drkdglr13 Reviews

The Killing of Two Lovers (2020)

Misleading in every sense of the word...

[3/10 · 15 May 2021]

An illusory title & a well-made trailer will never mask the complete disrespect and double-dealing done to an audience.

This 10+ year trend of TV Series & Films that ultimately have an unsatisfying conclusion really needs to end. STAT.

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

A of comedy and improvisation...

[10/10 · 7 January 2021]

"This pretentious ponderous collection of religious rock psalms is enough to prompt the question, 'What day did the Lord create Spinal Tap, and couldn't he have rested on that day too?'"

This has been my favorite comedy since I was 12 in 1987. An absolute comedic masterpiece and even better (or worse) if you are a musician. Be sure to watch a version that contains all of the bonus materials including an hour of deleted scenes. Ageless & timeless.

American Tragedy (2019)

Interesting but misleading...

[6/10 · 20 November 2020]

If you're looking for a documentary about the Columbine Tragedy from Susan Klebold's perspective, this isn't it.

While she is open about certain aspects of her son's life, she is not an open book. I didnt expect anything new or enlightening, but I was interested in hearing her speak about their lives up until April 20. Unfortunately, it felt like the filmmakers used her name & the tragedy to market an 80 minute Public Service Announcement about their ideas on Mental Health.

Body Double (1984)

Stylish, but inferior De Palma...

[6/10 · 8 October 2020]

As a fan of Brian De Palma and for those not schooled in all things Hitchcock, Body Double is a highly visual, erotic murder mystery. It's a film that wears its influences on its sleeve with borrowed plot points from Dressed To Kill, Dial M For Murder, Rear Window and Vertigo. We have the actor angle, the jilted lover, the harlots, the "mystery" man, the obsession, witness to murder, claustrophobic & voyeuristic angles, but it is set in the modern day world of Hollywood & the Adult Entertainment Industry.

The problem is De Palma makes the audience feel pretty dumb since any thinking viewer can figure out the plot twists in 5 minutes. And Craig Wasson's performance is so laughable that we have a hard time remembering his character is a method actor who is actually taking acting classes. The one bright spot is Melanie Griffith, who unfortunately shows up an hour into the film. People tend to forget she was nominated for a Golden Globe as Holly Body and it's really hard to complain when we get to look at her in her prime.

Flaws aside, Body Double has since reached cult status. It is beautifully shot and has some great locations (the Chemosphere house) as well as some interesting parallels that we as the audience are only intended to see (i.e., the long kiss in the tunnel). But in comparison to De Palma's other works, this will always come across as vastly inferior.

Dream Theater: Live at Luna Park (2013 Video)

Pull me under, I'm not afraid...

[5/10 · 19 September 2020]

There was a Dramatic Turn of Events in about 1997. And ever since then, I just want to wake up from this Theater of Dreams which has felt like a Dark Eternal Night for 20+ Hollow Years. Trust me, I'm not Misunderstood. I'm usually The Silent Man, but It's You Not Me. And James LaBrie's vocals are The Root of All Evil. So please, Take Away My Pain. And quietly I'll lay and Wait For Sleep.

Rest In Peace, Dream Theater 1989-1995 (honorable mentions: Scenes-1999/ToT-2004)

Old Joy (2006)

Worthy of self-reflection...

[8/10 · 5 July 2020]

In my mind, there are 2 ways to fully understand this film and it all depends which character relates to your own life the most. And that is as simple as it gets.

1. you're a "Mark". The friend that has matured, has a career & a family, left his carefree overindulgent days behind them and who doesn't have enough time for the friendships you once had.

2. you're a "Kurt". The friend who hasn't figured out what they want to do with their life just yet, living very sparsely, still doing the same irresponsible things they were in their twenties and really can't grasp that their friend they used to be really close to has other responsibilities.

On that basis alone, the "Marks" tend to appreciate the film more, while the "Kurts" tend to dismiss it rather quickly. Speaking from experience, the film hit a little too vlose to home. But as a "recovering Kurt", it was an absolute eye-opener. So I'm definitely in the minority by saying this film touched me in a profound way and made me really take a look at my own closest friendships. I can't think of another film that has made me do that. And all the while being the simplest of stories. Bravo.

In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders (1988 TV Movie)

Michael Gross shines in one of the best Made-For-TV Movies EVER!

[8/10 · 29 June 2020]

Growing up, TV Movies of the Week were staples in the industry and extremely popular. It was also a place for actors/actresses to show off their acting chops, especially if they were being that dreaded word "typecast".

There were many films but few standouts. Some films to seek out were 70's gems like Brian's Song, the peak era of Made-For-TV Horror with films like Duel, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, Helter Skelter, Trilogy of Terror, Salem's Lot, The Legend of Lizzie Borden and How Awful About Allan. ·Some great 80's treats include Dark Night of the Scarecrow, The Day After, Don't Go to Sleep, The Burning Bed, The Executioner's Song and A Cry For Help: The Tracey Thurman Story. ·And then into the 90's with hits like the original IT, In A Child's Name, The Langoliers, to cable getting more involved with films like HBO's And the Band Played On, Citizen X, Gia and If These Walls Could Talk.

In the Line of Fire: The FBI Murders is another one of those films. A fantastic TRUE story about two sadistic military veteran bank robbers in Florida (played brilliantly by David Soul and an AMAZING "out of left field" performance by Michael Gross). After years of city torment, they're finally being closed in on by the FBI. And it all culminated in a brutal early morning shootout in a residential neighborhood. Stellar performances by the entire cast with a riveting storyline and a nail-biter of a climax.

This is one to remember thanks to that FANTASTIC performance by Michael Gross, who played the hippie liberal father to Alex P. Keaton, Steven Keaton on Family Ties, and who is absolutely TERRIFYING in his portrayal of William Matix. A great film!

Crashing (2017–2019)

Best Episode of the Series so far...

[9/10 · 6 February 2019]

The show still hasn't found it's feet for me. It throws too many curveball at you when it comes to just PETE. It reminds me of the first couple seasons of Seinfeld. Until tonight. Everything just congealed.