The Stendhal Syndrome (1996) aka La Sindrome di Stendhal

3.5 / 5 Jun '11
Tagline: N/A
Directed by: Dario Argento
Written by: Graziella Magherini, Dario Argento
Actors include: Asia Argento, Thomas Kretschmann, Marco Leonardi
Genre: Thriller, Horror, Giallo
Length: 120 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I'm not sure why this has such a terrible reputation, I mean it's certainly not one of Dario Argento's best but it's not his worst either. I suppose some may be disappointed because it is unusual for a horror flick and the story is a bit strange plus it is a bit too long. The story is about a Detective called Anna (Dario's daughter Asia Argento) who we meet in a museum where she loses herself and passes out looking at a painting. This is apparently what Stendhal Syndrome is (yes a real problem that affects quite a few I guess), getting lost in art and getting confused. Anyhow Anna has temporary amnesia making her job extra difficult since she's trying to track a serial rapist/killer. From there it's a strange journey of hallucinations, rape, obssession and blood...even a blond wig! According to some, this is the first Italian film to utilize CGI which generally I hate but it was small doses and it did work here. It certainly does feel like a giallo and one of the best late entries I've come across so far. Sure it's not something that you'll need to rush out and see but I think fans of the genre and of Argento should give this a try.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

The Warriors (1979)

4 / 5  Jun '11
Tagline:  They are 60,000 strong.
Directed by:  Walter Hill
Written by:  Sol Yurick, David Shaber,
Actors include:  James Remar, Dorsey Wright, Michael Beck
Genre:  Action, Adventure, Crime
Length:  92 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
This really was a fun little underground classic that starts out with a bang and manages to keep up the excitement level throughout.  The production is actually rather impressively epic and the details, lighting and costumes are quite something too.  It's highly stylized and the little cartoonish touches make it seem all the more creative.  It's about a bunch of Gangs who have a meeting about uniting, but when someone kills the Head Honcho the blame is wrongly placed on a group called The Warriors.  From that point on it's a thrillingly violent mad dash through the other Gang territories (as everybody is looking to kill them).  It's pretty neat that a cast of nearly unknowns did such a fantastic job, and well there aren't many Gang films quite like this that is for sure.  Definitely worth checking out, it's lots of fun and it seems like the sort of thing I'll be watching again very soon.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

Strait-Jacket (1964)

4 / 5   Nov '09
Tagline: HER HUSBAND...HER ROOM... ......AND ANOTHER WOMAN
Directed by: William Castle
Written by: Robert Bloch
Actors include: Joan Crawford, Diane Baker, Leif Erickson
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Castle has done it again, another amusingly dark black comedy/horror picture only this time his gimmick was having a star...actress Joan Crawford. She does a stunning job as Lucy, who gave her Husband 40 wacks and when she saw what she had done she gave his Girlfriend 41! Or so I think that's how I remember it..., at any rate Lucy does kill her hubby and girlfriend with an axe in front of their 3 year old daughter (who looks way older than 3). She ends up in an Asylum for 20 years and we catch up with her as she's released. Lucy moves in with her Daughter, Brother and his Wife to try to adjust to life as a sane person. Her Daughter has a nice young Lad she wishes to marry and needs her Mom to be sane so his Parents will approve. Lucy seems to be having some coping skills (especially as people seem to humourously be using axes and knives around her repeatedly) but could she be responsible for several people's disappearances? It's pretty gosh darned entertaining and it definitely has that good old Castle vibe with the wit and sets and everything. The ending does beat you a little over the head with obvious information...it left me feeling like they thought I either didn't watch the movie or I was entirely a Moron. I guess to that point the story is clear...very very clear! Still quite a nice little gem that actually goes a little further than I thought it might but I think that's what makes it so gosh darned charming.

Availabilty:  On DVD

Cardiac Arrest (1980)

2 / 5 Nov '09
Tagline: Some killers want more than just your life...
Directed by: Murray Mintz
Written by: Murray Mintz
Actors include: Garry Goodrow, Max Gail, Michael Paul Chan
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Drama
Length: 93 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
A very cheap looking film about a fellow they call "The Missing Hearts Murderer"...seriously! The detectives just bumble about doing stupid thing with evidence after stupid thing. The actors are less than skilled, and it's as dry as can possibly be especially with the dialog...sheesh! It appears that the culprit is using Curare darts to stun the victim before removing the heart...could it be? What could the possible motive be? As this goes on we follow a Woman who has issues with her heart who needs a transplant who is left with only luck for a donor. That is until she receives a phone call offering to remove the element of chance with her wait... It's not really a horror flick (though falsely billed as one), Police flick yes and maybe a thriller (although I wasn't thrilled) but more likely a mystery...the only violence is darkly lit and barely visible and it seems like so little happens over a very long time. It's definitely not something I'd recommend to anyone as there are better films about this subject matter and seriously I did have to force myself to sit through it sadly. It's very cheesy and maybe a laugh or two to be had within but I'm afraid that's the best you're gonna get! Really it's like an extended Matlock episode only less charming unfortunately.

Availability:  On DVD (but OOP) or watch for free here:  http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=3385159241218680804&ei=2dYUS_CgPJPllQfx6pG6Dg&q=cardiac+arrest+1980&hl=en

X-Men: First Class (2011)

3.5 / 5 Jun '11
Tagline: Witness the origin
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Written by: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz
Actors include: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Length: 132 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
I wouldn't say I'm a big fan of the series, though I've barely explored it. I saw the first X-Men movie back when it came out, thought it was alright but never bothered with any of the sequels. Luckily for me this is filmed in such a way that seeing the first film was all I really needed. It goes back to the '60s when Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr were friends and learning to use their powers together. Together they recruit other mutants and start teaching them to use the power within to try to stop a missile crisis that could blow destroy everything. Be prepared for a ton of neat action sequences, some cheesy montages, and of course some neat mutant activity. They also did a rather good job of tying it into the first movie (heck even Wolverine makes a cameo which is the best part of the film) and yet it didn't feel like they were retreading. I did feel it went on a little long, and a bit of trimming from the beginning wouldn't have hurt, but for the most part it was satisfying and it covered a lot of territory. It's made me curious what I've missed with the other sequels, that is for sure.

Availability:  Still in theatres currently

Earthquake (1974)

4 / 5  Dec '09
Tagline:  N/A
Directed by:  Mark Robson
Written by:  George Fox, Mario Puzo
Actors include:  Charleton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy
Genre:  Disaster, Action, Thriller
Length:  120 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
Sure it's a little cheesy and you can see where the miniatures are and it takes a while to get going. What this has working for it is a fantastic nearly all-star cast including Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, and George Kennedy to name a few. It's also pretty darned thrilling once it gets going and it has harrowing dangerous escapes, and it's mean spirited (which I love). As a giant destructive earthquake ravishes the land we follow a series of characters as they fight for survival. It does have some surprises including a Soldier who has frickin' lost it (which sure seems a bit over the top but I enjoyed it none the less), plus you never know who is going to bite it next! It's quite action packed, it has tons of crazy '70s outfits, hairstyles and scenery (heck it even has Shaft in it as a motorcyclist) so there is always something to gawk at. I remember thinking the ride at Universal Studios was pretty darned exciting and always wondering how the movie would pan out. Well this won't be a disaster film for everyone, and The Towering Inferno and The Poseidon Adventure are way more exciting but this one still ranks I think.

Availability:  On DVD