The Shark Is Broken - 2025 - UK

The Shark Is Broken - 2025 - 7/10

 
Three men in a boat, afloat with booze, boredom, motion-sickness, insecurities.
What do they have in common?  The shark, the damned mechanical shark.
Dreyfuss, Shaw and Scheider while away the downtime talking, drinking, arguing, reassuring.
Shaw is convinced the film is rubbish, and will consequently be a hit.
Dreyfuss, younger, is all boasts, claims, and fears, assuming his is the biggest part.
Scheider, calm, taciturn, charts a middle course.
Chamber play ought to be a bonus on physical releases of Jaws.

Rafureshia - 1995 - Japan

Rafureshia - 1995 - 6/10
AKA - Sukebe Zume: Otto no rusu ni // すけべ妻 夫の留守に

Alisa and her father live on an isolated island.
Weary of being father’s after dinner sexual dessert, she jumps into the sea and swims several miles to the city.
Where, by good luck or misfortune, she is put to work in a brothel.

 
And soon realizes the chainsaw is mightier than her nethers.
Another story follows a frustrated wife, her indifferent husband, duplicitous mother-in-law.
Satire of pinku eiga is fairly surreal, stuffed with slapstick.

Bring Her Back - 2025 - Australia

Bring Her Back - 2025 - 7/10

 
After their father dies, Andy and Piper are placed in a foster home.
Piper is visually impaired, while Andy, abused in childhood, suffers a history of anger.
Both pale next to new foster mom Laura, who is insane with grief.
Her daughter, her beloved daughter, well, Laura would do anything to bring her back.
Unsettling story blends suspense and Horror with a trope I loath, child in danger.
Sally Hawkins as Laura is remarkable.  Lord, she burrows under your skin and crawls.
And the young boy as Oliver is full bore intense.
Most of the time I disliked this film, yet it was exceptionally well done.

The 10th Victim - 1965 - Italy

The 10th Victim - 1965 - 6/10
AKA - La Decima Vittima

To provide an outlet for violence and murderous tendencies, society permits “The Big Hunt”.
One hunter, one victim, with guidelines.  After a few successes, endorsements arrive.
Caroline is an alluring predator, nearing the apex of her craft.

Her latest assignment is Marcello, who lacks her finances and support crew.
Instead, he relies on guile and knowledge of the Italian laws.

Overly talky at times, this is, nevertheless, a sexy slice of 60’s cinema.
With a shout out to Lee Falk, this drips Guido Crepax and Italian Pop Art.
Arresting visuals, attractive leads cannot quite salvage a meandering, repetitive plot.

Vixen! - 1968 - USA

Vixen! - 1968 - 6/10

 
Russ runs a small lodge in the Canadian woodlands.
As a pilot, he flies guests into the area.
Oh yes, he also has a steamy wife, Vixen, a female with hearty appetites.
Russ, guests male and female, relatives … close relatives.
Faithless, sharp-tongued, racist, Vixen is a piece of work.
Russ Meyer gave Erica Gavin a long leash in this, then let her loose.
She overpowers the entire film, and it is mystifying why she never had a better career.
For a satirical comedy, this wields a mean and ugly edge.

The Enchanted Cottage - 1924 - USA

The Enchanted Cottage - 1924 - 6/10

 
Disfigured and crippled in the Great War, Richard broods in the family manor.
After his fiancé leaves him for another, he decamps to a remote cottage.
Where he meets Laura, unattractive yet possessing a warm heart.
Theirs becomes a marriage of convenience.
Ghosts and specters of the past haunt the cottage, however, and influence the couple.
Fantasy love story is schmaltz, must have struck a chord with the post-war audiences.

Red-Headed Woman - 1932 - USA

Red-Headed Woman - 1932 - 7/10

 
Lil chases after boss Bill, who is young, handsome, rich.
Oh, and married, too.
No matter, Lil cooks the sausage … a couple of times … and Bill is soon hers.
Does Bill ever wise up?  Even when Lil targets his even wealthier friends?
Heavy cutting notwithstanding, this steamy Pre-Code reeks of sex, adultery, innuendo.
For teens who think they invented sex, your grandma, your great-grandma was way ahead of you.

Murder In The Auvergne Mountains - 2016 - France

Murder In The Auvergne Mountains - 2016 - 6/10
AKA - Sources Assassines

 
The doctor dies, and several dozen are poisoned at the outdoor, costumed fete.
The cause, arsenic.  The suspect, another doctor, not a rival, but an ex-flame.
Tangled mystery with threads leading in several directions.
A blend of science, quack cures, and speculators – oh, real estate.
Implausible on and off, and lacking the scenery usually associated with French mysteries.
Ending was tidy and fantasized.  Most soured relationships stay that way, until death.

Yellow Submarine - 1968 - UK

Yellow Submarine - 1968 - 7/10

 
Pepperland had been overrun and enslaved by the Blue Meanies.
Are you bluish?  You don’t look bluish?
Young Fred barely escapes in the above vessel, then implores the Fab Four to rescue the inhabitants.
Enroute, they navigate various, ofttimes perilous, seas.
Eye-popping animation, memorable songs, imaginative story.
Surprise hit with kids, acidheads, critics, Beatles fans.
This generated much good will toward the band, and remains a great watch.

If Only You Could Cook - 1935 - USA

If Only You Could Cook - 1935 - 6/10

 
Automobile tycoon Jim cannot convince the board to accept sweeping new designs.
Deco, snowdrop vehicles.
He huffs out.  On a park bench, he meets the unemployed Joan.
She persuades him to accompany her for a twofer job: butler and cook.
Of course they are hired … by gangsters.
Amusing Depression era RomCom is farfetched entertainment.
Working girl, millionaire, good-natured criminals, tight ensemble.