Love a good gritty film noir. Otto Preminger filmmaker and guest villain on "Batman 66" was at his peak when he made "Where the Sidewalk Ends" I`ve seen a few of Ottos films but sadly i`ll admit there is a bulk I haven't. So lets fix that.
Movie# 56 Where the Sidewalk Ends 1950
Preminger is a master craftsmen when it comes to cinema and Sidewalk is no exception. The cast is great with performances by Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney and the stand out Karl Malden whose brings a wonderful intensity without getting campy. This film was entertaining and had the standard noir trappings though if your looking for something more complex, gritty and cutting edge i`m afraid that isn't your movie. Its technical skill cant be denied but its very "by the books" in terms of the crime sub genre. It does have its harrowing moments which I wont spoil but its worth checking out.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Movie# 55 Badlands 1973
Rainy ugly day... Good day for a movie!
Movie# 55 Badlands 1973
Wow I was bowled over by Terrance Malicks early film "Badlands" Sheen and Spacek shine in this film. Both have a odd and compelling chemistry that and its hard to deny Martin Sheens star power. The cinematography is stunning. I cant stress how beautifully this film is shot and it really absorbs the audience to where you feel like your right there with the hell bent couple, you might have to wipe the sweat off in the hot Montana day. What I found interesting is that the films light tone and sometimes lofty music cues are in direct contrast to the mayhem. Its jarring as you dont expect it. I`m really glad i`ve finally seen this movie and think everyone should.
Movie# 55 Badlands 1973
Wow I was bowled over by Terrance Malicks early film "Badlands" Sheen and Spacek shine in this film. Both have a odd and compelling chemistry that and its hard to deny Martin Sheens star power. The cinematography is stunning. I cant stress how beautifully this film is shot and it really absorbs the audience to where you feel like your right there with the hell bent couple, you might have to wipe the sweat off in the hot Montana day. What I found interesting is that the films light tone and sometimes lofty music cues are in direct contrast to the mayhem. Its jarring as you dont expect it. I`m really glad i`ve finally seen this movie and think everyone should.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Movie# 54 The Fury 1978
Like "Raising Cain" i`m trying to catch up on a few De Palma films that I have yet to see.
Movie# 54 The Fury 1978
De Palma melds high concept science fiction and horror in this post Carrie thriller. The premise is really interesting and at times very suspenseful with some great tongue in cheek moments that only someone like De Palma could pull off. The cast is stellar with veteran actor Kirk Douglas giving a wonderful performance. Equally good is Amy Irving who I felt didnt get a chance to really shine in "Carrie" (not to suggest she wasn't good mind you) but here this is her movie and she gives a spellbinding performance. And of course lets not forget John Cassavetes. This movie also has a lot of familiar faces. Actor and long time De Palma player William Finley pops up in small but unforgettable role, as does very young Dennis Franz makes a cameo as a cop (pre NYPD Blues) and cult actor Rutanya Alda is also in this. Its also notable for showcasing Daryl Hannah in her very first role. Wonderful movie.
Movie# 54 The Fury 1978
De Palma melds high concept science fiction and horror in this post Carrie thriller. The premise is really interesting and at times very suspenseful with some great tongue in cheek moments that only someone like De Palma could pull off. The cast is stellar with veteran actor Kirk Douglas giving a wonderful performance. Equally good is Amy Irving who I felt didnt get a chance to really shine in "Carrie" (not to suggest she wasn't good mind you) but here this is her movie and she gives a spellbinding performance. And of course lets not forget John Cassavetes. This movie also has a lot of familiar faces. Actor and long time De Palma player William Finley pops up in small but unforgettable role, as does very young Dennis Franz makes a cameo as a cop (pre NYPD Blues) and cult actor Rutanya Alda is also in this. Its also notable for showcasing Daryl Hannah in her very first role. Wonderful movie.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Movie# 53 Deadly Eyes 1982
Who doesn't love a good killer animal movie? Nature is scary and unpredictable so it seems like the perfect set up for a good old fashioned horror romp. So I was excited to see 1982's Deadly Eyes...and then i watched it.
Movie# 53 Deadly Eyes 1982
Its a cinematic sin when a film about killer rats takes itself "deadly" serious. Fans hoping for fun 80s camp about hungry rats have to wade through boring subplots of romance and politics to get to any carnage. Now its not that i`m not about a good plot but I was just bored. It also seemed like a film at odds with itself. Like its a horror movie that is ashamed of it so they pad it out with various sub plots that only slow the film down. Its also horribly predictable. I was sorely disappointed with the result. For hardcore fans only but keep your expectations low.
Movie# 53 Deadly Eyes 1982
Its a cinematic sin when a film about killer rats takes itself "deadly" serious. Fans hoping for fun 80s camp about hungry rats have to wade through boring subplots of romance and politics to get to any carnage. Now its not that i`m not about a good plot but I was just bored. It also seemed like a film at odds with itself. Like its a horror movie that is ashamed of it so they pad it out with various sub plots that only slow the film down. Its also horribly predictable. I was sorely disappointed with the result. For hardcore fans only but keep your expectations low.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Movie# 52 Kill List
Working my way though Ben Wheatley's filmography.
Movie# 52 Kill List
Wow. Its been a long time since i movie shook me up this much and made me really think long after the credits roll. At first the ending pissed me off but the more I think about it I`m starting to change my mind. The disadvantage of this blog is I have to watch a new movie and write about it the same day. So it doesn't leave much time for multiple viewings. Wheatley;s film is certainly a mind bending film wrapped in a dark comedy about hit men. The direction, cast and visual style is refreshingly bold and its clear that in so short in his career he`s confident in his skills as a filmmaker and plays with unwritten film rules and then down right smashes them to pieces. I loved the domestic stuff at the start and then switches gears into pitch black comedy that reminded me of "Man Bites Dog" I wont spoil the end but all I can say it its a film whip lash that left me "reeling" My brain was certainly fucked proper...Cheers.
Movie# 52 Kill List
Wow. Its been a long time since i movie shook me up this much and made me really think long after the credits roll. At first the ending pissed me off but the more I think about it I`m starting to change my mind. The disadvantage of this blog is I have to watch a new movie and write about it the same day. So it doesn't leave much time for multiple viewings. Wheatley;s film is certainly a mind bending film wrapped in a dark comedy about hit men. The direction, cast and visual style is refreshingly bold and its clear that in so short in his career he`s confident in his skills as a filmmaker and plays with unwritten film rules and then down right smashes them to pieces. I loved the domestic stuff at the start and then switches gears into pitch black comedy that reminded me of "Man Bites Dog" I wont spoil the end but all I can say it its a film whip lash that left me "reeling" My brain was certainly fucked proper...Cheers.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Movie# 51 Experimenter 2015
I swear in a past life I was a social experimenter. The social sciences hold a huge fascination for me so today's movie about the real life 1961 "Obedience Experiment" conducted by Stanley Milligram seems right up my alley. After decades Stanley's experiment is still taught, debated,dissected and discussed. Its really interesting and I highly recommend looking it up. Also its interesting to note that a movie I recently watched "The Stanford Prison Experiment" was done in the wake of Milligrams ground breaking research.
Movie# 51 Experimenter 2015
Michael Almereyda walks a fine line as he focus's on Milligrams work but also does not allow the film to feel totally detached from him on a personal level. We get to peel a layer back to see a flesh and blood man and not just a scientist. In my opinion its a tricky line to walk as you dont want to stray from the really interesting experiments but you also dont want to leave out the man behind them. Thankfully the film does not white wash the fact that some thought what he did was wrong but largely I think many of us can see what he did was a benefit to science and to human understanding. Almereyda's visual style keeps the audience on its toes and makes it far more than just a stuffy bio-pic. Peter Sarsgaard brings his A game in bringing to life Stanley Milligram. Playing his wife and collaborator is Winona Rydner and shes actually not terrible in this. Sorry but I think her acting outpoint is uneven at best. 1992's Dracula need I say more? Overall I really enjoyed this film and it currently holds a respectable 88% freshness on Rotten Tomatoes.
Movie# 51 Experimenter 2015
Michael Almereyda walks a fine line as he focus's on Milligrams work but also does not allow the film to feel totally detached from him on a personal level. We get to peel a layer back to see a flesh and blood man and not just a scientist. In my opinion its a tricky line to walk as you dont want to stray from the really interesting experiments but you also dont want to leave out the man behind them. Thankfully the film does not white wash the fact that some thought what he did was wrong but largely I think many of us can see what he did was a benefit to science and to human understanding. Almereyda's visual style keeps the audience on its toes and makes it far more than just a stuffy bio-pic. Peter Sarsgaard brings his A game in bringing to life Stanley Milligram. Playing his wife and collaborator is Winona Rydner and shes actually not terrible in this. Sorry but I think her acting outpoint is uneven at best. 1992's Dracula need I say more? Overall I really enjoyed this film and it currently holds a respectable 88% freshness on Rotten Tomatoes.
Friday, February 19, 2016
Movie# 50 Raising Cain 1992
Trying to fill in the gap of Brian De Palma films i`ve not yet seen.
Movie# 49 Raising Cain 1992
De Palma is a director that when hes good hes amazing when hes off, hes really off. But generally speaking i`m a fan of his work. Besides "Carrie" hes made a string of great films but lets be fair, he does crib alot off other directors most notably Hitchcock. This is not meant as a criticism by any means. Raising Cain is a huge mess of a film, which has a lot of contrived ideas done much better in other films (Peeping Tom for one) with his own "spin" on it. The predictable plot is made worse by Lolita Davisovich's bland and wooden performance (were also suppose to believe shes a doctor..) and sadly she cant compare with John Lithgow who has to play duel roles. Lithgow is good even though he does get hammy especially when he has to do an accent. Oh by the way this might feature thee worst dialogue in any of Brians films. Overall it feels forced and sloppy and De Palma even starts to borrow from himself as film limps to a ending that anyone with half a brain would see coming. Its always a terrible thing when someone as amazing as De Palma can turn out this kind of sub par film. I think i`m going to reach for my much loved copy of "Body Double" or "Dressed to Kill" ah yes better times!
Movie# 49 Raising Cain 1992
De Palma is a director that when hes good hes amazing when hes off, hes really off. But generally speaking i`m a fan of his work. Besides "Carrie" hes made a string of great films but lets be fair, he does crib alot off other directors most notably Hitchcock. This is not meant as a criticism by any means. Raising Cain is a huge mess of a film, which has a lot of contrived ideas done much better in other films (Peeping Tom for one) with his own "spin" on it. The predictable plot is made worse by Lolita Davisovich's bland and wooden performance (were also suppose to believe shes a doctor..) and sadly she cant compare with John Lithgow who has to play duel roles. Lithgow is good even though he does get hammy especially when he has to do an accent. Oh by the way this might feature thee worst dialogue in any of Brians films. Overall it feels forced and sloppy and De Palma even starts to borrow from himself as film limps to a ending that anyone with half a brain would see coming. Its always a terrible thing when someone as amazing as De Palma can turn out this kind of sub par film. I think i`m going to reach for my much loved copy of "Body Double" or "Dressed to Kill" ah yes better times!
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