Change Your Image
ty4000
Reviews
2by4 (1998)
Sad and Moving
I had a little bit of a hard time watching this film because of the storyline. It's realistic and brutal in some aspects, but not too violent or seedy as I know other films are. What I ended up feeling is pity, sadness, and hope for the main character, Johnnie, an Irish immigrant to the US living in New York City. Although which part of the city he lives in is not clear, the opening credits show the #9 train (now almost defunct I think since this was filmed in 1997/98) so it may be the Bronx.
Anyway, this is a gritty drama revolving around Johnnie. He works in the construction business for an Uncle who tends to be the catalyst for a majority of the problems and issues in the story. It becomes evident to the viewer early on that Johnnie has slight sexuality issues which, in drunken states, he sometimes has delved into being with men as well as women, oh, and he has a girlfriend who we meet right away.
During one of these drunken, drug fueled nights, and there are quite a few of them, Johnnie meets the one person who, for me, represents the only bit of salvation for him in the film. The character of Christian, a young hustler, comes along and shows Johnnie some much needed compassion and care and the experience is likewise reciprocated later on in the story. As we watch Johnnie's continual descent into the bitter realities of a life of booze and drugs, and his struggle to find himself, we hope that somehow he and Christian will save each other from their individual hells.
This is the first film directed/written/starring the lead fellow Jimmy Smallhorne, and I think it is a very good first time venture. I've seen tons of films by first time directors and this one was rather well done for the budget considered. Granted, Mr. Smallhorne is not a model type to look at, he has his moments, that being his rough demeanor and appearance, and I truly believed him as an actor. There is a particular scene on the floor of a club that made me look away from the screen and wish I could have been there to help him. The story, also written by Smallhorne is very straightforward and the seemingly 'confusing' bits of flashback do have a denouement at the end of the film. The other pity is that Smallhorne only has this film to his writing/directing credit, but it is a strong one, in my opinion.
If the viewer doesn't expect senseless pap or eye candy of a film placed usually in the gay section, but is willing to invest into a realistic drama with an edge, you will be hopefully pleased. In the end, it conveys situations that do happen. It's the story of a man's battle with his inner demons, which lead him to find that sometime's the people we become in life are in part influenced by someone else, welcomed or forced upon us.
The Blue Man (1985)
Ha ha ha ha....cough cough cough cough....Astral Projection!
A television commercial director is loosing his 'artistic juice' as he calls it. He's also discontent with his wife and complains of her cooking, and with his son who seems to have insomnia. Seems a good prospect for giving his life over to Astral Projection! The main character's been experimenting as of late with astral projection and is finding the time he spends developing this new hobby of his is starting to be much more fulfilling than his actual creative life and career.
Within the first few minutes of the film we see the first of one of his projections. We fly around with him from his perspective and view people and places. There is a sense of foreboding to these travels we witness as we begin to think that he may be able to transcend the physical as he follows people who run, terrified, from something unseen but they can sense.
And then there are some slight horrific moments. Where some of the people in his projections are harmed, well, let's just say there is a subplot of sorts where an investigator is trying to find the reason behind many killings of late where the victims implode or die without any evidence of assailants. When he awakes...he wonders if he was dreaming instead. Or perhaps the projection is not his? As I'm watching the film, though, I am trying to figure out just what I'm supposed to be thinking about. Some films are for simple enjoyment, some have something to say, but this one is just kinda...bland. Ah, then I look and notice it was a made for TV movie, which explains a lot. As the film winds down I still don't know anything more about the subject of astral projection apart from Professor Xavier doing it in comic books and everyone can see a ghost-like form of him, or it being something usually associated as 'hippie' or new age and something about meditating and traveling and all that. Here there is something about taking over another's body in a sort of spiritual vampirism. Is THAT what projection is? Not sure, I don't think it is, but they're trying to sell this as a horror movie and there really is not much horror related in it...more thriller or psychological mystery.
The music is a bit distracting and seems out of place in mood quite a lot. I guess the pan flute and tabla is of course what comes to mind with new age things such as astral projection, huh? It's a little pandering. The acting isn't bad, it's just a bit soap opera quality in it's delivery. Karen Black is here and she always seems to get into her roles, as the spiritual guide who's teaching our main character the art of projection. Yet, in her teachings, nothing is conveyed to us the viewer to have any idea of what exactly it is except closing ones eyes and floating around POV style. The rest of the cast are not as recognizable, except for seeing Lois Maxwell, James Bond's "Ms. Moneypenny" ('62-'85) for a minute.
The title on the DVD I got, which came in a huge 50 pack collection of similar grade films from Mill Creek Entertainment, is "Eternal Evil," but that's the Australian title, for some reason. In Canada, where the film was made, it is aptly titled, "The Blue Man." Ah, yes, you see when the main character is floating around...he IS somehow seen by others as a 'blue man.' We, the lucky viewers, don't get that wonderful opportunity. That would cost more for special effects. But, as the film ends, and with a slight twist in a few spots, you will see that "Eternal Evil" is a bit fitting.
Scream and Scream Again (1970)
interesting historical information...
I rather liked this movie as the idea and exposition are pretty fascinating, plus we get to see so many legendary horror film actors in the same movie! But, I wanted to add some historical information. I am watching the second disc with extras for the 1933 film "The Testament Of Dr. Mabuse" by Fritz Lang. There is a background information documentary on the film and it is showing posters from various Dr. Mabuse movies throughout time. I am now looking at a poster for a film called "Die lebenden Leichen des Dr. Mabuse" which means the living corpses of Dr. Mabuse basically. The poster shows Vincent Price's face and lists the actors, including Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Alfred Marks and Uta Levka. It is complete news to me that this film was marketed, in Germany only I guess, as a Dr. Mabuse film.
From a Dr. Mabuse perspective, he wasn't usually written as someone who performed medical experiments and especially with such issues as done in this film, 'Scream And Scream Again.' But, in Germany at least, the name Dr. Mabuse has such renown as it is a name like Frankenstein and Dracula that is associated with 'horror.' Just thought you'd like to know some fun information on the marketing of this film in other countries!
The Stoneman (2002)
Low budget Atkins paycheck
I rented 'The Stoneman' (2002) because I was going through this Christopher Atkins stage and wanted to see everything that sounded interesting with him in it. He seems to have been doing a lot of horror type films over the past decade or so, and, being a horror film aficionado, if I may, I was eager to see him in this one among his others. As soon as the film starts I said to myself
this isn't 2002. Although, I guess it truly is as Atkins does have some wrinkles. The quality of the film used to make this movie was extremely grainy and now that I think about it, some form of video probably. There is an opening murder scene and the gore in this scene, as well as the clothing and hair of the actors, seems pretty early 80's low budget as do the murders to come. It's as if these scenes were filmed years ago and then the other parts with the recent cast were spliced in. Hmmmmm.
But now to present day
the cast is not too full of unknowns, albeit, stars of yesteryear so to speak. Pat Morita (the old karate dude from The Karate Kid) heads the cast along with Atkins (now well out of his youth and his Pirate Movie days). Also here are some TV personalities such as Robin Riker, who's done just about every TV series in the 90's, and Bernie Koppel (Doc from the 70's TV series The Love Boat). Oh, and the director of the film, Ewing Miles Brown, plays the sort of narrator. Turns out Mr. Brown has been acting in films since 1946 and has directed and/or produced a very select few. From looking around IMDb, I wouldn't doubt if Mr. Brown got the other celebrities to do this film because he had worked with them once somewhere in his long past.
So, besides the grainy film quality, the sound was of low budget quality. I could have dealt with it, seeing plenty of low budget films before, but the music track was so obnoxiously loud (and the music so over-dramatic itself) that it was extremely distracting from what I was trying to watch. Oh, and half an hour into the film I realized the cast hadn't left the little storage room they've been in since the beginning. It began to feel like a stage play that was video taped.
Anyway, the story is of an archaeological professor (Morita) who brings back a preserved prehistoric type caveman from a safari in the 'rapidly disappearing rain-forest,' which is, actually, stock footage from Animal Planet or something very similar, to the un-named university he is a part of. There is some grumbling from fellow faculty (Koppel) bent on poo-pooing away Morita's findings as a hoax. On the scene are members of the press, including Atkins who basically just has pre-romance "I'm annoyed by you" dialog with Morita's assistant-type helper (Riker). I thought it funny when Morita explains the preservation of the caveman from the 'chemical contents of that bog.' Ah, yes, that explains it.
Then there are murders happening as bodies are found and the caveman has mysteriously escaped, I mean, disappeared. There's a lot of blah banter in-between the murders, which is always interrupted by a telephone ringing
you know, the phones that belong on desks and have rotary dials
there seem to be a lot of them in this show. Screen time is basically shared by everyone, so Atkins has little to do in this movie besides loan his name. There are no A Night In Heaven gyrations in this one for his part. Oh, and do look out for the victim with the pepper spray...she is grinning the whole time like she can't keep a straight face while being attacked by a large guy wearing caveman pelts.
The story continues and is predictable. The only reason to rent this film would be for Christopher Atkins completists. Otherwise, it's not scary, well filmed, or acted, really. It's funny, though, because it thinks it is a serious film, and it's earnestness is a little sad and cute in a way. I think Mr. Brown meant well and did his best, ah, but next time, spend a little more for a cinematographer, a pay less yesteryear actors...except Atkins, keep him, he's still good looking for an older dude.
Wolfhound (2002)
not a werewolf movie
'Wolfhound' is not a werewolf movie, per se, but it's not so terribly bad otherwise. It is filmed rather well for it's budget, IMHO. Yes there are transformations, but not into wolves...into dogs, particularly Irish Wolfhounds, thus the title. I actually thought the acting was rather good for such a production, especially the various sorts of 'local' people and most certainly Jennifer Courtney, playing the wife of the man who brings his family to Ireland to where his familial roots are. So, yes there is mystery, but not really any horror, so to label this a horror movie is a just a bit of a stretch. More of a fantasy. And keep in mind that not everyone who is a shapeshifter turns into a dog, some are birds, some foxes, etc. I should note that the animals who are in the film actually are filmed well enough to convey that they ARE acting, which, for animals, can be a bit rare. However, a good portion of the film is spent showing the '95 Playmate Of The Year, Julie Cialini. She is the main shapeshifter who entices our leading man. Yes, her physique is what is obviously on display here. Was this created as a vehicle for her? Hope not. Poor thing, she really can't act. Especially for a character who's supposed to have lived in this Irish village all her life, she sounds like an cheerleader from the U.S., you know, somewhere in the mid-west. Overall, if you are interested in werewolf movies, this is not one. See only if you a) don't mind soft porn b) are interested in fantasy-mysteries involving concepts such as shapeshifting.
Blood of the Werewolf (2001)
strictly for genre fans
I purchased the dvd of 'Blood Of The Werewolf' because I recently got totally immersed in werewolf films due to the recent film, 'Underworld.' However, please note that 'Blood...' is something to view only if you are a complete fan of werewolf films and will see any and every one you can, heaven forbid attempt to own every one, especially this one.
Warning, this film is very poorly done. It is filmed in three 'short story' sections, each done with handheld old fashioned vhs camera recorders, which means the sound is ridiculous and the lighting is non-existent. They're not trying to be artistic in a 'Blair Witch' respect, they're just not professionals. Basically, avoid this and don't waste your time or money unless you are a total werewolf movie buff. There, I've said it again, and in my second paragraph.
Three short films: "Blood Reunion" about some dude (obviously gay) who returns to the hick town he grew up in to find the girl he once loved who is sheltered by a domineering grandmother because of a family 'curse.' "Old Blood," is about a lesbian couple who fight about the one being a werewolf and not wanting to be and the other who wants to be a werewolf but doesn't know what she's getting into. "Manbeast," is a bunch of guys in combat uniforms running around the woods chasing another guy in military fatigues for some reason which we get explained in a twist ending.
There are two main things that make this film crappy. Firstly, the special effects are sooooooo amateur. We're talking werewolf masks. That's it. Just masks. You know, the kind you can get at Halloween USA each year in October. It's not bad enough the stories are not executed in any form. It's like, "Oh! I have a really cool idea for a movie, guys! We'll deal with hereditary werewolf's, throw in some lesbians, get some awesome 80's hair rocker cover band to do some tunes, and get a dvd duplication company to ship it out to stores!" I guess that explains why it costs so little to purchase. It is worth it's price. Ok, secondly, the acting is really bad. I know we've all seen bad acting, but this is high school level bad acting. I can't imagine any of these people actually being in a feature film except as an extra perhaps and even then, they'd need an agent, right?
What IS good about this film? Well, maybe only the tiny bit of information about lycanthropy which is relayed. Granted, it's all just mush mush the writers have put together from other films. If you know absolutely nothing about werewolves this would give you some idea, but really now, there are many more real films that get it all done much more professionally. This movie tries to convey a complexity that isn't there and never makes us care for or understand any of the characters. We can't really because it's so bad it's not even pretentious, which could draw the viewer in on a camp level. And geesh, does everyone have to be so darn unattractive?
I watched this in pain because I felt it was my duty to do so and warn everyone curious about owning this film to not do so unless you hear voices in your head telling you to own every werewolf movie you can. You could rent it if it's even available, but I doubt it since it is rather low end on the pole, and see for yourself. You may be so inspired by the stupidity you witness you will go out with your digital camera and make your own movie, which would be certainly better than this boring trash.
Soft for Digging (2001)
Perfect for elderly women who want to be bewildered.
This movie will appeal to elderly women who may have seen the Exorcist in a daring moment of their middle age and were absolutely terrified into a near heart attack by THAT movie and are now trying to get that little jolt from watching something not billed as 'graphic horror.'
This movie is NOT a horror movie. Well, it would probably scare someone who was shocked by 'Blair Witch,' but that movie is not worth expounding on here. But, elderly women would love this. It has an elderly man running around in his long-johns a lot. It has a a little girl with 'dead' make-up on being shown in quick, flashy shots, and we know that that kind of film making is scary itself! Did I see it? Was that blood? Is that the killer's eyes running through the woods? William Malone used that technique way too much in his recent horror flicks.
I laughed at the inane lack of exposition of this film. It had potential and should have had dialogue. Yes, yes, it is sooooo artistic to have a movie with three lines spoken. Yes, but it is also highly pretentious.
*spoiler* The 'horror' is an old man witnessing a supposed child being strangled. Granted, it's not SUCH a surprise since the director puts in these little 'silent movie' screens of text explaining the 'chapter' we are about to see, so I knew the kid was gonna get it, along with everything else that happened.
I'm not knocking J.T. Petty's attempt at making a film. In fact it had many aspects that I found rather pleasing. The choice of music was excellent in that it was so melancholic and dreary that it added to the dream-like quality of the filming. The lingering on objects, or watching the action going on behind an object, that is creativity and I enjoyed that. The use of locations was quite nice and atmospheric. I see that this film was made in 2001 and he has another one from 2003, 'Mimic:Sentinel,' that I will certainly check out. I also liked the clandestine sense of humor displayed; the farting, the whole cat thing, the priests method of delivering his lines.
However, for future, new, budding filmmakers, please note that you can get people who can REALLY act (and for free) if you try harder to get them. Perhaps a University, a local playhouse, high school drama teachers, etc. You can also have a 'silent' film if there is enough in the story to challenge the viewer to think (this films intention I'm sure) and have visuals equal the story, but to have it be all so.....vague, is a bit trying too hard to be innovative. Especially if you have characters walk up to other characters and not say anything but gesture instead. How often does that happen? Especially at a crime scene?
A 3 out of 10 for sure attempt and probably a good future for J.T. Petty, but he may try comedy instead.