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Reviews
Sonata del Corvo - Das Lied der Vögel (2019)
Great arthouse film
The first thing you have to know is that the Brandls make no budget movies. So the film works within those budgetary restraints. But is is incredibly well made. Just the composition of the images and the story telling show that Günter and Monika are actually very profficient at film making. This film is one of the very few films I have watched in the last years with a storyline that takes so many twists and turns that it is actually suprising in a good way. It all appears very surreal but it makes sense in the end. Monika really gives the performance of a lifetime and I would probably listen to Meldody Baier reciting the phone book.
Professor T (2021)
okay
Ben Miller is a fantastic actor (or am I thinking of Rob Bryden?) and the role suits him well as he is great foi g quirky characters. The stories are entertaining and interestingly told. But my main issue is that the idea that is meant to set this show apart from others is just not very original. We've had Tony Hill:s overbearing mother and that was getting boring at one stage or other. And we had Monk as the socially challenged investigator. So although it watchable, at the end of the day it's just more of the same. To me it is the TV equivalent of a frozen convenience meal. So if there's nothing else on it'll do.
Le boucher (1970)
I don't get it
Why on earth is this film considered a masterpiece? It is a whodunnit with one suspect who - suprise, surprise - actually did. And the clue is on the title! There are lots of shots of a melancholic, sad or suspecious Stephane Audran and they are very, very long. This film is the prime example as to why I think Chabrol was the master of aesthetic boredom. Generally, the film actually looks pretty good. But as a narrative is is a complete and utter failure. Granted, our viewing habits have changed over the years but I found it boring when I watched it for the first time many, many years ago. Stay clear.
Poulet au vinaigre (1985)
Mediocre
Overall this is a mediocre offering at best. Clearly the low budget shows and the films has the feel of a Saturday night TV cop show for middle aged viewers. The story is not particularly original and it takes forever to get going. If you leave the room for 16 minutes you probably haven't missed anything. The directing is conventional which goes back to this film feeling like a TV show that's 30 minutes too long. Some reviewers rave about Poiret's performance. I find that strange because for me the is no consistency in the portrayal of the investigating officer. It's watchable but not a film that enriches your life.
Docteur Popaul (1972)
Mysoginist bourgeoisie bashing
I generally can't understand what people see in Chabrol. His films are boring and predictable. Take The Butcher. One suspect, he did it and the clue is in the title. The film is very cynical, it's not even dark humour. For me it wasn't homour at all. The overall concept is deeply mysoginist. I can't really laugh about women being degraded. And all that bourgeoisie bashing in the late 60s / early seventies is hardly original. Most of all the film is very boring because there are no characters the viewer can relate to and the narrative doesn't really get going. Apart from some sexy scenes with Laura Antonelli this is a total waste of time.
Sudden Fury (1975)
Great thriller
I found the film accidentally and had no expectations. I was very pleasantly surprised. It starts off with showing the first character as a wronged person. But as the story develops it turns out that he really is a very nasty piece of work. The character development is mirrored in the music which starts very harmonic and becomes more and more atonal. Without giving too much away: the first obstacle he meets is trying to kill a wife that just won't die. Next is an unforeseen nemesis. The more the two men try to hunt each other the more complications arise and the more unforseen plot twist happen. It is one of those rare films where even an experienced viewer can't really guess what's going to happen next.
Self Defense (1983)
very watchable
Okay, granted the film is pretty much a rip off of Carpenter 's Assault. However, it is very well made. The idea of a lawless city due to a strike of the police force is pretty disconcerting because you realise how vulnerable society can be. Then there is the angle of a vigilante operation and homophobia. Back in 83 that was actually quite a sensitive issue. The film is well paced, well told. I particularly liked the idea that people are locked in an apartment and just have to use whatever they find to protect themselves. There are plenty of plot twists. It's one of those few films where you never really know what's going to happen next. I also liked that they acknowledge Carpenter with a running gag about cigarettes that you also have in Assault.
Psycho II (1983)
Boring
One cannot help but wonder why anyone would make part 2 of a masterpiece - you can never achieve the same quality or in this case the same impact. And basically that's pretty much the issue with this film. Norman Bates is freed after over twenty years, goes back to his place, strange things happen and Norman wonders if he's losing his marbles again. Inspite of a delightfully sleazy performance by Dennis Franz, the film just meanders along, with boring parts and scenes that are meant to be suspenseful but just don't work. Overall the result is an incredibly boring film. Even if it was not Psycho 2 but a film in its own right, it just wouldn't work because a thin story is stretched out way too long.
Dead Man's Shoes (2004)
Formulaic
The film in itself has the fairly formulaic plot of a man who comes home to seek revenge. There is nothing really original about it. The rural setting and the military background are all tropes of revenge films. There are no real surprises and you can see the big twister in the end coming for a long, long time. It all gets rather melodramatic and it's fairly drawn out. What really stands out is Paddy Considine's performance especially in view of the fact that he is a comedian. My only explanation as to why this film is hyped is that a lot of reviewers haven't really seen a lot of 70s b movies or noir.
Play Misty for Me (1971)
Sloppy storytelling
I don't really get the love for this film. Neither protagonist nor antagonist are likeable or even interesting. The story takes forever to build up to a well acted and directed but short climax. What I found particularly annoying was the long sequence about a jazz festival which has absolutely nothing to do with the plot. You get the impression that Eastwood realised that he needed more film and just shot anything. The pieces don't really fit together in this film and there are more pointless sequences. All in all it's sloppy storytelling. The whole "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" has been done better before and after.
L'exécutrice (1986)
Belmondo with breasts
In view of the fact that the film basically has no story, it works surprisingly well. The action is really well executed, the timing is good and Lahaie shows that she really can act. Quite interesting that this was at a time when she was still doing hardcore. The director also only made hardcore apart from this film so again it works surprisingly well. The music sounds rather Morricone-ish. Overall it is a fairly typical French action vehicle of the 80s, pretty much like what Belmondo was churning out at the time - but with breasts. In terms of violence the film certainly went more than one step further then most European films at the time. I expected to be entertained for all the wrong reasons but was pleasantly surprised.
Carry on Behind (1975)
Hilarious
Carry on behind is one of my favourite Carry ons. Granted there are some creepy bits like to old men after some young girls but then again they do get their cumuppance. There is a lot of physical comedy in the film but what makes it unique is that most of the humour is language based. The Russian professor's continuous unintended double entendres are absolutely hilarious. You do get to see Ken Williams ' bare bottom and if you are not inclined that way Elke Sommer with very little clothing. To me it's not just a re hash of Carry on Camping as the language based humour throughout the film really makes it unique.
The Night Walker (1964)
Classic Castle
I do think that William Castle was way more than just a showman who used shock tactics to promote his films. I think most of his films really have a certain quality and he is a poor man's Hitchcock. Although there are some plot holes and implausiblitied Night Walker is a well made film. The three main characters shine in their roles. The film itself is atmospheric, well paced and has you guessing for the plot resolution. The pacing is so good that you really overlook the plot holes because you get caught up in the action. Using Stanwyck is clever because as a viewer you can',t help wondering if she is actually reprising her role from Double Indemnity.
Blood Feast (1963)
Entertaining for all the wrong reasons
Blood Feast is mainly of historic interest because it was the first gore film and pushed the boundaries of cinema..Plot? I have no idea. Women are brutally murdered and mutilated but I'm not entirely sure why. There is supposed to be a big feast in the end. Again, why I have no Idea. Not do I know why a cop attends lectures about Ancient Egypt. And why do people join a book club that has only one book to offer? Hardly ever have I seen such a bunch of inept actors stumbling through scenes and their lines. Lewis' later offering 2000 Maniacs is way better. However, if you like the films of Ed Wood you will enjoy this.
Le spie uccidono in silenzio (1966)
Entertaining for all the wrong reasons
What I really liked about the film was that is basically a showcase for 1960s design an architecture. If you are into that sort of thing, this film is a must-see. Otherwise it's rather an odd film. Spies communicate by leaving messages in the German magazine Der Spiegel an no one wonders why the owner of the newsstand actually just lends it to people instead of selling it. The hero's suitcase is gone but it's back once he checks in. And the villain must be so rich and powerful that he can afford to bribe a middle eastern police man. Yeah right.... People get killed and by whom we may never know. There is one suspect and lo and behold he turns out to be the villain. It's entertaining but for all the wrong reasons. If you like the films of Ed Wood, this is perfect for you. I was entertained.
The Lincoln Lawyer (2022)
okay-ish
I always found it difficult to warm up to Mickey Haller who as a lawyer is at the same time an idealist and a bottom feeder. The show doesn't really change that although his motivation is easier to understand than in the novels. All in all I found the show rather slow moving and the plot quite convoluted. It is a very drawn out legal drama and I was bored at times. Haller has none of the complexities his half brother Harry Bosch has. Haller is just not particularly interesting as a character. The casting is an issue because Connelly actually describes Haller als looking like Matthew McConnahy who of course played him in the film adaptation. Neve Campbell is great as his DA ex wife Maggie McPherson.
Certain Fury (1985)
Mediocre
The film starts out strong with a very violent shootout and an escape through the sewers. But then the action really goes nowhere and unfortunately not even fast. Some scenes are really drawn out and the ending just makes no sense at all. The acting is really apalling at times and it's hard to believe that you are actually watching two actresses with Academy Awards though Cara is more convincing in her role than O'Neal. Granted, the bad dialogue probably doesn't really help. All in all it's a cheesy 80s film that has its enjoyable moments but overall isn't really convincing. It's the kind of film you can watch while doing something else.
Unholy Ground (2016)
Mystery / Horror Movie
First of all: this is an amateur no budget film. So don't expect Hollywood. In spite of that it is technically well made. The acting is surprinsingly good and the actors and actresses really push the envelope. The storyline is original and offers a couple of unexpected plot twists. As it is not a mainstream film the director can afford to cross the lines. The film is violent and also sexually very explicit. So quite frequently the unexpected happens. The storyline itself is about a group of soldiers in the Swedish-Russian war in the 18th century who escape from an mabush and end up in a small village. But strange things start to happen. But are the soldiers what they appear to be?
The Crown: Queen Victoria Syndrome (2022)
Cannot maintain the standards of previous seasons.
I have a major issue with the casting. Each actor who portrays one of the major characters interprets them in a different way. There is a considerable amount of inconsistency. Claire Foy plays the Queen as a vulnerable woman, Coleman plays her as the b*tch from hell and Staunton is just bland. Pryce's very sympathetic version of Prince Philip is a total break from previous portrayals. The same goes for West's Charles. We see consistency in the portayals of Margaret and DIana. The story moves away from showing a chnaging Britain but focuses sopa style on the drama. It is still enjoyable but cannot maintain the standards of previous seasons.
Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
Innovative drama
Kolchak was the first TV series that gave us mystery / horror in a decade dominated by cop / private eye shows. The stories usually revolve around mysterious / supernatural events , reporter Kolchak's search for the truth and the establishment's cover up attempts. Even today when mystery has been a tried and tested formula on TV, Kolchak comes across as fresh and intelligent. Since it was a TV show it does look rather dated and cheap today. What puzzles me is that the directors never really managed to create a spooky or eerie atmosphere. Kolchak uses the conventional aesthetics of a 70s cop show. So I certainly feel that there was much more potential to the show that was never really fully utilized. What makes the show worth watching is McGavin's performance as quirky Carl Kolchak.
Millennium (1989)
intelligent sci fi
Millenium is a film with an original and thought provoking storyline. Ladd gives a very good performance as a tired warrior from the future. The film develops an interesting storyline although the added love story is rather superfluous. Generally, the film makes good science fiction and is entertaining to watch. I remember the trailer from back in the day and that it made me really curious about the film. However, production values are not convincing. The overall look of the film is rather that of a TV production with all its budget constraints than that of a silver screen production. The film is nevertheless worth watching.
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
What the....?
What on earth was Carpenter thinking when he made this film? Right from the beginning Russell's character comes across as being a major pain in the butt and it's really hard to warm up to him. For some reason or other one woman gets abducted at the airport. We don't really get why or what is happening. The story is basically non existent and seems to be constructed around random action scenes. Some work, some are rather bewildering. Overall the film is just very boring as there is really no scripts. Screwball chemistry between Russel and Katrall doesn't really work. Just as in Escape from LA the sets look extremely cheap.
Cyst (2020)
Great Hommage
Terror strikes in a small American town in the early 60s when a mad scientist unleashes a giant cyst on himanity. Can nurse Patty save the world? Cyst is more of a comedy than a horror film. It is a very lovingly made hommage to 50s/60s b movies. It contains all typical elements of such films and combines the for comedic effect. It has lots of funny vignettes and allusions to classics. Inspite of the (deliberately) cheap monster, the film works surprisingly well. Executive Producer Eva Habermann gives a great performance as nurse who battles the monster. You get the general impression that the cast were having fun shooting this film.