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mxyzptlk2009
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Sunsplit (1997)
Charming Love Story about a Serial Killer, Some Car Thieves, and a Murderous Restaurateur
I watched this movie the other night with some friends in an online movie-and-chat room, and we all enjoyed it immensely. Although it is not unusual for the chatters to riff on the mostly low-budget movies we watch, not one negative word was said about this one. The main characters are a sadistic serial killer who likes to spout poetry and crackpot philosophy while he's raping and torturing his female victims, a couple of lady car thieves, and a soft-spoken restaurant owner whose wife was killed by a carjacker and who has made it his mission in life to kill every car thief who crosses his path. In most movies, viewers would have difficulty identifying with such basically unsympathetic characters, but the genius of this movie is that all of the characters, with the exception of the serial killer, come across as genuine, almost likable, human beings despite their obvious shortcomings.
Despite the low budget and mostly no-name cast, this film has the look and feel of a Hollywood movie. There is none of the amateurishness that so soften characterizes independently made movies. The acting, writing, direction, and camera work are all thoroughly professional. The acting, especially, is first rate. The one name actor, Lou Wagner (best known for his role as Lucius in several "Planet of the Apes" movies), steals every scene he's in as the shady car dealer who fences the automobiles stolen by the ladies. Ken Del Conte, who also co-produced, breathes life into the character of Greek restaurant owner Shandor Costas and transforms what could have been a completely unsympathetic character into someone you almost find yourself rooting for. Robert Balderson is deliciously creepy as the serial killer Lyle, and LoriDawn Messuri is excellent as the coke-snorting car thief Tess.
The story itself is about how the seemingly disparate lives of Shandor, Lyle, and Tess come to intersect in complex and interesting ways. It's a violent film -- the body count by my calculations was ten humans and one squirrel -- and the scenes that take place in the serial killer's lair are definitely not for the squeamish. Nonetheless, it is not a grim or depressing film, but rather at heart a love story -- a decidedly offbeat love story, to be sure. There are a couple of very imaginative dream sequences and a wonderful twist ending that left me with a smile on my face. Although completely unexpected, the surprise ending is totally understandable in the context of what has come before.
It is a shame that this film did not achieve wider release. It is well worth watching.
Lumber vs. Jack (2014)
Man Against Tree
I found this to be a very entertaining movie. Independent movies such as this cannot be measured against big-budget Hollywood movies but must be evaluated on their own terms. By that standard, I regard Lumber vs. Jack to be one of the better "indies" I have seen. Although not exactly a comedy, it has a light-hearted tone (evidenced by the fact that two of the leading characters are named Jack and Jill), which makes it consistently enjoyable to watch. It is well directed, well written (with a number of very clever lines), and, again by the standards of indie films, well acted. The camera work is top notch, although I found the sound to be a bit spotty (I had to adjust the volume up and down several times during the movie).
The premise of the movie -- genetically altered trees rising up to attack humans -- is, admittedly, hokey, but it works in a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously. I found it a bit odd that no one seemed concerned about the fate of the security team who accompanied Jack's ex-wife Jill (Debbie Rochon) into the woods, but, frankly, I didn't care either. The ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel, and I can only hope that it turns out to be as entertaining as this one.
Dead Kansas (2013)
Much better than your average zombie movie
I watched Aaron K. Carter's film with a group of friends at an online movie-and-chat site that I moderate, and I'll say right off the bat that the movie was very well received. It caught the attention of our viewers at the very beginning and held it until the very end. I personally consider it one of the best independent films we've ever shown. I really liked the way that Carter handled the zombies ("rottens" as they're called in this movie), showing only glimpses of them until the final sequence. The ending itself was startling and memorable and (thankfully) left the way open to a sequel.
The guest actors -- Irwin Keyes ("House of 1000 Corpses"), Ben Woolf ("American Horror Story: Freakshow"), Joe McQueen ("Confessions of a Superhero"), Tony Della Catena ("Colors"), and Juliette Danielle ("The Room")-- were fun to watch (and watch out for), and McQueen in particular was a real asset to the film. The acting overall was first-rate, particularly for an independent film. Carter avoids the clichés of many zombie films, and the emphasis is on story and character rather than on gore. There is none of the amateurish look and feel that characterizes so many independently made horror films.
The only "criticism" I heard from our group was that some of our viewers thought that Kevin Beardsley played the part of Rusty too broadly. But none of them picked up on the fact that he also played the character of Zeke. To me, that's good acting when someone plays two roles and no one notices. Also, no one noticed that the actress playing the lead character switched midway through the movie. Another example of good acting (and directing). There are number of clever references to "The Wizard of Oz" (apart from the fact that the movie takes place in Kansas), which gave me an even greater appreciation of the movie.
Although initially made as a five-part web series over a period of many months (hence the need to switch lead actresses after the first one got visibly pregnant), the movie has an overall coherence with a logical beginning, middle, and end, and doesn't look like five separate pieces arbitrarily strung together. All in all, I found this to be an impressive first film, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of Carter's work.
Il boia scarlatto (1965)
Bloody Pit is Bloody Good!!
I must begin this review with a disclaimer. Since this movie is based on my own life story, I cannot comment on it with complete objectivity. Nonetheless, I believe I can offer a unique perspective that some readers may find interesting. Let me begin by pointing out that the title role of Travis Anderson -- aka The Crimson Executioner -- is played by former bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay, who is sometimes dismissively referred to as Mr. Jayne Mansfield. Mickey was not the greatest actor in the world, but his portrayal of The Crimson Executioner is truly inspired. The best scenes in the movie come after the Executioner dons his red costume and proceeds to subject the hapless visitors to his castle to a variety of ingenious tortures, acting the whole time like the kid in the proverbial candy shop. There is nothing particularly scary or gory about this. Some might even call it "camp." Whatever you want to call it, it's immensely entertaining.
Mickey Hargitay is the reason why BLOODY PIT OF HORROR has become a cult classic. The Crimson Executioner was the role of his career, and Mickey definitely made the most of it. Indeed, I cannot imagine anyone except Mickey in the title role, which is why this movie will never be remade.
Unfortunately, the first half of the movie is not quite as entertaining as its conclusion, since the focus is on the antics of the various visitors to the castle rather than on me, the Crimson Executioner. Again, however, I will admit to a certain lack of objectivity in this matter.
My one quibble is with the title used for the American release. I much prefer the Italian title, IL BOIA SCARLATTO, which roughly translates as THE CRIMSON EXECUTIONER.