bch@mcnc.UUCP (Byron Howes) (11/30/84)
- - - mod.movies - - - - - - Volume 1, Issue 11 - - -
[Moderators Note: There are three small reviews in this issue. The
first two are of films currently making the rounds on cable television.
The last is simply put because I liked it. -bch- ]
MOTEL HELL
A film review by Mark R. Leeper
Tarzan knew where the Elephant's Graveyard was. That was the
place where old elephants go to die. Old actors go to horror films.
Rory Calhoun, heartthrob of early Fifties westerns and later "The
Texan" TV series, pops up in MOTEL HELL as Farmer Vincent. He makes
his money by running the Motel Hello and by making and distributing
Farmer Vincent's Smoked Meats. His meats are so good not because he
puts a little of himself in his work, but because he puts a lot of
other people in it. In the grand tradition of Sweeney Todd, Farmer
Vincent's secret ingredient is human flesh.
It seems the good farmer catches people, cuts their vocal cords,
buries them in the ground, and force feeds them until they are ready to
"become famous." It is a gruesome black comedy with a few really nice
comic touches. Calhoun has a grand time of it, apparently playing his
part as if he were dressing up in a sheet and going "boo!" If you don't
concentrate too hard on the horror of the situation, this film is a lot
of fun.
THE DEAD ZONE
A film retrospective by Mark R. Leeper
I saw THE DEAD ZONE when it first came out, and at that time I did
not like it very much. My main recollection of the film was that it
was a cold emotionless, very episodic, that just did not capture my
interest. I saw it as a bland film based on a bland book by Stephen
King.
Then a friend whose opinion I respect said she really like it.
Based on her recommendation I gave the film a second viewing. What can
I say? Maybe the film hit me in a bad mood last time. Seeing it now,
I see a lot in the film that I must have missed the first time.
THE DEAD ZONE is a very well acted film that delves into the
various aspects of what it means to have psychic powers. Christopher
Walken wakes up from a five year coma with the power to see important
scenes from a person's life -- past, present or future -- just by
touching that person's hand. The film is episodic. It seems to move
ahead as a series of short stories not very closely related.
Walken tries not to use his powers, to lead a normal or even
dismal life. But time and again chance visions force him to act
on knowledge that he has rather than let people be hurt. Finally he
has a vision so devastating that he must commit murder to literally
save humanity.
This is a cold film, but rather than emotionless, it really is an
effective and moving film. The ending is ironically jubilant and sad
at the same time. Somehow I think the film works better on the small
video screen than it did in the theater. Television enhances the
claustrophobic feel of the film in a way that the wide screen fought
against. THE DEAD ZONE is one of the few films that should really be
seen on TV. On the -4 to +4 scale, this one rates +2, up from a -1 on
my last viewing. Thanks, Terry.
[In honor of WNET running JABBERWOCKY in the New York area this
Saturday, this blast from the past...]
JABBERWOCKY
A film review by Mark R. Leeper
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To get a little talky.
I must tell you a thing or two
About the JABBERWOCKY.
The film is planned, I'd say off hand,
To be a great sensation
By chasing after HOLY GRAIL
In skillful imitation.
There's quite a lot of filth and rot;
The people never wash.
For the most part it looks like the art
Of Hieronymous Bosch.
Special effects are not complex--
Some matted-in spires,
A decent beast, that is at least
When you don't see the wires.
Set in the past, they have the cast
In realistic apparel.
Still with that touch, there's still not much
Left of the original Carroll.
There was some wit; I do admit
That some scenes made me laugh.
But still it's not so very hot;
Rate it 2 1/2." [on a 1 to 4 scale]
(Evelyn C. Leeper for)
Mark R. Leeper
...ihnp4!lznv!mrl