Happy Furry Puppy Story Time with Norbizness

Any Questions? Comments? Disagreements? Repressed Memories?

Jason Robards (1922-2000) and Stella Stevens (#14)

Cleaning out the rest of the DVD review in-box, will begin working on a linked-up alphabetical listing of these little timewasters later on.

8. The Damned (d. Luschino Visconti, 1969): Having previously reviewed The Leopard, Visconti's lush depiction of a Sicilian prince at the time of Garibaldi's revolution. This film is like the flip-side, telling the story of the dissolution of a wealthy industrial family as the Nazis consolidate their power in 1930s Germany. It features several expert performances (Dirk Bogarde, Ingrid Thulin) mixed with several over-actors (many of the German characters); as well as several brilliant and chilling scenes followed up by relative cheap-looking tedium. Had it been pared down by about 20 minutes, it could have been a worthy predecessor to what's considered his final masterpiece, Death in Venice. 6/10.

9. The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (Criterion 254, d. John Cassavetes, 1977): I promised to start watching more Cassavetes, but may have to renege, in that the film clips in the 3+ hour documentary on him (A Constant Forge) and the cumulative effect of this movie really don't leave a lot to be desired. It's a story described by the title; an act foisted upon a small-time strip-club owner (Ben Gazzara) to pay off his gambling debts. Maybe the other movies are better, but this style of acting and direction kind of grate on me. I would personally give it a 3/10, but leave room for better students of acting and cinema to disagree.

10. Belle du Jour (d. Luis Bunuel, 1967): Although I think that The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeiosie is his finest later film, this runs a close second, effortlessly melding the dream world of a repressed newlywed (Catherine Deneuve) with her decision to become a high-priced call girl. Some of the fantasy sequences are a little over-the-top, and the subplot with the metal-toothed young criminal (Pierre Clémenti) doesn't really work, but the end result is ultimately chilling. There's also good, unobtrusive commentary from Tulane film professor Julie Jones... hearing a Southern drawl describe the activity is entertaining in itself. 8/10.

11. Naked (Criterion 307, d. Mike Leigh, 1993): Definitely a love-it-or-hate-it film; I originally saw in the theatres back in my college days and didn't know what to make of it. Even though all of the actors are amazing (especially the late Katrin Cartlidge), there's something a little contrived and exploitative about all of the set-ups. It's definitely a chore to sit through, as Leigh explores alienation and loneliness through a variety of encounters in the London night. I personally prefer his Secrets and Lies and Topsy-Turvy, although many would disagree. 6.5/10. Loads of extras, including commentary from Leigh, Cartlidge, and David Thewlis, as well as a bonus disc with an hour-long interview and a short film.

12. Alexander Nevsky (Criterion #87, d. Sergei Eisenstein, 1937) A weird, shorter piece where Eisenstein recreates a single event: the defeat of the Germanic forces by Prince Alexander (ostensibly as a propaganda piece against the Nazis; the film was shelved when Stalin signed the non-aggression pact in 1940). There's a lot of brilliance in the staging of the shots, the acting is somewhat laughable in spots, and some of the sets are awful. The music, composed by Prokofiev, suffers from what the commentator says was the worst recording machinery in all of cinema. An interesting sidelight comes from the collaboration of the two Sergeis with, of all people, Walt Disney in order to synch music and action. Lots of extras, including still photographs that recreate Bezhan Meadow, Einstein's unreleased prior picture. In all, a lot of potential that would be fully realized in the Ivan the Terrible pictures. 6/10.

13. Repo Man (20th Anniversary Collector's Edition, d. Alex Cox, 1984): One day too late, I meant to put the memorable quotes as an addendum to this day's reviews. A cult classic full of great characters, snappy dialogue, and some underappreciated cinematography in and around the streets of L.A. The film suffers in the last third from the director's self-admitted inability to stick with an ending. There's also excellent commentary from Cox, producer Mike Nesmith, and a few cast members, including Sy Richardson (Lite, the African-American repo man). A lot of interesting ideas for such a low-budget picture. 7.5/10.

14. The Ballad of Cable Hogue (d. Sam Peckinpah, 1970): One of the lesser-seen Peckinpah films, about the title character (Jason Robards) finding a watering hole in the middle of the Nevada desert and building it up through sheer force of will. Echoes some of the similar themes found in Deadwood, but filtered through a kind of screwball comedy prism. Great supporting performances from character actors like Strother Martin, L.Q. Jones, and Slim Pickens. It also features a remarkably strong performance from pin-up Stella Stevens in the overused "hooker with a heart of gold" role. Worth checking out as a relatively quiet follow-up to the ultraviolent The Wild Bunch. 6.5/10.

OK, I'm caught up for now. What's next?

Posted by Norbizness at February 14, 2006 12:37 AM