[psycho d]

Prince of Darkness (1987). This offering by John Carpenter at first is in want of one small item- decent acting. With time though, this deficit almost becomes endearing as this creepy little flick builds momentum. In fact, maybe the initial lack of talent is the springboard of some of the creepiest scenes ever to grace the silver screen. With eerie, giggling maniacs, street people gone awry, and doe-eyed monsters, things really fall apart for our potential heroes. There is even a smattering of humor to perk up the dismal atmosphere that belies this little horror's premise. While the actors seem to be in the infancy of their careers, the dialog is at times the driving force of the hideous terror that is this flick's foundation. Who knew quantum physics could be so scary? JC's direction was solid, taking this low-budget endeavor and creating a memorable flick from beginning to end. The score turned out to be a perfect fit, timed with adroit skill for effect. But what is memorably burned into the memory banks was that dream video from a different era, whose message portends that the story does not end with the rolling of the credits...

City of Men (2007). From the producers of City of God, this flick brings us back to the slums of Rio. A story of friendship, it centers less on violence and more on family, especially the duties that young men should honor lest they bestow on their children the same ignominious fate that was handed them. It is not an easy choice. The acting was first rate and contained some scenes that will make the American public cringe at the audacity of the film producers. A violent flick, its presence is more in the background and is not gratuitous by any means. The direction was fabulous, with heavy use of editing to create the necessary back story of our protagonists. The story itself was a bit of a stretch, but the fantastical coincidences jibe well for its purposes. At the end, the notion of urban warfare will be forever changed in the hearts of its viewers. Merci beaucoup.

Genruk'