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Parlor (2015)
Layerz, Playerz, and A Parlor That's One Hell Of A Howlin' Hoot – "Anarchy Parlor"
Robert LaSardo could have relied on his obvious physicality to coast through this role in the new film "Anarchy Parlor". But, then again, a man with acting chops like LaSardo needn't rely on anything else but his talent and an intriguing script.
Playing the lead character in "Anarchy Parlor", he delivers a captivating, creepy performance; which even has a sense of a lovelorn poet behind the shamanic tale of the artistry behind the Artist.
LaSardo's performance had a tranquil power to it, as he exuded caution rather than chaos.
Calmness of the Artist was a refreshing comparison to the chaotic frenzy of an archetypal villain.
For "Anarchy Parlor", chaos came in the shapely beauty of Sara Fabel; whose snickering, snarling and striking character of Uta almost stole the show from LaSardo. (Well, almost) While his performance was like a scalpel of precision, Sara Fabel's was like an untamed hellcat with fingernails like razors of scary seduction. Like a breakthrough performance of a Vadim vixen or a Bond bad-girl, Sara Fabel truly raises the stakes as a lusty updated Igor assisting in the Artist's work.
Another character, Amy (played by Tiffany DeMarco), as the young American on vacation, was very impressive in her symbiotic interaction with the Artist (played by Robert LaSardo). It was a plot point in "Anarchy Parlor" which gave a glint of Svengali-like relationship between the two of them.
The overall plot is about six young people in Lithuania on vacation. The character Brock (Ben Whalen) is invited to the parlor by Uta (Sara Fabel). Amy (Tiffany DeMarco) decides to tag along. From there, the mystery and misery of entering the world of the Artist at The Parlor begins to unwind before your eyes.
Shot on location in Villnus, "Anarchy Parlor" has a nice production quality. Edd Lukas' cinematography is a vivid postcard of Lithuania. Andrew Pagana's painted portraits in this film are surrealistic and bring The Artist's world to life. Vivianne Be and Adrianna Krikl's music are a grooving compliment to the action on the screen.
In this review, I save the best for last. The collaborative team of Devon Downs and Kevin Gage are the driving force behind "Anarchy Parlor". Gage/Downs have taken what could have been just another mindless splatter-fest to another level.
Oh, don't get me wrong. Of course there's blood, babes and chills in "Anarchy Parlor" which makes anyone who enjoys horror gasp and slightly jump in their seats.
But, in this film, there actually is something more.
Gage/Downs' script which Robert LaSardo's character of the Artist delivers shows multi-layers of history, mystery and sense of place, for exactly what's going inside of this seemingly, ordinary tattoo parlor along an unmarked side-street in Lithuania.
Devon Downs and Kenny Gage are a creative team bringing a new flavor and vigor to indie cinema on the cutting edge. Their film, "Anarchy Parlor" is a shot of adrenalin in the horror/suspense film genre.
If the sight of blood leaves you queasy; or the thought of that tattoo needle nicking your flesh leaves your mind and soul uneasy – then stay far, far away from the "Parlor".
But, if you want to be scared and your get your pulse pounding, then "Anarchy Parlor" will scratch your horror itch. The Artist and Uta are awaiting any disrespecting, clueless son-of-a-bitch.
The Enchanted Cottage (1945)
Beyond The Surface, True Beauty Never Betrays The Heart
"Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty." - David Hume, philosopher
The quote above captures the elegance and effervescence of "The Enchanted Cottage".
Two souls who have been bruised by life, find happiness together in "The Enchanted Cottage".
Laura (Dorothy McGuire), is a maid at the cottage, while engaged couple Oliver (Robert Young) and Beatrice (Hillary Brooke) plan on honeymooning there in a short while. John Hillgrove (Herbert Marshall) is a blind man whose vision is more than 20/20 when it comes to a person's true goodness. The cottage's caretaker, Mrs. Abigail Minnett (Mildred Natwick) has seen couples come and go to this little location of love.
Mrs. Minnett and Laura share a sisterhood of solitude, which only a lonely soul can comprehend. As in this short interaction between them from the film, both women hold that hollowness of a heart hoping for light:
Mrs. Abigail Minnett - Do you know what loneliness is, real loneliness?
Laura Pennington - Yes.
Mrs. Abigail Minnett - I thought you would.
From the outside, this cottage and the grounds surrounding it, may not have the appearance of a five-star hotel. But, it is what is seen through the eyes of affection and adoration that brings the decor to life.
As we all know, sometimes life doesn't go as planned. In this film, what may seem to be a tragedy; actually is a blessing in disguise.
Oliver returns to the cottage alone and he and Laura find they are kindred souls. More than just physical beauty is what they see in one another. It is that light inside of them, which brings out the glow on their surfaces.
Yet, the main character is not one flesh and bone; but it is a cottage of hopes and dreams. It proves that dreams of devotion never truly die; for they just hibernate amongst the snowflakes of Winter. It just takes a warm heart to change tears of isolation into tears of joy.
"The Enchanted Cottage" is not just a place to visit. It is a state of mind that will remain in your heart, long after you watch this treasure.
Junkie (2012)
Sex, Drugs & Blood ? Oh, Yeah, Ya' Gotta See This One
Adam Mason pours a cocktail of taboos in the independent film "Junkie". Sex! Drugs! Rock and Roll? (Well, there is a cool soundtrack of songs by The Dogs d'Amour) But, in "Junkie" the third word to add to any proclamation starting with Sex & Drugs is blood. And, damn straight, there are buckets of it. Here, there, everywhere. So, now that the obvious aspect of the film is out of the way; let's move into what makes Adam Mason's "Junkie" a hypnotic trip. Broken family. Broken dreams. Broken house. Danny and Nicky are in a fight between themselves, the past and future. And in this film, the ring these two square off in a house that looks like it's stuck in a time warp. Dirty dishes, dirty house and dirty souls all about. Danny (Daniel Louis Rivas) dwells in depression. Nicky (Robert LaSardo) exists in excess. When their drug connection Otto (Tomas Boykin ) arrives, he tickles the brothers' funny bones and veins. Danny's ex Sonja (Tess Panzer) pops by to see if the wagon is in tact; or if he's burning it down like the bridge of their relationship. Toss in Dad (Andrew Howard) into this mix; and, the twisting of sobriety and sanity goes through the roof and gets straddled into the basement for both brothers. Rivas' performance has a twitchy Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates quality to it. His character of Danny is low-key. Now, of course when one key is low, another has to be crashing the cymbals. And, in "Junkie", Robert LaSardo's character Nicky does just that. His performance is as high as helium and furious as a Tasmanian devil. Adam Mason's direction plays off both character's quirks. In an unobtrusive style, director Mason lets the camera fall back and let the actors rip it up. Robert LaSardo is an unguided missile in red boxer trunks. For that character, that wardrobe is an apt choice. Nicky's battling his brother and clawing for a championship. Danny, on the other hand, is just trying to stay one step ahead of the next round coming around the bend. Written by Simon Boyes and Adam Mason, there is an improvisational quality to the interactions of the leads and supporting cast. And, if you look closely, there is even a scene with a flash of poignancy between both brothers. It passes by quickly, but Nicky (Robert LaSardo) and Danny (Daniel Louis Rivas) really hit the mark in that scene. Adam Mason's "Junkie" proves that the greatest obstacle to getting clean and sober is the person who knows us best.