Rich Hall’s Red Menace - 2019 - UK

Rich Hall’s Red Menace - 2019 - 6/10  

 
The Cold War between USA and USSR, explained and satirized.
Origins, rivalries, dodging Armageddon (ineptitude) several times.
The CIA’s trained cat spies (cat owners will howl at this, “training” cats).
How to survive the nuclear blast, how to survive fallout.
Very fast paced, “informative”, kinda funny and kinda not.
Not in a world where more nations join the Nuke Club,
Not in a world where more nations are led / ruled / enslaved by enraged souls.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3357261

Pagan Peak - 2018 - Austria

Pagan Peak - 2018 - 7/10  
AKA - Der Pass

The corpse straddles an Alpine marker between Austria and Germany.
As in The Bridge, two police jurisdictions arrive.
Except when the Germany inspector expresses interest, the Austrian shrugs.
“Be my guest.”   And he’s gone, although he is eventually drawn into the investigation.
The core is an isolated serial killer, escalating, trying to make a point.

 
Society needs to reconnect with Nature, primal roots.
Convoluted, with personal sagas that added little.
More compelling were the survivalists, Krampus, and the Red Season.

The Hunger - 2017 - Norway

The Hunger - 2017 - 6/10
AKA - Gutten er Sulten

 
Everyone wants to be noticed.
Jørgen is envious of the bad boys, but he is too scrawny, too poor to gain acceptance.
Maybe Lucifer tattoos, even with a marker, will confirm intent.
If nothing else, visit the lair.

 
Bruising short of alienated youth, the rage of dissatisfaction.
For those for whom all the worldly trophies cannot equate with oblivion.

Untold Scandal - 2003 - S Korea

Untold Scandal - 2003 - 7/10
AKA - Seukaendeul: Joseon Namnyeo Sangyeoljisa

 
The young virgin is to the next concubine of the Lord.
She is innocent and fresh, and the wife cannot stand the youthful replacement.
So, she asks her cousin, a lecherous reprobate, to seduce and impregnate the girl.
Where’s the problem?  He has his eye on a chaste widow.
By any other name, this is a version of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses".
A cruel drama of gamesmanship and manipulation.
Scheming and treachery, which leave a powerful and bitter aftertaste.
If nothing else, the set design and costumes are radiant.

Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls - 1970 - USA

Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls - 1970 - 7/10

 
“This is my happening and it freaks me out!”
In-name sequel to 1967 soaper of Jacqueline Susann’s blockbuster novel.
Russ Meyer and Roger Ebert deliver a giddy parody that improves with the years.
Female rock’n’roll trio Kelly Affair travel to decadent Los Angeles for fame, fortune, sex and drugs.
Their manager ain’t up to snuff, so Z-Man Barzell (stunning John LaZar) takes charge.
What are there, 12 narratives?  All of them mad.
The pace is blistering, and, for a campy spoof, everyone is dead-faced (aside from Z-Man).
Tamer today, yet still wonderful!

The Return Of Chandu - 1934 - USA

The Return Of Chandu - 1934 - 5/10  

 
The Egyptian princess flees her foes and hides in a Beverly Hills mansion.
Thank her lucky stars, this is the home of Chandu a powerful magician (sorcerer) who may be able to protect her.
“May” being the operative word, as this is a serial.
Every installment threatens death and danger to the princess, Chandu, friends and followers.
Occasional action, hokey script, yet this has an innocent charm for those with a taste for cliffhangers.
Bonus:  Rare chance to watch Bela Lugosi as the hero of the adventure.

Kneecap - 2024 - Ireland

Kneecap - 2024 - 7/10  

 
Busted for perceived criminality, Liam only speaks Irish to the irritation of English speaking coppers.
A temp-translator is summoned, one who is sympathetic to Liam, recognizes the poetry and the blotter.
No telling how faithful to real events, but in this docu-drama, this is the origin of the Irish rap group.
As a story, this is funny as can be, although loaded with profanity and bed bouncing.
The group perform in tiny venues, are harassed by police and militia thugs.
Persevere lads, and perhaps dreams may fulfill.
Fill yer boots, man!

Private House Of The SS - 1977 - Italy

Private House Of The SS - 1977 - 5/10
AKA - Casa Privata per le SS

 
Breasts and swastikas - for many, that will be inducement enough.
Following the botched assassination of Hitler, the SS decides to investigate the military command further.
The recruit a dozen high class prostitutes and train them (judo, fencing, ballet, shooting).
Then invite the top Wehrmacht brass to their brothel for a night of debauchery and orgies.
And when that group expends itself, the SS invites another batch.
You’d think with all the nudity and larking about this would be kinky fun.
While decadent elements recall Salo (1975), this one grows tiresome.

Black Cat Mansion - 1958 - Japan

Black Cat Mansion - 1958 - 6/10
AKA - Bôrei Kaibyô Yashiki  // 亡霊怪猫屋敷

His wife suffers from tuberculosis, so her doctor husband drives her to the country.
The family home, terribly dilapidated, damp (pouring rain outside), and haunted!
Her condition deteriorates, more once the deadly wraith arrives.
Eventually, the truth emerges.

 
The village priest relates the backstory or murder, rape, and the curse.
The vessel of vengeance?  The family cat.
Modern story is moody black and white.  Earlier tale in color, stylized sets.
The “cat-demon” will be the make or break for most viewers.

A Window On Washington Park - 1913 - USA

A Window On Washington Park - 1913 - 6/10

 
The young millionaire (in 1913!) suffers ennui, stares out at the wintry park.
Spies an older man, clearly a gentleman, now enduring harder days.
Invites him inside, shares a meal, hears the story.
Of an over-possessive father, whose sternness caused his daughter to elope.
Silent tale brushes Melodrama with broad theatrical strokes.
Spare sets and painted backdrops.
I predict Artificial Intelligence will routinely clean print damage in a few years.

Deep Rising - 1998 - USA

Deep Rising - 1998 - 5/10

 
Shorthand: Titanic meets Abyss meets Aliens.
Skipper of a crap boat ferries a cargo bad hombres to the South China Seas.
Where luxury liner Argonautica, on her maiden voyage, has stalled dead in the water.
Turns out the hombres are mercenaries with high powered weapons.
And the Argonautica suffers a slight squid infestation.
Mindless mayhem, cobbled from numerous other adventure flicks.
Writer / director Sommers hasn’t a single original idea here.
Hollywood, please save humanity’s IQ and quit funding this guy.

Wake - 2010 - USA

Wake - 2010 - 7/10

 
After her father died, Charmaine was no longer under his control.
Reckoned an “old maid” she was now free to find herself a fella.
She sought out the conjure woman, holding a box of specifications.
Handsome, green eyes, sharp dresser, and capable of satisfaction.
After the barter, the demoness said she’d find out.
Charmaine found out.

The Buffalo Creek Flood: An Act Of Man - 1975 - USA

The Buffalo Creek Flood: An Act Of Man - 1975 - 6/10

 
Rains fell and fell and fell, swelling the earthen dams.
Pittston’s general boss scanned the dam, declared it safe, and left the holler.
At 8:00 AM, cracks appeared in Dam 3.  By 8:03, it failed; rushing waters destroyed Dam 1 and 2.
132 million gallons roared though 15 hill communities.
125 deaths, 546 homes destroyed, another 310 damaged and condemned.
Pittston promised to pay $15,000 per home, then lowered that $3000.
Folks got trailers.  After all, Pittston had fended off citations and fines for years
The governor and officials were in their pockets.  And them poor hillbillies, white trash.
Confession: Two years later, 1974, I started work at Buffalo Creek.  High explosives, strip mining.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3357057

Super Cop - 1992 - Hong Kong

Super Cop - 1992 - 7/10
AKA - Police Story 3 // 警察故事３超級警察

 
For many Westerners, this is where Jackie Chan exploded.
Top Hong Kong cop “Kevin” teams up with Beijing Interpol officer “Jessica”.
Target, a powerful lord, with Kevin infiltrating as a friend.
With Michelle Yeoh as the Chinese cop, one should expect action on a colossal scale.
Indeed, the stunts in this are off the scale (Hollywood relied on explosions and one-liners),
As with all Jackie Chan films of this era STAY for the credits (outakes).