columbialuver Reviews

Crime Stories: India Detectives: A Murdered Mother (2021) Season 1, Episode 1

Dissappointing

[4/10 · 30 December 2021]

The music when they are searching simple phone records ... As if that's some high tech investigation going on.... Also, the same music when the investigator is trying to describe the culprits intent: "I'm pretty sure she was going through psychological issues. I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure". As if this is some kind of breakthrough.... Oi...

"Giving her an education was the biggest mistake we could do" (!?!?) The cultural perspective here is also something I have trouble wrapping my head around.

I am really having trouble getting into this.

The cinematography & visuals are alright, but I can't say this is quality True Crime.

Psychic Investigators: Murder Too Close to Home (2009) Season Unknown, Episode Unknown

S3 EP 7

[8/10 · 3 February 2020]

A case where a psychic helps to determine the murderer.

Light of My Life (I) (2019)

Excellent

[10/10 · 21 January 2020]

This was so beautiful. Beautiful acting, settings, dialogue, plot. Simple but spellbinding. I think what I fell in love with here is that it's the exact opposite of the sensational ADD style films that many companies are pumping out nowadays. It brings you back to a simpler place of just being present, of story & of struggle. I want to see a sequel. Or a whole series with these exact same people: same writer, director, actors, art direction. Guess what? They're half Casey Affleck. He's truly a talent.

Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science: Blast! (2001) Season Unknown, Episode Unknown

Season 5 EP 1

[7/10 · 3 January 2020]

I love this show! This episode is about a mine that explodes one morning, burying many minors alive. It's determined to be murder.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019)

Brilliant Artistry

[10/10 · 18 December 2019]

This is a completely amazing triumph & I'm so grateful to Netflix for funding such a Mastercraft experience

Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)

Spellbinding & Disturbing

[10/10 · 18 December 2019]

This is a rabbithole - one of the most disturbing I've ever seen. An amazing & important documentary about how serial killers can come to be - I'm so glad that police are starting to listen to amateur internet sleuths who are serious & care about catching such people.

Pumpkinhead (1988)

A Great Plot for a Monster Slasher

[7/10 · 31 October 2019]

Stan Winston, who directed the 90s gem (which I only just discovered this year, but I swear I must've watched when it came out too) A Gnome called Norm & Ghosts (which I can't believe I've never seen because Michael Jackson was my idol at 13 yrs) creates Pumpkinhead, which I also don't believe I haven't seen since I have a Devil's Night before Halloween BDay. It also stars Lance Henriksen (who I loved from Aliens as a 13 year old) !!

While this film is slow to get into, at 34 mins you see him carry his dead son into a shack off of a very creepy misty swamp & open the door to a red candle-lit room inhabited by a gnarly wrinkled person with whispy white straggly hairs... It was then I was hooked.

Who doesn't love a good revenge story, or a mistaken exchange with a devil curse?

There are some clearly cinemagraphic scenes to stick in your mind; so you know this has to be good!

Aside from Steve still being "alive" (I saw him twitch) when they put the blanket over him, this film is a typical teem slasher,... except: I also love the plot of this movie: it's like some classic "Are You Afraid of the Dark"/"Goosebumps" or "Twilight Zone" story. Plus, Pumpkinhead is a real monster; crafted with the movie-magic of the 90s... So, I'm glad to say I've seen this. Will I go on to see the next 3 films spun off from this one? (I can't imagine they're as good, but odds are; I will, lol)

Hell Night (1981)

Not a bad Halloween Movie!

[8/10 · 31 October 2019]

I had never heard of this film, but found there was a cult following for it, which is why I'm surprised to see such a midlevel rating . This film isn't bad; it's a typical "teenager goes into a deserted creepy mansion on Halloween & gets a real scare" plotline that everyone loves & instead of Kinky songs (Rocky Horror) or kitchy zombies (Night of the Demons) or not very scary Hauntings (The Haunting / House on Haunted Hill) we get an actual creeper murdering. As you watch you get drawn into who will survive the night. I'd recommend this to people looking for a Halloween film they haven't seen before or to fans of Linda Blair :)

Dead End Drive-In (1986)

Dead End is right

[4/10 · 22 October 2019]

Australia makes some zany films in the 80s; from what I've seen they're often full of rebel punks who wear crazy things & go wild brawling. They're colourful & you can tell everyone is having fun making the film.

This is one of those highly stylized films, full of painted up cars & 80s hair & clothes. It's grungy & hyper pigmented.

There were scenes that I enjoyed the visuals for & the kick back to an 80s soundtrack, but the plot of a young teen or/20something? couple who get stranded at a drive-in that becomes a wasteland of cars is a bit of a limiting plot that literally doesn't go anywhere fast.

I can see this being a cult classic for some, but aside from appreciating visual stills or clips, I'm personally not persuaded by it's particular taste of cheese.

Angel of Decay (2016)

The Ted Bundy Story

[7/10 · 19 October 2019]

A bit into this I realized it's based on the true story of Ted Bundy. It doesn't say that anywhere on the description.

I noticed after a few scenes that it's dubbed as well, so a pretty good voiceover job. I have no idea where this was filmed or in what language originally & there isn't much info online, but I saw this on Amazon Prime.

If you're into true crime, you may appreciate this. The acting was ok, the story is a creepy enough story to always be interesting.

The Family (2019)

This is Significant

[8/10 · 4 October 2019]

Am I surprised? Not at all... But I am glad that the truth is documented and shared publicly.

The seperation of Church & State in the United States is a lie & this is proof of it.

Christianity is the unspoken socially upheld view of any "upright elite" citizen in the United States. Not necessarily right, but it's there. And, since Christianity is a deep-seated lifestyle that affects every part of a person's life, It would make the handling of politics separately difficult for a Christian individual or group of individuals. That a spiritual guidance "Club" for the leaders of the United States exists is not surprising at all.

I think many people will find no problem with this. That's a bit of a problem itself, but it is innate that leaders would have strong views that motivate how they govern. I think America has to decide how they want to do this differently moving forward if it is no longer working for America & how to separate Religion from Politics.

Murderers and Their Mothers (2016– )

Nature or Nurture?

[8/10 · 19 September 2019]

Why I sought out this series was for an understanding of how these murderers' lives & upbringing may be different from a normal persons & may have contributed to how they developed such a disregard for human life & a desire to kill. There is evidence that a person's mother plays a significant role in one's perception & how one adjusts to life (especially in regards to serial killers), but just as important is the father. While the main focus here is on the mother; there are hints to the father being a damaging affect on the person as well. The result though, is that naturally the child develops an unnatural attachment to the mother & suffers a rejection by the father. Let's not underemphasize the significance of this by arguing that "the mother's aren't to blame". Of course no mother is taught how to mother, even so, they will affect their child & it's important to see how mother's may have behaved in these cases.

Real Detective (2016–2018)

Absolutely Gripping

[9/10 · 14 August 2019]

It took me a bit to get into the show but the final episode in Season 1 hooked me enough to continue to Season 2 which was even better than the first. I'd love to see more of this show. The first person account of the Detective is remarkable. These people are heros for doing what they do.

Tie chao ren (1975)

Dubbed in German!?

[9/10 · 1 June 2019]

This was an amazing Saturday morning :) So many amazing things for those who grew up with any Japanese children's shows, appreciate the original Godzilla films or appreciate Good Bad movies. Colourful, clever & ridiculous, this is a wonderful robot vs robot movie

Blue Night (2018)

Handled with Care

[6/10 · 28 May 2019]

There is a certain grace at how the film flows. A series of moments that drag into eachother, it attempts to depict what it may feel like to be in the shoes of someone who's just learned they may lose their health significantly & devastatingly. It's slow, disjointed, awkward: not that fun to watch. This is the point.

Dare to Be Wild (2015)

Really Beautiful

[8/10 · 23 May 2019]

Such a shame the criticism of this film. I found it a lovely story, and it wasn't fiction, but based on a real woman who dared greatly to be different. I, for one, found it beautifully inspiring. Yes, the odd "fairy" stuff that popped in briefly a couple times was a little hokey, if you even notice it, but I found it a symbolic representation of her profound positivity & spirit which drove her forward. I didn't find her mopey or begging: each challenge she faced with surprising optimism & brave problem-solving to do what she did. Her designs are modest & inspired. Truly different

How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020)

Dissappointed

[6/10 · 22 May 2019]

I started watching this show as it was recommended highly and also had good online ratings. I REALLY enjoyed it at first but halfway through the season it started feeling tedious. Things got convoluted & started to get unreal. I was REALLY dissappointed at the end of season 1, so I won't be continuing to watch.

The Driller Killer (1979)

Artsy & Unhinged

[8/10 · 16 May 2019]

I was instantly drawn into this: I found it raw & intriguing. We discover an apartment covered in strange artwork, lived in by beautiful & grungy dorm mates. An artist who is struggling to finish his most recent piece in order to pay his rent. A band moves into the neighbouring space; making lots of noise... The imagery with the black milky eyeballs... Abel Ferrara, with his curls, is well cast as a creepy angsty artist who snaps & starts killing: The drilling scenes are creepy gruesome & stuccato-ed with spine tingling percussion.

The rest is full of youthful weirdness & punk rock. Poor young people trying to live amidst the seedy underbelly of the city, which so happens to be teeming with drunk homeless people who become easy targets to the mentally unhinged.

A truly unique & raw horror, affectively creative enough to steal attention even with it's poor film quality.

Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries (2019–2021)

Delightfully Fresh

[9/10 · 14 May 2019]

I love this new adaptation of Phryne Fisher mysteries to the 50s era via her niece Peregrine Fisher. The storylines seem to be just as interesting, the attention to 50s style decor & setting is fun & fresh and Peregrine displays the same sort of stubborn modern independent strong mind & swank as Phryne.

While I was hesitant this would be as good as the original which I've seen through 2-3 times, after an episode and into the second, I'm hooked :)

Love, Death & Robots (2019– )

Amazing show!

[10/10 · 3 May 2019]

Each episode is a short, mostly animated, film. Each one is masterfully crafted, true eye candy & art. A real treat to watch, but may take a bit of stamina to sit through the whole series if you are faint-hearted: The series carries a lot of R-Rated imagery - the most prominent being violence which includes gore as well as & sometimes including female nudity with lovemaking. The purpose for the film's though, while visually sensational, are not fully void of intelligence, wit or thought: they each carry quality story-telling that carries significant messages for consideration.

I know I'll find myself rewatching every episode & though I'll have my favourites, I can't say there was a single one that wasn't exceptional in exocution & well, ... damn cool.

My only criticism is that the title is so cute, which suggested for me, & set up an expectation for, more variety in subject matter: the majority of stories are quite violent as opposed to cute, & I felt that overall they each carried very masculine qualities. I wonder at the percentage of womem involved in the writing & exocution of each episode. Since there are so many episodes, more variety of content containing more exploration of how Love, Death & Robots could be combined would be appreciated.

Please make more !!!

Dark Tourist (2018)

Amazing show!

[10/10 · 3 May 2019]

I adore this show so much & really admire the Host for doing this and the way that he does it. I REALLY would love to see more & even would read a book by this guy.

You vs. Wild (2019)

Amazing

[10/10 · 24 April 2019]

This is a pretty amazing show & really entertaining. I can't believe some of things this guy does! It is truly an adventure, even though it is scripted & some scenarios are set up. It didn't deter my fun. I love that it's interactive & I think there is something here for young and old alike.

Lillian Russell (1940)

An astonishing woman, now fading star

[8/10 · 7 August 2008]

I was delighted by this little known film about a successful and talented woman entertainer before the time of film-making. A popular and alluring entertainer, according to her biography (which is an extra on this film) with surprising results. There were a number of things about the original Lillian Russell character that were played down in the film for some reason. This i found somewhat disappointing because it would have been nice to see more of her daring eccentricity, versatility and more of her entertaining potential instead of just swooning deep melodies by the luscious Alice Faye (and of her 4 marriages).

The film was beautifully led by Alice Faye though, who is a star in her own right and who shines like the classy madonna she is; very beautifully and alluringly entertaining, but this seems to almost misplay the character of the true Lillian Russell. They have their own styles that don't seem quite to match. The plot was also somewhat adjusted to disclude her first child and husband from the picture all together which is a tragedy significant to impact anyone's life story. Regardless, I did not find this story boring like other watchers. Instead I found a delightful classic: a surprisingly gentle and pleasant tale conserving the memory of a fading star. In doing so, it drew someone like me, of generations separated, to gain some insight and appreciation for a lady of an age where women were just beginning to arise in society to a more reasonable social compatibility.