FEBRUARY 2005 MOVIE VIEWING #698 - #704.
27 Sunday
Hotel Rwanda ( Terry George 2004. 121 mins) 3 / 5
[35mm Jam Factory Cinema 14 1.15pm] 1st viewing. Film #704
Striking film. Powerful acting by Don Cheadle, in particular in the last 30 minutes of the film. Some nice cameos- yet, I felt that some of these roles should have been played by non-recognisable actors. The appearances of Joaquin Phoenix / Nolte seemed to distract me often. Cheadle would have won the Oscar in most other years.
The Ox-Bow Incident ( William Wellman 1943. 75 mins) 2.5 / 5
[FOX Classics 8.30pm] 1st viewing. Film #703
Tight and well paced film. Runs only 75minutes but manages to pose moral and ethical questions that are still relevant today. Whilst all the cast was good it was Frank Conroy who stands out as the stubborn ex-Confederate major, certain that he is right in his judgements. I found some dialogue difficult to follow at the start.
26 Saturday
'M' ( Fritz Lang 1931. 111 mins) 3.5 / 5
[DVD Special Edition] Film #702
Haunting, strong film. Peter Lorre portrays a child molester fighting his demons. Great acting by Lorre in what is essentially a supporting role. Wonderful clear transfer on the restored DVD version. Story moves along at a perfect pace, some lovely camera movements and striking lighting. Bravo for the scene with the balloon stuck in the telephone lines.
12 Saturday
The Aviator ( Martin Scorsese 2004. 170 mins) 3.5 / 5
[35mm Rivoli Cinema 1 1.45pm] Film #701
Enjoyable narrative and nice acting. Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn was the highlight of the film. Great use of film history and old film footage by Scorsese. DiCaprio was quite good- not sure how Alan Alda received a Supporting Oscar Nod. The film did not feel long, but was slow towards the end. Would have liked a postscript detailing what happened to the main characters.
11 Friday
Les Diabolique ( Henri-Georges Clouzot 1955. 107 mins) 3 / 5
[VHS - Channel 2] Film #700
Genuinely thrilling, suspenseful French film- with several heart-stopping moments. This film has a lovely twist at the end (which I partly saw coming), however, I feel that information after the twist is revealed was unnecessary. I would have rather the film end at the twist. Fine performances all round.
6 Sunday
Million Dollar Baby (Clint Eastwood 2004. 137 mins) 2.5 / 5
[35mm Rivoli Cinema 6 1.15pm] Film #699
Three quarters into this standard boxing film - the narrative turns to a more emotional, ethical storyline. Unfortunately, this came far too late in the film, and whilst impressive acting by Eastwood, the main points of the film seemed rushed.
5 Saturday
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (John Ford 1949. 103 mins) 1.5 / 5
[ VHS - Channel 2.] Film #698
Disappointing Western. Poor narrative that did not hold my interest. One or two nice shots. Chief Big Tree had the best part as Indian Chief.
Hotel Rwanda ( Terry George 2004. 121 mins) 3 / 5
[35mm Jam Factory Cinema 14 1.15pm] 1st viewing. Film #704
Striking film. Powerful acting by Don Cheadle, in particular in the last 30 minutes of the film. Some nice cameos- yet, I felt that some of these roles should have been played by non-recognisable actors. The appearances of Joaquin Phoenix / Nolte seemed to distract me often. Cheadle would have won the Oscar in most other years.
The Ox-Bow Incident ( William Wellman 1943. 75 mins) 2.5 / 5
[FOX Classics 8.30pm] 1st viewing. Film #703
Tight and well paced film. Runs only 75minutes but manages to pose moral and ethical questions that are still relevant today. Whilst all the cast was good it was Frank Conroy who stands out as the stubborn ex-Confederate major, certain that he is right in his judgements. I found some dialogue difficult to follow at the start.
26 Saturday
'M' ( Fritz Lang 1931. 111 mins) 3.5 / 5
[DVD Special Edition] Film #702
Haunting, strong film. Peter Lorre portrays a child molester fighting his demons. Great acting by Lorre in what is essentially a supporting role. Wonderful clear transfer on the restored DVD version. Story moves along at a perfect pace, some lovely camera movements and striking lighting. Bravo for the scene with the balloon stuck in the telephone lines.
12 Saturday
The Aviator ( Martin Scorsese 2004. 170 mins) 3.5 / 5
[35mm Rivoli Cinema 1 1.45pm] Film #701
Enjoyable narrative and nice acting. Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn was the highlight of the film. Great use of film history and old film footage by Scorsese. DiCaprio was quite good- not sure how Alan Alda received a Supporting Oscar Nod. The film did not feel long, but was slow towards the end. Would have liked a postscript detailing what happened to the main characters.
11 Friday
Les Diabolique ( Henri-Georges Clouzot 1955. 107 mins) 3 / 5
[VHS - Channel 2] Film #700
Genuinely thrilling, suspenseful French film- with several heart-stopping moments. This film has a lovely twist at the end (which I partly saw coming), however, I feel that information after the twist is revealed was unnecessary. I would have rather the film end at the twist. Fine performances all round.
6 Sunday
Million Dollar Baby (Clint Eastwood 2004. 137 mins) 2.5 / 5
[35mm Rivoli Cinema 6 1.15pm] Film #699
Three quarters into this standard boxing film - the narrative turns to a more emotional, ethical storyline. Unfortunately, this came far too late in the film, and whilst impressive acting by Eastwood, the main points of the film seemed rushed.
5 Saturday
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (John Ford 1949. 103 mins) 1.5 / 5
[ VHS - Channel 2.] Film #698
Disappointing Western. Poor narrative that did not hold my interest. One or two nice shots. Chief Big Tree had the best part as Indian Chief.
posted by Rhett (rhettrospective@hotmail.com) at 5:07 PM
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