The Princess Diaries (2001) - This is my fourth or fifth viewing of this film, and I'm not ashamed to admit
(well, maybe just a little) how much I like it. A full review is on its way, and should be up in the next several days.
07/04/03 (VHS)
Persona (1966) - Technically this is one of the greatest films ever made. The two lead performances are raw
and powerful and unlike anything I've ever seen, and the direction is fabulous. So why didn't it affect more?
07/05/03 (DVD)
Pretty Woman (1990) - This was my sister's doing, but I was surprised how much better it was than I was
expecting. It's undeniably entertaining, and often very funny.
07/06/03 (VHS)
Georgy Girl (1966) - It was fun...for a while. And then the novel value of the Lynn Redgrave's odd charms wears
off and it just quickly slides into a neverending tediousness.
07/07/03 (VHS)
Masculin Feminin (1966) - Another homerun for Godard- a sublime piece of work. Great performances,
some poignant scenes, some hilarious and biting satire, and everything in between. Once again I can't find the words to
describe this masterpiece.
07/08/03 (DVD)
A Man for All Seasons (1966) - It's an admirable, handsome production, and I enjoyed it, but it doesn't inspire
much enthusiasm on my part. Some great performances is what distinguishes it from other costume dramas (Paul
Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Robert Shaw, Leo McKern, among others are great) and some supurb writing. This just isn't
my kind of movie.
07/09/03 (VHS)
Au hasard Balthazar (1966) - I can see what it is that touches and moves so many people, but it never reached
to the point where I felt much sympathy for the donkey, or anybody else for that matter. Perhaps I just lack the
ability to suspend myself in these kinds of fairy tales- I feel the same overall indifference to this film as I did to Cocteau's
La Belle et la Bete (Beauty and the Beast). I'm not saying it's a bad film, for it very, very good. Just not exactly my thing.
07/09/03 (DVD)
La Guerre est Finie (1966) - I don't have much to say about this one, other than the fact it's another fantastic
film from the underappreciated Alain Resnais. Not for all tastes, but a must for Resnais fans. Not quite up to the
same sublime level as Last Year at Marienbad, but a great movie nontheless.
07/10/03 (VHS)
Roman Holiday (1953) - The perfect date film, and a the perfect romantic comedy, as far as I'm concerned.
Audrey Hepburn was never so adorable, Gregory Peck as relaxed, and I've yet to see Wyler make a more fun film.
It's lightweight, but it's irresistable
07/11/03 (Theatre)
Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) - I had heard it was better than what would be expected- but I was expecting a
great film! I can't express how great it is to see a good swashbuckler in the theatres, and one that doesn't rely on CGI,
but on great acting, swordfighting, and other classic fixtures of the genre. First-rate cast, first-rate fun, definitely the
best summer movie I've seen in a long, long time.
07/12/03 (DVD)
Abandon (2002) - It has a lot going for it- but it's been done so many times before that I saw through it pretty early
on, meaning that the climax was pretty anti-climactic. A lot of people seem to think Katie Holmes was an awful lead
in this film- I thought she was capable and more than adequate, even if she wasn't spectacular. As in most of these
kind of films, it's actually the supporting players who are most interesting, and in this case those performers would
be Zooey Deschanel, Gabriel Mann, Melanie Lynskey, and Gabrielle Union. Charlie Hunnam (of Queer as Folk fame)
also makes a mark on the film, even in a limited "crazy boyfriend" character. The look of the film is really great-
everything seems slightly dulled and toned down (it was shot by the same guy who did Requiem for a Dream). This is
the debut of Stephan Gaghan, who won an Oscar for the screenplay for Traffic and also wrote the screenplay for
Abandon. Considering that fact, Abandon is a mediocre film, but a promising debut.
07/13/03 (VHS)
Long Day's Journey Into Night (1962) - I'm still digesting this one. As it is, my gut reaction is that if this
isn't one of the greatest American films I've ever seen. The film is carried by the performances of Katherine Hepburn,
Ralph Richardson, Jason Robards Jr. and Dean Stockwell, one of the finest quartets of acting I've ever seen. Every
performer has his/her big monologue delving into their fears, their hurt, their anger, and their suffering, and each succeed
magnificently. This film exposes the ugliness of a dysfuncional family, and it's experiencing it is like enduring
continual punches to the stomach, and it's emotionally draining. I loved every frame of this film, however, and it's going
to debut very high on my favorite list. A fitting testament to the talent of the recently deceased Ms. Hepburn- and the
performance that proved once and for all that she's most likely the greatest American actress who has ever graced the
screen.
07/14/03 (DVD)
Hiroshima mon amour (1959) - A remarkable film, and a true landmark of cinema. See my comments here.
07/15/03 (DVD)
Giant (1956) - A complete mess of a film, though better than I expected. The first half is rather good, but the films
ends on such a preachy note it's a complete letdown. Rock and Liz are rather good, some of the cinematography is
amazing, and the cast is fantastic, if often underutilized. A lot of trimming and editing would have helped, as could
the preachy tone.
