X312 – Flug zur Hölle (1971, GER/SPA) C-86m.
** D: Jess Franco.
Starring Thomas Hunter, Gila von Weitershausen, Hans Hass Jr., Fernando
Sancho, Esperanza Roy, Howard Vernon, Paul Müller, Jess Franco. A plane
crashes into the South American jungle, and the survivors have to withstand
all kinds of troubles, be it mercenaries or the fat, ugly Captain, who wants
the jewels that one of the passengers has with him. Typically sordid,
sloppily made Franco movie. Surprisingly ambitious, though, and not without attractions
(beautiful Roy, for example). Good James Bond imitation score by Bruno
Nicolai and Wolf Hartmayer. International title: X312 – FLIGHT TO HELL. |
X-Files, The (1998, USA)
C-122m. Scope **½ D: Rob
Bowman. Starring David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, John Neville, William B.
Davis, Martin Landau, Blythe Danner, Terry O’Quinn, Armin Müller-Stahl,
Glenne Headley. The cult series transfer to the big screen is a surprisingly
well-produced sci-fi horror film, replete with conspiracy theories and
special effects as FBI special agents Duchovny and Anderson investigate
importance and danger of alien virus. Plot occasionally steals elements from
science-fiction classics like ALIEN or ALIENS but remains entertaining and
even thrilling, despite overlength. Recommended to X-Files fans (they
might be even more critical, however). |
X: The Unknown (1956, GBR) B&W-76m. ** D: Leslie Norman. Starring Dean
Jagger, Edward Chapman, Leo McKern, Anthony Newley, Jameson Clark, William
Lucas, Peter Hammond, Ian MacNaughton, Michael Ripper. One of the famous
Hammer Studios’ fist horror films: At a military base an unknown force
(monster?) from underneath the earth’s surface is causing havoc. Can it be
stopped? Well-acted, but unfortunately too talky. Jimmy Sangster’s first
feature script. Trivia note: Joseph Losey started the movie, but was replaced
by Norman. He is now only credited for casting the movie. |
xXx (2002, USA) C-124m. Scope ** D: Rob Cohen. Starring
Vin Diesel, Asia Argento, Marton Csokas, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Everett,
Danny Trejo. Hot stunt expert, thrill-seeker Diesel passes several tests to
become a sort-of secret super agent for the government (represented by
Jackson). The standard plot involves a crime organization, which Diesel tries
to infiltrate, and beautiful sidekick Argento. Action thriller tries to
establish Diesel as a kind of hyper-kinetic James Bond and features
well-filmed, explosive action scenes, but plot never becomes involving. There
is also a distinct lack of suspense. For fans of Diesel (who looks dull,
though). |