The Butterfly Murders - 1979 - Hong Kong

The Butterfly Murders - 1979 - 6/10
AKA - Dip Bin //  蝶 變

 
Butterflies are seemingly behind mass killings, either from acid or bites.
Besieged Shuma Castle has sought help from the Tien Clan.
Who are soon drawn into a labyrinth of tunnels, secret rivalries and deadly insects.
Debut Tsui Hark actioner boasts wildly imaginative camerawork.
Plot is a bit scattered, but more or less easy to follow.
Story narrated by scholar Fong, who leaves the fighting to everyone else.

Fedora - 1978 - France

Fedora - 1978 - 6/10

 
Has-been film director wants to create an indictment of Hollywood’s youth obsession.
For that, he needs a reclusive star, one still retaining her beauty and glamor.
She refuses, then hurls herself in front of a train.
Smelling something sinister, he begins digging into a buried mystery.
One of Billy Wilder’s last films, this feels autobiographical, and sings for a commentary track.
The background is compelling (he failed to get Dietrich for the Garbo role), the studio refused to back him, critics grasped the film – audiences did not.

Housewarming - 2024 - UK

Housewarming - 2024 - 6/10

 
Saskia is still unpacking in her new home.
Nosy neighbors say hello, make snide comments.
They pale, however, next to the guy who knocks, looking for his old girlfriend.
“Can I charge my phone?  I need to use your bathroom.”
On and on, as he insinuates himself, the casual misogynist emerges.
Slow boil thriller will be uncomfortable for women, and a reminder of how alone we are.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3372260

Bewitched - 1945 - USA

Bewitched - 1945 - 5/10

 
“Hey, cupcake, how’d you like some hot frosting to paint a smile on your sad little mug?”
Mouse-faced Joan was a magnet for men: protectors and exploiters.
Truth to tell, it was her other half who attracted the heels, the ones who pictured her ankles kicking high.
The half who lusted to live wild, instead of a mild, buttoned down existence.
Might explain why, in the opening, Joan faces the electric chair.
Early film of split personality suffers from hammy direction (Arch Oboler), tepid supporting cast, and a seemingly miscast Phyllis Thaxter (wild as the darker character, however).
Oboler was best known for the OTR horror show “Lights Out” which Bill Cosby parodied in “Chicken Heart”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3UJr5n6lfk

Never Surrender: Galaxy Quest - 2019 - USA

Never Surrender: Galaxy Quest - 2019 - 6/10 

 
Galaxy Quest (1999) was loving tribute to Star Trek; this doc focuses on the genesis of GQ.
Harold Ramis was the original director, but quit after being overruled on casting decisions.
Save for Rickman, everyone involved comments throughout.
Dreamworks inept marketing this for 8-year-olds hurt box office returns.
More than anything, this is a fun tribute to the fanbase – of all franchises.
The original film is wonderful; this makes for a nice dessert.

Books That Made Britain - 2016 - UK

Books That Made Britain - 2016 - 6/10 

 
Strolling book doc.  Regional writers and books explored.
Hosts seem to choose themes at whim. 
Some hone in on classic authors, others local names.
Environment always mentioned, whether the moors or bustling London.
Most are on YT if curious, if one still reads.

Romería - 2025 - Spain

Romería - 2025 - 7/10 

 
Family … drama, conflicts, secrets.
Marina’s parents are both long dead, her mother’s diary her only link.
Official records indicate no parentage, however.
Marina travels to the paternal side, her father’s family.
Listens to conflicting stories of her parents: who they were, what they did, how they died.
Understand, she is trying to get a college grant, but needs official recognition.
Puzzle mystery, with Marina listening, analyzing, searching why she is not part of the family.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3372138

The Magic Man - 1984 - Ireland

The Magic Man - 1984 - 6/10 

 
Rich man Tweedy has died, and burglars ransack his house, finding naught.
They switch to graverobbing – not even two pennies.
Enter traveling magician, Mesmero, with magic glasses, who sees all, knows all.
The thieves intend to outfox the magician.
Haunting film by Roy Spence manages to instill horror, mystery, revenge in Gothic style.
Spence films on iPlayer = https://ifiarchiveplayer.ie/royspence/

Vietnam: A Television History - 1983 - USA

Vietnam: A Television History - 1983 - 7/10 

 
In-depth, meandering documentary on the polarizing war.
Opens with earliest history, Vietnam invaded by China, France, Japan, France again.
Colonialism, to be blunt, means enslaving local populations, stealing resources.
American support goes from financial – advisory – armaments – troop deployments.
All Vietnamese sides interviewed heavily, as are US politicians, military brass, CIA, regular GIs.

 
Long chapter on incursions into Laos and Cambodia, destabilizing both nations.
“Domino effect” referenced.  US civil unrest, wishy-washy leaders.
Doc aims for balance throughout, but comes across as slightly left.
The original series runs 780”.  Later (redacted) version runs 660”.  I chased down the former.

Note: In the early 70’s, I had braced myself for ‘Nam duty.
My draft number was 6.  The woman who ran the Draft Board in our small town had a big sign:
No Exemptions – No Excuses – No Exceptions
The draft was halted the year I would have been called.  “There but for fortune.”

Night Of The Rat - 2015 - Spain

Night Of The Rat - 2015 - 5/10 
AKA - La Noche Del Ratón

 
If only they had not been arguing.  Jorge would not have missed his preferred gas station.
Maybe he would have turned around.  If only they had not been arguing.
Instead, he drives to the next one – where an urban sniper is targeting clients.
Past midnight, Jorge, twice wounded, hides in the aisles.
The marksman is patient and deadly accurate.
Excruciatingly slow.  80 minutes feels like 8 hours.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3372137

Devil’s Mouth, The - 2026 - USA

The Devil’s Mouth - 2026 - 6/10

 
“This way, through the teeth of the devil’s mouth.”
Rich turistas who bribe their way past one warning after another.
Self-centered narcissists and influencers, demanding to go the hardest way.
Into the underwater cave system.

 
Only to realize a Bull Shark is also trapped in the labyrinth with them.
Worse, it’s hungry, and has a deplorable attitude.
Good blend of shark attacks and claustrophobic cave adventures.
Similar to 2019’s 47 Meters Down: Uncaged, probably better.

Blood Thirst - 1971 - Philippines

Blood Thirst - 1971 - 5/10

 
One might think the girls would not walk home alone.
Middle of the night, deserted streets, with a serial killer stalking.
Corpses are drained of blood, arms sliced open.
Baffled Manila police chief contacts a Stateside buddy.
Who then spends most of his time inside a club, watching Serena.
Predictable Horror outing, albeit interesting for the Philippines locale.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3372135

Night Shift - 2025 - Vietnam

Night Shift - 2025 - 6/10 

 
She wants a ride to the old Saigon fish market, hires motorcycle and driver.
He accepts, yet within minutes, the setup is revealed.
Scant plot here, only an implied backstory and furious action.
Need a quick martial arts fix?  Six minutes of high voltage, back alley fighting.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3372136

Blade - 1998 - USA

Blade - 1998 - 6/10 

 
The day-walker, the vampire immune to sunlight.
His blood sought by foes, whom he dispatches in droves.
Yes, a vendetta of bad blood and power.
Terrific, modern reboot of the bloodsuckers.
Wealth, a caste structure, forbidden texts, treacherous ambition, and action.
With bloodletting, a lot of crimson, rave scene a highlight.
A role Wesley Snipes seemed born to play.

Who Killed The Electric Car? - 2006 - USA

Who Killed The Electric Car? - 2006 - 7/10 

 
Dated, and somewhat less irritating to watch now.
GM released the first EV in the mid-nineties.  For lease only.
Pressures were immediately brought to bear by the oil industry and politicians.
Multiple talking heads, as well as passionate “owners” who could only lease.
The mass recall would set the US auto industry back decades.
China would catch up and surpass.  Better and cheaper, unavailable in the US of A.

High Heels And Low Lifes - 2001 - UK

High Heels And Low Lifes - 2001 - 5/10 

 
Ray is an artiste and snooper, eavesdropping on phone calls to make audio collages.
Until girlfriend Shannon boots him from her flat for forgetting her birthday and being a dick.
On his equipment, however, she and mate Frances, hear an ongoing robbery.
Then attempt to blackmail the thieves for a percentage.
Amusing heist comedy, as shallow as a birdbath.
Has its moments, but you will have to shave your IQ to enjoy.

PTU - 2003 - Hong Kong

PTU - 2003 - 7/10 

 
It will be a long night for the Police Tactical Unit.
A triad detective has been beaten by thugs, his gun stolen.
The thug leader has been murdered, his father vows revenge.
The CID (plainclothes cops) are also active.
All are eyeing each other.

 
Cops are just as violent, as ruthless, as criminals here.
Shot entirely at night, on a tight budget.
Superb Neo-Noir from Johnnie To.

Poor Cow - 1967 - UK

Poor Cow - 1967 - 6/10 

 
Working class drama of Joy, her poor choices, and the men who drift in and out of her orbit.
Preggers and wed by 18, Joy’s husband is an abusive yob.
At least when he is sent to prison, a mate of his turns up, and he is a kinder, gentler sort.
More or less … until the Law catches up with him as well.
Dreary throughout, yet the characters are easy to relate with, especially if your life has bad decisions.
Debut film by Ken Loach lays down a career template.

Mad Max - 1979 - Australia

Mad Max - 1979 - 6/10

 
Post-apocalyptic Australia, police ranks thinning while biker gangs terrorize survivors.
Patrolmen Max and Goose, face off against one of the deadlier gangs.
Initially, they have limited success, until the narrative darkens.
Cheap Ozploitation dystopian vengeance action mayhem, call it what you will.
Crude, yet mesmerizing … and addictive.
Later films have more craftsmanship; this gnarly opener seems more authentic.

You’ve Got Mail - 1998 - USA

You’ve Got Mail - 1998 - 5/10  

 
Kathleen owns a small children’s bookshop in Manhattan (!).
Coming soon to her neighborhood, a behemoth book chain (think Borders, RIP).
No worries, she thinks.  Meantime, she carries an online romance with a username.
Straightforward encounter here, not a convict, 12-year-old, Prince Of Nigeria.
You can predict this one.  As huge scale and predatory pricing destroy competition.
A RomCom with a contrived love angle that defies logic or belief.
Hated this when it screened, still find it emotionally sleazy.

Claire’s Camera - 2017 - S Korea

Claire’s Camera - 2017 - 6/10 
AKA - La Caméra de Claire

 
The Korean film company is at Cannes, marketing releases.
Female boss Yang-hee browbeats Man-hee to quit, arguing she is untrustworthy.
French schoolteacher Claire, encounters both females separately (?), as well as a male director.
Deduction made, the male, while drunk, forced his way into Man-hee.
Jealousy prompted the dismissal.
Slice of life ought to be more interesting, but is too removed to be compelling.

Shark Girl - 2024 - USA

Shark Girl - 2024 - 3/10 

 
The nuclear power plant near Venice Beach (!?!) has a leak that goes unreported (!?!). 
A great white shark swims into the discharge and is altered.
How?  Who knows?  It bites model Heidi, altering her … mouth.
Heidi now sorts obstacles and difficulties the old-fashioned way.  Chomp-chomp-chomp.
Not scary, not funny, not campy.  Script is beneath stupid.
Aside from the two playing Ron and Gina, none of the thespians tried to act.
Appeared to be directed by an AI bot via cellphone.

Beyond: An African Surf Documentary - 2017 - Morocco

Beyond: An African Surf Documentary - 2017 - 6/10 

 
Embryonic surf scenes from Morocco, through Mauritania, into Senegal.
Not all riding the waves, either.  A philosophical bookseller, freestyle dancer, BMX cyclist, canoeists, nomads.
All breaking with social expectations, and the empty dream of becoming a millionaire.
Surf sequences are not typical surf porn (slow motion, razor focus, cerulean skies).
Africa is an exploited / struggling continent.  There may be trash, smog, soldiers, mines.
Participants are hopeful that tomorrow, perhaps, will be a better day.

Pomegranate - 2026 - USA

Pomegranate - 2026 - 6/10 

 
The old wastrel enters the cluttered laboratory.  His louche attitude reeks of affluence and boredom.
Bored with stimulants, narcotics, flesh to flesh melding.  Existence as greasy reruns.
The inventor has breathtaking virtual reality experiences, that might be deadly.
The client has done everything, however.  The sheer boredom of existence has dissipated him.
Extraordinary visuals of this AI SciFi must terrify Hollywood, unless they are already offering cheques.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3372139

Abruptio - 2023 - USA

Abruptio - 2023 - 7/10 

 
Lester is having a bad run.  Age 35 still living with parents, numbing workplace, love life in the dumpster.
Then he notices the scar in the back of everyone’s neck.  In his own neck.
Where the bomb has been implanted – if instructions are not obeyed.
What instructions?  Start murdering people.
Wildly imaginative, high concept Horror using body puppets.
Heavy on splatter, fueled with paranoia, dosed with Kafkaesque humor.
Certainly not for all tastes, yet jammed with X-Files references, as well as a Ligottian world view.