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A few reviews

Vultural

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The Revenant - 2009 - 6/10

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This was on the the top shelf, isolated, looking forlorn.
Also looked cheap and bad, yet it was calling to me.
Production was cheap, but it was cunning in that it did not wallow in its lack of money but cleverly overcame fiscal limitations.
An opening desert sequence was filmed at night with halogen headlights, smoke and dust.
A later sequence filmed along Sunset Strip had to have been shot at 3:00 AM; that’s the only time that street is ever that deserted.
Nor was the film bad. The story was steeped in dark humor and acid comments. Most were from the two leads, but every character was given funny bits.
Story wise, Bart ships off to Iraq, comes back dead. Only he won’t stay that way.
Wakes up buddy, Joey, and they come up with a plan to keep him from rotting still further.
Laugh out loud funny.
 

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Rhubarb - 1951 - 6/10

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Eccentric, elderly tycoon dies and leaves his estate and baseball team to pet cat.
Disgruntled heirs and gamblers betting against the team try to off or kidnap the feline.
Fairly predictable material here. Good cast anchored by Ray Milland.
The cat, a rather ugly orange tabby, is a force of nature.
 

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You Never Can Tell - 1951 - 6/10

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Eccentric, elderly tycoon (of Polly Crackers) dies and leaves his fortune to his pet dog.
This time, bad guys target the heir and King, the dog, buys it.
In the afterlife, known as Beastatory, he pleads his case to the grand poobah and returns to Earth to put the bite on the real killer.
Dick Powell plays his incarnate human, detective Rex Shepherd. Swear, I’m not making this up.
Imaginative, screwball lite comedy. Depending on your tolerance for corn, an obscure gem.
 

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Paul Williams Still Alive - 2011 - 7/10

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Exasperating documentary about Williams, composer, celebrity, who was everywhere throughout the 70s.
If you don’t know Williams, think “Rainbow Connection,” “Rainy Days & Mondays,” “Evergreen.”
The ‘moment’ never lasts forever, though.
The filmmaker was a constant interference. Williams wanted to talk about his difficult childhood, the early death of his father; the filmmaker focused on how Williams fell from Oscar winner to singing in hotels. Williams agreed to a tour through terrorist filled Philippines; the filmmaker griped and worried fearfully throughout.
The tour, by the way, was a huge triumph for Williams, in a part of the world where he is still renowned.
One gets the feeling the filmmaker had an agenda, accenting the negative, concentrating on the fall from grace.
Afterward, I had admiration for Williams, not the least for putting up with that guy for two frakking years!
 

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Superstar - The Karen Carpenter Story - 1988 - 7/10

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Probably because I just watched a Paul Williams doc, I dug out this controversial film.
Superstar is a loving, banned, documentary/tribute to Karen Carpenter.
For multiple reasons, all too obvious, this is illegal to sell or distribute, yet easy enough to locate.
Todd Haynes short (45”) charts the rise, fame, and self destruction 70s singer.
Unfortunately, he failed to get any sort of rights at all - no doubt because denials would have been across the board.
The Carpenters estate launched an injunction against the film.
Most of the music is from The Carpenters, as well as label mates, so another cease order came from A&M Records.
Finally, there were no clearances from his troupe of actors - Barbie dolls - so Mattel sued.
For all that, a brilliant, inspired work, that has never vanished.

Note: Audio is fine, video has always been nth generation.
 

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Velvet Goldmine - 1998 - 7/10

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Rousing film about glam superstar, based loosely (ha!) on David Bowie and Iggy Pop, steeped in the blood of Oscar Wilde.
Rise of folkie into glam rocker, peaking into Ziggy Stardust character, and disappearing.
Powerful cast with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Ewan MacGregor, and a young Christian Bale.
Terrific soundtrack, too, as young reporter, searching for vanished rocker, slides down the rabbit hole.
And who the hell is Jack Fairy?
 

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Boogie Nights - 1997 - 7/10

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Cowabunga!
Rise and fall and rise again of Dirk Diggler, inside the happy family of porn.
The 70s San Fernando Valley recreated in sweeping detail.
Costumes, soundtrack, hairstyles, even the Reseda opening shot (where I saw many a film), all were spot on.
Likewise, the laid back So Cal vibe, the hopeful insecurity of most of the characters.
Film seemed to run a bit long and was excessive, though, to be fair, excess defined the 70s.
Story also glossed over the predatory nature of the business.
Despite flaws, a wonderful movie, and a milestone for many young performers.

The Hollywood pickup -
Off Hollywood Boulevard, there used to be a huge magazine/newspaper stand. Might still be there.
On display were newspapers from all 50 states.
Tourists would linger there, as well as kids who were lonely, broke, lost.
I was 19 and all that. Within six months, I would have one foot in the gutter, but at the time I was still optimistic.
Men in sunglasses and gold chains prowled near the stand, evaluated the meat, made the offer.
“Hey, my man, you ever thought about being in movies?”
I only got it once, and I shrugged a no. Don’t know why I got it, either, I was too thin.
Mostly girls, pretty girls, were approached. I saw several follow the tout out of earshot, then talk.
Never saw them again.
Anyway, that magazine rack was prime hunting territory for fresh faced, homesick kids.
At least back in the 70s.
 

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Cutie And The Boxer - 2013 - 6/10

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Painter Ushio Shinohara left Japan for New York back in the 70s for greater artistic freedom.
Though one of the best known painters of his generation, his reputation is still largely underground.
Doc shows him with his wife of 40 years, Noriko, an artist in her own right, whom he openly regards as the poorer artist. “The lesser talent must serve the genius.” One can guess how this attitude really chaps her.
Couple of sequences show him creating his trademark boxing paintings, paint-soaked material slammed into lengthy canvases.
Cult fame notwithstanding, the couple exist precariously in a leaky home, with New York sized bills and debilitating old age looming.
 

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Bridal Mask - 2012 - 7/10

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Tremendously popular Korean series, set during pre WWII occupied Korea.
Resistance loner, wearing white and a traditional bridal mask, single handedly combats Japanese troops, police, and fatcat appeasers enriching themselves while their brothers bleed and starve.
Quality sets and costumes, the best production values, typical of K-dramas. Several haircuts were jarringly wrong, however. No males had hair over the ears, especially military or police. Nightclub shows struck me as a bit modern, as well, but perhaps not.
Real issue was the concept, Korean resistance. According to Wiki (dubious source of info), strikes were the prevalent form, not armed confrontation.
Despite those quibbles, an excellent series, stained with blood, beatings, shootings, torture, and corrupt intrigue.
High body count in this one.
 

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The Hunt - 2012 - 7/10

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Harrowing character study, with Mads Mikkelsen as kindergarten teacher.
After a five year old tells that he showed his erection, his life is royally and totally frakked.
Barring a miracle, there is no way a blot like that will ever wash clean.
Everyone in the village turns against him. Though it never said why, one suspects he could not leave while police investigations were ongoing. So he lived amidst escalating resentment, fear and hatred.
Almost to a soul, everyone took the child’s story as gospel.
This gets really ugly.

I saw this happen first hand, when a regular customer of the store was accused by a twelve year old. He was a math teacher, and completely exonerated. Transpired the student launched accusations after being displeased with poor grades.
The man was released by the school, the district would not employ him, he could not find work within 100 miles. He eventually left the state.

Couple years later, a rep from the school district visited the music store where I worked. District honchos had found out there were five guys with BA degrees in Art, English, History toiling for budget wages.
The district was desperate for male, “role model” teachers.
Despite financial proposals that were quadruple our meager record store salary, we all refused. Citing how every single year, it seemed some poor male teacher was accused, cleared, yet ruined. The stench of accusal, especially related to children, never, ever goes away.
 

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Vultural said:
The Hunt - 2012 - 7/10

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I watched this last weekend with my wife. Great movie, and a little disturbing. This is why I wanted to work with animals, not people...
 

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Grand Piano - 2013 - 6/10

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Variation on the “locked room” mystery.
Reclusive pianist (Elijah Wood) makes a stage comeback after his mentor’s death.
Once onstage, he sees a written note and earpiece, then warnings to play faultlessly or die.
A laser on the sheet music, and silencer gun strike on the floor convince him.
Clues arrive slowly, as do reasons. More tension than action, with the narrative rarely leaving the stage.
OK time waster if the only alternative is television fodder.
John Cusack provides the voice of the villain.
 

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Q (AKA: Desire) - 2012 - 3/10 or 8/10 take your pick.

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French soft core nonsense.
Film opened in the ladies' showers with a parade of female nudity.
Enter Cecile, chief conflict instigator, and magnet for males hopping the three peg hokey pokey.
Desired by many, Cecile generally said oui.
Multiple pairings, bangings and bouncings. Accompanied by a lot of crying.
Tears and sobs, emotional basket cases all.
If you are telling friends you are a connoisseur of pretentious erotic twaddle, Q is a prime example.
Otherwise, stick with Lesbian Spank Inferno.

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Tabloid - 2011 - 7/10

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Errol Morris documentary.
If you are British, and of a certain age, you might remember the antics of Joyce McKinney and her Manacled Mormon boyfriend.
In 1977, Southern belle McKinney flew to London to free her Mormon boyfriend, to de-brainwash him back into loving her.
She kidnapped him from London, drove him to Devon, chained him to a bed, removed his magic Mormon underpants, and fucked his brains out for 3 days.
Then Scotland Yard became involved. And the High Court.
British tabloids had a field day with this one.

One of the reporters termed McKinney "barking mad."
A hoot of a story and never boring, with escapes, disguises, revelations, and cloning!
 

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Vultural said:
Grand Piano - 2013 - 6/10

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Variation on the “locked room” mystery.
Reclusive pianist (Elijah Wood) makes a stage comeback after his mentor’s death.
Once onstage, he sees a written note and earpiece, then warnings to play faultlessly or die.
A laser on the sheet music, and silencer gun strike on the floor convince him.
Clues arrive slowly, as do reasons. More tension than action, with the narrative rarely leaving the stage.
OK time waster if the only alternative is television fodder.
John Cusack provides the voice of the villain.
Ooh, sounds like an interesting one. Into the queue it goes. :)
 

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Blue Jasmine - 2013 - 7/10

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Meticulously composed, beautifully acted tale of sheltered character’s tumble from the rarefied strata to the take-out life.
Aside from Blancett’s standout performance, everyone is top notch, especially some of the surprise casting.
Baldwin gets overlooked a bit, yet his presence is always felt, and his absence more so.
Wonderful cinematography. The lushness of Jasmine’s gilt life contrasts with the cramped, dime store world her sister inhabits.
Plot wise, Allen holds revelations till the end, and one feels attitudes and allegiances to characters shift.
Ostensibly a spiral yarn, the skeleton of the story keeps the viewer returning to the rarefied sphere throughout.
 

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To Rome With Love - 2012 - 5/10

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Recent Woody Allen film is homage to classic Italian cinema.
All star cast includes Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin, Jesse Eisenberg, Roberto Benigni, as well Allen regulars and many Italian stars I did not recognize.
Multiple storylines, none of them interacting with each other. Film felt more like a series of sit-com moments.
Postcard photography of Rome.
Typical of Allen, hit n miss, heavily on the miss. Unsympathetic characters do not help.

Note: I am not a big fan of Italian cinema, which this nicely emulates, so I finished with a shrug.
 

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Radio Days - 1987 - 8/10

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Shimmering 40s nostalgia. My go-to movie for those who say they don’t like Woody Allen films.
Tall tales and anecdotes from Old Time Radio’s golden age.
Interspersed with various members of a struggling Rockaway family.
Comic situations and laughs come fast and often, with tons of cameos (Tito Puente, Kitty Carlisle, Diane Keaton, Larry David).
Likely the most personal of Allen’s films, or at least the most revealing of his childhood, and early years as a gag writer. Highly exaggerated, to be sure, but filled with unforgettable moments.
 

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Vultural said:
To Rome With Love - 2012 - 5/10

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Film felt more like a series of sit-com moments.
Yeah, and Ellen Page is cute and all, but a sexual tsunami that'd make a young man abandon Greta Gerwig? At the risk of bringing Frink's ire upon myself once again, huh? :oops:
 

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About Time - 2013 - 6/10

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Upon his 21st birthday, Tim is informed males in his family have always been able to time travel.
Not go into the future, only the past. Only their own past, and even then there are a few restrictions which he discovers.
What he really has is a “reset switch.” Return to the near past, for example, and correct dating faux pas.
Warm, feel good movie from the folks who brought you Four Weddings and Love Actually.
Humor offset by sentimentality, bittersweet, and tragic moments.
For pure laugh out loud fare, this ain’t it.
That said, others around me who watched this did laugh out loud, teared up, and applauded at the end.
They would rate this higher, I am sure.
 
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