BUG (2006)

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Directed By: William Friedkin

Written By: Tracy Letts (Based upon his play)

Cinematography: Michael Grady 

Editor: Darrin Navarro 

Cast: Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon, Harry Connick Jr., Lynn Collins, Brian F. O’Byrne 

Having escaped her abusive ex-husband Goss, recently released from state prison, Agnes, a lonely waitress with a tragic past moves into a sleazy, rundown motel. Her lesbian co-worker R.C. introduces her to Peter, a peculiar, paranoiac drifter and they begin a tentative romance. However, things aren’t always as they appear and Agnes is about to experience a claustrophobic nightmare reality as the bugs begin to arrive.

This is a love story between two damaged individuals. As we can see from the beginning Ashley Judd’s character is not only lonely but also seems to be more willing to put up with abuse and the nature of whoever she is dating. As her ex, she has a court order o. Keeps coming over to beat her up and steal her money. 

So it’s not too shocking that soon after being with this new man that she is introduced to, she starts to suffer from the same psychosis.

The couple could be compared to what happens when two drug addicts get together. Where they seem to live off each other and in their own world. Watching this movie they do come off as meth addicts. Even in scenes later we see that they have been freebasing also. Something g strangely even his psychiatrist takes a turn with. 

though there is a more artistic rather than erotic sex scene. Which director William Friedkin has been doing constantly in his later films. As overly erotic as KILLER JOE was, the seductive or sexy scenes seemed more like going for pretty and meant much more. It could be that both these films come from the theater world. So these are the only moments where he can truly try to make it more cinematic with his own vision. 

It took me some time to watch this film over the years. So the anticipation builds up. So that when finally watching the film it is tamer than expected and feels like it needs to be seen on the big screen to truly feel the film. Unfortunately, I didn’t, but the second half of the film is truly graphic and disturbing. 

The film didn’t live up to certain expectations but it is effective to a certain degree. It definitely helps if you come into the movie blindly 

Which is why I believe the second half is so disturbing is that the first half has a few shocks but stays mundane. So the lunacy of the second half not only wakes up the Audience but disrupts them out of comfort and expectation. 

We also watch the breakdown of Ashley Judd’s Character whom we truly feel sorry for from the beginning though we also see how submissive she is.

The last act comes across as downright artistic when it comes to production design and the acting. 

Though he had been a working actor this Is the movie that truly made Michael Shannon a star or put him More on that path. After so far a career of bit roles and more theatrical work.

Harry Connick Jr. Even plays against type in this film. As Judd’s abusive not quite ex-husband 

Not your typical horror film or thriller. It is more disturbing about damaged people damaging themselves and each other. Involving those who are unlucky enough to cross their paths. 

It ends up not being what you first thought when you sat down to watch it, but luckily something much deeper.

There is some beautiful filmmaking here making the mundane interesting and you can feel its theatrical roots. The director and cast truly make the film feel bigger than the location it seems to be stuck in and make the hotel room seem labyrinthian 

Grade: B- 

THE JUSTICE OF BUNNY KING (2021)

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Directed By: Gaysorn Thavat
Written By: Sophie Henderson
Story By: Gaysorn Thavat, Sophie Henderson and Gregory King
Cinematography: Ginny Loane
Editor: Cushla Dillon

Cast; Essie Davis, Thomasan McKenzie, Lively Nili, Birdie Sisson, Amelie Baynes, Erroll Shand 

A triumph over adversity tale about women fighting their way back from the bottom of society.

This is a sad melodrama that seems to drag its main character down. Every chance she gets. There seems to be very little reason why. Even when it gets more explained toward the end.

The film has nothing truly wrong with it. Except you feel like you have seen it all before. Dealing with material one would usually witness from television star trying to get a big screen career going, or one from the 1980’s who couldn’t get a big screen film getting talked into a television movie from the studio she works for.

Either way, the spotlight when it comes to this film belongs to Essie Davis. Who goes above and beyond in her performance as the lead. She is phenomenal. You can’t take your eyes off of her. She is truly what saves this film.

It’s a shame as this is an example of a performance that deserves a better film around them. She Has layers of depth that the film seems to lack in the long run. She is truly the only reason to watch this film. Unless you want to see her reunite with Thomaszin McKenzie her co-star From TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG. Who is also the only other recognizable name and the only other character who gets significant screen time.

The film does touch on unfortunate subjects such as parents caring more about their romantic relationships and partners than their children. Especially when It’s obviously said partner isn’t behaving right. Yet is the alpha and brings in the money. So the parent becomes more submissive and stops thinking for themselves. That issue is what causes the major downfall of the lead character. Who has never had much luck it seems in the first place.

Though who always shows much love and caring. Not to mention work ethic. The film unfortunately in the end for all the emotions it tries to evoke. Comes across more as a time-killing tear-jerker.

Grade: C+

JACKNIFE (1989)

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Directed By: David Hugh Jones
Written By: Stephen Metcalfe (Based on his play STRANGE SNOW)
Cinematography: Brian West 
Editor: John Bloom

Cast: Robert DeNiro, Ed Harris, Kathy Baker, Charles S. Dutton, Josh Pais, Gabrielle Carteris, Elizabeth Franz, Louden Wainwright III, Jessalyn Gilsig

Two Vietnam vets search for the strength to face up to their horrific war experiences, but their friendship begins to splinter when one becomes romantically involved with the other’s sister.

I always remember the trailer and poster for this film above all. Seeing it play in theaters. It struck me how wild Robert DeNiro looked in his long hair and baseball cap. (Which was the poster image) Then all of a sudden dressed in a white tuxedo. It always mystified me how well he cleaned up. 

I only recently got around to finally watching the film. If I had seen it at the time it would be my first time seeing Ed Harris in a movie. He truly didn’t become known at least in my film atmosphere until the movie JUST CAUSE. The only other major role I might have seen him in would have been THE RIGHT STUFF a movie at the time I had certainly heard about, but had no interest as it didn’t register it my stratosphere.

The film seems like it wants to go to some deeper places but feels too slick and determined to make it a romantic love story of sorts. 

The film builds as much as we get to know the characters. Who are all damaged in their own way. 

If not for the cast wouldn’t be held in such high regard as they make it work more than it should 

Robert DeNiro comes across at first due to his looks as the more deranged or troubled character. Whereas Kathy Baker and Ed Harris look more normal and suburban. Though each character has their own problems. Ed Harris proves to be the most damaged amongst them and DeNiro the most well-adjusted though through therapy. 

The prom hallway scene is the pinnacle of the movie where all is let loose. 

Directed By David Hugh Jones, whose style comes across here with the depths of a television movie made into a theatrical feature film. It’s Simple and Thought lacks a finesse that makes everything come across as basic visually. He brings little to the table other than competence. However, it does make sense that this began as a play before becoming a feature.

It revolves around the 3 characters and is always more indoors. The film attempts to make it more open by adding more scenery and having scenes be more outdoors and in various locations. 

At a certain point it feels like DeNiro’s character steals the booty, so to speak. He romances his friend’s sister and ends up getting intimate with her. Then after a few friendly dates and finally getting through to her brother. Tries the old “this can’t work” and is ready to leave town. She has gotten all that he wanted. So he kind of works as an early version of the saintly character. Who is there to help and advise the hero while spouting wisdom. This is usually reserved for African Americans characters in movies in a more mystical way, but leaving them with very little to actually do or be as a character. Luckily here the film comes through for a happy ending. Which also allows DeNiro’s character to feel real and be more full-blooded.

Grade: B- 

QUIZ LADY (2023)

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Directed By: Jessica Yu 

Written By: Jen D’Angelo 

Cinematography: Adrian Peng Correia 

Editor: Nat Sanders and Susan Vaill

Cast: Awkwafina, Sandra Oh, Holland Taylor, Will Ferrell, Tony Hale, Jason Schwartzman, Tawny Newsome, Angela Trimbur, Charlie Talbert, Jon Park, 

A game-show-obsessed woman and her estranged sister work together to help cover their mother’s gambling debts.

At first, I thought this was based on a true story. Though watching it is as outrageous as it gets. It still manages to be identifiable.

While the humor at times is more sitcom level. The film manages to have heart. In the first half of the film, seems to be relying on more comedy to drag it through, but what it effectively does is set up the characters, their issues, and the world they live in.

Then in the second half of the film, the heart comes in and it becomes more about family. 

The two stars are Awkafina and Sandra Oh. Give it their all and while sometimes the script fails them In pushing the comedy and absurdity further. They are still memorable overall. Truly the All-Stars of the film. With some nice support. 

What works is that this is a film starring two Asian American actresses playing against type and directed by an Asian American woman. Though it isn’t the main point of the film. In certain Jokes, there is racial humor, but for the most part, it offers characters that are universal and could have been played by anyone of any race. The film doesn’t rely on that factor. 

Will Ferrell’s small role is essential though a nice performance as he reins it in. To create a beloved patriarch. 

By the end, you just wish it was a bit funnier. A lot of the film and your enjoyment of it is based on the goodwill of liking the actors and some of the situations. Not necessarily the script. 

As in the wrong hands, this could have been another unmemorable paint-by-numbers bland studio comedy. Harnessed to a comedy star to either let their comic personae take over or be a random buddy comedy with another actor. Looking to make a quick dollar. 

It even has a bittersweet cameo of a recently deceased well-known icon. 

Grade: C+

OLD DADS (2023)

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Directed By: Bill Burr 
Written By: Bill Burr and Ben Tishler
Cinematography: Sean McElwee 
Editor: Patrick J. Don Vito and Adriaan Van Zulu 

Cast: Bill Burr, Bobby Canavale, Bokeem Woodbine, Katie Aselton, Reign Edwards, Jackie Tohn, Rachael Harris, Miles Robbins, Natasha Leggero, Bruce Dern, C. Thomas Howell, Paul Walter Hauser, Katrina Bowden, Josh Brener 

Three best friends become fathers later in life and find themselves battling preschool principals, millennial CEOs, and anything created after 1987.

if you are familiar with the stand-up comedian Bill Burr. Who stars, co-writes, and directs. This is just a visual guide to the subjects he usually talks about, dismantles, and pokes holes in. Which is the sensitivity and over-the-top nature of modern-day society. 

This film almost comes off as a rant with characters and situations. As it stays pretty much on note. Only here he humanizes the characters trying to relate to a modern world. As his usual targets are here front and center. 

The film has a thorough line and points to make. Even in the end, the character learns to lighten up a bit to fit in for the good of his family. Which is the film’s main point is that doing the best for your family is what is the most important thing.

While the film has a likable cast surprising cameos and its stronger moments. It comes across as basic and a little disappointing. Though I am sure Burr’s fan base will love it

Unfortunately, the film offers very few surprises and less finesse. As it feels like it hits you over the head with the points it tries to make. 

Though the tough talk and sense of the blue-collar values and humor that is more inclined with time before the 1990s. It also feels like a natural extension of burr’s Animated series F IS FOR FAMILY. It also feels like a natural home for his fans. 

The random casting does remind one of the movies from 2004 MY BABY’S DADDY. Bokeem Woodbine steals the show. Though this film is much stronger and put together than that film. So this isn’t a failure but hopefully just the start of a bigger and better 

Grade: C

THE MACHINE (2023)

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Directed By: Peter Atecino

Written By: Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes

Cinematography: Eigil Bryld

Editor: Eleanor Infante 

Cast: Bert Kreischer, Mark Hamill, Jimmy Tatro, Iva Babic, Robert Maaser, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Martyn Ford, Jessica Gabor, Rita Bernard Shaw, Oleg Taktarov 

Bert’s drunken past catches up with him 20 years down the road when he and his father are kidnapped by those Bert wronged 20 years ago while drunk on a college semester abroad in Russia.

While this is another comedian Bert Kreischer taking from his stand-up and making a movie out of it, or at least part of his stand this one actually kind of works a little deeper as a presents itself as a sophomore, action comedy. At times the humor is juvenile, but in the end, it’s all about taking responsibility and trying to do the best for your kids. Not to mention the complicated relationships families can have. Especially when trying to either honor or prove yourself.

it also focuses on a father and son relationship and bonding that I’ve done well, I am a sucker for. Which, at least, gives this film some kind of depth.

So, while the action scenes are serviceable and not entirely impressive, they do help break up the film and add a little bit more excitement to it. 

As Director, Peter Atecino is more of a noted comedy Director. He does OK with the action sequences.

It’s nice to see Mark Hamill on the big screen and not only doing a voice acting role or just some extension of either playing himself or a Star Wars movie 

I will admit to being a partial Bert Kreischer fan as I have seen many of his online antics. I have listened to his podcast. I’ve read his book and he just seems like the type of guy you might wanna hang out with or if you do, something memorable who just seems to collect those moments

It’s cloudy how his drinking superpowers sort of make him invincible in flashbacks. It just shows I’m taking off her shirt and getting drunk and not performing any particularly that define hacks, though it does seem like if anything it just gives him more drunk courage which, in the end, helps him out as an adult, living up to the legend And being not work.

He and Mark Hamill have great chemistry as Burt plays a version of himself that makes the film a little meta–

Not to mention have to give credit to a found that feels like a 1980s over-the-top action comedy with a scene right out of a Schwarzenegger movie where he literally uses a machine gun just to light his cigar in the middle of a battle. I can imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger watching that and thinking why didn’t I do that makes me a little jealous.

It’s a Film worth taking a chance on, it’s entertaining, and it’s not gonna change your world. If you’re a fan of Hays, you should enjoy it but it’s not something that is going to lay in your memory for a long time, it’s a Film for his audience or a nice introduction to who he is.

In the end, the film is more silly than anything else

Grade: C

A BLUEBIRD IN MY HEART (2018)

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Written & Directed By: Jeremie Guez
Based on the novel “THE DISHWASHER” By: Dannie M. Martin 
Cinematography: Dimitri Karakatsanis 
Editor: Dieter Diependaele 

Cast: Roland Moller, Veerle Baetens, Lola Lelann, Luba Azabel 

Attempting to lead a quiet reformed life, an ex-con finds refuge in a motel run by a single mother and her daughter Clara. The peace and freedom he has found in this safe haven disappears when Clara is assaulted, forcing him to face his old demons

The predictable this film manages to make you care and stay interested throughout. As it maintains an intensity as much as the main character seems to have who we never quite learned about when it comes to his past, but we are given enough to interpret.

It’s simmering mostly, but there are two scenes. The film truly lets loose with action, though low scenes are short and one quite torturous.

This is a movie more about characters and emotions. It’s actually quite plain and simple, It sticks to the point at under 90 minutes and gets started in no time. 

In the beginning, you can feel the uncomfortable nature that eases up as the walls the main character does 

As well, as you can see the symbolic relationships and placeholder that he becomes for the people around him, mostly female.

He has a  rough, dangerous nature, but a gentle side, when it comes to them. That stays very simple and small scale.

The film is a revenge tale in the end as he takes revenge and in doing so sets up a situation where the victim of his revenge has people who need to take revenge for him especially when their first attempt goes awry 

This is a well-acted hidden gem of a movie that while might be predictable in some aspects feels like an introduction, not necessarily to buy the story, but more through characters that you care about 

It stays small scale but packs a lot of heart and you know it’s a French Film because every character seems to smoke. 

Grade: B-

BORDERLINE (1980)

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Directed By: Jerrold Freedman
Written By: Jerrold Freedman and Steve Kline 
Cinematography: Tak Fujimoto 
Editor: John F. Link II

Cast: Charles Bronson, Bruno Kirby, Ed Harris, Bert Ramsen, Wilford Brimley, Michael Lerner, James Victor, Kenneth McMillan, John Ashton, Karim Murcelo, Enrique Castillo 

Jeb Maynard is a patrolman guarding the U.S.-Mexican border, whose partner and buddy Scooter has just been murdered. Maynard knows that a smuggler of illegal aliens is responsible for Scooter’s death, but the feds insist that drug dealers committed the crime. If this villainous smuggler is going to be caught, Maynard is going to have to do the dirty work himself.

While this film doesn’t present anything new. At the time it was a social issue that was gaining more and more interest in popularity.

What is a Charles Bronson movie if you are looking or expecting an action epic you will be disappointed as well. The film does have scenes of action. There aren’t many more plays out as a crime drama.

The film is full of naughty character actors who have supporting and small roles. At the heart of the story is just trying to investigate the death of a border agent and an innocent, immigrant teenager and finding justice for them.

Throughout the tale, Charles Bronson is gentlemanly, and just generally a good guy. The film put a face to the villains in the organization they weren’t for, and the systematic way in which this business is lucrative for them.

We also see all the dangers and perils of the immigrants, trying to get into the country, what they lose, what they risk, and the general manner in which they are treated. During a section of the film, Charles Bronson’s character even goes undercover as an immigrant to try and catch and experience what most of them have to go through, and hopefully confront or come face-to-face with the perpetrators

The film offers something different than expected and entertains throughout her house and gives us the overview to see the perpetrators and we just wait to see how Charles Bronson & company will eventually hopefully bring them down.

This is the kind of film that is not really talked about when it comes to Charles Bronson but definitely should be. This film works on his decency and charisma throughout even when it lacks action and shows what he can be capable of when he doesn’t have a gun in his hand.

Grade: B-

A HAUNTING IN VENICE (2023)

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Directed By: Kenneth Branagh 

Written By: Michael Green 

Based on the Novel “Hallowe’en Story: By Agatha Christie 

Cinematography: Haris Zambarloukos 

Editor: Lucy Donaldson 

Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, Jamie Dornan, Camille Cottin, Ali Khan, Jude Hill, Emma Laird, Kyle Allen, Riccardo Scarmarcio

In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer.

Kenneth Branagh finally has gotten the formula right. Maybe it was getting all the studio movie cliches out of his system to go back to more artistic filmmaking choices. This film finally shows the proper depth of the story & character.

There are Not so Many celebrities or stars in the film so the suspicions aren’t so high not your attention centered on them. 

This was the attraction for MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS  and the next film partially DEATH ON THE NILE which was a little more dialed down but still enough for a little spectacle. 

While primarily those films were aided by CGI when it came to locations especially. This film has less basis on CGI and truly explores the exoticness of the classical space and uses the cavernous location to its strength. As everything looks lush & plush.

While the film has its central mysteries every character seems to be hiding their own secrets. While it still Magyars to have the melodrama throughout. This film feels a bit more dry and dramatic. It has a darker outlook. It even Manages some surprises 

In the middle, it might be a little confusing. Once the third act comes into play surprisingly and with no lead-up the mystery is solved. There is more to go after that. 

What works is that it can be seen as a stand-alone but works in the trilogy. As if you have seen the previous films. You can understand the mindset of the main character at the beginning. As you have seen he has come to it. After suffering losses in the previous films. 

At first, it seems like the film is trying to rely on or try to jump onto the horror trend, but it ends up working for the story and distinguishing itself. Not seem like a Cash and is actually being adapted from an existing Agatha Christie story 

Even as we realize how lonely the main character is as he has fans and admirers but never truly anyone close to him they all want something from him and the friends and acquaintances from the past have either moved on or that is the basis of their relationship work-related. Knowing and seeing the evils of the world has made him scared to engage or trust in the end. He realizes he can’t let the nature of the world scare him Off and that he needs to try to help as much as he can to try to make it brighter 

He believes by separating himself from the world he’s not contributing to evil, and he’ll just keep to himself, and be safe by the end I think he realizes that the world at large needs him and he wants to be there to try and make it a better place combat that evil he’s found his faith so to speak. Kenneth Branagh plays it brilliantly reminding you of not the fine actor he can be and seeming to bypass the more comedic detours and also tightening up his directing skills. To come across as more artistic and personal and less sensationalistic. Still managed to have style in fact even more of it 

This film offers a bit more depth for the character and is a lot drier than the previous films it feels more intimate. Thought offers fewer distractions. 

This one seems less a seat filler or weekend attraction and more a film made with ideas and interest than a paint-by-numbers affair 

Grade: B

THE FORBIDDEN PHOTOS OF A LADY ABOVE SUSPICION (1970)

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Directed & Edited By: Luciano Ercoli
Written By: Ernesto Gastaldi and Mahnahen Velasco
Cinematography: Alejandro Ulloa 

Cast: Dagmar Lassander, Pier Paolo Capponi, Susan Scott, Simon Andreu, Osvaldo Genazzani, Salvador Bugbeo

The wife of a struggling businessman is blackmailed by a mysterious man into having a sadistic affair with him, or he will leak evidence implicating her husband of murder.

This might not be a good film but stay for the look, style, and fashions. Which are especially memorable. Like a Vogue magazine pictorial only with a theme.

The film is so erotically lurid that it feels like a Joe Eztherhaus-type film script. As it involves blackmail and sex. Though more talked about and hinted at than shown. So not quite exploitive.

Most of the film plays into the main characters’ suspicions and sacrifices. It then finds itself focused on infidelity and her paranoia over it 

Which would place it more in the drama category. Yet plays like a thriller. Thought could easily be a foreign soft-core erotic movie. As the film seems to be more about the beauty of the female characters. 

It’s not really the mystery behind everything. It’s the whole experience. What I took away was taking it all in. Rather than trying to figure out a murder or mystery. It felt more like watching a drama 

As for a film that is filled with eroticism it isn’t as exploitive as one might expect. It does present a quite open sexuality, manner, and behavior.

Watching it feels like walking through a museum in a foreign land. It seems like everything is exquisite yet you are soaking through the past that is so close to the modern day. That you can still see some of these fashions in play maybe in more high society.

The character of Dominique wears a dress that practically has no sides to it. So you get to see her Frame and shape. Which makes her outfit an all-time classic. As she is the most interesting character in the whole film. You might find yourself wishing she had a spin-off. 

The film ends up more as a psychological drama than a giallo, which is what one might have expected. The film’s characters just offer a lot of threats.

Only in the last 20 minutes after 70 minutes of set up does the film truly become a thriller. Even after an opening scene that makes it seem Like one. 

What is impressive is that it feels epic yet really only has six cast members but plenty of locations 

The film lays it on a lot towards the end to offer a twist that should have been somewhat obvious. As it has a Colombo type of ending.

Close but no cigar 

Grade: B-