dfwforeignbuff Reviews

The Assets (2014)

why the low ratings? good show

[9/10 · 24 September 2014]

There is a lot of press about the low ratings this series has gotten and much info about ABC canceling the show after the first 2 episodes,. (now they are running the last episodes on Sunday afternoons) I don't understand why the low ratings. It is an excellent production based on the true Aldrich Ames spy story. I found every episode informative intriguing and factual. Its a great spy story. I am long time reader of spy and mystery books and found the series to be quite good. I will now find and read the book. highly recommended. be sure and watch the last episode (9) about the true facts and photos of the story. I streamed all 9 episodes on netflix.

Mindwalk (1990)

Wish this DVD was widely available My Dinner Andre Ullman

[26 May 2014]

Wish this DVD was widely available My Dinner Andre Ullman

if you are fan of foreign non English language film and art films you can be prepared to understand and like this film same goes that it might help that you are educated? wordy? articulate? if you saw the fabulous film by Louis Malle My dinner with Andre you can decipher what kind of film this is.

the depth and breath of the info covered in this film is astounding. also of most interest is the way they approach each other with their "Arguments-Points of view" cinematography and scenery is breath taking. Mont. St. Michael, France. I was (am not) familiar with Director Bernt Capra except I finally found a nice biography of him on tcm turner classic movies website.

this film is highly recommended 5 stars watch it a couple of times and think (respond?) I really cant believe this film is not more widely circulated it has long had a cult following and really deserves a much wider audience. Maybe he should make another movie or two?

The Element of Crime (1984)

Von trier give us another like this one. Excellent Film Noir

[10/10 · 4 May 2014]

Forbrydelsens element 1984 the Element of Crime Von trier give us another like this one. Excellent 1984 Film noir I love this film and have seen it several times because it is so intrinsically different from any movie I had ever seen. I wish I had seen it on the big screen. It did show at the Inwood Theater in Dallas 1984 while I was living there,. I agree with some reviewers that the film does have some problems and faults but they do not bother me (the film is all style and tone but the plot is almost incomprehensible. the film is stylistically dazzling and mind boggling). I watched the film the 1st time and immediately watched it again because I could not believe what I saw the first screening. I don't recall every seeing such a dreamy dreamy dark surreal setting for a movie. really its just a hard boiled detective film in an extremely different package. Also called Forbrydelsens element 1984 it won a the Technical Grand Prize at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival. be sure and read the film walrus review of this film " film walrus---let me mention the most frequently cited complaints about The Element of Crime: its cold, emotionless surface, devoid of humanity and wickedly inaccessible.: I love this film it is one of my favorites. Anybody who has watched it with me has been speechless. I am surprised that is has not been on a film revival and reprinted new 35 mm print (or digital) and shown at festivals or mid night movies. for a debut film this film is astonishing.

Irreversible (2002)

A sad drepressingly horrific violent film which I LOVED

[10/10 · 23 March 2014]

ebert "this film defies a coherent defense" Irreversible 2002 Several reviewers declared it one of the most disturbing and controversial films of 2002. The film employs non-linear narrative. .Gaspar Noe tells us the story about love and revenge-a pregnant young woman(outstanding Monica Bellucci)is violently raped and tortured in the underground passage.Her boyfriend(Vincent Cassel) desperately tries to find her rapist to kill him.The infamous Monica Bellucci's anal rape scene is truly brutal and sickening,but at least the film can't be accused of trivializing or glamorizing rape or trying to make violent rape erotic,something many mainstream are guilty of. Interesting movie. Powerful Move. This movie is an assault on your senses. There is a lot of violence and there are are very graphic shocking scenes in this move. The first 15-20 minutes of the film with the spinning camera was a bore. I did not care for the story told backwards. I enjoyed a lot a similar told movie Memento, it was very inventive. This film did not do much for me first time around.. Too much violence and homophobia. This film contains nudity, raw language, extreme violence and a graphic depiction of rape, and male frontal nudity. I applaud the director and producers braveness, it is a powerful movie but I did not particularly care for it. This film strikes a particularly homophobic pose. I agree with another critic "this film defies a coherent defense" Watch this film at your own risk. I have since seen this movie a couple times and have changed my opinion from not recommended to recommended. if you can get past the dizzy handle held camera work and you have a open mind about film you might should watch. everyone else stay away after 3 viewings I think I now understand the film makers point of view and its very f**ke*d u** this film is a shocker and really set some new boundaries about what can be in a film and how a film should be constructed. When people were streaming from the theaters 20 minutes into the film I think Noe knew he had succeed for what he wanted to do. I have watched very film he has made. 4 stars.

Santa Sangre (1989)

a startling film I am surprised no remake has been made

[10/10 · 7 March 2014]

a startling film I am surprised no remake has been made! How it came that a friend and my self came to be in a city where a theater actually shows this film on the big screen I do not know. (there were not that many bookings) Anyway we walked in no idea except my friend was Spanish and it was an art film theater and we usually went to see a lot of art and foreign films. Needless to say we were blown away and saw it a couple times. I saw the film recently DEC 2013 on net flix streaming in my TV room and it just did not translate well to a 65 inch screen. I wish this film would be re released. In the passing of 25 years the films scenes seem to be a little long but there are many many surprises in this film. I wish Net flix published its figures. I wonder how many people streamed it. I hope it got a wider audience. Really this is not a film for everyone and not a film for the feint of heart. Read Eberts review. Now its available on Blu Ray also. This is Axel Jodorowsky most accessible. his other films are TOO surrealist. really you need to watch this film 2 or 3 times to absorb the whole thing and the millions of bizarre details of the bizarre profound film!

One Fall (2016)

one fall is a FANTASY!!

[7/10 · 7 March 2014]

I saw this film in my TV room on net flix march 2014 I liked it/. Parts of the film were weak but over all I think the idea was good and well presented. Its a fantasy accept it as that!! magic realism is "an aesthetic style or genre of fiction in which magical elements blend with the real world. The story explains these magical elements as real occurrences, presented in a straightforward manner that places the "real" and the "fantastic" in the same stream of thought. Although it is most commonly used as a literary genre, magic realism also applies to film and the visual arts." I think writer/director Marcus Dean fuller did a great job considering he wrote and directed!! At age eighteen, while climbing with friends, Marcus fell over one hundred feet breaking and his back in several places. After weeks in the hospital he received the news that he would not regain use of his legs. Two weeks later he walked out of the hospital. This experience became the inspiration for his first feature film, One Fall.Mr. Fuller serves on the Yale School of Drama Board of Advisors, the Yale University Alumni Board, The Nantucket Theater Institute Board of Directors and the Hyde Museum Board of Trustees. He holds degrees in English Literature, Philosophy and Psychology and is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.

Bad Education (2004)

I love almodovar I love almodovar I love almodovar

[9/10 · 22 October 2013]

I watched this film a couple times the last 2 days 10/21 10/22 2013. I saw it first time on big screen in my dedicated TV/stereo room a couple years ago. For those not in the know almodovar is Gay and many of his movies concern gay subject matter. For the Right Wing conservative crowd Evangelists Fundamentalists and non liberated I do not recommend this movie. It is a very dark tale about child abuse homosexuality drag queens movie making and transsexuals. For the ordinary family and or parents of children I don't recommend either. This is a pretty shocking film. But I still love it and Love all almodovar films because they are so very unique. (and many of his films cover subject matter never before considered for film and most are quite shocking) I would write a longer review not but keep this one short. The movie is typical almodovar. Some claimed cinematography was average or poor. I disagree. Like almost all almodovar films this one plays fine and scenes cinematography is fine. the plot is very complicated. film about a book about and the film is in the making and the film is actually presented within the film. Don't get to wrapped up in the plot or what it means. Watch it a couple of times (no distractions) and all will be revealed. really the film is quite clever and outright funny in places (for being such a dark subject matter movie ) 4 stars.

Certified Copy (2010)

this movie is engaging and beautiful and mysterious

[10/10 · 1 May 2012]

this movie is engaging and beautiful and mysterious I don't want to spoil the plot. Two people meet and decide to tour some historical sites and have lunch and chat. Their talk involves books art history. They are both somewhat art historians. They seem to know each other. Have they actually met before? they play some jokes and games and have some wine and discourse. They seem to know each better than the film purports. Is that a fact? (that they had met before?) The film is very sly in the way their dialogue skips around months years decades sometimes. Really the basis of their relationship is never revealed. however the encounters filmed here are little small slices of life and talk and dialogue that seems so very very real.. beautiful scenery sets restaurants historical sites and some great dialogue. however is all this real?? I watched this movie a couple of times in my TV and Sound room. I am still confused with the meaning of the movie however it is truly an original film that I will never forget. However the reality of the film is unsure and mysterious; I will soon see his film the Olive Tree. I was somewhat reminded of the Louis Malle film My Dinner with Andre. However My Dinner with Andre is a straightforward film. Certified Copy is an enigma. I think of it as a hall of mirrors is that a reflection you are seeing (hearing) or something real. Time and relations are distorted every so minutely in this film. This is one of the first really high quality intellectual art filmed I have seen in several years. Hats off to Iranian writer and director Abbas Kiarostami and stars Juliette Binoche and the British opera singer William Shimell (in this his first film role)

The Chaser (2008)

class act serial killer film from Korea highly recommended

[9/10 · 20 May 2011]

Chugyeogja Excellent movie I cannot remember how I found out about it . Joong-ho is a dirty detective turned pimp in financial trouble as several of his girls have recently disappeared without clearing their debts. While trying to track them down, he finds a clue that the vanished girls were all called up by a same client whom one of his girls is meeting with right now. The plot stems around an amoral ex-cop turned pimp who after losing some of his "working girls" decides to track down & find the client behind this. He ends up finding himself involved in more than he bargained for, with the client being a serial killer, & its then a chase to find his last girl sent to him whilst the police also try to pin him down but are hampered by legal red tape & politics. Excellent thriller IFC made excellent choice with this one except I cant believe it did not make really big hit when it played here in USA. Must not have been that big of a release. A little gory but overall really believable. Film is based on a real serial killer episode in Korea. I guess the actual killing were even more gruesome than presented here. Old Boy & Memories of Murder were my all time fave Korean films but no longer this one is TOPS. The film is really Korean thru & thru & does not have much of a linear structure. The way it is filmed & cut & the way the story is presented doesn't conform to the way many Americans think genre clues should be presented but that is what makes this a really truly great film! It is in many ways a shocking film & even film goers in Korea were shocked. Parts of the film were problematic for me by allowing silly coincidences & the having characters making dumb decisions (creating or ignoring certain facts & logic of mind) however here I just suspend my belief & let the complete enjoyment of the film come thru. Highly recommended don't miss it. There are a lot of negative reviews about this film & I obviously don't agree. Read Roger Eberts review of this film.

Everyone Else (2009)

good sophomore effort left me waiting for it to be over

[4 November 2010]

long review in making. saw this tonite nov 4 2010. Its a little too much chick oriented to me and became boring and kind of vague. its a good movie and a great sophomore effort by the director but some of the scenes just dragged on. If she dislike him so much why did she marry him?? why did he put up with the constant haranguing??? why did he not do more with his work? the married couple is unbelievable and unpleasant. this film has phenomenal 90 percent on rotten tomatoes and 6.6 on IMDb. the 66 out of 100 is my personal feeling. the ending had a real lack of resolution and for much of the movie nothing was happening.

Un rey en La Habana (2005)

Fun silly spain/cuba black comedy. I laughed a lot

[6/10 · 30 September 2010]

Nominations: Goya Awards; Best Special Effects Malaga Spanish Film Festival; Golden Biznaga Award At last, Yoli's (Yoleima Valdes) family's money troubles appear to be over. Senor Arturo, a rich, old Spanish gentleman has come to Havana to marry the young girl. But then Senor Arturo has the nerve to suddenly die. With visions of their newfound wealth flying out the window, the family hatches a scheme to send Yoli's ex-boyfriend Papito to Spain, impersonating Arturo, grab the money, & high-tail it back to Cuba. There's just one minor detail they didn't figure on; Senor Arturo had mob connections. I read a lot of bad review/comments about this movie. yes it is not a great movie but it is really pretty funny. People in Spain seem to hate the Cubans!! hahah. This comedy criticizes & mocks the relationship between the Spanish & Cubans. The Spanish & many tourists take advantage of the misery in Cuba, marriages of convenience to leave the island & the Cuban. It is a criticism of the situation on the island & how well they treat illegal immigrants in the motherland. A hot topic, but properly treated at the level of comedy. The film is loaded with vulgarities & cussing. (or chavacaneria) which they did not put into the sub titles. Outrageously funny, subtitles do not do justice to the rapid fire exchanges, subtle nuances & "inside" barbs that sometimes even native Cubans need help in understanding. Not for the easily offended. Nothing is what it seems in this hilarious offbeat comedy. Being a comedic caper type movie the film does move from one ridiculous scene to another. Arturo has to pass through dangerous ridiculous situations (in obvious twists and turns) to save his life. The plot and characters make it a funny dark comedy. It has a quite obvious script but the twists & turns & the very funny characters make it a decent foreign film black comedy. There is lots of enjoyable Cuban music also. I enjoyed this film.

Muriel (1963)

Alain Resnais 2nd or 3rd important film. this film still lingers after 40 years of being made.

[9/10 · 27 September 2010]

Muriel (Muriel ou Le temps d'un retour) Muriel, or The Time of Return 1963 In the seacoast town of Boulogne, Hélène sells antique furniture, living with her step-son, Bernard, who's back from military duty in Algiers. An old lover of Hélène's comes to visit - Alphonse - with his niece Françoise; he too is back from Algiers, where he ran a café. Bernard speaks of his fiancée, Muriel, whom Hélène has not met. The narrative, like memory & intention, is jumpy; the past obscured by guilt, misperceptions, & missed possibilities. Appearances deceive, things change. As Hélène & Alphonse try to sort out a renewal, everyone seems off-kilter just enough to hint that all cannot end well. Can anyone know another? Delphine Seyrig won a Volpi Cup for best actress at the 1963 Venice Film Festival. The film was nominated for a Golden Lion. I only recently heard about Resnais while reading up on new foreign films not release here in USA (or in limited release) His new film is Les Herbes Folles (Wild Grass) which won a lot acclaim at Cannes & other festivals this year. Muriel is a film that is about thinking about past times. I Interesting exploration of memory/existentialism. It is also a film about madness. Several of the characters appear to be mad ( or more than mildly eccentric in many ways. ) As a film maker I find his French new wave & camera techniques & storytelling very fresh & inventive. This is my first film of his to view I have ordered most all except the one that bombed. (I Want to go home) I guess if you are not one of the art film crowd the movie will be too choppy & weird for you. I think I will watch it again this weekend. I found it intriguing. I loved the opera arias interspersed with the odd ball Avant garde jazz. Strange tale strange music strange story strange film making techniques. I LOVED THIS FILM. One problem on my disc some of the subtitles hung & I missed the conversation in a few scenes then they would come back on again. I am looking for the script to the movie or the full subtitles. Resnais's images are never quite as striking in this film as they were with a limited color palette (in some of his other films) Sacha Vierny creates some gorgeous Antonioni-like shots of landscapes and architecture.

Blood & Wine (2006)

Interesting Brazilian movie 1996

[23 September 2010]

Mateus, his wife Antônia, their three kids and his brother Pedro open a grocery/bar in Goiânia, Brazil, in 1959, called "Armazém Brazil". But in the opening party, the Police, headed by a violent inspector nicknamed "Capitão", arrives to arrest, with extreme violence, an outlaw known as "Flexa". This violent scene scars the family permanently, and becomes the prelude to a tragedy Mateus (Leonardo Vieira), Antônia (Simone Spoladore) and their children are thrust headlong into the political turbulence of 1950s and '60s Brazil when police violently arrest an outlaw during the grand opening of the family's new grocery store. The brutal act is only the first of many wounds the family will sustain during the tumultuous era in this gripping drama, based on the novel by Miguel Jorge.

The story of a simple Brazilian family engaged in the political life of the 50s, from the suicide of President Getulio Vargas, the establishment of martial law in 1964, and the tumultuous two decades that followed, culminating in the death of President Tancredo Neves, responsible for the redemocratization of the country. Within their simple lives lay the dreams of Brazilian politics: the illusions, fears, terrors and disappointments as lived by ordinary citizens left with only their own hopes and tragedies.

A shocking new thriller from the acclaimed Brazilian filmmaker Joao Batista de Andrade based on the award winning novel Veias e Vinhos by Miguel Jorge on a horrifying true story buried for over 40 years.

Blood and Wine centers on Mateus, a modest business owner, his wife Antonia, their three children, and Mateus' brother Pedro. After Mateus launches a restaurant in Goias in central Brazil, he and his family find themselves persecuted by a wholly corrupt, graft-laden police force. The outcome is terrifying as almost all of Mateus family is brutally murdered. Will the sole survivor see the criminals brought to justice?

there are some review externals for this movie that I will soon try to post to this page.

A Prophet (2009)

Classic crime film prison drama see this guys other films

[9/10 · 3 August 2010]

At age 19, Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim) is just beginning a six-year prison sentence in this drama from THE BEAT THAT MY HEART SKIPPED director Jacques Audiard. (Niels Arestrup & Gilles Cohen, as well as that film's director of photography, Stéphane Fontaine, & its composer, Alexandre Desplat all return from that film to this one) Though he cannot read or write, Malik soon figures out the politics of the prison system, giving him a prime spot in the power struggle between two battling groups of prisoners. Malik el Djebena (Rahim) is a 19 year old who is imprisoned for alleged violence against the police. Shortly after he arrives in jail, he is chosen by the prison boss Cesar Luciani (Niels Arestrup) to kill a prisoner named Reyeb (Hichem Yacoubi). Reyeb is currently in prison & is awaiting his turn to testify against the mob. Malik does as he is asked & kills Reyeb, & because of Luciani's power & control, there are no repercussions to the action. This initiation of sorts allows Malik to become a high ranking member of the Corsican gang in the prison. Malik learns to read while in prison, which helps him to learn & understand the inner workings of the gang. He befriends prisoner Ryad (Adel Bencherif), & after a time, is granted some time away from the prison, thanks to Luciani. While his time out is supposed to be to fulfill missions for Luciani, Malik also starts up a drug trade, with the help of Ryad. While the dangers he faces are many, Malik always seems to get out of trouble unscathed. Will his charmed life continue, or will his luck eventually run out? Though it had received rave review I did not expect much upon viewing. Boy was I wrong this is a truly gripping prison drama but long at 2 hrs 35 min; The film was one of this year's foreign film Oscar nominees. This is a new crime classic which speaks in a universal language about the ways power corrupts the human condition-yes even in prison; it is an atmospheric, tense and often violent film. 5 stars

Inception (2010)

Dynamite Inception go see it with lessend expectations maybe twice

[10/10 · 27 July 2010]

Christopher Nolan gave us the 2001 indie breakthrough Memento. Supposedly he spent 10 years writing this screenplay/plot for this dreamscape movie. (KIND OF A Matrix 2010)In this new film director tosses off more ideas & plot devices most blockbusters would never had the nerve to attempt. Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive & cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb & his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming. Christopher Nolan is one of Hollywood's most inventive dreamers/directors. Inception Is very clever. Concentrating on the procedural details of mind crime this is a devilishly intricate yarn set in the layers of the subconscious. Nolan gives a heist thriller for the surreal. That challenges film goers to unravel & understand multiple layers of (un)reality. Film has exceptional cinematography set designs & special effects. Film give a simulation of fake reality intended to seduce us, mess up our heads & leave a lasting impression. Film is a success but much of the time viewers are lost & disoriented. In the age of remakes & sequels & franchises. Inception does a difficult thing—it is completely & uniquely original. Highest rating you might need to see this movie twice

Terribly Happy (2008)

After Viewing I was not Terribly Impressed.

[7/10 · 14 July 2010]

Terribly Happy (Frygtelig lykkelig) This Danish Noir Crime film was one of the nominees for best Oscar foreign film 2009 83rd Oscars. It did not win. It is based on the novel by Erling Jepsen. This dark & quirky crime story is set set in a small rural Danish village called Skarrild a town that hides as many secrets as the nearby bog. This Locale is in the only part of Denmark that actually has land adjoining Europe. (the rest are islands) Skarrild South Jutland area is a boggy low lying area north of Germany where the water level is very low. Robert (Jakob Cedergren) has a troubled past in Copenhagen & is re-assigned to a remote Danish town, where he is quickly embroiled in its odd business. Essentially the story of a policeman working punishment duty in the provinces. This dark comedy is reminiscence of Fargo & subject matter is racy with child abuse murder abuse of power wife beating drinking drugs etc. The film is effective, & has a unique feel, though at times it is hodgepodge of genres & stylistic borrowings. The plot (& characters) felt flat & lifeless. The film just did not have the artistic hook that really grabbed me. (Compared to films by fellow Finland director Aki Kaurismaki) The film dour & deadpan film noir but it just did not involve excite or intrigue me. All told heart the film plays like a classic Western: the frontier town, the local bad man, the new marshal, the townspeople, the cute & vulnerable heroine, Ingelise. I hate westerns. Or is this a horror movie?? No is not a horror movie but a comic, ironic witty, well constructed psychological thriller. It still did not make on impression on me. As the story narrows into an increasingly desperate cat-&-mouse game played by Robert & Jorgen following a lethal accident, "Terribly Happy" becomes an allegory of human frailty & corruption, of loneliness & the need to belong. If that makes the movie sound depressingly weighty IT IS. How far will you go to have a sense of belonging? 3 stars

A Single Man (2009)

Unusual Odd Ball Short but Poetic film.

[11 July 2010]

Fashion designer Tom Ford makes his directing debut with this film., Described by novelist Edmund White as "one of the first & best novels of the modern gay liberation movement," Isherwood's "A Single Man" presents a stream-of-consciousness portrait of a middle-aged gay man, known only as George, going about his daily routine in early '60s LA. Ford's script remains fairly close in spirit to the original but departs from it in one major direction: Here, Brit expat George Falconer is so bereft over the recent death of his longtime companion, Jim (Matthew Goode), in a car accident that he's planning to commit suicide - a plot point that injects tension into the story. Still reeling after the death of his partner Jim (Goode) months earlier that decimated his perfectly-ordered life, university Professor George (Colin Firth) works his way through a day, with visits from friends & students (Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Jon Kortajarena) interspersed with vivid memories of the love he lost. Denied the opportunity to properly & publicly grieve Jim due to closeted nature of their relationship, George's internal struggles threaten to overwhelm him in the quiet elegance of his own beautiful stylish & modern 1950s LA Home. Since very few men were "out" in the 1960s & being gay was a crime Professor George is not given the respect & compassion that a straight person would automatically be given under the circumstances. This is an oddball intimate poetic & lustrious film. The film makes beautiful use of color. Cinematography is interesting in that Ford & Cinematographer Eduard Grau's decided to play with the color saturation, often dun-&-dreary color scheme will suddenly morph in a single shot to a warmer palette & different colors schemes.. The story becomes the story of a sad single day in the character's life & his reactions to that grief & sadness. Film contains a fantastic performance by Colin Firth. Unusual Film 4 stars. I liked it -- seemed short at 1 ½ hours.

Flame & Citron (2008)

Excellent revisionist History of XCELLENT REVISIONIST HISTORY OF DENMARK WWII AND Nazis

[8/10 · 6 July 2010]

This is the story of two men known as Flame and Citron who worked in the Resistance in Denmark during the WWII. They developed a reputation for killing collaborators and spies. Their activities have placed them high on the Gestapo wanted list and yet they manage to escape notice to the point that they often celebrate their success in bars that the Nazi's hang out in. As 1944 goes on things begin to turn dark. Their friends are being caught and killed, and they are getting mixed signals from about their status. The British want them to continue the operation but the Danish government in exile wants them to stop because their activities are causing reprisals. More so, Flame gets in a dangerous situation where he becomes interested in a woman who he's been warned to avoid. This movie is the most expensive Danish movie ever made, and the $10 million budget also helps creating nice action scenes when the pair has showdowns with Gestapo officers. It is an inspiring story but the story never gets really gripping or intense although showing us the intrigues in the grey zone of contacts, unreliable agents and messages. The movie casting was generally OK for me. Thure Lindhardt has charisma as the hardcore red-haired main person, and Mads Mikkelsen does an acceptable job as Citronen. Their nemesis, Gestapo leader Hoffmann, is played well by Christian Berkel (the bald doctor from Der Untergang). The movie was not filmed in Copenhagen, where the story takes place, which makes the atmosphere even less than authentic but there are beautiful shots of the Scandinavian countryside plus panoramic views of the cities. It's a fascinating subject and I enjoyed this movie. If you like this movie, you will probably also like the Norwegian "Max Manus" (based on books written by one of Norway's most well known saboteurs from WWII. (His name is Max Manus, and his two books from 1945/46 are absolutely worth a read.) cinematography excellent but fast and loose with the zoom at times. 4 stars excellent movie with kind of a revisionist scrutiny.

Near Dark (1987)

Early Biglow rural traveling vampires teenage action

[19 June 2010]

How I ever ended up with this in my queue I will never know. A vampire road action movie set in Oklahoma & Kansas. Wow. I guess I was so disappointed by Hurt Locker I decided to see some of Bigelows other films by her (I loved strangedays) & wanted to see Lance Henrickson in something else other than Millennium (I love Millennium) PLOT Kathryn Bigelow has re-imagine the night ghoul as a gunslinger, a Western icon recast in a roving "family" of bloodthirsty banditos, carving a trail of terror & torn throats from one part of the Southwest to the other Caleb Colton (Adrian Pasdar) is a young cowboy who meets, & falls for, a beautiful drifter named Mae (Jenny Wright). After spending the night in her company, she bites his neck just before dawn & then runs away. As the sun rises, Caleb finds that the light burns his skin as he struggles toward home. When he is almost there, he is pulled into a passing RV that has all of its windows covered with aluminum foil & whisked away. Inside, he finds Mae & a rag-tag collection of vampire nomads led by Jesse Hooker (Lance Henriksen). As they travel, Caleb is torn between proving himself to his new "family" & hanging onto the shreds of humanity still within him. As situations escalate, he realizes that not only does his love for Mae hinge upon this decision, but also his life. If you see a 4 or 5 star review for this movie the reviewers are cult movie & b movie buffs. don't get me wrong its not a bad movie but not a good one either. The acting was OK. Film has an amazing 7.0 rating on IMDb. Kathryn Bigelow was married to James Cameron at the time this film was made & she has three superb cast members from Aliens that made this film. Bigelow created here the most hard-edged, violent action film to be directed by an American woman. I at least give her that amount of credit. Bigelow stages her gun battles so that the bullets punch holes in the walls to let in the dread sunlight The soundtrack by Tangerine Dream was good

1900 (1976)

Epic Masterpiece by Bertolucci Far Better than most reviews state

[9/10 · 12 June 2010]

1900 (Novecento) 1977 NR 315 minutes. Since I am bored with most USA English movies lately I have been catching up on some of the movies by the "great directors" which I missed in the movie theater. 1977 I was not watching many movies (University) I watched recently (not reviewed) The Conformist. I have yet to see Last Tango. (I own a VHS copy) I loved the Last Emperor. It was a Multi Award Winner (now in new release 219 min version-not available on net/ flix) I did not particularly care for the Dreamers –the political plot did not interest me-the sex and nudity was HOT. When I saw Emperor on the Big screen I thought it one of the greatest epics I had ever seen (besides Lawrence of Arabia). So now I decided to view his epic (much disliked) masterpiece 1900. Novecento. I was reading about the shortened release versions which got bad reviews. Even Ebert really hated the long version 2 stars on its release at Cannes. This is one movie where I greatly disagree with his review. I challenge Ebert to run the full length film at his Theater, view it there and not call it an epic masterpiece. Bernardo Bertolucci's massive epic, a history of Italy from 1900 to 1945 as reflected through the friendship of two men across class lines, is one of the most fascinating, if little seen, of his films. After beginning with Robert DeNiro as wealthy landowner Alfredo, and Gerard Depardieu as labor leader Olmo, the film returns to 1900 with the death of composer Giuseppi Verdi and the birth of the two friends. The opposing class interests of their grandfathers, padrone Burt Lancaster, and laborer Sterling Hayden, is quickly established in the enmity between the characters. As they grow, the boys become friends, mystified by the tensions that separate their families. But as time passes and Alfredo assumes the role of padrone, while Olmo works the land, their relationship becomes strained. With the rise of fascism, the director spells out its complicity with business interests, as the diffident Alfredo falls under the spell of a vicious and degraded fascist farm manager played by Donald Sutherland. Most will not like or understand this view of political Italy pre WW1 through Fascism & Nazi. It somewhat rewrites history. Fascinating 5 star epic movie. The last neo-realist epic ever filmed. It contains some of the most stunning cinematography I have ever seen.

The Lovely Bones (2009)

Supernatural Fantasy Not Thriller horror or drama. Movie Did not Involve me emotionally

[5/10 · 10 June 2010]

The Lovely Bones 2009 135 minutes pg13. Peter Jackson has made a lot of great movies. I have not seen the one that they say is his best which is Heavenly Creatures. I did read the bestseller book of this film written by Alice Sebold. PLOT: 14 year old Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) has been murdered by her neighbor George Harvey (Stanley Tucci). From beyond she watches both over her family, as well as her killer. The young girl narrates the story from Heaven while the lives of all the people around her are undergoing changes while they try to get someone to look for her body. She is charged with the decision to seek revenge or to help her family heal after her murder. Her parents and other family members try to handle her loss and also try to track down the killer as he prepares to strike again. Will the killer be allowed to strike again? I had great hopes for this movie as a thriller. In fact the first 1/3 of the film was great. The story centered upon a 14-year-old girl who narrates the story from heaven after having been brutally murdered would make a great film I thought. "Heavenly Creatures," one of his early films involves similar teenagers and murder in an otherwise tranquil setting and it is said it is his best film. The last 2/3 of the movie with the 14 year old girl in heaven as the omniscient narrator just did not work for me. Making the victim a sweet, poetic narrator is disturbing. I thought Saoirse Ronanas Susie Salmon was a very good actor for her young age. The film is more of a fantasy than horror thriller or drama. Caught between death and heaven, Susie watches as her family tries to cope and the killer (Stanley Tucci) goes undetected. It is a pg 13 movie The murder is unseen, the rape barely hinted at. The novel never flinched, the movie does. I am not sure if this film is a new low in the annals of movie adaptations. The fantasy supernatural thriller elements just did not work for me and overall effect was very fake. The screen writers essentially reinvented Sebold's work into something else. Its an OK movie but bored me.

Bitter Moon (1992)

Polanski after Frantic this film sets heights of cruelty

[4/10 · 6 June 2010]

Bitter Moon (1992) Roman Polanski. Since Polanski has been in trouble & his new film released I have been trying to catch up on some of his films I had not seen. PLOT: British couple Fiona & Nigel Dobson are sailing to Istanbul en route to India. They encounter a beautiful French woman, & that night Nigel meets her while dancing alone in the ship's bar. Later he meets her crippled American husband Oscar, who tells him their story. While living in Paris for several years trying to be a writer, he becomes obsessed with a woman he met by chance on a bus. He tracks her down & they start a steamy love affair. Soon Oscar finds himself enslaved body & soul by her love, & continues to tell Nigel the details of this (this woman is played by Polanskis wife Emmanuelle Seigne) relationship in various stages over a number of visits to Oscar's cabin. Here the film settles down into a series of long flashbacks detailing Coyote-Seigner's tempestuous love life. Coyote's scheme seems to be to lure Grant into Seigner's bed to perform the marital duties that he is unable to perform. This film reminds me of "Damage" or other French amor-fou movies. Film wants to be epic in scope but does not succeed. Details revealed to me were just presented in a tawdry or lurid way. Nothing in the plot really grabbed me & involved me. Fiona did interest me as I had just seen her new French movie with her (an English gal) speaking French. There are some interesting parts & scenes to this movie however I was just plain bored & not really engaged into the movie. There is a real horrible fascination as Polanski goes every which way with the material. But the only real bait is finding out how Coyote ended up in a wheelchair. It is downhill fast after that. In reality the film reminded me of Misery (Stephen King) The film plot & dialogues are all very cruel & cruelly presented. At times it seemed downright mean. I just got no enjoyment as there was no point to the cruelty as in Misery. Skip this one.

Alice in Wonderland (I) (2010)

Burton Delivers but generic CGI ending. Depp is Magnificent 4 stars

[9/10 · 3 June 2010]

Alice in Wonderland 2010. Some called this a "bold" Lewis Carol I just call it Tim Burton. He is visually bold always. Some were expecting more than the fairy tale as if he would invent a new story or Alice in Wonderland "world" (like Cameron did in Avatar). No don't expect too much this is still the standard tale of Alice we all grew up with. However it is with Burton's typically dark & adult slant. Maybe this was not mean as a children's tale. Plot: Having grown up & grown a sense of responsibility, Alice (Mia Wasikowska) returns to the rabbit hole where her Wonderland once appeared. This time she has a political motive to overthrow the despotic rule of the autocratic Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). To accomplish this, Alice must garner support for the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) & eliminate the Jabberwocky (Christopher Lee) & end the state terrorism. At least this is the determination of a Blue Caterpillar (Alan Rickman) & the Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry). Alice must enlist the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) to her cause, though he seems shell-shocked by the antics of the Red Queen & her henchman Stayne, the Knave of Hearts (Crispin Glover). Burton's unique & enjoyable visual version gives us Carroll's characters as distinctive as the original illustrations. The people in Wonderland seem to be made particularly obnoxious by Burton. (which I enjoyed!) The film works well until the end & then I hated all the action. What happened to a real storyline ending in film today?? Since this is a Disney film I expected a chain holding back Burton & we got that in the plot a very generic CGI battle ending. . Seems Disney's oversight kept this film with a much more commercial plot than many of Burton's films have been. Still it is a visually delightfully absurd & even quite violent & bloody movie. I enjoyed it a lot I have trouble accepting all the bad 2 & 3 star reviews. Its not a 5 star movie & its not bad. 4 for me!! I love Tim Burton films. Dep is magnificent in this film

The Swindle (1955)

1955 EARLY neorealism Fellini despairs but loves rich flamboyance costumes and Rome

[10/10 · 2 June 2010]

The Swindle (Il Bidone) 1955 I have lately been watching Fellini's older films some of which were not available even on VHS. My first Fellini film (1973) at the ripe age of 19 was Satryicon at the Texas Tech Student Center Movie Theater. I was shocked to say the least and understand the film more now than then. Though about a swindle the film is more about the swindler's (plural). This film introduces us to Fellini's excesses and long interest in flamboyance and grotesque no matter if you are rich or poor. Also the film delves into his interests in the Rich their costumes and material possessions and how they flaunt themselves in public arenas. It was between "La Strada" (1954), and "Nights of Cabiria," (1957), "Il Bidone" (1955) is less known but powerful, humorous, heartbreaking, and poignant film. Broderick Crawford gives a compelling performance as Augusto, an aging con man, a leader of a trio of small time crooks who take advantage of poor and uneducated Italians in both country side and poor quarters of Rome. Augusto realizes at the age of 48 that his life of selfishness, greed, and wrongdoings only made his existence meaningless. Once in his life, he decided to con the con men in order to help his daughter whom he rarely sees but deeply loves with fulfilling her dreams of better life but a swindle gone wrong leads Augusto to the final scene of pain, both physical and mental, to loneliness and desperation. It's desperation is similar to Nights of Cabriria (which is an even more powerful film) Here the movie is very spare, the cons not particularly interesting as cons, but very weighty in symbolism. Augusto's meeting with his estranged daughter his working his way back towards humanity costs him dearly. Shows us the awakening and demise of Augusto - not as a lesson in morals, but as one in storytelling. Guilietta Masina (Mrs. Fellini) as Iris, appears as a devoted wife of Carlos. This DVD from a complete restoration Criterion DVD release a few years back. Very interesting and powerful neo-realistic film. . Really I have grown to prefer his earlier films.

Avatar (2009)

Dazzling Beautiful movie the greatest but kind of clichéd

[31 May 2010]

James Cameron (Aliens Terminator 1 & 2 Abyss Titanic). Avatar is the most expensive & technically ambitious film ever made. I guess I am the last person to see Avatar. I sometimes hate living in a rural area & only getting to see movies very late & only on DVD. I saw Terry Gilliams Dr Parnassus this weekend & was very impressed with its brilliant visuals. I guess Avatar is now the mother of all big screen epic fantasy science fiction digital effects movies. I especially like the movie as it is really a technical breakthrough for digital CGI & is politically motivated by its anti war & green environmental messages. It is an extraordinary film. I hope I get to see the 3D before it disappears. I will have to drive 3 ½ to 7 hours to see in 3 D &/or IMAX. (each direction) Today 05/31/10 The film is 2 hours 41 minutes which is long but the film is so engrossing the time passes quickly. It's hard to believe he spent almost 10 years making this film. Plot wise: In the future, Jake, a paraplegic war veteran, is brought to another planet, Pandora, which is inhabited by the Na'vi, a humanoid race with their own language & culture. Those from Earth find themselves at odds with each other & the local culture. The film's plot gives us Men invaders (from earth?) against a forest-dwelling alien race with a strong anti-conquest---back-to-nature type theme. I think this film does not have as much or as strong universal appeal as Titanic but close (for a science fictions film) It is really not well explained why Earthlings—military & armed forces, need to travel light years away to Pandora to mine a precious mineral that will help rescue the planet earth from ecological disaster. Plot wise the film is stereotypical evil-white-empire against the green inner serenity seeking-native. Though a wonderful film it was kind of clichéd to me. Worthington Lang & Weaver are all great in their roles. Things on the net state Worthington was semi living in his car while auditioning!!.