Urchin - 2025 - UK

Urchin - 2025 - 7/10

 
Mike sleeps rough and scrounges drugs as he can.
After incarceration for robbery, he begins to claw his way back to redemption.
A social worker, a temp residence, employment, coworkers who like him.
In his background vision,  however, lurks a siren, playing violin.
The old life, the perfumed existence of nothingness.
Possibly better for those who have been on the streets, been poor, desperate.

Outlaw Gangster VIP - 1968 - Japan

Outlaw Gangster VIP - 1968 - 6/10
AKA - Burai Yori Daikanbu

 
After three years in prison, Goro returns to his yakuza family.
The family is weaker than before, an upstart clan with less honor is carving territory.
Goro is inclined to quietly exit, but there are obligations.
Plus, there is a dewy-eyed female who has attached herself to him.
Overly familiar gangster story benefits from solid performances and expert cinematography.

The Waves Of Madness - 2024 - USA

The Waves Of Madness - 2024 - 6/10

 
Agent Legrasse is sent coordinates of an imperiled ship, Elders of the Seas.
Uncanny events were reported before communication went silent.
Once onboard the apparently abandoned vessel, Legrasse encounters a lost female.
Part assistant, part companion.
Straight off, from the coordinates, I knew recognized the South Pacific.  R’lyeh.
Minuscule budget, creatively managed.  Black and white, plenty of fog, sparing effects.
Fans of HPLHS films should enjoy, although dialogue veers into camp at times.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3370430

Fatal Crossing - 2023 - Norway

Fatal Crossing - 2023 - 6/10
AKA - Pigerne fra Englandsbåden

 
Disgraced following a sex scandal, journalist Nora is placed on leave.
She returns to her childhood home, where she is not exactly flavor of the month.
Nora is unpleasant and meddlesome.
To keep occupied, she starts digging into a decades old abduction of two girls.
(Thought: no way police would cooperate of allow the access she has.)
Midway, the narrative pivots, new characters arrive.  Trying to juice interest.
Arresting premise, moody Scandinavian Noir, desperately needs an editor.
Striving for tension, scenes are lingered over much too long.

The Sadistic Baron von Klaus - 1962 - Spain

The Sadistic Baron von Klaus - 1962 - 5/10
AKA - Le Sadique Baron von Klaus

 
Every few generations, the village is plagued by the curse upon the von Klaus family.
Mind you, the curse is inflicted upon attractive females of the village.
Despite a Gothic look and atmosphere of menace, the plot meanders.
A few characters look mildly suspicious, yet the whole thing is a muddle.
Early Franco attempt should have been better, a misfire.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3370436

The Witchunt - 2012 - USA

The Witchunt - 2012 - 5/10

First guy straddles two worlds: drugs and danger, and white collar.  Until consequences of Greed.
Next character, blue collar, and the temptations of Lust.
Got it?  Yes, the Seven Deadlies.

 
Wordless, experimental Horror, jammed with blistering editing and abrasive music.
In many ways, this reminds of an art installation.  Excessive, at that.
Draining in its way, overtly suggestive without anything explicit.
Still … track this down.  Beware swine.

Bride & Prejudice - 2004 - UK

Bride & Prejudice - 2004 - 6/10

 
Another Austen adaptation, Bollywood style (expect musical numbers).
The unmarried Bakshi sisters are in a dither over the arrival of rich American Will Darcy.
Eldest daughter Lalita immediately takes a dislike to the snobbish newcomer.
Rather than a clash of class, this is more a clash of cultures.
Purists should back off, for the rest, fairly entertaining.
I found “Darcy” miscast, although I appear to be in a minority.

Once Upon A Time In The West - 1968 - Italy

Once Upon A Time In The West - 1968 - 8/10
AKA - C'era Una Volta il West

 
Magnificent Western of greed and vengeance, stunningly shot and composed.
Bronson, taking over after another actor declined, excellent as the gunman of few words, few explanations.
The railroad is coming through; land is needed, by any means necessary.
The magnate has a team of cutthroats, led by colder-than-ice Frank.
Tremendous film, operatic in structure and intensity, likely too long for American audiences.
I first saw this in a revival theater in the mid-1970’s, and it was unforgettable.
Realize, going in, the three hour length.

The Christophers - 2025 - UK

The Christophers - 2025 - 7/10

 
Lori accepts the position of assistant to the once-great Julian Sklar.
Actually, it is his estranged children who want to her complete a series of unfinished paintings.
Once he dies, and he is elderly and dying, they intend to cash in.
Old and embittered, Sklar may be, yet he is no fool.
He sees and grasps the game, while he and Lori engage.
Keen edged dialogue, thrust-parry-relax.  Will thrill theatre fans.

The Loreley’s Grasp - 1973 - Spain

The Loreley’s Grasp - 1973 - 6/10
AKA - Las Garras de Lorelei

The first girl was murdered on the eve of her wedding.
Next one, a few days later.
The girls boarding school is alarmed, so a hunter is placed as protection.
Soon enough, he sees and follows a strange female near the marsh.

 
Yes, he knows she is unnatural, something more than human.
Nevertheless, she tempts him.  Shall we say, he is distracted.
The boarding school is a wall of flesh, but no nudity.
Gore, blood and entrails, but nothing to disturb the squeamish.
Weird horror outing referencing Wotan and Valhalla and full moon transfigurations.

Peterloo - 2018 - UK

Peterloo - 2018 - 7/10

 
Following victory over Napoleon, the Home Secretary turns his eye northwards.
Manchester, home of noisy reformers and simmering discontent.
Imagine, the rabble wants to have the vote.  A say in who represents them.
Spies have already infiltrated, and the army is dispatched.
Not to attack, only to assist the armed Yeomanry should need arise.
Painstaking buildup, featuring many of the key players, along with arguments.
Disturbing to watch, knowing “leaders” consider democracy an aberration.

Bone Keeper - 2026 - UK

Bone Keeper - 2026 - 5/10

 
Granddad reckoned there was something down in that cave, and he disappeared.
By and by, his daughter went searching for him … vanished.
Now, Olivia is of a mind to learn what happened, despite almost physical warnings from locals.
Sure, Olivia has friends with her.  Five mates and a hitchhiker.
Got that, math majors?  Seven meals for that hungry cave!

 
“Ooh, I just want to reach out.  Make contact.”
I knew this would be bad, but I have a weakness for cave movies.
Written, directed, produced, photographed, edited by the same guy.
You’ve been warned.  Oh yeah, their clothes stay clean throughout.

Curse Of The Yellow Snake - 1963 - Germany

Curse Of The Yellow Snake - 1963 - 5/10
AKA - Der Fluch der Gelben Schlange

 
A gang attempts to steal the golden snake, since whoever owns it shall rule the world!
#2 son hightails it to London, spies hot on his heels.
An attractive daughter is offered in marriage, so to access his wealth.
#1 son leads a battalion of Chinese hoodlums, seeking the idol and domination.
Fast-paced Edgar Wallace Krimi smacks of Yellow Peril, outdated by this time.
Lots of plot, subplots, assorted characters, your head will spin.
Nevertheless, empty headed nonsense.
English subtitles = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/1427223