The Films I've Seen in 2019 From Best to Worst
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- DirectorCarl Theodor DreyerStarsMaria FalconettiEugene SilvainAndré BerleyIn 1431, Jeanne d'Arc is placed on trial on charges of heresy. The ecclesiastical jurists attempt to force Jeanne to recant her claims of holy visions.Another film that I hadn't seen in almost 30 years and to be honest the only thing I really remembered was Maria Falconetti's astonishing performance which I considered the greatest performance of all time and after seeing it again I stand by that statement even more...it is one of the most intimate,moving and powerful films ever made and yes Dreyer deserves some of the praise for that but I just can't imagine this film having the impact it has without Falconetti and to be honest calling it a performance just doesn't seem right because it transcends acting and almost seems otherly...2nd viewing even better than first and without question one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroRay LiottaJoe PesciThe story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.Scorsese makes films about people that we would never want to associate with in real life and even has a tendency to glorify them and sometimes I call him on that "Wolf of Wall Street" comes to mind but I find this film so impeccably made and acted that even if some of those elements exist it's impossible to ignore(in all fairness to this film it's based on Henry Hill's life and this was a man who loved the gangster lifestyle even after he went into the witness protection program)...as far as I'm concerned this is Scorsese's masterpiece and for me it's the greatest mob film ever made,Scorsese's best film,the best film of the 90's and one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorJacques TatiStarsJacques TatiGuy DecomblePaul FrankeurA village postman with no sense of humour delivers his mail via bicycle on the day the travelling fair comes to town. He is disrupted by a short film about US speed and efficiency and the playful teasing of the village folk.I love Tati and for me this is his best film,the local flavor adds so much warmth and charm to this film and makes you wish you were there and I like his postman character more than Hulot,it might also be his funniest film...It's been over 25 years since I first saw it and it's still as great as I remember and still one of my all time favorites.
10 - DirectorWilliam WylerStarsBette DavisHerbert MarshallJames StephensonThe wife of a rubber plantation administrator shoots a man to death and claims it was self-defense, but a letter written in her own hand may prove her undoing.This noirish crime film beautifully crafted by William Wyler is not only one of his best films but one of the best films of the 40's with a terrific score and 2 exceptional performances from Davis and Stephenson...I think it's the 3rd time I've seen this gem and it still as great as I remember and I have to say that it's performances like this one that quelch any doubts I have about how great an actress Bette Davis is.
10 - DirectorJohn MackenzieStarsBob HoskinsHelen MirrenPaul FreemanAn up-and-coming gangster is tested by the insurgence of an unknown, very powerful threat.For me this is one of the greatest of all gangster films,perhaps only 2nd to "Goodfellas" with a star turning performance from Hoskins who is absolutely brilliant,watching the facial expressions of Hoskins at the end when he knows the jig is up is absolutely priceless...I'm seen this film 4 or 5 times now and my opinion is about the same and I wish this film was remembered more because it really is one of the best films of the 80's.
10 - DirectorSergei EisensteinStarsAleksandr AntonovVladimir BarskiyGrigoriy AleksandrovIn the midst of the Russian Revolution of 1905, the crew of the battleship Potemkin mutiny against the brutal, tyrannical regime of the vessel's officers. The resulting street demonstration in Odessa brings on a police massacre.If your looking for a factual account of what happened this isn't it,this is pure propaganda but it's probably the greatest piece of propaganda put on screen using all the cinematic techniques of the time as well as inventing new ones and even though it's hard to love the film,to be honest I could say that about all the Sergei M. Eisenstein films I've seen it's also impossible not to admire his work on a cinematic level and this is probably his greatest film and one of the greatest films of the silent era...the Odessa steps sequence still ranks among the most memorable scenes in film...I saw this film back in 1990 and my opinion is exactly the same.
10 - DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsMia FarrowJohn CassavetesRuth GordonA young couple trying for a baby moves into an aging, ornate apartment building on Central Park West, where they find themselves surrounded by peculiar neighbors.I've always considered "The Exorcist" the scariest film ever made(at least I used to til I saw it again), it holds nothing back and is like a punch in the gut that leaves me emotionally drained but I think the subtle approach to the material in "Rosemary's Baby" makes it a more effective film,it's a slow burn that builds and builds til the inevitable climax that manages to surprise you with the impact it has...the cast is terrific but there's no denying it's Mia Farrow who stands out as does Polanski's brilliant direction,it's a tough call but I consider this his best film and it's certainly one of the greatest horror films ever made.
10 - DirectorWilliam WylerStarsWalter HustonRuth ChattertonPaul LukasA retired auto manufacturer and his wife take a long-planned European vacation only to find that they want very different things from life.This was one of those films that surprised me 30 years ago when I first saw it in how effective it was...it's a wonderfully made smart adult drama with a marvelous performance from Huston(maybe his best) and Mary Astor shines as well in the time she's on screen and the final shot of Astor is quite emotional...2nd viewing pretty much same as 1st.
10 - DirectorRobert BressonStarsFlorence DelayJean-Claude FourneauRoger HonoratA Joan of Arc's trial reconstruction concerning her imprisonment, interrogation and final execution at the hands of the English. Filmed in a spare, low-key fashion.I have always felt emotionally detached when watching a Bresson film even though there are some like "Pickpocket" and "A Man Escaped" that managed to work for the most part but I've always been bothered by the lack of emotion in his characters which I think hurt films like "Mouchette" and "Au Hasard du Balthazar" but everything seems to work in this beautifully made film and as far as I'm concerned we finally have a character in a Bresson film that I cared about and maybe part of the reason it works so well is because the story is a fascinating one as is Joan herself and even though the film tells the same story as Dreyer's masterpiece it works and would make a terrific double bill...I would almost call Bresson's film sedate when compared to Dreyer's overpowering film but by the end Bresson's film still packs a punch and is far and away the best thing I've seen so far from him.
9 - DirectorAlexander MackendrickStarsAlec GuinnessJoan GreenwoodCecil ParkerAn altruistic chemist invents a fabric which resists wear and stain as a boon to humanity, but big business and labor realize it must be suppressed for economic reasons.This wonderful, smart,witty,satirical comedy is one of the best to come out of Ealing studios and is still timely today,it also has wonderful performances from Greenwood,Parker and Thesinger and it just might be my favorite Alec Guinness role...it's been over 30 years since I last saw the film and it's still as great as I remember it being.
9 - DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsLubna AzabalMélissa Désormeaux-PoulinMaxim GaudetteTwins journey to the Middle East to discover their family history and fulfill their mother's last wishes.Stunning,powerful and shocking are just a few of the adjective's to describe this brilliant film from Denis Villeneuve that ranks as one of the greatest films to ever come out of Canada and deservedly put him on the map as one of the best directors working today and is my favorite film of his so far.
9 - DirectorCarl Theodor DreyerStarsThorkild RooseLisbeth MovinSigrid NeiiendamThe young wife of an aging priest falls in love with his son amidst the horror of a merciless witch hunt in 17th-century Denmark.Another exceptionally crafted and acted Dreyer film that shows the power religious rule has over a community especially women and how futile it is to fight against it,there are some parallel's with Passion(the blatant misogyny comes to mind) which seems very contemporary considering when the films were made and the witch hunt angle is very much in line with Arthur Miller's "The Crucible"
9 - DirectorJacques BeckerStarsAndré BervilJean KeraudyMichel ConstantinDistrust and uncertainty arise when four long-term inmates cautiously induct a new prisoner into their elaborate prison-break scheme.Most of the actors in this terrific based on fact prison flic were non actors at the time including one of the actual prisoners whose story this is based on and their all exceptional as is Jacques Becker's direction and his attention to detail...one of the best films of it's type and I'm probably underrating how good it is.
9 - DirectorFritz LangStarsDebra PagetPaul HubschmidWalther ReyerIn Eschnapur, a local Maharajah and a German architect fall in-love with the same temple dancer.This beautiful and visually sumptuous romantic/adventure film may not rank cinematically with the best of Lang but it may be more entertaining than many of those films and I can't help but believe that Spielberg was influenced by this film when he made Raiders although the eroticism from the topless goddess to Debra Paget's memorable dancing was way beyond anything you'd get from Spielberg and certainly something you'd only see in European films at the time...I never knew about this film until recently and it's another one of these hidden gems that I personally think ranks among Lang's best.
9 - DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsRobert RedfordRobert DuvallGlenn CloseA middle-aged unknown comes seemingly out of nowhere to become a legendary baseball player with almost supernatural talent.Brimley,Farnsworth,Close and Redford give wonderful performances is this undeniably contrived but irresistible baseball fantasy that ranks as one of my favorite sports films...this is one of those films that you go along for the ride and accept it warts and all and let it cast it's magic spell on you otherwise you probably won't find it that appealing...3rd or 4th viewing and my opinion's gone down a little but not much.
9 - DirectorJimmy ChinElizabeth Chai VasarhelyiStarsAlex HonnoldTommy CaldwellJimmy ChinAlex Honnold faces the biggest challenge of his career, climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. He pursues it Free Solo, which means climbing without a rope and alone.You may come away after seeing this exhilarating documentary that the man himself is a little nuts and emotionally lacking but I admired his drive and the guts he had to do what seems to a lay person like me impossible and I found it far more thrilling,nerve racking and entertaining than most of the films that come out of Hollywood these days but I also came away wondering if like many in his sport who live on the edge if in the end it'll be the death of him one day.
9 - DirectorFred C. NewmeyerSam TaylorStarsHarold LloydJobyna RalstonJohn AasenA hypochondriac vacations in the tropics for the fresh air - and finds himself in the middle of a revolution instead.Harold Lloyd doesn't get all the credit for this gem,his sidekick if you will John Aasen probably deserves just as much if not more for this being one of his funniest films but there's no denying as I watch more and more of his films that it's hard not to put him up there with Chaplin and Keaton as one of the true geniuses of comedy.
9 - DirectorEdward F. ClineBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonEdward F. ClineJack DuffyA young couple who live next to each other in tenement apartments do everything they can to be together despite of their feuding families.Unlike Chaplin I find Keaton's shorts just as inventive and fun as his features and there's plenty to appreciate in this delightful romp...my admiration for Keaton keeps growing and I think this is one of his best.
9 - DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinEdna PurvianceJackie CooganThe Tramp cares for an abandoned child, but events put their relationship in jeopardy.The combination of comedy and sentimentality works extremely well,although I think the drama stands out more than the comedy but there are inspired moments of creativity from Chaplin and Coogan is unforgettable,my one complaint is that it ends to abruptly which gives the final scene no emotional punch unlike his "City Lights" which still moves me when I think about it...I first saw this film about 30 years ago and my opinion's about the same.
9 - DirectorErnst LubitschStarsMaurice ChevalierClaudette ColbertMiriam HopkinsAn amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side.Chevalier,Colbert and Hopkins are an absolute delight in this marvelous romantic/musical/comedy/ and the Lubitsch touch is in high gear in one of his most enjoyable films and because it's a pre-code film,it's pretty racy for it's time.
9 - DirectorJulien DuvivierStarsHarry BaurValéry InkijinoffGina ManèsWilly is broke and his mistress always wants more money. A stranger in a pub agrees to murder his aunt, but everything will not go as planned. Maigret will try to separate fact and fiction.It may not rank up there with "Pepe Le Moko" or "Panique" but this is another terrific crime film from Julien Duvivier with a standout performance by Valéry Inkijinoff as a man who thinks he's committed the perfect crime...another one of these films I knew nothing about that turned out to be a very nice surprise.
9 - DirectorDavid FincherStarsMorgan FreemanBrad PittKevin SpaceyTwo detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.When I first saw this film I had some problems with Pitt's character and the way I felt he over-reacted to things and the ending seemed a little far fetched but I still thought it was at times a brilliantly made and acted film,2nd time around I had no such problems and was completely involved in this terrific thriller.
9 - DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleTom HardyAnne HathawayEight years after the Joker's reign of chaos, Batman is coerced out of exile with the assistance of the mysterious Selina Kyle in order to defend Gotham City from the vicious guerrilla terrorist Bane.Nolan's Batman films were among the darkest and most ambitious superhero movies made and I've always admired these films for that and the last in the series despite flaws is still a thoroughly engaging and satisfying film that's almost as good as Dark Knight...2nd viewing pretty much same as first.
9 - DirectorAl ReinertStarsJim LovellKen MattinglyRussell SchweickartAn in-depth look at various NASA moon landing missions, starting with Apollo 8.I admit my enthusiasm for the space program just isn't there anymore,not since the first couple of space shuttle missions but this wonderful documentary on the original Apollo missions to the moon is an absolute joy to watch and gives you that sense of wonder at what they accomplished that sadly just isn't there anymore...some of the footage is just awe inspiring and if you have any interest in the space program and it's historical importance,it's a must see.
9 - DirectorAndrew LauAlan MakStarsAndy LauTony Leung Chiu-waiAnthony Chau-Sang WongA story between a mole in the police department and an undercover cop. Their objectives are the same: to find out who is the mole, and who is the cop.When I first saw this film it took me a while to get into it mainly because it's somewhat confusing at first but once I knew what was going on I was thoroughly engrossed in this cat and mouse crime thriller and 2nd time around I appreciated it even more,the performances from Leung and Lau are exceptional...when I saw Scorsese's "The Departed" the American remake of this I felt even though I had some issues with it,it was a little better but I'll have to see it again because after seeing the original again I think it's the better version.
9 - DirectorLee Chang-dongStarsYoo Ah-inSteven YeunJeon Jong-seoJong-su bumps into a girl who used to live in the same neighborhood, who asks him to look after her cat while she's on a trip to Africa. When back, she introduces Ben, a mysterious guy she met there, who confesses his secret hobby.You may have more questions than answers after watching this terrific yet elusive slow burn of a thriller that's among the best of 2018...it's a brilliantly directed and acted character study that deals with class warfare and it fascinates from beginning to end,it's the kind of film you'll be thinking about long after it's over.
9 - DirectorMark SandrichStarsFred AstaireGinger RogersEdward Everett HortonA ballet dancer and a showgirl fake a marriage for publicity purposes, then fall in love.Highly enjoyable Astaire/Rogers musical that ranks with their best with a terrific dance number on roller skates...after re-watching my favorite films of theirs this is the one that I found more entertaining 2nd time around.
9 - DirectorD.A. PennebakerStarsOtis ReddingJimi HendrixRavi ShankarA film about the greatest pre-Woodstock rock music festival.This documentary on one of the first outdoor rock concerts is a marvelous time capsule to an era in music gone by and has terrific performances from Hendrix,The Who,Ravi Shankar and the highlight for me Janis Joplin singing "Ball and Chain"...I was also fascinated by the crowd reactions to the performances which seemed extremely tame to what you'd get today.
9 - DirectorRobin HardyStarsEdward WoodwardChristopher LeeDiane CilentoA puritan police sergeant arrives in a Scottish island village in search of a missing girl, who the pagan locals claim never existed.It's been about 25 years since I last saw this wonderfully eerie film and it's amazing how much of it has stayed with me over the years considering not much happens until the end but it pulls you into this pagan community and Woodward's struggle with it and it's filled with scenes I've never forgotten from Britt Ekland's seduction dance,the girls dancing around the fire,the bawdy songs,everyone walking around in their masks and the appearance of The Wicker Man...one can debate whether this is a horror film or not but I think there is an undercurrent of evil that permeates the film and certainly the ending is enough for me to put it into that category and it just gets better every time I see it.
9 - DirectorRobert WiseStarsBoris KarloffBela LugosiHenry DaniellA ruthless doctor and his young prize student find themselves continually harassed by their murderous supplier of illegal cadavers.Karloff is at his best in this wonderfully atmospheric Gothic horror film that is a departure in many ways from some of Lewton's more famous films,it's certainly more literate and some may not even consider it a horror film but I think this is the best of the bunch and one of the great horror films of the 40's...my 3rd viewing of the film and my opinion hasn't changed.
9 - DirectorYoshiyuki KurodaStarsTomisaburô WakayamaAkihiro TomikawaJunko HitomiIn the sixth and final film of the Lone Wolf and Cub series, the final conflict between Ogami Itto and the Yagyu clan is carried out.Most people consider the 2nd in the series to be the best or even "Shogan Assassin" but personally I think everything gels better in this film than any other,characters,story visuals and the final showdown is by far the best of the series and even though there's no resolution I was more than satisfied and I have to say Tomisaburo Wakayama is exceptional in the role and there was a wonderful rapport between him and Baby that managed to come through and seemed to get better with each film and makes me wonder if I saw these films again if I'd like them better 2nd time around and one day we'll see but after my first viewing my opinion of the series is that on the whole it's an entertaining series well worth watching and you can see the influence this film had on people like Tarantino,Miike and others but unlike some I wouldn't consider it among the best of it's kind.
9 - DirectorJacques TourneurStarsJoel McCreaEllen DrewDean StockwellIn 1865, the small Southern town of Walsburg has become so dangerous that Parson Josiah Doziah Gray gives his sermons while holding a gun.Well made agreeable and folksy western that I found hard to resist and another winner from Tourneur, there are elements of his favorite theme which deals with the darker side of human nature but the resolution to the situation doesn't involve a shootout which for this genre is somewhat unique,to be honest I can't remember a gun being fired...one of Joel McCrea's best performances.
9 - DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinMerna KennedyAl Ernest GarciaThe Tramp finds work and the girl of his dreams at a circus.When I first saw this film I thought it was among his weaker features and I think it had to do with the last 3rd of the film which isn't as fluid or fun or creative as the first half although the tight rope walker scene is terrific but it's moments of pathos don't really work and the ending seemed wrong but seeing it again I feel differently at least about the final scene...watching Chaplin walk away seemed like the passing of an era(it was the end of the silents) and I do think some of his funniest moments are in this film but I still feel it's moments of pathos are more miss than hit and him bringing the tight rope walker and the ringmaster's daughter together at the end just seemed wrong but what works works brilliantly...2nd viewing much better than first.
9 - DirectorCarroll BallardStarsKelly RenoMickey RooneyTeri GarrAfter being shipwrecked with a magnificent horse off the coast of Africa in the 1940s, a boy bonds with the stallion, and trains him to race after their rescue.The first half of the film is almost magical in telling it's tale of a boy and horse stranded on a deserted island and the way they bond is exceptionally handled but the 2nd half when their back to civilization plays like a formulaic Hollywood film that still works in it's crowd pleasing way but I had genuine affection for that first half while I just enjoyed the 2nd half for what it was...overall it's still a wonderful film I just wished they stayed on the island.
9 - DirectorClaire DenisStarsAlex DescasMati DiopNicole DoguéThe relationship between a father and daughter is complicated by the arrival of a handsome young man.This wonderful,simple,beautifully filmed and told slice of life drama reminded me of Ozu in the best way and it just might be my favorite Denis film and one of her more accessible...it's one of those films where the scenes without dialogue say more than the scenes with.
9 - DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsMichael CaineAngie DickinsonNancy AllenA mysterious blonde woman kills one of a psychiatrist's patients, and then goes after the high-class call girl who witnessed the murder.Vertigo,Psycho and Rear Window are the 3 Hitchcock films that come to mind when watching De Palma's perverse erotic thriller(in many ways far more erotic than Basic Instinct which came out 12 years later) but the truth is most of the Hitchcockian touches come in the first 20 minutes and the Angie Dickinson character is a composite of Kim Novak and Janet Leigh but after watching it again after more than 30 years I realized for the first time how much this plays out like a giallo(maybe because back than I hadn't seen that many if any) especially the more violent aspects of the film and there's no denying the plot holes but it's so well crafted that I just didn't care...I had actually forgotten how good this film is but after seeing it again it ranks with his best work if not his best and it just might be the best giallo ever made.
9 - DirectorLewis AllenStarsRay MillandRuth HusseyDonald CrispA composer and his sister discover that the reason they are able to purchase a beautiful gothic seacoast mansion very cheaply is the house's unsavory past.This well made,atmospheric, suspenseful and beautifully acted horror film shot in glorious black and white ranks among the best this genre has to offer and if it's not the greatest haunted house film ever made,it's close...2nd viewing pretty much the same as first.
9 - DirectorRoy Del RuthStarsJames CagneyMae ClarkeMargaret LindsayA former gangster makes it big in Hollywood, but his old life catches up with him.It's a gangster film,a comedy,it might also be a satire in the way it pokes fun at Hollywood, has racy dialogue,monkey's and poor Mae Clarke being dragged across the floor by Cagney that may remind you of the grapefruit scene in "Public Enemy" and I loved it...the cast is good and of course Cagney is at his best... this was far better than I expected and one of those films I'd never heard of before that turned out to be a hidden gem and in many ways due at times to it's zaniness is unlike any Cagney film I've ever seen.
9 - DirectorSam TaylorStarsHarold LloydJobyna RalstonNoah YoungAn irresponsible young millionaire changes his tune when he falls for the daughter of a downtown minister.Another winner from Lloyd that just gets better as it goes,filled with enjoyable sight gags and culminating in a frenetic and fun chase scene that still impresses 90 years later...one of my favorite Lloyd films.
9 - DirectorGustav MöllerStarsJakob CedergrenJessica DinnageOmar ShargawiA police officer assigned alarm dispatch duty enters a race against time when he answers an emergency call from a kidnapped woman.Less is more in this at times riveting suspenser that takes the simplest of premises and manages to elevate it into something special...Jakob Cedergren is terrific in the lead and there's a twist that took me by complete surprise...Gustav Möller's debut feature makes him a Director worth watching.
9 - DirectorJean RenoirStarsJean GabinFrançoise ArnoulMaría FélixThis comedy drama from Jean Renoir chronicles the revival of Paris' most notorious dance as it tells the story of a theater producer who turns a humble washerwoman into a star at the Moulin Rouge.One of Renoir's more entertaining and engaging films filled with wonderful performances especially by the great Gabin...it leaves you with a smile on your face.
9 - DirectorCarl Theodor DreyerStarsJulian WestMaurice SchutzRena MandelA drifter obsessed with the supernatural stumbles upon an inn where a severely ill adolescent girl is slowly becoming a vampire.Dreyer's dreamlike and eerie film is one of the most original and best vampire tales ever made and even though there's sound it plays more like a silent movie in which the visuals tell the story...2nd viewing far better than first probably because the VHS copy I saw 25 years ago didn't have the best picture quality.
9 - DirectorRené ClairStarsAlbert PréjeanPola IlléryEdmond T. GrévilleAlbert is smitten for Pola but ends up wrongly committed in jail, in the meantime her affections are sought after by his friend, and on his release both love and friendship must be tested.The tone may be a little uneven but overall this is a wonderfully charming and enjoyable film that ranks as one of Clair's best that was very innovative for it's use of sound and has it's own unique style a la Lubitsch...it's been about 30 years since I first saw it and my opinion hasn't changed much.
9 - DirectorRian JohnsonStarsDaniel CraigChris EvansAna de ArmasA detective investigates the death of the patriarch of an eccentric, combative family.Fun and extremely clever whodunit that adds it's own twists and turns to what seems like a traditional mystery and takes it's shots on class in a very entertaining way...well made and filled with wonderful performances from a terrific cast,especially Craig who seems to be having a ball in his Poirot role...one of the best films I've seen from 2019.
9 - DirectorAna Lily AmirpourStarsSheila VandArash MarandiMarshall ManeshIn the Iranian ghost-town Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, the townspeople are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire.Love,loneliness and vampires filmed in the style of a film noir with beautiful b/w cinematography that may remind you of Jarmusch's "Only Lovers Left Alive"...I have to admit I've been impressed with the original approach that many modern films have taken to the vampire mythology like this one,"Let the Right One In,Thirst and Jarmusch's and are among my favorites in the genre and this might be the best of the bunch.
9 - DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMisa UeharaMinoru ChiakiLured by gold, two greedy peasants unknowingly escort a princess and her general across enemy lines.This is one of Kurosawa's more entertaining films that gets better as it goes,the 2 bumbling idiots are entertaining for the most part but they do get on your nerves at times but Mifune seems to be having a great time and it shows and he's the best thing about the film,it's also kind of fun thinking about the films that have been influenced by Fortess like "The Good,the Bad and the Ugly" ,"Star Wars" and others...2nd viewing about the same as first but I'm not sure I would call this great Kurosawa but it is great fun.
9 - DirectorWilliam DieterleStarsCharles LaughtonMaureen O'HaraCedric HardwickeIn 15th-century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice, and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.After watching the Chaney classic I just had to watch the 39 version again to see if it is better and I would have to say it is but not by much...even though the sets were impressive in the silent version their even more impressive in the 39 film and it certainly looks better with a much better cast but I'm not sure who the better Quasimodo is...Laughton was a more sympathetic figure in the role but there's something about the physicality of Chaney's performance that I just love...I have to say I've never read the book so don't know which version is closer to the novel because even though there are similarities between the 2 there are also a lot of differences...2nd viewing pretty much same as first which I saw about 30 years ago.
9 - DirectorBarbara LodenStarsBarbara LodenMichael HigginsDorothy ShupenesWanda, a lonely housewife, drifts through mining country until she meets a petty thief who takes her in.Exceptionally made low budget road movie about a woman leaving her marriage and kids and basically drifting through life and it's greatest strength may be that Loden creates a sympathetic character for someone who's future looks bleak due in no small part to her life choices...Loden deserves high praise for both her directing and acting and it's a shame this is the only film she ever made.
9 - DirectorBenjamin ChristensenStarsBenjamin ChristensenElisabeth ChristensenMaren PedersenFictionalized documentary showing the evolution of witchcraft, from its pagan roots to its confusion with hysteria in Eastern Europe.Both silly and fascinating and utterly engrossing,this look at witchcraft through the ages is a must see with memorable scenes, some that are quite shocking for it's time.
9 - DirectorClaude ChabrolStarsIsabelle HuppertSandrine BonnaireJacqueline BissetA newly hired maid for a rich countryside family befriends a post-office clerk who encourages her to rebel against her employers.I admit I haven't seen that many films from Chabrol but this has always been my favorite,superbly acted by all,especially Huppert and Bonnaire this meticulously crafted film on class warfare builds slowly to it's inevitable yet somewhat surprising conclusion...2nd viewing pretty much the same as when I first saw it 20 years ago.
9 - DirectorFred C. NewmeyerStarsHarold LloydMildred DavisRoy BrooksA man hits the streets with a scheme to keep his fiancé from losing her job, however, things quickly go from bad to worse.This is the first short I've seen from Lloyd and I must say it surpasses anything I've seen from Chaplin's two reelers...A precursor in some ways to Lloyd's most famous film "Safety Last" that dazzles with it's creativeness especially the last 10 minutes or so...it's another film that solidifies Lloyd's place as one of the great comedians.
9 - DirectorTed WildeStarsHarold LloydAnn ChristyBert WoodruffHarold "Speedy" Swift, a fan of Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees, saves from extinction the city's last horse-drawn trolley, operated by his girlfriend's grandfather.Another great Lloyd comedy but this one gets extra marks for it's NY city location shooting especially at Coney Island which fascinated me and I have to admit I got a kick out of watching all the spectators in the background watching the film being shot...this was Lloyd's last silent and it's certainly among his best that solidifies his status as one of the true giants of comedy.
9 - DirectorFrançois TruffautStarsCharles AznavourMarie DuboisNicole BergerA pianist helps his brother escape from two gangsters, who retaliate by abducting their kid brother.I remember seeing this film back in the 90's and thinking it was Truffaut's best and a wonderful combination of noir and Hitchcock that worked brilliantly with an unforgettable performance from Charles Aznavour and considered it one of my all time favorites but this is another film that 2nd time around just didn't wow me like it first did and I'm not sure why because I still think most of it works quite well and it's still a great film but for whatever reasons I don't consider it the masterpiece I once did...what was once top 100 now would rank bottom 1000.
9 - DirectorEdward F. ClineBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonSybil SeelyJoe RobertsA newly wedded couple attempts to build a house with a prefabricated kit, unaware that a rival sabotaged the kit's component numbering.I'm always fascinated watching a Keaton film by the set pieces he creates and the way he just sacrifices himself for the scene and here is a short that shows him at his best...when it comes to the great silent clowns I think Chaplin and Lloyd are funnier but I have more admiration for Keaton and his inventiveness.
9 - DirectorNicolas RoegStarsGary BuseyTony CurtisTheresa RussellFour 1950s icons meet in the same hotel room and two of them discover more in common between them than they ever anticipated.Even though names are never mentioned you know who the 4 people are in this fascinating fable on celebrity and by the title perhaps how meaningless it all is because there are more important things to worry about,like atomic warfare...Roeg's films don't always agree with me but I think this is one of his best and Theresa Russell is one of the reasons why,she's absolutely marvelous and her explaining the Theory of Relativity is priceless...2nd viewing as great as when I first saw it back in 1986.
9 - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsUma ThurmanDavid CarradineDaryl HannahAfter awakening from a four-year coma, a former assassin wreaks vengeance on the team of assassins who betrayed her.Tarantino's loving homage(at least that's how I view it) to the martial arts genre with a bit of spaghetti western thrown in that were so influential to him,is for me his most satisfying mainly because the choreographed fight scenes are terrific as is most of the cast especially Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu and Tarantino's penchant for excess wasn't as bad in this film as some of his others,although there are things you could quibble about...2nd viewing same as first.
9 - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMartin SheenMarlon BrandoRobert DuvallA U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.I think this is the 4th time I've seen "Apocalypse Now" and my opinion is always the same as a film about the madness of war and the effect it has on the human psyche, it's about as good as it gets and much of the film is brilliantly made with terrific set pieces and has scenes that are among the best Coppola's ever put on screen but the minute they find Brando the film falls apart for me and just doesn't work...I've only seen the original version of the film so don't know if any of the other versions do anything to improve on the last act or not since that's the only part of the film I have a problem with but one day we'll see,still there's just to much here to ignore.
9 - DirectorBasil DeardenStarsNigel PatrickYvonne MitchellMichael CraigThe murder of a young woman in London exposes deep racial tensions and prejudices inherent in the area.Terrific crime procedural that's quite surprising for it's day in it's frank and honest depiction of racial prejudice...another one of those films I'd never heard of that exceeded my expectations.
9 - DirectorNicholas RayStarsHumphrey BogartGloria GrahameFrank LovejoyA potentially violent screenwriter is a murder suspect until his lovely neighbor clears him. However, she soon starts to have her doubts.Bogie playing against type and gives one of his best performances in this well made noir wonderfully directed by Ray and Gloria Grahame also deserves kudo's for her fine work...I saw this film 31 years ago and my opinion hasn't changed but I do wonder even though the ending is quite good if they played it safe not having the kind of ending it seemed we were heading for which really would of gone against Bogie's image...we'll never know.
9 - DirectorStanley TongStarsJackie ChanMichelle YeohMaggie CheungA Hong Kong detective teams up with his female Red Chinese counterpart to stop a Chinese drug czar.For me personally I think this is the best of the series...the blending of comedy and action works extremely well and I have to say some of the action scenes are among the best of any Jackie Chan film I've seen and Michelle Yeoh is Chan's equal and adds a lot to the film...I've seen this Jackie Chan film more than any other and still think it's one of his best.
9 - DirectorJames WhaleStarsClaude RainsGloria StuartWilliam HarriganA scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane.I'm not sure why "The Invisible Man" doesn't stay with me the way "Frankenstein, The Mummy or Dracula" do because it's well made and for it's time pretty innovative technically and has a very good performance from Rains...3rd time seeing the film and my opinion is basically the same and it certainly ranks among Universal's best horror films.
9 - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsUma ThurmanDavid CarradineMichael MadsenThe Bride continues her quest of vengeance against her former boss and lover Bill, the reclusive bouncer Budd, and the treacherous, one-eyed Elle.A little different in tone than the first that fleshes out the story more but it's just as good with some well choreographed fight scenes and a satisfying finale with Bill...David Carradine has never been better...2nd viewing same as first.
9 - DirectorWallace WorsleyStarsLon ChaneyPatsy Ruth MillerNorman KerryIn 15th-century Paris, the brother of the archdeacon plots with the gypsy king to foment a peasant revolt. Meanwhile, a freakish hunchback falls in love with a gypsy dancer.Terrific silent version of the classic story with a memorable performance from Chaney even if the makeup is a little overdone which tends to make him more monstrous than human which is my only qualm with the film something they did right with the 39 version which if memory serves me right is the reason I liked that version a little more than this one but I'll have to see that one again to see if I still feel that way...it's been about 25 years since I first saw this film and my opinion is pretty much the same...it's certainly one of Chaney's best.
9 - DirectorOrson WellesStarsOrson WellesEdward G. RobinsonLoretta YoungAn investigator from the War Crimes Commission travels to Connecticut to find an infamous Nazi.Narratively speaking the film is very uneven,as is Welles direction but it still works extremely well due to a great story,some solid performances,especially from Welles and a terrific ending,just don't think to hard about it or you'll find things to quibble over...saw this film almost 35 years ago and my opinion's pretty much the same.
9 - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsGriffin DunneRosanna ArquetteVerna BloomAn ordinary word processor has the worst night of his life after he agrees to visit a girl in Soho he met that evening at a coffee shop.In many ways this dark comedy is Scorsese's most entertaining film that is unlike anything he's ever done before,it's filled with quirky characters that are quite memorable and some wonderful performances from Dunne,Arquette,Fiorentino and others that I wish I liked it more but the ending which many find quite satisfying didn't work for me,I felt like it was a cop-out and needed some kind of resolution...2nd viewing same as first and it's probably the only Scorsese film that you'll remember with a smile.
8 - DirectorAgnès VardaStarsCorinne MarchandAntoine BourseillerDominique DavrayCleo, a singer and hypochondriac, becomes increasingly worried that she might have cancer while awaiting test results from her doctor.We spend an hour and a half in the life of Cleo and does it add up to anything-not really other than I enjoyed spending my time with her and seeing Paris back in the 60's and I can imagine that back in the day this was a breath of fresh air to what one usually gets from the cinema(to be honest it still is)...I've seen only a couple of films from Varda but I think it's time to change that.
8 - DirectorYasujirô OzuStarsKinuyo TanakaJôji OkaSumiko MizukuboA gangster tries to find redemption with the inadvertent help of an innocent shop girl and his jealous girlfriend will do anything to keep him.It's a traditional Hollywood crime film of the era that has far more depth than I expected and it's unlike any Ozu film I've seen(not that I've seen that many) and I wasn't all that fond of it at first but like all his films it began to resonate with me and struck an emotional cord that surprised me...I'm beginning to think Ozu can do no wrong.
8 - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsPam GrierSamuel L. JacksonRobert ForsterA flight attendant with a criminal past gets nabbed by the ATF for smuggling. Under pressure to become an informant against the illegal arms dealer she works for, she must find a way to secure her future without getting killed.Spot on casting and the interplay between them makes this undeniably leisurely paced crime film one of Tarantino's best and even though the film is probably longer than need be I don't think it has the excesses some of his other films have or maybe I just enjoy being with these characters and didn't care...it was great to see Pam Grier back and give the performance of her career as well as Robert Forster who in his quiet way shines and watching Bridget Fonda made me wish she was still acting...2nd viewing same as first.
8 - DirectorVincente MinnelliStarsSpencer TracyJoan BennettElizabeth TaylorThe father of a young woman deals with the emotional pain of her getting married, along with the financial and organizational trouble of arranging the wedding.Spencer Tracy is marvelous and elevates this at times dark but warmhearted comedy into something special and even though this is a film of it's time the story still resonates even if it's done Hollywood style.
8 - DirectorJacques DemyStarsAnouk AiméeMarc MichelJacques HardenA bored young man meets with his former girlfriend, now a cabaret dancer and single mother, and soon finds himself falling back in love with her.Highly enjoyable and breezy adult love story that like life doesn't always have a happy ending beautifully shot in black and white that manages to surprise in ways one didn't expect...the 2 leads are very engaging especially Aimee.
8 - DirectorLee UnkrichStarsTom HanksTim AllenJoan CusackThe toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it's up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren't abandoned and to return home.After watching the 3rd film I've come to a different conclusion as to why I've never viewed this series as highly as many do and I think it's because I never had toys as a child that I bonded with so even though that part of the story is well done I never really felt an emotional connection to those aspects of the story as many do but the end of this film worked extremely well and gave me that connection to these characters and made this the best of the series.
8 - DirectorJean-Pierre MelvilleStarsAlain DelonRichard CrennaCatherine DeneuveAfter a shaky first heist, a group of thieves plan an even more elaborate and risky second heist.Melville's last film may be a little uneven and not as meticulously crafted as his great ones mainly because I found it a little cold and it never quite pulled me into the story like his best films but there's lots to admire and it still managed to hold my interest throughout.
8 - DirectorWilliam WylerStarsBette DavisHerbert MarshallTeresa WrightThe ruthless, moneyed Hubbard clan lives in, and poisons, their part of the Deep South at the turn of the twentieth century.When I first saw this film back in the 80's I thought it was a perfectly made drama filled with great dialogue,terrific cinematography and exceptional performances from everybody,especially Davis who I thought was absolutely riveting(I actually thought it was her 2nd best performance next to "All About Eve" but this time around I found it a little on the melodramatic and stagy side and the performances didn't bring me into the story like it did the first time...it's still quite good but it's another film that was one of my favorites that just didn't have it 2nd time around.
8 - DirectorAri AsterStarsFlorence PughJack ReynorVilhelm BlomgrenA couple travels to Northern Europe to visit a rural hometown's fabled Swedish mid-summer festival. What begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult.If you've seen "The Wickerman" you'll have an idea of what going to happen in this slow burn of a horror film but it's still a very effective and engrossing film...there is a key scene involving 2 elderly people that's a turning point in the film and even though there's a plausible explanation given as to why this is done and accepted in their community it may be hard for some viewers to accept the way some of the visiting guests are willing to accept it as part of their customs and it's the reason I don't view this film quite as highly as "The Wickerman" but I do think the pagan community that Aster creates is just as brilliantly conceived if not better than "The Wickerman".
8 - DirectorGilles MimouniStarsRomane BohringerVincent CasselJean-Philippe ÉcoffeyA recently engaged man sees a former lover and becomes obsessed with meeting her again.The ending may have some doing a double take(I certainly didn't envision anything close) but I found this Hitchcockian French thriller quite satisfying with good performances all around.
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- DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.This still holds up as one of the better films in the Marvel Universe because the characters are very likable and it strikes a good balance between action and comedy which distracts you from looking to deeply into it and seeing how mundane the story is.
8 - DirectorChris SmithStarsBilly McFarlandJason BellGabrielle BluestoneAn exclusive behind the scenes look at the infamous unraveling of the Fyre music festival.That people can be so fooled by a man like McFarland shouldn't be that surprising,after all there's a man in the White House who's even better at conning people than he is, but it is a fascinating watch even if the only people you really feel sorry for are the Bahamian workers who never got paid from this charlatan...it's also pretty obvious that McFarland didn't learn a thing from this scam and it maybe because it's all he knows and that he'll be back at it one day.
8 - DirectorBob PersichettiPeter RamseyRodney RothmanStarsShameik MooreJake JohnsonHailee SteinfeldTeen Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his universe and must join with five spider-powered individuals from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.Fun and engaging animated film that actually feels like your watching a comic book come to life and I found it very refreshing and probably the best Spider-Man film since the 2nd.
8 - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroAl PacinoJoe PesciAn illustration of Frank Sheeran's life, from W.W.II veteran to hit-man for the Bufalino crime family and his alleged assassination of his close friend Jimmy Hoffa.I struggled with this film for the first hour and a half because I found the de-aging process such a distraction that it got in the way of me getting involved in the story but somewhere along the way things changed,maybe because the story or the performances or Scorsese's at times brilliant direction began to take hold and I found myself completely involved in the film...it's a bit of a slow burn, that has more in common with "The Godfather" than Scorsese's own "Goodfellas" and even though I wouldn't rank this as one of his best I found it to be a very satisfying and engaging film that at 3 1/2 hours never bores...out of the 3 main performances,Pacino's more broad performance was a perfect counter balance to Pesci's and De Niro's more laid back approach but I think Pesci in particular surprised me more and gives the best performance and deserves Oscar consideration...I will say the ending didn't really work and the female characters were more like props in the film and never utilized the way they should of been especially Anna Paquin's character,you kept expecting the way Scorsese filmed her in scenes that she was going to have her moment in the film and nothing which stops me from rating it higher but it's certainly deserving of another viewing.
8 - DirectorJulien DuvivierStarsHarry BaurPaule AndralJackie MonnierDavid is a poor but ambitious Polish Jew who reinvents himself as a powerful New York business magnate. After gaining wealth, he relocates to Paris, only to have his selfish and demanding wife squander his fortune.This is another effective film by Julien Duvivier that deals with the darker side of human nature as most of his films that I've seen do with a terrific performance from Baur...my one qualm is that if he saw through his wife's greed and selfishness why he didn't see through his daughters which made the final act hard to swallow and stops me from giving it a higher rating.
8 - DirectorCharles JarrottStarsJack PalanceDenholm ElliottTessie O'SheaDr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself.This well made televised version of the story ranks right up there with the Barrymore and March films and it deserves to be seen as does Palance's exceptional performance who's tailor made for this character(s).
8 - DirectorJean RenoirStarsSylvia BatailleJane MarkenGeorges D'ArnouxThe family of a Parisian shop-owner spends a day in the country. The daughter falls in love with a man at the inn, where they spend the day.While I wouldn't rank this Renoir short as one of his best,there's still much to admire about this exquisitely made film and one does come away wishing he was able to complete this enchanting tale.
8 - DirectorEdward F. ClineBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonEdward F. ClineLuke the DogTwo inventive farmhands compete for the hand of the same girl.Personally I preferred the more creative elements of this short at the beginning in the house than the traditional slapstick that followed but it's still a very entertaining Keaton short.
8 - DirectorJohn LasseterAsh BrannonLee UnkrichStarsTom HanksTim AllenJoan CusackWhen Woody is stolen by a toy collector, Buzz and his friends set out on a rescue mission to save Woody before he becomes a museum toy property with his roundup gang Jessie, Prospector, and Bullseye.I have never considered the Toy Story films among the best animated films ever but I enjoyed them and this was the one I remembered liking the most but even though it's better than the first it's not nearly as good as I once thought and I think like the first it's the characters,their likable but I just don't have the affection for them like many people do and I for one just don't find these films very memorable but the animation is terrific.
8 - DirectorAnne FontaineStarsFanny ArdantEmmanuelle BéartGérard DepardieuA rich woman hires an elite prostitute in order to verify her husband's faithfulness. Before long the experiment gets out of control.Even though I caught on right from the beginning what was happening I still found this to be a very engaging adult drama that works because of the wonderful performances of the 3 stars...Atom Egoyan's Chloe is basically a remake of this film and I remember liking that film a lot and this film is just as good if not better.
8 - DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsEllen BurstynMax von SydowLinda BlairWhen a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.It's been about 25 years since I last saw "The Exorcist" and after watching the Director's cut of the film I've come away somewhat disappointed and I don't know whether it's because the film isn't as effective as I once thought or if the added footage slowed the pacing down and added nothing...the performances are fine and there are scenes that still get under my skin like no other but I never found it as engrossing or emotionally gut wrenching as I once did...I'll have to see the original cut again one day to see if there is a difference but after seeing this version all I can say is it's very good but not the great horror film I once thought and I'm not sure if I would call this the scariest film ever made like I used to.
8 - DirectorFritz LangStarsDebra PagetPaul HubschmidWalther ReyerA German architect runs away with the maharajah of Eschnapur's fiancee but is caught and thrown in the dungeon, while his relatives arrive from Europe looking for him and the maharajah's brother is scheming to usurp the throne.The follow-up to Tiger isn't quite as engaging mainly because it doesn't flow as well as the first and many of the action scenes aren't very exciting but it's still highly entertaining and Debra Paget's dance number is one of those scenes in movies your never likely to forget.
8 - DirectorRyan CooglerStarsChadwick BosemanMichael B. JordanLupita Nyong'oT'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.2nd viewing pretty much the same as first...Jordan is terrific as Killmonger one of the most well rounded and interesting villains in the Marvel universe as is Boseman in the title role,actually most of the cast is quite good and having a predominately black cast makes it one of the better origin stories but I didn't find most of the CGI action scenes all that exciting and I still felt at times like it was trying to hard to get an emotional response from the audience.
8 - DirectorDean DeBloisStarsJay BaruchelAmerica FerreraF. Murray AbrahamWhen Hiccup discovers Toothless isn't the only Night Fury, he must seek the Hidden World, a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named Grimmel finds it first.I admit I have a soft spot for the Dragon films because in terms of animation,story and characters I think it's probably the best animated franchise today(yes I prefer it over Toy Story) and even though this may not be as emotionally satisfying as the last 2 films,it's still highly entertaining.
8 - DirectorGeorge StevensStarsFred AstaireGinger RogersVictor MooreRoguish gambler/dancer "Lucky" Garnett is challenged by his fiance's father to come up with $25,000 to prove he's worthy of her hand. But after he falls in love with a dance instructor, Lucky'll do anything to keep from earning the bucks.The dance numbers make it well worthwhile,(although the Bojangles of Harlem number won't sit well with many) and the chemistry between Astaire and Rogers is certainly there but I found the film as a whole not as engaging as "Top Hat" and "The Gay Divorcee"...2nd viewing not nearly as good as first and I wouldn't rank this as their best as some do.
8 - DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinEdna PurvianceJames T. KelleyAfter causing restaurant chaos at work, a bumbling waiter tears up the local roller rink with his skating.I found this to be one of Chaplin's more engaging two reelers,maybe because it's strictly played for laughs without those sentimental flourishes that don't always work,especially in his shorts.
8 - DirectorKent JonesStarsMartin ScorseseOrson WellesVal E. LewtonMartin Scorsese narrates this tribute to Val Lewton, the producer of a series of memorable low-budget horror films for RKO Studios. Raised by his mother and his aunt, his films often included strong female characters who find themselves in difficult situations and who have to grow up quickly. He is best remembered for the horror films he made at RKO starting in 1942. Starting with only a title - his first was Cat People (1942) - he would meticulously oversee every aspect of the film's completion. Although categorized as horror films, his films never showed a monster, leaving it all to the viewers imagination, assisted by music, mood and lighting.If your a lover of horror you know the name Val Lewton because he is responsible for some of the most memorable horror films not just of the 40's but of all time, mainly for their originality,atmosphere and suspense and working with Directors who were able to put his vision on screen and this is an enjoyable look at his contribution to cinema but there's no denying the clips of his films are the highlight of this documentary...in all fairness to Lewton he also made some gems not in the horror genre like the ill titled "Curse of the Cat People"
8 - DirectorIrving LernerStarsVince EdwardsPhillip PineHerschel BernardiClaude is a ruthless and efficient contract killer - until he finds his next target is a woman.This low budget and no name noir may not have the production values of the best in the genre but it makes up for it with it own ambience, great dialogue and a marvelous performance from Vince Edwards that turns this into a nice little gem,only the ending didn't quite work for me.
8 - DirectorJean-Luc GodardStarsAnna KarinaSady RebbotAndré S. LabartheTwelve episodic tales in the life of a Parisian woman and her slow descent into prostitution.As with most Godard films(at least the ones I've seen) they can be quite appealing more for the way he throws cinema convention out the window and quite frustrating because your never quite sure what he's really trying to say but for the most part I found this to be one of his more accessible films in that you can take the basic story and be rewarded by that but there's no denying there's still lots there that's up to interpretation...when Karina is watching "The Passion of Joan of Arc" I began to wonder if he was comparing her life to Joan's especially in the way he lovingly films her in close-up most of the time just like Dreyer did and I have to say Karina may not be Falconetti but she is exceptional in the role and is as much a reason this film worked for me as Godard's filming techniques but the ending even though expected was so abrupt that it had very little impact on me and I for one think she deserved better but maybe that's what you expect from a Hollywood film and Godard does things his way which in some ways you have to applaud...I'm already beginning to second guess my review which means that one day I'll have to give this another viewing to see if my opinion changes.
8 - DirectorKenji MisumiStarsTomisaburô WakayamaKayo MatsuoMinoru ÔkiTrailed by a clan of female ninja, Ogami is paid to assassinate a clan traitor accompanied by three killers known as the Gods of Death.The violence is dialed up a notch in this the 2nd film of the series and I found this to be visually more pleasing and far more entertaining than the 1st but my one qualm is that the fights themselves with the female assassins and the three brothers never really match the buildup.
8 - DirectorDanny BoyleStarsKerry FoxChristopher EcclestonEwan McGregorThree friends discover their new flatmate dead but loaded with cash.When I first saw this film back in 95 I was willing to overlook the coldness of it's characters and plot contrivances towards the end and enjoy it for it's dark humor and the gamesmanship between the characters but even though it still works for the most part I wasn't quite able to overlook those elements this time and because of that it's not the great film I once thought.
8 - DirectorDavid LeanStarsRex HarrisonConstance CummingsKay HammondA man and his second wife are haunted by the ghost of his first wife.This is the 3rd time I've seen this film and I used to consider this charming whimsical fantasy one of David Lean's best films but even though the charms still there and the performances are good,especially Rutherford it's gone down a notch...I found it a little to well mannered and not as funny as I once thought but still very enjoyable.
8 - DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinPhyllis AllenLloyd BaconMr. Pest tries several theatre seats before winding up in front in a fight with the conductor. He is thrown out. In the lobby he pushes a fat lady into a fountain and returns to sit down by Edna. Mr. Rowdy, in the gallery, pours beer down on Mr. Pest and Edna. He attacks patrons, a harem dancer, the singers Dot and Dash, and a fire-eater.Pure slapstick that will either work for you or not and to my surprise I found it to be a lot of fun with Chaplin(pre tramp) in dual roles and no sentimentality in sight.
8 - DirectorYorgos LanthimosStarsOlivia ColmanEmma StoneRachel WeiszIn early 18th-century England, the status quo at the court is upset when a new servant arrives and endears herself to a frail Queen Anne.Beneath all the wit there is a dark undertone to this film that one comes to expect from this director, although this story is far more normal than some of his other films and the exceptional performances from the 3 leads make it well worth watching.
8 - DirectorJohn LasseterStarsTom HanksTim AllenDon RicklesA cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman action figure supplants him as top toy in a boy's bedroom.There are many who consider this the pinnacle of modern animation or it was when it came out and I'm not going to argue and yet I've never loved these films the way many do and I think it's because the characters never really endeared themselves to me the way the classic Disney characters like Pinocchio,Snow White or Bambi did,the story isn't all that original and the film just doesn't stay with me like their best...2nd viewing not quite as good as first...I like this film a lot,I just don't love it.
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