The Man Who Fell To Earth [1976]

I watched this film a long time ago - and I didn't quite like it - but back then my movie tastes haven't matured to what they are today. So, I'm curious what my reaction would be today.

Meiko Kaji

The beautiful star of the Scorpion pinky violence films - Meiko Kaji - sings "Jeans Blues"

Enjoy!

Siren [2004]

“Hey guys, I hear there’s a female ogre around these parts that preys on young greedy stupid virgin film students who don’t know how to make a film – but watch a lot of films so they thought they would try to make a film.”

“What’s that on the side of the road?”

“Oh, it’s a female – let’s pick her up!”

“I cannot possibly think of any possible reason why that even MIGHT be considered a bad idea!”

So, if I was watching this film – and let’s not pretend that I just wasted 78 minutes of my life watching this film – this is purely hypothetical... I would be asking the filmmaker – who is my friend – as that’s probably the only reason why I would watch this film... He’s still in film school – and he wants me to screen it and give an honest opinion... Okay? Is that enough of a set-up?

Well, I would ask my friend; “The dialogue – that seems kind of spontaneous. Was that difficult to write?” Then he would say; “Oh yeah, but we improvised a little.” Then I would say; “Oh.”

I wouldn’t have the guts to tell him that the dialogue at times makes little sense – and the directing, acting, story and everything makes little if no sense - almost like there wasn't any to begin with - it was all decided at the moment. The only thing that’s any good is the concept of the story – but that’s just about it. Concepts aren’t stories.

I also wouldn't have the heart to tell him that I hate movies made on cheap digital cameras. Sure the picture's clear - but there's no depth to the picture - it feels so sterile and wrong.

Then I would say; “How did you convince the girl to get nekkid that many times in your student film?” He would say; “She’s a porn star.” Then I would say; “Well, that makes sense.”**

I wouldn’t tell him that even though she’s cute and all – the hopes of seeing her breasts isn’t enough of a motivation to sit through the entire film – one would watch just to the point of seeing them – and then turn off the film. No, since I was watching this film with the filmmaker in the room I didn’t want to insult them by turning it off.

So bad.

I would then tell my friend that I thought it was pretty good – I would’ve done a few things differently – (like when it rained in that final scene I’d make sure the characters hair got wet – so the rain is convincingly wet and not just there) – and I would give it a 4 out of 5 and then drink another beer... But truly inside me that beer would be used to drown my sorrow of watching a really bad film that had no redeeming parts (other than boobs – but boobs aren’t a movie – until I MAKE THE MOVIE CALLLED BOOBS AND THAT’S ALL THAT WILL BE AND EVER BE - BOOBS!!!) – but truly inside it’s barely worth a 1 out of 5 – but I round up from NOTHING!

Okay, I admit it – I watched this film... And the filmmaker wasn't there with me... It’s only because I got the ‘Behind the Pink Curtain – The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema’ and got overly excited and rented the first pinku style film that I found on Netflix even if it was modern and I HATE modern Japanese sex cinema films... And I regret it okay? I’m sorry.

[directed by Satoshi Torao]

** This is also the reason why I cannot find a picture of this movie on the internet - or even a picture of the movie's "star" that doesn't have a male appendage sticking out of her in some fashion. So, ummm... G'morning!

Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion: Beast Stable [1973]

After watching the first Female Prisoner #701 Scorpion film – I wasn’t exactly impressed – I wanted a pinky violence film but got a women-in-prison film. Even though I was disappointed - I really wanted to give the second film - Jailhouse 41 - a try. The only problem with that is the second film is mysteriously out of print – yet the third and fourth films in the series come in a box set along with the first. In the mood for a kind of pinky violence film – I decided to give Beast Stable a shot.

Scorpion (played by Meiko Kaji) is still on the run from the law – ever since her boyfriend a crooked cop set her up in the first film. Beast Stable opens with Scorpion narrowly escaping capture by cutting off a detectives arm after he handcuffs her. Yuki, a prostitute, meets Scorpion as she’s trying to escape the handcuffs – and takes her in. Scorpion goes on to cross a local gangster – while the one armed detective is still searching for her – but little do they know - they don’t want to corner the Scorpion.

This film is fantastic in so many aspects – I’m really kicking myself for not watching it sooner. It’s visually stunning and surreal – but that’s not to say that it doesn’t have a pretty good dose of sleaze, violence and exploitation-like bizarreness. When I say a pretty good dose – I don’t mean over-the-top – it’s fairly low-key when compared to other pinky violence films released by Toei around the same time.

I really liked Meiko Kaji as the Scorpion – first off she’s gorgeous – secondly she’s the lead character but has so few lines - so she has to play the character more with body language and blank facial expressions that blossom when alone (or with Yuki - who I felt there was a developing quiet love story). You also have to take into account that she’s an escapee so she’s also got to blend in and be so subtle about all that she does in public – even though she’s an extremely dangerous person to the people who cross her.

Kaji has the direction of Shunya Ito to thank for really helping pull together a great performance with a great film. Ito uses surreal elements to help provide tension or to help express what the Scorpion has bottled up inside of her. He also uses the composition of the frame and the angle at which he shoots as a way of helping build up the audiences reaction to a particular scene.

I thought it was interesting – that the film dealt with a taboo politically charged topic at one point – that was handled and show in two different ways simultaneously – as to not preach to an audience. In some of the exploitation films I’ve seen – they usually take on a taboo topic head on – and tell you – this is how you should feel and we will be exploiting it as a motive.

That’s not to say the film doesn’t have its flaws – such as how the One Armed Detective connected both Yuki and the Scorpion – maybe I missed something but Yuki never tipped her hand to anyone from what I remember. I thought Yuki’s mentally handicapped brother was a bit over the top – but that’s what an exploitation film is supposed to be (not exploited in a ‘duh-duh’ way mind you).

My only other confusion was I kept expecting the lead gangster’s woman to turn out to be a dude – but I guess she just wasn’t an attractive lady… With biggish hands… And 5 o’clock shadow...

This is a great film – and I think it’s great as part of the series – and would even work as a stand alone film. I’m giving this one a perfect 5 out of 5.

Law Abiding Citizen [2009]

Scanning the reviews on Metacritic – this film is bashed for being torture/porn and compared to Saw. I just don’t see it. It’s an over the top revenge film that does have some contraption kills – but it’s certainly not Saw.

The wife and child of Clyde Shelton (played by Gerard Butler) are killed during the course of a robbery. An ambitious assistant DA, Nick Rice (played by Jamie Foxx), decides to make sure that at least one of the perpetrators get what they deserve even if it means the other gets a light sentence. The only problem is the deal that he makes lets the wrong guy off – and Clyde is mad – 10 years later Clyde enacts a plan – and as we find out “If Clyde wants you dead. You’re dead.” Even if Clyde is behind bars!!!

This is a cat and mouse chase kind of who is smarter than whom - revenge tale. Clyde plays with Nick and his group of cops & prosecutors – as he teaches them a lesson. I don’t think anyone out there would disagree that this “lesson” is worth learning – as the law is set-up to protect its citizens – not to let killers go free. It’s the execution of the lesson plan (pun-pun-pa-pun-pun) that raises the question.

Can the “hero” of the film be the one killing innocent people? Or is the hero of the film the one who let an innocent family’s killer go free?

My problem with the film is that I think the message gets a little muddled – and they tend to over-sympathize with Clyde – therefore making it harder to root for Nick. Maybe it’s the script – maybe it’s the actors – but it’s hard to feel sorry for what seems like an unsympathetic and cocky prosecutor – who has his entire life in front of him – and doesn’t regret making the deal to let the killer go free. Versus’ a scorned father – who’s charisma almost makes you forgive the fact that he’s causing horrible things to happen to people.

Your like or dislike of this film is ultimately going to be based on who you like more – rather than based on who is “right”. Both characters are ultimately “right” and “wrong” in their decisions – the DA does his job the way the law allows him to do his job even if it means making deals with murderers – Clyde is taking out the trash but also crosses the line on whom he considers “trash”. Considering one character is more sympathetic than the other – if you whole-heartedly disagree with Clyde – then you will probably dislike the film.

The direction was standard – as was the entire production – nothing that makes it stand out. I finished it maybe a half-hour ago – and there wasn’t truly any memorable scenes that make me want to watch it again. The acting was all right – though I thought Foxx should’ve come off as more sympathetic than he did.

I liked the film more than I disliked it – there was enough intrigue that kept me interested – and even though there were some big plot holes (the most glaring of which addressed head-on as soon as I thought it up) – I didn’t mind rooting for Clyde and his quest taking down the “corrupt” system. On first viewing – I’ll give it a 4 out of 5 – but I can see it settling more around a 3 if I watched it again in the near future.

[directed by F. Gary Gray]

Weekend Viewing - Feb 19-21 (part 2)

Play Misty for Me [1971, directed by Clint Eastwood]

A radio disc jockey (Clint Eastwood) has a stalker (Jessica Walter).

I liked this film – it was pretty well made – a fine script – and a good build up of tension. My problem with it was that Clint didn’t get sufficiently pissed off with this woman who’s ruining his life – Clint is far too cool for school for the shit she pulled on him. In his feature directing debut – Clint was pretty good with certain elements – and fairly standard for the time the film was released in others. I’ll go out on a limb and give it a 4 out of 5.

Futureworld [1976, directed by Richard Heffron]

In the sequel to Westworld [1973] – the Delos Corporation has reopened their adult oriented theme park after 150 people got snuffed out by killer robots just years before. This time they invite some higher profile reporters to a free visit in hopes they would promote the park – or do they have something up their sleeves?

The fun of Westworld really didn't come over with it to the sequel. This felt more like a dull investigation/conspiracy story that could've been about anything - not just about robots. The relationship between the two reporters felt like love via default - and the relationship between Harry and Clark was disturbing to say the least. They also brought back Yul Brynner in the worst way - in an unnecessary dream sequence that mad you wonder - why is Yul in her dream if they never met? I give it a frustrating 2 out of 5.

Weekend Viewing - Feb 19-21 (part 1)

Shutter Island [2010, directed by Martin Scorsese]

A patient has escaped from the mental hospital on Shutter Island – and two US Marshals are brought in to investigate. The more they investigate – the more questions they raise as to what’s really happening on the island.

Shutter Island is a good film if you want to be taken for a ride that will tease your brain – and at times frustrate you. I’m really not quite sure how I want to rate this film – on it’s surface and looking back – I’d give it a 4 – but I’m not sure if that 4 would last under more scrutiny.

On a side note – my dad told me he had a dream about the movie (which he hadn’t seen) – and basically told me what my thoughts were half-way through the film on what was happening. If he only knew how right he was.

Kelly’s Heroes [1970, directed by Brian Hutton]

Kelly got wind of $16 million in gold behind Nazi lines – and hatches a plan to go and get it.

This film has aged badly – the humor – the soundtrack – the direction – the pacing – all doesn't really work in today's eye. Donald Sutherland’s Oddball character – felt completely out of place – I know he was supposed to be a gypsy or something – but came off as a hippie – which in WWII felt wrong. All that said it was kind of fun – and I liked it just a tick more than I disliked it – I’m stretching out and giving it a 3 out of 5.