Falconeer

Reviews complaining about the "cheapness" of this low budget film really have no business watching this really fascinating glimpse of the crime infested underbelly of New York City, circa late 90's.."Mr Smith" isn't one of these modern so-called "indie films" with a million dollar budget;it is the real deal; a movie created with little else besides talent, and a passion for the art of film-making. For someone who lived in NYC when the meat packing district was still populated by pimps and male prostitutes, this is an awesome nostalgia piece. And it should be noted that this is not a "Gay Film" at all. Although the story takes place within the "rent boy" scene, that is merely a backdrop for a crime story, and a tale of redemption. Viewers looking for a movie filled with nude guy on guy action will most likely be bitterly disillusioned with this movie. Big on character development, we are introduced to a family unit broken by crime, alcoholism, and selfishness. Actress Anna Thompson, known for many New York themed movies, plays the alcoholic mother to Bobby, who is making a living as a male escort. He works out of a seedy bar on the West Side, which is obviously a mere front for criminal activity, as there are never any customers inside. He's got a vicious pimp, who sends his sex workers to local hotels to hook up with men for cash..One night Bobby meets a strange client, Mr. Smith, an older man who doesn't want sex from the boy, and finding out who this man is in relation to Bobby is at the heart of the film. For fans of "Underground" cinema, and for those who seek out movies that focus on New York City, in a realistic way, I strongly recommend "Mr. Smith Gets A Hustler..." For fans of Hollywood trash, aka "disposable cinema," you have no business even watching a film like this; it will be utterly wasted on you...

This lushly filmed melodrama is somewhat of a lost movie; unless you can find the ancient VHS tape from the elusive "Mogul" label, you simply will not be able to experience this beautiful and intelligently written film, featuring an impressive cast. Corrine Clery once again ignites the screen with that stunning body of hers, as prominently featured here as it was in "The Story of O" from two years prior. "Insanity!" however, is a more serious production, and it is actually not an "exploitation" film, despite the enormous amount of nudity on display.. Clery plays Anna, a successful actress who walks away from her career while she is at the top of her game. She is hiding from the world, and working as a glamorous exotic dancer in a local nightclub in the Canary Islands. One night she is spotted by Alan, played by the always excellent Terrance Stamp, who becomes fascinated with the beautiful Anna when he catches her sexy nightclub act. Alan recognizes Anna from her films, and feels like there is a story there, and as a washed up film director himself, she could be the inspiration he needs to launch a career comeback. Filmed as a kind of "movie within a movie," Alan invites Anna to live with him, and she begins to share her story of a tragic romance that came to a life altering end, that caused her to retreat from the world. We see Anna's story in flashbacks; Anna in Paris, with her young love, a relationship that goes bad when Anna experiences a miscarriage after her lover winds up in prison. It's all very melodramatic, with scenes of the Eiffel Tower and romantic walks through the streets of Paris, highlighted by the beautiful Francis Lai score..Of course when Paul's wife (the stunning Pilar Velazquez) arrives home from a trip, in her blue Ferrari, and finds a nude Corrine Clery shacking up in HER house, with HER man, whom she is supporting financially, she is not at all pleased. In the end, she calls upon "Daddy" to the Canary Islands to take care of the situation. Daddy turns out to be the one and only Fernando Rey, in one of his typical "dirty old rich man" portrayals, (Luis Bunuel's "Tristana") who pulls up in his Rolls Royce, with his teenage girlfriend on his arm, ready to take Anna out of the picture, leaving the playing field open for his spoiled bitch daughter. Anna turns down his offer of wealth and a place in elite society, in one of the most powerful scenes in the movie..she basically calls him a slimy pig! At the heart of the story is one man's search for the humanity that he has lost with his youth, a humanity that can only be regained through his connection with the young, and still idealistic Anna.. How this gem has not been rediscovered and restored for a bluray release, is a mystery, as it has so much going for it, such as the dream cast of cult film favorites, the abundant nudity, and beautiful Francis Lai score, and the stunning location photography. Until that time comes, that old VHS tape from Mogul can be had, for around 100 bucks...

The 4.6 rating here is hysterically inaccurate, and not for the first time. The last 2 years have been abysmal for movie releases, and people should be grateful that something this entertaining and original came along. "The Unhealer" is a very well-made movie, nicely filmed in the 2;35 "scope" format, and looks like a typical Hollywood production with generous production values. It's basically the classic revenge story, with the bullied teenage boy. (the likable Elijah Nelson), getting revenge on his abusers, after he discovers that he has been given a strange power, through an Ancient Indian curse. This power basically turns the boy into a mirror, where everything that is done to his body, automatically happens to the body of his abuser. For instance if a drill goes through Kelly's knee cap, his attacker has his knees drilled instead. It sounds weird because it is...and "weird" means "different,' which is something that we NEVER see coming out of Hollywood anymore, with all the remakes, reboots and superhero junk. Sadly overlooked film, in the tradition of the "Final Destination" movies, only so much more original and intelligent, and very similar to "Chronicle" from a few years before. Fans of sci-fi and revenge movies should check it out, and ignore the low rating here, which is just strange and inaccurate.