by Sam Juliano
The new year is upon us. The past year at WitD featured a spectacularly-successful comedy countdown that attracted page views, comments and some of the best-written pieces in the site’s history. For the upcoming months we will settle into the usual site routine, which features writers and regular posts appearing on annointed days. The site is indepted to Allan Fish, Jim Clark, Jaimie Grijalba, Bob Clark, Joel Bocko and Maurizio Roca for their outstanding posts and regular contributions to the comment threads. We plan to move forward with enthusiasm and will complete all existing series, barring some unforeseen divergence in the prospective plans.
The situation with the links will remain contingent with the time available, as can be seen with the eratic way this has been negotiated in recent months. As time moves on, it does admittedly become more of a challenge to post them, and I will let my schedule determine how to proceed to that end.
A candle will always be lit on this thread from this moment on for Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and will be acknowedged on every future MMD. For those who have not yet signed the John Garfield petition, a project launhed by Barbara LaMotta and the late Lori Moore (and passionately promoted by Dee Dee) the link to do so is on the sidebar.
The past week (typically for this time of year) was devoted towards re-viewings of the late year prestige films with faily and friends that has not yet seen some titles. This venture brought us to Lincoln and The Impossible once again.
Otherwise, we saw one new release and a Film Forum restoration of a revered British masterpiece:
Not Fade Away ** (Sunday afternoon) Edgewater multiplex
Black Narcissus (1947) ***** (Saturday night) Film Forum
I also watched Dennis Potter’s The Son of Man on the basement plasma. Compelling, revisionist take on Christ’s final days.
NOT FADE AWAY is suffused with suffocating period detail right down to the cold cuts being eaten with scooped mayonaise from the jar. What we see is that every character young and old chain smokes, that JFK was assasinated, that the Beatles, Stone and Dylan were the rage and that young people were socially conscious and eager to form rock bands. But the tinsel dressing has no intrinsic value and the movie is a narrative dead-end. Seemingly made for nostalgia, but it does nothing with it. John Magaro is impressive in the lead.
I am re-printed last week’s links, and have updated a good number:
There is a fabulous new site trailer from Tony d’Ambra up at FilmsNoir.net: http://filmsnoir.net/articles/new-filmsnoir-net-trailer.html
Judy Geater is leading up at Movie Classics with her superlative review of Vincente Minelli’s “Meet Me in St. Louis”: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/meet-me-in-st-louis-vincente-minnelli-1944/
Jon Warner’s fantastic ‘Re-cap of 2012’ is leading up at Films Worth Watching: http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-recap-of-2012-old-releases.html
John Greco’s lead post is the enthralling Twenty Four Frames’ 3rd Annual 10 Best Classic Films Watched during 2012: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/24-frames-3rd-annual-10-best-classic-films-watched-for-the-first-time/
Sachin Gandhi has posted a spectacular ‘Best Films of 2012’ post at Scribblings and Ramblings: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2012/12/best-films-of-2012.html
At Speaking From The Heart Laurie Buchanan offers up an incomparable look in the ‘rear view mirror’: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2013/01/01/a-glimpse-in-the-rearview-mirror/
Richard R.D. Finch offers up a wonderful year-end post at that northern California mecca for cineastes: http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2012/12/yearend-odds-and-ends.html
Roderick Heath has posted his brilliantly comprehensive “Confessions of a Film Freak,” which sizes up the year, at Ferdy-on Films: http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/2013/confessions-of-a-film-freak-2012/17230/
David Schleicher has a terrific review up on “Zero Dark Thirty” at The Schleicher Spin: http://theschleicherspin.com/2013/01/06/no-ruth-my-love-in-zero-dark-thirty/
Pat Perry speaks eloquently about the ‘unspeakable tragedy’ at Doodad Kind of Town: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2012/12/this-is-not-post-i-had-planned.html
Samuel Wilson has crafted a terrific essay on Sergio Corbucci’s spaghetti western “Companeros” at Mondo 70: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2013/01/sergio-corbuccis-companeros-vamos-matar.html
At Vermillion and One Nights Murderous Ink has posted a spectacular piece on “Evangelion After Fukushima” (Part 2): http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2012/12/evangelion-after-fukushima-part-2.html
At Lost It at the Movies Movie Man Joel Bocko offers up a splendid screen capo display of “Leap of Faith”: http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2012/12/leap-of-faith.html#more
Shubhajit Lahiri has penned an extraordinary capsule on Rivette’s “Celine et Julie Goes Boating” at Cinemascope: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2013/01/celine-and-julie-go-boating-1974.html
Fimmaker Jeffrey Goodman has several updates at The Last Lullaby, including his latest a splendid quartet of capsules that includes “The Breaking Point,” “Senna” and “The Edge of the World”: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2012/12/beau-travail-1999.html
David Schleicher has written a creative essay on Jacques Audiard’s “Rust and Bone” at The Schleicher Spin: http://theschleicherspin.com/2012/12/23/evolutionary-melodrama-and-triumph-of-the-human-spirit-in-rust-and-bone/
Richard R.D. Finch is leading up with his spectacular comedy countdown essay on “Sullivan’s Travels” at The Movie Projector: http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2012/12/sullivans-travels-1942.html
Ed Howard’s magnificent review of Jean Rollin’s “Fascination” is leading up at Only the Cinema: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2012/12/fascination.html
Craig Kennedy has posted one of his greatest interviews ever at Living in Cinema, with Samantha Barks, the lovely young actress who plays Eponine in “Les Miserables”: http://livingincinema.com/2012/12/20/samantha-barks-flies-the-flag-for-eponine-in-les-miserables/
At Overlook’s Corridor Jaimie Grijalba continues his intricate study of Chilean cinema: http://overlookhotelfilm.wordpress.com/2012/12/23/chilean-cinema-2012-16-stefan-vs-kramer-2012/
Terrill Welch’s fabulous new post “Reef Bay Morning Experienced – West Coast Seascape Oil Painting” leads up at the Creativepotager’s blog: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/4163/
Weeping Sam’s latest post at The Listening Ear is a terrific combined piece comparing similar aspects in “Lincoln” and “Django Unchained”: http://listeningear.blogspot.com/2013/01/lincoln-django-unchained.html
At The Blue Vial Drew McIntosh is leading up with a superb screen cap presentation of Otto Preminger’s “Whirlpool”: http://thebluevial.blogspot.com/2012/12/whirlpool.html
At Patricia’s Wisdom the ever-spirited proprietor offers up “10 Steps to Finding Your Happy Place-My Gift to You”: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2012/12/10-steps-to-finding-your-happy-place-my-gift-to-you/
At Radiator Heaven J.D. La France offers up a fantastic essay on “On the Road”: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2013/01/on-road.html
Dean Treadway’s new post “Cinema Gallery: 30 Scenes of Loneliness” is essential for all passionate film lovers. It’s over at Filmicability: http://filmicability.blogspot.com/2012/11/blog-post_6.html
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Writers/Founders
Wonders in the Dark 
Sam – I caught ZERO DARK THIRTY at the last minute this weekend (after taking in a second viewing of THE IMPOSSIBLE the day before) when we realized it was indeed playing in our area (just not at one of my favorite theaters, so the interwebs with their saved favorites for movie listings betrayed me – ha ha!).
Anyhow – both films are stunners and will surely be in my top ten for 2012.
I also watched BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD – which I found curiously weird and unaffecting. I’ve read some interesting write-ups on it, but if people have to explain too much of a movie to me (because the movie couldn’t explain itself in and of itself in some way through watching it), well, then to me, something was not done correctly. Many a strange films have befuddled me and are ripe for theorizing, but they still managed to communicate something. This communicated nothing to me until I read other people’s “explanations.” I get that it was fantasy and symbolic, but then why the juxstaposition with faux-grittiness? It just didn’t make sense to me. Oh, well, c’est la vie!
Thanks, as always, for the linking!
And dear lord, NOT FADE AWAY sounds painfully self-indulgent. Films about “how cool music and the life of struggling musicians are” rarely work, I find. This one has been a huge bomb, too, from what I’ve gathered. Crickets in the theater seats.
David—
I also found BEASTS distancing and highly overrated. But heck I do respect many that love the film. Look forward to reading your piece on ZERO DARK THIRTY, and am thrillled at your response to THE IMPOSSIBLE and applaud your excellent essay on the film. And your entire perception of NOT FADE AWAY is right on the mark! Thanks very much my friend!
Sam, thanks so much for the mention. Paul and I went to a wonderful concert of film music on Saturday night, staged by the Ipswich-based Trianon orchestra and choir, including a selection of songs first performed by Fred Astaire, Benjamin Britten’s ‘Soirees Musicales’, John Williams’ ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Jurassic Park’ themes and the ‘Hymn to the Fallen’ from ‘Saving Private Ryan’, and much more.
I’ve seen just three films at home this week, all from the 1930s, with the highlight definitely being Julien Duvivier’s ‘La Belle Équipe’ (1936) – yet another great 1930s French film which isn’t on DVD, with a wonderful performance by Jean Gabin. I’m glad to have seen it with the original sad ending – did see the happy ending too but that version feels very tagged on.
I also saw WS Van Dyke’s ‘After the Thin Man’ (1936) – great stuff and almost up there with the first film in the series, with some great dry one-liners from Powell and Loy. And lastly George Cukor’s ‘Sylvia Scarlett’ (1935) which I found a disappointment – I was expecting a lot given the combination of Cukor, Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, but it doesn’t all seem to hang together properly.
Wishing a good week to you and all at Wonders.
Judy–
That concert really sounds fantastic!!! Hearing Britten, the Astaire songs and John Williams is always bliss, and a splendid blend of different kinds of music. i am a huge Britten fan, and have seen a number of his operas live, but Lucille on the other hand finds some of his dissonant strains alienating! Ha! Ah well, i am on my own when it comes to him. I love the “War Requiem.” “A Midsmmer Night’s Dream” and “Billy Budd” but my favorite is “Peter Grimes.” This year we got a marvelous dose of the composer in Wes Anderson’s MOONRISE KINGDOM. I can well imagine how great the choir was! I completely agree with you on LA BELLE EQIPPE, and on Gabin’s performance! Yes, agreed that the only way to see it is with the original sad ending. I guess I liked SYLVIA SCARLET a bit more than you, and AFTER THE THIN MAN a bit less, but nothing that we can’t resolve over lunch one day!
Have a great week my friend! Many thanks as always.
Thanks Sam for the mention. “Spectacularly successful” is most certainly a fair qualification for the Comedy Countdown. The Yearly Awards Poll, too, has become really popular – and I’m really enjoying participating in it.
Anyway, here’s what I’ve managed to view in the past week (some of which you’ve already noted through your insightful comments, which I shall be replying to soon):
– Hal Ashby’s The Last Detail, containing a terrific, if underrated, performancy by Nicholson
– Rivette’s self-reflexive gem Celine & Julie Go Boating
– Herzog’s astounding take on human ambition & folly containing yet another terrific performance by Klaus Kinski, Fitzcarraldo
– A largely underseen gem (vis-a-vis Western audience) by the acclaimed Indian filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Kathapurushan (The Man of the Story) – which I found influenced by Ray’s Apu Trilogy from a structural point of view
– A recent Bengali by Sandip Ray (son of Satyajit Ray), based on short stories written by his eminent father, Jekhane Bhuter Bhoy (loosely translated as – Where There Exists a Fear of Ghosts) – a movie that I might as well as given a miss, but for a few good moments here & there
Adoor, in fact, is one filmmaker I’ve decided to pursue in detail this year, as well as the works of his late contemporary, G. Aravindan.
Shubhajit–
You surely won’t be getting any arguments from me on the comedy countdown and the weekly voting on the annual choices, both of which have been hugely successful, and both of which have received incomparable contributions from you! I have seen two other films from Gopalakrishnan, and agree he is as underrated a filmmaker as is out there! Saw your terrific reviews for CELINE ET JULIE and THE LAST DETAIL, and will be checking out your essay on FITZCARALDO! Wow, the film by Ray’s son sounds exciting! That one hadn’t been on my radar.
Have a great week my friend! Many thanks as always!
HI Sam! Thanks for the plug! Sounds like you’re set on your top 10 for 2012 and I will head over to that post shortly. I spent the last week getting back into the flow of things at work, and of course now my oldest is back in preschool this week but the break was good. I did not catch up with any more new releases, but have picked up The Well-Digger’s Daughter which I aim to check out this week. I heard some good things about it recently. I did just find out that Holy Motors is coming to The Kalamazoo Film Society this coming weekend at Western Michigan University. I will be going to check that out for sure. I also picked up Ichikawa’s The Burmese Harp, which I’ve never seen but I want to see after I just watched Fires on the Plain. Of course this week is also The Golden Globe awards and I will be watching to see some of my favorite actresses on the show…..Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Lawrence, Rachel Weisz. Hoping that at least one of them is able to walk away with a statue. Have a great week Sam!
Jon—
And you have made your appearance there in compelling fashion Jon!! Ha! Ah, work indeed. It intrudes just when we are starting to have some fun! But nice to hear your eldest daughter is back in pre-school. I am wagering you will like both HOLY MOTORS and THE WELL-DIGGER’S DAUGHTER. Ichikawa’s THE BURMESE HARP is one of the most shattering of Japanese masterpieces, and I am anticipated the strongest of reactions from you, probably even more intense than what you reported on FIRES. But we will see. The score is really haunting. Chastain may win actress (drama) and Lawrence actress (comedy/musical) so you may be doubly pleased. I never thought much of the Globes as an awards giving body (I’m sure you feel the same) but it’s fun to watch anyway! Have a great week my friend, and many thanks as always!
Haha this is true…..the globes aren’t much from the awards standpoint (and actually I’m losing faith in the Academy Awards), but to see such lovely ladies will be fun. Yes I have high hopes for a solid week of filmwatching for me! Stay tuned!
Sam-
As always, thanks for the mention and the link. I am sorry to hear that NOT FADE AWAY was a disappointment. As a huge SOPRANOS/David Chase fan, I was looking forward tot that. BLACK NARCISSUS on the big screen sounds like a real treat!
I had what I would call a Juliano-esque marathon movie viewing week here – seven films in six days! I’ll start with the last film first – LES MISERABLES: after coming home from the matinee yesterday, I left a lengthy comment on your review which I hope you’ll get the opportunity to read. Suffice it to say, we are very much in agreement on almost every point.
I started the year with trip to the emergency room for chest pain (turned out to be nothing serious AT ALL, just some inflamed cartilage over my rib cage, thank God!), where I watched BURLESQUE on basic cable in the exmanining room while waiting for test results. It was a slightly dopey, mildy diverting film, surprising true to the tropes of the classic backstage musical but devoid of any truly memorable numbers.
I also saw PITCH PERFECT (a little crass – I could have done quite well without all the pointless vomit jokes – but delightful in places. There is an improvised “sing off” between four a capella groups midway through the film that has an innocent, infectious joy).
Marlon got me a Roku box for Christmas which allowed me to stream some 2012 arthouse favorites, so I finally caught OSLO AUGUST 31 and THE TURIN HORSE. OSLO… was a “sneaker-upper” for me, the kind of film I finished and thought “Well, that was good, but I don’t know why it’s on so many Ten Best lists.” But I spent a lot of time thinking about it the next day. It’s the antithesis of most movies about addicts – so cool and detached, no messy histrionics or ugliness – yet it builds suspense and emotion engagement without any apparent effort. My comments on THE TURIN HORSE are on your “Best of 2012″post – suffice it to say, I was not as enchanted as you or most critics were, even as I acknoweldge its artisttry.
Finally I saw LIFE OF PI in 3D. I can’t say that the 3D effects added much, and I wasn’t much moved by the religious exposition that bookends the main story. But I was terrified, awed and deeply moved by turns by everything that happened on the sea. The shipwreck scenes are about 10 times as terrifying as anythin in TITANIC. A fine and beautiful film.
Oh, and also saw Ken Burn’s documentary THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE, which was exceptionally even-handed and scrupulously well-researched.
Pat—
Sorry to hear about that chest pain/emergency room episode, but happy that all is well now. I know Marlon had a similar issue a few weeks ago, so your both have endured some tough days. i also had some matters, but everything in the end was traced back to my diabetes medication (Metformin) It is rather incredible that the drugs you take to stay well are often the very obstacles to it! Yes I did read your THE TURIN HORSE assessment on the other thread, and be rest assured I completely understand. You really have to feel it with this film. Some don’t. I had similar issues myself with the critically-praised TABU. Great to hear you came completely around on OSLO, AUGUST 31ST, which I can’t praise enough. You are right, methinks to point to the subtle artistic machinations that make it so compelling and emotionally resonant. And I applaud your declaration that the rapturous THE LIFE OF PI is “a fine and beautiful film.” This has been the opinion of the vast majority of critics as well, and it seems poised to compete for some major awards. Haven’t seen PITCH PERFECT yet, but thanks for the capsule assessment. Maybe with your past affection for Chase’s work you will think differently of NOT FADE AWAY. Yes you had quite a marathon there! Good luck with the Roku box, which will open up many new avenues for you both!
BLACK NARCISSUS was magnificent on the big screen. That viewing has stayed with me all week, no matter how many times I have seen this great masterpiece in the past.
Hope you are feeling much better with the rib cartilege situation my friend. Many thanks as always!
And yes Pat, I completely agree with you on THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE, a superlative documentary that vies with MEA MAXIMA CULPA and THIS IS NOT A FILM as one of the best films of the year in that category. I remember well that heinous act from days gone and all the press saturation. As meticulous as any documentary for sure!
Thanks for the mention Sam & your detailed comments. Although the link is to Samuel’s website 🙂 which is a good thing because Corbucci’s films in general need to seen more.
I straightened that out Sachin. Thanks as always for the kind words and for being a very good sport. We are in agreement on Corbucci for sure.
Sam, I can’t attempt a top list for 2012 until I see Zero Dark Thirty and Amour. The former arrives in Albany this weekend and the latter at least has Coming Soon posters up at the local arthouse. Until then, I’m struggling to clear my DVR queue and made a small dent by watching Capra’s Ladies of Leisure and Forbidden. The first one’s superior, with Capra taking up questions of identity and character (and suicide) that he’d take up again in Meet John Doe, while Forbidden is more conventionally melodramatic, though Ralph Bellamy is enjoyable as an outright heel. Also saw one of the long-derided early revue musicals, The Show of Shows, and found it somewhat less awful than reported — expectations matter. Started to work through the pile of Loretta Young Pre-Codes TCM dumped on me Wednesday and Thursday. What I’ve seen so far is minor, though Ted Wilde’s Loose Ankles is interesting for its emphasis on male gold-diggers and William A. Seiter’s Truth About Youth sports an over-the-top Myrna Loy as a gold-digging niteclub entertainer. When I found time for other media I watched Yoshida’s Coup d’Etat, an intriguing blend of political, psychological and philosophical thriller, and Giulio Petroni’s Death Rides A Horse, which belongs on any shortlist of the best spaghetti westerns….if Django Unchained seems a feeble echo of spaghettis to some of us, it may be because Tarantino used up this film’s influence back in Kill Bill Vol. 1.
The first full work week of 2013 has now begun. My condolences to all.
Sadly, last week WAS a full work week for me lol.
Special condolences to you, Joel. Sorry they’re late!
Samuel—
I will go out on a limb and predict you will issue very high ratings for ZERO and AMOUR. You are not one to give out free passes, so for sure the result will be two of the best films of the year for you. I am more certain about ZERO. AMOUR is brilliantly-crafted and acted, but it’s overwhelmingly depressing and a film that probably will never convince you to watch again. This may not be serious criteria but for me it meant the difference between the top ten and the runners-up scroll. I haven’t seen FORBIDDEN, but am completely agreed with you on LADIES and see exactly where Capra brought some of the focus in the later MEET JOHN DOE, a Cooper/Stanwyck I always liked. Good point about “expectations” with THE SHOW OF SHOWS. The Loretta Young pre-codes sound most interesting! I have seen COUP D’ETAT and agree it’s very good (terrific framing there!) though not among the very best Yoshidas. As far as DEATH RIDES A HORSE belonging on any shortlist of the best spaghetti westerns, where do I sign? Love it and saw a gorgeous restored print in the recent spaghetti western festival. Well we all had fun today discussing DJANGO UNCHAINED, which I really like. I see your final point, but I think Tarantino walks a different path here than he did in KILL BILL VOL. !. Once again I appreciate your traditionally comprehensive report my friend! Have a great week!
Been catching up with 2012 films (or 2011 movies theatrically released in the US in 2012 thus eligible for inclusion blah blah blah) for these past few weeks. What I’ve seen (some may have been repeated in past MMD’s, others might have been left off even if seen).
A Royal Affair ***1/2
Tabu ****
Rust And Bone ****
Life Of PI **
Django Unchained ***1/2
Cosmopolis **1/2
Killing Them Softly ****
Hitchcock **
Les Miserables ***1/2
I also watched the horrid opening episode of Season three of Downton Abbey last night.
As I said in an email chain to a few of the Wonders people, Cosmopolis is my biggest disappointment of 2012 along with Holy Motors. While I see the virtues of Cronenberg’s adaptation of the source novel, I found his directorial choices didactic and heavy handed. The whole film feels poorly executed and lurches unconvincingly for most of it’s running length until the admittedly great scenes with Paul Giamatti make the conclusion worthwhile. It mostly doesn’t even feel like a movie, but a staged talky essay on capitalism, economics, etc that tries too hard (stilted dialogue and also delivery wise) to get it’s point across. Either way at least it has considerable substance… more than I can say for Hitchcock or Life Of PI.
Maurizio—
Wow, PI in that two-star heap with HITCHCOCK? Ah well. Seems like you went down another half star on LES MIS, and I know some with be surprised at the low rating for COSMOPOLIS. But you won’t see me arguing! Ha! I look forward to your 2012 wind-up which will include a number of vital films. Thanks very muich my friend.
Great to see Son of Man in the headline. It has now apparently been added to You Tube, so I highly encourage all Wonders readers to watch this fantastic movie, which is my favorite screen interpretation of the life of Christ:
A very great film indeed Joel, and I applaud you for posting the you tube here for readers!!! As you know I watched it late Sunday night and was extremely impressed!
Download it, people, before it gets taken down./
Sam –
How wonderful to have an always lit candle for Sandy Hook Elementary School. I applaud your heart-based thoughtfulness.
While not in the least bit interested in NOT FADE AWAY, you’ve definitely piqued my curiosity with BLACK NARCISSUS – and our little (but mighty) Crystal Lake library can, indeed, get their hands on it. I just reserved it – Whoohoo!
Thank you for pointing to Speaking from the Heart!
Laurie—
Thanks very much for the exceedingly kind words! Great acquisition there from the library! I’m sure you’ll be quite impressed with one of the greatest British films of all-time. Just the ravishing color cinematography is enough to always make that a fabulous re-viewing!
Hello Sam and everyone!!!
Thanks for mentioning me in the introduction to your post, it is always encouraging to have someone that is always there for you, your questions and always with an answer ready, someone who loves arts in general and that will always have a nice word in their mouths to you, and that is you Sam, without you this wouldn’t exist. Thank you.
Anyway, let’s drop the mopey dopey stuff and get back on business, the first week of 2013 has been filled with hard work and hot almost unbearable days, and it isn’t looking any good in the next weeks as the temperatures will keep on rising hitting even 35 Celsius. So, my week in the movies:
– 7 Plus Seven (1970, Michael Apted) ****1/2 I’ve been slowly seeing these documentaries and I’ve been loving them, I specially like how the editing is flawless in the way that it compares and contrasts not only different kids but also different times, it’s also a trip down the lane for those who haven’t lived in those years and can now relate or something like that to how those lives went and have gone throughout the years.
– Berberian Sound Studio (2012, Peter Strickland) **** The moment I heard about this movie and saw the trailer, I was hooked and I wanted to see it badly. Now that I have, I must applaud it. it’s an excellent performance from Toby Jones, a superb work of cinematography and sound design as well, but in the script department is good, but at the end it turns confusing. It’s nice to have a movie that tries to be enigmatic, and I love those kind of films, but I hate when I can’t be any smarter and figure out an answer by myself, so this movie takes a bit of damage because I’m dumb.
– Hitchcock (2012, Sacha Gervasi) ***1/2 This movie is interesting, as it tries to be entertaining and the throw in the middle some kind of romantic conundrum regarding the relationship between Alfred and Alma, it turns out to be too heavy, and if that was the entire style of the film I would applaud it, but it’s also at many times too tongue in cheek for it to be taken seriously. Then comes the stuff I was most angry about, it didn’t have enough Psycho. But it was fun while it lasted and it has an excellent acting work.
– This is Not a Film (2011, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, Jafar Panahi) ****1/2 This is an impressive and powerful document about the issues present in Iran and in particular about the situation of Panahi after trying to make art that doesn’t concede with what the government thinks it’s fine, and there you have a glimpse about how the industry works there. The talk about how he was going to shoot his new film was really impressive and how he planned it through to the most minimal detail, and also the final encounter with the man who is taking care of the building, Amazing stuff.
– F**k my Life (2010, Nicolás López) **1/2 A chilean romantic comedy that has next to zero funny jokes and no intelligent story, it wanders around with no plot, moving from point a to b with no surprise involved. It is shot in a nice way, but that’s the only compliment I can give it. It’s plagued with advertisement to brands and it’s just not pleasant.
– F**k my Wedding (2011, Nicolás López) ** The first movie was so so so profitable that he had to make a sequel (and a third one that is now on theaters, and that I must watch… sadly) and it’s even worse, more morally obtuse about how cheating on your partner is ok as long as love is real in the end. Not ok.
– Zero Dark Thirty (2012, Kathryn Bigelow) **** Right now the most promising movie to take the Oscar had the same effect on me as the winner of the best movie of the academy in 2009. I can see that it’s good, it’s shot in an interesting way, it has some great moments and scenes, it has a good central performance, but that doesn’t make it a great film, as it was the most distancing I’ve been in a war movie. I think the problem I have with the film has to do with what the central premise was: killing Bin Laden is the mission and the end of the film, how abrupt it felt to me, even if it was somewhat fitting. I don’t know, I guess I’m not american, I didn’t care if Bin Laden was killed, I would’ve prefered if he was judged for what he did, so I guess I wasn’t emotionally envolved with what happened.
That’s all, have a good week Sam!
Jaimie—-
I can’t thank you enough for those very kind words. be rest assured that it has always been a supreme pleasure to deal with you, and to marvel at your weekly burst of enthusiasm and activity. WitD has been lucky to have you over a long period. I am greatly looking forward to your 10 Best list, and am sure there will be some major surprises. This is what always makes your lists so exciting to check out. I must say I am more than surprised at the issues you have with ZERO DARK THIRTY. Still if you found it “distancing” I can relate, as I’ve aimed that particular criticism at some films that didn’t hit me gut level. I did think the way torture was shown and how some other political issues serve to set up the major operation were fascinating, and the green-tinted bunker invasion was electrifying. Ms. Chastain gave a multi-leveled performance. I know I must see BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO. I’ve heard quite a bit about it. Nice to see you didn’t completely scalp HITCHCOCK like some others, and were willing to concede it had it’s moments. Yep I fully expected a very high rating from you on THIS IS NOT A FILM. Love that iguana! As far as the “F_ _” films I haven’t seen them. Thanks for your eternal positive energy my friend! Have a great week!
As always, thanks for the mention. NOT FADE AWAY has been getting bad reviews, still I will probably go see it. I am always up for a bit of self indulgent nostalgia – 60’s style. Here’s hoping all have a great week.
Watched the following…
Hyde Park on the Hudson (**) Bill Murray tries hard but he is given so little to work with. The script rambles on but basically goes nowhere. You learn little about any of the characters other than FDR had lovers and King George VI stuttered.
This is 40 (**1/2) Running at more than two hours, the film does not have enough humor to sustain it over long length. Somewhere in there is a decent 90 comedy waiting to be trimmed.
Central Park Five (*****) Passionate, painful, revealing documentary about the five young boys falsely accused and convicted of attacking and raping a young woman who became known as the Central Park Jogger. The police react much too quickly, the D.A.’s office ignoring a lack of any DNA evidence and the news media too quick to judge all added to the hysteria for a false conviction.
The Seven Year Itch (***1/2) Middling Billy Wilder. Time has not been good to this film as we are no long “shocked” by the dialogue nor the behavior of the characters. Monroe though remains an endearing presence.
North By Northwest (*****) A masterpiece of pop filmmaking! Cary Grant, the ultimate Hitchcock hero, Bernard Hermann, the superb Hitchcock composer along a brilliant screenplay by John Michael Hayes all rolled into one elegant film.
After The Thin Man (****) Arguably the best film in the series, Powell and Loy are charming together as always. Add in James Stewart’s early and surprising type role make this a real treat. Clever dialogue, sharply delivered between the two leads, as well as a nicely thought out mystery.
Duel at Diablo (***1/2) – Released in 1966, the film was pretty much ignored at the time. Today, it comes across as a decent western with a very good performance from James Garner. Interesting enough, especially for its time, is the fact that even tough Sidney Poitier’s character is black, it is never mentioned.
Witness to Murder (**1/2) A weak script with too many implausible situations piling up one after another. I always enjoy Barbara Stanwyck, and George Sanders is suave as ever but they are given little to work with here. The real joy in this film is the moody lighting thanks to the great cinematographer John Alton.
John—
You may have a softer spot for NOT FADE AWAY than I did. Yep, you called HYDE PARK right on the money. Murray had little to work with there, and aside from the hot dog scene near the end I thought it was torturous. I have a screener here for THIS IS 40, but I am pretty much expecting what you attested to here. Agreed on THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH! And you are now the third person on this thread John, who reports on watching AFTER THE THIN MAN this week! If the superlative THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE isn’t a five star movie, it sure as heck is very close to it. And I think we can both appreciate the splendid use of NYC media from that time. I also like DUEL, and agree it’s reputation has strengthened over the years. Yep, WITNESS TO MURDER isn’t all that much despite Stanwyck, and Hitch’s NORTH BY NORTHWEST is a flat-out masterpiece. Thanks as always John for the spectacular wrap!
Sam,
Thank you for the link.
As the new year vacation was over, everything is now gone back to normal. Back in the office on this Monday, checking the full of unread e-mails, starting another cycle of the same routine again, I am feeling like Bill Murray character in GROUNDHOG DAY.
Just saw THE STONE FLOWER (1946), the first Soviet color feature film, and AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936). It was the faded 16mm print of THE STONE FLOWER, which reduced the wonder it must have had once.
I just read your top 10 list for 2012. Good work! Many of the films in the list are not released here, yet, so I definitely take your list as a guide for next few months. It seems ZERO DARK THIRTY and LINCOLN are the two films most talked about on net recently (and how disappointing the 48fps version of HOBBIT is).
Working on the Evangelion piece still. The next part will be up shortly.
MI
MI—
Ha, I can see exactly what you mean about feeling like Bill Murray’s character in GROUNDHOG DAY!!! It’s like here we go again, starting all over! The breaks seem to expire faster and faster, but I know that is just about everyone’s position.
Wow, I haven’t seen THE STONE FLOWER. Too bad it was that faded print. I am more than intrigued though. Looks like you are the second person on this thread (Judy is the other) who reports watching AFTER THE THIN MAN over the past week. I may not be the biggest fan, but the following for it an impassioned one. I am not surprised that ZERO and LINCOLN are being talked about most at all, as these appear to be the two strongest award contenders. But both are classy films. I thought THE HOBBIT was fine. Not great, but perhaps better than I was expecting. I will definitely be checking out your EVANGELINE piece and I hope the others here that have been promoting it will be on it. Unfortuantely I Haven’t seen it yet. Thanks very much my friend! Have a great week!
The tree that fell down on our neighbor’s garage and across our front yard and smashing our fence is being taken down this week – carefully. It is over 200 years old Western Cedar, which apparently about 50 years ago was topped – a horrible thing to do to a tree. It sprout 3 full size trees at the top and it is one of those huge trees which broke off. They were going to sell the tree for lumber….listening to all the experts about taking a tree out from this location was fascinating learning experience, but that process would have cost our neighbor’s $10k and turned off all our power for hours, and taken a huge crew of lumberjacks. So today they are doing trim work and then going to fell the tree down the bluff to create a nursery log for reforesting. This will cost about $3k – It is very noisy work and also fascinating to watch the roped up crew swing and climb. I am watching this movie being made – I think I will write about it on the Biking Architect this week.
I spent the weekend teaching Epiphany Workshops for some income $ and that felt grand to be practicing what I do well and the folks truly enjoyed the experience.
I watched the documentary TRIAGE about a Nobel Prize Winning Doctor who served in Rwanda during the genocide working with Medicine/Doctors without Borders. He is attempting to write a book about his own thoughts and recovery from such an experience, which totally altered him.
Tonight is book group – the historic fiction THE DOVEKEEPERS about 71 CE and the heroic group of people who did not wish to be slaughtered by the Romans and the Essene peace full….What a moving story…and so related to genocide. Why does this kind of history keep repeating itself.
Yes, keep that candle burning brightly and help us all find our humanity and respect for each other once again.
I am going to re-read Breakfast with Buddha and Lunch with Buddha by Roland Merullo this week – I need the peace that that good story brings to my thinking.
Patricia—
That tree removal sounds like a titanic endeavor. And certainly very sad, in view of it’s longevity, and it’s landmark status in your neighborhood. Yep a tree that size will indeed be looked on for lumber. I am always saddened when a tree is lost. Hurricane Sandy caused two major uprootings just a few hundred feet from our house. Of course I know your area is a paradise for tree lovers. I don’t think I could watched a tree being removed. Too heartbreaking. But I know situations where falling trees have caused substantial damage. Congrats on the Epiphany workshops. I know you do a marvelous job with those. You definitely have me intrigued with the documentary TRIAGE and that great subject! History repeating itself indeed with THE DOVEKEEPERS. I have just written this down. By now you have completed your meeting, and I’m sure you had some riveted attendees. If I were in your region, I’d attend myself. The candle will be here and announced for ever week till this blog is no more. We do need that respect and humanity Patricia, but after this calamity, one would be within their rights to be skeptical. The latest painful story connected to the shootings is this week’s Newtown meetings with residents to discuss the eventual fate of the original building while Sandy Hook’s students attend classes in Monroe. Sounds like you have some great reads lined up there. Thanks as always my friend! Have a great week!
Thanks for the link Sam… I still have to see Zero Dark Thirty – it’s opened, but I was feeling lazy over the weekend, and it’s playing on the other side of town… next week, it’s playing in my neighborhood, so, you know… But The Tin Drum got a theatrical airing, which is a fine thing indeed… This week has been a bit hectic – my niece headed off to Japan, for a semester abroad, as they say… lucky little brat…
WS— THE TIN DRUM played at the Film Forum a few months back, so great to see it is making the rounds. I join you in praise for that classic! Ha, your niece in indeed to be envied for that stay! I’m sure the dialogue afterwards will be most enlightening. I am thinking you will be really like ZERO DARK THIRTY!!! Thanks very much my friend!!!
Sam, thanks so much for the great mention! And apologies for the very late reply.
I am in complete agreement with you on BLACK NARCISSUS, probably my favorite of all of Powell’s films and one of these films with a force and power that almost belies explanation.
This week I only took in Walsh’s MANPOWER, which had a few strong moments for me but otherwise was slightly a let-down given my love of so much of the director’s work.
Here’s to an awesome week, Sam. Thanks so much for all that you do!
Again, Jeffrey I greatly appreciate your remarkable commitment towards this weekly thread, and hope one day I can thank you in person! Yep, I do well remember how much you adore BLACK NARCISSUS, which is one of the greatest of films. You frame it perfectly there of course. Jack Cardiff’s color cinematography is textbook in that category, and the film leaves a haunting impression, and encourages regular re-viewings. I also agree with you on the middling assessment of MANPOWER, though as we both know Walsh did craft some big winners as well. Thanks again my friend! Have a great week!