Sunsphxsuns Reviews

Poor Things (2023)

DISTURBING! DEMENTED! DELIGHTFUL!

[10/10 · 14 February 2024]

If Tim Burton had directed Barbie (2023), portions of it might have looked like Poor Things. Try to imagine Edward Scissorhands (1990) but filmed as an exaggerated Greek Tragedy. Director Yorgos Lanthimos (a Greek himself) has courageously woven human discord and emotion into a complicated and curious tangle of horrific comedic threads. It's difficult not to find yourself staring at the screen. Did I just see that? Did I just hear that? Yes, you certainly did.

If graphic frontal nudity, a plethora of heated sexual encounters, and cold corpses being dispassionately dissected bother you, then pass on this film because there's a lot of it. On the other hand, Poor Things may be the most didactic and entertaining film in decades. Nearly every scene is strikingly bizarre, with performances and dialogue to match. Indeed, there are certain scenes (in vivid black and white) that recall director Terry Gilliam's The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988). Poor Things is very surreal. But more often than not, it is also awkwardly and uncomfortably real. And that's the real magic here - the unreal becoming very real, like a child, discovering for the first time, that our Earth is truly not flat.

Emma Stone (Bella Baxter), Mark Ruffalo (Duncan), and Willem Dafoe (Dr. Godwin Baxter) shine brightly as intensely conflicted characters you like to watch, but secretly pray to never have to meet in person. Yet, their unique odyssey of connections and interactions is quite astonishing and fascinating.

No spoilers here as usual, but it should be no surprise to anyone that the incredible performances of the cast include an Oscar winner (Emma Stone), and two Oscar nominees (Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo).

I.S.S. (2023)

UP IN THE SKY? OF COURSE!

[8/10 · 1 February 2024]

Why do so many recent science fiction films remind me of Ridley Scott's Alien (1979) or John Carpenter's The Thing (1982)? Maybe it's the hyper tension created by the unknown fate of the people involved, or perhaps the intensity of the crew and how they individually react to "danger." In other words, when things get weird, who can you trust?

I. S. S. Is all of the above and actually a pretty fun ride (forgive the pun). And if you're like me, a person that often will stop to view the real International Space Station as it streaks across the evening sky, you'll probably enjoy this film quite a lot.

In real life where Russia and the United States are still politically divided, a film like I. S. S. Becomes quite elevated. The space station cannot survive without support from earth or the unfaltering cooperation of its crew, and both are challenged here. At 95 minutes this isn't a long film, so don't think too hard about the mechanics or the plot. Enjoy the drama and the fine acting.

No spoilers here as usual, but in real life, the International Space Station maintains an orbit between 205-270 miles above Earth's surface and travels at 17,500 miles per hour. It orbits Earth approximately 15 times per day!

Wonka (2023)

PUZZLING BUT ENTERTAINING

[8/10 · 6 January 2024]

About halfway into Wonka (2023) I began wondering if "reimagining" classic films is always a good idea. Do we really need another Casablanca (1942) or Gone With the Wind (1939)? Does Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa (painted between 1503-1509) truly need "CGI" and other digital effects to enhance her iconic smile? I don't think so. Yet, there seems to be a lack of wonderfully original scripts in Hollywood. If that's not true, then why else would film companies continue to tamper with that which has already been wonderfully done? Perhaps it is because Wonka is a pre-sold property. It already has several generations of fans to bolster the box office receipts. After all, film making may be a fascinating art form, but at the end of the day, it is still a business with a bottom line.

To its credit, Wonka offers a clever back story of Willie's origins. The film also introduces us to several new songs, some of which, are quite memorable, but not nearly as much as the reboot of the wistful tune, "Pure Imagination." One thinks of the late Gene Wilder even as Timothée Chalamet performs a very capable version on the screen. Chalamet is very charming, of course (he's a tremendous actor), yet the character is not written nearly as cynically as Wilder's 1971 portrayal. Indeed, even the brooding darkness in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) is absent here. Wonka is far more optimistic than its two predecessors, though perhaps that is not a bad thing, especially for younger audiences.

For the most part, "Wonka" is visually entertaining and hits several high marks one would expect for a film that had a $125,000,000 budget. It's an elegant enterprise to be sure, but nevertheless has some very BIG shoes to fill.

No spoilers here as usual, but I can share that Timothée Chalamet reportedly was constantly sick during production as a result of having to eat an extraordinary amount of chocolate and candy.

The Holdovers (2023)

HOLDOVERS HOLDS UP VERY WELL INDEED!

[9/10 · 20 November 2023]

The film industry (aka "Hollywood") has a long history of "redemption" stories. So what makes this movie any different? I think it's because The Holdovers is genuine and sincere. Embracing clichés with conviction is an art in itself. But by elevating the plot and dialogue, combined with stellar acting, you now have a near perfect film from start to finish!

The Holdovers has the look and feel of several '70s comedies, which makes this little holiday gem both charming and consistently funny.

No spoilers here (as usual) but in one scene Paul Giamatti is talking to a man who is dressed like Santa Claus. Giamatti played Santa Claus in Fred Claus (2007).

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

NOTHING SUBTLE HERE!

[9/10 · 25 October 2023]

If you're still puzzled by "Killers of the Flower Moon" (2023), it might be easier to first understand the director. Scorsese has his own unique formula of story telling, and almost routinely presents his audiences with what I'd describe as an "interior view," one in which the narrator describes the actions and thoughts of the characters. Great examples of this style can be seen in several of his iconic films such as "Goodfellas" (1990) and Casino (1995), where he unfolds the plot, characters, dialogue, and almost always, a not so subtle theme of violence.

There's nothing subtle about "Killers of the Flower Moon," and there is nothing mysterious or hidden here. The bad guys operate in plain sight, and like the source book by author David Gann, "Killers of the Flower Moon" is a sad tale of men who approach murder with disquieting ease.

There's no need to discuss the plot here as many other IMDb reviewers have already contributed this information. Essentially, this is about the Osage Nation, and how, after being ruthlessly pushed off their own land, serendipitously find their "new home" bursting with oil. And practically overnight, they went from poverty to wealth. Of course, the same men who displaced the Osages then decided they wanted the resulting wealth and profits. The result isn't pretty, and it is not meant to be.

Although his place in film history has already been decided, Robert De Niro delivers the most powerful performance of his storied career. His sociopathic and violent portrayal of a very disgusting human being is truly riveting, and Leonardo DiCaprio, no acting slouch himself, perfectly gaslights what is already a hostile scenario.

"Killers of the Flower Moon" may not be for everyone. But the depth and diversity of this slow paced, well conceived film, will surely pick up several well deserved Oscar nominations.

No spoilers here as usual for me (why ruin the fun?) but I can reveal that the subsequent investigation into Osage County was the first case presented to the newly formed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led by J. Edgar Hoover.

No One Will Save You (2023)

A PERFECTLY FRIGHTENING ENCOUNTER!

[9/10 · 24 September 2023]

Brian Duffield's No One Will Save You (2023) is a film hard core sci-fi fans are really going to enjoy, while novices to the genre may find it perplexing. At first glance it reminded me of M. Night Shyamalan's brilliantly suspenseful Signs (2002). But that would be all that is comparable, because No One Will Save You has more of an existential feel and clearly more striking depictions of the extraterrestrials themselves. While many alien invasion films only feature "hints" of the dreaded E. T.s, Duffield doesn't hold back, and there are quite a few very creepy and technically effective scenes that swiftly draw you into the plot.

One particularly striking theme of this little gem is the surprising absence of dialog. This feature however actually adds to the drama and contextual fear of the film. Instead, No One Will Save You employs a magnificent use of sound which helps to build the tension quite nicely (you'll understand this much better after you watch the film).

The main character is the heroine, Brynn, and I couldn't help compare her to Sigourney Weaver's character Ellen Ripley in the Alien series of films. It's Brynn's intelligence, quick thinking, and unwillingness to succumb to the terrific horrors which make this film very arresting. She's vulnerable but she's also tough.

No spoilers here as usual but I can reveal that the overall look of the aliens design appears to intentionally mimic the vivid descriptions given by "close encounter alien abductees" in the 1950's. And I will admit they are pretty frightening!

The One Man Beatles (2009)

A REMARKABLE BUT SAD STORY

[9/10 · 22 September 2023]

In the 1960s, as a teenager in a popular local Southern California band (The Paper Fortress), I was able to meet and get to know Emitt Rhodes professionally and personally. He was not an easy person to know, though he had an "easy going" persona.

Albeit posthumously, his story is finally being told, aesthetically recognized in this graceful documentary. And ironically, the film is superbly directed and written not by an American (who would likely be more familiar with Rhode's considerable work) but rather, by Italian Cosimo Messeri, who took an interest in this quirky and often misunderstood musician.

Rhodes began his musical career in 1964 at age 14 as the drummer for the Hullabaloo Club house band, "The Palace Guard," in Hollywood, California. He was occasionally "allowed" to leave the drums and perform a few solos such as "Michelle" on his guitar. He left "The Palace Guard" in 1966 to create his own group, "The Merry-Go-Round." The band had a few local hits ("Live" and "Lovely Woman") but with a meager recording contract with A&M Records, the group finally disbanded in 1969.

Rhodes subsequently went out on his own, building a recording studio in his parents' garage. He recorded his own material, and using multitrack technology, painstakingly performed and recorded, track by track, all of the instruments and vocals. A year later Paul McCartney would do the same with his first post-Beatle solo album, "McCartney," released in 1970.

Rhode's first album with the Dunhill record label was a critical success, with Billboard heralding him as "one of the finest artists on the music scene today." The album reached number 29 on the Billboard charts, but Rhodes would never again record or release anything as successful.

Rhodes's contract with Dunhill required him to release an astonishingly unrealistic six albums over a three year period! This was a brutal schedule, which he was unable to meet, mainly because he was doing all of the writing and recording by himself. Dunhill sued Rhodes for $300,000 and withheld all of his future royalties. Rhodes was devastated.

Essentially, his music career abruptly ended in 1973 as a result of his trial with Dunhill. He was remarkably silent for the next 43 years, remaining obscure and relatively underground until the release of his last album, "Rainbow Ends," in 2016.

This documentary beautifully introduces the viewer to the life of the man, Emitt Rhodes, a brilliant yet shamefully forgotten artist. He passed away July 19, 2020. He was 70.

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023)

An Old-Fashioned Vampire Flick With Surprises

[9/10 · 17 August 2023]

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) has a ambiguous title, but in reality it's simply an old-timey monster movie, very reminiscent of the kind Universal used to produce beginning with the original "Dracula" (1931), boldly played by the wonderful Hungarian actor, Bela Lugosi.

Demeter is set in 1897, a seaworthy merchant ship traveling from Bulgaria to London. The film burns slowly and deliberately, much like the monster films I remember enjoying as a kid. But where the original 1931 Dracula doesn't spend much time with this voyage, this one does. Indeed, it's the driving focus. This ship has a passenger who is a monster with an unquenchable appetite for blood.

I could not help thinking that it reminded me of Ridley Scott's Alien (1979), particularly when the fast moving, razor-toothed Vampire savagely rips open the throats of the ship's crew members one by one. This creature is anything but languid. It moves quickly, which make it all the scarier. The Last Voyage of the Demeter is explicit, rapid-fire with periods of quiet suspense, and definitely not for kids.

No spoilers here as usual, but I can reveal The Last Voyage of the Demeter is a loose adaptation of "The Captain's Log," a chapter from the original 1897 novel "Dracula" by Bram Stoker.

Haunted Mansion (2023)

HERE'S WHY YOU SHOULD SEE THE HAUNTED MANSION

[9/10 · 5 August 2023]

This is the Disney company's second attempt at adapting their famous Haunted Mansion theme park attraction into a film. But unlike its 2003 predecessor, this one works! And it works quite well.

Let me get right to the point: The Haunted Mansion (2023) is perfectly creepy, with just the right amount of PG-13 theatrics and humor to earn its cinematic place as a very entertaining spook-show. If you want "deep thoughts" or "existential scenarios" go see Oppenheimer (2023). The Haunted Mansion is a genuine "popcorn under the stars" film, one to enjoy without too much fuss.

There are numerous and wonderful nods to the Disneyland theme park attraction ride and their grim, grinning ghostly residents. If you've never been on the Haunted Mansion ride then you may miss quite a few intentionally placed gags. My guess is there are also a few "hidden Mickeys" too though I didn't catch any.

Remember, Summer films like this one were built for maximum moviegoing entertainment, so don't go looking for any deep messages. It's all about ghosts and human beings, and their unique interactions.

No spoilers here as usual (for me), but here's some interesting trivia. In July 2010, it was announced that a reboot adaptation based on The Haunted Mansion was in development for Walt Disney Pictures, with Guillermo del Toro as writer and producer. But del Toro's script was far too "other worldly" for Disney, and ultimately, he dropped out of the production.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

"IT'S NOT THE YEARS, HONEY, IT'S THE MILEAGE."

[10/10 · 30 June 2023]

It's been 42 years since the release of "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" in 1981. Our world has changed quite a lot since then, but not enough to dismiss the vitality and charm of what is likely Indiana Jone's final adventure. And it's a worthy one at that!

"Dial of Destiny" feels very much like a Spielberg/Lucas collaboration without the aforementioned genius duo at the helm. And perhaps this is the film's most redeeming charm: It has the look and excitement of the familiar globe-trotting universe we've come to expect for Indy and his legendary exploits. Yes, Indy is older, and far more physically and emotionally vulnerable than before. Perhaps this is art imitating life. And why not? Isn't that how life actually works?

Don't let the nay-sayers dissuade you from screening this film. It's worth every dollar, and perhaps more, because it is likely the last time you'll see Harrison Ford portray this hugely iconic character.

No spoilers here as usual, however, after viewing Dial of Destiny, Steven Spielberg quipped to the people seated next to him: "Damn! I thought I was the only one who knew how to make one of these!"

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

ARGUABLY THE BEST OF ALL JW FILMS!

[10/10 · 28 March 2023]

John Wick Chapter 4 is everything you'd want from this tremendously popular franchise. I would describe it as pure "choreographed aggression," like a delicate ballet. But instead of Swan Lake, this is all about bullets and knives. Incidentally, don't trouble yourself with a body count. The sheer number and intensity of "kills" will truly elude you.

JW4 rather nicely returns for a riot of startling violence tempered by a melange of perfectly cerebral philosophical moments. Unlike the sardonic "ultra violence" of Stanley Kubrick's, A Clockwork Orange (1971), JW4 is sensibly raw, with just enough creepy humor to keep you from completely jumping out of your own skin.

It doesn't hurt that JW4 has a great cast. Reeves immediately sells Wick & company's dark commitment with a raw emotion somewhat reminiscent of a Clint Eastwood Western. The massive emotional exhaustion which unfolds simply adds more gravity to this newest Chapter. "Sauce for the goose," one might say.

Flaws? Very few. And JW fans won't care. This is what makes cinema so FUN, especially now that we're all feeling some relief in this post-pandemic world. JW4 is heavy, exciting, and has plenty of authentic action. You will NOT be disappointed!!!!

Prancer (1989)

Prancer Not Just A Film For Kids

[9/10 · 5 January 2023]

Every now and then a holiday film like Prancer surfaces. And since I tend to watch and review quite a few Christmas themed films, I haven't seen anything like Prancer since it was originally released in 1989.

Jessica, a 9-year-old girl played by a very young Rebecca Harrell, fully believes in Santa Claus. It's a tough position for her to defend, especially because father (Sam Elliott whose distinctively gravely voice you always recognize long before you see his face) is a cynical, defeated in life, farmer who's having difficulty raising his kids and earning a living on their failing farm outside Three Oaks, Michigan. Her dad grows apples and is struggling to make ends meet. "Will we have enough to eat?" Jessica asks him. "Sure," he moodily replies. "We'll have apple sauce, apple juice, stewed apples, apple pie, and baked apples."

Jessica is walking home alone through the woods on a very frigid, clear night where she sees a fearless looking reindeer who apparently has an injured leg. A beautiful scene unfolds as the reindeer stands neatly motionless in the clearing, moonlight gleaming off its antlers. Then, just as suddenly, it is gone. Later, the same reindeer turns up again in a barn, and Jessica hides it, deciding that this is the real Prancer, one of Santa's reindeer, and it is solely up to her to nurse him back to health so he can return to work.

And this is where the film becomes something more than a nice story for children. It's a tale of Jessica's faith, and her defiance against everyone who either wants to kill the injured reindeer, use it for other purposes, or actually believe, as for the girl, that Prancer is indeed really one of Santa's reindeer and must be reunited with him. (One must assume that Santa needs all of his reindeer to successfully complete his midnight flight in order to successfully deliver presents to children all over the world).

The best thing about "Prancer" is that it has genuine heart, and doesn't insult the viewer's intelligence. You'll quickly find yourself rooting for Jessica to get Prancer healthy and back with Santa. And if you're an animal rights activist ( like me) you're going to absolutely fall in love with the sweet relationship between Prancer and Jessica. It's truly moving.

Plus - what a great cast! In addition to Rebecca Harrell and Sam Elliott, Prancer's outstanding cast includes charming performances by Cloris Leachman, Abe Vigoda, Michael Constantine, Rutanya Alda, Ariana Richards ("Lex" in Jurassic Park, Jurassic World 3), and Johnny Galecki ("Rusty" in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation).

No spoilers here (why spoil the magic?) but I will (somewhat angrily) reveal that Prancer really got the shaft from the studio which resulted in it being only a modest box office hit. Orion, already strapped with financial issues, couldn't give this release much support, which meant that the film was unable to be shown in many theaters during the Holiday season.

Violent Night (2022)

VIOLENT NIGHT - LIKE PEELING A TURTLE!

[9/10 · 31 December 2022]

Can one even peel a turtle? Let's hope not. But to my point - Violent Night (2022) is not exactly what I expected, though I had no real expectations at all having elected to ignore the trailers and show up with no "baggage." Yet, there were many scenes that harkened to other "holiday themed" films, and it's easy to see why many reviewers have compared Violent Night to Die Hard (1988), Home Alone (1990), The Ref (1994), and in a more crude piece of disgusting imagery, Bad Santa (2003).

Nonetheless, this is precisely where Violent Night sets into motion the duel themes of cynicism and hope. And in this kind of comedy thriller, it can be quite difficult to tell how it's going to end. In any case, you'll be stuck to your seat even as the credits begin to roll.

The warming presence of Beverly D'Angelo was comforting in an odd way. She's mean and nasty, yet loving in a lethally maternal sort of way. I always enjoyed her performances in the Vacation film series. But she looks strangely different here, and I have a feeling she may have had some bad work done on her beautiful face. I feel deeply for actors who probably cringe at having to watch themselves "age" so publicly on the screen and so privately as victims of the relentless paparazzi. But let me be clear, this in no way diminishes Ms. D'Angelo's charming performance. She's a dynamic wonderland on two feet and as fun to watch as ever.

David Harbour plays the irascible Santa Claus, in both comedic and horrific tones, yet we are immediately sympathetic to him. Harbour is no newcomer to the big screen or small screen. For his work in the Netflix series Stranger Things (2016), Harbour received a critics choice television award, two Emmy award nominations, and a Golden Globe nomination. He also portrayed the titular character in Hellboy, 2019, and appeared as Red Guardian in Black Widow (2020). He's a versatile actor to be sure and always presenting us with something deliciously different.

I'm not going to go into the plot here because other IMDb reviewers have provided an ample amount of reading on the subject. But I will say this is neither a Christmas Carol (1951), It's a Wonderful Life 1947), Holiday Inn (1942) (or it's loosely based sequel, White Christmas 1954). I would have to describe VN as both a beautifully wrapped homage to all that is Christmas, like a wonderful holiday Turkey dinner, but with a unexpected side dish which looks very much like a giant lump of coal.

No spoilers here (why spoil the fun) but I can say Santa reveals how he came to be, which, while not an original plot device, has clearly never been portrayed like this before. And it's not just "Christmas Magic."

The Great Rupert (1950)

You're Going To Love Rupert The Squirrel!

[9/10 · 16 December 2022]

Also known as The Christmas Wish, The Great Rupert (1950) should be on your holiday movie list. I mean, come on, what's not to like about a brilliant squirrel who can dance to an accordion? I know people who could never dance to an accordion (indeed I can't dance at all no matter what musical instruments accompany me).

The plot is very straightforward. Jimmy Durante (Louis Amendola) plays the head of an out of work vaudeville family stage act that is forced to take refuge in a dilapidated apartment which is adjacent to the home of the spendthrift landlord, Frank Orth (Mr. Frank Dingle). Terry Moore (Rosalinda Amendola), his lovely daughter, soon falls for the landlord's son Tom Drake (Pete Dingle). You may remember Drake as Judy Garland's boyfriend in Meet Me In St. Louis (1945). And then there is Rupert. In my opinion he's the real star (though he doesn't get near enough screen time).

The rest of the cast admirably fills out this tight little story. Sara Haden as Mrs. Katie Dingle, Queenie Smith as Mrs. Amendola, Chick Chandler as Phil Davis, Jimmy Conlin as Joe Mahoney, Hugh Sanders as Mulligan, Don Beddoe as Mr. Haggerty, Candy Candido as Molineri - Florist, Clancy Cooper as Police Lt. Saunders, Harold Goodwin as Callahan - F. B. I. Man, and Frank Cady as Mr. Taney - Tax Investigator.

There's no need to go through the entire plot as it's been well covered by many other IMDb reviewers. But if you have heard the phrase, "Manna from Heaven," well, that's pretty darn close to what happens here. Except the "Manna" is "money," and lots of it!

No spoilers here as usual, but I can reveal that the integration of a live action and animated Rupert was so realistic and convincing, for years after this film was released, fans would write animator and producer, George Pal, asking him where they could catch Rupert's dancing act in person!

Free Wheeling (1932)

OMG THIS IS SO DARN FUNNY!

[10/10 · 15 December 2022]

I can't speak for other reviewers, but when I first saw this episode as a kid, my first reaction was: "My friends and I need to build a car like this." And hey, it's light years before anyone was serious about sustainable energy vehicles! I wanted to build that same taxi in our driveway. Of course, it didn't take me long to realize that I didn't have the building materials, the donkey, or the know how, to create anything this exceptionally wonderful! Those lucky kids!

It's films like this that define The Little Rascals as kids who got along very well, and race or gender had very little meaning (especially to the children). Child labor laws hadn't quite gone into effect yet. And it would be several more years before PETA stepped in to help protect the rights of the animal actors. But the film stands as it is, representing that particular period of time and should not be taken too seriously.

No spoilers necessary. The film speaks for itself. Although I will reveal that some of the scenes on Mulholland Drive will bring back quite a lot of memories to those of us that grew up in southern California in the 50s and 60s.

A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)

WHY THIS WORKS SO WELL

[9/10 · 19 November 2022]

I don't know about you, but for me, It's nearly impossible to wrap my mind around the hard, cold fact, that the original "A Christmas Story" was pretty much ignored when it opened in theaters in 1983. But after years of rotation on cable television during the holiday season it ultimately achieved its current status as a much respected and deeply loved Yuletide classic.

In my opinion this new "installment" was long overdue. And thank goodness this film ignores all of the unofficial "sequels," (and unless you are a degenerate fan of Ralph and the Gang then you should plan on ignoring them too).

A Christmas Story Christmas picks up in 1973, and stars the now middle-aged Peter Billingsley reprising his role as Ralphie Parker. He's a grown man, with a wife and kids. He's finally abandoned Cleveland for Chicago where he's hoping to have his first success in getting his first book published. But just as importantly, Ralphie is looking forward to spending a Christmas holiday visit with his parents. There is no reason to discuss more of the plot (why spoil it for you?). Moreover other wonderful IMDb reviewers have done this quite thoroughly.

I think a little bit of Ralphie exists in most people. The time you spend with your family during the holiday season rarely makes up for the time spent apart during the rolling year. Ralphie cherishes the memories of growing up with a loving family. His own fleeting childhood was so much more simple than his now more complicated adult life. If anything else, A Christmas Story Christmas establishes what's changed with many of the original characters now that they've become adults. That plot line alone makes this a worthy watch!

No spoilers here as usual but I can reveal that Melinda Dillon was unavailable to reprise her role as Ralphie's mother as she had completely retired from acting by 2007.

A Christmas Horror Story (2015)

VERY COOL IT'S CAPTAIN KIRK FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

[10/10 · 2 November 2022]

A Christmas Horror Story (2015) is essentially a handful of interwoven stories that take place on Christmas Eve. It is told by one very merry and cheerfully inebriated radio host played by a gleeful William Shatner (isn't he Jewish?). In any case, it's a always a treat to see Captain Kirk drinking "spiced eggnog" instead of "Romulan Ale!"

The stories are compelling, intentionally oozing with Christmas Yuletide cheer and enough gruesome gore to send Jack the Ripper screaming into the night. Nothing amateur here. This is truly big-screen quality. And while each segment is very good, my favorite is about Santa Claus (George Buzo) having to deal with Zombie Elves. Poor Santa has enough on his mind having to prepare for his annual ride to deliver toys. But psychopathic Elves? Whoa! That's just too much! Or maybe not. Still, all of the segments are worth watching, especially if you enjoy humor mixed with horror. It's not blasphemous to enjoy films like this around the holidays. It's just fun.

No spoilers here (why ruin the fun?) but I will reveal that aside from Mr. Shatner, most of the cast members had either no prior acting experience or visibility with mainstream American audiences.

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)

DRACULA FAR FROM DEAD & STILL LOVING IT!

[10/10 · 31 October 2022]

As of this writing (2022) Mel Brooks is 96 years old. I met Brooks and his good friend Carl Reiner at a conference many years ago in San Francisco and it was a genuine pleasure. Both Reiner and Brooks were old school showbiz, right down to their modest "Sears-looking" brown suits and polished, heavy "wing tip" shoes.

Like Young Frankenstein (1974), Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) shamelessly spoofs Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula, taking it over the top and beyond the typical comedy. Brooks wrote the screenplay with Steve Haberman and Rudy De Luca, and he appears as Dr. Van Helsing, the respected vampire authority. The cast is superb, including Anne Bancroft as Madame Ouspenskaya (Gypsy Woman and Brook's late wife), Leslie Nielsen as Count Dracula, Peter MacNicol as Thomas Renfield, Steven Weber as Jonathan Harker, Amy Yasbeck as Mina Seward, Lysette Anthony as Lucy Westenra, Harvey Korman as Dr. Seward, Ezio Greggio as the coachman, Megan Cavanagh as Essie, Chuck McCann as Innkeeper, Mark Blankfield as Martin, Clive Revill as Sykes, Gregg Binkley as Woodbridge, and David DeLuise (Dom DeLuise's real life son) as a student in Van Helsing's classroom.

The film follows the original Dracula (1931) which starred the most famous vampire of all, Bela Lugosi. There are several (absurdly funny) deviations from Stoker's book and Universal's horror film, but it's all done with great style and slick comedic timing. There's a LOT of sex, blood, and insect eating by Renfield. And let's not forget to mention that one of the main "cures" for the mental patients at Dr. Seward's sanitarium is a good old fashioned enema. "Give him an enema!" Dr. Seward commands to his assistant. "Wait!" He adds. "Give him an enema first. Then put him in a straight jacket!"

Sadly, Dracula: Dead and Loving It was a critical and commercial failure, and as of this review (2022) it is the last film directed by Mel Brooks. That doesn't mean he's done with film, but at 96, Brooks had nothing left to prove and his legacy as a comic writer, director, producer and actor is already cemented into Hollywood Legend.

No spoilers here as usual (why spoil the fun?) but I will reveal that actor Steven Weber had no idea how much blood was going to be splattered over him during the outrageous "staking Lucy" scene. He looks completely stunned.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)

Cabinet Of Curiosities - The Perfect Halloween Treat!"

[9/10 · 26 October 2022]

As a latecomer, I first became aware of Guillermo del Toro after screening Pan's Labyrinth (2006), his masterful Hellboy (2004), and his equally extraordinary sequel, Hellboy II The Golden Army (2008). With only having seen these three films I was forever hooked. Here was my kind of director/writer! An artist that can deftly combine incredibly memorable visions with both dark and light touches of humor. I enjoyed the 2 Hellboy films so much that I went back and watched some of his other directorial works. In no particular order, they were: Cronos (1993), Mimic (1997), The Devil's Backbone (2001), Blade II (2002), Pacific Rim (2013), Crimson Peak (2015), The Shape of Water (2017), and Nightmare Alley (2021).

Which brings me to his recent NETFLIX endeavor, "Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)."

Surprisingly, though his name appears in the credits, Guillermo del Toro doesn't appear to have directed any of the 8 one-hour long episodes. Instead, he has apparently hand selected others to tackle the work. Nevertheless, with Del Toro's name and involvement attached to this project, you have nothing to lose. Like Jordan Peele, Guillermo del Toro has become one of the most anticipated and respected horror/thriller filmmakers today, and I'm confident he recruited some very creative people to support this unique project.

So far, I've watched the first 4 episodes of the anthology, "Lot 36," "Graveyard Rats," "Autopsy" and "The Outside." To be completely honest, episodes 3 and 4 were OVERLY GRAPHIC for my tastes, some scenes actually way beyond disgusting. Usually I can watch a lot without cringing, but I averted my eyes several times during these two fairly intense episodes (Man, I hope it doesn't get more graphically gnarly going forward). I recall some brilliant person once elucidated, "It's what you don't see that makes it scary." Uh huh. But not here.

The "guest" directors (notable for their work in thematic horror) unveil a good amount of scares and thrills with the requisite attendance of dreadful corpses and nightmarish haunted houses. "Cabinet of Curiosities" rises from the shadows of the macabre, which makes this series a genuine treat for fans of this particular genre.

There is no reason to discuss the plot of each episode this early in the series, but with only 4 episodes broadcast as of this writing, I'll absolutely give this a "green light." Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities may not be the big budget presentation other networks have recently released, but you get the sense that the cast, writers, producers, directors and those behind the scenes, are all philosophically and creatively "on board for the big Ride." This isn't just another flash in the darkness, and it will be an enjoyable Halloween feast for all good ghosts and goblins, young and old.

No spoilers here as usual (why spoil the fun?) but I will reveal what Del Toro's legions of fans already know - He is very open about his love and fascination with the unusual, the macabre, and the horrific. In a recent interview the convivial filmmaker stated: "Well, the first thing is that I love monsters. I identify with monsters."

Bride of the Monster (1955)

Second Only To Plan 9 From Outer Space!

[9/10 · 23 October 2022]

On his 12th birthday, in 1936, Edward D. Wood Jr. Received his first movie camera, a Kodak "Cine Special." While other children his age were out riding bicycles or playing games, Wood was filming the Hindenburg passing over the Hudson River at Poughkeepsie (the German airship would later crash in a fiery disaster at Lakehurst, New Jersey). Nevertheless, Wood was hooked on film. His first paid job was as a theater usher, and it thrilled him to see each new film brilliantly projected onto the cinema's gigantic silver screen.

Bride of the Monster (1955) isn't the "turkey" many reviewers have unfortunately labeled this Ed Wood Jr. Film. No kidding - you have to wonder what Writer/Producer/Director Wood could have created if he had had the luxury of a reasonable budget. Bride of the Monster, for example, had a belt-tightening budget of $70,000.00. Compare that with Tim Burton's marvelous biopic, Ed Wood (1994) which had a modest Hollywood budget of $18 million. The elaborate opening credits alone cost more than all of Eddie's films combined. If Wood could have secured even a tenth of a modern day film budget his movies would have looked quite different. I mean, let's give the guy some credit. For example, the commercial airline "cockpit" in his Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959) was merely two chairs and a shower curtain. It worked if course, because we "suspended our disbelief" in a big way in order to enjoy his films. But to say he was a lousy writer, or incompetent director, isn't fair nor is it accurate. Wood adored and cherished Hollywood, and his movies reflect every worn out yet familiar cliché possible. It was "camp stuff" to be sure, but always entertaining.

Wood produced and directed Bride of the Monster based on an original story idea by Alex Gordon. Bride starred an aging but still marvelous Bela Lugosi as the mad scientist, the huge and lovable Swedish wrestler Tor Johnson as the mute manservant "Lobo", Paul Marco, Billy Benedict ("Whitey" of The Bowery Boys), Harvey B. Dunn and Wood newcomer Loretta King (much to the dislike of Dolores Fuller, Wood's one time girlfriend and ingenue). Bride premiered on May 11, 1955, and was considered both a critical and financial success.

No spoilers here as usual but I will reveal that Bride of the Monster premiered at the Paramount theater in Hollywood. Bela Lugosi was unable to attend because he had voluntarily committed himself to a hospital in order to recover from many years of drug addition. He was the first (but certainly not the last) Hollywood celebrity to publicly discuss drug addition. Luckily, Bela was given a private screening of the film soon after his hospital release.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

THE BEST OF ALL FRANKENSTEIN SEQUELS!

[10/10 · 15 October 2022]

With a budget of a mere $397,000, Universal's The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) enjoyed an astounding box office of $2 million, quite a lot of money for the 1930s, and a commendable return for the financially struggling film company. Bride takes place directly after the events of the earlier 1931 film, "Frankenstein," and subtly reflects the original source material of Mary Shelly's novel, "Frankenstein, Or The Modern Prometheus," published in 1818.

I needn't discuss the plot here as so many other IMDb reviewers have already done an admirable job of it. Essentially, the film portrays a mentally tortured Dr. Henry Frankenstein who is pushed by his old school mentor, Dr. Pretorius, into creating a female partner for his previous creation, i.e., "The Monster." (Note: Many film fans confuse Frankenstein with the doctor, Victor Frankenstein. But "The Monster" actually has no name.)

English Director James Whale was best remembered for his four classic horror films: Frankenstein (1931), The Old Dark House (1932), The Invisible Man (1933) and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935). And while he also directed other hugely successful films such as the musical, Show Boat (1936), it is his horror films that have the most longevity.

Whale put together and extraordinary cast for Bride: Boris Karloff (The Monster), Elsa Lanchester (Mary Shelly, The Bride), Colin Clive (reprising his role as Dr. Frankenstein), Ernest Thesiger (Dr. Septimus Pretorius), and the always hilarious Una O' Connor (the housekeeper). You instantly recognize you're watching a classic bit of acting when a grinning Thesiger raises a glass of gin and merrily intones, "My only weakness."

Bride is a controversial film in that it manages to get themes like homosexuality, murder, necrophilia and sacrilege past the censors of that period by disguising it as a horror movie. It's a veritable masterpiece of subversion. Bride embodies the notion of Human Gods, and the Monsters they create which ultimately bring death, destruction and despair to the town. This is a "must see" film which I routinely view around Halloween when such gothic horror still thrives in the hearts of film fans like myself.

No spoilers here as usual, but I will reveal that even in the 1930s Hollywood was the home to many homosexuals who were forced to stay in the closet rather than find themselves swiftly unemployed. But Whale, while not openly gay, made no efforts to disguise his homosexuality to those who were close to him like his friend, the Irish character actress, Una O'Connor.

Interview with the Vampire (2022– )

"I HAVE SEEN DEATH, OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN!"

[9/10 · 11 October 2022]

To sum up this series, I will have to say it is beautifully done. If you enjoy, as do I, films and productions about Vampiric culture, then you will enjoy this latest take on Anne Rice's captivating book, "Interview with the Vampire, originally published May 5, 1976. Her book was later made into a very enjoyable film in 1994, staring Tom Cruise (Lestat) Brad Pitt (Louis), with a commendable performance by a very young Kirsten Dunst. The rest of the cast truly shined, which featured Christian Slater, Antonio Banderas, and Stephen Rea. The film, for the most part, generally matched the novel.

This isn't true for this series. Indeed, it makes specific "turns" and takes certain "liberties" that are either not found in the source material or greatly exaggerated beyond the author's original theme. And while I initially felt it was not going to work, I changed my opinion by the end of the first episode. It works. Indeed, it works very well.

There is no need for me to summarize the plot as other IMDb reviewers have already thoroughly covered it. I will say that the dark, often foreboding atmosphere found in both the book and the 1994 film, are very present in this series. It's not easy to take a "classic piece of literature" and mold it into an episodic body. I mean - Does the world really need another Casablanca or Gone With the Wind? In this case, I'd have to answer, "Of course it does!" You really can't have too much of a good thing, and when it comes to works like this, I find the different nuances and updates extremely entertaining. Give this a try. It is definitely worth your viewing time.

No spoilers here as usual for me but I will reveal that during the time of pre-production for the 1994 film, Anne Rice was not happy with the choice of Tom Cruise. She felt he was far too conventional to play the pivotal vampire role of Lestat. Thankfully her opinion was ignored, because Cruise delivered an exceptional performance which she later enthusiastically acknowledged. On December 11, 2021, Rice passed away at the age of 80. And while she approved this series, it remains unknown if she was pleased with the casting of Sam Reid as the vampire Lestat de Lioncourt, and Jacob Anderson as his lover and protégé, Louis de Pointe du Lac.

Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)

A Genuine Halloween Treat!

[9/10 · 1 October 2022]

It's been 30 years since Disney's Hocus Pocus (1993) was released. And without question it was a film that unequivocally made just about everyone happy. HP's straightforward storyline featured three witch sisters who were executed in Salem in 1693 only to return 300 years later on Halloween. It was an instant classic and a money maker for Disney. So it seems fairly reasonable that Hocus Pocus 2 will be equally as successful, not only as a updated sequel, but also as a respectful tribute to the original film. And if those were the studio's goals, then Disney succeeded in a big way.

In addition to the role reprisals from the fabulous Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, the cast in HP2 now includes the wonderful Doug Jones, Sam Richardson, Tony Hale, and Hannah Waddingham. Better casting simply doesn't exist.

In HP2 we get to see the nefarious Sanderson sisters as very young girls. They may just be kids but they're nevertheless cunning and diabolical. The "young Winnie" is expertly played by Taylor Henderson who unselfconsciously sports a mountain of frizzy red hair and outrageous buck teeth like her older self. She's a riot. The movie then takes us to present day Salem. There's enough reviewers outlining the plot so there's no need to repeat it here. But suffice to say HP2 is fresh, updated, and makes great use of the "Sanderson sisters female equivalent" of the Three Stooges. There's periods of slapstick (literally at times) humor but all in good fun, and there is an obvious absence of the "darkness" found in the original HP.

No real spoilers here as usual, but I will say you should watch Hocus Pocus 2 all the way to the end of the credits. Why, you ask? You'll see. I promise!

The Vast of Night (2019)

Possibly One of the Best SyFy Thrillers Ever Made!

[10/10 · 30 September 2022]

Oh, how I wish more filmmakers would produce movies like this one! I would characterize The Vast of Night as a genuine science fiction thriller, yet while the theme of "alien abduction" is very familiar, the clever execution clearly breaks new ground, creating a sort of "Boys Life" meets "Popular Science" meets "Alfred Hitchcock" vibe. (I promise this will make more sense after you see the film).

The setting for The Vast of Night takes place in a single night. It is 1958, and in the small town of Cayuga, New Mexico, Everett, a young disc jockey, is helping the local high school get ready for an important high school basketball game. Practically everybody in town will be at this event. And from there the plot slowly unfolds.

One well defined feature of this movie are the many scenes with incredibly well-positioned references to iconic films like Citizen Kane (1941), The Lady from Shanghai (1947)) and the popular TV series, The Twilight Zone (1959). And as these scenes unfold, you gradually begin to understand where this might all be heading. But there's absolutely no rush to arrive at the film's final act, which is quite stunning in itself.

The sheer artistic virtuosity of Vast of the Night is Oscar worthy in several categories. For example, there is a single shot of "Fay" (Sierra McCormick) at the switchboard which lasts an unbelievable nine minutes and forty seconds in one continuous take. There is another tracking shot through the entire town, which includes the main drag, turning a corner, speeding over and above some grassy areas, rushing past a power station, through a gym parking lot, then into the quite crowded gym itself, and finally out again. By comparison, the longest "continuous steady-cam" scene in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas (1990) lasted a mere 2 minutes and 30 seconds. And even that seemed like an eternity of time.

The film's tempo accelerates ever so subtly, ignited by an overall increasing sense that something is quite wrong. In one particularly foreshadowed event, where Mabel Blanche (Gail Cronauer) says, "I've seen good people go bad and smart people go mad," she isn't kidding. And this is what makes this little gem of a film so perfectly creepy, scary, and yet real enough that you begin to subconsciously find yourself wondering if you locked all your doors.

The heart of the film lies within the spirit of the incredibly talented team. Deftly Directed by Andrew Patterson (as James Montague) and courageously written by Craig W. Sanger, the film stars Oscar-deserving performances by Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz. This is some of the best acting this side of Mars. If The Vast of Night had been released as a high-end Spielberg production, more audiences would have seen these magnificent actors in full-throttled action.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, The Vast of Night is the type of artistry I wish more filmmakers would embrace. But alas, "big budget films" that don't have a tenth of the impact of this one are probably here to stay around a little longer.

No spoilers here as usual but I can reveal that the 1950's radio station call letters "WOTW" are an obvious homage to "War of the Worlds," the frightening "alien invasion" radio play by Orson Welles that scared the living daylights out of our nation on October 30, 1938. Moreover, the town's name, "Cayuga," is borrowed from Cayuga Productions, Rod Serling's production company that produced The Twilight Zone (1959).

Hustle (2022)

HOW COULD ANYONE NOT LOVE THIS FILM?

[10/10 · 18 September 2022]

No matter what people say about him, Adam Sandler consistently directs, produces, writes, and, mainly, acts in entertaining films. The fact that he is probably one of the kindest, nicest, and genuine people in the film industry is simply "sauce for the goose." He's a nice fellow! That in itself is absolutely phenomenal, considering the Hollywood movie industry has a dark reputation for being ruthless, duplicitous, obsequious, and sometimes, rather lecherous (as in, Harvey Weinstein).

Hustle touches on just about every NBA cliche (which fans will enjoy but newbies will miss). It's a genuine basketball-oriented film, but even if you are new to the sport, its sensitivity and charm easily makes up for any missing parts. And if you're already a fan, the number of NBA players and celebrities who appear as themselves or as characters is staggering. And let's not ignore the fact that Hustle's producer is Mr. LeBron James himself!

In addition to Sandler, the cast includes memorable performances by Queen Latifah, Ben Foster, Heidi Gardner, Anthony Edwards, and an all too brief cameo by Robert Duvall.

No spoilers here as usual (for me) but I will reveal Sandler is seen wearing a "Federal Donut" t-shirt, a real Philadelphia restaurant famous for their donuts and fried chicken.