The Brood - 1979 - Canada

The Brood - 1979 - 6/10

 
Mommy’s not well.  In fact, she is under restricted care by Dr. Raglan.
Specializing in a new treatment, psychoplasmics.
Husband Frank is unable to pry wife Nola from his care.
“She’s at a critical stage, don’t you know?”
Raglan role plays with Nola, permitting her to release her demons.
Psychological drama steadily descends into Horror.
Early gem from Cronenberg.  Patience, then hold on.

Don’t Fraʞ In The Woods - 2016 - USA

Don’t Fraʞ In The Woods - 2016 - 4/10

 
With a title like this, one is warned, OK?
A group of twenty year olds head to the woodlands for … I dunno … Nature.
First couple were killed by, what looks like a scout from Gorn.
Well, they were making all manner of noises.  Gasps, moans, cries, loud rutting.
Later arrivals don’t worry about ticks, mosquitos, chiggers, wheel bugs.
Mostly they drink, talk, swim, talk, play truth-or-dare, talk, smoke, talk.
Get the idea?  But once inside their tents, clothes fly off, and it’s Kama Sutra time!
Attracting our Moral Majority Monster who has a problem with couples coupling.
I won’t knock this softcore Horror too much.  Small production crew, outtakes indicate fun.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3370775

The Endless Summer - 1966 - USA

The Endless Summer - 1966 - 7/10

 
Early, arguably the finest surf doc, generating a plethora of docs that followed.
Mike and Rob follow the warmth, shifting from one part of the globe to another.
Most of the places they surf are flat-out deserted.
The commentary is laid back and humorous.
Photography is not what surf porn is today, but sparse beaches and empty waves will be mouth-watering to those accustomed to herds of pros, influencers, followers and wannabees.
Exotic travel, once exclusive, viewed that way here.

Director’s Cut - 2024 - USA

Director’s Cut - 2024 - 5/10

 
Not to be confused with The Director’s Cut which also came out in 2024.
Underground group, Suicide Disease, has not broken big yet.
Maybe they never will.  They need a hit, new album.  Hot video.
Yeah!  A killer video.  Except they don’t have the money for that.
Until an unknown director offers to shoot it pro bono.
Psycho Slasher suffers through two-thirds of talk.  Boring dialogue.
Writer / director the problem here.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3370776

The Attack Of The Saucer People - 1981 - Ireland

The Attack Of The Saucer People - 1981 - 6/10

 
Roger screens a few scenes of his SciFi for potential investors.
Low-budget would be an understatement; one rocket appears to be a pencil.
Amidst heckling and badgering from mates, he manages to film a few more scenes.
Only he accidentally captures a passing UFO.  Descending.
True filmmaker to the core, Roger keeps shooting even when he should flee.
Droll Irish comedy.

Murder In Saint-Paul De Vence - 2017 - France

Murder In Saint-Paul De Vence - 2017 - 6/10
AKA - Le Prix de la Vérité

 
The deceased is already floating in a large swimming pool.
Open and shut.  Too much alcohol, fell in, drowned.
Until a female inspector from Lyon arrives.  And deduces … murder.
Plenty of suspects, very few motives, in a small town OWNED by the rich man.
Convoluted throughout, with extended narrative track laid down at the end.
Feels like they painted themselves into a corner and had to create a solution.

Der Spooktrein - 1939 - Netherlands

Der Spooktrein - 1939 - 6/10

 
No, the passengers of Express 429 did not believe in ghosts, either.
Not until that night.
Netherlands remake of the Arnold Ridley play hits the right notes.
Atmospheric Gothic photography, comic elements are playful, not farce.
Stranded passengers this time include a magician and lovely assistant.
Of course, the way station is still haunted, and very dangerous.
Nicely restored version on www.eyefilm.nl
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3370777

The Ghost Train - 1931 - UK

The Ghost Train - 1931 - 6/10

 
Having seen the 1941 version, I was familiar with the characters.
This is superior, although the sound is wiped.  (BFI needs to restore with music and intertitles).
Jack Hulbert plays the bumbler, equally as annoying as Askey in 1941.
Again, passengers are stranded and warned not to remain in the haunted station.
I must say, the finale of the ‘31 is far more exciting.
Villains this time, Bolsheviks.

The Ghost Train - 1941 - UK

The Ghost Train - 1941 - 5/10

 
Owing to an absurd delay, eight passengers are stranded lonely train station.
Middle of nowhere, rain pouring in buckets.  Worse, there’s a legend of a ghost train.
And death associated with it.
Decent thriller marred (ruined) by Arthur Askey’s ridiculous shtick.
His antics grow more insufferable with each (frequent) scene he is in.
I need to track down the earlier version.  This one misses the spot.

The Other Bennet Sister - 2026 - UK

The Other Bennet Sister - 2026 - 7/10

 
Who would be Mary, the bookworm, best seen previously in the 1980 adaptation.
Here, after her sisters marry, she is dispatched to London to stay with her aunt and uncle.
Who encourage her, bolster her, permit her to emerge from her shell.
Costume drama, RomCom all the way, brilliantly cast, with people who resemble you and I.
Final act seems to drag a trifle, squeezing the last ounce of predictability.
Goes without saying, you ought to have viewed at least one version beforehand.
For Janeites, this will please.  On the fence?  10 episodes, 30 minutes each.

The Red Spectacles - 1987 - Japan

The Red Spectacles - 1987 - 7/10
AKA - Jigoku no Banken: Akai Megane // 紅 い 眼 鏡

 
Owing to uncontrolled, rampant crime, Tokyo unleashes a heavily armed, brutally efficient police unit.
Who overstep all manner of propriety with heinous consequences.
Units are disbanded, save for three individuals who flee in full body armor.  Only one escapes.
Such is the prologue, followed by three years later…

 
Fugitive Koichi, carrying a large trunk, returns to an utterly transformed Tokyo.
Secret police pursue, gunfights, captures, escapes, old contacts, betrayals, mind games.
Society has changed, people have changed.
Koichi is told, “Time stands still, we only pass through it,” which he does not understand.
Truly baffling film, immediately reminded me of Alphaville (1965).
Violent, dreamlike, characters and actions caught in a recurring timeslip.
Visually extraordinary, while the plot (at times, quite funny) all but incomprehensible.

Strays - 1991 - USA

Strays - 1991 - 5/10

 
Fool yuppies move from the city to rural oblivion.
Inside the bucolic house, the husband’s cat allergies go overload.
Do they figure this out?  Ha, ha.
Then there are rats!  What’s wrong with local strays?  My cats would have chomped down right quick.
Top cat is a wet, matted pelt of rage and fury, soon terrorizing hapless humanity.
Laughable mouse-killers matched by hammy people and a script full of holes.

Category III: The Untold Story Of Hong Kong Exploitation Cinema - 2018 - UK

Category III: The Untold Story Of Hong Kong Exploitation Cinema - 2018 - 7/10

 
Broad overview of Cat 3, from pre-beginnings in the Shaw era, to the glorious 1990’s heyday, to post-takeover censorship and demise.
Anthony Wong, Godfrey Ho, and Josie Ho represent the veterans.
Caucasian academics and fanboys round out the talking heads.
An easy entry for those curious about the apex of Hong Kong cinema craziness.
Films referenced include Sex And Zen, Untold Story, Dream Home, Ebola Syndrome, Naked Killer, Viva Erotica, dozens - more.
Asian film buffs, essential.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3370778

The Coming Of The Black Dawn - 1965 - Ireland

The Coming Of The Black Dawn - 1965 - 6/10

 
Edward arrives before the Equinox, bearing the precious manuscript for his uncle.
Next, both toil hurriedly in the graveyard, unearthing a coffin.
Leading to a ceremony, the Eye Of Karnak, invoking …
Narrative switches to Experimental, two characters resembling Death and the Maiden.
With a few scenes, the camera shifts back to the ceremony.
Where uncle and nephew somehow rouse dread Cthulhu.
Indie film by Roy Spence is dark (underexposed), yet sustains interest.