ph: William Lords
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Bat*21 (1988)
During the Vietnam War, a colonel's aircraft is shot down over enemy territory and a frantic rescue operation ensues.
Professionally produced and well-played straightforward war drama, more centered on suspense than any political implications.
Halliwell**: "Effective and suspenseful drama of the muddle and moral expediencies of war, based on a true story."
Maltin***: "Taut, compelling film, based on a true story, with fine cting all around."
Friday, January 22, 2016
First Lines: Edmund Crispin - The Moving Toyshop
Richard Cadogan raised his revolver, took careful aim and pulled the trigger.
New Stuff: The Handsome Family
I've always to get an album by The Handsome Family, and this one includes the great title song for True Detective.
The Other Man (2008)
The story of a husband who suspects his wife of adultery, and sets out to track down the other man in her life.
Well-played
drama starts off as a tale of frantic jealousy, but with an artful
twist turns into a sympathetic study of understanding and forgiveness.
Maltin**1/2: "Stars are in fine form, but the would-be film noir becomes a lukewarm soap opera."
New Stuff: Thomas Ligotti
The Conspiracy against the Human Race is renowned horror writer Thomas Ligotti's first work of nonfiction in which he lays out his nihilistic world view.
The Burning Plain (2008)
A drama concerning a mother and daughter who try to form a bond after the young woman's difficult childhood.
Well-intentioned and well-cast drama about love, guilt and redemption with a complex, but somewhat overladen storyline.
Maltin**: "Piecing this story puzzle together is moderately intriguing but the characters' fates are discouragingly bleak. Somber, well-acted drama marks screenwriter Arriaga's directing debut, and follows his signature style of presenting seemingly disconnected stories that ultimately coalesce (21 GRAMS, BABEL, et. al.), but doesn't have the impact of his better scripts."
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
First Lines: Bram Stoker - Dracula
3 May. Bistritz. -Left Munich at 8:35 P.M., on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6:46, but train was an hour late.
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New Stuff: Thomas Ligotti
I came across this author through the True Detective TV series, will be collecting his works.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
The animals try to fly back to New York City, but crash-land on an African wildlife refuge, where a young lion is reunited with his parents.
Hyped-up, but only occassionally entertaining animated comedy; maybe children might enjoy it, but adults should rather avoid it.
Maltin**1/2: "Computer-animated comedy is a rarity for kids' movies: a sequel that improves on the original."
