Change Your Image
C. M. O'Brien
Reviews
The Gospel According to Philip K. Dick (2001)
Recommended but flawed
This documentary explores the life and work of Philip K. Dick (PKD), a unique writer whose mindbending work and concepts have had much influence in films inspired by his work such as "Total Recall' and "Blade Runner" to "The Matrix" and "Fight Club".
Unfortunately though it deserves an A for Effort, this film is flawed in a number of ways.
Nothing of Dick's background is revealed, the film focuses more on the latter years and 1974 Gnostic religious experience of Dick than on his early life, and this is to the film's detriment as clues to these events could might lie in his formative years. As the previous reviewer noted, the same rhythm and animated sequence of PKD sitting at his typewriter are repeated endlessly over old audio recordings of Dick's interviews
I would like to have seen more of Dick's associates and family interviewed, and more of the feel of an overall biography.
Trailer Park (1995)
Great show for cult movie fans
This quirky show ran at odd hours on the Sci-Fi channel a few years ago, and featured the original theatrical trailers for mostly B science fiction and horror flicks, but occasionally those of decent ones like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner. Viewers who find themselves drawn to this type of fare, might have found certain trailers made them want to seek out many of the obscure titles. Some of them were hilarious; others made me remember what a waste of time the actual movies were. I suppose this is a sad sign of today's cultural illiteracy, but it seems the old trailers displayed a lot more writing on the screen. No matter how bad the movie or ad, at least they were short, unlike today where the ads shown in theaters can be five minutes or more and spell out the entire movie.
Fear in the Dark (1991)
Lacking in substance
Documentary on horror films of interest for the appearance of veterans of the horror filed, notably the late Robert Bloch. Never really goes into much detail and shows a bias towards gorier films especially the British variety. The narration by Christopher Lee is a definite plus, however.
Freiheit (1966)
An interesting effort, worth a look for fans
Any Lucas fan worth his salt will want to check out this embryonic piece detailing the failed attempt of a boy to escape from unknown pursuers; presumably representatives of a repressive "empire". It is noteworthy that even at this stage of his career, Lucas was fascinated by war. The bitter disillusionment expressed here provides a sharp contrast to the cheerful optimism and good-triumphs-over-evil ending of the Star Wars trilogy. The symbolic desire for freedom here could equally apply to freedom of the imagination, an autonomy Lucas has always sought from studios in producing his work.
Fugitive Mind (1999)
Worth a look for fans of the actors
Yet another quickie from Ray, this one presents a convoluted plot of evil scientists, implanted memories, and a political assassination. To his credit, Ray assembles eclectic casts of genre vets, and this is no exception with Ian Ogilvy star of cult director Michael Reeves' films and former TV Saint, Irwin Allen star David Hedison, TV Buck Rogers Gil Gerard and others. Worth a look for fans of the actors or director, but don't be misled by the title and expect a kind of Donovan's Brain in a jar on the lam.
The Sorcerers (1967)
Sadly forgotten, well worth a look
The aged Karloff stars as a disgraced hypnotist, eager to try out his new thought transferal device at the urge of his domineering wife (Lacey). Finding an ideal subject in a jaded youth (Ogilvy), the couple discover they can vicariously experience his every sensation while controlling his actions. Karloff wishes his invention to be used for the crippled and elderly to take a virtual vacation, while his wife revels in the thrill of committing various crimes through the young man. Her wishes increase from theft to murder. After she has successfully shattered Ogilvy's life and relationships, it boils down to a battle of wits between the two for control of the young man's psyche. It plays like an episode of the original Outer Limits series, with the couple's venture into realms man was not meant to explore, and tragic denouement although there is no Control Voice to lull us back to normality or offer a moral here.
Michael Reeves made one other film, the stunning Witchfinder General before taking his own life at the age of twenty-five. Who knows what the film's enfant terrible director might have accomplished had he lived? From subtle tricks of lighting, and the use of a story that fits the budget, to imaginative shots and an emphasis on action, it contains all the elements today's independent filmmakers should take note of. It is worth noting Ogilvy would later take on the role of mad scientist involved in mind control techniques in Fugitive Mind.
While dated in many aspects, it's a shame this film is all but forgotten, and unavailable commercially.
Scary Movie (2000)
I want my money back!
I have been watching American movies go downhill for years, but this has got to be a new low. I only went to see this because some friends assured me it would be "funny". I hated the "Scream" and "I Know" films, and hoped to see them get the parody they deserved. I don't know which of the Wayans brothers has the penis fetish, but it's up here for all the world to see, and what's up with Hollywood's new love of making fun of retarded people? First "There's Something About Mary", then "Drop Dead Gorgeous", now this. This thing is so bad that had I rented it, I would have hurled the tape through the Window of the video store, and I'm glad to see most IMDB users have the sense to agree. The only "Scary" thing about this is its success at the box office!
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Disappointing, but not without merit
It was a major disappointment, but I expected no less. In light of my initial reaction upon its theatrical release, I decided to give this film a second chance, and can honestly say that it holds up no better on video. The look and feel of this film differs so radically from that of the others that one would almost suspect that it was made by a different person entirely. Why should the technology in a galaxy far, far away have been more advanced in the past? Liam Neeson's Qui-Gon Jinn is a matter of taste, though Ewan McGregor does fine by Obi-Wan Kenobi. The film sorely lacks a dynamic central character, and pint-size Anakin just doesn't cut it. Natalie Portman, one of the distinguished talents of her generation --check out Lèon, this gal can act--is largely wasted in dual roles. Her face is hidden behind hideous Geisha-like makeup, and voice is inexplicably deepened for her scenes as the Queen. I have often heard the complaint voiced that the original trilogy was a series of kid's movies, but Lucas is aiming squarely at the kiddie crowd in this one, playing up the cutesy antics of Jar-Jar Binks, serving to earn a PG rating in spite of the film's violence. Where once we may have rooted for the defeat of the Empire, we now find ourselves waiting for the Death Star to obliterate Jar-Jar's people. I will not say that The Phantom Menace is not without merit, as certain scenes and pieces of dialogue capture the flavor of the originals, but this could have been so much more. We can only hope the next installments will live up to the hype