Cranes Are Flying

On paper, this reads like another drab WWII sob story, but it is so much more. The female lead, Tatyana Samojlova, is a remarkable presence. Always at the heart of the twisting narrative, she exudes grace and verisimilitude. The filmmaking is brash and always daring. One understands almost immediately upon beginning viewing why this film is so lauded. Its plaudits are earned.


Written 12/11/09

Anatomy of a Murder

Great script, great acting, great production. This is a long film, but each character provides so much intrigue that the length is not felt. I know Jimmy Stewart gets most of the glory here as the likable lawyer, but I thought Ben Gazzara stole much of his thunder as the seething accused murderer. If you want thrilling courtroom drama, watch "Anatomy of a Muder". The Ellington score and cameo are a great bonus to an already rarefied film experience.


Written 8/7/09

Sunset Boulevard

This is a twisted tale of Hollywood's inner workings. Whether you can enjoy it is, I think, debatable. While watching this, my mouth was at times agape due to my discomfort! Former silent movie actress Gloria Swanson completely inhabits her character, delivering a performance you won't soon forget. The ending is bizarrely stunning. This is a fascinating look at old Hollywood. But really, present-day Hollywood seems just the same. Some things don't ever change...


Written 7/28/09

Mon Oncle

"Mon Oncle" is a series of set pieces and gags, most of which are effective, but many do fall flat. Despite this film's accolades, one can't help but feel that shaving 15 minutes off the total running time would greatly enhance the work. Nonetheless, Jacques Tati's careful, charming diatribes against modern technology and the dominant oppression it enforces upon its human "owners" continues to ring true in present day. We humans have not shaken our love of gadgets and sleek design! In "Mon Uncle", Tati argues in favor of a simpler kind of life.


Written 7/2/09

The 400 Blows

A cautionary tale that rings as true today as it must have upon its release 50 years ago. "400 Blows" does well to encapsulate the breadth of juvenile delinquency. Adults are maligned as tyrannical agents of governance, saddling youths with unfair expectations. Jean-Pierre Léaud shines in the lead role, sinking further and further within himself as one institution after another lets him down. The filmmaking is evocative and lively, portraying both vast urban landscapes and dysfunctional, cramped home environs with equal aplomb.


Written 6/26/09

Ace in the Hole

Kirk Douglas delivers an incendiary performance here. His vivid portrayal of a corrupted newspaper reporter carries the film. The underlying themes of "Ace in the Hole" are depressingly timeless. Greed, corruption, and selfishness all take their bow. Don't rent this expecting an experience that will lift you from your doldrums -- you'll feel even more bitter and angry by the end.


Written 9/18/08

Bob Le Flambeur

This is a stylish heist film, but as a viewer I felt strangely detached from the proceedings. I'm sure "Bob Le Flambeur" was hugely influential upon its original release, but today I can only compare it to similarly-themed films that exhibit better execution. Nevertheless, if you are a fan of director Jean-Pierre Melville's other films then this is definitely worth watching.


Written 3/30/08

Rififi

I've waited some time to see this movie, having heard countless raves about the wordless, 30-minute heist that occupies a central position in the film. I was not disappointed. Said heist is masterful - a perfect execution of pacing and restraint. Considering the release date, I was surprised at how gritty some elements of the story are. But the edginess works, and contributes to the unrelentingly charged atmosphere.


Written 8/5/07

The Wages of Fear

Extremely disappointing. The two main characters we're forced to follow are detestable. Watching them berate each other and one repeatedly brutalize his girlfriend was a miserable experience. Sure, the opening half-hour drips with tension, and the action sequences on the long and treacherous truck ride are compelling, but even at this late stage of the film not one character had earned my compassion (scratch that: one had, but he's snuffed out of the picture soon enough). The ending is excessive tragedy. The black and white print is lovely to look at, but it will be a challenge to fix your eyes on such loathsome creatures for over two hours.


Written 6/4/07

Black Orpheus

Lovely dancing, party scenes, and music, but don't let these distract you. The romance upon which the story pivots is not believable. I didn't develop any care for the two main characters, and I didn't believe their "love". If you divorce yourself from reality, perhaps you can feel good stomaching this, but for me it was just colorful frivolity.


Written 5/14/07

Ben-Hur

Charlton Heston is the beating heart of this epic film. His intensity and facial expressiveness are awesome to behold. This is an actor rising to the occasion. Stephen Boyd plays his rival Massala and is equally riveting. The classic chariot race in the second half of the film remains stunning. Hard to imagine those scenes being executed any more vividly or successfully - truly, a triumph. The storytelling is dense and multi-layered. As we follow the life of Judah Ben-Hur of Nazareth, the story of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is simultaneously presented. But the spiritual aspect of the film is never heavy-handed, and at the end Christ's role in the proceedings feels absolutely essential. Though the running time is long, "Ben-Hur" is that rare epic where everything is in its right place and the end result feels measured and true.

Cinderella

Call me sentimental if you will - I was delighted by this film. Watching this felt like a cleansing. Themes are uncomplicated and completely straightforward. Cinderella = good, Stepmother & Stepsisters = bad. Lucifer, the cat, is also not to be favored (no shock, with that name). Cinderella's mouse friends Jacque and Gus are a regular laugh riot. The animation is awesome and the songs are top-notch. Despite knowing the ending by heart, I still found myself rooting for Cinderella and her band of sympathetic animals at the end. Yes, she and the prince live happily ever after. I loved every minute of it.

All About Eve

"All About Eve" is a view into the lives of those who work in the theatre. It takes a close look at the level of ambition required to rise to the top of this profession. I don't believe this to be a "perfect" film as many others do, but nonetheless it is quite enjoyable. The performances are excellent, and the script is top-notch. This is a film that has aged well. It remains thought-provoking, gripping, and worthy of a viewing by any serious film aficionado.