ph: Jeremy Choh
Saturday, October 16, 2021
The Godfather: Part III (1990)
In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in 1979 New
York and Italy, aging mafia don Michael Corleone seeks to vow for his
sins while taking a young protégé under his wing.
It's a good movie with all the ingredients of the previous parts, but
adds nothing in scope and depth, and the plot is not as stringently
scripted.
On re-watching: This remains an ambivalent
experience, since it falls so way down below the previous two films and
has so many flaws and only rare moments of brilliance.
Halliwell**: "Overlong, often confusing to those who cannot remember the
earlier films, and hampered by at least one wretched performance, it
fails to reach the standard of the first two movies in the series. But
for all that it retains one's interest most of the time."
Maltin***: "Only a filmmaker like Coppola (teamed with writer Mario
Puzo) could extend his history-making Mafioso saga and make it work so
well. Absorbing story...Longish, but masterfully told, with one
almost-fatal flaw: the casting of Coppola's daughter Sofia (an amateur)
in the pivotal role of Pacino's daughter."
[N.B.: Although many have criticized Sofia Coppola, I disagree: she plays adequate to the role. The problem is that the love story with her cousin is in itself misconceived from the start.]
Friday, October 15, 2021
Radioactive (2019)
The story of Marie Sklodowska-Curie and her Nobel Prize-winning work that changed the world.
Mediocre and cursory bio-pic suffers from a loveless direction and a dubious and in some details simply offensive indifference to the historical facts; Pike's performance is blameless, though.
Thursday, October 14, 2021
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York is
portrayed while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on his
crime syndicate stretching from Lake Tahoe, Nevada to pre-revolution
1958 Cuba.
The rare case of a sequel to a masterpiece improving, expanding and
deepening the scope of the original; one of the greatest movies ever
made.
On renewed viewing: Evey new viewing leaves me in complete amazement over its mastery.
Halliwell****: "Complex gangster movie, explaining the present in terms
of the past and providing a comprehensive view of American society, full
of good scenes and performances."
Maltin****: "They say it couldn't be done, but cowriter-director Coppola made a sequel that's just as compelling."
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
The Godfather (1972)
The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.
A flawless epic with mastery to be found in all parts, a true cinema classic.
On re-watching: every new reviewing reveals more fascinating details and more context in the narrative.
Halliwell****: "A brilliantly-made film with all the fascination of a
snake pit: a warm-hearted family saga except that the members are
thieves and murderers. Cutting would help, but the duller conversational
sections do heighten the cunningly judged moments of suspense and
violence."
Maltin****: "The 1970s' answer to GONE WITH THE WIND, from Mario Puzo's
novel...Pulp fiction raised to the highest level; a film of epic
proportions, masterfully done, and set to Nino Rota's memorable music.
Absolutely irresistible."
Monday, October 11, 2021
First Lines: VS Naipaul - A Bend in the River
The world is what it is; men who are nothing, who allow themselves to become nothing, have no place in it.
Sunday, October 10, 2021
The Serpent (2021)
The twisting, real-life story of Charles Sobhraj, a murderer, thief and seductive master of disguise, who was a hidden darkness in the mid-70's on Asia's hippie trail.
Solid, extensive mini-series is captivating due to its terrifying subject, offers good locations details and adequate performances, but its narrative is a bit too complex and serendipitous and it ultimately fails to shed light on its protagonist's motivation.
Majo no takkyûbin (1989)
A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.
Wonderfully animated, good-natured tale of a young girl making her way in life on her own; full of memorable and exciting moments.
Maltin***1/2: "Enchanting coming-of-age fable...Another beautifully animated, kindhearted gem from filmmaker Miyazaki."
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