sagas in television history, "Highlander: The Series" stands alone in the Action and Fantasy genres with its diverse cast of talents and distinct story. The standout of the "Highlander" franchise this highly appealing show is one that has something for everybody.
For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism (2009)
"Critics" - sneered Lou Reed
An informative and delightful tribute to the much maligned yet important art of film criticism (with this being of the American kind), "For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism" chronicles the history of the subject and its relation to the film industry and moviegoers alike.
Starting from film's earliest days in America during the late 19th - early 20th Century the documentary traces the evolution of criticism in the U. S. from its humble infancy in a new and promising field to the present where the advent of technology delivers the medium to a mass audience like no other time in its history while undermining it highlighted by the number of critics losing jobs in record numbers. The film introduces the pioneers with the likes of Frank E. Woods, who began the close working relationship of the critic with film directors; poet Vachel Lindsay, the first American writer to author a book on film criticism; and Robert E. Sherwood, the first celebrity film critic in the States. The critics of the "Classic Era" are featured with Otis Ferguson, James Agee and Bosley Crowther getting brief and adequate treatment. The film focuses more on the "legends" like Andrew Sarris and Pauline Kael (and their silly and interesting rivalry) including celebrities of the field Roger Ebert, Gene Siskel and Leonard Maltin who took the medium to the mainstream and an internet star like Harry Knowles who carried the tradition into the millennium. Archival footage, images and interviews with critics from various prominent publications and from those in the industry itself like director John Waters give a compelling take on the art form and its importance and relevance to film and society at large. While the low-key, slightly amateurish look and vibe of the doc somewhat cheapens what should have been a glitzy feature to complement the topic discussed the simplicity and directness of the film throughout befits the nature of criticism itself.
A simple, revealing and well-done glimpse into a world everyone thinks they know but barely know about, this highly watchable documentary is one for film fans and critics alike. This is one artistic outlet that can annihilate a work made in months or years with a single paragraph and a mode of expression that a professor, a janitor, a president and a plumber can naturally do. With such a powerful and practical art form, criticism is one slice of reality everyone should know.
Spector (2022)
Music, Madness and Murder
A moving and revealing series on the lives and tragedies that were Phil Spector and Lana Clarkson, "Spector" is a steady and sombre look at the world of Entertainment and the terrible price paid by the victims in its dark and sordid side.
Chronicling Spector's life from his troubled background in a dysfunctional family to his peak as a musical artist and producer to the scandal of his murder of actress Clarkson the documentary is a direct and disturbing portrayal of a madman abetted by society and justice served. With interviews of family and associates of the main subjects and the people involved in the trials plus archival footage the picture emerges of a man whose talent and charisma masked a narcissistic fiend with a bent for control, violence, intimidation and eventually murder. The film also does adequate justice to the victim in depicting her as an attractive and easy-going woman who did her best to achieve stardom in the cutthroat jungle known as Hollywood leading to a fateful night in Spector's mansion that ended the dream for good. The footage of the lengthy trial in all of its twists and turns is quite compelling and is the highlight of the series.
Having recently listened to "Back to Mono (1958-1969)", this documentary adequately filled in gaps in my knowledge of the Spector myth and legend. One of the most interesting and odious legacies in the history of music, Phil Spector's life is a cautionary and tragic tale on the price of fame and talent. This is a must see for fans of music, True Crime and cinema.
Zemlya (1930)
Earth
A visual portmanteau of imagery and ideology, "Earth" (Zemlya) is a portrait of a place and time captured for posterity. Equal parts aesthetics and propaganda director Oleksandr Dovzhenko's most famous work is his take on the collectivization of the farmland in his native Ukraine and the controversies and tragedies that resulted from it. Shot in Ukraine the film is a motioning still-life of undulating fields crowned with wind-blown grass underneath clear cloudy skies. Angled beneath the visages of the actors mostly throughout the movie the cinematography highlights the rural idyll championed by the film with its portraits of individuals and nature living side by side and the nature of each in their complementary harmony. Erratic acting and a slow-going pace marr this watchable film but a steady focus (and surprisingly sexy nudity at the end) keeps one watching.
A striking look at the age-old conflict between tradition and modernity, "Earth" transcends its time and politics with its tackling of issues that remain relevant to this day. A poetic feast for the senses and a direct gaze at human nature, "Earth" is man simple, bare and revealed.
1991: The Year Punk Broke (1992)
When Rock Was Everything
A great moment in time captured for posterity, "1991: The Year Punk Broke" documents the leading lights of the American Alternative Rock scene of the time in their tour of Europe in 1991. Channeling their musical mayhem the film traces the merry noisemakers in their trek across Ireland, Britain, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr., Babes in Toyland, Gumball and the Ramones blaze a trail of sonic noise to huge and appreciative audiences.
Kicking-off with Thurston Moore's overlong cringe-inducing free-form stream of consciousness poetry and verbal sound effects the doc takes one on a fun and kick*** jam of roof-busting live performances and behind the scenes features. With Sonic Youth as the focus and Moore as the amusing and insufferable emcee the film highlights a cool and laidback Sonic Youth in their onstage noisefests, an iconic and indomitable Nirvana, a surprisingly Sonic Youth-sounding Dinosaur Jr., a wild powerhouse of female hysteric noise with Babes in Toyland and a never can go wrong performance by the veteran Ramones. The documentary is also revealing in the personalities of the individuals involved: the attention-seeking and insecure Moore, the once prudent and insular Kim Gordon, an interesting Kurt Cobain, fun Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, and an odd J Mascis. With his use of skilled quick transitions of gigs and offstage scenes and pace of constant motion Director Dave Markey shows how it's done. If there's one flaw in this rocking gig it's the major attention given to Sonic Youth and the dorky Thurston Moore at the expense of the other bands and personalities. It would have been nice to see more performances by Dinosaur Jr. And Babes in Toyland and seeing Nirvana in their pre-"Nevermind" fame already shows a band that captured the time like no other proving even by then that they were the foremost band of the age and Kurt Cobain was already an icon before the rest of the world knew it. Like Elvis Presley and The Beatles before them one can see and witness with hindsight a band about to change music forever.
And where was Gumball?
Watching this brought back a lot of great memories. This was the music, the soundtrack to my childhood and it evoked the mood, scenes, the electricity, energy and vibe of that great and fantastic time where magic was in the air and nothing but promise in the future. This brings back great memories of sitting tight-packed in the car with a bunch of friends in our plaids and Doc Martens hitting the road on to some gig, bar or friend's house to let loose and have a great time in an age when Rock was everything. People and the world have declined so much for so long now that this great era has elevated to the realm of myth and legend that it seems unreal the more one thinks about it. Together with 1956, 1964, 1967 and 1977 1991 is one of the great years in music and this film captures it well with a crash of loud distortion. One of the best music documentaries this is a must see for Rock fans and musical historians.
Cabrini (2024)
Cabrini
One of the finest depictions of triumph over adversity in cinema, "Cabrini" is a highly watchable and inspiring film on the life and crusade of Francesca Cabrini, an Italian Catholic missionary who, saddled by illness, dreamed of an empire of institutions to help the poor and saw her dream become a reality with her endlessly dogged persistence in battling xenophobia and sexism in late 19th Century Italy and the United States to accomplish her goal. Italian actress Cristiana Dell'Anna portrays the lead role convincingly as the world-weary yet proud nun who battles the church, politicians and the poor themselves who she champions in her life-long mission to alleviate their sufferings and elevate their status in society. With good direction and hence good acting the film in dark tones captures the poverty and grime of Little Italy at the turn of the century in grim and unflattering detail leaving no stone unturned revealing a world in difficult and desperate need making one admire Cabrini's success and legacy all the more. Although the pc-feminist slant that pops up here and there grates the film's exposure of the bigotry and prejudice that soil human interaction and justice highlights the importance of man's quest to quell the dark side of human nature in bettering the world we live in.
A simple tale of compassion and kindness and what the individual can achieve when one is determined to succeed is one's calling, "Cabrini" is a timeless reminder on the indomitable ascent of the human spirit in whatever age and challenge. Memorable and moving this is one for those with a heart and a conscience.
The Artist (2011)
A Throwback to the Good Old Days (And Oh All the Good That Implies!)
A throwback and tribute to Old Hollywood and all the good that implies, "The Artist" is vintage gold with charms galore. A French-American collaboration this mostly silent B&W brainchild of writer-director Michel Hazanavicius resurrects the style of a bygone era with a contemporary look and pace and comes up with a winner.
George Valentin is a silent film star. It's 1927 and the height of The Roaring Twenties and life has never been better. With a winning smile and loads of natural charm he has the industry and the world at his feet. At a public gathering he bumps into a charming young lass from a gaggle of female admirers. Mutual attraction develops at first sight and little would both know how deeply intertwined fate would have their lives be.
Jean Dujardin is flawless in his leading role as the suave and dashing Valentin. He conveys the buoyancy of life's highs equally well with the dejection of its lows that one can't help but ride the rollercoaster emotion of the character's drama. Bérénice Bejo is a little shaky in her portrayal of Peppy Miller, the comely girl next door love interest and savior of Valentin but her upbeat peppiness (pun intended) wins one over with her unique personality of ambition and well-meaning innocence. John Goodman, James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller add an able American slant to the film and the soundtrack fits the film and the time complementingly well. And of course, how could anyone forget the adorable Uggie, one of the most memorable and utterly delightful canines to grace the silver screen. Such a cutie (if only dogs were that loyal and devoted in real life!). While the sweeping high of the start leads disappointingly to a ho-hum melodrama the well-worn but well-done climax towards the end makes up for everything and there were no dry eyes with this reviewer all throughout.
Winner of numerous awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Hazanavicius and Dujardin respectively while garnering critical acclaim and commercial success, "The Artist" is one of the rare instances where art and commerce triumph to a fitting and well-deserved reward. A simple, relatable tale of slice of life reality told with elegance and charm this is one any movie fan will love and appreciate.
Silence (2016)
The Fanaticism of Faith
Decades in the making, "Silence" is a gripping and challenging epic that will confront one's faith and morals in their age-old conflict between reality and belief. Based on the Shusaku Endo novel of the same name the Martin Scorsese-directed star-studded cast bring to life the tale of two Portuguese Jesuit priests and their journey in 17th Century Japan in their quest to find a countryman and fellow man of the cloth who disappeared and is rumored to have given up his faith, an act tantamount to a serious crime in Catholic Baroque-era Latin Europe. Their reception by the Japanese hosts sets off a a cinematic experience one won't forget.
Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, Ciaran Hinds and a host of Japanese actors lend their respective talents to this nearly three hour odyssey of defiance, frustration and pain. A film of mist, fog, oceans, streams, mountains, rocks, trees, leaves, grass and wooden prisons the movie is a moving canvas on the clash of cultures and its repercussions including matters on God, faith, colonialism, nationalism and human nature itself. As expected from a Scorsese flick the film is well-acted with Garfield proving himself worthy of the lead role by taking center stage throughout as the sympathetic but fanatical man of God. The zen-like scenery is as soothing as it is calming and the script has a depth and spirituality that lives up to the film's weighty and profound subject. The movie starts slow and the first half is a slow burn that may try less patient viewers and the religious extremism displayed throughout will be unrelatable to many modern audiences. The movie picks up though and the viewer is rewarded with one of the most engaging displays of cinematic artistry caught on film.
A box office failure upon release and one that is critically acclaimed, "Silence" is art at one of its most complex and profound. Confronting honestly the biggest and most important realities of life this isn't so much entertainment as catharsis and redemption. Essential.
Black Swan (2010)
The Price of Art and Always Follow What Mom Says
Nina Sayers is a self-effacing and gentle introvert who happens to be one of the star ballerinas in the New York City Ballet. With a performance of "Swan Lake" coming up she passionately covets portraying the dual roles of the White and Black Swan. But an unconvinced dance instructor, a displaced ballerina and a more loquacious rival come across as secondary obstacles to the hideous grotesque monstrosity emanating from her very own self.
"Black Swan" is an interesting amalgamation of art and suspenseful horror. Influenced and inspired by "Mulholland Drive" the film with its dark tone, seamlessly active cinematography and gloriously soaring music is a Nureyev meets Lovecraft nightmare. Exploring themes of art, identity, sexuality, spirituality, professional and familial relations the film blurs the boundaries between the corporeal and the unknown in the eyes of the protagonist's descent into madness leaving the viewer wondering: what's real? Is it mental illness? The supernatural?
While a compelling take on the psychological unknown the film has its flaws as revealing as the sores that appear on Sayer's body. Natalie Portman won an Oscar for Best Actress in her portrayal as the neurotic and disturbed lead but her weary, rather be somewhere else demeanor withholds full sympathy for her character. While executing a fine performance which becomes a grower as the film progresses an actress with a lighter, more well-rounded character would have suited the role better. In fact it's Mila Kunis' performance of the loose and amiable fellow dancer and the disgraced Winona Ryder's brief but spotless role as the displaced aging Dame that steal the show. Vincent Cassell is erratic as the lecherous and taskmaking instructor and the lesbian scene as hot as it may be feels tacked-on. And except for Ballet fans (who are a minority) the Ballet scenes can be boring and they slow down the film.
Winner of numerous awards and regarded since as one of the best films made, "Black Swan" is a riveting tale and depiction on the drive to success and the price paid. While not as great as the dorky fanboys make it out to be more films of this kind should be made to add a cool, edgy side to cinema as a whole and to further reveal and explore the other side of life that most are too scared or hesitant to know. A dark, glittery gem for fans and purveyors of the sublime and the perverse.
A Man in Full (2024)
A Man in Full
Charlie Croker is going through some rough times. The former college Football star and now billionaire mogul has his controversial past catching up to him as the bank is now persistently (and insultingly) demanding the 800 million dollars he owes them. Coupled with a slighted employee and ex-wife who are out for revenge the glib and full of himself character has his hands full in bustin' out of the complicated mess.
Jeff Daniels steals the show as the towering Croker who with his Southern drawl and overconfident demeanor that underlies an overbearing sleaze his courtly charm can't shake off coaxes, harangues and manipulates his circle of frustrated and bewildered family and associates. Diane Lane is sexy and seemingly ageless as his alimonied ex-wife while Tom Pelphrey is the ambitious dork with a chip on his shoulder and an ax to grind. Together with a solid supporting cast and good soundtrack this six episode series set in modern day Atlanta is worth the watch despite its ubiquitous pc and unfulfilled potential. With an expansive plot and the solid acting involved this could have gone on to further seasons.
Based on the Tom Wolfe novel of the same name, "A Man in Full" is a fine reflection of contemporary American life and a realistic depiction on the price of fame and hubris. Flawed and one that could have been fully fleshed out nonetheless this is another one by Netflix that hits the mark.