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von37Kreuz
Reviews
Ali (2001)
Flabby pop promo with great performances.
Michael Mann apes Scorcesse using endless disconnected music to bail out his flabby movie. Will Smith works hard but never looks more than Will Smith an Ali wig, Jon Voight looks like a muppet in all his prosthetic makeup. Endless deep and meaningless profile shots of Smith jogging, walking, watching backed by full on DRAMATIC music. Agitating rather than stimulating. Like "Twister" boring and irritating. Smith and Voight's scenes work well due to the actors and the fight scenes are probably the best boxing scenes since The Set Up. But the film does not resonate. 5/10
Lust for a Vampire (1971)
Whatever 'Camp Classic' means this must be it.
I have only seen this film on TV panned and scanned, I look forward to it's region 2 release on DVD. The negatives first~no Cushing, Lee, Ripper or Morell but a silly 'character' performance from Ralph Bates, the leading ladies' makeup changes from shot to shot and the delirious and hilarious performance of the Grande Dame who runs the girls finishing school~simpering and eye popping at the same time. Editing by Saint Vitas. A closeup of Mike Raven replaced by a closeup of the great man Christopher Lee C.B.E. The 1970 hair and makeup and the script in which every line of dialogue begins with the other character's name, eg "Mircalla, I love you"..."No Richard"..."Yes Mircalla" that sort of twaddle. Now the positive~ the main role goes to unknown 'Jason King' look-a-like Michael Johnson and he is really rather good, and as naturalistic as can be expected. Despite the marshmallow soft porn of this late Hammer film it still has that lovely cosy Hammer gothic feel despite obvious painted backdrops for the castle. Mad camera shots framed by Barbara Jefford's bosom and good music. Good fun for late Hammer.