sblair80

Knowing that the name Polanski was important in the horror genre but not able to remember for what films, I gave Repulsion a try. I came to the painful realization that this was a dry, snail paced film noir want-a-be. Intrigued by why this film garners so much hype I checked what else Polanski contributed to the world of film. And low and behold Rosemary's Baby was listed and I suddenly remembered that is why I hated Polanski's film making so much. That too being a massive bore-fest it all made sense. Both films were executed at a moderated to slow pace saturated with quite moments in which no dialogue or score are involved and both delivered overrated finales. I can sit through and thoroughly enjoy silents such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu. So I don't have a problem with using imagination to fill in the blanks. But this movie...... wow. You have no emotional stake in it. What's her deal? It's never clear. I feel sorry for the supporting characters that have to deal with Carole rather than Carole herself. I don't care, and therefor the film falters. But people will always hold Repulsion high upon the podium of most important films. Maybe perhaps as a study of what to avoid when creating a psychological thriller. Of course thats just my opinion.

Stay Alive offers nothing to the viewer. It is a horror though, a horror to watch and terror to the genre. Why you may ask? Well....First is the poor direction. Some horror movies out there are very campy and have lousy moments, be it acting or continuity (i.e. John Carpenter movies, and no I'm not picking on Carpenter he is great). But the difference here is the director did not know what he was doing in Stay Alive. He and the writer constantly deviated from the story and contradicted there own rules. Which brings me to the next point. Continuity. All movies create a world that contain its own "laws" to govern the plot and character actions. Stay Alive ignored its own story line and randomly killed characters that nobody likes anyways. Which is the final reason this movie is bad. YOU DON'T CARE A FLIP ABOUT THE CHARACTERS OR WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM. Most horror movies with annoying characters are at least killed off creatively, but not in this movie. (One character is killed by a horse and carriage that tramples him in the middle of the day because he saw one in the game...WHAT??) Contrary to what one may think, I do not go into movies to pick them apart. I'm an open minded viewer. But it is the directors/writers RESPONSIBILITY to involve the viewer and invite them to participate in the film in an emotional capacity. Stay Alive fails not only as entertainment but as a film. The only compliment that I give this movie is that I took the time to write a lousy review about it.

This cartoon is a prime example of Tex Avery's brilliance and how producer Fred Quimby could pick'em. Slap Happy Lion show's us how too much confidence can run short to the unlikeliest of foes. Avery delivers gag after gag with the goofiest lion flexing his king of the jungle muscles with roaring laughter. This is truly one of the reasons why I've always been a fan of vintage cartoons from the MGM studios in a time when shorts such as these were seen only at the theater. A true hidden treasure of the Avery archives...8 out of 10.

Slap Happy Lion can also be found appropriately as a special feature on the classic Thin Man series finale "Song of the Thin Man" on DVD.