Change Your Image
lioninoil
but I *CAN* change the way you look!
– Woody Strode (in a B-movie not on iMdB)
Ratings
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Reviews
Helix (2015)
coulda, woulda, shoulda been better
Good performances (with one exception*, noted below), good story, good staging, good photography, and good dialogue (again with one exception*, noted below), this could have been a 7/10 or 8/10 movie but for that one exception: *Marc Petey (as Aiden Magnusson) and his (lack) of dialogue.
It would be reasonable (I think) to expect Eric Petey to write some decent dialogue for Marc, and get him to deliver, but no. He mostly has none, and what he does have is mostly unremarkable. It's a shame, because that single performance (by the main character) drags down the entire movie.
When Animals Attack! (1996)
the Mother of all Animal Shockumentaries
With apologies to the inimitable Claude Rains, I am shocked, *shocked* to find no previous comments! This three-part special marked the beginning of the televised animal shockumentary genre that continues to this day, and should be of particular interest as such. The late Robert Urich maintained a cool, even demeanour as its host, beginning the show with the warning, "The following program contains graphic footage of animals attacking humans." With a brief, conversational comment and a minimum of sensationalism he introduces each film clip, some of them home movies and some being professionally-shot (but unplanned) footage, of a variety of animal attacks on people in various situations; often he will punctuate the events as they unfold with a calm narrative. Over the course of the three shows, the animals involved include everything from ordinary household pets to fighting bulls to elephants, lions, and bears. This is classic television that should not be overlooked by students of shock film.
Afterglow (1997)
skip the film, buy the soundtrack
I bought the "Afterglow" soundtrack prior to hearing it, and to seeing the movie, because it is composed by Mark Isham and performed by Charles Lloyd -- two underheralded greats of modern music. I still congratulate myself on that purchase; this soundtrack is one of the best ever. The movie, on the other hand, was a *HUGE* disappointment. What was Alan Rudolph thinking?? The stilted dialogue, the muddled story-line, the confused editing, the glacial pace... and that ending! What was *that* about??
Do yourself a favour: go directly to the best part of the film and buy the soundtrack album. In the liner notes, Alan Rudolph wrote: "Like the glow which remains after a source of light is gone, this music is guaranteed to illuminate any place in your heart where love has been."
Amen to that.
Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story (1995)
the definitive biography
An excellent tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, in which Ray Wise all but steals the show as Mike Todd, and Nigel Havers does a memorable portrayal of Michael Wilding. This movie may appear to some critics as overly sympathetic to Miss Taylor, but how could it do otherwise? Sherilyn Fenn is the only woman in her generation who could have portrayed Elizabeth Taylor so convincingly and so well.
Love Dream (1988)
disappointing
With all the potential for a good movie in its gorgeous settings, cast, and cinematography, this film's lacklustre script, leaden pace, and wooden performances produced only a major disappointment. With decent direction, editing, and musical score, this could have been a good movie, perhaps a dark version of Blake Edward's '10', instead of a weepy version of Ron Howard's 'Splash'.
Signs (2002)
the whole is less than the sum of its parts
Good performances from the five main cast members, excellent score and cinematography, and a proven story-line assembled from a dozen successful films in the past, including 'War Of The Worlds', 'Independence Day', and 'Night Of The Living Dead', among others; but the result is vaguely unsatisfying, perhaps because the ending is too abrupt, failing to answer most of the questions raised earlier in the movie. Even so, I rated it an '8' for sustaining a high level of suspense in an unlikely setting.