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Reviews
Grimm (2003)
Not so Grimm
What a crazy flick. I certainly didn't have any idea how it was going to end which is of course a good thing, at least to me.
A bizarre film, bearing only a slight resemblance to the Hansel and Gretel tale, with plot holes big enough to drive a truck through, but entertaining, nonetheless. An adult brother and sister are left in the woods by their father, with a note from their mother instructing them to make their way to their uncle's house, in Spain. The rest of the film recounts their adventures. I liked it well enough to seek some other films by the same director, but felt this one shied away from some of the darker places this could have gone. Oh, and comedy? I did not see anything funny here.
They find themselves in one crazy situation after another. Its worth a watch if you like off-center, bizarre movies.
Monolith (2022)
Another Monolith in the Wall...
Monolith is the director's first film and comes out of the chute with a bang.
The protagonist is on the screen alone 100% of the time, good thing she has nice eyes because there are a lot of closeups (not that there is anything wrong with that!).
This is a minimalist sci-fi thriller which will leave you wondering the whole film how it is going to end.
Lily Sullivan plays an unnamed journalist trolling for stories to feature on her new podcast. With her reputation in tatters after a professional misstep, she spends her days sifting through dead ends while dodging angry emails and issuing public apologies. When an anonymous lead appears in her inbox, the Interviewer stumbles onto a perplexing story about black bricks covered with intricate symbols never before seen on Earth. Often appearing in connection with a traumatic event, these strange objects spark overwhelming anxiety and dread. Those who hold them report the feeling that someone is trying to send a message from an alternate reality. When the Interviewer's first episode goes viral, she finds herself pulled into a world of devastating secrets and dangerous sound. It's not until the mystery lands on her own doorstep that she begins to wonder if spreading this story will do more harm than good.
Very well acted with music that sets the spooky mood. Nicely done.
LaRoy, Texas (2023)
LaSuck, Texas
The film was good in a few spots, OK in a few spots but not good at all in a lot of spots. What ruined for me was the stupidity of the main character, Ray. No one in real life could be that lame. Pretty much every scene he was in was bad. I mean, who would stay with a wife who was openly screwing your own brother?!
I like Steve Zahn but I was hoping for more from his character. Ever since Saving Silverman I have been a fan, he's almost like a younger version of Woody Harrelson.
A lot of twists and turns, perhaps too many
I was expecting a whole lot more based on the 100% rating on rotten tomatoes.
Ned Rifle (2014)
Ned needs a Rifle
The third in a really interesting trilogy. 20 years after Henry Fool, Henry's child is now 18 and can be released from living undercover with a pastor and his family.
His mom is in prison, his dad is on the run and his uncle, the unexpected poet who made a lot of money after being a janitor, never leaves his apartment.
The quirky-yet-deadpan characters, and the storyline proves to be a clever follow-up to the connected films (Henry Fool and Faye Grim) while also working as a stand-alone. Also, it must be said that the addition of Aubrey Plaza was a bonus. If you like Aubrey, this is a must-see, she fit right in.
The ending was a little strange but if you are a fan of idiosyncratic indie films, see this film.
Fay Grim (2006)
Fay isn't Grim
Let me start out by saying this film was much better than expected.
Fay Grim is Hal Hartley's sequel to Henry Fool from 1997 and it continues the story of Fay Grim who is struggling as a single mother after her husband Henry had to flee the country. Her brother Simon is in prison for aiding Henry in his escape and Fay's son Ned is becoming more like his father which worries her. So Fay thinks she's finally finished with that point in her life then Jeff Goldblum shows up as a CIA agent and what a treat.
There are mysterious journals, national security threats, treason and comedy.
This movie is really funny and smart. But in the last half the movie kind of starts to embrace the spy genre and it kind of starts to get more serious. I still think this is a really smart deadpan comedy and must be seen as the second part of the trilogy so it makes sense.
Henry Fool (1997)
Henry's a Fool
I am not sure how I came across this gem of a film but I am glad I did.
Full disclosure, I just finished the third of the trilogy in two days,
What stood out next was the actors' abnormal acting, especially of Thomas Jay Ryan as Henry Fool, who is not handsome and his face fits his rather strange movements of his body and neck. Ryan is a joy and a mild frustration to watch. James Urbaniak as Simon Grim is the other major character, his demeanor is very detached, he always has the same expression on his face. It's quite funny at times, but Hartley and his actors never show the desire to get a laugh from the viewer. The very last shot of the film is my favorite; it's probably the one thing that I truly loved not that I didn't like rest of the movie.
The acting was top notch, humor as well, sometimes where not even expected. Without telling too much, "Henry Fool" is about how a janitor helps a garbage man become a writer, in a nutshell, and dealing with his family.
Henry has this strange magnetism. He just shows up and rents a room from Simon who lives with his sister and their mom.
Probably one of the best "Indies" I have seen. There is alot packed in this movie.
The Greasy Strangler (2016)
The Greasy movie
John Waters would have been proud (maybe). One of the weirdest/strangest movies I have seen. I watch alot of indies cuz you just never know, well, this one was a no-go for me.
I'm guessing the budget 10 maybe twelve dollars.
If I had to describe it, I'd say it's like Sanford & Son in a bizarro universe but instead of a junk yard business it's a bogus disco tour one instead. Oh, and the father is a serial killer. On top of that, there's multiple scenes of him naked.. ugh. The theme music sounds like something that would be more befitting of a psycho clown, and I don't mean the Pennywise version. More like the one that has to register on a certain list kind. Truly a strange movie that I won't be forgetting anytime soon.
The ending was, well, bizarre, not really and ending just a mish-mash of stuff.
I'm giving it two stars just for the effort.
Flytrap (2015)
Boretrap
Not sure what the budget was for this drek but was probably less than my mortgage payment. A black sci-fi comedy, maybe? An astronomy professor whose car inexplicably breaks down in the deep 'burbs on his way to his new job at UCLA but his cell also stops working. He knocks on the door of the only person who seems home in the area and is invited in for wine by the alien babe.
After some back and forth, the professor meets Mary Ann, Ginger and Gilligan (all aliens) get it?
They act like most aliens, stoic, stiff, and dead-eyed. They clearly have some sort of agenda. An alien with a Hawaiian shirt? Scary.
The professor and Mary Ann begin to bond, have sex and she gets pregnant ,overnight ,with a girl.
The professor "escapes" from the middle class home and sits out by the curb until his buddy picks him up after the professors phone starts working. The professor is explaining to his friend as they drive away what has happened but alas, we dont know because we cannot hear due to music being played.
Its 80 minutes I'll never get back but I give the director one star for effort.
El Topo (1970)
El Topo? More like El Nada
I have a rule that if I pay for the movie, I watch it. I thought I would take a chance, you never know, right?
I saw Spaghetti Western and that sold me.
If you liked those, and other westerns, don't expect this to be like them. It is nothing like them, it is just extremely weird & tasteless. That will probably appeal to some. I would say if you can imagine a western version of "A Clockwork Orange" but with lower quality and not made for English audiences - - - got that? Now, imagine if it were 20% as good as what you imagined, that is probably about right.
If you like naked boys on horseback, mutated dwarfs, and senseless violence with occasional Bible verse addresses posted on the scene, this might be the movie for you. Welcome to bizzaro world.
A Serious Man (2009)
A Serious(ly Unlucky) Man
I watched this film when it first came out (as every good Coen Bros fan should) and I remember it being strange and indeed it is. Strange and great in my opinion. So many subtle and specific nuances. Using lyrics from Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to Love" is really just a stroke of genius. You never knew when it was going to pop up, especially when one of the elderly rabbi's was quoting a few lines, very slowly.
Many, many Jewish references. As a goy I needed my Funk and Wagnalls handy.
Anything that could go wrong with the lead character did, up to the very last scene.
It had a very strange and abrupt ending, not that there's anything wrong with that!
There were many quotable lines, my favorite, "He didn't look busy!"
See it.
Donnie Darko (2001)
Donnie Bizarro
I saw this film many years ago, didn't remember much about it other than it was strange. This second viewing confirmed that but in a good way.
The acting is top notch and for a first time director, I was impressed. It was also surprising to see several well-known actors who would soon become household names.
What a creative mind one must have to come up with this story. The music fit in exceptionally well and there was no way I could predict how this would end.
I can see how this has become a cult classic and I would recommend everyone give it a view it is so different.
By the way, this is Seth Rogen's first flick and he plays a bully, which was weird.
Equinox (1970)
Late night stink-o-rama
I will give it rwo stars for the attempt and for just a $6500 budget. Horror movie? No!
It attempts to tell the story of four friends who are attacked by various demons and monsters after they are given a mysterious book (in a cave by a crazy old man) with mystical origins.
There is not a lot I can say that is positive unfortunately.
The claymation looks like it was done by a 10th grader, the dialogue and acting about the same.
It reminds me a little bit of Jason and the Argonauts but just a little. About the only claim to fame this flick has is the film debut of Frank Bonner, who's later go on to play Herb Tarlick on "WKRP in Cincinnati."
Road House (2024)
Road Hard (and put up wet)
The ONLY reason I watched this was due to Jake Gyllenhal. I really like the guy as an actor and he was definitely the star of this drek.
The dialogue and acting was wooden and you had to know how it was going to end after 10 minutes in.
Probably the most depressingly boring film I have seen in a while. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is due to the special effects in the action scenes, slow mo, 3d-like. It was a little different.
Another thing that was different,at least I havent noticed it before, the ending credits listed Covid Medics, Covid test schedulers, Covid coordinator and several more. There, 600.
The Gentlemen (2024)
Gentlemen Prefer .....Weed
Unlike a lot of people, I like Ritchie's style. Action, good music, good actors, what's not to like?
Basically, a Duke finds out his father, after his death, has been allowing weed to be grown on his 15000 acre estate and making a lot of money on the side.
The idea that Eddie (the Duke) wanted to get his family out of the game just wasn't believable, and you knew from the start he'd end up getting sucked into the life. Again, he's close to being a psychopath with his unflinching nature toward violence, and as his brother tells him later, he was born for this. On top of that, his mother already knows about the business and doesn't care, even helping with some of their problems. His brother actively wants to stay in. Eddie has no wife or children he's protecting. So what's the conflict here? Of course he's going to ultimately want to keep going, and it takes eight episodes to bring that to an end, so, a little drawn out.
Still, the show is a lot of fun. The way the show ends seems like it almost demands a second season, and given its performance so far, it feels like it is likely to get one. .
3 Body Problem (2024)
Better call Saul.......or not
I kept waiting and waiting and waiting, be patient they said,its worth it they said. Could very well be one of the worst series ever to grace my television. There was 15 minutes left and I had NO IDEA how it would end, none, zero.
For me, it was so convoluted, I just lost interest but had to keep watching to see how it was going to end.
Its beyond me how this series gets 8, 9 and 10 star reviews.
40 years ago a Chinese woman agrees to aid the aliens, in the present, she IS aiding the aliens but they will not be here for 400 years BUT, one of the aliens in the form of an attractive woman is communicating with the humans via televisons, anywhere, anytime.
The end of the series was NOT worth the wait, trust me.
I obviously did not get it, like so many reviewers did.
Kingdom: Ashin-jeon (2021)
Queen of the zombies
I didn't know what I was getting into when I chose this flick. Like so many before, the trailer looked good and sometimes you need to take a chance, you never know. This one was a hidden gem. I was unaware it was part of a series.
A revenge zombie movie? What a great idea! I am a big fan of Korean movies having been stationed there in the Army and really liked the culture. I've seen many good Korean movies and I'll add this to the list. I've seen one too many zombie movies but this was more a revenge flick than a zombie flick. Especially after what they did to her dad.
What a great idea though to have Ashin be patient and bide her time and turn one of her hated enemies into a zombie and of course all hell broke loose cuz you know what a zombie does, it's got to eat!
The last few minutes didn't sit with me well but other than that, great flick.
The Wicker Man (1973)
Dazed and confused
The Wicker Man could be one of the most over-rated movies ever. A policeman goes to a small island to investigate a letter sent to him by a girl who is missing for 8 months. I am obviously in the minority on this one and it baffles me. Christopher Lee, must be good right? Wrong.
The film is mostly fluff, singing about sex and harvest and other silly things. I understand these are clues but still.
Britt Ekland naked, singing to the policeman who is in the next room in the hotel, for him to come hither, beating on the wall.
The policeman made virtually no attempt to escape his fate except to keep shouting out he believes in Jesus.
And the final scene? Overrated.
Pass on this and watch Midsommar.
Spaceman (2024)
Ziggy Stardust and the Spider from Mars
I like Sandler, I've seen most, if not all, of his movies, including Punch, Drunk, Love so I know he can do drama. But for the most part, to me, he will always be Happy Gilmore.
I watched this one because I thought something would happen but, not much did. The visuals were pretty basic. Sandler is so quiet, he barely gives a performance at all.
Sandler plays Jakub, an astronaut sent on a solo mission to solve the mystery of a pink cloud hovering over the Earth. He has been gone around 6 months.
I spent much of the film wondering why this guy was sent on this possible Earth-saving mission. His main concern, rather than the mission, is what's going on back home with his wife (Carey Mulligan), who's expecting their child but is about to leave him. Mulligan mostly appears in flashbacks and visions. He just doesn't seem to have his mind on his job.
Just a few minutes into the film, a giant spider appears in the ship. How did he get in the ship? Is he real or a product of Jakub's mind?
Do we need to read the book now to understand a move?
He addresses Sandler as "Skinny Human." The alien functions as his therapist and somehow knows all about his past and even has videos!
Many people will love this movie, just not me.
Millennium (1989)
Oh Brother (Where art thou)
Give it a try they say, its great sci-fi they say. Its better than I thought they say. Oh Brother were they wrong.
So much has changed since 1989. In 1989 I guess this MAY have been consider great sci-fi but now? No. I may be jaded but this is drek.
Cheryl Ladd is an alien from 1000 years in the future. Kristoferson is an NTSB investigator who hasn't had a vacation in 6 years, a by the book, serious guy, who everyone looks up to and respects yet he spends ONE night with the alien LADD and he is willing to give everything up to be with her. Give me a break.
Nevermind the plot of the story, its stupid. I suggest you delete this from your queue immediately and watch Star Trek.
Out of Darkness (2022)
Something wicked this way comes
I liked the idea of a 40000 BC horror movie. The setting was nice landscape in the UK which could have been anywhere but just too many loose ends. Was it budget?
Just the writer? I don't know but how did they have these fires in the middle of a huge open area with no trees to be seen? Did they carry dried wood with them?
The "monster" was grabbing the people from around the fire at night and they would disappear in half a second.
One man's face was basically broken in half. The scream/yell that it made when attacking just had to be a Predator-like alien, right? No, it ended up being a guy from another tribe with a big mask on. Come on!
I'll give them three stars for effort.
The Burning Plain (2008)
Welcome to Happiness?
I thought this film would be interesting given the three actresses. One of J-Laws first along with Basinger and Theron, what could go wrong? Nothing really. This was my first exposure to Arriaga and I found it interesting especially when it all comes together.
Sylvia has a responsible job as a manager at a high end restaurant, very personable, unlike her personal life, sleeping with any man that asks, we wonder why. Her only hint of emotion is through self-inflicted mutilation of cutting.
Meanwhile, in the New Mexican desert, Robert and Gina seem to have it all. A happy home. A loving family. A good life. But do they? Gina is lifeless and emotionless. She is unhappy, insecure and afraid, merely going through the daily motions. But that was before meeting Nick who makes her feel alive.
These two worlds will merge with a twist you won't see coming.
It's worth a look just to see a young J-Law.
La planète sauvage (1973)
On second thought, let's not go to Camelot, it's a very silly place
I remember this movie title from long ago but never saw it. I appreciate the animation which certainly is very Monty Pythonesque.
It's an age-old story which has been told many times and many ways and this is certainly a unique take and before its time.
The Oms (the oppressive) are able to load two rocketships full of their "people" and escape from the Draags and are able to find out how they reproduce, basically. The Oms now dominate the Draags and the Draags now want to make peace.
I have been on a bit of an animation kick lately and watched two that are as groundbreaking as this, in my opinion. The House is very good and under-rated but the film to see is The Wolf House. The animation is incredible.
Llamageddon (2015)
I can't see clearly now
I am assuming the 8's, 9's and 10's are all the people involved in the movie and their friends and neighbors.
I really can't believe its on Prime so I will give them a two for that and for making the movie.
The effects aren't bad for a super small budget.
I guess Spielberg might have started like this.
Keep up the good work and maybe we will see you on the red carpet somewhere.
OK, so, are there any other movies you are going to make in the near future?
Try Swiss Army Man, its got to be better than the one with Daniel Radcliff.
Or maybe Lamb, with Noomi Rapace, you could do wonders with that one. Good luck!
You Won't Be Alone (2022)
Bewitched
As a Noomi Rapace fan I thought I was aware of all of her films but this one eluded me. I watched Lamb last week, too bad she wasn't in this one more but it is still a strange and interesting horror film.
A woman becomes a witch and the film follows her as she "occupies" different peoples bodies. The narration is her thoughts (she never speaks) of the world around her. She lived alone for her first 16 years or so and never learned to speak basically. Everything is foreign to her and as a result, her thoughts are child-like throughout the whole film.
The setting is beautiful, the way these people lived, tragic, but they knew no different.
Patience is required, its certainly not for everyone. I kept thinking, as the movie was nearing the end, how it was going to end. The ending was none of mine, but, that's OK.
Under the Silver Lake (2018)
In search of.....
What a relief to see a decent flick after watching some bad flicks lately. Andrew Garfield plays Sam to the hilt. I need to go back and check out some more of his movies. Anyway, he is great,as are all of the other actors as well, really.
Over the course of 4 nights, Sam meets a woman he was listing after, she vanishes, he searches for her going to a couple of really strange parties, gets drugged twice, wakes up in a graveyard, goes skinny dipping in a reservoir/lake with the daughter of the dead man, she gets shot while skinny dipping, meets a cult, gets drugged there and the list goes on and on. Crazy stuff but I loved it.
I kept wondering how it was going to end but it seemed to have the perfect ending.
Don't miss this one if you enjoy off-the-wall craziness!