dmacpherson12-1 Reviews

Stir of Echoes: The Homecoming (2007 TV Movie)

well made for a low budget movie

[7/10 · 19 November 2009]

Political ranting aside, I think the movie deserves better than a sub-five average rating. It's well acted by the leads and Rob Lowe seems 'engaged' in his role. The DVD extras explain in detail the limitations of the production but at the same time the investment in the film by the director and cast members. It works as a ghost story and also as a mystery. The make-up and effects are well done and it has a decent pace. In a way it still has a distant connection to the first Stir of Echoes in that it portrays a working class American family. Yes, the film does make a comment on racism, but I didn't feel this was a generalized anti-American slag the way some other reviewers did. I look forward to other movies by this director and thumbs up to Rob Lowe for bringing his 'A' game to this small film. And where else can you see a Stouffville, Ontario sand pit doubling for Iraq?

Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 (2008)

Unique and Engrossing College Football and Cultural Documentary

[8/10 · 30 March 2009]

Saw this at T.I.F.F. last year. It takes about 20 minutes to get rolling as you become familiarized with the 'cast'. Surprisingly Tommy Jones is well down the list of interesting interviews. The context of the times and the great archive footage make this a must see for any football fan or for the Doonesbury culture of Ivy League academia. The quotes from the ex-players are often very funny. Director Rafferty was at the actual game but unlike his father and grandfather, not a Harvard football player. The director managed to get most of the key players in the game. Unfortunately Calvin Hill, the only black player on Harvard and perhaps the most successful in the NFL of those playing in that game declined to be interviewed. Still, this film is very entertaining, captivating and suspenseful (despite knowing the final score) with the final minutes of the game providing a fitting climax to the film.

I Spit on Your Grave (1978)

Graphic But Not Gratuitous

[7/10 · 28 October 2006]

I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of this film. I thought it would be strictly an exploitation flick, I will the central ideas are somewhat in that vein, it is done in a manner that demands respect. The director takes his time building up to the eventual unpleasant scenes which take place in the first half and then also builds some suspense in depicting the inevitable revenge which is promised in the title. The direction has a pseudo documentary style with lots of wide shots and scenes where the camera assumes a voyeuristic position as if looking across the lake or the road with binoculars. The contrast of the ordinariness of the town and its simple folk to the savagery some of its residents are capable of adds an extra bit of power to what transpires. Kudos to all the lead actors for investing themselves into scenes that must have been extremely difficult to be filmed in. Notfor all tastes but a better than average entry of its type.

Of Unknown Origin (1983)

The Rodent Jaws

[7/10 · 12 July 2006]

Peter Weller anchors a cast of Canadian actors in this entertaining low budget thriller directed by George Cosmatos. Plenty of action and a good through line of how an obsessively detailed individual would battle a threat to his environment. Louis "Seeing Things" Del Grande is very good as the helpful janitor next door to Weller's yuppie palace. Features rising Canadian actors Kenneth Welsh, Jennifer Dale and a slimmer Maury Chaykin. The Canadian Tax Credit system helped put this film in Montreal, doubling as New York. With little to work with in terms of sets and exteriors, Cosmatos shows his chops as a director who tries to make each shot pay off in a particular way. The overhead shot of Weller looking out over the "human" rat race crossing the street draws an interesting parallel with the main story. More than a couple of 'homages' to Jaws, which Cosmatos admits was one of his favourite movies.A bit repetitive at times but better than 'Willard'. Worth a look.

Cry Wolf (2005)

Easy To Wolf Down In One Sitting

[7/10 · 14 March 2006]

I picked this film up for 8 bucks at the local video store. I must confess to being a fan of the genre (thrillers) but was still pleasantly surprised to find that Cry Wolf was a cut above many of its antecedents. (Skulls comes to mind) It's sort of a Dead Poet's Society (prep school setting) meets April Fools Day (plenty of pranks), thematically. The cinematography is imaginative and the two leads, Canadian Lindy Booth (Dodger) and Brit Julian Morris (Owen) acquit themselves very well. Jon Bon Jovi is not bad as the mysterious journalism professor. A film with more than a few twists but all of them are plausible within the context of the story. The dialogue works well and the pace of the film is quite good, spending enough time developing character while the plot moves along. With this calling card, director Jeff Wadlow and co-writer producer Beau Bauman can look forward to a bigger budget for their next outing.

The Ghost of Sierra de Cobre (1964 TV Movie)

I think Martin Landau has the only copy!

[9/10 · 15 January 2006]

Similar to the other viewer, I saw this film when I was 9 years old back in 1966 on Canadian T.V. It was a failed pilot for what eventually became The Outer Limits series. Joseph Stefano wrote it and it (apparently) has also appeared under it's alternative title "The Haunted". It features a 'bleeding ghost' and a wickedly chilling story. For some reason it has failed to reach the video stage. Even one of the stars, Martin Landau, has said he used to show his 'two reeler' version of the film for guests in his home and it 'scared the crap out of them'. You can read more about the film in the latest Outer Limits Guide which talks about how they were originally going for a 'Ghost Story' style series, but the studio passed on that concept in favor of sci-fi. I believe a series called 'Ghost Story' which later became 'Circle of Fear' hit the small screen about five years later. Someone please get this 'Ghost' on DVD!

Bruiser (2000)

Romero's return has a few bruises

[7/10 · 28 December 2005]

I must confess I enjoy the independent horror film genre. This offering from an old "master" is a fairly stylized low key affair that relies more on plot and characterization than gory effects. While the script has a sort of "Phantom of the Opera" quality to it, it is well directed and adequately acted. I thought the musical score was classy and the ending satisfying. An o.k. movie if you enjoy the genre, but not Romero at his best. The character of Milo is way over the top and it is almost implausible in the politically correct climate of today that such a boor would be tolerated, even by his own underlings. The subsidiary characters are realistic, but underwritten...and the lead truly is 'a blank slate'. His motivation is sketched in a few scenes, but there is nothing to distinguish his reaction to his boss from everyone else (including his long suffering wife) who also despise him. While the direction has the mark of an experienced craftsman, there is nothing particularly "Romero" about this production. The "Living Dead" series is still your best bet to find out what he's all about.