Mac (1992, USA) C-118m. **½ D: John Turturro. Starring John Turturro, Michael Badalucco, Carl Capotorto, Katherine Borowitz, John Amos, Olek Krupa, Ellen Barkin, Joe Paparone. Simple tale about three carpenter brothers in 1950s New York, who decide to open their own business. Bitter-sweet comedy drama, well-performed and nicely filmed (Turturro, in his directorial debut, was obviously influenced by his cooperation with the Coen Brothers in MILLER'S CROSSING and BARTON FINK). However, film lacks a certain continuity in the plot line and is not very compelling in its (ragged) depiction of the oft-quoted American Dream. Turturro also cowrote the screenplay.

Macabro (1980, ITA) C-90m. **½ D: Lamberto Bava. Starring Bernice Stegers, Stanko Molnar, Veronica Zinny, Roberto Posse, Ferdinando Orlandi, Fernando Panullo. Subtle, almost coy horror film about married woman whose lover dies in a car accident. After a stay in a clinic she moves into the house where she used to meet her deceased lover. The house’s owner, a blind man, hears strange noises coming from her room. Just what is she keeping locked in her freezer? The directorial debut of Mario Bava’s son is a truly macabre, quite suspenseful thriller. Nice art direction and cinematography (by Franco Delli Colli), but the story does not hold up to the very end. Screenplay by Lamberto Bava, Pupi Avati, Roberto Gandus and Antonio Avati. Aka MACABRE, and in the U.S. as FROZEN TERROR.

Macbeth (1948, USA) 107m. *** D: Orson Welles. Starring Orson Welles, Jeanette Nolan, Dan O’Her-lihy, Edgar Barrier, Roddy McDowall, Robert Coote, Erskine Sanford, Alan Napier. First film adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy about usurper Macbeth, who is driven by a lust for power (and his mega-lomaniacal wife Lady Macbeth). Black-and-white photography is first-rate, Welles’ direction good. Strange, surreal interior sets create an eerie atmosphere. Also shown in cut version, which runs 89m. and is dubbed into American English (original version is in Scottish). Written and produced by Welles.

Macbeth (1971, GBR) C-140m. Scope ***½ D: Roman Polanski. Starring Jon Finch, Francesca Annis, Martin Shaw, Nicholas Selby, John Stride, Stephan Chase. Master director Roman Polanski’s film version of the Shakespeare tragedy is more explicit than the Orson Welles film of 1948. The destruction of a man whose greed has led him to commit gruesome crimes is elaborately told by Polanski, who cowrote the screenplay with Kenneth Tynan. Some stunning surreal sequences cleverly woven into plot. If you can’t watch it in a theater, nothing but a widescreen video will do the film’s grandeur justice.

Machine, La (1994, FRA/GER) C-96m. **½ D: Francois Dupeyron. Starring Gérard Depardieu, Didier Bourdon, Nathalie Baye, Erwan Baynaud, Claude Berri. Sci-fi thriller set in contemporary France about brain specialist Depardieu, who has invented a mind-switch machine in secrecy and plans to use it on his latest patient, serial killer Bourdon, in order to find out what’s going wrong in his mind. Unfortunately, the killer refuses to let him return to his body. Off-beat but also highly improbable (even idiotic) body-switch movie that is almost saved by tight direction and good acting. Do not think too hard about the plot. For example, how is doctor Depardieu going to find out anything if he is just in the killer’s body and not his mind (which is again in the doctor’s body)? Based on a novel by René Belletto. English title: THE MACHINE.

Machinist, The (2004, SPA) C-102m. Scope ***½ D: Brad Anderson. Starring Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, John Sharian, Michael Ironside, Larry Gilliard Jr., Anna Massey. Extraordinary psycho drama that plays like a mystery: Machinist Bale, who works under deplorable conditions has problems with himself. He hasn’t slept in a long time, he finds strange notes on the refrigerator and a mysterious man keeps popping up every now and then. Is Bale going insane? Bleak but atmospheric, well-directed and ideally scripted (by Scott Kosar), this puzzler owes more than a bit to JACOB’S LADDER (1990) but stands well on its own as a mystery thriller and an examination of repressed guilt. Bale is brilliant in the title role, for which he lost an incredible 63 pounds. Made and produced by Spanish hands (apart from director, screenwriter and cast), original title is EL MAQUINISTA.

Maciste all'Inferno (1962, ITA) C-85m. *½ D: Riccardo Freda. Starring Kirk Morris, Helene Chanel. Naive action fantasy about title hero Maciste, who heads into Hades, trying to find a witch in order to save a beautiful young girl from the stake. He meets some odd creatures in the Underworld, but effects are dull and the supernatural power of the hero is too obviously faked. Despite the director, a most tedious venture. English title: MACISTE IN HELL.

Maciste Contro i Mostri (1962, ITA) C-80m. Scope *½ D: Guido Malatesta. Starring Reg Lewis, Margaret Lee, Luciano Marin, Andrea Aureli, Birgit Bergen. Cheesy fantasy / stone age adventure with Reg Lewis in his only appearance as Maciste (Maxus in the English version). The strongman helps a tribe to avenge the brutal attack of a rival tribe who kidnapped their women. He battles some cardboard monsters along the way. Almost entirely without appeal, especially also because of Lewis, who is simply terrible. Sound editing by Bruno Mattei. English title: COLOSSUS OF THE STONE AGE, FIRE MONSTERS AGAINST THE SON OF HERCULES.

Maciste, l’Eroe Piu Grande del Mondo (1963, ITA) C-89m. Scope *½ D: Michele Lupo. Starring Mark Forest, José Greci, Livio Lorenzon, Giuliano Gemma, Erno Crisa, Jacques Herlin. Another unimaginative sword-and-sandal epic about the title hero, who lends a hand in a revolution. Plot stinks, film’s good production values save it from the scrap heap. Produced by Leone Film.

Maciste, l’Uomo Piu Forte del Mondo (1961, ITA) C-98m. Scope *½ D: Antonio Leonviola. Starring Mark Forest, Moira Orfei, Paul Wynter, Gianni Garko, Enrico Glori. Typically silly muscleman movie, one of hundreds made after the success of LE FATICHE DI ERCOLE (HERCULES). Bodybuilder Forest plays a muscleman who infiltrates the world of the sadistic ‘mole men’ in order to save a beautiful princess. Ludicrous, overlong and pretty violent. Score by Armando Trovaioli.

Madagascar (2005, USA) C-86m. *** D: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath. Starring (the voices of) Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter, Tom McGrath. Funny, well-designed animated feature from Dreamworks: A lion, a zebra, a giraffe, and a hippo, all living the good life as attractions in the New York zoo find themselves tempted by freedom and get more than they bargained for when they are washed ashore on the title island. Some plot weaknesses offset by good vocal performances and production design. Recommended family fare.

Madame Bovary (1991, FRA) C-142m. ** D: Claude Chabrol. Starring Isabelle Huppert, Jean-François Balmer, Christopher Malavoy, Jean Yanne, Lucas Belvaux, Jean-Claude Bouilland, Henri Attal, Dominique Zardi, narrated by François Périer. One of director Chabrol’s few duds, this adaptation of Gustave Flaubert’s famous novel is too uninvolving to justify its overlength. Huppert gives her best as the title character, a country lass who marries a doctor hoping to lead an exciting life in the city. Drama is well-acted and has some good moments, but second half is lethargic and adds no new perspectives to the story. The narration fails to evoke compassion for the main character. May appeal more to audiences who have read the novel. Previously filmed in 1932, 1934 (by Jean Renoir) and 1949 (by Vincente Minnelli).

Madame und ihre Nichte (1969, GER) C-86m. ** D::Eberhard Schröder. Staring Ruth-Maria Kubitschek, Edwige Fenech, Fred Williams, Rainer Penkert, Karl Walter Diess. Trivial erotic comedy about ‘madame’ Kubitschek, who has many lovers and says her beautiful daughter Fenech is really her niece. Nothing to get excited about, but provides enough period flavor to make this marginally interesting. For fans of Fenech, who appears nude. Also known as MADAME AND HER NIECE.

Mad City (1997, USA) C-115m. Scope *** D: Costa-Gavras. Starring John Travolta, Dustin Hoffman, Mia Kirshner, Alan Alda, Robert Prosky, Blythe Danner, William Atherton, Ted Levine, Tammy Lauren, William O’Leary. Travolta, who has only recently lost his job, returns to his former working place, a museum, to have one last talk with his former boss, and he has brought a shot gun with him to make her listen to him. When a bunch of school kids storm the scene, television reporter Hoffman - who just happens to film a news clip about the museum - immediately goes on air and reports of a ‘hostage crisis’! Travolta, whose intentions were of the most harmless kind, is soon faced with deep troubles. Hoffman, however, as he gets to interview the man, realizes that he can’t capitalize on Travolta’s desperate situation, and tries to get the public’s sympathies. How will everything turn out? Well-acted, well-written drama that goes to show how easily truth can be manipulated by the media.

Madhouse (1974, GBR) C-91m. ** D: Jim Clark. Starring Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, Robert Quarry, Adrienne Corri, Linda Hayden. Cheaply produced horror thriller about famous actor Price, whose own horror role as Dr. Death comes to haunt him, when a series of murders is committed, all copying killings from his films. Poorly designed thriller creates little suspense. The story is also not very intriguing. Based on the novel Devilday by Angus Hall. Some elements may be derived from Dario Argento’s early films, but that is probably a coincidence. Jim Clark went on to become a top Hollywood editor. Also known as DEATHDAY, THE MADHOUSE OF DR. FEAR, THE REVENGE OF DR. DEATH.

Mad Love (1995, USA) C-95m. *½ D: Antonia Bird. Starring Chris O'Donnell, Drew Barrymore, Joan Allen, Jude Ciccolella, Kevin Dunn, Liev Schreiber, Richard Chaim, Robert Nadir. Weakly scripted teenager love story, from the director of the acclaimed PRIEST. O'Donnell plays an ordinary guy who falls in love with manic-depressive girl Barrymore. Together they flee their frustrating every-day existence. No chemistry between the stars, and when the film tries for some serious dramatics at the end, the whole thing has long ceased to be credible. This is about as intellectual as its title.

Mad Magician, The (1954, USA) 72m. **½ D: John Brahm. Starring Vincent Price, Mary Murphy, Eva Gabor, Patrick O'Neal, John Emery. Price is quite good as inventor of magic tricks, who feels cheated by his boss and starts killing and impersonating famous magicians. Quite well-made, but unfortunately filmed in black-and-white, which takes away some of its corny edge. Originally released in 3-D.

Mad Max (1979, AUS) C-93m. Scope ***½ D: George Miller. Starring Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Steve Bisley, Tim Burns, Roger Ward, Vince Gil. Tense, original action drama boosted Mel Gibson to stardom: He plays a highway patrolman in the near future, who may be the only one able to stop ruthless gang of punks led by ‘Toecutter’ Keays-Byrne, who pillage, rape and kill. Few science-fiction elements apart from the time setting, film isn’t perfect (note some faults in plot coherency and dramatics in general) but very well-filmed and especially well-edited. Interesting, bizarre characters add to the unique feel of the movie. Brian May’s score is effective despite being an obvious imitation of Bernard Herrmann’s PSYCHO theme. First-time director Miller followed this with the even more impressive MAD MAX 2: THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981). He states the science-fiction cult movie A BOY AND HIS DOG (1975) as a major inspiration for this film.

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981, AUS) C-95m. Scope ***½ D: George Miller. Starring Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Max Phipps, Vernon Wells, Kjell Nilsson, Emil Minty. Outstanding sequel to MAD MAX (1979) surpasses the original in many ways. Policeman Gibson has turned into a loner, a Road Warrior, who is constantly on the search for fuel, which has become more precious than water in the post-apocalyptic world. He reluctantly agrees to help a group of survivors defend their fuel supply against a band of scavenging lunatics. More epic in scope, grandly filmed in widescreen, this science-fiction action extravanganza made many people discover the first film and rightfully has a place in film history. Great score by Brian May. Released in the United States as THE ROAD WARRIOR. Followed by MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME (1985).

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985, AUS/USA) C-107m. Scope ***½ D: George Miller, George Ogilvie. Starring Mel Gibson, Tina Turner, Bruce Spence, Adam Cockburn, Frank Thring, Angelo Rossitto, Paul Larsson. Grandly filmed, riveting sequel with Mad Max (Gibson) going in search of his stolen automobile and ending up in the cesspool Bartertown, one of the last outposts in the post-apocalyptic wasteland. He becomes the pawn in a struggle for power between the midget ruler (Rossitto) of the underworld and the city’s mayor (Turner). He also becomes the new hope for a tribe of lost children in the desert. Lightning paced, superbly directed science-fiction adventure with beautiful photography by Dean Semler and an excellent score by Maurice Jarre. A worthy conclusion of the trilogy around the loner in the barren outback.

Mad Room, The (1969, USA) C-92m. **½ D: Bernard Girard. Starring Stella Stevens, Shelley Winters, James Ward, Carol Cole, Severn Darden, Beverly Garland, Michael Burns. Interesting psycho thriller about young woman (Stevens), who manages the affairs of a widow (Winters), and one day takes her brother and sister to live with them. Years back the two were suspected of having killed their parents and were put in an asylum. Remake of the 1941 LADIES IN RETIREMENT (based on Reginald Denham's play) is not bad, especially with that hair-raising score, but quite slow. Photography by Harry Stradling, Jr.

Maggie, The (1954, GBR) B&W-92m. **½ D: Alexander Mackendrick. Starring Paul Douglas, Alex Mackenzie, James Copeland, Abe Barker, Tommy Kearins. Minor effort from the director of THE LADYKILLERS (1955) and DON’T MAKE WAVES (1967). Douglas is an American businessman, whose cargo ends up on Scotsman Mackenzie’s ship, a run-down steamer. Afraid that he might lose it, he first sends an assistant, then takes the matters into his own hands. Mild black-and-white comedy. Released as HIGH AND DRY in the U.S.

Magic Cop (1990, HGK) C-87m. *** D: Tung Wei. Starring Lam Ching-Ying, Michiko Nishiwaki, Wilson Lam, Frankie Chin, Billy Chow, Wu Ma. Offbeat, well-paced Hong Kong fantasy about cop Lam, who comes to the city to investigate the death of a relative, who turns out to have been a zombie. This refreshing mixture of horror, fantasy and crime elements also throws in some slapstick (unfortunately). Mid-section is draggy, but there are some very well-directed sequences. Also known as MR. VAMPIRE 5.

Magician, The (1926, USA) 89m. *** D: Rex Ingram. Starring Paul Wegener, Alice Terry, Ivan Petrovich, Firmin Gémier, Gladys Hamer, Henry Wilson. Expressionist silent horror set in France about sinister hypnotist and magician Wegener’s evil plan to use the heart and blood of a virgin in order to create new life. Hesitant plot (the creation of which life?) and heavy-handed direction, but wonderful gothic atmosphere compensates. Best sequences: The conjuring of the faun and the climax in the sorcerer’s castle. Ingram adapted the W. Somerset Maugham novel. Photographed by John F. Seitz (DOUBLE INDEM-NITY, SUNSET BOULEVARD). German actor/director Wegener codirected DER GOLEM, WIE ER IN DIE WELT KAM in 1920.

Magiciens, Les (1975, FRA/ITA/GER) C-92m. ***½ D: Claude Chabrol. Starring Jean Rochefort, Franco Nero, Stefania Sandrelli, Gert Fröbe, Gila von Weitershausen. In a Tunisian holiday resort rich business man Rochefort befriends odd magician/clairvoyant Fröbe, who predicts a murder, which may have something to do with Nero, whose marriage is put to a test when he meets a former lover while vacationing with his wife. Chabrol lends a unique spin to marital dramas with this symbolic and fascinating film. Well-acted, with Fröbe excellently cast, drama draws its power from what the audience does not know and can only speculate about. Based on the novel Initiation au Meurtre by Frédéric Dard.

Magnificent Ambersons, The (1942, USA) 88m. ***½ D: Orson Welles. Starring Tim Holt, Joseph Cotten, Dolores Costello, Anne Baxter, Agnes Moorehead, Ray Collins, Richard Bennett, Erskine Sanford. Welles' second feature film is one of his best. Adapted from the Booth Tarkington novel, this brilliantly shot family drama deals with the effects of modernization on a rich family that is unwilling to accept the changing times. Welles had to give up the final cut, but this still carries the stamp of a directorial genius.

Magnifico Gladiatore, Il (1964, ITA) C-78m. Scope ** D: Alfonso Brescia. Starring Mark Forest, Marilù Tolo, Nazzareno Zamperla. Sword-and-sandal adventure featuring Forest as Attalus (not Hercules this time). The strongman must withstand the evil schemes of a would-be imperator, who has substituted Caesar with a doppelgänger. Plot is not bad, but formula had become tiresome by then.

Magnolia (1999, USA) C-187m. Scope **½ D: Paul Thomas Anderson. Starring Tom Cruise, Jason Robards. Episodic story about several characters whose lives finally intertwine got rave reviews but is overlong and rather pointless (unless that life is a series of coincidences). Some fine performances (notably Cruise’s), make up ypur own mind about the movie. From the director of HARD EIGHT and BOOGIE NIGHTS.

Magnum Special per Tony Saitta, Una (1976, ITA/CDN) C-99m. Scope ** D: Martin Herbert (=Alberto De Martino). Starring Stuart Whitman, John Saxon, Martin Landau, Tisa Farrow, Carole Laure, Jean LeClerc, Gayle Hunnicut. Detective Whitman, grieving the death of his sister, sets out with assistant Saxon to find her murderer. One-dimensional thriller mixes giallo elements with the gritty realism of police movies but is hardly distinguished. Some nice directorial touches make this film worthwhile for those who care. De Martino’s follow-up to L’ANTICRISTO. Score by Armando Trovajoli. English titles: STRANGE SHADOWS IN AN EMPTY ROOM, BLAZING MAGNUMS, TOUGH TONY SAITTA and .44 SPECIAL.

Maid in Manhattan (2002, USA) C-105m. Scope ** D: Wayne Wang. Starring Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci, Tyler Posey, Bob Hoskins. Contrived Hollywood romance set in a big New York hotel. Room maid Lopez, who is living a hard life as a single mother, one day dares to put on the dress of a guest, and is instantly mistaken for her by gentleman-politician Fiennes. Needless to say, it’s love at first sight. How long will she keep up the masquerade? Certainly smooth but predictable, formulaic. Fiennes and director Wang should be ashamed.

Maître Nageur, Le (1978, FRA) C-90m. **½ D: Jean-Louis Trintignant. Starring Jean-Claude Brialy, Guy Marchand, Stefania Sandrelli, Moustache, Jean-Louis Trintignant. Marchand plays a hapless singer, who meets a woman whose dreams always come true. Naturally, she has dreamt that they will fall in love and be rich one day. Marchand then takes up job as a swim master (maître-nageur) at eccentric zillionaire Zopoulos’ estate, which seems to be ruled by odd butler Brialy. Surreal comedy is full of absurd ideas, only some of them are funny. Mainly interesting for Trintignant’s direction; his only other one being for UNE JOURNEE BIEN REMPLIE (1972). Based on the novel by Vehé Katcha.

Majo No Takkyûbin (1989, JAP) C-103m. **** D: Hayao Miyazaki. Starring (the voices of) Minami Takayama, Rei Sakuma, Kappei Yamaguchi, Keiko Toda, Mieko Nobusawa, Koichi Miura. Charming, absolutely beautiful fantasy is one of master Miyazaki’s most endearing films. A 13-year-old witch, eagerly following family tradition, grabs her broomstick and black cat and heads for a city by the ocean to live there for a year by herself. After some starting problems, she befriends a baker’s family and sets up a delivery service. Lovingly animated, filled with an old-world charm of friendliness, slowness and peace (albeit not without Miyazaki’s trademark criticism of technology), this masterpiece unfolds beautifully without needing to be spectacular – and just when you didn’t expect it any more it becomes just that. Truly amazing. Miyazaki’s based his screenplay on a children’s book by Eiko Kadono. Reportedly he set the story in an alternative 1950s Europe, where the World Wars never happened. Wonderful score by Joe Hisaishi. English version, titled KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE, features the voice talents of Kirsten Dunst, Debbie Reynolds, Janeane Garofalo, and Phil Hartman, among others.

Mala Carodejnice (1986, CZE/GER) C-96m. *½ D: Zdenek Smetana. Poorly animated, loosely structured fairy tale about a young witch, who does all kinds of stupid things before being accepted by the older ones. Completely unappealing. Very small kids may find this spellbinding – for five minutes. Based on the book Die Kleine Hexe by popular German writer Otfried Preußler. Released in Germany as DIE KLEINE HEXE.

Mala Ordine, La (1972, ITA/GER) C-84m. ** D: Fernando di Leo. Starring Mario Adorf, Henry Silva, Woody Strode, Adolfo Celi, Sylva Koscina, Ulli Lommel. Violent but ordinary mafia thriller with Adorf a small-time crook who is framed for something he hasn’t done and is chased by two American killers (Silva and Strode) and the local mafia headed by Celi. Some interesting casting saves this thriller. Titled THE ITALIAN CONNECTION for the American release in 1973 (with a running time of 92m.).

Malastrana (1971, ITA/GER/YUG) C-97m. Scope **½ D: Aldo Lado. Starring Ingrid Thulin, Jean Sorel, Mario Adorf, Barbara Bach, Fabijan Sovagovic, José Quaglio, Jürgen Drews. Vague mystery about reporter Sorel, who is found dead in a public park in Prague. However, he is not really dead. His mind is alive, and against the prospect of an impending autopsy, he tries to remember what brought him into this situation. It turns out he set out to find his lost girlfriend Bach in the streets of Prague. Interesting giallo is quite well-made and mysterious enough to keep you guessing, but dramatics are uneven and film has little punch. Genre fans shouldn’t mind. Score by Ennio Morricone. Writer-director Lado’s first film. Released as LA CORTE NOTTE DELLE BAMBOLE DI VETRO in Italy (MALASTRANA is the film’s intended title, though). English titles: SHORT NIGHT OF GLASS DOLLS and PARALYZED.

Malèna (2000, ITA/USA) C-92m. *** D: Giuseppe Tornatore. Starring Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro, Luciano Federico, Matilde Piana, Pietro Notarianni. Well-directed, beautifully photographed drama setin WW2 Sicily, Italy, where a sexy woman (Bellucci) turns basically all men’s heads. Her husband is at the front, thus making her the target of speculation. We are told the story from teh point of view of an adolescent boy who falls in love with her. Funny, elegant, expertly handled by Tornatore (CINEMA PARADISO), despite some plot deficiencies. Good score by Ennio Morricone. Original Italian running time: 109m. English title: MALENA.

Malenka (1969, SPA/ITA) C-74m. **½ D: Amando de Ossorio. Starring Anita Ekberg, John Hamilton (=Gianni Medici), Julián Ugarte, Diana Lorys, Adriana Ambesi, Paul Muller. Nicely atmospheric chiller that makes use of the vampire myth. Ekberg learns she has inherited a castle and travels there, only to find her uncle waiting to turn her into a master vampire. Her fiancé Medici becomes suspicious and investigates. Interesting DRACULA variation, with Ekberg hamming it up considerably. Great sets, good score by Carlo Savina. Director de Ossorio also scripted, his first horror film. Some prints runs longer. Alternative titles: BLOODY GIRL, FANGS OF THE LIVING DEAD, MALENKA THE VAMPIRE, THE NIECE OF THE VAMPIRE, THE VAMPIRE’S NIECE.

Malibu Express (1985, USA) C-105m. *½ D: Andy Sidaris. Starring Darby Hinton, Sybil Danning, Art Metrano, Shelley Taylor Morgan, Brett Baxter Clark. Pulp fiction about handsome private detective Hinton, whose latest case involves a secret formula stolen by the Russians. What sounds like a 60s spy movie is in fact an 80s sex movie disguised as an action thriller. Gratuitous, both in terms of nudity and plot. It’s the Playboy bunnies that get the most attention. Followed by eight(!) sequels, starting with HARD TICKET TO HAWAII (1987).

Malizie di Venere, Le (1969, ITA/GER) C-87m. Scope ** D: Max Dillman (=Massimo Dallamano). Starring Laura Antonelli, Régis Vallée, Ewing Loren, Renate Kasché, Werner Pochath, Mady Rahl, Wolf Ackva, Peter Heeg. Based on Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's notorious work, this erotic drama is about a writer's obsession with naked women, especially Antonelli, whom he marries and asks to torture him both physically and mentally. Film explores (or rather exploits) his sado-masochistic tendencies and his downfall, which leads him to seeking refuge in an asylum, where he tells his story to a psychiatrist. Interesting, well-photographed, and with enough period flavor and nudity to please fans, but pseudo-critical and slowly paced. Antonelli is a wow in one of her first roles. Alternative titles: DEVIL IN THE FLESH, VENUS IM PELZ, and  VENUS IN FURS (not to be confused with Jess Franco's film of the same year).

Mallrats (1995, USA) C-94m. **½ D: Kevin Smith. Starring Jeremy London, Jason Lee, Shannon Doherty, Claire Forlani, Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Renée Humphrey, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Ethan Suplee, Stan Lee, Priscilla Barnes, Michael Rooker, Scott Mosier, Brian O’Halloran. More lunacy from CLERKS (1994) director Smith. Two slackers (London and Lee) spend their day at a shopping mall after having been dumped by their girlfriends. There they meet all kinds of different characters, some funny, some dull. Typical mid-90s comedy has, like Smith’s other films, acquired a cult following. Critically drubbed because of general crudeness and some mean-spirited scenes involving children. It’s fun for Smith’s fans (and filmbuffs)! Comic book artist Stan Lee plays himself.

Maltese Falcon, The (1941, USA) 100m. ***½ D: John Huston. Starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Ward Bond, Elisha Cook Jr., James Burke, Charles Drake, William Hopper, Walter Huston. Fast-moving, fast-talking, exciting crime classic from the book by Dashiell Hammett (filmed before in 1931). Bogart plays private eye Sam Spade with great expertise, as he is drawn into struggle for mysterious, immensely expensive title token. Sometimes he is so laid-back that his motivations are a great mystery, too. Sort-of abrupt ending keeps this from being an knock-out classic. Directorial debut of maverick director John Huston. This was also actor Greenstreet’s first film (at 62!).

Mamba (1988, ITA) C-81m. **½ D: Mario Orfini. Starring Trudie Styler, Gregg Henry, Bill Moseley. Styler is trapped in her apartment with a deadly snake, courtesy ex-lover Henry. The mamba must bite within 60 minutes, or else it will die. Silly premise, but well-photographed (by Dante Spinotti) and directed. Good sound effects and score by Giorgio Moroder. Some chills make this an okay view. Also released as FAIR GAME.

Man, The (2005, USA) C-83m. **½ D: Les Mayfield. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Eugene Levy, Luke Goss, Miguel Ferrer, Susie Essman. Tough cop Jackson, whose partner has just been killed, is about to get in touch with a weapons dealer, when conservative family father Levy steps into his way. The dental appliances salesman is forced to work with Jackson, as the crooks believe him to be the contact. Buddy movie comedy sounds like it’s second-rate (which in some parts it is), but you end up being entertained quite well. Levy (AMERICAN PIE) is funny.

Man Called Noon, The (1973, GBR/ITA/SPA) C-95m. Scope **½ D: Peter Collinson. Starring Richard Crenna, Stephen Boyd, Rosanna Schiaffino, Farley Granger, Patty Shepard, Angel del Pozo, Howard Ross, Aldo Sambrell. Unusual European western about clever gunslinger Crenna, who, suffering from amnesia, tries to reconstruct his identity. Is he a killer? Elaborate camera angles, nice score by Luis Bacalov, but overall too self-conscious. Crenna is quite good, but one would still wish for a tougher hero like Clint Eastwood, for instance. Not bad, though, based on the novel by Louis L’Amour. Italian title: LO CHIAMAVANO MEZZOGIORNO. Spanish title: UN HOMBRE LLAMADO NOON.

Man Cheng Jin Dai Huang Jin Jia (2006, HGK/CHI) C-114m. Scope *** D: Zhang Yimou. Starring Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li, Jay Chou, Li uye, Ni Dahong, Qin Junjie. Sumptuous costume drama, very much in the league of the director’s earlier HERO and HOUSE OF FYLING DAGGERS. Talky plot is about emperor Chow, who is at odds with his wife and one of his sons. Court intrigue and political ambitions complicate the proceedings, but visually breathtaking scenery (including astounding production design and costumes) takes first chair. Zhang’s commanding direction makes the difference. Based on a play by Cao Yu, written by the director. English title: CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER.

Mangiati Vivi (1979, ITA) C-89m. ** D: Umberto Lenzi. Starring Janet Agren, Robert Kerman, Ivan Rassimov, Paola Senatore, Mel Ferrer. A young woman (Agren) travels to South East Asia to look for her lost sister in the jungle. Teaming up with vietnam vet Kerman, she soon finds her with a group of religious fanatics, the so-called Purification sect. Around their small camp there’s cannibals waiting for fresh human flesh. Gruesome exploitation movie, repulsive in its depiction of animal violence. Story-telling is accept-able, though. Strictly for trash fans! Screenplay by director Lenzi (CANNIBAL FEROX). English title was originally EATEN ALIVE FROM[sic!] THE CANNIBALS. The FROM was later changed to BY.

Manhattan Baby (1982, ITA) C-89m. Scope *½ D: Lucio Fulci. Starring Christopher Connelly, Martha Taylor, Brigitta Boccoli, Giovanni Frezza, Lucio Fulci. Archaeologist Connelly returns from excavations in Egypt, unknowing that his daughter has taken a cursed amulet with her. Back in New York, all kinds of inexplicable things start to happen. Confusing shocker, redeemed somewhat by stylish camerawork, direction and an okay score. Still, only for Fulci fans. Also known as EVIL EYE, EYE OF THE EVIL DEAD, and THE POSSESSED.

Manhunter (1986, USA) C-119m. Scope *** D: Michael Mann. Starring William Petersen, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, Brian Cox, Dennis Farina, Stephen Lang, Tom Noonan. Typical 80s thriller, made by stylist Mann, about a weary cop Petersen, who tries to catch a serial killer by thinking himself into his mind. He gets unexpected help from infamous criminal Hannibal (‘The Cannibal’) Lecter. Okay plot development climaxes in furiously directed finale, which makes great use of Iron Butterfly’s 60s hit In a Gadda Da Vida. Stylish photography by Dante Spinotti. Based on Thomas Harris’ novel Red Dragon, followed by THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS in 1991 and HANNIBAL in 2001.

Maniac (1980, USA) C-87m. ** D: William Lustig. Starring Joe Spinell, Caroline Munro, Gail Lawrence, Kelly Piper, Rita Montone, Tom Savini, William Lustig. Infamous, disgusting would-be slasher drama about serial killer Spinell, who gruesomely murders women at random, scalping them to decorate the dummies in his small apartment with their hair. Pseudo-psychological trash is one of the most unbearable films of all time. As nihilistic as HENRY – PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER, but much less meaningful. Why two stars instead of a bomb? The film is not badly made, quite suspenseful, well-acted by Spinell and boasts some truly over-the-top special effects (by Tom Savini). Somehow it has to be seen to be believed (if you can bear it). Don’t watch if in doubt. Actor Spinell also cowrote and coproduced the picture. He reprised this role sort of in THE LAST HORROR FILM (1984).

Maniac Cop (1988, USA) C-85m. **½ D: William Lustig. Starring Tom Atkins, Bruce Campbell, Laurene Landon, Richard Roundtree, William Smith, Robert Z’Dar, Sheree North, Jake LaMotta, William Lustig, Sam Raimi, George ‘Buck’ Flower. Action thriller with horror elements about a mysterious, seemingly superhuman cop, who goes on a rampage in the streets of New York City. Campbell, a police officer himself, tries to solve the case of the bloody killings and hunt down the maniac. Not-bad B-thriller with eerie score, stylish directiorial touches and atmosphere to spare. Good of its type. From the director of MANIAC (1980). Written and produced by B-movie icon Larry Cohen. That’s Sam Raimi playing the reporter at the parade. Followed by two sequels in 1990 and 1992. Japanese print has several (uninteresting) additional scenes totalling 6m.

Maniac Cop 2 (1990, USA) C-88m. *½ D: William Lustig. Starring Robert Davi, Claudia Christian, Michael Lerner, Bruce Campbell, Laurene Landon, Robert Z’Dar, Charles Napier, Sam Raimi. Sequel to the quite good MANIAC COP (1988) has a silly setup which undermines the whole film. The killer cop didn’t really die in the first film, he survived and is going on another rampage. Campbell (the first film’s hero) is killed early on. Notwithstanding some interesting casting, several effective scenes, this sequel is as uninspired as any FRIDAY THE 13^TH follow-up. Written and produced (again) by Larry Cohen. Followed by MANIAC COP 3: BADGE OF SILENCE.

Mani di Pistolero (1965, ITA/SPA) C-75m. Scope M D: Rafael Romero Marchent. Starring Craig Hill. Cheap Euro-western about gunslinger who has kidnapped the son of a sherrif in order to be revenged on the lawman. Atypical spaghetti western with ham-fisted direction generates no interest whatsoever. There’s also very little action.

Manitou, The (1978, USA/CDN) C-99m. Scope ** D: William Girdler. Starring Tony Curtis, Michael Ansara, Susan Strasberg, Stella Stevens, Jon Cedar, Ann Sothern, Burgess Meredith. Pretty campy, rather lucidrous horror film about phony psychic Curtis, whose girlfriend Strasberg develops a tumor on her neck, which turns out to be the fetus of an ancient medicine man waiting to be reborn! Curtis looks as if he will burst out laughing after each silly line, but film is also quite well-made and well-scored (by Lalo Schifrin). Worth a look for horror buffs (and those of unintentional humor). Plot is awfully similar to that of THE EXORCIST (1973). Some prints include additional scenes. Director Girdler’s last film; he died after this was completed in a helicopter crash at the age of 30.

Mann mit dem Goldenen Pinsel, Der (1969, GER/ITA) C-79m. ** D: Franz Marischka. Starring Willi Colombini, Edwige Fenech, Rainer Basedow, Marcella Michelangeli, Dick Randall, Ellen Umlauf, Rolf Eden, Calisto Calisti. Erotic comedy about a frustrated young painter, who suddenly becomes famous when an arts dealer likes one of his paintings made in a fit of rage. His girlfriend Hong Kong (Fenech) soon has competition in sexy Michelangeli. A trivial time capsule with nudity, slightly amusing. Fenech fans may find this a must for their collection as the actress bares it all here (especially in a delightful body-paint scene). Some prints may run longer. Italian title: L’UOMO DAL PENNELLO D’ORO. English titles: THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN BRUSH, LET IT ALL HANG OUT.

Man of Iron (1972, HGK) C-98m. Scope **½ D: Chang Cheh. Starring Chen Kuan-Tai. Young hot shot Joe (Kuan-Tai) interferes with crime syndicate when he falls in love with a prostitute. Imaginative direction and camerawork make pulp melodrama worthwhile, although the plot is strictly second-rate. The violent fight scenes are somewhat reminiscent of WEST SIDE STORY(!).

Mano Nera – Prima della Mafia, Più della Mafia, La (1973, ITA) C-90m. ** D: Antonio Raccioppi. Starring Lionel Stander, Rosanna Fratello, Michele Placido, Luigi Pistilli, Philippe Leroy, Corrado Gaipa, Nino Vingelli, Roger Brown, Salvatore Billa. Modest mafia drama about young immigrant Placido, who tries to get by in New York City, then gets involved with the mafia. Same basic story told in dozens of other films at the time, this one does not stand out. Only good thing about it is Carlo Rustichelli’s score. English title: THE BLACK HAND.

Man Outside, The (1967, GBR) C-99m. Scope **½ D: Samuel Gallu. Starring Van Heflin, Heidelinde Weis, Pinkas Braun, Peter Vaughan, Charles Gray, Paul Maxwell, Ronnie Barker. Heflin is fine as weary spy, who gets ousted from the CIA and fends for himself in case of double-crossing colleague. Competently made, realistic, but a bit too talky for its own good. Based on a novel by Gene Stackleborg.

Mansión de la Locura, La (1973, MEX/USA) C-84m. **½ D: Juan López Moctezuma. Starring Claudio Brook, Arthur Hansel, Ellen Sherman, Martin LaSalle, David Silva, Mónica Serna. Oddly fascinating drama about a researcher (Hansel), who travels to an insane asylum somewhere in the woods. The doctor in charge (Brook) explains his therapy of soothing and shows him around in the facility. Hansel starts doubting his methods, when a woman is about to be treated cruelly. A performance film, and as such a veritable 70s time capsule, this feels like it was made by a commune or a troupe of artists. Despite familiar trappings, this is not a horror film. Impressive settings seems to be an abandoned factory. Recommended to fans of Alejandro Jodorowsky, who was a close friend of director Moctezuma. Based on a short story by Edgar Allen Poe called “The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Feather”. English titles: THE MANSION OF MADNESS, DR. GOUDRON’S SYSTEM, DR. TARR’S PIT OF HORRORS, DR. TARR’S TORTURE DUNGEON, and HOUSE OF MADNESS.

Mansión de la Niebla, La (1972, SPA/ITA) C-84m. **½ D: Francisco Lara Polop, Pedro Lazaga. Starring Andrés Resino, Analía Gadé, Evelyn Stewart (=Ida Galli), Annalisa Nardi, Alberto Dalbés, Georges Rigaud. Interesting mix of gothic and giallo elements in quite atmospheric shocker. Several characters get lost in thick fog and stumble into mysterious mansion in the middle of nowhere. Soon they are confronted with Stewart’s sinister family history. Some scares, diverting for fans. Complete version runs 86m. Polop’s first movie as a director. His last was SEDUCTION OF A PRIEST in 1990. English titles: MURDER MANSION, MANIAC MANSION.

Man Who Changed His Mind, The (1936, GBR) 65m. *** D: Robert Stevenson. Starring Boris Karloff, Anna Lee, John Loder, Frank Cellier, Cecil Parker. Intriguing chiller about brilliant scientist Karloff, who has found a way of transporting minds from one chimp to another, and he thinks this works with humans, too! Well-done, with the climax especially effective. Also known as THE MAN WHO LIVED AGAIN, THE BRAINSNATCHER, DR. MANIAC.

Man Who Fell to Earth, The (1976, GBR) C-133m. Scope ***½ D: Nicolas Roeg. Starring David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Buck Henry, Bernie Casey, Jackson D. Kane, Claudia Jennings. Intelligent, at times fascinating science-fiction drama about “alien” Bowie, who crashlands on the Earth and uses his superior intelligence to establish a leading company. His alien-ness ultimately breaks his spirit, especially since he has had to abandon his wife and kids on their planet. Very adult parable on human estrangement and the inhuman pressures of society, not to be digested easily. Bowie is perfectly cast as the fragile being from space. First-rate photography by Anthony B. Richmond. Paul Mayersberg adapted the novel by Walter Tevis. Originally shown at 140m. Remade as a TV movie in 1987.

Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The (1962, USA) 123m. ***½ D: John Ford. Starring John Wayne, James Stewart, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin, Edmond O’Brien, John Carradine, Woody Strode, Strother Martin, Lee Van Cleef. Classic western by genre master John Ford is elegantly framed story about naïve young lawyer Stewart, who comes to the West, thinking his ideas about law are superior to local gunplay. It turns out that he is taught about the West as much as he tries to teach them. Brilliant opening and closing scenes (the frame), the actual story relies too much on comic relief, but otherwise this is one of the best American westerns of the 1960s, with excellent acting by all.

Man Who Wasn’t There, The (2001, USA) 116m. ***½ D: Joel Coen. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, Michael Badalucco, James Gandolfini, Katherine Borowitz, Jon Polito, Scarlett Johansson, Tony Shalboub, George Ives, Ted Raimi. After BLOOD SIMPLE (and to some degree, FARGO) the Coens have fashioned another film noir tale about adultery and murder. Low-key personality Thornton, a barber in a Californian town of the late 1940s, finds out that his wife McDormand is cheating on him. He plots to blackmail her lover, in order to invest the money in seedy businessman Polito’s business idea. Needless to say, this is just the beginning of a serpentine story. Immaculate atmosphere and photography (glistening black-and-white by Roger Deakins, who earned an Oscar nomination) in story that is sometimes too slow and ponderous (like its lead character) but certainly unusual, with some striking twists and ideas. Again, some highly original, ultimately engrossing writing by Joel and Ethan Coen. A must for their followers. This was their first movie without any comic touches since MILLER’S CROSSING (1990). Excellent production design (by Coen regular Dennis Gassner) makes this look like it was actually filmed in the late 1940s. Moody score by Carter Burwell includes pieces by Mozart and Beethoven.

Man Who Would Be King, The (1975, USA) C-129m. Scope *** D: John Huston. Starring Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Saeed Jaffrey, Shakira Caine. Elaborate film version of Rudyard Kipling’s 1888 short story, with Caine and Connery as two loafers who attempt to become Kings in a distant land, Kafiristan, by drilling the people like in the army. Framework with reporter Plummer differs from that of the book and the imperial context suffers, but director Huston sems to be in his element when depicting life in Kafiristan. Interesting, funny, well-acted, but not a typical adventure yarn.

Man With Bogart’s Face, The (1980, USA) C-111m. **½´D: Robert Day. Starring Robert Sacchi, Franco Nero, Michelle Phillips, Olivia Hussey, Misty Rowe, Victor Buono, Herbert Lom, Sybil Danning, George Raft, Yvonne De Carlo, Philip Baker Hall. Amusing take on Hollywood film noir stars Sacchi as a private detective, who gets facial surgery to look like his idol Humphrey Bogart and then takes on a case a la THE MALTESE FALCON (1941). Good fun for buffs, although plot could have been a little more focused and tighter. Almost good. Sacchi does a great Bogart impression (as in the giallo CASA D’APPUNTAMENTO). Written and produced by Andrew J. Fenady, based on his novel. Also known as SAM MARLOW, PRIVATE EYE.

Man with the Golden Gun, The (1974, GBR) C-125m. *** D: Guy Hamilton. Starring Roger Moore, Christopher Lee, Brit Eklund, Maud Adams, Hervé Villechaize, Clifton James, Richard Loo, Marc Lawrence, Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell, Desmond Llewelyn. Exotic, lavish 007 adventure, Moore’s second outing as the super-spy. Bond is led to believe that Scaramanga, the world’s best assassin, is out to kill him, but it turns out he wants to acquire a device that produces solar power. Occasionally silly, and not airtight, this is not one of the best Bond films, but still good because of the cast, the action and overall Bond flair. Certainly an answer to the Kung Fu boom of the 70s and, more accurately, to Bruce Lee’s ENTER THE DRAGON (see opening scene).

Mar Adentro (2004, SPA/FRA/ITA) C-126m. Scope *** D: Alejandro Amenábar. Starring Javier Bardem, Belén Rueda, Lola Duenas, Mabel Rivera, Celso Bugallo, Clara Segura, Joan Dalmau. Remarkable drama about middle-aged Bardem, who has been a quadriplegic for over twenty years and has now decided to go to court to have his final wish fulfilled: to end his life. The family around Bardem cannot understand him, but lawyer Rueda is fascinated by the case. Beautifully handled drama is based on a real case. The cast is flawless, Amenábar’s score is heart-felt. An interesting contribution to the discussion of euthanasia, though one might have wished for more controversy. Written by Mateo Gil and the director, who also edited and coproduced. Oscar-winner for Best Foreign Language Film. English titles: THE SEA INSIDE, and THE SEA WITHIN.

Marathon Man (1976, USA) C-125m. *** D: John Schlesinger. Starring Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, Roy Scheider, William Devane, Marthe Keller, Fritz Weaver. Superior thriller, based on the novel by William Goldman. Hoffman plays an ambitious and successful history student, who is drawn into a large-scale diamond smuggle involving his businessman brother Scheider and Nazi-criminal Olivier. Fine direction by Schlesinger, good, bizarre score by Michael Small make this an intriguing experience, although the script by Goldman (with the uncredited assistance of Robert Towne) tries to be as complex as the novel, and fails (of course). Infamous torture scene was shortened after preview audiences found it too disturbing and repellent. Cinematography by Conrad Hall.

Marat/Sade (The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum at Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade) (1966, GBR) C-120m. ***½ D: Peter Brook. Starring Patrick Magee, Clifford Rose, Glenda Jackson, Ian Richardson, Brenda Kempner, Ruth Baker, Michael Williams, Freddie Jones. Hypnotic, disturbing, brilliantly filmed and acted play about the staging of the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat, a key figure in the French Revolution, in an insane asylum. Acted with raw power. Identifies revolution with insanity in a most unusual way. Shoot this rating to **** if you are familiar with the French Revolution. Based on a play by Peter Weiss.

Marche Pas Sur Mes Lacets (1977, FRA) C-87m. *½ D : Max Pécas. Starring Sylvain Green, Dominique Jubelin, Jean-Marc Longval, Vanessa Vaylord, Caroline Laurence. Typical low-brow teen comedy about three friends, who have a lot of sexual adventures before entering the army. They pose as hotel managers, when a group of sexy British teens arrives. Lots of nudity, little coherence. Score is quite good. Vaylord had a small role in Polanski’s THE TENANT. British video title: THE FRENCH LOVERS.

March or Die (1977, USA) C-104m. **½ D: Dick Richards. Starring Gene Hackman, Terence Hill, Max von Sydow, Catherine Deneuve, Ian Holm, Rufus. Ambitious but lackluster adventure drama about exploits of the French Foreign Legion in Marocco, where they are assigned to protect an ancient burial site. Good cast, but rather unexciting. Photographed by John Alcott.

Mardi Gras Massacre (1978, USA) C-92m. *½ D: Jack Weis. Starring Curt Dawson, Gwen Arment, Butch Benit, Nancy Dancer. Cheap trash piece about a religious fanatic who picks prostitutes off the streets of New Orleans and involves them in sacrificial act, which ends by gutting the women. Some unintentional hilarity, not-bad, graphic effects gain this half a star – just don’t expect anything remotely movie-like. Deadening.

Marebito (2004, JAP) C-92m. **½ D: Takashi Shimizu. Starring Shinya Tsukamoto, Tomomi Miyashita, Kazuhiro Nakahara, Miho Ninagawa. From the director of the JU-ON films comes this disturbing horror drama about cameraman Tsukamoto, who is obsessed with videotaping everything everywhere. When he films a suicide in the Tokyo subway, he becomes intrigued by the man’s motives and thinks the answer to the man’s terror-filled demise lies somewhere in the subway system. Indeed, he enters a mysterious world, where he not only encounters the suicide victim, but also a sick, naked girl with fangs. He takes her home and tries to nurture her back to health. What sounds like a bizarre fantasy horror movie, becomes a bit of a letdown as there is no satisfying explanation for anything and cult director-turned-actor Tsukamoto is obviously not up to the difficult role. Still, very interesting for horror devotees, as it not only includes some eerie, disquieting images, but also references early 20th century literature and philosophy (Lovecraft, Shaver). Screenplay by Chiaki Konaka, based on his novel. Subtitled: THE STRANGER FROM AFAR.

Marginal, Le (1983, FRA) C-98m. ** D: Jacques Deray. Starring Jean-Paul Belmondo, Henry Silva, Carlos Sotto Mayor. Violent Belmondo actioner with the French star actor in a typical role: He plays a tough cop who has been assigned to wipe out the organisation of druglord Silva. Slow and offensive at first (and glorifying the macho image of its star), but pace picks up in second half. Standard action plot has nothing new to offer, however. Ennio Morricone composed the score.

Mariachi, El (1992, MEX/USA) C-81m. *** D: Robert Rodriguez. Starring Carlos Gallardo, Consuelo Gómez, Jaime de Hoyos, Peter Marquardt, Reinol Martinez. Rodriguez’ debut feature, which he made on a shoestring budget of $7,000 (at the incredible age of 24). A harmless guitar player (=mariachi) is mistaken for a hitman and must run from gun-wielding assassins in a Mexican village. A bit slight, but ironic throughout, well-directed and sharply edited (by Rodriguez himself), its technical finesse keeps you watching. A sleeper hit, which the director sort of remade as DESPERADO in 1995.

Marie-Octobre (1959, FRA) 99m. *** D: Julien Duvivier. Starring Bernard Blier, Robert Dalban, Danielle Darrieux, Paul Frankeur, Jeanne Fusier-Gir, Paul Guers, Daniel Ivernel, Paul Meurisse, Serge Reggiani, Noel Roquevert, Lino Ventura. Darrieux summons nine men to her mansion, all former colleagues in the Résistance movement in WW2, now respectable members of society. It turns out she wants to find the man who betrayed them fifteen years ago and who caused the death of their leader. First-rate whodunit with intriguing twists and a top cast. Recommended. Based on the novel by Jacques Robert.

Marins Perdus, Les (2003, FRA) C-107m. **½ D: Claire Devers. Starring Bernard Giraudeau, Miki Manojlovic, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Marie Trintignant, Audrey Tautou, Darry Cowl. After their boss goes broke, the crewmembers aboard a freighter abandon ship. Only three men stay behind, with a rather depressine outlook. Moody drama is heavy-going most of the way; saved by a stylish approach and good performances. Based on the novel by Jean-Claude Izzo. English title: LOST SEAMEN.

Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre (2000, USA) C-60m. *** D: Charles Preece, Garry S. Grant. Insightful documentary about a rediscovered genius of 20^th century cinema: Mario Bava. Clips of most of his films are shown in-between interviews with family members (like his son Lamberto), collaborators (like Alfredo Leone or Carlo Rambaldi) and admirers (Joe Dante, Tim Burton). Successfully attempts to combine tid-bits about his work and his personality, a must for his followers and those interested in B-movies. Other interviewees: John Carpenter, Sean S. Cunningham, John Phillip Law, Ib Melchior, Daria Nicolodi, Carlo Rustichelli, Dardano Sacchetti, John Saxon and the late Samuel Z. Arkoff. Writer-director Preece also made a documentary about Dario Argento that same year.

Mariscal del Infierno, El (1974, SPA/ARG) C-88m. *½ D: León Klimovsky. Starring Paul Naschy, Norma Sebre, Guillermo Bredeston, Vidal Molina, Eduardo Calvo. Medieval costumer with Naschy an evil marshal, who hires an alchemist to produce the Philosopher’s Stone. Meanwhile, his subjects are forming to rebel against him and may have found a leader in Bredeston. Some earnest performances aside, this is extremely tedious and not really a horror film. Naschy also scripted. English titles: DEVIL’S POSSESSED, MARSHAL OF HELL.

Marlowe (1969, USA) C-96m. Scope **½ D: Paul Bogart. Starring James Garner, Gayle Hunnicutt, Carroll O’Connor, Rita Moreno, Sharon Farrell, William Daniels, Jackie Coogan, Bruce Lee. Garner plays Raymond Chandler’s famous detective in this adaptation of Chandler’s novel The Little Sister. Marlowe is hired to search for Farrell’s brother and discovers a link between his disappearance and some drug-trafficking masterminded by a surgeon. Mystery written by Stirling Silliphant is old-fashioned (in the negative sense of the word) and would be uninteresting today if it wasn’t for martial arts legend Bruce Lee’s (short) appearance. Lee also choreographed the fights (there are not many, however).

Marnie (1964, USA) C-130m. ***½ D: Alfred Hitchcock. Starring Tippi Hedren, Sean Connery, Diane Baker, Martin Gabel, Louise Latham, Bob Sweeney, Alan Napier, Bruce Dern, Alfred Hitchcock. Sophisticated psycho drama from the master about troubled secretary Hedren, who keeps stealing money and changing her identity until she is caught by Connery, a wealthy businessman, who falls in love with her. Can he find out what’s troubling her? Plot (based on the Winston Graham novel) is overlong but keeps you involved nevertheless, with some typical Hitchcock elements. The puzzle pieces come together in the stunning final third. Highly recommended, especially to cult movie buffs, as this was a decisive influence on Dario Argento’s PROFONDO ROSSO (childhood trauma, nursery rhymes, the color red, mother complex…) Excellent score by Bernard Herrmann.

Mars Attacks! (1996, USA) C-105m. Scope *** D: Tim Burton. Starring Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Nathalie Portman, Jim Brown, Pam Grier, Paul Winfield, Lukas Haas, Christina Applegate. Wild spoof of old-fashioned sci-fi movies: Spaceships from Mars land on Earth and while everybody is hoping the Martians are peaceful creatures they turn out to be quite hostile, wreaking havoc on the entire planet. Who will be able to save the Earth? Superbly designed comedy doesn’t bother with a well-constructed plot but uses its brilliant ideas to entertain the audience. Danny Elfman’s great score adds to the fun. Great cast is enjoying themselves.

Martin (1977, USA) C/B&W-95m. **½ D: George A. Romero. Starring John Amplas, Lincoln Maazel, Christine Forrest, Elayne Nadeau, Tom Savini, George A. Romero, Michael Gornick. Director Romero’s first film in four years (after the apocalyptic THE CRAZIES) is now overshadowed by his masterpiece DAWN OF THE DEAD, which was released only months after MARTIN. This is more a character study than a horror film: Troubled teenager Martin (Amplas) is compulsed to kill with razorblades and drinks his victims’ blood. His fanatic uncle (Maazel) keeps seeing a vampire in him, and Martin is trying to convince him that he isn’t. Some telling social commentary, but awfully low-budget (shot in full-frame) and downbeat. Written and edited by Romero. Effects artist Savini also has a small role. Film was completely re-scored by Goblin (SUSPIRIA) for Italian release.

Marvin’s Room (1996, USA) C-98m. *** D: Jerry Zaks. Starring Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, Hume Cronyn, Dan Hedaya. Keaton plays a woman who has cared for her bed-ridden father and his sick sister all her life. When she is also taken ill, she asks her sister (Streep) to come help her out. Streep, however, is facing problems of her own with rebellious son  DiCaprio. First half of this drama is not terribly moving, but film improves in the second, as first-rate performances give depth to the characters. Fine score by Rachel Portman. Based on the play by Scott McPherson.

Mary Poppins (1964, USA) C-140m. ***½ D: Robert Stevenson. Starring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Elsa Lanchester. Charming children’s fantasy, based on the books by P.L. Travers, about two “naughty” children and their new nanny (Andrews, in her film debut), who takes them into a marvelous fantasy world. One of the classic films about and for children (by Disney, of course), with delightful music and then-stunning effects interweaving real-action and animation. A treat for kids, though adults may find their minds wandering occasionally. Van Dyke is as delightful as in the later CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. Oscars went to the lovely Andrews, the editor, the effects team and songwriters/composers Richard and Robert Sherman.

Maschera del Demonio, La (1960, ITA) 83m. *** D: Mario Bava. Starring Barbara Steele, Ivo Garrani, John Richardson, Andrea Cecchi, Arturo Dominici, Enrico Olivieri, Calra Bindi, Antonio Pierfederici, Tino Bianchi, Germana Dominici. Directorial debut of cinematographer Mario Bava is regarded today as a classic of the genre. Witch/vampire Steele was burned two centuries ago, but her resurrection is impending since a professor has unwittingly spilled some of his blood onto her death mask. Once the premise is established, plot never really takes off, but beautiful photography (by Bava himself) creates one of the finest gothic atmospheres in screen history. Banned upon original release, film has become a cult item. Based on a story a Nikolaj Gogol. This was Bava’s first film as a single director and as such - next to LA RAGAZZA CHE SAPEVA TROPPO (THE EVIL EYE) - his only one in black-and-white. Ubaldo Terzano, who photographed several Bava films (e.g. LA FRUSTA E IL CORPO) is credited as camera operator. Trivia notes: The death mask was designed by Mario Bava’s father, famous sculptor and painter Eugenio Bava. In 1989, Lamberto Bava (Mario’s son) directed a remake of the film. British title: THE MASK OF SATAN. U.S. title: BLACK SUNDAY.

Maschera di Cera, La (1997, ITA/FRA) C-98m. *** D: Sergio Stivaletti. Starring Robert Hossein, Romina Mondello, Riccardo Servento Longhi, Gabriella Giorgelli, Umberto Balli. Well-produced, stylish remake of HOUSE OF WAX with Hossein a sinister artist, whose wax figures look frighteningly real. A newspaper journalist discovers a link between recent disappearances and Hossein’s new creations. Superb make-up effects (by the director himself) highlight this chiller. Only marred by sort of awkward flashback sequences. Story concocted by Daniele Stoppa, Lucio Fulci and Dario Argento, who is also credited as artistical supervisor; film has some typical touches, especially the camera moves look as if Argento himself had directed them. Fulci cowrote the screenplay with Stoppa; this was his last project. English title: THE WAX MASK.

Mask of Fu Manchu, The (1932, USA) 68m. **½ D: Charles Brabin, Charles Vidor. Starring Boris Karloff, Lewis Stone, Karen Morley, Charles Starrett, Myrna Loy. Chiller based on Sax Rohmer’s Fu Manchu character, played excellently by Karloff, whose schemes involve the golden mask of Genghis Khan, with which he wants to rule Asia. Only works intermittently. Charles Vidor was fired after starting the film.

Mask of Murder (1985, CDN) C-88m. *½ D: Arne Mettson. Starring Rod Taylor, Valerie Perrine, Christopher Lee, Sam Cook, Terrence Hardiman, Christine McKenna, Cyd Hayman, Frank Brennan. Poor murder mystery with Taylor and Lee on the trail of a serial killer. After the murderer is caught, the killings don't stop, but Taylor seems to be more interested in the fact that his wife is having an affair with another policeman. Predictable, unexciting B-film, somewhat redeemed by the presence of Lee and Taylor.

Mask of Zorro, The (1998, USA) C-137m. Scope **½ D: Martin Campbell. Starring Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Stylish reworking of the old legend with Hopkins playing an aged Zorro, who teaches a nobody (Banderas) the art of fencing and fighting, so that the people's suppression by an evil general may end. First-rate action scenes, stunts and explosions, but film is too long and Banderas is unappealing in the lead role. Hopkins as his mentor is much more of a gentleman. Zeta-Jones provides the beautiful love interest. A sure pick for those who can accept Banderas in the lead role.

Masquerade (1965, GBR) C-102m. ** D: Basil Dearden. Starring Cliff Robertson, Jack Hawkins, Marisa Mell, Michel Piccoli, Bill Fraser, Charles Gray. Rather cheap, lifeless attempt to copy the James Bond movies at the time with Robertson an American spy, who should protect 14-year-old Arab, destined to become heir to an empire, whose uncle would rather have the inheritance for himself. Mell provides the mysterious love interest. Not really bad, but too unspectacular as a copy and too tame as a spoof. Based on a novel by Victor Canning. Also known as A SHABBY TIGER, and OPERATION MASQUERADE.

Masques (1987, FRA) C-104m. *** D: Claude Chabrol. Starring Philippe Noiret, Robin Renucci, Bernadette Lafont, Monique Chaumette, Anne Brochet, Henri Attal, Dominique Zardi. Good satirical comedy about showman Noiret, whose contempt for his audience is slowly revealed to journalist Renucci, who stays at the rich man’s house to write his biography. Aptly titled, typical Chabrol movie, with a powerhouse performance by Noiret. Fine score by Matthieu Chabrol, photography by Jean Rabier. International title: MASKS.

Massacre (1989, ITA) C-89m. M D: Andrea Bianchi. Starring Maurice Poli, Patrizia Falcone, Pier Maria Cecchini, Paul Muller. Tired slasher movie, produced by Lucio Fulci. A film crew is shocked when inexplicable murders start happening. Who is the killer? You’ve seen the same story a thousand times before. Movies like this killed the Italian horror film. Some scenes were used in UN GATO NEL CERVELLO (1990).

Massacre at Central High (1976, USA) C-88m. **½ D: René Daalder. Starring Derrel Maury, Andrew Stevens, Robert Carradine, Kimberly Beck, Ray Underwood, Steve Bond. Maury, newcomer at an L.A. high school is faced with a ruthless gang, who eventually cripples his leg. He then proceeds to take revenge on the bullies. Thriller drama has acquired a cult reputation, mainly for being one of the first Nerd/Revenge pictures. It does take unusual twists and turns but it’s also poorly