Tag: drama

The Reflecting Skin (1990)

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A boy lives in early 1950s rural Idaho where reality is very strange, and mysterious deaths are occurring. When I first heard the COIL song “Omlagus Garfungiloops” I was baffled by the sample “You’ve been exploding frogs again?” A friend informed me it was from the movie The Reflecting Skin. I knew I needed to see this. I finally was able to rent a copy a year or so later and was 100% not disappointed. I have watched this one multiple times over the years. I never get sick of it. This movie is darkly surreal, beautiful, horrific, funny at times, and features very good performances. That includes an early appearance of Viggo Mortensen, who I’ve been a big fan of ever since. There are moments where you see the limits of the budget, but they take little away from this unique indie masterpiece.

BONUS: You can watch director Philip Ridley’s bizarre short film The Universe of Dermott Finn (1988) here on YouTube. Check out an article about Ridley’s multi-faceted career here.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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Cross of Iron (1977)

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This is Sam Peckinpah’s tale of a good rebellious nazi against a bad medal-hungry nazi. Yes, our protagonist, played by James Coburn, is no Oscar Schindler or John Rabe, but he despises Hitler’s war. Clearly this is NOT Saving Private Ryan. There are plenty of flaws, yet this is still one of Peckipah’s best films. Is it day? Is it evening? Continuity is for whimps! Was that shot out of focus? Them’s fightin’ words. Cross of Iron features impressive looking locations in some scenes, particularly the industrial complex at around the 1:15 mark. I find it amazing that this long, violent, weird movie was a success in it’s day. I say it is absolutely worth watching in our modern age as well. Please watch all of the closing credits.

Available on Blu-ray from Henstooth.

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Zulu (1964)

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This is a weird one to recommend to people nowadays, but this website ain’t called Conventional Cinema. It is based on the 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift between British soldiers and the Zulu nation. Should the English Empire have been in South Africa? Should a movie about white “heroes” vs native tribal Africans be taken seriously in contemporary society? If you automatically are saying “no” to both questions then you should skip this movie. Anyone with a brain knows that imperialism is evil and that racism is stupid. I look at this like other historical war movies where the people we’re supposed to be rooting for are mostly white soldiers, and the “bad guys” are Vietnamese, Afghani, Somali, etc. The racial aspect is disgusting, but in the case of Zulu at least, these are soldiers who are not gung-ho nationalists. They are just trying to help their cohorts and themselves survive. With all that in mind, I believe this is a fantastic, and seriously epic war film. Keep your ears open for the samples that Dead Can Dance used on their song “The Fatal Impact.”

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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When Trumpets Fade (1998)

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Streaming on Max | imdb | trailer

Here’s a surprisingly good WWII movie made for HBO in response to Saving Private Ryan. A low-ranking burnout is ashamed of his conduct in action but gets promoted anyway and goes on to lead a dangerous mission. You will probably recognize many actors in this movie. It’s more fun if I don’t list them. When Trumpets Fade is not action packed, but it’s a proper length, never dull, and dark as hell.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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The Hitch-Hiker (1953)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer (fan-made – sorry)

Two guys on a fishing trip make the mistake of picking up a hitching psychopath. If you’re an old person like myself you’ll recognize the psycho as William Talman, who played DA Hamilton Berger on the old Perry Mason TV series. Even if you have no clue what any of that last sentence meant you might very well enjoy this grim film noir. I only saw it for the first time recently and was throughly entertained. This was directed by the multi-talented Ida Lupino who also helmed the classic Twilight Zone episode The Masks (1964). She was also the lead actress in the episode The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine (1959). Ida must have had to put up with a ton of bullshit during her career, but I for one am glad she did.

Available on Blu-ray from Kino Classics.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

American Splendor (2003)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a very good dramatization / sorta-documentary combo based on the comic series “American Splendor” by Harvey Pekar. He’s essentially a grumpy loser, but somehow his perspective on an average American life is consistently amusing. The best part of this film is the choice of Paul Giamatti to play Pekar. The guy who plays Robert Crumb nails it too. If you enjoyed Ghost World, this will be right up your alley. It’s often not laugh out loud funny, but that’s not really the point. I’d call American Splendor a throughly entertaining look at lovable weirdos. However, if you’ve had enough of straight white men, you better skip this one.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Cisco Pike (1971)

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Kris Kristofferson plays a musician and former drug dealer who gets forced by a bad cop (Gene Hackman) to try and sell a bunch o’ stuff in one weekend. My first experience with this was when I saw a 35mm print a few years ago, and I really enjoyed it. Cisco Pike is packed with gritty and goofy early ‘70s counter culture stuff, and so many choice actors from that era too. If you grew up anywhere near that time you’ll be pointing at the screen every few minutes. Don’t go expecting non-stop action and you’ll probably like, dig this flick.

Available on Blu-ray from Powerhouse Films.

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All of Us Strangers (2023)

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If someone would have told me that this was just as good as the critics say, AND has touches of Jacob’s Ladder I would have watched it much sooner. Lucky for you, I just told you that. Get ready to be sad, but yes, this movie is excellent.

Not available on Blu-ray (release date TBA).

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Gaslight (1944)

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Streaming on Max | imdb | trailer

You have heard the expression a lot in recent years, but if you haven’t seen the film from which the term originates you have been missing out. Well, the term comes from the original 1938 play, however this is the most well known film adaptation. Bottom line, it is an excellent mystery film with perfect performances by its lead cast. I would watch Joseph Cotten read from the phone book. Also keep an eye out for a young, arguably hot, Angela Lansbury of Murder She Wrote fame. Gaslight runs on the long side, but it’s really a minor flaw. I only saw this for the first time recently and loved it.

Available on Blu-ray from Warner Archive Collection.

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Morvern Callar (2002)

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A young woman’s boyfriend commits suicide so she sells his unpublished novel under her own name. Morvern then uses the money to do whatever the fuck she wants. Watching this back when it came out was my first time seeing Samantha Morton and I have been a big fan of her work ever since. Also the all-needle-drop soundtrack is damn near flawless (it even turned me onto the band Broadcast). This was my first time realizing how important a good music supervisor is, and how rare they are. Just watch this movie. I love it. Maybe you will too?

Available on Blu-ray from Fun City Editions.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.