Change Your Image
Transom32
Reviews
Holy Motors (2012)
Absolute Pretentious French BS
This is without a doubt one of the most egregious examples of French BS I have ever seen.
A bunch of artsty fartsy peculiar scenes strung together by a end twist that would have been over the shark even for Twilight Zone or Outer Limits.
Only the French could have produced something so blazingly with out any redeeming value.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Hands down worst Aliens
Mr. Scott has made some wonderful movies, but this is not one of them.
It basically shifts from the shock and awe of the almost Lovecraftian alien threat to the too many times overdone episode of STTNG bad Data vs good Data. Been there, done that.
Once again, we have a team of so called professionals that throw caution to the wind, and act more like your typical slasher teens at camp acting foolish as each one is picked off.
But the most egregious fault is the tossing of the alien mystic aside in favor of the mad robot theme bluntly emphasized in the flicks ending.
Sorry but I like Mr. Fastbinder's work in general, but evil DATA is so shop worn and threadbare, even he can't do much with it.
More plot holes and inconsistencies in this one than ever.
Not worth any viewings. A waste of your time.
Maps to the Stars (2014)
Tries to Reprise Mullholland Dr, Fails
I loved Mulholland Dr. A four run homer in my book.
This film revisits Hollywood, but the characters are thinner, mere 2D representations or placeholders where shock value is substituted for cleverness and substance. The individual actors all give very good performances, but there really is no story here. It's a series of scenes concocted to visit typical Hollywood memes.
The washed up older actress, the swinging lifestyles of the young stars, the film-flam, the drugs and excess, yada yada yada. Some times you can write off this kind of disjointed quirky story telling to just Lynch being Lynch, and I have to admit sometimes in other films he can pull it off, but this time around it did not work for me and left me feeling like I could have better spent my time writing my own screenplay.
In general I like Mr. Lynch's productions, but this one, like Inland Empire falls flat.
Don't waste your time. Go back and re-watch Twin Peaks or Mulholland if you want to savor fine Lynch.
The X Files: Home (1996)
If I Had to Pick One!
If I had to pick one episode to show a group for a special occasion like Halloween or some other informal group movie party from this series, I would choose this one "Home." To balance out the extra creepy and horrific violence and monster-us characters, there is a big helping of Fox Mulder goofing off and spouting nerdy hipster one-liners.
Many film techniques of horror movies is used with great effect with a minimum of makeup, special effects, CGI, etc.
The actress who plays the mother of the clan succeeds in pulling off one of the scariest scenes in the entire series. Surprisingly, she is actually quite attractive in real life.
Spoiler: Queasy types may want to fast forward past the scene where the song "Wonderful, wonderful" is played for the first time.
Not for the weak of heart, but a masterpiece in writing and presentation.
Troy (2004)
See this for Brad and Eric Bana
Both Brad Pitt and Eric Bana turn in awesome performances that will stick with you long after you the rest of this tale fades away.
Brad pulls off Achilles perfectly. A human killing machine, trying to make the best of his lot and have what honor he can among fellow soldiers. His "is there anyone else' line is a classic movie moment that will be watched by movie fans for thousands of years to come.
Eric Bana's Hector plays to perfection a model husband and community leader who does his best to protect his family and his city/state. He pays a heavy price for the discretion of a younger brother.
I think the two characters could have been friends, they both believed in trusting comrades and friends, and standing by them. With Achilles played as such an unstoppable force, Eric's portrayal of a man who pretty much knew he was doomed to face Achilles and not come away with his life.
I really thought Brad deserved the accolades he got for this, but I think Eric should have gotten a best supporting actor out this great performance.
Across the Universe (2007)
Beatles Music Sung Again by Young Voices
I have always been a huge fan of the Beatles music, ever since I first heard them on English Pirate Radio while I was living in France as an Air Force Brat dependent. There was something so fresh and true to that sound. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" still brings a thrill to me.
I loved the artistry in which the all the musical productions of the Beatles tunes was carried off. The "I Want to Hold Your Hand" sequence especially caught that juvenile exuberance but in a sweeter more modest pace than the infectious but crammed to fit the radio cut length of the time.
They took some chances with some of the interpretations, but, nearly all were entertaining to watch, while the music was always superb.
The only caveat with this movie is it is almost 3 hours long. They choose to space out the tunes enough with story so as not be total onslaught of music. Set aside an afternoon or evening to savor this.
There are tons of little details in the background that are full of Beatles trivia. I usually don't buy movies to own, but this one is a keeper as it bears multiple viewings.
Watch for Joe Cocker and Selma Hayek in cameos.
Highly recommended. All you need is your own central nervous system to fully experience this beautiful trip.
The Blockhouse (1973)
One of the Most Overlooked Great Films
This is truly one of the most overlooked great films. Peter Sellers gives an outstanding performance of a person dealing with isolation, desperation, death, and lost loved ones. It moved me more than I have ever been moved by a single movie. The trapped men try to make the best of their enforced prison, but they also have to deal with the fact they may never get out.
I loved the way Seller's character towards the end of the film made the best use of the precious remaining lighting. Because they were in a underground bunker, there was no light except what they could burn, and they were eventually running out of things that would burn.
I saw this originally on local cable years ago, and have searched and searched to find a copy to buy or rent to no avail. If you ever have the chance to see this, do not pass it by.
Lexx: Eating Pattern (1997)
Not for the Dim
This is one of my all time favorite Lexx episodes. The plot and the underlying premises are somewhat difficult to follow in that you have to pay attention through the entire story to grasp exactly what is going on as it is never spelled out or spoon fed like so many shows do now for the current "30 second" generation that cannot grasp anything beyond 30 second marketing pitches. Ruter does a fantastic job here, coming close to a Jack Nicolson-esquire mix of the joker and 'here's johnny'.
The part where the people gambol on the spinning wheel is pretty funny as well. This gal is my favorite Xev. The other one is OK, but the first one should not have listened to her agent and stayed with this.
This is science fiction in the realm of William Burroughs and Philip Dick with a bit of Stanislav Lem thrown in. Enjoy.
Moon (2009)
How bad would it hurt to find you best memories are a lie?
I felt very sad for the main character(s) . It was heartbreaking to find that all of his memories were someone else s, and that he has been used as a disposable tool all of his short 3 year life.
I rate this as one of my top ten greatest science fiction movies. It is right up there with Blade Runner and Alien. I loved how the AI was developing feelings of loyalty and did what it could to protect it's charges.
Kevin Spacey does wonders with just his voice, as the voice of the AI. By his nuances, you could see the AI was doing what it could to befriend and support astronauts.
The sound track is fantastic! It in combination with Kevin Spacey, bring to mind American Beauty, another feature that haunts ones consciousness for ages after viewing.
A few small details I would have done differently, perhaps some subtle hints that he was not the first one there, like furniture being worn, or other small personal details left behind by his predecessors.
I really like the juxtaposition of the two slightly different twists on the same personality and how they reacted differently to the initial meeting stress.
Another small detail, but it is implied in several places that the 'astronauts' are wearing out near the end of their 3 year 'contracts', yet the two never discuss this angle.
Leaves a sequel wide open, how-ever, it would be a completely area to explore, like what do you do when you know you have 3 years to live?
The little voice over at the end, makes you wonder if the pro establishment talking heads are similar tools.
Saw III (2006)
Viral YouTube bits better than whole film
I was not a fan of this series, but was very intrigued by the viral un signed YOUTUBE teasers for this movie.
The move starts out very well and has many many bits of real creepyness, but after the first two grisly "tests" and the fantastic opener, it looses steam and slides into this phsyco episode of ER.
I get the feeling that artistically, they got those things right, ie the first 30 minutes, but either time and/or money ran out and things had to be rushed out. In fact I think you could edit this down to about 55 minutes and have a better movie.
It is a go see, but don't have too high expectations.
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Best Siege Flick there is!!!
The siege scen es are the definitive mid-evil fortress siege moments. The best depiction and use of trebuchets in movie history, simply stunning how these simple machine of war were so terrifyingly powerful.
I have only a few sticklers and these are spoilers so go no further if you don't' like spoilers. There are a number of lapses in continuity or perhaps just bad editing, but these are just quibbles.
During the siege, there are several shots of hundreds of defenders in the area behind the main wall armed with long pikes as used in 'Braveheart' against the calvary charge. They are in a defensive line position and it looks very formidable.
In the final release of the film these are shown in context of waiting in case the main gate is bashed in, however I believe they were shot and meant to be used for the scene when the weak wall is destroyed by the trebuchets, however when this scene comes we get a version where after the wall crumbles we get this rag tag scramble of a handful of defenders running up the wall of rubble to meet the enemy. The leader had studied his fortress in depth and would have been prepared for this weak point giving.
That point is the only disappointment in the whole battle as it devolves into an Mtv slow-moe scene of swinging swords in dense smoke or dust and then a morph to the after battle scene. The leader was so well prepared for every other part of the siege I think the shots of the line of pikes was supposed to be for the wall breach and he would have had his men hold back and forced the enemy to come into the courtyard to attack this lethal line while archers rained death down from the two high walkways on both sides. This would have been a meat grinder that would have easily chewed up half of the enemy army. My guess is that they ran out of budget and could not film those scenes or they just did not work so were left on the cutting room floor.
The other editing quibble has to do with the scene after the first day of the siege when the hero is in a storage room with large containers and using torches. They have a conversation, except there is no clue as to what this room is or why they are in it. I suspect it was either a supply of water or oil they had laid up in preparation. If it was oil, I doubt they would enter using the huge torches they had, so I think it was water, and they must have been talking strategy, that the enemy could only stay outside the city for so long, because his water supply is limited, and they have enough to last longer than the enemy.
Anyway, just quibbles, loved the film, one of the directors best. Don't miss it.
War of the Worlds (2005)
The Steve/Tom Mutual Jerk Off
First off kudos for the special effects, absolutely stunning visualization of the martian tripods and their menacing destructive power.
Here is a brief run down, first you get 15 minutes of the matinée idol in the most undemanding role, basically playing his real life character of a self centered jerk.
The sequence of when the tripods first appear is outstanding, bravo. but once it's over the movie descends into made for TV blandness you have seen a million times before. In fact the rest of the movie is pretty much a tease with an occasional flash of incredible special effect shots.
The story is pretty much a whoring rip off of the classic, but thats Steve's way of saying he thinks he's smarter than HG Wells and the millions who loved his story. The whole Tom Robbins part is dreary and unfocused, unlike the original.
Summary, if you are an HG Wells War of the Worlds fan, this is not the definitive movie of it, and we all must wait for another director to attempt it. Yes go see it, the 10 or so good minutes are quite remarkable, but the rest is dross.
Solaris (2002)
Wonderboy not so wonderful
Given the same budget and backing, I think any of 1000 kids over at Atom films could have done a better job with such a loaded property.
Solaris is one of the premiere SF masterpieces. It is ripe for many interpretations.
Sadly this plays just like you would expect grade C made for tv movie, except it has the added attraction of extended artistic shots of water falling, dripping etc. (where have we seen this before???)
So instead of presenting the view with mysteries to ponder, wonderboy grinds out a feel good the big lugs really got a heart for his gal smarmfest. Instead of expanding as the ongoing degradation of public morality allows any perversion on the screen, and showing how others on the station were less than wholesome with their visitors, that whole thing is swept aside to make this like a solved in one episode Captain Kirk love tryst.
The good news is that anything that brings Stanislav Lem's work to light is a step in the right direction, and perhaps, by at least spreading the word, someday a talented director will take on this tale and more sucessfully mine this motherload of divine mysteries.
The Thing (1982)
Horror Pic Must See
This is one of the best horror/scifi pics ever made.
One unique aspect is that the focus constantly shifts during the movie from character to character. Anyone and everyone is suspect. The special effects are very effective and do not appear dated. This one has it all, great action, spooky parts, horror, and great one liners (the one in the dog kennel is my fav).
Popular culture has so promoted the whiteness of winter as pure and good, Carpenter does a fantastic job of showing how the white and cold artic can be the perfect environment for horror.
So on top of first class action, horror, suspense and general spooky wierd mood, there is some pretty funky acting by all the cast. Where else can you see Wilford Brimly, the typecast milktoast, go completely berserk?
Solyaris (1972)
Not as good as the novel but close
Stanislov Lem's Solaris sci-fi novel is one of my favorites. It dwells on the gap between our material technological world and our spritual world.
If you have not read the novel, the film may seem to be overly long if you are expecting the usual blow things up in space opera.
I found the extended driving scene through the typical urban freeway hell to be a funny joke that suggests that a mundane auto commute is just as dangerous, toxic and tedious as very long space voyages.
The use of a life form that can read ones thoughts and feelings is not new. What the life form does with this is surprising and very loving. It can somehow materialize the physical objects of your deepest desires. Much like C. S. Lewis's "The Great Divorce" it shows how people can choose between Heaven and Hell at any time.
The space station set is convincing, but most of the special effects are pretty cheesy. Fortunately the focus of the movie is not on these but on the choices humans make. One has to listen closely to the dialog which tends to be terse and non-repetitive.
The beginning committee meeting came off better than the novel and fairly predictive of where earth's bottom line based society is now.
I am very surprised that Cameron, Speilberg, Lucas or some other sci-fi heavywieghts have not scooped up this story.