prprincess90 Reviews

Creature Feature: 60 Years of the Gill-Man (2014)

The Gill-Man Returns!

[8/10 · 16 November 2015]

Having been to more than a few festivals to see some of Sam Borowski's wonderful features - and shorts - I was present when this played at the Northeast Film Festival last year. I enjoyed it then, and even more so, when my copy arrived in the mail!

Here writer-producer Borowski combines forces with director Matt Crick to make the definitive documentary about "The Creature From the Black Lagoon!" This character is treated with such love and respect you can tell that the makers are real fans. You can see the love that was put into this piece.

And, it makes such a difference.

The narration, which was written by Borowski, tells a real story of how this character was created, dating back to a party at the house of the great Orson Welles, where producer William Alland overheard a story about a creature that was "reportedly half-man, half-fish." The fact that the narration is said by popular actor/narrator Keith David only adds to the words.

And, to see that Oscar-Winning actor Benicio Del Toro is a fan of the Creature! Makes sense since he starred in a Universal Monster movie of his own (2010's "The Wolfman.")

The Creature has a lot of connections with other movies and characters and has been one of the most imitated movie characters of all-time! The documentary sheds light on the large industry that Creature From the Black Lagoon has become. And, you can see the love that Ben Chapman, who played the original topside Gill-Man (Ricou Browning was the swimming double) has for the character.

Much like Borowski and Crick.

If you love this character or the Universal Monster movies, then this feature-length documentary is for you.

The Intern (I) (2015)

The Feel Good Comedy of the Year!

[8/10 · 16 November 2015]

Wonderful offering from Writer-Director Nancy Meyers that is INDEED "The Feel Good Comedy of the Year!" Robert DeNiro plays Ben a 70-year-old retiree, struggling to enjoy his days alone. When he spots an ad for a "Senior Internship," working for a successful internet start-up, he relishes the opportunity.

After getting the internship, he is assigned to the head of the company, Jules Ostin, played rather nicely by Anne Hathaway. While Jules is not so quick to appreciate Ben - or the program in general - she eventually warms up to him and the idea. The two form a strong bond, and Jules comes to see Ben, not only as an asset, but a close and trustworthy friend.

Their bond is the crux of this movie and holds it together. There is an especially uncomfortable (at first) yet heartwarming scene, where Jules invites Ben to lay down in her bed late one night on a business trip. DeNiro is spot-on as his Ben keeps one foot on the floor with a priceless expression on his face. Yet, by the end of the scene, the two of them are even closer. There is nothing Romantic about this scene, it is more about the close bonds of friendship.

I won't reveal anymore other than to say the abrupt ending was very satisfying to me. See it, you won't be disappointed!

Against the Wild (2013 TV Movie)

Natasha Henstridge is very good in the film

[6/10 · 13 August 2013]

Written and Directed by Richard Boddington, "Against The Wild," is a story about two young children and their Alaskan Husky who have to survive in the wilderness following a plane crash.

The film itself, which screened at the recent FLICKERS RIFF, is okay, but I really enjoyed the performance of Natasha Henstridge, playing the distraught mother of the children. She is at a higher level than many of the other actors, but this is a reason to see this film.

It is both interesting and still family-friendly film worth seeing. In addition to Henstridge, there are some great shots of the wild-life in the film, and the animals are almost characters in this film.

Against The Wild is not for everybody, but it will fit a certain audience. And, if you like animal-driven children's films OR Natasha Henstridge, you already have a reason to see this film.

Maniac (2013)

Serious Social Implications

[10/10 · 13 August 2013]

Maniac is living proof that a movie can be both entertaining and still have serious social and economical implications.

Directed and produced by Sam Borowski, this film World Premiered at the FLICKERS RIFF last weekend. Having seen many films pass through our festival, I was quite impressed with both the duality Borowski presented, as well as the fine line he towed with the film's tone.

There is much humor, however, you must be careful not to miss the serious implications in the sub-text. The film opens with an un-named character played very nicely by Bill Sorvino, committing an unseen brutal act of violence and then showing almost immediate remorse.

We can see that this character is somewhat disturbed, however, what tears at the viewer is the fact that he seems to be motivated by protecting the weaker people, and by stopping the "bad people." That creates a real inner-turmoil for the viewer who is not sure what to feel about Sorvino's un-named character. The supporting cast is very good, including many known character actors such as Joseph D'onofrio (A Bronx Tale) and David Harris (The Warriors). Nice performances are also turned in by some up-and-comers, who round out a very talented cast.

And Borowski's squeezes every drop of emotion and humor out of every last one of them, always the mark of a great director. He also uses various sound-effects and a unique look to present the story in a very entertaining way. But, when you stop and look at the picture itself, it does deal with very serious subject matter, and Borowski doesn't let us forget that.

In fact, that final scene leaves the viewer with much to contemplate.

Night Club (2011)

Wonderful Performances, Great Direction/1980s Soundtrack

[8/10 · 5 September 2011]

Actually got a chance to see this new independent film at the 28th installment of the Long Island Film Festival last month. Had a chance afterward to meet the director, Sam Borowski, and the head of the festival, Tom Santorelli. All in all it was a fun night of independent film! As I told the filmmaker that night, I would post my honest review of the film here after giving it some time to ruminate. Having done so, I would have to agree with another reviewer on this site that actually said this film has heart. It's filled with heart ... and passion, something said reviewer stated that a lot of today's films lack.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Borowski sets out to tell a tale that needs to be told: that of our generation of elders. For the record, I have family who have worked with the elderly and health care system, one of the reasons I chose to see this film. And I found it to be both enjoyable - in the commercial entertainment sense of the word - and with a bright message.

But, I also enjoy many independent films of today, and so I rather enjoyed Borowski's style which seemed to pay tribute to the films of the 1980s. In the interview that Joel Martin conducted on stage afterward, Borowski fully admitted his love of those 1980s films, most notably Ron Howard's 1982 movie, "Night Shift." Unbelievably, Borowski has recreated the opening title sequence of Howard's aforementioned film - something that made me want to go back and look at it again, and when I did, WOW what an amazing job he did in doing so. He even got actors such as Clint Howard (Ron's brother who had a supporting role in Night Shift) and Rance Howard, Ron's father. I rather enjoyed a moment between the two when Rance, a patient at the California Villa, yells at an orderly (played by the younger Howard, Clint), "You remind me of my son!" But there are enough moments like that to sustain your enjoyment of the film, and to help the message get across in an entertaining way. One thing Borowski spoke of in the on-stage interview that I completely agreed with was how there is plenty of fun moments in this movie, that are followed with heavier moments that make some of the fun ones feel inappropriate. However, when the fun moments return, we are right there laughing again.

Academy Award Nominee Sally Kellerman provides many of those heavier moments, and I wouldn't be shocked to see her get a nomination for this film should it qualify in its distribution. This year's SAG Lifetime Award Winner, Ernest Borgnine, who won an Oscar himself for 1955's Marty, also gives a wonderful performance as the lead Albert, another California Villa resident and former night club owner, who convinces the three younger leads to start the titular Night Club in question. He is the who sets the chain of events in place that will make this film special.

However, there is no discounting Borowski's direction or obvious love of film. Much like Quentin Tarantino, he weaves a tale that evokes memories of other films ... other performances. And guess what? It works for this film. Night Club stars the aforementioned Borgine, Kellerman, Rance Howard, Zachary Abel, Ahney Her, Bryan Williams, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Sorvino, Mickey Rooney and Daniel Roebuck, playing his most asinine role (and I mean that as a compliment) since Dr. Leslie Arszt himself! There are also various other cameos of TV stars and recognizable film actors.

Yes, with this film, Borowski does set out to get a message across, but he does so in a way that makes the medicine taste like candy.