Sunday, 11 December 2016

The Neon Demon (2016)


On the set: Nicolas Winding Refn and Elle Fanning

The Godfather (1972)



The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.

A flawless epic with mastery to be found in all parts, a true cinema classic.

I watch the Godfather trilogy at least once a year; nothing to add to my previous comment.

Halliwel****: "A brilliantly-made film with all the fascination of a snake pit: a warm-hearted family saga except that the members are thieves and murderers. Cutting would help, but the duller conversational sections do heighten the cunningly judged moments of suspense and violence."

Maltin****: "The 1970s' answer to GONE WITH THE WIND, from Mario Puzo's novel...Pulp fiction raised to the highest level; a film of epic proportions, masterfully done, and set to Nino Rota's memorable music. Absolutely irresistable."

Saturday, 10 December 2016

Ann-Margret


The Hateful Eight (2015)



In the dead of a Wyoming winter, a bounty hunter and his prisoner find shelter in a cabin currently inhabited by a collection of nefarious characters.

 More closed-room mystery drama than a Western, this movie is slow-paced, talkative and very violent, but as usual Tarantino keeps the tension throughout helped by a great cast, excellent cinematography and a score by Ennio Morricone.


Alicia Vikander

The Elephant Man (1980)



A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man who is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous facade, there is revealed a person of intelligence and sensitivity.

Extremely moving and tasteful rendition of a tragic story; masterfully created in all departments (performances, b/w cinematography, period detail) it exemplifies what commercial cinema is capable of, when it's made with an artistic vision.

Halliwell***: "A curious story which happens to be true; the film sets its scene superbly, has splendid performances and a fascinating make-up. Yet it fails to move quite as it should, perhaps because the central figure is treated as a horrific come-on, like the hunchback of Notre Dame."

Maltin***1/2: "Moving dramatization...Fine performances by all; rich Victorian atmosphere created by Lynch and veteran cameraman Freddie Francis - in beautiful black and white."