Change Your Image
bobbo924
Reviews
The Twilight Zone: Her Pilgrim Soul/I of Newton (1985)
A deeply spiritual metaphor
Who would have thought that Wes Craven would have created a metaphor that spoke so deeply of love, loss, spirit and WB Yeats? "Her Pilgrim Soul" moves deeply into the human heart and beyond the travails of death itself, to present a ghost story with a romantic twist, a sci-fi foundation, and a wellspring of mysticism. Anne Twomey is perfection as Nola. You must fall in love with her for this tale to unfold, and you do. As Kevin, Kristoffer Tabori gives a rich performance in which every emotion ripples through him. And in a smaller role, Katherine Wallach provides the equally lovable, and vitally important character of Susan, Kevin's wife. Their marriage is troubled, and the reasons gradually emerge, as we learn who Nola really is, and especially who she is to Kevin.
When I realized it was impossible to purchase this treasure, I taped it off the air during a cable revival of the show. When DVD burners became available, this was the first thing I archived, before even precious family videos. "Her Pilgrim Soul," from the touching Yeats poem of the same title, is a tale of infinite depth; no matter how far you want to follow it down, it will be there waiting for you. It's one of the two or three finest hours I've ever spent in front of a TV, and having seen and shared it many times, I continue to find deep truth and profound emotion in it. Oddly, it may be Craven's finest work, and it's supported by a cast of character actors who deserve far more adulation than they receive. If you can find it, watch it.
Killer Tomatoes Strike Back! (1991)
Worth it for Kevin West
This is a silly, silly movie without a serious intent in its entire running time. But funny, it certainly is, and the high points are the all-too-brief scenes featuring Kevin West as a mad bank teller. I've bought the movie just for these scenes (though it is fun in general). West is one of the underrated comic wizards of our time, and the bank scene will convince you. I won't spoil it with details, but it's Deliverance meets PeeWee. A second Westian moment, in which he's held captive by the villains and discusses his odd proclivities, is priceless. I can say no more.
Overall, the film lacks the out-of-the-box wildness of the original, but hey, it's a Killer Tomatoes film and therefore not without some fruitful redeeming value. John Astin is, as always, John Astin. The premise is strictly Saturday morning cartoon. It's neither Brecht nor Hemingway, though it's both absurd and mercifully brief. But Kevin West is the draw, and no tomato is safe.