Brazil

Director: Terry Gilliam
Year of Release: 1985
Writers: Terry Gilliam, Tom Stoppard, Charles McKeown
Cast highlights: Jonathan Pryce, Michael Palin, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond

Element of wonder *****
Level of Bizarreness ****
visual Beauty ****
Counterculture Appeal *****
Story Depth *****


Best Quote: "Don't fight it son. Confess quickly! If you hold out too long you could jeopardize your credit rating."

Full Review to come...

Dark City

Director: Alex Proyas
Year of Release: 1998
Writers: Alex Proyas
Cast highlights: Richard Eff'in O'Brien! Kiefer Sutherland, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly Rufus Sewell.

Element of wonder *****
Level of Bizarreness ****
visual Beauty *****
Counterculture Appeal ****
Story Depth ****


Best Quote: "Sleep... now" (Delivered by the fantastically creepy Richard O'Brian. To this day I can't put my computer to sleep without waving my hand in front of the monitor and uttering this line in my best Mr. Hand voice.)


Full Review to come...
One line place holder review: I think Rod Serling I think would have liked this film but I also think it would have creeped him right the fuck out. : )

An Andalusian Dog (Un chien andalou)

Director: Luis Buñuel
Year of Release: 1929
Writers: Salvador Dalí, Luis Buñuel
Cast highlights: Salvador Dalí!

Element of wonder **
Level of Bizarreness *****
visual Beauty ***
Counterculture Appeal ****
Story Depth N/A


Best Quote... N/A

I haven't seen this film in about 15 years so I think I had better find a copy of it before commenting in depth, but here is the extra short version based on my poor memory... Salvador Dali and another fellow dressed somewhat like priests laying on their backs dragging a piano with a dead mule draped over it across a room by ropes... peak your interest? heh.

The Seven Faces Of Dr. Lao

Director: George Pal
Year of Release: 1964
Writers: Charles G. Finney (novel), Charles Beaumont (screenplay)
Cast highlights: Tony Randall and a stunningly beautiful Barbara Eden

Element of wonder ****
Level of Bizarreness **
visual Beauty ***
Counterculture Appeal **
Story Depth *****


Best Quote...
Young boy: "Are you an acrobat"?
Dr. Lao: "Only philosophically".

I first saw this film when I was very young boy. I remember it playing on television and it having a big effect on me. After having the chance to see it again recently, I now understand a bit better why it has stayed with me all this time.

Tony Randall plays the mysterious and endearing character of Dr. Lao a traveling showman who brings a circus of wonders to a small western town on the verge of modernization. Randall portrays all the various freaks and performers of the circus quite convincingly and charmingly as each performer holds up a mirror of truth to the citizens of the town they interact with and helps them to understand their foibles.

The visual effects are simplistic and unimpressive by today's standards yet they still have a nostalgic charm to them. I find myself wishing that someone would remake this wonderful film using modern technology, but then I also find myself praying that they don't because I doubt a modern film maker we have much luck capturing the charm of it.

One thing that should be noted is that on seeing this film has an adult, I realize that some may find it a bit offensive due to pretty broad racial stereotyping. And indeed I found myself scratching my head a bit and thinking that times sure have changed. But Randall's portrayal of a mysterious wise show man from the far east is self aware of the stereotype, seems respectful and does have some historical basis. Around the time period that the film was set in, there were many magicians and hucksters running around pretending to be from a far off asian land because, to their patrons, those places seemed so exotic and strange. That lack of familiarity created an environment which allowed the audience to belive that the wonders they were witnessing where indeed possible.

I feel very lucky to have been clearly inspired by this film in my formative years. Something about it allways stuck with me and I think that thing is the film's ultimate message that, even in the midst of the most mundane in existence, wonder and mystery can still be found if you take the time to look for it.

Something I find to be very true.