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Reviews
Nightmare Man (2006)
Much better than I expected but not for everyone
I have been looking forward to Nightmare Man ever since June of 2006, when I had the opportunity to meet Tiffany Shepis at Flashback Weekend in Chicago. She was honestly excited about it, and I found her enthusiasm infectious enough to check out this movie as one of the 8 Films to Die For.
She was right. I really enjoyed this movie. That is not to say that it is, well, really good. At it's core, this film is your classic "boobs and blood" b-movie. You have to go in accepting this. The script is flimsy at times, the dialog is openly bad at times, the characters act accordingly most of the time (few moments you'll ask yourself "is that REALLY the most reasonable reaction" but those moments are uncommon) but overall...I really liked it. What really makes the movie work is Kanefsky's ability to put the viewer in the scene. I haven't seen many films that capture the surroundings better than this one does. The scene at the edge of the road is phenomenal. I can tell you where every tree is in relation to the car. I could feel how far it was from the trunk of the car to the trunk of the really big tree off the rear passenger window. And I knew there wasn't much room for Ellen to move if (when) she needed to. The suspense created is fantastic, and that alone carries this movie. I will be seeking out Kanefsky's other films for that alone.
The acting is much better than I expected, Blythe Metz is a bit inconsistent, but when she's on she's really good. Tiffany Shepis does a good job, but the writing for her character is...confusing at best. Her reactions are not what you might expect to the events that unfold around her. Of the women in the movie, Hanna Putnam puts in the best performance, I hope to see her get some roles with more exposure. The male actors are not as impressive as this is really a movie that highlights the women for more than the obvious reasons. James Ferris is the best of the male actors, but I did like Jack Sway as Ed and Luciano Szafir with the exception of his accent getting in the way a little.
Overall, I do recommend this movie for those that like low-budget horror. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I hope you do to.
Midnight Mass (2003)
Please read the novella, ignore the movie and the novel
Please be aware, my review is very biased, as I fell in love with the writing of F Paul Wilson many years ago. As far as I am concerned the novella "Midnight Mass" (available in many different collections) is one of the finest vampire stories ever written. I have read that Wilson was happy with this adaptation, and I can appreciate that, but I'm going to call this out as one of the worst, and I mean the very worst "films" I've ever seen. A story as good as "Midnight Mass" deserves a better effort than this one.
There are those who object to the "pro-christian" slant this movie takes. I have a difficult time understanding that. As an atheist who adores the mythology of the vampire, one cannot ignore the relationship between Christianity and the European vision of the vampire. I love it! I love the idea that something as simple and yet complicated as faith can be the greatest weapon against evil. Read the story and tell me that the sequence involving the transmogrification isn't amazing. To actually witness what amounts to a modern miracle is a fascinating concept. Tie that in to the concept that vampires have weaknesses against that which is Holy and you've got an amazing story. I strongly urge you to read the novella and the other works of Wilson, I'm a huge fan. Remember, if we buy enough of his books, Hollywood will finally commit to making a decent version of one of his works, right?
Angels in America (2003)
Unimpressed
This project is woefully dull, with wonderful performances, but nothing to keep your attention while viewing them! I almost fell asleep (seriously) twice during part 1! A cast this good deserves a better project than this to display their talents. I had heard only good things about this, and was sorely disappointed. You are better off renting Jeffrey and And the Band Played On and calling it a night.
I am still wondering what the Golden Globes and Emmy voters saw in this, I wanted to like to so much...
If you enjoy this, good for you. I just couldn't get into it. A good friend of mine saw the show on stage, perhaps it just doesn't translate well to film.
Gypsy 83 (2001)
Very good film
I have been looking forward to seeing this film for some time. I had read an interview with the director and couldn't help but be drawn to it. Before I begin, let me make the following statements:
1. I grew up in a small town in Indiana. 2. I have always enjoyed the music and culture of goth, but have never been a "part of the lifestyle" the way in which either Clive nor the mean NY goths were portrayed. I never immersed myself in it, never really wanted to. 3. I live in a major city now, one with an established goth underworld, one that I do take part in, from time to time. I still enjoy it to this day, though I am a bit long in the tooth for vinyl and leather.
Having made those disclaimers, I encourage anyone who takes a look at this in a video store but isn't sure that it is good, to pick it up, take it home, and get an excellent look at what it means to be young and outcast in a community that just doesn't understand you, nor cares to try. This film is a very strong and unforgiving look at the lives of two very realistic characters and their attempts to find somewhere they can be happy.
It is wonderfully acted by Sara Rue (whom I never saw as a dramatic actress or solid romantic lead until this film) with strong performances from John Doe and Kett Turton. Doe is an underrated actor and is perfectly used in this film. Turton's performance is either intentionally brilliant, or unconsciously precise. Clive IS acting when in his gear, an Turton brings forth an awkwardness in those scenes. When Clive's guard is down (the bathroom scene, and in the deleted scene "the accident") Turton is more comfortable in the role. I haven't seen the majority of his body of work, I will make a concerted effort now to do so.
There is a lot of commenting on Sara's appearance in this film. I must admit that I found her stunningly beautiful in this movie. I have always found her to be attractive and perhaps one reason is that she doesn't look like every other actress. But in this film it has more to do with Gypsy's attitude and style. I sincerely hope that we see Sara cast more as a main character and not just as a supporting role. She has the talent and skill to carry off most any role, and it is past time that members of the entertainment industry recognize that a woman with more than the optimum weight can still be quite appealing to the eye.
I don't know if the director, Mr Stepens, intends to continue making films, but I do hope he continues. I would like to see what other work might come from what I see to be a promising director. Likewise the other writer credited Mr Kaltenecker. This film works because of all the pieces, and writers never get the credit they deserve. Please bring us more, gentlemen. I will be looking for it, at least.
This type of film needs as much support as possible. It is not going to change the way LA or New York do business, but whoever said those are the only places for movies to come from.
Vampires vs. Zombies (2004)
Real bad. Real, real bad.
Okay, so about twice a month my good buddy Jon and I get together for movie nite. You must understand the following: We love bad movies. We have seen virtually every Full Moon film, and we make it a habit to see bad blockbusters as well. Every now and then we try to see something good, but usually we go with vile cheap crap.
Let me start this on a positive note. What I liked about this movie: Maritama Carlson has a good rack.
Oh. That's all I got.
This has been entered into an exclusive club, The Crappiest of the Crappy. There are three major problems with this video (it's really not a film), story, direction and acting. The story is incoherent and slow. The direction is weak, not hopeless, I think D'Amato shows that there is promise in there, just not in this movie. The acting is poor, not that I expected good acting, but one can always hope. Sometimes you get surprised by something. I was surprised at how bad this movie is. Please don't buy or rent this movie. Find a copy from a friend and offer that friend your support by removing this from their DVD collection. Watch it only on an empty stomach, and it might help if you are really drunk. Good luck.