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Reviews
La nuit des traquées (1980)
Easily my favourite of his films so far
I've watched all of his films in chronological order thus far, and this is the first one I was compelled to leave a review of. This is his peak - not Fascination, the film he made before this. That was an ok film. This is better. I found it to be haunting, reflective and beautiful but also sad and disturbing - like watching a loved one succumb to dementia. Shot very well I thought for the time and budget. Great use of locations. Jean Rollin was an amazing film maker, and I think this is a good example of his best work - the lovely ending!
I'd say so far this is my favourite of his films. Awesome atmosphere.
Zk3 (2013)
Zombie Knights (and days) in Greece
Partially disabled but fully obnoxious author Nathan Prince (Philip Lyndon) is on holiday in Greece, writing his sequel to his hit book/film "Zombie Knights". He's clearly a monster - he writes his scripts in Times New Roman, point size 10.
The film (which we get to see clips from) was a voraciously homoerotic affair that involved oiled topless men endlessly wrestling with some zombies, but the real wrestling was the awkward dialogue.
He meets with journalist Amanda Blake (Judith Holding) and they enjoy some combative yet mutually gratifying interviews. Then things take an odd turn. It all gets very self referential. And confusing, when reality and fantasy start to blend into each other. Or do they? Is it real? Is it fake? Do we care?
It is quite hard to swallow that Zombie Knights was the hit it was, given it is worse than the micro budget film it features in, and this is a substantial barrier when doing a meta-textual film like this. But the will is there, and you can see the progression our Michael made in terms of shot composition and camera angles. A lot of optical effects are used in the flashback/dream/cutaway sequences, and some of the zombie makeup is ok.
There is something creepy about the shots of the zombies. And it is not all bad - there are a few snorts and chuckles to be had both with and at the material - but it's just not effective in the end. I was bored at points. None of the characters are likeable. One for completists of Michael J Murphy's work, and I suppose there is a lot of him in it.
There is quite a twist or two. It just could have been done better, and with a micro budget like this, less is more but I felt it tried to show too much.
The Rite of Spring (1995)
Not one of his best, too talky and needed a rewrite
I love Michael's output, but this was a real letdown and I thought it could have been truly good with a bit less talking and a bit more fun and action.
It goes like this. Charming village, people turn up, a LOT of talking happens, it builds up SLOWLY to a climax and, well, it has a bit of action and fun towards the end but it is too little too late.
It needed better pacing - with a lighter touch, tighter edit and less infernal talking, conversations, exchanges of opinion, pontificating, debating etc. It could have been more like The Wicker Man and less like The Boring Man.
The final scene made me snort in amusement. But took too long to get there, nice to see some period cars though, particularly the Vauxhall.
Skare (2007)
Welcome to Skare Valley. Sample the Nova! Visit the Country Club!
Michael J. Murphy serves us another piece of nano-budget British weirdness, and this is SO much more entertaining than some of his output that immediately preceded it. The Rite of Spring was pretty boring. This is a hoot.
Judith Holding ("Martha Tennant") gives it a good shot as the older woman who takes in a young mental patient named Dan. It's nice to see what is essentially enthusiastic amateurs go for it with a pulpy z-movie like this and give it 100%.
This vulnerable young man she takes in is muscular, good looking and in keeping with Michael J. Murphy's habit of casting and making scenes for young men who a) have their tops off and b) are muscular and up for a wrestle at some point.
Things take a turn, and a very amusing one. She's kind, and wants to give this young man a safe haven and some work. So she does, and tells him about her ownership of the local Country Club. She does well for herself, has a nice house and is a good cook. She harbours a bit of motherly love for Dan.
It goes so incredibly off the rails soon after. The Avon lady turns up (but it's Nova, Avon backwards) and the plot starts to thicken. As does the meat extract.
Highly recommend for fans of Michael J. Murphy. As I worked my way through the box set, I laughed at many points at the films - he made such entertaining fare, and I've developed a genuine affection for his work. This one gave me some of the most genuine laughs, not at the material but with it. Great fun.
Roxi (2005)
Great acting for such a micro budget film
The two leads are great. It's a good story, well told by the great Michael J Murphy.
Be aware - this is a very low budget film, less than an episode of a soap opera. But it is tightly plotted, funny and charming.
A young man turns up on a Greek island to meet his stepmother. That's all you need to know, let it unfold.
Sean is a great character, as is Roxi. It is nicely filmed for the budget, Michael J Murphy uses the locations well and I like the spin the bottle motif.
Maybe the moral of the story is to take risks and do something to make life more interesting.
Great line: "It's best forgotten if you can't remember'"
Another: "Trouble seems to follow me around"
Helps to have the subtitles on as the dialogue is recorded at varying levels of recognition at points. Victim of the budget.
Tristan (1999)
The best of Michael J Murphy's Tristan adaptations
As far as his three (!) attempts at making this story go, this is his best effort. Michael"s hand is surer this time, the acting is probably amongst the strongest in any of his films, and the micro budget stretches to some pretty good shots.
The camerawork and editing still have their moments, and the fight scenes still leave something to be desired. But given the absolutely tiny budget and the charm that amateur actors and film makers bring to the table, this is very watchable, if a touch bereft of the humour that other Murphy films sometimes show. It"s a bit pro-faced and played very straight.
At this stage in his career he was hitting the mark more often than not. Some great long shots and the four leads are strong. If only the swords were more convincing. But the fight scenes were way better than his previous films. And he gamely manages the boat scenes. See if you can spot what looks to be a modern fishing boat in the background in one shot though!
Death in the Family (1981)
S a loIncest, weirdness and great fashions
It's a weird one from Michael J. Murphy. Incest, a sense of foreboding. And then the twists come. I loved it. It's great to see the house, cars and fashions from this era.
Like many of his films, it is unlikely to be seen outside of anyone who buys the boxset of his work.
This was "remade" later by him as another title, Roxi.
Nice to see what the Greek islands looked like at this time too. And although the acting is at times lacking, it is a lot of fun. If you like the Michael J. Murphy films then this is adequate. I found consuming them in small but regular doses to be quite enjoyable. A double bill is usually plenty.
Torment (1990)
Torment is anything but - a very enjoyable watch
A very 80s singer, Anna Bell (a bit of a Kim Wilde figure) is burnt out by the high life.
Anna moves to her country home that she hasn't had a chance to spend much time in. She needs a break. To set the scene, we get treated to one Anna's music videos, which is nice for Michael J. Murphy fans to see him turn his versatile hand to the medium.
She's going to recharge, write some songs and hopefully not bump into the raging mental stalker we see in the opening credits.
She meets a hunky local builder (Matt) who's fixing her fence. His heart goes a-flutter when he sees her posing in the leotard she wears to play the piano.
She's having trouble with her manager who keeps calling her to tell her to get motivated and write songs, so she goes to scream on the beach with the builder - in matching dungarees.
They lock lips amongst the crashing waves. Later they share a shower after he convinces her to stop taking her pills. They become lovers. It's going great.
Soon her "fruity" associate (her choreographer) turns up to keep her on track with the songwriting and to also lust after the handyman. He was outraged the train didn't have a buffet. His campness is only outdone by his hairpiece.
We get treated to a music video. The builder watches it, intently.
She is filmed dancing awkwardly in a deserted nightclub, a beach, in front of a fire and next to a motorbike. It is, again, a marvel of Michael J. Murphy's willingness to take on anything regardless of budgetary constraints. It is very amusing and great to see.
She's then choreographing with her friend who is "a confirmed bachelor" - he slips a disc in his back, and his wig is askew.
She says, amusingly, that his back isn't the only thing that has slipped.
Concern is growing that Anna is drinking too much and still hung up on her ex. Speaking of the word hung, another hanger-on turns up, Anna's sister.
We see the stalker rip her posters off the wall., and burn them. Who could it be?
Matt the builder turns up for a dinner party. Anna is lubricated beyond recognition and Matt is in his best suit. It gets awkward. She's struggling mentally, and Matt points out other people have made her like this. He professes his love.
The choreographer, um, choreographs a cocktail party for himself and Matt. He warns him off Anna. But he hasn't counted on Matt. Things escalate. Then they get weird. Much weirder than you expect.
I won't detail the plot further or spoil things but the set up is great. There are few people who will see this film, which is a shame.
I loved it. "Torment" is a fun romp. With a cast recognisable from Michael's other films - who are clearly taking pride in their work - it's a step up from some of his earlier efforts. The concert scene is a riot for fans of 80s budget fare like this. The song "Torment" is a legitimate banger.
And this film is testament to Michael J. Murphy's willingness to try new things and push the envelope of what can be achieved with a low budget and determination.
These films are a joy and if you are thinking of getting the box set of his work, do it. I've had so much enjoyment out of it.