hi_im_manic

Bugsy Malone is a cutesy, fun and nostalgic film fit for family viewing,It will undoubtedly encourage kids to engage in imaginative roleplay (cop v. gangster, gangster v. gangster, broadway performer etc) and put down their electronic gadgets! The costumes and sets were excellent, very visually stimulating and so far as I can tell they were authentic to the time period (late 20's, early 30's). Even the phrases and dialogues were well done. The lip syncing left much to be desired. It was painfully clear that the performers weren't actually singing their songs. The songs stood on their on as great, and choreography was pretty well on point. I don't normally enjoy musicals but this one was so nicely put together that I found myself really engaged in the story, even though it was ridiculous/goofy. This one is suitable for all ages. There's no actual violence, no cursing, no sexual reference (the "worst" was a kiss on the forehead, and dancers wearing tight, swimsuit-like costumes), and the storyline is easily followed.

3.4 Stars. The movie suffers from frenetic ambitions. It's trying to be too many things at the same time and lacking the aptitude to be very good at any of them. As more than one reviewer has said, it's impossible to categorize it with it's many facets. It's a drama, a (campy) comedy, action, thriller, romance, and horror. It's a Frankenstein.

Committing to one genre, or even aiming to be a hybrid would have been a much better strategy. This movie should have been a Drama-Thriller, period. Instead, we have a confused monster with a case of multiple personality disorder. The acting was largely sub-par, but it's far from the worst I've seen. The Razzie here goes to the actress who plays the lead characters sister. Drama is clearly not her forte, that's all her character had to work with unfortunately. Maybe she'd be better at comedy because she did get laughs, even though they were unintentional. Unbelievable performances are almost always attributed to the actors lack of skill or likability but many times it's really due to one of more factors like a crap script., lack of prep time/rehearsals, or an inflexible or unskilled director. Whatever the cause(s) may have been the end result was just not that great. For the viewers, at some point I think it would have made sense to make some scenes more distinguished from the others. A starker, visible shift between the types of scenes would have been very nice. I'm absolutely not going to to say anything more specific, but to those who've seen the film and to those to created it, you know what I'm saying.

There were elements that I really liked and thought were well done. I had to check imdb to see where in Mexico the film was filmed but to my surprise (and still suspended disbelief) it said Michigan. I am expecting to hear that some scenes were in fact filmed in Mexico, but even so, the seamless way that these locales are brought together is nothing short of commendable. The camera-work was quite good, but the scenes still can only be as good as what the director can envisions/permits. The final minutes manage to be genuinely bitter-sweet. I like the story!

This has to be the grandmother of all porn films that attempt to have some semblance of a plot. Gratuitous nudity and sexual activity is rampant. Every scene features a beautiful naked Woman (or Women). It is a soft porn flick that tries to include material to suit everyones taste by implementing a broad variety of erotic activity. There's foot fetish activity, bondage, girl on girl, boy/girl, humiliation, a Dominant Woman, submissive women, self-pleasure, role-playing, S&M, etc... All of this is fairly mild but the film is far too explicit to be counted as a regular theatrical film. I give it a 3.7.

Several of the scenes are forceful and/or cruel and could trigger PTSD symptoms in abuse victims, or distress sensitive individuals. Steer clear or tread lightly if this is you! Of course this isn't a film for family night! It is suitable for open-minded persons age 17 and older to enjoy alone or with friends or a partner. Like most pornographic films the acting is sub-par. It's laughable but not the worst I've seen in other Euro-trash sexploitation films. Dialogue is almost nil and there is no character that with whom to relate to or admire (aside from their lovely aesthetic attributes).

"Histoire D' O" of 1975 s a better example of practical storytelling and believable performances. I recommend it over this film. "Histoire..." is the tale that strongly inspired the "50 shades" franchise. In fact, "50 shades" is close to a blatant rip-off and isn't deserving of popular praise. I digress.

The island filming location is quite unique and visually impressive. It's isolated, and the tucked-away beaches and drastic mountain peaks are both romantic and severe at the same time. It's the ideal locale for the movies half-cocked attempt at a plot by reflecting the storyline via landscape.

Not surprisingly, there are way more bushes inside the prison complex than in the landscape...haha! Grooming ones' downstairs region wasn't fashionable until the early to mid 90's. A few of the women didn't think it necessary to shave under their arms either. A couple of the men (guards) are also quite hairy. Back hair and thick full bushes...yuck. By god, why were people so adverse to smooth skin during those decades?! You'll likely find it funny and/or icky as did I.

Europeans (and the Japanese) have always been bolder than other nations at expressing their sexuality and especially peculiar activities. Their non-nonchalant attitude towards nudity and unusual "love-making" activities has always been the envy or bane of more conservative countries. I imagine that the more expressive nations have no qualms about labeling "Caged Women" as a regular theatrical production. The rest of the world either has the film banned or presented clandestinely to niche audiences.

This movie is amusing without intending to be. I think it could be re-worked and tweaked to make a great comedy-thriller for adults. I hope a talented director see's this ridiculous film and reaches the same conclusion.