The gem show 2007.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Rental Review: Boston Strangler
By Ryn Gargulinski
He killed at least 11 women, sending 1960s Boston into a frenzy of locked doors, bolted windows and peepholes working overtime.
But they still let him in.
This flick is a compelling look at one of the most notorious serial killers of the century, at least before Manson.
Unlike some other true crime movies, this one doesn’t get bogged down with pseudo drama or stupidity. It’s straight-up intrigue and, although made in the 1990s, has that 1960s flavor.
It also explores mental illness without all that psychobabble. The viewer is even treated to a credible rendition of strangler Albert DeSalvo slowly losing his mind.
Highlight: The kitschy 1960s feel.
Lowlight: Being terrified that you, too, might be a paranoid schizophrenic and, like DeSalvo, not even know it.
Rating (1-10): 29.5
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Rental Review: Mail Order Wife
By Ryn Gargulinski
Put together to mimic a low-budget documentary set in the bowels of Queens, N.Y., and starring a fat sleazy guy who buys a bride from China, this movie works.
And works well.
At times we even forget it’s a movie and gasp at the horror the Chinese bride must endure. Like being videotaped while chained in a basement. Scheduled surgery against her will. Attempting to get used to American food with way too much ketchup.
Sick, twisted, dark and hilarious, this flick starts slow but then picks up enough to reel you into the web of deceit, lies and chicanery that accompanies this mail order bride.
Highlight: When the bride “decorates” the house with dozens of Chinatown pigs.
Lowlight: Getting so wrapped up you almost call immigration authorities.
Rating (1-10): 7.92
Put together to mimic a low-budget documentary set in the bowels of Queens, N.Y., and starring a fat sleazy guy who buys a bride from China, this movie works.
And works well.
At times we even forget it’s a movie and gasp at the horror the Chinese bride must endure. Like being videotaped while chained in a basement. Scheduled surgery against her will. Attempting to get used to American food with way too much ketchup.
Sick, twisted, dark and hilarious, this flick starts slow but then picks up enough to reel you into the web of deceit, lies and chicanery that accompanies this mail order bride.
Highlight: When the bride “decorates” the house with dozens of Chinatown pigs.
Lowlight: Getting so wrapped up you almost call immigration authorities.
Rating (1-10): 7.92
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Rental Review: Lost Weekend
By Ryn Gargulinski
A man here is dying, literally, for a drink. One of the best addiction flicks around, it's on par with Requiem for a Dream, which actually made me leave the room for its creepiness.
This film is equally as horrific, although we don't get prostitution and an arm amputation. Rather, we see a poor sap in the throngs of his disease, which is not a pretty sight.
The film faithfully portrays all the alcoholic tendencies - the shakes, the enablers, the secrecy, the shame, the hospital wards, the insanity. The cravings, the rage, the drink that sings like a siren to the drinker, the desire to blow your brains out. DTs are even explored, in the form of a dive bombing bat and a sad, bleeding mouse.
Highlight: The dive bombing bat and the sad, bleeding mouse.
Lowlight: The woman who lets her alcoholic boyfriend sell her gorgeous leopard coat for a drink. This happens, of course, in the rain.
Rating (1-10): 99.42
A man here is dying, literally, for a drink. One of the best addiction flicks around, it's on par with Requiem for a Dream, which actually made me leave the room for its creepiness.
This film is equally as horrific, although we don't get prostitution and an arm amputation. Rather, we see a poor sap in the throngs of his disease, which is not a pretty sight.
The film faithfully portrays all the alcoholic tendencies - the shakes, the enablers, the secrecy, the shame, the hospital wards, the insanity. The cravings, the rage, the drink that sings like a siren to the drinker, the desire to blow your brains out. DTs are even explored, in the form of a dive bombing bat and a sad, bleeding mouse.
Highlight: The dive bombing bat and the sad, bleeding mouse.
Lowlight: The woman who lets her alcoholic boyfriend sell her gorgeous leopard coat for a drink. This happens, of course, in the rain.
Rating (1-10): 99.42
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Rental Review: You, Me and Everyone We Know
By Ryn Gargulinski
With an intriguing title, quirky plotline and a bunch of awards from independent film fests boasted on its box, one would think this flick would be a heck of a lot of fun.
Think again.
Despite the promise of a handful of disjointed lives rising together, they all end up falling flat.
Each character has so much humorous potential – a flaky artist type stuck in a 1980s wardrobe, a single dad who lights his hand aflame for attention and a kid who collects blenders for her hope chest.
But they never really develop – or even say much – that make you laugh. Instead of funny, they all turn downright creepy.
More creepiness comes in the form of scatological fixations that seem like they could be put forth by a 6 year old. (Maybe because they are but forth by a 6 year old.)
Highlight: The burning hand scene.
Lowlight: The unanswered questions, like why did I rent this? Or where does the main character get all those horrific 1980s clothes?
Rating (1-10) -7
With an intriguing title, quirky plotline and a bunch of awards from independent film fests boasted on its box, one would think this flick would be a heck of a lot of fun.
Think again.
Despite the promise of a handful of disjointed lives rising together, they all end up falling flat.
Each character has so much humorous potential – a flaky artist type stuck in a 1980s wardrobe, a single dad who lights his hand aflame for attention and a kid who collects blenders for her hope chest.
But they never really develop – or even say much – that make you laugh. Instead of funny, they all turn downright creepy.
More creepiness comes in the form of scatological fixations that seem like they could be put forth by a 6 year old. (Maybe because they are but forth by a 6 year old.)
Highlight: The burning hand scene.
Lowlight: The unanswered questions, like why did I rent this? Or where does the main character get all those horrific 1980s clothes?
Rating (1-10) -7
Rental Review: Rumor Has It
By Ryn Gargulinski
A parody of Pasadena mixed with a parody of love, this movie is amusing albeit superficial.
One also gets distracted, as I did, trying to figure out if Jennifer Aniston’s screenmate in this film is the Vince or Vance guy that she ran to after Brad and who ended up dumping her anyway.
Technically, one could read the box. But that would take all the fun out of the wondering that gets one through the silly parts of the flick, of which there are quite a few.
Highlight: The dumb blond undertones.
Lowlight: The spineless ending.
Rating (1-10): 4.57
A parody of Pasadena mixed with a parody of love, this movie is amusing albeit superficial.
One also gets distracted, as I did, trying to figure out if Jennifer Aniston’s screenmate in this film is the Vince or Vance guy that she ran to after Brad and who ended up dumping her anyway.
Technically, one could read the box. But that would take all the fun out of the wondering that gets one through the silly parts of the flick, of which there are quite a few.
Highlight: The dumb blond undertones.
Lowlight: The spineless ending.
Rating (1-10): 4.57
Friday, January 26, 2007
BABY WIPE
he will not
greet me at the
door, my blasé dog, who
gets mad if I come home too
early, upset I’ve encroached on his
nap but – he lies in wait, in
ambush – when I step
from the shower with
water on my legs to lap
at the moisture and tickle
my knees I wonder if he’ll
sicken from the lotion – or
infect me with swipes of his tongue – but then
I recall some stuff I once read oh yes
sanitary dog tongues and their
spotless success while it’s
true they’re not great to wash the
dishes – they’ve been rated best to
primp a newborn babe.
-Ryn Gargulinski, Jan. 2007
greet me at the
door, my blasé dog, who
gets mad if I come home too
early, upset I’ve encroached on his
nap but – he lies in wait, in
ambush – when I step
from the shower with
water on my legs to lap
at the moisture and tickle
my knees I wonder if he’ll
sicken from the lotion – or
infect me with swipes of his tongue – but then
I recall some stuff I once read oh yes
sanitary dog tongues and their
spotless success while it’s
true they’re not great to wash the
dishes – they’ve been rated best to
primp a newborn babe.
-Ryn Gargulinski, Jan. 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
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