THE PRESIDIO (Peter Hyams, 1988)
Hyams is a true master, and the machine-gun-fire-like dialogue and characterization, coupled with one of the best chase scenes in film history...
The flud camerawork by Hyams himself is as always outstanding and his mastery of pacing and getting fantastic performances (Connery and Ryan are out of this world, Jack Warden and Mark Harmon (who plays a Tom Cruise character in this one) are also great) are at play here as well. This is great blink-and-you'll-miss-it filmaking at its finest (and there's much to miss - I had to rewind and rewatch scenes at least 30 times, and this was a re-watch in itself!). 9/10
POINT BLANK (John Boorman, 1967)
Hadn't seen this one before and was excited for it. Unfotunately there's nothing much to see. A young Boorman doesn't really know what to do with story and characters. Lee Marvin is fantastic, as always. As regular film noir goes, this is a depressed movie about a depressed protagonist with PTSD (how else could you feel when your best friend tries to kill you and your wife betrays you with said best friend as well, while both leave you for dead...). 6/10
"I too am a child burned by future experiences, fallen back on myself and already suspecting the certainty that in the end only those will prove benevolent who believe in nothing." – Marran Gosov
i always had the hots for modot and thrilled to see i'm justified cuz he can direct as well.....this is bresson avant bresson, fused with dreyer and the avant-garde....and i am completely on board with the parallel that the notes on henri draw between the forced conversion of jews to catholicism in the spanish inquisition, and the transition from (beautiful, free) silent cinema to boxy constrained sound
full alert is a much darker film - a cat & mouse game w lau ching-wan determined to stop a master criminal's heist at all costs and he is amazing as ever. no over the top violence, only blood soaked vengeance
"I too am a child burned by future experiences, fallen back on myself and already suspecting the certainty that in the end only those will prove benevolent who believe in nothing." – Marran Gosov
La Tragédie impériale (1938) l'herbier tackles the tale of rasputin, the peasant saint who became a scandal at court and predicted the end of the romanovs
l'herbier's sound films just don't exhibit the radical style of his silents but it's certainly serviceable and the ending is downright creepy.
an excellent performance by harry bauer who died a few years later after being tortured by the nazis
Thanks, r. Both Japanese films look splendid. Added to my watchlist.
I went to the cinema to see Guadagnino's CHALLENGERS (2024) starring Zendaya. I'd call it a trainwreck, but that makes it sound too interesting. Such a stupid film.
pabs wrote: ↑Sun May 19, 2024 4:38 am
I went to the cinema to see Guadagnino's CHALLENGERS (2024) starring Zendaya. I'd call it a trainwreck, but that makes it sound too interesting. Such a stupid film.
pabs wrote: ↑Sun May 19, 2024 4:38 am
I went to the cinema to see Guadagnino's CHALLENGERS (2024) starring Zendaya. I'd call it a trainwreck, but that makes it sound too interesting. Such a stupid film.
It once took me six hours to hitchhike from Yuma to San Luis Rio Colorado. In August. I eventually figured out there were group taxis doing a shuttle thing...
Nagisa no shiroi ie
Invitation from the Beach aka The End of Summer
Kōichi Saitō, Japan 1978
Ruriko Asaoka in the Laura Gemser role, in a Joe D'Amato movie with Japanese actors in the leading roles, but directed by Kōichi Saitō.
This was my first Saito, and he's apparently a writer-director who began his career as a still photographer and cinematographer, and it shows. The movie is gorgeously shot, all on location in Hawaii.
I really need to watch more films by Koichi Saito. A great discovery!
"I too am a child burned by future experiences, fallen back on myself and already suspecting the certainty that in the end only those will prove benevolent who believe in nothing." – Marran Gosov
One of my favorites! Daneliya is such a great director!
"I too am a child burned by future experiences, fallen back on myself and already suspecting the certainty that in the end only those will prove benevolent who believe in nothing." – Marran Gosov
some more things i've seen recently: ponniyin selvan! (pt.s 1 & 2) mani ratnam (2022-3) epic adventure with style. loved karthi's spy character giving comic relief. this was on amazon prime (thx nrh) so i didn't get any screen shots
simba: the king of the beasts (johnsons 1928) in kenya and tanzania, same area i visited about ten years ago. must be nice to have 100s of porters. that lady was a dead shot and killed a rhino and a lion (after making them charge her!) yes there's racism. still cool to see african villages of 100 years ago. only masai living traditional lifestyle these days
found via stray mention of the johnsons in the sweden CoMo thread it's on internet archive
The Batman vs Dracula animated film was a huge surprise. I knew I had to see it cause it sounds like the weirdest combo, and Peter Stomare voices Dracula which I could totally see working.
This struck a nice balance with it trying to Batman's usual dark and edgy aesthetic that borders on being a neo-noir, but it knew it was very silly at the same time. It made it quite an entertaining watch to the point that Dracula being involved in this wasn't seen as baffling at all.
It's probably my 4th favourite Batman film, behind the 60s ones and the Joel Schumacher ones.