New acquisition: Dog Eat Dog (2016)

 

New acquisition: Sight & Sound

 

Rolling Thunder (1977)

A returning war veteran loses his family to a violent home invasion and decides to seek and retaliate against those responsible.

Hardcore (1979)

A conservative Midwest businessman ventures into the sordid underworld of pornography in California to look for his runaway teenage daughter who is making porno films in California's porno pits.

From memory: Intense and at times depressing drama about bigotry confronted with the harsh realms of reality is fascinating; the "happy" ending is deliberately ambiguous.

Halliwell***: "Intense and solemn treatment of a situation that could have gone over the top, and very nearly does; the acting saves it."

Maltin**1/2: "...at times fascinating, sad, and repellent. Marred by unbelievable conclusion."

Raging Bull (1980)

The rise and fall of the prizefighter Jake LaMotta.

A remarkable masterpiece in black and white carving a character study out of the downward spiral of its protagonist's life.

Halliwell****: "Tough, compelling, powerfully made ringside melodrama. A poll of American critics voted it the best movie of the 1980s."

Maltin****: "Extraordinarily compelling...That such an unappealing  man could inspire so vivid a portrait is a tribute to the collaboration Scorsese, De Niro, and writers Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin. There's not a false note in characterization or period detail."

 

American Gigolo (1980)

A Los Angeles male escort, who mostly caters to an older female clientèle, is accused of a murder which he did not commit.

From memory: The crime story is merely the background for a highly stylish exposure of a shallow, ultimately forlorn character - and his slow redemption.

Halliwell (no star): "Thoroughly unattractive wallow on the seamy side of Los Angeles, with none of Midnight Cowboy's passion."

Maltin BOMB: "Schrader presents his weakest variation yet on his favorite theme, the seamy side of American life. Feeble morality play, posing as a thriller, is further undermined by neurasthenic acting and some of the unsexiest sex scenes ever."

First Reformed (2017)

A minister of a small congregation in upstate New York grapples with mounting despair brought on by tragedy, worldly concerns and a tormented past.

Intense psychological drama effortlessy weighs in heavy topics and creates suspense by slowly escalating these issues; Hawke surprises with a stellar performance;  puzzling ending might disappoint some viewers.

Cat People (1982)

Hitchcock/Truffaut (2015)

Filmmakers discuss how Francois Truffaut's 1966 book "Cinema According to Hitchcock" influenced their work.

This documentary provides not much new about the famous book and the two directors, but you'll find more insight from the invited guest directors.

Cat People (1982)

A young woman's sexual awakening brings horror when she discovers her urges transform her into a monstrous black leopard.

I remember how excited I was when this one was released in 1982, a remake of the classic Cat People by Paul Schrader and Nastassja Kinski in it! The movie itself was a complete disappointment, such a mess, it doesn't even come near the subtleties of Tourneur's original.

Seing it again after such a long time hasn't helped, it' still not a better movie. Of course a genre pic needn't be plausible, but here the storyline is as if ridiculing the premise. Kinski is worth the watch, though.

On renewed viewing: it still has a silly plot, but some atmospheric scenes and  - Nastassja Kinski.

Halliwell (no star): "One presumes that among the eroticism and bloodlust a statement is being made, but it is never evident."

Maltin**: "Sexy, bloody, technically well crafted, but uneven and ultimately unsatisfying; Schrader seems more concerned with camera angles and nudity than coherent storyline."

Obsession (1976)

A wealthy New Orleans businessman becomes obsessed with a young woman who resembles his deceased wife.

Masterful exercise in Hitchcock style clearly referencing Vertigo; atmosphere and tension are well are finely recreated, and the plot has some slight twists without being too complex.

Halliwell*: "Hitchcockian adventure with a few unwise attempts at seriousness, a la Don't Look Now. Generally entertaining, skilled and quite rewarding."

Maltin**1/2: "Viwers who don't remember VERTIGO might enjoy this rehash...Holds up until denouement."

Blue Collar (1978)

On the set: Paul Schrader, Harvey Keitel, Yaphet Kotto & Richard Pryor

Hitchcock/Truffaut (2015)

Filmmakers discuss how Francois Truffaut's 1966 book "Cinema According to Hitchcock" influenced their work.