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Sangue per Dracula (1974)
erotica and sexual overload abound
Review may contain spoilers.
Udo Kier doesn't play a very convincing Count Dracula. He cannot turn into a bat, nor a wolf, nor ethereal mist. He doesn't have a hypnotic effect on his victims like previous vampires. His assistant isn't a mentally disturbed man from an asylum, but rather a well dressed socialite with perfectly styled hair. In an ironic twist, the peasant servant of the castle has more of a predator like hunger for the females living there then the count does. The male servant's libido is off the charts as he has sex with 3 out of the 4 daughters of a rich aristocrat. The main idea behind this plot seems to be to cram in as much sex as possible into the total viewing time. In one scene two of the sisters engage in a passionate kissing session with each other. There is no reason for this except to try and increase lust on the part of the viewer. The Count has to feed but can only suck the blood of virgins, and believes he has found some highly available ones in the mansion. In his first attack on one of the girls, he sucks so much blood for so long that it would have at the very least caused her to lose consciousness or at the most die from rapid blood loss. His second attack is a little more believable because he doesn't suck in as much blood. But in both cases, the vomiting scenes afterwards are a huge turn off. The only thing more repulsive then those scenes are when the count laps up virgin blood off the floor left behind by the youngest daughter after the male servant sexually violates her. In the end, when the count is hacked to death by the ax wielding servant, I hoped that there was no way he could be resurrected for a continuation of this story in a second film. So far to date I have been right.
Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)
Not the worst sequel I've ever seen...
****Contains Spoilers**** The opening of this film briefly analyzes the fallout upon the town of Burkitsville due to the success of the original BWP. Fascination has turned the Blair Witch into a memorabilia goldmine, and the town into a popular tourist site. The story then centers around a group of BW fanatics who venture into the Black Hills to do some research of their own. It's here that things start to get interesting, because the group is made up of such a motley crew: Kim Diamond is a Goth woman with some psychic abilities...Jeffrey Patterson is a leader who underwent "therapy" at an asylum...Erica Geerson is a Wiccan witch...and Tristan Skyler is a pregnant woman who doesn't want her child and becomes tortured by dreams about the Blair witch. Rounding out the cast is Stephen Ryan Parker, her boyfriend (who ultimately hangs her).
They camp at the ruins of Rustin Parr's house, a hermit who murdered seven children and became part of the Blair witch legend. After a hard night of partying, they awake to find the site a mess and no recollection about how it got that way. Most of the film from this point on is devoted to piecing together what happened, mainly through the use of videotapes that were recording the events. The story lacks a lot of the credibility of the first film because unlike the three lost student film makers, none of the characters here are truly trapped in a bad situation with no means of escape. Granted, the first film was flawed because all they would have had to do to get out of the woods was bring along a cell phone and call for help. But they didn't, and ended up traipsing through the woods for days, until things came to a catastrophic end at Parr's house. The characters in this movie have a way out: they could just get in the van and go back home. Plus they have telephone access. And Patterson's house isn't really out in the middle of nowhere. Kim is able to drive to a convenience store and back. So there really is very little danger to anyone involved.
If you enjoyed the first film, I'd recommend seeing this one. If not, skip it and hope that the upcoming sequel in the works fares better.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Ani-mer-woman, won't you swim my way-ey...
In the animated world, mermaid's have seldom if ever been portrayed like this.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
The back of the box reads "somewhere under the sea, and far beyond your imagination...", but I can't help but think about how close to reality t.v. this film is. With Ariel's fiery red hair and headstrong, rebellious attitude, this had to take place somewhere near Ireland. Her father, King Triton, has a bad temper. So does the antagonist, Ursula. OK, the chef is french, but nevertheless he tries twice to murder Sebastian, a reggae singing crab. (Who can be pretty vocal in his own right). Is this family dysfunctional? Well, if Triton fathered seven daughters, where's his wife? They all seem to be about the same age. The poor woman probably left the marraige due to stress. Triton also hates humans, which in these days would be perfect fodder for "The Jerry Springer Show".
It's no wonder, given this current state of affairs, that Ariel wants to be a part of the human world. Unfortunately, this is forbidden in the mer-world. But Ariel's thirst (no pun intended) for knowledge has driven her to the surface several times to collect treasure's in a secret trove. But, this isn't enough. So after a falling out with Triton, she turns to Ursula the sea witch and gets a 72 hour stay with her true love, Eric. But, the price is high. Ariel signs away her life and gives up her voice in exchange. So, what's a woman to do? Well, she obviously knows how to write, since she signed the contract. They simply could've exchanged love letters and kissed. But, Ariel is so taken with Eric she must not have thought about this as an option.
After a close brush with fate in a blue lagoon, Ursula realizes Ariel's craftier then she thought. She turns into a mysterious enchantress who casts a spell on Eric. One would think at this point that Ariel would see him as a player who falls for any woman that comes along. But, as is the case in real life, he stands dumbfounded on the altar, rushing into a quick marriage with little or no thoughts of the consequences. In the end, Ursula's spell is broken, but she isn't about to go down easy. Her transformation into a giant near the end is one of the best moments ever captured in an animated film. Eric and Ariel marry, and live happily ever after, even though they've only been together for three days. It is a wonderful film, but after thinking it through this also could have taken place off the California coast...
Hard Times (1975)
Definitely a knock out!
Four years before he displayed his brilliance in "The Warriors" (1979), Director Walter Hill came out with this true gem of a movie.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
Charles Bronson is one actor who knew how to make the most out of what he had. Throughout his career, he played a modern day vigilante(Death Wish), a confused romantic lead(From Noon 'til Three), and a tough as nails fighter in this film.
This role was a natural for Bronson. From the opening scene, where a simple guitar intro symbolizes the no strings attached life of a drifter, Charles (As Chaney) appears on board a train bound for New Orleans. Every hardship of the Great Depression seems to be etched into his face, and he has the faraway look of a man who has lost all of his dreams except for the one to survive.
He accidentally stumbles into a world of pick up fights, where money is made on bets. James Coburn plays "Speed", a small time hustler who lives by his wits and the luck of the draw. Chaney convinces Speed they can make some fast money. And he soon proves that he has the power in his fists to back it up.
Speed's main nemesis is a brutal street fighter by the name of Jim Henry. Bald, muscular and tattoed, Jim likes to take pain as well as dish it out. He is the best, because nobody ever beats him. Chaney has a huge fight with Jim that goes beyond money. It is a matter of pride, since both men are determined to prove they are champions. Henry loses the brutal battle against Chaney within a cage. Shortly thereafter, Jim's mentor, a rich socialite, offers $5000 to buy half of Chaney's talent. Chaney refuses, and is forced (mainly through Speed's losses at gambling and over due debts to thugs) into one final confrontation with "Street", a fighter from Chicago.
The last fight will not only settle all of Speed's financial woes, it will also spare him from the beating of his life at the hands of Jim Henry. Chaney takes a few falls, but wins in the end. And, in spite of his success, Chaney leaves New Orleans behind with no renewed dreams or plans for the future. He simply says he's heading North, and disappears into the night. This is a wonderful film...one that I've enjoyed time and time again.
Splash (1983)
A story that's definitely not water logged...
Once in a great while, an actor (or actress) lands a role that is so perfect for him/her that I couldn't imagine anyone else doing it. Such is the case with Daryl Hannah in SPLASH.
**Spoilers ahead**
Daryl's portrayal of MADISON, a mermaid who comes to New York with nothing but a lost wallet she found that belongs to ALAN BAUER (Tom Hanks), is brilliant. Since she cannot speak when she arrives, she relies on her basic instincts to get back in touch with Alan. From that point on, her thirst for knowledge about her new world is rivaled only by her genuine innocence. What's so amazing about her performance is that (given the subject matter) she could have easily slipped into the cliched character of the not so bright blond. But, she never crosses that line. Not even once.
The writers and director (Ron Howard) bring to the screen the type of woman many guys spend a huge portion of their lives looking for. Madison is spontaneous, energetic, positive, honest, kind and compassionate. Plus, she loves Alan just as much as he loves her. Because of this, Alan knows from moment one how precious she is.
Their developing romance is the stuff that dreams are made of. The additional cast also adds great elements to the film. John Candy's natural zest shines, but oddly it is Eugene Levy who almost outdoes him in the intensity department. Levy is hilarious as a paranoid scientist who is full of cynicism and grim determination...until Madison melts his hardened heart in the end. This film is as refreshing today as it was back in 1984.
Blame It on Rio (1984)
The heartbreak of unrequited love...
I first saw "Blame It on Rio" in the late '80's and dismissed it as a skin flick. But now, I'm quite a bit older, and can see that it was much more.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
What really makes this film unique is the power struggle between Michael Caine (Matthew) and the lovely Michelle Johnson (Jennifer). Johnson shines as a determined and sincere teen who has fallen for Caine. It's hard to describe how many levels this power struggle touches upon: Caine battles with his conscience throughout the affair, while keeping it secret from his best friend becomes more difficult. He waits and hopes for the right moment to tell his comrade about the liason, but it never arrives. Jennifer has a perfect counter for every one of Matthew's logical reason's to end the relationship. And at some points during the film, it seems as though she's winning, as Caine admits that he does lover her, and admits near the end that he wants to be with her.
However, the mistakes in past relationships from Caine and Jennifer's father are the final nail in the coffin. Infidelity and deception untie the seams of security that Jennifer longed for, and even though the film doesn't say it outright, her whole world has come crashing down around her. It's at this point when I realized...no, I actually connected with Jennifer's disillusionment and pain. In a superficial environment, where sex and love flow freely, she was trying to rise above the norm and find true paradise. And perhaps this could even be a long standing comment on society as a whole. Somewhere amidst the casual sex, mobile short term affairs, and deception, there lies a community of sensitive and genuine souls like hers who constantly try for love but can't overcome the worst parts of sexual freedom created throughout the '60's and '7O's.
This film is an underrated gem, to say the least...
The Warriors (1979)
Welcome to the Jungle...
A good movie has one or two memorable characters. This movie has several...and that perhaps is what makes "The Warriors" so irresistible.
**Possible Spoilers Ahead**
Swan (as played by Micheal Beck) is about as hard edged as you can get as the leader of the gang the movie is named after. He is cold and calculating, and only shows faint hints of emotion. Ajax (James Remar) has many of the same attributes, but is more brutal, indicating that he had a much harder life growing up then Swan.
Luther (David Patrick Kelly) is just plain psycho. Members of his own gang, The Rogues, question his motives, for which he has none, other then having a good time. His idea of fun is pulling out a gun and killing people. No reason. He just likes doing thing like that.
The neon underground of NY is used to perfection throughout the story, illustrating the harsh and unforgiving territory that gangs call home. The Warriors run for their lives, over long areas that would tax the energy level of any athlete, especially with rival gangs just a few feet behind. The scenes with The Baseball Furies, a gang of KISS clones dressed up in uniforms, and Luther clanging the bottles together and inviting The Warriors to "Come out to play" are worth the price of admission alone.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the woods...
"The Blair Witch Project" can best be summed up as "The Breakfast Club" moved into the woods for a week-end. Incidents throughout the movie not only ignore practical logic, they throw it out the window. If one of the campers had taken along a cell phone, they could have called out for help. But, if they had, there wouldn't have been a movie.
Most of the terror happens at night. Instead of sleeping during the day and moving away from the danger after dark, these poor helpless souls keep walking right into it. Piles of rocks mysteriously appear at the campsite, suggesting that all three of them slept soundly while the rocks were being piled up within inches of their tent. The map gets kicked into the creek for no apparent reason other then a practical joke. Instead of gathering rocks or tree limbs to use as weapons, they spend the majority of their time screaming at each other about how hungry and lost they are.
Yet, the one true joy about TBWP is that it resembles one of those spooky ghost stories you hear around the campfire. You know it's hoky, yet it's still fun, and that is the genuine quality of this film. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
The Amityville Horror (1979)
A film with a nature of evil...
One of the most interesting aspects of "The Amityville Horror" is how the natural scenery is used to create a contradictory effect. Beautiful sky, lush woods and a calm lake go against the grain of what is happening inside the house. Storms appear during the most crucial times, as if the house can control the weather when it chooses to do so.
James Brolin (as George Lutz) compliments this theme by slowly transforming into a form of the house's worst evil. Kathleen Lutz (Margot Kidder) is stuck in the middle of her husband's changes and the actions of characters who sense the unseen dark forces. She reaches out for help, but no one is there.
Rod Steiger balances compassion with ire as a Priest who tries in vain to fight the evil off. Don Stroud's character, Father Bolin, was a bit bland, but over-all this film was an excellent production based upon a true story.