The Butterfly Murders - 1979 - Hong Kong

The Butterfly Murders - 1979 - 6/10
AKA - Dip Bin //  蝶 變

 
Butterflies are seemingly behind mass killings, either from acid or bites.
Besieged Shuma Castle has sought help from the Tien Clan.
Who are soon drawn into a labyrinth of tunnels, secret rivalries and deadly insects.
Debut Tsui Hark actioner boasts wildly imaginative camerawork.
Plot is a bit scattered, but more or less easy to follow.
Story narrated by scholar Fong, who leaves the fighting to everyone else.

Fedora - 1978 - France

Fedora - 1978 - 6/10

 
Has-been film director wants to create an indictment of Hollywood’s youth obsession.
For that, he needs a reclusive star, one still retaining her beauty and glamor.
She refuses, then hurls herself in front of a train.
Smelling something sinister, he begins digging into a buried mystery.
One of Billy Wilder’s last films, this feels autobiographical, and sings for a commentary track.
The background is compelling (he failed to get Dietrich for the Garbo role), the studio refused to back him, critics grasped the film – audiences did not.

Housewarming - 2024 - UK

Housewarming - 2024 - 6/10

 
Saskia is still unpacking in her new home.
Nosy neighbors say hello, make snide comments.
They pale, however, next to the guy who knocks, looking for his old girlfriend.
“Can I charge my phone?  I need to use your bathroom.”
On and on, as he insinuates himself, the casual misogynist emerges.
Slow boil thriller will be uncomfortable for women, and a reminder of how alone we are.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3372260

Bewitched - 1945 - USA

Bewitched - 1945 - 5/10

 
“Hey, cupcake, how’d you like some hot frosting to paint a smile on your sad little mug?”
Mouse-faced Joan was a magnet for men: protectors and exploiters.
Truth to tell, it was her other half who attracted the heels, the ones who pictured her ankles kicking high.
The half who lusted to live wild, instead of a mild, buttoned down existence.
Might explain why, in the opening, Joan faces the electric chair.
Early film of split personality suffers from hammy direction (Arch Oboler), tepid supporting cast, and a seemingly miscast Phyllis Thaxter (wild as the darker character, however).
Oboler was best known for the OTR horror show “Lights Out” which Bill Cosby parodied in “Chicken Heart”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3UJr5n6lfk

Never Surrender: Galaxy Quest - 2019 - USA

Never Surrender: Galaxy Quest - 2019 - 6/10 

 
Galaxy Quest (1999) was loving tribute to Star Trek; this doc focuses on the genesis of GQ.
Harold Ramis was the original director, but quit after being overruled on casting decisions.
Save for Rickman, everyone involved comments throughout.
Dreamworks inept marketing this for 8-year-olds hurt box office returns.
More than anything, this is a fun tribute to the fanbase – of all franchises.
The original film is wonderful; this makes for a nice dessert.

Books That Made Britain - 2016 - UK

Books That Made Britain - 2016 - 6/10 

 
Strolling book doc.  Regional writers and books explored.
Hosts seem to choose themes at whim. 
Some hone in on classic authors, others local names.
Environment always mentioned, whether the moors or bustling London.
Most are on YT if curious, if one still reads.

Romería - 2025 - Spain

Romería - 2025 - 7/10 

 
Family … drama, conflicts, secrets.
Marina’s parents are both long dead, her mother’s diary her only link.
Official records indicate no parentage, however.
Marina travels to the paternal side, her father’s family.
Listens to conflicting stories of her parents: who they were, what they did, how they died.
Understand, she is trying to get a college grant, but needs official recognition.
Puzzle mystery, with Marina listening, analyzing, searching why she is not part of the family.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3372138

The Magic Man - 1984 - Ireland

The Magic Man - 1984 - 6/10 

 
Rich man Tweedy has died, and burglars ransack his house, finding naught.
They switch to graverobbing – not even two pennies.
Enter traveling magician, Mesmero, with magic glasses, who sees all, knows all.
The thieves intend to outfox the magician.
Haunting film by Roy Spence manages to instill horror, mystery, revenge in Gothic style.
Spence films on iPlayer = https://ifiarchiveplayer.ie/royspence/

Vietnam: A Television History - 1983 - USA

Vietnam: A Television History - 1983 - 7/10 

 
In-depth, meandering documentary on the polarizing war.
Opens with earliest history, Vietnam invaded by China, France, Japan, France again.
Colonialism, to be blunt, means enslaving local populations, stealing resources.
American support goes from financial – advisory – armaments – troop deployments.
All Vietnamese sides interviewed heavily, as are US politicians, military brass, CIA, regular GIs.

 
Long chapter on incursions into Laos and Cambodia, destabilizing both nations.
“Domino effect” referenced.  US civil unrest, wishy-washy leaders.
Doc aims for balance throughout, but comes across as slightly left.
The original series runs 780”.  Later (redacted) version runs 660”.  I chased down the former.

Note: In the early 70’s, I had braced myself for ‘Nam duty.
My draft number was 6.  The woman who ran the Draft Board in our small town had a big sign:
No Exemptions – No Excuses – No Exceptions
The draft was halted the year I would have been called.  “There but for fortune.”

Night Of The Rat - 2015 - Spain

Night Of The Rat - 2015 - 5/10 
AKA - La Noche Del Ratón

 
If only they had not been arguing.  Jorge would not have missed his preferred gas station.
Maybe he would have turned around.  If only they had not been arguing.
Instead, he drives to the next one – where an urban sniper is targeting clients.
Past midnight, Jorge, twice wounded, hides in the aisles.
The marksman is patient and deadly accurate.
Excruciatingly slow.  80 minutes feels like 8 hours.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3372137