ellisandre Reviews

The Lazarus Papers (2010)

Too weird for me, but entertaining.

[5/10 · 22 January 2020]

I bought this DVD ages ago during a sale, got lost in my shelves, and stumbled upon it recently.

Lucky for me I read reviews that told me that unlike the cover, I would get a weird art house supernatural thriller.

Some reviewers who were con into buying the film thinking they would get a Gary Daniels meets Danny Trejo action packed adventure, and gave it an overwhelmingly bad score.

The reviewers who watched it for its face value have enjoyed it, some saying it's an underrated gem. Sadly for the film they are in the minority.

I am right in the middle, while I do agree it's underrated it's far from being a gem. It might be question of taste too.

This is what I liked about it you have Trejo, and Daniels out of their usual typecast doing an outstanding job so does the rest of the cast, and the film held me to the end. Also I did get a few chuckles out Trejo playing a mystical healer. He does a good job but it's so unusual.

I am a person who is not too crazy about experimental films/fantasy/art house. I like my films set in reality. So its just not my cup tea. I have a friend who has completely different set of taste, and I have seen films like that who left a bigger impression on me.

My final thought, once you know what to expect it's quite ok.

Larceny (2017)

Timewaster, well acted, a bit slow on the action

[5/10 · 22 January 2020]

The film is entertaining, but not exceptional in any particular ways.

The film is well acted, and it's shame it is sold as a big action set piece for Lundgren. It is more of suspense thriller. Lundgren play a reckless robber and does a good job. However the fight scene I found to be quite average, I have seen Lundgren do much better in recent years. There was something off and I can't quite put my finger on it. I have seen the director direct action and he is good and Lundgren is a seasoned vet. So I can't understand what happened.

The movie does have a solid script, the cast are uniformly good, well edited, lit, the sets are goods, and it moves.

For a Lundgren film, it is much superior compared to many of recent Lundgren outputs a lot less good compared to his recent gems.

Recoil (1998)

Fun Gary Daniels ride

[7/10 · 22 January 2020]

I expected nothing going in, aside that I knew PM Entertainment had an excellent reputation for stunts. I was not disappointed. The action was very executed the plot holds you, I was entertained.

The film has interesting vibe because it does feel American but the Action is closer to a Hong Kong film. That is the only aspect I found distinctive.

A must for all Gary Daniels fan, and a good to start if one want to explore his films.

Gale Force (2002 Video)

Early 2000 B-Movie

[8/10 · 11 September 2016]

This is a good example of a good early 2000 B-Movie. The special effects and the cheap CGI are a prime example of it, but brings the B-movie laugh.

However, what saves the film from being a failure are the actors. They are very good, give the best delivery with the material, are self aware of it, and try to have a good time. We have 2 veteran actors out of their typical cast and do excellent jobs. Micheal Dudikoff plays the villain, and Curtis Armstrong plays an intellectual.

The pace is very good the movie never bores, and it's the least you ask from a B-movie.

I think if the special effects were better the movie would have done better because the cast, pace, and photography was good.

Dancin': It's on! (2015)

Dancing International Pictures! The David Winters and David A. Prior Grand Finale!

[10/10 · 5 September 2016]

I have to unfortunately start with with the Grand Finale due to the passing of David A. Prior, who thankfully with his long time collaborator David Winters, could provide us with one last treat to remember.

For those familiar with the catalog of the film company named AIP, this one is an unusual one. It's a dance film instead of an action picture. What's cool about it, is that you get a David A. Prior script in another genre. I also note that it is the only script David A. Prior wrote that David Winters directed. The acting of the lead actors and story development has a lot of AIP films elements that one with the fondness of these films would love. For this they get a ten out of ten. I really appreciated the great moments AIP provided us, it's a perfect conclusion to the David Duo. David A. Prior thank you very much for this last treat, and David Winters bring on more.

What is fun with David Winters directing is that when he is offered the task that he digs best for elements to make a film unique, to be packaged within a genre. In my opinion you can see this in his films "Alice Cooper: Welcome to my Nightmare", "The Last Horror Film", and "Thrashin'". The story take place in an hotel where everyone is an artist. Hence, aside from the dancers turned actors, he takes the time to hire other artists, a mime, acrobats, gymnasts to create atmosphere. So we have unusual situations compared to the usual "Boy meet girl" type of film. I've always appreciated that with his directing style. It is obvious that Winters made that film because he had immediate distribution, and had to do a cliché riddled story about dancing. However it shows that David Winters still does his best with what he's got, packaged it, and made a genuine effort. He also acts in the film and his performance is good.

The film moves along very well and for its target audience it's totally acceptable. The dancing is great, and the music fits the film. The performances of dancers/actors Russell Ferguson, Matt Marr, and Jordan Clark stand out compared to the leads. Action actor Gary Daniels plays a part and does a good job. I bash the two leads but without them the AIP feel wouldn't stand out.

My final thoughts are, it's a stellar AIP movie grand finale you can watch with your family. Dance films are not my type, but it moves along fast and never bores you. I think people who don't know the AIP history and the target audience of this film would find it at least passable and maybe better.

The last film by the David duo it is truly appreciated. Good bye David Prior thanks again for the entertainment, and I hope David Winters directs another film, it's always a fun ride.