Only 30 minutes long, this Swedish short has some nice images, but seeing as I could only find a non-subtitled version on You Tube I couldn't understand the dialog.
As with Dorian Gray, Jekyll and Hyde, and all the classical tales of the beast within, this film visits the topic of the id with allusions to werewolves.
Good soundtrack by Ulver. Short and artsy.
rated M/K
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
The Day The Earth Stood Still
Classic SF. Do I have to say anything? Klaatu Barada Nicto.
Considering this is a based on a short story, it stretches well to a 90 minute movie. Enough techno wow in Gort "The" robot of the 50's. The lighting in the spaceship is both SF and classic noir with a hint of expressionism in it too.
Of course it is preachy and moralistic, but you can also see it as a little too much pro American and UN. After all Klaatu represents a union of planets that is slapping Earths wrist for getting weapons ahead of their maturity level. This is typically seen as a warning against maintaining nuclear arsenals, but in our contemporary world it's analagous to the UN, NATO and the USA keeping the "lesser" and "more volatile" nations in a low tech non-nuclear state.
Patricia Neal is no Jennifer Connolly, but she is a credible heroine.
I never noticed before, but the Klaatu resurrection sequence is almost an homage to the Hel/Maria animation sequence in Metropolis.
rated A/D
Considering this is a based on a short story, it stretches well to a 90 minute movie. Enough techno wow in Gort "The" robot of the 50's. The lighting in the spaceship is both SF and classic noir with a hint of expressionism in it too.
Of course it is preachy and moralistic, but you can also see it as a little too much pro American and UN. After all Klaatu represents a union of planets that is slapping Earths wrist for getting weapons ahead of their maturity level. This is typically seen as a warning against maintaining nuclear arsenals, but in our contemporary world it's analagous to the UN, NATO and the USA keeping the "lesser" and "more volatile" nations in a low tech non-nuclear state.
Patricia Neal is no Jennifer Connolly, but she is a credible heroine.
I never noticed before, but the Klaatu resurrection sequence is almost an homage to the Hel/Maria animation sequence in Metropolis.
rated A/D
The Big Sleep
Ah, now this was worthwhile noir. Humpey as Philip Marlowe. Kinda wish Martha Vickers was the lead gal instead of Lauren Bacall.
After a good solid hour of sleuthing, the case is wrapped up, but that nagging hint of a side story now comes to the fore. There are several more twists to bring us to a grand conclusion. This is thrill a minute stuff, a deserved classic.
Oh, and one thing I noticed in the first hour was how all extras and bit part actresses in the 1940's were very pretty, like the librarian, the girl in the book shop, heck even the taxi driver. I guess they knew what sells movies.
post script. I suspect Netflix provide the '44 version for streaming, not the '46 remix. I'll have to get the DVD to see both versions and decide. I could stand to watch it again, just not tonight.
After a good solid hour of sleuthing, the case is wrapped up, but that nagging hint of a side story now comes to the fore. There are several more twists to bring us to a grand conclusion. This is thrill a minute stuff, a deserved classic.
Oh, and one thing I noticed in the first hour was how all extras and bit part actresses in the 1940's were very pretty, like the librarian, the girl in the book shop, heck even the taxi driver. I guess they knew what sells movies.
post script. I suspect Netflix provide the '44 version for streaming, not the '46 remix. I'll have to get the DVD to see both versions and decide. I could stand to watch it again, just not tonight.
Laura
Well, if it wasn't for the Noel Coward wannabe this might have been an enjoyable noir outing. However, despite the nice twists and pretty lead Gene Tierney, and a youthful caddish Vincent Price, this film still failed to satisfy completely
The Man From Earth
A wonderful one room play. A university professor is moving on, and his colleagues are intrigued as to to why. He presents them with a fascinating tale, how he has to move on every ten years or so because he is immortal. Since his colleagues include a historian, an archaeologist and an anthropologist the are convinced he knows his subjects, but everything is verifiable by text book.
Of course, as with all low tech SF films, it eventually gets around to morality questions and theology. Still, all done in a very good way.
Of course, as with all low tech SF films, it eventually gets around to morality questions and theology. Still, all done in a very good way.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
M.Hulots Holiday
My curiosity in this film was roused when I saw it referenced in a documentary about Rowan Atkinson. Jaques Tati's was referenced as one of the other few comics who can perform such universal physical comedy.
Though this film is not a laugh a minute, it is pretty well paced. The goofy clowning is not all centered around M. Hulot, there are several other clumsy characters, and mischievous children who each either cause or catalyze some humorous event. I think this takes the clumsiness out of the whole.
Another reason to see this is to see a snapshot postcard of how holidays were done. I believe that this is an accurate representation of how French Holidays were, the main hotel seems to dominate the quiet bay, everyone has taken room and board, and the beach empties when the meal bell rings.
I can see why this classic is still available, but it is from a more genteel time, so the pacing I found a little slow.
Though this film is not a laugh a minute, it is pretty well paced. The goofy clowning is not all centered around M. Hulot, there are several other clumsy characters, and mischievous children who each either cause or catalyze some humorous event. I think this takes the clumsiness out of the whole.
Another reason to see this is to see a snapshot postcard of how holidays were done. I believe that this is an accurate representation of how French Holidays were, the main hotel seems to dominate the quiet bay, everyone has taken room and board, and the beach empties when the meal bell rings.
I can see why this classic is still available, but it is from a more genteel time, so the pacing I found a little slow.
Lady Jane
This is a very early Helena Bonham Carter film, she looks younger than she did in "A Room With A View", which purports to have been released the year before this.
After seeing Young Victoria the night before I saw this film the two really seem to be a pair needing to be seen in close proximity. Both deal with a teenage monarch, their ascent to the throne, and those that would manipulate them. In this case, far more tragic then the story of Victoria and Albert.
Always good to see Patrick Stewart treading the boards with Shakespearean verve, though if you turn your back you could almost imagine Brian Blessed bombasting his way through the dialogue.
The fight choreography with Carey Elwes was a little less convincing than John Steeds fighting in a regular episode of The Avengers. However, the rest of the film was well lit, dressed, decorated and shot.
Definitely worth a look see.
After seeing Young Victoria the night before I saw this film the two really seem to be a pair needing to be seen in close proximity. Both deal with a teenage monarch, their ascent to the throne, and those that would manipulate them. In this case, far more tragic then the story of Victoria and Albert.
Always good to see Patrick Stewart treading the boards with Shakespearean verve, though if you turn your back you could almost imagine Brian Blessed bombasting his way through the dialogue.
The fight choreography with Carey Elwes was a little less convincing than John Steeds fighting in a regular episode of The Avengers. However, the rest of the film was well lit, dressed, decorated and shot.
Definitely worth a look see.
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