Flash Point - 2007 - Hong Kong

Flash Point - 2007 - 6/10
AKA - Dou foh  // 导火线

 
The inspector has been reprimanded repeatedly for excessive use of force.
Injuring, hospitalizing and maiming suspects.
His partner has been working undercover for months, ferreting a Vietnamese gang.
Police thriller never simmers below mid boil, with furious fight scenes.
Donnie Yen electrifying here, the speed of his movements breathtaking.
Collin Chou (Seraph from the Matrix) makes an incredible foe.
Full credit to the action and stunts; pity about the generic plot.

The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent - 2022 - USA

The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent - 2022 - 7/10

 
Career in something of a dumpster fire, Nicolas Cage accepts a birthday party gig.
Cheer the attendees, share Hollywood anecdotes, pocket a million dollar fee.
His conscience / alter-ego Nicky urges him, in no uncertain terms, to refuse.
Nevertheless, since when did Mr. Cage listen to anyone?
As soon as he lands in Majorca, he is recruited by the CIA to spy on his host, kidnapper and head of a crime family.
Wild shaggy dog film grows weirder, and funnier, with each passing minute.
Numerous Cage movies are referenced, parodied and quoted.

Mysteries Of Black Magic - 1958 - Mexico

Mysteries Of Black Magic - 1958 - 6/10
AKA - Misterios de la Magia Negra

 
Damnit, this has so much going for it!
His daughter drags Professor Eladio from his research to enjoy a magic show.
Where the professor, a specialist in superstition and witchcraft, recognizes a centuries old incantation.
Who is this Eglé?  How are her tricks so realistic?  Where did she learn her conjuring?
Long story short, he asks too many questions, alone, and does not fare so well.
Daughter and fiancée Raúl investigate to their peril.
One look at Raúl and the sorceress realizes she has a cozy chamber for him.
Gothic Horror has sets, shadows, fantastic camerawork, spooky atmosphere.
By the final act, it mirrors Haggard’s Ayesha and the tone weakens.

Accident - 2009 - Hong Kong

Accident - 2009 - 6/10
AKA - Yi Ngoi  // 意外

 
Kwok, the “Brain” plans for the next assignment.
His team, assassination specialists.
Method, convoluted diversions.  Rube Goldberg distractions.  A fatal accident.
Unfolding, these are exciting to watch.
When one misfires into an accident, the Brain begins to suspect there was a hand behind the fail.
Midway, this Hong Kong film shifts into Noir territory, steeped in paranoia.
Criminals behind criminals, games behind games.

Pushover - 1954 - USA

Pushover - 1954 - 6/10

 
After the bank heist, Officer Sheridan is tasked with keeping an eye on the robber’s moll.
She’s wise to him, ensnares him in the petals, corrupts his rather weak integrity.
There is money, a lot of money, for just the two of them.
If they can evade surveillance, wiretaps, suspicious colleagues, underworld characters.
Moody Noir lacks malevolent characters, instead troubled, damaged souls.
Viewers can root for these people, while knowing Fate is a cruel mistress.

Sherlock Holmes - 1916 - USA

Sherlock Holmes - 1916 - 6/10

 
Upon the death of her sister, Alice comes into possession of compromising letters.
The Prince hires Holmes to retrieve the letters, before a pair of schemers steal them.
Vintage Silent is not as creaky nor as stuffy as feared.
Excellent dissolve closeups, detailed sets, and a reworking of several stories.
Sherlock fans will have fun going, “Hey that’s from ‘Scandal In Bohemia’, and that‘s from…”
The real draw is seeing William Gillette, acclaimed stage actor, approved by Doyle.
Current print has been lovingly restored, and the supporting cast is Gillette’s theatrical troupe.
Bit melodramatic at times, just go with it.

Sky High - 2003 - Japan

Sky High - 2003 - 6/10
AKA - Sukai Hai  // スカイハイ

 
Killed on her wedding day (heart ripped out) Mina stands at the gate of the afterlife.
Three choices offered:  Ascend and reincarnate.  Wander the Earth as a ghost.  Or vengeance.
Mina opts for Door #3, despite the cost being damnation to Hell.
Supernatural / Fantasy has intriguing ideas, a parallel mystery investigation, adequate leads.
This is excessive, however.  Everything is too much, especially the running time.
The film feels padded, and lacks the furious momentum of the director’s previous film, Versus.
Later research revealed that is was made as a prequel for a popular Sky High TV series.
Following the film, there was a S02.
I have watched neither series, but they may inform the movie.

Hitch - 2023 - USA

Hitch - 2023 - 6/10

 
She is young and attractive, needing a lift.
He is middle-aged, divorced, hoping for an opportunity.
Mansplaining is his forte, she clenches a rock.
Short film of two bruised souls.

A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors - 1987 - USA

A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors - 1987 - 6/10

 
Outside of the original, this is my favorite of all the Nightmare films.
A teen, haunted in her dreams by – who else – is packed into an asylum.
The female psychiatrist (great casting!) recognizes Freddy and aids other teenage patients on how to deal with him.
This sequel doesn’t mess around.
Trained, and as a squad, they have strategies to deal with the monster.
Sets, music, lighting, acting, everything is of high quality.
Not to overlook Freddy, sadistic, repellent, yet wickedly funny.

Zatōichi - 2003 - Japan

Zatōichi - 2003 - 7/10
AKA - 座頭市

 
Modern “update” of the extremely long running franchise.
Blind swordsman Zatōichi wanders into small village, oppressed by criminals.
Expect swordplay and bloodletting.
Stylish reworking, with high production values.
Kitano is somewhat odd casting, but he is writer / director in what must have been a labor of love.
Finale apparently a surprise twist, although I viewed it as cheating, or misfired joke.

Captain Sindbad - 1963 - Germany

Captain Sindbad - 1963 - 5/10

 
When I watched during its theatrical run, I remember enjoying the sword fights and exoticness.
Guy Madison was, after all, Zorro, and knew how to wield a blade!
I also remember, even as a kid I found much of this pretty corny.
Sindbad returns home to find an evil usurper on the throne, with designs on the princess.
Our hero and his hearties set forth to restore the kingdom!
Very dated now, with poor special effects – although the heart and giant hand are memorable.
Matinee fare all the way; for those who still tend their garden of childhood.

Club Zero - 2023 - UK

Club Zero - 2023 - 7/10

 
Teacher, guru, zealot, fascist, temptress.
New teacher Ms Novak offers a course in conscious eating.
Students, rich and affluent mostly, voice goals of what they want this class to deliver.
Ms Novak ticks of each goal with, “Yes, conscious eating will deliver that.”
And what is this method.  Those in the workplace, think ‘do more with less.’
Here, eat less, be healthier.  The less you eat, the healthier you will become.
Disciples who remain begin to exhibit signs of their radical diet.
Unfunny comedy, subversive, potentially dangerous to those with eating disorders.