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Reviews
The Book of Eli (2010)
Rent Fahrenheit 451 and Forgettaboutit!
Yawn, that's what you'll do when the over loud sound effects aren't popping you out of your seat. This movie defines bleakness. At least Denzel doesn't mind looking old until the end when he is cleaned up before his chapter is closed out. Looks like a prophet then. The Black Moses roaming the desert for 30 years; he should have wondered 10 more years to make it match the Bible. Too many discrepancies: Can you really find your target 100 yards away with an arrow when you're blind? Did no one hear of the Gideons for this movie?. Surely there was one Bible left under the bed at a deserted Motel 6 somewhere on the globe. Water was so valued and rare, but where did all that gasoline come from? And do you need a physical Bible to have a church? None seen. So Eli memorizes the King James Bible. It was done in Fahrenheit 451 when all the books were burned. Each person was responsible for reciting a classic in order to keep the book alive. Been there, done that, read the book. Even if it was in Braille (cute plot twist, but hey the blind girl (Jennifer Beals/Claudia) says to Oldman/Carnegie that it's been too long to remember how to read it. Does one forget to read a regular book, too? Doesn't Oldman/Carnegie see the near orgasmic smile on her face when she runs her hand across the raised lettering when opening the book? (Are these post apocalyptic slime really going to be receptive to religious hocus pocus and change their ways? Instead of shaving Eli/Denzel, they should have shaved off the raised Braille lettering, now that would have been a plot twist). Loved Ray Stevenson as Redridge the goon with a semi-conscience (wasn't he great in "Rome" and "Cirque du Freak"?). Mila Kunis was the best actor in the movie and a good foil for Eli/Denzel's character. And when can you ever say that Gary Oldman isn't the quintessential bad guy? He was born to be bad! I could watch him sleep and still be satisfied. George and Martha (Washington? or, from "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?") played by Frances de la Tour and Michael Gambon were wonderful and much needed comedy relief for this bleak drivel. How appropriate the last bastion of security is Alcatraz. The Alcatraz Press? Too funny. And to file the vaulted newly printed Bible on a shelf with the other books is like filing the Ark of the Covenant away never to be found again. A lot of wasted life for that tome. And let's not forget Tom Waits as the Engineer pawn shop guy. If Eli wants to recharge his Ipod for music, does that make sense to remove your most valuable sense, hearing, when you are blind and the ultimate protector of the Word? It was great hearing Al Green booming, "How Do You Mend a Broken Heart" from his headset. Nice inclusion into the movie. Some sweet relief from the grunge. In all it was like the Black Moses meets Mad Max, but doesn't stay around to "see" the end.
The Black Dahlia (2006)
Who was the real victim?!
I felt very disappointed after seeing this movie as my expectations were high that I would finally see a cogent depiction of the Black Dahlia's death, and supposedly why and where she was killed. The Black Dahlia might as well have been left out of this movie altogether. It's really her name and the notoriety of this infamous unsolved case (like Jack the Ripper) that is the hook to lure you into this "film noir". The only thing dark is the humor--like a stuffed dog holding the newspaper that announced the impending riches of his owner, (who shot him to 'preserve' the moment)! Or lines like, "You would rather F** me, then kill me". Even the stereotyped California indifference to an earthquake is laughable. This movie really wasn't about Elizabeth Short/Black Dahlia or the crime. The trailer shown on t.v. has a scene indicating that her body was drained in a bathroom. But this scene was not in the movie! If you want great set direction, period ambiance, outstanding moody music, and the look of post WWII Los Angeles in the 40's, then this will suffice to make a good movie for you. I did enjoy DePalma's direction especially his aerial view of the field across the street from where the body was found, and the horrified woman screaming to find help in the maelstrom of action going on in the other parts of the screen. DePalma's dark settings are legendary. Of the lead characters, Josh Harnett (Ofcr. Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert), Aaron Eckhart (Sgt. Leland "Lee" Blanchard), and Hilary Swank (Madeleine Linscott) stood out. Scarlett Johansson (Kay Lake) was only memorable for always holding her cigarette holder askew. (Yes, cigarette smoking was ubiquitous in the '40's, but do we have to have a cigarette clouding up each and every scene that a main character is in? I felt like there was no such thing as a non-smoker in my parent's days.) Fiona Shaw (Ramona Linscott, mother to Swank's character), stole the whole movie with her over-the-top 'Norma Desmond'/ZaSu Pitts-like camp portrayal. I started a small round of applause in the theater after her opening scene at dinner, and a few appreciative fans joined in. Who were all those minor characters introduced, and what was their purpose? Hard if not impossible to follow. I found myself asking my friend what was going on, what did I just see/hear, as the scene moved on without clarity. But he couldn't answer me either. Bad editing, or just bad writing/scripting? Just when you thought loose ends of the story would be tied up, you were stymied again by the lack of continuity. I don't know if the screenwriter, Josh Friedman, had much to work with in James Ellory's book. I leafed through it and decided I didn't like his style of writing, although I did enjoy his documentary "Feast of Death" (2001) where he plays himself discussing his mother's murder, and the Black Dahlia case; and of course, "L.A. Confidential" (1997) adapted from his novel. This movie felt like "Son of L.A. Confidential". After enduring the long lead-in establishing the connection between Harnett's and Ekhart's characters, I thought the scene of the two bloody front teeth knocked out at ringside was an omen of things to unfold--the introduction of blood from violence--thus the grisly murder of the Black Dahlia. So I patiently waited for the payoff, that unfortunately never materialized. I felt like I was watching clips from the movie "8 mm" with the "screen test" of Elizabeth Short (and the film voice over by DePalma). Strange voyeuristic ploy. The only time she is depicted is in old B/W films. Her life was never recreated outside her 'captured' life on film. But I guess that was a gimmick also to only portray her in black and white--no luscious red lips as depicted in the posters. If that is the case, why didn't Universal revert back to its black and white film opening logo with the old propeller plane circling the world? I kept being distracted by the run in the Dahlia's hose, that was so evident in the old uncovered film of her, in effect saying that she had a pathetic lot in life. She even picked at the threads in the runs of her hose while she winced and talked to her interrogator (DePalma)! The implication was: "Poor little, naive girl, we should pity her"! The Black Dahlia who was always depicted in history as ravishingly beautiful, stylish, and outgoing was never given the courtesy of being depicted as a real person. None of the main (historical) suspects in her murder were even mentioned, considering the two main characters were cops investigating her death! The scene with the quick telescoping-in effect of the camera on the severed body as seen in a flash back by "Bucky" Bleichert (Josh Harnett) outside Kay Lake's (Scarlett Johnasson) house was reminiscent of the shocking finding of the mother's body in the cellar in "Psycho". But remember, it was Universal Studios in both instances, cashing in on their copyrighted material--cheap inside trick, but most clever. And just when you think things will congeal and make sense, the movie ends abruptly. You are left as cold as the unsolved case. Where is Sumner Redstone when you need him? Universal should confer with Viacom! I usually stay to view the credits out of respect for the Industry, but I was like the rest of the lemmings rushing to get out of the theater. This movie will make it's money in the opening 2 weeks, but word of mouth should sink its intended profits. I was so disappointed as I felt like a victim of the hype of this movie. As I say, always beware of movies that are advertised on t.v. So many victims of this movie. But the real victim is still Elizabeth Short, yet once again!!
Bleed (2002)
Don't Aks me!
Read the other reviews for the plot. Best thing about this movie was that it was a free loan! Everyone cites "Scream" for the mask used by the "stalker/killer", but it harkens back to "Halloween" and Michael Myers. This time, the white hockey mask has ears! (The "Scream" mask is an elongated and distorted take off of the Edvard Munch painting of the same name). Tillie's pool party smacks of the current reality shows, like the hunks that appear on "Average Joe", some beef to look at, and a smattering of soft porn--not to mention the always gratuitous T&A. Why isn't the "masked man" ever unmasked? Do we really care? And since when does an axe into a shoulder kill a man? No kill zone there. I'm now watching another offering from Full Moon, "Birth Rite: Fear the Gift" (another free loan!). I don't hold out much hope for this one either. I was interested in checking out the other movies Danny Wolkse was in, as he seems to have some potential. If he can't act, at least he has the requisite good looks that the girls love. Back to "Bleed": if I had to sum it up in one word, it would be LAME! If you want a really good slasher movie rent "I Know What You Did Last Summer" with Ryan Phillippe, Michelle Geller, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, and Freddie Prince, Jr.
Flame of Barbary Coast (1945)
Compliments of the House
John Wayne, Duke Fergus, is tagged "King of Luck", after breaking the bank in several casino saloons with the help of Ann Dvorak, as Ann 'Flaxen' Tarry, who says, "You've just been promoted". From Duke to King. How ironic that the man known as The Duke in his lifetime had to be the object of this tongue-in-cheek line. Some would think that The Duke was above being a king. This movie does fit the small screen (of t.v), but maybe it was appropriate for the large screen in 1945 when folks weren't so jaded in their viewings. The real gem of this movie is Joseph Schildkraut, as Boss Tito Morell. How could a shady bad guy be so lovable? We love the under dog. Is there any question that The Duke will walk away with the lady? But Tito is the one who really loves Flaxen, and always holds back from resorting to "fixing" The Duke as his cronies want to do. He may be the evil foil, but you can't help but love this gentleman scoundrel. Loyalty does not pay in the end for our hapless romantic. And talk about obsession: the suitors of Flaxen still hang around even when it seems she will be paralyzed for life after the Great Earthquake (did San Francisco really have electric poles in 1906?!)--they hope the old trooper will return to the stage and awe their hearts, not to mention their libidos! As Flaxen is whisked off in Duke's carriage to Montana, Tito has the best line: "Compliments of the House"....
Jack the Ripper (1959)
What happened to the colorized ending?
I remember seeing this movie in the theater when I was 12 years old in Washington, D.C.,and it scared the hell out of me. It was a wonderful eerie period piece. It was black and white throughout the whole movie until the very end when Jack was crushed under the elevator. As his blood seeped up through the floor boards, the movie changed to glorious color to show the red of the blood, and the horror of the men in the elevator looking down at the floor. Most effective! I bought this video tape from England, but that colorized blood-seeping scene was not included. I don't even think it had the blood seeping up in black and white. I was later to learn that this colorized ending was added to the American release. But as far as I know it is not available in VHS or DVD. I was really disappointed when this novel scene did not appear in my video. At least I have the memory of it as a child and the effect it had on me then.