CHRISTOPHER LEE (1922-2015) remembered

June 11, 2015

christopher lee Usually when a screen icon passes, we spend time reminiscing about the characters they played in the movies we loved. For Christopher Lee, this goes much deeper. When I first began an infatuation with movies, he was almost 20 years into his acting career. He truly has been an active part of my movie-watching for my entire life. So when I see today’s headlines labeling him as a “Movie Villain”, I cringe and think what an injustice and simplification that is. Christopher Lee has always been there – from 13 inch B&W television sets to 40 foot theatre screens – inspiring me to love movies.

This was a fascinating man … so much more than a beloved and talented actor. By the time he was 23 years old, he was decorated for his distinguished WWII service for the Royal Air Force and Special Services. He then moved into acting, and now leaves us with a remarkable 281 screen credits to his name.

Lee’s acting career was incredibly diverse, and certainly not limited to villainous roles, even if that’s how he is most frequently remembered. His screen time ranged from playing Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Mummy in traditional monster movies (many from Hammer films), to his iconic clash with James Bond as The Man with Golden Gun (1974). He also played Sherlock Holmes, Fu Manchu, and Rochefort in 3 – Three Musketeers films,  utilizing his expert real life fencing skills.

In 1977, Lee’s autobiography was published … “Tall, Dark and Gruesome”. He embraced his image, while working non-stop at broadening his roles. Many know him from the 1973 cult classic The Wicker Man, and how could we forget his hosting of “Saturday Night Live” in 1978 (musical guest, Meat Loaf)? This man embraced both horror and comedy – he was courageous enough to appear in one of the Police Academy movies!

christopher lee2 Lee experienced a career renaissance thanks in part to having a huge fan in filmmaker Tim Burton, who cast him in Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Additionally, younger film fans know him from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, two “Hobbit” films, and of course three “Star Wars” films.

Of course, it’s Mr. Lee’s voice that always announced his presence with authority. A deep, booming resonance could spark fear or respect; however, he also used that voice for singing – opera, a Broadway tunes album, and two Heavy Metal albums. He was married (yes, to the same woman) for more than 50 years. A life well lived may be the highest honor man can achieve, and it is personified in Sir Christopher Lee … much more than a villain.

Here is a taste of Metal Christmas from Christopher Lee:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

SUNSHINE SUPERMAN (2015, doc)

June 7, 2015

sunshine superman Greetings again from the darkness. When at a dinner party someone introduces themselves as “an engineer”, we don’t typically settle in for a long evening of tales describing their daredevil and death-defying hobbies. Filmmaker Marah Strauch teaches us being too quick to judge could cost us the exhilarating story of Carl Boenish, the acknowledged father of BASE jumping.

Mr. Boenish was an engineer turned cinematographer turned skydiver and cliff jumper. Despite his unbridled energy and enthusiasm, his engineering background (Hughes Aircraft) provided the analytical foundation that helped him plan “safe” jumps for years. And it was his love of film and cinematography that produced a treasure trove of film clips from some breathtaking jumps … beginning with his 1978 leap from Yosemite’s El Capitan.

The film is about Boenish’s thirst for the next big jump, but it’s also about his jumping partner and wife Jean, and the bond between them. GoPro cameras have spoiled us today. We are accustomed to film clips of just about anything that involves speed, height or any person looking for a thrill. Thirty plus years ago, such clips weren’t possible … except with Boenish and his clunky cameras strapped to helmets on these jumps.

BASE jumping is an acronym for Building, Antenna, Span, Earth … the types of jumps required to join the ranks of Boenish’s group. We witness the fights against national park Rangers, and the clandestine operations that led to jumps from under construction skyscrapers in Los Angeles and Houston. Boenish truly pushed the Nature’s Law vs. Man’s Law conflict.

Director Strauch takes us through the Guiness record jump at Norway’s Troll Wall, and we even hear Jean stating that Carl would have been right there with today’s wing suit jumpers. The final shot of a modern day “flyer” is quite the contrast to those early Boenish jumps. The film answers “How and Why”, and leaves little doubt that the genetic make-up is quite different for this group of thrill-seekers than for the rest of us … and being an engineer doesn’t exclude one from either group!

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

EVERY LAST CHILD (2015, doc)

June 7, 2015

every last child Greetings again from the darkness. Filmmaker Tom Roberts takes his camera into Pakistan where polio, once near eradication, exploded in outbreaks in a short period of time. The causes of the increase include the Taliban’s 2012 ban on vaccinations and the general public’s distrust of the system.

Roberts puts a face to the disease and to those working so hard to get it back under control. We meet Habib, a 31 year old man who has been disabled since being struck down by polio at age 9. He shares his daily struggles and hope that he will be “fit” in the afterlife. We also see an emotional father as his young son is diagnosed with polio and subsequently fit with leg braces. It’s heart-breaking and painful to watch.

Also getting their share of the story are World Health Organization workers plus the volunteers who work as vaccinators – a terribly dangerous job. We go behind the scenes of the strategy and planning sessions, and witness a government leader step up for the “Justice For Health” plan that will successfully vaccinate tens of thousands of kids over the course of a few weeks … sadly, the vaccinators must be accompanied by armed police forces.

The statistical breakdown of the challenges and successes are a bit difficult to follow, but it’s even more frustrating to hear the citizens discuss putting their kids at risk due to the distrust of the WHO, which they believe is little more than a conspiracy of the western world to control their population. They ignore the infected waters that run through the heart of their cities, but the shift is welcome when their own government becomes the driving force behind the new strategy.

According to Roberts, the United Arab Emirates pushed the campaign and by late 2014, more than 13 million had been vaccinated and polio was nearly back under control. The camera work and access is quite unique and fascinating to watch as Roberts shows us the good, the courageous and the challenges faced.

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

HUNGRY HEARTS (2015)

June 7, 2015

hungry hearts Greetings again from the darkness. Everyone loves a good “How did you two meet?” story, and the best of these stories somehow makes the couple more interesting. It’s pretty tough to beat the meet-cute of Jude and Mina in the opening scene from writer/director Saverio Costanzo … even if it does take place in the tight and pungent confines of restaurant restroom. It’s a terrific start to a movie that has no real shot at getting better from there.

Jude (a terrific Adam Driver) and Mina (Alba Rohrwacher) fall right into bed and in love … directly from the outhouse. We catch glimpses of their romance, and quickly accept them as a well-suited, warm-yet-quirky couple. An unexpected pregnancy kicks off a gradual and troubling change in Mina. This change is turbo-charged once the baby arrives. Mina registers in the extreme of the mother’s instincts vs. modern medicine debate.  She is all about purity for her baby – food and environment. There is nothing wrong with that, right?  Well, when the baby doesn’t grow and develop, it’s understandable that the dad might freak a bit, no matter how understanding or trusting he claims to be.

The story becomes the unraveling of a once-promising relationship, as well as the unraveling of a once seemingly normal woman. With the tone of an early Roman Polanski movie, Costanzo’s film (from Marco Franzoso’s novel) has very real horror overtones, while playing out like a real life parenting drama … or a psychological thriller. The real turning point for Mina’s character seems to occur after a Psychic Reading where the Clairvoyant labels her baby as an Indigo child. Mina believes this and her psychotic actions create the intense worries of Jude and his mother (Roberta Maxwell).

With the current uproar of vaccinations, there is certainly a modern day link to the story line of mother’s instincts vs. doctor’s orders. But with a lawyer recommending kidnapping, and a triumvirate of desperate characters: father, mother, grandmother, there doesn’t seem to be much factual data here … rather it’s an effective scare tactic.

watch the trailer:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE LAST TREASURE HUNT (2015)

June 7, 2015

last treasure Greetings again from the darkness. Their father’s sudden death after a heart attack reunites an estranged brother and sister. Disclosing that this was the second heart attack for the dad – but the first that his offspring knew of – provides all the back story one needs to understand the communication deficiencies within this family and the struggles these two have in connecting with each other, and making peace with the past and present.

The dad (Art LaFleur, Field of Dreams) was a bit eccentric, and one of his traditions was an annual treasure hunt for his kids Oliver (Casey Nelson) and Lucy (Kate Murdoch). When these now young adults show up for the reading of the will, they are taken aback by their father’s last wish – an elaborate 6 clue final treasure hunt to uncover the true details of their inheritance. Oliver and Lucy grudgingly team up to solve the clues.

Of course, the emotional rollercoaster kicks in and these two bicker like brother and sister, dredging up past memories both good and bad … well, mostly bad. It’s only fair that a massive melodrama caution flag is waved here. There are some realistic moments as the siblings pick and prod each other as only this relationship can; however, much more time is spent as each of them deal with their own baggage of self-loathing.

The supporting cast adds a welcome change of pace from the brother-sister thing, as we get Cousin Alfred (Jeff Grace) – an odd bird with a camera who wants to buy the dad’s house; neighbor Gary (Charles Hoyes) who was good friends with the dad and adds clarity to the situation; and Oliver’s girlfriend Susan (Kandis Erickson) who has much to fight through herself. In addition to these characters, the house and the island locale loom large in most scenes, as do the volumes of books throughout each room.

Kate Murdoch and Casey Nelson not only co-star in the film, but also co-wrote the script, which provides the foundation for director Patrick Biesemans’ first feature film.

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

ALOHA (2015)

May 30, 2015

aloha Greetings again from the darkness. Since I can usually find something of interest, it’s rare that I feel cheated after watching a movie. Of course, feeling disappointed happens more often, but feeling cheated is something altogether different and, unfortunately writer/director Cameron Crowe’s latest is the perfect reminder of that difference.

Three outstanding lead actors (Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams), a terrific and deep supporting cast, and a beautiful filming location of Hawaii mean that the fault lies with Mr. Crowe’s script and direction. The film plays like the broad strokes of a screenplay idea, rather than a finished product. It’s as if we are watching filmed rehearsals as a group of writers scramble to connect the story dots … still trying to determine if this is a drama or comedy.

It seems the film was cast with a full-out comedy in mind, but then somewhere along the line, a narrative shift occurred with the hope of making a statement on the privatization of the military and space exploration. There is also an undercurrent of the mistreatment of native Hawaiians, as we are teased with cultural myths, legends and the distrust of the military. Trying to balance these topics with a more traditional romantic-comedy-three-way involving the main characters, results in a disjointed viewing experience that provides only a few chuckles, and a half-baked story of redemption.

The gradual connection of Cooper and Stone (cast as a Navy Fighter Pilot) offers some initial verbal sparring that had potential for comedy gold, but inevitably spun off down a bunny trail of Hawaiian lore or the magic found in the sky. The re-connection of Cooper’s and McAdams’ characters seemed to have continuity holes that might have been left on the editing room floor.  John Krasinski plays McAdams’ husband, and his non-verbal exchanges are the highlight of the film, though the later subtitled version seems lifted from that drawing board straight comedy mentioned earlier.

Bill Murray is cast as the duplicitous billionaire at the core of Cooper’s mission and chance at redemption, though mostly he just acts like Bill Murray with little explanation for his motives. Danny McBride, Alec Baldwin and Bill Camp have their moments, but much more should have been devoted to McAdams’ kids played by Jaeden Lieberher (St. Vincent) and Danelle Rose Russell.

Cameron Crowe seems to have a driving need to examine interpersonal relationships and what causes some to work, while others falter. His film classics Say Anything, Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous are impressive, but also many years in the past. The last fifteen years have produced Crowe projects that teeter between optimism and outright sap. On the bright side, he always has a knack for music, and on that front, he comes through again … “Factory Girl” is blended with traditional Hawaiian songs and even Dylan and The Who. It’s because of this, that you won’t know for sure if your toe-tapping is due to the music or that gut feeling of being cheated.

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

IN THE NAME OF MY DAUGHTER (L’homme qu’en aimait trop, Fr, 2015)

May 29, 2015

in the name Greetings again from the darkness. The best French films excel at showing how relationships and personality traits can get intertwined to create a big mess where only a small blip once existed. Based on the book by Renee LeRoux, this film from decorated director Andre Techine is self-described “fiction based on real events” and follows the events that began in 1976, and the fallout over a murder-mystery during the next thirty plus years.

Catherine Deneuve plays Renee LeRoux, the owner of a casino in Nice, and mother to Agnes (Adele Haenel). Agnes returns home from Africa after a split from her husband. She is strong-willed and free-spirited, and intent on cashing out her share of the casino to open her own little shop.

Mother and daughter are tormented by their lack of a close relationship, and this frustration intensifies due to the pressure on Mom’s casino business applied by local mobster Fratoni (Jean Corso), and even moreso thanks to the romantic relationship that brews between Mom’s trusted business advisor Maurice Agnelet (Guillaume Canet) and the much younger Agnes.

Maurice is a well-known (and admitted) Lothario and his business savvy manages to maneuver Agnes into betraying her mother at a crucial time. This betrayal leaves both Maurice and Agnes with a substantial financial gain, while Mom loses her casino. Agnes devolves into obsessed-lover and stalker, while Maurice is content to continue playing the field and enjoy his riches. Soon enough, Agnes disappears without a trace, and of course her mother suspects Maurice has killed her. With no body and no evidence, there can be no murder charges, and this sets Renee on a lifelong mission of proving him guilty.

It’s nice to see Ms. Deneuve take on this role, and the best scenes involve her interactions with Ms. Haenel and Mr. Canet (who wrote and directed the 2006 gem Tell No One). The interactions between these characters is fascinating to watch, and provides some insight to the not-always-positive side of human beings. It’s also a sign of the times as cigarette smoke is present (sometimes in mass quantities) in most every scene, and the French version of “Stand By Me” fits perfectly in a rare moment that lacks tension. The final act provides quite a statement on the justice system in France, though one hates to jump to conclusions based on a few minutes of a movie.

watch the trailer:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

UNFREEDOM (2015)

May 28, 2015

unfreedom Greetings again from the darkness. Societal mores are always slow to change, but the slow acceptance of new cultural ideals pales in comparison to the evolution of religious beliefs and traditions, which can take multiple millenniums for even the smallest revisions. First time director Raj Amit Kumar co-wrote the script with Damon J Taylor, and they seem anxious to point out the out-of-step status of Muslims in regards to both pacifism and sexual orientation.

The structure of the film can be a bit tough to follow as a viewer since there are two seemingly unrelated stories, along with the corresponding flashbacks for character perspective. One story follows an angry idealist has he accepts his assignment for terrorism and travels from Pakistan to New York City. Mohammed Husain’s (played by Bhanu Uday) mission is to coerce (a word much too nice for his actions) pacifist Muslim scholar Fareed Rahmani (Victor Banjeree) into admitting on video that he is a fraud and not a true Muslim. The other story has Leela Singh (Preeti Gupta) as a frustrated lesbian woman in New Delhi who has refused ten marriages arranged by her devout father (Adil Hussain), and finally runs away to meet her choice of lover … artist Sakhi (Bhavani Lee), whose current boyfriend finds Leela’s passion comical – right up until he doesn’t.

A running theme for both storylines, as well as the numerous sub-plots, is specifically stated as “It’s the choice we make when we are most cornered in life that define us”. Solution through violence and torture is consistent through both stories, and as disgusting as the actions of terrorist Husain are, it’s the actions of Leela’s father that are the most stomach churning and confounding. There are a few shots taken at the power of Wall Street, but the actions of greed don’t compare to the more severe and unforgivable actions driven by religious beliefs. The film was originally entitled “Blemished Light”, but it’s difficult to find illumination in this well-acted film that exposes clouded thought processes.

watch the trailer:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

THE AFTERMATH (2015)

May 28, 2015

aftermath Greetings again from the darkness. Watching someone whose life has crumbled due to guilt, grief or drugs makes for an uncomfortable movie to view, but when one character has been crushed by all three, it results in the ultimate downer. Director and co-writer Tim McCall subjects us to life in the proverbial gutter – despite lead character Sonny’s distorted hope.

Sam Trammell (“True Blood”) plays Sonny, a messy drug-addict living in a seedy motel and rummaging through the underbelly of his town. Sonny is trying to arrange a face to face meeting with his estranged wife on their wedding anniversary, so that he can apologize for his behavior during the marriage and during marriage counseling. The problem is that she won’t return his calls, and her family understandably blocks his efforts to make contact. Heck, seems to only own one shirt and he’s not even sure what day it is!

His plan involves stealing the necklace he bought for her during better times – when he owned a business and they had a beautiful home in the suburbs. He later pawned the necklace, which leads to the burglary. Of course, as viewers we quickly gather that his efforts are without hope, though we assume it’s due to his disgusting appearance and inability to stay clean.

Sonny’s wife is played by Trammell’s real life girlfriend Missy Yager, and Vanessa Ferlito (Grindhouse: Death Proof) has a key role as a tough lady who recognizes an opportunity when she sees it … an, though this could never be mistaken for a nature documentary, she teaches us a difference between farm geese and wild geese. But this is Sam Trammell’s spotlight much like Trainspotting belonged to a young Ewen MacGregor. He tears into the not-so-sympathetic Sonny with abandon and a total lack of ego.

Director McCann and Mr. Trammell team up for a gritty and grimy look at the tragic fall from society of a man who made mistakes and refused to own up to them. Filmed in Alexandria, Louisiana, the title describes what we see (outside of the flashbacks), and the musical choices are very fitting – especially Marian Anderson’s “Poor Me”.  Don’t expect joyful moments or a story of redemption … life isn’t always like the movies.

 

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

DEEP WEB (2015, doc)

May 28, 2015

deep web Greetings again from the darkness. Even those of us who consistently obey the law have a general idea of how criminals work: robbing banks, stealing cars, kidnapping people, even hacking websites for personal information. Additionally, the vast majority of us have at least a rudimentary understanding of how the internet works, and the steps we take to increase security. Documentarian Alex Winter combines these two topics as he takes us inside the deep web … specifically Silk Road on the Darknet.

The Surface Web vs The Deep Web – the film exposes what most of us have very little knowledge of. The simple explanation is that the “surface web” is what we use on a daily basis: Facebook postings photos of our latest meal and YouTube video sensations showing cats fighting their mirrored reflection. The Deep Web is what lies beneath. This is the (mostly) untraceable technology where the underground marketplace site known as Silk Road exists. To be clear, most of the ongoings on the deep web are legitimate and in good faith – used frequently by journalists. However, the other side is how it obtained the nickname “ebay for Heroin”.  Yep, untraceable transactions for illegal drugs definitely happened (and still do). It turns out that Bitcoin is the ideal underground currency for this commerce, as it can be as untraceable as the drug orders.

You might recognize the name of director Alex Winter as half of the classic movie duo in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989). Mr. Winter released a documentary a couple years ago entitled Downloaded, where he explored the rise and fall of Napster and the effects of downloaded music. This current topic is much more dangerous and secretive, and he wisely brings along his old buddy Keanu Reeves as the narrator. Winter’s approach here is initially a bit confusing, as the focus seems uncertain – is it a tell all about the deep web, or is it a profile of Silk Road, or is it an analysis of the arrest and subsequent trial of possible Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht?

Most of the attention goes to Ulbricht, better known as the Dread Pirate Roberts (DPR), a pseudonym snatched from the classic movie The Princess Bride. Is/Was Ulbricht the DPR? Winter is content to leave that mystery unsolved, but the real story here is how the government put the case together against Ulbricht – fabricating charges (later dropped), circumstantial evidence, and a probable breach of privacy.

The general belief is that we should have a free and open and secure internet, though most of us never stop to think what a ludicrous demand that really is. It’s the lack of privacy and ease of breach on the surface web that led to the development of the deep web – an anonymous and mostly secure environment. At least it was until the government went hard after Silk Road. Shutting down the non-violent drug transactions justified the law enforcement and political attention that the drug wars along the border never have. Is this a good thing? Is Ulbricht the DPR? Does it matter that after his arrest, his void was quickly filled by other opportunists? Do you believe you are secure on the web? Winter presents an exceptional amount of information that deserves even more discussion and explanation. That alone makes it time well spent.

watch the trailer:

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

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