if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

U.S.-German co-production about the stylish owner of an ramshackle storage facility in Los Angeles and his eccentric staff and clientele. Director and co-writer Percy Adlon, who also served as associate producer, could have used some extra help here; everything has been scaled so broadly (beginning the overacting German woman in the first scene) that one immediately begins to seek some natural light relief or a conversation that holds a modicum of truth. As the devil-may-care owner in love with Los Angeles and the ladies, Donald Sutherland (dressed like an old-time silver fox) has a few nice bits but certainly not enough; it simply isn't there in the writing. There's nothing wrong with character portraits or in putting the emphasis on people over plot, but first the writers needed to come up with some fascinating individuals for their scenario. This one doesn't have them. * from ****

Wonderfully acted, an interesting story, and a song that is so good (and, dare I say, commercial?) that it's surprising it hasn't been better discovered along with classic show tunes. It's not the "Show Me Your Face" that appears in a Google search; it's an original song, with music by Bob Telson (also did Baghdad Cafe) and clever lyrics by Lee Breuer. One real treat is Donald Sutherland's singing of this love ballad. Another nice aspect is that it is a his-and-her song, which makes for two person performance in the same way as "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Such songs are pretty rare and valuable. And yes, I'm writing mostly about the song and not the movie - that's because while I enjoyed the movie (a random find on a dusty shelf in a video store), I loved the song to the point of transcribing the lyrics and creating a lead sheet for it.

Found this sleeper on the video shelf a couple of years ago and loved it. Saw it again recently and still enjoyed it. An eccentric film, not for your average vegetable brained young movie viewer. There is no action, no sex (well, not really), just an absorbing story that rolls out in a leisurely fashion, gradually pulling the viewer into this unique locale. Sutherland, Davidovitch and even Kellerman are wonderful. Sutherland must have been delighted to find this role and he made the most of it. Again, not for everyone, but an intriguing trip into a world most of us will never know, but might like to.

Even though I saw this movie some 5-6 years back it will always stick in my mind as one of the most droll films I've ever watched ... I was watching this with someone and she nudged me ... "Let's go to the next Cine (we were in a cinema complex) ... I responded:"No, wait, maybe the movie will eventually get started ... " Yeah RIGHT!!! heheheheeee ... and the last scene really took the cake ... yes the motorbike scene ... PATHETIC!!! sometimes I wonder how these movies make it onto the big screen ... heheheheheheeee ... why Donald Sutherland took this role is beyond comprehension ...