Saturday, August 22, 2015
Woodstock (1970)
The film chronicle of the legendary 1969 music festival as director's cut.
Needless to say it's a remarkable document to an even more remarkable event, I sort of grew up with the soundtrack. However, whether this director's cut edition is superior to the initial theatrical version is beyond me. Some music was added, but other performances were deleted...
On renewed viewing. it's still amazing how this documentary accurately captures the feel and the sound of this event.
Halliwell***: "A definitive moment of the 60s, with the mood and music brilliantly captured on film..."
Maltin****: "...brilliantly captures unique communal experience of outdoor rock festival, along with great performances which highlighted unusual weekend bash."
Friday, August 21, 2015
New Stuff: Magazine
In 1980 I heard "Give Me Everything" on my favourite radio show, and ever since I wanted to get the album (and always kept the song in my head). I now finally got it.
Paranoia (2013)
An entry-level employee at a powerful corporation finds himself occupying a corner office, but at a dangerous price: he must spy on his boss's old mentor to secure for him a multi-billion dollar advantage.
A vacant pretty boy hardly can compete against the senior stars in this hollow and anaemic thriller; the makers certainly didn't consult a dictionary when choosing the title.
Maltin**: "Industrial espionage thriller...the chases, twists, and "accidents" are merely about the next big thing in phones. So what?"
New Stuff: The Planets
I wanted a book that'll give me a good update on the current knowledge of our solar system, and this seems to be just the right thing.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
New Stuff: The Ex
Late last year I was able to see The Ex perform live here in Regensburg, but still don't have any of their albums. So, this is a great opportunity, since it covers nearly 25 years of their music (and I've been to the Bimhuis, too).
The Young One (1960)
A jazz musician seeks refuge from a lynch mob on a remote island, where he meets a hostile game warden and the young object of his attentions.
A simple tale with a small cast of characters is cleverly turned into a highly ambiguous allegory about racism, bigotry and innocence.
Maltin*1/2: "Turgid, much-too-obvious melodrama is a disappointment from Buñuel."
Lockout (2012)
A man wrongly convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage against the U.S. is offered his freedom if he can rescue the president's daughter from an outer space prison taken over by violent inmates.
Sloppily made sci-fi action drama that hardly thrills; Guy Pearce as an endlessly wisecracking Bruce Willis wannabe is particularly unnerving.
Maltin**1/2: "Pearce's Bogart-like banter lifts this futuristic action tale...He definitely saves this over-the-top testosterone yarn by deftly creating an easygoing style of delivery for his clever, smart-aleck rogue."
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
New Stuff: The Evil Dead
Last time saw The Evil Dead was 1981; afterwards it was banned in Germany. In the early 90s the German court for consitutional issues reversed the ban, and we played it as one of the first in our cinema, but I didn't really watch at the time. So, now I'd like to see it again finally.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Photographer: Hugo Brehme
Bio:
http://www.antiquetrader.com/antiques/todays-artists-are-still-being-inspired-by-hugo-brehme-photography
First Lines: Susan Moody - Penny Black
Wednesday.
Two o'clock in the morning, and someone was coming up the stairs.
Sunday, August 16, 2015
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
A senator, who became famous for killing a notorious outlaw, returns for the funeral of an old friend and tells the truth about his deed.
Much-loved classic Western with a dream cast that leisurely spins a tale self-reflecting the genre and its political implications.
Halliwell***: "Clumsy, obvious Western with the director over-indulging himself but providing some good scenes in comedy vein."
Maltin****: "Panned and patronized upon original release, but now regarded as an American classic; one of the great Westerns."