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Paris, Texas (1984)
Stark, hard & beautiful
Saw this film first on the big screen 40 yrs ago, several times on video and once again last night. Wender's & Shepard's note on a stark, hard & yet a beautiful America is even more affecting today.. one of the most essential films in my list!
Kinski takes over completely when she lights up the screen, but those are small moments. The film remains bleak and the performances by the entire cast leaves little to want, with a riveting slide guitar by Ry Cooder flowing through the entire film's soundtrack, sending up goosebumps all the way.
Probably my favourite wenders film.. and surely a masterpiece of cinema!
Unhook the Stars (1996)
A superlative Rowlands
Back in the 90s when this film was first released, it immediately brought to mind a film about the relationship between an older woman and a young boy under her care, Gloria, by John Cassavettes, also starring Gena. That film had a rawness that overcame its flaws, and centred on the relationship but mostly on the toughness of one woman.
The woman is now older, and coming to terms with different relationships with her children and her neighbours and friends. A sense of isolation that rapidly develops into a sense of abandonment. The films develops too quickly to the latter, but it is in the strength of Rowlands' performance that we reach there with an intimate understanding...
Ignore the opening scenes, the minor cast, the lack of "rawness", but wait for the closing for the full impact of the Lady's performance.
Triumph des Willens (1935)
Remarkable. Repulsive.
This is indeed a remarkable film and is skilfully edited. And staged. If it indeed was all staged, and was a mock documentary with all actors, I would indeed have been astounded by Riefenstahl's achievement, whose other triumphs are on display in her other "semi-staged" documentary, Olympiad.
But this is a real document, and a real demonstration of how reason can be so easily displaced by euphoria... And knowingly or unknowingly (unlikely), it celebrates a most repulsive character, and ideal. That Riefenstahl has never made an apology is testament to her belief she did no wrong; but also testament she chooses to see no wrong.
So off the shelf and to the bin!
Camille (1936)
A 10 for Garbo..
This intense melodrama is consistent with the earlier & neglected silent version. Both are admirable in many ways, esp the photography and the leading actress..
Mùa hè chieu thang dung (2000)
Ravishingly filmed
Filmed in ravishing colours and intimately captured, an aura of artifice hangs over every frame. Despite the troubles lurking underneath, the flow is so gentle and smooth, it eradicates any unease raised by the subject matter.. An awful pity. Where is the bite that once accompanied the green papaya scent?
Devdas (2002)
A stunning spectacle
One of the greatest spectacles put on film, with grand sets, costumes and choreography, with a luminous presence of Aishwarya Rai & Madhuri Dixit.
The script and the rest of the cast roast in excess, a grand pity..
Faerie Tale Theatre: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1984)
Fun with some very fine performances..
Some very fine work by Redgrave and Price, lifts this fun production just a notch higher..
Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things (2019)
Ella's is a fascinating story of strife, success, and its price..
This documentary is not. A weak strand holds it together, with a whole lot of unworthy interviews, and ending with a star struck unknown rendering ella's tisket tasket without any of ella's flavor.. A lost opportunity..
Pal Joey (1957)
Bland in every way..
The songs will remain classics, but they deserve better treatment than this bland concoction.. :(
If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000)
Through the ages.
One of the finest performances committed to screen - Vanessa Redgrave remains awesome through the ages.