Hang ‘Em High - 1968 - USA

Hang ‘Em High - 1968 - 6/10

 
A posse decides Jed is a thieving, lying rustler, stings him up, then trots off.
Dead?  Not yet.  Rescued, he catches the eye of the territorial judge who appoints him marshal.
Jed is warned not to seek revenge – but – should suspects resist …
Being a Clint Eastwood Western, viewers ought to expect resistance and shootings.
Thing is, this does not move as well as the Leone predecessors.
Despite a fantastic cast, the pace dawdles without visual compensation.
(Inger Stevens and Arlene Golonka notwithstanding.)
The judge, morally complicated and forward thinking, makes an extremely interesting character.

The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad - 1958 - USA

The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad - 1958 - 6/10

 
Sinbad and crew rescue a magician.
Not exactly the most grateful soul, the magician makes demands all the way to Baghdad.
Even as a child, I knew this ingrate had something up his sneaky sleeve.
Sure enough.
The plot is fantasy adventure with a dash of romance.
Even today, the special effects by Ray Harryhausen are jaw dropping.
Not to overlook a gorgeous Bernard Herrmann score.
And the acting!  It had to have been challenging.
Great when a film lives up to childhood nostalgia.

The Accountant - 2001 - USA

The Accountant - 2001 - 7/10

 
The farm is in hock to the bank for $250K.
Brothers O’Dell hire a fast-talking accountant to examine the books and offer suggestions.
Despite a thirst for Pabst, this guy is slick, and soon comes up with some dodges to help.
Translation: How to get hold of insurance payouts.
This 40” short is laugh out loud funny, skewing the American Dream of debt for lifestyle.
Now, this is Southern out the wazoo, but if you’re a wage slave you will relate.
Soon as I finished, I loaded up Dancing Outlaw.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3355818

Present Laughter - 2019 - UK

Present Laughter - 2019 - 7/10  

 
Dash it all, just hold tight and keep up!
As he prepares for an African tour, the great man of theatre – popular theatre – wobbles in his own world.
At 40, he still attracts young lovers, although he knows his hair is thinning and his skin is getting soft.
Self-denial wars with admonition.
Nor is his staff much help.  Essendine’s secretary is blunt and caustic, his valet casual and cynical.
The play itself is breathlessly paced, with enough staccato dialogue to spin your head.
Andrew Scott is absolutely marvelous as the narcissistic whirlwind.
Kevin Kline did this in 2017.  While the same play, the flavor differs.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3355817

The Second Woman - 1950 - USA

The Second Woman - 1950 - 6/10

 
Jeff is still haunted by the death of his beautiful fiancé.
Worse than that, it appears someone has it in for him!
Attempts on his life, whispers that he is suicidal, and an aura of death that accompanies him.
Worse to those or things he cherishes.
Noir / thriller / mystery is strikingly filmed, with good performances.
This does seem to hark back to earlier techniques and styles.
Nevertheless, a brooding Noir should you hanker for one.

Prince Of Darkness - 1987 - USA

Prince Of Darkness - 1987 - 5/10

 
For 2000 years, the priestly Brotherhood Of Sleep have watched over this glass cylinder of swirling evil.
Now, the time has arrived for Satan or his son to unleash his father and wreck the world.
A priest consults, not the Vatican, but a college professor.
Together, with a clutch of drafted grad-students, they prepare to square off.
Intriguing premise by Carpenter bounces off the rails quickly and irretrievably.
Pointless romance, tons of candles (who’s been maintaining those), contamination via discharge, an insidious army of street people (?), computes and electric power yet no phones, glass lasts 2000 years, the usual ‘where’s so and so?’
Shoddy schlock or disappointing garbage.
Oh, yes, and characters who have never viewed a single Horror film.

Danger Island - 1968 - USA

Danger Island - 1968 - 6/10

 
“Uh oh, Chongo!”
Professor Hayden and his young crew find sunken treasure in the waters near Tobanya.
They are soon overrun by pirates with Link (Jan Michel Vincent) kicked overboard for shark bait.
Although the boat is blown up, Link survives, is washed ashore, and is befriended by two other castaways.
Who inform him the island is replete with cannibals and headhunters.  Not to mention predatory animals.
Pirates, cannibals, snakes, sharks, lions!
Fast moving serial, aimed at children, originally aired on the old Banana Splits show.
20-30 episodes, but only 5 minutes each. Easy to dip in and out.
Mindless, yet the stunts, action, settings, indicate a quality budget and good faith effort by Hanna-Barbera.

Conjuring Spirit - 2014 - Vietnam

Conjuring Spirit - 2014 - 5/10
AKA - Chung Cu Ma

 
The adulterous landlord fixes up the apartment for his girlfriend, then murders her.
Thereafter, tenants of that apartment are killed, commit suicide, or flee in terror.
Enter writer Lan and her five-year-old son, Bi.
Strange occurrences begin almost immediately.
Low-level Vietnamese horror is fairly predictable, with a range of acting.
The lack of sophistication is the handicap and attraction here.
Bizarre plotholes, and also an interesting twist.

Hey Cartooners! - 2024 - USA

Hey Cartooners! - 2024 - 6/10  

 
Loving biography of the Tri-State’s Mr. Cartoon, Jule Huffman.
Generations ago, after-school programming devoted to children was ubiquitous across the land.
Every city and burg had their Cousin Cliff, Uncle Willie, Captain Chesapeake, Ranger Jim …
Playful souls who know how to embrace children without talking down to them.
In between noise and camaraderie would be cartoons, a Stooges short, or Flash Gordon episode.
What is surprising is how good this documentary is for a regional show.
Early life is profiled, WWII service, aspirations (some dashed), and his iconic status as weatherman, children’s host, and ambassador of genuine good will.
Not the faux bonhomie of national celebrities.
This also shows the demise of children’s programming in the 1980’s, replaced by dubious adult fare (Oprah / Springer).
A much older me met Jule once at a function.  Very gracious man.
A gentle reminder of what passed away in our gradual coarsening.

The Immigrant - 1917 - USA

The Immigrant - 1917 - 7/10

 
Shipboard romance during the voyage to America.
Little Tramp befriends a young female and her mother.
Stateside, Fortune proves fickle, at best, yet has a heart.
Lovely Mutual film makes a perfect introduction for anyone curious about Chaplin.
Here, there is slapstick (from the earlier Essanay era), yet he is moving towards the more romantic (schmaltz) of the later features.
Lot of detail is packed in this, and Edna Purviance was always his most sympathetic leading lady.

The Villain - 1979 - USA

The Villain - 1979 - 5/10

 
I have NEVER been in the proper mood to appreciate, let alone enjoy, this one.
Kirk Douglas is the meanest, baddest man in the West.
Ann Margaret the innocent daughter fetching a box of money for Pa.
Schwarzenegger the handsome here with the IQ of a tree stump.
A “comedy” based on Roadrunner cartoons, packed with cameos and comic relief.
Almost everyone tries too hard (Arnie actually seems to “get” his role).
Complete misfire across the board, save for Warner Brothers’ cartoon obsessives.

True To The Navy - 1930 - USA

True To The Navy - 1930 - 5/10

 
Hash house waitress Ruby specializes in sailors.  Flirting shamelessly and receiving gifts.
How much exchange is involved?  With Clara Bow’s screen persona, a lot.
Getting even, the seamen send in their dashing shipmate (Fredric March?) who ignores her.
Thus, she falls for him!
Early Bow talkie is a RomCom, but lacks spark.  The boom mic made her anxious, and March is no romantic.
It also looks cheap, as Clara’s star was dimming and Paramount was cutting her budget.
There is a Silent version of this in supposedly an excellent print.

Murder In Guadeloupe - 2023 - France

Murder In Guadeloupe - 2023 - 6/10  
AKA - Meurtres en Guadeloupe

 
The first corpse was on the roof, splayed out, covered with feathers.
Next body, feathers again.  Lowered talk whispers a soucouyant.
The lead detective is an arrival from Paris; although born in the Caribbean, she had left years ago.
Her “assistant” is a retired commissioner, well-liked and accepted by the locals.
The settings are exotic, much mention is made of the era of slavery and racism, then there is the magic.
No romance in this, and the plotting is OK, weaving a tangle.
Locations and invention elevate this up from formula.

Die Herrin von Atlantis - 1932 - Germany

Die Herrin von Atlantis - 1932 - 6/10

 
Trying to control feuding tribes, two French Legionnaires get lost in the Sahara.
Who are then abducted and transported endlessly downstairs.
Based on the opening monologue, we are supposed to accept this as Atlantis.
Everything from attire to activities to kief abuse argue against this.
Then there is the ruling queen, Antinéa, who, aside from local music, dining, and a pet leopard, her main distraction is capturing and draining lost menfolk.
Frustratingly, this aspect is barely alluded to.  Director Pabst of 4 years earlier was bolder.
Very slow “adventure” film.  Check the sexier 1949 remake, Siren Of Atlantis.