Marsmagus Reviews

The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (1980)

Surrealism not for the weak-at-heart/mind

[18 July 2001]

Admittedly this movie is unusual, for a start, and may not Sellers' great exit as many had hoped, but there are still incontrovertible facts that remain:

It is one of the few movies I've seen to ever ATTEMPT a throwaway trompe l'oiel, and it achieves it so smoothly and incidentally that I had to rewind it just to make sure I wasn't seeing things. (Clue: Lawnmower, Door, Bust)

The incongruity of dialogue with context was delicious! I mean how can you say a movie where "Queen Elizabeth" languorously - almost ludicrously - prepares to play her sax for Fu Manchu is a loss?

Three Words: My Chinese Buffet.

Three More Words: Japanese Elvis Show.

And the beauty is that I've told you all of this, and I've spoiled absolutely none. Try not to bash it for what it is not, because there is a GREAT deal to what it is.

Vampire Princess Miyu (1997–1998)

A deep and brooding experience, but excellent writing. Subtitled is preferred format.

[19 September 1999]

Kyuuketsuki Miyu - "Vampire Princess" Miyu. A young girl with strange and extraordinary power, with an even stranger mission. This is one of the most engagingly written Japanese animations I have ever encountered. The desire to dissect the enigma that is Miyu is personified in the "spiritualist" Himiko.(not mentioned in these credits). "Miyu" is a very dark and foreboding animation about a young girl with vampire heritage who must dispatch stray Shin-ma back to their endless slumber in The Dark. She is ageless, and very, very much a realist. Miyu does not give pity, does not show remorse, but manages to still have a human side. It takes many episodes to see the stories unfurl and the history reveal itself, and ends in classic Japanese style. That is to say, you are as likely to see the protagonist and innocent bystanders extinguished as the villains destroyed. This is a "Tom and Jerry" cartoon, after all. This is presented as real life with a demonic and heartless twist. The dialogue and cinematography make this a classic tragedy, but it's depth and subject matter may take a bit to stomach. Do not expect to laugh at their exploits, everyone here is very serious and has a great deal both ahead and behind them. The characters are strong enough that you really want to see more, just to know who they are. Not for the faint of heart :)

Blankman (1994)

"Ugggh!! You mean I have to see her... thingie??!!"

[27 July 1999]

Damon Wayans cuts it up as a (Grand)Mama's Boy with dreams of being a crimefighting superhero. David Alan Grier dreams of busting out his Mack Daddy on the star reporter (Givens) at the TV station where he works as a cameraman. Sprinkle liberally with "The Return of Duckman" -- Jason Alexander in the guise of Grier's producer, and as caustic as the quack ever was -- and throw in lots of junk... but it's *great* junk. With his wringer-equipped, flashlight-eyed, wrist-remote-controlled 1950's era automatic washing machine robo-buddy J5, Blankman (Wayans) creates an aura of mystique and cobbled together super-gadgets that would make Batman wonder "Where did he get all that junk?" (see also "Spiculum of Life") while making his neighborhood safer for his children. Nevermind that he's still a virgin. A gloriously campy superhero gigglefest that will at some point touch the heart and mind of every kid (grown up and otherwise) who wanted to open a can of whoop-ass in snazzy duds with groovy toys, then retreat back to your secret Super-Do-Gooder Hideout. Plenty of physical comedy to keep you chuckling, tricks and traps ingenious enough to qualify as "Diabolical Disastrous Doom... will our heroes be back next week?". An excellent rental.

Toys (1992)

A tragi-comedy about the dangerous innocence of youth.

[27 July 1999]

If you've already seen this movie, you either like it, or hate it. Until you look at it from a "gadgets and F/X" point of view, the movie may not shine at all for the casual viewer. Not to say that this is a bad film, because it's not. This is certainly not your typical Robin Williams fare. This movie is probably as serious his previous "real acting" flick, "The World According to Garp". Robin is Leslie Zevo, son of the builder of a great toy empire that has never created a single gun, tank, or toy bomber in it's existence. After his father's death (they play a great Enya song as the funeral march), the company is handed over to Leslie's 3-Star General of an Uncle, who just doesn't "get" they toy biz until he realizes that he could revitalize the military life he has grown up in (thanks to his "I have 4 stars, and you only have 3" father) by creating a deadly remote-controlled aresenal, putting video-game-addicted children in the driver's seat of a gruesome power. Leslie (Joan Cusack turns in an excellent performance!), his sister, and their cousin (played wonderfully by LL Cool J) take it upon themselves to overthrow the Evil Uncle. An incredible array of vintage-style toys, too. Basically a light movie with a heavy subject. May take several viewings to get the full import of this film.

Ninja Scroll (1993)

Excellent anime - and more...!

[25 April 1999]

Without a doubt, Ninja Scroll (the US title) is indeed one of the most incredible excursions in anime we have been blessed with. If you are looking for worthy additions to your Japanimation, you *must* acquire this. the voice-over acting is superb, and the animation effects unsurpassed.

More interesting yet, some of the visual trickery in use throughout many sections of the film: Watch Jubei reach his *entire* hand into his mouth to pluck out a tooth loosened in a battle with one of the villains. See Jubei take more damage than a barbarian on uppers, and get up to finish the job. Watch as the bodies fly asunder by threes and fours. Great eye candy. A must-have. Especially enjoyable on the mind-expanding substance of your choosing :)