A few reviews

[Zaharoff]

Dancer - 2016 - 7/10



Critics declare he is greatest dancer of his generation, Sergie Polunin.
Profile shows his early youth, where his talent is clearly recognized.
Also the sacrifices made by his family to underwrite his training and education.
The pressure becomes a heavy burden and the doc is unflinching about showing the strain he is under.
And how humans often stumble and falter.
Rewarding film for dancers, very young dancers, especially parents of aspiring dancers.

[Zaharoff]

Äkta Människor: S01 - 2012 - 7/10

Uneven parallel reality series where hubots (robots - cyborgs - cylons) are ubiquitous in society.
They are tireless, work without complaint, and are programmed to be maddeningly cheerful.
Employers love ‘em, human coworkers - who are being displaced - are less thrilled.



A subset of hubots is programmed differently, or simply lacks programming.
They have free will and are on the run, led by the sinister Niska.



Several themes are explored over ten episodes: Hubot rights, cloning, government control, black market modifications, human - hubot relationships (and all that implies), discrimination, age ism.
There is also the uneasy reality of humanity being supplanted by our creations - as if we have done such a spectacular job of our stewardship.
Good SciFi / Speculative show, though the creators bit off more than they could chew.

This is the original Swedish series, with subtitles.

[Zaharoff]

The Last Of Sheila - 1973 - 5/10



Old fashioned Hollywood lineup assembles in timeworn yarn of multiple suspects in a mysterious killing.
Mogul (James Coburn) “invites” has-beens and hopefuls to his Mediterranean yacht for a week of games.
Mix of Clue and Treasure Hunt with revealing cards and exposed secrets.
Ian McShane, Raquel Welch, James Mason, Dyan Cannon, Richard Benjamin are in the cast.
Written by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins, actual puzzle fanatics and game players.
First third has fabulous location shooting and propulsive drive.
Then it all bogs down into sluggish chamber drama
Very talky, exposition becomes paramount. “Show, don’t say” rule is discarded.

[Zaharoff]

The Bukowski Tapes - 1987 - 7/10



Accurate rating if If you are a hardcore Bukowski fan.
If you are going Buko -- who? - however, then drop score to a 5.
Long series of interviews by director Barbet Schroder done around the time he filmed Barfly, ostensibly of and about the skid row poet of Los Angeles.
Bukowski rambles at length on varying topics: inferior peers, smog, alcohol versus marijuana, the horses, crazy women, his gradual fame, the meaningless of life, ugly people, shallow people, futility. At times insightful, other times nonsense, drunkard warbling.
Favorite bit was watching him drive about the old neighborhood in an open convertible, pointing out landmarks, telling stories.
Most infamous bit was him getting physically violent with girlfriend (later wife), Linda, and cameras turning off.

One of my regrets was never having trekked to Bukowski’s East Los Angeles home while I lived in LA during the late 70s. I certainly went to other writers, and I prowled east Hollywood Blvd a couple times a month.
Too busy chasing leg and getting high. Stupid stoner.

[Zaharoff]

Kisses - 2008 - 7/10



Dylan and Kylie live in dysfunctional households. One endures physical violence, the other abuse of another sort.
One afternoon, they flee and hop a ferry to Dublin. (Yes, a road movie of sorts.)
Fun under the lights, contrasts with predators in shadows.
Dublin proves too hard. No surprise since the characters are aged 10 and 11.
Another, more iconic Dylan appears in a white hat and offers advice.
A small gem.
Friends with sensitive ears - foul language galore.

[Zaharoff]

All Good Things - 2010 - 6/10



Blonde, middle class Katie (Dunst) falls in love with David Marks (Gosling), über rich, heir apparent to Times Square properties.
David is a weak bundle of insecurities. Love goes astray until one night Katie disappears.
Though never tried, David, by many accounts, was believed responsible.
Based on true events.
For earnest souls who believe in Justice exists in this world - or karma - this is not your film.
Well acted, yet there was an overall coolness, an aura of disengagement, in the narrative.

[Zaharoff]

The Tomb - 2009 - 3/10



Man ... I just knew this was going to blow.
But I saw Wes Bentley, Michael Madsen, Eric Roberts listed on the box. How bad could it be?
Hot Ukranian babe (Sofya Skya wearing get-ups designed to showcase her gravity defying twins) conducts "research" on capturing souls of the recently dead.
Or slain.
Wes Bentley is the unshaven prof / fly who is lured into her parlor.
Blood, absinthe, and spawning round out this bucket fest.
If cut to 45" this would have been fine on the old Friday The 13th television series. Yawn.

[Zaharoff]

After Porn Ends - 2012 - 6/10



Find your faves here.
Thoughts and recollections from a smattering of ex porn stars.
Readjusting to the normal world poses more challenges than expected.
Interesting, funny, bitter, depending on experiences.
Primarily talking heads, though given the subject matter there is nudity (but no XXX).

After Porn Ends 2 - 2017 - 5/10



Glossy, easy sequel to the original. Different actors, different chapters.
A bit more upbeat, with a sunnier sheen.
Feel good tone, if you could call it that.
Does feature more current performers.

[Zaharoff]

Prevenge - 2016 - 5/10



Eight months preggers widow starts hearing voices.
Voices urging violence against a seemingly disparate group of individuals.
Motives play out, as does the notion of escaped punishment.
Long patches of dull, interrupted by episodes wildly inappropriate, cringe inducing, tasteless.
There it is. Too much dull, not enough black humour.
BUT - If you’re in the mood for a pregnant slasher film, this is a superior choice.

[Zaharoff]

Bleu - 1993 - 8/10



After her husband and daughter die in a car accident. the surviving wife shuts down.
She cuts off all emotional channels, begins to discard reminders.
Juliette Binoche amazing as the soul who bottles, sidesteps, and destroys.
An extremely cold film with well thought out set design and photography.
Second of Kieslowski’s “Couleurs” trilogy is perhaps the hardest to take.
Penetrating look at grief and loss.