klimari Reviews

Absentia (I) (2011)

Do Not be absent for this great horror flick: ABSENTIA

[8/10 · 12 August 2011]

Last night, with not much fare on cable, I decided to watch Absentia. A recent horror film by Mike Flanagan.

First off let me start by saying that horror is my favorite genre. Not your "slasher" flicks though… but well crafted Gothic horror like Robert Wise's original THE HAUNTING.

Creepy atmospheric films that get you thinking and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

You can read the synopsis here on IMDb, so I won't go into that. As far as reviews go, Variety couldn't have said it any better! (http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117945387/)

The low budget only proves that a cool story, some nice direction, well paced editing and a more than capable cast don't need to come from a big Hollywood studio… and they rarely do these days!

At times the scares are so subtle (ala the cult classic B film, "Let's Scare Jessica to Death") you won't believe your own eyes. Is Daniel really there or a figment of his wife's (played brilliantly I might add by Courtney Bell) imagination?.

The real standout here though is Mike Flanagan, the writer/director.

I await his next project with great anticipation! 8 out of 10 stars!

PS-Notice some of the character references to some horror director icons. Carpenter, Del Toro, Romero... :)

Happy Birthday Elton! From Madison Square Garden, New York (2007 TV Special)

ELTONS BIRTHDAY SPECIAL: Hacked to pieces like a birthday cake...

[5/10 · 7 May 2007]

First off, I have been a fan of Eltons for ages. I attended this concert at Madison Square Garden, and was thrilled that it was to be taped for TV. What I attended: one of the best concert experiences ever, what was shown on TV: a hacked up, event, with what had to be one of the worst sound mixes EVER! The editor's (four of the absolute worst) tried to make us believe that Elton's celebration party, the night before at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the actual birthday concert took place on the same day. Comeon guys! The song selections were noticeably out of order, and the inter-cut celebrity well wishing/comments were annoying as well as distracting.

For the sound, It was so poorly mixed that sometimes you could barely hear Sir Elton's voice over the piano. (Thank you Susan Pelino.) Was I glad this was broadcast on TV? Of course, but I wish they had used some equally matched talent to EJ in putting the package together.