136. King Kong (1933) The story is well known and the special effects are dated but I was surprised how much I liked this film. The story has a naive charm and Fay Wray was quite attractive. It even has some unintended humor (the Dinosaur scenes) The later 2 Kongs bored me (3 hours!). This version seems interested in just telling the story straight and efficiently. Rating ***
200. Show People (1928) - Hilarious Marion Davies silent comedy about "Peggy Pepper" who comes to Hollywood to become a star. Bill Haines co-stars as "Billy Boone" a bit-player in crude comedy shorts. What a revelation - Marion Davies is very funny. And the movie is a great lampoon on Hollywood and its pretensions. Davies & Haines are a wonderful team, and the guest shots from the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, William S. Hart, and John Gilbert, and Elinor Glyn are good.
Rating - ***
201. Little Caesar (1931) - Edgar G. Robinson stars as the Gangster "Rico"- who rockets up from the gutter and then back again. While Rico doesn't care for drink or Dames, he cares a little too much for his "straight" (in more ways than one) friend Douglas Fairbanks. A crude, low budget gangster flick with good pace and some memorable scenes. Like "Public Enemy" the movie is carried by star, Robinson is really the whole picture. The supporting cast is a mixed bag - some wooden performances and actors using gestures more appropriate to silent movies. Rating - **1/2
202. Them (1954) Fun, B-grade SF movie about "mutant" ants causing a ruckus in the California desert. You see the atomic tests irradiated the ants causing them to grow a little too big for public safety. The acting is excellent (James Whitmore and James Arness) and the special effects are superb given the time. The template for the Godzilla movies. Rating - **1/2
209. Hobson's Choice (1954) David Lean's production o f the 1915 drama-comedy about owner of a boot shop whose independent older daughter decides to get married. Charles Laughton overacts- but is mostly enjoyable. (Would have loved Robert Morely in the part). Photography is superb and the supporting cast is excellent. But the pace is too slow & the story loses energy as it goes along. But a good little picture. Rating - ***
184. Thieves Highway (1947) - Jules Dassain. B movie about a long-haul trucker (Conte) who returns home from WWII and seeks vengeance against (Lee J. Cobb) a ruthless SF produce marketeer. Valentina Cortese plays the female lead. The acting is good and Dassian gets as much as he can out of the low budget and mediocre script. Billed as a Noir but its really more of a drama. Enjoyable, but I wonder why Criterion bothered. Rating **1/2
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Bunuel Films
Bourgeois morality is for me immoral and to be fought. The morality founded on our most unjust social institutions, like religion, patriotism, the family, culture: briefly, what are called ‘the pillars of society’.” - Luis Bunuel
192. Discreet Charm of the Bourgeois (1972) - Mild piece of surrealism and unshocking satire of a group of French Bourgeois (Businessmen, South American Ambassadors, Army officers, a bishop, shallow socialites). No plot, just a series of vignettes - some funny, some weird, some satirical, some just boring. The "satire" is so absurd and mild it didn't affect me. Bunuel's direction is clear but flat. The acting is the high point of the movie. I enjoyed parts of it. Not bad but overpraised - Rating - **1/2
193. Un Chien Andalou (1929) - Bunuel short film - seventeen minutes of bizarre images and dream-logic. A woman gets her eyeball cut, a young man poking a severed hand in the street with a rod - pointless shock images. The kind of highly praised "art" that has no doubt inspired a dozen academic film studies - and turned a thousand students off "art" films. Pointless and boringRating - Zero
194. L'age d'or (1930) Dali and Bunuel team up again to for this 60 minutes surrealist film. Some striking images. The main plot seems to be a couple trying to have sex and being thwarted by nearly everyone and everything. In addition there are many pointless bizarre surreal images such as crippled soldiers who use guns for crutches or a cow in the leading lady's bedroom. Some crude anti-Christian scenes. Bunuel was a communist when he made it, so it follows the party line. Rating - *
195. Simon of the Desert (1965) Story: In the middle ages, Saint Simeon Stylites lives on a small pillar, where he has been praying for six years. Atop the pillar, he receives many adulators and priests but mostly spends his time resisting the temptations of the Devil (Sylvia Pinal). A watchable oddity. Excellent pacing and surrealistic storytelling but weakly ends at the 45 minute mark. A satire on the Catholic Church and St. Simon. The bits attacking Simon's hypocritical followers seem to be stolen by Monty Python. Not bad -but anti-Christian. Rating - **
196. The Phantom of Liberty (1974) A kind of Follow-up to DiscreetCharm only its longer and much less charming/funny. The usual Bunuel absurd, surreal incidents: e priests playing cards while smoking and drinking, parents reacting to postcards of famous buildings given their daughter by a stranger as they were obscene, a writer killing people from his sniping-position at the roof of a building and being found not guilty etc. We also get the continuing mix-up of characters. Someone suggested Bunuel was trying to mock traditional storytelling in film. But no, its just the same old Bunuel. Monty Python is far superior. Rating - *1/2
197. Viridiana (1961) - Dull, B&W, badly acted film about young Sister Viridiana and all her troubles. At the start, she returns home to visit her uncle who supported her novitiate. The Uncle tries to rape her - fails -and commits suicide And then the fun begins. Sorry I lied. It then gets sadder, duller and even more "surrealistic" . Another unoriginal attack on Christianity and the Catholic Church. Unlike "Simon" or "Discreet" its not well directed. The hype seems politically motivated and comes from the movie (i) attacking the Catholic Church (ii) being some sort of attack on Franco's Spain. And as we know, there's nothing left-wing critics love more than attacks on Franco. Bad Rating *
198. The Exterminating Angel (1962) Bunuel. A dinner party of rich people find they can't leave the mansion. Another pointless Bunuel "surreal "comedy. As usual with Bunuel the acting is excellent and there a few funny moments, but the pace is too slow and the humor and action repetitious A one note movie that goes on way too long. Somewhat similar to "Discreet Charm of the Bourgeois" which was much better. Rating *1/2
199. Diary of a Chambermaid (1964) Based on the 1900 Novel by Octave Mirbeau. Tells the the story of Parisian Maid (Jeanne Moreau) who travels from Paris to a country mansion be the maid for a bourgeois couple. Well acted by Moreau, well directed, and -thankfully - without the usual Bunuel surrealism. However, the story and characters are dis-likable and predictable. Since Bunuel is dealing with the "Bourgeois" everyone (except for the maid and few servants) must be shown as weird, criminal, or sexually dysfunctional. The most unbelievable character is the sinister gamekeeper, "Joseph" who alternates between making patriotic and anti-semitic remarks with killing and raping small girls. A priest makes a cameo appearance so Bunuel can engage in some hamfisted "satire". Another Bunuel film whose reputation is due to politics more than artistic merit.
Obscure Object of Desire (1977) A man becomes obsessed by a girl (played by 2 separate actresses) who tantalizes him, but never allow him to satisfy his desire for her. Made by Bunuel when he was 77 this surreal sex comedy is better than most of his pictures. Well acted and directed - but again its one joke repeated over and over. Still, it has its funny moments. Rating - **1/2
192. Discreet Charm of the Bourgeois (1972) - Mild piece of surrealism and unshocking satire of a group of French Bourgeois (Businessmen, South American Ambassadors, Army officers, a bishop, shallow socialites). No plot, just a series of vignettes - some funny, some weird, some satirical, some just boring. The "satire" is so absurd and mild it didn't affect me. Bunuel's direction is clear but flat. The acting is the high point of the movie. I enjoyed parts of it. Not bad but overpraised - Rating - **1/2
193. Un Chien Andalou (1929) - Bunuel short film - seventeen minutes of bizarre images and dream-logic. A woman gets her eyeball cut, a young man poking a severed hand in the street with a rod - pointless shock images. The kind of highly praised "art" that has no doubt inspired a dozen academic film studies - and turned a thousand students off "art" films. Pointless and boringRating - Zero
194. L'age d'or (1930) Dali and Bunuel team up again to for this 60 minutes surrealist film. Some striking images. The main plot seems to be a couple trying to have sex and being thwarted by nearly everyone and everything. In addition there are many pointless bizarre surreal images such as crippled soldiers who use guns for crutches or a cow in the leading lady's bedroom. Some crude anti-Christian scenes. Bunuel was a communist when he made it, so it follows the party line. Rating - *
195. Simon of the Desert (1965) Story: In the middle ages, Saint Simeon Stylites lives on a small pillar, where he has been praying for six years. Atop the pillar, he receives many adulators and priests but mostly spends his time resisting the temptations of the Devil (Sylvia Pinal). A watchable oddity. Excellent pacing and surrealistic storytelling but weakly ends at the 45 minute mark. A satire on the Catholic Church and St. Simon. The bits attacking Simon's hypocritical followers seem to be stolen by Monty Python. Not bad -but anti-Christian. Rating - **
196. The Phantom of Liberty (1974) A kind of Follow-up to DiscreetCharm only its longer and much less charming/funny. The usual Bunuel absurd, surreal incidents: e priests playing cards while smoking and drinking, parents reacting to postcards of famous buildings given their daughter by a stranger as they were obscene, a writer killing people from his sniping-position at the roof of a building and being found not guilty etc. We also get the continuing mix-up of characters. Someone suggested Bunuel was trying to mock traditional storytelling in film. But no, its just the same old Bunuel. Monty Python is far superior. Rating - *1/2
197. Viridiana (1961) - Dull, B&W, badly acted film about young Sister Viridiana and all her troubles. At the start, she returns home to visit her uncle who supported her novitiate. The Uncle tries to rape her - fails -and commits suicide And then the fun begins. Sorry I lied. It then gets sadder, duller and even more "surrealistic" . Another unoriginal attack on Christianity and the Catholic Church. Unlike "Simon" or "Discreet" its not well directed. The hype seems politically motivated and comes from the movie (i) attacking the Catholic Church (ii) being some sort of attack on Franco's Spain. And as we know, there's nothing left-wing critics love more than attacks on Franco. Bad Rating *
198. The Exterminating Angel (1962) Bunuel. A dinner party of rich people find they can't leave the mansion. Another pointless Bunuel "surreal "comedy. As usual with Bunuel the acting is excellent and there a few funny moments, but the pace is too slow and the humor and action repetitious A one note movie that goes on way too long. Somewhat similar to "Discreet Charm of the Bourgeois" which was much better. Rating *1/2
199. Diary of a Chambermaid (1964) Based on the 1900 Novel by Octave Mirbeau. Tells the the story of Parisian Maid (Jeanne Moreau) who travels from Paris to a country mansion be the maid for a bourgeois couple. Well acted by Moreau, well directed, and -thankfully - without the usual Bunuel surrealism. However, the story and characters are dis-likable and predictable. Since Bunuel is dealing with the "Bourgeois" everyone (except for the maid and few servants) must be shown as weird, criminal, or sexually dysfunctional. The most unbelievable character is the sinister gamekeeper, "Joseph" who alternates between making patriotic and anti-semitic remarks with killing and raping small girls. A priest makes a cameo appearance so Bunuel can engage in some hamfisted "satire". Another Bunuel film whose reputation is due to politics more than artistic merit.
Obscure Object of Desire (1977) A man becomes obsessed by a girl (played by 2 separate actresses) who tantalizes him, but never allow him to satisfy his desire for her. Made by Bunuel when he was 77 this surreal sex comedy is better than most of his pictures. Well acted and directed - but again its one joke repeated over and over. Still, it has its funny moments. Rating - **1/2
Bergman - Smiles of A summer night (1955) & Winter Light (1962)
190. Smiles of a Summer Night (1955) Directed by Ingmar Bergman. The COMEDY that made Bergman a international sensation. I enjoyed it, a literate, witty, yet somewhat serious romantic-comedy. I wanted to enjoy it more but Bergman is NOT a comedian and there's a unromantic/serious undertow to this movie. The other problem is subtitles. When so much depends on the dialog it gets tiresome *reading* the witty lines and knowing your missing half the jokes. Imagine seeing "The Importance of Being Earnest" or "His Girl Friday" and speaking only Swedish! Finally, Bergman is great at creating comic characters but the situations aren't as funny as they could be. But that's why he's know as a great drama director - and not the Swedish Mel Brooks. But still pretty good, the acting is superb. Rating ***1/2
191. Winter Light (1962) Directed by Ingmar Bergman. A great film about a Swedish Pastor with almost no parishioners whose doubting his faith. Short film with only half a dozen characters shot simply & beautifully. The screenplay is a thing of beauty in its effectiveness and realism. A great ending. On the other hand, its rather sparse and bleak - full of suicide. physical suffering, and shots of the cold Swedish winter. Also, long sequences of actors speaking into the camera and the characters are all ugly or anti-heroic. But I loved the theology and it kept my interest from start to finish. This is the type of Bergman film that Diane Keaton assigns to the Academy of the Overrated. in "Manhattan" Rating ****
191. Winter Light (1962) Directed by Ingmar Bergman. A great film about a Swedish Pastor with almost no parishioners whose doubting his faith. Short film with only half a dozen characters shot simply & beautifully. The screenplay is a thing of beauty in its effectiveness and realism. A great ending. On the other hand, its rather sparse and bleak - full of suicide. physical suffering, and shots of the cold Swedish winter. Also, long sequences of actors speaking into the camera and the characters are all ugly or anti-heroic. But I loved the theology and it kept my interest from start to finish. This is the type of Bergman film that Diane Keaton assigns to the Academy of the Overrated. in "Manhattan" Rating ****
Carl Dreyer Films
181. Gertrude (1964) - Carl Dreyer's film about a 1900s Swedish wife who decides to leave her politician husband for someone else. The actress Nina Rode is great as the proud, determined, selfish, courageous,(She's complex baby) woman who sacrifices everything for love. Like some other Dreyer films this would benefited from some lighter moments. Lots of long takes and dialog - static but beautifully photographed. The pace is deliberate - but I was never bored. The movie implicitly deals with some important issues Love,art,individual will, etc. Makes "The Dolls House" seem like a kindergarten play. Great in its way, but you need to be in the right mood to enjoy it. Rating ****
203. Ordet (1954) Directed by Carl Dreyer - this is simply one of the best movies I've seen. Based on the 1925 play by Kaj Munk it concerns a Danish Farm Family led by the devout father, there are his three sons: Mikkel, the eldest, who has no faith; Johannes, who has lost his mind and believes himself to be Jesus ; the third and youngest son is Anders, who wants to marry the daughter of a tailor who refuses the marriage because of Anders' (Cay Kristiansen) religious beliefs. The movie concerns religious faith, but the characters are so well-written and well-acted they come alive & its never boring. However, I found myself Fast forwarding through a lot of Johannes' "crazy talk" in the middle part of the film. The ending is very touching.
This film is what art should be about. While I loved it, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. Its not dull or bleak - but its deliberately paced and about a serious subject. Rating - ****
204. Days of Wrath (1943) Another Carl Dreyer film. Set in a 17th century Danish Village the second young wife of an older Pastor falls in love with her stepson. The Village is ruled by church elders who dispense a harsh brand of Christianity including Witch Burning. Mixed feelings on this one. Well written, beautifully photographed and well-acted - with a great ending. But - the subject matter struck me as unpleasant - and the characters aren't very likable. Further, in general I dislike movies about Witch burning (Crucible) or adultery (Scarlet Letter). I admire the film greatly, but didn't enjoy it much - except for the ending. Rating ***
203. Ordet (1954) Directed by Carl Dreyer - this is simply one of the best movies I've seen. Based on the 1925 play by Kaj Munk it concerns a Danish Farm Family led by the devout father, there are his three sons: Mikkel, the eldest, who has no faith; Johannes, who has lost his mind and believes himself to be Jesus ; the third and youngest son is Anders, who wants to marry the daughter of a tailor who refuses the marriage because of Anders' (Cay Kristiansen) religious beliefs. The movie concerns religious faith, but the characters are so well-written and well-acted they come alive & its never boring. However, I found myself Fast forwarding through a lot of Johannes' "crazy talk" in the middle part of the film. The ending is very touching.
This film is what art should be about. While I loved it, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. Its not dull or bleak - but its deliberately paced and about a serious subject. Rating - ****
204. Days of Wrath (1943) Another Carl Dreyer film. Set in a 17th century Danish Village the second young wife of an older Pastor falls in love with her stepson. The Village is ruled by church elders who dispense a harsh brand of Christianity including Witch Burning. Mixed feelings on this one. Well written, beautifully photographed and well-acted - with a great ending. But - the subject matter struck me as unpleasant - and the characters aren't very likable. Further, in general I dislike movies about Witch burning (Crucible) or adultery (Scarlet Letter). I admire the film greatly, but didn't enjoy it much - except for the ending. Rating ***
Michael Powell Movies
A Canterbury Tale (1944) - Powell and Pressberger. Story: Two soldiers (one English, one American) and a girl come together in a small English Village and solve a crime. Pros: Great last 30 minutes and P&P photography of the English Countryside and Canterbury. Cons: Too slight a story to justify its two hour length, bland leading men and intrusive wartime propaganda points. Any number of beautifully composed scenes but it doesn't come together and form an engaging story. Rating **1/2
123. Peeping Tom (1960) Powell. Story of a photographer as serial killer. This movie forced Michael Powell into retirement and its easy to see why. The subject is unpleasant and neither the script nor the direction supply the thrills or excitement needed. The acting is no more than adequate. Other flaws include: Our anti-hero "Mark" is boring, the plot is standard, the supporting players are forgettable and the pace slow. Some have absurdly compared this to "Psycho." First, Norman (Anthony Perkins) is much are more interesting than "Mark". Second, "Psycho" is full of twists and turns while "Peeping Tom" simply plods from A to B. Thirdly, the killer in Psycho is a minor character whose viewed from the outside. In Peeping Tom, the movie creepily makes the killer the main character and often adapts his viewpoint. For Powell completists only.Rating *
85. I Know where I’m Going. (1945) Powell. Comedy and Romance in the South Hebrides. A strong-willed London girl (Wendy Hiller) arrives in the Islands to marry her rich fiance but meets a RN officer on leave (Roger Livery) instead. PRO:Beautifully photographed, very good supporting players, a quick 90 minutes, and the story is enjoyable if predictable CON: Hiller and Livery are good actors and have excellent chemistry - but they're not Grant & Bergman. A little more charisma would have been nice. Summary: I enjoyed this movie more the 2nd time round. The first time, my expectations were too high, I thought it would be as good as "Life and Death of Col Blimp." IKWIG isn't in the same league - but its a nice little romance. Rating ***
123. Peeping Tom (1960) Powell. Story of a photographer as serial killer. This movie forced Michael Powell into retirement and its easy to see why. The subject is unpleasant and neither the script nor the direction supply the thrills or excitement needed. The acting is no more than adequate. Other flaws include: Our anti-hero "Mark" is boring, the plot is standard, the supporting players are forgettable and the pace slow. Some have absurdly compared this to "Psycho." First, Norman (Anthony Perkins) is much are more interesting than "Mark". Second, "Psycho" is full of twists and turns while "Peeping Tom" simply plods from A to B. Thirdly, the killer in Psycho is a minor character whose viewed from the outside. In Peeping Tom, the movie creepily makes the killer the main character and often adapts his viewpoint. For Powell completists only.Rating *
85. I Know where I’m Going. (1945) Powell. Comedy and Romance in the South Hebrides. A strong-willed London girl (Wendy Hiller) arrives in the Islands to marry her rich fiance but meets a RN officer on leave (Roger Livery) instead. PRO:Beautifully photographed, very good supporting players, a quick 90 minutes, and the story is enjoyable if predictable CON: Hiller and Livery are good actors and have excellent chemistry - but they're not Grant & Bergman. A little more charisma would have been nice. Summary: I enjoyed this movie more the 2nd time round. The first time, my expectations were too high, I thought it would be as good as "Life and Death of Col Blimp." IKWIG isn't in the same league - but its a nice little romance. Rating ***
Kurosawa and Teshigahara FIlms
The Bad Sleep Well (1960) - Kurosawa. A young executive hunts down his fathers killer. Despite the plot summary and title, this was one slow, long movie. Some excellent direction as usual, but not engaging. Rating **
137. Drunken Angel (1948) Kurosawa. Set in the back alley's and swamps of newly built Tokyo, the movie follows a cynical, alcoholic doctor and his relationship with an ill, young gangster. The movie starts out strong but loses energy as the story switches focus from the doctor to the gangster and his rivals. Shimura is magnetic as the jaded doctor and the story should stayed on him. The setting, cinephotography, and characters are excellent - but the story/script isn't that interesting and many of the conversations seem repetitive. Other negatives: the knife fight at the end is poorly staged & Mifune overacts. Some great moments but overall just average. Rating **1/2
168. High Low (1963) - Kurosawa. Crime story with some subtle implications. A Japanese businessman named Gondo is about to take control of the company he's worked in for years when he's told his son's been kidnapped. It turns out the chauffeur's son by kidnapped by mistake but they still want the ransom. Does he pay, if so he's financially ruined, if not, he will be reviled. Which will he choose? That's the first half of the film, the second half is a deliberate police search for the kidnapper/murderer and how a case is built that will take him to the gallows. Excellent acting and directing. Rating ***
131. Women in the Dunes (1964) Teshigahara. Allegorical, fantasy about a Professor of Entomology who visits a isolated village and ends up trapped in a sand-pit with a widow who spends her time shoveling sand away from her shack. The movie is gripping and well acted. The images are striking, and the movie lets us decide for ourselves what it all means. Rating ***1/2
133. The Face of Another (1966) Teshigahara. SF story of a man a businessman whose lost his facial features in an accident and then gets a "new face" through experimental plastic surgery. There's also a subplot about a beautiful girl whose face is disfigured on one side. An interesting, low-key movie that raises questions of identity and the importance of appearance. However, the characters are un-engaging and the movie quickly becomes just a cerebral exercise. Pluses include the acting and many striking images, including the talking skull. Flaws include: too much time spent before the operation, the whiny/unlikable central character, and the static, talky nature of the film. Too many scenes with the Doctor and the lead just talking, and talking and talking.Rating **1/2
134. Twenty-four Eyes (1954). Story of Japanese Elementary teacher in a small Japanese village. We follow her and 12 of her students from 1928-1945. As they grow older, the problems grow in complexity, and WWII intrudes in the last part of the film. Hideko Takamine is luminous as "Miss Oishi" and the child actors are believable and likable. The plot is simple but well done and the story has none of excesses you'd expect from a Hollywood production. Cons: The movie is too long at 156 minutes. Rating ***
137. Drunken Angel (1948) Kurosawa. Set in the back alley's and swamps of newly built Tokyo, the movie follows a cynical, alcoholic doctor and his relationship with an ill, young gangster. The movie starts out strong but loses energy as the story switches focus from the doctor to the gangster and his rivals. Shimura is magnetic as the jaded doctor and the story should stayed on him. The setting, cinephotography, and characters are excellent - but the story/script isn't that interesting and many of the conversations seem repetitive. Other negatives: the knife fight at the end is poorly staged & Mifune overacts. Some great moments but overall just average. Rating **1/2
168. High Low (1963) - Kurosawa. Crime story with some subtle implications. A Japanese businessman named Gondo is about to take control of the company he's worked in for years when he's told his son's been kidnapped. It turns out the chauffeur's son by kidnapped by mistake but they still want the ransom. Does he pay, if so he's financially ruined, if not, he will be reviled. Which will he choose? That's the first half of the film, the second half is a deliberate police search for the kidnapper/murderer and how a case is built that will take him to the gallows. Excellent acting and directing. Rating ***
131. Women in the Dunes (1964) Teshigahara. Allegorical, fantasy about a Professor of Entomology who visits a isolated village and ends up trapped in a sand-pit with a widow who spends her time shoveling sand away from her shack. The movie is gripping and well acted. The images are striking, and the movie lets us decide for ourselves what it all means. Rating ***1/2
133. The Face of Another (1966) Teshigahara. SF story of a man a businessman whose lost his facial features in an accident and then gets a "new face" through experimental plastic surgery. There's also a subplot about a beautiful girl whose face is disfigured on one side. An interesting, low-key movie that raises questions of identity and the importance of appearance. However, the characters are un-engaging and the movie quickly becomes just a cerebral exercise. Pluses include the acting and many striking images, including the talking skull. Flaws include: too much time spent before the operation, the whiny/unlikable central character, and the static, talky nature of the film. Too many scenes with the Doctor and the lead just talking, and talking and talking.Rating **1/2
134. Twenty-four Eyes (1954). Story of Japanese Elementary teacher in a small Japanese village. We follow her and 12 of her students from 1928-1945. As they grow older, the problems grow in complexity, and WWII intrudes in the last part of the film. Hideko Takamine is luminous as "Miss Oishi" and the child actors are believable and likable. The plot is simple but well done and the story has none of excesses you'd expect from a Hollywood production. Cons: The movie is too long at 156 minutes. Rating ***
Breeson Films
Diary of A Country Priest (1951) Breeson. Interesting story of a young French Priest and his life in the French Countryside. Breeson gets a superb performance out of the lead, and the other actors are very lifelike. As expected for Breeson, the movie takes a grim, rather austre view of the Church and life in rural France, but like Winter Light I found it uplifting and positive overall. Rating ***1/2
Au hasard Balthazar (1966) Another "art" film - I've put off seeing because of its bleak subject matter. Further, Breeson's other films have bored me. This one is different. The story is sad one as we follow a donkey (Balthazar) from owner to owner but its also very moving and poetic. I loved how Breeson tells the story in such a pure, simple manner. If only Breeson had let in more sunshine and light- I would have enjoyed it much more. ***1/2
A Man Escaped (1956) Breeson. Story of a French Resistance fighter who escapes from a German Jail. Given its high reputation I was looking forward to this and it didn't disappoint. Breeson kept me in suspense the whole time (even though I knew the ending). A perfect example of how to make a good movie on a low budget. The only flaw is this type of movie - while well done its just an escape movie. Rating ***
The Pickpocket (1959) - Breeson. Story of an isolated loner in Paris who decides to earn a living as a Pickpocket. The sense of danger and alienation are shown extremely well. Seems like a Dostovesky short story.Rating ***
A Man Escaped (1956) Breeson. Story of a French Resistance fighter who escapes from a German Jail. Given its high reputation I was looking forward to this and it didn't disappoint. Breeson kept me in suspense the whole time (even though I knew the ending). A perfect example of how to make a good movie on a low budget. The only flaw is this type of movie - while well done its just an escape movie. Rating ***
The Pickpocket (1959) - Breeson. Story of an isolated loner in Paris who decides to earn a living as a Pickpocket. The sense of danger and alienation are shown extremely well. Seems like a Dostovesky short story.Rating ***
Le Notti Bianche (1957) and Two English Girls (1971)
159. Le Notti Bianche (1957) - Viscounti. Based on Dostoevsky's short story "White Nights, its the story of two people who meet one night on a Rome canal bridge. He's a lonely soul who falls in love with her. She's torn between wanting him and being faithful to a lover who promised to return someday. A good movie with a good story. Some of the scenes (the ending, the dance) are superb. Mastroianni is great as the lead men, and Marcia Schell is adequate as the heroine. But even at 101 minutes the movie seemed padded, lots of time wasted as we see the actors walking around or staring off into space. It easily could have been cut to 85-90 minutes. The other problem is the female lead. First, Schell lacks the charisma needed, she's good - but a real star could have provided fireworks. Secondly, as written, the female is character was too passive and child-like. Rating ***
58. Two English Girls (1971) Truffant. Set in the 1900s - a Frenchman has romantic affairs with two English sisters Pros: Direction, beautiful pastoral scenes. Cons: Script, Pace too slow, characters un-engaging. A beautifully shot film which I found pointless. The male lead is extremely bland and its hard to see why one English girl would love him, let alone two. And masturbation isn't my favorite movie topic. Summary - A disappointment given Truffant's prior films. I'd rate it lower, but it looks great. Rating **1/2
58. Two English Girls (1971) Truffant. Set in the 1900s - a Frenchman has romantic affairs with two English sisters Pros: Direction, beautiful pastoral scenes. Cons: Script, Pace too slow, characters un-engaging. A beautifully shot film which I found pointless. The male lead is extremely bland and its hard to see why one English girl would love him, let alone two. And masturbation isn't my favorite movie topic. Summary - A disappointment given Truffant's prior films. I'd rate it lower, but it looks great. Rating **1/2
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Becker Films
157. Le Trou (1960) - Becker. Realistic story of 5 convicts who attempt a prison break. Unlike most Prison escape movies the trick is not how to break out of the cell - but how to get outside the prison. And the prisoners must find a variety of ingenious - but plausible solutions - to every problem. Becker uses wordless action and nonprofessional actors. There is a complete lack of the usual Hollywood cliche. The only complaints are (1) there's a little too much wordless digging and pounding and (2) while very good its still just a prison break movie. Rating ***1/2
169. Touchez pas an Grisbi (1954) - Jacque Becker. Excellent French Gangster film that stars Jean Gabin as "Max" - an old Gangster who only wants to retire with the "loot" he's stashed away from a previous job. Unfortunately, someone else has a different idea. Beautifully photographed and well acted. A little slow at first, but it builds to an exciting finish. As with his other films, the characters seem to be real people. Rating ***
Casque D'or - Becker. 1899 Doomed romance between a crook gone straight and a gangster moll (Simone Signoret). Beautifully photographed, everyone looks like they stepped out of a Renoir painting. Signoret rightfully won several awards for her portrayal of the self-confident but romantic gun moll. The script was tight and kept me interested the whole time. Rating ***1/2
169. Touchez pas an Grisbi (1954) - Jacque Becker. Excellent French Gangster film that stars Jean Gabin as "Max" - an old Gangster who only wants to retire with the "loot" he's stashed away from a previous job. Unfortunately, someone else has a different idea. Beautifully photographed and well acted. A little slow at first, but it builds to an exciting finish. As with his other films, the characters seem to be real people. Rating ***
Casque D'or - Becker. 1899 Doomed romance between a crook gone straight and a gangster moll (Simone Signoret). Beautifully photographed, everyone looks like they stepped out of a Renoir painting. Signoret rightfully won several awards for her portrayal of the self-confident but romantic gun moll. The script was tight and kept me interested the whole time. Rating ***1/2
Mizoguchi Films
146. Ugetsu (1953) Mizoguchi. A beautiful, moving movie about an ambitious potter, a farmer who wants to be a Samurai, and ghosts in 16th century Japan. Rating ****
143. Sisters of the Gion 1936 Mizoguchi. A fascinating story set in pre-war Japan about two Geisha's and their relationship with their patrons and themselves. The older sister feels loyalty to an old man who helped -- the younger sister wants to use men since they use her. Only 70 minutes and acting and direction are excellent. The movie held my interest throughout Rating ***1/2
88. Street of Shame (1956) Mizoguchi. Tale of a Tokyo Brothel and the women whose dreams of escape are shattered by reality. Some great acting (especially Machiko Kyo as "Mickey") and well-directed but the story -as a whole - seems to be a rehash of previous Mizoguchi films. I can't criticize the movie on a technical level, its just seemed predictable. Rating **1/2
128. Women of the Night (1948) Mizoguchi. In postwar Japan, two sisters fall into prostitution and moral chaos. A grim realistic portrait of Prostitution, well acted and fast paced at 75 minutes. The camera work is somewhat primitive and the story has little complexity or subtlety. Mizoguchi was obviously trying to make a social statement. The movie ends with a surprising and powerful Christian image. A good movie but no masterpiece. Rating ***
Osaka Elegy (1936) Mizoguchi. Another in the Criterion's Series on Mizoguchi's Fallen Women. However, the heroine (played by the sympathetic Isuzu Yamada) isn't much of a "fallen woman." The family needs money so she somewhat, kinda agrees to be the mistress of her middle-aged boss. But her heart still belongs to her young boyfriend Mizoguchi takes shots at both Yamada's "modern girl" attitudes and the Boss (and his wife's) western style greed and frivolity. As usual with Mizoguchi films, the men are either weaklings or cads - so it doesn't end well for the good-hearted Yamada. Summary: Well acted and directed but with a tinge of soap opera. Rating ***
143. Sisters of the Gion 1936 Mizoguchi. A fascinating story set in pre-war Japan about two Geisha's and their relationship with their patrons and themselves. The older sister feels loyalty to an old man who helped -- the younger sister wants to use men since they use her. Only 70 minutes and acting and direction are excellent. The movie held my interest throughout Rating ***1/2
88. Street of Shame (1956) Mizoguchi. Tale of a Tokyo Brothel and the women whose dreams of escape are shattered by reality. Some great acting (especially Machiko Kyo as "Mickey") and well-directed but the story -as a whole - seems to be a rehash of previous Mizoguchi films. I can't criticize the movie on a technical level, its just seemed predictable. Rating **1/2
128. Women of the Night (1948) Mizoguchi. In postwar Japan, two sisters fall into prostitution and moral chaos. A grim realistic portrait of Prostitution, well acted and fast paced at 75 minutes. The camera work is somewhat primitive and the story has little complexity or subtlety. Mizoguchi was obviously trying to make a social statement. The movie ends with a surprising and powerful Christian image. A good movie but no masterpiece. Rating ***
Osaka Elegy (1936) Mizoguchi. Another in the Criterion's Series on Mizoguchi's Fallen Women. However, the heroine (played by the sympathetic Isuzu Yamada) isn't much of a "fallen woman." The family needs money so she somewhat, kinda agrees to be the mistress of her middle-aged boss. But her heart still belongs to her young boyfriend Mizoguchi takes shots at both Yamada's "modern girl" attitudes and the Boss (and his wife's) western style greed and frivolity. As usual with Mizoguchi films, the men are either weaklings or cads - so it doesn't end well for the good-hearted Yamada. Summary: Well acted and directed but with a tinge of soap opera. Rating ***
Seduced & Abandoned -Marriage of Marie Braun
142. The Marriage of Marie Braun (1979) Fassbinder. Story of Marie Braun who picks herself up from the ruins of the 3rd Reich and uses her beauty and ambition to win economic success. The best thing in the movie is "Marie Braun" played by Hanna Shygulla - she's simply great in the role. But the script and story let her down. The movie drags on too long, the ending is contrived, and the characters unlikable and unengaging. Supposedly, Fassbinder was using Marie to symbolize Germany's blah blah blah - who cares. Another problem is the artificial lighting and sets which make the whole thing seem unreal. Too bad because Shygulla shines in the role. Rating **
Seduced and Abandoned (1964) - Germi. Comedy/Satire of Sicilian honor lawas by the director of "Divorce Italian Style" - A 15 year old Sicilian girl is seduced by her Sister's fiancee - when the seduction is discovered by her father he demands satisfaction and some comedy ensues. The movie is well directed and well-acted (if over-top) by everyone especially Uzi (the father). But I didn't really enjoy most of the movie except the last part when the daughter reports her seduction to the police, The characters (excluding the daughter) were simply too dis-likable. Germi doesn't just satirize them, he's savages them and portrays them as selfish, uncaring, and ugly, Labeled a "dark comedy" - it was a little too dark for me. Rating **1/2
Seduced and Abandoned (1964) - Germi. Comedy/Satire of Sicilian honor lawas by the director of "Divorce Italian Style" - A 15 year old Sicilian girl is seduced by her Sister's fiancee - when the seduction is discovered by her father he demands satisfaction and some comedy ensues. The movie is well directed and well-acted (if over-top) by everyone especially Uzi (the father). But I didn't really enjoy most of the movie except the last part when the daughter reports her seduction to the police, The characters (excluding the daughter) were simply too dis-likable. Germi doesn't just satirize them, he's savages them and portrays them as selfish, uncaring, and ugly, Labeled a "dark comedy" - it was a little too dark for me. Rating **1/2
Renoir and Cocteau Films
17. Boudu Saved from Drowning (1932) Renoir. A Parisian tramp is saved and then taken in by a Bourgeoisie family - comedy ensues. Given its age, 78 years old, it was quite enjoyable and at 84 minutes not too long. The best thing is the character "Boudu" & the actor who plays him. The camera work is somewhat primitive and static and the pace slow. The humor is subtle and character driven. A nice little movie - but the satire and "social commentary" escape me. Rating **1/2
Orpheus (1949) - Cocteau. Update of the Orpheus myth to a modern french setting. Some excellent special effects (for the time) and some great acting. Enjoyable, but dry. I'll probably watch it again, when I'm more in the mood for myth and fantasy. Rating ***
Beauty and the Beast (1946) Cocteau. The fairly tale come to life Starring Jean Marais as the “Beast” and Josette Day as the “Beauty” PROS: Well photographed and Poetic. Day has a grace and simplicity which is very attractive while Marais does an excellent job despite being forced to wear a mask. Supposedly many young girls were upset when the Beast turned into a Prince – they wanted their “Beast”. Of course, Cocteau deliberately filmed it that way to invoke the response. CONS I'm not the target audience for the film.Summary: Excellent despite the subject matter. Rating ***1/2
Le Bete Humaine (1938) Directed by Jean Renoir. A well done adaption of the novel by Zola. One of Renoir's minor works - but still very good. JeanGabin does an excellent job as the Railroad engineer-brakeman who falls into a love triangle with Simone Simon and another. Needless to say it doesn't end happily. While based on Zola, the movie really feels like a film noir- femmefatale version. While the love triangle and murders are well done and the photography of 1930s is very interesting, the highlights are the scenes on the Train and the relationship between Gabin and his comic sidekick. Rating ***1/2
Orpheus (1949) - Cocteau. Update of the Orpheus myth to a modern french setting. Some excellent special effects (for the time) and some great acting. Enjoyable, but dry. I'll probably watch it again, when I'm more in the mood for myth and fantasy. Rating ***
Beauty and the Beast (1946) Cocteau. The fairly tale come to life Starring Jean Marais as the “Beast” and Josette Day as the “Beauty” PROS: Well photographed and Poetic. Day has a grace and simplicity which is very attractive while Marais does an excellent job despite being forced to wear a mask. Supposedly many young girls were upset when the Beast turned into a Prince – they wanted their “Beast”. Of course, Cocteau deliberately filmed it that way to invoke the response. CONS I'm not the target audience for the film.Summary: Excellent despite the subject matter. Rating ***1/2
Le Bete Humaine (1938) Directed by Jean Renoir. A well done adaption of the novel by Zola. One of Renoir's minor works - but still very good. JeanGabin does an excellent job as the Railroad engineer-brakeman who falls into a love triangle with Simone Simon and another. Needless to say it doesn't end happily. While based on Zola, the movie really feels like a film noir- femmefatale version. While the love triangle and murders are well done and the photography of 1930s is very interesting, the highlights are the scenes on the Train and the relationship between Gabin and his comic sidekick. Rating ***1/2
Panther Panchali (1955) and L'avventura (1961)
L'avventura (1961) - Antonioni. A girl goes missing on a Yachting trip. The fiance and her girlfriend continue the search and fall in love. Some great cinematography and the first 90 minutes kept me enthralled, but I lost interest as the search moved to the mainland. The romance between the girlfriend and finance was tedious since neither was particularly interesting or likable. The high rating is for the amazing images. Rating ***
171. Panther Panchali (1955) - Ray. Story of a Apu born into a poor Bengali family in the 1920s. We follow his family, the father who is unemployed, the mother, the older daughter and Apu who is a small child. The first of a trilogy, the end shows them leaving the village for new life in the city A great, heartfelt film with people so real it feels like we're looking at a documentary. Rating ****
171. Panther Panchali (1955) - Ray. Story of a Apu born into a poor Bengali family in the 1920s. We follow his family, the father who is unemployed, the mother, the older daughter and Apu who is a small child. The first of a trilogy, the end shows them leaving the village for new life in the city A great, heartfelt film with people so real it feels like we're looking at a documentary. Rating ****
Soviet Films
121. The Cranes Are Flying (1957) Kalatozov. WW II drama about 2 Moscow lovers Veronica and Boris. When war comes, Boris volunteers while Veronica awaits his return. A fast paced 97 minutes with some great acting and cinematography. The final sequence is heart breaking. Like "Ballad of a Soldier" I wished I had liked the characters more. They just seemed shallow despite the great acting and the plot is somewhat melodramatic. Perhaps if I spoke Russian they would been more engaging. Still very enjoyable Rating ***
129. Ballad of a Soldier (1960) Chukhrai. After destroying 2 enemy tanks a young Russian soldier goes on a 4 day leave to visit his mother. The movie focuses on the trip home and the various people the soldier meets. Pros: The lead actor is fine, the film is humanistic (at times heart rendering), and the cine-photography striking. Cons; Some characters were stereotypes, too much melodrama; and some bad supporting acting. Also, the beginning scene was simply silly, with our hero outrunning 2 German tanks. Summary: I wish I'd liked it more - but definitely above average. Rating ***
122. Man with a Movie Camera (1929) Vertov. Fascinating silent movie documentary documenting urban life in the USSR. I assume its Moscow ( & maybe another city?). Doesn't tell a story, more like "one day in the life of Moscow." Of course, the "darker side" of socialist Moscow is not emphasized - so the movie is upbeat. Being a history nerd, I found the film fascinating - but I doubt the general public would care. Rating **1/2
183. Que Viva Mexico (1931) - Eisenstein's Documentary/Story about Mexico. Some great individual scenes (the Bullfight scene was very well done) but any semblance to the real Mexico is completely coincidental. The first part is a surrealistic Soviet view of Mexican history & its people. The second part a laughable Mexican Peasants vs. Nasty Bourgeois. The 3rd part is about "dia de finados" An interesting oddity Rating **
130. I am Cuba (1964) Kalatovoz. Four unrelated stories show the decadence and corruption of Batista Cuba and the rise of the Revolution. This movie has several things going for it, the cine-photography is simply fantastic, especially the shots of the Cuba countryside, the opening sequence, and the pool party. And some scenes are also interesting including the firebombing of the drive-in and the story of the Cuban prostitute. However, the last two stories about the armed struggle in the hills and streets of Havana are simply boring and the "action" scenes badly done. The "fire hose" sequence has to be one of the worst I've ever seen. Overall, this a simplistic communist propaganda film with bad dialogue and worse acting. But I give it an average rating for the great cine-photography. Rating **
129. Ballad of a Soldier (1960) Chukhrai. After destroying 2 enemy tanks a young Russian soldier goes on a 4 day leave to visit his mother. The movie focuses on the trip home and the various people the soldier meets. Pros: The lead actor is fine, the film is humanistic (at times heart rendering), and the cine-photography striking. Cons; Some characters were stereotypes, too much melodrama; and some bad supporting acting. Also, the beginning scene was simply silly, with our hero outrunning 2 German tanks. Summary: I wish I'd liked it more - but definitely above average. Rating ***
122. Man with a Movie Camera (1929) Vertov. Fascinating silent movie documentary documenting urban life in the USSR. I assume its Moscow ( & maybe another city?). Doesn't tell a story, more like "one day in the life of Moscow." Of course, the "darker side" of socialist Moscow is not emphasized - so the movie is upbeat. Being a history nerd, I found the film fascinating - but I doubt the general public would care. Rating **1/2
183. Que Viva Mexico (1931) - Eisenstein's Documentary/Story about Mexico. Some great individual scenes (the Bullfight scene was very well done) but any semblance to the real Mexico is completely coincidental. The first part is a surrealistic Soviet view of Mexican history & its people. The second part a laughable Mexican Peasants vs. Nasty Bourgeois. The 3rd part is about "dia de finados" An interesting oddity Rating **
130. I am Cuba (1964) Kalatovoz. Four unrelated stories show the decadence and corruption of Batista Cuba and the rise of the Revolution. This movie has several things going for it, the cine-photography is simply fantastic, especially the shots of the Cuba countryside, the opening sequence, and the pool party. And some scenes are also interesting including the firebombing of the drive-in and the story of the Cuban prostitute. However, the last two stories about the armed struggle in the hills and streets of Havana are simply boring and the "action" scenes badly done. The "fire hose" sequence has to be one of the worst I've ever seen. Overall, this a simplistic communist propaganda film with bad dialogue and worse acting. But I give it an average rating for the great cine-photography. Rating **
Rohmer Films
Pauline at the Beach (1983) Rohmer. Two men, a young girl, and her older relative spend a summer in Brittaney - romance and comedy ensue. Rohmer has been hit or miss with me. Loved "Chloe n the Afternoon" and "Claire's Knee" didn't like "The Collector". Like most Rohmer films, there's little plot or action. His films usually emphasize dialogue and character- so if you find the characters dull or unlikable - its a long slog -which "Pauline at the Beach" was. And I didn't find Pauline "beautiful" or "charming" at all - her broad shoulders, sloppy dress, page boy haircut, and pug-nosed face, kept reminding me of a teenage boy. The male lead ran around shirtless and was dull, while the older female - "Marion"- looked like a plastic barbie doll. Given my dislike - I didn't care about their endless talk. Rating **
Claire's Knee (1970) - Rohmer. Delightful comedy about a middle-aged diplomat who meets several young girls during a vacation at Lake Geneva. Beautifully photographed and with a witty script. People complain Rohmer's characters talk rather "show" - but that didn't bother me. Rating ***1/2
LA Collectionneuse (1967) - Rohmer. Comedy-drama about a womanizing art dealer and friend and their relationship with a young woman who it is said "collects men". One of Rhomer's six moral tales. The script has some witty lines but the males leads are so obnoxious and unlikable I couldn't enjoy the movie. Rating **
My Nights at Maud's (1969) - Rohmer. Filmed in B&W and the 3rd ofRohmer's moral tales. Jean-Lois, a pious, but conflicted Catholic Engineer spends a night at Maud's, a bold, free-thinker, while chasing a Blond Catholic (Francois) he's seen at Church. Who will he end up with? This is the 4th RhomerMoral Tale I've seen - and the most talky. Yes, the talk is intelligent and interesting -but it went on too long (112 minutes). The other problem is that after Maud - Francois seemed rather dull. And too bad Rohmer has so little interest in strong male leads. His female characters are always beautiful and interesting- his male ones bland and vanilla. Rating ***
L'Amour l'après-midi (1972) Directed by Eric Rohmer. Happily married French Lawyer starts to notice all the beautiful young woman in Paris and wonders whether to have an affair. Slow moving and talky but interesting - well directed. Rating ***
Claire's Knee (1970) - Rohmer. Delightful comedy about a middle-aged diplomat who meets several young girls during a vacation at Lake Geneva. Beautifully photographed and with a witty script. People complain Rohmer's characters talk rather "show" - but that didn't bother me. Rating ***1/2
LA Collectionneuse (1967) - Rohmer. Comedy-drama about a womanizing art dealer and friend and their relationship with a young woman who it is said "collects men". One of Rhomer's six moral tales. The script has some witty lines but the males leads are so obnoxious and unlikable I couldn't enjoy the movie. Rating **
My Nights at Maud's (1969) - Rohmer. Filmed in B&W and the 3rd ofRohmer's moral tales. Jean-Lois, a pious, but conflicted Catholic Engineer spends a night at Maud's, a bold, free-thinker, while chasing a Blond Catholic (Francois) he's seen at Church. Who will he end up with? This is the 4th RhomerMoral Tale I've seen - and the most talky. Yes, the talk is intelligent and interesting -but it went on too long (112 minutes). The other problem is that after Maud - Francois seemed rather dull. And too bad Rohmer has so little interest in strong male leads. His female characters are always beautiful and interesting- his male ones bland and vanilla. Rating ***
L'Amour l'après-midi (1972) Directed by Eric Rohmer. Happily married French Lawyer starts to notice all the beautiful young woman in Paris and wonders whether to have an affair. Slow moving and talky but interesting - well directed. Rating ***
British Kitchen Sink Dramas
107. This Sporting Life (1963) Anderson . Harris stars as a Yorkshire Coal miner turned Rugby Player. Rachael Roberts is his landlady/lover. Both were nominated for Oscars in a pair of dazzling performances. Harris in particular makes an unsympathetic character almost likable. Beautifully photographed and the supporting actors well cast and memorable. Probably the best of the "Kitchen Sink Dramas". Cons: The movie is too long at 134 minutes and the story itself is a little too bleak/depressing. In fact, its so gritty and grim as to verge on the unrealistic. All the characters are unsympathetic to a degree, and even the "fun" scenes and Rugby games are shot with an undertone of sadness or ugliness. I wanted to shout at the screen, "You're getting paid to play a kids game - be happy." A high rating due to the acting. Rating ***
Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) Richardson. A rebellious youth, the long-distance running star in a boy's reformatory, reflects on his life. A gritty early 60s British working-class film An uneven film, well acted and well photographed but predictable even dull (lots of running scenes).Summary - Another "Kitchen Sink drama" - too downbeat and familiar to be enjoyable. Probably more interesting 50 years ago. Rating **
167. Look Back in Anger (1959) - Richard Burton. Boring, rather dated British "Kitchen Sink" drama. The acting is excellent, but the story was stagy and boring. But being an American I may have missed all the subtle class conflicts. Rating **
Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) Richardson. A rebellious youth, the long-distance running star in a boy's reformatory, reflects on his life. A gritty early 60s British working-class film An uneven film, well acted and well photographed but predictable even dull (lots of running scenes).Summary - Another "Kitchen Sink drama" - too downbeat and familiar to be enjoyable. Probably more interesting 50 years ago. Rating **
167. Look Back in Anger (1959) - Richard Burton. Boring, rather dated British "Kitchen Sink" drama. The acting is excellent, but the story was stagy and boring. But being an American I may have missed all the subtle class conflicts. Rating **
Films 96 to 101
166. Spy Who Came In From The Cold (1965) - Ritt. Excellent Cold War Spy thriller based on the John Le Carre Novel. Excellent writing, acting, and directing. The only false note was Burton demanding his girlfriend return to West Berlin with him after Burton tells her all the most sensitive spy secrets. Note: Although Burton was only 40 in real life, he looks 50. Booze takes its toll. Rating ***
98. Talk of the Town (1942) Stevens. Jean Arthur, Ronald Coleman, and Cary Grant star in this overlong (119 minutes) comedy-drama about a school teacher who boards a law professor and a labor agitator wrongly accused of murder. Has some excellent comic moments but gets bogged down by preachy/philosophical law discussions and boring melodrama. Furthermore, the plot strains credibility and its impossible to take Grant seriously as a Polish-American labor agitator and "man of the people." A film that's gotten by on the power of the 3 stars. The comedy is good, the drama bad, so the overall rating is average. Rating **
99. A Christmas Carol (1938). The MGM Version staring Reginald Owen. Not bad - but not very good either. Inferior on every level to the 1951 version with Alistair Sim. Pros: the singing of "O Come all you faithful" and Barry MacKay as "Fred". Cons: The "Clift Notes" version at 69 minutes, too upbeat, Scrooge is too goodhearted, the Ghosts too bland, and Bob Crachit too fat. Rating **1/2
98. Talk of the Town (1942) Stevens. Jean Arthur, Ronald Coleman, and Cary Grant star in this overlong (119 minutes) comedy-drama about a school teacher who boards a law professor and a labor agitator wrongly accused of murder. Has some excellent comic moments but gets bogged down by preachy/philosophical law discussions and boring melodrama. Furthermore, the plot strains credibility and its impossible to take Grant seriously as a Polish-American labor agitator and "man of the people." A film that's gotten by on the power of the 3 stars. The comedy is good, the drama bad, so the overall rating is average. Rating **
99. A Christmas Carol (1938). The MGM Version staring Reginald Owen. Not bad - but not very good either. Inferior on every level to the 1951 version with Alistair Sim. Pros: the singing of "O Come all you faithful" and Barry MacKay as "Fred". Cons: The "Clift Notes" version at 69 minutes, too upbeat, Scrooge is too goodhearted, the Ghosts too bland, and Bob Crachit too fat. Rating **1/2
Orson Welles Films
90. The Stranger (1946) Welles. Orson stars as an ex-Nazi war criminal living in a Small US Town. Loretta Young plays his wife and Edgar G. Robinson is hot on his trail. Welles later called it his worst movie, done only for money - and I agree. The high praise from others is simply puzzling. Young over-emotes and hams it up, Robinson lacks charisma and is too subdued, and Welles just plays Orson Welles. Welles is simply unconvincing as a Nazi war criminal - the 30 year old baby-faced Welles - sports a phony mustache & doesn't even attempt an accent. To indicate "evil" Welles alternates between looking shifty and glaring. The story itself is unbelievable with Young's character behaving like a complete ninny. Among other plot holes, I wondered how the minor Nazi Criminal knew where Welles was, did he send him a postcard? Finally, there is no suspense - we know Welles' character will be caught and Robinson's character telegraphs every plot point. Pros: Welles lights the film well and the final clock scene is exciting. Rating **
91. The Trial (1962) Welles. Based on the Kafka Novel. Perkins stars as the accused while Welles shows up as the "Advocate". The producers gave Welles the choice of filming any number of public domain novels and he picked Kafka's "The trial". Bad choice Orson. Psychological novels rarely make good films and this is no exception. Welles provides some excellent -sometimes surreal - direction, but he can't save the movie. The sets are cheap, the story drab, Perkins wooden, and whole thing seems pointless. And at 2 hours its too long. Welles' never had a Box Office hit for many reasons. One reason was his desire to be interesting, dark, and edgy - rather than good or entertaining. "The Trial" certainly has some "interesting" moments but I didn't find it enjoyable or profound at any level. Not a bad movie - but I have no desire to see it again.Rating **
92. F for Fake (1973) Welles. Documentary about fakes and fakery. A natural for Welles who often gave Magic shows in Las Vegas and LA. Sometimes surreal and often scattered, Welles' main focus is on two men - Irving who wrote a fake Howard Hughes autobiography and De Hoy who painted fake Masterpieces. Welles uses a lot of zooms, jump edits, and razzle dazzle to keep things interesting. I enjoyed it - and at 85 minutes it moves along - but the subject is of no real importance. Rating **1/2
93. Macbeth (1948) Welles. This was Orson's low-budget stab at the great play with himself in the title role.. As you might expect, there's striking imagery and Welles does an excellent job with the cheap sets - primarily by using a lot of Fog and Darkness. Acting Welles is certainly a charismatic Macbeth - but lacks any depth of emotion. The supporting cast is made up of Hollywood contract actors like Jeanette Nolan and Rody McDowell - who do a good to adequate job. Summary Macbeth has never been my favorite Shakespeare play, the story is a little too bleak and Welles doesn't lighten things up - just the opposite. However, given the low budget and lack of great supporting actors- its a good try. Rating **1/2
94. Mr. Arkadin (1955) Welles. In postwar Europe, an American adventurer investigates the past of the mysterious tycoon Arkadin. Stars Robert Arden as the investigator - Welles plays Mr. Arkadin. "Touch of Evil" has been described as the greatest "B" movie of all time, but this Welles effort is just a "B" movie. Of course, it has some clever Welles' touches and some good/interesting cine-photography but its not a coherent movie and the leads (Arden and Medina) are nothing more than adequate. The production values are low & the sound in particular is bad at times. In summary, a Bad Radio Script with good camera work. For Welles completists only. Rating **
91. The Trial (1962) Welles. Based on the Kafka Novel. Perkins stars as the accused while Welles shows up as the "Advocate". The producers gave Welles the choice of filming any number of public domain novels and he picked Kafka's "The trial". Bad choice Orson. Psychological novels rarely make good films and this is no exception. Welles provides some excellent -sometimes surreal - direction, but he can't save the movie. The sets are cheap, the story drab, Perkins wooden, and whole thing seems pointless. And at 2 hours its too long. Welles' never had a Box Office hit for many reasons. One reason was his desire to be interesting, dark, and edgy - rather than good or entertaining. "The Trial" certainly has some "interesting" moments but I didn't find it enjoyable or profound at any level. Not a bad movie - but I have no desire to see it again.Rating **
92. F for Fake (1973) Welles. Documentary about fakes and fakery. A natural for Welles who often gave Magic shows in Las Vegas and LA. Sometimes surreal and often scattered, Welles' main focus is on two men - Irving who wrote a fake Howard Hughes autobiography and De Hoy who painted fake Masterpieces. Welles uses a lot of zooms, jump edits, and razzle dazzle to keep things interesting. I enjoyed it - and at 85 minutes it moves along - but the subject is of no real importance. Rating **1/2
93. Macbeth (1948) Welles. This was Orson's low-budget stab at the great play with himself in the title role.. As you might expect, there's striking imagery and Welles does an excellent job with the cheap sets - primarily by using a lot of Fog and Darkness. Acting Welles is certainly a charismatic Macbeth - but lacks any depth of emotion. The supporting cast is made up of Hollywood contract actors like Jeanette Nolan and Rody McDowell - who do a good to adequate job. Summary Macbeth has never been my favorite Shakespeare play, the story is a little too bleak and Welles doesn't lighten things up - just the opposite. However, given the low budget and lack of great supporting actors- its a good try. Rating **1/2
94. Mr. Arkadin (1955) Welles. In postwar Europe, an American adventurer investigates the past of the mysterious tycoon Arkadin. Stars Robert Arden as the investigator - Welles plays Mr. Arkadin. "Touch of Evil" has been described as the greatest "B" movie of all time, but this Welles effort is just a "B" movie. Of course, it has some clever Welles' touches and some good/interesting cine-photography but its not a coherent movie and the leads (Arden and Medina) are nothing more than adequate. The production values are low & the sound in particular is bad at times. In summary, a Bad Radio Script with good camera work. For Welles completists only. Rating **
Melville and Demy Films
Army of Shadows (1970) - Melville. Co-stars Simone Signoret and Lino Ventura. 145 minutes. Story follows members of the French Resistance during WW II. Uneven movie. Good points: Somber and realistic. Excellent acting. Good beginning and ending, with a few good scenes in between. The movie and the people felt "real" Cons: The movie is far too long and 25 minutes could have been cut without loss. Minimal dialogue and character development. At times the pace is glacial. Summary: Good, but needed a faster pace and a better script. Rating **1/2
Le Samouri (1967) Melville. Effective noir about a Parisian hit man played by Delon. Alan Ladd was better but Delon is good. Lots of atmosphere and a minimum of dialogue or plot. Some nice moments, but a little long - a 70 minute story expanded to 95 minutes. Rating **1/2
Le Cercle Rouge (1970) Melville. A newly released Con meets up with an escaped killer and pulls off a Jewell heist. Well acted by Delon and Montand, this seemed an updated French version of a 40s film noirs. Everyone is cool and tough with minimal dialog. Some good scenes, especially in the first 30 minutes, but story-wise its a 90 minute picture stretched out to 140. And much of the movie seemed flat or empty; the characters aren't well developed and nothing was done to make the two criminals likable or interesting. The high IMDB rating (8.1) baffles me. Rating **1/2
Bay Of Angels (1963) Demy. Interesting character study of two French Gamblers on the Rivera. A neophyte gambler is drawn into a relationship with Jeanne Moreau, an addicted gambler. Well photographed and acted - and its cool seeing Cannes and Monte Carlo circa 1963. Moreau looks dazzling. The movie shows the almost demented nature of the gambling addict with its highs and lows. Cons: Watching someone play roulette over and over is dull. Further, Moreau's addiction/craziness also became tiresome after awhile. The ending was unbelievable. More interesting than enjoyable. Rating **1/2
Lola (1961) Demy Dedicated to Ophuls, several romantic stories revolve around Lola a Cabaret dancer and unmarried mother. A well paced film, with charming, likable characters - not very realistic but sincere. Anouk Aimee is excellent as the girlish, emotional, Lola. The photography is well done. Flaws:Primitive sound (especially the dubbed English dialogue) and some wooden acting. Summary - A simple, likable film - a good warm-up for the more sophisticated "Umbrellas of Cherbourg". Rating **1/2
Le Samouri (1967) Melville. Effective noir about a Parisian hit man played by Delon. Alan Ladd was better but Delon is good. Lots of atmosphere and a minimum of dialogue or plot. Some nice moments, but a little long - a 70 minute story expanded to 95 minutes. Rating **1/2
Le Cercle Rouge (1970) Melville. A newly released Con meets up with an escaped killer and pulls off a Jewell heist. Well acted by Delon and Montand, this seemed an updated French version of a 40s film noirs. Everyone is cool and tough with minimal dialog. Some good scenes, especially in the first 30 minutes, but story-wise its a 90 minute picture stretched out to 140. And much of the movie seemed flat or empty; the characters aren't well developed and nothing was done to make the two criminals likable or interesting. The high IMDB rating (8.1) baffles me. Rating **1/2
Bay Of Angels (1963) Demy. Interesting character study of two French Gamblers on the Rivera. A neophyte gambler is drawn into a relationship with Jeanne Moreau, an addicted gambler. Well photographed and acted - and its cool seeing Cannes and Monte Carlo circa 1963. Moreau looks dazzling. The movie shows the almost demented nature of the gambling addict with its highs and lows. Cons: Watching someone play roulette over and over is dull. Further, Moreau's addiction/craziness also became tiresome after awhile. The ending was unbelievable. More interesting than enjoyable. Rating **1/2
Lola (1961) Demy Dedicated to Ophuls, several romantic stories revolve around Lola a Cabaret dancer and unmarried mother. A well paced film, with charming, likable characters - not very realistic but sincere. Anouk Aimee is excellent as the girlish, emotional, Lola. The photography is well done. Flaws:Primitive sound (especially the dubbed English dialogue) and some wooden acting. Summary - A simple, likable film - a good warm-up for the more sophisticated "Umbrellas of Cherbourg". Rating **1/2
Ophuls Movies
Lola Montes (1955) Ophuls Life of the infamous 19th century courtesan (Martine Carol) including her affairs with Franz Liszt and the King of Bavaria.Pros: Beautiful color photography Cons: Leading lady, story, Circus scenes. Analysis:. A disappointment after many good Ophuls films. Big flaw, the lead actress is wooden and not very beautiful - so her ability to seduce the rich and powerful is puzzling. Ophuls makes her even less engaging by avoiding close-ups, shooting her from a distance, and providing her little memorable dialogue. Other problems include a story with no substance and the annoying Peter Ustinov “Circus” scenes . A movie about Lola Montes should be exciting but Ophuls botches it.
Madame De... (1953) - Max Ophuls. Elegant, sad story of a turn-of-the-century Contesse, a love triangle, and a pair of diamond earrings. An excellent movie, well acted (Charles Boyer is the male lead) and the characters seem real. Rating ***1/2
Summary - Lovely to look at but boring.. Rating **
Madame De... (1953) - Max Ophuls. Elegant, sad story of a turn-of-the-century Contesse, a love triangle, and a pair of diamond earrings. An excellent movie, well acted (Charles Boyer is the male lead) and the characters seem real. Rating ***1/2
Le Pleisur (1952) - Max Ophuls. Based on 3 stories by Maupassant about the limits of spiritual and physical pleasure. Sent in 1900 France. The main story concerns a group of Prostitutes who close up the Brothel to attend a religious service in the country.. Excellent photography, camera work, acting, and set design. Like "Madame De.." the movie makes these historical figures come alive. Drags a little in the middle - but the movie is enjoyable if somewhat inconsequential. Rating ***
Ronde (1950) An amusing period piece set in turn-of-the-century Paris (or is it Vienna?) and based on the German Play Reigen We follow a ringmaster who shows us a series of love affairs, a soldier and a prostitute, the soldier and the maid, the maid and the young Bourgeoisie, etc. until it all leads back to the beginning. Some of vignettes are funny, others sad. Well acted and directed. Enjoyable like a piece of French pastry. Rating ***
Ronde (1950) An amusing period piece set in turn-of-the-century Paris (or is it Vienna?) and based on the German Play Reigen We follow a ringmaster who shows us a series of love affairs, a soldier and a prostitute, the soldier and the maid, the maid and the young Bourgeoisie, etc. until it all leads back to the beginning. Some of vignettes are funny, others sad. Well acted and directed. Enjoyable like a piece of French pastry. Rating ***
John Garfield Movies
67. Body and Soul (1947) Rossen. John Garfield rises from the lower East Side to Boxing Champion of the World and battles his conscience and corrupt gangsters along the way
Pros: Garfield, William Cannon, Lilli Palmer, Hazel Brooks, fight scenes, cine-photography by Howe Cons: Ma Davis (Revere), Predictable, Canada Lee subplot
Directed, scripted, produced and acted (Revere, Lee, Goff) by party members, “Body and Soul” has to be the reddest B&W movie ever. But while the film has Marxist touches its basically a standard Boxing story. John Garfield, in his best role, is excellent as the strong-willed but guilt ridden boxer. And William Cannon shines as the slimy Boxing promoter - Lille Palmer has excellent chemistry with Garfield as the “good girl”. Unlike other Garfield films, their love story actually seems believable and engaging. The acting flaw is Ann Revere who plays the most unattractive and obnoxious Mother since Ma Barker. The script doesn't help but her delivery is also bad. The movie is well-paced except for an overlong beginning, and a tedious subplot involving Canada Lee. Summary: Despite having more Communists involved than the “Battleship Potemkin”, Body and Soul is a good, if predictable, fight movie.. Rating **1/2
71. We were Strangers (1949) Houston. An interesting, slightly bizarre, film about terrorists (or freedom-fighters) in 1926 Havana t ying to plant a bomb in a cemetery. Why? To assassinate the President of Cuba and his cabinet
71. We were Strangers (1949) Houston. An interesting, slightly bizarre, film about terrorists (or freedom-fighters) in 1926 Havana t ying to plant a bomb in a cemetery. Why? To assassinate the President of Cuba and his cabinet
Pros: Garfield, action scene, Jennifer Jones shooting a sub-machine gun, Pedro Armendariz Cons: Story, script, bad accents, low budget
The 2 leads, Jones and Garfield are more than adequate. Jones has a terrible accent but is believable while Garfield is solid – despite only saying 2 words in the first 18 minutes & having no chemistry with Jones. The problem is the story and script. The supporting characters are ciphers and I had difficulty caring about terrorists (sorry, freedom fighters) willing to kill hundreds of innocent people simply to assassinate a politician. Garfield actually gives a little talk justifying the killing of innocents. Further, most of the screen time is spent in wordy, badly written discussions between members of the underground group. That's its low budget and full of badly done back-projection didn't help. Summary: More interesting then good. Jones blasting away with a Thompson sub-machine gun was the highlight.. Rating **
73. The Sea Wolf (1941) Curtiz. Based on the Jack London Novel, with Edgar G. Robinson as “Wolf Larsen” . Alexander Knox, Ida Lupino, and John Garfield lend support.
73. The Sea Wolf (1941) Curtiz. Based on the Jack London Novel, with Edgar G. Robinson as “Wolf Larsen” . Alexander Knox, Ida Lupino, and John Garfield lend support.
Pros: Special Effects, Barry Fitzgerald, script, Direction, Edgar G. Robinson. Cons: London novel is “Hollywoodized'
Robinson and Knox are the best thing in the film and the two men dominate the story. While not entirely convincing as a Sea Captain, Robinson is able to portray Wolf Larsen's intelligence and brutality. Knox however makes an excellent Humphre y Van Weyden and mirror's the book's character with his intelligence and hidden strength. Garfield isn't given much to do except be the love interest for Lupino and add to the box-office. Barry Fitzgerald stands out as the untrustworthy cook. Summary: Enjoyable -but needed more Jack London and less Hollywood. Rating ***
Infernal Affairs (2203) & Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
61. Infernal Affairs^^ (2003) Lau Hong-Kong police thriller about two men, both moles,one inside the Gang, the other inside the police. The basis for the American remake “The Departed”. I enjoyed IA more despite the absence of Jack Nicholson and some witty one-liners. The story seem more realistic, the characters more likable and intelligent, and the movie is shorter and more faced paced (101 minutes vs. 152 minutes). “The Departed” has higher production values and action scenes are superior. Scorsese tried to give the characters more depth but just made them unlikable. Summary: Superior to “The Departed”. A well-done police thriller. (^^ - not "Internal affairs" as I first wrote, thanks Nikki) Rating ***
116. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). Set in Ancient Western China, Li Mu Bai, a great warrior, turns his treasured sword to a friend. When the sword is then stolen, it is up to him to retrieve it. Beautifully shot martial arts movie with some exciting action scenes. The plot is somewhat silly and the characterization slight. But once I suspended disbelief and realized the movie is mythical/Fantasy, I enjoyed it. Even the silliness of a girl warrior and the flying through the air. Rating ***
116. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). Set in Ancient Western China, Li Mu Bai, a great warrior, turns his treasured sword to a friend. When the sword is then stolen, it is up to him to retrieve it. Beautifully shot martial arts movie with some exciting action scenes. The plot is somewhat silly and the characterization slight. But once I suspended disbelief and realized the movie is mythical/Fantasy, I enjoyed it. Even the silliness of a girl warrior and the flying through the air. Rating ***
Lubitsch Films
Ninotchka (1939) Lubitsch Garbo shines as a hard-line communist ''Ninotchka' seduced by Paris and wealthy lawyer Melvyn Douglas. The main attraction is Garbo who looks stunning and shows some genuine comic timing. The problem is Melvyn Douglas who simply doesn't have the charisma or comic timing to hold his own - thereby sinking several scenes. The script is clever/witty & the direction good, but the movie goes way past it natural ending.of Garbo forsaking communism and turning human. The movie simply hangs around for another 30 minutes as Garbo goes back to Moscow and returns. Note: while labeled "anti-communist" Ninotchka's jabs at the USSR are mild and harmless. A more truthful satire could not been made in 1939. Summary: Garbo's great - but the movie isn't. Rating **1/2
To be or Not to Be (1942) Lubitsch J ack Benny and Carol Lombard star as actors in a Nazi occupied Warsaw trying to stop a German Spy. An odd mix of farce, propaganda and suspense highlighted by a brilliant last 40 minutes. After a mildly humorous 20 minute set up of the main characters, war begins, Warsaw falls, and the movie turns serious. Benny disappears for almost 35 minutes as we follow Robert Stack and Lombard in their effort to track down and kill a German spy. An hour in, Benny returns and the movie turns farcical as he impersonates a German Spy and they escape from Poland. Lombard looks great but plays it straight, while Benny is merely adequate as the lead. The writing, direction, and supporting actors are the highlights of the movie. Summary: Others rate it higher than me. The serious part goes on too long and is mediocre. And Jack Benny (a great radio comedian) is a mediocre comedic actor – too bad John Barrymore or Bob Hope weren’t available. Rating ***
Heaven can wait (1943) Lubitsch A surprisingly dull comedy starring Don Ameche. Told in flash-backs, a womanizer tells his life-story to the Devil. While Lubitsch directs with his usual taste and flair, the sleepy Ameche and the story - are too dull and bland. The leaden pace and 112 minute run time doesn't help. Gene Tierney and Charles Coburn add some life - but they can't overcome a mediocre script. Summary: A tedious misfire by Lubitsch.. Rating **1/2
To be or Not to Be (1942) Lubitsch J ack Benny and Carol Lombard star as actors in a Nazi occupied Warsaw trying to stop a German Spy. An odd mix of farce, propaganda and suspense highlighted by a brilliant last 40 minutes. After a mildly humorous 20 minute set up of the main characters, war begins, Warsaw falls, and the movie turns serious. Benny disappears for almost 35 minutes as we follow Robert Stack and Lombard in their effort to track down and kill a German spy. An hour in, Benny returns and the movie turns farcical as he impersonates a German Spy and they escape from Poland. Lombard looks great but plays it straight, while Benny is merely adequate as the lead. The writing, direction, and supporting actors are the highlights of the movie. Summary: Others rate it higher than me. The serious part goes on too long and is mediocre. And Jack Benny (a great radio comedian) is a mediocre comedic actor – too bad John Barrymore or Bob Hope weren’t available. Rating ***
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