☆ ☆ ☆ ½
Munich (2005) -- S. Spielberg
Kind of unrelentingly grim...but directed as a suspenseful thriller (about assassination, so it is hard to identify...). Raises more questions than it answers, about terrorism, statehood, complicity, and so on. The twin towers of the World Trade Center in the last shot is anything but subtle...but hey this is Spielberg! (2008 review).
☆ ☆
Hide and Seek (2005) -- J. Polson
On commercial TV last night. Genuinely creepy for the first 1/3 or 1/2, aided by a good performance by Dakota Fanning -- but then it descends and descends into cliche and stock thriller moves. I didn't see the twist coming, but it felt rather cheap rather than horrifying. (2008 review).
☆ ☆ ½
Ali (2001) -- M. Mann
I watched this just after Spike Lee's Malcolm X...and it pales in comparison. Both are long biopics, both include Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam. However, Ali contains a lot of Michael Mann-styled boxing sequences (all color and light) and is more mood than story. I know, what did I expect? Voight's impersonation of Howard Cosell is grotesque. (2008 review).
☆ ☆ ☆
Hot Fuzz (2007) -- E. Wright
From the team that brought us "Shaun of the Dead" and, like that film, this is both a spoof and a rather straight-faced take on the genre. Enjoyably British, but man the MTV style editing and bombastic score (save those Kinks songs) is Hollywood in overdrive. Is that part of the joke or a way of attracting the action audience? Not as good as it should have been (much like Shaun of the Dead). (2008 review)
☆ ☆ ☆ ½
Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980) -- S. Hung
Here's Sammo Hung in a fore-runner to the immensely popular Mr. Vampire series (though only Lam Ching-Ying seems to be in both films, albeit in a different role). The Hong Kong star plays a loser who is cuckolded by his boss and then becomes the target of the boss's attempt to use witchcraft to kill him. This results in an episodic structure with Sammo confronting various spooks and zombies, using his kung fu skills to escape, if not defeat them. Ultimately, he is befriended by a good wizard to help him battle the evil wizard employed by this boss. Some truly creepy moments interwoven with action and silly comedy. (2008 review).
☆ ☆ ☆
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) -- F. F. Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola also tried his hand at the (more than) twice-told tale. His is a stylistically indulgent version with a lot of eye-popping scenes that fortunately distract us from the two types of actors here: those made of ham (Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins) and those made of wood (Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder). In comparison to earlier versions (with the best coming from Murnau and Herzog), Coppola foregrounds the sexual nature of the interactions between Dracula and his prey (and the immortal beloved romance with Mina). Unfortunately, the proceedings drag on a bit more than they should (a tighter version might have been at least a little exciting) and there is nothing at all scary to contemplate. On the plus side, the special effects have been lovingly created in the old school ways without CGI. Worth a look but the missed opportunities are disappointing. (2008 review)
☆ ☆ ☆ ½
Tremors (1990) -- R. Underwood
Very amiable "horror" film (if you discount all the cussing and some very fake gore) depicting a small Nevada town attacked by giant worm creatures. Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward put in some great comic performances as the local handymen who lead the fight against the monsters. Michael Gross from Family Ties and singer Reba McEntire are also here as over-the-top survivalists. As always, seeing the characters do what you would do in the same situation keeps the film "real". A personal fave from way back and pretty rip-roaring still, if you are in the mood for this kind of thing. (2008 review).
