Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy

Year: 2009

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Max Records, Pepita Emmerichs, Max Pfeifer, Madeleine Greaves, Joshua Jay

Director: Spike Jonze

My Review: A movie based on the stories of Maurice Sendak. Filled with whimsical creatures, a sense of exploration, an imaginative world discovered, and and a sense of belonging. This film is aimed at an adolescent audience; one that is just discovering his or her place in the world. It's a tale of temperament, emotion, family and reconciliation. The camera work is fantastic, as are the locations and costumes. The cgi close-ups were fantastic, and the editing honored the amazing emotional depth imbued in these characters. The story itself is a simple tale of adolescent angst and familial conflict. Resolution comes only after the main character finds himself alone, accepted and understood by a group of outsiders. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: An adolescent named Max has an active imagination, and he will throw fits if others don't go along with what he wants. Max - following an incident with Claire (his sister) and her friends, and following a tantrum which he throws as a result of his Mother paying more attention to her boyfriend than to him - runs away from home. Wearing his wolf costume at the time, Max not only runs away physically, but runs toward a world in his imagination. This world, an ocean away, is inhabited by large wild beasts, including one named Carol who is much like Max himself in temperament. Instead of eating Max like they normally would with creatures of his type, the wild things befriend Max after he proclaims himself a king who can magically solve all their problems.

Genre: Comedy, Horror

Year: 2008

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Dominic Monaghan, Ron Perlman, Larry Fessenden, Angus Scrimm, John Speredakos

Director: Glenn McQuaid

My Review: Written and directed by Dennis McQuaid - in his first major release. Here is a worthy start for this director's career. The story - A second string grave robber in 19th century England regales one Father Francis Duffy (played by Ron Perlman) with his tragic story of corpse peddling and undead meddling, just prior to a date with the guillotine. Ghoulish tales of grave robbing with a comedic bent. The humor is definitely tongue-in-cheek, dark and dry. Original, funny, and worth watching - at least once. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: 18th century justice catches up with a pair of grave robbers. With only a few hours to go before his date with the guillotine, Arthur Blake (Monaghan) tells his life story to Father Francis Duffy (Ron Perlman). Before long, Arthur spills the beans on how he got started in the grim corpse peddling business with seasoned ghoul Willie Grimes (Fessenden).

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Year: 2008

Country: Germany, USA, Canada

Rating:

Starring: Al Pacino, Alicia Witt, Leelee Sobieski, Amy Brenneman, William Forsythe

Director: Jon Avnet

My Review: This one was on my list of movies 'Not to watch', but Kim popped it in (he Netflix pick) during lunch. In this movie, Al Pacino (at 69 years old) plays a womanizing college professor / forensic psychologist with a bevy of beauties begging to bed him. What? Come on, he's ancient and all the 20 something hotties want him badly? I get the feeling that this movie was written with a much younger character/actor in mind. Then the script got picked up by some big studio, re-wrote it for Pacino, and hired Jon Avnet to direct it as an action thriller. In this story, Jack (played by Al Pacino) gets a mysterious phone call with a disguised spooky voice. 'You've got 88 minutes left to live!' And the race is on. A race to identify and stop the manipulating psycho-killer who's plaguing Jack, trying to discredit him, frame him for murder, and killing off his incredibly hot girlfriends along the way. The story is preposterous. Full of ridiculous plot holes, riddled with 'clues', cliches, and chock full of sixty nine year old Pacino sprinting around downtown Seattle (not Seattle). The cast was uninspired. The characters paper thin. The acting (including Pacino's) was less than convincing and the direction unimaginative. The location shots were well done, but the lighting was poorly done - all grays and blues. The ending was just another example of how bad this movie was. I give it a 1 out of 5.

Summary: In Seattle, the successful forensic psychiatrist and college professor Jack Gramm is in evidence since he was responsible for the condemnation of the serial killer Jon Forster, influencing the jury to sentence him to the death row. Jon accuses Jack of manipulation, inducing one witness and sister of one of his victims to testify against him. On the eve of Jon's execution, Jack receives a phone call telling him that he has only eighty-eight minutes of life, while a killer is copycatting Jon, killing women with the same "modus-operandi" and is investigated by Seattle Slayer Task Force. With the support of associate Shelly Barnes, an FBI agent, his friend Frank Parks, and his assistant Kim Cummings, Jack investigates some weird and problematic students, a security guard of the campus and the woman with whom he had one night stand.

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Year: 1959

Country: France

Rating:

Starring: Martin LaSalle, Marika Green, Jean Pélégri, Dolly Scal, Pierre Leymarie

Director: Robert Bresson

My Review: In this stark, neo-realist story, the main character Michel takes up picking pockets as a hobby and a way to supplement his meager income. His flat in Paris is low rent, but his profession as an aspiring author doesn't provide for his meager needs - Desperate, needy, mistrusted. Faced with pressures to provide for his ailing mother, and a desire to impress his girlfriend, Michel justifies his hobby as a form of 'noble' and justified social rebellion. As his hobby moves from occasional to routine, Michel seeks to perfect his craft. His fears and trepidation disappear as he becomes more skilled and confident. After his mother dies, he hooks up with a like minded 'team', and becomes the target of law enforcement. Brief jail time and an escape overseas only serve to delay his inevitable fate. The movie was outstanding. Exceptional pacing, editing, acting, direction. Fantastic location shots, voice overs, use of text and excellent camera work. A drama dripping with suspense, fantastic characters, and barely restrained emotions. The technical work - of pickpocketing was expertly planned, executed and filmed. The ending of the film was excellent; revealing the subtle multi-layered levels that this film works on. 5 out of 5. The quality of this Criterion Collection release is exceptional.

Summary: Michel takes up picking pockets as a hobby, and is arrested almost immediately, giving him the chance to reflect on the morality of crime. After his release, though, his mother dies, and he rejects the support of friends Jeanne and Jacques in favour of returning to pickpocketing (after taking lessons from an expert), because he realises that it's the only way he can express himself...

Genre: Drama, Sport

Year: 2003

Country: Sweden, Denmark

Rating:

Starring: Andreas Wilson, Henrik Lundström, Gustaf Skarsgård, Linda Zilliacus, Jesper Salén

Director: Mikael Håfström

My Review: Don't be confused by the title. This movie is not an American slasher flick, and it's certainly not your traditional 'horror' movie. It's an exceptional psychological drama adapted from a best-selling novel. The main character - Erik, is expelled from his high-school for fighting. It's a bit expensive, but Erik's parents sell some of their belongings in order to send Erik to a prestigious all boys school. While Erik's life has been one of strife at home, he hopes for a fresh start at this new school. Unfortunately, the seniors perpetuate a tradition of sadistic practices honed by years of privileged sons. The oppressive social caste is enforced by these upper-class seniors, and they're threatened by this lower-class non-conformist. Erik struggles for acceptance, for friendship and admiration. When the seniors fail to accept Eric's non-submissive attitude, they attempt to break him. Little do they realize that he's suffered far worse willingly. He will not be conquered, and these boys will soon learn what 'Evil' truly looks like. The acting by Andreas Wilson (as Erik) was outstanding. The rest of the cast performed extremely well, and the direction was great. A movie about strife, abuse of power, psychological terror, emotional struggle and ultimate triumph over the forces of evil. 5 of 5.

Summary: Erik is expelled from school for fighting. He ends up at a private boarding school where the senior students control the young ones. Erik finds a friend in Pierre, his room mate. The story revolves around Erik who just wishes to be left alone and graduate. He doesn't listen to what the seniors have to say and they don't like it.

Genre: Crime, Drama

Year: 2009

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Fairuza Balk, Xzibit

Director: Werner Herzog

My Review: A complex tale, directed by Werner Herzog. This independent release features a dismal cast (with Nicolas Cage as the primary, Eva Mendes as the prostitute girlfriend, and Val Kilmer in a small supporting role) and poor acting. The story and direction however manage to lift this movie just above the level of mediocrity. Nicolas Cage plays Terence McDonaugh, a corrupt detective in the New Orleans police force. The setting in post-Katrina New Orleans made for an interesting back-drop, and provided one of the more memorable characters to this film. McDonaugh is addicted to various substances, gambling, and petty corruption, but he does his best to incarcerate the 'real' violent criminals that seek to destroy the fabric of New Orleans. During a murder investigation, things start to get out of control. McDonaugh's carefully controlled system of personal corruption is thrown into disarray by circumstances out of his control. The results are a spiraling series of miscalculations, blunders, and tragic addiction. McDonaugh soon finds himself far deeper in the underside of New Orleans than he wants to be. Combine the criminal aspects of his new reality with a complicated family life and McDonaugh is just inches away from a total melt-down. The pacing was quick, the editing deft, and the tightly controlled train-wreck of McDonaugh's life will leave you dizzy, as the whirlwind ending ties up the loose ends. Excellent direction, locations and character concepts, but poor production, casting and acting. With this cast, the only fair acting came from Cage. The rest was painful to excruciating. 3 of 5.

Summary:

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller

Year: 2009

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Matt Damon, Lucas McHugh Carroll, Eddie Jemison, Rusty Schwimmer, Craig Ricci Shaynak

Director: Steven Soderbergh

My Review: Based on the true story (book by Kurt Eichenwald) of a whistle-blower inside ADM (Archer Daniels Midland). Here is an entertaining international conspiracy full of less than perfect characters. Matt Damon plays Mark Whitacre a biochemist turned mid-level manager at ADM. A sudden sense of conscience compels Whitacre to call in the FBI and divulge ADM's dark secret - Price Fixing! Whitacre becomes a willing, unwilling, on again/off again, driven informant. The movie is a dark comedy and social drama about the culture of corruption inherent in and inculcated by the corporate cronies of big business. As the story unfolds the characters become increasingly more complex, convoluted and conflicted. As the ending approaches, the lies, subversion and dramatic revelations pile up. The pacing and direction were excellent. Great acting by Damon, fair support from the rest of the cast. The lighting and camera work well done. The acting was great, but the ending poorly handled. 4 out of 5.

Summary: Mark Whitacre has worked for lysine developing company ADM for many years and has even found his way into upper management. But nothing has prepared him for the job he is about to undertake - being a spy for the FBI. Unwillingly pressured into working as an informant against the illegal price-fixing activities of his company, Whitacre gradually adopts the idea that he's a true secret agent. But as his incessant lies keep piling up, his world begins crashing down around him.

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Year: 1966

Country: West Germany, France, Italy

Rating:

Starring: Gert Fröbe, Lex Barker, Daliah Lavi, Fausto Tozzi, Werner Peters

Director: Harald Reinl

My Review: Dr. Mabuse is a fictional character created by German novelist/screen writer Norbert Jacques. The character was made famous by Austrian director Fritz Lang (Metropolis, Spione (aka Spies), Woman in the Moon, M) and other directors. The character is a 'Mad Scientist' / 'Evil Genius'. He's the nemesis of various do-gooders. Dr. Mabuse films are typically written and directed in a pulp / detective story manner. I was turned on to Dr. Mabuse movies after viewing Fritz Lang's "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse". In my quest to view other Mabuse titles, here is a three movie collection. This particular review covers my experience watching the 'Return of Dr. Mabuse'. In this movie, the diabolical genius - Dr. Mabuse - has hooked up with the Chicago mob in order to pull off a dastardly crime. In order to prove his worth to the mob, he enlists the help of zombified felons in a bid to take over and destroy a nuclear power plant! Attempting to thwart his evil plans are FBI man Joe Como, Police Commissioner Lohmann, and a meddling female reporter. Can this trio of unlikely protagonists overcome their mutual distrust in time to counter Mabuse's deadly plot? A great sci-fi, crime, thriller, with poor acting and limited production value. Thankfully the great direction (by Harald Reinl) and preposterous situations lift it above the level of unremarkable pulp fiction detective stories. 3 out of 5. I'm looking forward to the other two stories on this watch instantly collection.

Summary: Commissioner Lohmann is already planning his holidays. An unexpected phone call calls him back to work. A member of Interpol was murdered. The head of an organisation wants to come into contact with the gangster organisation of chicago. But who is this? Mysterious murders happen and all trails lead to a penitentiary. But there is Joe Como, FBI agent, who is helping commissioner Lohmann. But soon Lohmann doubts Comos' identity. When Lohmann sees the name of Dr. Mabuse mentioned in a book found by a victim he believes that Dr. Mabuse is the mind behind the crimes...

Genre: Comedy, Musical

Year: 1941

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Slim Summerville, Zasu Pitts, Gale Storm, William B. Davidson, Dorothy Peterson

Director: Howard M. Railsback, Raymond E. Swartley

My Review: This black & white movie is not available through Netflix. I watched it through a movie channel (Moonlight Movies by vidpoint) on my Roku player. Here's a low budget talent showcase. The only actor with any talent was Slim Summerville. The others were musicians, singers and 'b-roll' actors. The story in this feature (only 51 minutes) is a rather simple one. City girl is sent to Uncle Joe's farm in order to get her away from her amorous artsy fartsy flop of a beau. Uncle Joe is an eccentric character. Inventor, independent, country bumpkin with a kind heart. He gladly takes in young Clare, and does his best to be a gracious host to all come a calling. The story soon turns to other matters - completely unrelated… Uncle Joe, a group of musically talented country boys team up with Clare (played by the gorgeous Gale Storm) to win a poetry/advertisement contest and save a neighbor from foreclosure. The ending was extremely abrupt and the acting quite poor. The director had very little to play with, considering the worst aspect of the movie. It's incredibly thin plot. 2 out of 5. Hopefully my next pick will be a better movie.

Summary: Young girl, sent to the country to avoid the amours of an artist, meets up with her backwards inventor uncle Joe and four country boys, who must all band together to keep the bank from forclosing on a friend of the family.

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Michael Jai White, Arsenio Hall, Tommy Davidson, Kevin Chapman, Richard Edson

Director: Scott Sanders

My Review: Black Dynamite is a spoof/homage to the Blaxploitation films of the 70s. Michael Jai White did a fantastic portraying Black Dynamite, the archetypical black urban hero. He's a war vet, a former CIA agent, incredibly popular with the ladies, learned Kung-Fu from Bruce Lee himself, and doesn't take no shit from anyone. The story is a conspiracy laden tale of inner-city corruption and drug-peddling that leads straight to the 'White' house. Black Dynamite is the hero in this tragic tale. He's gonna clean-up the streets and get the drugs out of those orphanages! Great fun, entertaining and reminiscent of the 70s in many ways. I thoroughly enjoyed the intentional gaffs, sight gags and direction in this homage to the Malt-Liquor heros of the our Ghettos. 3 out of 5.

Summary: This is the story of 1970s African-American action legend Black Dynamite. The Man killed his brother, pumped heroin into local orphanages, and flooded the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor. Black Dynamite was the one hero willing to fight The Man all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House..