Track the Films You Watch (2005) - Page 59

Joe Karlosi · 10-21-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

If DRACULA VS FRANKENSTEIN, entertainment wise, is **** but you can't give it that, wouldn't you say the grand scale of say THE MALTESE FALCON is at least worth *** even though the entertainment level is only a ** ? If we're being objective on any level, can we really rate DRACULA VS FRANKENSTEIN higher than THE MALTESE FALCON, THE SEA HAWK, GONE WITH THE WIND or whatever?

I see what you mean, Mike. But in the case of THE MALTESE FALCON, I couldn't give it *** because three stars to me is a code for the word "good". Being I found it confusing and therefore not very rewarding (at least on my first view) how can I say it was "good" (***)? -- Because its reputation says I must? -- No, I cannot do that. I do, however think it was above standard (**1/2) .

I would rate DRACULA VS. FRANKENSTEIN higher than AMADEUS any day of the week. Oh, yeah.

Quote:

Star ratings are useless as long as you back it up with words. I'll give PLAN 9 a full rating anytime of the week. I'll just make sure to let people know it's not 2001, it's a horrible movie and they'll only enjoy it if they like B pictures.

I couldn't agree more. To me, star ratings are just a means of generalizing the overall vibe for the film, which people may see "at a glance". The true meat and potatoes is in the TEXT, and specifically what you say.
I've lately been thinking again of eliminating stars all together, or going back to not using half-star increments -- or even going on the 1 to 10 scale. In the end, whatever code you use to generalize, the heart of what you feel is in your words.

george kaplan · 10-21-2005, 05:08 PM

It can be hard to fathom what the morality police of a particular era will get in a huff about.

That's certainly true. I'm still scratching my head as to why Kiss Me, Stupid caused an uproar, while Wilder's earlier films with possibly offensive on-screen material (e.g., Irma La Douce, The Apartment, Some Like It Hot, The Seven Year Itch, The Major & the Minor, etc.) caused no problems, and were mostly acclaimed instead.

Mario Gauci · 10-21-2005, 05:35 PM

Quotes (originally posted by Joe Karlosi):

"In this case I'd forgotten that I'd already watched it earlier this year! I wasn't too pleased, either, because it meant I couldn't count the second viewing as "another film" in my totals for this year! But I got started with those teenage monster films this Halloween and didn't realize. Anyway, you'll note it's the only film I've seen twice all year (unless I've overlooked something!) Either way, it doesn't matter if I do. It's all about fun."

See what I mean, Joe - forgettable stuff

! Either that or you're getting old...

"A quick look at my lists from 2004 and 2005 will show you I certainly have been watching many different kinds of films, and rating most of them *** or higher."

True...but you're not diversifying as much as you used to, "old man". This last epithet is not a dig from me in respect of your age but I'm using it in a friendly manner as in THE THIRD MAN (1949); of course, had you watched it, you would have picked up the reference instantly and I wouldn't have had to explain it to you...

"Mario - I forgot to ask you, since horror is your favorite genre, why aren't you participating in the Halloween Challenge?'

It seems like you've missed out on more than just Jim K's dig, Joe, as I've already answered this question in my original GODZILLA post! Besides, since I'll embarking on that intensive film-making course soon, I'd rather spend the last few remaining days absorbing more "intellectual" stuff, you know

! I hope you don't mind...

Quote (originally posted by Michael Elliott):

"Mario, I'm not sure where you'll be staying while in America but hopefully you can enjoy some TCM."

I'll be staying in a hotel opposite Universal Studios; even if I'm not sure how much time I'll be having on my hands, I too hope to be able to get TCM over there since they'll be showing some great stuff in the near future: DOCTOR X (1932), COUNSELLOR-AT-LAW (1933), THEY WON'T FORGET (1937), LE JOUR SE LEVE (1939), I MARRIED A WITCH (1942), RIDE THE PINK HORSE (1947), SEVEN MEN FROM NOW (1956), etc.

Joe Karlosi · 10-21-2005, 05:38 PM

Quote:

True...but you're not diversifying as much as you used to, "old man". This last epithet is not a dig from me in respect of your age but I'm using it in a friendly manner as in THE THIRD MAN (1949); of course, had you watched it, you would have picked up the reference already and I wouldn't have had to explain it to you...

I'm sorry.

Quote:

True...but you're not diversifying as much as you used to, "old man". This last epithet is not a dig from me in respect of your age

Of course it's not, as 43 is not "old". You 20-something's will realize that some day. I did.

Quote:

Besides, since I'll embarking on that intensive film-making course soon, I'd rather spend the last few remaining days absorbing more "intellectual" stuff, you know!

Oh, brother. I can only imagine what types of high-brow films you'll be making...

Haggai · 10-22-2005, 09:48 AM

Cinderella (1950) 9/10
As light and silly as most of it is, this is still a terrifically charming and enjoyable movie. A surprisingly strong scene is the one where Cinderella is ready to go to the ball in the dress that the birds and mice have finished making for her while she was busy with her chores, but then the stepsisters just rip most of it apart right there as she's wearing it. The sense of violation is really frightening and powerful. There's also some cleverly humorous suspense near the end, when the mice are trying to get the attic key from the stepmother's pocket.

Lifeboat (1944) 8/10
For the most part, the script strikes a good balance with the characters between the allegorical roles they're obviously representing (pacifist, far-left radical, wealthy industrialist, etc.) and keeping them interesting as real people. In particular, the U-boat captain is so much more convincing than the usual stereotypical period film Nazi. His philosophy makes perfect sense to him, and he explains it very cooly like the talented and civilized guy he is, reflecting the frightening reality of how such a culturally advanced society could fall under the control of such evil ideas. Plenty of great Hitch visual touches as well, plus the grand dame Tallulah. The script is a little clunky on occasion, the ending seems a bit random, and there's also the mystery of Hume Cronyn's baffling accent, but it's still very good overall.

Torn Curtain (1966) 7/10
Although it's overly long and fairly dull during the early-going, there are a few excellent set pieces in the later stages. The killing in the farm house is a great scene, and the escapes on the bus and from the theater are both very good as well. The self-important old professor is pretty entertaining, as is Lila Kedrova as the batty Polish woman. The script probably just should have been shorter to make the whole thing work better, as almost all the good scenes happen in the last 40 minutes or so, with the farm house being the only real stand-out in the first hour and a half.

Jim_K · 10-23-2005, 11:44 AM

First time viewings in Red

The Flesh and the Fiends (1959)
The true story of The Body Snatcher stars Peter Cushing in one of his best performances as the infamous Dr Knox who employs murderous lowlifes William Hare & William Burke to supply his medical school with a fresh supply of cadavers. Donald Pleasance is also outstanding as the villainous Hare. Good stuff.

Land of the Dead (2005)
Romero’s 4th zombie opus lacks any sense of dread from previous installments & is really a big disappointment. Flesh-eating zombies lose their effect on me when they shoot guns, swing machetes, throw Molotov cocktails & swim. Also compared to how much Bud the zombie improved Day of the Dead, the Big Daddy character really made this one sink. The only plus is it delivers on the zombie/gore effects which merit it an extra half star. Glad I rented it first.

And Soon the Darkness (1970)
A truly menacing edge-of-your seat British thriller has two young women bicycling through rural France. After an argument, they split up and one of them ends up missing. A precursor to the cult thriller The Vanishing. Outstanding creepy atmosphere permeates the film.

Daikaiju Baran (1958)
Early Toho Kaiju flick made on the heels of the success of Godzilla & Rodan. Unfortunately the thin plot & uninspired monster design add up to a generic giant monster movie.

Unleashed (2005)
Jet Li is the berserker slave of a ruthless London gangster Bob Hoskins, that is until he meets up with piano-man Morgan Freeman & his daughter. Watchable action flick but a bit too syrupy at times.

Samurai Spy (1965)
Samurai, ninja warriors, mysterious swordsman dressed in white, severed appendages, moody photography & some truly inspired fight scenes. What more could you ask for from a 60’s samurai flick?

Sword of the Beast (1965)
A disgraced fugitive samurai fights for survival with the help of a master swordsman.

Unholy Partners (1941)
Edward G Robinson partners with a shady gambler Edward Arnold, in order to start up a newspaper.

Thunder Bay (1953)
James Stewart & Dan Duryea start up an off-shore oilrig which causes a conflict with the local fisherman.

The Wild One (1953)
Marlon Brando & his motorcycle gang terrorize 1950’s smalltown USA.

Also more from the new Hitchcock Masterpiece collection……………..

Rear Window (1954)
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
Rope (1948)
Saboteur (1941)
The Trouble With Harry (1955)
Torn Curtain (1966)

Also upgraded to the new SE’s of the two dark & twisted comic adaptations from Tim Burton……….
Batman (1989)
Batman Returns (1992)

Brook K · 10-24-2005, 12:29 AM

I don't recall the zombies swimming Jim. I thought they walked on the bottom of the river and came out the other side, though I do agree with you on the "lack of dread". I'm still debating whether to buy it or not.

Should see The Flesh and the Fiends this week.

SteveGon · 10-24-2005, 09:55 AM

And I'll be seeing The Flesh and the Fiends this week as well.

The Ghost Ship (1943)

Viewed 10/20/2005 (first viewing)

More Val Lewton. The new third officer of a cargo ship discovers that its captain is nuttier than a holdful of Queegs. A suspenseful little gem.

out of

Repulsion (1965)

Viewed 10/20/2005

Roman Polanski's classic study of a young woman's mental disintegration and descent into madness.

out of

Crime and Punishment (1983)

Viewed 10/21/2005 (first viewing)

Aki Kaurismaki's adaptation of the Dostoyevsky novel changes the setting to contemporary Finland. Abetted by a great soundtrack (as usual).

out of

Bad Moon (1996)

Viewed 10/21/2005 (first viewing)

A woman with a young son invites her globe-trotting brother to live with her, unaware that he's a freshly-minted werewolf. But the family dog knows and is determined to protect his family at all costs! A sleeper, worth searching out.

out of

Isle of the Dead (1945)

Viewed 10/22/2005 (first viewing)

Underrated gem from Val Lewton has Greek general Boris Karloff trapped on a small island after an outbreak of plague. Is the affliction caused by an evil spirit as one of the islanders believes? And how long will it be before Karloff goes mad? May be too slight for some, but I found the reason versus superstition angle interesting.

out of

Bedlam (1946)

(first viewing)

Val Lewton's strangest film finds the recalcitrant mistress of an English lord consigned to an insane asylum run by Boris Karloff. The offbeat poetic banter makes this a real curio.

out of

Number, Please (1920)

Viewed 10/22/2005 (first viewing)

Harold Lloyd short finds the comedian competing with a rival for the affections of a pretty girl. Nothing special or original about this one, but there some pretty funny sequences.

out of

I Do (1922)

Viewed 10/22/2005 (first viewing)

Another Harold Lloyd short, this one has Harold and his new wife babysitting their bratty (and destructive) nephews.

out of

Asterix and Obelix Take On Caesar (1999)

Viewed 10/23/2005 (first viewing)

Goofy French action comedy about two super-powered (thanks to a magic potion) Gallic friends who take on Caesar and his legions to keep their village safe. I might have enjoyed this more had I been more familiar with the characters (from a long-running comic book series), but the real culprit here is the fact that the R2 DVD carries only an English-dubbed soundtrack. WTF?

out of

The Wolf Man (1941)

Viewed 10/23/2005

Universal's classic tragic horror film stars Lon Chaney as Wolfie. Now I like this film, but am I the only one who thinks the wolf man looks kind of lame? He's easily the cheesiest of the Uni monsters. And why did Bela the gypsy turn into a full-fledged wolf when Larry Talbot transforms into some sort of man/wolf hybrid?

out of