Change Your Image
zorbathegeek
Reviews
Re-Animator (1985)
A great travesty of an even better story
If I had not read H.P.Lovecraft's story beforehand perhaps I would not have been disappointed with this film. I enjoyed the story and I did find it creepy. By now I should come to realize that good stories don't always translate into good movies especially in this case. If the producers of this film followed the story word for word as it was written originally,then this film would have been a real shocker and a real horror movie instead of a comedy. Unless of course this story was meant to be a travesty or parody of the original tale as written by Lovecraft. In that case then I have to rate it better as a satire. My advice for those who see this movie is not to read the story by H.P. Lovecraft before viewing it. That way you will save yourself some disappointment and you might even enjoy this well made travesty alot better.
The Magic Christian (1969)
funny but true comment on human nature in general
This film features Peter Sellers as an eccentric millionaire and Ringo Starr as a bum who becomes his adopted heir. Together as a team they go around on a mission to prove a point beyond dispute. That is that everyone has a price and will be willing to do almost anything for the right amount. This goes to show that in general we can easily discard our dignity and principles for the sake of that almighty dollar. It is an entertaining and comical film that contains some great music. For those who are fans of Peter Sellers this will not be a disappointment.
Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
good review of a good movie!
This somewhat comical movie is a combination of two other well known stories. "The Phantom Of The Opera" and the legend of Faust. It's a tragic story of a songwriter whose work is stolen by a music mogul whose name is Swan.This creepy character is played by Paul Williams who successfully does a good job portraying someone very Satanic. The songwriter in this movie seems more a typical geek or a nerd than anything else,but he sure knows how to seek revenge on the one who stole his music. The soundtrack from the film is fair with a few memorable songs and the film despite the story is more humorous than serious. It was more than likely meant to be a parody or satirical comment on the music business or entertainment industry. It makes you wonder how far some will go for a chance to be a star. If not a cult movie it should become one. Also this film seems to make a good and disturbing observation. In some circumstances it may be impossible to separate fantasy from reality. When one of the performers gets killed on stage the audience thinks it's part of the act and applauds enthusiastically. After all they think it's part of the show.
The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
entertaining review of an entertaining film
This is perhaps one of Vincent Price's best performances ever if not his best one. In this film he portrays a doctor who is driven over the edge into a state of madness by the death of his wife Vulnavia in an auto accident. Rather than doing the conventional thing by suing for malpractice he takes his revenge against the medical team that operated on his wife. He does so by killing them off one by one in the most creative and original ways ever devised by the foul human mind. Some of the methods he uses to eliminate them include using bats,locusts,and rats. There is a lot of humor or comedy in the film which makes it less of a grim or serious story but still entertaining regardless. For those who want a good fright this one will be disappointing but for those who want mayhem with humor this is definitely a good recommendation. The music in the film is haunting and the scenery or background in Dr.Phibes residence is excellent. Dr. Phibes assistant is pretty,doesn't speak at all and dresses gorgeously. That's all I can say for this character who shows little or no personality whatsoever. The investigator in this story is rather bland and unoriginal,along with the bungling police who are nothing more than that. The other characters in the film don't really stand out in any memorable way. Dr. Phibes however is an original and unforgettable character in every way and one can't help but feel pity for him despite his gruesome acts of vengeance.
Nobi (1959)
A good description of a good movie
This is probably one of the best examples of that film genre known as the anti-war movie. It is a story about a group a Japanese soldiers in the last days of the second world war,weakened,demoralized,and starving. The situation deteriorates even further when one of them resorts to cannibalism in an attempt to ward off hunger. As they shuffle their way through the jungle one notices their shabby appearance with their feet sticking out of their boots and a sense of resignation or futility about them. It has even an element of the absurd about it in one of the scenes when one of the soldiers pleads to a comrade to eat him. This portrayal of them appeals to one's sense of pity or sympathy regardless of what cause or nation they're fighting for. For their situation could be anyone's unfortunate fate if circumstances were unfavorable. If there is one thing this film can show or get across is that our sense of humanity or what makes us feel civilized, is but a thin veneer or facade that in the right or wrong situation can vanish. The stark truth as depicted in this movie is that we are only always a few steps away from returning to the jungle if given the chance. This reminds me of another movie"Lord Of The Flies" which was about a group of English schoolboys stranded on an island after a plane crash. After awhile they descend or regress into a bunch of jungle savages or barbarians losing whatever decorum or civilization they possessed.
Caligola (1979)
A good description of a great but horrible movie
This film was unfortunately ruined by excessive violence and sex,but apart from that it was in some ways a good film surprisingly. For one thing I found this an extremely realistic and historic portrayal of the mad emperor Caligula. According to what I have read about this emperor the film is an accurate biography,however like any typical hollywood production it has been overdone. This film with it's scenes of depravity and gore may be disturbing or upsetting to those with either sensitive natures or sensitive stomachs. It has an amazingly good cast with Malcom McDowall portraying Caligula,Peter O'Toole playing the part of Tiberius and John Geilgud as Nerva. The acting for the most part was excellent and Peter O'Toole did a splendid performance as the depraved emperor Tiberius. I seriously doubt that such creatures like Tiberius and Caligula could have been portrayed any better than this. Such foul human beings as they were could only be depicted in this seemingly realistic manner. If this film can teach or show any thing instructive it can only be this. That the exercise of absolute power is corrupting to those who wield it and absolutely degrading to those who live under it. As Lord Acton put it "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Altered States (1980)
Appealing to one's sense of imagination
This is a fantastic film to watch and a memorable one. The special effects are reasonable (not overdone) and the story an excellent one. This is the kind of film I would expect from someone like Ken Russell or even Stanley Kubrick. It's more of a cerebral film that appeals to the imagination. It's not a fast paced thriller like Jurassic Park or Terminator but at the same time it's far from being absolutely boring. For those who like movies that make you think or ponder this would be ideal to watch. For those who want fast paced action instead skip this one and try the other two sci-fi thrillers mentioned above.
Dreamscape (1984)
Interesting and exciting movie!
Philosophically or intellectually the idea of entering another's mind or dreams is farfetched but that however does not take away the fact that this film will capture your attention and make you forget everything else momentarily. It has enough suspense and action to keep you on the edge of your seat without overdoing the special effects that has unfortunately been the ruin of many a potentially great film. The character played by Dennis Quaid is indeed a memorable one and certainly not that of a typical psychic genius,but rather more like a third rate hustler going nowhere in his life. That's the impression I got from watching this film. Kate Capshaw is forgettable,she doesn't stand out in anyway and one seriously wonders how anyone could fall head over heels in regard to her. Unless of course someone was desperate. The background scenery in some of the dreamscenes were excellently surrealistic as one should expect in dreams. I appreciate also the fact that there was no real scenes of sleaze or sexual content which would make this ideal for family viewing.