Tedium sets in long before the title appears on screen. Hearing loss is certain by those willing to sustain the movie's blugeoning soundtrack. Close your eyes and marvel at the drivel uttered by the forgettable cast. Even iconic screen legend Charlotte Rampling remains covered in a black shroud during her few minutes as a Reverend Mother, too embarrassed to appear recognizable to audience members capable of recalling her previous incarnations on screen. Sand, wind, sand, explosions, sand, monstrous hardware and weaponry moving through, under and above sand; oh and wind, wind blown sand, wind chaffed skin, sandy undies no doubt ... yet somewhere there is spice!
Reviews
17 Reviews
After Dark, My Sweet
(1990)
Superb Neo Noir
15 July 2023
I'm kinda late to the party on this one, but it holds up surprisingly well. James Foley's allegence to Jim Thompson's text makes for a grounded narrative, beautifully shot in scope and compellingly scored by Maurice Jarre.
As an escapee from a mental hospital, drifting ex-boxer Kid Collie (Jason Patric) emerges from a boulder pile in the southern California desert to meet an unlikely alcoholic widow, Fay (Rachel Ward), in a dusty remote dive bar, who entices him into performing maintenance work at her deteriorating date farm estate. When crooked Uncle Bud (Bruce Dern) joins the two, Fay's layers soon reveal a darker side as she and Bud concoct a scheme to kidnap the son of a local wealthy family and have Collie carry out the dirty work, to which the troubled ex-boxer agrees, but he soon double-backs on them to an unexpected fatal end. Patric's performance in particular echos the best of any onscreen by John Garfield.
As an escapee from a mental hospital, drifting ex-boxer Kid Collie (Jason Patric) emerges from a boulder pile in the southern California desert to meet an unlikely alcoholic widow, Fay (Rachel Ward), in a dusty remote dive bar, who entices him into performing maintenance work at her deteriorating date farm estate. When crooked Uncle Bud (Bruce Dern) joins the two, Fay's layers soon reveal a darker side as she and Bud concoct a scheme to kidnap the son of a local wealthy family and have Collie carry out the dirty work, to which the troubled ex-boxer agrees, but he soon double-backs on them to an unexpected fatal end. Patric's performance in particular echos the best of any onscreen by John Garfield.
Target: Harry
(1969)
A Late Sixties Spicy Stew of a Movie
4 September 2022
I am doubtful if other IMBD user reviewers have given 1969's TARGET: HARRY a true taste ...
Unsure of what to expect, I dove into its opening Gran Prixesque formula high-tension race car pile up action sequence, while lapping up raw location scenery from Monaco, Turkey and environs with laconic, tosseled haired Vic Morrow and sizzling Suzanne Pleshette in her prime, decked out in chic colorful ensembles; young freckled laser blue-eyed Charlotte Rampling, fey Victor Buono as the heavy; decent action sequences and plenty of softcore porn interludes (some are violent) all served up from the Corman Company with a cheezy score. If your interest is peaked, this one's for you!
Unsure of what to expect, I dove into its opening Gran Prixesque formula high-tension race car pile up action sequence, while lapping up raw location scenery from Monaco, Turkey and environs with laconic, tosseled haired Vic Morrow and sizzling Suzanne Pleshette in her prime, decked out in chic colorful ensembles; young freckled laser blue-eyed Charlotte Rampling, fey Victor Buono as the heavy; decent action sequences and plenty of softcore porn interludes (some are violent) all served up from the Corman Company with a cheezy score. If your interest is peaked, this one's for you!
The Tribes of Palos Verdes
(2017)
"I hate everyone in Palos Verdes"
24 July 2022
Having grown up in Palos Verdes (Estates, specifically) I had only a cursory interest for giving this movie a chance. Nothing new here in the insulated enclave which has become a house-flipping real estate orgy for millionaires since the 1980s. Dysfunctional families, drug addiction and suicidal teens, along with territorial surfer thugs were as prevalent here as its sun drenched environs during the Sixties and Seventies. The novel inspired the movie and seems to have been adapted well enough. Though I just couldn't wait to escape, invoking the same feeling I had as an adolescent.
Cutter's Way
(1981)
Cutter & Bone
31 May 2022
Brilliantly adapted for the screen, beautifully shot, believably acted and helmed assuredly, this picture has stayed with me since first catching it during its scarcely attended chilly first run week at the Beekman on Second Avenue, NYC, March 1981. Hard to believe some 41 years later, I'm still captured by it, watching it tonight on Blu-ray.
Black Sunday
(1977)
A Political Thriller of the Highest Order
11 July 2021
Great script, based on provocative material, sensational direction and nuanced performances from the cast, topped off by sensitive cinematography and an expertly crafted music score, this film easily earns its place as a Classic!
Breakfast of Champions
(1999)
Brilliant, Daring Adaptation
7 September 2020
Alan Rudolph is to be commended for inspiring all the creative forces which brought Kurt Vonnegut's razor-sharp satire to the screen. The entire cast holds nothing back in romping through their roles. Too bad for most audience members who were apparently lost on this rollicking ride.
Love Has Many Faces
(1965)
What's Not to Love?
9 May 2020
Acapulco circa 1963, Hugh and beach boy hunks bearing their Eros wares, brandy swill ing Lana rocking a million dollar Edith Head wardrobe; well-directed for the genre, sensitively shot on location and smartly designed Mexico City sound stage interiors ... chips & guacamole for the senses!
Broadway Damage
(1997)
A Heartfelt Gay NYC Time Capsule
8 July 2019
I lived in Manhattan from 1978 to 1986 and these were characters inspired by many of the creative aspirants filling the streets, shops, bars, cafes and yes, air shafts and fire escape landings, during that era. Guess you had to be there to get it!
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