Rodrigo_Amaro

A young boy (Pedro Malta) left on a strict Catholic school is haunted by a series of visions related with a painting displayed on that place. It is told that the painting depicts a sinking ship, on a stormy night, that was a few meters away from a lighthouse and whose worker failed at his job in lighting it. More: there's a personal tragedy about that ship related with the boy and a girl who also attends the school. The realm of dreams or a scary reality seems to haunt the kid late at night as he sees the silent captain (Anselmo Vasconcelos) who seems to share a special message to him but he can't figure out exactly what's going on.

"O Farol de Santo Agostinho" feels like a childrens story with a great sense of mystery and fantasy and some foot in reality. It works greatly for kid audiences and it's best to leave the moral part behind so you can have some enjoyment. But there's a nice cautionary tale within. Besides the nice story and its little surprising elements, the cast makes a very enjoyable experience, especially Pedro Malta, one of the most requested child actors in the 2000's, and the always excellent Anselmo Vasconcelos, who has a predominantly silent role yet he expresses a lot through his face and gestures, becoming a creepy and haunting figure when he appears to the boy. 8/10.

A cycle of violence and abuse that needs to be broken by a young woman (Gabrielle Stone) who suffers on the hands of her abusive boyfriend (Randy Wayne). A repetitive pattern in her life not only with the young man but also from childhood, growing up as a kid terrified of her dad (the great Chris Mulkey). A best friend keeps warning her that she must do something and leave that man and relationship behind but fear speaks louder, as if impossible to be faced. Will she ever find the needed courage to save herself before anything worst happen or remain a victim?

"It Happened Again Last Night" addresses the issue of abusive/toxic relationships exactly like it is, with patterns and situations that are usually shown in other films, documentaries and TV news. One different perspective added comes with the girls relationship, as if being lovers - which explains the traumatic past with the dad angry with her daughter's childhood friend and it feels like Paige, the leading woman, was investing on a heterosexual relationship just to please others.

Not exactly a PSA but certainly works as one, but it's greatly presented and acted (Gabrielle is also one of the writers and directors of the piece).

Highlight goes to the turning point that comes with some nice twists; and Randy Wayne's terrifying performance that earned him some awards as Best Actor in the Short category.

Certainly not an easy watch but one that is needed for those who have been through the hell of similar scenarios, know someone living under similar circumstances, or even more to those who haven't dealt with anything like that, as a way to think about it, form an opinion and figure out about some necessary hard choices to be made if ever facing that kind of danger. 8/10.

Here's a fine track by Bryan Ferry that was included in the classic horror film "The Fly" though not in it's original intention (to be played in the closing credits) hence why it's quite forgotten or overlooked except for Bryan's fans and/or the ones who watched the film (I'd only noticed it after a second view).

For a soundtrack clip it's quite a strange one since the film clips are shown briefly and following some major moments of Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis, and most of the experience is watching a melancholic Bryan performing the song in long take sequences, pouring his heart out for help. There's a subtle effect in the background related with the movie, much later on.

Song didn't appeal to me all that much and Mr. Cronenberg was right in not including it at the end (it plays in the infamous arm-wresting scene at the bar) since it would change the tone of the movie - Howard Shore score worked better. Considering the many hits of Ferry at the time and previously from Roxy Music, this one has some qualities but not enough to be a hit and the lack of promotion then proved it. But the combo of music and film was alright and that should be taken into consideration, even though it takes some time to promote the film within its content. 7/10.