Re-viewings of 'The Artist' have elevated it to the #2 position, from #8, where it was previously placed in Top Ten of the Year presentation from two weeks ago
by Sam Juliano
The NYC area was blanketed with several inches of snow early Saturday morning, but rising temperatures that purportedly will hit around 51 today will surely melt the ramnants of the first appearance of the white stuff since that freak and destructive Halloween storm. Anyway, the same snow path dropped even more on our friends in and around the Windy City.
As I write this ‘Diary’ lead-in the Giants and 49ers game is still almost five hours away. Lucille and I were invited to a friend’s home up in Montvale, New Jersey to watch the game, so I will revise thios post accordingly late tonight before publihing it with a parenthesis. (Flash!!!! Giants win!!! Giants win!!! Giants win!!! They beat the 49ers 20-17 in overtime to land a spot in the Super Bowl!!!) Best Wishes to our dear friend Dee Dee, who may well be headed west in the upcing days for the annual ‘Noir Festival’ at the Castro in San Francisco. Allan Fish’s year-by-year voting countdown continued yesterday with the ‘best of 1922.’ Everyone is encouraged to participate if they have a decent knowledge of this period.
Perhaps the biggest problem with presenting a ‘finalized’ annual list of the ‘best’ films is that there is really never any finality to it at all. I noted in my own introduction that numereical listings are subject to change of hearts in days or even hours of a ‘final’ proclamation, and re-viewings and further pondering can often have one regretting a published listing that has been usurped by re-evaluation. Such is the case with the list I published two weeks. One film, The Artist, which I have seen several times running now (and continue to be ravished by the soundtrack CD every day now) deserves in fact to be in a much higher placement than the #8 it was listed as in the original publishing. I could have just let things be, and saved myself the probable grief I will now face from some who believe a change of heart for whatever reason undermines the original presentation, but I have honestly fallen head over heels over The Artist, and need to be honest with myself and my list, even if the entire idea of a Top Ten flies in the face of sanity in the first place. Thinking about the film more and more, seeing Jim Clark’s extraordinary review, engaging in spirited e mail discussions and hearing Ludovic Bource’s score rergularly have all collaborated to make me realize that I love this film as much as I do any other this year, and though numbers within the Top 10 can be interchanged at any time, I still want to make a symbolic statement here with the change. I was questioned by some friends about the possibility of some thinking I might want to be seen as wanting to ‘stand with the critics’ who championed this film in droves this year. My resounding answer is that over the last five years, I have only embraced a single film of the five top critics’ film of each year, and that was a #9 placement for There Will Be Blood. This has nothing to do with critics, it has to do with my increasing passionate fervor for this film. I added another film to the Top 10 as well to make for a #10 tie (my regular way of doing the lists until this year) so that the wonderful Poetry can now be part of the Top 10, as it should be. I will make the proper changes on the original post over the course of the next fews days. I also added We Need To Know About Kevin to the ‘Runners-Up’ list. Anyway, here is the new (and yes final on pain of torture) Top Ten for 2011:
1. The Tree of Life (Malick; USA)
2. The Artist (Hazanavicius; France)
3. Mysteries of Lisbon (Ruiz; Portugal)
4. Bal ‘Honey’ (Kaplanoglu; Turkey)
5. Of Gods and Men (Beauvais; France)
6. War Horse (Spielberg; USA)
7. A Separation (Iran; Farhadi)
8. Melancholia (Von Trier; Denmark)
9. Hugo (Scorsese; USA)
10. Jane Eyre (Fukanaga; UK) and Poetry (Chang-Dong; South Korea)
Lucille and I (and the kids in part) had another very productive week with a celebrated classical oratorio by Felix Mendelssohn on a snowy Saturday night in central New Jersey a sure highlight, and the conclusion of the Bresson Festival (except for the one-week run of A Man Escaped that began on Friday) with Thursday evening’s screenings of Four Nights of The Dreamer. I hope to say a lot more about the Bresson Festival in a later post. It was also a special treat to see Tornatore masterpiece director’s cut of Cinema Paradiso on the 70 foot screen of the Loews Jersey City movie palace, and another superlative presentation in the Monday Silent Festival at the Film Forum with the Browning/Chaney vehicle The Unknown. In a rare occurance, for all the activity, we didn’t see a single new release.
I saw the first two one-hour installments of the celebrated television series BOARDWALK EMPIRE, which I was quite impressed with. Scorsese’s pilot was a fitting launch. But I know I have so much further to go on this front.
I published a full review of Mendelssohn’s Paulus as performed by The Choral Art Society of New Jersey at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield. This is the esteemed ensemble’s 50th Anniversary season.
The completed movie itinerary is as follows:
The Unknown (1927) **** 1/2 (Monday night) Film Forum
Une Femme Douce **** (Tuesday Night) Bresson at Film Forum
The Devil, Probably *** 1/2 (Tuesday night) Bresson at Film Forum
L’Argent ***** (Wednesday night) Bresson at Film Forum
Four Nights of a Dreamer *** 1/2 (Thursday night) Bresson at Film Forum
Cinema Paradiso -director’s cut- ***** (Friday night) Jersey City Loews
Pat Perry has posted a stupendous Top Ten of 2011 list over at Doodad Kind of Town: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2012/01/last-word-on-2011-best-and-brightest.html
Anu at The Confidential Report has checked in with a fabulous Ten Best list that fully warrants everyone’s attention: http://theconfidentialreport.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/top-ten-of-2011/
Tony d’Ambra is leading up at FilmsNoir.net with a brilliant post on ‘Film Noir and Living in the Past’ that makes some persuasive conclusions: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/film-noir-and-living-in-the-past-if-a-mans-life-can-be-lived-so-long-and-come-out-this-way.html
Marilyn Ferdinand has penned a terrific review of Mikio Naruse’s Japanese masterpiece “Floating Clouds” at Ferdy-on-Films: http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/?p=12923
Laurie Buchanan talks about the ‘Differences That Make the World Go Round at Speaking From the Heart: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/difference-makes-the-world-go-round/
Judy Geater at Movie Classics is leading up with a splendid comparative piece on “My Week With Marilyn” and “The Prince and the Showgirl”: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/my-week-with-marilynthe-prince-and-the-showgirl/
Just Another Film Buff (Srikanth) has posted a spectacular Top 10 at The Seventh Art that raises the bar in every sense: http://theseventhart.info/2012/01/01/favorite-films-of-2011/
John Greco has authored a trenchant piece on James Toback’s “Fingers” over at Twenty Four Frames: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2012/01/miss-robin-crusoe-1954.html
Samuel Wilson has penned a spectacular work of originality on Godard’s “Film Socialism” at Mondo 70: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2012/01/film-socialisme-socialisme-2010-homage.html
Jason Marshall has penned an excellent takedown of Spielberg’s “War Horse” at Movies Over Matter: http://moviesovermatter.com/2012/01/10/you-can-lead-a-horse-to-war-spielbergs-war-horse/
Pat Perry recaps the past year at Doodad Kind of Town with an engaging look behind and forward:
R.D. Finch at The Movie Projector has penned a masterpiece about a masterpiece in his “Vertigo” review at The Movie Projector: http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2012/01/deadly-obsession-alfred-hitchcocks.html#comment-form
Roderick Heath at This Island Rod is an incomparable horror film writer and his review on 1986’s “The Hitcher” is wholly masterful: http://thisislandrod.blogspot.com/2012/01/hitcher-1986.html
Jaime Grijalba has unveiled his towering Top 10 list over at Exodus: 8:2: http://exodus8-2.blogspot.com/2012/01/las-mejores-peliculas-del-2011-chilean.html
Joel Bocko offers up “Highlights For the Holidays” at The Dancing Image, which showcases some of the great posts from the past year: http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2011/12/highlights-for-holidays.html
Dee Dee has posted a wonderfully informative and engaging piece on the origin of lobby cards at Darkness Into Light: http://noirishcity.blogspot.com/2011/11/holding-auctiontaking-look-at-eleven.html
Jon Warner at Films Worth Watching has penned a terrifically insightful review of Visconti’s “Senso”: http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2012/01/senso-1954-directed-by-luchino-visconti.html
Kaleem Hasan’s Satyamshot blog offers a New Year’s greeting to all readers: http://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/happy-new-year-folks/
At Roderick Heath’s solo movie blog “This Island Rod” the great writer offers up a classic takedown of “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”: http://thisislandrod.blogspot.com/2011/12/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-2011.html
At Heath’s literature blog, English-One-O-Worst, the great writer takes on the Bard’s “King Lear” and the result is a scholarly masterpiece: http://englishoneoworst.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-he-rightly-is-king-lear-as-king.html
Craig Kennedy’s always engaging Watercooler post is leading the way at Living in Cinema: http://livingincinema.com/2012/01/15/movie-vacation-all-i-ever-wanted/
Ed Howard at Only the Cinema is presently leading up with a marvelous review of the multi-taled “Paris je t’aime”: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2012/01/paris-je-taime.html
Murderous Ink, in Tokyo examines ‘Nuclear Noir’ in a brilliant new post at Vermillion and One Nights: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2011/12/nuclear-noir.html
At Patricia’s Wisdom, our friend and proctor of the same name has authored a tremendous review of Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life”: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2011/12/the-tree-of-life/
At Scribbles and Ramblings Sachin Gandhi has penned a brilliant piece on ‘Three Films by Mohammad Al-Daradji”: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2011/12/three-films-by-mohamed-al-daradji.html
At the always-spectacular Creativepotager’s blog, artist Terrill Welch offers up a new post for the new year that will ravish the senses in an ocean of blue: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/mayne-island-dawn-of-2012/
At The Long Voyage Home, Peter Lenihan offers up an incredible list of “key films” that screams out “essential” in every sense: http://thelongvoyagehome.blogspot.com/
The gifted and always brilliant Jason Bellamy takes a fascinating and perceptive look at “J Edgar” that in some measure differs from the majority stand. It’s at The Cooler: http://coolercinema.blogspot.com/2011/11/solid-weight-j-edgar.html
Filmmaker Jeffrey Goodman at The Late Lullaby has posted a stupendous round-up of the best cinematic experiences he’s enjoyed in 2011: http://cahierspositif.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-top-10-or-so-films-for-2011.html
Again Stephen Russell-Gebbett offers an original piece on the artistic worth of the “remake” at Checking on my Sausages: http://checkingonmysausages.blogspot.com/2012/01/remakes-why-not.html
At The Schleicher Spin our very good friend David frames expectations for 2012. take a look: http://theschleicherspin.com/2012/01/01/are-you-ready-for-dun-dun-dun-2012/
At Cinemascope Shubajit Laheri has penned a fantastic capsule on Bresson’s “Mouchette”: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2012/01/mouchette-1967.html
Adam Zanzie at Icebox Movies has authored a marvelous essay on “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”: http://www.iceboxmovies.blogspot.com/2012/01/on-torture-and-revenge-in-girl-with.html
Michael Harford, the erstwhile ‘Coffee Messiah’ offers up an engaging video about the beverage’s worldwide popularity: http://coffeemessiah.blogspot.com/2011/11/coffee-break.html
Troy Olson announces plans to commence with his Robert Bresson project at Elusive as Robert Denby: http://troyolson.blogspot.com/2011/11/argh.html
At Radiator Heaven J.D. has penned a superlative piece on 2005′s “Mirrormask”: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2011/12/mirrormask.html
At Petrified Fountain of Thought Stephen Morton has penned a masterful takedown of “Melancholia” http://www.petrifiedfountainofthought.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-melancholia.html
Drew McIntosh is a real scholar and good skate, as he just gave away a blu-ray of Tarkovsky’s “The Sacrifice” at The Blew Vial: http://thebluevial.blogspot.com/2012/01/take-two-tarkovsky-blu-ray-giveaway.html
Kevin Olson offers up a postscript to his recent Horror Blogothon at Hugo Stigliz Makes Movies: http://kolson-kevinsblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/italian-horror-blogathon-postscript.html
Tony Dayoub at Cinema Viewfinder offers up an interview with the Self-Styled Siren: http://www.cinemaviewfinder.com/2011/11/gone-to-earth-conversation-with-self.html
At The Man From Porlock Craig takes down both “War Horse” and “Melancholia” with his usual impressive analytical prose: http://themanfromporlock.blogspot.com/2011/12/tears-for-fears-war-horse-and.html
Hokahey has penned a terrific review of “War Horse” at Little Worlds: http://hokahey-littleworlds.blogspot.com/2011/12/spielbergs-war-horse.html
Dave Van Poppel is gearing for some updates at Visions of Non Fiction, but presently is still leading up with his very fine review of “Project Nim”: http://visionsofnonfiction.blogspot.com/2011/08/project-nim.html
At The Reluctant Bloger Jeff Stroud has offered up some stunning beautiful images in a post titled “Autumn Leaves”: http://jeffstroud.wordpress.com/
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Writers/Founders
Thanks as ever for the mention Sam. I hope to have something new up in the next couple of days.
I left a note on the previous Monday Morning Diary about the piece I wanted to write on that Japanese film. I’ve written it. I’m having trouble sending emails (I can receive and read them fine) and wondered if I could edit it on the site. Then you could take a look and see what can be done with it, if anything.
Those two Bresson films you saw this week are two of the ones I haven’t seen. It’s always an exciting thought that a great film could be just around the corner waiting for you.
Thanks for sending me the info Sam. I’ve made a start.
Stephen–
Great to hear you have finished that piece, and I am looking forward to reading it at the site here! And yes, good to hear you got the return e mail.
Yes, the anticipation of something exceptional is an incomparable feeling. There is actually one more Bresson film to see during this festival, and it’s the one-week run of the best prison film ever made: A MAN ESCAPED.
Thanks as always my very good friend!
Sam,
I’ve completed my piece on the site. I will leave it to you/Allan to schedule it when appropriate. I hope it’s come out OK.
Yup Stephen, it’s fantastic!! It will post this coming Monday over the Diary!
My goodness, Sam, you’ve really been taken by The Artist. While I enjoyed the film, my feelings are less fervent. I must say that the acting was great, and that includes the supporting players. Maybe upon reviewing I’ll get more used to the Hermann piece.
I’m glad you were able to squeeze Poetry onto your list. That film is really quite well done.
Aye, Pierre, I admit I take no prisoners when a film has taken me completely as THE ARTIST has. Oddly enough it was the second and third viewings that had me completely enraptured. I would predict that the Herrmann piece will be less annoying on repeat viewings. I can fully see why this film has been so magical for the critics and for the audiences that weren’t dismayed by paying to see a movie with no talking. LOL!!!
Yes, POETRY fully deserves to be on that list!
Thanks as always my excellent friend!
Pierre I can’t believe you didn’t Artistry. What about the dog? Didn’t you think the dog stole the whole show. I didn’t get to see the Poet because it didn’t play here in Florida. What was that about? Peace and Blessings
Artistry and The Poet. Two classy movies through and through!
Sam, thanks so much for the wonderful mention!
First off, I commend you for your follow-through on a revised list for the year. I agree that feelings are ever-shifting and that we should all have the right to shift our opinions on films seen and how they should be ordered within our own system of preferences.
Also, congratulations on a tremendous Giants win! It was a nail-biter, and I was really happy to see the Giants overcome so many odds to leave with the W.
This week, I only took in the old film noir, DECOY, and FILM SOCIALISME. I had very positive experiences with both — the first has a tremendous sense of frenzy controlled with some surprisingly smooth and effective direction. The latter, meanwhile, is among the most vital and visceral of Godard’s later period.
Here’s to another excellent week! Thanks so much for all that you do.
Jeffrey—
Thanks very much for understanding and even encouraging a list change, which as you note are fueled by “ever-shifting feelings.” I was cognizant of teh fact that THE ARTIST was one of my two favorite movies of the year, yet it was ordered near the bottom of the Top 10, probably because I was leery of listing it in a lofty positions that might invite comparison with teh critics. But as I’ve traditionally chosen films each year that are not teh primary critics’ darling I realized I was being foolish. If a film inspires real passion as THE ARTIST has it should be honored with the definitive praise and high placement.
Thanks so much too for the congrats on the Giants! I was high-fiving all night, and jumped up and down when Lawrence Tynes’ 31 yard field goal split the uprights! Everything has gone the Giants’ way in this remarkable run. Had your New Orleans Saints prevailed against the 49ers last week, I suspect the Giants would have been eliminated yesterday. The Saints were one team that seemed to have their number. But the Super Bowl will surely be a game for the ages.
I may not have been the biggest fan of that Godard Jeffrey, but you are not the first one who has spoken for it’s artistry here at WitD, and you certainly won’t be the last. I agree with everything you say there on DECOY. I’d like to watch that one again matter of fact.
You have a great week my friend! Thanks so much for brightening up this place every week. As always, it’s an honor!
Sam –
Yes, the Windy City got serveral inches of snow on Friday, but it is melting quickly under a current temperature of 46.
The Bresson festival got underway at the Siskel this weekend, but despite my best intentions, I was not able to get into the city to see the opening two films. Small matter, though as the festial continues through most of February, and the films I most want to see (MOUCHETTE, PICKPOCKET, AU HAZARD BALTHAZAR and DIARY OF A COUNTRY PRIEST) are yet to come.
Nonetheless, it was a culturally rewarding week. We saw David Mamet’s latest play RACE at the Goodman on Thursday. I came away with mixed feelings myself, and I wish I had somehting more coherent and meaningful to report,but it didn’t have it’s intended effect on me. Even at just 90 minutes, it felt a little overlong for what it delivered. And I generally like Mamet.
I did have the pleasure of finally seeing MONEYBALL and OF GODS AND MEN this week. I also attemtped to watch UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES, but found it so baffling that I bailed on it after about 40 minutes. I honestly don’t know what everyone else sees in this film – or, probably more to the point, what I’m lacking or missing in watching it – but I couldn’t stay with it.
Marlon and I watched a popular Christian film COURAGEOUS last night. As my blog is now dedicated to maligned film genres – and Christian films are one of the most derided – I feel a need to post on it. I cant defend it in terms of skillful fillmaking, but I can’t deny that we both found it very moving.
Anyway, I totally get your point about Top Ten Lists never quite being written. My own list went up at my site yesterday, and I fully expect to publish an “amended” list once I am able to get a few more 2011 films under my belt. I hope you’ll stop by and comment. I also posted an article on “The Best Performances You Didn’t See in 2011” that I’d love your thoughts on as well.
Have a great week, Sam!
Pat–
My apologies for the late response here. It’s been a tough few days here fighting the flu. I didn’t even get to the PC at all yesterday. And I missed the screening of A MAN ESCAPED that I was supposed to see last night because I was shivering under blankets. But I am feeling better today (I went in to school, though that was a gamble) and will see A MAN ESCAPED on his final night at the Film Forum tomorrow. It’s true that the Bressons that you are planning to see are the ones you need to see, and you haven’t really dropped the ball to this point. Those four (plus A MAN ESCAPED) are the essential Big Five for Bresson. I am hoping you get a play review up on Mamet’s RACE, but your mixed feelings may not inspire you enough, understandably. Still, a great one to take in!
I liked UNCLE BOONME, but as I stated on these boards a repeat viewing diminished it for me. I do greatly admire teh director though. But I understand where you are coming from, and others have come here expressing bewilderment. I know you loved OF GODS OF MEN and I couldn’t agree with you more, and I think you liked but didn’t love MONEYBALL, which is fair enough.
I hope you do review COURAGEOUS. That’s an intriguing choice and a great project. Yes, lists are never really permanent, although of course I didn’t even let the ink dry! Ha! Saw you great round-up post at DOODAD!
Thanks so much as always Pat for the splendid wrap!
Sam – Thanks again for the shout-out! Nice to see THE TREE OF LIFE ranked so highly. It would most definitely be #1 on mine also with MELANCHOLIA a close second.
Great to hear that it would rank in poll position on your list too J.D. And yes MELANCHOLIA is another one on my Top Ten, that many have championed. (and have diced to be sure). I willa ctually be revising your link to RADIATOR HEAVEN here within the hour.
Many thanks as always my friend!
Hi Sam
Thanks for the mention Sam. Congrats on the Giants! Surely people are going wild in your neck of the woods. I must say I did pick both games correctly. However in the super bowl, I think Brady gets his revenge for the upset loss a few years ago that ruined their perfect season. Sorry! Haha! Well looks like you took in some more Bresson films and of course he’s one of the all time greatest directors. Probably deserves a slot in the top 10 directors of all time or at least a significant part of the argument. So, you’re changing your top 10? Wow, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised as you’ve been heaping praise on The Artist for some weeks now. I have Poetry and Of Gods and Men at the house right now waiting to be seen this week, so I will get back to you on how I view those. Also up this week is a little John Ford mini-marathon of some films for some reason I’ve never seen before. Cheyenne Autumn, Wagon Master, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and The Informer. The Ford series here has piqued my interest to brush up on his canon.
As for my week past, I watched Antichrist. It certainly is a visceral experience with some great performances especially Gainsbourg. For some reason I recalled a bit of Bergman’s Hour of the Wolf. I think the film works best for me as powerful filmmaking, but it would take a few more viewings for me to fully digest meanings therein. Also, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, despite a couple passages that didn’t work for me, was wonderful filmmaking and such a beautiful cave to behold. It’s really a wonderful documentary though. Tree of Life I saw for the second time and this time on Bluray at home. I liked it even more this time than I did in the theatre. I mentioned once maybe that the projection at the theatre was poorly done. It was a welcome sight to see it on Bluray and to be able to focus more on the experience rather than trying to figure it out. I let it wash over me and was moved by the story of the family even more this time. It’s not a perfect film, but what it gets right, it really gets right. I also watched Pandora’s Box for the first time in about 10 years. It’s not quite as good as I had remembered. I found the plot to be very creaky and despite the wonderful performance from Brooks and atmospheric direction from Pabst, it’s missing something for me. I far prefer their Diary of a Lost Girl which is I think their greatest collaboration.
Anway, hope you have a super week Sam!
Jon—
Yes the football fans in these parts are going berzerk as you can well imagine. Wow, you picked the Giants over the 49ers? Nice. Just several weeks ago it appeared that Tom Coughlin’s job was on the line. Now they are on the cusp of a fourth Super Bowl championship. But I fully understand you predicting the Pats, as they surely will be looking avenge the big upset of four years ago. Most of the times the stronger defense prevails in Super Bowls -and the G boys do have a stronger D – but Brady and his operatives are deadly.
Yes, I do myself consider Bresson one of the greatest of all directors, and seeing these films on the big screen in a festival bringing together his 13 words is a godsend. I got shut out of LES ANGES DU PECHE (though I have seen the film before) due to sloppiness on my part, and I am planning to see A MAN ESCAPED tomorrow night.
Thats great that Peter Lenihan’s Ford series has motivated you to conduct some re-viewings of his greatest films, and some as you note that you haven’t seen yet. SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON is vintage Ford, but THE INFORMER is a masterwork. And I look forward to hearing your views on POETRY and OF GODS AND MEN.
ANTICHRIST is strong stuff. Certainly it’s one of the most depressing experiences ever, but as you note there is artistry beyond that.
Great that you liked TREE OF LIFE even more on the blu-ray viewing, and understand what you are saying on CAVE, which I still consider one of the past year’s best docs. I also prefer DIARY OF A LOST GIRL to PANDORA’S BOX, though I do like it well enough too.
Have a fantastic week my friend! Thanks as always for your all-encompassing effervescent wrap!!!
We haven’t seen THE ARTIST yet, by by golly, we’re going to!
Len said, be sure to tell Sam we “pulled a Juliano.” Translated, that means we watched four foreign films this week:
The Night of the Shooting Stars (I cried)
Turtles Can Fly (I balled my eyes out)
The Story of the Weeping Camel (heart-warming)
Kitchen Stories (Len laughed, I don’t know why)
hahahah Laurie!! Love what Len said there!!! LOL!!!
I can imagine why Len laughed during KITCHEN STORIES, and I sure can vouch for the same reaction to Olmi’s NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING STARS. And yes, THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL was another moving film with a fascinating anthropological premise. TURTLES CAN CRY is another film that moved me deeply. Wow, you and Len REALLY had a great week there.
Sorry about the late response Laurie. As I explained to Pat, I had a severe flu strain with all the dire symptoms. I was literally felled yesterday.
Thanks as always my great friend!
Sam I just copied and sent your revised list to David for ordering from Zip.ca for us. Like Laurie, I am looking forward to seeing THE ARTIST.
We saw three movies this past week –
MARGIN CALL (2011) directed by J.C. Chandor I am not sure how I feel about this film but I did appreciate its non-crucifying position on the realities of Wall Street. I enjoyed it but would have felt I missed anything if I had never seen it.
BEGINNERS (2010) directed by Mike Mills pulled on my compassion chord and respect for dying as being part of living. I liked the comfortableness the film had with human drama without trying to fix anything.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011) directed by Woody Allen Like you said in your June review, the main character wasn’t convincing as a writer but I didn’t really care. I love the warm tones of the film and the times and snippets of being with now what we describe as great writers and artists from the 1920’s France. I always have a wait-and-see attitude with Woody Allen films but I adored this movie and would and probably will watch it again in a heartbeat. Owen Wilson played a very good Woody Allen with an occasional resemblance to the voice of James Stewart. I could watch the movie just to hear him talk.
Thanks for the mention as always Sam and all the best of the week to you! And with any luck I shall have new painting posted on Wednesday after today’s post about rain, wind and snow… we are doing good though – electricity stayed on!
Terrill–
Thanks so much for sending on that revised list to David. Tell him I PROMISE there will be no furthe revisions! Ha! And I am banking heavily that THE ARTIST will resonate greatly with you as it has for so many others. The expected Oscar win will mark the same film dominated teh critics awards and won virtually all the other groups and the various guilds. But that doesn’t tell you anything, as it must work for you. One of my writing colleagues and very good friend at this site has no use for the film, and I know David Schleicher and Pat Perry aren’t huge fans either.
Terrill, I am willing to admit that I obviously missed teh boat on MIDNIGHT IN PARIS. Nearly everybody loved the film (except most of the writers here at WitD) and most are saying it’s one of Woody’s best in years. I did love teh atmospherics like the rain on the Paris streets and the wistful spirit of the piece.
Loved your splendid economical framing of BEGINNERS and MARGIN CALL. As to the latter, let’s just say you took the words right out of my mouth. As to the former, I liked Christopher Plummer’s performance most of all.
Great re-cap, and I’ll be looking for that new painting post my very good friend!
Sam, I was happy to see the Giants finally win that game, but now it is time for revenge. On that note I should mention that I went to Haywire over the weekend and was somewhat disappointed with it. I’ll elaborate elsewhere, but in short the story is only competently told in a “who cares?” way, and Soderbergh didn’t really figure out a way to film Gina Carrano’s prowess in a way that would have put her over the way he wanted. He cut too often and her style arguably doesn’t lend itself to extended choreography.
Meanwhile, I finally sat down for Margin Call and was very impressed. My experience is always more limited than y’alls, but I’d put this film on my Top Ten for 2011 for the time being. Older stuff included Michael Curtiz’s Bright Leaf, a fascinatingly misguided attempt to make Gary Cooper a heel; Jack Cardiff’s The Liquidator, a spy comedy that scores points without mocking the genre; and Roy Del Ruth’s Taxi!, a nearly plotless aria of belligerence from James Cagney, monotonous and minor. I need to cut back on the DVR so I can get back to more foreign stuff — but tonight’s an Ophuls fest on TCM!…
I understand from Farran Smith Nehme’s blog that ‘Letter from an Unknown Woman’ with Fontaine and Jourdan is playing at 11:15. I’ve never seen this, so I’m pretty excited.
Yes Samuel it’s Ophuls night! I’m pumped and will record some of the ones I haven’t seen and are hard to find.
Jon, worse yet for me and my poor machine, there were two Randolph Scott westerns in the afternoon. I’ll be glad for “31 Days of Oscars” because for a month there won’t be so many rarities and obscurities to record and I can finally catch up.
Samuel–
I know many are calling for ‘revenge’ in the Pats-Giants game, and it may well end up with that vindication, but it’s still a tough one to call. I would venture to think that in the Albany area there are just as many Pats fans as Giants fan, or at least almost as many. I’m glad to hear that you liked MARGIN CALL that much. I will have top take in another viewing soon. I have never seen that Curtiz nor THE LIQUIDATOR. I pretty much agree with the less-than-sterling assessment of TAXI! Now with Ophuls you are really talking!!
Thanks as always my very good friend!!!
Glad to see you found a place for chang-Dong’s wondrous ‘Poetry’ in your Top Ten, Sam. I will be attending a matinee of ‘The Artist’ sometime this week with a wide-open mind. Who did the photography? Russian-born Joseph Ruttenberg? No, he’s gone, of course; but the film looks lovely.
Saw several films that left me unmoved, unengaged and indifferent: Wise’s ‘The House on Telegraph Hill’, Franju’s ‘Eyes Without a Face’, Allen’s ‘Love and Death’ and Hitchcock’s ‘Under Capricorn’ (poor Ingrid Bergman “gaslighted” again, this time by her housekeeper, played by the wonderful Margaret Leighton. The movie is part of TCM’s tribute to the genius of Jack Cardiff. And don’t miss TCM tonight, when Osborne will be screening some of the films Max Ophuls made in Hollywood!!).
Over the weekend a friend asked me what I meant when I asserted that the opening of ‘Jaws’, the horrifying death-by-great white of Susan Blacklinie, was Spielberg’s shower sequence. She was mystified and, I think, a little angry that a comparison had been made to one of filmdom’s most famous and revered scenes (the butchery of Leigh in the ‘Psycho’ shower is probably the second most famous scene in history after Eisenstein’s Odessa Steps). How dare I compare Spielberg to Hitchcock! She huffed that ‘Jaws’ is a mere popcorn movie summer blockbuster, the product of an arrested adolescent sensibility, while ‘Psycho’ is the work of an artist (more of an artisan to these eyes), the master of suspense himself (I’ve always wondered why Hitch never made a film out of ‘Murders in the Rue Morgue’ or anything else by Poe, gravitating instead towards Daphne du Maurier’s tame little tales of the macabre. Probably the artisan in him, but that’s another story).
I really wasn’t comparing ‘Jaws’ to ‘Psycho’, which I concede is the infinitely superior film; I was just comparing two scenes, the devouring of Susan Blacklinie and the mutilation of Janet Leigh. Both are young women wet and in the nude, thus REALLY helpless. Both are taken by surprise, thus amplifying the fright factor. And both get their puritanical “just desserts” — Leigh for fucking AND embezzling, and Blacklinie for stripping down and luring a boy to skinnydip with her as a prelude to sex. The Hitchcockian principle of concealment and retribution operates in both scenes while the blood and gore is virtually nonexistent (in fact, the spatter in the ‘Psycho’ tub looks like nothing more than the result of a bad nosebleed). Further, both scenes are accompanied by great, nerve-flaying musical scores. John Williams is no Bernard Herrmann, though his work in ‘Jaws’ is his best, forcing the viewer’s buttocks to clench tightly for about an hour-and-a-half.
Two films, one by Hitchcock, one by Spielberg; two scenes of carnage from which I draw parallels, that’s all. But, no, ‘Jaws’ isn’t ‘Psycho’, nor does it aspire to be. In ‘Jaws’ the laws of morality don’t apply because the killer is non-human; the film is top-drawer action-adventure, good popcorn entertainment — not an achievement to be sniffed at, either, when almost all Hollywood films want to entertain and almost all fail abysmally.
Aye Mark, I simply couldn’t function, knowing that a film I adored so deeply wouldn’t be included on the highest level. And I know how much you love the film too. The French cinematographer Guillaume Schiffmann (who received an Oscar nod, though the award will probably -deservedly- go to Emmanuel Lubezki) did the beautiful camerawork. I greatly enjoyed your discussion there of JAWS and PSYCHO, and yes I think you called it just right with the Odessa Steps and the shower scene being the most famous in the cinema. I have always stated on these boards that Herrmann was the greatest composer of all-time, but John Williams (who was double-nominated this year for WAR HORSE and TIN TIN) would probably be included in the top half-dozen. You do a great job there connecting the construction of those two scenes.
Of the four films that left you completely unmoved and unengaged I would certainly agree with you on that Wise and on UNDER CAPRICORN, but I must say I’m a big fan of the Franju and consider LOVE AND DEATH one of the Woodman’s great early films. But fair enough, I understand your position.
Thanks as always my very good friend!
Sam Thanks again for the shout out. Go Giants! Battle lines are being drawn in our house with my wife and I positioned to be at opposite ends of the field. Dorothy grew up outside of Boston and though she lived in NY for twenty years she still has a misguided (LOL) home town devotion to Boston teams…and yet we coexist!
Here’s my movie list of the week….
Carnage (****) Roman Polanski’s latest film is a darkly humored claustrophobic piece that fits right in with his earlier apartment trilogy (“Repulsion,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” “The Tenant”). The four characters in “Carnage” are psychologically trapped in an apartment. Together they attempt to sort out details involving a physical altercation between their sons which resulted in one of the boys being injured. It all starts out sophisticated and cordial but slowly deteriorates into anger, verbal and emotional abuse revealing everyone’s genuine feelings. I especially liked Jodie Foster’s insincere liberal and Christoph Waltz smug, above it all corporate lawyer.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (***) After watching this original version from Sweden, I have developed a better liking for David Fincher’s remake especially for Rooney Mara’s performance as a 21st Century avenging angel. There is a level of hurt in Mara’s performance as Lisbeth missing from Noomi Rapace’s performance. Both films get bogged down at times in too much detail and I still wish both were a bit shorter.
Colorado Territory (***) Despite being directed by Raoul Walsh remaking his own “High Sierra,” I find this film disappointing each time I watch it. Think it has to do with Joel McCrea in the lead role. He comes across as too clean cut, lacking the poetic soul Bogart brought to his Roy Earle character. Decent enough to watch but give me Bogart and Lupino over McCrea and Mayo.
Point Blank (****) Stylistic and early film reflecting the influences of the French New Wave. Lee Marvin brings to life Donald Westlake’s alienated crook only known as Parker (renamed Walker in the movie). Director John Boorman uses flashbacks, intercutting, off beat camera composition to create a paranoid universe in which Walker travels attempting to collect $93,000 owed him. The underworld, known only as the organization, is a shadowy group of men in suits indistinguishable from corporate America.
Odds Against Tomorrow (****) Robert Ryan once again plays an ugly bigot in this tense Robert Wise heist drama. Good location photography, cool jazz score, and tight editing by the wonderful Dede Allen contribute to still modern appeal. Harry Belafonte, Ed Begley, Shelley Winters and Gloria Grahame round out the fine cast. Look for Wayne Rogers, Diana Sands, Cicely Tyson and Zohra Lampert all in early small roles.
The Desk Set (***1/2) Charming Tracy and Hepburn comedy. Not up to the level of Adam’s Rib or Woman of the Year, still the charisma and allure of the stars comes shining through.
Wow John–
The battle-lines have been drawn in the Greco household. Ha! Well, this one promises to be another classic, and while I have my fingers crossed that the results will be as pleasant to Giants fans as the previous match, I am not sure of the outcome. But who is? LOL. Dorothy must still be commended for sticking with her hometown sentiments though.
I agree with you that DESK SET isn’t up to the level of those others, so I’d second your rating. As far as ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW I’d say it would get the highest rating, but you analyze it perfectly in the capsule. I am also with you completely on COLORADO TERRITORY and POINT BLANK, the latter easily the stronger film.
Mara is the best thing about DRAGON TATTOO, agreed, and I didn’t see CARNAGE yet. i saw the stage play and had rather mixed feelings, but your reviews has me thinking I should give Polanski’s filma shot.
As always, a terrific wrap here! I wish you and Dorothy a great week!
Watching the Giants triumph yesterday in the mud at Candlestick was pure bliss. I guess that pass in the end zone to Manningham was the key play, unless you factor in that fumble that wasn’t. But the Giants deserved a call in their favor as it seems the officiating has gone against them time and again. Some are figuring the Pats will enact their revenge, but I’m thinking the better defense usually wins.
Giants 24-20.
I’m jealous you guys got to see “Cinema Paradiso” in Jersey City. I bet the kids liked it too.
Keep up with “Broadwalk Empire.” It’s a great show.
You are not the only one who experienced bliss yesterday, but I’ll still glad you related it on the boards. I am nervous about the Super Bowl rematch, but at least we have two weeks to bask in the glow of yesterday’s big win.
Thanks David! Love your description of the bliss you felt this past Sunday. Yes I agree the Giants deserved a call in their favor too.
Sammy liked CINEMA PARADISO the best, but he really getting use to subtitled movies now. And he’s only 14.
Thanks as always my very good friend!
The Giants win was celebrated in these parts as you can imagine. I think it is different than four years ago, as this year it was total unexpected when you factor in the team’s roller coaster season and 9-7 record in the regular season.
I can’t wait till you get further into Boardwalk Empire.
As far as changing your list, you shouldn’t be sweating it at all. If you left it the way it was it wouldn’t reflect your true feelings. Heck, I’ve known right along how much you have been loving The Artist. More even than War Horse.
Thanks for the support and encouragement on the list-changing Frank. I just couldn’t live with myself unless I made teh proper revision. But yes THE ARTIST has me taken in a big-way.
I will have more episodes to watch this week of BOARDWALK EMPIRE.
True what you say about the Giants there. This time them came out of left-field. I just hope they can keep the magic for one more game.
Thanks as always my great friend!
As today is my birthday, I’ll post tomorrow.
Ok, that was good.
Hello Sam and everyone! it was my birthday yesterday and I spent the day with family and friends, so that was good. Anyway, that was probably the most interesting thing that happened, besides the return of my girlfriend from her trip and some cinema outings of different sorts.
But what about you Sam, what a great week you had, filled with music and film and passion, as you always have in life. You revised your top 10 list and you already know or will know my stance on most of these, Anyway, let’s see what you saw.
Of those you saw I’ve seen L’Argent, the last Bresson, which I rank with a ****1/2 and Cinema Paradiso, which I don’t think I’ve seen the director’s cut ya know, but I have it right here thanks to you and will surely be seen soon enough, but whaterver version I saw I rank it at ****. On the rest of the films, I wanna get more into Bresson and surely The Unknown is a movie I want to see as well.
My week movie wise:
– –And Now the Screaming Starts (1973, Roy Ward Baker) ***1/2 Period horror film about a haunted hand and a curse of love and lust. The period recreation is great, the story itself is quite interesting, and the performance of Cushing is one to flavor, as the film turns really good when he comes into scene. Some effects may deem this film lower, but it’s quite alright and moody.
– The Artist (2011, Michel Hazanavicious) **** One of the most revered films of the past year is an adecuate silent film that delivers some funny and some sad moments. But, when we have silent classics, why are we victoring this movie above all the other silent films? Is this better than most good to great to masterpiece silent classics? This is a good movie, but not necessarily special. The cinematography isn’t even impressive to be a b&w film, I was really surprised by that.
– Bombal (2012, Marcelo Ferrari) ***1/2 Chilean film, the first one premiered here. A review is at the top of my site right now.
– Cat People (1942, Jacques Torneur) **** A classic horror film revisited thanks to you Sam. This one is a good film, and I see the subtext, I see how the film works, but I fail to see the surprising element that makes people say that this movie is a masterpiece. I think that the film is way too obvious in some spots, that’s all I can say, this may change with time.
– The Curse of the Cat People (1944, Gunther von Fritsch, Robert Wise) ***1/2 Now this movie went just the other way than it was expected. I went into it with an open mind and I can’t say I was dissapointed, but saying that I was surprised at how different it was would be more accurate. The film benefits from a great acting child, that really plays it well, as well as a nice atmosphere that goes well with a ghost story. Nice enough, even if a bit too family friendly.
– The Descendants (2011, Alexander Payne) ***1/2 Another Oscar hopeful that I don’t think its quite fantastic. I must say that the movie itself is good, acted well enough (specially by the girls), but it seems to me like Rich White People Problems and little else. It takes place in Hawaii, and not even the final decission (that comes really out of nowhere) saves the character from being egoistic. Still, worth seeing, some scenes entertained me.
– Elena (2011, Andrei Zvyagintsev) **** A good character piece from modern Russia, with religious and political questions, as well as a portrait of the health system, the human relations, the contracts, travelling, youth… it’s quite good of a canvas for the modern Russia to set in. Maybe the ending needed a bigger punch, since the film really ends with a fascinating moment that is shortly after the hour mark.
– The Masque of the Red Death (1964, Roger Corman) **** What a beauty of a film. Colours and Vincent Price, what else could you ask for? It’s truly amazing the work they did with the cinematography and how they decided to expand the short Poe story. The ending is amazing, but it drags around the middle sections and when it doesn’t feature the main protagonists.
– Masque of the Red Death: Roger Corman Behind the Masque (2002, Greg Carson) *** Short featurette, found on the DVD you gave me, on the movie. A interesting interview of Corman with some facts you know, some you don’t, but aided with the worst choice of visuals.
– Moneyball (2011, Bennett Miller) ****1/2 Why I liked this so much? Well, it features many things I truly like: being surprised and enthralled by something I usually don’t care about (baseball), the really awaited (by me) next directioral feature of Miller, a turn from the best living actor known as Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and a performance from an actor I don’t use to like but now I do (Jonah Hill). That’s it.
– The Skin I Live In (2011, Pedro Almodóvar) ****1/2 This was a rewatch of the film, made at a critics screening, for me to write about it on a friend’s webpage. It still holds the punch.
Well, that’s all. Thanks Sam, have a good week!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great to hear you had a fine time on this special day, and that your girlfriendf returned. I know it must be the height of summer for you Down Under, and you are rightly taking advantage.
Well, this is a rare instance where I have seen every single film you present here on your remarkable scroll (well all except two, anyway: ELENA and the Chilean film. Ha!) and can appreciate your terrific capsules and summary judgements. I think THE ARTIST’s success as opposed to the silent films that didn’t win awards is that they really didn’t begin giving out awards until the silent era was ending. But you are strong enough on the film, I can’t complain. I do rather like the moody atmospherics of AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS (Baker) and of course am a huge Lewton fan. CAT PEOPLE is a horror classic. And CURSE has it’s moments too. True wqhat you say about the ‘worst choice of visuals’ for the Corman doc, though like you I am a big fan of MASK OF THE RED DEATH, which is the crown jewel of the Corman/Price collaborations. I think you frame it excellently there, noting that stunning color cinematography as the main component.
As far as THE DESCENDANTS I like it more, but you are fair enough there. I agree that Almodovar’s film is a good one (I should really have had on my runner-up scroll) and MONEYBALL does have a lot going for including one of Pitt’s best performances. it’s an entertaining film at the very least.
Great wrap! Great week! Great birthday!
Thanks as always my excellent friend!
Holy cannoli, Sam – it’s about time you got on board (bad pun intended) with Boardwalk Empire!
I share your pain with making end-of-the-year-best-lists. There is always something you missed or want to re-examine. You know my thoughts on The Artist – well made and okay for what it is, which is a trifle, and waaaaaay overrated.
I caught up with a slew of stuff this weekend:
In theaters:
Haywire – ***1/2 (an entertaining trifle for those who like artsy action films)
The Iron Lady – ***1/2 (Streep rules supreme)
I will be having a full write-up on these films at The Spin later in the week.
On Netflix I saw:
Mysteries of Lisbon – ***1/2 (full 5 hour version – beautifully shot and contructed but a bit boring and overly convoluted)
The Ides of March – ***1/2 (better than I expected, but nothing award-worthy)
In other words, all around, everything I watched was entertaining but nothing great.
Yep David, I was late getting to BOARDWALK, but I am following the plan now! I can re-visdit your posts at THE SCHLEICHER SPIN now! I haven’t yet seen the Soderbergh but will, and agree with that rating and summation on IRON LADY. I do however consider MYSTERIES OF LISBON as a very great film. The theatrical cut might actually work better for you.
Yes, this year the list-making for me became a real obsession. As I stated on another response on this thread, I well understand you find THE ARTIST overrated. fair enough.
Thanks for the terrific wrap my friend!
Thanks for the mention, Sam! Glad you had a good week. I might actually be able to catch a few Bresson films from the same program on the big screen in Chicago as the Gene Siskel Center, which would be awesome. I’ve already missed the first two, but it’s running all month, so I plan to get to at least 2-3.
I’m still just catching up with movies from last year before making my final list. I haven’t seen The Artist yet, but it’s top of my list. I saw Winnie the Pooh the other day, which I thought was a very pleasant little trifle that didn’t deserve to get buried the way it did. I also Crazy Stupid Love, though, which might be my most hated film of the year (maybe), though I love its cast in other things and there are moments where it seems like it could get good. In general, though, almost nothing in the movie resembled real human behavior and instead came off as incredibly bizarre and awkward and obnoxious and made me throttle every one of the characters. So, anyway, don’t know why anyone liked that movie in the first place.
Stephen–
I know that Bresson program is running in Chicago presently, and hope you will be able to make some of them. From what Jamie and Pat have passed on, the best films of all are yet to come. So what you subsequently say there is right on of course. I will be attending the final Bresson A MAN ESCAPED (the greatest prison film ever made) with my son Sammy. I was a little more tolerant of CRAZY STUPID LOVE than you were but I can’t blame you at all, and I would never be defending the film even remotely. True what you say about WINNIE, which actually did get excellent reviews, but was ignored at the end of the year as you say. Can’t wait to hear your reaction to THE ARTIST. As you know I have quite a bit invested in that one. Ha!
Have a great weekend my very good friend! Thanks again!
Stephen, must agree with you on Crazy Stupid Love – I hated almost all of it and found it really depressing to watch, especially all those scenes in bars with Ryan Gosling’s cheesy chat-up lines, not forgetting the creepy storyline about the kid. Must agree with you that nothing in it is like real human behaviour and I couldn’t stand any of the characters either, even though I usually really like Julianne Moore in particular.
I’ll chime in on Crazy Stupid Love, too. Though there were parts that I liked (I enjoyed Gosling’s characterization, for example), Carrell was an irritant. As the film progressed to that horrible climactic scene at the school, I simply wanted to barf. Poor Julianne deserves better, but I guess no one is exempt from an occasional stinker.
Thanks again for the mention Sam. I had a feeling you might revise your list as I saw your list on Senses of Cinema last week and it appeared to have a different order. So in a way, this would be another revision. If I had to compare the Sense of Cinema list with this new one, then The Artist jumped from #19 to #2. I don’t think any War Horse or even a horse from Turin could manage that feat 🙂 There are plenty of people who have been taken by this film. In fact, a very good friend has put this as his #1 film of the year. Also, I am certain this will take top film honors come Feb 26.
oh..if I had to revise my list from last year, then Once Upon a Time in Anatolia would be very high as I got to see it recently and absolutely loved it. In fact, I might have placed it at #2 or even #1 if I had seen it in 2011. Then again, I am waiting to see Mysteries of Lisbon as well.
On another note, I am thinking The Tree of Life might be shut out from both film and directing category on tuesday morning. An omission in the film category would be a real surprize as there may be 6-7 films that might get a nod. Not sure if there will be 10 this time around. However, I think the 5 directors that would get nominated might follow exactly the Directors Guild nominations — Michel Hazanavicius, Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, Woody Allen and Alexander Payne. Steven Spielberg might take Fincher’s place but Malick might not be there.Atleast there is a cinematography category so that means The Tree of Life will get atleast one nomination.
glad to see I was wrong about The Tree of Life being shut out.
hahahaha Sachin!!!
The revisions are actually in one sense embarrassing. But the SENSES OF CINEMA list didn’t have the proper order. I tried to have it changed by I was too late. The main change of course as you note is the drastic upgrade of THE ARTIST, which was fueled by two re-viewings that completely had me smitten lock, stock and barrel. When every critic under the sun last year embraced THE SOCIAL NETWORK, I also saw it two more times, but didn’t change any list. I liked the film modesty, but no Top Ten. THE ARTIST is really in a number of ways my kind of film. I am not surprised to hear that your friend had it at the top. I can’t wait to hear what you think! But I love that WAR HORSE comment!!! LOL.
I agree with you that ANATOLIA is a very great film, and I am thinking you will think highly of MYSTERIES OF LISBON!
Well, the Oscar nods of course are out, and surprisingly TREE OF LIFE got in. And Malick replaced Fincher to land a Best Director nod, which to me is a real bright spot.
Thanks as always my very good friend for the splendid submission here, and have a great week!
Thanks very much for the plug, Sam, I haven’t seen quite a few of the films on your list as yet, but share your love for ‘The Artist’ and hope to catch up with more of your recommendations soon. I’ve also watched the first couple of episodes of ‘Empire Boardwalk’ and agree with you that Scorsese’s opener is great – looking forward to watching more of the series.
This week I watched four films at home –
The Prince and the Showgirl (1957), which I really liked and found fascinating to compare with ‘My Week with Marilyn’
The Awful Truth (1937), which I am pretty sure I’d seen before, but anyway a great screwball with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, and Asta the dog under another name.
The Racketeer (1929), a good pre-Code gangster film with Robert Armstrong in fine form though Carole Lombard doesn’t get much scope – it also features a handsome silent movie actor, Roland Drew, as a drunken violinist. His speaking voice isn’t very good, so I suspect he was one of those who failed to make the transition to talkies, as in ‘The Artist’.
Morning Glory (2010): A frothy romantic comedy about the world of breakfast TV – no masterpiece but I enjoyed it anyway, especially Harrison Ford’s performance as a grumpy old newsman turned presenter, and Rachel McAdams as an eager young producer who will do anything for ratings.
Judy—
I really want to continue with BOARDWALK EMPIRE ASAP, but I’m taking a brief respite so I can watch MILDRED PIERCE (Haynes) as I’ve waited much too long on that. I know you are a big fan of THE ARTIST and it warms my heart!
That was a great comparison you penned of MARILYN with PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL, and that reminds me I need to enter a response over at MOVIE CLASSICS.
That story you relate in your capsule of THE RACKETEER does indeed apply to other actors who didn’t have the proper voices to go on unemployment when the talkies came in. I haven’t seen that Harrison Ford film, but am intrigued by your positive response. I always of course think of the Katherine Herburn film of the same name , for which she won her first Oscar. THE AWFUL TRUTH is definitely my favorite of this quartet for much the same reasons who express, and THE PRINCE is a delight as well.
Thanks as always my great friend and have a terrific weekend.
Sammy I would like to congratulate Eli Manningham for pulling this game out for the Giants on the road in Candlelight Park. The 49ers really blew the game and I think the referees were against him because their coach Hamburg is not a likeable person. Did you see him on the sidelines taking off his hat every time a call went against him? Someone should tell him that’s football you can’t expect to get every call. Were people excited in NJ? I read on the computer that they expect to sell lots and lots of Giants shirts and hats leading up to the bowl and Governor Crispy is very excited because the economy is going to get a boost and it will make him look good. I think they will beat the Patriarchs even though Mike Brady is a good quaterback too but I think Eli has luck on his side and he has the support of the people of two states, New York and New Jersey, and there are more people in those two states combined than in all of New England. I have been seeing a lot of trollers on the computer who disagree with me and they say the Patriarchs are going to win but I don’t stoop down to their level they are trollers and they can disagree with me all they want but I think I will be right on the day of the big game. Are Douglas and Louie excited? Are you guys going to have a bowl party this year? Tell everyone I said hello. Peace and Blessings
Ha Jack!
Yes the 49ers coach is not well-liked, and he does seem to expect that every call will go his way. I did indeed see him taking off his hat. And yes, Governor “Crispy” is thrilled at the prospects for an economy boost, and I can well understand your prediction that our beloved Giants will defeat the “Patriarchs.” That is a brilliant deduction that you pose that Manning and the Giants have the support of the people of two states instead of one. I don’t blame you for being disgusted with those Patriarch trollers. Yes Louie and Douglas are very excited. I am considering a bowl gathering, I’m not sure.
Many thanks my very good friend!
Thanks a lot Sam for the mention.
Wow, The Artist has shot up to the 2nd spot in the latest version of your list!!! I really can’t wait to get a sneak peak of this much talked about film – more so given that, as per your experiences, this seems to be the kind of movie that improves in stature upon multiple viewings. But then, as we all know, that’s a quality of nearly all good works of art.
By the way, I was surprised to see movies like The Turin Horse & Once Upon A Time in Anatolia missing from your Top 10. Is it that you haven’t watched them yet, or didn’t like them enough?
In the meantime I managed to watch 4 films – A Separation, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Turin Horse, and Moneyball. Rise was an okayish film, but the other three I really liked. A Separation & The Turin Horse are especially brilliant, with the the Bela Tarr film being nothing short of a masterpiece in my opinion.
I haven’t managed to see all the acclaimed movies of 2011, so I’ve decided to fill that gap before I move back to my normal mode of movie viewing. Movies like Once Upon A Time in Anatolia, Warhorse, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Tree of Life, etc. are there on my “to be watched very soon” list. But, irrespective of how many acclaimed movies belonging to the past year I manage to watch, I’m quite sure Turin Horse will be at or very near the top.
Well, American Football is obviously something you’re very fond of, and New York Giants is your favourite team (gauging from your excitement at their victory). Congratulations!!! 🙂
Shubhajit—
The reason why ANATOLIA and TURIN HORSE didn’t make my list (or honorable mention scroll) is because they are actually 2012 releases by the way I qualify ten-best list placements. ANATOLIA played at the Film Forum this month, and TURIN HORSE will be opening over the summer. Neither films made any US critics’ lists for this exact reason. But both are great and are prime contenders for the 2012 list.
Yes you are right about a work of art being sustained by impressive repeat viewings. I do hope you will get a chance to see THE ARTIST soon, and I greatly look forward to your reaction or review at CINEMASCOPE. (BTW I will definitely be over to see what you are up to there very soon!)
You saw some excellent films there for sure, and have a great must-see list in place. I agree with you that TURIN HORSE is a towering work.
Yes, I am indeed very excited about the Giants, mainly because their run was totally unexpected. They were 7-7 at one point, then 9-7, now 12-7 after the three playoff wins, one against the 15-1 Packers. The Super Bowl will be held a week from Sunday.
Thanks as always my very good friend!
Just like to say condolences to the family and friends of Theo Angelopolous (1935-2012), the great Greek director who died yesterday.
He died?
I am deeply saddened to hear this lamentable news. His TRAVELING PLAYERS is a sure masterpiece of the cinema.