The Caller

The Caller (1987)

Runtime: 97 confounding minutes

Directed by: Arthur Allan Seidelman

Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Madolyn Smith Osborne

From: Empire Pictures

What in the world WAS The Caller?!

I’ve known of The Caller for years, how it’s a true two-hander in that only two actors appear: Malcolm McDowell and Madolyn Smith Osborne, as she’s known as now. However, the details aside from the premise of “a man visits a woman out in the woods, looking to use her telephone as his car’s inoperable” was unknown. Seeing that this was an Empire Productions effort and Charles Band was involved was a major surprise.

I figured the movie was more than its premise… and it was. The first act was off-kilter as they met each other and talked in the house. The second half became bizarre, then the final act was absolute berserk. I’ve hearted some reviews that mutuals made in the past but I did not remember there even was a twist. Imagine my shock… 

The big twist (one that makes me proclaim, “Eat your heart out, M. Night Shyamalan!”) was not something that anyone could have predicted, the explanation for why The Caller is increasingly off-the-wall. It does raise more questions than answers, as others have noted… to clarify, it’s typically no issue with me if a movie’s ambiguous or requires the viewer to speculate on certain plot points.

Now, I admit that there are stretches where the movie is spinning its wheels, biding time. The acting was at least quality throughout; McDowell going all outré & bold wasn’t a surprise-I hadn’t seen as many films from Smith but she was BOLD herself, especially as the movie increased its bonkers factor. The picture was well-made in Italy, featuring an appropriate score from Richard Band and subtle moments you might pick up on eventually like I did; that’s one of a few points in its favor.

It'd be a crime to reveal any more; it’s only a lack of attention that it isn’t a bigger cult favorite, despite a Vinegar Syndrome release… which is out of print at the moment. A few mutuals on Letterboxd love the picture—you might as well.

American Pie 2, Revisited

A mutual’s recent review served as a reminder that I finally needed to post one of my typical reviews for this movie rather than one a sentence long that was posted during my first few days as a Letterboxd member, THIRTEEN years ago. The first movie in this franchise doesn’t need a new review & I know it well-enough where a revisit wasn’t necessary anyhow.

The set-up isn’t too complex: the leads of the first film decide to rent a beach house the summer after their first year in college so they can reconnect. It’s simply an excuse for more debauchery and OOT antics but as I first saw this movie on the big screen in August of ’01 when I myself was about to start my second year of college… of course I’ll be nostalgic for the film.

Vulgarities are looked at differently now compared to a quarter-century ago yet this film still makes me laugh, even with its crude and sometimes OOT scenarios, along with at least a few moments that probably will be seen now as “politically incorrect.” It was nice to see the characters mature and change throughout the movie and compared to the first. The soundtrack also brought me back. More than one character reminded me of people I know, or at least knew at the time… even Steve Stifler. American Wedding wasn’t good, and one reason was that The Stifmeister was insufferable in that, while he wasn’t as unbearable here.

I was happy to see these characters & those actors return, including Eugene Levy as the awkward yet loving father. My age is a factor but I’ll likely always enjoy this movie, even if my senior high of high school and college life wasn’t the insane antics portrayed in this franchise. I was happy to reminisce about the good old days.

The Trip

The Trip (1967)

Runtime: 85 minutes

Directed by: Roger Corman

Starring: Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern, Dennis Hopper, Susan Strasberg, Salli Sachese

From: AIP 

This film was a trip, indeed. Last night, Turner Classic Movies played this Roger Corman movie; throughout the month of January, every Friday night is devoted to the late director/producing legend. I hadn’t seen this but knowing that some key figures (Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson, who believe it or not wrote The Trip while not appearing in the movie as an actor) later went on to make Easy Rider greatly intrigued.

Fonda is a director who is experiencing the disintegration of his marriage; that naturally is a bummer, man. Thankfully for him, he knows such cool cats as Hopper and a fully-bearded Bruce Dern. The latter introduces him to acid, and the rest of the film is his first acid trip. As Dern’s a great friend, he coaches him on what to expect during his initial trip and stays around during the experience. Of course, there is more than one freak-out but Dern offers comfort while he’s around.

Through the usage of appropriate music, colors, camera effects, old sets sometimes redecorated in bizarre fashion, filming in locations that already had psychedelic décor and other tricks that presumably weren’t expensive (especially considering the director/producer), those trips were a delight. First, there’s the expected kaleidoscope effects; then, weird, surreal imagery appears off-and-on. Now, I’ve never tried LSD; however, Nicholson and Corman did! The presumption is that the film is not unauthentic.

As an aside, Dern will turn 90 in like 8 weeks; I hope he lives for many years to come but you never know at his age. While he’s still alive, I’m happy to acknowledge that it’s always a treat watching him act in everything from Nebraska and The Driver to Silent Running and The ‘Burbs.

A film devoted only to an LSD experience is unique even now; I was happy to have gone on this journey to the swingin’ 60’s and view the visuals, groovy music, and the Los Angeles of the era. I was also happy to see some other familiar faces, such as Luana Anders and Dick Miller, the latter wearing a funny purple & black ensemble as a bartender.

 

Felidae

Last night I saw a famed 1994 animated film from Germany featuring the voice acting of an old actor I've been familiar with for years: 

RIP Mario Adorf

I haven’t reviewed any of his movies in years aside from 1964’s Apache Gold but back in the day, me and someone on a messageboard enjoyed discussing him. That was chiefly for his roles in the poliziotteschi films Caliber 9 and The Italian Connection, both of which are highly entertaining and well worth tracking down. We both laughed that he resembled Bruce Campbell. He was far more famous in Europe than America but I’m bummed he passed away, even if he reached the age of 95.

I referenced this film in my recent review of Cat City, another European animated flick concerning felines; a mutual recommended I check this out… a movie I’ve known of for ages by this point. The setting is a world just like ours, except that cats of many different breeds speak to each other. Francis is new to the neighborhood; he investigates a series of murders. Note that the film is NOT for children; there are horror elements, nightmares, cat corpses mutilated, a sexy saxophone riff, cat sex, and references to Gregor Mendel.

Felidae is mature, a noir concerning plot points that are better represented by animals rather than human beings. Adorf provided the deep voice of Bluebeard, the closest confidant of Francis. The story was more mature & thoughtful than expected, featuring lovely animation, a score from a rare female composer (Anne Dudley), a title song from BOY GEORGE, and nice voice acting. The only other actor I knew was Klaus Maria Brandauer, but everyone was fine.

This was a nice way to pay tribute to Mr. Adorf. Hopefully sometime next week, I’ll see something live-action from him.

 

Nothing Sacred

Nothing Sacred (1937)

Runtime: 74 minutes

Directed by: William A. Wellman

Starring: Carole Lombard, Fredric March, Charles Winninger, Walter Connolly, Sig Rugman

From: David O. Selznick Productions

Getting to see the only accurate representation of this Technicolor movie as it looked in 1937-via a restoration from the Museum of Modern Art-was a delight. The Criterion Collection is the only way to see that print of a film long in the public domain. People may not exclaim, “Jumpin H. Sebastian!” in excitement over how early Technicolor looked compared to its 50’s heyday, but the look is still distinctive.

The movie concerns NYC newspaper reporter Frederic March-disgraced after getting duped by a fake sultan who was a Black man that-ahem-shined shoes-the performance from Black actor Troy Brown, Sr. was fine-he visits Vermont to visit Carole Lombard… not just because she’s Carole Lombard, who looked lovely in Technicolor. Rather, she’s a Radium Girl in a Vermont town run by a watch factory. 

I could write paragraphs on the real-life phenomenon of girls painting radium on watches in the early 20th century so the numbers glowed in the dark… then people realized that radium gave off radiation and those poor girls suffered horrible fates; however, you can use Google or Wiki for further information. Plus, the gag is that Lombard’s Hazel Flagg isn’t sick with radiation poisoning, but goes along with the story because she doesn’t want to be stuck in Vermont forever—not even she saw how much attention would be lavished on her only for the belief that this random people mentioned in a story was on her deathbed.

A biting satire of media and sensationalistic journalism, this was. In addition, the movie’s a funny screwball comedy featuring the expected wacky scenarios that escalate in ludicrousness, snappy patter, and a romance between the leads. The supporting cast also entertained: grumpy newspaper editor OLIVER STONE (yes, that’s the character’s name) as portrayed by Walter Connelly, Sig Rugman as-naturally-a Germanic doctor, and Charles Winninger as a sidesplitting Vermont doctor. Margaret Hamilton appeared for a scene as well.

In addition, there’s the expected quality David O. Selznick production design and such wacky choices as a squirrel appearing randomly in one scene, or the absurdity of actors appearing in the background of scenes behind such foreground props as flowers or a tree branch. 

While there are better examples of screwball comedies-and I’m sure not everyone will love a moment in the finale that plays differently 9 decades later-I was still charmed by Nothing Sacred. I was happy to see something new (to me) from the great director William A. Wellman along w/ the charming performances from the legendary leads.

Adela Has Not Had Supper Yet

Adela Has Not Had Supper Yet (Adela Jeske Nevecerela) (1978)

Runtime: 102 minutes

Directed by: Oldrich Lipsky

Starring: Michal Docolomansky, Rudolf Hrusinsky, Milos Kopecky, Vaclav Lohnisky, Ladislav Pesak

From: Filmove Studio Barrandov

This movie was as peculiar as I’d always heard. In this case, that means “many years.” As stated on many occasions by now, I expect either drab & serious or something bizarre from movies behind the Iron Curtain; this satiric comedy was the latter.

Nick Carter (no, not the Backstreet Boy! Rather, the American detective character that was popular in dime store novels) is asked to Prague-which at least looked lovely on film but I’m sure the city is still lovely in 2026-to investigate a curious case that involves-among other things-a mad botanist and the titular Adela… a carnivorous plant; take that, Audrey II! He is assisted by a Czech who is a portly man w/ a mustache.

Along the way, there’s still photographs used to animate certain moments, animation-including stop-motion from the legendary Jan Svankmajer-and the unexpected advertisement of Czech food & drink throughout, especially pilsner beer. There’s also disguises that would make Ethan Hunt proud and attractive women, but I’d rather not reveal too much. The soundtrack that served as background typically sounded like that of a silent film; makes sense, considering the early 20th century setting. An idiosyncratic and unique movie, this was.

This also made the movie feel fresh and distinctive. I’m glad that Czech movies are easier to track down than before via streaming platforms like Night Flight/Eternal Family/Midnight Plus (the trio share quite a few movies) or the Criterion Channel, and Deaf Crocodile, a label that deserves more love for the wide berth of foreign films they release on physical media.

 

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026)

42% on Rotten Tomatoes (out of 187 reviews) 

Runtime: 98 minutes

Directed by: Aaron Horvath/Michael Jelenic/Pierre Leduc

Starring: Quite a few famous faces

From: Universal/Nintendo 

To echo the thoughts of (presumably) many, I’d also like an 80’s cartoon series of [redacted.]

Despite the frostier reception that this sequel has received so far, I was still interested in a viewing due to my finding the original film to be fine—a safe story, but competent, w/ great visuals and humor that typically didn’t bother me too much. As I explained in that review, I’m someone who only knows the franchise from the 80’s & 90’s… and the awesomely bad 90’s film and the first Super Smash Brothers game. Getting to check out the movie in 3D was an additional delight; those effects were nice.

My opinions of the 2023 movie as “safe story, but competent” also apply to Galaxy. The references to the universe made in 2000 and after mostly flew over my head yet the plot still was fun. Is it as in-depth & complex as Pixar (well, vintage Pixar)? Nope—doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with a story where Bowser, Jr. wishes to rescue his father & also make him proud, which is done by kidnapping Peach’s sister Rosalina so her powers could be used to help end the universe. 

I was entertained by the spectacle, Yoshi & the other characters introduced (including one that wasn’t in the trailers & as that character is well-known in the universe, someone in the audience had an audible reaction during their opening scene), the action setpieces-including a scene that Joe Bob Briggs would describe as UMBRELLA-FU, and best of all, how delightfully colorful the movie is, especially in 3D.

As an aside, a recent mutual on Letterboxd might want me to mention that the voice cast featured several Black actors: Donald Glover, Keegan-Michael Key, & Kevin Michael Richardson. It can be argued whether a cast full of famous actors was right for an animated picture but colorblind casting in this field is fine with me. What I appreciated returning was the return of the Kamek character, a.k.a. the dude designed to look & sound like Peter Lorre.

The expectations weren’t high-especially after the negative reviews-but I was mostly fine w/ Galaxy. Yes, more than one character arguably should have had more screentime for the story being told, among other valid criticisms. Even then, I was entertained by what may be a rare new popcorn film I check out in 2026. Yes, even I am not immune to fanservice moments that reminded me of games played during my youth.