Reviews
Crooked Hearts (1991)
2 1/2 stars are always best
My late wife and I always agreed that whenever Malkin called a movie 2 1/2 stars, it tended to be a winner. 3 stars tended to be way overrated on the basis of the actors' reputations, and four stars meant predictable Hollywood hoke and Malkin's tendency to suck up to the industry. See his contradictory reviews of Sergeant Rutledge and Breaker Morant.
I spent my career as a stage director with a hiatus doing TV. My search for segues became unrelenting and I was particularly impressed with the way in which this film flowed. Character development was also impressive. The extent to which the family was/had been dysfunctional was marvelously understated. Certainly a minimalist triumph.
Some very strong performances here, deft writing, and superior editing make for a seamless production. The end result is a small treasure. Reminds me of Virgin Suicides.
Death Race 2000 (1975)
Prophetic
As it happens, I was just watching this film to while away the time before the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia. When I switched from the appalling carryings-on of Terry Bradshaw to the sports commentators in DR2000, it was difficult to detect any real shift except in the weather, the camera work and the wardrobes.
Other than those production values, the similarities were remarkable. One might have hoped that 38 years would have rendered the satire's simplicity totally ridiculous and inane. Unfortunately, despite the film's sophomoric social commentary, it is still right on the mark. Not bad for an ephemeral medium and a low-priced entry.
By the way, this doesn't represent the point of view of an elitist. I fully plan to get to the game once the hype is finished.