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Reviews
The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (2001)
Wow this is really SAD. Like some unfunny smug improve comedy troupe slumming
The thing that's funny about "B" movies is their level of sincerity. The directors at the time were trying to make a good or entertaining film. This movie feels like watching an improve comedy group whose friends have told them time and again they are so funny that they don't have to make any effort. "Wow guys, everything you do and say is Hilarious!" Five minutes into this film and you know that's not true. With so many genuinely wonky "B" movies out there why on Earth would anyone feel the need to make a fake one? And now I see they made a sequel in 2009 - terrific. I seriously don't know how drunk you would have to be to watch this and be even remotely entertained. Here's a list of films you should see instead of wallowing through the dull forced nonsense that is Lost Skeleton of Cadavra.
Fiend Without a Face 1958 --- Equinox 1970 --- Q - The Winged Serpent 1982 --- Manos: The Hands of Fate 1966 --- Bride of the Monster 1955 --- Plan 9 from Outer Space 1959 --- It Came from Outer Space 1953 --- It! The Terror from Beyond Space 1958 --- The Creeping Terror 1963 --- Cat-Women of the Moon 1953 --- The Stuff 1985 --- Night of the Demon 1957
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
Hellboy II - Back And Better Than Ever!
I just got back from a preview screening of "Hellboy II And The Golden Army" and of all the films I've seen so far this summer Hellboy is the ONLY one to exceed my expectations. I love the second films of a super hero franchise (Superman II, Spiderman II, The Incredible Hulk) because the heroes have been introduced and the origins are out of the way so the story can begin from the start unfettered. This film is not just about Action, Action, Action but about character development and their interaction. I liked "Pan's Labrynth" but felt a little bit let down when the creature's personalities were not explored enough. This film takes the time to establish who Abe Sapien is beyond being defined as a fish man. Johann Krauss is a great uptight Teutonic addition to the old team with a few tricks up his sleeve and Hellboy & Liz's professional and personal relationship get more play in this film. The detail in the troll market is amazing and the story rings true to the Mike Mignola comics without having to lift a story arc from any one specific past issue. Bravo! Guillermo del Toro! I can't wait for Hellboy III.
4: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
The Fantastic Four Stooges #2 - Why do they even bother
I just got back from seeing "Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer". Wow, it's just as bad as the first film. I wanted to like it but it just didn't happen. What a mess. I was hoping the Silver Surfer element would make a better movie but it's just as problematic as the previous one.
For starters the first three things I like to see in an action/comedy film with superheroes is 1) a scene on a plane where people bicker about riding coach instead of first class. 2) a scene where people bicker whether or not to go to a bachelor party. And 3) a scene where people bicker about someone not taking a wedding seriously enough. But wait, these are three things I don't want to see in an action/comedy film with superheroes. Yeah, that must be it.
It's not that I don't like the Fantastic Four comic or its characters, I just want to have something about the characters that I should care about. They can argue and be funny but that's not all they should be doing. I like Michael Chiklis as the Thing & I like Chris Evans as Johnny Storm and that's it. Jessica Alba as Sue Storm just always seems kinda bitchy, Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards seems slightly indecisive (tho in this film FF2 he's acting a little more like a leader) Kerry Washington as Alicia Masters doesn't get the chance to even mention she's a sculptress and I don't know what the hell Julian McMahon as Von Doom is doing besides being a jerk. If you want to see someone who could play Dr. Doom watch Peter Wyngarde as Klytus in the 1980 film "Flash Gordon". That's the closest to Doom on film that anyone is going to get.
The CGI for the Surfer looked good but give him a flashback to something in his life that he cares about or wants to protect and maybe he'll come off a little less aloof. If he's getting his own spin off movie he'd better get a lot more interesting but fast.
The Invisible Man (1958)
Charming British series without the sophistication of The Avengers
Warning.....Contains Mild Spoilers!
This version of "Invsible Man" has the distinct advantage of not having the scientist , Peter Brady, go slowly insane. Brady turns transparent due to a "radiation" leak while exposing a guinea pig to an unspecified element. He spends the rest of the series constantly looking for a formula to make himself reappear, has a tantrum or two, but otherwise maintains a rather sunny disposition. After an initial misunderstanding with the British Government he moves in with his widowed sister and freckle faced niece and unofficially puts up a shingle to help any passer-by who needs invisible espionage assistance.
The show is a little like "The Saint" in that everyone always recognizes the famous Simon Templar yet he is still able to work undercover assignments. The first few "Invisible Man" episodes has the British Government hoping to keep Brady under wraps but after a relatively harmless auto accident "the cat is out of the bag". The press starts flocking to Brady's sister's house and goes nuts trying to figure out how to photograph our unseen hero.
I was impressed by the amount of exterior location shoots around London making this series refreshingly not studio enclosed.
I loved the fact that Brady's sister seems totally comfortable driving him to each assignment and exposing her daughter to dangerous individuals while always having dinner served on time.
The special effects are minimal - a few floating chairs, reusable head bandage unwrapping shots and dangling cigarettes, but hey, you either go with the concept or you don't.
It's also good to know that Brady's cotton lab coat and shoes became invisible with him so he can avoid the chill of creeping around in the buff and stepping on broken glass.