Viva Mexico Month II Quick Picks and Pans

 

Rapiña (1975) Porfirio (Ignacio López Tarso), a poor woodcutter, witnesses an airplane crash in the mountains near his home. He picks through the bodies and wreckage for valuables, hording his collection in a nearby cave. He brings his brother-in-law, Evodio (Germán Robles), to the crash site, to gather more of the dead’s belongings before the authorities arrive. Porfirio’s lofty ambitions for his family quickly erode into madness, as his greed gives into paranoia and eventually murder. Much like his brilliant later film, Poison for the Fairies (1982), writer/director Carlos Enrique Taboada has constructed another insightful, mesmerizing study of the worst aspects of human nature. 

Rating: ****. Available on Blu-ray (included in the Vinegar Syndrome box set, Mexican Gothic: The Films of Carlos Enrique Taboada) and DVD (Out of print)

Museo (2018) In this fictionalized account of a real-life incident, two bored 20-something ne’er-do-wells, Juan and Benjamin (Gael García Bernal and Leonardo Ortizgris, respectively) perpetrate a heist of several priceless artifacts from the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City. The initial thrill turns into desperation as they unsuccessfully attempt to sell the hot items, while evading a nationwide manhunt. Beyond the ingenuity of the initial heist, it becomes clear that they’re completely out of their depth. Director/co-writer Alonso Ruizpalacios focuses on the dynamic between the two young men, with Juan as the dominant mastermind and Benjamin as his reluctant accomplice. This compelling character study is much less interested in trying to answer why they did what they did, choosing instead to explore the ramifications of one bad decision after another.   

Rating: ****. Available on Blu-ray and DVD

Scherzo Diabolico (2015) Aram (Francisco Barreiro), a meek accountant, is tired of being a doormat for his dead-end job and estranged wife. One day, he succumbs to the pressures of his unfulfilling life, hatching a scheme to get even with his boss. He kidnaps the boss’s teenage daughter, setting a chain of strange events in motion. As his boss’s life crumbles, Aram’s fortunes improve, with a promotion (his boss’ old position), a bigger salary and a fling with his secretary. But hell hath no fury like a captive teenage girl, who unleashes her revenge against him and his family. What begins as a pitch-dark comedy gradually devolves into a blood-soaked horror thriller. Depending on your tastes, the visceral third act will either suck you in or turn you off. Tread carefully.   

Rating: ***½. Available on Blu-ray (Region B), DVD and Tubi

Shadow of the Pepper Tree (aka: Wild Blue Moon) (1992) Co-writer/directors Francesca Fisher and Taggart Siegel present a cautionary tale, set in rural Mexico, circa 1968. Luna (Mayra Serbulo) the daughter of a powerful village witch (Socorro Avelar) sets out on her own when her mother refuses to instruct her on the ways of magic. She establishes her own practice and falls in love with an ex-patriot American artist (Thom Vernon). He abandons her when he learns she’s pregnant, becoming involved with a dancer in town. She plots her revenge against him and everyone else in his circle, but as she soon learns, evoking black magic comes with serious consequences. Mayra Serbulo impresses in her nuanced performance as a young woman whose ambitions exceed her grasp of the power she wields. 

Rating: ***½. Available on Tubi

The Bat Woman (1968) Gloria (Maura Monti) is a wealthy socialite who moonlights as the masked luchador/crime fighter Bat Woman. She battles her archenemy Dr. Williams (Roberto Cañedo), a mad scientist who wishes to create an army of unstoppable fishmen.  I have no idea how this got made, considering the obvious parallels to the Batman series, but I’m sort of glad it exists (her skimpy outfit clearly mimics the costumes worn by her American counterpart, albeit with about 70 percent less material). Despite the obvious copyright infringement, it’s harmless, silly fun.

Rating: ***. Available on Blu-ray 

Night of 1,000 Cats (1972) René Cardona Jr’s horror thriller plays like a twist on Bluebeard and The Most Dangerous Game, with a Euro-horror flair. Hugo Stiglitz stars as Hugo, a millionaire playboy with a disturbing hobby. He seduces young women, luring them to his sprawling estate and killing them, so he can keep their heads as trophies. The leftover bits are fed to the titular cats that he keeps locked up in a pit (I think you can see where this is going). It’s predictable and not terribly original, but worth a look for the audacious plot and Stiglitz’s deranged performance.   

Rating: ***. Available on DVD and Tubi

Halley (2012) Alberto (Alberto Trujillo) suffers from an unspecified degenerative disease that’s causing his body to decompose. He works as a security guard at a gym, where his sickly, emaciated form contrasts sharply with the health-minded people working out. His boss (Luly Trueba) takes an interest in him, vainly trying to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. The film moves at a deliberate pace, which seems to match Alberto’s slow movement. It’s a painful portrait of a man incapable of enjoyment, which doesn’t spare us the sordid details of his condition. While difficult to watch, it features an excellent, fearless performance by Trujillo (He was so convincing, I had to check online to see if he’s all right. Don’t worry, he’s okay.). It’s not a film I would readily recommend, unless you’re a connoisseur of misery. 

Rating: ***. Available on Tubi

Don’t Panic (1987) Here’s another head-scratcher from writer/director Rubén Galindo Jr. the same director who brought us the bonkers Cemetery of Terror (1985).* Michael (Jon Michael Bischof) is an ordinary high school student whose birthday party goes wrong in a hurry. Some friends bring out a Ouija board, summoning demonic forces. One of his classmates embarks on a killing rampage, while Michael sees visions of the murders (his eyes glow red). No one believes him, as he runs around in dinosaur pajamas, screaming like a banshee. None of this makes much sense, but it’s entertaining throughout. There’s always something to doubt your sanity over, including the bizarre twist ending that might just make your head explode. 

* Fun Fact: If you haven’t seen Cemetery of Terror, don’t worry, the filmmaker manages to throw in some scenes from his previous movie. 

Rating: **½. Available on Blu-ray

Musical May Quick Picks and Pans

Tommy (1975) Writer/director Ken Russell’s hallucinatory adaptation of The Who’s seminal rock opera engages your senses and intellect. Roger Daltrey plays the title character, a “deaf, dumb and blind kid” who “sure plays a mean pinball,” and becomes a latter-day messiah. After suffering the trauma of watching his father die before his eyes, young Tommy becomes closed off to any sensory input. Ann-Margret and Russell-regular Oliver Reed play Tommy’s mother and stepfather, who try in vain to bring Tommy back from his sensory-deprived state. Some standout sequences/songs are “Cousin Kevin,” with Paul Nicholas (played with sadistic glee), “The Acid Queen,” performed by Tina Turner, “Pinball Wizard” with Elton John (wearing impossibly enormous boots), and “Sally Simpson,” featuring Russell’s daughter Victoria. Watch for Jack Nicholson in a small role as a psychiatrist (yes, he sings, too).

Tommy was originally released in Quintaphonic sound (a forerunner of Dolby Digital and other multichannel formats), which was exclusive to the film, and re-created for the Blu-ray and DVD. The best way to watch this is to let the music and imagery flow. Don’t get hung up on deciphering the minutiae. Retro gaming enthusiasts take note: unfortunately, several pinball machines were harmed in the making of this film.

Rating: ****. Available on Blu-ray and DVD

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (aka: Les Parapluies de Cherbourg) (1964) This endearing, melancholy musical from director Jacques Demy captures the ephemeral quality of young love. Catherine Deneuve is enchanting as 16-year-old Geneviève, who works in her mother’s run-down umbrella shop. She meets Guy (Nino Castelnuovo), an auto mechanic. He becomes the love of her life, but fate intervenes when he’s drafted into the army and sent to Algiers. While Guy is out of the picture, she captures the fancy of a wealthy benefactor. It might be heretical, but I opine it’s not the music that’s the main draw, but the gorgeous cinematography and art design. Each scene is immersed in a beautiful palette of colors, which skillfully complement the mood and characters. It’s a timeless story of joy and anguish, with a final scene that’s at once heartbreaking and life-affirming.  

Rating: ****. Available on Blu-ray and DVD

1776 (1972) Your high school history class was probably never as interesting as this witty musical, directed and written by Peter H. Hunt, and based on the 1969 stage production by Sherman Edwards. History buffs might take pause, but it’s a fine introduction to the arduous process that birthed the Declaration of Independence. The film boasts some wonderful performances, including William Daniels as a fiery John Adams (“I’m obnoxious and disliked”) and Howard Da Silva as a quick-tongued Benjamin Franklin. Watching the members of the Continental Congress hemming and hawing, bickering, and fraught with indecision and concessions, we’re reminded how little has changed when it comes to our elected representatives. On a side note, it’s amusing to observe when a “G” rating meant something quite different. It’s peppered with sexual innuendos that would likely fly over the heads of the kids in the audience, and we’re provided a unique explanation for Thomas Jefferson’s writer’s block. It might not replace that U.S. History class you slept through, but it’s a good launching point for discussion of the events that launched a revolution.

Rating: ****. Available on Blu-ray and DVD

The Lure (aka: Córki Dancing) (2015) This Polish mermaid musical marks the audacious feature film debut of director Agnieszka Smoczynska, blending ancient folklore with a modern soundtrack. Mermaid sisters Silver and Golden (Marta Mazurek and Michalina Olszanska) leave the water to explore life on land and get a taste for the human world. They become instant sensations at a strip club, but old habits die as their nature takes over. Golden lures men to their death, and devours them. Silver falls in love with Mietek (Jakub Gierszal), a young musician at the club, but there’s a catch (pardon the bad pun), which could mean her demise. The Lure is filled with energetic songs, visually engaging, and ultimately tragic. It’s also unlike any other musical I’ve seen, making Smoczynska one to watch.

Rating: ***½. Available on Blu-ray and DVD

The Return of Captain Invincible (1983) Christopher Lee sings (more on this in a moment)! Philippe Mora directs this Australian-produced comedy/musical, starring Alan Arkin as the titular character, a washed-up, alcoholic ex-superhero. A lengthy newsreel-style prologue explains Captain Invincible’s rise during WWII and fall after McCarthy hearings, followed by his self-exile in Australia. Arkin isn’t very likeable as Captain Invincible, the jokes rarely work, and the songs are terrible to almost passable (one aptly titled song, “Bullshit,” consists solely of the BS word repeated multiple times), but it has its brief moments. Christopher Lee seems to be having fun as Captain Invincible’s archnemesis, Mr. Midnight, and belts out a couple of tunes as well, including a Richard O’Brien-penned tune “Name Your Poison.” Will Captain Invincible get his act together in time to save the world? Can Christopher Lee carry a tune? Will you stay awake long enough to find out? It’s an odd mixture that’s more miss than hit, but it might be worth a look, if only to confirm that someone gave this mess a green light.

Rating: **½. Available on DVD  

Rockula (1990) This ill-advised movie doesn’t work as a comedy or a musical. Dean Cameron plays Ralph, a 400-year-old vampire who lives with his lusty, overbearing mom (Toni Basil). He falls into a rock career while pursuing Mona (Tawny Fere), an old, reincarnated love who was killed by pirates hundreds of years ago. Despite being an ancient vampire, he never attacks anyone, and doesn’t appear to possess any superhuman abilities, except for transforming into a weird squashy bat-thing. The climax includes one of the most awkwardly choreographed fight scenes between Ralph and Mona’s ex-boyfriend Stanley (Tomas Dolby). Bo Diddley appears in the film as well, but he doesn’t have much to do. Rockula has a weak vampire, lame songs and bland leads. It’s innocuous and good-natured enough, but not worth your time. Don’t bother. 

Rating: **. Available on Blu-ray, DVD and Amazon Prime

Japan-uary II Quick Picks and Pans

After Life (1998) Writer/director Hirokazu Koreeda’s quietly reflective near-masterpiece delivers effortlessly on a simple premise: when people die, they enter a way station of sorts where they must choose a favorite memory that will be interpreted into a film.  This film will serve as the only memory they will take to the great beyond.  Koreeda, who directed several documentaries, adds a similar touch to After Life, with many scenes consisting of interviews with the recently deceased recollecting episodes from their past lives.  Some of the dead seem content, such as an 80-something woman (Hisako Hara) perpetually stuck in a 9-year-old’s world, while others seem agitated, such as a 21-year-old (Yûsuke Iseya, in his first film role) who refuses to single out one memory.  While many of the memories are relatively banal on the surface, they’re sublimely captivating because they remind us that it’s often the quiet moments that hold the most resonance. 

As we observe the counselors that help prompt the dead with their memories, we’re left to ponder who they are exactly, and why they’re stuck here in a seemingly infinite limbo.  The answer, which I wouldn’t dare reveal here, is appropriate and ambiguous.  After Life takes the time to allow us to process the memories that have been revealed and feel the joy as they’re subsequently duplicated in a movie studio.  It’s an unforgettable viewing experience that’s simultaneously melancholic and life-affirming.

Rating: ****.  Available on DVD.

 

Dororo (2007) Director Akihiko Shiota brings Osamu Tezuka’s manga to life in this tale about a despotic samurai lord Kagemitsu Daigo (Kiichi Nakai) who pledged 48 body parts from his unborn son to demons, in exchange for absolute rule.  The action picks up 20 years later, following young warrior Hyakkimaru’s (Satoshi Tsumabuki) quest to reclaim his body parts and vanquish the demons that took them.  He’s joined by a plucky female thief (Kô Shibasaki) who adopts the name Dororo.  Along the way, they fight a variety of imaginative foes, some of which are traditional yokai.  While the CGI effects are inconsistent, it’s still an entertaining romp, thanks to the lively performances of the lead actors, and stunning location shots (filmed in New Zealand).  The ending sets up sequels Dororo 2 and 3, which, sadly, were planned but never filmed.

Rating: *** ½.  Available on DVD and Netflix Streaming.

The Calamari Wrestler (aka: Ika resuraa) (2005) A new wrestling champion is crowned, only to see his title challenged by an unlikely contender.  None of this sounds too unusual, until you realize that his adversary is a squid.  Minoru Kawasaki keeps his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, in a story that follows a predictable Rocky-like trajectory, but manages to be original with its bizarre title character.  Efforts to defame the Calamari Wrestler (and ban him from the sport) backfire when he becomes an unconventional hero of the people.  One of his key proponents, paradoxically, is the disgraced champion, who vows revenge against the upstart mollusk (who also took his girlfriend away from him), but wants to defeat him in the ring.  Amidst this underdog story is commentary about contemporary Japan and modern hero worship, but you really shouldn’t strain yourself trying to read too much into this.

Rating: *** ½.  Available on DVD.

Karate-Robo Zaborgar (2011) Writer/director Noboru Iguchi’s unabashedly goofy remake (or re-imagining?) of the 70s TV series Denjin Zaborger follows a crime-fighting duo consisting of policeman/karate expert Daimon (played by Yasuhisa Furuhara and Itsuji Itao, as younger and older versions) along with his robot sidekick that can transform into a motorcycle (who also happens to be his brother – don’t ask!).  At nearly two hours, it’s a trifle overlong, but that can be forgiven, considering all of the craziness that ensues.  The humor never rises above middle school level, with a lady cyborg that fires brassiere missiles and a robot with caustic diarrhea, but it’s impossible to dismiss the film’s demented exuberance.  These are merely some of the wonders that await when you dive into the world of Karate-Robo Zaborgar.

Rating: ***.  Available on DVD and Netflix Streaming

Gorath (1962) This obscure end-of-the-world flick from director Ishirô Honda deserves to be better known.  The story, for those familiar with When Worlds Collide (1951) or Warning from Space (1956), won’t seem particularly original (the star Gorath, half the size of Earth but with a mass several thousand times larger, is hurtling through space on a collision course with our home planet), but Honda keeps things engaging nonetheless.  Set in the future of 1979, the governments of the world pool their resources to stop it.  The human race is left with two options: destroy Gorath or move the Earth.  After determining that wiping out the errant star is unfeasible, the United Nations opts for plan B, and constructs a giant Antarctic installation with multiple giant rockets to nudge the Earth out of harm’s way.  While I can’t vouch for the authenticity of the science on display in Gorath (It’s doubtful that the Earth’s orbit could be significantly altered without catastrophic global consequences), I enjoyed the film’s hopeful message about worldwide cooperation, and it’s always fun to watch the impressive miniature effects, thanks to Eiji Tsuburaya.  For some reason, the American version omitted a walrus kaiju that attacks the Antarctic base (walruses reside in the opposite pole, but no matter), but there’s still a healthy dose of eye candy without the monster.  Worth a look… If you can find it, of course.

Rating: ***.  Currently unavailable on DVD.

Boys on the Run (2010) Toshiyuki Tanishi (Kazunobu Mineta) is a socially inept salesman for a company that makes plastic bubble novelty toys.  His pathetic efforts to find a girlfriend are continually thwarted, thanks to his self-defeating behavior. It’s painful to watch Tanishi as he continually takes one misstep after another in his attempts to win over his co-worker Chiharu (Mei Kurokawa), then spends the rest of the movie trying to win her back.   It’s hard not to feel ambivalent about Tanishi, as we simultaneously root for him and wish he’d just grow up and move on with his life. 

It isn’t easy to pigeonhole Boys on the Run into one genre. It’s not really funny enough to be a comedy, and it’s a little too lightweight as a drama.  As a result, we’re left with something in between that seems a bit underdone.  While the end product isn’t entirely successful, it’s still worth a look, to observe Mineta’s bold performance as a complete loser.  Without giving too much away (minor spoiler alert), it’s clear to see that things are not going to end well for our protagonist (In a nod to Taxi Driver, he tries to emulate Travis Bickle, leading to disastrous consequences). 

Rating: ***.  Available on DVD and Netflix Streaming.

 

Kibakichi (aka: Kibakichi: Bakko-yokaiden) (2005) It’s a shame that Kibakichi fails to live up to its modest ambitions, showcasing a mysterious traveling warrior who does battle with supernatural creatures known as yokai.  While the war between yokai and humans is outlined in only the sketchiest of terms, one of the film’s biggest faults is that we never care about the title character (Ryûji Harada), who remains an enigma.  Maybe the filmmakers were trying for a “man with no name” vibe, but most of his actions (or inactions) seem far from heroic.  He fails to do anything for most of the film’s length, and when he finally does, most of the good guys are already dead. 

The film does little to transcend its low-budget origins, confining the action to a few murky sets, and depicting the yokai only sparingly.  In an obvious effort to keep makeup costs down, the creatures conveniently disguise themselves as humans.  If you want to see yokai in action, you’d be much better off watching the superior Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare (1968) or The Great Yokai War (2005).

Rating: **.  Available on DVD.