How did I get to the front of the line? How am I leading the charge? I suppose I shouldn't complain as I do generally write myself as a leader of the gang but it's pitch black and I can't see a thing. There are hints of light but they are from the other side of the crudely assembled wall. It's not enough to indicate which way to go.
I turn my head to the right and light! Thank heaven for that. I head in its direction, pulling on the hand of the young lady behind me, the first in a chain of held hands to lead us from the dark. The glow is brilliant, but pooling only in the doorway. I can see light in the room beyond, another happiness. This should be easy to traverse and get us closer to freedom. I see bright colours swirling, a cylinder spinning around the room. Pretty really. Relaxing.
I lead the group up the step onto the walkway through the cylinder. It spins and so does my head. The room tilts 45 degrees to the right, threatening to spill us from the walkway into the ever churning cylinder. With my free hand, I clutch onto the handrail and pull us forward. Ever focusing ahead, the colours of the spinning room overwhelm me. In their centre is a portal, grounded in black. An elevator perhaps? Access out certainly. It's blocked by a female of indeterminate age. She doesn't look willing to let us pass. I decide to worry about one thing at a time and pull us forward, towards her and the exit. My group swoons behind me, even more affected my the room due to their preexisting situations. I am not as affected in this way. Perhaps that is why I lead.
As we near the exit, the bloody, deformed woman thankfully slides to the side and lets us pass. We tumble from the room into a simple area, also thankfully lit, with black walls. Our chain of hands separates as all stumble to a wall and try to regain our balance. The female, fellow victim or demon I could not tell, hisses at us to progress.
The chain of hands reforms. I am still at its lead and am forced to plunge us back into the inky blackness of the next hallway.
18 October 2008
17 October 2008
A Moment of Explanation
As I've been working to reorganize, reduce, and clean the physical archive, I've started working on doing the same to my digital archive as well. Actually I started working on it a couple years ago and then put the project aside for new projects. The long term goal is to collect all my work together (at least up to a point) and be able to have it all backed up in one place. Hopefully, it will also allow me to have some 'off-site' backups of the archive as well; in other words, be able to hand a disk or two to some of my buddies and say 'Here you go'.
The priority surrounds the 'teen doctor' series I wrote in high school. The bulk of these are retained on floppy disks that don't like to function properly anymore. They're also often in file formats that are becoming less and less compatible by the day. While it's true that I have access to paper copies of everything, those too are prone to decay. That and retyping an entire story is a lot of work. I've done it a couple times already and it's not much fun. Also, the temptation to reedit them is strong. I want them to be remastered, not special editions.
So in-between typing up new projects, I work on updating the old. Sometimes I find unused items, like the cache of movie reviews I wrote a few years ago for use on the website and never uploaded, and I realize I can use them here. I think the reviews are well written and deserve some exposure. There's some even more obscure movies to come from that pile so be warned.
Steve watch obscure movies? That unpossible!
The priority surrounds the 'teen doctor' series I wrote in high school. The bulk of these are retained on floppy disks that don't like to function properly anymore. They're also often in file formats that are becoming less and less compatible by the day. While it's true that I have access to paper copies of everything, those too are prone to decay. That and retyping an entire story is a lot of work. I've done it a couple times already and it's not much fun. Also, the temptation to reedit them is strong. I want them to be remastered, not special editions.
So in-between typing up new projects, I work on updating the old. Sometimes I find unused items, like the cache of movie reviews I wrote a few years ago for use on the website and never uploaded, and I realize I can use them here. I think the reviews are well written and deserve some exposure. There's some even more obscure movies to come from that pile so be warned.
Steve watch obscure movies? That unpossible!
15 October 2008
'Dr. Phibes Rises Again' review
'Dr. Phibes Rises Again' - 1972
Story in Brief: The moon and planets slide into a specific configuration bringing Dr. Phibes back! Time is of the essence as the planets will soon reach another pattern, one that will unlock ancient secrets hidden away in Egypt. If found these secrets will lead to renewed life for Phibes' beloved wife Victoria as well as eternal life for Phibes. There are those who are in Phibes' way. Unfortunately for them, Phibes has already proved himself willing to kill for his wife and will not hesitate to do so again...
Thoughts:
Sequels almost never live up to the original. Chances are you can count on your fingers the number of sequels you enjoyed. That's not really a problem with 'Dr. Phibes Rises Again'. The original is a grand film and the sequel manages to be more of the same whilst being totally different.
Phibes' character is the same, as well it should be. His main focus in life remains his wife Victoria. Everything he does is related to his wife in one way or another. The only difference I could pick out is that Price is allowed (or was called to, I've no clue who's idea it was really) to be a bit more amusing, a bit more like the image of a Vincent Price character. While I like Vincent Price and the 'image' people seem to have of him being a big ham (I rarely see it happen to the detriment of the movie or character he's playing) I am glad to see that this change is minimal. Phibes is still Phibes. There are a few moments, especially early in the film, when he seems to be speaking without using the special voice apparatus he made to recreate his voice. It is possible that these are meant to be mental musings, but he tends to gesture as if speaking. It's also possible that these moments were originally meant to be silent and dialogue was later dubbed over rather than have more narration. These moments are a bit distracting, but they do disappear as the movie plays out and the memory of them fade as the movie grabs your interest.
The main variation between this film and the original is the motivation for the killings that we see, despite the fact that in both movies Phibes kills for his wife. In the original Phibes kills those he feels are responsible for his wife's death. He seeks, and gets, revenge. In this movie he kills those that are in his way. There is nothing personal to these killings. If the people in his way had simply gone away at the first death, he would have gladly left them alone. In the original, had a target hid, he would, and did, track them down. While it seems like a minor point, afterall people die in both movies, it does change the theme of the movie. In the original, he can be pitied, but he is definitely the villain. In the sequel, he's more of an anti-hero. His intent is noble and it becomes easier to support his goals, despite the fact that most who oppose him do so unintentionally. It's an interesting, if subtle, shift.
The change of location helps make the movie feel different as well. Once the characters start reaching Egypt, the movie starts to feel a bit like an action/adventure film that just happens to have a relatively high number of deaths. There's a hidden tomb, secret chambers and ancient texts that point to the powers of long forgotten gods.
Phibes also has a more specific enemy in this film. While the police chase him in both films (simultaneously serious and used as comic relief) they never seem to be his primary foil. While in the original film the head surgeon can be seen as his primary opponent, this fact is only due to the fact that this surgeon happened to work on his wife. In this film, Biederbeck is Phibes' opponent because they both quest after the same river of life. They butt heads because of this goal, not because of chance. While they share very little screen time together, their actions continually affects the other. They play a game between them and winning brings them quite a prize.
This movie is part of the 'MGM Midnite Movies' series and SRP is $14.95 but can be found for $9.95. Like the original, the movie is presented in 16 by 9 enhanced widescreen. The image is good, but it is also a dirtier looking copy than the original which was nearly crystal clear. While never getting awful, it is a little distracting at times. The sound remains solid unspectacular mono. There are a couple alternate language tracks and a trailer as the only extras. Like the first, I suggest not watching the trailer until after you've seen the film as it gives too much away.
There is talk that at one point a third Phibes movie was planned but never made. While I'm sure I'd enjoy another movie with this character, I'm also pleased with the way it ends the series. It allows you to believe what you want about what happens next.
Again, highly recommended.
(Please note that I wrote this review some years ago already and the pricing information may possibly no longer be accurate. Beyond that, I still agree with the review.)
Story in Brief: The moon and planets slide into a specific configuration bringing Dr. Phibes back! Time is of the essence as the planets will soon reach another pattern, one that will unlock ancient secrets hidden away in Egypt. If found these secrets will lead to renewed life for Phibes' beloved wife Victoria as well as eternal life for Phibes. There are those who are in Phibes' way. Unfortunately for them, Phibes has already proved himself willing to kill for his wife and will not hesitate to do so again...
Thoughts:
Sequels almost never live up to the original. Chances are you can count on your fingers the number of sequels you enjoyed. That's not really a problem with 'Dr. Phibes Rises Again'. The original is a grand film and the sequel manages to be more of the same whilst being totally different.
Phibes' character is the same, as well it should be. His main focus in life remains his wife Victoria. Everything he does is related to his wife in one way or another. The only difference I could pick out is that Price is allowed (or was called to, I've no clue who's idea it was really) to be a bit more amusing, a bit more like the image of a Vincent Price character. While I like Vincent Price and the 'image' people seem to have of him being a big ham (I rarely see it happen to the detriment of the movie or character he's playing) I am glad to see that this change is minimal. Phibes is still Phibes. There are a few moments, especially early in the film, when he seems to be speaking without using the special voice apparatus he made to recreate his voice. It is possible that these are meant to be mental musings, but he tends to gesture as if speaking. It's also possible that these moments were originally meant to be silent and dialogue was later dubbed over rather than have more narration. These moments are a bit distracting, but they do disappear as the movie plays out and the memory of them fade as the movie grabs your interest.
The main variation between this film and the original is the motivation for the killings that we see, despite the fact that in both movies Phibes kills for his wife. In the original Phibes kills those he feels are responsible for his wife's death. He seeks, and gets, revenge. In this movie he kills those that are in his way. There is nothing personal to these killings. If the people in his way had simply gone away at the first death, he would have gladly left them alone. In the original, had a target hid, he would, and did, track them down. While it seems like a minor point, afterall people die in both movies, it does change the theme of the movie. In the original, he can be pitied, but he is definitely the villain. In the sequel, he's more of an anti-hero. His intent is noble and it becomes easier to support his goals, despite the fact that most who oppose him do so unintentionally. It's an interesting, if subtle, shift.
The change of location helps make the movie feel different as well. Once the characters start reaching Egypt, the movie starts to feel a bit like an action/adventure film that just happens to have a relatively high number of deaths. There's a hidden tomb, secret chambers and ancient texts that point to the powers of long forgotten gods.
Phibes also has a more specific enemy in this film. While the police chase him in both films (simultaneously serious and used as comic relief) they never seem to be his primary foil. While in the original film the head surgeon can be seen as his primary opponent, this fact is only due to the fact that this surgeon happened to work on his wife. In this film, Biederbeck is Phibes' opponent because they both quest after the same river of life. They butt heads because of this goal, not because of chance. While they share very little screen time together, their actions continually affects the other. They play a game between them and winning brings them quite a prize.
This movie is part of the 'MGM Midnite Movies' series and SRP is $14.95 but can be found for $9.95. Like the original, the movie is presented in 16 by 9 enhanced widescreen. The image is good, but it is also a dirtier looking copy than the original which was nearly crystal clear. While never getting awful, it is a little distracting at times. The sound remains solid unspectacular mono. There are a couple alternate language tracks and a trailer as the only extras. Like the first, I suggest not watching the trailer until after you've seen the film as it gives too much away.
There is talk that at one point a third Phibes movie was planned but never made. While I'm sure I'd enjoy another movie with this character, I'm also pleased with the way it ends the series. It allows you to believe what you want about what happens next.
Again, highly recommended.
(Please note that I wrote this review some years ago already and the pricing information may possibly no longer be accurate. Beyond that, I still agree with the review.)
14 October 2008
'The Abominable Dr. Phibes' review
'The Abominable Dr. Phibes' - 1971
Story in Brief: In mid 1920s London, doctors are turning up dead, killed in strange ways. These particular dead doctors point towards one specific case and therefore one primary suspect. There is only one problem facing the police: he's dead. Isn't he?
Thoughts:
I've inherited a number of things from my father. My basic physical appearance, the sound of my voice, an interest in growing large sideburns, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, a bunch of things I can't recall at the moment, and this movie. As I was growing up, I remember my father waiting for this movie to show on television and catching it whenever he could. At the time, it seemed like it and the sequel played every month or so on local television. I remember the first time I saw part of it. We were at my grandparents house, it was near the end of the movie and the suspense was building. We had to leave before the movie ended. That hurt. Years later, it would be one of the first movies I would record upon getting a VCR. I like this movie and knew that going into purchasing the DVD.
This was also, as far as I can remember, my introduction to Vincent Price. It is not quite the typical Vincent Price performance where he smiles and his voice drips and purrs. For storyline reasons his expression is almost constantly blank and his voice is projected through a speaker. This leaves his eyes as the only true way he can express himself. He does. What little variability is left in his voice is used to its best effect, to express longing for his dead wife, to express bitterness at his situation, to curse his enemies.
Phibes' character is rather unusual for this type of movie. It would have been particularly easy to have him be deranged for the sake of being deranged and just killing a bunch of people. Phibes' has motivation for what he does. He may well be out of his mind but in his own mind his actions are totally justified and logical. His reasons for arranging the deaths of all this medical personnel are given to us bit by bit as the movie progresses making them easier to understand and accept. It also allows the viewer to empathize with him. He isn't a simple cold hearted killer that we want to see destroyed at the end of the film like, perhaps, Jason from the 'Friday the 13th' series. He's a sad crazy little man that needs to be stopped, but not necessarily destroyed.
The methods of killing are generally quite clever. When animals are part of the equation, the shots are fleeting so as to help preserve the illusion. There are a couple methods of execution that require a certain amount of disbelief suspension, but considering there is an influence from the 'Avengers' television programme amongst the creative staff and the general strangeness of that programme, this is perhaps not surprising.
The acting is top notch. Price, as noted, is more serious in this film than he's generally perceived to be. Joseph Cotton, as the head surgeon and therefore last target, displays his incredulity and then his concern well. Terry-Thomas is, well, Terry-Thomas, full of bluster and amusement with but one serious moment.
The movie is clever with a serious tone, but moments of humour arise to round out the film. For instance, the policemen assigned to the case are allowed to be serious characters but the people they interview are often quite strange. In addition, their boss is overbearing, loud and, well, seems to lack intelligence without being an idiot. Since most people have survived through a situation like this at their work, it makes the eyerolling the policemen get to do behind their superior's back very amusing and familiar.
The ending is a bit, well odd, and I've long had some issues with it but it doesn't wreck the film for me.
Very simply, I recommend the movie itself and encourage you to view it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Had the presentation of this film been substandard, I may have toned down that recommendation. It is not. The film looks beautiful with a minimum of nicks to distract the eye. The colours are bold and deep. The widescreen ratio looks correct and it's 16 by 9 enhanced. It looks grand.
The sound is good too. It is clear and crisp, and nothing appears to have been done to meddle with the original mono sound. Occasionally the 'processed' sound disappears from Phibes' voice, but every time I've seen the movie on television it has played that way. It is evidently a fault from the original voice-over recording.
This film is part of the 'MGM Midnite Movies' line and SRP is $14.95. It can often been found for $9.95 and is a deal at either price. The only extras are a few alternate languages and a trailer. I do not recommend watching the trailer first if you've never seen the movie before as the trailer gives too much away (but it does have some 'alternate' voice-over moments and should be watched).
Highest recommendation to get.
(Please note that I wrote this review some years ago already and the pricing information may possibly no longer be accurate. Beyond that, I still agree with the review.)
Story in Brief: In mid 1920s London, doctors are turning up dead, killed in strange ways. These particular dead doctors point towards one specific case and therefore one primary suspect. There is only one problem facing the police: he's dead. Isn't he?
Thoughts:
I've inherited a number of things from my father. My basic physical appearance, the sound of my voice, an interest in growing large sideburns, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, a bunch of things I can't recall at the moment, and this movie. As I was growing up, I remember my father waiting for this movie to show on television and catching it whenever he could. At the time, it seemed like it and the sequel played every month or so on local television. I remember the first time I saw part of it. We were at my grandparents house, it was near the end of the movie and the suspense was building. We had to leave before the movie ended. That hurt. Years later, it would be one of the first movies I would record upon getting a VCR. I like this movie and knew that going into purchasing the DVD.
This was also, as far as I can remember, my introduction to Vincent Price. It is not quite the typical Vincent Price performance where he smiles and his voice drips and purrs. For storyline reasons his expression is almost constantly blank and his voice is projected through a speaker. This leaves his eyes as the only true way he can express himself. He does. What little variability is left in his voice is used to its best effect, to express longing for his dead wife, to express bitterness at his situation, to curse his enemies.
Phibes' character is rather unusual for this type of movie. It would have been particularly easy to have him be deranged for the sake of being deranged and just killing a bunch of people. Phibes' has motivation for what he does. He may well be out of his mind but in his own mind his actions are totally justified and logical. His reasons for arranging the deaths of all this medical personnel are given to us bit by bit as the movie progresses making them easier to understand and accept. It also allows the viewer to empathize with him. He isn't a simple cold hearted killer that we want to see destroyed at the end of the film like, perhaps, Jason from the 'Friday the 13th' series. He's a sad crazy little man that needs to be stopped, but not necessarily destroyed.
The methods of killing are generally quite clever. When animals are part of the equation, the shots are fleeting so as to help preserve the illusion. There are a couple methods of execution that require a certain amount of disbelief suspension, but considering there is an influence from the 'Avengers' television programme amongst the creative staff and the general strangeness of that programme, this is perhaps not surprising.
The acting is top notch. Price, as noted, is more serious in this film than he's generally perceived to be. Joseph Cotton, as the head surgeon and therefore last target, displays his incredulity and then his concern well. Terry-Thomas is, well, Terry-Thomas, full of bluster and amusement with but one serious moment.
The movie is clever with a serious tone, but moments of humour arise to round out the film. For instance, the policemen assigned to the case are allowed to be serious characters but the people they interview are often quite strange. In addition, their boss is overbearing, loud and, well, seems to lack intelligence without being an idiot. Since most people have survived through a situation like this at their work, it makes the eyerolling the policemen get to do behind their superior's back very amusing and familiar.
The ending is a bit, well odd, and I've long had some issues with it but it doesn't wreck the film for me.
Very simply, I recommend the movie itself and encourage you to view it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Had the presentation of this film been substandard, I may have toned down that recommendation. It is not. The film looks beautiful with a minimum of nicks to distract the eye. The colours are bold and deep. The widescreen ratio looks correct and it's 16 by 9 enhanced. It looks grand.
The sound is good too. It is clear and crisp, and nothing appears to have been done to meddle with the original mono sound. Occasionally the 'processed' sound disappears from Phibes' voice, but every time I've seen the movie on television it has played that way. It is evidently a fault from the original voice-over recording.
This film is part of the 'MGM Midnite Movies' line and SRP is $14.95. It can often been found for $9.95 and is a deal at either price. The only extras are a few alternate languages and a trailer. I do not recommend watching the trailer first if you've never seen the movie before as the trailer gives too much away (but it does have some 'alternate' voice-over moments and should be watched).
Highest recommendation to get.
(Please note that I wrote this review some years ago already and the pricing information may possibly no longer be accurate. Beyond that, I still agree with the review.)
13 October 2008
Me No Like
What I said about the digital tv conversion goes double for the election ads.
Makes me happy I ignore commercials on instinct. Double talking finks.
Makes me happy I ignore commercials on instinct. Double talking finks.
12 October 2008
Hope I Wake Up Sometime Today
Some days you wake up bursting with energy, feeling great, ready to take on the world.
Some days you wake up tired, sore, fighting a headache.
Guess which day I'm having today.
Meh.
Some days you wake up tired, sore, fighting a headache.
Guess which day I'm having today.
Meh.
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