January 2010
18 posts
1 tag
The Citadel (1938)
It has been a few days so my memory is unjust. Since the film jumps so much through this character’s life, all the characters and their development is pretty weak. The focus is on events rather than psychology. That’s always a minus for me (I mean, I don’t actually want character psychology, I just want more focus). This is the first film in which I have ever been attracted to...
2 tags
5th Ave Girl (1939)
Things I’ll gripe about: begins on a rather creepy/uncertain meeting in the park. Some of the cold, dry humor seems forced — it is too curt, too dead. Mary and Tim should not get together at the end.
Otherwise, this totally charmed me. (The old people sex at the end might have done most of this work.) Walter Connolly is wonderful in these comic roles. He and Ginger are, for the most...
2 tags
An Inn in Tokyo (1935)
I do so very much love silent Ozu, though I approached this one cautiously as it sounded like a rather dark and depressing work. And it is a dark and depressing work, but oh I do so very much love silent Ozu. With each film I see, I only gain more respect for Ozu’s technique. His camera! His editing! His acting! Everything is beautiful and crystallized. I was reminded of von Sternberg, The...
1 tag
The Tree, the Mayor, and the Mediatheque (1993)
I did not expect to get into this, but I did. I wish real life political conversations were this polite and stimulating. WAIT THAT WOULD BE BORING. While watching, I remembered how much urban planning interested me.
RIP Eric Rohmer.
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The Marquise of O (1976)
Hm. No comment. RIP Eric Rohmer.
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A Good Marriage (1982)
There is something overbearing about this heroine and the way she protects her ego with confidence. I have never been this annoyed by a character’s stubborn confidence in a Rohmer (RIP) film before. A disappointment after this morning’s surprise.
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The Aviator's Wife (1981)
As far as I know, Rohmer RIP is the only one to have brought proverbs from literature to film. I find this fascinating. Proverb for this film: One cannot think of nothing. This reminded me of Musset’s proverb play ‘One cannot think of everything’; hoping for similarities was a mistake. A very concentrated film (one day timeline) and enjoyable Rohmer.
1 tag
Not Reconciled (1965)
I don’t know. Disjointed, emotionally distant, hermetic. Apparently Straub and Huillet were after “non-classical” forms of cinema that were “politically-oriented.” But really those terms become meaningless. I have written before (in other places) about various leftist aesthetic theories, and the same problems I run up against with the formalist theories I run up...
1 tag
Louis Lumiere (1968)
Jean Renoir and Henri Langlois discuss Lumiere’s films. They have lots of wonderful things to say about Lumiere’s work and cut within the film are a broad range of Lumiere films (examples). New appreciation for Lumiere. Wish to see more programs like this one.
Eric Rohmer is the off-screen host (RIP).
1 tag
Tokyo Days (1988)
A little video by Chris Marker. I did not understand what Marker was up to, but found it fascinating nonetheless.
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Hobson's Choice (1954)
I don’t have anything to say. I put off watching this for so long because it was directed by David Lean. Indeed there I things I can find to rag on in this film, but I don’t have the heart to. I really don’t have anything to say.
1 tag
Spring Madness (1938)
Maureen O’Sullivan !!!!!
Although mostly dull and at times unpleasant, there are odd moments of sparkle throughout (most of it is from Maureen!). Those moments are almost wonderful.
“Men — who do they think they are? Women?”
“Fall into the deepest ocean, but never fall in love. I never plan to.”
1 tag
Les metamorphoses du paysage (1964)
The little documentary would be totally wonderful if only the narrator would be quiet for a minute or two. But otherwise, I did not expect such a poetic documentary from Eric Rohmer. RIP
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Duelle (1976)
Juliet Berto and Bulle Ogier — you ladies are awesome.
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Bardelys the Magnificent (1926)
WOW GREAT STORY ROBERT OSBORNE I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS FILM STILL EXISTS
The premise: two great lovers of France, Marquis de Bardelys “The Magnificent” (our hero) and Chatellerault (our villain), Chatellerault rejected by the most charming of women, Roxalanne. “Do not feel bad,” says The Magnificent, “Women are like wine! The next will be better.” “I...
1 tag
Four Nights of a Dreamer (1971)
I ignored my Bresson prejudices and watched this. Having endured it, my prejudices are back.
The characters, drained of rhetorical force, are also drained of psychological intelligibility. They are perverse creeps at best. They were rarely at their best. I shuddered through every bizarre stalking scene and awkward sexual encounter.
Note to self: But when Dostoevsky does it, it is interesting.
...
1 tag
Full Moon in Paris (1984)
Ogier reminds me of Laura, but taller. And with bigger hair. I loved her in Rivette’s Le pont du Nord (1981). Respected her here. It upsets me that she died.
As is with me and Rohmer films: I love that the characters rationalize their emotions and actions, and so obviously fail at it. This is only too true for all of us.
2 tags
She Had to Say Yes (1933)
Filed under: Reasons to Love the 1930s.
Flo: I hate being pawed. Danny: But maybe you’ve never been pawed properly!
Maizee: If I had it my way, your face would look like it’s been kissed by a trolley car. Tommy: If you were a man— Maizee: If you were a man, you wouldn’t have to.