APRIL 2005 MOVIE VIEWING #713 - #723

29 Friday
Love Actually ( Richard Curtis 2003 135 mins) 3.5/ 5
[DVD] 2nd viewing.
This film still makes me laugh out loud and in the very next scene feel sadness. A truly great experience, and wonderfully executed considering there are numerous storylines at once. On the second viewing I found some intelligent sound editing, in particular with the music and songs. Bill Nighy steals the show as the ageing Rock Star- one of the cinema's most funny supporting performances.

28 Thursday
Guess Who ( Kevin Rodney Sullivan 2005 120 mins) 1/ 5
[Highpoint Cinema 10 8.45pm] 1st viewing. Film #723
Remake of 1967's Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. This film was unnecessary and I found it offensive to today's society. I believe the characterisations were offensive and over the top- and that this film is not required in this day and age of racial acceptance. The only good thing about the film was the performance of Judith Scott (1) as Marilyn Jones.

25 Monday
Wait Until Dark ( Terence Young 1967 107 mins) 3.5/ 5
[Movie Greats] 1st viewing. Film #722
Now this is a very good film. Told mainly in the one apartment, with Audrey Hepburn as a blind woman, trying to prevent two men from locating a doll hidden in the house containing drugs. Suspenseful with two very shocking moments, which, although I saw coming, were still most frightening. Hepburn is wonderful in this film, and Richard Crenna is simply superb!. The plot and the ideas in this film are so well done that I recommend this film very highly.

24 Sunday
The Day The Earth Stood Still ( Robert Wise 1951 92 mins) 2.5/ 5
[FOX Classics 1st viewing. Film #721
I am not a Sci - Fi fan. However I did not mind this film, mainly because it was attempt to have a message, and the characters were all there for a particular reason, to be the voice of the multitudes of our generation and the generation of the 1950's. The look of film, cinematography, was very crisp. Even the set direction and costume, in particular Gort, was impressive. Sure it wasn't a wonderful film, but the acting was convincing and overall it was enjoyable. The film is still relevant 50 years on.

22 Friday
Querelle Rainer Werner Fassbinder 1982 108 mins) 2/ 5
[VHS] 1st viewing. Film #720
My first Fassbinder film. A dreamlike story of a sailer (Brad David) who basically, learns about his sexuality in a whorehouse. Certainly one of the most strange films I have seen. Some of the costume and feel of the film were very well done. The cast of Brad David was brilliant. But I don't think Fassbinder is my kind of stylish director.

17 Saturday
Assault on Precinct Thirteen ( Jean Francois-Richet 2005 109 mins) 1.5/ 5
[Highpoint Cinema 2. 4.30pm] 1st viewing. Film #719
You know the film is in trouble when you pick the ending. This is what happened with this film. Infact, there were many questions that were raised during this film, and many holes in the narrative. Other than that there were some nice moments, and Ethan Hawke was okay- though not overly convincing. Brian Dennehy was probably the highlight of the film.

16 Saturday
The Seventh Seal ( Ingmar Bergman 1957. 96 mins) 2/ 5
[World Movies} 1st viewing. Film #718
The two things which struck me about this film, was how quickly the narrative began, of the Crusader playing Chess with Death. And secondly, the humour which permeates throughout the film. Max Von Sydow was convincing as the Crusader who on his returns, tries to defeat Death in a game of Chess to prolong his life. There is a great cinematic moment whereby Sydow knocks the pieces on the chess board. My first Ingmar Bergman film, and while the print was quite poor, the film was quite striking.

The Saint's Double Trouble ( Jack Hively 1940. 67 mins) 2/ 5
[ABC TV] 1st viewing. Film #717
Just an average film. George Sanders plays the Saint , who also happens to look identical like a jewel thief- so George Sanders is playing both roles. For it's time , the special effects of both characters on screen at the same time are quite good. It really is just a simple film - nothing brilliant about it. The last 20 minutes is the best- with Sanders in a sinking boat, and the scene at the jail- but the highlight for me is seeing Bela Lugosi in a non-vampire role.

12 Tuesday
Topkapi ( Jules Dassin 1964. 120 mins) 2.5/ 5
[FOX Classics] 1st viewing. Film #716
I have been wanting to see this film for many years.
Interesting heist film which builds to an exciting conclusion. Peter Ustinov was quite good, but I found he was more a main character, rather than a supporting role (for which he won his Oscar). I did find the accent of Melina Mercouri to be difficult to understand at times- whilst Maximilan Schell portrayed the head of the robbers quite well. The film really does hit the peak with around 30minutes to go, when they enter the Topkapi Museum for the heist- maybe the ending after that was a bit of a let down.

9 Saturday
Frenzy ( Alfred Hitchcock 1972. 116 mins) 3/ 5
[FOX Classics] 1st viewing. Film #715
Proof that the Master of Suspense was still brilliant right up to the end. Great narrative based on the 'wrong man accused' theme. Strong and believeable performances by all, mainly because they unrecognisable actors. Wonderful moment when the 'Necktie Murderer' propositions his next victim out the front of the bar. Great music and use of sound.

2 Saturday
Yankee Doodle Dandy ( Michael Curtiz 1942. 126 mins) 3.5/ 5
[TCM] 1st viewing. Film #714
Wow this film is still fresh 60+ years later. The one thing I learnt from this film is , James Cagney can dance. Brilliant scene in which pretending to be an old man, he shows a young lady that he can dance. Great musical numbers. This is such an enjoyable , eye opening film. Memorable music. Highly Recommended.

Pork Chop Hill ( Lewis Milestone 1959. 97 mins) 2/ 5
[Movie Greats] Film #713
Not a bad film . Gregory Peck is convincing as the Lieutenant in charge of capturing a Hill inhabited by the Chinese Army, that really has no bearing on the war or anything. The Hill and the fight for it becomes a metaphor for fears and the decisions made in war. Worth seeing for the cast- Gregory Peck, Rip Torn, Robert Blake and Martin Landau.