A few reviews

[Zaharoff]

Hit & Run - 2021 - 6/10
AKA - Pegaa Ubrach // פגע וברח‎



Enroute to the airport, Danielle is killed by a hit n run driver.
Grieving husband Segev soon travels from Tel Aviv to Manhattan, seeking answers.
Fast moving thriller soon gets far-fetched, then worsens.
Lead characters Danielle and Segev had negative chemistry.
For instance, an artistic dancer and tour guide with a thuggish past?
Who happens to have contacts anytime the plot twist requires?
Our guy playing Segev only has one expression, a puzzled frown.
Like a child missing his applesauce, or the confused drunk the police officer asks to "spell conundrum."
One is tempted to blame poor acting, but the culprits are likely the director(s).
Beware the “Netflix ending,” as the series nears conclusion, the writers and producers flat out quit.
Hoping, I suppose, for a S02. Don’t bother, boys.

[Zaharoff]

Friends Until Death - 2014 - 6/10
AKA - Mordsfreunde



Adaptation of another Nele Neuhaus overly convoluted novel.
Body parts are found in a local zoo.
Blame falls on militant animal rights activists.
Until more dying happens.
There are numerous characters and narratives, most are diversions.
Someone is clearly trying to make the police team interesting, but they are dullards.
If you stay with this there is a who and why, akin to a casual shrug.

[Zaharoff]

Turn Back The Clock - 1933 - 6/10

Lee Tracy as small time drugstore owner, who meets a childhood chum, now quite the swell.
The poorer friend starts imagining, for likely the hundredth time, how his life might have turned out.
If only …
Until a twist of fate hits the reset button, sending him back twenty years.
And oh, the decisions he makes, and the consequences.
MGM film is preachy, especially for a Pre-Code, and would have been better served by Warners or Columbia.
Tracy, an acquired taste, is annoying throughout. Look quick for the “new trio.”

[Zaharoff]

Last Night In Soho - 2021 - 6/10



Ellie travels to London to attend fashion college, “wide-eyed innocent” stamped on her forehead.
Not only is the capitol huge, intimidating, callous, but Eloise bears her own baggage.
She seems to have recovered from mental issues. She “sees” things.
This is where writer / director Wright appears to wander astray.
Rather than Elle dealing with second sight, the narrative veers into noisy shocks.
Horror – Slasher – Grand Guignol. Too early, the pace accelerates into frantic.
The finale explanation made little sense to me, and I was asking, “Really? This is the best you can think of?”
Stunning camera work (aside from feeble wraiths), choice casting, nice sense of Swinging London.
Pity. There was a potential classic here, only the director went for cheap thrills.

Bonus: A few years ago, my nephew had to write an essay on the British Invasion.
He requested a sampling of songs to inspire him while writing.
The mix disc I sent him echoes Ellie’s 60’s dream fugue.

SW1G_L0DN

 

SW1G_L0DN.zip/file

 

[Zaharoff]

Prison Break - 1969 - 6/10
AKA - Mushyô Yaburi // ムショ 破り



Makato enters a yakuza den to kill the man who murdered his father.
After a bloodbath, he flees to Osaka. Period, the 1920’s.
Another yakuza, who had assisted him, invites Makoto to join their organization.
Which is beset by a rising, stronger, hungrier group.
At times austere ninkyô (code of honor) punctuated with lengthy blade fights.
Impressive fight cinematography, a stark, moody score, and a fatalistic tone.
Somewhat obscure Japanese film worthwhile for chambara or yakuza fans.

[Zaharoff]

People - 2013 - 7/10



“…We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares. So go ...” Petula

Theatre junkies, another gem from National Theatre Live.
Dorothy, the eldest, has inherited the family manor.
The estate is crumbling into ruin, however, and family fortunes are no longer what they were.
Circling round, are the vultures.
A shadowy concern representing wealthy buyers unknown, and the National Trust, wanting the manor for free!
Dorothy lives with companion Iris. Both are aged, not yet frail, but sharply perceptive and mischievous.
The disgust at potentially endless tourists, sniffing looky-loos, leads to comical money raising efforts.
Bitter comedy about when the money runs dry, for them, for us.

[Zaharoff]

The Innocent - 2021 - 6/10
AKA - El Inocente



Mateo (Mat) ought to study, but he goes with friends to a big bash instead.
Alcohol, flirty females, testosterone, leads to fighting, accidental death and Mat in prison.
Next episode, female detective Ortiz investigates the odd death of a nun.
Followed by the unexplained disappearance of Mat’s wife, Olivia.
While unrelated, these, and other storylines, slowly start to coalesce.
Strippers – sex parlors – blackmail – dirty authorities – murders, etc… etc… etc…
On and on, by the final two episodes, I was saying, “Enough already, get to the point.”
Kitchen sink series with characters who generate no sympathy.

[Zaharoff]

Your Last Day On Earth - 2019 - 6/10
AKA - Tu último Día en la Tierra



Time travel for $75,000. You can go back, for a limited period.
There are rules, such as you cannot touch or talk. You cannot try to remain. You must wear a disguise.
To see someone you lost, someone dear, would you?
SciFi short from Spain is provocative, and somewhat sad.

[Zaharoff]

Woman Despiser - 1967 - 6/10
AKA - Kadin Düsmani



A mask wearing killer prowls the streets of Istanbul.
Well, not prowls Caesar, because he goes indoors to kill females, before violation.
Police are on the case, but they suffer a surplus of suspects, including a creepy, heavily mustached man carrying a violin case.
The look is part Giallo, part high Gothic, part cheap TV. Melodramatic acting.
No great shakes, yet oddly engrossing if only for the peculiarities.
For example, when one man invites a girl to go dancing, he takes her to a belly dance club.
Often, silhouettes are used, one gathers instead of supporting actors.
Then there is strange incest angle. No! Two incest angles.

If subs prove elusive, I reworked = https://subscene.com/subtitles/woman...nglish/2633313

[Zaharoff]

Speed - 1994 - 7/10



For what it is, brain-off action ride, this is pretty good.
A ransom demanding bomber has already been thwarted once.
Now he targets mass transit, and half filled city bus.
The pacing keeps you from analyzing problems.

I saw this when it was released. A couple of times, actually ( was younger).
I rewatched recently, after decades, and quietly criticized. (No, not the aerial leap,)
The ransomer (Hopper, memorable) wants $3.7 million.
I’m going, “Pay it. Mark the bills, but pay it.”
Throughout, highway mayhem, street damage, airport jollies, subway, I’m running a mental calculator.
“Told you guys. Ransom was cheap compared to repair bill.”