Media Notes: Roundup for October 2022

 

This is a somewhat random selection of the movies and series on DVD and/or online I watched during October 2022. 

 

Movies and films (links to IMDB.com for basic information unless noted otherwise). Some of these I watched via TubiTv.com or other online source. The DVDs come from the public library (unless noted otherwise). In addition, I will try to add other trivia notes, such as when a film is based on a book adding the information about the book (at least the WorldCat record if available):

It's October, so I am watching some more horror this month:

 

• Terror Train (1980. Horror. Mystery. Thriller). Plot description: "Three years after a prank went terribly awry, the six college students responsible are targeted by a masked killer at a New Year's Eve party aboard a moving train." The plot reminded me a bit of Valentine (2001), which I watched in October of 2021, the concept of prank or bullying gone wrong, and the victim seeks revenge years later. However, this movie was released in 1980, so if anything the more recent film may take ideas from this one, and it takes place on a train. Plus it features a young Jamie Lee Curtis, so I am taking a chance. By the way, also features a young David Copperfield portraying a magician who is part of the train excursion doing a show. After seeing the prank in the opening scene, I will be honest, I am rooting for the slasher to get them all, especially Doc, the chief prankster who also happens to be particularly odious. That prank was seriously mean, but then again, the kind of cruel thing frat boys do. Right away you get a little foreshadow when the conductor of the train, before the excursion takes off, complains to the dispatcher in the station the company refuses to put in a radio on the train; keep in mind, these are times before cellphones, so you can imagine from there. Soon we get the first death right as the students get on the train, a nice touch to get things started. Once the killer is on board the train, it is a matter of seeing who gets killed when and how. Since it is a costume party, the killer can kill one person, take their costume, and no one else is the wiser until it is too late. The strength of the film is in the suspense, the killer moving among the revelers. By the time some of those involved in that prank realize who may be after them, it could be too late. The film has a bit of a twist when it comes to the killer, but if you pay attention you can likely figure it out a bit before Alana (Curtis doing the scream queen role very well), the last survivor of the group, does. Overall, this is pretty good. The suspense is decent, and the tension really picks up in the last half hour as the killer goes directly after Alana. The train setting makes for a pretty good tight space that works well for a slasher film. I'd say it was pretty good despite some annoying characters such as Doc and some of the other frat boys, then again, annoying characters are often part of a slasher film. The gore and violence are relatively minimal, as the film focuses a bit more on the suspense. This is not really a high body count film, but you do get one or two pretty good scares along the way. This is a pretty good selection for Halloween season, and I liked it, so I'd say 3.5 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 10/1. 
• Vampire Journals (1997. Horror. Fantasy. Vampires). Plot description: "Avenging vampire stalks a king of the vampires in Eastern Europe, slaughters anyone who gets in his way." This film is made by Full Moon Entertainment, and it falls within the universe of their Subspecies films. In addition, from the looks of the trailer, this film has elements of I, Vampire, which I watched last month; it may explain why that other movie seemed a bit incoherent if it was taking parts from this one. Sure enough, I, Vampire takes parts of this movie for one of the tales in that anthology. One thing this film gets right is the gothic feel of vampires and the setting. There are also some small details I found interesting such as the gay (or at least somewhat effeminate male vampire, not something you see often in vampire films) and the old fortune teller/card reader that Ash, the elder vampire, consults. This movie is a bit slow in terms of the story and pacing, but it does have a good atmosphere. Zachary, the avenging vampire, is the typical brooding and reluctant vampire (including the whining about how bad it is to be a vampire. Not unlike Louis in Interview With a Vampire. Oh believe me, if I had the chance to be a vampire, I'd spend it reading and building a library, but that is another story). Overall, it is a decent vampire story, but no big deal, so I'd say 2.5 out of 5 stars as it was OK, but as I said, a bit on the slow side at times. Via TubiTv. Watched 10/14.
• Maniac (1980. Horror. Thriller). Plot description: "A disturbed man who prowls the seedy streets of New York City to slaughter innocent young women begins a relationship with a beautiful photographer."  Caroline Munro plays the photographer, so that was a starter for me to pick this up.  Film starts with a killing so we know right away this is a slasher film. From there, we go to the actual opening and introducing character. We soon learn that Zito (Spinell) is a very disturbed individual. On the one hand, the suspense is decent enough, and Zito is quite the violent killer. Also, the killings are quite gruesome, so for horror viewers who like some gruesomeness this film has you covered. Naturally, as a horror film it features one or two stupid moments by characters. For example, when you are a nice nurse, and your nurse friend offers you a ride home, you probably should take it so you do not end up dead in some subway station bathroom. Another example, when a mystery man shows up at your apartment, maybe letting him casually is not a good idea. Not to mention forming up a casual friendship right away without any background really. Well, that is what our photographer does, and all we can do is watch as we wait for Zito to snap and try to kill her. But in the meantime he is oh so charming. The pace slows down in the last act as Zito is courting the photographer, which slows the film down given the earlier faster pacing. It does not stay slow for long. Film takes a more nightmarish turn towards the end, and I will have to say not quite what I expected. It was pretty good as the film delves into the mind and delusions of the maniac. I liked it, mostly for the latter part as Zito's delusions start catching up to him. This is a bit of a slow building film, with a good amount of scares and blood. Also it gets the 70s feeling well. The oppressive atmosphere is well done, and Spinell puts on a good performance as the killer. In a way, the film is a character study of the killer; we do see it all from his point of view, delusions and all. The shocking moments are done well. Despite the brief slow parts, I'd say it's worth watching if you enjoy this kind of more psychological horror. I'd say 3 out of 5 stars. Via TubiTv. Watched 10/21.
  
• A bit of trivia. Among his various credits, you may know Joe Spinell from the Rocky films, he was Gazzo the bookie, and from The Godfather films as Willie Cicci.
•  Thir13en Ghosts (2001. Horror. Fantasy). Plot description: "Arthur and his two children, Kathy and Bobby, inherit his Uncle Cyrus's estate: a glass house that serves as a prison to 12 ghosts." Notice the title says thirteen, that 13th ghost will be revealed in the film. Once they get to the house, the pace in the film picks up as it soon becomes clear Arthur and his family are trapped, and they need to find a way out. The story is pretty good, and the concept of the 13 unique ghosts, each with their own story, is great, though the ghost stories are barely touched upon in the film. The special effects are great, and for me a good reason to watch the film. It just looks great. As for the acting, well, fairly typical horror movie acting where some of the characters act clueless and make poor decisions, even when warned. Also the character that tries to free ghosts, her act is a bit much like a hippie organic vegan activist, and it does get a bit irritating. She is there to contrast with the psychic for pay Cyrus hired to trap the ghosts, and who know may need to redeem himself. He is the more tormented figure to her somewhat obnoxious self righteousness. Tony Shalhoub portrays Arthur; Matthew Dillard is Dennis the psychic, and they both perform very well. The two children pretty much disappear early the film not to be seen practically until the end, but what little we see is mostly a typical precocious boy and a somewhat bratty teen girl.  Still, it is a pretty good ghost house story. The gore is minimal, relying more on the overall visuals of the ghost and the house for the suspense. Overall, it is a good but not great film, but it does make a pretty good selection to watch around Halloween. I just wish at times some details were fleshed out more. I really like it so giving it 4 out of 5 stars. Via AMC on Demand. Watched 10/28.
• Doom (2005. Action. Horror. Science Fiction. Video game adaptation). This is a rewatch this month for Halloween season. I reviewed this one back in February 2021. Via TubiTv. Watched 10/28.
• Prom Night (1980. Horror. Mystery. Thriller). Plot description: "At a high school senior prom, a masked killer stalks four teenagers who were responsible for the accidental death of a classmate six years previously." I picked this up in part because it features Jamie Curtis in her scream queen days, but I had no idea Leslie Nielsen was also in it (he plays the school principal), so that added to my curiosity. We start the film with a look back at the events that led to the accidental death. By the way, the four little brats are quite cruel, so to be honest, this is a case where the killer may be more sympathetic than the victims. The cops find the body, but with no witnesses they assume the victim may have been attacked, a possible attempted sexual assault. From there, we jump ahead 6 years later. The suspense starts pretty quick as a mysterious voice starts calling the four teens over the phone telling them they will see them at prom that evening. Meanwhile, a suspect the cops had back then that was institutionalized has escaped and seems to be back in town. Is this the killer, or a distraction? It adds to the mystery. The suspense builds up slowly, and there is no lack of suspects from the escapee to the schools handyman that everyone thinks is creepy to the jock one of the teens is egging on to cause havoc because she is jealous. The issue with the movie is that all we get for an hour (out of hour and 32 minutes) is mostly setting things up, a lot of high school drama, and as we get to the top of the hour a nice disco dance scene. Jamie Lee Curtis could put the moves on back then. However, to be honest, she is not terribly convincing as a high school teenager; she looks too old already, which does not help the film. She may be a good actress, but this was not good casting. But otherwise, nothing happens aside from small hints and distractions, so the pace is seriously slow for the first hour. Even by the time the deaths start happening, things go pretty slow. The ending turns out to be pretty anti-climatic. Overall, this movie had potential, but it mostly squandered it on teen angst, school drama, and not much else. I can see why others give it a low rating; it just does not have much to work with. Do notice because this is a horror film not a single emergency exit actually works, which is why the slasher's victims find it a bit difficult to escape. I guess the fire marshal had not done in an inspection recently. By the way, this is technically an 80s film, but the setting, the clothes, and that disco scene set it right in the mid-70s or so. On a positive, the disco soundtrack is good. In the end, I have no idea why this plodding teen spirit film is considered a horror classic. It is not really horrifying, and it is not that good of a thriller either. 1 out of 5, and that barely. Were it not for Jamie Lee Curtis, this film would be forgotten as it deserves. Via TubiTv. Watched 10/29.
  

Television and other series (basic show information links via Wikipedia unless noted otherwise). Some of these come in DVD from the public library. Others may be via YouTube, which, as noted before, I keep finding all sorts of other old shows in it, often full episodes:

 

• Iron Chef (1993-1999). I continue watching this full run via TubiTv. I finished watching season 5. Two more seasons to go.
  
• Agatha Christie Poirot: Series 4 (1992. Mystery. Television series. British). Series from Acorn TV, featured on Masterpiece Theater on PBS. This volume contains three films. I got it in part because it had The ABC Murders, which is a favorite Poirot story. Watched 10/15. Via DVD from Berea branch, Madison County (KY) Public Library.
• The ABC Murders. Plot description: "Poirot investigates the baffling mystery of a murderer who announces his next victims through a series of chilling letters, each addressed to the detective himself." This is a pretty fast paced case, and even when the police think they got the murderer, Poirot knows it is not as easy as it seems. The case overall is pretty ingenious, which makes this a pretty good story. I'd give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
  
• Death in the Clouds. Plot description: "There's murder in the skies as a ruthless blackmailer is killed on board a plane full of likely suspects. Unfortunately for the culprit, a certain Belgian detective is a fellow passenger." In this one, the story builds slowly as Poirot finds himself traveling in Paris. He does what he often does when things are slow, and that is observing all happening around him, noticing the people, small conversations, etc. I always find that interesting, and we know those bits of information will be useful later. Once the tennis tournament is over, they head back to England and get on the plane. On a side note, the plane is a small propeller passenger plane (this is the 1930s after all), and yet the cabin is relatively comfortable, not to mention the impeccable service from the stewards, so unlike the flying cattle cars of today. Poirot eventually figures out the case is not as obvious as some think it is. He also has Inspector Japp helping him along the way, which adds some nice humor to the episode. Overall, a good plot. I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
  
• One, Two, Buckle My Shoe.  Plot description: "When a popular dentist is gunned down, a murderous chain of events ensues. A broken shoe buckle becomes the key to untangling a deadly web of deception."  The episode starts with the dentist being killed, then we jump back in time to India, 1925, during a visit there by the Prince of Wales and a couple of young British actresses. After that, we jump 12 years to the present time of the story. Those who have watched this series know that past will become relevant soon enough. Initially, the dentist's death appeared to be a suicide, but soon it becomes a murder. Poirot unravels a tale of conspiracy, bigamy, and wealth. This one took a bit to unravel, and Poirot took his time to solve it, but in the end he saves an innocent man from going to the gallows as he reveals the true murderer. 4 out of 5 stars.
  
• Agatha Christie Poirot: Series 11 (2008. Mystery. Television series. British). Series from Acorn TV, featured on Masterpiece Theater on PBS, this volume contains four films with David Suchet in the title role as Hercule Poirot. I checked it out from my local public library, and I got this particular volume now because one of the films is their adaptation of Appointment With Death. I watched last month the adaptation film with Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot, so I was curious to compare. The public library has a full run of the series, so I hope eventually to watch the rest of it. Watched on 10/8. This 2 DVD set features the following films: 
• Mrs. McGinty's Dead. Plot description: "With the help of mystery novelist Ariadne Oliver, Poirot tries to save a potentially innocent man from execution." The investigation takes Poirot to a small British village, very unlike the posh accommodations he is used to in the city, so it is a bit amusing to see him try to stay polite when things are not so neat. The case seems pretty basic, but once Poirot starts investigating he uncovers a conspiracy from the past, a murderer motivated by money, and even a bit of a revenge plot. The case takes quite the turn, but Poirot is not deterred. 4 out of 5 stars. 
  
• Cat Among Pigeons. Plot description: "A new student causes a stir at the Meadowbank School for Girls. When the bodies start turning up, Poirot is on hand." As the story begins, the headmistress seeks Poirot's advice to observe the school to make sure she is making the right decision. Seems pretty ordinary, but Poirot is her old friend and gentleman, so he agrees to stay and observe. The start of a new school term seems ordinary enough. Soon though we get the first death, and Poirot is back on familiar ground. The girls school seems ordinary, elite, but it is a place where the women working there have their secrets, one or two secrets they could consider killing to keep hidden. Add in a smuggled jewels plot and some spies, and we get quite a story. Poirot in the end solves, and I always find interesting the segment where he reveals the solution. Overall, this was pretty good, so 4.5 out of 5 stars. I think I enjoyed this one the best in the series, probably because it had a bit of light humor in some of the students, including one that aids Poirot at one point.
  
• Third Girl. Plot description: "Collaborating again with Ariadne Oliver, Poirot helps a young heiress who thinks she may have committed murder." The term "third girl" comes from her being the third girl in a lease to an apartment, the one with the remaining bedroom after the other two take the better bedrooms. The premise on this one is intriguing, how can she not know if she committed a murder? It is up to Poirot to figure it out. Ariadne tells him the story of the girl, who is a neighbor, and just as Poirot is about to maybe dismiss the case, the cops arrive. They find a dead older woman that the cops initially think is a suicide, but is it? So now Poirot has a case after all. And it was quite a case involving the heiress, those trying to inherit the heiress's fortune, an impostor, and more. It is quite a case, but Poirot comes through as he explains it all in the end. I really liked this one, so 4 out of 5 stars.
  
• A nice line heard in the film: "Hell is a truth learned too late."
  
• Appointment with Death. Plot description: "The reviled wife of an archeologist is killed at a dig in the Syrian Desert, leaving no shortage of suspects." On an interesting note, Tim Curry portrays Lord Boynton. The film looks great. The plot, or parts of it are a bit different from the other film, for example the presence of Lord Boynton. Also, the matter of death for the obnoxious Lady Boynton is different in this film, or at least it appears to be different initially. We also get to see more of Lady Boynton's dark nature before marrying Lord Boynton and how she truly made her adopted children suffer. If anything, we see more reasons why any of them would want her dead. There is also a financial angle, which we do not see in the other film at all, that may or not add a motive to want the woman dead also (a company she owned that was publicly traded goes down in the stock market causing loses). Overall, there are a few red herrings for Poirot to get through before he solves the murder, but he does solve the case. It seems the case here is made a bit more complicated, which makes me curious to go read the book to see where things differ. Still, the film looks pretty good. I liked it, so willing to give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.