Video Nasty - Don't Ride On Late Night Trains

Don't Ride On Late Night Trains

AKA Night Train Murders.

(1975)

European Incorporation : Hallmark Releasing / Blue Underground / Shameless Entertainment

6.5 / 10

This is Italy's version of Wes Craven's The Last House On The Left, though I have to say I prefer this film.  For the main reason is there's no annoying music on this film.  Also, it's more throughout and deeper in psychological content.  The principles are the same, here you have two girls on their way out to the country for the Christmas holidays.  While on the train they meet the two thugs, who have previously mugged a street Santa.  Their attack is unbeknown to the girls so they are friendly with the two men.  Though as the train travels further they become more wary of the pair and the blonde woman the men have met.  When the train is stopped for a bomb search the girls hop off the train to board another.  It's not until they're on the move that the girls realise the trio had hopped trains too.  From here on in things get nasty, violent, and cruel.

It's these scenes that are the hardest to watch as they lead to the girl's deaths.  However, this isn't where the movie stops  It's the second half which treads on the unbelievable.  The evil trio is picked up by the girl's parents.  Who, when they realise what's happened, take their revenge.  It's the coincidence of the group meeting that stretches the boundaries of reality.

That said, that incident is the only issue I have with the film.

It's Macha Meril as the lady on the train that gives this film a nasty and depraved edge.  In the beginning, she appears to be a reserved nymphomaniac.  Though when they start to torture and rape the girls she's the one who's controlling the thugs, even though she's only known them for a matter of hours.  She is definitely twisted and coldly calculating.  She stole the show.

Even though you know what's going to happen and you probably know how the film will end, the director Aldo Lado does a fantastic job of weaving a subtle and disturbing story into a watchable film with believable characters.  It's nice that he doesn't go the exploitation route, especially in the torture sequences.  The reality of the scenes really strengthens the film.

I cannot say I really enjoyed this film as some of the scenes are disturbing, both visually and psychologically.  It is, however, truly watchable and does emote emotions.  It is a film that I may watch again... though not for some time.

Nergling - The Video Nasties Scare - Don't Ride On Late Night Trains

Video Nasty - Killer Nun

Killer Nun

(1979)

Cinesud : Impegno Cinematografico / Blue Underground / Shameless Screen Entertainment.

6.5 / 10

How could this film not be entertaining... Anita Ekberg plays a nun with a morphine addiction who likes to command her roommate Sister Mathieu and taunt her into a lesbian affair.  As the morphine builds in her body and takes her mind into madness she starts to bully the patients in the Hospital, where she works as the head nurse.  Then bodies start to pile up... and not from natural causes...

And moreover, the story comes from the Secret Files of the Vatican!

This is indeed an enjoyable mystery thriller, though you can easily figure out, or guess, the twist in the tale.  Ekberg as Sister Gertrude does a passable, not great, portrayal of a morphine addict, and the rest of the cast is above average.  It's the story, written by the director and Alberto Tarallo, along with the pace and style of the film, thanks to Director Giulio Berruti, which makes this so watchable.

There's so much happening and for most of the time, it verges on the ridiculous but somehow manages not to fall over that line.  It's this which makes the film work for me.  Not once did I even think about turning it off!  In truth, I was so entertained I was glued to the screen and didn't notice or think of the runtime.

This is a wonderful waste of time.  A true Schlock B-movie classic.  I would recommend the film to all, especially if you're feeling down or having a bad day.

Nergling - The Video Nasties Scare - The Killer Nun

Movie Review - Tenebre

Tenebre

(1982)

Sigma Cinematografica Roma : Arrow Films / Anchor Bay Entertainment

7.75 / 10

I can never resist an opportunity to watch a Dario Argento film so I was happy when I had the chance to view Tenebre once again; it's been too long.

Argento is not only a master of horror but a true master of death and murder, which he proves in this little mystery tale.

When American author Peter Neal (played by Anthony Franciosa) arrives in Rome on his book tour for his latest novel "Tenebre" he is shocked when people linked to his book begin to be murdered, and in some instances in the same manner as the book.

One of my favourite scenes in the movie is when the hotel owners daughter is dropped off after a night out and is then pursued by a very tenacious Doberman Pincher.  Argento does a brilliant job of building the tension and keeping it up through to her demise.  His use of lighting, colour, and music build a tautness that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seats.  It's nice that he tones down his visual style a little for this film otherwise it could have been too overpowering and distract from the story.

Argento's story is strong and filled with believable and relatable characters, which all the actors portray brilliantly adding to the strength of both the story and film.  It is also one of first of his stories that aren't ambiguous and confusing.

I would always recommend Dario Argento films as he has a style all of his own with a visual style which works perfectly with his movies.  This one, more so, as most lovers of mysteries and thrillers should find something to enjoy in it.

Video Nasty - Night Warning

Night Warning

(1982)

S2D Associates / Royal American Pictures : HBO Video / Thorn EMI Video

7.25 / 10

This is a truly bad film though it had a hypnotic effect on me...  I just couldn't stop watching.  This is an awesome film in its alarming subject matter.  As a youngster, Billy Lynch is left with his Aunty Cheryl as his parents take a trip into the city.  There's an accident and Billy's parents are killed so for the next fourteen years his Aunt takes care of him and brings him up.  Then one day his Aunt kills a handyman who she claims tried to rape her.  Billy affirms her story, though Detective Joe Carlson doesn't believe them.  It's in the course of his investigation that things begin to unravel for Billy and Aunt Cheryl.

There are plenty of twists and turns in the story which keeps the viewer entertained and interested.  Though it's the earnestness of the acting from Bo Svenson's portrayal of the over-the-top testosteroned bullish boor of a man in Detective Carlson that makes this unintentionally humorous and enthralling.  I have known people who are homophobic, to the point of brutishness, but this character could be the archetype.

Then there's the wonderful Susan Tyrell who's maniacal and lunatic portrayal of Aunty Cheryl is skin-crawlingly bizarre and creepy.

As the film progressed and grew more florid I was surprised to see Julia Duffy and, one of my favourite actors, Bill Paxton appear.  Julia Duffy does a good job as Billy's love interest Julia and is one of the main characters that aren't too unnatural.  One of the strongest and realistic characters in the movie is that of the homosexual Coach Tom Landers.  When viewed in respect to the homophobic actions of Carlson I thought we'd get to see more of Landers.  It is actually a shame that we don't

This film is bad enough, weird enough, crazy enough, and strangely entertaining enough to be a cult film.  If you have time to spare and like a film to fascinate and delight then this is one worth a watch.  I loved it...

Nergling - The Video Nasties Scare - The Evil Protoge

Movie Review - The Equalizer

The Equalizer

(2014)

Columbia Pictures / LStar Capital / Village Roadshow Pictures / Escape Artists : Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

7.75 / 10

This is not the Robert McCall I grew up watching and that isn't a bad thing.  I like the idea that writer Richard Wenk and director Antoine Fuqua reenvisioned the 1980's character for the modern era.  As always Denzel Washington is superb and brings a new dimension to the character of The Equalizer.

Robert McCall is a warehouse worker in a D I Y retail store who at work helps his fellow employees, though out of work he's a solitary character with a habitual routine that verges on obsessive compulsive disorder.  Each night he goes to the same diner and sits at the same table and orders a cup of water, into which he drops a teabag.  While there he reads a book, he's on number 97 of the top 100 books to read before you die.  He has a conversational relationship with one of the prostitutes that use the diner as a way station.  This relationship becomes stronger and when she comes in battered and bruised McCall takes it upon himself to help her out...

From here on in you begin to learn of McCall's secret past as the action and violence amps up.  McCall is a dark man who keeps his feelings in check though you never get to find out what makes him such a cold and logical executioner.  This may be because there are more works in the pipeline, I hope so as this was an enjoyable movie.

The only irksome element of the story and movie is the relationship between McCall and the prostitute Teri, played by Chloe Grace Moretz.  As I previously stated, their relationship takes on an extra vitality.  However, when she's hospitalised, he goes to the hospital though never makes contact and this is the last we see of her until the end; and this appears to have been an afterthought to give McCall a more humanistic presence.  I think if the characters had more scenes together throughout the movie this could have help to detract from McCall's cold robotic personality.  Maybe this wasn't the director's vision.

There's nothing in this film that hasn't been covered in other movies but that doesn't stop this from being an entertaining 132 minutes; It kept my attention so well that it really doesn't seem that long a film.

If you enjoyed the series, or like action films, or love Denzel Washington (or all three), then this film will be right up your street.

Video Nasty - Night School

Night School

(1981)

Lorimar Film Entertainment / Paramount Pictures / Resource Films : 20th Century Fox / Paramount Pictures / Warner Home Video

5.5 / 10

If you like slasher films then this one may take your fancy - it has an added bonus of having a decent mystery interwoven into it.

However, this movie suffers from what I call "The Fugitive" syndrome.  I was looking forward to the film due to loving the series, however, in the first section, they introduce a character at a party.  It's at this point I thought "He" did it... and he had.  It's best, in a mystery, to not flag the villain in such an obvious way and that's what happens here, though they do try to muddy the water to confuse the audience.

The other stumbling block is that there's no real tension.  The director, Ken Hughes, goes for the thrill route, which isn't a bad thing as it gives the audience the adrenalin rush, it could have been better had there been a build up to the rush.

This starts in the first sequence when a teacher's aid is tormented by a helmeted attacker.  This is done by having the aid spun around on a round-a-bout while her assailant brandishes a knife, making stabs each time she passes.

In the morning, the aid is found decapitated in the school playground and the police investigation gets underway.  There are plenty of suspects ranging from the lascivious male lecturer at the "women's only" night school, Vincent Millett (played by Drew Snyder) to the Dean of the school, Helene Griffin (played by Annette Miller), who is aware of Millett's extracurricular activities; however, she's more annoyed that he's getting more "bed" action than she is.

For the most part, the acting is of a high calibre, though it's Rachel Ward as Elenor who lets the film down.  This is the main drawback of the film.  Since she's one of the main characters her wooden acting, that makes her character two-dimensional and unbelievable, really hampers the flow and feel of the film.

If you didn't figure out The Fugitive then you might like this film as the mystery is pretty well handled and the twist at the end is a brilliantly thought out one, which follows matters mentioned in the film.  If the Ruth Avergon story were in book form I'd be hunting it down right now as the story is the thing which makes this film.

Nergling - The Video Nasties Scare - Night School

Video Nasty - The Toolbox Murders

The Toolbox Murders

(1978)

Cal-Am Productions / Tony DiDio Productions : Cal-Am Artists / Blue Underground

6.75 / 10

One Man...  One Toolbox...  A Ski Mask...  A Mission From God!!!

This is one hell of a slasher flick, well the first half is when our ski-masked killer dispatches four women in the space of two nights.  His weapon of choice is whatever he pulls from his toolbox.

Dennis Donnelly paces the killing spree nicely as the killer taunts his victims before he drills, hammers, screws, and nails them (yes, I got the blatant symbolism).  After dispatching three in one night, he has to call it off due to the arrival of the police.  It's his fourth kill which is strangely beautiful as it's kinda choreographed to the song on the radio, "Pretty Lady" (this scene is on YouTube - no surprise).  I also liked the fact that actress Marianne Walter does the whole scene naked... and not for the reasons you think.  Here's the thing.  She is attacked while bathing and as far as I know we bathe in the nude (I do).  I don't think the killer's going to wait until she wraps a towel around her, let alone apply the "Tit-tape" so it doesn't fall down.  The positive side is that Walter is gorgeous, though I would've loved the scene had any woman done it, as it shows the reality of the situation.  I think the only actress that would dare do this at the moment is Milla Jovovich.

Sadly, the movie then stalls a little as it changes from murder to a mystery as our bad guy kidnaps a girl, then it's about finding her as well as the toolbox man.  This falls to her brother, his friend, and the police.  Thanks to the actors and the director, you begin to suspect people.

Then in the last section, the movie moves up a gear, though it never quite gets to the same speed as the start.  Here you find out the identity of the killer and his reasons, though they're a tad unlikely.  There are two driving forces to the psycho killer and they should be in conflict with each other, this made his actions seem implausible. Once you think you've got a handle on it, the twist kicks in.

I loved the fact that hardly any of the women screamed, they pleaded, they ran, they fought back, and even tried to bargain for their lives, which is more realistic than screaming your lungs out.

Most of the actors, at best, were above average.  The best scene goes to Cameron Mitchell (he of Bonanza fame) and adds a depth to the story and the character of Vance Kingsley.  Also, Wesley Eure for his sometimes creepy portrayal of Kent.

This was a walk down memory lane, back to the 80's when boundaries and censorship were being pushed.  If you want to know what the fuss was all about then take a look at this film and some of your queries will be answered.

Nergling - The Video Nasties Scare - The Toolbox Murders

Video Nasty - Visiting Hours

Visiting Hours

(1982)

Canadian Film Development Corporation / Filmplan / Victor Solnicki Productions :  20th Century Fox / Anchor Bay Entertainment / Shout Factory

8 / 10

I was surprised as I sat viewing this film to realise I had seen it before...  Evidently, back in 1989, ITV had shown the uncut version of the movie.  I find it amazing that I could remember the film so clearly after twenty-eight years.

Though I remembered the movie it never lessened the enjoyment of watching it again.  Notwithstanding the passage of years, this film is still strong and relevant today.

Lee Grant plays Deborah Ballin a news reporter who is campaigning for better rights for abused women.  While on her television show, Colt Hawker, played menacingly and darkly by Michael Ironside, watches with growing disdain for in his world women should know their place.  He takes it upon himself to send Ballin a message by killing her.  He fails dismally, leaving her wounded.  Her death now becomes his mission.  He starts to stalk the hospital where she's receiving medical attention and the bodies start to stack up - and not due to natural causes.

What the director, Jean-Claude Lord (Second Chances - reviewed on this blog & Secrets of the Summer House - to be reviewed), gives the audience is an above par slasher film, with a nice psychological thriller twist.  It's superior to others in the genre as it gives a credible back story to the psychopathic killer, which in turn adds a chill because it shows he's not a monster, just a man.

Lord gives the audience a roller coaster ride as he speeds up the action and slows down for tension and suspense.  The use of a more natural light is a bonus for the viewers when most of these films hide everything in the darkness of shadows, Lord shows you the menace at all times.  This is a good thing as Ironside does a wonderful portrayal of Hawker, who is a chameleon... a man of many differing faces, though a madman under the skin.

I really liked the fact that Nurse Sheila Munroe, veritably portrayed by Linda Purl, doesn't let too much get to her.  As a nurse, she's used to seeing death and dead people, though not murder victims.  This is shown through her reactions, she doesn't scream uncontrollably, she is shocked but remains in control of herself.  She is a good strong female character.

It's Ballin that loves to scream and flail about and this is the only downside to the movie.  I know it's strange, I love slasher films but cannot abide screaming.  What I cannot abide is unnecessary screaming.  For the most part, when faced with something indescribably terrible most people will utter expletives rather than scream, come on directors lets keep it real.

If you like slasher psychopaths on a rampage then this is a movie for your delectation.

Nergling - The Video Nasties Scare - Visiting Hours

Video Nasty - The Witch Who Came From The Sea

The Witch Who Came From The Sea

(1976)

MCI / Matt Cimber Productions

7.75 / 10

After watching the film I can understand how it made the Video Nasty list; the director, Matt Cimber, chose to show Molly's sexual abuse at the hands of her father, who was mentally unstable.  Though most of these scenes are shot well and the abuse is suggested, sometimes very subtly.  It's the pivotal scene which is the most disturbing.  Robert Thom, the writer who also wrote Death Race 2000, added a nasty twist at this point.  It adds to the reason why Molly is so broken.  Cimber does tone it down a little but couldn't remove the scene entirely as, like I said, it's pivotal and adds to the story and character of Molly; it clarifies a lot of things for the audience.

That said, the film is felicitous and unfortunately still relevant today.  The film starts on the beach as Molly is babysitting her sister's children, Tad and Tripoli.  As she tells her nephews the stories of her seafaring father, their grandfather, she watches the men on the muscle beach, drinking in every inch of their bodies,   She drifts off into a daydream where they all die.

As the film progresses Molly keeps fading in and out of daydreams where the men in mind die, most in gruesome ways.  Then one morning she wakes up in her on-again-off-again lover's bed as he shakes her awake to tell her that two famous football players have been murdered.  One of her killer daydreams were of her sexual and murderous encounter.  This startles her but doesn't trouble her.

As the dreams keep coming, as do the deaths, the police start to close in on her just as she and her friends start to believe she's the killer.

Now, this is the strange thing for all but the last murder her dreams came before the murder, whereas the last killing is her dream - it occurs at the same time.  Apart from the last death you never see her commit them in her real life, just in her dreams.  This makes the film feel disjointed and I was left wondering if she really did carry them out or if some other force was at work.

Along with the memories of her abuse, which also appear in dreamlike sequences the entire film has an abstract impression.  This, in turn, gives the film more depth and power.  I'm not one for flashbacks and the like as they inevitably make a movie feel cluttered and sometimes incomprehensible.  So respect due to Cimber for making so many work comprehensibly to strengthen the story and film.

Millie Perkins, known for playing Anne Frank, does a splendid job of playing down her troubled past, though you can see the effects working free on her face.  You know she's troubled but not to what extent.

Lonny Chapman, who plays the bar-owner and on-again-off-again lover, is brilliant as the man who truly loves her and is worried for her but just cannot really help her.

There is so much in this film to like, I just wished that Cimber and Thom had gone for a more paranormal explanation for the murders since it appears impossible for her to have carried out a couple of them.  It may have made the film cleaner.  Even the poster, which when you first look at it emanates an exploitation vibe, is pretty true to the film and pulls images from a mermaid tattoo, Birth Of Venus by Botticelli, and her feelings towards men and her father.  The images are featured in the movie and once you see them the poster makes better sense.

Though I liked the film it did feel more like an art-house film than a thriller, though if you like revenge movies you may like this.  Just be warned, it may leave a nasty taste in your mouth, thanks to the aforementioned abuse scenes and the end sequence.

Not for everybody.

 Nergling - The Video Nasty Scare - The Witch Who Came From The Sea

Movie Review - Closed Circuit

Closed Circuit

(2013)

Focus Features / Working Title Films : Universal Home Entertainment

6.75 / 10

This movie tries to work on the audience's paranoia by showing them that the government, or a greater power, has control over everything and sees everything... you are nothing but a pawn in their game... should you try to challenge them then you are expendable.

It comes close to succeeding until you realise the amount of manpower surveillance on this scale would take.  It's just not feasible.  Though forget that and you have a pretty decent conspiracy theory movie about a bumbled MI5 operation and the lengths they will go to correct their error.

Eric Bana proves his acting talent once again by giving a good portrayal of a lawyer dropped into the mess.  Scared and worried about the outcome, not just for himself but ex-girlfriend and colleague, Claudia Simmons-Howe, and the child of the suspected terrorist whose lives are at risk.

Though Eric Bana gives a good performance as Martin Rose, along with Jim Broadbent as the Attorney General, it's Rebecca Hall as Claudia that lets the story down.  I'm not sure if it's her acting or the director's vision of this character.  I like the idea of Claudia not fully understanding the situation she's gotten into and later having to rely on Rose for help and to keep her alive as he is the savviest of the pair.  She comes across as too weak and I cannot believe she achieved the position she holds.

The story is a little convoluted at times with twists, hints, and allegations being brandished about.  The concept of Trust No One is very evident in this film and you have trouble figuring out who to believe and who not to.  This hinders the story somewhat because you know what the story is about right from the start it's just the journey to a satisfactory ending you're on and you better fasten that seatbelt... it sure is a bumpy ride.

This one is a must for the conspiracy theory nuts, of which I am one, though be warned it's not a smooth ride.

Movie Review - The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

The Hills Have Eyes

(1977)

Blood Relations Co. : Anchor Bay Entertainment / Vestron Video

6 / 10

In the 1950's science fiction used people's uncertainty and fear over nuclear power to bring them mutations that ran wild and wrought havoc on the populace.  In the 1970's writer and director, Wes Craven brought this vision to a new height when the radiation created a race of mutated humans.

Because of this mutation, they were shunned by their family and banished from their home to live in the nuclear wastelands of the Nevada desert.  This harsh life made them savages and when they couldn't barter for food and supplies they had to live off the land and eat what they caught, which sometimes included lost tourists.

Enter our lost tourists, the Carter family, who are looking for a silver mine that was owned by their family.  Not listening to the Gas Station owner to stay on the main road and forget about the mine, they proceed to take a dirt road, which doesn't lead them to the mine but to a fight for their lives.

This was Craven's third writer and director project and it shows,  When they did the remake in 2006, had they let Craven direct I think it would have been a much different film with a darker feel.

What we have here is a survival film.  On one side you have the mutants trying to survive by any means necessary.  In this instance by stealing from the tourists, even if it means killing them.  The tourists are trying to survive the desert and the attacks from the mutants until they escalate into carnage.  I've always seen the movie in this context, even back in my youth.

There's not much horror or tension in the film as it's played for the thriller element since the action comes thick and fast in the form of attack and counter attack.

I wasn't impressed with the acting of the cast and I'm still not.  There's nothing subtle about this film and that can especially be said for the over-acting cast, though some are worse than others.  All the characters seem to be over-the-top and unrealistic.  The only character I found I could just about believe in was Pluto, at least Michael Berryman tried to give him some depth.

This was certainly a film of its time which got everybody talking, though, as with The Exorcist, I couldn't understand what the fuss was about.  In my eye's there were better films in the same genre.

If you haven't seen the film then it's worth watching just to see what all the fuss was about and it does has cult status, as well as being a milestone in the industry.  Though one viewing should be enough.

Movie Review - The Cottage

The Cottage

(2008)

UK Film Council / Isle Of Man Film / Screen Yorkshire / Steel Mill Pictures : Pathe / Screen Gems / Sony Home Entertainment

6.5 / 10

When I watched this upon its original release, I hated it.  Literally, hated it.  Though that could have been because there were better films of the same ilk out at the time.  Now, however, with the influx of bad movies (and not in a good way) this looks as though it should win Oscars.

What you have is a kidnapping gone wrong, this is largely due to the ineptitude of the gang.  The only person who knows how to be rough and violent is David, who is nicely portrayed by Andy Serkis.  Unfortunately, he cannot get like minded people to help so he wrangles his brother Peter, over-acted by Reece Sheersmith (way too much Shouty-Shouty), and Andrew (who is a pathetic sop), played well by Steven O'Donnell.  They kidnap Andrew's step-sister Tracey, played woodenly by Jennifer Ellison, who likes to get violent and has a very blue vocabulary - you actually cheer when she gets taken out.

Things go wrong when the ransom money turns out to be tissues and Andrew is followed to the cottage by contract killers, hired by his dad.  Tracey gets free and takes Peter hostage after beating him to a pulp and stumble through the woods looking for a house with a phone.  This is where they come across a farm... with a cellar... a cellar that has strange noises coming from it...

The comedy comes from the script and the slapstick violence that is wrought upon Peter.  And I did find myself laughing out load.  There are also some nice tense moments when the people are walking through the woods.  And a creepy but funny scene at the local village telephone.

The story, though it differs from other psycho killer slasher movies by having a decent backstory, though overly long, is still directed in the run-of-the-mill fashion for this genre and offers nothing new, though it doesn't detract from the movie.

The main drawback is the characters of Tracey, Peter, and Andrew.  Which, after a short while, start to grind on every nerve I had.  Like I said, you're happy when the killer ends Tracey's constant vocal spew of swear words.  Peter is so high strung to be unbelievable, which is also Andrews problem, you cannot conceive of anybody being so useless.  You wonder how these two actually make it through their lives.

The other drawback is the gaping holes in the plot, which if you think about it are glaringly obvious and will annoy you...  so, leave your brain at the door and don't think - just enjoy!

That said it is funny enough and has enough action and story to make it interesting and keep your attention for at least one viewing.  Who knows, if I watch this again in another eight years time I may have to adjust my opinion of it once again.

Movie Review - Pet

Pet

(2016)

Magic Lantern / Revolver Picture Company : Orion Pictures / Samuel Goldwyn Films

9 / 10

Pet is a strong and disturbing psychological thriller that delves into the depths of the abnormalities to which the human psyche can sink.

Once upon a time Seth (Dominic Monaghan) and Holly (Ksenia Solo) used to attend the same school.  Poor Seth had a crush on Holly but was too scared to act upon his feelings.  Showing that the world is indeed a small place, years later Seth spots Holly on the bus as he's travelling to work and goes over to say hello.  Unfortunately, Holly doesn't remember Seth and treats him as though he were a leper.

Undaunted by this Seth takes it upon himself to install himself into her life and so starts to stalk her on the internet, making notes of all her likes and dislikes, especially the music she listens too and the places she hangs out...

The film has so many depths of feeling from obsession to affection to corruption to love to depravity that, once the twists start coming, it's hard to stop watching.

The writer, Jeremy Slater, has done a glorious job of making an unbelievable synopsis into a thoroughly believable story.  With the brilliant direction of Carles Torrens, this is brought realistically to the screen.

The two actors in the main roles are the ones responsible for holding the script and film together as they, and the characters they create, work really well together and are more than credible as two broken people finding a dark and twisted love.

This movie is now one of my favourite thrillers and I would recommend it to all lovers of the twisted mind and twisted plots.  It may be awhile before I watch this one again as it has made an impression on me, which is the aim of this type of film, but I will watch this film again.

Respect due to all who participated in this film.

This is a brilliant trailer as is doesn't give away any of the twists.

If you like the trailer then try the film.

Movie Review - Arbitrage

Arbitrage

(2012)

Lionsgate / Green Room Films / Treehouse Pictures : Lionsgate Home Entertainment / Parley Films

8 / 10

When this came on the telly the description wasn't a pull and the IMDb description isn't any better... and we all know that what you see in the trailer could be the best the movie has to offer.  What pulled me into watching the film was Tim Roth, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon.

I am so glad I chose to watch the movie.

The start of the film is slow and too business orientated, I can understand why the director, Nicholas Jarecki, who also wrote the story, chose to show you this side as one of the main issues is the future of the company Robert Miller has built up from nothing.  I think it could have been trimmed a little as it could cause the viewer to become unconcerned and turn off.  This would be a mistake.

The main section of the film is concerned with Robert Miller's actions and reactions to a car accident he and his mistress are involved in and the ensuing police investigation.  What lengths will he go to come out of the mess he's created, help his family survive his mistake, and keep a friend out of jail?

Jarecki does a brilliant job of keeping a nice pace going, once the action starts and getting good performances from his cast.  There are some nicely shot scenes; I really liked the car accident.  Story-wise, he is good at keeping the viewer attention and drawing them into the tale, which is strong and full of twists and turns.  However, I think we should have seen more of Ellen Miller, Robert's wife, as the issues in the film would have encompassed her more personally than we got to see.

The actors do a wonderful job at portraying their characters.

If you like crime drama's with action, suspense, twists and turns, a decent story, good direction and excellent acting then this film is for you... just stay with it through the boring start.

Movie Review - No Good Deed

No Good Deed

(2002)

ApolloMedia Distribution / Kismet Entertainment Group / Remstar Films / Seven Arts Pictures : Columbia TriStar Home Video / Momentum Pictures

4.25 / 10

This film is based on a Dashiell Hammett short story "The House On Turk Street".  I've not had the pleasure of reading the Hammett story so I cannot make any comment on the adaptation into film.  Though the story, particularly the "Bank Heist" is so convoluted I cannot believe the film is more than loosely based on the story.

What the screenplay writers, Christoper Canaan and Steve Barancik, give us is a tangled and twisted plot that verges on laughable.  There's too much going on and too much characterisation.  I usually moan of not enough characterisation in a film but here, most of the cast has a distinctive character to portray.

You have Samuel L Jackson portraying policeman Jack Friar who plays the cello to relax.  Though he has a vacation planned at a cello camp, he stays to help his neighbour whose daughter has gone missing.  During his investigation, he is knocked unconscious only to awaken in a house tied to a chair.  Jackson gives a decent performance of a man in trouble, he's scared as well as curious, trying to figure out what is happening.

Milla Jovovich is the proverbial gangster's moll, Erin, who is used to being used and abused by the gangs boss, Tyrone.  She does a great job of putting over her nervousness when she's around Tyrone, as he's a calculating and manipulative psychopath, and a more sisterly act when she has to calm down Hoop the hothead loose cannon.

Stellan Skarsgard is the head of the gang, Tyrone, and he gives a cool and calm performance, though you know there's a dangerous man under the suit.

Hoop is maniacally played by Doug Hutchinson.  Hoop wants to act NOW and hates to be still and is easy to anger.

Joss Ackland and Grace Zabriskie play the married couple, Mr and Mrs Quarre, who have been brought in as the getaway pilots.  They do a brilliant job of making the marriage believable.  Ackland does a great Grumpy Old Man and Zabriskie portrays a mother-like quality in concern to the gang.

With these six characters in close proximity for most of the film, their actions and counteractions are just too much for the runtime, 1 hour 43 minutes, of the movie, to the point where it appears messy and rushed; even more so, when more twists to the tale start to be revealed.

On the whole, director Bob Rafelson does a decent job, there are quite a few nice shots, I particularly like the scene where Jack and Erin play the piano and the cello.  I think if the film was about a half hour longer it might have given the film a better pacing to cope with everything.

This is one of those movies I would recommend to people who like the genre.  So if you want to see a Dashiell Hammett story in film; if you like bank heist movies; or anybody in the cast; then this film is worth at least one viewing... if you have nothing else to watch.

Movie Review - Girls Against Boys

Girls Against Boys

(2012)

Floren Shieh Productions : Anchor Bay Films / Anchor Bay Entertainment

6.75 / 10

This little independent movie has a lot going for it.  A believable story line with realistic characters and situations, a strong and truthful story that is directed with care.

Danielle Panabaker does a spectacular job of creating a very believable victim of rape, Shae, who, with her new friend and work colleague Lulu, subtly portrayed by Nicole LaLiberte, take fatal action on her attackers.

Yes, this has been done numerous times, the last big budget version being The Brave One, starring Jodie Foster.  Though what this story gives you is the more nitty-gritty feel of real life.  Shae is an ordinary woman trying to make her way through life, she attends college and works a bar part-time.  There's a wonderful scene where she asks a colleague to take over for her and she walks away to catch five minutes as she's having a bad day.  Panabaker's walk behind the bar and in front of the bar speaks volumes of Shae's tiredness, dejectedness, and all over weariness of her life at this point.  Nicely acted and well directed.

While in the stairway she meets Lulu and they strike up a conversation.  When Lulu hears about Shae's day she decides to take her to a nightclub to take her mind off things.  At the end of the night, they go back to an apartment shared by a couple of men they met at the club.  Shae, worn out, chooses to go home.  Tyler, who paired off with Shea offers to be a gentleman and escort her home.  However, he doesn't take being rejected at the door to her apartment building and resolves to get what he think he deserves.

What I like about this film is the lack of graphic violence, most of the time the director Austin Chick, who also wrote the story, chooses to cut away.  This allows the viewer imagination to take over because we're not stupid we know what's going on, there's no need to depict it.

From here on Lulu takes over and becomes the dominant character in the newly formed duo.  She takes Shae to the police to report the crime, though they find them indifferent and unconcerned about the crime or the victim.  It's Lulu who decides on the course of action to take and she's the one to start the ball rolling.  Shae, still traumatised by the incident wonders around in a fugue most of the time.  It's Shae's state of shock which makes this a more plausible tale of revenge.

The resulting conclusion is pretty inevitable.

This is a slow, well thought out psychological thriller, which gives a breath of fresh air to a much-used storyline.

This isn't a pleasant film to watch.  You don't really root for the victim to have her revenge, as the story isn't just about Shae's rape and her resolution, but of her relationship with Lulu, who is broken in her own way.  This is a film that is made to make you think.

Well worth a watch once, though I don't think I'll ever go back to it, as it will stay with me for quite a while.

Movie Review - Fear Inc.

Fear Inc.

(2016)

Lone Suspect / Amasia Entertainment / Title Media : Eagle Entertainment / Electric Entertainment / FilmBuff

2 / 10

Not all independent films are good or worthy of cult status.  This movie falls solidly into that category.  It tries so hard, too hard, to be worthy of cult status, it's so evident it's trying; though, it just turns out to be very trying.

What you have is a sound premise a horror fan who has become desensitised to horror.  He's such a fan he takes his girlfriend to haunted houses on Date Night and predicts when and where the scares are going to come while laughing continuously.  The character is very annoying and rather humourless, if he was to resemble snot-girl from The Blair Witch Project then Lucas Neff does a fantastic job of creating a lead character you're just praying and hoping to be killed.  If not, then his acting skills are lacking or the Director, Vincent Mascaile, had a warped vision for this movie.

So the writer Luke Barnett adds the element of Fear Inc. a company who, when hired, come to scare the proverbial crap out of you.  This now lands in the "The Game"'s field of expertise, which actually gets a mention in the movie.  If you're going to carry out a movie in the same magnitude of that film it should be just as good and as convoluted, however, it isn't

There are a lot of missed opportunities in this movie, which could have elevated it to at least watchable, if not enjoyable, and possibly to cult status, though a lot of work needed to be done to get to that destination.

Once you realise what Fear Inc. do, which is given away at the start and in a monologue before the scares even begin then the surprise and possibility of the situations being real plummet into the farcical.  You can see the twists coming as the director and writer call their punches before they throw them.  The film would have been stronger had the viewer not known Fear Inc.'s agenda.  This would have led them to continually wonder if our hero's the victims were in any danger.  It's pretty much impossible to create tension when you know nothing is at stake as it's all playacting.

Apart from Lucas Neff's character, all the other cast have believable and relatable characters, with the exception of Caitlin Stacey, who portrays Joe's girlfriend, Lindsey.  Even though Stacey is one of the strongest actors in the line-up, I couldn't help but wonder why this strong woman was still attached to the waste-of-space Joe.  There was no chemistry between them and this causes an imbalance in the plausibility of the movie; even more so when you learn it's her and his friends who have hired Fear Inc.

This movie is labelled as a Horror - it's not - a Comedy - it's not - a Thriller - it's not that thrilling, but this is as close to a decent description as any.

Should you watch this movie?  No go and watch The Game, The Scream box set, The Saw box set, Deliverance, and Southern Comfort, which seems to be the movies this is roughly based on.  All of which are better than this film... even the SAW series from III upwards.

Movie Review - No One Lives

No One Lives

(2012)

W.W.E. Studios / Pathe : Pathe / Anchor Bay Entertainment / 20th Century Fox

7.5 / 10

 

A nice "Leave your brain at the door" psychological action thriller.  However, if you think too much about it, you'll see the many flaws.

This is a story we've seen before, a man loses his girl to a gang of criminal thugs and takes it upon himself to wreak vengeance on the gang, in the most graphically violent way possible.  In view of this, the film is still fresh, this due to the twist in the story... and it's a good one,  though I had figured it out by the second scene.

Ryuhei Kitamura does an excellent job of creating tension and suspense at the right times as well as keeping the story tight and moving at a rapid pace.

All the actors give good performances, especially Luke Evans as The Driver, Adelaide Clemens as Emma Ward, and Lee Tergeson gives his usual "Bad Boy" as Hoag.

It's also nice to NOT see a wrestler anywhere in sight saying WWE had a hand in production.

Unfortunately, not to give spoilers I cannot say much more, though I would recommend this to all revenge lovers, out there, to watch at least once... 

... but don't think too much about it - just enjoy.

BEWARE - The Trailer Below Contains Sence That Reveals The Twist In The Story.

Watch At Your Own Risk.

Movie Review - The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

2014

The Cast

I must be having a Reboot Session, what with watching this title as well as the 2010 version of A Nightmare On Elm Street and the 2013 The Lone Ranger.

This was another of my favourite television programs of my childhood with the suave spy Napoleon Solo (I mean what a great name - and a spy to boot) and Illya Kuryakin (try saying that when you're only six - English was hard enough...)

So I put off watching this film as I hated Guy Ritchie's take on Sherlock Holmes... and I'm not a great Mark Strong fan.  Well, I couldn't believe my luck, a Guy Ritchie film minus Mark Strong...

... and ...

A brilliant adaptation of the original series.  Right from the beginning, I was hooked.  Guy Ritchie does a brilliant job of recreating the sixties... the cars... the buildings... the clothes... the feel... It is awesome to behold.  And the fact that, on the whole, the special effects are real, only using CGI to mask wires, cranes, etc, is superb and makes the movie more believable, sometimes CGI can distance an audience if not used correctly.

The opening sequence, a car chase between a Trabant and a Wartburg is one of the best I've had the privilege to watch.  Truthfully, all the action sequences are marvellous and great to watch.

The directors of "Man of Steel - Batman vs Superman" and "The Lone Ranger" should take note that their leading men were exceedingly better in this movie than theirs.  In fact, Henry Cavill gives a performance as Napoleon Solo, that would also have made a great Superman, not the womanising and arrogant parts of his character, but the surety of the character and his vocals.  Armie Hammer is a brilliant Illya Kuryakin, who, in this movie, is more of a powerhouse and doggedly determined.  This difference from the original's character makes for a better dynamic between the two spies and a stronger film.

I also liked the idea that this is the story of the creation of U.N.C.L.E. (United Network Command for Law and Enforcement), and that we get to see a little bit of Waverly's background, again this makes for a stronger film, as well as stronger sequels.

This movie is all about style, right from the beautiful opening credits to the closing credits, and the soundtrack is no different.  It works so perfectly with the feel of the movie, adding to the action sequences, the romance, and even the comedy.

The only reason this didn't rate a 10 was the bloody annoying subtitle's - Guy, you chose the wrong font.

If you like stylised spy thrillers with great story telling, action sequences, and brilliant acting, that leave you feeling happy and invigorated then this is a "buy me" film.  Had I known it was so good I would've purchased at full price and not waited for the price drop.  Everybody deserves their money for this endeavour.

I give this Retro Remake a Spytastic 9 out of 10.

The Trailer