The Lazarus Papers

When I saw The Joker, about a week ago it made me want to write a review on IMDb because I liked the idea of a pulp movie with depth. I talked about it with my cinephile friends. One of the guy in the group, the one who likes all the B film, mentioned The Lazarus Papers, and said it was also an art house film, mixed with a supernatural thriller. He lent me his copy, and I couldn't believe it, especially once I saw it had a cover of types of films I really despise. I gave it go, and a lo and behold to my shocked it delivered. Since I mentioned The Joker earlier on I want to make a clear distinction where the Joker is pulp film with a budget to make an epic A-list film, The Lazarus Papers is a pulp film with a minor budget to make it one of its B-list counterpart. It's an art film with a b-movie feel. While the mood is art house and the pace moves forward. The film has a fantastic message about life, death, and the yearning of living to the fullest even in the direst circumstances. Good acting overall, dialogue, drama, locations, editing, photography, unique and original mood. I don't see a flaw. The setting, the violence, being a story surrounding a prostitution rink, the supernatural elements, and the presence of Danny Trejo, Bai Ling, and Tiny Lister. Give it a solid and well done B feel. Acting wise Trejo is completely out of character, and Lister, in a much smaller role, while still a bad guy he is not typecast. They both do a great job, it's jaw dropping in the case of Trejo. Bai Ling, while giving a good performances, is typecast but it's fine since her role doesn't over reach either. Our two leads are played by unknown but working actors, who do a great job. The main villain is played by a guy named Gary Daniels who I just found out is also action film actor. I personally would have never guessed, I just thought it was a random unknown actor doing a first rate job. For his fans I recommend it, only if you want to see him doing something different and doing it well. Finally it's a slap in the face on expectation, weirdness, and quality. A supernatural art house thriller is the best way to describe it. A must see.

If you were expecting an action packed thriller having picked this up based on the title, star names, or cover art, then you will be disappointed. It is essentially a supernatural drama, with only brief moments of action. The helicopters on the DVD cover art, do not in-fact appear in the film. It is refreshing to see Daniels take on a more prominent speaking role (which he does well), but would also be rewarding to see him kicking more ass in this film. Trejo adds an element of enigmatic charisma, but too many unresolved details surround the character for it to play out with satisfaction. Johnny Lee's acting is excellent and he carries the film's intrigue well. He is unfortunately let down by his on-screen counter-part, Krystal Vee, who's erratic and inconsistent delivery fumble the opportunities the script had to shine. Though well directed, and with some excellent cinematography, this film is ultimately let down by a slightly bizarre performance from the lead actress, and lack of action for the aficionados.

The is nothing like a "bad" Danny Trejo movie. And when I say "bad" I mean "good." Unfortunately this is just a bad Danny Trejo movie with no quotation marks. Danny plays an Eastern holy man/healer who likes flowers. He gets killed in the first scene, but unlike the movie, he doesn't completely die. He can't pass over because there is still work to do, so he occasionally resurrects and helps others along the way. Danny is killed because his peaceful village, where young girls bathe topless in the stream, is raided by Gary Daniels to abduct girls for the sex trade. Meanwhile, John Edward Lee is getting ready to die and has a brief case full of money. He wants a woman. Together Danny and Lee fight against the bad guys (with some police help) to save Nana (Krystal Vee). The film is rather boring. While there is killing, there are not any of the "walking tall" action one would expect in a Trejo film. This is far from a grindhouse, although it makes you think it started out as one. A rather lame role for Trejo in this weak action-drama. The film takes place in Pali, an imaginary Asian city/country near India. Might be an interesting film for Buddhists who are Trejo fans. F-bomb, sexual situations, brief nudity.