Kilroy-55 Reviews

Apt Pupil (1998)

Harrowing Letdown

[1/10 · 29 September 2001]

Certainly not as good as Usual Suspects but not the disaster many

implied it to be, this is a well acted, interesting adaptation of the

uber-creepy Stephen King story. Unfortunately there's a numb quality to

the movie (no matter how shocking it tries to be) which sets in early on

and never fades. ian McKellen is his usual terrific and Brad Renfro is

perfectly cast. All in all, a 6 out of 10 and definitely worth a look

(But maybe not ow

The Usual Suspects (1995)

Inspired Puzzle

[1/10 · 29 September 2001]

And a puzzle that doesn't need re-viewing (like some people claim) to

understand better. The fact is Mrs SInger and McQuarrie lay each piece

perfectly the first time around and watching it again only confuses

things. Great acting by Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne and the all too

brief Benicio Del Toro (they should've popped Baldwin instead) make it

all a blast. Highly recomme

Seven Samurai (1954)

Flawless

[29 September 2001]

So much has been said about this movie, but even if you've grown up

watching action fare and hence every single variation on Kurosawa's

original 'get the hardened gang together' formula, you're still

unprepared for the shock of watching the real thing. The acting is

wonderfully measured, the action makes sense and the camera work flows

effortlessly to change points of view. No quick cuts or flashy angles

are necessary here. As a result, the sheer compassion of the director

comes through. These are human beings in an action context. Human

beings. Remember those? Watch this movie to appreciate how interesting

it is to watch people instead of 'high concept

Jeepers Creepers (2001)

Fantastic opening but...

[26 September 2001]

... Things go a little downhill in this pleasant monster movie. Stylish

direction and fairly decent dialogue keep it from getting preposterous

(until the denoument, of course -- but that's par for the genre).

Still, appealing leads and a fantaqstic opening carry this thing home.

Genre fans should well advised to steer away from spoiler reviews. This

is mostly style over substance, and the very few plot twists shouldn't

be revealed. A 7 out o

Ghosts of Mars (2001)

John Carpenter lost his mind a while back

[26 September 2001]

And this is further proof. I'm up for an old fashioned B-picture as much

as the next The Thing fan is, but this sloppy script and wooden cast

(Ice Cube excepted) are not up to the task. It's been a good fifteen years since Carpenter has made anything

actually good and yet I still root for the guy. But this is a tough one

to recommend.

Also, that girl from species shouldn't do anymore of the

From Hell (2001)

Alan Moore should be proud

[26 September 2001]

Because the Hughes Bros. have taken all that's good about his graphic novel and amped up the atmosphere in this creepy, clever thriller. Johnny Depp is much better than he was in Sleepy Hollow (police investigators handling serial cases should be his calling card - he's great at it) and Heather Graham doesn't spoil things whatsoever. All in all, an impressive, atmospheric thriller. Recommeded

She Creature (2001 TV Movie)

One of a kind gem

[9/10 · 23 September 2001]

Scorsese's mantra 'less money, more power' gets the full workout here as top drawer acting, a compelling story and great visuals all get thrown in a blender to create this clever mini masterpiece. Allegedly shot in 18 days, this made for cabler leaves most so-called theatrical horror movies in the dust by tipping its hat to both Hammer and Lewton in creating a genre all its own: the mermaid pshychological horror movie. Carla Gugino (of Spy Kids and Center Of The World) pulls the whole thing together with an Award-worthy performance, playing one of the sexiest, smartest scream queens ever (with a British accent, no less) and Rufus Sewell's rascally take on her accomplice/betrayer is of equal note. Add to that the stunning Rya Kihlstedt as the creature and you're in creepy movie heaven. It's not usual for movies in this genre to be carried by acting and story, but that's exactly what She Creature does. Stan Winston's monster, Alien's oceanic cousin, is equally impressive.

Judas Kiss (1998)

Rad!

[10/10 · 18 November 1999]

Sure, there's stuff here that the Coens and Elmore Leonard have done before, but so what? If you want entertaining, lusty and smart -- "Judas Kiss" is near perfect. Prudes offended by tongue in cheek porn don't get it (Talk about getting your sex and violence out of the way straight up -- keeps your investors happy. That's independent filmmaking 101). As for the Brits making a bundle, I highly doubt it. This flick is clearly a labor of love and the budget probably not half of Mr. Tarantino's salary. Maybe guys don't like it as much as women. I thought it rocked. Go Coco!

Rogue Trader (1999)

Sizzling Comedy!

[25 June 1999]

Pace and dialogue elevate this otherwise stiff biopic into black comedy delirium. Anna Friel is as sexy as any actress out here, only talented to boot. Ewan McGregor gets to act, as opposed to whatever that was George Lucas made him do in that well-known miscalculation known as SW1. All in all, a potential bore benefits greatly from the clever tone and hysterically funny deadpan cast. Bravo! Can there be musical interludes in the sequel?

Judas Kiss (1998)

Wisecracking And Hip

[10/10 · 31 May 1999]

But not too hip. And not too wisecracking. "Judas Kiss" nails the new noir thing just right. Great pacing and a nuanced score round out a twisty tale filled with sex, betrayal and sure-fire one liners. Inspiring work all around. Kudos in partcular to HalHolbrook (his best work ever), Gil Bellows (Ally Mc-what?) and Carla Gugino (the best famme fatale in ages... smart, funny and ultra HOT)... I give this a 9 (out of 10) and that's because 10 should be reserved for like, Humphrey Bogart and Coen Bros movies.

House of Dreams (1991 Video)

Standing Way Taller

[10/10 · 25 February 1999]

Than the rest of so called "erotica", Mr. Blake manages the seldom-matched feat of turning you on without insulting you... the formula is simple: no dialogue (therefore no bad acting) and world class photography (wannabe filmmakers -- and I don't mean "adult filmmakers" could learn a trick or two from his framing and non-stop dissolves), as well as beautiful Zara Whites (refreshingly void of silicone) as the Alice-In-Wonderlandish girl whose dreams we see... sexy and unexpected, women seem to respond to this as much as men. Highly recommended.

The Upstairs Neighbour (1995)

Inventive Polanski tribute

[7/10 · 23 October 1998]

Polanski should be proud!! This movie, sorta "The Tenant"-meets-"Rosemary's Baby" is a real hoot. Smartly avoiding camp elements, talented director James Merendino guides his cast through what seems to be a movie made for $50 with stylish flair and moments of both real humor and suspense. The main actor is pretty funny at conveying the all-too-real paranoia of being stalked by a Satan-worshipper in Los Angeles. A dream sequence is particularly Polanski-friendly, while an array of hipsters/bohos parade around to torment our hero to great avail. Horror it isn't, but as a mordantly funny black comedy on a shoestring budget -- "The Upstairs Neighbor" succeeds!!

Blame It on Ginger (1986 Video)

80's Staple Delivers

[10/10 · 22 October 1998]

It'd be silly to mention the plot, which deals with two best friends seducing each other's fathers before seducing each other -- what sets apart "Blame It On Ginger" from other 80's video cheapies is, of course, Ginger Lynn herself. Her tongue-in-cheek quality and substantial skills start in sharp contrast to the 90's wave of gonzo adult filmmaking. This is just plain good, trashy fun with a fine, pre-silicone days supporting cast. Recommended.