Track the Films You Watch (2008) - Page 27

Adam_S · 03-26-2008, 06:23 PM

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I shouldn't have felt so much hatred towards her because she was simply too young to understand what was going on.

Spoiler:

Mario Gauci · 03-26-2008, 06:31 PM

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Originally Posted by Michael Elliott

I checked the film out on another player and they work fine, although I'm probably going to put them off a couple weeks now. I finally got my George Meiles set so that's 173 films that will need to be watched as well as a few Franco titles that just arrived in the mail. I read your review of Franco's OBSCENE MIRROR, which is one of the titles I received. Did the version you watch contain XXX scenes? I think there is a Spanish version as well as a French one. I got the French version and apparently there are XXX scenes in it. I'm guessing that the Spanish one was just soft core.

So all 4 discs work fine for you now? I don't own A WOMAN WITHOUT LOVE (1951) myself...but, then, that is the one Bunuel himself thought was his worst film. Still, I certainly didn't hate it when I caught it in London last year and wouldn't mind adding it to my collection someday.

As for THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR (1973): you are right that there are various varying editions in existence and that the French (and, if I recall correctly, the Italian as well) one allegedly contains hardcore footage but, strange as it may sound, Franco's "orginal" cut is the less explicit Spanish one (which you also have, am I right?). In fact, even in the unsubtitled, battered version I own, AL OTRO LADO DEL ESPEJO is one of Franco's finest and most oneiric achievements ever.

Mario Gauci · 03-26-2008, 06:43 PM

Re: EVEN DWARFS STARTED SMALL (1970)

Although I recently acquied the Anchor Bay DVD, I have yet to go through the disc but I am familiar with the film itself and, frankly, I didn't like it all that much either when I watched it several years ago on VHS. In fact, it might well be my least favorite of his "fiction" feature films.

As for ALPHAVILLE (1965) - I can't help thinking that you are cruelly shortchanging it

! I like it more with each viewing myself - so, hopefully, you will give it a try in the future...which, in this context, would be perfectly appropriate.

Michael Elliott · 03-26-2008, 09:30 PM

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Originally Posted by Adam_S

I think Briony did know what was going on at 13. I don't think she understood the consequences to the life and reputation of her crush, Robbie, or her sister. She had no idea how far reaching her lie could be, and how the consequences could snowball to a degree that no atonement would be able to compensate for all the wrongs accomplished by her lie. the only thing left to Briony, at the end of her life, was the fiction we most want to believe in, even if it's a lie, so she gave Robbie and Cecilia a happy ending. But she didn't give us or herself one, because she's still wants to make it right, no matter how impossible it is.

***MORE SPOILERS FOR ATONEMENT***

I always took it that she told the second lie (the happy ending) so that in her mind she could pretend that the first lie never happened. When I watched the movie at first I was thinking that she told the first lie because she was jealous of her sisters relationship with a guy she had the crush on. Then, after she reads the letter, I thought her mind was telling her to fear the guy. She certainly knew she was lying when she told the police that she saw who did it but I think, due to the letter or her jealousy, that she just figured that's who it was.

Michael Elliott · 03-26-2008, 09:35 PM

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Originally Posted by Mario Gauci

So all 4 discs work fine for you now? I don't own A WOMAN WITHOUT LOVE (1951) myself...but, then, that is the one Bunuel himself thought was his worst film. Still, I certainly didn't hate it when I caught it in London last year and wouldn't mind adding it to my collection someday.

Yes. I'm not sure what's up with my girlfriend's DVD player but I watched Bergman's SAWDUST AND TINSEL today without any issues with the subtitles. I tried the other four on my dvd player and they all worked but that player is hooked up to my projector so I could only watch these at night, which won't sit well with the girlfriend.

She isn't a fan of "reading" movies.

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As for THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR (1973): you are right that there are various varying editions in existence and that the French (and, if I recall correctly, the Italian as well) one allegedly contains hardcore footage but, strange as it may sound, Franco's "orginal" cut is the less explicit Spanish one (which you also have, am I right?). In fact, even in the unsubtitled, battered version I own, AL OTRO LADO DEL ESPEJO is one of Franco's finest and most oneiric achievements ever.

I actually don't have the Spanish one. The guy I got the disc from said the hardcore scenes feature their own chapter mark so I could skip them if I wanted. He said the hardcore footage features Lina Romay doing all the action so that leads me to believe that Franco shot the footage and didn't just add scenes from other hardcore movies (like with FEMALE VAMPIRE).

I've currently seen 103 Franco films with seven more sitting here but I'm not yet at the point where I track down each version. It's just too much money considering I still have around 70 to watch for the first time. I also don't think it makes too much differences in most cases but I would watch the Spanish MIRROR since it's clear he shot both versions.

Tarkin The Ewok · 03-27-2008, 02:43 AM

3/19: Charlie Wilson's War

1/2 out of

The best thing I can say about this movie is that it made me think about the politics and bureaucracy of the US and the world for a little while. The actual entertainment value is lacking. Most of the funny parts are revealed in the trailer, although the liquor bottle gag is thankfully kept a surprise. Hanks and especially Hoffman turn in winning performances. Once you know what Charlie is trying to do and what his methods are, there's really not much story at all, and the ending is such a downer. Of course, that's how it happened, but a movie should be willing to alter the facts if it makes for a better story.

3/22: Ben-Hur (1959)

out of

I revisited the classic in preparation for Easter. In April, I get to introduce this film to my parents. I hope they love it as much as I do.

42nd Street Freak · 03-27-2008, 06:23 AM

"Animal Crackers"

This is the real Marx deal. After the weak and flimsy movie debut proper with "Cocoanuts" the second Marx's film sees them under better directorial control with better technical back-up and far more assured and confident performances.

One or two weak songs aside (thankfully we also have the classic "Captain Spaulding" ditty to make up for that dreadful love song) this is almost all undiluted Marx madness as the director Victor Herman wisely took a knife to the song and dance routines.

And what Marxian gems we have! Chico and Harpo are on top anarchic form with a big dash of surrealism (the boxing/wrestling match that pits Harpo against poor old Margaret Dumont is an un-PC joy for the eyes) and Groucho is at his verbal best as he quick fires some of the best Marx gags to perfection.

Top of the list has to be the wonderfully absurdist skit between Chico and Groucho when Chico puts forth his ideas to find out who stole the painting (the basic plot is a nonsensical mess but matters not) which goes from asking the people in the house who took the painting, to asking the people in the house next door who took the painting, to having to build a house next door to ask as there isn't one, to the layout of this fantasy house, to finally coming to the conclusion that in fact left-handed moths ate the picture...Absurd genius superbly delivered.

Other highlights (in what is easily a film at its strongest when being verbal) are Groucho's attempts to propose to two women at the same time.
Woman - "Why, that's bigamy"!
Groucho - "Yes, and it's big o' me too"
Groucho - "I'm sick of these conventional marriages. One woman and one man was good enough for yourGrandmother, but who wants to marry your Grandmother? Nobody, not even your Grandfather".

The classic dictation of a letter sequence (the only time Zeppo is given anything to do)
Groucho - "Read that back to me".
Zeppo - "... care of Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger, Hungerdunger, and McCormick."
Groucho - "You've left out a Hungerdunger. You left out the main one, too!

And the scene where Groucho introduces himself to Chandler.
Groucho - "Well, art is art, isn't it?
Still, on the other hand, water is water.
And east is east and west is west, and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce, they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does".

Not much Groucho/Dumont word play on show sadly but there is one gem;
Groucho - "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, which doesn't say much for you".

All in all though this is pure Marx Brothers genius!

PatW · 03-27-2008, 02:55 PM

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Originally Posted by Michael Elliott

*****SPOILERS FOR ATONEMENT*****

Pat, I've been waiting to hear your opinions on this one since I watched it in the theater over a month ago.

I'm curious how different people thought of the little sister but I really haven't heard any opinions from a woman. I remember watching the film that I grew a very strong hatred for the little girl and this hatred continued up to the end of the film. When the sister, now older, is being interviewed it finally dawned on me that I shouldn't have felt so much hatred towards her because she was simply too young to understand what was going on.

I'm curious if you felt for the younger sister right from the start or if you felt something different towards what she did. As you said, it was heartbreaking but I think my opinion of her changed towards the end of the movie.

No, I despised that little girl right up to the end. I think Briony at thirteen knew what she was doing but certainly didn't have the life experience behind her to realize the impact that the lie would have. But that's no excuse. I think she was so filled with rage at Robbie's preceived betrayal of her crush that even though she saw Paul Marshall raping her cousin the lie would appease her anger. Eventually she convinced herself the lie was the truth. I think women might be a bit harsher in their thoughts regarding Briony then men, though I can't speak for everyone. The lie was a betrayal of everyone she loved including her sister, her family and most of all Robbie. The only time I started to have a bit of sympathy for the young nurse Briony until the end, was her touching scene with the French soldier. That was a selfless act. But even the ending was a cheat in a way for the confrontational scene in the apartment was not real so Briony never did get the dressing down that she so richly deserved. The ending was perfect because Briony never was allowed the satisfaction of starting to make amends but only could do so in her book which left her and us feeling unsatisfied. Vanessa Redgrave protrayed this so superbly that it probably was her acting alone that started to illicit some sympathy from me. One thing is for sure. I've got to read that book.

Oh and upon viewing this a second time, despite the weaker performance from nurse Briony, I'll be bumping my rating up to five stars. Lesson learned - never watch this with a guy who dismisses it as being only a chick flick.(God I hate that term even though I use it myself.)

PatW · 03-27-2008, 03:24 PM

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Originally Posted by Adam_S

Spoiler:

***Spoilers for Atonement***

Adam, I should have read your comment before I posted my last one. I think Briony stopped trying to make it right a long time ago, because as she said to the interviewer what was the point. The people she wronged are dead so she can never make this right. The title of this movie is so appropriate because the atonement she desires will always be wished for but out of her grasp. Appropriate punishment, don't you think.