Return Of The Film Corner Thread

[johnblitweiler]

On 7/16/2016 at 2:20 AM, kinuta said:

Jean Pierre Melville double bill.

Army Of Shadows (1969)

 

I saw Army Of Shadows again this summer in a Melville double feature and realized that morally it was another Melville gangster movie, one of his weaker films at that, but perhaps ennobled ennoble by his subject matter.

 

[Larry Kart]

3 hours ago, johnblitweiler said:

 

That the members of the Resistance unit whom Melville depicted had a good deal in common with gangsters morally was one of the film's points. Recall, for example, the killing of Simone Signoret’s character when the Resistance unit's leader admits that even though has no way of knowing whether she betrayed them, an example must be made. Likewise perhaps, but also inside out, the real-life gangster who was the model for the character Lino Venturi played in “Le deuxieme souffle” was a notorious collaborator with the Nazis during the war. 

 

BTW, in Signoret’s autobiography she recalls the shooting of the scene of her death in “Army of Shadows,”  which was tricky because it had to take place amidst real people, not extras, on an actual city street, and they would get only one chance to get it right. Just beforehand, Signoret  asked Melville for guidance at to what expression she should have on her face at the moment she realizes she’s going to be shot -- guilt because she had betrayed the group, perhaps? Said Melville, “What makes you think you did?”  As a result, the expression on her face arguably was perfect, one of unreadable enigmatic consternation.

[kinuta]

Akira Kurosawa double bill.

Warui Yatsu Hodo Yoku Nemuru / The Bad Sleep Well (1960)

The wedding reception introduction is very impressive.

Tengoku To Jigoku / High And Low (1963)

 

The police procedural half is especially well done.

I've been to Kamakura, where the kidnappers took the kid, many times, and more or less pinpointed the location of the house where the two dead junkies were found. Apart from obvious rebuilding, it still looks recognisable.

Also tried looking for similar locations he used in Nora Inu/Stray Dog, but Tokyo is changed beyond recognition.

 

[kinuta]

Stephen Spielberg double bill.

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977)

War Of The Worlds (2005)

[BillF]

Of course Close Encounters is a total classic, but I found the other very disappointing. Perhaps it was the unconvincing CGI, but comparison with Wells's novel probably played a part.

[fasstrack]

I gather from what I've seen that this thread is primarily for discussion of older films? 

[BillF]

2 hours ago, fasstrack said:

I gather from what I've seen that this thread is primarily for discussion of older films? 

Certainly not. I watch a lot of new releases in the cinema and always comment on them here - as well as the old ones, of course, which I usually watch at home on DVD.

So, a comprehensive program! 

[fasstrack]

4 hours ago, BillF said:

Certainly not. I watch a lot of new releases in the cinema and always comment on them here - as well as the old ones, of course, which I usually watch at home on DVD.

So, a comprehensive program! 

In that case, a brief word about Eat That Question (a Frank Zappa documentary, currently in theaters):

It seems Zappa was uber-smart. (Pity to waste such brains and talent on Rock N' Roll---so call me an elitist). This comes through in this collection of interviews. He tolerated some really stupid queries from equally stupid inquisitors. I guess he was savvy enough to realize the value of media in promoting his various projects. He was also funny, putting a self-righteous congresswoman in her place by inviting her to 'come over the house and see' in response to a question about what kind of toys he bought his kids to play with (the hearing was supposed to be about proposed warning labels about lyrics on recordings).

The film concluded with footage of rehearsals in Europe of Zappa's classical pieces. They seemed difficult as hell to play.

Decent  film. I hear another, better one is due out soon...

 

[T.D.]

1 hour ago, fasstrack said:

In that case, a brief word about Eat That Question (a Frank Zappa documentary, currently in theaters):

It seems Zappa was uber-smart. (Pity to waste such brains and talent on Rock N' Roll---so call me an elitist). This comes through in this collection of interviews. He tolerated some really stupid queries from equally stupid inquisitors. I guess he was savvy enough to realize the value of media in promoting his various projects. He was also funny, putting a self-righteous congresswoman in her place by inviting her to 'come over the house and see' in response to a question about what kind of toys he bought his kids to play with (the hearing was supposed to be about proposed warning labels about lyrics on recordings).

The film concluded with footage of rehearsals in Europe of Zappa's classical pieces. They seemed difficult as hell to play.

Decent  film. I hear another, better one is due out soon...

 

I saw the trailer for Eat That Question last Sunday, (prior to a showing of the Vince Giordano documentary There's a Future in the Past), and was interested. Could actually have stayed and seen the two back-to-back, but decided to wait for the Zappa film to come out on video. I agree that FZ came off as very bright. The Giordano film is quite good, btw.

[fasstrack]

4 hours ago, T.D. said:

I saw the trailer for Eat That Question last Sunday   

Wasn't bad at all...

[kinuta]

Mike Leigh double bill.

Another Year (2010)

One of his best films.

A penetrating, superbly judged look into the circle of people surrounding Tom and Gerri

The whole cast are impeccable, as usual, but Lesley Manville gives an especially memorable performance as Mary.

Topsy-Turvy (1999)

Wonderful film.

Mike Leigh surpassed even his high standards with this loving look at Gilbert & Sullivan.

[paul secor]

1 hour ago, kinuta said:

Mike Leigh double bill.

Another Year (2010)

One of his best films.

A penetrating, superbly judged look into the circle of people surrounding Tom and Gerri

The whole cast are impeccable, as usual, but Lesley Manville gives an especially memorable performance as Mary.

Topsy-Turvy (1999)

Wonderful film.

Mike Leigh surpassed even his high standards with this loving look at Gilbert & Sullivan.

 Loved both of those.

[BillF]

Never over-keen on Almodovar. This one too melodramatic for my taste and I dislike the glossy surface in which all the characters look like they're out of advertising clips. That said, I can't fault it technically - everything very slickly put together.

Edited July 30, 2016 by BillF

[BillF]

Saw this on release and again this afternoon as part of a jazz-on-film festival.

Edited July 30, 2016 by BillF

[duaneiac]

Purple Noon (1960) -- a French adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley.  Very well done, I thought.  I've never seen the later Matt Damon version.  I wonder if I should bother to after having seen this one.

[kinuta]

Woody Allen double bill.

Blue Jasmine (2013)

Husbands And Wives (1992)

Woody Allen double bill.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 2, 2016 by kinuta

[kinuta]

2 hours ago, duaneiac said:

Purple Noon (1960) -- a French adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley.  Very well done, I thought.  I've never seen the later Matt Damon version.  I wonder if I should bother to after having seen this one.

I'd watch it. They are both good.

I saw the French version years ago and had no idea that The Talented Mr Ripley was a remake. It only dawned on me after I'd seen it.

I remember taking my mother to an early morning matinee showing, during a trip back to UK. The place was packed with retirees.

We were served complimentary tea & biscuits, which was a delightful, civilized touch that wouldn't happen these days. My mother thought it was entertaining and faithful to the book.

Also it has Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour Hoffman, who are both very good.

[jlhoots]

Cafe Society

Captain Fantastic

[kinuta]

Sidney Lumet double bill.

The Hill (1965)

The Offence (1973)

Two powerful, dark and hard hitting films, with career best performances by Sean Connery.

Lumet had a very convincing feel for authentic British vernacular.

 

[BillF]

9 hours ago, kinuta said:

Sidney Lumet double bill.

The Hill (1965)

The Offence (1973)

Two powerful, dark and hard hitting films, with career best performances by Sean Connery.

Lumet had a very convincing feel for authentic British vernacular.

 

Very impressed by The Offence. Have not managed to hire a DVD copy of The Hill. One day perhaps!

[kinuta]

Federico Fellini double bill.

8 1/2 (1963)

Juliet Of The Spirits (1965)

Took a few viewing to appreciate ' Juliet '.

Once I realized it was a female mirror of 8 1/2 and that both are deeply influenced by Fellini's acid trips, all became clear.

It's best watched by switching off the part of the brain that demands narrative logic and just going with the flow of the colour and imagery.

Watched in tandem with 8 1/2, it makes an exceptional viewing experience.

 

 

Edited August 3, 2016 by kinuta

[Jazzmoose]

 I'm afraid to watch 8 1/2.  I saw it when I was nine or ten, not sure which, and it was such a magical experience, I'm afraid to mess with the memory.

[BillF]

9 hours ago, kinuta said:

Federico Fellini double bill.

8 1/2 (1963)

Juliet Of The Spirits (1965)

Took a few viewing to appreciate ' Juliet '.

Once I realized it was a female mirror of 8 1/2 and that both are deeply influenced by Fellini's acid trips, all became clear.

It's best watched by switching off the part of the brain that demands narrative logic and just going with the flow of the colour and imagery.

Watched in tandem with 8 1/2, it makes an exceptional viewing experience.

 

 

 

[duaneiac]

Now on my list of "worst movies ever made" --

This movie is truly awful!  It's a sequel to the 1968 movie Salt & Pepper (but see, Sammy Davis is Charlie Salt and Peter Lawford is Chris Pepper -- bet you didn't see that coming -- and sadly, that's the level of humor to be found here).  I saw that film a few years ago and found it mildly amusing, but this piece of crap was unbearable.  I actually could not make it all the way through the movie, which is very rare for me.  The two characters are co-owners of a swinging London nightclub who get into financial trouble so Pepper goes to see his identical twin brother, Lord Pepper for help.  Shortly after that, Lord Pepper is murdered and Mr. Pepper assumes his identity and title and life of wealth & ease without telling his friend Salt.  But it turns out Lord Pepper had been working with Interpol to break a diamond smuggling ring and he had double crossed both the smugglers and Interpol so they are all out to get him.  Hilarious, right?  It is so, so sad watching two middle aged men who have obviously been doing too much drugs trying to be late-1960's hip.  The one and only good point of the movie (or at least the portion of it that I could sit through) was Sammy Davis' performance of "When The Feeling Hits You", which is actually one of his better recordings of that era.  Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing do make a cameo appearance together, but their scene is ruined by Mr. Davis' mugging.

That tag line at the top of the movie poster is funnier than anything to be found in the movie.

I dare any of you to watch this movie all the way through!

 

[kinuta]

Nicholas Ray double bill.

In A Lonely Place (1950)

Bigger Than Life (1956)

Also watched the excellent appreciation by Jonathan Lethem .

@duaneiac I admire your fortitude.

Personally I pull the plug if I don't find something, anything, to hook my interest in the first thirty minutes.

I just can't be bothered wasting my time these days, although I used to rigidly persevere to the end on countless rubbish.