Tag: quick reviews

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders is a 1970 movie directed by Jaromil Jires.

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders tells the story of Valerie, a 13-year old who is coming of age. Her development leads to strange events, including her grandmother trading her soul for eternal youth, pursuit by vampires and her eventual unsuccessful burning at the stake. Jires creates a brilliantly strange and dreamy atmosphere that features intriguing lighting and camera decisions. Jaroslava Schallerova gives a comical, aloof performance as Valerie.

THE BEST – Burned at the Stake

This is probably the funniest scene of the movie. Since Valerie has protection from the flames, she taunts her captors – when they demand a confession, she sticks her tongue out at them.

THE WORST – For Most of the Movie, I Had No Clue What Was Happening

I’m not ashamed to admit this.

FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.75/5

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders blends genres to create a dreamy, experimental vision. It’s a strange movie but wildly unique.

Blood and Black Lace

Blood and Black Lace is a 1964 movie directed by Mario Bava.

Blood and Black Lace tells the story of a series of models who are murdered by a mysterious masked man. A cat and mouse investigation follows, which eventually reveals the killer. While the plot can wander, the defining characteristics of the movie are its incredible 60’s style and use of color and shadows. Visually, Blood and Black Lace is a unique, stylish masterpiece.

THE BEST – The Opening Credits

The swanky, voguish opening establishes the trendy characters of this whodunit in a stylish and efficient manner. While there are many great moments to follow, this opening may be the highlight of the movie.

THE WORST – The Inspector is Always a Step Slow

After a lifeless body drops to the floor, you know it’s time for the inspector to show up. His investigation is not exactly proactive.

FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.5/5

Blood and Black Lace oozes style – it’s the epitome of 70’s chic Italian cool. It’s also a decent movie.

Suburbia

Suburbia is a 1983 movie directed by Penelope Spheeris.

Suburbia tells the story of “The Rejected”, a group of aimless kids who are essentially homeless. They form a loose family while defending themselves against both police and citizen vigilantes. Their lives turn tragic when one of their members overdoses and another is killed during an altercation. The plot stumbles but Spheeris presents an authenticity to her characters and setting that is truly unique. The atmosphere is enhanced by the terrific sound of various punk bands.

THE BEST – Punk Bands Never Get to Finish Their Songs

Each live performance features brilliant emotion and energy from various punk bands – along with a crowd brawl that abruptly kills the performance.

THE WORST – These Lost Youths Don’t Care for Gay People

Or black people. Or virtually anyone not like them. For a group of severely oppressed kids, they are incredibly close-minded.

FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.75/5

Suburbia is a truly unique movie and worth checking out. Bonus points for the acting debut of Flea and the Reservoir Dogs-esque group walking shot.

Waterloo

Waterloo is a 1970 movie directed by Sergei Bondarchuk.

Waterloo tells the story of the famous battle that led to Napoleon Bonaparte’s demise. The movie features a ton of star power, as Rod Steiger plays Napoleon and Christopher Plummer is his English rival, the Duke of Wellington. Steiger inhabits both the swagger and introspection of his character, while Plummer gives a cavalier, old Hollywood feel to his. The visual scope and sound of the battle scenes is impressive, along with the blustery orchestral score.

THE BEST – Steiger Losing His Shit

Steiger’s Napoleon senses he’s losing his empire yet has an impossibly stoic facade to maintain. When these realizations occur, Steiger expertly conveys the rage of a man who simply cannot afford to fail.

THE WORST – Orson Welles Going Through the Motions

Other than to boast his name on the production, I’m not sure what Welles adds as the bloated, lethargic Louis XVIII.

FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 4/5

In terms of war movies, this is an impressive one. The battle scenes are brilliant and Steiger and Plummer ham up terrific performances.

Election

Election is a 1999 movie directed by Alexander Payne.

Election tells the story of an overachieving student and the teacher who tries to sabotage her. Payne’s dark comedy is hilarious and features a masterful performance from Reese Witherspoon as the obsessive, ambitious Tracy Flick. Matthew Broderick’s Mr. McAlister ranges from affable to conniving and desperate. Chris Klein and Jessica Campbell are scene stealers as the Metzlers, who become pawns in an election stained by pettiness.

THE BEST – The Navajo Joe Musical Interludes

This comes out of nowhere but strangely fits. Morricone’s classic plays as Tracy goes into a rage and rips down her opponent’s posters before staring at her bloody hands. Just wonderful.

THE WORST – Teacher-Student Affairs

Tracy has an affair with McAlister’s friend – an event that ultimately sets the movie’s motivation. The scenes are creepy – and funny.

FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 4/5

Witherspoon is a phenomenal actor and her Tracy Flick is an iconic, yet relatable character. A must watch.

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is a 1976 movie directed by John Cassavetes.

Ben Gazzara plays Cosmo Vitelli, a strip club owner whose gambling addiction runs him afoul of the mob. He’s forced to murder a Chinese bookie to repay his debts. Gazzara’s Vitelli is unflappable throughout the movie, yet the scene stealer is the unpredictable, lurching Timothy Carey, who portrays mob enforcer Flo. The movie’s tone is quintessential 70’s – it’s dark and gritty, yet themes of family and honor emerge.

THE BEST – Timothy Carey

Carey may be one of the most uniquely strange actors of the last 50 years. He constantly appears to be crawling out of his own skin.

THE WORST – Timothy Carey Eating

It’s hard to describe. Just watch it.

FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 4/5

If you love 70’s movie grime, this is for you. It’s desperately grim but Gazzara gives a tremendous performance. It’s worth a watch.