It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World - 1963 - USA

It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World - 1963 - 6/10

 
Like the title, this one is too long, excessively over the top, and over-indulgent.
A dying criminal tells a motley group of fellow commuters where he had hidden a huge stash of loot.
Start your engines, ready, go, and they’re off!
Share the money?  Please.  This is every man (and woman) for themselves, and then some.
OK, at 31/2 hours, this goes on and on and on.
As a comedy, hit and miss, ranging from farce to gags to puns.
That said, there are a gallery of stars (film, TV, Broadway) throughout.
Starring, supporting, quick cameos.
Film fanatics, you owe it to yourself to view at least once.  Stock up on popcorn, though.

Ulysses - 1954 - Italy

Ulysses - 1954 - 6/10
AKA - Ulisse

 
Kirk Douglas makes an impressive Argonaut in this fantasy adventure.
The Trojan War is minimized for his ten year detour-packed return.
Highlights include Cyclops Polyphemus, and especially Circe, the sorceress.
Douglas and Silvana Mangano (dual roles) exhibit sensuous chemistry; one wishes they had shared other projects.
Too much time is given over to Penelope’s efforts to repulse her army of suitors.
Entertainment in fits and starts.  Action great, exposition dull.

Tish - 2023 - UK

Tish - 2023 - 7/10

 
Excellent biography of the working class, Newcastle photographer, Tish Murtha.
Presented by daughter Elle, who has really done her homework.
Time and again, in interviews, she pulls out photos and items that charge the conversation.
From college courses and mentors, to art school, to acclaim.
Nor does this gloss over her obstinacy, her refusal to “make nice” and take mundane commissions.
Her anti-establishment stance empowers her work, and led to later challenges.
Fantastic photos throughout.  Slideshow = https://tishmurtha.co.uk/
English subtitles = https://subsource.net/subtitle/tish-2023/english/10078128

Targets - 1968 - USA

Targets - 1968 - 7/10

 
Horror film icon, Byron Orlok, is tired of it all.  He is old-hat, old-fashioned, and wants to retire.
The everyday world is a more horrifying place than any of his creature features.
Even though the young scriptwriter has the perfect role for him, which will reinvigorate his career.
Meanwhile, a disturbed young husband tells his wife he suffers strange thoughts.
She does not listen.  Actually, she cannot listen; she is shallow and empty.
Guns and ammunition stockpiled, and his fuse burns shorter.
While loosely based on Charles Whitman, this thriller eerily foretells weekly events in the USA.
For Boris Karloff, a superb role late in his career.

Vampire Lovers - 1970 - UK

Vampire Lovers - 1970 - 6/10  

 
The new neighbor arrives at the General’s ball only to be summoned away for an emergency.
Nonetheless, could the General take care of her ward, Marcilla?  Of course!
And Marcilla, endears herself to the General’s niece, Laura, who soon weakens and dies.
Jump ahead.
After a coach crash, the hurrying ladyship agrees to entrust her niece, Carmilla, to another family.
And daughter Emma begins to waste away.
Stylish Hammer outing, Gothic settings, period costumes, rampant with lesbian overtones.
Le Fanu’s novella has been filmed numerous times, including a recent version in 2019.

The Inner Circle - 1946 - USA

The Inner Circle - 1946 - 5/10

 
Private investigator Johnny Strange advertises for a secretary.
In a heartbeat, Ginny Smith arrives and takes charge of the office, the caseload, and our thick-headed detective.
He’s soon up to his neck in the murder of a despised expose reporter.
The story bounces more than a pinball.  Strange is framed, bailed out, beaten, rescued, ever three steps behind.
Marked as Noir, this is not.  As a comedy, hardly.
B-Mystery, with a good supporting cast, while the “stars” stumble along.
Possibly the studio (Republic) was trying to emulate  Boston Blackie.
English subtitles = https://subsource.net/subtitle/the-inner-circle-1946/english/10078127

Hilde Warren und der Tod - 1917 - Germany

Hilde Warren und der Tod - 1917 - 5/10

Actress Hilde has trouble relating to her role, which involves a suicidal character.
“I’m young, beautiful, with a world awaiting!”
Death appears, and foretells, soon enough she will beg for his embrace.

 
Hilde has a steadfast admirer, who offers marriage.
Yet, there are so many handsome men.  With one in particular.
Honey-tongued, also a robber, liar, murderer.
Film explores the joys and griefs of living.  And the planted seed.
Early script by Fritz Lang is a morality tale.

The Knowing - 2023 - USA

The Knowing - 2023 - 6/10

 
Following a miscarriage, Lea isolates herself in the cabin.
Where she is plagued by a noisy, growling entity.
Opaque, psychological short mixes guilt, fear and regret.
Never really frightening, although many couples, trying for children, will relate with her despair and choices.
English subtitles = https://subsource.net/subtitle/the-knowing-2023/english/10078126

The Mystery Of Room 327 - 2012 - France

The Mystery Of Room 327 - 2012 - 6/10
AKA - Chambre 327

 
Eve of his wedding, the young groom is found murdered in room 327 with a hooker.
Security cameras show the bride outside, and her handgun is found nearby.
Mom runs the hotel, erases the footage, hides the gun, lies to the police or evades answering.
French mystery is low on characterization (in fact, I disliked most of them).
That said, the writers have packed this with enough plotting and narrative for three films!
Rivals are trying to acquire the hotel, witnesses keep perishing, families argue.
Tight mystery that keeps one guessing until it plays a loose hand late in the proceedings.

About Dry Grasses - 2023 - Turkey

About Dry Grasses - 2023 - 7/10
AKA - Kuru Otlar Üstüne

Samet is a popular grade school teacher.  Pupils like him.  Villagers admire and respect him.
He is, however, a brooding nest of unhappiness and resentment.

 
Samet loathes the isolated, backward countryside; he longs to return to Istanbul.
Following a complaint, he begins to quietly vent his malice.
Against select children, also friends.
This is a “measured” character study, carried by lengthy conversations.
This is packed with ideas, albeit the chords will likely strike Turkish viewers.
References are made to ongoing and previous battles. Kurds, PKK.
Marked by some as a comedy – no.  This is rewarding, but requires patience and allotting 3 hours time.

Heretic - 2024 - USA

Heretic - 2024 - 7/10

 
Two young missionaries from LDS visit the home of Mr. Reed.
Whom, soon enough, they refer to as Mister Well-Read.
Indeed, he is extremely well educated about the Latter Day Saints, as well as Catholicism and Judaism.
And older religions, very old.  Iterations, he suggests, leading the conversation deeper.
Provocative thriller, not necessarily Horror, but filled with the allure and repulsion of uncomfortable questions.
Hugh Grant is exceptional, shading his character with charm, erudition, menace and madness.
Viewers, like Sisters Barnes and Paxton, grow increasingly ensnared in the sinister.

If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do? - 1971 - USA

If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do? - 1971 - 4/10

 
Should America abandon God, so too shall God abandon America.
Alcohol, dancing, drug use, sex, ways of the flesh, even cartoons!
Bibles unread, teachings forsaken for lascivious behavior, lewd attire.
Until, without warning, Communists have overcome the nation.
Vast swathes of the populace are machine-gunned down, children indoctrinated, females raped.
Dire warnings!  Potentially camp film flawed by constant proselytizing by Rev. Estus Pirkle.
That, and ignoring the reality of gun-happy America where millions of citizen own firearms.

I Love Trouble - 1948 - USA

I Love Trouble - 1948 - 6/10

 
Early on, the mark wises up to the tail job by PI Bailey.
Her husband had hired the sleuth after she received threatening blackmail notes.
“Impossible!  My young wife is such an innocent lamb.”
Bailey starts digging into the sweet girl’s past, and discovers a murky history.
Middling Noir never fully commits to darkness and fatalism.
Bailey is a tougher Boston Blackie, but he ain’t hard boiled.
Supporting cast will be amazing for Noir fans.
Columbia loaded this with numerous young females from their stable.

Black Butterflies - 2022 - France

Black Butterflies - 2022 - 6/10
AKA - Les Papillons Noirs

 
Trendy author “Mody” suffers writer’s block.
That is the only reason he accepts a commission to ghost write some aging nobody’s life story
Except, as the plot unfolds, the old man is an uncaught serial killer.
He and his female partner had slashed a trail of blood and sex across Europe.
Hearing the history, the callousness and violence begin to seep into the writer.
Troubling mini-series loaded with graphic violence and sexual configurations.
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