clovis-5 Reviews

Kyoko (1996)

The background elements steal this show

[5/10 · 5 July 2021]

The story itself just didn't grab me. But the shots of mid-90s New York City, ranging from street scenes to skyline views with the World Trade Center, were much appreciated. Also appreciated are the music and dance sequences near the end which feature some amazing Cuban performers, including an elderly couple who perform a memorable dance sequence. The fact that this was released on video-only in the U. S. *four years* after its Japanese theatrical release is notable. Boxcover design oddly has no stills with character of Jose, but features the chauffeur character on both front and back.

The American Side (2016)

Snappy dialogue and intrigue

[8/10 · 15 December 2016]

This thriller is set in Buffalo, and is a kind of homage to that city, formerly one of the Gilded Age urban centers of the Northeast. This upstate NY post-industrial setting is a nice change of pace, and provides a post-industrial backdrop to the travails of a private eye as he navigates the twists and turns of intrigue, murder and espionage surrounding the works of Nikola Tesla. In this regard, the film is as much about Buffalo as it is about Tesla, whose person and work are invoked reverentially by various characters in the course of the film. The script provides great dialogue, lots of snappy exchanges. Some of the twists and turns seemed hard to follow, but this did not prevent me from enjoying this fun and offbeat cinematic ride.

Compliance (2012)

Fast food authoritarian nation

[9/10 · 21 August 2014]

As hard as this film was to watch, it is undeniably a fine piece of work that is ultimately rewarding when justice is "served". Fast food establishments are a big part of the service economy, as manufacturing and other job sectors were exported abroad. Fast food workers are, like increasing numbers of American workers, low-wage workers. Low wage workers, regimented workers, are vulnerable workers. Aside from the obvious issues of obedience, power, gender and sexual assault, this film offers a critique of the corporate system that is designed to keep American workers vulnerable and desperate. As Dreama Walker's character says to the prank caller "I *have* no money".

There's a lot of fine acting here. Everyone acquits themselves admirably. The screenplay has some darkly comic moments, as when the prank caller chuckles as his targets make his job easier than he would've imagined. Dreama Walker is the real star of this -- her facial expressions vividly convey a sense of disempowerment, disbelief, and ultimately disgust. The film nicely intercuts the scenes from Becky's ordeal with scenes of patrons on the front end chomping away on fries and other deep fried fast food fare.

Magic Magic (2013)

Non-Entertaining

[1/10 · 7 August 2013]

My disappointment from this film is exacerbated by the way the DVD is marketed, with the box cover plastered with a quote from a review that proclaims: "stomach-churning psychological horror . . . a great thrill ride". Perhaps that reviewer is a friend of somebody connected to this film because I found there to be no horror elements, psychological or otherwise, nor any thrills. The characters are unpleasant and annoying, and so is their dialogue. John Cera's portrayal of "Brink" was somewhat diverting for about 5 minutes, after which I found the character to be insufferable. Difficult and unpleasant topics and characters can be presented in an entertaining way, in the hands of the right director and writer. But that's not the case here -- it's just difficult and unpleasant characters and topics in a manifestly non-entertaining, non-interesting film. There's decent camera-work, there's a story somewhere, but it simply is not cinematic. There are some wonderful shots of the southern Chilean landscape, but otherwise I feel like I just lost 97 minutes of my life.

The Devil Inside (2012)

Entertaining of its type

[7/10 · 9 June 2012]

There was a time when low budget B-movies could catch you by surprise. A decent script, a new twist on an old idea, some inspired acting . . . a low-budget need not doom a film. Unfortunately, that's all that some reviewers and audiences can see. If you go into The Devil Inside understanding that the budget was low, the actors unknowns, etc., then you'll be able to evaluate it on its own merits. I, for one, thought it was a nifty, if lean, take on two genres -- the fake documentary and the demonic possession/exorcism film. The writing is good, the characters (especially of the two young priests) interesting, and the acting solid. It is genuinely creepy/scary in places. Fernanda Andrade's attractive presence only helps, especially when she addresses the "documentary" camera with those lovely brown eyes of hers.

This film is not big-budget blockbuster entertainment. It does not have a conventional ending. Its not having a conventional ending is for me a plus. It is, however, a lean take on the demonic possession/exorcism genre. If you're into that, you may very well find this to be creepy and entertaining.

Towards Evening (1990)

Good idea suffers from TV-movie treatment

[6/10 · 11 August 2007]

At first glance Verso Sera (Towards Nightfall) seems to have a lot going for it, beginning with excellent actors Marcello Mastroianni and Sandrine Bonnaire. Both of these performers are familiar to American fans of European cinema who have enjoyed their many performances over the years. The theme of the conflict between leftists of different generations is fascinating and the writers of this film have clearly made an effort to capture this conflict, including its more subtle aspects, in the dialog. Despite the interesting dialog, however, I found the plot and character development to be flawed.

The characters are not convincing as human beings. Mastroianni and Bonnaire's characters function only as symbols for the two different generations. As such, they are created as extreme opposites, with the result that each seems almost a caricature of what he/she is supposed to represent. Their actions often seem abrupt and inexplicable because these actions are simply devices for illustrating the generational conflict. Mastroianni and Bonnaire do their best with the material. Bonnaire's character ultimately shows more complexity, while Mastroianni's remains a boring cipher of a man. In this movie, one is not allowed to be a socialist and be an interesting person at the same time.

The actors playing the maid and Mastroianni's son overact their roles and are given to excessive facial gestures such as grimacing which seems more appropriate to the stage than to film.

Finally, the sound -- including dialog, and ambient sounds -- appears to have been overdubbed which gives the film an artificial quality. The credit music has a raucous quality and feels jarringly inappropriate.

Verso Sera has a very interesting and historically significant story to tell, the subject matter deserves film studio treatment.

Fay Grim (2006)

Astonishing

[10/10 · 26 July 2007]

Who would've imagined -- Hal Hartley creates a filmic corollary to Syriana while retaining his signature idiosyncratic style. The fusion is highly entertaining.

Having not seen a Hal Hartley film for about a decade, I approached this one with some caution. His brilliant productions of the nineties had impressed critics and audiences with their unique style and dialog. The director's earlier films featured colorful characters and offered close observations of life -- often in the region of Long Island, New York or in New York City itself -- that were offbeat and insightful.

My initial caution stemmed from the description of this movie as a "spy thriller". To my pleasant surprise, Hartley manages to mesh his well established style and focus to produce a highly original drama of international intrigue. It works in more ways than one might imagine. Hartley's film retains the dialog and character focus that are his trademarks, along with a singular cinematographic style.

Moreover it is highly appropriate given the current situation in the world and the state of war that has been fostered by dark elements on all sides. Hartley has brought all his skills to something new -- a political film worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Syriana. Truly he is coming into his own. The cast does a fine job of interpreting Hartley's vision and style. Fans of Parker Posey will see her in full bloom here, still with us and more ripe and gorgeous than before.

Feardotcom (2002)

I pity the actors . . .

[2/10 · 20 June 2007]

. . . Especially the women and especially the lovely Natasha McElhone, whose presence in a lead role was one of the motivating factors in my seeing this film. I ended up feeling sorry for her, as well as the other performers, for having this on their resumés. They make a professional effort but the material casts a thick pall over everything.

I saw "FeardotCom" a few years ago, before "Saw" and "Hostel" were made. I haven't seen those films and maybe "FeardotCom" is tame in comparison. . . .

In 2002, when this movie came out, Western audiences had begun to pick up on an innovative new wave of Japanese Horror (J-Horror) movies that had been coming out of Japan since the late 90s. These movies explored the fright potential of audiovisual media and the Internet. The title "FeardotCom" kinda suggests an Internet-inspired spook fest along the lines of the Japanese film "Pulse". What we get here is a muddled plot and, more to the point of it all, lots of dehumanizing sadomasochistic imagery. The word "misogynistic" is often overused, but in this case it applies perfectly.

One Take (1998)

An indie gem

[11 July 2004]

With a cast of largely unknown actors and scenic upstate New York locations, this gem of a flick is as far from Hollywood as you can get -- in every sense. An intriguing storyline, with road-flick elements, and heartfelt performances by an appealing and capable cast serve as a welcome (and always-needed) reminder that a low-budget film with heart can work cinematic magic of a special kind. This story, of someone searching for a love inexplicably lost, will resonate with anyone who has looked back on such loss. In our current time, when cinematic portrayal of male attitudes toward women often amounts to no more than stereotyping, ONE TAKE gives us a refreshing and sensitive portrayal of a man who values and respects this gift of love and, for the sake of his absent lover, embarks on a journey to make sense of that relationship and, ultimately, his life.

On Guard (1997)

Breathlessly entertaining

[12 May 2004]

Le Bossu is a consistently entertaining French film, with an emphasis on swordplay, honor and romance. It seems very much to be a throwback to earlier action/romance films, particularly in that there is a certain seemingly deliberate superficiality to the characters. These characters are simply, forcefully drawn, and they behave accordingly. This is no brooding study, but, rather, an actioner with traditional ideas of honor, loyalty, tragic romance, undying love, etc., given rapid treatment. There's enough material touched on here for many stories but the movie moves along breathlessly, not delving too deep into the tragedies and romances. The beautiful score by Andre Techine complements the action and heightens the romantic aura. This is solid entertainment -- just don't expect introspection and moodiness. English title "On Guard" is silly and patronizing to us English-speaking viewers.

Armageddon (1997)

An enjoyable Hong Kong change of pace

[25 June 2001]

This intriguing mystery-thriller with supernatural overtones is entertaining on several levels. Those who seek out Hong Kong film only for fight sequences and gun battles should steer clear of this more complex film. By "more complex" I am not implying that this is an art film; rather, this is an enjoyable Hong Kong pop film with a few twists that make it all the more interesting.

Especially recommended for those who are new to Hong Kong popular cinema. Current fans of HK cinema who can tolerate an offbeat storyline without lots of gangbanging ought to give it a try. The leads are good; actress Michelle Reis is especially spirited and sexy.

Perfumed Garden: Tales of the Kama Sutra (2000)

a missed opportunity

[25 March 2001]

Despite the exotic locale and the presence of good Indian talent, this is basically a typical American B-movie that provides an excuse for some nudity and sexual situations. Fans of the genre will recognize the principals as familiar faces from other such films. Not that that's a bad thing. With the popularity in recent years of Indian-themed films as "Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love" and "Fire", it's too be expected that this theme would be used for Playboy channel-style fare, with the potential to infuse the tired genre with some fresh energy. But we're going to have to continue to wait for someone to do it adequately. "Perfumed Garden" has great promise, including the suggestion that something might develop between the two female principals (one of whom is a beautiful Indian actress), but it goes nowhere. Director Mundra delivered the goods years ago with "The Other Woman", but for some reason drops the ball here.

Black Cat (1991)

A Hong Kong Femme Nikita

[28 January 2001]

This flick would qualify as the first remake of the 1990 French classic, before Hollywood and American television picked up the idea. The early scenes in this Hong Kong crime actioner are a little rough around the edges, causing me to fear a "Tokyo Shock"-style schlockfest. But I persevered and was rewarded. There is violence and action aplenty along with the melodramatic and romantic elements that we've come to love and expect in this kind of film.

What really makes the flick stand out is Jade Leung's performance. She is feral and dangerous in the beginning, like a sort of creature. In the course of the film she metamorphoses into someone beautiful and sexy, while retaining her dangerous quality. The actress deserves credit for the way she pulls that off.

Oh, and the closing credits music is a spare, crisp example of late-80s/early 90s urban setting film music. Well done!

I Dreamed of Africa (2000)

The protagonist can't relax, nor could this viewer

[30 August 2000]

Any film shot in Africa can be beautiful based on the settings alone. But this film, which begins on a confusing note (who are these people, what happens to the other passengers on that fateful drive?), makes it difficult to appreciate the lovely setting. This is largely due to the petulance of the protagonist (played by Kim Basinger) who just never seems to relax. This may seem like a trivial point, but I found that her attitude of continual reproach hindered my enjoyment of the film. Whether this can be attributed to the character as originally conceived by the author, direction, or just Basinger's acting style is an open question.

Dragon Against Vampire (1985)

A crude knockoff

[15 May 2000]

The video box cover presents this flick as a hybrid of the martial arts and horror genres. Upon renting it, I figured that if it did not succeed as a horror flick (which was not likely anyway), that it would at least have some good martial arts sequences -- or vice versa. Well, it fails on all counts.

Basically a series of lame, crude comedy sketches. Bad dubbing. A ripoff.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation (1997)

take a chance on this indie

[25 April 2000]

Normally I avoid "relationships" movies, but this sharply written little indie entertained me and even had me laughing. A new director and a cast of fresh faces bring energy and inventiveness to the material. It's always rewarding to see a film succeeding without the big budget crutch (and familiar faces) that Hollywood relies on.

Through the Olive Trees (1994)

Memorable images and people, but film is lacking

[19 April 2000]

I fail to understand the praise that this film has received. The locations, the scenery, and the people are very interesting, and I suppose one should be grateful to be afforded a glimpse of a great and ancient nation. Most meaningful for me were the simple sequences in which non-actors spoke seemingly unscripted or improvised dialogue. But from a cinematic standpoint, I found sitting through this to be a numbing experience, a chore. And from a country with some of the most beautiful music on earth, the director could not even put a little bit of music in this film.

Taxman (1998)

Low budget with spirit

[23 February 2000]

This film reminded me of why low-budget films of earlier decades used to fascinate me: interesting premises, offbeat characters, and even good acting. But one must be tolerant of occasional over-acting (such as by Joe Pantoliano, who is nonetheless good), dialogue that seems at times to be ad libbed, and a screenplay with gaping holes. It is something less than a movie, yet it holds the viewer's interest with an interesting story and characters. There is also some action.

Word of Mouth (1999)

nicely done erotica

[22 November 1999]

Nicely done erotica that will leave fans of the genre in a non-complaining state. Much of the credit goes to the presence of the beguiling Catalina Larranaga, a Mediterranean (Latin?) beauty who has graced a few of these films lately and who has brought to them a higher standard of natural beauty.

The Man from Majorca (1984)

intriguing, engrossing thriller

[12 September 1999]

An intriguing, engrossing thriller with agile camerawork and interesting characters. And it all takes place in faraway Sweden, which, for some of us, is unfamiliar and fascinating. Fans of foreign films will enjoy this and I think it would appeal as well to those who don't often see foreign films.

Metro (1997)

Eddie Murphy and San Francisco, a winning combination

[11 August 1999]

Metro gives us a formula cop actioner which is considerably boosted by Eddie Murphy's solid screen presence coupled with the San Francisco locations. Michael Wincott, a dead-ringer for Reinhard Heydrich, fits the bill in his bad-guy performance. It's a serious actioner, but, in the midst of all the thrills, violence, car chases, etc., Eddie Murphy has sufficient opportunities to make us chuckle and even laugh out loud. And thank heavens for the lovely Carmen Ejogo!

The Other Woman (1992 Video)

straight-up erotic thriller

[27 July 1999]

Readers of Penthouse magazine will remember that Jenna Persaud, a dark beauty, brought a welcome splash of color to that magazine's pages in several layouts some years ago. Then she starred in this nifty and unpretentious little erotic thriller which showcases her potent sexiness as well as that of her co-star Lee Anne Beaman. This gem succeeds where many more recent flicks of this type have failed in that the director never forgets his fundamental mission. The scene where the two female leads get together is artfully shot and among the best of its kind in the genre.

Baba Yaga (1973)

hip, haunting, and of its time

[12 July 1999]

From the beginning, with a credits sequence set against a background of stark, stylized black and white illustrations while we hear the driving yet haunting theme song, this movie grabs you. If you are already a fan of the "giallo" genre, you will be delighted by this film. If you're not, or don't know the genre, don't expect much in the way of a coherent plot or continuity, just lose yourself in the studied weirdness of the individual sequences. This film is particularly interesting as it has a certain "hip" and even political sensibility that gives it a real late 60s/early 70s feel. Neat music!

Tales of Erotica (1996)

four short films, more silly than erotic

[7 July 1999]

It would have been more truthful to entitle this collection "Four Goofy Shorts by Four Established Indie-film Directors". There is certainly a constituency out there who would go for a collection of silly shorts by directors such as Ken Russell, Melvin Van Peebles, etc.

Instead, the title of this collection of shorts and the dreamy video boxcover photograph of Mira Sorvino are designed to hook the hapless seeker of erotic entertainment, who will, in fact, find little of that sort here. Mira Sorvino fans will be disappointed, in that respect. There are a few fleeting glimpses of the great Cynda Williams in the buff, but the comedic scenario will dampen any viewer's libido.

Tenebrae (1982)

new to video: the unedited version in widescreen

[4 July 1999]

The newly released, unedited version of this Dario Argento film is a must-see for his fans, especially if they were only able to see its inferior, edited, older video release as "Unsane". Considering the striking visuals in Argento's films, this is long overdue, and the people at the Anchor Bay company are to be thanked. Perhaps we shall see his entire "oevre" re-released in this way. I, also, would like to see the Italian-language originals.

In Argento's films the viewer is made to feel the characters' alone-ness, often in a deserted urban space. For this, I dub him "the Antonioni of horror".