A day in the life, Jul 23, standing outside looking inside
Saturday, July 25, 2015
The River Murders (2011)
While investigating a series of murders, a homicide detective becomes the prime suspect when the FBI uncovers his close personal ties to all the victims.
OK serial killer thriller in a similar vein as Se7en, but much less surprising or compelling.
Une affaire privée (2002)
It's been six months since a young woman has disappeared, and at the request of her mother, a private detective takes over the
investigation.
A Chandleresque Noir mystery that has style and atmosphere, but a not so exciting conclusion.
Friday, July 24, 2015
First Lines: Harper Lee - Go Set a Watchman
Since Atlanta, she had looked out the dining-car window with a delight almost physical.
Killer Elite (2011)
When his mentor is taken captive by a disgraced Arab sheik, a killer-for-hire is forced into action to kill three members of Britain's elite Special Air Service responsible for the death of his sons.
Competent action-thriller that somehow doesn't compel with its overladen plot.
Maltin**1/2: "Rugged, well-actedactioner raises intriguing questions about morality and abuse of power, only to abandon them in favor of the usual slam-bang Stathem heroics."
Thursday, July 23, 2015
New Stuff: Laibach
In the mid 80s I was a fan and saw Laibach live in concert several times; I thought it's time to get some of their albums from that time.
LAIBACH - Life is Life (1987) von myfilm-gr
Charles Bradley: Soul of America (2012)
The rise of 62-year-old aspiring soul singer Charles Bradley, whose debut album rocketed him from a hard life in the Brooklyn Housing Projects to Rolling Stone Magazine's top 50 albums of 2011.
Intimate and compelling documentary on an artist struggling hard and finding succes at a high age that also illustrates the social environment in which Charles Bradley lives and from where his music finds its inspiration.
On second view: I still agrre with my initial impression.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
First Lines: Patricia Highsmith - The Talented Mr. Ripley
Tom glanced behind him and saw the man coming out of the Green Cage, heading his way.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Ordinary People (1980)
The accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father, and the guilt-ridden younger son.
Fine analysis of a family on the verge of catastrophe, subtly and grippingly told with a great ensemble.
Halliwell***: "An actor's piece which on that level succeeds very well, and accurately pins down a certain species of modern American family."
Maltin****: "Superb adaptation...Intelligent, meticulously crafted film, an impressive directorial debut Redford..."
The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)
A defense attorney has a crisis of conscience when he represents a wealthy client who has a foolproof plan to beat the system.
Highly twisted courtroom drama and mystery, professionally staged with a good cast.
Maltin**1/2: "...well cast and neatly plotted but losesits spark long beforethe unexpected finale. Not bad, but not as solid as it promises to be at the outset. Makes creative use of offbeat L.A. locations."
A day in the life, Jul 18
A day in the life, Jul 18, let it flow (impressions on my way home from the pub)
First Lines: Ira Levin - A Kiss Before Dying
His plans had been running so beautifully, so goddamned beautifully, and now she was going to smash them all.