Ghanian Video Tales (2005)

Amazing look at the movie industry in Ghana. Until the coming of video, one filmmaker tells us, there had only been 8 to 10 movies made in Ghana. Since 1980, they number in the thousands. Home-grown and geared to a niche audience, these films are a testament to what very little money and ingenuity can accomplish. It's far too easy to make fun of their prentions and over acting, but what this documnetary shows has a lot of charm.
Most of the films are horror movies. There's even an extensive interview with the Ghanian "Christopher Lee". One director explains his big inspiration came from seeing foreign werewolf movies, but, since, wolves don't exist in Africa, they had to make a movie about a were-snake.
A movie that seems to ask:"If they can make features here, why can't you?"

The Wicksboro Incident

Very creepy micro budget movie about aliens, conspiracies, and film making. Two videographers decide to take an alien-obsessed recluse to the town in Texas he claims was wiped off the map by evil extraterrestrials over 40 years ago. When they arrive at the sight, they find more than what they wanted. Shot in a "found" style, which reminds one of a certain other film from 1999. However, the video has obviously been edited and had music added for the audience, which pushes it into feature territory. Highly recommended!

For Those Who Suffer

Go here to read a hysterical commentry on employment personality tests.

Not film-related, but hilarious just the same (language definitely NSFW)



Anyone who's ever applied to a Big Box store has had to suffer through these ANSWER ME! personality tests. My favourite response:

"You can wait patiently for a long time
this again depends upon circumstance. what am i waiting FOR? am i two months pregnant and patiently awaiting delivery? or am i at Burger King waiting for them to call my number? am i at the DMV? am I at a 5 star restaraunt where i am gonna shell out $500 by the end of the night waiting for my meal? in that case, fuck yeah im impatient! im paying your fucking bills and paycheck! im leaving the tip! you better fucking treat me like royalty! but, this is generalized. agree!"

Toys Are Us: A Revolution in Plastic

Here's a fun little movie which shows how artists are using "mundane" mediums to create new things. Its about the world of designer vinyl toys. Some of the artists are interviewed, as well as the collectors. Everyone comes across as enthused about their work. The documentary is only 30 minutes long, unfortunately, there was so much more I wanted to learn about.

Pink Motel (1982)

Another one from the Big 80's. I seem to be the only person on the planet who loves this movie. Saw it in 1985 on VHS and found a copy once again. Although some of the gags have worn a little thin, it still holds up.
Slim Pickens and Phyllis Diller run a cheap adult-theme motel somewhere in California. Pickens is absolutely certain their theme (pink outfits, pink walls) will be a gold mine. His wife isn't so sure and dreads every customer who walks into the lobby.
Four stories about the battle of the sex and sexes are inter-woven. The first has two graduating high school seniors deciding to "make it special". The second concerns a football player and a call girl. The third, a pair of swinging Lotharios and their conquests for the evening. The fourth story is about two lawyers who need a place to rendezvous.
Most of the actors were involved in TV production at the time, and the quality of acting shows. Some of the scenes are also talky, making me wonder if this wasn't supposed to be a made-for-TV movie at some point in production.
Of course, everyone in the movie has a hidden secret which drives the plot. The lawyers are meeting in private because the male half is married to someone else. We soon learn that the football player has never been with a woman.
The best line is delivered by the lady lawyer: "You just went from a bastard to shit head!"
A hilarious movie, which has a bitter sweat ending.

Death of a Salesman (1951)

Hollywood loves salesman. I've never been able to figure out exactly why, but I think it has to do with a sense of kinship actors feel they have with people who sell things. I should also point out that the reverse is not usually true; most salespeople of my acquaintance look down on actors. But there is a link: both professions are highly dependent on the appearance = reality equation, which is why Hollywood is turning to politics to further it's own ambitions.
There are many good films which feature salesman in the lead role. The Big Kahuna takes place in one hotel room as a series of salesmen try to figure out how to land a major account. The Boiler Room focuses on sham selling of bogus stocks. And then there is the seldom seen but excellent Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise where a driven British vacuum cleaner salesman is on a rampage to win the "salesman of the year" prize. Note that Hollywood views salesmen with a mixture of sympathy and tragedy.
And so we come to the classic Death of a Salesman play by Arthur Miller. I won't go into the play or it's many other movie variations because so much has already been written. But I finally had the opportunity to see the earliest film version and I will say it is the best. Frederic March is absolutely eerie in his portrayal of Willie Loman, the small salesman with big dreams. The rest of the cast is first rate too: Kevin McCarthy as his son Biff and Cameron Mitchell as the other son, Hap. I've seen both the 1985 version with too-much-make up Dustin Hoffman and the 1966 one with Lee J. Cobb, but this one is the best by far.
The prime difference seems to be in the director's use of sets other than the "stage" settings. When Willy Loman cracks up in a subway, it becomes far more terrifying than seeing him standing alone. Also, the final scene of Willy driving in a car with his phantasm brother leaves no doubt as to what was his intent.
I'm just surprised this version isn't very well known.

The Ghosts of Angela Webb (2005)

Regional filmmaking can be a tricky thing. For every Carnival of Souls, there are ten Yesterday Machines. And since movies are the stuff our celluloid dreams are made of, many of these local creations represent the one, ultimate chance for a lover of cinema to make his or her mark upon the world. In the days of physical film and expensive lab fees, this could be a substantial investment. There's a reason why Manos was produced by a Texas fertilizer salesman: he had the cash.
At the first Monster Mania I attended some years ago, I ran into a booth promoting a new, SOV film: The Ghosts of Angela Webb. The people were very nice and I had a pleasent conversation with Deana Enoches, the star of the film. I never did get around to watching it.
Last year I finally got my hands on a copy of the film. Let us say I urged my good friend and co-worker John to see this film. For months it became a running topic of discussion among us. I told him time and time again that he would not know True Enlightenment until experiencing The Ghosts of Angela Webb. Recently I re-established contact with John and I promised to review the movie.
Angela Web works on Wall Street. However, she's purchased a house in New Jersey. When she moves into the house, she finds it to be filled with the ghosts of those who once lived there. Many who suffered violent ends. There is one scary scene in particular where a young child, visiting the house, comes out and asks his parent why the man around back doesn't talk. The movie also ties in with 911.
A curious film. And a good example of regional filmmaking.