A day in the life, May 30, objet trouvé
Monday, June 1, 2015
Witness (1985)
A young Amish boy is sole witness to a murder; policeman John Book goes into hiding in Amish country to protect him until the trial.
If you forget the negligible crime story (and ignore the inept soundtrack by Maurice Jarre), this is a perfectly executed and well-balanced depction of a clash of cultures.
Halliwell****: "As much about the meeting of cultures as about cops and robbers, this is one of those lucky movies which works out well on all counts and shows that there are still craftsmen lurking in Hollywood."
Maltin***: "Entertaining film is marred by jarring shifts in tone, especially toward the end."
Sunday, May 31, 2015
The Third Man (1949)
A pulp novelist travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, a black-market opportunist.
A true classic, meticulously executed post-war drama with extraordinary expressionist cinematography and a plot which echoes on many levels.
On another view: have nothing to add; it's a joy to watch this movie every so often.
Halliwell****: "Totally memorable and irresistible romantic thriller. Stylish from the first to the last, with inimitable backgrounds of zither music and war-torn buildings pointing up a then-topical black market story full of cynical characters but not without humour. Hitchcock with feeling, if you like."
Maltin****: "...a bona fide classic..."
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