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Reviews
The Night Listener (2006)
An EXCELLENT Film, WELL Worth Your Time
The negative comments regarding this film are totally incomprehensible to me; some of the writers who give the worst are barely literate, at best. And "apunasatapulobin' is quite offensive in his obvious homophobia regarding the director, etc. So sorry he thinks anyone is an "IDIOT" who disagrees with him. And I see several other comments that verge on the homophobic side (fromnafifield,Gregory Eichelberger, etc.). Very sad; I happened to feel Williams' character was VERY well-developed and one of the better screen portrayals of a Gay character of late; WHY should the character's sexual orientation bother these viewers so much? Armistead Maupin is a brilliant writer; his novel (the basis for the film) is outstanding; as is the film based on it. Actually, instead of resembling "Psycho" (which it does NOT) the film is closer is dream-like theme to "Vertigo". Toni Collette is absolutely brilliant, as usual; surely one of the finest actresses working in film today; from her wonderful premier in MURIEL'S WEDDING to this film, she is different in every role she has and BECOMES that character; the sign of a TRULY gifted actor. To me, this is the finest work Williams has done, next to ONE HOUR PHOTO. And the film has wonderful direction, a good soundtrack, and fine photography. An INTELLIGENT thriller; probably that is why so many writing here could not understand it and seem to have totally missed the point of the film. Far from boring, I thought the film sped right through it was so involving, and I could not believe how quickly it seemed to end; I hated to see the climax arrive. Collette and Williams are certainly deserving of awards for their work in this. By all means PLEASE see this film; far from being your typical brainless "entertainment" so common in US films today, it is an intelligent, meaningful film. I can't praise it highly enough.
Inside I'm Dancing (2004)
An Utterly Brilliant Piece of Film-making
If you want a film with the full range of emotion, look NO further; dramatic and funny, and scenes of wrenching emotion; I can safely guarantee VERY few will be able to view this warm and VERY human film without shedding a tear now and then. The acting by the two leads is hard to believe; you would swear the two young men really DO suffer from Muscular Dystrophy (Rory) and Cerebral Palsy (Michael); quite simply, two of the FINEST performances I have EVER seen; these are two very believable characters as well, and you never have the feeling things have just been "tossed in" for dramatic purposes or to evoke sympathy. In the DVD release as "extras" they have "deleted scenes" (including an alternate ending) and an "extended party sequence"; why these clips were not included in the final film is hard to understand, as they tie in with the rest of the film perfectly and are in NO way superfluous. But without reservation I can heartily recommend this film to anyone; one of the very best I have ever seen.
Love Me Deadly (1972)
Well-Made, Compelling Thriller for Its Time
Actually quite a well-made and off-beat thriller for its time; a Mr. Lobianco who wrote another "review" actually sounds quite a bit on the homophobic side, as the film has a brief bit of gay content but certainly NOT the "gay plot" he has it being. And there is certainly nothing wrong in the least with having gay content in a film to begin with. Actually well worth the time of viewing it; but out-of-print now to my knowledge. Mary Wilcox is not bad at all in the lead role; Lyle Waggoner is as wooden as a board as her devoted hubby; I saw no traces of a satanic cult in evidence, despite what a couple other viewers wrote. Definitely a necrophiliac cult, but satanism is not mentioned. The film's topic would be unusual in a film even today, let alone 1972 when the film originally played theaters. Actually quite surprising none of the multiple DVD companies have ever released this on home video, nor to my knowledge do they have an plans to do so. Considering some of the utter rubbish put out on the medium, it would be nice if one of them would make this available in a widescreen transfer for home libraries.
The Pyx (1973)
An Intelligent Thriller
Karen Black shines as Elizabeth Lucy, a heroin-addicted prostitute, in one of her finest roles from this under-rated and little-seen French-Canadian effort, filmed in Montreal. She also composed and sang three haunting songs which appear on the film's soundtrack. Christopher Plummer is also first rate as the policeman investigating her mysterious death; with somber overtones and a feeling of dread, the film, the film alternates between flashbacks and current time. Highly recommended, for those who like intelligence and thoughtfulness in their thrillers; they will not be disappointed with this one. The supporting cast is all equally proficient, and effective in their roles, especially Yvette Brind Amour as Meg the Madam. The grim and despairing world of heroin usage is presented unflinchingly as well in a hard-hitting way. The beautiful city of Montreal is presented in several time shots as well; to me, at any rate, one of THE very best and over-looked films of the early 1970's.