150W: Shadows and Fog

Short reviews for clear and concise verdicts on a broad range of films...

Shadows and Fog (Dir. Woody Allen/1991)

Lurking in the shadows is the killer. You don’t want to discuss it and you don’t want to put yourself in the fog and make yourself a target. It is inevitable. Death, in and of itself, is inevitable. Shadows and Fog, a dark and dusty drama from Woody Allen asks these profound questions. Under the guise of an ambiguous type of dwelling, town folk are awkward and join different groups (see. Religions) in the hope of capturing the killer (see. Death). Mr Kleinman (Allen), alternatively, is not sure of the rules (not sure of God) and not sure what is expected of him to capture the killer (scared of death, but not convinced of religion). Though aspiring to be cerebral and high-brow, Shadows and Fog attempts to metaphorically deconstruct the meaning of life. Maybe further watching improve it, but the happy-go-lucky prostitutes and uninteresting investigation don’t engage – and it should.

Rating: 4/10

A-Z #89: High Fidelity

You can pick up hundreds of DVDs for a round-pound each - it doesn't matter. It's never about quantity, it's about quality. A-Z is my way of going through my collection, from A-Z, and understanding why I own the films ... or you can tell me why I should sell 'em

#89 - High Fidelity 

Why did I buy it?

To be honest, I hadn't seen the film when I bought it but I could completely relate to the rating of films, music, memories - whatever. I could rate my top 5 items of cutlery (fork at number one, obviously) and the idea that a non-linear narrative flashbacked to show Top 5 Break-Up's and set this within the context of a music-lover, like me, completely got me hook line and sinker. And I wasn't disappointed - it has remained one of my personal favourite films.

Why do I still own it?

It is so rewatchable. I think it was more rewatchable when I was single, but it still stands that it is a great film. I think the fantasy of living such a relaxed life whereby the only worry is the organisation of a record collection (and also so vintage with collecting records) equally transports me to a place that is so cool. Also, the sequence whereby Tim Robbins tells John Cusack the same news ("so... shall we leave it at that then ...?") and we see Cusacks reaction in three different ways, at one point had me in complete hysterics. My best friend and I rewound the sequence about twenty times and were crying with laughter. A brilliant film and some real happy memories.