Friday, July 31, 2009

Plan 9 From Outer Space

Year: 1959
Director: Edward D. Wood Jr.
Writer: Edward D. Wood Jr.
Rating: 8/10

I have seen many movies far worse than this supposed "Worst Movie of All Time"; it's a highly entertaining late 50s sci-fi/horror that doesn't take itself too seriously - or perhaps it does!

Warts And All: The Films Of Danny Plotnick

Year: 2008
Director: Danny Plotnick
Writers: Danny Plotnick et al.
Rating: 8.5/10

Collection of Plotnick's short films that spans the late 1980s to the early 2000s; most are fantastically shot and imagined on Super8 and 16mm film, a few aren't so hot.

Flesh for Frankenstein

Year: 1973
Directors: Paul Morrissey, Antonio Margheriti
Writers: Tonino Guerra, Paul Morrissey
Rating: 9/10

Engrossing and well-made "B+++" horror film; excellent juxtapositions of 'high' and 'low' cinema.

The Octagon

Year: 1980
Director: Eric Karson
Writers: Paul Aaron, Leigh Chapman
Rating: 3/10

Chopsocky that starts off promising because it makes no sense, and Chuck Norris' thoughts reverberate inside his head like it's a cave; however, it soon beings to make sense and becomes more and more mediocre as it progresses.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Kyûketsuki Hantâ D (Vampire Hunter D)

Year: 1985
Director: Toyoo Ashida
Writer: Yasushi Hirano
Rating: 8.5/10

While the plot is quite cheesey, the art is quite stylish, and how can you go wrong with a post-apocalyptic future with supernatural baddies and a hero with a hand that speaks and eats?

Orgazmo

Year: 1997
Director: Trey Parker
Writers: Trey Parker, Matt Stone
Rating: 7.5/10

Nicely done "super B" comedy; some of the jokes fall a little flat.

Umirayushchii Lebed (The Dying Swan)

Year: 1917
Director: Yevgeni Bauer
Writer: Zoya Barantsevich
Rating: 8/10

Excellent visuals and above average direction, but the story leaves something to be desired.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Demolition Man

Year: 1993
Director: Marco Brambilla
Writer: Peter M. Lenkov, Robert Reneau, Daniel Waters
Rating: 7.5/10

Entertaining post-apocalyptic sci-fi mish-mash; a bit of the ridiculous Hollywood action hero going on, but also has some interesting elements.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Sumerki Zhenskoi Dushi (Twilight Of A Woman's Soul)

Year: 1913
Director: Yevgeni Bauer
Writer: V. Demert
Rating: 7.5/10

Somewhat cumbersome and vaguely existential love story; one of Bauer's first films.

Death Code: Ninja

Year: 1987
Director: Godfrey Ho
Writer: Godfrey Ho
Rating: 8/10

Chopsocky flick that is so inept that it seems to become a Dada-ist re-edit of three different films; excellent John Carpenter / Tangerine Dream ripoff soundtrack as well!

F For Fake

Year: 1974
Director: Orson Welles
Writer: Orson Welles, Oja Kodar
Rating: 9.5/10

Fluidly paced and excellently executed mixture of documentary, observation, and commentary.