09/01/03 (DVD)
Nuit et Bouillard (Night and Fog) (1955) - I've owned this film since it's DVD release last June, and I just got around to watching it. I'm glad that I waited
until I was in the right mood to see it, as this is not a film that can be flippantly blown off or dismissed. Both Schindler's List and The Pianist are masterful films, but Nuit et
Bouillard achieves a depth that these other two simply can't because it records reality. The realization that the horrific images flashing before our eyes is the actual thing, and not
a recreation by actors with the aid of cinematic technique. No, the tortured and mangled bodies in the film were real people who suffered and struggled and died. That reality
makes Nuit et Bouillard a horrifying film experience, and nearly impossible to watch. It's not a film I'll ever forget, and considering the subject matter, I'd say that that's the point.
Chalk up another masterpiece for Resnais.
09/01/03 (Theatre)
Camp (2003) - I can't remember the last time I've been so unsure in my reaction to a given film. Camp is funny, stupid, likable and off-putting, and often all at the same time.
Often the acting borders on the painfully bad, and much of the dialoge and situations are groan-inducing. But the actors seem so earnest (even if they can't act), and ultimately their
enthusiasm wins out- though due to embarassing cliches and stereotypes some fare better than others. It's the tone of the film that's most baffling- often I couldn't figure out if
director/writer Todd Graff meant for a given scene to be serious or campy. I do have to admit that the more time that passes the more favorable I feel towards the film- the song-
and-dance numbers, which are more vibrant and electric than a good many found in authentic musicals and the several big emotional scenes is what's lingering in my mind,
overshadowing all the things I disliked. I would like to see it again when it's released on home video format to clarify my reaction..
09/03/03 (Class Presentation)
Do the Right Thing (1989) - For my Politics of Race, Class and Gender class this semester, my professor had a special presentation of this film. Recently voted as the best
film of the 1980's by the Killer Elite, I jumped at the chance to finally see it. I ended up appreciating its technique, but didn't develop much of an affection for it. Director Spike
Lee's vision has an undeniable power to it, and the narrative technique is brilliant, but Lee's conclusions don't sit well with me. I'm currently engaging in a deep discussion of it,
which is changing some of my opinon towards it, but for now I'll classify it under my "admired, but don't love" category.
09/04/03 (Theatre)
The Magdalene Sisters (2003) - I chose this to be the second film I reviewed for my school newspaper, which means that I will hopefully be getting up my full review soon.
In a nutshell, I'd say that the intentions are honorable, but the film itself is weak at points. Basically, I agree with Roger Ebert when he wrote "the drama of The Magdalene Sisters
is not equal to its anger." The intensity of the lead performances carry the film, and is the only reason The Magdalene Sisters comes out as well as it does (it quite easily
could have become a Great Escape type film, which it sometimes does). Definitely worth seeing, as I can't deny it had a very potent effect on me. I had thought the whole way
through I wasn't getting very emotionally involved, but I ended up driving home from the theatre in complete silence. It really gets to you.
09/05/03 (DVD)
Pepe le Moko (1937) - Every once in a while a film will come along and completely take you by surprise, and Pepe le Moko is definitely one of those films. I knew little about
it, besides for the fact that Algiers (which I have not seen) is the Hollywood remake, and that it starred Jean Gabin, who in 1937 turned in perhaps his most famous performance in
Jean Renoir's Le Grande Illusion. This is one of those glossy 1930's films where the heavily made-up women slink around dripping in diamonds, the background are obviously
artificial, and every scene is intricately lighted so every figure has a sort of heavenly pallor. The effect is magical. It's undeniable Casablanca derived much of its inspiration from
this film- the exotic but corrupt atmosphere is strikingly similar, and in several instances comes off better here. Jean Gabin was the revelation, however, as the suave and cunning
gangster who's heart leads to his downfall A simply magnificent film in all regards, and I'm quite sure this is my favorites foreign language film of the whole decade at this point.
09/05/03 (DVD)
A Star is Born (1937) - Basically, the 1954 remake starring Judy Garland and James Mason is superior in every way. My biggest problem (besides the fact the sound is so
poor on the DVD) was Janet Gaynor in the lead role- there's a reason she doesn't spring to mind when you picture the greatest leading ladies of classic Hollywood. She's a
completely bland actress who utilizes a by-the-book style of acting I find completely off-putting (wide eyes and wringing hands to imply emotional turmoil, wide eyes and a
meloncholy smile to convey joy, etc.). You can understand the public's adoration of Vicki Lester when she's played by Judy Garland- Judy has a magnetic star quality that is evident
almost from the moment she is introduced. But she comes off as little more than a bashful small-town girl dressed up in fancy Hollywood clothes when she's played by Janet
Gaynor, and I didn't buy for a minute the rapid ascension of her character. Thankfully, Frederic March fares much better and is much more interesting to watch. My advice? Skip
the first version and watch one of the greatest musicals of all time, as found in the 1954 version.
09/07/03 (DVD)
Ballada o Soldate (Ballad of a Soldier) (1959) - A day later I'm still witnessing the effects of Ballada o Soldate, which is quite simply one of the most sublime films I
have yet come across. I have no idea what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't this. I'll admit that I'm a sucker for films that find beauty amid an awful situation, and this is
one of the best I've ever seen- every minute seems to delve into a richness of meaning and poignancy that most films never even come close to reaching. The two leads were
two teenage acting students, and their performances display a stunning simplicity and unaffectedness that's rare in the movies. Though not even a kiss is exchanged, you can't help
but feeling that they've experienced in just several days is far more than most people never experience in their whole lives.. Completely and utterly sublime, one of the greatest films
I've ever seen. Period.
09/09/03 (Theatre)
Thirteen (2003) - Really awful. I was really expecting insight into the teenage existence from this film. The third movie I reviewed for my school newspaper. Full review
should be up soon.
09/10/03 (DVD)
Les Vacances de M. Hulot (M. Hulot's Holiday) (1953) - My first experience with the renowned work of Jacques Tati. As I expected, this isn't a traditional comedy-
you don't laugh out loud, rather, you grin in amusement the whole way through. And endless stream of visual gags, which Tati somehow shapes into poetry. A beautiful, delicate
film.
09/10/03 (DVD)
Soigne ton gauche (short) (1936) - This Rene Clement short is one of the extras on the Criterion DVD of M. Hulot's Holiday, as it stars a young Jacques Tati. There's some
clever moments, but overall it's pretty dull and very amature.
09/13/03 (VHS)
L'Eclisse (The Eclipse) (1962) - The jury is still out in regards to this film. It's not quite on the same level as L'Avventura, but it's it's fighting for La Notte for the second
spot. To be fair, the old VHS tape I watched could be described as awful at best, which unfortunately lessens the power of many of Antonioni's intricate frame compositions. It's
definitely a beautiful, ponderous film, and Monica Vitti and Alain Delon are quite stunning. I'm hoping that the occasional Criterion rumors in regards to this film prove to be true,
because I think a second viewing with a better print would make a world of difference.
09/13/03 (DVD)
Bringing Down the House (2003) - There's some occasional funny scenes, but overall this film is quite dreadful. It's best when it's dealing with race relations, but when
comical fight sequences and meaningless subplots take over it become embarrassing. The only bright spot is Queen Latifah, who is well on her way to becoming one of Hollywood's
next big stars.
To September 14 - 30 Movie Journal
