Shameless Self Expression

This fictionalised version of the Mary Kay Letourneau case has Natalie Portman playing an actress about to embark on a film project concerning the relationship between Grace (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles Melton, staggeringly out of his depth). What’s the fuss all about? Well, when Grace was 36 she began having criminal sexual contact with the then 13 year-old Joe and eventually became pregnant. Now Grace is around 60 and Joe in his 30s, and they’re welcoming Elizabeth (Portman) into their home and lives. The intrusion opens up holes in the relationship, whilst also taking Elizabeth on a bit of a journey herself.   The Mary Kay Letourneau criminal case could provide the basis for a good big screen film. Director Todd Haynes (the solid “Carol” ), screenwriter Samy Burch (better known as a casting director), and producer-star Natalie Portman have not given us that good film. This 2023 meta-infused fictionalisation of the real-life criminal case is utterly repugnant, worthless,...

In 1940s Germany, a scientist (Ian Abercrombie) is forced by Gestapo Major Krauss (Richard Lynch) to work for the Reich in using chemicals to reanimate corpses. Meanwhile, puppeteer Andre Toulon (Guy Rolfe) does two things to piss off the Nazis; 1) Mock the F ü hrer through his puppet show, and 2) He refuses to give them the secret formula for giving the otherwise inanimate puppets life. Major Krauss responds to this lack of co-operation by having Toulon’s beloved wife (Sarah Douglas) gunned down as she attempts to stop them taking the formula. Time to unleash the puppet master’s obedient followers on the Third Reich!   If the first “Puppetmaster” film was the one that got Full Moon studios up and running, this 1991 prequel from David DeCoteau ( “Creepozoids” ) represents the high point of the series and one of the best films Full Moon ever made. Scripted by C. Courtney Joyner ( “Doctor Mordrid” , “Mandroid” ), the film is every bit as slow as the previous two films but the ke...