#NicholasTurturro

[adamwatchesmovies]

Hellraiser V: Inferno (2000)

Of all of the Hellraiser movies I’ve seen so far, only the first had anything remarkable/good about it. Since then, it’s been a downward spiral into awfulness, and that fourth one, the one that’s in space? What a mess. Four movies in and the plot's drifting between the stars? We're on the same level as the Leprechaun franchise. It's THAT bad. That said, with severely diminished expectations, I actually enjoyed Hellraiser V: Inferno enough to call it decent. I wouldn’t say great, but of all of the Hellraiser sequels, it’s my favorite.

Joseph Thorne (Craig Sheffer) is a corrupt Denver police officer. Drugs? Prostitutes? Stealing from the evidence locker? All part of his daily routine. When Thorne stumbles upon the Lament Configuration, he is plagued by terrifying hallucinations seemingly connected to a serial killer known as “The Engineer”.

I’m championing this movie because finally, it seems like it is properly exploring the ideas at the franchise's core. The iconic Pinhead (Doug Bradley) always talked about a realm where pain and pleasure are one but all we saw was a dimension that may, or may not be Hell where people go to get torn to pieces. In this movie, it's done better. One notable scene features two female Cenobites torturing their victim but the way they react, and the way it’s presented seems like a blend of suffering and ecstasy. The Cenobites in Inferno are a bit more creative in their Infernal punishment. Death is pretty bad, but these are immortal hellspawns. You know they can come up with something better and they do.

The setup is good. We follow a detective - someone naturally adept and driven to follow clues, research, and unlock puzzles but he's corrupt. You don’t know if you want him to learn a lesson or to be punished for his trespasses. It makes the story's outcome uncertain.

There are a few warts here and there. Characters acting in ways that are convenient for the plot rather than logical. Some examples of hammy and obvious symbolism makes you wish the story wasn't trying so hard. It’s minor. My main criticism is that this doesn’t really feel like a chapter of Hellraiser. No dead bodies are being resurrected with blood, there aren't any quests for knowledge that go in the wrong direction or other aspects that you would expect. Clearly, this script was retroactively changed to include the Lament Puzzle box, Pinhead, and the Cenobites. They've been overexposed by now but it's also what we've come to see. I wish they'd found a way to write out Thorne’s daughter. The actress who portrays her is awful. I know she’s just a kid, but yeesh!

I thought maybe I had missed some glaring flaws in Hellraiser: Inferno because HOW could it be any good, but skimming through it, I still enjoyed the picture. The ending's only alright at best but this is much better than you expect it to be. If you somehow ended up with Hellraiser: Inferno in your movie collection and you are about to part with it, at least watch it before you make a final decision. (On DVD, March 3, 2015)

[doomonfilm]

Review : BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Here we are, 30 years in, and Spike Lee just continues to get better and better.  In fact, it was almost 30 years ago that Mo’ Betta Blues marked the first time that Spike teamed up with Denzel Washington, eventually helping evolve him rom a standout supporting actor to the icon and legend he is today.  Now, here we are, Spike directing Denzel’s son in what will more than likely go down as an iconic performance in the standout film BlacKkKlansman.    

It’s 1972, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) has his sights set on breaking the color barrier on the Colorado Springs Police Department by becoming the first black detective.  Upon hiring, he immediately establishes himself by attending the Black Student Union of Colorado College sponsored speech of Kwame Ture (Corey Hawkins), formerly Stokley Carmichael, while wearing a wire.  To his good fortune, he meets Black Student Union president Patrice Dumas (Laura Harrier), and a connection is sparked.  His next assignment, however, puts him on the map : infiltrating the Organization (read, the KKK) via phone conversations and a physical presence via fellow detective Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver).  The plan is effective enough to put Stallworth on the map of Grand Wizard turned National Director David Duke (Topher Grace), but it does not escape the suspicion of Colorado Springs chapter member Felix Kendrickson (Jasper Paakonen), despite support for Stallworth by key Organization member Walter Breachway (Ryan Eggold).  With danger and tensions rising between the black and white communities of Colorado Springs, the combined Ron Stallworth attempts to thwart the growth of the Organization and keep peace in the community. 

While containing many of the key Spike Lee visual and thematic earmarks present in all of his films, something about BlacKkKlansman and it’s balance in both narrative and presentation resonates stronger than anything he’s directed since Malcolm X.  The aforementioned tools like the floating actor shot do show up, but new tools are used to great effect.  During the Kwame Ture speech in the film, Ture focuses on identity and self-value, and Lee emphasizes this sentiment through beautiful portrait-style close ups of individual audience members against a black background, presented like a collage.  The effect is striking, working on both a literal and emotional level, and deepening our involvement on the side of the protagonist.  Spike also manages to drop a handful of knowledge on the viewers, as well as a few points of modern day relevance, with a great amount of uncomfortable humor thrown in for good measure. 

The power struggles presented in this film and the way that they are interwoven without being wholly dependent on one another is key as well.  Stallworth is dealing with a power of identity in the realm of respect deserved to him as a man in a profession not known for its sympathy to black folks.  Felix and Flip fight both a literal power struggle (in regards to who will run the organization) and a symbolic one (in regards to Flip constantly being challenged by Felix on whether or not he is Jewish).  The Black Student Union is fighting a power struggle against the powers that be for equality and identity, while the Organization is fighting a power struggle in hopes of taking their publicly perceived identity back in order to reshape and resell it to new generations.  

From my understanding, the film originally was meant to end within the world of the original narrative, with a standard Spike Lee-esque symbolic closing shot to nail down the idea.  During post-production, however, the Charlotte demonstrations took place during the early days of the Trump presidency, and like a gift from God himself, David Duke found himself wholly relevant once again, amazingly for the exact same issues raised within the film itself, meaning Spike’s original intended motif of how even great victories can be tainted by everlasting negative mindsets, was suddenly illustrated front in center in the modern day.  This lead to a compelling set of additions at the end of the film that left myself and many members of the audience crying and silent, further demonstrating the power of Spike Lee’s statement.

John David Washington is amazingly charismatic in this film, commanding himself in a performance that makes it nearly impossible not to instantly fall in love with seeing him on the screen.  Adam Driver continues to show his dynamic range by finding all of the key elements for his character to compliment Washington’s performance, therefore managing to give him an equally compelling performance without either actor detracting from one another.  Laura Harrier plays the romantic interest sufficiently while managing to carve out her own identity, although she is slightly underused and is sometimes purely included to help move things forward.  Topher Grace hits us with another charming portrayal of a morally deficient individual (similar to his performance in American Ultra), finding a perfect balance between realistic and slightly dopey with high hopes for power.  Ryan Eggold and Paul Walter Hauser reel you in as members of the Colorado Springs branch of the Organization, but it’s the performance of Jasper Paakonen that truly stands out in that bunch, with his intensity and commanding nature working at a perfect smolder, with the ever present sense of danger emanating right off of him.  Ashlie Atkinson and Corey Hawkins also turn in notable performances, and memorable appearances from Harry Belafonte, Alec Baldwin and Danny Glover also deserve mention. 

Spike Lee continues to make films wholly relevant to both the current times we live in, and the history that has led us straight to these times.  BlacKkKlansman is a standout film, and a truly important one that is much needed right now. 

[peliculasjimbo]

Un antiguo jugador de la NFL encarcelado, será el entrenador (forzoso) del equipo de presidiarios. Todo ello orquestado, para jugar contra el equipo de los guardias. Con buenas dosis de humor deportivo-agresivo, compañerismo, corrupción de las instituciones estatales y la redención de unos pocos, hará las delícias de todo fan de Adam Sandler y, la típica "peli americana". An incarcerated former NFL player will be the (forced) inmate team coach. All this to play against the team of the guards. With good doses of sporty-aggressive humor, camaraderie, corruption of state institutions and the redemption of a few, it will delight every fan of Adam Sandler and the typical "American movie." #TheLongestYard #Comedia #Comedy #Prison #Cárcel #AdamSandler #ChrisRock #Nelly #EdLauter #JamesCromwell #MichaelIrvin #TerryCrews #TheGreatKhali #BillGoldberg #WilliamFichtner #BobSapp #NicholasTurturro #DavidPatrickKelly #KevinNash #ClorisLeachman #TracyMorgan #JoeyDiaz #RobSchneider #AllenCover #BurtReynolds #PG13 #PeterSegal #ParamountPictures #ColumbiaPictures #NFL https://www.instagram.com/p/CNcMZi9nDDR/?igshid=1xu7zoijlga4y

[dawnaleeheising]

Deana the Psychic in Ron Becks and Tina Le"s star-packed mob thriller "Las Vegas Vietnam"! Film stars Ron, Tina, Eric Roberts, Brandscombe Richmond, Lorenzo Lamas, Nicholas Turturro and many other great actors! #setlife #actorslife #ronbecks #tinale #ericroberts #tinale #lasvegasvietnam #brandscomberichmond #lorenzolamas #nicholasturturro #psychic #lasvegasmovie #somanystars https://www.instagram.com/p/BuU4eMaB0xK/?igshid=849n2kfcqbjk

[90210lannie4ever]

I'm not liking this news guys... A new installment of “ #NYPDBlue” has scored a pilot production commitment at ABC, Variety has learned. The new series follows #AndySipowicz 's son, Theo, as he tries to earn his detective shield and work in the 15th squad while investigating his father’s murder. Original series writers and executive producers Matt Olmstead and Nick Wootton will write and executive produce the new show, with Jesse Bochco–son of “NYPD Blue” co-creator Steven Bocho–executive producing and directing. Dayna Bochco, Steven’s wife, will produce. ABC Studios will produce in association with 20th Century Fox Television. #jimmysmits #dennisfranz #kimdelaney #jamesmcdaniel #nicholasturturro #pleaseno https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/nypd-blue-sequel-series-abc-1202983411/?fbclid=IwAR2HlQg2J-uPlUFwl8Sarx7vhYJ3aQOaf9wSgQeThZQmNXhzqqLTWnY3o70 https://www.instagram.com/p/BpDhzbkgp_H/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=emzun5e4l34m

[queenquay8807]

R.I.P Charlie Murphy, you will definitely be missed. #charliemurphy #comedyshow #blog #improv #irvineimprov #cheeseburger #poke #umami #nyc #bestie #mobettablues #denzelwashington #wesleysnipes #cyndawilliams #johnturturro #joielee #samuelljackson #robinharris #dickanthonywilliams #billnunn #nicholasturturro #dougedoug #spikelee #40acresandamulefilmworks #aspikeleejoint #moviecollector #dvdcollection #mycollection #myhobbies #queenquay0714

[myersscotte]

On location with Tia Carrere and Nicholas Turturro shooting the pilot episode of 'Over the Hill' #staytuned #hollywood #filmmaking #actorslife #producer #director #gratitude #cheers #tiacarrere #nicholasturturro #cinema #thankyou (at South Valley, Encino, California)

[horrororman]

Released October 8th, 2004.

#TheHillsideStrangler

#CThomasHowell

#NicholasTurturro

#horror #horrormovies

[billybennight]

Here's the producer James Tucker, character designer Phil Bourass and the cast (Jason O'Mara, Enrico Colantoni, Nicholas Turturro and Ray Chase for D.C. Universe Movie "Justice League Dark" at The Paley Center for Media. @dccomics @dcuniverseforever @justiceleaguedark #justiceleague @paleycenter #beverlyhills #moviepremiere #dccomics #castandcrew #cast #selfie @jasonomaraofficial #enicocolantoni @nicholasturturro @jamestuckerproductions (at The Paley Center for Media)

[therealmrpositive]

To Hell and Back Part V: Hellraiser V: Inferno (2000)

In today's review, as the series is halfway done, the judgement of Pinhead is far from over, as I attempt a #positive review of the 2000 direct-to-video sequel Hellraiser V: Inferno #DougBradley #CraigSheffer #NicholasTurturro #JamesRemar

It is hard to bring back a character once they have bid farewell, especially when the creators want nothing to do with their resurrection. However, as the audience, and stakeholders bay for more, it becomes more of an expected eventuality. In the turn of the century, fans saw the rebirth of a sleeping horror by uniquely sewing it to an idea that would never have seen the light of day, in…

[biffpocaroba]

"The Search For One-Eye Jimmy" (1993). This is one of those random 90s flicks that stars 400 people and looks like it cost $400 to make. It's a Turturro family affair. #myVHS #johnturturro #nicholasturturro #stevebuscemi #jenniferbeals #samuelljackson

[edwardnyahay]

#nicholasturturro #edwardnyahay #nickturturro

[dawnaleeheising]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dawna Lee Heising (@dawnaleeheising)

Ron Becks awarding trophy to Tina Le at the premiere of “Las Vegas Vietnam”! Ron and Tina were amazing in the film, which also started Eric Roberts, Nicholas Turturro, Lorenzo Lamas and Branscombe Richmond as mob bosses! #setlife #actorslife #lasvegasvietnammovie #grateful #ronbecks #tinale #ericroberts #lorenzolamas #nicholasturturro #branscomberichmond (at Saigon Performing Arts Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwD797RhJzN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qect2llfbfbq

[dawnaleeheising]

Stephen posted a video to Instagram: Ron Becks awarding trophy to Tina Le at the premiere of “Las Vegas Vietnam”! Ron and Tina were amazing in the film, which also started Eric Roberts, Nicholas Turturro, Lorenzo Lamas and Branscombe Richmond as mob bosses! #setlife #actorslife #lasvegasvietnammovie #grateful #ronbecks #tinale #ericroberts #lorenzolamas #nicholasturturro #branscomberichmond http://bit.ly/2Ibg14C

[dawnaleeheising]

Deana the Psychic in Ron Becks and Tina Le"s star-packed mob thriller "Las Vegas Vietnam"! Film stars Ron, Tina, Eric Roberts, Brandscombe Richmond, Lorenzo Lamas, Nicholas Turturro and many other great actors! #setlife #actorslife #ronbecks #tinale #ericroberts #tinale #lasvegasvietnam #brandscomberichmond #lorenzolamas #nicholasturturro #psychic #lasvegasmovie #somanystars