romeomazzei Reviews

The Blob (1988)

Gooey goodness

[8/10 · 21 October 2018]

When the topic of horror movies with great practical effects comes up, people are often quick to mention The Thing and The Fly, and rightfully so. However, frequently overlooked but also deserving of praise is the other remake of a fifties picture with a title starting with the word "the" and followed by a one-syllable noun: The Blob.

If you are wondering how a heap of gelatinous mass can be considered the pinnacle of practical effects, just take a look at some of the scenes where it attacks and devours its prey. There are bucketloads of gore and the bodies of victims are contorted into grotesque shapes. It's disgusting and beautiful at the same time.

The sheer brutality of this film shouldn't be underestimated. I literally recoiled in my chair a few times because the ferociousness of that pile of slime caught me by surprise. It pulls no punches, making the threat of being devoured by the gooey behemoth all the more palpable. For a horror movie, that's definitely a good thing!

Forbidden World (1982)

Trashy fun

[6/10 · 21 October 2018]

Forbidden World isn't exactly a stellar film, but it sure is an entertaining one! This shameless Alien rip-off is packed to the brim with gore and nudity and never pretends to be more than just an hour and seventeen minutes of pure escapism.

For a low-budget movie, the research station set doesn't look bad at all. There might not be much more than a few corridors, some sleeping quarters, a sauna (yes, a sauna, guess why) and a laboratory, but it's quite an atmospheric place. Also, the practical effects are rather good, with bloody corpses that ooze slime from every pore and a shape-shifting monster (bearing more than a passing resemblance to Alien's Xenomorph) to admire. The catchy synth soundtrack is also worth mentioning.

If you're looking for a serious sci-fi horror movie, steer well clear of this film, but if you're in the mood for a bit of trashy fun, you could do a lot worse than Forbidden World!

Night and the City (1950)

Wrestle war with weaselly Widmark

[9/10 · 21 October 2018]

It's a bit jarring seeing the leading parts in this London-based noir being played by Americans, but once you get used to the lack of British accents you're in for a treat!

Richard Widmark just radiates nervous energy whenever he's on screen, either trying to save his hide by running away from the people he duped, or desperately trying to find new victims for his crazy schemes. He's not a typical hardboiled, tough-talking noir protagonist; he's jittery, slimy and a bit pathetic, and his personality is one of the reasons this film is so captivating. I couldn't help feeling sorry for him, but at the same time I was anxiously waiting for his comeuppance!

Sing (2016)

Out of tune

[3/10 · 21 October 2018]

Take The Muppets, remove all charm and humour, replace the iconic puppets with generic CGI animals, use some pop songs instead of original music and you're left with this soulless husk of a movie.

Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

Doesn't live up to its potential

[5/10 · 21 October 2018]

Kiss Me Deadly sure starts off promising with a dame on the run on a dark highway, dressed in nothing but a trenchcoat. After being almost run over and ultimately picked up by the film's protagonist, hardboiled P.I. Mike Hammer, the opening credits start scrolling across the screen in reverse, accompanied by the hitch-hiker's heavy breathing and Nat King Cole's "I'd Rather Have the Blues Than What I've Got" playing on the car radio. It's a moody and ominous opening, and it sets expectations sky-high for the rest of the film.

Unfortunately, everything slowly goes downhill after this excellent introduction. The plot is weak, the acting is pretty lousy (Gaby Rodgers' performance in particular), the characters are one-dimensional (all we learn about Mike Hammer is that he loves to punch the truth out of people and women love to throw themselves at him) and the ending is utterly ridiculous.

For all its shortcomings it's still a fairly entertaining watch though, but it could've been so much better.

The Lady Vanishes (1938)

Suspense, comedy and action aplenty!

[9/10 · 21 October 2018]

The Lady Vanishes is a fine cocktail of a movie. Fill a glass with suspense, add a dash of mystery, a pinch of screwball comedy and a few drops of action, now mix it all together and you're in for ninety-six minutes of pure bliss!

There's a lot to like about this picture. The characters are charming (the two cricket fans steal the show), the setpieces are fun (the tomfoolery with the magician's contraptions is one of the highlights), and the mystery itself keeps the viewer guessing until the very end. No mean feat for a film from 1938!

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

The verdict: guilty of being highly entertaining

[10/10 · 21 October 2018]

Witness for the Prosecution is yet another marvelous film by the insanely talented Billy Wilder. The dialogues in this courtroom drama-slash-murder mystery are sharp and witty, and Charles Laughton's charmingly sarcastic delivery ensures practically every line from his character Sir Wilfrid is solid gold. Add in a few tense interrogation scenes, some colourful characters and a couple of clever twists and turns, and a delightful viewing experience is guaranteed.

The Lost Weekend (1945)

Aged like a fine wine

[10/10 · 8 October 2018]

Ray Milland shines as a man struggling with alcoholism in this terrific film by Billy Wilder. Considering the era it was created in, The Lost Weekend's nuanced view on alcoholism is really striking. Don Birnam (Milland's character) is not some caricature of a drunkard to wag fingers at, but a fleshed-out person who, despite his many flaws, succeeds in gaining sympathy and understanding from the audience.

Perhaps Milland's performance is a bit TOO good, because each time poor Don picked up a drink with trembling hands and knocked it back like someone who had just crawled out of the desert, I caught myself longing for a shot of liquor as well...

Miracle Mile (1988)

What a blast!

[9/10 · 8 October 2018]

Miracle Mile starts off as a light-hearted flick about love blossoming between a guy and a gal, but it doesn't take long before the story dramatically changes gears. Much like the protagonists in this film, the audience is taken along for a white-knuckle ride after having the rug pulled out from under them. It's a race against time, and situations become increasingly nerve-racking as society rapidly devolves into anarchy!

The contrast between the easy-going opening of the film and the brutal chaos that follows is what makes Miracle Mile a winner in my book. Also, the ending packs quite an emotional wallop, making this film stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

The 39 Steps (1935)

Oldie but goodie

[9/10 · 8 October 2018]

Richard Hannay (played by a charismatic Robert Donat) is a wrongfully accused man on the run (this would become a recurring theme in Hitchcock's films). To make matters worse, he's handcuffed to a girl who's reluctant to aid him in his quest to clear his name, making his attempts to escape the clutches of deadly assassins all the more perilous.

This film was released way back in 1935, but with its brisk pace, witty dialogue and exciting twists and turns, The 39 Steps puts a lot of modern thrillers to shame. It's packed with tension and humour, making its running time of 86 minutes fly by like a breeze.

The Big Clock (1948)

The Big Clock won't have you checking your watch!

[10/10 · 8 October 2018]

The Big Clock is an immensely entertaining suspense film. There's never a dull moment as we follow a couple of stressful days in the life of down-on-his-luck magazine editor George Stroud (a fine performance by Ray Milland).

When George becomes wrapped up in a murder case where all evidence seems to point to him, the office building he works at gradually turns into a prison with no means of escape. As the net around him tightens, viewers are in for some exciting moments that will keep them on the edge of their seat!

The ending is perhaps a bit too abrupt, but honestly who cares after such an amusing thrill ride?