Tuesday, 25 April 2017

Dementia 13 (1963)



Members of an Irish family are being killed off by one of their own who wishes to inherit the family fortune.

Francis Ford Coppola's mainstream debut is a superior horror B picture and, despite the obvious genre restrictions, shows some artistic aspirations, especially concerning the b/w expressionistic photography and plot development. 

Halliwell*: "Nastily effective macabre piece with interesting credits."

Maltin**: "Gory horror film...filmed for about 29¢ for Roger Corman; may be worth a look for curiosity's sake."


Sunday, 23 April 2017

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Agora (2009)



In Roman Egypt, a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hope of pursuing freedom falls in love with his mistress, the famous philosophy and mathematics professor Hypatia of Alexandria.

Despite of all well intentions in production and performance the highly rousing biography of the historic Hypatia is buttered down to a sword and sandal spectacle.

Maltin**: "Potentially interesting tale of science and humanism in conflict with religious intolerance (with obvious to the present day) is too simplistic and melodramatic to make an impression."

Saturday, 22 April 2017

Claudine Auger

Roxy the Movie (2015)



A concert movie showing a performance by the much-loved 1973 incarnation of the Mothers of Invention.

Straightforward concert film offers a great occasion to see Zappa and his top-notch band on stage; the complex music and the virtuoso performance are a treat, not just for die-hard fans.


The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)


Sabrina (1954)



A playboy becomes interested in the daughter of his family's chauffeur, but it's his more serious brother who would be the better man for her.

Billy Wilder delivers with his usual expertise, humor and pacing in this entertaining comedy romance, and Audrey Hepburn is perfect in the title role, but the casting of the two much older male leads makes it all seem quite implausible.

Halliwell*: "Superior comedy, rather uneasily cast."

Maltin***1/2: "...good vehicle for Hepburn...Offbeat casting works in this fun film."


Friday, 21 April 2017

Megan Fox

Bear Island (1979)



On the remote Norwegian Bear Island, used as a submarine base by the Germans during WW2, an U.N. scientist sends a distress signal using an emergency NATO frequency and is received by scientific vessel Morning Rose.

Good example how a production with top credentials results into a mediocre product.

Halliwell (no star): "Highly implausible adventure yarn, indifferently presented."

Maltin*1/2: "One of Alistair MacLean's best novels became one of his worst movies...Strong cast, capable director and scenic locations come to naught."