Thursday, May 23, 2013
Cinefiles
click to enlarge
Birds of Prey: The Complete Series (NR) 
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Released on DVD just in time to coincide with the latest Batman adventure (Funny, how that works.), Birds of Prey was a short-lived, hour-long show on the WB that was meant to be the next Smallville, but was canceled after 14 episodes. Taking place in the future after Gotham is destroyed by an earthquake and subsequently rebuilt, Batman is long gone and the streets are now patrolled by Batman's daughter, the Huntress, a Black Canary-lite named Dinah (Rachel Skarsten). Watching it all from her computer-laden lair is former Batgirl Barbara Gordon (Dina Meyer), who has been paralyzed by a bullet from the Joker. The series episodes range from piss-poor to moderately exciting, but, sadly, nothing to write home about. However, if the series had been given another season, it might have found its footing. Louis Fowler
click to enlarge
Brutal Massacre: A Comedy (R) 
Anchor Bay Entertainment
The world of B-moviemaking, with its dollar-stretching and typical lack of Oscar-level talent, is so completely ripe for comedy that any mockumentary is bound to garner at least a handful of chuckles. Such is the case with Brutal Massacre, directed by Stevan Mena. It follows the exploits of long-suffering auteur Harry Penderecki as he attempts to complete his latest gore-outing, with one thing after another going wrong on the set. For amateur filmmakers it may hit a little too close to home, but for everyone else, it's hilarious. Yes, it's very much in the vein of Spinal Tap, and while it never, ever reaches those incredible comedic heights, it is still a funny enough movie to please comedy nuts and gore-hounds alike. I'll also add some bonus points for casting former American Werewolf David Naughton as sad-sack Penderecki. Louis Fowler
click to enlarge
ZPG: Zero Population Growth (PG) 
Legend Films
It's the ultimate left-wing wacko dream come true: Due to over-population, all the governments of the Earth get together and institute a law that says if you have a baby, you get put to death. It's the law of ZPG: Zero Population Growth, a long-lost '70s dystopia sci-fi flick, directed by Michael Campus, that sits comfortably next to Soylent Green and Logan's Run. Oliver Reed and Geraldine Chaplin star as a futuristic couple who, of course, break the law and decide to have a tyke, only to have to go on the run when they are discovered. It's actually quite a terrifyingly prophetic prospect that, as dated as the film is today, it's still a thrilling drama that easily balances out its sillier aspects with a real, no longer retrospective, environmental threat. A true science fiction classic. Louis Fowler
