ph: Flor Petra
Saturday, November 7, 2015
The Invisible Man (1933)
A scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane.
Brilliant (and close) adaptation of H.G. Wells' classic novel, a horror drama with a magnificent (if invisible) Claude Rains that entertains with thrills, humour and special effects that still convince today.
Halliwell****: "Superb blend of eccentric character comedy, melodrama and trick photography in a Hollywood English setting; remarkably faithful to the spirit of the book. It made a star of Claude Rains in his first film, even though he is seen for only a couple of seconds."
Maltin***1/2: "H.G. Wells' fantasy brilliantly materializes on screen...Rains' starring debut is dated but still enjoyable."
Thursday, November 5, 2015
First Lines: Edgar Wallace - The Four Just Men
If you leave the Plaza del Mina, go down the narrow street, where, from ten till four, the big flag of the United States Consulate hangs lazily; through the square on which the Hotel de la France fronts, round by the Church of Our Lady, and along the clean, narrow thoroughfare that is the High Street of Cadiz, you will come to the Café of the Nations.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Then She Found Me (2007)
A 39-year-old woman's childish husband and school teacher colleague leaves her, but with her biological clock ticking ever more loudly.
A comedy drama that pretty much piles up the problems a single woman can have (which limits the humor), but has its merits with a competent and lively cast.
Maltin***: "There's nary a false move in this smart, funny, timely comedy-drama, a notable feature directorial debut for Hunt..."
A Single Man (2009)
An English professor, one year after the sudden death of his boyfriend, is unable to cope with his typical days in 1960s Los Angeles.
Intense psychological study, the professor's homsexuality just one aspect of his person, has a timeless quality to it (you hardly notice that it is set in the 60s) and offers Colin Firth one of his best roles.
Maltin***: "Flawlessly detailed visualization of Christopher Isherwood's landmark novel benefits from a superb performance by Firth, but its resolute restraint also keeps it a bit aloof at times. Impressive directorial debut by fashion designer Ford..."
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
After an encounter with U.F.O.s, a line worker feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.
This absorbing science fiction movie be acme an instant classic and is probably the film that best demonstrates Steven Spielberg's magical and optimistic vision of man's future; it's also groundbreaking for introducing aliens as benevolent.
Halliwell*: "There's a lot of padding in this slender fantasy, which has less plot and much less suspense than It Came From Outer Space which was made on a tiny budget in 1955; but the technical effects are masterly though their exposure is over-prolonged, and the benevolent mysticism filled a current requirement of popular taste, accounting for the enormous box-office success of a basically flawed film. Much of the dialogue is inaudible."
Maltin****: "Superb, intelligent sci-fi...Dreyfuss is perfect Everyman...Powerhouse special effects throughout, plus John Williams' evocative score. Vilmos Zsigmond's won an Oscar."
New Stuff: The Thing
The newest album by Mats Gustafsson's band The Thing; will see him perform solo in Wels, Austria this Sunday.
The Movies I Watched in October
Anderson 2014 7
Armored 2009 6
Back to the Future 1985 8
Back to the Future Part II 1989 8
Back to the Future Part III 1990 7
Beyond 2012 5
Diabolique 1996 6
Earthflight 2011 7
Fair Game 2010 7
Fanny Hill 1983 5
Four Flies on Grey Velvet 1971 6
Good 2008 5
Harlock: Space Pirate 2013 6
Jack the Giant Slayer 2013 6
Lies & Illusions 2009 5
My Louisiana Sky 2001 7
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan 2005 8
Phantom Lady 1944 7
Primal Fear 1996 7
Quantum Apocalypse 2010 3
Reeker 2005 5
School of the Holy Beast 1974 7
Somersault 2004 7
Splendor in the Grass 1961 6
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 1980 5
The Baker 2007 6
Bride of Frankenstein 1935 10
The Final Countdown 1980 5
The Legend of Zorro 2005 7
The Odd Couple 1968 8
The Robber Bride 2007 7
The Shawshank Redemption 1994 8
Tracks 2013 Feature 6 7.2 16,040 3 weeks ago
Triple Cross 1966 Feature 6
Armored 2009 6
Back to the Future 1985 8
Back to the Future Part II 1989 8
Back to the Future Part III 1990 7
Beyond 2012 5
Diabolique 1996 6
Earthflight 2011 7
Fair Game 2010 7
Fanny Hill 1983 5
Four Flies on Grey Velvet 1971 6
Good 2008 5
Harlock: Space Pirate 2013 6
Jack the Giant Slayer 2013 6
Lies & Illusions 2009 5
My Louisiana Sky 2001 7
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan 2005 8
Phantom Lady 1944 7
Primal Fear 1996 7
Quantum Apocalypse 2010 3
Reeker 2005 5
School of the Holy Beast 1974 7
Somersault 2004 7
Splendor in the Grass 1961 6
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 1980 5
The Baker 2007 6
Bride of Frankenstein 1935 10
The Final Countdown 1980 5
The Legend of Zorro 2005 7
The Odd Couple 1968 8
The Robber Bride 2007 7
The Shawshank Redemption 1994 8
Tracks 2013 Feature 6 7.2 16,040 3 weeks ago
Triple Cross 1966 Feature 6
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