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Reviews
Enchantment (1948)
good filming of a touching story.
'Enchantment' is a wonderful-odd-unknown film. Or maybe to me at least it is unknown. I am a fan of Rumer Godden novels.I have seen two other excellent films of them--'The River' and too 'Black Narcissus'. 'Enchantment' is like those also in the fact that it deals with awakenings or things which awaken us. It is about an unrequited love affair OR nearly. The sister and wicked head-of-the-family tries to keep David Niven and his step sister(by circumstance)from being together.Niven plays a soldier on- leave during WW2, most of it is told from his memory. He remembers when he is visited by the daughter of the Girl he could of had as his love--He warns her to not make the same mistake that he did. A great movie about Love!
The Boy with Green Hair (1948)
Frightfully good film about childhood outcast.
I have heard about this weird film for years. I am an avid Losey fan OR i am at least working on becoming one.
'The Go-between' probably changed my life. So did 'the Accident'--- This is along those lines--And the fact that it is a Hollywood product before Losey went into exile--where he did his best works.
It is obviously true that he was a filmmaker as good as say Fellini or Bergman,Alright--he had control of the medium. And too was entirely peculiar in his vision. He is a Great formalist.This was a promising film. Though he would have known that he would be making them for 3 1/2 more decades? By all means See this if you can. It is long out-of-print on tape. Maybe we can hope for a DVD. The bright color is almost 'Wizard of Oz'--Like. Hollywood--needs to go find more filmmakers like him to direct for them. Though, i am sorry to say there are probably few this good in the states---other than Harmony Korine and Our great Robert Altman.
Winstanley (1975)
Beautiful retelling of history
A great piece of independent filmmaking!Intelligent,well directed and acted.These two filmmakers had a ton of talent .Too bad they only made two films,but luckily they are both classics.This film is very much like an early Kubrick film i.e. 'The Killing'.The locations and the fact that the were lensed on a monochrome made me feel the landscapes, situations and the plight of the people.A must see for any film lover!!!
I'll Never Forget What's'isname (1967)
A high mark of Brit 60s flicks
There were so many good British films made in the 60s ,that you rarely hear this one mentioned .Thou,it is a worthy film and is comparable to 'Performance' and 'Women in Love' as one of the best films of the era.It's about a Business executive who has to re-think his life and relationships for what they are worth. Orson Welles is great as his creepy Boss and all of the female actors who play his many girlfriends did a very convincing job. The Dream sequences are very LSD inspired.
If you like it also See 'The System' by the the same filmmaker.
Ever After (1998)
An unremarkable movie !!
I'm very surprised about all of the good things that i've heard about this movie!!Nothing separates it from all of the other Drew Barrymore vehicles.This film just proves that A film director has to do something with his material and not just go by the book.It also shows how lame all of these films are that re-tell classic stories.The real Cinderella story is so much better,the filmmakers should have just have told it instead.
Une femme douce (1969)
A new start for Bresson!!
This movie Is sort of not what I expected From Robert Bresson.It was his first color film and is not as intense as his earlier films.Thou deals with the themes of grace and suicide(his trademarks)in an obtrusive style.'A Gentle Woman' is definitely a very underappreciated movie.If you like him you should search for it a your local video store.I didn't understand the movie when i first saw it,but it improves greatly after a few viewings.
Journal d'un curé de campagne (1951)
A film to believe in!!
I always found this film to be profoundly moving.A very true work about the human spirit.It honestly reflects a person's feelings about their life.If you like this you should also see 'Taste of cherry'. Bresson at his most simplistic ,he is always good at showing the inner worlds of people .
Coven (1997)
An unremarkable movie!!
Definitely one of the worst films that I've ever seen in my life. After seeing 'American Movie' I really thought this could actually be good, but no such luck. You don't have to waste 40 minutes of your life watching this film, I can't believe somebody actually saw something of quality in it.
Odile & Yvette at the Edge of the World (1993)
A rare gem!!
'Odile and Yvette at the edge of the world' is an amazing movie!! I was surprised at how abstract the film is,considering that it's a feature length film.Both of the girls are great,and very beautiful.It's hard to describe the film,it's vaguely about two sisters who decide to live in a world of their own making.There are some really Andrei Tarkovsky type visuals,and you will also definitely be reminded of the great 'Heavenly creatures' by Peter jackson.If you want a real surprise ,look for this movie.
Made in Britain (1983)
Roth and Clarke ,very chilling.
Alan Clarke's unflinching realism might be too much for some viewers.However ,'Made in Britain' is a definitive study of the criminal mind.Roth is right on the money(as always).The movie is so simplistic ,but that's why it works so well.The movie has a great feel ,it was constructed with a series of steadicam set ups.Clarke's camera follows Roth's character in a series of long takes.The movie doesn't really have a traditional structure,it just happens.A good introduction to Alan Clarke.
Images (1972)
Complex Altman classic!!
I finally got to see this very,very rare 1972 Robert Altman.I was not let down ,I love it!One of the best depictions of the workings of the inner mind that I think anybody has ever done.Altman Really went deep into surrealistic imagery,A really weird movie.Altman can make both straight forward films and films like 'Images'.The visual feel of the movie is Similar to Peter Jackson's 'Heavenly Creatures'.I wish Altman still made movie's that were as thoughtful, complex and sublime as this.Check it out!!
Kes (1969)
Ken Loach's most beautiful work!!
Definitely a film that depicts growing up in an industrial based economical environment very accurately.All of the scenes at school are honest and devastating.The scenes with the kestrel are some of the Best Ken Loach has ever done .The Colors in the film are very muted but add to the dreary feeling of the Main character's future.There is a hidden beauty in the film ,but it's hard to figure out .It will be simple for viewers who have gone thru similar struggles.Hands down vintage British cinema!!
Au hasard Balthazar (1966)
One of Bresson's best films!!
It took me years to track down a video copy of this rare film. It was definitely worth searching for. It's my favorite of Bresson's films. A very intense and dark drama about the quality of human and animal life on the face of the earth. This film will definitely bring you to your knees.
Julien Donkey-Boy (1999)
Hilarious,Harrowing and heartbreaking!!
Harmony Korine has really made a masterpiece this time.The film is funny sad and very beautiful. There is alot of weirdness, and the performances are great. Chloe Sevigny is absolutely beautiful, she really steals the movie. Ewen Bremner is incredible in the lead role, he is so convincing as the schizophrenic hero who is on the edge at all times.
The movie is also a dark parable about contemporary life. It's difficult because of the themes it deals with, but it is a very deep and rewarding movie that will really affect you.
Cerro Torre: Schrei aus Stein (1991)
Triumphant and captivating Herzog film
This is probably one of Herzog's least known films in States,but it's definitely worth seeking out.As always his visuals are stunning.Especially in the Climbing sequences.There is this really great shot of the younger climber hanging on the edge of the cliff ,and the way Herzog holds this shot and let's us absorb it .He always has things like that in his movies,that's one of the things that makes a Werner herzog much more than just another movie.A note to Herzog fans,you'll find all of his trademarks in this movie if you look close enough.
Cobra Verde (1987)
compelling ,stunning and dark work
'Cobra Verde' is a really great movie!!I was surprised because i never hear this film praised by critics.I've been an avid Herzog fan for years and even after all these years his films still have the power to shock me. there are many bizarre and stunning images in this film.It's really a fascinating movie,and would be good to use in a world history class.Klaus kinski is really great in the title role ,and Herzog's trademark visuals have never been better.Some of the visuals I found to be very disturbing,One scene in particular that is straight out of a jodorowsky film. The film has a very powerful ending that will have great impact on anyone who likes films.See it even if your not into herzog's movies.
El Topo (1970)
Great artifact of cult cinema
'El Topo' is Jodorowsky's Masterpiece !! Incredible movie making, some people just write this movie off. I think that is a totally closed mind of approach to this fascinating film.Even if you hate it,you have to admit the power of the film, great imagery.Alejandro did a great job,this movie is a real labor of love,it deserves rediscovery.One of the greatest films of the seventies,unforgettable is the only way to sum it up.
The Manson Family (1997)
Dark and disturbing filmmaking
I been a big fan of Jim Van Bebber ever since I first saw 'Deadbeat at dawn' back in the early nineties.I finally got to see this great film ,and it was not a let down. this is an incredible look at the Mason family,Dark ,disturbing and unrelenting.Great direction by Jim ,and great cinematography by Mike .i wish them luck on their next film,and i hope everybody gets a chance to see this great movie.
Boy Meets Girl (1984)
Strong first feature from a great filmmaker
'Boy Meets Girl ' was Leos Carax's first movie, and is remarkably mature for a first film!! Leos went on to tell a similar story in his next films. One of the great things about this film is that it reminds me of the glory days of the French New Wave, because it's fresh and has a new way of telling us something we may have heard before.The best thing is that the film has several great visual sequences that prove Carax has the ability to express things visually that alot of directors could only accomplish by using words. It's hard to track this one down, but if you get a chance make sure you see it. Then see the rest of Leos Carax's movies, one of the most visionary directors at work in the contemporary film scene.
Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle (1974)
Strange masterpiece by master filmmaker
A truely visionary work!!I have always been fascinated with the story that this film tells.Herzog seems to be an expert at showing the way that an outsider relates to the world.Bruno S. is amazing in the lead role , Herzog has definitely made the right casting choice.the movie is just a must for all fans of cinema,even if your not a Herzog fanatic you will still be moved by this extraordinary vision!!!