Rachel Mwanza as lead in Canadian filmmaker Kim Nguyen's "War Witch" the sole five star movie shown at Tribeca and the Festival's clear masterpiece.
by Sam Juliano
As I write this brief lead-in at 11:40 P.M. on Sunday evening, April 29th, I will admit being bushed and completely spent after a torrid week at the Tribeca Film Festival in Manhattan, a venture that once and for all has cast serious questions about my sanity. Still it was a time I entered the portal to world cinema with a hands on resolve and a determination to see all the feature films that had received the most sterling word of mouth, glowing anticipation, and ultimately the awards given by the Tribeca jury and the audiences. With Lucille in tow for most (and Broadway Bob for some) I took in 18 feature films over this past seven-day period, making for a grand total of 28 for the festival. With only a very few exceptions, I managed to watch just every must-see, and feel qualified to post a list of what I felt were the 10 Best Films of the TFF, a venture that will be up at the site tomorrow morning. I had intended on posting it today over the diary, but I spent most of Sunday cleaning up at Tribeca, seeing some vital films that had won awards, and weren’t negotiated in the hectic schedule proper over the past nine days. I have much to say, and WitD readers will get the full report and the top ten with capsule reviews in the morning.
At The Movie Projector R.D. Finch inches closer to his upcoming William Wyler Blogothon, which will surely get the world-class treatment in the hands of the passionate and gifted movie writing veteran. At Wonders in the Dark, Dee Dee’s sidebar interview with European poet Claudia Schonfeld has been enormously popular with readers. The site regulars, including Bob Clark with a terrific piece on Daren Aronofsky’s The Fountain, Jim Clark with a stupendous essay on the Japanese Teshigahara classic Woman in the Dunes, Jamie Uhler with another extraordinary posting in his ‘Getting Over the Beatles’ series, and Allan Fish with an utterly-engaging piece on the screen legend Jane Greer, has all kept the site moving along full throttle.
As I stated it’s been an unforgettable week on the movie front, with 18 films watched and rated, all at Tribeca. Lucille saw 12 of the 18, Broadway Bob 6 and Bob Clark one:
Beyond the Hill *** (Monday night) Chelsea Cinemas
War Witch ***** (Monday night) Chelsea Cinemas
Chicken With Plums **** (Tuesday night) Chelsea Cinemas
Francophrenia * (Tuesday night) Chelsea Cinemas
Deadfall *** (Tuesday night) Chelsea Cinemas
Wagner’s Dream **** (Wednesday night) SVA Theatre
Booker’s Place *** (Wednesday night) Chelsea Cinemas
Unit 7 *** 1/2 (Wednesday night) Chelsea Cinemas
Keep the Lights On ** (Thursday night) Chelsea Cinemas
First Winter ** (Thursday night) Chelsea Cinemas
Any Day Now **** (Friday night) AMC Village 7
2 Days in New York * 1/2 (Friday night) AMC Village 7
Postcards From the Zoo *** 1/2 (Saturday afternoon) AMC Village 7
Trishna **** (Saturday evening) AMC Village 7
Don’t Stop Believing *** 1/2 (Saturday night) SVA Theatre
The Flat **** (Sunday afternoon) Chelsea Cinemas
Wavumba **** 1/2 (Sunday afternoon) Chelsea Cinemas
The World Before Her *** 1/2 (Sunday night) Chelsea Cinemas
Needless to say link updates again have not been a realistic expectation:
For the Love of Films: The Film Preservation Blogathon begins May 13, hosted by Ferdy on Films, This Island Rod, and Self-Styled Siren. The cause is free online streaming of the Graham Cutts/Alfred Hitchcock film The White Shadow (1923), recently found and restored, and recording of the new score by Michael Mortilla. To help raise funds for this worthy cause and to get more information, sign up to blog at http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/?p=13979.
Filmmaker Jeffrey Goodman takes an appreciative look at a terrific quartet of films he recently took in in a continuing series at The Last Lullaby that includes works by de Toth, de Oliveira, Scorsese and Niblo: http://cahierspositif.blogspot.com/2012/04/favorite-four-part-sixteen.html
Judy Geater has beautifully penned the 1935 “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” by Dickens at Movie Classics: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2012/04/15/mystery-of-edwin-drood-stuart-walker-1935/
Tony d’Ambra offers up a terrific review and beautiful screen cap display on the ‘Expressionist Noir Melodrama” ‘Deception’ at FilmsNoir.net: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/deception-1946-expressionist-noir-melodrama.html
Jon Warner at Films Worth Watching has penned an excellent review of Max Ophuls’ poetic “La Ronde:http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2012/04/la-ronde-1950-directed-by-max-ophuls.html
John Greco takes on 1935’s “China Seas” by Tay Garnett at Twenty Four Frames, and the result is another marvelous essay: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/china-seas-1935-tay-garnett/
Ed Howard has penned an extraordinary essay on abstract filmmaker Stan Brakhage’s “Persian Series” 1-3: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2012/04/persian-series-1-3chinese-series.html
Samuel Wilson at Mondo 70 has his ‘Now Playing’ series leading up with a consideration of April 7 though 10: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2012/04/now-playing-april-6-7-1962.html
Laurie Buchanan at Speaking From The Heart is embarking on her annual ‘writer’s institute’ and the excitement is palpable: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/write-as-rain/
One of the net’s most gifted writers is Tokyo’s Murderous Ink, whose latest post at Vermillion and One Nights is an intricate and descriptive essay on tomatoes and Kurosawa’s “Stray Dog”: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2012/03/botanical-puzzle.html
Craig Kennedy at Living in Cinema has authored a terrific review on “The Cabin in the Woods”: http://livingincinema.com/2012/04/15/the-cabin-in-the-woods-2012/
Jaimie Grijalba at Exodus 8:2 has intriguingly posted about “My First Music”: http://exodus8-2.blogspot.com/2012/04/mi-primer-videoclip-chistelle-esg.html
Pat Perry has penned an engaging piece on good actresses making bad films at Doodad Kind of Town that’s most assuredly food for thought: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2012/03/when-good-actresses-make-bad-movies.html
Sachin Gandhi is featuring a buffo African Films 2012 spotlight at Scribbles and Ramblings: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2012/04/african-films.html
Peter Lenihan has ‘A Couple a Things’ up at The Long Voyage Home: http://thelongvoyagehome.blogspot.com/2012/03/couple-things.html
David Schleicher talks about the terrific ‘Game of Thrones’ in a round-up at The Schleicher Spin: http://theschleicherspin.com/2012/04/01/the-return-of-game-of-thrones-and-even-stranger-bedfellows-on-s
Terrill Welch’s latest post at the ever-rapturous Creativepotager’s blog is titled “The Plum Tree and the Brick Building”: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/the-plum-tree-and-the-brick-building/
Adam Zanzie has penned a terrific assessment of the work of director Andrew Stanton at Icebox Movies: http://iceboxmovies.blogspot.com/2012/03/andrew-stantons-women.html
Stephen Russell-Gebbett’s latest post on ‘Movie Morality Debate Topics’ has yieled a terrific comment thread at Checking on my Sausages: http://checkingonmysausages.blogspot.com/2012/03/movie-morality-debate-topics.html
R.D. Finch at The Movie Projector has penned an extradinary review of Ingmar Bergman’s “Smiles of a Summer Night“: http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2012/04/smiles-of-summer-night-1955.html
Pat Perry takes a candid and insightful look at “The Iron Lady” and Meryl Streep’s performance in her new multi post at Doodad Kind of Town: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2012/02/on-big-screen-and-home-screen-capsule.html
“Explore the Dancing Image: Top Posts” is leading the way at Joel Bocko’s rich treasure trove at The Dancing Image: http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2011/12/explore-dancing-image-top-posts.html
Shubhajit has authored a terrific review of Robert Altman’s “Nashville” at Cinemascope: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2012/04/nashville-1975.html
Writer Extraordinaire Jason Bellamy pulls no punches with a fantastic takedown of “The Hunger Games” at The Cooler: http://coolercinema.blogspot.com/2012/03/all-they-can-eat-hunger-games.html
Dee Dee has posted a wonderfully informative oust on the noir “Jewel in the Crown” and accompanying lobby cards at Darkness Into Light: http://noirishcity.blogspot.com/2012/02/holding-auction-month-jewel-in-crown.html
Patricia at Patricia’s Wisdom is leading up with a look at a facinating book about ‘the Art of the Sale’: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2012/04/the-art-of-the-sale-learning-from-the-masters-about-the-business-of-life-philip-delves-broughton/
J.D. at Radiator Heaven offers up an engaging and comprehensive essay on “Repo Man”: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2012/04/repo-man.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
Just Another Film Buff (Srikanth) has posted a spledidly written economical piece on Ichikawa’s “Tokyo Olympiad” at The Seventh Art: http://theseventhart.info/2012/03/31/ellipsis-58/
Hokahey has written a very fine mostly positive assessment of “The Hunger Games” at Little Worlds”: http://hokahey-littleworlds.blogspot.com/2012/03/down-and-out-in-district-12-hunger.html
Jason Marshall talks about the ‘Best of 2011’ at Movies Over Matter: http://moviesovermatter.com/2012/02/19/a-brief-look-at-the-best-of-2011/
Tony Dayoub has posted an excellent feature on “The Assassination of Sterling Hayden by the Auteur Francis Coppola” at Cinema Viewfinder: http://www.cinemaviewfinder.com/2012/03/assassination-of-sterling-hayden-by.html
Michael Harford, the erstwhile ‘Coffee Messiah’ offers up a telling comparion between black coffee and communication in his latest post at the Coffee Messiah blog: http://coffeemessiah.blogspot.com/2012/04/coffee.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 Petrified Fountain of Thought Stephen Morton has announced his #1 film of the new millenium with a wonderful essay. It’s the “Lord of Rings Trilogy”: http://petrifiedfountainofthought.blogspot.com/2012/03/best-movie-of-00s-lord-of-rings-trilogy.html
Kevin Olson has penned a truly fantastic essay on Ingmar Bergman’s “Through A Glass Darkly” at Hugo Stiglitz Makes Movies: http://kolson-kevinsblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/through-glass-darkly.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 Man From Porlock Craig insightfully explores “Warrior” and “The Trip”: http://themanfromporlock.blogspot.com/2012/03/oh-brother-warrior-and-trip.html
Jeopardy Girl has some great plans in 2013 with a vist to the U.K. in the cards. She talks about it at The Continuing Saga of Jeopardy Girl: http://jeopardygirl.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/pickmeup/
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Writers/Founders
You made it through the festival in one piece, Sam — congratulations!
Aye Pierre, I survived the test, or the ordeal or the celebration depending on how you look at it. Throughout I had amazing luck with the parking (which is the most challenging part of the equation) and was able to piece together the various films in time slots that were remarkably cooperative. Now I just need to get all my thoughts together and complete tomorrow morning’s summary post and festival Ten Best list.
Thanks for your kinds words and support my friend!
Sam, thanks so much for the great mention.
I can’t wait to read more about your Tribeca wrap. Your commitment and energy are truly extraordinary, and you continue to set the bar remarkably high for all of us, your fellow cinephiles.
It was quiet this week on the movie-watching front for me. But I look forward to changing that very soon.
Here’s to another awesome week. Thanks so much, Sam, for all that you do.
Jeffrey—
I see you also left a comment on the previous MMD thread, one which I’ll be addressing shortly. I can’t thank you enough for all the support and enthusasm you’ve aimed this way for so long. It’s a great honor. Tribeca 2012 was an affair I’ll never forget for so many reasons. I can recall each and every night, the films watched, who was with me, the food I ate before or during, and teh challenge in parking and setting up. It does seem that the films at Tribeca are getting better and better, and any festival that can offer the likes of WAR WITCH and MAVUMBA is serious venue. In 12 years Tribeca has now evolved into one of the world’s most distinguished film fests, and I was thrilled to be a part of it. I am hoping that at least a dozen of the films I saw make general release, which would be most deserving.
Thanks again my friend!
My congratulations!!!!!
An ever impressive show of stimina at the TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL!!!! In all, I’d say you had a pretty good week as most of the films saw your approval and WAR WITCH rated a ***** star response. I’m thrilled you had a great time and made the most of this terrific event week!
ATTENTION JAMIE UHLER!!!!!!
AMAZON DEAL OF THE WEEK…
In my never ending attempt to collect the greatest TV shows from the U. S. and the U.K., I came across every season of SEINFELD on DVD priced at 10.99 and 11.99 a set. Knowing that the deluxe boxed collectors set was going for 199.00 and contained everything that the individual seasons contained, I found it a no-brainer to jump on each seperate season set. Grand total for the lot (I bought all 9 seasons) $95 dollars and change. Each set includes the original version of each episode newly restored and at their complete running times, audio commentaries by the cast, writers and crews, “Behind the scenes” mini documentaries for just about every episode, “notes about nothing” pop up facts that can be run as you watch an episode and (on the last disc of each set) an hour to 2 hour long documentary featuring Jerry, Larry David, the cast, writers and crews, pertaning to either the inception and creation of the show, Larry’s inspiration for the various plots and characters, comparisons of the real life people and the characters on the show, and analysis of the casting, featured guest stars, meaning behind the stories and the inspirations for the show (I WAS right, THE ABBOTT AND COSTELLO SHOW really paved the way)…
In all, SEINFELD on DVD is one of the single most comprehensive DVD sets I have ever encounted and a steal for 95 buck…
I know you love this show, Jamie…
Larry David is a fucking genius…
“Not that there’s anything wrong with that…”
Dennis—
I’ll defer to Jamie to acknoweldge that incredible Seinfeld acquisition at apparently excellent prices. I’d agree it’s one of television’s most celebrated shows, and a must for collectors.
As far as the Tribeca Film Festival, well you know of course that your own role was vital for all of this to come off the way it did. My deepest thanks to Mr. Pete Torres at Tribeca, who threw us the lifeline, and enabled the nine-day festival to thrive with us. But for the second year in a row you delivered the goods big-time. Multiple thanks are still not enough!
As i said, the fact that the festival produced, for you, so many interesting titles and, in the case of WAR WITCH, a BEST OF THE YEAR contender, I am ecstatic that this favor was afforded to us. Pete deserves all the thanks. I’m just pleased I was able to barter this relationship between you and him.
Congrats again on a week of stamina that would have buckled most…
Well thanks again. It was a week for the record books for sure.
Another one of your unbelievable accomplishments, done at you admit with sacrifice after sacritice. That’s great that the festival included a five-star movie (and apparently another at four and a half) and that you will be posting a full wrap tomorrow. When I think of all the driving, parking waiting in lines day after day and then the marathon viewings, I can’t imagine anyone with your stamina. By comparison, sitting home watching movies, no matter how many is small potatoes.
Frank, there is no doubt that the festival involved far more than just planning and watching movies. The free passes were the key of course, though it still wasn’t an inexpensive venture when you add in that big toll across the Hudson, the food, the gas, and the tickets that had to be purchased the final day (yesterday) a day when passes were understandably invalid. Thanks for the kind words as always. Those two films you mentioned are great, but as you will soon see, there are several more that deserve highlighting.
The two films you rate highest have me intrigued Sam. It also appears you liked ‘The World Before Her’ less than the committee, who voted it Best Documentary Feature. Your name is next to ‘stamina’ in the dictionary. And let’s hear it for Lucille too. She wan’t any kind of slaggert.
Peter, as I just mentioned to Jeffrey both WAR WITCH and MAVUMBA were ‘diamonds in the rough’, a point I will be addressing in tomorrow morning’s Top 10 wrap. WAR WITCH was not only the best film of the festival, but for me one of the very best films of 2012, period. WAVUMBA is one of the most beautifully filmed documentaries I’ve seen in a while. But stay tuned my friend, there are several more must-sees in this festival, as I will suggest tomorrow.
Yes, Lucille was remarkable, and I was sad the nights she wasn’t sitting there next to me. Thanks as always my friend!
Thanks for keep mentioning me Sam! I know I’ve been off the radar for quite some time – since writing my review on The Mill and the Cross actually. Tonight I see my first film at Toronto’s Hot Docs festival and hope to write capsule reviews for each of the 8 I’m seeing. I will keep you posted!
Thanks again!
Dave
Dave—
Great hearing from you my friend! Completely understand you have been busy, but thrilled to hear you will soon be taking that pen from the mothballs, and will be taking in the documentaries at the Toronto Film Festival. Fantastic. I’ll be looking ahead to your responses!
Thanks Sam! I have posted 7 of my 8 reviews. I will be watching my eighth and final film of the festival tomorrow. Hope you’re having a good weekend!
Hi Sam,
Wow you must be exhausted after the film festival marathon you’ve been on. Looking forward to seeing your breakdown of the significant works that you saw and hope to see that soon. Our last few weeks here in Michigan have been rather chilly, so it looks like Spring will return in force tomorrow with temperatures in the 70’s and then 80’s the rest of the week. The girls and I will surely be out in the garden prepping things for our plantings in the next week or so.
On the film front, I watched Dodsworth yesterday, and realized I have never seen it before! Wow what a powerful film that is. Simply tremendous acting and a well written film with many brilliant moments throughout. Walter Huston was tremendous and I really liked Mary Astor in her small role. It’s one of the best films of the 1930’s and I really liked the observance of the behavior in the film. It was just so observant of human nature, which is sometimes hard to find in films from this era that stand up well and are not overstated.
We had date night on Saturday, and went to see The Five-Year Engagement. Now I don’t normally get much out of these types of films, but I found the movie to be about as good of a romantic comedy as I have seen in some time. Both Jason Segal and Emily Blunt were very good together. It was really funny and had just the right amount of heart to it. I also liked the segments set in Michigan and there were some good Michigan jokes about the way people live here. Someone knows Michigan well! Everyone hunts and homebrews! It’s so true!!!
Up this week, I will be seeing Tiny Furniture, Wooden Crosses, Les Miserables (1934), Ugetsu, and might get to Tarkovsky’s The Sacrifice.
Jon–
Thanks as always. Yes, an exhausting venture that as always made me think about what is normal and what is abnormal, and if I am seriously losing it. Is this something a man my age should still be doing? Ah well, I need to pull back from the philosophy and just unwind. I guess. Ha! At least Lucille was with me most of the time, and Broadway Bob was a good friend when she wasn’t there. My final post on the festival’s Top Ten films went up today. Surprised to hear about that weather though in these parts it has been fluctuating. But with the better weather ahead I’m sure you and the girls will be taking it in as you promise.
Thrilled to hear what you say about DODSWORTH, and agree down the line including Mary Astor’s performance. I see it has been getting some support on the weekly threads as well. Good to hear that ENGAGEMENT surprised you, even if home-town filming helped to seal the deal. LOL! No, seriously I’d like to give it a shot.
The last three of the ones you will be seeing will get your terrific reviewe treatment. That’s my prediction. Thanks as always my friend! Have a wonderful week.
Sam..at a loss for words. That is an incredible amount of films & coupled with the Wellman series, this is going to be a record breaking personal year for you. And not like you will take a break anytime soon given the Forum’s upcoming series. Just hope you get some rest. Of course, rest means probably watching DVDs 🙂
Look forward to your top10 although #1 is easy to guess.
Sachin—
Thanks as always for the very kind words! Yes this year has started on a torrid pace. Originally I hadn’t planned on seeing so many films at Tribeca, but some fortuitous circumstances convinced me to go forward. As far as the Film Forum series that are coming, I am most interested in the Von Stroheim and a number of films in the Universal lineup which runs for three weeks, starting in mid July. LOL on what you say about DVDs for a rest! Ha! You aren’t far off. Thanks again for your remarkable support my friend!
Hello Sam and everyone!
You made it, you beat the dragon, as they say. You survived Tribeca and maybe you are ready to do even more of these kind of experiences where you only see films you’ve never seen before, because it’s always somewhat refreshing to the sight to see what new is coming from all over the world in different stories, actors and overall youth. I’m not making sense, so I’ll stop.
This year I’m hoping to go to many film festivals I had to cancel last year because I was too busy, so I’ll check FIDOCS (Documentary Festival), SANFIC (International Film Festival), CINE B (B Cinema Festival) and FICV (Valdivia International Film Festival). That seems to be a lot but I’ll squeeze my time to attend all of them.
Of the movies you saw at Tribeca I’m most looking forward to “Chicken with Plums”, from the Persepolis team, but I’ll wait to your list for having more interest in the others.
It’s freezing out here and we had our first days of rain, and I don’t like that! It isn’t that the summer was hotter than ever, but I prefer a warm climate. The short film is moving forward with the pre-production and the search for a crew, so I’m busy with that. I also went to the movies yesterday with my girlfriend and we saw one of my most awaited films of this year,..
So, my week movie wise:
– The Avengers (2012, Joss Whedon) ****1/2 We got this movie one week earlier than anyone in USA, I think, and it was worth the money spent because I’m here to tell you that this is popcorn/blockbuster/big budget film to see in this summer (besides The Dark Knight Rises, that is). It’s the most fun I’ve had in a theater with comic book characters in 4 years. It’s funny and has impressive action sequences, it has some great acting from all the players, it has a nice chemistry and non-chemistry between the characters, and the arc feels fine, even if the threat isn’t that interesting to begin with. Still, one to see, and pity for you if you’re not going to see it (I’m not talking about you Sam). Expect a full review at my blog anytime soon.
– The Brides of Dracula (1960, Terence Fisher) **** I was bored one day and I was in the mood for a good vampire movie, so I watched this for the first time and I wasn’t dissapointed. Even if it has some goofy bats and teeth, the film stands because of the acting, the sets, the cinematography and the interesting plot structure that decides to follow. Even without the presence of Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing is just as amazing as he could be, giving him quite the stunts to perform.
– The Cabin in the Woods (2011, Drew Goddard) ****1/2 What a clever film, even though for some it was ‘predictable’ for me it was a total riot, it is for anyone who loves the horror genre from every part of the world and every epoque. Even though constricted to mainly one kind of horror (for the most part), it is still quite the show that goes better unspoiled for those who haven’t seen it.
– The Cure (1917, Charles Chaplin) ***1/2 While more emotional than his earlier shorts, I guess this one has only one really funny sequence with the masseur. The rest is good, ok or annoying.
– The Impostors (1998, Stanley Tucci) ***1/2 Movies like these don’t get made anymore, and that’s because they look fake in their structure and nowadays you can’t do an ensemble piece in which the two main characters go room by room meeting every important character to the plot. Still, it has some great comedic acting from most of the players, and some play cliched characters that bring the movie down a bit, but I guess as a love letter to the comedy of yesteryear, it’s ok.
– Ju-On: The Grudge (2002, Takashi Shimizu) ***** I rewatched this movie because I was in the mood for one of the scariest and strangest films I’ve seen. This is the japanese version, and while I haven’t seen the remakes or sequels, pre-quels, I kinda want to, to see if are paralled to this in matter of frightening imagery and overall good locations, good angles and overall eerieness.
– Wild Strawberries (1957, Ingmar Bergman) ***** What a great film. A truly acting achievement, as well as an excellent portrayal of the world of dreams and imagination. You might as well call this one of the best road movies of all time as well. Every little detail, scene, dialogue is played to perfection towards the feeling of our protagonist, his decaying health, his upcoming honoring, and his internal world. We end up knowing him a lot and respecting him for the choices he made in his life. I was about to cry, but nope, so still I’m clean of tears in the cinematic form.
– The Treasure of the Snails (2004, Cristián Jiménez) *** Chilean short film that plays around with a surreal nature of the wilderness, but to subvert it to a darker tone that still maintains the sun shining through. The ending is what kills it, because it makes you go “huh?” and that is no good.
Have a good week Sam, and rest!
Oh you are making quite a bit of sense Jaimie, but I nonetheless apologize for the late response. It has been a very down and deeply depressing and grief-stricken day today among my family, friends and inner circle, one that makes you want to just lay down and sleep. It’s the kind of day that makes you realize just how meaningless so much of life is. The one movie that you have seen that addresses much of these feelings and temperament is Bergman’s WILD STRAWBERRIES, one of the supreme masterpieces of world cinema, and a movie that fully deserves the five-star rating you have afforded it. I am delighted that you have framed it so excellently. I also thought CABIN was quite good, and as you note ‘clever.’ I haven’t seen THE AVENGERS yet (it opens Friday) but much appreciate this advance report. THE BRIDES OF DRACULA is a classic Hammer vampire movie (one I’ve seen several times over the years) and Chaplin’s THE CURE would rate a star higher for me. But fair enough. I do agree that you will probably like CHICKEN WITH PLUMS quite a bit. That was the one film that Bob attended, and he also seemed to have reasonable strong regard for. Thanks again my friend for always entering a spectacular wrap. Sorry I am more subdued that usual. Have a great week.
Sam – Goodness, gracious, sakes alive — I’m very grateful this wasn’t posted from a hospital bed in the psych ward!
I’m looking forward to the TOP TEN CAPSULE REVIEWS in the morning.
LOL Laurie!!! You got that right. It was a week I won’t forget that’s for sure, and I thank you for acknowledging this act of madness both here and at the festival report post. Sadly it’s been a difficult time here in Fairview, New Jersey the past few days (I explained to Patricia below, and added a link) but this is all part of life. As always though it puts things in perspective and humbles one into realizing that there problems aren’t much in the larger scheme. Thanks again my friend!
Sam, congrats on completing another enviable adventure. I divided my time between DVDs and DVRs as usual. My latest review on the blog is Elite Squad 2, a hard hitting follow-up to the controversial original from Brazil. Finally caught up with some classics: Bresson’s Diary of a Country Priest may not really need both the voiceover and constant shots of writing but manages a memorable portrayal of a spiritual ordeal just the same; Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria takes his neorealist pathos to the extreme as we fear for Masina’s life, and the ending seems to sum up his use of his wife as a distaff Chaplin while bringing the first phase of his career to a fitting close. Also saw William Keighley’s Bullets or Ballots, which is a fine showcase for a good-guy EG Robinson but left me wondering how no one noticed him bleed toward the end — that’s Hollywood, I guess. On more obscure notes, I saw Romolo Guerreri’s Young, Violent, Dangerous, a 1976 Italian JD movie that packs a wallop while keeping the motives for the privileged kids’ rampage tantalizingly obscure, and Satsuo Yamamoto’s Tengu-to, a 1969 Tatsuya Nakadai movie about one of the factions vying for power prior to the Meiji Restoration and the internal factionalism that destroys it — a grim, pessimistically class-conscious affair highlighted by the ever-dependable star. My pursuit of Kinji Fukasaku continues with New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2, another case of poor Bunta Sugawara picking the wrong horse — this time his patron proves an addicted loser — but why mess with a formula that works so well so often? And I nearly forgot Tony Richardson’s Charge of the Light Brigade, an ambitious historical satire that sometimes looks disconcertingly like a Monty Python film directed by Visconti and crosses the line into cartoonishness literally (Richard Williams playing Gilliam’s role) and figuratively (Trevor Howard, Harry Andrews, etc.) to dubious effect. I’ll have more to say about some of these later. Meanwhile, I look forward to your Tribeca wrap-up and will have my eyes out for War Witch up here.
Samuel–
Thanks for the complimentary words, and for the traditionally stupendous submission on this thread. I need to head on over to MONDO 70, and check out your newest and past reviews tomorrow. You do make a good point about the voiceover and ample shots of writing, but I’m figuring Bresson wanted to stay abreast of Bernanos in this unusually excellent book to film adaptation. In any case the film and Fellini’s NIGHTS OF CABIRIA which you subsequently assess are masterpieces for all sorts of reasons. That Chaplin observation in NIGHTS is one I fully agree with. Of the others you’ve seen this week I can only match up with you on that Fukasaku NEW BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR and Richardson’s THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE. I am no fan of the latter I must say, but the former is quite interesting. I’d love to see Guerreri’s film at some point. My post on Tribeca did go up today.
Thanks again my friend!
Sam, great to know that you’re on a role, or “in the zone” as the expression goes, at Tribeca. But then, this is something you’re used to as you’ve pulled off such remarkable movie-viewing sprees innumerable times before, and I’m sure you’ll successfully repeat this loads of times in the future as well.
Tomorrow I’ll be leaving Calcutta for Pune (isn’t it an apt irony that tomorrow happens to be Labour Day), and hence having to keep it short. This is what I’ve watched in the meantime (not much admittedly on account of the numerous last minute formalities that crop up on account of relocation): the brilliant Czech New Wave black comedy Bad Luck, the testosterone-fulled action film The Expendables, a lovely new Bengali release called Laptop, a brilliant Bengali film from the 60’s called Saat Pake Bandha, the Marx Brothers’ laugh-fest A Night at the Opera, and a documentary on the legendary Indian singer Kishore Kumar called Zindagi Ek Safar.
So that’s about it from me for now. Time to hit sack and prepare for the long journey tomorrow.
Shubhajit—
Thanks so much for your continued support, friendship and well-rounding comments at the site here. This has been a grueling festival, and tomorrow I will be looking at some other sites including your own. I always tell myself I’ll never do such a thing again, but sure enough months later I am reporting back with comparable news. Best wishes on your trip to Calcutta and the time you will be spending there. You saw some very good films there, though I have only seen that Czech film and the Marx Brothers. In any case have a great trip and will speak to you soon. Many thanks!
Gotta add in my two cents about the Tribeca Film Festival. I attended 10 films (one I viewed twice on consecutive nights) and saw a few masterpieces, a few middle-of-the-roaders and a real stinker. By far, the Best Narrative film of the fest was ANY DAY NOW with superlative performances by Alan Cumming, Garret Dillahunt and newcomer, Isaac Leyva. The Best Documentary was Ramona S. Diaz’s DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’: EVERYMAN’S JOURNEY (that’s the film I caught twice). Kudos also go out to Chris Colfer’s STRUCK BY LIGHTNING…he wrote the screenplay and starred in this very funny and poignant comedy. The middle-of-the-roaders include THE GIRL, BEYOND THE HILL, and THE FLAT. A few of the snoozers were KEEP THE LIGHTS ON and FIRST WINTER. Finally, the BOO of the fest was JACK AND DIANE. UGH!!! On the commercial front, FLY, don’t run to THE AVENGERS opening this Friday. Saw it this weekend and was was totally enthralled. Action, F/X and comedy relief…..who can ask for more (a sequel???).
Bob—
You know where I stand with ANY DAY NOW, which made my own Top 3. It’s an utterly wrenching film that simultaneously humors and infuriates. I am not at all surprsied that it wound up winning the Heinecken Audience Award. I also liked DON’T STOP BELIEVING, a film that barely missed my Top 10. Completely agree with you of course on FIRST WINTER and KEEP THE LIGHTS being forgettable, and only really disagreed with you on STRUCK BY LIGHTNING, which I didn’t care for. But we were largely in agreement.
A time we’ll never forget my friend!
Sam,
Thanks again for the shout out. Sam, how do you do it? You really should have your own reality TV show “Celluloid Survivor” or something like that. How you juggle the time is utterly amazing! Part of my own week was spent working on photographs that starting tomorrow will be on display at the Dunedin Public Library for the entire month of May.
Here are they films watched…
The Three Stooges (***1/2) Decent enough tribute to the champions of low level comedy. Despite the hatred of critics, and many mothers including my own, despite going for the cheap redundant laugh, despite a lack of originality or style, The Three Stooges remained popular with fans throughout the years who just found them funny. The Farrelly Brothers do a decent enough job bringing them into the 21 Century. I thought Larry David as Sister Mary Mengele and Will Sasso as Curly stole the show.
99 River Street (***1/2) Brutal, viciously violent and tough crime film from the early 1950’s, a practically forgotten gem from director Phil Karlson. Full length review coming soon at 24frames.
Buck Privates (***1/2) One of Abbott and Costello’s best films filled with classic routines and excellent music from the Andrew Sisters. This is a childhood favorite watched more times than I could count. A review on this is also in the future.
Eyes Without a Face (****1/2) Brilliant creepy unsettling film about crazed doctor who kidnaps a series of beautiful women, surgically and methodically removing their faces in hopes of transplanting successfully one on to the deformed face of his daughter. An atmospheric, shocking, yet surprisingly tender tale filled with guilt, inner pain and sorrow.
The Racket (***1/2) The two Roberts of film noir, Mitchum and Ryan, face off in this decent film about cleaning up the town of organized crime. Ryan is an old school, almost Neanderthal hoodlum, the new style ‘organization’ has moved in, headed up by a boss known only as ‘The Old Man’ who does things in a more business like way. Mitchum plays an honest cop who after being sent to the hinterlands for being too honest is back to help clean up the mess. Good without being great.
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (***1/2) Entertaining satire on Madison Avenue, advertising and television from writer/director Frank Tashlin who used George Axelrod’s play as a source but changed the entire story. Many of Tashlin’s films combined sophisticated sexual humor with cartoon imagery reflecting his background in comic strips. Nice performances from Tony Randall, Joan Blondell and character actor Henry Jones.
John, didn’t you kinda feel the urge to giggle at ‘Eyes Without a Face’? —
“This’ll NEVER work, Daddy!! I’ll NEVER get a new face!! Just this CRUMMY mask!!” (Daughter throws herself sobbing onto bed).
By the way, would you recommend the Farrelly brothers 3 stooges movie?
Mark, I found EYES WITHOUT A FACE creepy but speaking of the mask it reminded me of Jason in the FRIDAY THE 13th series.
As for the THREE STOOGES film, I enjoyed it and thought they mostly did a nice tribute, though I found the segment with the JERSEY SHORE crew annoying.
John–
Thanks as ever for the exceedingly kind words, support and spectacular wrap! This past week was craziness, and I wondered day to day if my plans would materialize. I had a lot of fun, and discovered some very good films, but it was grueling, especially on the days were three films were watched. The reality show would have to acknowledge me as a loon. Ha! Great to hear you put up some more photographs. I will check that site out tomorrow, as I will TWENTY FOUR FRAMES, though not sure if you will only be going the library route. Of all the films you saw I can say this week I have seen every single one. Glad to hear we are compltely on par with THE THREE STOOGES. I suspected you would find it mainly worthwhile. Rating-wise we are as close as we have ever been right down to the 3.5 for ROCK HUNTER and THE RACKET. I am also with you on that 4.5 rating and glowing regard for EYES WITHOUT A FACE and would be right on with BUCK PRIVATES and close with 99 RIVER STREET. As always your spirited capsules are beautifully written. Good Luck with that great venture my friend!
Impressed by your dedication to the festival, Sam – and hope you get a bit of rest this week! Thanks very much for the plug – I seem to be flagging at posting on my blog at the moment, as I’m so busy and working various weird shifts, though, having said that, I realise I’m not busy at all compared to you!
I’ve been watching quite a few films starring Marlene Dietrich recently, and this week I saw another three – ‘The Devil is a Woman’ (von Sternberg, 1936), ‘Knight Without Armour’ (Feyder, 1937) and ‘Seven Sinners’ (Tay Garnett, 1940). The last of these was a waste of time, and also a waste of Dietrich and John Wayne – but I thought the other two were both excellent. The von Sternberg film is like a waking nightmare, and ‘Knight Without Armour’ has an amazing scene with a mad stationmaster trying to make passengers board invisible trains. Also like Robert Donat in this – actually I might write this one up, though I may have to watch it again first…
Also saw ‘Modern Times’ (1936) and Pépé le Moko (1937) this week and loved both of them – I now want to see a lot more Jean Gabin.
Thanks so much Judy. I will get some rest for sure, though the last day or two has been very sad in these parts as I stated to Patricia below. I know it is a bit questionable to share this kind of thing on these threads, but it’s something you simply can’t get out of your mind, and as always it puts everything in perspective. In any event, I completely understand you have been busy at work, and always believe that blogging is a hobby to be accomplished during our free time. You’ve paced yourself quite well at MOVIE CLASSICS methinks. Agreed completely on that Garnett, and likewise found KNIGHT and DEVIL excellent. You frame both beautifully, and hope to see a review up if you have the time.
MODERN TIMES and PEPE LE MOKO are surely masterpieces and can’t blame you for wanting to look at more Gabin! He’s one of the greatest. Thanks as always my friend. Have a great week!
So sorry to hear about your friends’ son, Sam. It’s hard to know what to say, but it must be a very difficult time for all of you.
Thanks so very much Judy. Yes it was a very sad day, one where you keep asking ‘why’? This was a exceedingly popular boy with great parents, and the brightest of futures. He went through a half dozen operations and faced his disease with courage and a positive outlook. There are no words I know.
Blessedly, there’s only time for a quickie.
‘Alien’ — The Old Dark House in deep outer space. One by one the crew of spaceship Nostromo (a leaden touch of Conrad) gets picked off by a monster of unspeakably ingenious design by H.R. Giger, made to look like the offspring of some orgy involving lizards, insects and a hammerhead shark. The space fiend sports an impressive set of fangs or choppers dripping with K-Y jelly. High-toned cast of this sci-fi blockbuster includes John Hurt and Ian Holm, but plucky Sigourney Weaver gets the honor of outsmarting her slimy nemesis to become a new archetype of female ball-busting (though I wouldn’t burden this film with too much feminist fanfare — all ‘Alien’ really wants to do is keep your sphincter tightened for a couple of hours). Which it does, though some filmgoers find this kind of relentless sensory manipulation way too unpleasant. And once you’ve had these jolts the sequels seem pretty much superfluous. With Yaphet Kotto, Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton and, most memorably, Veronica Cartwright — the little girl contorted with fear in ‘The Birds’ seems to have stayed that way for 16 years. Visually groundbreaking, ‘Alien’ was stylishly directed by Ridley Scott in the best less-is-more horror tradition. (Cf. ‘Cat People’, ‘Psycho’ and ‘Jaws’.)
Tomorrow it’s ‘Igby Goes Down’ (2002) possibly a new classic, albeit in a minor key, one of the best coming-of-age stories J.D. Salinger never got around to writing, with a stellar cast that includes Kieran Culkin, Susan Sarandon and Jeff Goldblum.
Mark—
This imaginative comparison is further reason why your writing should be published here. Agree ALIEN was stylish and very much in the less-is-more school, and is one of Scott’s two best films with BLADE RUNNER. As far as THE OLD DARK HOUSE, you make a good case, though I would not have thought it myself. Do you know I once drove John Hurt and his American wife in my airport limousine from Hoboken, New Jersey to the airport in Philadelphia during a summer in mid 90’s when I drove part-time? Ha! I was much too chicken to say anything in the car though, and Hurt and his wife said close to nothing. Thought I’d mention that, though it has little to do with the terrific analysis you present her.
Still have seen IZZY. Look forward to your discussion. Have a great week my friend.
Wow I am amazed that you are still up and standing and I bet teaching a class at school is even on your planner? I just could not do all that watching even with friends in tow.
I went to a conference this weekend and was delighted to have some deep and connected conversations. That was pure joy.
Also the beauty of the desert and the amazing miles and miles of fruit trees in bloom on the other side of the mountains. Lots of watching accomplished just of a different ilk.
Thank you for sharing your rating system. Now will venture over to read your reviews. Thank you
Patricia—
As Mark Twain once said “The rumors of my demise have been been greatly exaggerated.” Ha! Yes, it has been quite a time there, and a little rest at least is in order.
It has been a very sad day here in Fairview, New Jersey for all of us. After a nearly four-year battle with cancer a valiant 14 year-old boy named Joseph Birchwale, who is son of the town’s long-time Borough Clerk, Diane Testa Birchwale and attorney Albert Birchwale, passed away Sunday evening. His wake was today and there were people lined up out the door of the funeral home all the way down the street. I once was one of Joseph’s Little League coaches, and both parents are two of the loveliest people you’d ever want to meet. They have one other child, Jennifer, who is 17. Joseph lost one of his legs four years ago, but after a period of remission the disease returned. The sadness here is beyond anything I can relate, and tomorrow’s funeral will be unconscionable. Reading his obituary in The Record will reveal what a talented and special boy Joseph was and how his life touched so many:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/northjersey/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-birchwale&pid=157358039
Patricia, good to hear that the conference worked out, and hope you will be writing on it. Thanks as always my friend for your remarkable support.
I have read the obit and feel the saddess of when a chlld leaves us – There is nothing that compares to this kind of loss – each unique and heart stopping.
We often keep dwelling on the lost potential as it is difficult to pull back and celebrate the gifts of the child who did live and share in our lives.
We lost our beloved babysitter to a drunk driver when she was 17 – Jessica taught us all about how to love what one is given – including Big Hair! When we are problem-solving or feeling blue, we work at thinking Jessica style and her lessons of joy just come back to us ten fold.
I will keep you and those who were touched by this child in my prayers and thoughts – it is a life changer hopefully to Jessica moments soon.
I am thinking of the movie POETRY now too – such beautiful rememberance
Thank you so much for this heatfelt reflection. I know from your site that your humanism and concern for health and well-being would make what just happened the kind of experience that is the flat-out worst any person can endure. I am only a friend, and I am thinking about Joseph all the time, I can only imagine with supreme dread as the father of five children in that general age bracket how Diane and Al feel and will feel for the rest of their lives. Your story of Jessica is another heartbreaking memory that will move and sadden you for the rest of your days. Jessica was obviously a very special girl from what you relate here. Thanks so much for remembering Joseph in your prayers. POETRY is a magnificent film to ponder in this vein.
Thanks again Pat!