In a clinic for the insane, the medical staff performs acts of sadomasochism on the patients.
From memory: A very stylized and theatrical approach to dementia is more
interested in displaying its topic than actually giving any in-depth
analysis; very artificial and artsy and a bit off-putting.
In post-war West Germany, the charming Von Bohm is appointed a city's
new Building Commissioner, but his morality is tested when he unknowingly
falls in love with a brothel worker, Lola, the paid mistress of a
corrupt property developer.
From memory: Excellently produced, unusually stylized, but not quite original tale with a cast of Germany's foremost actors is at best when recreating the post-war atmosphere.
Halliwell*: "Blue Angel country is the setting for this over-predictable fable from a director whose films always have interest."
Maltin***1/2: "Brilliantly directed and edited chronicle...Striking, unusual use of lighting and color."
In Switzerland, German singer Willie falls in love with Jewish composer,
Robert, who offers resistance to the Nazis by helping refugees.
From memory: Fassbinder's attempt to make a big movie production is meticulously produced, but the result is a dubious combination of old-fashioned melodrama with the director's usual idiosyncrasies.
Halliwell*: "Curious mixture of melodrama and satire which doesn't really work but is always lively to watch."
Maltin**1/2: ""Second-rate Fassbinder about third-rate cabaret singer...Intriguing subject matter is pretentiously handled.
The life of cursed painter Egon Shiele, specialized
in nudes, and on his late conflicting love for two women.
From memory: Opulent and somewhat sleazy biopic of the artist most certainly fails to portray him and his period accurately.
Halliwell (no star): "Uninvolving biopic of the Austrian Expressionist Egon Schiele (1890-1918), which gives the impression that he never painted anything other than naked women."
.jpg)
