Altered States (1980)

A Beautiful Mind Another director would have been better for this material in my mind. The production is off: the effects, the drama and the love story all fail. But the idea behind the story… the idea, that has power and is enough to keep you sitting through this. The idea is that certain scientists… Continue reading Altered States (1980)

Jane Austin in Manhattan (1980)

The Chosen I am usually offended, retroactively offended by Ivory – Jhabvala films. They have a quiet, deep consistency that draws respect the same way a cathedral does. But the uncomplicated emotional links and the sentimental world in which they exist gets to me, and taints dreams for days afterward. Good news. Here is that… Continue reading Jane Austin in Manhattan (1980)

Ishtar (1987)

Farentheit I am writing this at a time when George Bush is still president, Michael Moore’s film has just appeared and the American people are beginning to understand what has happened. We all grasp at the movie we live in. At the moment, the “Republican” movie is in competition more with alternative comfortable movies instead… Continue reading Ishtar (1987)

Krull (1983)

Organic There may still be people who watch projects like this for adventure. Heck, there are even people who get their theology from such stuff, currently “Rings” and “Matrix.” But for me, the allure is a matter of style. This film was conceived in the shadow of 1979s “Alien,” and the 82 “Bladerunner,” both of… Continue reading Krull (1983)

Absurd (1981)

Absurd… Blood Blood is reproducing at three times normal. The rather amazing influence of Jess Franco has tempted me to dive into similar eurotrash in search of interesting tidbits. The story this time out is as flat as its presentation: some sort of Frankenstein experiment has created a monster. Several sadistic killings later he is… Continue reading Absurd (1981)

Poirot: The Adventure of the Clapham Cook (1989)

Fully Realized Over the years, I have written one tirade after another about Clive Exton, the adapter of Christie for many of these Poirot mysteries. He just doesn’t get the form, what makes the form of the detective story so captivating. What he does is substitute character for discovery. The excuse, I am sure is… Continue reading Poirot: The Adventure of the Clapham Cook (1989)