by Sam Juliano
For those who have come to WitD to see writings by yours truly, I am sorry to say that frantic viewings as of late of films, plays, concerts and operas have prevented me from giving them them proper attention, at least in a timely fashion anyway. I hope to have reviews up tomorrow of both Ballast and Rachel Getting Married, both of which were most accomplished and four-out-of-five-star films. Lucille and I spoke to and took pictures of Ballast’s youthful and endearing director, Lance Hammer after his Q & A at the Film Forum on Sunday night. Prior to the viewing of the tough and uncompromising Mississippi Delta-set drama of troubled people, Lucille and I watched one of the great masterpieces in all of world-cinema, Max Ophuls’ Lola Montes in a ravishing new restored and remastered print from cinemascope elements. On Saturday I watched (for the third time in my life) the Metropolitan Opera’s staging of Richard Strauss’ Salome, with an electrifying lead performance. (review to be posted here at WitD later this week). And I did get to see other films this week as well on the big-screen, again some of which will appear at this site in the upcoming week. Until then I offer the following ratings for these films: (5 star rating system)
Body of Lies **
Happy-Go-Lucky ****
Rachel Getting Married ****
Breakfast For Scot ***
Ballast ****
Lola Montes *****
I trust everyone continues to enjoy the superlative work of my Kendal colleague Allan Fish, who continues to set the bar for his profound and authoritative examination of world cinema. His work will be a daily reminder of the site’s central concern.
With a wife and five kids, a full time teaching position and a torrid schedule of films, and live events, not to mention DVDs at home and quality time for the kids, it shouldn’t be surprising that writing time is severely constricted. I promise to do my best.
Bear with him, comrades, he writes at the speed of an asthemtic centipede on the chain gang.
Aye, quite right, guilty as charged.
And he’s ALWAYS tied up with burning too many DVDs for too many people!!!!
Well, one in particular.
Hahaha…
You certainly had quite the weekend, Sam!
Nah, that’s a week’s viewing, he’s just slow!
Alexander, the “one” Allan is referring to lives nearby me here.
I can’t keep up this pace for my sanity though. You of all people know the feeling!
Sam, I don’t know how you manage to find the time – full stop! I wish I had only a fraction of your energy. All I can manage is 1-2 movies a week. But your enthusiasm has certainly rubbed-off and I thank you sincerely for introducing me to such a wonderful group of people.
Allan, I have not been commenting much on your very worthy posts as sadly, I have not seen most of the movies reviewed, but give me time – a LOT of time…
Tony, we very much appreciate you’re vital involvement at the site from Day 1, and your kind words are deeply appreciated. Your management of Films Noir is a burst of energy that few would be able to navigate, and all your posts are fascinating.
Exactly the point! Haven’t I been asking you the same question repeatedly?
I fully sympathize, Sam, with your plight. Now if only we could get paid to write on film…
Indeed Evan, indeed. And where the mind is there, the flesh is weak…….