Galaxy of Terror (1981, USA) C-82m. ** D: Bruce D. Clark. Starring Edward Albert, Erin Moran, Ray Walston, Bernard Behrens, Zalman King, Robert Englund, Taaffe O’Connell, Sid Haig, Grace Zabriskie, Jack Blessing, Mary Ellen O’Neill. What a cast, what a movie. Wild science-fiction horror film, modeled after Ridley Scott’s ALIEN, about a rescue team who wants to wipe out the monster that was responsible for the death of several astronauts. Violent, gory, even sexy, wastes no time at the beginning, but then gets stuck in routine plot. Sci-fi effects are dated but gore effects are first-rate. Buffs are advised to have a look at this (if you can get hold of an uncut print). It’s incredible how fast aliens can disrobe you ;-). Roger Corman coproduced, James Cameron was second unit director (rehearsing for ALIENS, no doubt) and did the nice production design. Actor Bill Paxton did the set decoration (he later costarred in Cameron’s TITANIC). Alternative title: MINDWARP: AN INFINITY OF TERROR.

Galaxy Quest (1999, USA) C-102m. Scope **½ D: Dean Parisot. Starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, Daryl Mitchell, Enrico Colantoni. The actors of a science-fiction television series from the 1980s – now spending their time at fan conventions – are suddenly asked for help by extra-terrestrials, who believe their space adventures to be real. The tired crew turns out to be more resourceful than expected. Nice idea, good performances but lacks a few extra-laughs to make up for the occasional lulls. Allen’s TV series Home Improvement was funnier.

Game, The (1997, USA) C-128m. Scope **½ D: David Fincher. Starring Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, Deborah Kara Unger, James Rebhorn, Peter Donat, Carroll Baker, Anna Katarina, Armin Müller-Stahl. Successful but stressed banker (Douglas) is given a unique birthday present by his brother (Penn). It is the invitation to a ‘game’, organised by a special company, which puts him in the most complicated, puzzling situations. Soon, however, the game seems to turn serious, and Douglas sees himself running for his life. Premise is intriguing (buying an adventure) and exciting first half doesn’t give you time to think the plot over, but when the action slows down later, you’ll realize how completely incredible and illogical this film is. Good score by Howard Shore . Director Fincher’s 3rd film, following ALIEN³ and SE7EN.

Game of Death (1978, USA) C-97m. Scope **½ D: Robert Clouse. Starring Bruce Lee, Gig Young, Hugh O’Brian, Dean Jagger, Colleen Camp, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Chuck Norris, Bob Wall, Tony Leung. Lee plays an actor who denies cooperation with a syndicate and soon finds himself under attack. Martial arts legend Lee died in 1973 before film was completed, doubles were used five years later to finish the production. Most of the times Lee is off-screen. The showdown, however, features him in all his power and ferocity. Samo Hung (alias Hung Kim Po) plays Wall’s opponent in the ring. He is also credited as martial arts director. Produced by Raymond Chow. U.S. version runs 102m., scenes may have been deleted from 93m. German TV version. Followed by GAME OF DEATH II.

Game of Death II (1980, HGK) C-96m. Scope **½ D: Ng See-Yuen. Starring Bruce Lee, Tong Lung, Huang Cheng-Li, Roy Horan, Roy Chiao. Lee ‘plays’ the same character as in GAME OF DEATH, but in fact his scenes are just left-overs from ENTER THE DRAGON. In this violent eastern he is ‘killed’ after about 35m., but all there is are some close-ups of him, which are integrated in the scenes. After he is killed, his brother seeks vengeance. The action, choreographed by Yuen Wo-Ping (TAI-CHI, BLACK MASK), is very good in this minimally plotted eastern. Produced by Raymond Chow.

Games (1967, USA) C-100m. Scope *** D: Curtis Harrington. Starring Simone Signoret, James Caan, Katharine Ross, Don Stroud, Kent Smith, Estelle Winwood. Highly interesting puzzler about well-to-do but bored young couple Ross and Caan, who take in seemingly helpless, physically weak saleswoman Signoret. The enigmatic elderly lady seems to develop a special influence on naïve Ross… is she playing a game with them? Psycho thriller is well-made and keeps you guessing. A sleeper. Director Harrington also receives story credit.

Gangs of New York (2002, USA) C-166m. Scope *** D: Martin Scorsese. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron Diaz, Jim Broadbent, John C. Reilly, Henry Thomas, Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson, David Hemmings, Barbara Bouchet, Martin Scorsese. Revenge drama set in New York City of the mid-19^th century. DiCaprio’s father is killed in warfare between rivalling gangs, and the boy grows up with the wish to take revenge on the murderer Day-Lewis. The man is feared and has great political power – using it to make propaganda against Irish immigrants and Africans. Longish but worthwhile, especially because of Day-Lewis’ brilliant performance (as Bill the Butcher) and Scorsese’s feel for the time period, which excuse the rather simple, familiar plotline. Cowritten by Steven Zaillian. Photographed by Michael Ballhaus, edited by Thelma Schoonmaker.

Garde à Vue (1981, FRA) C-88m. *** D: Claude Miller. Starring Lino Ventura, Michel Serrault, Romy Schneider, Guy Marchand. Subtle drama about notary Serrault who is summoned to the police headquarters on New Year’s Eve because he is the prime suspect in a murder. As the evening progresses (and midnight approaches) he more and more loses himself in lies and threatens to break entirely when his wife turns up surprisingly. Fine performances by Ventura (as the chief inspector) and Serrault, who gives another brilliant performance. Miller went on to make the fascinating MORTELLE RANDONNEE next.

Garden State (2004, USA) C-102m. Scope *** D: Zach Braff. Starring Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm, Alex Burns, Ron Leibman. Debut feature of television’s Scrubs guy Braff, who also penned the screenplay. His story about a twenty-something loser, who comes back to his hometown for the funeral of his mother, is fresh, witty and incredibly funny. He soon realizes that most of his problems were created by his psychiatrist dad, and he meets lots of odd-ball characters, such as equally disoriented Portman, who he falls in love with. A winner, aptly showcases the talent of its star. Executive produced by Danny Vito.

Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006, USA/GER) C-86m. ** D: Tim Hill. Starring Breckin Meyer, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Billy Connolly, Ian Abercrombie, Roger Rees, voices of Bill Murray, Tim Curry, Bob Hoskins, Sharon Osbourne, Richard E. Grant, Vinnie Jones, Rhys Ifans, narrated by Roscoe Lee Browne. Not-bad children’s movie about cartoonist Jim Davis’ lasagne-loving cat, who we see in his second big-screen adventure following a 2004 adaptation. Here, Garfield’s owner Meyer follows his girlfriend Hewitt to London, where the cat gets mixed up with an aristocratic feline, who looks just like him. And, wouldn’t you know it, there’s an evil guy (Connolly), who wants to trick “his highness” out of a huge inheritance (ARISTOCATS, anybody?). Derivative, innocuous, but not unfunny, small fry will go for it.

Garras de Lorelei, Las (1973, SPA) C-85m. ** D: Amando de Ossorio. Starring Tony Kendall, Helga Liné, Silvia Tortosa, Josefina Jartin, Loreta (Loli) Tovar. A village on the banks of the Rhine River is terrorized by a monstrous creature that may have something to do with the legend of the Loreley, as some believe. Hunter Kendall is hired to protect school of girls from the grasps of the deadly killer. Some nasty effects may make this interesting for gore fans, but plot (using elements from Die Nibelungen) and pace remain standard. English titles: LORELEI’S GRASP, GRASP OF THE LORELEI, and WHEN THE SCREAMING STOPS.

Gaslight (1944, USA) 114m. ***½ D: George Cukor. Starring Charles Boyer, Ingrid Berman, Joseph Cotten, Dame May Whitty, Angela Lansbury. Bergman suffers a trauma when her aunt is strangled but decides to move back into her old London house, when she falls in love with Boyer. Soon her mind is playing tricks on her… is she going insane? Rock-solid storytelling, good period flavor, excellent performances, a classic chiller, which owes more than a bit to the British “damsel-in-distress” gothic horror melodramas of 18^th and 19^th century. Bergman won an Oscar. Based on the play ‘Angel Street’ by Patrick Hamilton. Filmed before in 1940 and later in 1947.

Gas! –Or- It Became Necessary to Destroy the World in Order to Save It. (1971, USA) C-78m. ** D: Roger Corman. Starring Robert Corff, Elaine Giftos, Tally Coppola (=Talia Shire), Ben Vereen, Cindy Williams, George Armitage, Bud Cort, Country Joe McDonald. Pretty demented cult film satire about a virus or gas that kills everyone in the world over 25. A group of young people first celebrate, then become increasingly disillusioned. Interesting concept, but this is a hippie culture movie, with lots of inept comedy and a plot that goes nowhere. The premise is the only science-fiction here. Written and coproduced by George Armitage. Also known as GAS-S-S-S.

Gaspards, Les (1973, FRA/BEL) C-94m. **½ D: Pierre Tchernia. Starring Michel Serrault, Michel Galabru, Charles Denner, Philippe Noiret, Gérard Depardieu, Jean Carmet. Bookshop owner Serrault discovers a secret society living in the catacombs of Paris when he goes looking for his missing daughter. Mild satire on urbanization is quite funny, with some hilarious scenes; top French cast has fun in this comedy coscripted by René Goscinny of Astérix fame. Photographed by Jean Tournier. English title: THE HOLES.

Gattaca (1997, USA) C-106m. Scope *** D: Andrew Niccol. Starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Gore Vidal, Loren Dean, Alan Arkin, Xander Berkeley, Blair Underwood, Ernest Borgnine, Elias Koteas. Intelligent science-fiction drama set in the near future where genetically perfect babies so-called ‘Valids’ are born. An imperfect ‘In-Valid’ (Hawke) has taken over the identity of a ‘Valid’ (Law) and works now in Gattaca in order to fulfill his dream - a flight to the stars. However, in a society with total control, it is difficult to keep up the charade. Stylish production design (Jan Roelfs), smooth music score (Michael Nyman), good performances. Remains interesting, if never terribly rousing.

Gatti Rossi in un Labirinto di Vetro (1975, ITA/SPA) C-92m. Scope ** D: Umberto Lenzi. Starring John Richardson, Martine Brochard, Ines Pellegrini, Andrés Mejuto, Mirta Miller, Daniele Vargas, Georges Rigaud, Raf Baldassarre. Typical Italian thriller about a tourist group in Barcelona, who one-by-one fall victim to an eyeball-gouger. Who is the mad killer? Poorly constructed, poorly acted whodunit is enlivened by some colorful camerawork but generally a disappointment. Even giallo fans will find this hardly worthwhile. Score by Bruno Nicolai. Also known as THE SECRET KILLER, EYEBALL, THE DEVIL’S EYE, THE EYE, and WIDE-EYED IN THE DARK.

Gatto a Nove Code, Il (1971, ITA/SPA/GER) C-112m. Scope ** D: Dario Argento. Starring Karl Malden, James Franciscus, Catherine Spaak, Pier Paolo Capponi, Horst Frank, Rada Rassimov, Aldo Reggiani, Werner Pochath. THE CAT O’NINE TAILS (English title) was Dario Argento’s second feature film and stands today as one of his weakest. A typical murder mystery in the giallo-tradition about blind man Malden, who teams up with reporter Franciscus to solve a murder committed at a genetics research clinic. Less stylish, less outré than Argento’s later work. Ennio Morricone’s haunting score is best thing about it. Written by the director.

Gatto dagli Occhi di Giada, Il (1976, ITA) C-96m. *** D: Antonio Bido. Starring Corrado Pani, Paolo Tedesco, Franco Citti, Fernando Cerulli, Giuseppe Addobbati, Gianfranco Bullo. Good imitation of Dario Argento’s PROFONDO ROSSO (right down to the Goblin-like score) about a young actress (Tedesco) who interrupts a murderer at work and is soon stalked by him. When other people die, she decides to investigate the case with a friend (Pani). Mid-section drags a little, but stylish direction and well-staged murders compensate. Director Bido (SOLAMENTE NERO) also cowrote the screenplay. English title: THE CAT’S VICTIM. Released in the U.S. as WATCH ME WHEN I KILL.

Gatto nel Cervello, Un (1990, ITA) C-87m. M D: Lucio Fulci. Starring Lucio Fulci, David L. Thompson, Jeoffrey Kennedy, Brett Halsey, Sacha Darwin. In one of his last films, Fulci turns the camera on himself and (fictionally) examines his life. He plays a film director who is plagued by nightmares – all due to the splatter orgies in his movies. Clips from Fulci’s later films are interspersed, to no avail. An absolutely terrible mess, only for Fulci’s most fervent admirers. English titles: NIGHTMARE CONCERT and A CAT IN THE BRAIN.

Gatto Nero, Il (1980, ITA) C-92m. Scope **½ D: Lucio Fulci. Starring Patrick Magee, Mimsy Farmer, David Warbeck, Al Cliver, Dagmar Lassander. Interesting variation of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Black Cat: Photographer Farmer comes to small British town to photograph ruins, finds more interest in recent murders which were all obviously committed by a black cat! The creature’s owner (Magee), an old weirdo, conducts experiments in the cemetery trying to record the voices of the dead. Then Scotland Yard cop Warbeck arrives. Underrated Fulci horror, with some stylish flourishes, but never really involving. Good music by Pino Donnagio. English title: THE BLACK CAT.

Gatto Nero, Il (1990, ITA) C-89m. M D: Lewis Coates (=Luigi Cozzi). Starring Florence Guerin, Urbano Barberini, Caroline Munro, Brett Halsey, Luisa Maneri. Amateurish attempt at completing Dario Argento’s ‘Three Mothers’-trilogy: A filmteam plans to make a movie about the ‘Mother of Tears’, but it turns out she is not in favor of it. Nightmares and hallucinations plague the woman who is supposed to play her. Pretentious and simply terrible. 15 minutes of this nonsense is already enough. English title: THE BLACK CAT, although this has nothing to do with Edgar Allan Poe.

Gauntlet, The (1977, USA) C-109m. Scope ** D: Clint Eastwood. Starring Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney, Mara Corday. Action nonsense with Eastwood (who else?) as unshaved cop who has to escort prostitute Locke from Las Vegas to Phoenix, where she is supposed to testify in court. Strangely enough, the police seem to be sabotaging Eastwood’s assignment. Solidly filmed, typical 70s action film with an episodic plot and too much talk. Only fans will like it.

Gebissen Wird Nur Nachts (1971, GER) C-101m. *½ D: Freddie Francis. Starring Betty Williams (=Pia Degermark), Thomas Hunter, Yvor Murillo, Ingrid van Bergen, Joachim Kemmer, Ferdy Mayne. Low-brow vampire spoof, mostly inspired by Polanski’s 1967 FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS, made by British cinematographer-turned-director Francis with a largely German cast and crew. Hollywood star Williams inherits a castle in Transylvania and is confronted with her vampiric grandmother, a nymphomaniac. The emphasis is on visual gags and puns (“May I drive my stake into you?”). Tries hard to be frivolous, but comes off as obnoxious. Only has some value as a curio. Filmed in English. English title: THE VAMPIRE HAPPENING.

Gedo Senki (2006, JAP) C-115m. ***½ D: Goro Miyazaki. Starring (the voices of) Junichi Okada, Aoi Teshima, Bunta Sugawara, Yûko Tanaka, Teruyuki Kagawa, Jun Fubuki. This Studio Ghibli production was famous Hayao Miyazaki’s son Goro’s first feature film. He takes us into an awe-inspiring fantasy world, where a troubled prince finds a companion in an archmage. Together they confront an evil wizard, who intends to achieve immortality. Part of the plot are some dragons and a girl, who’s lost her parents. Beautifully animated, with incredible detail and breathtaking scenery, film’s slow-moving, enigmatic plot is one of its drawbacks, as some things are never fully explained. Still, creates a mind-expanding, atmospheric fantasy world in the tradition of the best anime. Fine score by Tamiya Terajima. Based on the third Earthsea novel by Ursula K. Le Guin. The first two novels were filmed for television as EARTHSEA (2004). English title: TALES FROM EARTHSEA.

Gendarme de St. Tropez, Le (1964, FRA) C-93m. Scope *** D : Jean Girault. Starring Louis de Funès, Geneviève Grad, Michel Galabru, Jen Lefebvre, Christian Marin, Guy Grosso, Claude Piéplu, Gabriele Tinti. Dated but amusing beach comedy about inspecteur de Funès who is promoted and appointed new chief of police in coastal metropole St. Tropez. His strict, uncompromising way turns the local policemen into effective gendarmes. Meanwhile, his daughter (Grad) is turning into a young lady, causing her father much chagrin. The first film in the GENDARME-series has more plot than its sequels; it’s a great time capsule, a piece of 60s nostalgia. Opening sequence is in black-and-white. Followed by five sequels, starting with LE GENDARME A NEW YORK.

Gendarme a New York, Le (1965, FRA/ITA) C-99m. Scope **½ D: Jean Girault. Starring Louis de Funès, Geneviève Grad, Michel Galabru, Christian Marin, Jean Lefebvre, Guy Grosso, Michel Modo, Billy Kearns, Dominique Zardi. Sequel to original box-office success takes the gendarmes to New York, where they attend an international police congress. Cruchot (de Funès) has troubles hiding his daughter (Grad), who was a stowaway on the plane to the States. Another one-man-show by de Funès, the culture-shock plot is old-fashioned and too episodic. Followed by LE GENDARME SE MARIE in 1968.

Gendarme Se Marie, Le (1968, FRA) C-87m. Scope ** D: Jean Girault. Starring Louis de Funès, Claude Gensac, Michel Galabru, Jean Lefebvre. Weakest entry (the third) in the GENDARME series, with grimacing inspector de Funès and his escapades as he is trying to protect St. Tropéz from a tourist invasion and gets married along the way. Followed by LE GENDARME EN BALADE.

Gendarme en Balade, Le (1970, FRA) C-103m. Scope **½ D: Jean Girault. Starring Louis de Funès, Michel Galabru, Claude Gensac, Guy Grosso, Jean Lefebvre, Yves Vincent. The gendarmes are suddenly retired but cannot get accustomed to their quiet new life, so they return to St. Tropez, get mixed up with hippies and run from the new police force. Comedy starts great, then gets lost in episodes, where the protagonists meet many characters of their earlier films. Followed by LE GENDARME ET LES EXTRA-TERRESTRES in 1978.

Gendarme et les Extra-Terrestres, Le (1978, FRA) C-89m. **½ D: Jean Girault. Starring Louis de Funès, Michel Galabru, Maurice Risch, Jean-Pierre Rambal, Guy Grosso, Michel Modo, France Rumilly, Maria Mauban. The Gendarme returns in this spoof of Spielberg’s CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, set in St. Tropez, where the local police force is gradually being substituted by alien look-alikes. One of the funniest in the series, but not without slow spots. For fans of the French comedians. De Funès also cowrote the screenplay. Followed by LE GENDARME ET LES GENDARMETTES.

Gendarme et les Gendarmettes, Le (1982, FRA) C-99m. *** D : Jean Girault, Tony Aboyantz. Starring Louis de Funès, Michel Galabru, Maurice Risch, Guy Grosso, Michel Modo, Claude Gensac. The sixth and final installment in the popular comedy series has the gendarmes move into new headquarters. The arrival of four young policewomen (gendarmettes) distracts the men enormously, leading to chaos all over St. Tropez. Amusing comedy has more plot than the other sequels. Director Girault died during the production, leading to his replacement by Aboyantz. Sad to say, this was also Louis de Funès’ final film appearance, he died of a heart attack shortly after this was released. English title was, tellingly, NEVER PLAY CLEVER AGAIN.

General, The (1998, EIR) C-129m. Scope **½ D: John Boorman. Starring Brendan Gleeson, Jon Voight, Adrian Dunbar, Sean McGinley, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Angeline Ball, Jim Sheridan. Boorman also produced and wrote this character study about Dublin original Gleeson, who considers being a criminal an honorable job. His loves, his robberies, and his quarrels with police inspector Voight are described in this film. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes only adding to the running time. Too episodic despite being well-made. This is certainly no ONE UPON A TIME IN IRELAND. Also shown at 124m.

General’s Daughter, The (1999, USA) C-116m. Scope **½ D: Simon West. Starring John Travolta, Madeleine Stowe, James Cromwell, Timonthy Hutton, Leslie Stefanson, Daniel von Bargen, Clarence Williams III, James Woods, John Frankenheimer. Well-made thriller drama set at a military base, where secret investigator Travolta researches the killing of the general’s daughter and finds involvement where he did not expect it. Good photography, score lift thriller above average, but story (based on Nelson DeMille’s best-selling novel) could have been more compact and compelling. Good cast.

Genio, Due Compari, Un Pollo, Il (1975, ITA/FRA/GER) C-110m. Scope **½ D: Damiano Damiani. Starring Terence Hill, Miou-Miou, Robert Charlebois, Patrick McGoohan, Klaus Kinski, Raimund Harmstorf, Rik Battaglia, Mario Brega. Amusing, playful comedy western, a sort-of sequel to MIO NOME E NESSUNO (1973). Hill returns as the mischievous title character and fools all kinds of ‘serious’ characters, including Kinski and Harmstorf. Quite entertaining, if overlong. Good score by Ennio Morricone. Rumor has it that Sergio Leone codirected this film. English titles: THE GENIUS and NOBODY IS THE GREATEST (a translation of the German NOBODY IST DER GRÖSSTE).

Gentleman d’Epsom, Le (1962, FRA/ITA) 88m. Scope **½ D: Gilles Grangier. Starring Jean Gabin, Madeleine Robinson, Paul Frankeur, Frank Villeur, Jean Lefebvre, Louis de Funès. Jean Gabin gives a commanding performance as the title character, a self-professed horse race expert, who always loses at the tracks but manages to keep his head above the water by talking others into betting on the wrong horse (and keeping the entrusted money for himself). This comedy drama is a little aimless, but connoisseurs will savor Michel Legrand’s fine score and Louis de Funès terrific performance. The comic genius excels in his small role as a choleric restaurant owner. Director Grangier also coscripted.

Getaway, The (1972, USA) C-122m. Scope *** D: Sam Peckinpah. Starring Steve McQueen, Ali McGraw, Ben Johnson, Sally Struthers, Al Lettieri, Slim Pickens, Richard Bright, Bo Hopkins. Pessimistic action drama about criminal McQueen, who plans another robbery immediately after being released. When he is double-crossed, he must run for his life with lover and wife McGraw. Dark, tragic, even cruel drama that pays its depth with a slow pace. A remarkable film, based on the novel by Jim Thompson (script written by Thompson and Walter Hill). Score by Quincy Jones, cinematography by Lucien Ballard. James Garner has a an unrecognizable cameo driving past in a car. Remade in 1994.

Ghibli et le Mystère Miyazaki (2005, FRA) C-52m. n/r D: Yves Montmayeur. Featuring Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Joe Hisaishi, Toshio Suzuki, Goro Miyazaki, Jean Giraud (=Moebius), Yumi Tamai. Documentary about the legendary studio Ghibli, featuring interviews with all the key figures in the animation studio's genesis. We even get a look inside the Ghibli Museum and are led to places that were the inspriations for the movies. At the end, the master himself, Miyazaki, speaks with one of his influences, Jean ‚Moebius' Giraud. Highly insightful documentary for those familiar with Ghibli films.

Ghost (1990, USA) C-122m. *** D: Jerry Zucker. Starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn, Rick Aviles, Vincent Schiavelli. Pleasant fantasy drama about the killing of banker Swayze and his return as a ghost to his wife, whom he tries to warn of the man who murdered him. Self-professed medium Goldberg (great comic relief part) is the only one who can hear him. Longish but romantic and generally well-done. Goldberg won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar.

Ghost and the Darkness, The (1996, USA) C-109m. Scope **½ D: Stephen Hopkins. Starring  Michael Douglas, Val Kilmer, Tom Wilkinson, John Kani, Bernard Hill, Brian McCardie, Henry Cele, Om Puri. Adventure spectacle set in 1896 Africa, where Irish architect Kilmer attempts to build a bridge in five months. However, he has not reckoned with the superstition of the crew, who are terrified when two giant lions repeatedly attack the camp. Are they mystical creatures? Game-hunter Douglas wants to bring and end to the rumors. Grand score, sweeping photography but a screenplay that resorts to a one-dimensional lion hunt and only suggests a deeper meaning. Written by William Goldman.

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999, USA/FRA/JAP/GER) C-116m. *** D: Jim Jarmusch. Starring Forest Whitaker, John Tormey, Cliff Gorman, Dennis Liu, Frank Minucci, Richard Portnow, Tricia Vessey, Henry Silva. Victor Argo. Meditative, engrossing character study about simple-minded hitman Whitaker, who lives exclusively by the code of the Samurai, and converses with small-time crook Tormey, his ‘master’, by a carrier pigeon. Off-beat, original, even funny Jarmusch concoction, with a charismatic lead performance by Whitaker (and a scary turn by Henry Silva). A little slight plotwise, like most of Jarmusch’s movies, but achieves a kind of hypnotic quality that will make you forget time. Written by the director, who includes references to Jean-Pierre Melville’s LE SAMOURAI and Akira Kurosawa’s RASHOMON (and not to forget, ‘The Simpsons’). Photographed by Robby Müller.

Ghost Fever (1987, USA) C-86m. *½ D: Alan Smithee (=Lee Madden). Starring Sherman Hemsley, Luis Avalos, Jennifer Rhodes, Deborah Benson, Diana Brookes, Joe Frazier, Pepper Martin. Cheap, inept horror comedy about two policemen who investigate strange occurrences in a mansion that they know from their childhood. It turns out that it is inhabited by ghosts. No wonder director Madden had his name removed from this turkey. Hemsley and Avalos do generate some laughs though.

Ghostkeeper (1981, CDN) C-87m. *** D: Jim Makichuk. Starring Riva Spier, Murray Ord, Sheri McFadden, Georgie Collins, Les Kimber, Billy Grove, John MacMillan. Weird little horror chiller, set in wintry Canada, about a trio of vacationers, who get lost with their snowmobiles, save themselves into hotel-like mansion in the middle of nowhere. The only person living there is a strange old woman. What is her purpose there? And is there someone (something?) else in the house? Atmospheric exercise in suspense, not without faults, but generally well-done. Creepy score by Paul Zaza. Collins, as the old lady, gives a chilling performance. Film has interesting parallels to Stanley Kubrick’s SHINING (1980).

Ghosts of Mars (2001, USA) C-98m. Scope **½ D: John Carpenter. Starring Natasha Henstridge, Ice Cube, Jason Statham, Clea DuVall, Pam Grier, Joanna Cassidy, Doug McGrath, Robert Carradine. Commander Henstridge returns from a prison colony on Mars and recounts the events that happened there. When arriving there to pick up an ultra-violent criminal (Ice Cube), they meet nothing but desolation. It turns out the inhabitants are possessed by a strange force, which has turned them into Zombie-like savages. A typical Carpenter movie: solidly filmed, even exciting, but rather dumb. Horror fans (and those of the director) should get what they expect. Ice Cube sleepwalks through his role.

Ghosts of Mississippi (1996, USA) C-130m. *** D: Rob Reiner. Starring Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, James Woods, Craig T. Nelson, Susana Thompson, Lucas Black, William H. Macy, Terry O’Quinn, Virginia Madsen, Bonnie Bartlett, Wayne Rogers, Diane Ladd. Good drama about lawyer Baldwin, who reopens a case which lies 25 years in the past in an attempt to prove that racist Woods killed Goldberg’s husband, a civil rights activist. In two 1963 trials Woods was found not guilty, despite all evidence pointed against him. Long, and sometimes too predictable and conventional, but compelling and credible never-theless, especially thanks to fine performances. Released in the U.K. as GHOSTS FROM THE PAST.

Ghost Son (2006, ITA/SAF/GBR/SPA) C-97m. **½ D: Lamberto Bava. Starring Laura Harring, John Hannah, Pete Postlethwaite, Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni, Mosa Kaiser. Second of Lamberto Bava’s theatrical comeback movies (after 14 years of TV work) is a chilling ghost story set in South Africa about Harring, who moves in with her lover Hannah on his farm. The natives tell her everything around her, even objects are alive. When Hannah dies in a car accident, she at first can’t let go of his memory, then his presence seems to return somehow, especially when she realizes she is pregnant with his son. Takes a few bizarre, tasteless twists, but this quiet chiller is solidly filmed, with a competent score. Harring, who spends the entire film without a bra is a sight for sore eyes. Story by Bava, who also cowrote the screenplay.

Ghost World (2001, USA/GBR/GER) C-111m. **½ D: Terry Zwigoff. Starring Thelma Blair, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, Bob Balaban, Stacey Travis, Bruce Glover, Teri Garr. Zwigoff's follow-up to the acclaimed biography CRUMB (1994) is an off-beat teen drama about two outsiders, Birch and Johansson, who have just finished high school and are looking for a job. They make the acquaintance of record collector Buscemi, a thirty-something geek, and Birch makes it her cause to help him find a girlfriend. Script is a bit unfocused and aimless like its main characters, but there are some funny bits and good performances. Based on a graphic novel by Daniel Clowes. Coproduced by John Malkovich.

Ghoul, The (1975, GBR) C-88m. *** D: Freddie Francis. Starring Peter Cushing, John Hurt, Alexandra Bastedo, Gwen Watford, Veronica Carlson, Steward Bevan. During a car race to Land’s End, a young woman and her driver get stuck in foggy marshland. She stumbles into a strange house, whose landlord (Cushing) may be waiting for fresh human flesh! Typically bizarre, nonsensical but chilling horror with a trivial but fast-paced plot. Cushing is excellent. Script should have been better, which non-horror fans will consider a liability.

Ghoulies (1985, USA) C-81m. ** D: Luca Bercovici. Starring Peter Lapis, Lisa Pelikan, Michael Des Barres, Jack Nance, Peter Risch. Horror comedy about Lapis and Pelikan, a couple who inherit a house and with it the title creatures. Seems like a parody of GREMLINS, only its attempts at humor are laughable. Watchable for some good special effects. Charles Band executive produced. Followed by three sequels.

Giallo a Venezia (1979, ITA) C-91m. ** D: Mario Landi. Starring Leonora Fani, Gianni Dei, Jeff Blynn, Mariangela Giordano, Vassili Karis. Notorious thriller uses the mystery formula to deliver a sex-and-crime story about inspector Blynn, who investigates brutal murder of two lovers. In flashbacks we learn that their relationship was characterized by sexual perversion and degradation. Gratuitious sex scenes abound, exceedingly violent, but hardly suspenseful and poorly structured. Worth a look for fans but not the cult shocker they may expect. English titles: GORE IN VENICE, MYSTERY IN VENICE, THRILLER IN VENICE.

Giant (1956, USA) C-201m. ***½ D: George Stevens. Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, Carol Baker, Jane Withers, Chill Wills, Mercedes McCambridge, Dennis Hopper, Sal Mineo, Rod Taylor, Judith Evelyn. Grand Hollywood epic from the 1950s about free-minded Maryland beauty Taylor, who marries cattle-baron Hudson and moves to his ranch in rural Texas. It’s tough for her to adjust to new situation, especially since his sister considers her competition for the rule and Hudson himself is a stubborn, old-fashioned man. Family saga spanning 25 years is really unmissable. Stevens’ direction is masterful in the way he makes subtle statements about the characters. Dean (in his final screen role, for which he was Oscar-nominated) plays an impressively negative character (note the shadows that frequently conceal parts of his face). Minor flaws: unconvincing aging makeup, an abundance of anti-climactic scenes. Based on Edna Ferber’s novel. Film received ten Academy Award nominations and won only for Best Director.

Giardino dei Finzi-Contini, Il (1971, ITA/GER) C-95m. ***½ D: Vittorio de Sica. Starring Lino Capolicchio, Dominique Sanda, Fabio Testi, Helmut Berger, Romolo Valli. Quiet, melancholy drama about rich Jewish family, who ignores the events taking place during World War Two until they themselves are affected. Top photography paints their garden like Paradise, from which they are finally expelled. Well-acted drama is not a typical Anti-Fascist statement but looks at the effects of Fascism on a very personal level. Based on a novel by Giorgio Bassani. Oscar-winner for Best Foreign Film. English title: THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS.

Gift, The (2000, USA) C-111m. *** D: Sam Raimi. Starring Cate Blanchett, Giovanni Ribisi, Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear, Hilary Swank, Michael Jeter, Kim Dickens, Gary Cole, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Danny Elfman. Atmospheric drama set in misty, dark Georgia, where widowed mother Blanchett makes a living with tarot readings for her neighbors. When a girl disappears, the father asks the clairvoyant for help and indeed she soon has visions of a very frightening kind. Eerie, creepy chiller is buoyed by Blanchett’s excellent performance but may be too weird and bizarre for most tastes. Plot is slightly overlong, but authentic atmosphere makes this work all the way. One of horror director Raimi’s best films. Good score by Christopher Young (although sometimes too reminiscent of Carter Burwell’s work for the Coen brothers). Written by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson.

G.I. Jane (1997, USA) C-124m. Scope ** D: Ridley Scott. Starring Demi Moore, Viggo Mortensen, Anne Bancroft, Scott Wilson, Jason Beghe, Daniel Von Bargen. Moore stars as a head-strong feamle soldier, determined to pass the tough Navy S.E.A.Ls training – as the first woman ever. Typically well-filmed for director Scott, but glorification of the army may make this inacceptable for pacifists. Moore’s second career-killer after STRIPTEASE.

Gimlet (1995, SPA) C-90m. **½ D: José Luis Acosta. Starring Angela Molina, Viggo Mortensen, Abel Folk, Pep Cruz. Competently made psycho-thriller about young bar owner Molina’s crazy admirer, who sends human hearts as a proof of his deep affection. Interesting, to say the least, but second-rate script fails to exploit the potential of the premise. The absurd ending further downs it. Gimlet was (according to Molina) Philip Marlowe’s favorite long drink.

Gingerbread Man, The (1998, USA) C-114m. **½ D: Robert Altman. Starring Kenneth Branagh, Embeth Davidtz, Robert Downey, Jr., Daryl Hannah, Tom Berenger, Famke Janssen, Mae Whitman, Jesse James, Robert Duvall. A divorced lawyer (Branagh) has an affair with a waitress (Davidtz) and offers to help her against her crazy father (Duvall). In court they manage to put him away into a clinic, but he escapes and makes life hell for the stressed, overanxious lawyer. Well-acted, well-scored film lives up to its classification as a thriller thanks to Altman's breathless direction, but it's still hard to overlook the utter implausibility of the story. Written by best-selling novelist John Grisham.

Ginger Snaps (2000, CDN/USA) C-110m. *** D: John Fawcett. Starring Emily Perkins, Katharine Isabelle, Kris Lemche, Mimi Rogers, Jesse Moss, voice of Lucy Lawless. Original take on werewolf movies about weird sisters Perkins and Isabelle, whose morbid doings have turned them into outsiders. One full moon night, Isabelle is attacked by a ferocious beast, a werewolf obviously, since Ginger is slowly changing into a wolf. Stylish, exciting horror film is too hysterical at times and overlong (it has some redundant scenes), but nicely different from other genre films. An interesting companion piece to THE COMPANY OF WOLVES (1984). Followed by a sequel and a prequel in 2003.

Giornata Nera per L’Ariete (1971, ITA) C-92m. **½ D: Luigi Bazzoni. Starring Franco Nero, Silvia Monti, Wolfgang Preiss, Ira Fürstenberg, Edmund Purdom, Renato Romano. Fairly interesting crime thriller (‘giallo’), based on the novel by D. M. Devine, about journalist Nero, who suffers from alcohol abuse and gets drawn into a murder mystery, where he himself is one of the prime suspects. He sets out to investigate. Quite well-directed, kudos to star-cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, whose exceptional spacial style makes the thriller worth watching. Score by Ennio Morricone. Still, nothing to get excited about. For giallo lovers. English titles: THE FIFTH CORD and EVIL FINGERS.

Giorni dell’Ira, I (1967, ITA/GER) C-114m. Scope **½ D: Tonino Valerii. Starring Giuliano Gemma, Lee van Cleef, Christa Linder, Lukas Ammann, Walter Rilla, Ennio Balbo, Andrea Bosic, Pepe Calva, Yvonne Sanson, Franco Balducci. Above-average spaghetti western about young man (Gemma) who keeps being picked upon by citizens of peaceful, bourgeois town of Clinton, Arizona, until a stranger (van Cleef) shows up who changes the naive man’s life by making him a gunfighter. Good direction, fine timing of Riz Ortolani’s score (kudos to editor Franco Fraticelli, who worked on most of Dario Argento’s horror films), but director Valerii concentrates too much on the - badly paced - plot than on gunplay or machismo. An adaptation of a novel by Ron Barker, which explains the aimless mid-section of the film. Beginning and end are best parts. English titles: DAY OF ANGER, and DAYS OF WRATH.

Giorno del Cobra, Il (1980, ITA) C-91m. *½ D: Enzo G. Castellari. Starring Franco Nero, Sybil Danning, William Berger, Mickey Knox, Ennio Girolami, Massimo Vanni, Romano Puppo, Enzo G. Castellari, Michele Soavi. Mostly boring actioner about private detective Nero (nicknamed ‘Cobra’), who is kind of a cheap Italian Mike Hammer imitation. He travels from the States to Italy to nail a crime boss. In the meantime, he is also trying to come to terms with his little son. Unexceptional, slowly paced, tame, only for die-hard Nero fans. Story cowritten by Aldo Lado. English title: DAY OF THE COBRA.

Giorno Prima, Il (1987, ITA/FRA/CDN/USA) C-101m. **½ D: Giuliano Montaldo. Starring Ben Gazzara, Kate Nelligan, Kate Reid, Burt Lancaster, Ingrid Thulin, Erland Josephson, Cyrielle Claire, William Berger, Andréa Ferréol, Flavio Bucci. Interesting psycho drama about fifteen strangers, who agree to take part in an experiment which is supposed to test underground shelter designed to protect mankind from nuclear holocaust. Will the group withstand the psychological pressure? Script presents stereotypical characters and dialogues but still manages to make interesting points. Worth a look, even so many years after the end of the Cold War. Score by Ennio Morricone. International title: CONTROL.

Girl, Interrupted (1999, USA) C-127m. **½ D: James Mangold. Starring Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy, Elisabeth Moss, Jared Leto, Jeffrey Tambor, Vanessa Redgrave, Whoopi Goldberg. Ryder plays a disoriented 18-year-old, whose latest suicide attempt brings her into a mental institution, where, among fellow problem children, she begins to discover herself. Well-made, well-acted (and overlong) drama has unfortunately a very unrealistic feel about it; maybe they should have made it without any stars. It simply seems phony. Based on the autobiographical book by Susanna Kaysen, cowritten by director Mangold (COPLAND, HEAVY). Jolie won an Oscar for her demented performance.

Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003, GBR/USA/LUX) C-100m. Scope *** D: Peter Webber. Starring Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson, Judy Parfitt, Cillian Murphy, Essie Davis, Joanna Scanlan. Interesting depiction of every day life in the 17^th century, focusing on shy chambermaid Johansson’s employment in the house of (later-to-be) famous painter Vermeer and their mutual but hesitant infatuation. Low-key, almost detached drama has many beautiful images and moments. Good photography by Eduardo Serra. Based on the novel by Tracy Chevalier.

Giubbe Rosse (1974, ITA) C-88m. Scope **½ D: Joe D’Amato. Starring Fabio Testi, Guido Mannari, Lionel Stander, Roberto Undari, Lars Bloch, Lynne Frederick. Western drama set in turn-of-the-century Canada. After struggling to set up the premise, film follows Mountie Testi’s attempts to catch criminal Mannari, who has kidnapped his son Bloch. Beautiful location work, good score (by Carlo Rustichelli), an unusual film for director/photographer/cowriter D’Amato. Plot is hardly involving, however. Wintry setting is reminiscent of Sergio Corbucci’s famous spaghetti western IL GRANDE SILENZIO (1968). In terms of plot this one is more similar to Lucio Fulci’s ZANNA BIANCA adventures based on Jack London’s White Fang. Also known as CORMACK OF THE MOUNTIES, RED COAT and ROYAL MOUNTED POLICE.

Giulietta degli Spiriti (1965, ITA/FRA/GER) C-137m. ***½ D: Federico Fellini. Starring Giulietta Masina, Sandra Milo, Mario Pisu, Valentina Cortese, Valeska Gert, Sylva Koscina, George Ardisson, Marilù Tolo. Marvelous surreal drama (some call it fantasy) about aging Masina’s growing suspicion that her husband Pisu is cheating on her. She dreams herself / finds herself drawn into a fantasy world, where the weirdest of people influence her. Brilliantly directed, visually astounding delight by one of cinema’s most extravagant auteurs. Fellini’s images are at times bizarre, eerie, beautiful and even haunting. Stunning art direction / set decoration, outré costumes add to film’s uniqueness. This was Fellini’s first color movie and it shows in his playful experimenting with what becomes possible. Score by Nino Rota (directed by Carlo Savina). The director went on to make HISTOIRES EXTRAORDINAIRES (1968); the project he focused on in between (circa 1965-1967, screenplay titled Il Viaggio di G. Mastorna) was unfortunately never realized; it could have marked another highpoint in Fellini’s dealing with the supernatural. English title: JULIET OF THE SPIRITS.

Giustiziere della Terra Perduta, Il (1983, ITA/USA) C-87m. ** D: David Worth, Fred Williamson. Starring Robert Ginty, Persis Khambatta, Donald Pleasence, Fred Williamson, Harrison Muller Sr. Quite cheesy but not bad MAD MAX 2 rip-off set in the wastelands of the future where motorcyclist Ginty becomes the only hope for rebels fighting against futuristic society led by Pleasence. Direction is quite good and first half has some interesting sets and ideas, but film bogs down almost completely in the second one. English titles: WARRIOR OF THE LOST WORLD, MAD RIDER.

Gladiator (2000, USA) C-155m. Scope *** D: Ridley Scott. Starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, David Schofield, John Shrapnel, Tomas Arana, Ralph Möller, Spencer Treat Clarke, David Hemmings. Powerful action epic set 180 A.D. about a victorious warrior for the Roman forces (Crowe), who is cheated out of becoming emperor by Phoenix, the son of the dying Caesar. When his family is killed he seeks vengeance on the villain, becoming a feared gladiator. Simple story formula is overcome by rip-roaring action sequences and a compelling performance by Crowe. Slightly overlong but still very entertaining (and quite bloody). A box-office smash, Oscar winner for Best Picture and Best Actor (Crowe). Reed’s last film.

Gli Fumavano le Colt… Lo Chiamavano Camposanto (1971, ITA) C-94m. Scope **½ D: Anthony Ascott (=Giuliano Carnimeo). Starring Gianni Garko, William Berger, Chris Chittell, John Fordyce. Occasionally funny comedy western about two ‘gentlemen cowboys’, who come to defend their father’s honour. Gunslinger Garko wants to get his personal revenge on local tyrant, when another shootist (Berger) shows up. Loosely structured plot, but script (by E.B. Clucher né Enzo Barboni) has some nice ideas. Fine, memorable score by Bruno Nicolai. English titles: THEY CALL HIM CEMETERY, BULLET FOR A STRANGER.

Glory Stompers, The (1968, USA) C-85m. Scope ** D: Anthony M. Lanza. Starring Dennis Hopper, Jody McCrea, Jock Mahoney, Casey Kasem, Lindsay Crosby, Randee Lynne Jensen. Biker picture with all the intensity and violence: Hopper and his troupe club a biker almost to death and abduct his girlfriend. Not very stimulating, but a cult movie among bikers, understandably. If this is your cup of tea, tune in. At least director Lanza does a good editing job.

Go-Between, The (1970, GBR) C-118m. ***½ D: Joseph Losey. Starring Julie Christie, Alan Bates, Margaret Leighton, Michael Redgrave, Dominic Guard, Michael Gough, Edward Fox. Sublime cast in atmospheric period piece about a rich family spending their summer in Norfolk, where a 13-year-old becomes a witness of (and messenger for) the love affair between aristocratic Christie and farmer Bates. Top script by Harold Pinter, adapting a novel by L.P. Hartley. Fine score by Michel Legrand, memorable, evocative settings. Winner of the Golden Palm at Cannes.

God (2002, NOR) C/B&W-80m. **½ D: Johnny Markussen. Starring David Allen, Thomas Eirheim, Ronny Fagereng, Stig Rune Haugen, Edgar Wilde. Experimental drama about Allen, who is the new inmate in an insane asylum. He tries to oppose authority by proclaiming himself God, but is there any way out of the madness? Plot is second-rate and seems like a retread of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST (1975) – with less-than-stellar acting – but experimental animated sequences are quite good and make this no-budget film interesting. Written by first-time director Markussen.

Goddess of 1967, The (2002, AUS) C-118m. *** D: Clara Law. Starring Rosa Byrne, Rikiya Kurokawa, Nicholas Hope, Elise McCredie, Tim Richards. A Japanese twen travels to Australia to buy the love of his life, a 1967 Citroen DS (=déesse, meaning goddess). Upon his arrival he learns that the owner has killed himself and his wife. Their daughter is looked after by a troubled 17-year-old blind girl, who persuades him to drive her across the continent. In flashbacks we learn her story and find out that she is actually a broken soul. Artful direction and superb cinematography make this road movie drama a treat, though it tends to overlength and pretentious dialogue. Winner of several festival prizes. Cowritten by director Law.

Godfather, The (1972, USA) C-175m. ***½ D: Francis Ford Coppola. Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, John Cazale, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, Al Lettieri, Abe Vigoda, Al Martino, Alex Rocco. Sweeping saga about an Italian family in the U.S., led by patriarch Brando, who have built up their existence on organised crime. Mario Puzo's story extremely well-told by a master filmmaker. Long and not always compelling but hypnotic and revved up by stylish depictions of violence. Score by Nino Rota is brilliant. Oscars were awarded for Best Picture, Best Actor (Brando) and Best Screenplay.

Godfather Part II, The (1974, USA) C-200m. **** D: Francis Ford Coppola. Starring Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Lee Strasberg, Michael V. Gazzo, G.D. Spradlin, Bruno Kirby, Jr., John Aprea, Morgana King, Mariana Hill, Troy Donahue, Joe Spinell, Abe Vigoda, Fay Spain, Harry Dean Stanton, Danny Aiello, Roger Corman, James Caan. Sequel to the above is perhaps Coppola's masterpiece. Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) has taken over from his deceased father and is the new Don. Flashback sequences contrast his life with the one of his father (De Niro) in his early days before World War One. Languid drama, masterful in all compartments. Oscar-winner for Best Picture, Best Director, Screenplay, Supporting Actor (De Niro), Score, and Art Direction/Set Decoration.

God of Gamblers Returns (1994, HGK) C-100m. ** D: Wong Jing. Staring Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung, Cheung Man, Charles Heung. Sequel to GOD OF GAMBLERS (1989) with title character Chow having set up a peaceful, anonymous existence. A gambling rival has found his hideout, however, and when he kills Chow's pregnant wife, it's time for revenge. Uneven, at times confusing thriller comedy with potent, well-directed action sequences that unfortunately lose out to silly comic relief. Original 126m. version also available. Also known as THE RETURN OF THE GOD OF GAMBLERS, GOD OF GAMBLERS 2.

God of Killers (1981, HGK) C-87m. ** D: Ann Hui. Starring Chow Yun-Fat, Dave Brodett, Cherie Chung, Lo Lieh, Cora Miao. A Vietnamese refugee comes to Hong Kong and soon learns that life is hard in the new country. As he sees his dreams shattered, he turns to a life of crime. Talky, not interesting crime drama that some (distributors, presumably) labeled an action movie The ending is the best part of this slack film. An early appearance by Chow, made several years before his breakthrough in John Woo’s classics. Also known as THE STORY OF WOO VIET, or WOO YUET’S STORY.

Godsend, The (1980, GBR) C-86m. M D: Gabrielle Beaumont. Starring Cyd Hayman, Malcolm Stoddard, Patrick Barr, Joanne Boorman, Angela Pleasence. Dull thriller about a couple with six children, who is visited by a mysterious woman one day. The stranger gives birth to a girl and disappears. The couple adopts the baby, not knowing that it is evil. They live to regret it. Mean-spirited movie is completely unappealing. Not even for horror fans. Based on the novel by Bernard Taylor.

God Told Me To (1977, USA) C-89m. **½ D: Larry Cohen. Starring Tony Lo Bianco, Deborah Raffin, Sandy Dennis, Sylvia Sidney, Sam Levene, Richard Lynch. Unusual, highly interesting horror thriller about cop Lo Bianco’s investigations concerning mass murders committed by ordinary people who claim that “God told them to”. Intriguing but unfortunately also uneven script by the director. Worth comparing to Dario Argento’s SUSPIRIA (released that same year) and Roman Polanski’s ROSEMARY’S BABY. Also known as DEMON.

Godzilla (1998, USA) C-140m.