Jean Boht Movies
Writer/director John Stewart pays tribute to the golden age of British horror -- when Hammer Films and Amicus Productions ruled the grind-houses -- in this classically styled frightfest. Jenny (Steffanie Pitt) is a young woman who has been having horrible nightmares in which she revisits the murder of her mother when she was only six years old. Desperate to free herself from her traumatic past, Jenny and her boyfriend William (Nick Waring) visit the mental institution that Jenny's father (Patrick Mower) oversaw when she was a child. But Jenny soon discovers her dreams were prescient in a way she never imagined, as a killer begins to lay waste to the asylum's inmates and staff. The Asylum's supporting cast includes Ingrid Pitt, who starred in a number of classic British horror films and is also the mother of leading lady Steffanie Pitt. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Steffanie Pitt, Ingrid Pitt, (more)
This documentary effectively focuses on the Allied war effort and in particular how it related to the liberation of Jews immured in concentration camps. It is narrated by some well known and popular actors (including Patrick Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg), and seeks to answer the question "Who knew about the killings, and when, and what did they do about them?" In addition to archival footage, vivid anecdotes by people who lived during the period are recounted, including one telling about an British matron who, after extending an invitation to American soldiers to come to lunch at her house, saw fit to add "no Jews, please." In response to her offer of hospitality, she was horrified to find that on the day in question six black servicemen were her guests. Protesting that there surely had been a mistake, the servicemen responded: "Colonel Cohen doesn't make mistakes." ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi
A gay couple become a metaphor for others living in the shadow of AIDS in this fascinating British drama which conveys its message with humor, warmth and insightful dialog. Simon, a handsome, macho guy, and Mark, a female impersonator, are lovers involved in an open relationship. Simon is HIV negative, and Mark is HIV positive. The film looks back at Mark's reaction to discovering his condition. Mark likes to be at home when not working. After he found out he began working on an AIDS quilt like the one in the video he watches over and over. Meanwhile macho Simon, a TV technician continues to cruise London's gay bars at night looking for action. Mark soon dies and Simon becomes the film's focus as he carries on with his irresponsible sex life. Simon seems totally unaffected by his lover's death. But then, Mark comes back to haunt him. Mark strongly chastises Simon for his risky behavior which gives Simon serious pause for thought. Simon is the only one who can see Mark and this creates problems. Eventually Simon must acknowledge his true feelings of love for Mark and begin reassessing his life and behavior. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Thomas Arklie, Ian Williams, (more)
- 1991
A middle-aged divorcee has the foundation of her life rocked when she discovers that her ex-husband has created young clones to replace her. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi
- 1988
- PG13
Set in 1940s England, Distant Voices/Still Lives is a compassionate look at a radically dysfunctional family. The son and his mother must endure the casual and overt cruelties of the bull-necked father. The ongoing abuse takes its toll in the form of failed marriages and misguided attempts at seeking security outside the family unit. As was the case with his earlier short subject trilogy (The Children, Madonna and Child, Death and Transfiguration), director Terence Davies based much of the material on his own life, combining rheumy-eyed cynicism with soft-edged nostalgia (the musical track, drawn from popular wartime songs, is particularly evocative). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Freda Dowie, Pete Postlethwaite, (more)
- 1988
- R
The Girl on a Swing, a haunting, mystery thriller with a supernatural twist, is the story of a desperate woman, who will do anything to be with the man she loves. Karin Foster (Meg Tilly), a lonely German secretary, falls in love with and marries Alan (Rupert Frazier) and moves with him to England. There her strange behavior and fears strain the marriage and lead Alan to mistrust his wife and begin to delve into her past. Based on the novel by Richard Adams, the film is not entirely successful due to the leisurely direction of Gordon Hessler and the lack of pace needed to create genuine suspense. But despite this flaw, the sensitive performance of Meg Tilly makes the film well worth watching and is a haunting psychological exploration of obsession, passion and guilt. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi
- Starring:
- Meg Tilly, Rupert Frazer, (more)
- 1983
Moving as methodically as the old curmudgeon Arthur tending his cricket grounds, this drama about age and values is a steady, well-focused story that still might move too slowly or narrowly for some viewers. Arthur (Jimmy Jewel) has been taking care of the greensward for the cricket team since time immemorial and is at odds with the perennially losing team's board of directors. Len Draycock (Michael Elphick) and others want Arthur to shape the pitch to give the home team an advantage -- like every other home team. They would also like him to retire so they can install a modern system to tend the grounds and use his salary for needed amenities. Arthur's battles with Len and the board (and internally, himself as well) intensify when he is given an underprivileged young black man as an assistant. This was award-winning cinematographer Freddie Young's first (and last) directorial experience -- he was 90 when he directed this film. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jimmy Jewel, Jean Boht, (more)
