Queen of Spades

The Queen of Spades (1949)

Runtime: 95 minutes

Directed by: Thorold Dickinson

Starring: Anton Walbrook, Edith Evans, Yvonne Mitchell, Ronald Howard, Mary Jerrold

From: De Grunwald Productions/Associated British Pictures Corporation

A movie watched because it’s about to leave Shudder in a matter of hours. I realize this news won’t benefit most or that I’ve heard the few other titles to be gone from the platform include The Blood on Satan’s Claw and The Manitou but this was information only privy to me shortly before I went to bed on Monday. As I’ve known of the film for a bit and was intrigued by the plot…

Based on an Alexander Pushkin story (explaining the 1806 Russian setting) the general story is that a haughty man who is a Russian officer is petrified of gambling on faro-a card game whose mechanics does not need to be explained here-yet still desires more money as unfortunately that is required for career advancement. He hears a legend about how an aging countess once sold her soul to win a faro game. Yes, a singular game; the reasons why are complicated.

The journey the viewer goes on is unique--it's a plot that envelops you; henceforth, the details of the plot won’t be revealed by me. There was intrigue, mystery, horrifying moments, and even a romance involving a put-upon young woman. Who the viewer has sympathy towards and what the focus turns towards is one of the pleasant surprises. This was swell both behind and in front of the camera; it was a pleasant surprise then that this was on a platform like Shudder for a few months, no matter how often someone was like me and took a chance on an obscurity.

Sole Survivor

Sole Survivor (1984)

Runtime: 85 minutes

Directed by: Thom Eberhardt

Starring: Anita Skinner, Caren L. Larkey, Kurt Johnson, Robin Davidson, Andrew Boyer

From: International Film Marketing

We have GOT to talk about the décor in Denise Watson’s home… for years I’ve known of this time and it has even been in constant rotation currently on the Shudder streaming channels. Finally it just so happened that last night I was looking to see what was next on one of those channels, and it happened to be Sole Survivor.

Denise Watson is a young lady who was the sole survivor (points at the screen like I’m the recently-deceased Rick Dalton) of a plane crash; subsequently, Death seems to be coming her way to fix that mistake. Added to the mix are both her doctor turned love interest, a washed-up alcoholic actress who also possesses psychic ability and her next-door neighbor.

The movie is methodically paced; storytelling so measured will never be for all tastes. Personally, I was enthralled as I was interested in Watson, Karla Davis the actor and the other main players. Thus, as the story unfurled I let the great mood & atmosphere wash over me. The cinematography, So Cal setting and electronic score help set the style. Remember how I said that Death was after Watson? Why does that sound familiar… besides Final Destination, several other movies came to mind: Carnival of Souls, Messiah of Evil, and It Follows; that is appropriate as lead actress Anita Skinner can be described as “the 80’s version of Maika Monroe.”

Sole Survivor is a grim movie-don’t be fooled by the Christmas season setting-where the nightmare for the lead only escalates as Death literally becomes more and more omnipresent. A moment of Fulci-level gore in the opening does not represent the rest of the visceral moments but that’s not what the film’s about anyhow. Not a surprise that even with some nudity, this did not as well at the time as a slasher despite being more intelligent than most of them. 

At least there’s the Code Red Blu but I do wish it was on more streaming sites than Shudder for the benefits of both nerds like us on Letterboxd and those not on the site who still might be interested in this jam. One last thing: what a house Watson lives in. Most of it has walls a shade of red and thus the overall design was understated. In contrast was the mint green bathroom she has AND a lime green kitchen. “1970’s” was at least when that interior was created—an interior I love, BTW.

Happy Memorial Day!

I say this due to my film-watching exploits going off-course. It wasn’t the plan to discuss a 1903 Georges Melies short today; originally a feature length film would be in this spot, but I am still recovering from some sort of illness (NOT COVID) which most affected me on Thursday. I do feel mostly fine now, although still exhausted. Hopefully tomorrow things will be back to normal.

Henceforth, another brief short from the legendary Melies-this was a hair under two minutes long-whereby this time it was a green-skinned demon chucking several damsels in distress into a cauldron, who then immediately are liquified into a fiery inferno. As stomach-churning as that sounds, the presentation made it more whimsical than horrifying if that was presented in a cinema today. No worries, the emerald beast does get its comeuppance.

As I’ve said in reviews of other Melies shorts, the blend of colorized film, OOT fantasy scenarios, and innovative effects resulted in a tasty concoction where no matter the length, I am always thrilled by the macabre delights. During times like these, it is always a saving grace to have worthwhile treasures from the past to fall back on.

Sister Street Fighter

Sister Street Fighter (Onna Hissatsu Ken) (1974)

Runtime: 86 minutes

Directed by: Kazuhiko Yamaguchi

Starring: Etsuko Shihomi, Asao Uchida, Sanae Ohori, Bin Amatsu, Sonny Chiba

From: Toei

Quite simply, I wanted to see some Dudes Get Wrecked ™ last night, and that itch was scratched. In the past I’ve checked out the first two Streetfighter movies starring Sonny Chiba, and both were good times, full of over the top moments and 1970's panache. Via Arrow’s streaming site I finally checked out its companion set of movies, where a quartet were made and at least in this one, Chiba returned… albeit, as a different character, supporting in nature but naturally still a badass.

The titular sister is Koryu, the “Hong Kong Martial Arts Champion”, who is half-Japanese and goes to Japan to investigate the whereabouts of her brother, who was undercover investigating a drug ring. That’s the basics; of course there are friends, “friends” who are actually enemies, all sorts of bad guys-some incredibly over the top… and various locations in Japan, including some rather scenic out by the ocean. For those sensitive to sleazy moments, some are present here; that includes topless women and (unfortunately) a sexual assault.

Quite simply, it was easy to root for Koryu and the dojo she’s a part of against a rival dojo and the evil SOB villain. That villain is a rich bastard who has a unique method of smuggling heroin and despite his dapper dress and swank mansion, is someone who injects drugs into captives just for s---- and giggles. To reflect the tone of this picture, not only do we finally get the graphic gore I was expecting in the final act, there is a septutle of “Amazons”, which are women dressed in loincloths as if they stepped off a live-action adaptation of The Flintstones.

Silly exploitation trash this may be… but there was gore, groovy 70’s fashion, an even groovier funky 70’s soundtrack, and Sonny F’ing Chiba—I was satisfied, in other words.

Beavis & Butt-Head Do America

Beavis & Butt-Head Do America (1996)

Runtime: 81 minutes

Directed by: Mike Judge

Starring the vocal talents of: Mike Judge and many famous voices

From: Paramount/Geffen/MTV

I was a teenager in the 90’s… of course the original TV show and this film would be hilarious at the time. I haven’t revisited the show in ages (let alone gave a shot to the revival or the film that came out last year) but this was for free on Prime so it was time to reminisce about the time when MTV was actually watchable and actually showed music videos instead of episodes of Ridiculousness for what seems like days in a row.

Of course it was incredibly silly and juvenile, with plenty of crass insults delivered to others and each other. Yet, it still made me laugh pretty hard… huh huh, I said “hard.” Both were oblivious to the wild events around them as their TV being stolen resulted in them going on an adventure across the country where they think they will “score” while going on around them is a chase for a stolen biological weapon; many wild things occur. Naturally this isn’t for all tastes and if you maintain a stone face while hearing that this features multiple body cavity searches, a Cornholio alter ego and the insults include buttmunch & bunghole, then the humor of this movie will be lost on you.

That said, this still made me laugh pretty hard. Admittedly, I was sold after the first few minutes, which featured spoofs of both Godzilla and 70’s cop TV shows. What an eclectic mix in both the soundtrack and the voice cast. With the latter, there’s Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, Cloris Leachman, David Letterman, Robert Stack, Richard Linklater (!), Eric Bogosian, and Greg Kinnear. Meanwhile, the songs include everyone from Isaac Hayes and the Butthole Surfers to LL Cool J and Engelbert Humperdinck. I’m a big fan, in other words.

Admittedly, only some of the supporting characters from the show appear here. That said, most fans of the show should be satisfied. One day I will check out Beavis & Butt-Head Do the Universe, promise.

Man of Steel

Man of Steel (2013)

Runtime: 143 minutes

Directed by: Zach Snyder

Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane

From: Warner Bros./Legacy/Syncopy/DC

Would you believe this was a first-time watch for me? Actually, long-time followers probably do. It’s been ages since I’ve seen any comic book movie so it has to be explained that I skip most of those as I just don’t care for the vast majority. There’s no preference between Marvel and DC-as I know there will always be tribalism between the two camps-except that the Christopher Reeve Superman movies and Batman was watched when I was a kid, whether it be Adam West, the big screen live-action films or Batman: The Animated Series.

Yesterday I listened to a YouTube livestream where after forewarning, spoilers were given for The Flash. For reasons I won’t explain here, my interest was suddenly piqued; it was more than just the one reveal that the director himself make yesterday. My seeing The Flash is NOT because I want to support Ezra Miller. That guy is a sex pest and in general a pretty lousy human being. Anyhow, because of my plans for June, might as well see the first incarnation of Michael Shannon as Zod, right? Thus, I went to Apple TV, which just started doing movie rentals. No issues with the 4K Dolby Vision stream.

The movie itself, I had some problems with. Personally, I would have liked to have seen Superman wear the suit more often, or done more heroic acts. The sometimes non-chronological order the story was told in, I’m not sure if that really benefitted the story being told. Then there was the final act… no, I don’t mean how the Kal-El vs. Zod fight ended; they tried to rationalize it and I know why hardcore fans would be rankled by that decision. Rather, for me it was how the final act was a cacophony of noise, images, CG and the apparent loss of thousands of lives which was more objectionable to me. In addition, thank goodness this was never a theatrical experience given how often the camera needlessly moves around.

Yet there were parts of the film I did like; while some moments were questionable, both his birth and surrogate parents were likable characters. I did enjoy Henry Cavill in the title role; the cast as a whole was pretty solid. Even if the first two Reeve Superman films told this basic story better (the romance between Superman and Lois Lane was much stronger there than here) and the John Williams score will forever be iconic to me, the first two acts were fine.

Sure, I prefer the optimism and good old-fashioned heroics of Superman but this interpretation wasn’t automatically hated by me. It was that final act and various Snyderisms which sank this. And no, I won’t be checking out the rest of the Snyderverse as it is likely those films I actually would hate. As for teen Kent being called an ASSWIPE and DICKSPLASH… it was unexpected.

Overall, I do not regret waiting a decade to check this out. What I do regret: not doing a screenshot on Letterboxd opening night where the first five ratings of this from followers were (in no particular order):

**
*
*****
****
***
That was how I knew right then how divisive this was… and still is. I do get why many love this film; personally, the first two Reeve movies are an incredibly high hurdle to clear and this doesn’t do that. Alas, with any luck The Flash will be something I will like despite the general rotten reputation of many comic book films in recent years. In addition, my next review should be of something I rate pretty highly.

 

Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday

Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday (2022)

Runtime: 96 minutes

Directed by: George & Harry Kirby

Starring: Scott Adkins, Ray Stevenson (RIP), Perry Benson, Sarah Chang, George Fouracres

From: Samuel Goldwyn Films

RIP Ray Stevenson. I’ve only seen him in a few movies and none of his extensive television career but whether it be Punisher: War Zone or dreck like Paul W.S. Anderson’s The Three Musketeers & G.I. Joe: Retaliation, he was always a highlight. What will always be synonymous with me and him is his villainous turn in RRR. Thus, I was floored when Twitter was opened Monday afternoon while I was at a restaurant in Tampa and read that unpleasant news. Another film of his I saw: back late last year was 2018’s Accident Man, a goofy property based on a comic book which at least starred Scott Adkins and Stevenson was the acting highlight w/ his performance. It was a good time.

This time, Adkins is in Malta and various hitmen are after him; OK, it isn’t exactly that simplistic as he also has to protect an absolutely insufferable son of a Mafia boss but despite Stevenson (I wish there was more of him), Adkins, the action beats and the Maltese scenery, I was not as big a fan of this movie. Yet another modern trope I’m not a fan of is an in media res opening done for no reason, which is what we got here. The fact that this opening literally featured a guy dressed like a clown w/ “a brick on a stick”… this doomed the movie for me. The fact that it was followed up by some CG worthy of the SyFy Channel and my heart sank.

From there was too much stupidity and overall, the original movie was better. Another supporting character returning was nice and all but there is a bit of regret that this Stevenson film wasn’t better for me. Alas, at least I was able to note his death and also say that he was someone I’ve never heard a bad thing about so it is a bummer that he passed away a few days before reaching the age of 59.

 

I Was a Teenage Werewolf

I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957)

Runtime: 76 minutes

Directed by: Gene Fowler, Jr.

Starring: Michael Landon, Yvonne Lime, Whit Bissell, Charles Willcox, Barney Phillips

From: AIP

Imagine Rebel Without a Cause if James Dean had lycanthrophy… OK that isn’t the perfect comparison yet that was the idea AIP was going for. Rebellious teen movies already started becoming a thing due to Rebel so why not make it low-budget by combine it with a horror movie? Werewolves have always been connected to aggression and anger, so the pairing actually is natural.

Michael Landon (this was even before Bonanza began; thus, this was how the world was introduced to him) is angsty teen Tony Rivers-a real juvenile delinquent-who does well in school academics wise yet has an explosive temper and often gets into knock-down, drag-out brawls. He is encouraged to see a shrink to deal with this issue. Turns out, he’s a mad scientist type who uses a serum and hypnosis to regress him “to his primitive state.” That’s an interesting interpretation of lycanthrophy.

Don’t go into this expecting our lead to tear apart a whole swath of innocent victims. After all, Rivers is painted in a sympathetic light and it is scientist Whit Bissell who is the heel. The performances by Bissell and Landon are the true highlights as much of the story is standard fare involving various friends/family of Rivers, including his girlfriend. What did leave a brief yet memorable impression: May 1957 Playboy Playmate Dawn Richard in a small role as a high school gymnast who wears a leotard. I’m sure that did (and still does) make some people… howl.

The Horror of Party Beach

The Horror of Party Beach (1964)

Runtime: 78 minutes

Directed by: Del Tenney

Starring: John Scott, Alice Lyon, Allan Laurel, Marilyn Clarke, Eulabelle Moore

From: Inzom Productions/Iselin-Tenney Productions

Somehow this was a first-time watch for me; not even the MST3K episode has been viewed before. Of course I’ve known the unfortunate appearance of the mutated creature for years but more on that in a bit. This was experienced on YouTube in a video which simulated a drive-in experience by pairing it with trailers, intermission ads, a Betty Boop cartoon and another film… I’ll review that tomorrow.

That creature results from radioactive waste literally dumped into the bay. It first appears at the end of the first act which is the highlight of the film. Its debut is not the highlight… it’s that it is the culmination of a beach party (that brief subgenre was popular at the time in the cinemas) where we see WHITE PEOPLE DANCING, hear mediocre surf/beach music and see drama amongst some teenage dirtbags. I’m not sure how radioactive waste creates a bipedal aquatic creature w/ bug eyes and what looks like seven hot dog wieners sticking out of its maw but there’s plenty of questionable science on display.

From there there’s the expected drama of several people coming together to try and stop the menace; how it’s done—another dubious moment to say the least yet M. Night probably doesn’t think so…but seriously, at least there is an impressive rampage the creature goes on at one point and a surprising amount of blood.

As obvious a cash-grab as this was-an attempt to appeal to “the youths” by incorporating several genres-at least this was amusing crap. A hero named HANK GREEN, girls at a slumber party singing folk songs, a balding middle-aged scientist as one of the heroes, the director in a cameo as a gas station attendant who is fawned at by several young ladies… I was amused by this schlock and its doofy-looking monster.

The Taking of Deborah Logan

The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

Runtime: 90 minutes

Directed by: Adam Robitel

Starring: Jill Larson, Anne Ramsay, Michelle Ang, Brett Gentile, Jeremy DeCarlos

From: Several entities, including Bryan Singer… much to my surprise

Seeing that this was presented by Bryan Singer was the biggest shock of the movie. There were no opening credits as I saw this play on one of the three streaming channels on Shudder’s service; thus, when the end credits began and I saw that name listed—it was an unpleasant surprise. Of course that plays no effect on my rating but in case you didn’t know yourself or forgot…

This is a faux documentary where several college students in a class do a report on an older lady who was just diagnosed w/ Alzheimer’s. I know that awful disease has affected many people throughout history; that sadly includes my grandfather who had it for several years before passing away in ’09. No further details will be provided except that it was tragic to see him in that state; likewise, this did show how exhausting the ordeal was for the adult daughter who has to care for her mother. Of course, it was more than just Alzheimer’s which is affecting poor Deborah…

Admittedly, I did prefer the first half of the movie where we see the real-life horrors of that disease to the second half where the “other issue” was more theatrical, even if it was intriguing lore they created. At first I wasn’t sure of the film crew as they all seemed like clueless, jerks, or clueless jerks, but that image does soften. Overall, despite how implausible it gets and how at times it does strain the credulity of the documentary conceit, there are still frights and an indelible image that you won’t soon forget (plus, what a performance from Jill Larson as the eponymous character)… thus, I’ll say this is good despite its flaws & uneven nature.