Glenn Erickson's Reviews: Month: October 2019

Matewan 10/29/19

John Sayles’ coal strike epic is grand American filmmaking bolstered by fine Haskell Wexler cinematography, great performances by dedicated actors, and a screenplay that avoids the common pitfalls of liberal filmmaking — by assuming the structure of an action Western. Filmed on a shoestring not far from the site of historical events, the pro- Union picture revs up viewer emotions, winding up as a moving, satisfying experience. Matewan’s been out of circulation far too long, but those that remember it will give it a high recommendation. And the great cast (all looking extra-young): Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham, David Strathairn, Kevin Tighe, Gordon Clapp, Bob Gunton, Jace Alexander, Joe Grifasi, Nancy Mette, Josh Mostel & Maggie Renzi. Matewan’s been out of circulation far too long, but anybody who remembers it will give it a high recommendation. On Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection.
10/29/19

Hammer Horror 8-Film Collection (2016) 10/29/19

In honor of Halloween, Creepy Charlie Largent takes a loving look back at Universal’s Blu-ray release of three years ago, still a great buy for classic Hammer horror. The good-news titles include The Brides of Dracula, The Curse of the Werewolf, The Phantom of the Opera and The Kiss of the Vampire; there’s also the fine period adventure Night Creatures, the okay Sangster psycho rallies Paranoiac and Nightmare and the odd-monster-out The Evil of Frankenstein. And we can trust Charlie to fairly separate the classic titles from the completeist entries. No Christopher Lees, but three Peter Cushings and valued performances by Herbert Lom, Oliver Reed, David Peel, Yvonne Monlaur, Yvonne Romain, Heather Sears, Michael Ripper, Janette Scott, Jennifer Daniel, Noel Willman, Jennie Linden and Katy Wild. On Blu-ray from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
10/29/19

Scarface 10/26/19

Brian De Palma’s ’83 saga of hoodlum Tony Montana is an exceptional remake that’s become a classic almost by default — it’s too strikingly original to ignore. De Palma did the Latin male stereotype no favors, while bringing attention to the outrageous drug trafficking aided by law enforcement and criminal banks in a shameful decade of excess. Al Pacino added a page to his catalog of great performances, and the careers of Michelle Pfeiffer and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio were duly launched. De Palma gives this one ‘classical’ direction: he skips his former film school cinema games and hommages to Hitch the Master. With Steven Bauer, Robert Loggia, F. Murray Abraham and Harris Yulin; the Limited Edition comes with a ‘The World Is Yours’ commemorative statue. On 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
10/26/19

An American Werewolf in London 10/26/19

An old-fashioned monster movie gore-fest that hasn’t dimmed in popularity, John Landis’s slightly twisted telling of a hiking mishap pulled nervous laughter from audiences pre-primed to expect ground-breakingly shocking special effects. Rick Baker delivers the shape-shifting fireworks in a two-minute sequence that goes way beyond easy laughs. The story is thin but the execution slick in a Landis film fashioned from his own screenplay, written at age 19. David Naughton is the unlucky lycanthrope, Griffin Dunne his even unluckier sidekick, and favorite Jenny Agutter is the nurse who dances with wolves. On Blu-ray, with more extras than last year’s wolfsbane festival, from Arrow Video.
10/26/19

The Queen of Spades 10/22/19

What was horror author Robert Bloch’s idea of superior terror fiction? Alexander Pushkin’s novella is about a Faust-like attempt by a corrupt man to learn a diabolical secret from an old woman. Anton Walbrook and Edith Evans lead a fine cast in a tale that just gets creepier as it goes forward. A strange book offers grim advice: ‘How to make a deal with the Devil. How to get a secret from a dead person.’ Scared yet?  Director Thorold Dickinson, aided by cameraman Otto Heller, makes this into an expressionist classic of English cinema, embellished with music by Georges Auric. Charlie Largent reviews the Blu-ray from KL Studio Classics.
10/22/19

3 Silent Classics by Josef von Sternberg 10/22/19

The experts were right when they said that silent filmmaking was developing something unique and beautiful, before talkies came along and spoiled the party with all that noise. This ‘handy three-pack’ of once-obscure Josef von Sternberg classics proves the theory 100% — his intense dramas excite audiences with something that’s gone missing from the movies, or the cinema or whatever you want to call it: the magic of visual stylization in the service of basic human emotions. Before Marlene there was Evelyn Brent and Betty Compson: Sternberg presents them as shimmering visions. The titles are Underworld, The Last Command and The Docks of New York. On Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection.
10/22/19

Quatermass and the Pit 10/22/19

Don’t run away because we use the word ‘profound’ to describe this 1967 sci-fi classic — some call it the best of the Hammer Quatermass films, this time fully written by Nigel Kneale and acted by a terrific cast — Andrew Kier, James Donald, Barbara Shelley and Julian Glover. A subway excavation uncovers strange human skulls, and then a huge bluish craft that the Army dismisses as a secret German V-weapon… until it begins to emanate psychic storms and supernatural phenomena. Sci-fi fans wanting ‘more’ will be intrigued by author Kneale’s incredible ‘origin story’ for the human race as an intelligent, aggressive and literally haunted species. The disc is loaded with extras, information, history and great opinions from a half-dozen qualified film experts. Plus we can hear Nigel Kneale discuss it himself. On Blu-ray from Scream Factory.
10/22/19

The Devil Rides Out 10/19/19

Hammer’s key Satanic Mass epic comes to Blu-ray in a terrific improved transfer. Christopher Lee’s pitched battle with Charles Gray’s necromancer Mocata has long been a favorite of fans of symbolist rituals with candles, magic circles, Christian icons, etc. We’re happy to report that after all the monstrous demons and human sacrifices, good prevails through the agency of an ordinary (well, filthy rich) housewife, who can sling a Latin incantation faster than you can say ‘The Goat of Mendes.’ This is yet another big-deal Hammer disc for 2019 — we also get a look at the earlier Blu-ray’s revised special effects. With Nike Arrighi, she of the magical name, although the film’s unheralded shining performance is from Sarah Lawson. On Blu-ray from Scream Factory.
10/19/19

The Jetsons: The Complete Original Series 10/19/19

It says the complete original series, which is really the 24 episodes of its one season back in 1962-63. This show stayed around so long in syndication that I can hardly believe it was all over before JFK went to Dallas. Hanna-Barbera’s space age answer to The Flintstones plays best as a radio show — the jazzy soundtrack is sensational, especially the sleek title sequence (which is mostly all I saw back in the day, anyway). Charlie Largent gives this ’60s milestone the full cultural perusal, in the context of the ‘flaky futurism’ that so distorted our baby boomer vision. With George, Jane, Judy, Elroy, Rosie, Astro and Cosmo Spacely, all in bright color. And a big cheer for voice talent Penny Singleton, and George O’Hanlon of ‘Joe McDoakes,’ Park Row and Kronos. On Blu-ray from The Warner Archive Collection.
10/19/19

Parasite 3-D 10/19/19

Nope, this isn’t the new Bong Joon-ho movie, but a 3-D oldie from 1982. Although it’s by no means a great picture, fans equipped for Blu-ray 3-D will want to take a look — the depth effects fashioned with the over’n’under Sterevision system are some of the best yet. Stan Winston provides director Charles Band with the ‘Alien’ rip-off title critters, and added interest is provided via an early appearance by Demi Moore, who sleepwalks through her part but certainly looks good. A full complement of extras tell the making-of story; the feature is also encoded in 2-D, for really imaginative viewers. With Cherie Currie, Luca Bercovici, Tom Villard, Vivian Blaine (!), and Cheryl ‘Rainbeaux’ Smith. On Blu-ray from KL Studio Classics.
10/19/19

The Lavender Hill Mob 10/15/19

They’re ‘The Men Who Broke the Bank and Lost the Cargo!’ Alec Guinness and Stanley Holloway shine in one of the funniest crime comedies ever, Ealing Studios’ tale of a pair of nobodies who take the Bank of England for millions. Guinness’s bank clerk follows his dreams into a big time bullion heist, and the joke is that his ad-hoc mob is the most loyal, ethical band of brothers in the history of crime. This being a caper picture, the suspense is steep as well — just what is going to trip up these brilliantly gifted amateurs?   With great acting support from Sidney James and Alfie Bass, and on this disc, an audio commentary by Jeremy Arnold. On Blu-ray from KL Studio Classics.
10/15/19

Time Without Pity 10/15/19

Joseph Losey’s fortunes as an expatriate director took an upswing with this efficient, nervous and somewhat overcooked thriller with a daunting ticking-bomb deadline story gimmick — alcoholic wreck Michael Redgrave has only twenty hours to save his son from execution for murder. Losey racks up the tension, but he doesn’t give a hoot for Ben Barzman’s whodunnit scripting. Just the same, it’s good to see the director finally gaining traction — from this point forward most every Losey picture received serious international attention. With a powerful supporting cast: Leo McKern, Ann Todd, Peter Cushing, Alec McCowen, Lois Maxwell, Richard Wordsworth, Joan Plowright. On Region Free Blu-ray from Powerhouse Indicator.
10/15/19

Hercules in the Haunted World 10/12/19

Mario Bava excelled with at least five super sword ‘n’ sandal pictures — shooting two Hercules classics and directing two viking sagas in addition to this eye-popping mix of mythology and horror. Forget warring armies and casts of thousands. Bava places Reg Park, Christopher Lee, and several beautiful Italo actresses within his weird visual world of and hallucinatory imagery: swirling mists, intensely physical actors and retina-burning color. Kino’s disc carries three discrete versions on two discs, and a gotta-hear commentary by Tim Lucas. On your next trip to The Underworld, remember NOT to trust what you see!  Trust instead, uh, trust your … oh, just use the Force! On Blu-ray from Kino Classics.
10/12/19

Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages 10/12/19

Want to get serious about Halloween, like scary serious?  Charlie Largent wades into this mysterious relic, which comes from 1922 but is still up-to-date on the historical and even the psychological aspects of witchcraft. Part slide show and part drama, its depictions of historical witch hunts are accurate and its fantastic images of satanic visions is mind-blowing — uncensored, extreme stuff. Plus, of all things, a wicked Danish sense of humor from writer-director Christensen — who himself appears as Satan, a pot-bellied hairy horror constantly leering and waggling his obscene tongue. If you have any psychic connection with supernatural traditions, this show will be scarier than the 6 O’Clock news. On Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection.
10/12/19

Man of a Thousand Faces 10/12/19

Now that we can read the real story of the great silent actor and makeup magician Lon Chaney, the inaccuracies are fairly glaring in this well-received biopic about his career heights and difficult personal life. But it remains a compelling James Cagney movie, allowing the actor to try on different acting styles (and even a dancing style). The dramatic conflicts may be invented, but they’re compelling just the same. The movie works even as it represents Chaney’s original fantastic makeup creations with a series of ever-worsening rubber masks. Excellent supporting performances from Dorothy Malone, Jane Greer and Celia Lovsky. This one carries a good Tim Lucas commentary as well!  On Blu-ray from Arrow Academy.
10/12/19

The Fearless Vampire Killers 10/08/19

Some movies just don’t get the respect they deserve, which cues pushy reviewers to sing their praises. Forget everything you’ve read and give this Roman Polanski picture a chance — it’s the classiest Halloween treat ever, a lavish blend of Hammer horror, slapstick comedy and wistful romance — plus a vampire horde more balefully scary than a carload of zombies. It’s the beloved Sharon Tate’s best picture, and its vampire king is an original apart from Bela Lugosi and Chris Lee’s Draculas — an aristocratic one-percenter on a satanic mission to put all of humanity in a graveyard of the undead. Warners’ Panavision-Metrocolor restoration is drop-dead beautiful. And they’ve even revived Frank Frazetta’s original ‘jolly chase’ poster art. On Blu-ray from The Warner Archive Collection.
10/08/19

Ida Lupino Filmmaker Collection 10/08/19

More than a movie star: America’s one female Hollywood director working in the 1950s receives a four-title boxed set well worth the investment — one noir mini-masterpiece is accompanied by a pair of independent social issue movies better than what the studios were turning out. It’s all thanks to Lupino’s fine dramatic direction. She emphasizes basic human values: cooperation over competition, and interior conflict. Her company ‘The Filmmakers’ lasted only about six years, but as an independent experiment it consistently turned out ‘special’ pictures anybody could be proud of. The four features included are the ‘social problem’ features Not Wanted and Never Fear with Sally Forrest, the excellent film noir thriller The Hitch-Hiker, and The Bigamist, in which Edmond O’Brien finds himself married to both Ida Lupino and Joan Fontaine. In his dreams!  On Blu-ray from KL Studio Classics.
10/08/19

Holocaust 10/05/19

This four part, eight hour miniseries turns the fate of a family of German Jews into a sprawling drama that covers all the bases of the holocaust horror. It was strong stuff and a big Emmy winner, boosting the careers of James Woods and Michael Moriarty. His warped charisma as a psychotic Nazi is so good that he’s consistently more interesting than the courageous victims. As for Meryl Streep, she became an instant star — everybody remembered her from this. Although it’s been called ‘The Holocaust for Dummies,’ it’s a quality show. Looking from today’s perspective, after forty years of Political Correctness adjustments, I’m not sure any two viewers will react in quite the same way.. On Blu-ray from CBS Television Studio / Paramount.
10/05/19

The Letter 10/05/19

It’s the formidable Bette Davis once again, in yet another superior William Wyler picture. The Somerset Maugham play is a classy vehicle for a star performance — the nagging legal ‘difficulty’ of plantation wife Leslie Crosbie is intertwined with colonial politics but remains entirely personal. Leslie isn’t exactly a poster girl for the feminist movement. Is she the victim of social pressures or just a petty, selfish monster? Screenwriter Howard Koch had to invent a twisted new ‘yellow peril’ finish to appease the Production Code … you know, the Code that some people say made Hollywood movies better.. On Blu-ray from The Warner Archive Collection.
10/05/19

Sesame Street Fifty Years and Counting 10/01/19

An American institution turns fifty, and the disc release to mark the event is a very long (almost six hours) compendium of uncut historical segments from the show, without overdubs — Disc one features musical highlights and disc two dramatic and comedic highlights. It’s terrific background material, especially the music disc with the favorite characters both human and muppet. Plus some of my nostalgic favorites — it helps if you once had a baby or toddler in your lap, clapping along with you for these things. I can’t think of a better way to honor the show, and am ready for a followup, with more favorite segments. On DVD from Shout! Factory.

My Favorite Year 10/01/19

Comedy expert Charlie Largent waxes enthusiastic over this 1980s paean to 1950s live television, and the swashbuckling memory of a certain movie star. Peter O’Toole is the drunken movie actor who has never performed live in front of an audience; Mark Linn-Baker is a writer who reminds us of Mel Brooks and Jessica Harper a production assistant with a big heart. Plus terrific comedy input from Joseph Bologna, Lanie Kazan and Lou Jacobi. Imagine! Excellent, witty quotable movie dialogue from an ’80s comedy. It’s director Richard Benjamin’s finest hour. On Blu-ray from The Warner Archive Collection.
10/01/19

Whirlpool (1950) 10/01/19

(1950)  Otto Preminger and Gene Tierney’s return to the noir fold plays better now than it once did — the performances are impressive and the villain’s diabolical murder scheme is as good as anything that Fantomas or Moriarty ever came up with. Tierney’s pampered wife is the perfect patsy for a con-man with hypnosis skills — a fraud who decides to cover up an earlier crime by mesmerizing a new victim to frame herself for murder. The focus is on third-billed José Ferrer… who puts an oily menace into his character that few actors could provide. Co-starring Richard Conte and Charles Bickford. On Blu-ray from Twilight Time.
10/01/19