Saturday, September 21, 2019
Friday, September 20, 2019
Gui lai (2014)
Lu and Feng are a devoted couple forced to separate when Lu is arrested and sent to a labor camp as a political prisoner during the Cultural Revolution. He finally returns home only to find that his beloved wife no longer recognizes him.
A simple, heart-wrenching tale with greater personal and political implications, staged by the sure hand of an accomplished director and good performances throughout.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Teorema (1968)
A mysterious young man seduces each member of a bourgeois family and changes their lives.
Although told quite straightforwardly, this tale is charged with political, existential and religious implications without giving any answers; a riddle of sorts.
Halliwell*: "Moderately amusing fable with the presumed intent of decrying all universal panaceas, including Christianity."
Maltin**: "Pointed, but obvious, occasionally hokey political/sexual fable..."
A Little Bit of Heaven (2011)
An irreverent young woman who uses her humor to prevent matters from getting serious has a life-changing visit with her doctor.
Mildly entertaining drama tries a bit too hard to take a slight and uplifting view on death - at times on the verge of silliness.
Maltin*1/2: "Well-meaning but meandering story...Improbable subplot involving a budding romance with her doctor (played unconvincingly by Bernal) would sink this film if that hadn't already been accomplished by some embarrassing heavenly scenes with Whoopi Goldberg as a God-like character who dispenses advice to Hudson!"
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Monday, September 16, 2019
Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
A mountain man who wishes to live the life of a hermit becomes the unwilling object of a long vendetta by Indians, and proves to be a match for their warriors in one-on-one combat on the early frontier.
Classic revisionist western about a legendary, almost mythic man of the wild, masterfully depicting the harsh life in the wilderness with amazing realism.
On rewatching: I've seen this movie quite often by now, and it's still a rewarding view
Halliwell**: "Splendidly made if rather desultory plotted adventure story with the feel of raw reality."
Maltin***: "Atmospheric chronicle...Unfortunately, film doesn't know where to quit rambling on to inconclusive ending. Geer is delightful as feisty mountain hermit."
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