Volken Reviews

The Philadelphia Experiment (2012 TV Movie)

Dumbing down Humanity - Experiment II

[2/10 · 8 January 2015]

Michael Pare from a great original movie, now returns as psychotic killer, simply to bring familiar name; decision intelligent, as bringing Charlie Sheen in Wall Street 2.

Military "liaison" in high heels and posh bag, absolutely atrocious superficiality in every segment. Everyone is overdressed, almost as looking at advert for cosmetic products.

Typical technology-rules-over-the-script movie making while occasional good casting is destroyed, both with direction and execution. The first movie was made for a wide audience, this one has (like almost every movie made today) been targeting 15-25 demographics, anyone older is welcomed, but these are the primary subjects for shallow values brought in dumbing down Humanity - Experiment II.

The Guitar (2008)

"Deep Thinking" for MTV generation of Consumerism & Philanthropy of emptiness

[2/10 · 11 August 2009]

God help us with "Indie films" like these. It is almost embarrassing and disgraceful to even consider such designation for this underachievement.

The only rational and redeeming explanation for 100% compromise of this movie... if Amy Redford was completely enslaved to financial side of this movie. Because this $ide was writing and directing movie with all the usual and predictable demographic/sexual triviality hooks. So familiar with our society today. Such simple and honest premise is corrupted from the moment Saffron leaves the hospital.

It is pointless to comment all trivialities and the length this movie voyages without a hint of single intelligent solution : She is a vegetarian but she decides since she has nothing to loose, she can "stop the torture" and enjoy the flesh again.

Your common pizza delivery girl with hundreds of weekly visits has time to develop such profound relationship with Melody. In fact, the second visit would even grant her a touch of lesbian romance.

Your average delivery guy with hundreds of weekly visits develops a grand sensibility after couple of visits and dedicates his body even more for that extra pleasure to our lonely melody. But wait, since we have a very clear targeted demographic with such prosaic hooks; lets, lets even offer threesome pleasure to be even safer with the audience.

What do we learn from her state? The real question is : What Does Melody Learns From Here? Nothing! Almost as emphatic as our society, same void would strike her own values : Eat, Sleep, copulate and amply consume at that. Consume as much as you can! Let material possessions supplement all of your problems. At least one thing is clear, Amy Redford movie making is immature and even that is a compliment. I haven't seen any of her previous or later attempts, but if this is best she can do, then she is in the wrong field of profession.

The only pleasant thing to watch is Melody's loft. The most creative thing you will find about this movie is the nice PS picture from the official poster.

The Living Daylights (1987)

Classiest opening and classiest closing ever seen in a Bond movie!

[10/10 · 7 March 2009]

Classiest opening and classiest closing ever seen in a Bond.

I shall postpone too much praise of Dalton, because he will forever be untouched with splendor he presented in LVD and LTK. John Barry simply outdone himself with the most generous score ever. This is Bond for those that understand finer lines of life.

Dalton's movies will again reminds us what was like to live in more interesting times. To offer intelligent (while still fun) presentation with emotion and life-like acting of true substance. Real locations and real people with (thanks to Richard Maibaum) proper story. How did we departure from here to sociopath presentation of Daniel Craig's Bond? Where meaningless violence and ego trips fuel to supply the only truth of present Bond : License to sell to best bidder :(

The Art of War II: Betrayal (2008 Video)

The Art of making a lousy movie on tight budget!

[2/10 · 11 November 2008]

Perhaps you like or perhaps you hate the first Art Of War. However, considering limitations of this genre, what Christian Duguay presented from his creative side is truly fantastic.

Superb dosage of action. Action mostly intelligent at that. Cinematic side of the first one is exceptional and truly atmospheric, while sound treatment was of the same caliber. Well collaborated efforts with fine results. It is very clear to anyone who has seen the first part; that story and the movie itself, never really anticipated further conclusion; nor it required any sequel for that matter.

This could be any "of the shelf" action movie with Wesley and with title that would less embarrass both Wesley and the rest of the collaborating crew. I wont even path into this story. Just awful ! Technical and visual side of this movie is incredibly ambivalent. From time to time I had a feeling of watching a TV movie or high packed TV commercial. A few nice shoots, but what remains is almost vaccinated from cinematic experience. Wesley, I like you, always did. But please, learn the art of choosing the Sun Tzus among writers, directors and casting! And please, don't be cheap on production like this!

Rambo (2008)

Rambo with borrowed plastic mask from Mickey Rourke in pornographic blood bath of meaningless violence!

[1/10 · 3 November 2008]

If you have any sense for self-respect... for your own sight, avoid this rubbish at any cost.

Truly ridiculous story with equally idiotic lines. Everything in service of complete and meaningless pornographic violence that serves no other purpose than to attract even more violence.

In this charade, Rambo strikes me as someone who borrowed the wrong plastic mask from Mickey Rourke with equal wisdom of completely emphatic and silly lines.

Needles to say that this be the most violent Rambo ever. In fact, it redefines the violence as reason to employ this stupidity of the story. Everything platform oriented, everything in one single day in the latest Hollywood fashion of "nonstop" action. Zero responsibility, zero intelligence.

Anyone with an Ounce of professional integrity, should be embarrassed to even be mentioned with this movie.

Avoid this garbage at any cost.

Funny Money (2006)

Possibly a good play material but with this results wouldn't even cover cheap TV movie.

[1/10 · 24 June 2008]

I was happy to see some new material from Chevy; I know that originality is almost abstract thing in 2008. but still, what is offered here is more then insulting to anyone.

Every single idea and solution that carries this silly story is not only overstretched from every single corner possible; but gone completely out of the roof with idiotism of the worst kind.

Did studio had some spare rolls of film on their hands? This story would fit more as a play, particularly when you consider that almost entire movie takes place in one single room! I doubt even a change of the scene would be necessary because such miserable results are found here.

Nothing is funny here. Everyone from the otherwise charming casting (with unbearable euphoria)is trying to support this idiocy - but nothing, I mean nothing could help this story. How and Why was Chevy even involved with this, save alone how would anyone even sleep at night knowing that people would watch this as finished results... is beyond my grasp! This movie (did I just say movie?) is not even bad, this movie does not exist.

Class of 1984 (1982)

Stature of meaningful violence

[2/10 · 15 May 2008]

I love 80's. Love the signature love the atmosphere and recreation of those times. But this movie has only the worst to offer from such glorious decade.

Absolutely meaningless summation of violence that serves no other purpose but to invoke a cheap hooks with audience who if attracted,only react with approve while supporting crusade of the main character. What great length director goes to reflect possibly the worst in human nature to his own misery. If you are wise enough to know that no one should carry a picture of violence in his head, particularly when disillusioned with the thought of watching just for fun. I hate when my favorite decade is even mentioned with trash like this. Stay away!

Unfaithful (2002)

A Study of would-be human nature while seating on two chairs and serving Hollywood masters at it

[3/10 · 31 March 2008]

Beautiful opening, splendid dosage of fine visual elements to uplift the story with proper score to match. Lane has matured her performance and her beauty is now affirmed with substance. Some suggest that movie breaks the moment Gere murders her lover. The way I see it...that disappointment comes much earlier. Most of the love scenes are slaving to cheap hooks, formulated and deliberate lowering the standards for mass appeal while the same time, Lyne is toying with sensual side, dimensional as early draft. What is the nature of the moment this beautiful and accomplished woman voyages an intimate concord with that young Martel? Couldn't tell really, neither could Lyne.

A wind? Not a typhoon could resolve these shortcomings to provide intelligent reason, a note of true passion. So many unresolved fragments as if several opposing collaborators joined with Lyne. Instant romance without a hint of passion. But still, - at least the promise and exploration of what is yet to come when Gere faces his early doubt - builds some momentum, some interest and credible lead.

But wait, even that is opposed as suddenly drama departures in thriller mode, when young stallion is no more! Dilettante and fragile is result of that attempt and Lane is no longer wedded with Gere, Lyne or rest of the story. After that, everything goes downhill. Instant murder "clearance" to again happy family seems to offer enough sense for Lyne to actually form such a ridiculous ending. Paul Martel is really a new prototype of mega looser. Endangered specie to be sure, looking at this logic.

Passion Fish (1992)

Exceptional dialogues and beautiful render of main characters without instant formulations, both time and genre would assume.

[10/10 · 28 March 2008]

You can write the best scripts, pronounce their promise with great dialogues, but without direction, you will never extract lifelike realism, sensibility and made those qualities accessible in superb performance presented here.

This movie has it all. One of the things I treasure the most and mind you, I know I keep repeating myself again and again - that be a great atmosphere. Atmosphere in this movie is ravishing. Locations are not overused for any other purpose but to remain the stage of this charming story.

Relationship between May-Alice and Chantelle has relaxed and profound feeling about finer things of life. Shear simplicity of this approach is risky for mass audience, but for the connoisseur of finer realism, it is a pure joy.

One thing is for certain: If you can't detect those virtues, you will at least fulfill your boredom early in the movie and look elsewhere. Preparation of actors is excellent from beginning toward the end. To tell you the truth, nitpicking wont do you any good here, because I really can't find anything wrong with this movie. I would simply, again and again, soak the lifelike presence of the main characters and enjoy this movie.

My utmost respect goes to John Sayles for outstanding results with Passion Fish.

Vanishing Son IV (1994 TV Movie)

Terrible economization with empty results

[2/10 · 25 January 2008]

I can only extend what previous author douglasp wrote with precisely describing my sentiments about this Vanishing Son IV.

When you develop interesting characters with truly interesting, at times even artistic and passionate results, particularly in first of the four... considering some limitation of this genre, Vanishing Son never deserved this embarrassing economizing $ummation of literally making a sequel for sake of sequel. The story itself is truly insulting to anyone who had seen the previous 3. Had they made some DVD release this would be at best, something to consider as barely worthy as extra feature. Alone on its own, it has nothing to do with previous movies. Surely leaves bitter taste of disappointment.

It only exploits the viewer's interest in characters with absolutely nothing to offer. Who ever made decision to even consider this idea… truly had no idea what he was doing.

24 (2001–2010)

Populist's garbage

[1/10 · 25 December 2007]

How do you recognize a bad jazz musician? Simple, he is trying to play a theme. Once he actually finds something he thinks it is worth improvising... he exploits the same to endless misery.

This is the entire premise of 24. Somewhat original idea, whose authors dived in self-pleased pool of complete mediocrity. There is nothing really going on inside that time framework beside sterile, cloned and boring storyline. Cheap hooks that trigger further exploitation of their targeted "patriotic" viewers.

I've managed to endure several episodes of the first season. This is the new generation of series that does much more then just offer insignificant value to their viewers. It deliberately shapes patterns of completely "emphatic" environment and sociopath characters that are naturally presented as normal.

Parker Kane (1990 TV Movie)

Beverly Hills Cop opening with certain charms

[7/10 · 24 December 2007]

Opening of Kane is not similar, it is exact clone of the Beverly Hills Cop Axel's friend being shot while playing some pool. The rest of the movie has certain 80's lightness and certain charm.

Parker Kane is very likable and there was potential for making a certain Hooperman with the edge series out of this pilot. Main villain is very prolific and some direction is not that bad considering its genre limitations.

Style and mood also made somewhat cartoonish atmosphere from beginning to end. Still kept this movie in well preserved mercy of VHS tape. Wouldn't mind having DVD release either. There are certain films like this, where judging criteria comes from the lighter side, mainly because of the certain charm I've already mentioned.

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Mission Impossible = Tom Cruise's Ego Overboard Possible

[2/10 · 6 October 2007]

To this date, if I ask someone to explain me in short, what is the premise or to provide really a few short details about the story... nobody seems to remember or even explain.

This movie is so easily absorbed from the memory of everyone. Once you remove all the stunts and explosions you really have no idea what was the story in the first place?

The strength of the MI team is precisely in their team. The beautiful synergy of unique talents, always contribute in outsmarting their opponents. We have such a usable cast from beginning, what do we do with them? We kill them all from the beginning. Why? So that entire script, story ( for lack of the better word) could serve one purpose only : Tom Cruise's EGO.

The second movie is what I consider pornography of such exploitation. But lets go back to the first one. This is one of those scripts that is precisely tailored to one man's vision. Everything in this movies serves his own action ambitions, that be all fine, but it makes me sad that the promise of real MI team was completely destroyed. As some have said at previous and I'm sure will repeat at later date as well : This Has Absolutely NOTHING to do with MI series.

Around the World in 80 Days (I) (1989)

Finest representation ever and school example of director's direction over actors that need tight control to perform their best.

[9/10 · 8 September 2007]

After all this years - since the very first time I've watched this version in 1989. - yesterday the test of time confirmed and secured my original impression : This is by far the best version ever !

There is always the problem when you hire a good looking actor with tension of maintaining the ego-trip of his own, besides the character he portrays. Pierce Brosnan is one of those actors. In hands of poor director, Brosnan will always extend this virtue without exception. Well, not this time, this is Pierce's best role ever. This is the school example when in good and precise hands under control of fine director - one man's faults are completely used to his advantage. Fulfilling his complete talent.

Pierce is completely available, accessible and truly enjoyable.

Not only does he makes splendid Phileas Fogg but essentially greatly communicates to the splendor of entire ensemble and therefore none but the excellent realization itself.

Quality of production is first rate, casting even more superb. There is one, almost traditional problem with traveling productions like these : You can always observe "production stitches" among countries and collaboration among locations and collaborators. Not in this version you don't !

From beginning to the end, production follows from location to location with flawless synergy, only complimenting the ones before. Truly a wonderful , relaxing experience, indisputably with superb execution. I thought in 1989. It would be a bold statement to compare this with original. Now I know it is nothing of the sort. This version is indisputably, the finest visual representation of this book. Not completely on the track with all characters from the book - for they received somewhat different treatment. But I forgive this looking at the complete results.

Looking somewhat with envy to the magic of 80's, one can be certain that such a classy ensemble and relaxed pace is almost impossible to create these days. Golden days to be sure.

Blast (1997)

Movie might be prosaic, but Score is simply superb !

[4/10 · 14 July 2007]

There isn't much to be said about this movie. Certainly nothing to add after all these comments. I wouldn't even consider bothering unless I've found a strange bonus.

That bonus is music score. This movie caught me as background curtain while writing some data on my machine. Momentarily I've detected excellent score from Anthony Riparetti.

Never even heard about this composer. Indeed movie offers nothing unseen in this genre. But Riparetti done his homework. And homework made with great aplomb. From the first sequence to the end, he follows, communicates and captures visual essence with superb dynamic of his music. It compliments every scene. No, he doesn't offer profiled theme like Mancina offered in Speed. But, it clearly shows that he is one capable composer, at least for this genre - for this be the first score I've ever heard from him.

In fact, I was sure there has to be some score/soundtrack available from this movie. Alas, no such luck. Low profile movie and it would be miracle to actually generate even one single available track.

Anyway, if you would like to learn how to superbly dosage electronic music in any action movie, this is the movie for you. Forget the story, ego-trips that such genre generates all the time. For sake of music, do watch it, you wont be disappointed in this department. Guaranteed!

It is a great irony for such prosaic movie to own such a fantastic score. This score would superbly compliment some A class action movie. But, life supplies such ironies all the time I'm afraid.

Suspiria (1977)

Exquisite visual splendor with forgiving shortcomings

[9/10 · 2 June 2006]

One could hardly add anything of more substance that wasn't observed with previous comments reflecting a simply exquisite cinematography.

Nothing but admiration is how I feel about visual side of this movie.

There are couple of other points I wanted to mention, for I believe no one spoke of them earlier.

Upon first alert of the lead actress Jessica Harper, I had to again verify by reading her name, just to dismiss my first impressions.

She looks stingingly similar to actress Frances O'Connor, exact face structure and physique, for a moment I thought she is a young Frances O'Connor, or even that she changed her name to Frances at later date, strange indeed.

I'm rather surprised nobody examined this similarity :) This brings me back to the Jessica Harper, I found inadequate amount of director's preparation of her initial performance.

Even after dark introduction to her new academy, from the first scene, she adopted this dissonant and reserved aptitude which remains toward the end of the movie, and the same is certainly dismissing the sense of the dramatic contrast of someone who is about to enter the madness and fear itself.

Very sterile and uncharacteristic presence, one I find highly undesirable considering its role , environment and story.

She is a ballet dancer, vigor, young, full of life, we should have seen this embodied in beginning of the movie, then all this would create contrast while being in new found state of nightmare at academy. We should have seen this changed, sadly, she enters and departures the story with same and fragile vain expression. Pity.

Also, I find rather banal Argento insisted that in this supernatural story, the killings where employed with cold weaponry, making it very prosaic indeed, banal I say considering the promise of the movie as such.

Research of witches is also nonexistent, with superb visual splendor should have been complemented with the same amount of witchcraft research.

Nevertheless , impressive creation.

One you ought to experience for yourself