REAL-LIFE SERIAL KILLERS: “Monster: The Ed Gein Story.” / “The Monster of Florence.”

-

“Monster: The Ed Gein Story” (Netflix) biographical crime drama about the convicted murderer, graverobber, and suspected serial killer Ed Gein. Mr Gein (1906-1984) was an American murderer, serial killer, and body snatcher. His crimes, committed around his hometown of Plainfield, Wisconsin, gathered widespread notoriety in 1957 after authorities discovered that he stole corpses from local graveyards and fashioned keepsakes from their bones and skin. 



       Charlie Hunnam absolutely gave his all. A very involved, focused performance. Credits as well to Laurie Metcalf in a shorter, intermittent role as Ed’s domineering mother. Undoubtedly, a well-crafted noir cinema although I don’t dig the overkill in graphic violence and, at times, cheesy dialogue. Also, I don’t ride with the Alfred Hitchcock or “Psycho” bit, not needed. That subplot took away a deeper navigation of the mom/son relationship. BTW, I am baffled by the Finale episode. Weird. 

       Anyhow, not a recommended family viewing. 🎥💻📽


“The Monster of Florence” (Netflix) Italian crime drama, based on the true story of Italy's most notorious serial killer case, commonly known as the Monster of Florence.

       The series dramatizes the investigation into a string of eight double homicides in the countryside around Florence between 1968 and 1985. Couples parked in lovers' lanes were targeted and murdered by an unknown assailant armed with a .22 caliber Beretta pistol. The killings led to one of Italy's longest and most complex criminal investigations, raising lasting questions about the identity of the perpetrator.



       Too much to and fro editing, repetitive sequences, flashback stylistics, and convoluted presentation of how the investigations unfolded confused me more than these offered clarity. Anyhow, in reality, the serial killer wasn't identified although one (with two accomplices) were convicted. 

       The overall acting is also daytime soap slow and melodramatic. Good, this series is done in 4 episodes. 🎥💻📽

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

-
Image
“The Promised Land” a.k.a. Danish “Bastarden” (2023, Hulu), epic historical drama film directed by Nikolaj Arcel and written by Arcel and Anders Thomas Jensen . Based on the 2020 book “The Captain and Ann Barbara” by Ida Jessen . The main character Captain Ludvig Kahlen is a real historical figure although the movie and book largely dramatized the real events at that time.          Plot: In 1755, Captain Ludvig Kahlen , an impoverished Danish officer of humble birth, retires after 25 years of service in the German Army with a measly pension. He obtains permission from the Royal Danish Court to build a property on the barren Jutland moorland for land cultivation . He hopes to establish a settlement on this land, and in return for that he requests from the Court the privilege of a noble title with an associated manor . Soon after arriving at the site of his prospective homestead , he comes into conflict with Frederik Schinkel, a local magistr...
Read more

“Toxic Town."

-
Image
“Toxic Town” (Netflix) British drama miniseries , follows the story of three mothers involved in the Corby toxic waste case , which was a London court case that was decided in 2009. The Corby Borough Council was found liable in negligence , public nuisance and a breach of statutory duty for its reclamation of a Corby Steelworks in the town of Corby , Northamptonshire , between 1985 and 1997.          The landmark decision was historically significant as the first in the world to establish a link between atmospheric toxic waste and birth defects – all previous cases have involved water pollution – and held implications for other council reclamation programmes and the methods of conducting reclamation in England and Wales.        The case easily reminds us of Erin Brockovich and the 2000 movie that chronicled Erin's legal fight against Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) in the early 1990s involv...
Read more

“Death By Lightning."

-
Image
“Death By Lightning” (Netflix) historical drama miniseries, based on the 2011 book “ Destiny of the Republic ” by Candice Millard . Stars Michael Shannon as United States President James A. Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as his assassin Charles J. Guiteau .         The series depicts the election and presidency of Mr Garfield , the 20th U.S. President , including his anti-corruption and pro-civil rights stances, as well as how his path crossed with Mr Guiteau , a deluded admirer, who ended up shooting him , leading to the president's death. Garfield served for only over 6 months or 199 days to be exact.         In only 4 concise episodes, this significant chapter in American history is revisited in a tight, no-frills, no irritating Republican versus Democrat grandstanding. Yet we get the “traditional politico” frivolities and selfishness + shenanigans as an entertainment sidebar. Overall, the major atte...
Read more