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-

EVIL DEAD RISE (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Lee Cronin
Cinematography: Dave Garbett 
Editor: Bryan Shaw 

Cast: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Mirabai Pease, Richard Crouchley, Anna-Maree Thomas, Noah Paul, Gabrielle Echols, Morgan Davies 

A twisted tale of two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.

Even though the film isn’t quite what one expects. Definitely can appreciate it as it introduces us to new characters and surroundings. It as always leaves itself open for a sequel though doubt the survives would be back. 

As I get older I don’t know if it’s me getting sensitive or a bit more squeamish. Films like this tend to be brutal to my psyche. As it might be the nihilism of the film. As it is violent and that strangely has no effect on me. This was actually less gory than the last EVIL DEAD movie it was a reboot and a bit of a remake. 

Here maybe it was the violence towards children. If they were evil would have been fine with me, but here the film lets you get to know them so you care about them. so that they are interesting and you are hoping they might make it to the end. However, when there are other characters in the film they are slaughtered in the span of five minutes. You know that the film is going to need some more deaths. 

Though the film does stay a bit unpredictable which one can appreciate. Though modern day it has a 1980’s/90’s vibe and can spot some of its inspirations.

The film follows the trend of being under-lit so that everything becomes exceptionally dark in certain scenes. You can make out most of what is happening but at times it is tether hard to make out certain moments. 

Even though the last scene kind of explains the prologue and opens up the film to new locations.  It makes little sense. As you wonder how it was so terrible on that floor. You would think the whole building would be suffering and under attack and then the film makes it seem like nope only that one. It’s a big leap but acceptable.

At least it brings the film full circle with the prologue. 

This film is definitely more enjoyable than the last film as it is at least not following a blueprint and is more lively. Even as it stays in a secluded area. It stays entertaining throughout and does have you on the edge of your seat.

The prologue feels like it’s there more to have a high body count for the film overall and give room for a sequel.

This is definitely a film that breathes life into the franchise and gives hope to what might come next. As it goes places other films seem scared of and it feels at times like a relentless onslaught. 

One thing about this film and the last film you can appreciate is that it seems to be moving into more the horror genre of the first film and less the slapstick comedy of the other two movies of the trilogy and the television series. (Which I happen to enjoy). Each of these films is canon and takes place in the same universe, but wisely each film has its own reality and levels. 

So you can almost choose which road you prefer. 

It’s almost like when a silly conversation gets serious with facts.

Grade: C+

THE POPE’S EXORCIST (2023)

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Directed By: Julius Avery 
Written By: Michael Petroni and Evan Spiliotopoulos 
Story By: Jeff Katz, R. Dean McCreary and Chester Hastings 
Based on the books “AN EXORCIST TELLS HIS STORY” And “AN EXORCIST: MORE STORIES” By: Father Gabriele Amorth 
Cinematography: Khalid Mohtaseb
Editor: Matt Evans

Cast: Russell Crowe, Daniel Zovatto, Franco Nero, Alex Essoe, Pete DeSouza-Feighoney, Laurel Marsden, Cornell John, Bianca Bardowle, Ryan O’Grady 

Inspired by the actual files of Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican, The Pope’s Exorcist follows Amorth as he investigates a young boy’s terrifying possession and ends up uncovering a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep hidden.

What helps keep the film entertaining at the very least is Russell Crowe is certainly having fun throughout with his over-the-top performance. It’s like imagine if Anthony Hopkins’s version of Van Helsing in BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA had gotten his own modern-day spin-off movie 

The film saves the best for last as it includes action, violence, nudity in other words all the naughty stuff. Even though the film has plenty of racy scenes means more to shock and show the possession. 

The last act of this film is so off the wall and overrated yet fun. That you wish the whole movie had been like that. 

As it stands out because before that the movie had been so basic and unoriginal. Something you have seen before. though it might make an interesting first horror film for those being introduced to the horror genre. 

It’s not that good but what you hope for, leaving room for a franchise.

Considering the director Julien Avery who has directed the crazy and entertaining OVERLORD 

who seems to be when he lets loose. After trying so hard to keep it simple and build up the tension. So with this film, he feels like he is holding back on purpose until the end.

The film is a strange mix as it seems to want to contain itself and seem realistic by trying to stick to the facts. Though there are plenty of places throughout especially the end. When it feels purely Hollywood-pumped-up storytelling. 

The film feels like a weekend box office movie placeholder more designed to bring in a quick buck and have a top spot for the opening weekend and be a go-to in the following weeks for people. who needs to buy a ticket or see something else other than the # 1 sold-out movie. So this is kind of like a B-movie. As it is more content than memorable cinema

Grade: C-

LET SLEEPING CORPSES LIE (aka THE LIVING DEAD AT MANCHESTER MORGUE) (1974)

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Directed By: Jorge Grau
Written By: Sandro Continenza and Marcello Coscia
Cinematography: Francisco Sempere
Editor: Domingo Garcia And Vincenzo Tomassi 

Cast: Christine Gallo, Ray Lovelock, Arthur Kennedy, Aldo Massasso, Jeannine Mestre, Genghar Gatti, Jose Ruiz Lifante, Roberto Posse, Giorgio Trestini, Fernando Hilbeck 

In the peaceful, lush, green countryside gruesome murders are committed by the dead who have been brought to life by ultra-sonic radiation. Two travelers from the city who meet accidentally are harassed and implicated by the cops for the murders.

This was a bit of a discovery. Definitely a minor change for a zombie film where we actually care about most of the characters/victims and truly throughout the reason for this plague and man-made. Which makes the film prophetic to a degree. Especially when I’m the beginning we see everyone in masks or covering their faces and this is a film made in 1974

It’s a zombie story that keeps getting frustrating throughout as every time the characters have a chance to warn and try to stop the plague. The authorities do something to obstruct them and try to mail them to serial murderers. Instead of listening and looking out for the greater good.

This film is a little more small scale than the typical zombie plague film. However, it does make the whole endeavor feel more like a thrilling adventure against time throughout. As well as throwing in some romantic innuendo between strangers.

The beginning shows the characters getting away from a society that is shown in all its Luster and depravity as going to the countryside which is thought to be a change of pace and more peaceful.  

Once there is death to the main characters it feels more tragic. As the film does offer heartbreak a few times it does offer what looks to be a happy resolution. 

The film Is macabre at first the violence seems more of what you would expect though as the film goes along it becomes much more macabre and gory. Offering both speeds of zombies fast and slow with practical effects and very impressive and one-of-a-kind contacts giving the zombies red eyes that 28 DAYS LATER seemed to borrow from. 

Though it certainly doesn’t have a happy ending there is a sense of justice or at least comeuppance. It also is one of the rare British zombie films of the 1970s. 

It’s a film where at first you know what is supposed to happen but you never quite know when or how for the first act of the film. Where we get to know the characters and their situations. 

Totally an underrated undiscovered gem. That deserves to be well known and is best to go blind. So not so many expectations. 

Grade: B 

DEATH SHIP (1980)

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Directed By: Alvin Rakoff 
Written By: John Robins
Story By: Jack Hill and David P. Lewis
Cinematography: Rene Verzier 
Editor: Mike Campbell

Cast: George Kennedy, Richard Ctrenna, Nick Mancuso, Saul Rubinek, Victoria Burgoyne, Jennifer McKinney, Danny Higham, Sally Ann Howles, Kate Reid, 

Survivors of a tragic shipping collision are rescued by a mysterious black ship that appears out of the fog. Little do they realize that the ship is a Nazi torture ship that has sailed the seas for years, luring unsuspecting sailors aboard and killing them off one by one.

Considering the cast this should have been much better.

This film would be much more entertaining and fun. If it was strongly directed. As here while being a horror. The direction comes across as broad. It plays like a haunted house film only on a ship. As it is almost like an obstacle course for survival.

It makes you wonder though there are plenty of them. Are ghosts trapped and lonely? As they seem to want to kill so many. Is it a property thing? Do they want company? Are they jealous? Since usually at least in movies they are seen as evil (talks about stereotypes) are they in hell and want a companion? 

Jealous and wanting to take others who they feel are not worth it or appreciate what they have done are just reaching out in the ways they know how or can and people are just afraid and overreact. Are they stuck? Are they stuck on earth because of unfinished business?

The filmmakers used a lot of zooms and transitions. Not to mention senseless death scenes. 

The material is there for a better film. It would be a good candidate to remake better.

The thinking in the story seems to be when in doubt, put in some Nazis or blame them for the horrors. Which feels like a Scooby Doo-type ending or reaching for a villain and explanation.

The ship should be scary on its own or atmospheric. Instead, it looks strangely dressed. It’s also rarely actually dangerous or that intriguing

While the film Is presented as an all-star extravaganza. In modern times it comes off as a Tv-Movie event movie. They would get stars of movies who were willing to do television for a quick Buck or find a way to get stars of all network shows to appear in the same film usually airing in the summer. While most shows were on hiatus.

Grade: C

TROUBLE EVERY DAY (2001)

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Directed By: Claire Denis
Written By: Claire Denis and Jean-Pol Fargeau
Cinematography: Agnes Godard 
Editor: Nelly Quettier 

Cast: Vincent Gallo, Tricia Vessey, Beatrice Dalle, Alex Descas, Florence Loiret-Caille, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Raphael Neal

Shane and June Brown are an American couple honeymooning in Paris in an effort to nurture their new life together, a life complicated by Shane’s mysterious and frequent visits to a medical clinic where cutting-edge studies of the human libido are undertaken. When Shane seeks out a self-exiled expert in the field, he happens upon the doctor’s wife, another victim of the same malady. She has become so dangerous and emotionally paralyzed by the condition that her husband imprisons her by day in their home. It is Shane’s chance encounter with this woman that triggers an event so cataclysmic and shocking it might just lead him to rediscover the tranquility he seeks to restore for himself and his new bride.

Not going to lie, the whole reason I wanted to see this film is Beatrice Dalle. Who has had me captivated since her role in Jim Jaramusch’s NIGHT ON EARTH and have been catching up with her roles from the past to the present ever since.

So it was her being in a vampire film before that seemed to become a trend In The 2000s and also Vincent Gallo is in the film and he usually makes whatever he is in a little more vibrant and interesting.

This is a movie that tries in modern times to present a fable connecting vampirism to lust. The character played by Beatrice Dalle is insatiable and seems to constantly need to feed. So much so that she has to be kept locked up and away. As she is a beast that Can’t be contained. Her raw female sexuality comes out while she gets her prey by seeming more innocent yet confident in her sexuality.

She is sloppy, scantily clothed in a nightgown stained with blood like an animal but she still contains beauty.

The longing for blood comes across as more sexual with an extreme fetish the participants only find out about too late. 

Vincent Gallo is her old lover who has moved on and has a younger wife. He has been able to contain his vampirism and come off as a regular Joe. Though he is drawn back to her. Even as she has a husband who never quite knew what he was getting into, but accepts his responsibilities and tries to help the love of his life in his own way. Hoping she will become satisfied and normal. 

The film is brutally violent and contains a lot of anticipation that never quite lives up to the promise. 

However, it does show a romantic side as in the scene where Dalle’s husband is cleaning the blood off of his feral wife after she seduces and attacks another victim. Shows a devotion that goes above and beyond. He loves her so passionately that she eats her partners. He supports her. Even as he knows he can’t be with her intimately or it will be the end of him. He also knows and worries about who will take care of her if he leaves or something happens to him.

As he knows no one will be as devoted. Yet he continuously longs for her and has made his own kind of sacrifice for her. The epitome of a nice guy. Who does everything but doesn’t have that spark and still wants your old lover who you both were bad for each other but still carries a certain bond. 

The film leaves you in the audience to pick up on details and read into the film what you believe may or may not be true. 

We watch as their acts are made attractive and delectable. More part of the act of pleasure that goes along with it.

I’m not going to lie, this was my first time watching a Claire Denis film. So I didn’t know exactly what to expect. So by the end, I was disappointed immensely and a little confused. Since then I can’t say I have watched much more of her work. I believe only two other films. Only one can I say I truly was mesmerized by  35 SHOTS OF RUM

Ultimately the film’s promise seems wasted. As we wait for major parts of the story to move or more action that never seems to come.

Nor is any of the setup really acted upon dramatically. As it is never touching or moving really. Unfortunately, it comes across as boring and like it wants to mean something and say something but ultimately doesn’t.

Grace: C-

EL CONDE (2023)

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Directed By: Pablo Larrain
Written By: Pablo Larrain and Guillermo Calderon
Cinematography: Edward Lachman
Editor: Sofia Subercaseaux

Cast: Jamie Vadell, Paula Luchsinger, Gloria Munchmeyer, Alfredo Castro, Stella Gonet, Catalina Guerra, Amparo Noguera, Antonia Zegers

After living 250 years in this world, Augusto Pinochet, who is not dead but an aged vampire, decides to die once and for all.

This film plays like a satirical fairy tale mixed with a darkly comedic gothic horror film.

The film is heavily visual, stylish, and pretty. Though short on story. So that the audience glides upon the ambiance 

The film comes across more as a book as it explores the history of the main character. Through bits and pieces yet more through details and voiceover.

For its vastness, it feels a bit more like a hangout movie. The story is mainly told in the estate of Pinochet. His own kind of Dracula. Seducing, massacring, and falling in love. Proving to be a bastard through and through. A with most of the characters throughout. As we watch and try to predict who is the worst.

It offers some depth but gets by on its beauty. That it tries not to use too much. Overall it feels like a good piece of writing that might have worked better as a book or short story, maybe even a play. The film offers more of a visual feast and those details more play in the background. Yet provide a reason for the beautiful shots.

The film does offer several twists and strangely gets a bit romantic with an overall theme of loyalty. 

The film is filled with creativity filmed in black and white that is a reminder of the timelessness of the character. As well as the world he lives in with a nod towards the classic universal monster horror movies.

If you are looking for action. You have come to the wrong film, unfortunately. It does offer more storytelling than anything with a European feel. 

The film is lived in and filled with older characters throughout and only one true young character. 

Grade: B-

BURY THE BRIDE (2023)

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Directed By: Spider One 
Written By: Krsy Fox and Spider One
Cinematography: Andy Patch
Editor: Krsy Fox

Cast: Krsy Fox, Scout Taylor-Compton, Dylan Rourke, Chaz Bono, Lyndsi LaRose, Rachel Brunner, Katie Ryan, Adam Marcinowski, Cameron Cowperthwaite

Bride-to-be June’s bachelorette getaway turns deadly when her bloodthirsty fiance and his friends show up to crash the party.

This is an entertaining B-movie. It’s a TUBI channel original. So you know what you are going into with this film. You only hope that it offers some surprises. Though much better than expected by a director who actually goes by SPIDER ONE. 

Even when it has its chances to be inventive it doesn’t go where you are hoping. It tries to keep you on your toes but offers nothing that exciting. Even though it stays pretty dark throughout.

Once again women are mainly the victims of men throughout. Only here mix in some old-school rednecks. The problem is that the females are far more interesting than the men. Which helps you feel something whenever anything happens to them. As they raise the stakes. 

Thought the film would be more of a slasher film until it turns a little supernatural.

The film has an interesting premise that could have been explored more, but it sets its own speed. As everything escalated pretty quickly. So that it can’t explain everything. Like many questions, you might have by the end. 

For instance, how was anyone charmed by the redneck groom. She has no need to be that desperate 

Then again that’s what sequels are made for. As Star, Co-Writer, and Editor Krys Fox Seems to have most aspects of this film handled. s it seems a project she built for herself from the ground up

The film is entertaining as long as you don’t think too hard about it and don’t ask too much of the material. 

Grade: C