Change Your Image
rock_bustin
Reviews
The Last Duel (2021)
The One Question Never Truly Answered
First off, this movie is VERY good! Ridley Scott as a Director is always worth the price of admission and I admit he's not getting any younger, so I would not let this chance to see Ridley, in theatres, and as director rather than producer slip away. The film is structured around the idea of 3 people, each giving us their version of what happened after a coercive and fairly brutal rape (as claimed). If this sounds like it steals a beat from "Rashomon," you're right. That's one reason I gave the movie a 8 instead of a 9. Nine would be for the superb photography, sets, costumes, and direction. Ridley portrays medieval combat not as chivalrous and rule-bound, but as shockingly brutal and bloody - and done mostly for the profit of a few. IOW, correctly. The volume is obviously cranked up in these scenes so you hear every smash and clang to leave your ears almost ringing. Again, correctly we assume.
But the real meat of the movie concerns the charges leveled by the Matt Damon's Sir Corrouges (sp?) against the charmingly vile Squire le Gris. We are given 3 versions: "The Story according to,..." first the knight, then the squire. The wife's version is given as "The Truth." Each version is graphically re-enacted. All the principles show great acting skills by how they must each alter their characters from version to version. Excellent work!
So, what is the question that is never really answered?
(SPOILERS!)
From the knight Matt Damon we see him portray himself as noble and devoted and consumed to achieve justice for his assaulted spouse in Mortal Combat. From squire le Gris we get what seems a pretty convincing tale of seduction and romance, not rape. But from the wife, we see the insidious, leering le Gris brutally assault her, only to have her husband distrust her story while complaining how this is such a blow *to himself*. In the end it comes to the duel with the rough and selfish knight savagely avenging himself upon le Gris - and all nice and legal. However, what is never answered in the film (at least plainly) is whether this was all a subtle play - by the wife. Say wha?
You see, at 1st she believes there's a duel; 1 wins, 1 loses, and that's that. She looks shocked when she first learns that the price of her husband's failure will not only be HIS death by duel, BUT also HER death by burning at the stake! "Why didn't you tell me of this before?!" she protests to her husband. Yet it was she who first broached the crime to her husband shortly after he returned from yet another war. Also not shown when the complaint was 1st made was that she was pregnant! Therefore, a real possibility for her behavior is this: Bring a charge of rape, real or otherwise, If her husband dies, she inherits and lives comfortably with her maternal "duties" complete in a life of ease. If her husband wins, she is avenged (if it was rape), her honor is upheld (if she was being randy) and the husband who has not been able to father a child after 5 years will have the heir he seeks. Get it? The movie ends without ever posing this question.
A very interesting character in the film is the Count Pierre, excellently played by Ben Affleck, He constantly eggs on the wanton behavior of the squire as his BFF for fun. He sorely regrets the duel must go on as law dictates and clearly wishes otherwise. But in the end, the count merely shrugs his shoulders, turns his back, and walks away from the squire's mangled corpse. He knows when he's been out-played.
Prospect (2018)
Excellent Sci-Fi Limited (only slightly) by a Limited Budget
Saw this on Netflix as a random choice and ended VERY impressed! In these days of Super-Hero movies & "It cost $200 million to make so it must be good" movies this movie was a very unexpected change. For me, a fundamental aspect that every true Sci-Fi movie must address is: painting a picture of a future world, a different world, but one that is as realistic-appearing as our own. This, "Prospect" does vary well with a skillful combination of subtle CGI (atmospheric effects) and clever set-dressing to transform a (presumed) actual living forest into a convincing alien one via using theatrical tradecraft. It works - very well. Kudos to the tech crew for this. Ms. Thatcher, the lead is no Bette Davis and that's a good thing. Understated is how her character should come across. She has to play a young woman trying to thread the needle of a dutiful daughter who is throw into peril by first her own father's greed, and then the mortal dangers that surround her. Her unwanted and scheming companion played by Pedro Pascal performs and evolves his character, making him a perfect foil for Ms. Thatcher's cautious yet brave walk through danger.
In some ways, the film reminds me of Ray Bradbury's, "Illustrated Man" - which also has a similar trek (though very different plot) thru dangerous wooded landscape in the episode, "The Long Rain," which was in the 1969 film version of the book with the late-great Rod Steiger starring.
Yeah, I wish they had more money as both the story and the cast deserved it. But the product is a fine one. Don't worry about the negative reviews, they wouldn't know Sci-Fi without light-sabers anyway. I highly recommend you give it a watch.
Year of the Dragon (1975)
"Some of my best work," Mr. Takei told me personally in 1985
As a teen I was, of course, a total fan of ST:TOS. "Mr. Sulu" was always my favorite character, next to Spock. When I heard that Frank Chin's "Year of the Dragon was going to be broadcast (on PBS, IIRC) I told my folks I had to see it. No surprise, I thought it was great. The production was very theatrical, by which I mean it was shot pretty much as a stage performance with mostly (or entirely) interior sets. No big budget here. It told the tale of a modern Chinese-American family living in Chinatown and struggling to deal with various social and family issues.
Takei played the "angry son" type of character and I believe Pat Suzuki played his sister. They were both great. I especially remember a really funny scene where the elderly, very traditional grandmother suddenly pulls out a joint and sits there smoking pot while George & Pat look on amazed. "Recreational Drug Use" was nothing new in old China! It was shown as meaning grandma's not all she seems and NOT as some comment on Western Imperialism or the Opium Wars, etc.
Years later, in July 1985, I was still a HUGE ST fan and of Sci-Fi in general. But in no way connected to the fan community that had been growing since the mid-70's. So I took a chance and went to my 1st ST Con held in the old Marriot down by National Airport that serves Wash., D.C. There were maybe 300-500 people there. Nothing like Cons are today. After, the main guest (Mr. Takei) had spoken he would sit behind a small table and greet, autograph, maybe field a question from each and EVERY fan in that long line. George was great! My turn came, and instead of asking ST-stuff like everybody else I told him how much I liked "Year of the Dragon." You should've seen his eyes light up! He made a few brief remarks back including, "Yes, that was some of the best work I have ever done!" And in fact, George probably had more lines in that one teleplay than he had in his entire ST oeuvre! So if you're a ST fan or a fan of Takei you really should make an effort to track this down. There's more of his acting here than the entire ST Series (sadly) and it is a fine play. Enjoy!
Lucy (2014)
A simple and joyous pleasure for the eyes and the mind. Just Enjoy!
No Spoilers -
This movie is really about Luc Besson bestowing a beautiful, stunning, and highly entertaining experience on us which also manages to be very thought provoking. If I had to compare with others by him I'd say it's sort of like Leon meets 5th Element. That means gorgeous eye-candy and stunning action-oriented performances. Yes, you ARE intelligent enough to disassemble its more out-there premises - but, why bother? Just enjoy the ride. You won't regret it.
And BTW, the track heard over the outro credits is NOT on the Eric Serra CD (since he didn't write it!). Also, missing is the Mozart Requiem and "Sister Rust" (for the same reason) that set the perfect background for vital scenes. But they can be had if you search diligently, FWIW. They too are well worth seeking out. Just remember: Caveat Emptor.
Joe Kidd (1972)
Endlessly mediocre yet watchable flick
I have the theory that every hospital, airline, hotel, or other "institution" that offers free cable/movies has this one on a perpetually showing schedule. I can't begin to think how many times I've seen it. But I must admit it has its merits of sorts.
Probably this mixed reaction that I (and many other reviewers) have for the movie is due to feeling that it **does** have merits but they just never amount to all that much. I suspect the strengths are due to two main things: The basic story by Elmore Leonard where some of his tough-guy language and character interactions managed to filter through into the final product and the cast, especially Eastwood and Duvall who act like the Pros they are in consistently professional performances. The supporting cast is also very good.
But the whole flow of the movie leaves much to be desired. It is more a series of vignettes designed to showcase the cast than really to advance a credible or intriguing plot. There are a number of snappy interactions among the principles and various supporting cast members that are quite good. Trouble is, they leave you feeling you just were set-up to see a whole scene unfold just to spring the "zinger" and then what? Move on to the next scenario I suppose.
Some other reviewer likened the flick to a TV movie and I'd agree. And no doubt, I'll be watching it again soon be it in this hotel room or that hospital bed or airline seat. It's that kind of a movie.
Ride the High Country (1962)
What it *IS* & What it is *NOT*
It is: A fine Peckinpah movie that showed he could handle important, subtle themes against a background of an often violent, indifferent world. In this case, two aging guys who are well past their prime and know it in a world that is passing them by ever more quickly.
It is *NOT*: Better than "Wild Bunch" - or even "The Getaway" for that matter.
Peckinpah was credited as Director of 15 films in his career. Despite the Horde of Peckinpah Worshippers who would tell you your life is without value unless you can appreciate them all, in reality only about half hold Autuer-level value of some sort. The fact that ANYBODY in 60's/70's Pre-Coppola Hollywood could've achieved this for even a single film is remarkable and is at the core of Peckinpah's Reputation. That being said, if you give him his due for the best films you must hold him accountable for all the others as well or else your critical standards come down to just personal preference rather than any critical standard.
The REAL one-two-three of Peckinpah's films are, "The Wild Bunch", "The Getaway", and "Ride the high Country". Feel free to substitute "High Country" with either "Straw Dogs"(great film but less a film to associate Peckinpah with) or "Cross of Iron"(if you feel it is under-rated, which it is).
The real reason for this review is to caution viewers who may be seeing "Ride the High Country" that although the reviews of it on IMDb.com are legion and loud in their praises of it the film will leave you a little less than awed if you've already seen "Wild Bunch". There is just something about these Late 50's/Early 60's Westerns that so often disappoints. At times they are feel-good Star Fests like "Rio Lobo" that may be classic but lack the edginess of more modern Westerns. Other times they try (and fail) to portray realistic violence, sexuality, or general grittiness that the censorship (or perhaps public consciousness?) just could not allow. For example, the "Rape" scenes are really just Mariette Hartly squealing and wriggling around. Only her stunned response to the "Honeymoon Nite" at a Whore House with her staggering numbly down the hall with one torn wedding gown sleeve plays convincingly. The gunfight at the end has been called arguably the greatest ever in reviews posted here. But believe me, there is plenty of room for argument - and from Peckinpah's own films too. "Wild Bunch" & "Getaway" being the obvious contenders.
Bottom line: If you like Peckinpah or just Westerns than you *should* see this movie. Just don't be lead by the Chorus of voices here that would have you believe it is Peckinpah's Greatest - it is not. But it is a fine film nevertheless and worthy of his canon and your time.
Lady from Chungking (1942)
Solid intro to the Realities of Anna May Wong's Films
"Lady from Chungking" was a Wartime propaganda-style Flag-Waver made on a shoestring budget that really shows. The only real reason for watching this film today is for its' star, Anna May Wong.
Ms. Wong's career was a study in contrast and conflict. The conflict was her battle for professional recognition and against prejudice. The contrast was that so often her genuine talent and truly great beauty and poise was put on display alongside actors who couldn't hold a candle to her and in films made as cheaply as possible.
"Lady from Chungking", although made relatively late in her career, is a typical example of all the above. Ms. Wong OWNS every scene she appears in - as was true of most her work. Her co-stars appear dull and forced beside her. The "Chinese" sets are nothing but trinkets and wall-hangings and cheap furniture - usually dimly lit in hopes we won't notice. The Japanese general's uniform looks like it came from leftovers of "The Emperor Jones". As is typical of these films, only REAL Asian actors sound legit(because they talk like the ordinary Americans they were), while all the Whites playing Asian roles sound incredibly Racist and Fake precisely because they are trying to sound Asian!!
Then just when you're ready to chuck the whole thing - along comes another scene with Anna May Wong. She was an excellent talent, a True Star, and a Fashion Icon in her day and it is obvious every time she is on camera. There are certainly better Anna May Wong films out there but if this one is available take the chance to see it. Ms. Wong is the "Pearl" in this oyster of a film and you will be rewarded if you take the time to find her in it.
Six Stars only as even Anna can't work miracles here.
The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu (2009)
Stop Crying HPL Fans, It's just a Spooy fun film -Six Stars
Honestly,
I split a gut several times laughing at this B-Movie style piece. Forget the Lovecraft Afficionados who would condemn this to the ash-heap of film history. It has several very funny scenes and lots of gag that spoof the very people who are writing those bad reviews.
Two geeky slackers who don't even know when a pretty girl(Sanjuta Day) is propositioning them are stuck in an endless number of work-days performing meaningless tasks in their cubicle-bounded world. All of a sudden one of them - a Last Lovecraft Descendant - gets called upon to somehow keep the nefarious Cult of Cthulu from reuniting the two halves of a lost relic that will allow Great Cthulu to rise again from his sunken city and take over the world.
The rest of the movie details their floundering attempts to do same whilst surviving all kinds of one-liners, spoofed characters, silly situations - and a fair amount of gore. Special FX are minimal and the movie pretty much goes downhill slowly in plot and sensibility as the movie proceeds.
Nonetheless, I repeatedly found myself laughing out loud at the silly gags and very funny characters they run in to. It has little to do with Lovecraft other than hijacking his name and some of his monsters but it is still worth a watch fer sure. There is some gore and there's a lot of language such as f-bombs too. There's also a lot of sly satire at the expense of the various characters - For example, a pitiful half-man/half-fish is kept alive by one of the Good Guys by sprinkling tropical fish food into his drooling mouth. You get the idea. Six stars for the laughs only but worth a watch.
-Rock_Bustin