ty4000
Joined Jun 2002
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ty4000's rating
I had a little bit of a hard time watching this film because of the storyline. It's realistic and brutal in some aspects, but not too violent or seedy as I know other films are. What I ended up feeling is pity, sadness, and hope for the main character, Johnnie, an Irish immigrant to the US living in New York City. Although which part of the city he lives in is not clear, the opening credits show the #9 train (now almost defunct I think since this was filmed in 1997/98) so it may be the Bronx.
Anyway, this is a gritty drama revolving around Johnnie. He works in the construction business for an Uncle who tends to be the catalyst for a majority of the problems and issues in the story. It becomes evident to the viewer early on that Johnnie has slight sexuality issues which, in drunken states, he sometimes has delved into being with men as well as women, oh, and he has a girlfriend who we meet right away.
During one of these drunken, drug fueled nights, and there are quite a few of them, Johnnie meets the one person who, for me, represents the only bit of salvation for him in the film. The character of Christian, a young hustler, comes along and shows Johnnie some much needed compassion and care and the experience is likewise reciprocated later on in the story. As we watch Johnnie's continual descent into the bitter realities of a life of booze and drugs, and his struggle to find himself, we hope that somehow he and Christian will save each other from their individual hells.
This is the first film directed/written/starring the lead fellow Jimmy Smallhorne, and I think it is a very good first time venture. I've seen tons of films by first time directors and this one was rather well done for the budget considered. Granted, Mr. Smallhorne is not a model type to look at, he has his moments, that being his rough demeanor and appearance, and I truly believed him as an actor. There is a particular scene on the floor of a club that made me look away from the screen and wish I could have been there to help him. The story, also written by Smallhorne is very straightforward and the seemingly 'confusing' bits of flashback do have a denouement at the end of the film. The other pity is that Smallhorne only has this film to his writing/directing credit, but it is a strong one, in my opinion.
If the viewer doesn't expect senseless pap or eye candy of a film placed usually in the gay section, but is willing to invest into a realistic drama with an edge, you will be hopefully pleased. In the end, it conveys situations that do happen. It's the story of a man's battle with his inner demons, which lead him to find that sometime's the people we become in life are in part influenced by someone else, welcomed or forced upon us.
Anyway, this is a gritty drama revolving around Johnnie. He works in the construction business for an Uncle who tends to be the catalyst for a majority of the problems and issues in the story. It becomes evident to the viewer early on that Johnnie has slight sexuality issues which, in drunken states, he sometimes has delved into being with men as well as women, oh, and he has a girlfriend who we meet right away.
During one of these drunken, drug fueled nights, and there are quite a few of them, Johnnie meets the one person who, for me, represents the only bit of salvation for him in the film. The character of Christian, a young hustler, comes along and shows Johnnie some much needed compassion and care and the experience is likewise reciprocated later on in the story. As we watch Johnnie's continual descent into the bitter realities of a life of booze and drugs, and his struggle to find himself, we hope that somehow he and Christian will save each other from their individual hells.
This is the first film directed/written/starring the lead fellow Jimmy Smallhorne, and I think it is a very good first time venture. I've seen tons of films by first time directors and this one was rather well done for the budget considered. Granted, Mr. Smallhorne is not a model type to look at, he has his moments, that being his rough demeanor and appearance, and I truly believed him as an actor. There is a particular scene on the floor of a club that made me look away from the screen and wish I could have been there to help him. The story, also written by Smallhorne is very straightforward and the seemingly 'confusing' bits of flashback do have a denouement at the end of the film. The other pity is that Smallhorne only has this film to his writing/directing credit, but it is a strong one, in my opinion.
If the viewer doesn't expect senseless pap or eye candy of a film placed usually in the gay section, but is willing to invest into a realistic drama with an edge, you will be hopefully pleased. In the end, it conveys situations that do happen. It's the story of a man's battle with his inner demons, which lead him to find that sometime's the people we become in life are in part influenced by someone else, welcomed or forced upon us.
A television commercial director is loosing his 'artistic juice' as he calls it. He's also discontent with his wife and complains of her cooking, and with his son who seems to have insomnia. Seems a good prospect for giving his life over to Astral Projection! The main character's been experimenting as of late with astral projection and is finding the time he spends developing this new hobby of his is starting to be much more fulfilling than his actual creative life and career.
Within the first few minutes of the film we see the first of one of his projections. We fly around with him from his perspective and view people and places. There is a sense of foreboding to these travels we witness as we begin to think that he may be able to transcend the physical as he follows people who run, terrified, from something unseen but they can sense.
And then there are some slight horrific moments. Where some of the people in his projections are harmed, well, let's just say there is a subplot of sorts where an investigator is trying to find the reason behind many killings of late where the victims implode or die without any evidence of assailants. When he awakes...he wonders if he was dreaming instead. Or perhaps the projection is not his? As I'm watching the film, though, I am trying to figure out just what I'm supposed to be thinking about. Some films are for simple enjoyment, some have something to say, but this one is just kinda...bland. Ah, then I look and notice it was a made for TV movie, which explains a lot. As the film winds down I still don't know anything more about the subject of astral projection apart from Professor Xavier doing it in comic books and everyone can see a ghost-like form of him, or it being something usually associated as 'hippie' or new age and something about meditating and traveling and all that. Here there is something about taking over another's body in a sort of spiritual vampirism. Is THAT what projection is? Not sure, I don't think it is, but they're trying to sell this as a horror movie and there really is not much horror related in it...more thriller or psychological mystery.
The music is a bit distracting and seems out of place in mood quite a lot. I guess the pan flute and tabla is of course what comes to mind with new age things such as astral projection, huh? It's a little pandering. The acting isn't bad, it's just a bit soap opera quality in it's delivery. Karen Black is here and she always seems to get into her roles, as the spiritual guide who's teaching our main character the art of projection. Yet, in her teachings, nothing is conveyed to us the viewer to have any idea of what exactly it is except closing ones eyes and floating around POV style. The rest of the cast are not as recognizable, except for seeing Lois Maxwell, James Bond's "Ms. Moneypenny" ('62-'85) for a minute.
The title on the DVD I got, which came in a huge 50 pack collection of similar grade films from Mill Creek Entertainment, is "Eternal Evil," but that's the Australian title, for some reason. In Canada, where the film was made, it is aptly titled, "The Blue Man." Ah, yes, you see when the main character is floating around...he IS somehow seen by others as a 'blue man.' We, the lucky viewers, don't get that wonderful opportunity. That would cost more for special effects. But, as the film ends, and with a slight twist in a few spots, you will see that "Eternal Evil" is a bit fitting.
Within the first few minutes of the film we see the first of one of his projections. We fly around with him from his perspective and view people and places. There is a sense of foreboding to these travels we witness as we begin to think that he may be able to transcend the physical as he follows people who run, terrified, from something unseen but they can sense.
And then there are some slight horrific moments. Where some of the people in his projections are harmed, well, let's just say there is a subplot of sorts where an investigator is trying to find the reason behind many killings of late where the victims implode or die without any evidence of assailants. When he awakes...he wonders if he was dreaming instead. Or perhaps the projection is not his? As I'm watching the film, though, I am trying to figure out just what I'm supposed to be thinking about. Some films are for simple enjoyment, some have something to say, but this one is just kinda...bland. Ah, then I look and notice it was a made for TV movie, which explains a lot. As the film winds down I still don't know anything more about the subject of astral projection apart from Professor Xavier doing it in comic books and everyone can see a ghost-like form of him, or it being something usually associated as 'hippie' or new age and something about meditating and traveling and all that. Here there is something about taking over another's body in a sort of spiritual vampirism. Is THAT what projection is? Not sure, I don't think it is, but they're trying to sell this as a horror movie and there really is not much horror related in it...more thriller or psychological mystery.
The music is a bit distracting and seems out of place in mood quite a lot. I guess the pan flute and tabla is of course what comes to mind with new age things such as astral projection, huh? It's a little pandering. The acting isn't bad, it's just a bit soap opera quality in it's delivery. Karen Black is here and she always seems to get into her roles, as the spiritual guide who's teaching our main character the art of projection. Yet, in her teachings, nothing is conveyed to us the viewer to have any idea of what exactly it is except closing ones eyes and floating around POV style. The rest of the cast are not as recognizable, except for seeing Lois Maxwell, James Bond's "Ms. Moneypenny" ('62-'85) for a minute.
The title on the DVD I got, which came in a huge 50 pack collection of similar grade films from Mill Creek Entertainment, is "Eternal Evil," but that's the Australian title, for some reason. In Canada, where the film was made, it is aptly titled, "The Blue Man." Ah, yes, you see when the main character is floating around...he IS somehow seen by others as a 'blue man.' We, the lucky viewers, don't get that wonderful opportunity. That would cost more for special effects. But, as the film ends, and with a slight twist in a few spots, you will see that "Eternal Evil" is a bit fitting.
I rather liked this movie as the idea and exposition are pretty fascinating, plus we get to see so many legendary horror film actors in the same movie! But, I wanted to add some historical information. I am watching the second disc with extras for the 1933 film "The Testament Of Dr. Mabuse" by Fritz Lang. There is a background information documentary on the film and it is showing posters from various Dr. Mabuse movies throughout time. I am now looking at a poster for a film called "Die lebenden Leichen des Dr. Mabuse" which means the living corpses of Dr. Mabuse basically. The poster shows Vincent Price's face and lists the actors, including Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Alfred Marks and Uta Levka. It is complete news to me that this film was marketed, in Germany only I guess, as a Dr. Mabuse film.
From a Dr. Mabuse perspective, he wasn't usually written as someone who performed medical experiments and especially with such issues as done in this film, 'Scream And Scream Again.' But, in Germany at least, the name Dr. Mabuse has such renown as it is a name like Frankenstein and Dracula that is associated with 'horror.' Just thought you'd like to know some fun information on the marketing of this film in other countries!
From a Dr. Mabuse perspective, he wasn't usually written as someone who performed medical experiments and especially with such issues as done in this film, 'Scream And Scream Again.' But, in Germany at least, the name Dr. Mabuse has such renown as it is a name like Frankenstein and Dracula that is associated with 'horror.' Just thought you'd like to know some fun information on the marketing of this film in other countries!