Saturday, February 23, 2019
Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2010)
The adventures of supernatural private investigator, Dylan Dog, who seeks out the monsters of the Louisiana bayou in his signature red shirt, black jacket, and blue jeans.
Comic book style horror romp with some misguided attempts at humor, obviously not meant for an adult audience.
First Lines: Dennis Lehane - A Drink Before the War
The bar at the Ritz-Carlton looks out on the Public Garden and requires a tie.
The Girl With All the Gifts (2016)
A scientist and a teacher living in a dystopian future embark on a journey of survival with a special young girl named Melanie.
Unusual take on the zombie doomsday genre, well-made with some atmosphere and a capable cast, in which, however, Sennia Nanua steals the show.
Friday, February 22, 2019
The Caveman's Valentine (2001)
A cave-dwelling man sets out to track down the killer of a homeless boy, and bring him to justice.
Somewhat off-kilter crime drama never really takes off, and Jackson's performance is quite over-the-top.
Maltin*1/2: "Strange, unappealing film has almost nothing to recommend it."
Thursday, February 21, 2019
First Lines: Iain M. Banks - Feersum Endjinn
Then, it was as though everything was stripped away: sensation, memory, self, even the notion of existence that underlies reality - all seem to have vanished utterly, their passing marked only by the realisation that they had disappeared, before that too ceased to have any meaning, and for an indefinite, infinite instant, there was only the awareness of something; something that possessed no mind, no purpose and no thought, except the knowledge that it was.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
The Big Country (1958)
A New Englander arrives in the Old West, where he becomes embroiled in a feud between two families over a valuable patch of land.
Big-scale epic Western with great scenic cinematography and some memorable performances and scenes, although the proto-pacifist message is quite dated by now.
Halliwell***: "Big-scale Western with a few pretensions to say something about the Cold War. All very fluent, star-laden and easy to watch."
Maltin***: "Overblown Western...Heston as quick-tempered ranch foreman and Ives...as burly patriarch stand out in energetic cast."
Bron/Broen (2013)
After a ship with dead bodies on board crashes against the Bridge, Saga seeks for the help of the Danish police corps, including Martin.
The series continues withe same high quality of production, cinematography and ensemble of characters, but again the crime mystery meanders in all kinds of directions and its solution doesn't match the gravity of the crimes committed.
