Cast: Nicole Brydon Bloom, Giles Matthey, Taylor Nichols, Alan Blumenfeld, Naomi Grossman, Celeste Sully, Clayton Hoff, Susan Davis
When Sarah lucks into a sweet one-bedroom at Asilo Del Mar Apartments in Los Angeles, she thinks she’s hit the jackpot. It’s got plenty of space, friendly tenants, group BBQs, and even a cute neighbor next door. All is not what it seems: loud noises start keeping her awake at night; her cat is missing; everyone seems to be a little too helpful and friendly, except for the weirdo, Lester. Soon, Sarah learns she didn’t choose this apartment – It chose her.
This film is short. It might’ve been more effective as a short, but I don’t know if it could’ve made it or been felt as deeply if it was a short short.
As you get a little more backstory and understand how everything works more.
The film is interesting though it’s never quite strong enough. The premise is strong, but it feels here. They try to do more hands-off presentations and try to be more psychological and subtle, which does work as more of the scares psychologically physically.
There are scenes of violence. It seems the territory they’re trying to mental rather than going for shocks or anything that could be seen as exploited.
One of the hurdles, the film never quite gets over is how bland and basic the film feels no matter what happens as one can understand that it wants to be more subtle. No, the film feels like it needs to have more life in it.
Even as you were talking about a certain subject that is played a little bit more clinical it doesn’t feel like it has that much of a spirit.
Though it keeps your interest up until the end and makes the mistake of trying to be shocking or at least add a new shock in each act, which then pushes it into overkill, also helps the film to keep the viewer interested as if it didn’t it would pretty much almost be a drama with some extremes.
Again, this feels more like the type of film that feels part of a yearly Halloween anthology or could easily be an episode of an American horror story except without as much sensationalism. It could’ve said the same thing in a shorter time.
By the end, you can’t say that the film is bad as it has plenty of promise that it just falls short of truly fulfilling, but there are great ideas and decent acting throughout. Once the filmmakers get a little more season could really give the audience more of a run for their money.
Cast: Jack Lowden, Martin McCann, Tony Curran, Ian Pirie, George Anton, Kate Bracken, Therese Bradley, Kitty Lovett
A shocking deed turned their weekend trip into a nightmare. Now their only hope is to swallow their paranoia and act normal.
I knew very little about this film originally. Which is often best. Though wondered why it had gotten past my attention.
The film is a nice little atmospheric thriller. Whose premise played off as more all-knowing and clever or comedic. Here it is played deadly seriously.
While working as a thriller it also has more drama than you would expect. As not only fighting for survival but guilt that never truly lets up.
As it’s the worst that could happen scenario. That at first is shocking is played more realistic than expected.
Throughout the film makes you feel uncomfortable as there is an uneasiness and sense of tragedy that hangs over the film. So much so that similarly like myself you might find you can hear or feel your heart beating faster as you wonder where the situations will lead or relieve the audience.
The film Never wants to let the audience or characters off. At first, you wonder if they will get away with it and avoid trouble. Soon the villagers seem like the worst challenge you can have. Rather the. The supernatural or characters who are easily hateable
The storyline might be familiar but the presentation style is noteworthy. Though this is quite an original vision. That never quite goes where you expect it to.
One only wishes the few female characters had a bit more to do. The troublemaker seems there only to add a bit of trouble early on and the compassionate one seems there to help humanize one of the characters in trouble and have someone in his corner once trouble arrives.
The film will make some audience members as haunted as the ending leaves some characters
Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Ed Beglely Jr., Barbara Hershey, Steven Michael Quezada, Madison Beaty, Bianca A. Santos, Denise Grayson, Sheri Foster
Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree.
This is a warning this review has spoilers and is best experienced fresh and going in blindly. So this is your warning.
This movie is beautiful and will remind the audience of movies from the 1970’s. As that is the aesthetic, look, and where its heart lies. As the film clearly states in the beginning it was shot on 35mm film.
This is a film by design. It tells a non-linear story and that is how it unravels. Which works best. As it differs that element of surprises, as well as shocks throughout.
Some might take away points or call it pretentious because of these reasons. Which would be justified if that was all there was to the film. There is a good story and performance. it’s indebted to a certain style and types of films. It comes through with its own identity. It offers up something original and can tell passion and thought went into it.
What is noteworthy about the film is how it is put together. it says so much with very little dialogue or just in certain shots.
It has a relatively small cast but feels gripping and bigger than it is. Especially with the vivid shots from cinematographer Giovanni Ribisi (yes the actor).
Kyle Gallner is always great in whatever film he is in. Always feels believable and never over the top. He is in fine form in this film.
Willa Fitzgerald our other lead, will be honest this is the first time one has seen her in anything and she is great in this film. Switching from victim to psycho. Innocent to seducer and plain old crazy, but you believe her in each moment and beat.
This is a film you watch in observance and amazement then tell your friends all about and want to go with them. So you can see it again but see their reactions to certain scenes and shots and want to discuss with after.
Even if they don’t admire it as much as you do or at all. You want to see how they digested and dissected it for themselves. In other words a conversation starter
One of the most memorable and engaging opening shots and scenes in quite some time. Throwing you in the middle but Presented as the beginning.
Cast: Russell Crowe, Jaqueline McKenzie, Daniel Pollock, Alex Scott, Leigh Russell, Dan Wyllie, Josephine Keen, James McKenna, Eric Mueck, Frank Magree
Violent tale of white supremacist skinheads who spend their time beating up anyone who isn’t white or who doesn’t comply with their version of acceptability. In the end, Hando and Davey will clash violently of a disagreement of principles.
It has taken me 30 years to finally watch this film that came out as a young teen. I remember it had a lot of buzz around it and controversy. This was the first time I heard of Russell Crowe as an actor. This was before the Hollywood starring films This was not the beginning, but when I was getting a bit more intense into my love and study of movies, especially independent Cinema. I remember reading about this film, and this was when I was starting to read the film magazine film when it was still at newsstands. that was just one of the movie magazines I was reading at the time there were like Movie Line Premiere, The Hollywood Reporter, entertainment, weekly, and any other magazine I could really get my hands on. FILM THREAT was your key into the underground, the village voice. Those of us in New York were getting advanced on these upcoming films and this was definitely one of them.
I have to say it now I can see where it had all the hype at the time and watching it now it’s a punch. It’s not quite the knockout that it might’ve been back in its day.
Certainly grimy and dirty, dealing with racism, skinhead, and Australia, and this in particular their day-to-day life of harassment and violence. they are certainly the main characters we follow. They end up themselves more side characters who happen to get tangled up, which is. Gabe played by Jacqueline McKenzie
She is a character who seems to go from one bad situation to the next. It’s more of her survivors as she seems to go to men who seem like they can protect her and give her a place to stay as long as she is willing to do what they need for the time being before their own vices take over, and she just seems to be secondary. She seeks to get away from her abusive father. though, you can’t tell exactly if she’s the epitome of their downfall or came along when they were on a downward trajectory and only helped to accelerate it.
We see her and the gang’s own stories before they eventually collide, and she finds her way into the gang as the current lover of their leader played by Russell Crowe. what eventually ends up misplaced emotions, dooming the romance as it soon becomes a love triangle. when the leader’s right-hand man falls for her, she realizes it and doesn’t turn him away. though later in the film once the two of them pair off and crows character finds out about it he feels betrayed, but you’re not quite sure by which one, or it might be both even though there seems to be a little homoerotic going on between him and his right-hand man. towards the end, They are trying to out-strengthen one another to see who has more power and influence.
this all happens very fast before any of them can really think about it as the film only examines a few days in the life of these characters in which everything seems reckless and those supposedly trying to be a community and protect it like all they really do is destroy.
The film doesn’t paint their victims as entirely passive victims they fight back as it seems like the minorities they are rebelling against or truly jealous of the Asian community. who all seem to be prospering and more successful than that which is more of the problem this jealousy leads them to believe that they are being looked down upon by people of color.
The film is ultimately a tragedy for most involved. It doesn’t pass judgment on the characters. It doesn’t celebrate the characters though mainly the skinheads are who we follow. while the film brought to Russell Crowe who is certainly violent and charismatic in the lead role, the performances are Jacqueline McKenzie and Daniel Pollock the latter of whom sadly died before this film’s premiere. It’s a shame as he would’ve gone on bigger and better.
While here Russell Crowe just had more of the star-making magnetism. I give Jacqueline McKenzie a lot of credit as she has what at first seems like a typical role but in the end, has the harder role as she’s a survivor what comes off as emotions at times might just be manipulation so it’s hard to tell what she truly believes and feels and what she’s just showcasing to get her way and stay protected.
The film has a few graphic sex scenes that supposedly are real as they definitely come across as realistic, but they are also very well edited to not seem as pornographic.
while the film deals with racist skinheads, it doesn’t reveal any of their beliefs in radiology as it’s not the main focus. The main focus seems to be the dynamics of this gang and their behavior so there is plenty of violence. It never feels exploited, but it can be shocking at times. ask for skinheads who seem to shun those different than them or outsiders who seem to be growing to be outsiders in their own town and Goths and punks into the revelry with them, though that might be more of a sexual thing as the punks and Goths are female.
Director Geoffrey Wright truly came through with a dazzling debut. While he has made other films that are memorable for their own reasons, they never reached the strength of this film.
Based On An Original Screenplay By: Ruben Avila Calvo and David R.L.
Cinematography: Steven Petitteville
Editor: Stephane Roche
Cast: Camille Rowe, Jeremy Scippio, Aleksander Popovic, J. John Bieler, Manaia Abdelrahim
When an unsuspecting woman stops at a remote gas station in the dead of night, she’s made the plaything of a sociopath sniper with a secret vendetta. To survive she must not only dodge his bullets and fight for her life, but also figure out who wants her dead and why.
This film is pretty cut and dry. Though quite vicious at heart. It is a woman trying to escape the clutches of a sniper and watching as she tries to survive others who are unlucky enough to cross this gas station get massacred
The villain doesn’t really offer a definite reason for his actions as throughout his spouse, many talking points that we have become familiar with in shootings and spree killers in the news so it doesn’t take any particular political angle
It’s more of a survival story while there is plenty of tension, and we get to know the main character throughout the villain stays faceless for the most part
We feel sorry for the various victims who didn’t really do anything to deserve the fate that they ended up with the film at 90 minutes does feel a little long and maybe could’ve been shortened by 30 minutes then it would’ve been a welcome addition to maybe an anthology series That would be hard to find one as this is more of a thriller story not necessarily a supernatural story or a fantasy story or even science fiction even though it does have a monster involved it’s more of a human monster, not particularly supernatural chest, skilled
Directed By Franck Khalfoun, who previously made the underrated remake of Maniac here he comes with an original story that is very bare, and makes the most out of it, as we see the various ways in which she tries to escape or survive longer and how is she gets information and reacts to anything personal he might know about her.
In the end, we suspect who the sniper might be as by the end, there are a few questions none of them truly answer.
Give the movie a chance to actually worth your time
Cast: Philippe Noiret, Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Stephane Andean, Eddy Mitchell, Guy Marchand, Irene Skobline, Michael Beaune, Jean Champion, Victor Garrivier
1938, in a French-African colony. Lucien Cordier is the cop of this village, populated with blacks and a few whites (usually racialist and lustful). He is a washout, everyone (including his wife Huguette) humiliates him. He never arrests anyone and looks at elsewhere when a dirty trick occurs. But one day, he turns into a Machiavellian exterminating angel.
This film can be looked at as a bit experimental, as it is based on a pulp thriller set in the United States but this version of the story is played out internationally in Africa, amongst the French colonists who are in the country.
While in the African’s land and home, these French characters who are more invaders in their territory, still think of themselves as superior and treat the natives like savages even though more or less, the so-called civilized characters, truly act more savage and heinous than any of them.
There are very few likable characters throughout this film it’s just that it takes time to learn the despicable of each, and somehow they seem to outshine each other as the tail goes along.
The Protagonist is a police chief in the area, though he is very Azih, and not very effective. He is in a loveless marriage, and having a secret affair that it seems most snow about but certain people acknowledge, but others are shocked.
The young married woman that he is having an affair with is played by a very young Isabelle Huppert. Their early scenes are certainly sexual, but not erotic, and certainly feel dirty.
Until the police officer truly shows his sociopathic and psychopathic sides. And he ends up murdering two local pimps and covering up their murders implicating a colleague for it, and it seems like after that he seems to start a domino effect of anyone in his life who bothers him or stands in his way him getting rid of for whatever reason, and with each murder, he seems to lose another piece of his soul which already seemed kind of worthless.
On one end, you could see this as a kind of revenge tail of a meat character finally standing up for himself and getting revenge on those who either don’t think much of him or sell him short, but you also must wonder at times was he planning this the whole time And was waiting for the time to strike or was he just finally pushed too far and decided to act when the opportunity presented itself.
By the end, he has his own kind of superiority over other characters as he began, he seems to have a plan, and along the way, his plans seem to be changing as does his mindset.
whereas the reason he was doing it, and he was doing it, for he seems to see their true side And see them for what they are and wants to test them to see if they are worthy, and commonly they fail. He is the most testable it becomes a crabs in a bucket situation.
At first, it seems that lust is what drives his character and money seems to others as the film goes along. He seems to lose faith in anything, and everything that he believes in.
His married lover, who his wife seems to know about yet sometimes seems shocked, and his wife’s so-called brother, a truly her lover, are all over each other, and his house tries to even threaten to blackmail him with this affair.
The only character throughout this film, who seems innocent or just doesn’t know any better is the schoolteacher who the detective is on and sometimes has conversations with.
Don’t get me wrong. This film is hard to sit through. Almost every character is racist and uses that kind of language as well as assaults plenty of black characters that just seem to go with the territory and how evil the characters are in the first place.
Moving the setting of the tale from a small town in Texas to a small town in Africa. It seems to match the territory and gives the tale a wider point of view of which to not only look at it but study it also. As it is similarly, dusty, dirty, remote, yet tranquil.
The film can feel detestable at once, but not keep your interest. Never quite knowing what is going to happen next. It almost feels like a mystery only It’s not a who done it and we are watching from the killer’s point of view.
All the characters are racist. Which fits the noir tale. Most of the characters are unlikeable and a nest of vipers waiting to strike first. It’s Very inventive taking the Jim Thompson tale and making it a more international tale. The film is fascinating.
Based on the novel POP. 1280 by Jim Thompson. which I haven’t read, but this feels a bit similar as far as main characters go to the main character from another Jim Harrison tale THE KILLER INSIDE ME. As both are sheriff’s and psychopathic sociopaths
Written By: Enrique Gomez Vadillo and Carlos Valdemar
Cinematography: Santiago Navarrette
Editor: Carlos Puente
Cast: Sonia Infante, Andres Bonfiglio, Rodolfo De Anda, Antonio Eric, Humberto Lobato, Angela Alatriste, Martha Gema, Ileana Higueras
The son of a wealthy businesswoman returns home from boarding school. His mother, always busy with business and with her ambitious lover, realizes that her son suffers from being a homosexual. Having killed a teacher who abused him, the trauma makes him keep killing.
This film was made in 1991 but watching it it feels older though it totally fits both the 1970s and 1990s as a way of creation as the film is at the heart, a thriller, but also a kind of LGBTQ plus romance of sorts. Definitely more of a cult film.
We are mildly sympathetic to the killer in this film, as it’s not a spoiler, but his character was raped by his teacher at a boarding school, and he secretly enjoyed it, which is how he found out that he was a homosexual, but also is repressed that he can’t readily admit it to his mother But is looking for someone to love and share his life with, but is so repressed that he kills those around him or also gay or threat to him
To try to fool the audience because the opening credits are of the lead female Sonia Infante swimming around her pool and staying in a state of toplessness until a man comes we find out is her soon-to-be husband and basically, they frolic together, and this opening scene and throughout the film that is shot like soft horn Haze
The stepfather seems like a Spanish right, Robert Mitchum. He looks and we don’t really know his deal because at first, it seems like he is a gold digger, but he seems like he does but also odds with the stepson, but the mother keeps trying to deny homosexuality Homosexuality is treated like some kind of disease or mental illness throughout this film. We’re having the main character be a serial killer of sorts doesn’t help.
It’s so hard to believe that the stepfather is the one who suspects him of it while also setting up a house fall who is meant for more things than he is presented with at the beginning
In all of this, the sun finally finds a companion to confide in who has a girlfriend who I guess has always been straight most of his life but being a European he’s sexually the son is his friend and has treated him so well and this is his honeymoon to a certain extent or least bachelor party to get all his players and king out an intense romance between the two
The film has full frontal nudity of men and women, thing is that it represents a negative stereotype of homosexuals, but it also makes them the main character and gives representation at a time when it wasn’t really shown also the movie is a bee movie that is so ridiculous that you cannot believe The sun is getting away with all these murders, except for the fact that his mother is rich, but she even believes all of his excuses of all these deaths around ridiculous, especially when the murders are so blatant and done at the drop of a hat without any real thought or planning?
That is the beauty of the film is that it is such a bee movie and so ridiculously over the top, but for the most part, seriously it achieves the true beauty of being self-aware and not at the same time with questionable politics and motives that make the film, if not troubling at times And wondering how takes this film that it is obvious yet comic
In the end, this is a fun yet bad film that has a ridiculous. The third act and ending despite it being bananas from the beginning Harkins back to a certain time no offer representation of good and bad.
watching the film, you could tell that this was a bit homophobic and going into certain stereotypes while trying to have an open mind, though villainizing and having sympathy but also gives a backstory and understanding, even though throughout the film pretty much there is no set. Everything is said out of the open and no one seems to have, a sensor when it comes to their thoughts and saying them. it seems a vision of a homosexual story through a straight male gaze.
Cast: Jan-Michael Vincent, Leo Rossi, Charles Napier, Harold Sylvester, Jere Burns, Rip Torn, Lance Henriksen, Ken Lerner, Frank Pesce
A family man and a mob witness hunt for a hitman who has mistakenly kidnapped the family man’s son.
This actually makes a very engaging thriller, though it’s a character actor Paradise, and while everybody is doing their best, the main weakness is the person, casting the lead Jan Michael Vincent, who doesn’t seem to put his all into it, though probably with his name and star Power is why the film got made or financed in the first place.
Though the film has enough heavy hitters in the cast. Not to mention supposedly Mr. Vincent was behind several problems with the production. This might be why such heavy emphasis is more on supporting cast members.
The film has plenty of action and plays like an action thriller that you would see on the big screen you know it has not so healthy budget though I think if someone else had played the lead, it would be better remembered I’m not gonna say it would be a classic, but definitely better remembered
Especially as one of the twists of the film is based on what one would think is a ridiculous mistake, but moves the film forward
The other flaw of the film is that really out of Jan Michael Vincent’s Circle. the only good guy or good character who is killed is really his best friend in the African-American character. You know there are several cops in the beginning who are protecting witnesses who get killed but we rarely or barely get to know them whereas the character played by Harold Sylvester you know we get to know and care about and then he is dispatched
The rip TORN seems to have fun, showing a scenery and going over the top of his role as a mob boss, Leo Rossi adds real heart and is a memorable character to the film, as a kind of wise guy who most of the characters are after in the first place
Same with Charles Napier he just seems to go with the flow and really seems to be enjoying himself throughout as more of the federal agent on the case
it’s cool to see Lance Henriksen as this maniacal unstoppable killer who has a day job as a cover and then towards the end seems that no matter how hard you try to kill him. He’s like a horror movie villain he just won’t die. It’s interesting and ridiculous he is though he’s the most interesting character in the movie as he is a killer character, who deserves a better film script than this
Especially his character is so devious and calculated, but it makes this one mistake that changes. Everything seems a little bit ridiculous
this film is more on the side of a guilty pleasure as you can’t really take anything seriously but it is a fun film to watch. I believe you will have a good time with. Especially directed by director William Lustig, even though this is one of the few director-for-hire jobs that he took.
Cast: Thomasin McKenzie, Anne Hathaway, Shea Whigham, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Marin Ireland, Sam Nivola, Owen Teague, Brendan Burke
The stagnant waters of Eileen’s dull, stifled life as a solitary worker at a juvenile detention center in 1960s Boston, are unexpectedly disrupted when the institution brings in a new psychologist, the vibrant Rebecca. The fervent enthusiasm that blossoms between the two women almost immediately gives way to a closer relationship, until their fragile connection takes a dramatic turn.
The first act of the film seems to be drenched in character as we build up, not only the title character of Eileen, but her circumstances with obvious deep trauma and depression in her life, and what she has to deal with in her day-to-day until Anne Hathaway’s character comes into her life a blonde bombshell of the upper crust, upbringing, and beauty who takes an interest in her and kind of seduces her at first it seems like a friendship or maybe a mentor relationship but it seems the valves and something more and this is where the films first half is strongest clues as to what is to come But never dis PLAY them outright
Then, when the twist does it fits into the mood of the film, but it is such a left turn that it almost seems ridiculous that you’re questioning yourself. Is this one of Eileen’s fantasies that we have seen earlier, even though those usually involve more death or suicide, in their own way, it is all real.
In the end, the film, like a wannabe noir that ends up as a drama, with a kind of ridiculous third act the third act could’ve been believable, but but the way it comes about just feels so silly
Especially the first half of the film, so in tune and stylish, even if at times, Anne Hathaway’s character seems more like a caricature of Femme Fatale movies. She still comes off as believable in the end, even though her actions seem rather far-fetched.
I will admit, I never read the original book so maybe it’s better explained there, but the way it’s put on screen there always seems to be attention and intention that is going to happen but the film always seems to fall short, or never reaches the peak that it presents
The actors are all great, and Hathaway is memorable, as is Shea Whigham, who is believable as her mentally unbalanced and constantly drunk, who is a burden but seems in his own way, trying to educate the young Eileen
I have to say, Thomasin McKenzie totally walks away with the film as she portrays this innocence and you see her falling you see her heartbroken you see her hopeful, but then also you can kind of see her more angry and vengeful side and she plays it so well, just through her facial reactions and physicality as it seems like she is truly being awakened, and the beast is out of its cage to a certain extent either that or in desperation for survival her instincts finally come alive and it’s truly a revelatory performance, not that from what I’ve seen so far she’s ever given a bad performance, but this one truly felt like a showcase for her and her talents finally.
I wish the suicidal ideation or fantasies off a little better throughout the film as it does enhance the character and maybe gives us a peak into her mentality, but for the film, I thought it would play off the scene where we think it’s a fantasy and then realize it’s reality or maybe You know in another universe or telling of the tail the whole act is a fantasy that she uses to finally take action even though when it’s own way it does though it’s not a fantasy it seems to be the push or the thing she needed to run and live her life
Even though her way of tidying things up, will still lead to her, needing to keep being on the run so to speak and Hathaway’s character, we are at a loss as to what becomes of her.
As Hathaway and her character come in like a guest star and leave that way. Where we are left wondering so many things.
The film tries in its own way it it tell a story and makes itself useful to a certain degree, but it just seems to fall short as the audience is because they were expecting something better, especially with how strongly the first half was presented in the film, seems to not take advantage of its strength that could’ve made the film a lot more memorable and stronger.
The film is well directed by not as sharply directed as one would expect from director William Oldroyd, who has captured passion, deceit, double crosses, and cold hearts in his previous movie LADY MACBETH. As this seems to lack a strong payoff to what has been building throughout.
Cast: Willem Dafoe, Christopher Walken, Asia Argento, Annabella Sciorra, Victor Argo, Gretchen Mol, John Lurie
In the not-too-distant future, two New York businessmen plot to play two multinational rival corporations against each other, with a little help from a shady Italian street woman, to obtain an important Japanese businessman for the company they work at, only things are not always as they appear.
Abel Ferrara is a talented writer and director who always seems to dip his toe into things that could be seen as shocking. It might be that is just his interest in the stories that he wants to tell. Nowadays he makes more personal, dramatic, artistic films, but for a time he seemed to be a provocateur when it came to cinema stories of the streets of New York, in particular, starting out with more horror films, then seemed to have a period where it was mostly crime related films.
He is a filmmaker of interest who is very unapologetic, though I will admit since his movie, BAD LIEUTINENT, and his one studio-made film a remake of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, his films have been for me at least hit or miss. Unfortunately, it feels like they usually miss or fail to make a connection. Though he’s a filmmaker where you can always find something of interest in his films or his filmmaking.
I remember at the time being interested in this movie, more to see Asia Argento and I felt because she looked very enticing, and the story sounded somewhat interesting. Not to mention liked the cast of it mostly being her Willem Dafoe and Christopher Walken, even though at the time it seemed like Willem Dafoe and Christopher Walken were almost in everything so seeing them in yet another film wasn’t that enticing but with her as the added attraction.
As I had only seen pictures of her and not really seen her in a movie, not to mention with Abel Ferrara directing, I knew it would be dark and troubling, but reading the synopsis of the story and plot it never quite gelled with me, especially from people who have seen it They just didn’t seem like it was worth going to movie theaters to check this movie out.
Watching it now. Almost 25 years later I’m kind of glad I didn’t see it in theaters. It’s not a bad movie, but I would’ve been greatly disappointed and it would’ve probably been more forgettable to me. I would’ve seen it as more experimental and artistic, so it would also show how the story could be told more on a limited budget, especially one that is set in the future and kind of cyberpunk. As after all, it is based on a short story by William Gibson. This might be why the film seems so rebellious and Avant Garde or striving to be different.
The film has a lot of cutaways of digital video and photography that we come back to throughout the story.
There is a lot of eroticism and a few scenes of sex on display. One of the themes of this film seems to be fantasy and how much you let it take over especially as you know the truth but you want to believe.
It seems like the film is more about all these vipers being hustlers on their own, being brought together to take down a big fish, and slowly turning on each other, as at the center of it one makes the dangerous decision of not only trust, but love, especially with somebody who works as a professional seductress were acting is their professional, so you never know when they’re being genuinely Trust or telling you what you wanna hear to their own satisfaction
It seems like the camera is as captivated with Asia Argento as much as The characters are as it always seems to be exploring and exposing her allure, so while it doesn’t provide her an acting exercise where we see her day-to-day. this is a goddess movie. Where it seems the allure and the strength of the film is on the femme fatale and how the audience feels about her as a film and its own wife fetishizes her to a degree, making the film and the protagonist see her more as a goddess.
There is Something about Asia Argento, her films, and her career. I’ve always been kind of in awe, but she rarely got a chance to shine or have that career-defining performance. It was more she was in hit movies, but you don’t, in particular, remember her performances or character, because you could point out movies like LAND OF THE DEAD or MARIE ANTOINETTE or XXX, yes she was in those films as a cast member, but none of her performances stand out.
Even when she directed her own films such as an adaptation of the book THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS. which were more controversial and shocking, she made a little impact, but never long-lasting unfortunately, as they were artistic, but seemed more poised to shock. so I always look at her career as a kind of example of promises made, but never quite capitalizing on all the talk, hype, or Fame. there might’ve been more personal reasons as to why her career stalled at a certain point, but I still find her talented, beautiful, and stunning and half the time when I watch some of her movies. It was just to see her in it And she looked sensational and in most of them captivating.
It’s also interesting that the film has great actress Gretchen Mol featured in a small but important role throughout as at the time she was also considered an ingenue in the acting world, the next big thing or flavor of the month at the time, though she is displayed for less in this film.
The film comes across as a futuristic tale that had an idea that was original but did not have the budget for the ambitions of the script so it feels like the third act is made to put the story of what actually happens or happens from scenes we’ve seen earlier as flashbacks or memories to explain it all.
It’s an interestingly constructed film with a good soundtrack. that uses a lot of it looks to be handheld video and a bunch of scenes, or at least the beginning of digital video being used and more professional films.
Offering a third-act explanation of everything by pointing out what was evident in playing sight from before now that might be because I just didn’t have enough money to finish and film. Actually, it is very creative but can be seen as frustrating to someone in the audience who is traditional filmmaking or is used to having, their hands held to end to the end
Does it have an ending? Strangely it feels somewhat unfinished. This would be a film that definitely could stand the case of being remade.
A bit disappointing but creative. Its artistic flourishes seem born out of not having the budget that was expected and making the best out of the situation. Though definitely a film where the camera is in love with Asia Argento. As much as the main character. As it spotlights her almost fetishistically.
Cut To The Chase 