Mother (2009)

A woman’s mentally disabled son is accused of murder. What is a mother to do but prove the law and the local community wrong? Director Bong Joon-ho takes another great idea, as he did with 'The Host,' and drains it of energy with excessive length and nuance. Actress Kim Hye-ja is exceptional in her award-winning role. The film’s sense of humor helps the story go down a little easier, but the movie loses momentum toward the end.

The Story Of O (1975)

The "O" stands for: "O God, this soft porn piece of crap is boring! O have mercy on me! O please finish!" The movie is nothing more than a series of scenes with people talking, edited together as setups for the female leads to be nude. Once again, the actors try in vain to "act," but who cares when the women in the same scenes are topless every two seconds? How much could YOU get done if your co-worker or boss was constantly undressing while working? Yes, nudity CAN be distracting, annoying, and sometimes even scary. I don't remember much of the story but recall two things: First, the lead, Corinne Clery, is beautiful and is shown nude from every angle except the webs of her toes. And second, Just Jaeckin also directed "Emmanuelle," "Lady Chatterley's Lover," and "The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik Yak," which some see as "nude" classics. I find them all dull. The Story of O: Only for lonely masochists.

Made In Sweden (1971)

The story, innocent country girl, Inga (Christina Lindberg), turns out to be not so innocent after all. Unfortunately, I’m younger than the intended 1971 audience for this borefest. However, I was surprised when the Cannon Pictures logo appeared. Although I believe they were only a distributor in certain regions for this release, unlike their cheesy but fun output from the 1980s, none of the kinetic thrills are present here. The music in “Made In” consists of dated pop that’s as dull now as it probably was back then. The actors try, but there is nothing here other than a naked Lindberg mouthing empty words. Another issue is Impulse Picture’s VHS tape-like DVD transfer, which makes the film look even older and blurrier and magnifies the common side effects of cheap PAL to NTSC dubs.

Bizarre (1970) A.K.A. Secrets Of Sex

Directed by Antony Balch; Odd, experimental...it’s bad. A Mummy hosts the movie’s proceedings which tries to be scary but becomes unintentionally funny when you realize the voice of the narrator and the one shown mummy are one of the same. All that’s left is the viewer watching an actor covered in bandages, gnawing out mouth movements while a detached voice just blahs away. The “horror” moments do remind one of lesser Amicus and Hammer films but this project wastes time trying to be humorous when it is painfully unfunny, unless it’s unintentionally doing so. The many different vignettes and tones do not work as a complete film. This reviewer fell asleep twice trying to get through this mess (really!). In comparison, the Bizarre DVD offers two important shorts (Towers Open Fire and The Cut-Ups) by the same director with William S. Burroughs.

Bliss (1997)

Maybe not the greatest movie but certainly not the worst and not as bad as most critics said it was when released. Sheryl Lee and Craig Sheffer star. Bliss is the male attempt to show that some men DO love and think about their "other-halves" needs…in addition to sex. Lee takes the background (although her character's story is key to the entire movie) and yes the movie is slightly sexist about "pleasing a woman" but it's one of the most creative efforts to try and process the male libido as a plot device on film. Sadly, only a few got it. Women, men actually do listen and emit more feelings than previously believed.

Kick-Ass (2010)

Its so-so. The film moves smoothly but is not as fun, funny or smart as it should have been or thinks it is. The villains are cookie-cutter and mixes the worst elements from series like the Watchmen, Spiderman (referenced several times) and Batman which were fit inducing even for those better films. The main problem, the mix of stories don't really work. This reviewer would have preferred watching either the Kick-Ass only "teen superhero" story or the Big Daddy / Hit-Girl tale (there is a great sequence that explains their back story). Although the action is well-handled and the actors are committed, there isn't enough to fully recommend Kick-Ass. Disappointed.

I Am Love (2009)

Director Luca Guadagnino deconstructs the melodrama of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s and nearly creates a neo-genre. The movie is purposely mounted via a lush visual pallet and edited to accommodate the culturally deprived millennial audience. Be convinced, Tilda Swinton offers her most important work in this film. In addition, the entire cast is first-rate however, THIS IS a showcase for Miss Swinton. I Am Love finds a way to break-through its seemingly deliberate pretentiousness and connects as an amazing emotional journey. The denouement is sad and exhilarating. A movie like this could never be made in America and if attempted, would be a complete failure. Not to be duplicated by other hands.

Hop (2002)

A movie of contrived consequences swirled around race relations, the unfairness of deportation, the severance of the single parent-child unit, and the still burning angst of a old, failed wanna-be terrorist / freedom-fighter. The music strives for the whimsical but comes off grating whenever it is played and the ending is smartly delivered but it also comes off as falsely as the fabricated “there is still hope for us all” ending. Technically the film hits all of the marks and the ensemble acting is very good but Hop is manufactured and tired.

Quantum of Solace (2008)

Most of the tense "spy" atmosphere created in the superior Casino Royale (2006) is jettisoned in this action heavy sequel. Bond kills everything in sight; the villain(s) kill everything in sight, its kill or be killed. Odd pacing elements occur when Bond and fellow killer Camille (Olga Kurylenko) interact only to be halted (in mid-sentence at most times) by more action. Not bad but could have been better and the opening sequence is fun. As one of the shorter Bond movies, an additional 10 minutes of dialog and/or character exposition could have improved logical gaps and smoothed out the rougher edges.

Examined Life (2008)

Documentary broken up into 10 minute vignettes. Smart talking heads share their views of how life could or should work “according to…” where the realistic applications of which are impossible in this world of wacky politicians (i.e. Republicans) and special interest groups (i.e. Republicans and Jesus-freaks… “Jesus says NO!”). The most fascinating bits include Cornel West, Slavoj Zizek and the pairing of Judith Butler and Sunaura Taylor; Not all of it works but it is worth watching and listening to.

American Gangster (2007)

Director Ridley Scott prescribes to the notion that bad mustaches and fake beards signal tone, time and place in this case, Harlem of the late 1960s and early 1970s. This could have destroyed the entire picture making it a silly companion piece to insulting crime opus like Scarface (1983) and lesser ethically mounted but financially expensive films of the type. Fortunately American Gangster does not completely falter. Ridley Scott realizes that the story is the real star and builds a smart and compelling (although reportedly highly fictionalized) narrative for its two protagonists Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts. For the standard DVD this reviewer recommends watching the extended version first then the theatrical cut with the director's comments enabled which negates the pictures rough start and the reviewers initial criticism of the movie. As American Gangster progresses it becomes one of 2007’s best films.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest (2009)

The pacing of “Dragon Tattoo” makes a welcomed return in this, the final film of the trilogy. The resolve leaves enough room for a new “based on” series (similar to the Bourne series of books). This reviewer would watch especially if the actors involved return. An unnecessary American version of the trilogy is currently in production. An enjoyable entry.

Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues (1972)

It’s a strange “drugs for something” film that wants to tell a story but doesn’t know what tone to approach the material in. At a compact 88 minutes, the acting appears to rise above Douglas and Michael Crichton’s script which is there (their novel) but evaporates into boredom and confusion halfway through. “Dealing” features early roles for Barbara Hersey, John Lithgow (with a head full of hair) and Robert F. Lyons.

The Believer (2001)

Ryan Gosling should have been nominated for his work in this topical film. Gosling owns all of the scenes he is in and commands the screen over the other actors. Some character developments feel unusually stilted due to some overly tight editing (taking into account the film's low budget), this does not diminish the end result. The Believer is an emotionally challenging film that should stir debate after viewing.

Good Hair (2009)

Documentary, Chris Rock narrates. The film begins with the serious topic of how others see “black” hair, from a young age how African-American women see themselves, how relaxers can permanently damage the human body, the dichotomy of African-American owned companies selling poison to their customers meanwhile trying to outsell even larger “white” corporations also selling poison, India’s hair market and weaves. Chris Rock has some really funny lines and keeps the remaining running time light. The addition of celebrity interviews add some humanity and balance to the film. The Bronner Brothers’ competition / finale was anticlimactic but everything before and the few minutes after fulfill. Good movie.

A Virgin Among The Living Dead (1971)

Cultists enjoy, praise, love the films of Jess Franco. I am not one of them. The film is a variation of formulas Franco put together several times during this period consisting of nude women, duplicitous villains, blood and talk. Lead Christina Von Blanc is beautiful but helps the film only a little. Horror has always been a medium to critique, mock or deconstruct religion, sexuality, family, and politics but neither holds authority in Franco’s fragilely mounted film.

Crazy Heart (2009)

"Bad" Blake drinks, smokes, watches Spanish Telenovelas and on the side is a former star singer-songwriter. The film's dry pacing and lack of additional romantic sequences water-down Bad and Jean’s love affair and does not allow the viewer to fully invest in its characters especially Jean. Worse, it makes Jean a simple villain of heartache instead of the complex lover / mother she is hinted to become, partially implied in the last scenes. Bridges deserved an award but not for this film. Still, Crazy Heart is somewhat believable and reminds one of the great HBO TV movies from the 1990s.

Iguana (1988)

The disfigured “Oberlus” (Everett McGill) escapes his captors, swimming to a deserted Island only to impose the same brutality towards his prisoners. Strange, fascinating film which captivates even though the characters are all brutes and most of the "action" is verbal. Maru Valdivielso and McGill are standouts. The ending, although lacking style due to budget constraints still carries some emotional weight.

The Pillow Book (1996)

Peter Greenway- that pretty much eliminates most of the people who will watch this and then some. The film is fine until the last line of the main character’s cheating indictment of another. The movie is worth your time if you like Peter Greenway but even if you don’t- give it a try. The sound quality is acceptable and the acting is fearless for its time and place. The DVD was released in a non-anamorphic and partial full-screen presentation which is a problem and cuts information on the sides. Still curious? The Pillow Book is not a difficult film to begin your Greenway film education with.

This Is It! (2009)

An amazing look at Michael Jackson and Company’s final and grueling rehearsals for the “This Is It” tour which sadly never came to fruition. It is a stunning non-concert, concert “feeling” film which would have, if it had happened, blown the minds of most of its attendees. Jackson’s voice is alarmingly low and breaks during the beginning of songs but once the rehearsals continue, he gets better through each passing song. If one can separate the artist from the art, the music is entertaining. A mix of heartbreaking and historic.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Wow, a nice surprise! This reviewer deliberately did not want to know much about this film prior to viewing and was right to do so. The film is really enjoyable as is. It never stops; the gimmicks never insults one’s intelligence, the story (for a fantasy) was coherent and Downey Jr. and Law have fun in their roles. The villain was humorless and a bit of a bore but this is- No sh*t Sherlock!, the RDJ as Holmes show! The film does an ok job setting up the imminent sequel but by then this reviewer was already pleased with the end result.

Ridicule (1996)

Three and four star reviews? An opening scene which shocked many viewers, personally I say “get over your self, it happened!”. Still the film lacks the pacing, the wit and the dark humor a social-political film like this needs. Jean Rochefort, Fanny Ardant, Judith Godreche and especially Charles Berling are in great form but the film is a letdown.

Monsieur Hire (1989)

Hire appears to be a long winding film edited to its core and rightfully so. One man’s fantasy of love is rarely so elegantly handled within the backdrop of emotional corruption. Not the standard peeping-tom story one would expect. A clever and entertaining film.

Patrick (1978)

Oh Patrick you silly dotty boy! It would have helped if you had a proper back-story for me to care about! Susan Penhaligon, Rod Mullinar, Bruce Barry and the Melbourne skyline are fine and Robert Thompson gives his eerie stare some mileage as Patrick but the film goes nowhere. Robert Helpmann was acting in a comple

tely different film!

Thirst (1979)

Elizabethan in story (the return of an ancestor forced into a position of monarchy) and paranoid in its emotions (trust no one- even yourself); this film is an entertaining surprise. The acting, somewhat submissive, is a nice counterbalance to what could have been improperly handled as an over-the-top voracious mess. Not 70s sleaze nor art house clean.

Bangkok Dangerous (1999)

I finally caught up to this one after 10 years and I really do not know what the big deal was about. Outside of the proper serious atmosphere of dread the film is too artfully self-conscious and becomes tiresome. Rent it but not worth anything else. Style over substance.

James Journey To Jerusalem (2003)

Misplaced assumptions, games of chance, faith, loss and redemption enclosed in this film by documentarian Ra'anan Alexandrowicz. The film balances the harsh realities in a small nondescript Israeli town area near Jerusalem (unfair work conditions, discrimination, racism, religion, religion as a business, corruption) with the impending ruin of Zulu village import James’s religious belief, to be a reverend and have a life experience in the Holy Land. The film’s style is a little raw but well acted and effective. The ending is bittersweet and much more potent than initially anticipated.