What Films Have You Seen Recently?

[MacBlayne]

SLINGER (1989)

As mentioned in my Cyborg review, the film was pulled from writer-director Albert Pyun, and re-edited by the studio, the star, and the American censors. And just to kick him while he's down, they did a soundtrack that was completely different from the rock score Pyun intended.

Cyborg developed a cult following over the years, and has even seen some slight critical reappraisal, if only for the fact that something decent came out of the disastrous production. However, in 2012, the original composer found a VHS of the workprint he was using to write the music. Pyun now how had the chance to show fans something that was closer to his vision.

For starters, it's now called Slinger, after Van Damme's character profession. There is no plague, and the cyborg that was central to the theatrical cut is not as relevant to the story anymore. While the film still has a lot of the action from the previous version, it doesn't feel as action packed. There's a lot more breathing space (despite being about four minutes shorter than the theatrical cut), and a surprising religious subtext that gives the crucifixion scene a lot more relevance.T he aspect ratio has also changed, switching from 1.85:1 to 2.20:1. Maybe there's a technical reason for this, but Pyun was a fan of widescreen filmmaking.

And, of course, the soundtrack. This is one of my favourite soundtracks ever. The opening credits alone had me rising to my feet to mosh to it. It even has some techno-rock, which is extraordinary for an American film from 1989. My only criticism is that there's not as much music as I expected, which may have something to do with the origins to this cut.

This is not a proper director's cut. This is something Pyun has salvaged from surviving elements. He didn't have access to any deleted negatives, and as a result, the editing is a little sloppy in parts. I'm sure he didn't have the funding to produce some extra money, since this was something Pyun put together in his own time.

Slinger is imperfect, and will never not be. But I strongly recommend everybody to give it a chance. It is an experience, and is far removed from the genericity that was a Cyborg. I hesitate to call Slinger an art film, but it is a film with some very artisitic ambitions. It's audience is perhaps more limited than Cyborg's, but if you're willing to open your mind, as well as your ears, you'll find something very special here.

[Demoncrat]

Noted M!!!

[Demoncrat]

Revamped (2007, Jeff Rector)

Star studded vampire caper. Just check the cast list ahem. What it doesn't have is the budget to match.
So it's a tad piecemeal.
The director stars as a chap who finds that even being undead has it's fair share of problems. It at least rattles along (83 min), not really delving into any characterisation beyond good vs evil sorts.
Don't get me wrong, I had a ball, the stilted dialogue and "fight scenes" are a delight. Whether I recommend it, hmmm, if high grade tat is what wets your whistle .... go for it.


RVMPD.jpg

[Demoncrat]

Troll (2022, Roar Uthuag)

No, it's not set on the internet.
He looks impressive certainly. If only the story could be as such.
Fun here to be sure, as spectacle is at the forefront, though some of the editing choices are ... interesting.

[MrBarlow]

Originally Posted by Demoncrat

Troll (2022, Roar Uthuag)

No, it's not set on the internet.
He looks impressive certainly. If only the story could be as such.
Fun here to be sure, as spectacle is at the forefront, though some of the editing choices are ... interesting.

Is this on Netflix? Sermed interesting from the trailer.

[Demoncrat]

Originally Posted by MrBarlow

Is this on Netflix? Sermed interesting from the trailer.

Aye. Have fun!!

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Double Face (1969)

Co-written by Lucio Fulci and directed by Ricardo Freda, Double Face straddles multiple genres - Giallo, German Krimi, Film Noir and psychological horror.

Starring a beautifully underplaying Klaus Kinski as an industrialist whose wealthy wife is killed in a car explosion that may or may not have been an accident. It's not long after the tragedy that Kinski meets up with a young woman (Christiane Krüger) who recently made a pornographic 8mm film with a woman who looks very much like Kinski's wife.

I really liked Double Face. Set in England it's not one of those Gialli that is overly convoluted. Freda keeps things ticking over nicely maintaining the mystery whilst keeping Kinski (And the viewer) involved. Kinski himself is excellent. It's not often he plays the good guy and he's 'er good at it. Subtlety isn't a word normally associated with him but you wouldn't know it judging by his affecting performance here.

Freda taps into the slightly sordid London vibes of the sixties with wild psychedelic parties and even wilder fashions echoing films such as Beat Girl (1959) and Joanna (1968) or any one of Gerry O'Hara's prolific output of the era.

Overall, despite some obvious model work for the car crash sequences, Double Face was a really enjoyable film to me helped no end by Arrow's sumptuous looking Blu-ray.

[Demoncrat]

Very sold then D.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demoncrat

Very sold then D.

Thinking again it's like a Giallo version of the Nic Cage film 8mm.

Kind of.

[trebor8273]

The original and still the best. A classic .



Had this for sometime and finally got around to watching it. After the death of a world famous author a famous investigator sets out to prove he was murdered and was not a suicide lik the police think. A lot better than I was expecting , it's quite cleaver with some red herrings we have a great cast. I had to agree with Chris Evens the first time Craig opens his mouth I think KFC.



Eddie and Venom are having relationship problems , but they better sort those problems out quick as a deranged serial killer has become symboint Carnage.

Its just as enjoyable as the first but the highlight like the first is Eddie and Venom.

Now watching