10/12/03 (VHS) (First Viewing)
The Gospel According to St. Matthew (Il vangelo secondo Matteo) (1964) - Pasolini's treatment of Matthew's Gospel evokes a distinct feeling of purity, as
if tradition and myth has been stripped away revealing something close to truth. But at the same time, the tone and style feels so detatched that I felt the power of the
Gospel story (whether you believe in it or not) was almost completely diminished. Though I'm sure Jesus had a passive, other-worldly quality to him, all writings seem to
indicate that he was a dynamic personality. Could I really see this Jesus inspiring one of the world's major religions? I really can't imagine him being able to attract a crowd of
5,000. (Especially if his voice was that thin- the audience wouldn't have had the advantage of those eternal close-ups and probably wouldn't have been able to hear him in the
first place.) Overall he came off as the likable but well-meaning preacher that you can't help but fall alseep listening too. On the other hand, the visuals are quite beautiful in
their starkness, and the scene where Jesus asks in front of his mother who is family is is a beautifully realized moment. I didn't dislike the film, but I really can't see myself
ever watching it again either.
10/12/03 (VHS) (First Viewing)
Gymkata (1985) - Compiments of Gabe. What can one even say? It's a classic in its own way I suppose, as this has to be one of the silliest ideas that anybody ever
bothered to make into a movie. Olympic gold medal winning gymnast Kurt Thomas lights up the screen with his charisma in his screen debut, electrifying the audience... oh,
who am I trying to kid? The first half hour or so is best simply because it's the worst- few comedies are able to draw that many laughs. The irony is is that I'm probably
going to end up remembering this movie much longer than many much better ones...
10/12/03 (VHS) (First Viewing)
The Scarecrow (1920) - This short is my first experience to the cinema of Buster Keaton. And it was marvelous- the physical comedy and sight gags were amazing and a
ton of fun. Really interested in watching more.
10/12/03 (VHS) (First Viewing)
The Paleface (1922) - This short isn't nearly as ingenius or funny, but it definitely had its moments.
10/16/03 (VHS) (First Viewing)
Pickpocket (1959)
10/16/03 (VHS) (First Viewing)
Mouchette (1967)
10/17/03 (Theatre) (Second Viewing)
Kill Bill: Vol. One (2003) - Even better the second time. Still don't think it's particularly deep or insightful in any way, but as far as stylish entertainment goes, this
can't be beat.
10/18/03 (Theatre) (First Viewing)
Intolerable Cruelty (2003) - Quite unbelievably, this is my first Coen Brothers film. It's lots of fun, and its zippy pacing and dialogue harkens back to the Hollywood
comedies of old, but it's ultimately pretty forgettable. That is, besides the radient Catherine Zeta Jones.
10/18/03 (VHS) (First Viewing)
Lancelot du Lac (1974)
10/18/03 (VHS) (First Viewing)
Le Journal d'un cure de campagne (Diary of a Country Priest) (1951)
10/19/03 (VHS) (First Viewing)
Une femme douce (A Gentle Woman) (1969)
10/21/03 (DVD) (First Viewing)
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) - Classic Hollywood melodrama done right. This supposedly candid look into Hollywood and the makings of movies is driven by
the performances. Kirk Douglas, Dick Powell and Barry Sullivan all turn in fine performances, but the real surprise comes from Lana Turner, who proves she was more than a
pretty face. Another surprise how forgettable Gloria Grahame's Oscar-winning performance really is- she's charming as usual, but did much better work elsewhere. Vincente
Minnelli's direction is smooth and assured, and the black and white cinematography is gorgeous. Certainly worth seeking out.
10/23/03 (DVD) (First Viewing)
The Cranes are Flying (1957) - It never achieves the emotional resonance it's obviously aiming for, but on a technical level the film is so dazzling that I couldn't help
but forgive any flaws it might have. Tatyana Samojlova gives a particularly fine performance as the suffering girlfriend. The black and white cinematography by Sergei
Urusevsky is some of the best I've ever experienced, and the film abounds with unexpected camera angles and fantastic camera work (the whirling shot following Boris as he
sprints up the staircase is one of the most technically amazing single shots I've ever come across). Every once in a while it falls into propoganda territory, but overall this is an
excellent film.
10/24/03 (VHS) (First Viewing)
The Three Faces of Eve (1957) - If one was feeling generous they could call Nunnally Johnson's direction adequate, and the opening monologue has to be one of the
single worst starts to a film I've ever seen. So the success of the film is placed squarely on the shoulders of Joanne Woodward. It's a gimmicky kind of role that Oscar just
loves, but Woodward is so good in her triune persona that her Oscar seems justified. The Three Faces of Eve is not a good film by any stretch of the imagination, but
Woodward makes the experience interesting enough to be mildly enjoyable.
10/25/03 (Theatre) (First Viewing)
Un Chien Andalou (1929) (short) - Luis Bunuel's first film has become a premiere example of film surrealism treasured by film buffs for decades. While the famous
eye cutting is still unsettling, I'd be lying if I didn't admit I was slightly dissapointed in the short overall. Would like to see it again, and have the opportunity to really study it
(like I was able to do with Deren's Meshes of the Afternoon).
10/25/03 (Theatre) (First Viewing)
Entr'acte (1924) (short) - I liked this short much better than the more famous Andalou. Some really crazy stuff.
10/25/03 (Theatre) (First Viewing)
Seven Chances (1925) - My first Buster Keaton film (excluding shorts), and it was a winner. Absolutely hilarious, it had me and the audience roaring with laughter the
whole way through. A joy to behold.
10/25/03 (Theatre) (First Viewing)
Blood of a Poet (1930) - Huge dissapointment. I think part of the problem was I was trying to find some coherancy to Cocteau's vision until I finally gave up near the
end, and enjoyed it much more from that point on. Will give it another chance some time.
10/25/03 (Theatre) (First Viewing)
Sherlock, Jr. - Don't get me wrong- Sherlock, Jr. was a great film. Some clever moments and some breathtaking stunts. But for sheer enjoyment, I have to give the edge to
Seven Chances.