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Danno
Reviews
The First Nudie Musical (1976)
A certain type of masterpiece
I have loved this movie since I saw it when it first came out. It certainly doesn't fit into anyone's definition of a "well-made film," but it has its own low-budget brilliance. A big part of what makes it work (aside from the hilarious songs) is the feeling of heart and, dare I say, innocence it has (it is called a "Nudie Musical" not a "Porno Musical" and for good reason). There are so many moments that still will send me rolling on the floor, doubled-over in laughter, marveling at the unique combination of dead-on satire and really really BAD humour. Favorite number: The Dancing Dildos (They aren't really dildos, they are vibrators. The fact that the makers don't seem to know the difference is part of the charm of the film). Favorite scene: The director's first meeting with the cast and crew, decked out like Erich von Stroheim. Favorite line: Diane Canova's immortal "Isss so beeeg! Isss yust so beeeg!"
If you have an open mind and enjoy bad or B type cinema, you will most likely love this film.
El espinazo del diablo (2001)
A Literary Ghost Story
For my money, a good horror film is never really about what it shows on the surface. Frankenstein is not about some horrifying monster lumbering about, frightening villagers. It is about man's quest to become god. Dracula is not about some blood-sucking fiend terrorizing young ladies. It is about the utter seductiveness of a dark evil that lives inside of us. The Devil's Backbone falls squarely within this gothic, literary tradition. The atmosphere created by the director is wonderfully thick with a slow-moving tension. The performances are more than convincing, they show a cast totally committed to the story they are telling. The story itself is a darkly magical look at the way memories and our past actions have ways of haunting us. And it contains one "action" sequence that stands up to the best of any produced by Hollywood.
If you only like horror movies that thrill or have "twisty-turning" endings, you probably won't like this film. And if you're the type of movie-goer who insists on films falling into easily recognizable categories, this one will most likely confuse you (it's a gothic drama, NOT straight-out horror). But if you enjoy challenging movies, a movie that will captivate and haunt you afterwards, a well-made film that will touch your heart and leave you a bit melancholy but satisfied, give yourself over to The Devil's Backbone.
Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999)
To those who are harping on the "pointless" Exorcist routine
This film was actually quite enjoyable, well worth a rental. It is pretty much on the level of a good TV movie, with the exception of Helen Mirren, who is exceptional. The way she slowly gets into the minds of the kids, the way she knows exactly how to manipulate them and get them to mistrust one another is the creepy part of the film.
The fact that the film does not fit easily into a specified genre is not, in itself, a bad thing. Many of us love entertainments like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" for that very reason. This film is pretty successful in much the same way.
I'm surprised by the many comments made here on how the Exorcist routine was "pointless" but well-done, as if the reference "comes out of nowhere." Right after the kids tie up Mrs. Tingle, they comment on how she looks "just like that girl in the Exorcist, you know, the one that vomits on everyone." This is a pretty funny insult to make. Funnier because Mrs. Tingle does resemble the possessed Regan (her face is all cut up; she's nice one second, evil the next; she has an uncanny ability to know each characters personal weakness). This is what causes the Jo Lynn character (a ham who is constantly trying to impress with her impersonations) to go into the Exorcist routine when she gets bored. I thought the setup and payoff was pretty obvious. It's pretty sad when Kevin Williamson jokes go over the audiences' head.
Final Destination (2000)
Really fun and inventive
This movie is up there with the original Scream. It is full of suspense, frightening, and very entertaining. The opening sequence (the vision on the plane) starts out creepy, then gets downright terrifying. The subsequent killings are gory, but done in a creative manner (much like the killings in the early, good slasher films), so you are shocked and laughing at the same time. There are many little horror movie in-jokes and "signs" in the background of the movie (check out the license plate of the car) that point towards death, making it a natural for repeat viewing. Sure, there seems to be some inconsistencies (I never really could figure out that "pattern" of killings), but you just don't want to think too hard here because you're having too much fun.
As someone who has been watching all types of horror films for 30 years, I'm not easy to please or surprise. This film, with it's great camera work, good special effects (used to enhance the story, not overwhelm it), creative use of horror film cliches, and sense of humor, managed to do just that and more.
The Last Broadcast (1998)
Creepy and interesting....
This was a film that really snuck up on me. I was completely unimpressed until the ending, then I liked it so much I had to watch it over.
******WARNING******SPOILERS********
It seems to me that most of the reviewers that have blasted this don't seem to get what the film was about. Yes, the documentary is not very good. It is repetitious and kind of mind-numbing. The filmmaker is an insufferable dork. All of this added (for me) to the shock of the ending. And there are little clues planted throughout. For instance, when the filmmaker is "re-creating" the trip there is a shot inside the car when he is traveling to the clearing. In reality, this is after the film tech is murdered, but at the time you don't know that has happened. At one point he goes over a bump and you can see lots of plastic in the back seat...the body of the film tech. Little moments like this happen all over this film.
As for the many questions people have brought up (how did the blood get on the shirt, how did the accused die in prison, etc.), you need to keep in mind that all you ever know about the story (until the very end) is what the filmmaker/murderer/crazy guy WANTS you to know. Your entire perception is being molded by him, just as you never REALLY know who it is you are chatting with on IRC, only what they tell you about themselves. The 15 year old Lolita turns out to be a 45 year old FBI agent!
I thought this is what this movie is about--the way the media and technology distorts our perception of events. Keep in mind that the supposed blood on the accused's clothes were described as pindrops, but the effect was magnified through DNA testing. Perhaps this technology is not as perfect as we think, the filmmakers seem to be warning. Maybe, in addtion to proving innocence, it can be misused to convict the innocent. The logic of someone committing brutal and bloody murders and only having a few drops of blood on him are thrown out the window in our embrace of the DNA technology.
This movie will not satisy everyone. But if you are looking for something a little different, low budget, and cerebral, you will enjoy.
The Search (1948)
Get out the hankies, gals AND guys
This is an outstanding film on every level, truly touching and brutal at once. Illustrates the real horrors of war, how it doesn't end for many for a long, long time. It also shows human compassion at it's finest, without being overly sweet or cloying. Aside from very realistic portrayals from all of the actors, I was especially impressed with the look of the film--many long sequences occur without minimal dialogue and looked like they were straight out of classic silent cinema...no words were necessary to communicate the story.
Being quite a fan of old movies, I was surprised I had never heard of this gem before. I highly recommend the film to all.
200 Cigarettes (1999)
Delightful black comedy...sexy fluffy fun...
If you enjoy movies like "Thank God It's Friday," "Car Wash," or even "After Hours," you will also enjoy this crazy story about different groups of people trying to find their way to a New Years Eve (1981-1982) party in Manhattan. Full of outrageous (and yes, sometimes sickening) slapstick, it's set in a NYC yet unaware of the price to be paid for a lifestyle full of booze, sex and drugs. The cast is uniformally excellent in its depiction of obnoxious people desperate to make intimate connections, yet unable (or unwilling) to deal with the consequences. Special mention must go to Martha Plimpton who plays the "hostess with the leastest" of the party. The soundtrack is also wonderful. The only negative I had with this film was the nagging feeling that something must have been changed at the last minute regarding Ben Affleck's character. The trailers for this movie had a very funny line where his character is trying to explain that "no, I'm not gay...everyone makes that mistake"...and there are several references throughout the film in this same vein (he keeps "cruising" Paul Rudd's character, he tries a little to hard to act straight, his haircut and clothes resemble the "gay clone" look of yuppie gays in the early '80's). I'm wondering if the movie ended in a slightly different manner originally and maybe did not test well? Regardless, this is a very funny (albeit somewhat cruel) film--worthy of a date and a must-see when it comes out on video.