univibe Reviews

See Here My Love (1978)

Lost oddity

[5/10 · 10 November 2006]

I saw this movie twenty-five years ago and have never heard of it since. I'm writing this off my memory in the hope that someone will indicate how to find this lost film. It's strange that a movie featuring two well known actors like Catherine Deneuve and Sami Frey could completely disappear but it's not the strangest thing about the film. The plot line is almost incomprehensible: It deals with a female Marlowe investigating a sect that uses some kind of mind-control ray. Not very clear. The characters sometime walk out of a room inside a city building to find themselves in another room in a castle in the countryside??? Actor Sami Frey has installed some short-wave radio equipment inside a big round shaped pigeon house and can detect/control the ray. I'm not clear about the details. What I do remember is that the soundtrack is very elaborate and that's the reason I would like to see the movie again. I also remember the photography to be quite good. Maybe it was an experiment at emulating Luis Bunuel. I hope it resurfaces eventually.

Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

Very touching

[8/10 · 7 November 2006]

I'm writing about the Cinematic Orchestra version. It might possibly be the music, but somehow, in the first half of this film, I get overwhelmed by sadness. To the point where I feel I'm gonna start crying. Why? All we see are mundane scenes of everyday life. My daughter told me she has the same reaction. This must be a statement to the highly poetic nature of the film. I had seen the movie before with a different score and it didn't have the same effect. Blame it on the score, I guess.

The fact is, everything we see in this film will be annihilated in the following turbulent years. It's all done with a hand-cranked camera and is very powerful indeed.

I disagree with the other reviewer who compares Dziga Vertov to Leni Reifenstall and calls for his branding as a war criminal. TRIUMPH OF THE WILL was exalting the virtues of the Nazi party itself while this film is more about the communist way of life in general. Even if Stalin turned out to be a war criminal afterward, in my opinion this is different.

This film is a major achievement for it's time and is still relevant.

Come and See (1985)

Painfully realistic and actual

[9/10 · 7 November 2006]

This is probably the most haunting movie I have ever seen. The 20 minutes long village scene is something else. Unique. It makes you understand that the expression "ethnic cleansing" is just a politically correct expression that takes you away from reality. In fact the expression is cleaning the conversations. This scene shows you human nature at it's worst. And you sure don't forget. Yes, it's propaganda as the "Rise of the third Reich in reverse" scene clearly demonstrates. But the film was made in 1985 and depicts events that happened in 1942, so I can live with that. This movie will change you. This is how powerful it is. Don't expect action packed spectacular scenes, you'll be sorely disappointed. Like a lot of Russian movies, this is more intellectual. It makes you reflect on your set of values and the state of the world we live in. The sad fact is that such events are still happening somewhere as you read this. Potent stuff.

Planet of the Vampires (1965)

The original Space-Gothic movie

[8/10 · 7 November 2006]

I've seen this one countless times. Amazing Cinemascope frame and cool costumes. The DVD picture is excellent. I taped a version a few years ago called DEMON PLANET, same movie but with a different, more Americanized score. I must say that the DVD version is vastly superior. I once read a review of the film saying: Strong on atmosphere, weak on everything else. I tend to agree. Mario Bava really overworked the smoke machine on this one. I love it.

One scene is printed in my mind forever: The dead cosmonauts, wrapped in clear plastic, rising from the grave in slow-motion. Wow! The added sound effects make this scene both scary and very artistic at the same time.

I have never seen such a gigantic spaceship control room in any movie. The other reviewers are right, the acting is stiff, probably due to the low budget English dubbing. Also, it took me a couple viewings to figure out there was two spaceships. Silly me. That's how confusing it is. But, who cares? This movie is an experience. It also works quite well against insomnia. You can't sleep? Slap it on and relax. Soon you'll be sleeping like a baby. I'm not joking, the movie works.

All in all, an imperfect, ground breaking movie that's still a joy to look at. Forget the spaceship models but keep an eye open for the leather suits, the weapons, the colorful lighting and the good looking female crew members. Enjoy the strange music and sound effects and have fun.

Endangered Species (1982)

80's paranoia

[6/10 · 6 November 2006]

It's almost impossible to find this movie nowadays. Too bad. Not because it's good but because it's one rare occurrence where you get a different explanation for the mysterious events than the standard " alien from outer space did it". For 1982, it's not bad. We are treated to cool silent helicopters, biological warfare and a Satanic cover-up in the making. Sure, all the soap opera with the NY cop in ranch country is quite lame but still, there is something fascinating here for the conspiracy buff. The all electronic score is weird too. The script relies on these typically 80's beliefs and scares: Abandoned Nike missile bases, cattle mutilations, secrets government (or else) paramilitary teams (looking south American) doing god knows what and for what purpose? Like some UFO buff once remarked: Why don't they make a deal with some slaugtherhouse to get the animals. In my opinion it is worth a look and is one good candidate for a modern remake. Be warned, the ending is a major disappointment.