Savage Nights - 1992 - France

Savage Nights - 1992 - 7/10
AKA - Les Nuits Fauves

 
Jean prefers men, although something about Laura fascinates him.
Their mutual attraction is such that they become sexually intimate.
Afterward, and not straight away, he confesses that he is, and has been, HIV positive.
At times maddening film of lust, obsession, and disinterest.
Jean is selfish, in denial, perhaps empty emotionally and spiritually.
Directed and starring Cyril Collard, based on his own novel.
At times insightful look at gay cultures, some underground, others known.

Bedroom Farce - 2022 - UK

Bedroom Farce - 2022 - 6/10

 
Small house parties, perhaps the worst.
Especially when one invited couple is on the brink of divorce.
And two ex-flames have been invited, as well.
Laughs?  Well, depends on the audience, I suppose.
Each couple is immature and come across as dumb.
In the theatre, with a roaring crowd – maybe.  At home – pass.

Rolling Stones: Live L’Olympia Theatre - 2003 - France

Rolling Stones: Live L’Olympia Theatre - 2003 - 7/10

 
Professional capture of the band in a smaller venue.
Fans who want a show of greatest hits may pause, however.
One of the lures for this is the inclusion of many lesser performed numbers.
“Live With Me”, “Hand of Fate”, “No Expectations”, “Stray Cat Blues”, “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love”, “That's How Strong My Love Is”, “Going to à Go-Go”, “Love Train”, “Respectable” …
Charlie is effortless and concise, Mick poster child for dynamism, Keith and Ron walking cadavers.
Although there is a horn section, keyboards, background singers, the mix leans towards the guitarists.
The cutting is much to rapid to study the musicianship.
Mere quibbles.  Stones’ fans, you know this.

School Of Death - 1975 - Spain

School Of Death - 1975 - 6/10
AKA - El Colegio de la Muerte

 
Yes, sometimes our girls need minor correcting.  Especially Leonore, here.
The “school” is something between orphanage and detention hall.
Once the girls are old enough they are hired out to families / employers unknown.
One unforgettable client has a face completely burned away.
Not to suggest he isn’t quite sane, but he does like using his scalpel on those girls.
Film moves too slowly for its own good, but boasts a stylized Gothic look.
Another film that is pure Hammer, except it is not Hammer.
By any other name, Inspector Coldman could be Wilkie Collins’ Sergeant Cuff.
Undercurrents of white slave trafficking poorly exploited.

The Best Hotel On Skid Row - 1990 - USA

The Best Hotel On Skid Row - 1990 - 6/10

 
“Life in here is an ode to the low-income blues.”
Rooms at the Madison are $8.20 a night.  No hot plate.  Coin-op TV sets.
Or you could crash in the all night movie house for $2.50.
Cheaper?  Sleep in the alley.
Profiles of a few tenants.  Where they came from, what they left behind, how they live now.
Some are resigned, a few clutch pipedreams.  Such is life.
Narrated knowingly by Charles Bukowski.
Ideal double bill for this is It Was A Wonderful Life from 1992.

Poison Rose - 1966 - Hong Kong

Poison Rose - 1966 - 5/10
AKA - Du mei gui //  毒玫瑰

 
The inspector listens on the other sided of the two-way mirror.
Oh, the sexy lounge club singer is bad, but she’s low fruit.
He wants the whole gang, and the kingpin behind them.
So he sends a third detective undercover, after the first two were killed.
Lightweight Shaw Brother film is part police, part espionage (with gadgets and 007 music cues).
The story percolates along, pausing for romance and musical numbers.
Better Shaw Bros are out there – and worse.

Highway - 2016 - Australia

Highway - 2016 - 6/10

 
Hester, teenage runaway, accepts a ride from a family into Echo Valley.
A storm approaches, of which the occupants are blissfully unaware.
Unease mounts into terror in this effective short.
Moody journey of premonition and time displacement.
Subs = https://subscene.com/subtitles/highway-2016/english/2988564

eXistenZ - 1999 - Canada

eXistenZ - 1999 - 7/10

 
Yes, yesterday’s future draws closer everyday.
In the near future, players are immersed in heady games via bio-port into their nerve cord.
Once the game is underway, you cannot differentiate actual from virtual.
Mistakes prove lethal.
Complicating matters are outside terror groups, rebels, who sabotage the games and corporations.
Thoughtful, provocative actioner, eerily prescient, more so every year it seems.
A chilly film, however, with limited chemistry between the leads.