sailorsam Reviews

Gormenghast (2000)

unique

[10 July 2001]

I have never read the Peake books so I cant say how close this is to the original material. I found the (mini)series unique; the opening few minutes are too confusing, the cook character revolting (of course, he was supposed to be! and the fight between him and the Butler, Flay, is funny). The show quickly settles down to Steerpike's plotting; I found him alternatly heroic (the poor boy trying to get ahead) and revolting (starved the poor spinsters). I think that's the idea; plotting against Fay is unsympathetic, but I couldnt help root for him in dealing with the Secretary, and was glad when his character was removed. The family is flawed; the Earl is human but ineffectual; the wife is determined and formidable, but cold and sour, compared to Fuschia, who is warm and emotional to a fault. My favorite character was the Doctor, often portrayed as a sort of bumbler but quietly heroic ('put the baby by the keyhole so itll get fresh air') and I'm glad he survived (most of the main characters don't); Steerpike evolves into a Nazi accountant, so we know he was evil after all, and gets his at the end. I think it was a little too cute/garish, but was certainly worth watching. The parts with the schoolmasters are just irrelevant; Steerpike is the engine of this story, love him or loathe him, and fittingly it ends with his death. Enjoy

Maximum Bob (1998)

unique, and better than the book

[10 July 2001]

MaxBob was a six-episode series, apparently never intended to be a 'regular' series, based on an Elmore Leonard novel set in FLorida. I saw the episodes before reading the book, and I have to say the show was better, though both were mean-spirited and vulgar (what novels or tv are not any more?) In the book, MaxBob was a dried up little codger wanting to off his wife, a former beauty who was gaining weight and dabbling in mystical bogusness. Kiersten Warren in the show was a delight, and I enjoyed the family with the glasses (the large twins were not in the book). My favorite episode dealt with MaxBob's ex wife, involved with Cuban freedom fighters, none of which was in the book. Atmosphere and 2dry characters were terrifically done, and Mr Bridges portrayal of a larger-than-life-political-southern-judge was terrific, better than the book's character. Not as good was a subplot involving a young man impersonating a (female) mermaid in an aquatic show; typical liberal attitude; The People are Negative and Ignorant, but we will overwhelm them with our Artistic Presentation and make them think the way We want them to think, with all the subtlety of a 10 pound splitting maul. Eventually this will probably surface on Bravo or at least VHS; try it.

Topkapi (1964)

I agree; overrated.

[10 July 2001]

Undoubtedly this film played better in the 60s. Pretty to look at in all its technicolor meditteranean glory. Maximilian Schell makes a real good con/gang leader, and those two pros Robert Morley and Peter Ustinov are always worth watching, but frankly Ms Mercouri looks haggish (forgive the chauvanism, but she does have the cheesecake role) and the plot drags and has annoying characters (Akim Tamiroff's cook; he is a good performer but the role wasnt much). The actual heist looks like the inspiration for the one in 'Entrapment'. Movie is worth a look but nothing special.

QB VII (1974)

courtroom drama as only the Brits can do

[19 May 2001]

A saintly doctor, Kelno (Anthony Hopkins) is accused of being a collobroator with the nazis by a Jewish writer, Cady (Ben Gazzara), and the two 'duel' in a courtroom, Queens Bench VII (hence the title). Kelno stoutly defends his character but the past catches up to him. I wish the movie could have explored how Dr Kelno--clearly a morally admirable doctor, helping the poor and defying the powerful--changed; or was he always a saint...except when dealing with the Jews? The opposing counsels, played by John Gielgud and Anthony Quayle, are the show. Frankly, I fast forwarded through the first half to watch the courtroom part, which is superb, very British, elegant and fascinating, especially as the Anthony Quayle barrister finally pins down the frantic Kelno, while Kelno's lawyer watches helplessly ("My Lord...!") Highly recommended. A terrific slap at communists early ('You spoke well of Dr --.' 'That was before he defected. Now I say he is guilty'. 'Guilty of what?' 'Of whatever you are charging him with.')

Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)

bite me?

[19 May 2001]

the Fanged one returns (previous, Dracula, Prince of Darkness), this time with dialogue. A village somewhere in (central) Europe cowers in the shadow of HIS castle, and in an unlikely turn of events HE RISES FROM THE GRAVE HA HA HA!! Blocked from returning to his castle by a cleric, El Fango plots revenge, as well as dinner--and the only one to stop him is...an atheist?

Hammer does (did?) this atmospheric stuff very well, capturing Mittel Europe and misty hills. The atheist character, who must take on Drac, is an interesting plot contrivance, balancing the fact that a weak-faithed priest is helping Drac! The girls are beautiful, and Mr Lee does his thing REEL well. Recommended.

Gargoyles (1972 TV Movie)

worth watching

[15 May 2001]

Gargoyles is an excellent example of how writing, characters and atmosphere can bring quality to a small budget pic. Set in a desert on the edge of town it is surprisingly claustrophobic. Performances are good (Cornel Wilde as the scientist/hero, Scott Glenn as the Rebel, and Jennifer Salt as the Girl Who Looks Good and Screams); in many ways this is a throwback to 50s drive-in sci fi-horror, and could have inspired the more recent'Tremors'. Recommended.

Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966)

the lead has no lines!

[15 May 2001]

Atmospherice (with a capitol A) pic, following up the 1959 Hammer Dracula. Christopher Lee dominates as the title character even with no dialogue; in this pic he and his vamp-babe do not seem quite as powerful as other drac pix. Mr Keir is impressive as the priest. The best part is when Klove is in the shadows and we see a quick zoom that closes up just as he comes out of the shadows into the light; I have seen this shot in other places, this is the first one I think. Worth seeing, but the small cast and lack of Dracula dialogue I think take away from it. I like the concept of the Hero and Villain facing off verbally before the final confrontation (as James Bond seems to do). Transylvania is effectively captured in the gloomy hills and hoofbeats; Hammer did this sort of thing quite well.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

classic 'Spaghetti' Western

[24 March 2001]

Dismissed by Hollywood as 'spaghetti westerns', Sergio Leone's three Clint Eastwood-led features stand as tall as anything Hollywood has ever put out; well acted, beautifully photographed, superbly edited, and featuring the unforgettable music of Ennio M. And how often does the movie industry give us a combo like Eastwood, Van Cleef and Wallach? Lee smirks, Clint squints and Eli blusters, and we can't look away, from the opening six+ dialogue-free minutes (not counting the semi-comic credits) to the final shootout. Van Cleef is the epitomy of amoral viciousness--a different character than in the 2nd movie, 'For a Few Dollars More', and Wallach is unforgettable as the blustery, violent, frantic Tuco; but Eastwood, with sparse scratches of dialogue, is the soul of the movie. The (Civil) war scenes are big-budget, in contrast with the usual desert-and-small-towns in the other two parts of the trilogy. Turn everything else off and watch and enjoy.

The Great Race (1965)

goodcleanfun

[24 March 2001]

A big-budget, big name comedy, and a classic example of the villain being more fun (and more interesting) than the hero as Jack Lemmon controls the screen as the black-clad Professor Fate, ably assisted by Max (pre-Columbo Peter Falk); they team to sabotage the competition on a race to Paris, but cannot keep down sturdy Tony Curtis, joined by the radiant Natalie Wood and a rare nice-guy turn by Keenan Wynn. Recommended; better than similar 'Magnificen Men/Flying Machines' Press the button, Max!!

Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes (1965)

mixed bag of humor

[17 March 2001]

TMMITFM is a mixed bag of humor, done with style and big budget;cutting edge film work for mid 60s. Much of the humor is based on stereotype (the Frenchman crashes while ogling a woman on the beach, the Italian has a hysterical wife-'look, momma, he's-a-up!' 'But how he gonna get a-down again?") and thus seems dated; a lot of the bits seem like theyd be funnier than they turned out (the French and German have a duel-'in baloons, using blunderbusses'), and the Terry-Thomas character (Sir Percy) is more mean than funny--a shame, since Terry was one of the greatest comic actors of his time. The final race scenes are quite good (some wonderful old planes); funniest bits are Gert Frobe (Goldfinger) as a German officer humming marching music, and Benny Hill as the fire captain (Looks like we'll be busy today, lads) This is ok (and clean), but similar Great Race is better.

Deep Rising (1998)

State-of-the-art gore, if u like that sort of thing

[8 September 2000]

Deep Rising is an action-adventure flick with a large, nasty monster. Like Jurassic Park, Alien, Predator, and many many more, a group of seemingly competent/prepared people (ie, men with guns) gets involved with something much more than they were prepared for. Only real suspense if who, if any, will survive. Pretty high body count and some gore, as well as the usual Hollywood vulgarity. West Studi stands out as a scowling, buzz-cut villain, and Treat Williams makes a fun wise-guy adventurer (like the Michael Douglas character in Jewell/Nile). If u like gore and vulgarity, enjoy.

The Boys from Brazil (1978)

Unlikely but compelling

[8 September 2000]

Essentially a WWII Sci-Fi thriller, as unlikely, and irresistable, as a good X-Files episode (Even has Walter Gotell in a small role as a former Nazi in the Americas; Mr Gotell appeared in the X-Files as...a former Nazi in the Americas). Best part is watching two real pros, Gregory Peck as Dr Mengele and Sir Lawrence Olivier as a Nazi-hunter named Lieberman. Not as good techically as Marathon Man(in many ways similar, featuring Sir Lawrence in a Mengele-like role) but, I think, much more enjoyable. See them as a double feature on 'Nazis in the 80s' night.

The Avengers (1961–1969)

Bond Lite, and lots of fun.

[8 September 2000]

A Mad Magazine spoof of James Bond once observed 'He has a license to kill; and a learners permit to make out'; 'Yes; the Brits don't mind violence but are stuffy about sex'. Which can describe this show, stylish and clean with a bit of a body count. One pastime is to watch the show and pick out future stars (Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, John Cleese, Charlotte Rampling, Brian Blessed, Donald Sutherland, etc). Most episodes involve some great British Eccentric organization (Purr, devoted to cats; FOG, or Friends of Ghosts, and their rivals SMOG, Scientific Measurements of Ghosts), etc. Mr Macnee's Steed character is utterly, amiably, inperturbably British, and Ms. Riggs auburn-haired supercat should have a cool exotic name like Ursula Fieguo or Cinammon Brandy, and is know as...Mrs Peel. (Mrs Emma Peel). Unafraid to laugh at itself. Watch this show and enjoy; highly recommended.

Black Dragons (1942)

Dated mid-war curiosity

[8 September 2000]

With a budget of, say, over $100 (which is what Republic appears to have spent on this) this could have been a much more intriguing film. Potential plot of sabatours being removed from this world (ie, getting killed) doesnt come close to fullfilling its promise. Still, it has its moments, and Mr Lugosi is real fun to watch. Not highly recommended, but there are worse ways to fill an hour.