Pitch black horror comedy set in a crumbling, chaotic, near future hospital staffed by grotesque cartoon-like characters. When Dr Penny Seconds lover is murdered, and her father falls into a coma, Detective Stiltskin starts to investigate. The tone of this film is almost unique.There are similarities with Greenaway, and Lindsay Anderson's Britannia Hospital, but this is much stranger and more stylized. The sets sometimes resemble theatre sets. Peta Lily as the "normal" character at the heart of the piece is excellent, as is Phillip Pellew as the repulsive Stiltskin. The rest of the cast vary. Its quite watchable, with some gore (live dogs sewn inside murder victims, plus Stiltskin ripping out his radio control implants), plus a couple of sex scenes. But at the end of the day it all makes little sense. You just have to take this film on its own terms.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Revenge of Billy the Kid
(1991)
FUNNIER THAN EMMERDALE, SCARIER THAN RAWHEAD REX
4 September 2004
The everyday tale of the McDonald family, (Father Gyles, his wife, two sons and a daughter... all called Ronald), who live their disgusting lives on their farm on an island off the coast of Cornwall. When sent to get their goat "seen to", the drunken Gyles (the superb Michael Balfour) does the job himself. The resulting birth of a half human half goat creature leads to all hell breaking loose. The tone of this film is not unlike the evil dead, dark but funny. The performances hit just the right note, and the special effects are surprisingly good. The humour is gross, but the film hits most of its targets. Sadly it was one of the last films Michael Balfour and Michael Ripper ever made. Still, not a bad way to bow out. Recommended.
Underworld
(1985)
SO EIGHTIES - IT'S PAINFUL
4 September 2004
Given that this is based on a Clive Barker story, and contains some major acting talent it should be good. It's NOT good, and the blame for that rests squarely with director George Pavlou.It could have been an interesting melding of the crime/horror genre, but takes every wrong turn possible.
Larry Lamb is a good actor, but he is so hopelessly miscast here as the hard man reluctantly dragged back into the criminal underworld, that there is a gaping hole at the heart of the film where a central character should be. In fact most of the normally reliable actors here, turn in awful performances.
The sets are awful (the neon tube underground lab looks like a Gary Numan stage set). The costumes are awful (the gangsters dress like Duran Duran). The music is awful, and the dialogue is awful. The script is so bad its difficult to imagine Barker had anything to do with it. At one point "our hero" is injected with the deadly transmutating drug, absolutely nothing happens to him, its simply not referred to again !. In playing down the horror element, and playing up the crime element, the producers missed an opportunity to produce a piece of contemporary horror, and instead produced a cheap looking Mockney version of Miami Vice. Most of the people involved leave this off their c.v.'s. I'd certainly leave it off your shopping list.
Larry Lamb is a good actor, but he is so hopelessly miscast here as the hard man reluctantly dragged back into the criminal underworld, that there is a gaping hole at the heart of the film where a central character should be. In fact most of the normally reliable actors here, turn in awful performances.
The sets are awful (the neon tube underground lab looks like a Gary Numan stage set). The costumes are awful (the gangsters dress like Duran Duran). The music is awful, and the dialogue is awful. The script is so bad its difficult to imagine Barker had anything to do with it. At one point "our hero" is injected with the deadly transmutating drug, absolutely nothing happens to him, its simply not referred to again !. In playing down the horror element, and playing up the crime element, the producers missed an opportunity to produce a piece of contemporary horror, and instead produced a cheap looking Mockney version of Miami Vice. Most of the people involved leave this off their c.v.'s. I'd certainly leave it off your shopping list.
Out on Bail
(1989)
PROBABLY ROBERT GINTY'S BEST FILM
16 March 2004
Of all the films Robert Ginty made following The Exterminator, this is probably the best. The writing is tight, the direction even tighter, (Hessler was a quality director), and Robert Ginty was surprisingly good as the mysterious drifter who turns up in a one horse town and falls foul of the local fascist cops. Best of all, the love interest is played by Kathy Shower. (The producers certainly make the most of her assets, TWO shower scenes). Controversially filmed in South Africa, as was Red Scorpion, the desert landscape could certainly pass for Arizona or Texas, but the accents of some of the supporting players grates. An undemanding, but well made action thriller.
And Soon the Darkness
(1970)
A WELL CRAFTED LITTLE GEM
12 March 2004
I remember seeing this on late night television years ago, and had very fond memories of it. Recently i caught up with it on dvd, and found that my memory had not let me down. Every aspect of this film demonstrates film making talent of the very highest order. The script is superb, keeping you guessing right up to the end. The acting of the leads is faultless, but the icing on the cake is the amazing direction by Fuest. He manages to turn the open, sunny, French countryside into a nightmare landscape. Gradually cranking up the tension, alienation, and paranoia with the skill of a master. He really should have been a massively successful director. Pure craftsmanship, with a very creepy edge.
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