This is a review of the Rock Hudson movie Seconds, a surreal yet penetrating movie directed by John Frankenheimer.
Seconds deals with an older man, Arthur Hamilton, who is a successful upper-middle class bank executive with a wife, large home, green lawn, air conditioning. He is miserable. A friend of Hamilton's hooks him up with The Company that will give Hamilton a new life.
This entails faking Hamilton's death and heavy reconstruction surgery. The old man Hamilton becomes a young man named Wilson. And Wilson just happens to look like Rock Hudson.
Seconds is very artsy. It came out in 1966 when American filmmakers were using European styles of film making. The scenes involving the old Hamilton and his wife play like Ingmar Bergman. The later scenes with young Wilson and The Company are surreal, like Godard.
I won't give any of the surprises away. The first twenty minutes is a little difficult to get into but once the plot kicks in the movie works really well.
Seconds deals with second chances and freedom. Old man Hamilton represents the status quo. He has the American Dream but is miserable. By becoming a younger man, Wilson, he is allowed to live as a successful artist but he is still miserable. Even jumping into a large vat of grapes with a bunch of naked hippies doesn't make him in happier.
This guy is miserable no matter what life he choses to go with.
Seconds is a very good, very unique American made thriller. It's like a Twilight Zone episode that was written by Bergman and directed by Godard.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Millionaire Matchmaker - Review of Last Night's Episode
Well, Patty Stanger and her gang were at it again last night on Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker show. They were hard at work at helping lonely millionaires find true love.
The two guys on last night’s show were interesting. One was Uri, a Jew from Florida looking for a Jewish girl. He’s way too quiet and nice. A perfect gentleman. Of course that made Patty crazy. She wanted Uri to go after the women, throw them up against the wall and be an animal.
The other guy, Zagros, a Kurdish-Iranian-American, is a momma’s boy but loves the ladies. He’s tall and charming, a total opposite of Uri. Patty wanted this guy to slow down, keep it in his pants.
Patty made a funny comment about this episode having something to do with Israeli-Palestinian relations.
But both Uri and Zagros were somewhat endearing and likeable. Uri remained way too boring for Patty but Zagros and his date, Teal, crossed the line by breaking Patty’s number one rule.
Patty was outrageous as always, Chelsea was the perfect sidekick, and Destin was, well, Destin.
Good show.
The two guys on last night’s show were interesting. One was Uri, a Jew from Florida looking for a Jewish girl. He’s way too quiet and nice. A perfect gentleman. Of course that made Patty crazy. She wanted Uri to go after the women, throw them up against the wall and be an animal.
The other guy, Zagros, a Kurdish-Iranian-American, is a momma’s boy but loves the ladies. He’s tall and charming, a total opposite of Uri. Patty wanted this guy to slow down, keep it in his pants.
Patty made a funny comment about this episode having something to do with Israeli-Palestinian relations.
But both Uri and Zagros were somewhat endearing and likeable. Uri remained way too boring for Patty but Zagros and his date, Teal, crossed the line by breaking Patty’s number one rule.
Patty was outrageous as always, Chelsea was the perfect sidekick, and Destin was, well, Destin.
Good show.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Simon, King of the Witches – A Review of a Classic 1970s Occult Horror Movie
This is a review of a truly eccentric and unique horror movie from the 1970s. Unlike The Devil’s Rain, Simon, King of the Witches isn’t cheesy or goofy.
Andrew Prine plays a mysterious man named Simon who lives in a storm drain. He performs magick. Andrew Prine does an excellent job in making Simon very real and very likable. Simon is no cartoon character, even though he does talk to trees.
Simon befriends a male “escort” named Turk, who wants to learn about the occult and to become a warlock. But first, Simon tells Turk not anyone can get involved with the occult. Simon is very serious. For Simon, magick and the occult are real and can be very dangerous.
Turk takes them to a swinging 1970s-style party thrown by a wacky rich guy named Hercules. Simon, against his better judgment, performs magick for the party guests. For them, Simon is just a performer and magick is mere entertainment. The party goers laugh. Good times. But not for Simon.
Hercules also believes magick is just a joke but Simon teaches him a lesson. Simon teaches everyone a lesson: don't mess with magick, don't mess with the warlock.
Unlike other low budget occult movies from the 1970s, this movie takes the subject seriously. The screenplay was written by a real warlock. There are no demonic caricatures with large horns terrorizing people, there are no devil possessed kids, and no zombies in this movie.
Simon, King of the Witches culminates with a really cool 2001-style psychedelic freak-out.
I don’t want to say anymore. I recommend watching this movie and being surprised by how good it is.
Simon, King of the Witches is now available on DVD. The transfer is spectacular, especially when the age of the film is considered.
Andrew Prine plays a mysterious man named Simon who lives in a storm drain. He performs magick. Andrew Prine does an excellent job in making Simon very real and very likable. Simon is no cartoon character, even though he does talk to trees.
Simon befriends a male “escort” named Turk, who wants to learn about the occult and to become a warlock. But first, Simon tells Turk not anyone can get involved with the occult. Simon is very serious. For Simon, magick and the occult are real and can be very dangerous.
Turk takes them to a swinging 1970s-style party thrown by a wacky rich guy named Hercules. Simon, against his better judgment, performs magick for the party guests. For them, Simon is just a performer and magick is mere entertainment. The party goers laugh. Good times. But not for Simon.
Hercules also believes magick is just a joke but Simon teaches him a lesson. Simon teaches everyone a lesson: don't mess with magick, don't mess with the warlock.
Unlike other low budget occult movies from the 1970s, this movie takes the subject seriously. The screenplay was written by a real warlock. There are no demonic caricatures with large horns terrorizing people, there are no devil possessed kids, and no zombies in this movie.
Simon, King of the Witches culminates with a really cool 2001-style psychedelic freak-out.
I don’t want to say anymore. I recommend watching this movie and being surprised by how good it is.
Simon, King of the Witches is now available on DVD. The transfer is spectacular, especially when the age of the film is considered.
Sci Fi Channel's Ghost Hunters - The Spaulding Inn
Okay, did the TAPS guys cross the line on last night's episode of Ghost Hunters? As y’all know by now, Jay and Grant went out and bought The Spalding Inn, an old haunted hotel. Jay and Grant are in the process of renovating the Inn when they, their wives, and their kids began to come across strange goings on.
So what to do? Well, investigate and put the investigation on the TV.
To keep the investigation on the up and up and not appear biased, Jay and Grant sit this investigation out, and bring in their friends from Ghost Hunters International. No bias there, right?
It wasn’t like if Jay and Grant had brought in Zac Bagans and the guys from Ghost Adventures.
But did Jay and Grant cross the line of view trust by running what could be seen as an hour long infomercial for The Spalding Inn?
Well no, of course not. Featuring the Spalding Inn on the TV is no different than when they wear their TAPS shirts and TAPS hats. It’s all commercialization, baby.
I say more power to Jay and Grant. They are combining their love of ghost hunting with the love of being hoteliers, and that equation equals money.
That’s what America is all about. Sure, last night’s episode was a little cheesy. Come on, did anyone really think Robb or Joe Chinn would have told Jay and Grant that the Inn wasn’t haunted and that they should pack it in and return to full time ghost hunting?
Of course, Robb was gonna tell Jay and Grant that the place was haunted.
But last night's show was fun. It was good to see Joe Chinn and the rest of the GHI gang. And like most women, my wife has a thing for Barry Fiztgerald. Must be that accent.
Well, this episode worked, me and the wife want to check out The Spalding.
So, for fans of Jay and Grant, The Spaulding episode was no surprise. The surprise would have been Jay and Grant NOT doing any kind of televised investigation.
Good luck, guys, in your new endeavor.
So what to do? Well, investigate and put the investigation on the TV.
To keep the investigation on the up and up and not appear biased, Jay and Grant sit this investigation out, and bring in their friends from Ghost Hunters International. No bias there, right?
It wasn’t like if Jay and Grant had brought in Zac Bagans and the guys from Ghost Adventures.
But did Jay and Grant cross the line of view trust by running what could be seen as an hour long infomercial for The Spalding Inn?
Well no, of course not. Featuring the Spalding Inn on the TV is no different than when they wear their TAPS shirts and TAPS hats. It’s all commercialization, baby.
I say more power to Jay and Grant. They are combining their love of ghost hunting with the love of being hoteliers, and that equation equals money.
That’s what America is all about. Sure, last night’s episode was a little cheesy. Come on, did anyone really think Robb or Joe Chinn would have told Jay and Grant that the Inn wasn’t haunted and that they should pack it in and return to full time ghost hunting?
Of course, Robb was gonna tell Jay and Grant that the place was haunted.
But last night's show was fun. It was good to see Joe Chinn and the rest of the GHI gang. And like most women, my wife has a thing for Barry Fiztgerald. Must be that accent.
Well, this episode worked, me and the wife want to check out The Spalding.
So, for fans of Jay and Grant, The Spaulding episode was no surprise. The surprise would have been Jay and Grant NOT doing any kind of televised investigation.
Good luck, guys, in your new endeavor.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Ghost Hunters on the Sci-Fi Channel
Gotta love the guys and gals of TAPS on the Ghost Hunters TV show. Every week Jay, Grant, and their gang of paranormal detectives explore someplace haunted. Those places can be large like old sanitariums, or small like someone’s suburban home.
Yet no matter where they choose to do that week’s ghost hunt, each episode will follow a specific formula. The formula seems to work because they’ve been using it for many seasons now.
Each show opens with an exterior of the TAPS headquarters, a nondescript building with blacked out windows emblazoned with the TAPS name.
Jay and Grant are either out on a Roto-Rooter assignment and get a phone call from case manager Kris Williams or they are already in the TAPS office with Kris as she goes over that week’s case.
TAPS guys and gals throw their ghost hunting equipment into large black General Motors SUVs and drive off.
In route, they discuss the case over their speaker phones acting as if they haven’t discussed where they’re going and what they are to do before driving off.
Jay, Grant, and tech manager Steve meet either the property owner, or care taker, or tour guide.
Montage of cables being unwound, computers set up, cameras positioned. Lights out. Then a montage of fingers flicking off light switches.
Then the investigation begins. Now the show goes black and white. Someone feels cold. Someone else gets queasy. Weird sounds are heard.
Cut to a color shot of one of the TAPS guys explaining what an EMF is, or what an EVP is.
Back to black and white. Eventually Jay says, “let’s wrap this up.”
Montage of lights switched back on, cables wound back up, cameras and computers put away.
The next day, Steve and Tango go over the “evidence” that was captured. “No way!” one will exclaim while pointing at the computer screen. Cut to commercial break.
The reveal. Jay and Grant go over their “evidence” with the property owner, caretaker, or tour guide. We get to hear and see what made Steve and Tango freak out at the end of the last segment.
Jay will usually say something about how they can’t prove or disprove any supernatural events based exclusively on their “evidence.” So, that place could be or could not be haunted.
The property owner, caretaker, or tour guide, tells the home audience that they are glad that TAPS came by and now everyone feels much better.
Finally, Jay and Grant in the big SUV heading home. They feel good about how the reveal turned out. Then we hear an announcer say, “Next time on Ghost Hunters…”
But, you know, I do like the show. I really do. It’s fun to watch.
Ghost Hunters on Sci-Fi ***** out of 5
Yet no matter where they choose to do that week’s ghost hunt, each episode will follow a specific formula. The formula seems to work because they’ve been using it for many seasons now.
Each show opens with an exterior of the TAPS headquarters, a nondescript building with blacked out windows emblazoned with the TAPS name.
Jay and Grant are either out on a Roto-Rooter assignment and get a phone call from case manager Kris Williams or they are already in the TAPS office with Kris as she goes over that week’s case.
TAPS guys and gals throw their ghost hunting equipment into large black General Motors SUVs and drive off.
In route, they discuss the case over their speaker phones acting as if they haven’t discussed where they’re going and what they are to do before driving off.
Jay, Grant, and tech manager Steve meet either the property owner, or care taker, or tour guide.
Montage of cables being unwound, computers set up, cameras positioned. Lights out. Then a montage of fingers flicking off light switches.
Then the investigation begins. Now the show goes black and white. Someone feels cold. Someone else gets queasy. Weird sounds are heard.
Cut to a color shot of one of the TAPS guys explaining what an EMF is, or what an EVP is.
Back to black and white. Eventually Jay says, “let’s wrap this up.”
Montage of lights switched back on, cables wound back up, cameras and computers put away.
The next day, Steve and Tango go over the “evidence” that was captured. “No way!” one will exclaim while pointing at the computer screen. Cut to commercial break.
The reveal. Jay and Grant go over their “evidence” with the property owner, caretaker, or tour guide. We get to hear and see what made Steve and Tango freak out at the end of the last segment.
Jay will usually say something about how they can’t prove or disprove any supernatural events based exclusively on their “evidence.” So, that place could be or could not be haunted.
The property owner, caretaker, or tour guide, tells the home audience that they are glad that TAPS came by and now everyone feels much better.
Finally, Jay and Grant in the big SUV heading home. They feel good about how the reveal turned out. Then we hear an announcer say, “Next time on Ghost Hunters…”
But, you know, I do like the show. I really do. It’s fun to watch.
Ghost Hunters on Sci-Fi ***** out of 5
Monday, April 13, 2009
Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate - A Review
Heaven's Gate, the notorious financial disaster that sank United Artists and the directing career of Michael Cimino.
First, the positives: The production design, set design, costumes, lighting are all amazing. And the music is beautiful.
But the story and characters...kind of thin. Remove the trappings of the epic and you end up with a simple story of a worn out, cynical, law man named James Averill (Kris Kristofferson) in love with a brothel owner, Ella Watson (Isabelle Huppert). She, in turn, is in love with Nate Champion (Christopher Walken), a mercenary hired by the rich land owners to kill off the immigrants living on their land.
Problem is Ella is an immigrant. And it is hinted that Nate Champion might also be an immigrant. "You work for them (land owners)? You look like one of us," an immigrant kid yells at Champion. Yet Champion remains an enigma throughout the film.
The movie opens with a beautifully staged prologue, a graduation sequence set some twenty years before the main events of the film.
We see a young James Averill and his drunken college buddy William Irvine (John Hurt). They are happy, full of life. The graduating students dance the waltz out in the courtyard.
But at the end of the prologue, William is depressed and saddened by the thought of impending adulthood and lost youth. "It's over, James," Irvine cries out as fellow graduates crowd around them, cheering and screaming for joy. Thus the movie begins with a melancholy tone and a longing for a past already gone.
Flash forward twenty years later. Jim Averill sits alone in a large, ornate train car. The image of Averill, with his graying beard and cowboy hat is strong and iconic. Outside of the train, seated along the top are hundreds of immigrants, huddled masses looking for a new life out West.
The train arrives in Casper, Wyoming. Averill learns that the rich land owners plan to get rid of the immigrants. At a social club, where Averill was once a member, he meets up with old friend William Irvine.
Irvine is now a sad drunk, longing for the good old days of their youth. Averill confides in Irvine that he hates getting old. Irvine complains that they are all prisoners of their class. Both realize the battle to rid the immigrants is inevitable.
Turns out there is a death list to kill off more than one hundred immigrants, including Ella Watson. Jim wants Ella to leave and start a new life with him. Ella wants to stay. Nate is in love with Ella and doesn't want her to go with Jim. Ella doesn't know who she should be with.
Nate and Jim have a rivally not so much based upon the love of Ella but of class.
"You're a rich man, with a fancy name," a towns person says to Averill. "I want to get rich, like you," Champion tells Jim. And after helping Averill into his bed after a night of heavy drinking Champion puts on Averill's hat and looks in the mirror. "You have class," Nate says to the passed out Averill as he admires himself wearing Averill's hat.
They are all prisoners of their class.
There is a sweet scene when Nate shows Ella his cabin and that the inside walls have wallpaper - old newspapers glued to the walls. Champion has made an attempt to be somewhat civilized and classy, like Jim Averill.
It's takes a while to build up steam but after about three hours the movie kicks into high gear with an exciting battle between the immigrants and a mercenary army hired by the rich landowners.
Heaven's Gate is not a bad movie. It is not a roller coaster comic-book movie. Yes, the story is weak and many of the shots last way too long. The movie's running time is three hours forty minutes. But the technical aspect is first-rate. Kris Kristofferson is brilliant at playing a cynical, sad, world weary character. Christopher Walken is mysterious and dark. Isabella Hubert is wonderful as Ella Watson.
Despite its many flaws, Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate deserves a chance with lovers of film.
First, the positives: The production design, set design, costumes, lighting are all amazing. And the music is beautiful.
But the story and characters...kind of thin. Remove the trappings of the epic and you end up with a simple story of a worn out, cynical, law man named James Averill (Kris Kristofferson) in love with a brothel owner, Ella Watson (Isabelle Huppert). She, in turn, is in love with Nate Champion (Christopher Walken), a mercenary hired by the rich land owners to kill off the immigrants living on their land.
Problem is Ella is an immigrant. And it is hinted that Nate Champion might also be an immigrant. "You work for them (land owners)? You look like one of us," an immigrant kid yells at Champion. Yet Champion remains an enigma throughout the film.
The movie opens with a beautifully staged prologue, a graduation sequence set some twenty years before the main events of the film.
We see a young James Averill and his drunken college buddy William Irvine (John Hurt). They are happy, full of life. The graduating students dance the waltz out in the courtyard.
But at the end of the prologue, William is depressed and saddened by the thought of impending adulthood and lost youth. "It's over, James," Irvine cries out as fellow graduates crowd around them, cheering and screaming for joy. Thus the movie begins with a melancholy tone and a longing for a past already gone.
Flash forward twenty years later. Jim Averill sits alone in a large, ornate train car. The image of Averill, with his graying beard and cowboy hat is strong and iconic. Outside of the train, seated along the top are hundreds of immigrants, huddled masses looking for a new life out West.
The train arrives in Casper, Wyoming. Averill learns that the rich land owners plan to get rid of the immigrants. At a social club, where Averill was once a member, he meets up with old friend William Irvine.
Irvine is now a sad drunk, longing for the good old days of their youth. Averill confides in Irvine that he hates getting old. Irvine complains that they are all prisoners of their class. Both realize the battle to rid the immigrants is inevitable.
Turns out there is a death list to kill off more than one hundred immigrants, including Ella Watson. Jim wants Ella to leave and start a new life with him. Ella wants to stay. Nate is in love with Ella and doesn't want her to go with Jim. Ella doesn't know who she should be with.
Nate and Jim have a rivally not so much based upon the love of Ella but of class.
"You're a rich man, with a fancy name," a towns person says to Averill. "I want to get rich, like you," Champion tells Jim. And after helping Averill into his bed after a night of heavy drinking Champion puts on Averill's hat and looks in the mirror. "You have class," Nate says to the passed out Averill as he admires himself wearing Averill's hat.
They are all prisoners of their class.
There is a sweet scene when Nate shows Ella his cabin and that the inside walls have wallpaper - old newspapers glued to the walls. Champion has made an attempt to be somewhat civilized and classy, like Jim Averill.
It's takes a while to build up steam but after about three hours the movie kicks into high gear with an exciting battle between the immigrants and a mercenary army hired by the rich landowners.
Heaven's Gate is not a bad movie. It is not a roller coaster comic-book movie. Yes, the story is weak and many of the shots last way too long. The movie's running time is three hours forty minutes. But the technical aspect is first-rate. Kris Kristofferson is brilliant at playing a cynical, sad, world weary character. Christopher Walken is mysterious and dark. Isabella Hubert is wonderful as Ella Watson.
Despite its many flaws, Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate deserves a chance with lovers of film.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Millionaire Matchmaker - Best Reality Show on TV
Millionaire Matchmaker on Bravo is the best reality show on TV. The show is addictive. I had seen bits and pieces of it before but last night the wife and I caught a marathon on Bravo. We are hooked.
The matchmaker, Patti Stanger, is awesome. She's blunt, no-nonsense, funny, and, as is pointed out on the show, like a Jewish mother that really wants those lonely rich people to find love and happiness.
Each episode is constructed with a story arc that begins with a millionaire (or millionairess) who is so pathetic that even Patti doesn't want to help them out.
Patti takes them on as clients. For example, if the client is a superficial jerk, the story is structured so that Patti will hook the client up with superficial people and that way the client will learn the error of their ways and become better a person.
Millionaire Matchmaker avoids reality show cliches such as manufactured "drama."
The clients also make the show engaging. Some are pathetic creeps (you know who you are) but others are in genuine need of help and we feel for them, just as Patti and her crew feel for them, and we wish them success. See, just cause you have millions don't mean you're happy.
Patti and her crew are awesome. They keep it real. Patti is just so much fun to watch. You never know what she's going to say or do next.
The matchmaker, Patti Stanger, is awesome. She's blunt, no-nonsense, funny, and, as is pointed out on the show, like a Jewish mother that really wants those lonely rich people to find love and happiness.
Each episode is constructed with a story arc that begins with a millionaire (or millionairess) who is so pathetic that even Patti doesn't want to help them out.
Patti takes them on as clients. For example, if the client is a superficial jerk, the story is structured so that Patti will hook the client up with superficial people and that way the client will learn the error of their ways and become better a person.
Millionaire Matchmaker avoids reality show cliches such as manufactured "drama."
The clients also make the show engaging. Some are pathetic creeps (you know who you are) but others are in genuine need of help and we feel for them, just as Patti and her crew feel for them, and we wish them success. See, just cause you have millions don't mean you're happy.
Patti and her crew are awesome. They keep it real. Patti is just so much fun to watch. You never know what she's going to say or do next.
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