Summer - 1968 - France

Summer - 1968 - 6/10
AKA - L'été

 
Experimental film, following Graziella as she isolates herself in the countryside.
Earlier, she had been part of Paris riots of the previous month.
She reflects without explanation.  One senses she may have been traumatized.
More of a mood piece, with little narrative.
Knowledge of May 1968 would be helpful for outsiders.

Heroes Shed No Tears - 1986 - Hong Kong

Heroes Shed No Tears - 1986 - 5/10
AKA - Ying Huhng Mouh Leuih // 英雄無淚

 
The Thai government hires military mercenaries for a dangerous operation.
Kidnap a drug lord, hiding in Vietnam near Laos.
This is during the Vietnam War, mind you.
The mercenaries soon face opposition (and bullets) from all sides.
Early John Woo film suffers from studio meddling and an incoherent script.
Meaningless action aside, oh, what could have been.

Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster - 2004 - USA

Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster - 2004 - 7/10

 
Penetrating documentary of a band in crisis.
Fighting file-sharing, they have alienated fans.
Bassist Newsted quits because he wants to do his own thing.
The remaining trio hire a motivational guy, trying to get them to “open up”.
Uncomfortable and engrossing at the same time.
Whereas other bands might have collapsed, Metallica’s dedication and work ethic was unbreakable.

Gallipoli - 1981 - Australia

Gallipoli - 1981 - 7/10

 
The Great War, Turkey and ally of Germany, proves highly resistant to the allies.
Including the Australian contingent.
Accomplished young runners, Archy and Frank, eager to serve, enlist for the war to end all wars.
Hijinks and exploring, ease the tension for awhile.
Until the unit winds up at the slaughterhouse of the Turkish beaches.
Powerful film should have made Mark Lee a name, that went to costar Mel Gibson.

Portrait Of A Young Girl At The End Of The 60’s In Brussels - 1994 - Belgium

Portrait Of A Young Girl At The End Of The 60’s In Brussels - 1994 - 6/10
AKA - Portrait d'une Jeune Fille de la fin des années 60 à Bruxelles

 
Michele impulsively drops out of high school, telling best friend Danielle.
Roaming the streets, she meets Paul, visiting Brussels from Paris.
They talk, wander about, share stories, but don’t quite bond.
Even though he is doing his military service, both are too young for anything serious.
As far as the 1960’s, forget it.
Music and hairstyles are passable, but the cars, posters, stores, CDs, pedestrians are 1990’s.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3371356

Axe - 1974 - USA

Axe - 1974 - 5/10
AKA - Lisa, Lisa

After a bloody whack job, three criminals hide out in rural North Carolina.
The house seems deserted, yet within are a strange teenage girl and her paralyzed grandfather.
Our criminals aren’t the most observant, as the house is fairly empty, and there is blood.
The girl, Lisa, well, she’s a female, isn’t she?
And men have needs, even criminals. Like I said, none are exactly observant.
Lisa drifts around, eyes glazed like a somnambulist, drawn to the household axe.

The Siege At Firebase Gloria - 1988 - Australia

The Siege At Firebase Gloria - 1988 - 6/10

 
Marine long range unit comes across a Vietnam village massacred by the Viet Cong.
They realize something big is afoot and report to HQ … and are ignored.
Just before the Tet Offensive.
The squad finds an existing firebase, barely defended, low morale.
Outnumbered 5-to-1, the combat assaults are bloody messes.
More thoughtful than many films, as both commanders wonder about leaders behind the lines.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3371358

Enola Holmes 3 - 2026 - UK

Enola Holmes 3 - 2026 - 6/10

 
The younger sister in Malta, supposedly getting married, instead suffering cold feet.
Dr. Watson arrives, saying friend Sherlock has been kidnapped, giving Enola an excuse.
Good backdrops, lots of mindless action, a generic puzzle plot.
Not especially canon (by a longshot), yet Holmes for a new gender, new era.
Diverting enough way to kill a few hours.

Koma - 2004 - Hong Kong

Koma - 2004 - 5/10
AKA - Jiu Ming // 救命

 
Ching drunkenly grabs the bridal bouquet at a lavish wedding.
While above, Ling watches with resentment, jealousy, envy, greed?  We don’t know.
Scattered thriller of threats, paranoia, violence.
Police are indifferent as they are preoccupied with a body parts harvester.
The two ladies are frenemies.  One poor with a dying mother, the other rich with a failing kidney.
Misses Cat III as it tries too hard with too many disconnected plots.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3371181

Saltychikha - 2017 - Russia

Saltychikha - 2017 - 6/10
AKA - The Bloody Duchess // Krovavaya Barinya // Кровавая барыня

From an early age, Darya had been placed (institutionalized) in a convent.
Her mother had been homicidally mad, and the father feared the trait was inherited.
Nevertheless, business competitor want an alliance, a marriage of wealth.
Whereupon Darya is wedded to the troll, not the handsome stud.
Following the first murder, she begins to spiral.

 
True, there are forces moving against her.  Assassination attempts and kidnapping.
She flees to the countryside, then vents her fury and insanity on her serfs.
The woodland witch ingratiates herself; she has grievances against the villagers, as well.

 
Handsome Russian production suffers melodrama at points.
Based on the real Darya Nikolayevna Saltykova who tortured and killed almost 200 servants.

The Marlow Murder Club - 2024 - UK

The Marlow Murder Club - 2024 - 6/10

 
Another variation of female cozy.
Retiree Judith solves murder mysteries in the troubled riverside burg of Marlow.
Suzie and Becks act as Watson to the all-wise Judith.  Police = background props.
60 something Judith swims naked in the Thames, and solutions come.
Writers, please!  The Thames – sewage and feces.  Think!
After a few episodes, police realize how peerless the trio are and enlist them as advisors.
“There is no spoon.”

Thank You For The Ride, Aileen - 2024 - USA

Thank You For The Ride, Aileen - 2024 - 6/10

 
Aileen is a Chicago teacher, on strike, doing ride sharing to survive.
Late at night, it’s a matter of trust.
Neither driver nor rider know the other.
Small talk freights undercurrents.
How lucky are you?
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3371180

Must Read After My Death - 2017 - USA

Must Read After My Death - 2017 - 7/10

 
Allis left behind 300 pages of journals, 50 hours of audio tapes, and 201 home movies.
Detailing a fraying marriage, dysfunctional family, resentments, rages, psychiatry.
Not just for Allis, or roving-eye husband Charley, but the children, too.
Made miserable by their parents, growing up in the turbulent 1960’s.
Doc both engrossing and painful, allowing viewers to place fault.
Bugbear: cars seldom matched years (eg: during the 60’s, videos showed 1940’s creampuff cars).  
Sadly, I could equate some of their children with families I knew.

From one of my essays = “There are times individuals shouldn't be allowed relationships at all.  Pets, friends, children, lovers, spouses.  With the best intentions we maim them all.”

 

The Testament Of Caleb Meeke - 1969 - Ireland

The Testament Of Caleb Meeke - 1969 - 6/10

 
A generous uncle leaves Caleb his mansion (crumbling ruins) and adjoining hills (with buried, restless things).
After exploring a bit, Caleb finds books, including “Account Of The Old Ones” and “Necronomicon”.
Reading draws him deeper into the strange grimoires.
Then the diary from 1756, full of warning about fiends from the bogs and pools and depths of the woods.
Gothic horror from Roy Spence is one of his best efforts.  Well thought and realized.
Like to see the Irish Film Institute give this a full restoration.

Robotrix - 1991 - Hong Kong

Robotrix - 1991 - 6/10
AKA - Nu Ji Xie Ren // 女機械人

 
Scientist Sakamoto, deranged, shifts his consciousness into an android.
From there, he goes on to kidnap, then a spree of rapes and murders.
Who’s gonna stop him?  Female police officers, transferred into female cyborgs.
Fembots, anyone?
Think Robocop with loads of nudity, sex, slathered with sleaze.
Trashy Category III flick, an inspiration for teenage males; robotics builders who will recreate Amy Yip and Chikako Aoyama girlfriends.

Man On The Prowl - 1957 - USA

Man On The Prowl - 1957 - 6/10

 
Doug’s mom wasn’t the best.  Maybe the best drunk.
Worse, she was lazy.  Maybe why she sent him to a mental institution as a child.
Couldn’t be bothered.  Wasn’t her fault Doug turned out the way he did.
Understand, he liked the ladies well enough.
Until they said “No”.  Or, “I’m not that kind of girl.”
Refusing him, reminding him of Mom.  Reason enough to kill.
Then – look for another.  There were plenty of girls.
Cheapie B-Noir of a serial killer.
Actors are all pretty good, but this is James Best’s film, as the smiling, agreeable headcase.

Dear England - 2026 - UK

Dear England - 2026 - 7/10

 
Inspiring adaptation of the West End play into a four-part miniseries.
The tenure of Gareth Southgate as he rebuilds a broken English squad into contenders.
Team building moments, similar to boot camp, without the abusive Drill Instructor.
Also a sport psychologist to help navigate mental and emotional pressures.
Key players profiled, along with important matches.  World Cups and Euro Cups.
Will be enjoyed more by fans or supporters of the game.

House Of Wax - 1953 - USA

House Of Wax - 1953 - 6/10

 
OK remake of Mystery Of The Wax Museum (1933), noteworthy for the 3D effects.
The museum partners have a falling out.  The sculptor is an artist, the manager wants profits.
Before he is murdered by a mysterious assailant.
You can easily guess whodunit and where the plot is going.
Vincent Price, too often a charismatic ham, can make you forget Lionel Atwill.

The Last Of The Mohicans - 1920 - USA

The Last Of The Mohicans - 1920 - 6/10

 
Indian guide Magua misleads English reinforcements heading to a besieged fort.
Magua, ally of the French and Huron tribe, is an opportunistic devil.
And lusts after Cora, daughter of the English colonel, who herself is drawn to Uncas.
The outdoor photography is breathtaking at times, remarkable for 1920.
Although this is part of Cooper’s “Deerslayer” stories, Magua dominates here.
Wallace Beery makes a formidable, unstoppable villain.

The Last Of The Mohicans - 1992 - USA

The Last Of The Mohicans - 1992 - 7/10

 
French and Indian War, where the English are outmatched in wilderness warfare.
Hawkeye and his Mohican family are reluctant to take sides, but eventually assist the English.
Director Mann filmed this as rousing adventure and it works gloriously.
Varied chases, memorable ambushes, spectacular battles.
Daniel Day Lewis solid as Hawkeye.  This put Madeleine Stowe on the map.
The dark star, however, is Wes Studi as the fierce Magua.
His eyes and expressions are implacable.

The Stranger - 2025 - France

The Stranger - 2025 - 7/10
AKA - L'Étranger

 
Meursault is roused early.  Telegram informs him his mother has died in the retirement home.
His employer gives him two days.  He sits through the vigil, attends the planting, returns to work.
Also reconnects with Marie, with whom he has an affair, then agrees to marry.
Is he in love?  No.  Did he grieve for mom?  No.  Is he ambitious at work?  No.
Not that Meursault is bored.  He is simply disinterested, disconnected.  Lifeless.
Even facing criminal charges, he couldn’t care less.
Ozon’s adaptation of the Camus novel is detached, forcing viewers to watch abstractly.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3371179

What Lurks Beneath - 2024 - Canada

What Lurks Beneath - 2024 - 4/10

 
World War III breaks out … again.
Undersea denizens are fed up with humanity annihilating the planet so an emissary is sent.
Via the torpedo hatch arrives the attractive nude blonde.
Not to nitpick, how did she open that hatch door from underwater?
How come the submarine only has a crew of 7 with 2 Brit advisors?
How does the “stowaway” wander the vessel?
Terrible script comes off as watery Alien copy-clone.

Edgar Allan Poe's The Oval Portrait - 2025 - Canada

Edgar Allan Poe's The Oval Portrait - 2025 - 6/10

 
The antique shop is by appointment only, Whitlock is fussy.
Nevertheless, thieves try and fail to steal an oval portrait.
Then there is the downsized art student, painter, Ava, who Whitlock befriends.
Three threads, but each have additional sideplots.

 
For a low-budget affair, the photography is excellent.
The musical score is old-fashioned, grandiose, sweeping, perhsps too loud at points.
The side narratives seem tacked on, while the main line glides between mystery, thriller and melodrama.
Aside from the two leads, others are “re-actors”, waiting for their lines, then speaking awkwardly.
Ava is nicely turned, riding bad luck.  Whitlock is straitlaced, mannered, a throwback.
Poe’s story is incorporated, and Edgar resonates, along with a dash of Bierce, perhaps Fitz-James O’Brien.
English subs = https://sub-scene.com/subtitle/3370957

Deep Water - 2026 - Spain

Deep Water - 2026 - 6/10

 
Lithium batteries, dude.  Unpredictable and flammable.
Fire in the cargo hold, and passenger airliner must ditch in the Pacific.
Survivors soon discover they are shark bait.
A whole mess of sharks, attracted by the kicking, flailing, bleeding, squealing meals.
Summer popcorn flick, although batteries go off in aircraft every week.

Manhandled - 1924 - USA

Manhandled - 1924 - 6/10

 
Tessie toils against a tide of customers in a large department store.
The struggle in the subway is just as onerous.  New York is not for the faint.
Boyfriend Jim is a mechanic, at night a cabbie.
He is trying to save enough for marriage, and perfect an invention.
Tessie wants to go out;  if Jim is too busy, she goes with the rich swells.
Comedy, the genre I would not associate with Swanson, but she is funny here.
Mind you, she has to impersonate a countess, so out comes the wardrobe.