| ||||
This past week's viewings: Orders Signed in White (Ordine firmato in bianco) (1974) 54/100 The Girl in Room 2A (La Casa Della Paura) (1974) 67/100 The Beach Girls and the Monster (1965) 9/100 The Beast that Killed Women (1965) 23/100 Viridiana (1961) 69/100 Palindromes (2004) 77/100 Curse of the Fly (1965) 50/100 Incubus (1966) 66/100 Monster a-Go Go (1965) 7/100 |
| ||||
i love the precise nature of your scores. anything i watch is either good or bad then the score system kicks in, anything below a 5, then it's just a bit shit. I like the way you differentiate a 6/10 and 8/10. i'd just be like it's pants, no more thought required.
__________________ MIKE: I've got it! Peter Cushing! We've got to drive a stake through his heart! VYVYAN: Great! I'll get the car! NEIL: I'll get a cushion. |
| ||||
Possession (1981) A drawn out metaphor for the crumbling and ultimate destruction of a marriage and the self loathing that goes with it that culminates in a hysterical miscarriage in a subway which goes on for far too long. Just like the film itself. Unfortunately i hated the character oif Anna as played by Isabelle Adjani. Much like Shelley Duvall in The Shining her wide eyed shouting and screaming histrionics become wearing after fifteen minutes and her performance became a chore to endure. The film showcases some excellent cinematography showing the deserted streets, Polish director Andrzej Zulawski's camera never stops moving and the apartment Anna hides out in is a haunting dream state series of rooms with the Berlin Wall in the background all wallowing in an air of surreal desperation. Again an allegory for division just as the film itself is. I'm not sure how this film was marketed but it ain't a horror film. It seems like a vanity piece the director had to do to represent his own life at the time. |
| ||||
I love this film and have no problems with Isabelle Adjani's character or performance (which is probably the strongest of her career). I don't have any problems with Shelley Duvall in The Shining either, which may explain why. Personally, I like that it doesn't entirely make its intentions clear and I'm always left with a 'What the hell just happened?' feeling when it ends, just enjoying the ride! I think Viridiana is a masterpiece and my score would be in the high 90s, but then I'm a huge fan of Luis Buñuel's films, whether 'mainstream' like Belle de jour or more surreal such as The Exterminating Angel or The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie.
__________________ |
| ||||
Quote:
Quote:
|
| ||||
Quote:
It's basically a character study and not so subtle dig at Catholicism by Bunuel, which tells the tale of a young novice nun, Viridiana, who pays a visit to her widowed uncle and attempts to maintain her Catholic principles amongst all the debauchery and lechery that is thrown her way. The Vatican denounced the film at the time and it is still as unflinching today. It's a film I'd definitely recommend seeking out - objectively speaking as much as subjectively. Quote:
I like Bunuel's work too, and although Viridiana is a very good film, and a delicious satire and middle finger to the Catholic church, I don't rate it among his best. I prefer his more surreal works... Simon of the Desert being one of my favourites of his. Last edited by bizarre_eye@Cult Labs; 21st May 2016 at 07:17 PM. |
| ||||
Quote:
|
| ||||
Fail-Safe (1964) A series of computer errors sends a squadron of American bombers into Europe with the intention of launching nuclear missiles at Moscow. Sydney Lumet's Cold War thriller is a real nail biter. Thought provoking and shocking and impeccably acted. Like the same years Doctor Strangelove, except this is no comedy, Fail-Safe is set almost entirely in the war rooms of the US president, here played with conviction by the always excellent Henry Fonda. A man having to battle his own conscience and anti Soviets among his chain of command. His scenes talking over the phone to the Soviet leader via interpreter Larry Hagman are terrific, challenging and full of tension. I'm not going to spoil anything regarding the plot, but i'll finish by saying Fail-Safe is a genuine five star film and is highly recommended. |
Like this? Share it using the links below! |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
| |