Toby Dammit’s Film Reviews

22 Films have been rated or reviewed by Toby Dammit.

Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle, The (2009): One of the best indie "weirdo" films of recent memory.
Repo Man (1984): Indie 80s cult film heaven.
Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962): So many ideas in one short movie.
Operation Avalanche (2016): Pretty great period reconstruction for a budget indie film – & check out the POV car chase! But it spends a lot of time getting to where it was obviously going. Matt Johnson's performance is delightful.
Class of 1984 (1982): Meh. I love this kind of trash, but this one takes itself too seriously. Plus its clumsy, slow & nasty. Timothy Van Patten is great as the villain though.
Bling Ring, The (2013): Very slick film about vapid, pampered LA kids – the rich stealing from the richer. Probably fascinating if yr into fashion or celebrity culture. If not, there's kind of a Bret Easton Ellis vibe which you might enjoy.
Long Goodbye, The (1973): I loved this film. Funny, stylish, smart and jagged, it's a template for (& better than) films like Big Lebowski, Inherent Vice, etc. Keep an eye out for Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Son of Saul (2015): Unusual, harrowing film has its protagonist in near–continual close up while the events of Auschwitz happen behind & around him – out of focus or unseen, half–heard, etc. The intricate plotting of a crime film, but with a careful emotional emphasis.; DVD ~~$24.95~~ $18.70
First Monday in May, The (2016): Lovable curator Andrew Bolton clomps about in a race against time to stage the Met Gala (& a huge fashion exhibit). Highlights include: great dresses, huge egos, Zoolander–style absurdity, cultural appropriation, Galliano, Gaultier & Wong Kar Wai.; DVD ~~$19.95~~ $14.95
Kiss of the Damned (2012): A stand–out vampire flick mixing romance, eroticism & glamour with occasional queasy thrills. It's too bad Only Lovers Left Alive came out two years later & did it better. Still, this one's worth a watch.
Genius Party (2007): Variable quality, as Aroview says. Still, around half of these are very cool (esp. 1, 6 & 7), & it's nice to see some non–traditional animation. Check the bonus disc for interesting shorts by less experienced directors.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954): There is something deeply (enjoyably?) wrong with this film. You'll know what I mean. Still it has a kind of charm – as these old musicals usually do – & though the songs aren't memorable Russ Tamblyn sure can dance.
Jesus of Montreal (1989): This film is incredible.
Poi E: The Story of Our Song (2016): I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. Tells the story of the song, yes, but also gives you plenty more on Dalvanius, & Patea, & the whole cultural context in 1984. Also the locals they interview are amazing...; DVD $19.95
Powaqqatsi (1988): Probably the best of the series. Incredible visuals. People of the third world work, move, work, eat, work & then stare into space while their world spirals off into insanity. Glass score sounds dated, but is good & not in his usual style.
White Diamond, The (2004): Even a so–so Herzog doc is good. Here we get: a jungle, a waterfall, an intense inventor, a tragedy, weird locals, a rooster, breakdancing, 1,000,000 swifts (!) and an airship. The sort of film where you put it on & it just kind of happens at you.
Girl on a Motorcycle (1968): Enjoyable Eurotrash. The constant narration is awful... or perhaps wonderful? Or else play it with the sound off while listening to some good records. A daffy performance from Faithful, but she wins you over and so does the scenery.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): Better than average blockbuster. Cheesy characterisation & story beats are compensated for by eerily affecting humanity in CG apes.
Mr. Hulot's Holiday (Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot) (1953): Something really special. The humour is mild – mostly you'd smile rather than laugh – but the craft & warmth are extraordinary. Hard to imagine a more charming film.; DVD ~~$19.95~~ $14.95
Gleaners and I, The (2000): Worth your time. It's funny but (sadly) profound, meandering but focused, always warm–hearted, always inventive. The director herself is the most eccentric and fascinating of all the characters presented here.
Criminal, The (1960): For a film from 1960 this one is fast–moving and very densely–plotted. Often stylish, and prison sequences are brutal. Great performances from a large cast. Worth a watch.
London Road (2015): Unique. A mixture of social commentary and mad invention. Interviews with local residents are recreated as musical numbers with hesitations, grammatical fumbles, etc., included as lyrics. Dark, often very funny – and with some genuinely great songs.

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Toby Dammit’s Film Reviews