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Reviews
La nuit de Varennes (1982)
Elegang, witty, dignified and also a little sad, mostly because they don't make films like this anymore !
I watched this film years ago shortly after it was released and being a movie-buff, enjoyed it greatly.
Now, finally the film has been released in its entire length on DVD and blu-ray in France (some 25 mins. were cut for the VHS release for some reason) and I jumped at the possibility of watching this rare masterpiece again.
I was not disappointed in ANY way. Although the story line is largely fictional, it does center round a real incident, namely the attempted escape of the French royal family in July 1791 and although we never actually SEE the royals, apart from a short glimpse of their feet, the whole story revolves around them and the French revolution.
Onboard a stagecoach which is following the same route between Paris and the northern borders of France, we find an illustrious assembly of people, among them an Austrian countess and lady-in-waiting to the Queen (Hanna Schygulla), a philosopher/writer (Jean-Louis Barrault), an American freedom fighter, Thomas Paine (Harvey Keitel), and bordering at a later hour, the ageing Casanova, (Marcello Mastroianni). Last but not least, a widow on her way home to her estate (Andrea Ferreol), a judge, and an opera singer (Laura Betti).
Along the hot and dusty way they argue about and discuss the French revolution and each and everyone present their opinion on "the new world" (as the film is originally titled in Italian), i.e. the new France after the revolution.
Mastroianni who plays the role of the old, half-blind Casanova, is nothing short of fantastic. Along the way, in turn each of the women, even the Countess's hairdresser (Jean-Claude Brialy) as well, proposition him and offer him their hearts and towards the end you, the viewer, are totally and utterly prepared to do the same - he is simply stunning, seldom have I seen a more dignified and charming performance.
Towards the end they catch up with the royal coach which has been stopped at Varennes by "the people" and so the film ends.
If you do not want to watch this for the partly political content, at least watch it for the wonderful, dignified, elegant performances by everyone and enjoy a film dialogue which has seldom been so wittily and intelligently presented as it is here, lines delivered by superb actors and actresses, thoroughly enjoying themselves throughout. Please also refer to the glowering review below by Asa_Nisi_Masa2 from 2005, which whom I fully agree, a truly remarkable film.
9* out of 10 - I will be sure to watch it again and again !
Marie Brand: Marie Brand und die Nacht der Vergeltung (2009)
Run-of -the-mill crime sitcom but worth your while......
Marie Brand is a relatively new German crime sitcom pairing Mariele Millowitsch, a well-known German actress who has been about for years with Hinnerk Schönemann, a relative newcomer, as two police investigators, who investigate crimes in and around Cologne, all the while maintaining a rather light approach for comic relief between the seasoned lady investigator and the hot-headed young one.
All in all standard crime sitcom fare, which the Germans do so well and which it is always worth watching if the weather is dismal or if nothing else is on.
However, what makes this episode stand out, is the spectacular performance of Meret Becker, another well-known face in German film and TV, who plays the daughter of the murdered couple. Her performance comes across as being so real and so sad all the way thru and especially the last 15 mins. belong to her and her ONLY and suddenly turns a rather mild and entertaining show into an extremely tragic affair.
5 stars for the episode as a whole and 2 additional ones for Meret Becker !!
Latter Days (2003)
HOT stuff coming through.........
During my rather strict Roman-Catholic upbringing I was always taught that Good is ever-forgiving. Then, when deciding on living out my homosexuality at 15 as opposed to a life of repression and closeting, this thought seemed to be the only dogma from the religion which I could use and which I have tried to incorporate into my later life.
Initially I decided against the film as "gay" films seem to be in vogue at present, so many of them being extremely bad. However, when the film was sent to me by my oldest and best (gay) friend, I decided to watch it anyway.
My own parents never ever broached the subject of homosexuality and were spared a large part of my "secret life" as I moved out at 17, but to this day I am utterly sure that they would never EVER have behaved so deplorably and "unchristianly" as poor Aaron's parents do when he is found out and sent home. In the beginning of the film leaving Pocatello (just some doodah pudknocker from Pocatello - Judy Garland was born in a trunk in the Princess Theatre in Pocatello, at least in "A Star Is Born") he is his mom's "baby" - when he comes back she can not even bring herself to look at him, much less touch him or offer him comfort in any way (a rather ungrateful role for the lovely Mary Kay Place).
In fact, in this film there is only one single gracious character role and it has been put into the ever capable and beautiful hands of Jacqueline Bisset who also gets to deliver most of the best punch lines in that impeccable British accent of hers.
If the ordeal, which Aaron is being put through after having been ex-communicated, is anywhere near-realistic (and I deduct as much from some of the comments), I am appalled and horrified.
I am sorry, but judging by some of these comments, the Mormon religion seems to be incredibly bigoted and left back in another century - do they still burn witches at the stake in Utah ?? I can only feel sorry for anyone who runs afoul of this apparently strict and inhuman religion because he/she is "different", the Mormons certainly seem to have forgotten an extremely essential part of Jesus' preachings, like for instance to "turn the other cheek" or "to forgive". But perhaps God accidentally forgot a few things when he "talked" to some Joseph Smith ?????
Apart from some rather awful and very stupid and unrealistic dialog from time to time (the one in the snow outside Salt Lake Airport building was a bit over the top) as well as a wee bit of stereotypic casting on the part of Christian (in fact very few gays are like he), which made me deduct 1 star, this film is truly heart-warming and beautiful and near-perfect.
It starts out as a sort of a comedy but quickly turns very serious and your heart cannot but bleed for Aaron, who never EVER seems to waiver once he has taken the first step towards his apparent damnation, which he seems to embrace without misgivings or hesitation of any kind. I sincerely hope that his "dots" connect!
The film is extremely well-cast allround, especially in the two lead roles as well as in the role of Ms. Bisset. And after all: WHO cares whether these characters are gay or straight ?? It is really not that important!
OR......as an earlier comment very deftly puts it: Essentially "this is not a story about being gay. This is a story about seeking out and finding meaning in life, despite the difficulties and challenges, the pain and terror that stand in your way. This is a story of seeking and finding balance and wholeness and happiness." With this in mind the film succeeds VERY VERY well!
The Notebook (2004)
EXTREMELY beautiful love story, but with weak leads !!
This film opens with, possibly, one of the most beautiful sequences that I have EVER seen on film. During the opening credits the rower on the lake in the twilight to the fantastic piano main title by Aaron Zigman while the camera slowly pans in on Gena Rowlands, standing in a window of a mansion watching the birds approach, brings tears to my eyes.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, the "young" leads come across as being rather bland and uninteresting whereas Rowlands and Garner as the mature couple are magnificent and more than make up for any weak moments. Joan Allen in a co-starring role as Allie's mother is great as well, especially as she "becomes human" and reveals a deep secret about her own youth towards the end of the movie.
Well worth watching for the beautiful story line and the fantastic performances of Rowlands, always a treat, and Garner. Do not forget to have a large box of Kleenex nearby !
De-Lovely (2004)
Rather boring and superficial biography!
I hardly think that anyone will disagree that Cole Porter's music is simply immortal and no doubt the man must have lead an exciting and, in some ways, a difficult life.
However, this film comes across as being utterly superficial and lifeless in spite of great leading actors. It barely touches the surface of what must have been a fascinating character and tries to span much too much of Cole's life without ever getting below the surface. The audience is witness to a few scattered episodes which never become interesting or absorbing.
So buy the soundtrack in stead, it features great performances from some of our leading singers today, ranging from Nathalie Cole and Diana Krall to Elvis Costello and Robbie Williams.
4 stars for the music and the leading actors!
Marci X (2003)
Come on - not as bad as that !
Granted, this film is no masterpiece and at times it is downright silly and embarassing and makes you almost wanna switch off your TV set.
But Kudrow's rap number "Power in Your Purse" in front of an (almost) Afro-American audience is sublime and when Baranski goes looney to her election tape towards the end, I couldn't help but laugh.
Why on Earth did Wayans have to put on that silly high-pitched voice ? It didn't go at all with what he supposedly had in his pants, which judging from the voice had to be nil, niente, nichts, NOTHING !!
5 stars for an all-in-all quite enjoyable film !
Ancient Egyptians (2003)
EXCELLENT dramatization
4 top-notch 50-minute drama-documentaries about episodes in ancient Egypt with "authentic" Egyptians playing all roles and breathtaking scenery.
Especially the episodes "The Battle of Megiddo" and "Tomb Robbers" are extremely well played and immensely interesting. The episodes are all made almost as short feature films but and apart from being exciting are full of interesting information on everyday life in ancient Egypt.
Note Muhamed Soufi's, (Bakwerel, the corrupt chief of police in the episode "Tomb Robbers") priceless mimic and evil stares at his opponents.........
NOT to be missed - 9 stars out of 10 !!!
Ben-Hur (1959)
Unfortunately a GREAT disappointment
I had never watched this film but heard so much about it so naturally I was thrilled to find it on DVD a few weeks ago. I am sorry to say that I was sadly disappointed - I found it much too long, rather boring and much too self-important and pompous. I have seen far better films about Christ, take for instance the Scorsese film, "The Last Temptation of Christ" with Willem Dafoe and Barbara Hershey OR the great and overlooked Canadian masterpiece, "Jesus de Montreal" with Lothaire Bluteau which leaves an everlasting impression on your mind.
Given that, I must admit that the horse race scene is great and very exciting - it of course features the 4 real stars of the film, Antares, Altair, Rigel and Aldebaran, those 4 MAGNIFICENT Arabian (?) stallions as well as their master, the Sheikh Ilderim, played by the late Hugh Griffith with just the right amount of self irony. The scene where the sheikh calls his "mistresses" to say good night and in stroll those magnificent playful beauties is simply fantastic.......the highlight of the film.
6 out of 10 - 4 for the most beautiful creatures, 1 for their master, the sheikh and finally 1 for the efforts of the rest of the cast.
Edel & Starck (2002)
Witty, intelligent and entertaining - the best German TV series at present !
True, the idea for this TV series may have sprung from the immense success which Ally McBeal is enjoying worldwide, even here in Germany. However, this said, Edel & Starck is very different from Ally McBeal in many ways.
The two main characters work beautifully together. Felix Edel (Felix Noble), played by well-known German actor, Christoph M. Ohrt and Sandra Starck (Sandra Strong - Noble & Strong, get it ???), played by charming Rebecca Immanuel, exchange quick romantic repartees and continually spy on each other while engaging in sitcom-like criminal cases in Berlin and surroundings. Further, they are aided by a magnificent cast of co-stars, most notably their secretary, played by Isabel Tuengerthal, who is a rare gem with GREAT comic potential. Also the shady wheeler-dealer, Otto, and the noble childhood pal of Felix, Frank, work very well, not to forget Sandra's best friend and room-mate, Patricia, played by the beautiful Barbara Demmer.
All-in-all a joy to watch on Monday nites: no wonder that the series and its stars have received several prizes. Will Felix get Sandra ?
I hope that we will have to wait for many more episodes to find out......
Circuit (2001)
Not bad at all but still.......
This is not a bad film at all and even though I have no clue I presume that it gives a pretty accurate picture of what the "circuit" is like.
The problem, though, is that you never really start to care for the anyone, except - maybe - towards the end for Hector Ray when he finally realizes that he loves John and that his life is really pretty empty. We never seem to get to know any of the characters well enough to care for them and thus the film becomes longish and at times boring.
The Man Who Loved Women (1983)
Not half as bad !
It is true that this re-make does not measure up to the French original, but it is still not half as bad as some reviewers make it out to be. In fact it is quite good if you try to disregard the more "American" details. It starts out with a funeral and works its way back from there. Reynolds is enough of a hunk to make the story plausible and Julie Andrews was never more beautiful. All thruout the film, Blake Edwards succeeds in maintaining an infinitely "sad" note, which works excellently and undoubtedly adds to the quality of the film. 6 out of 10 points.
Deceptions (1985)
not half bad !
Although this is standard stuff, the mini-series is made thoroughly interesting by its appealing stars, especially Ms. Powers who was always a sight for sore eyes. Quite enjoyable although very obvious from the start. Pity this hasn't been released on video or DVD - would be great for a rainy evening.
Air Force One (1997)
GET OFF MY PLANE !!!!
This film from the master of suspense and excitement, Wolfgang Petersen, will really have you on the edge of your seat thruout. Forget what is plausible and what is possible and just enjoy an EXTREMELY exciting action movie about the presidential plane getting high-jacked in mid-air with the First Family on board. Gary Oldman is excellent as the main high-jacker although he does put on the accent a bit heavily. But why aren't the presidents of the United States like Harrison Ford ? He fights like a Marine and flies a 747 like it is a piece of cake............only Michael Douglas in `Mr. President' may be equally capable and charming. In any case: this just MAY be the most exciting film I have ever seen!
9 out of 10 for great craftsmanship and sheer excitement and entertainment value!
The Man Who Cried (2000)
Uninteresting, bordering on BORING in spite of top-notch cast!
This film is curiously uninteresting and the top-notch cast put totally to waste. Alone Blanchett is fantastic and acts everyone else up against the wall, although she puts on the accent a bit heavily at times.
Depp, who is supposed to be the hero of the title, acts stone-faced and seems to want to be somewhere else.
Ricci is a desaster, perhaps because she has an ungrateful role, and thoroughly lacks the charisma it would take to pull the role of the Russian-Jewish girl, who mostly listens and says little, off. 4 stars 2 for Blanchett, one for Depp and one for Torturro. If you want to watch a similar film, vastly better, pls check out the German production `Gloomy Sunday - Ein Lied von Liebe und Tod' from 1999.
Sabrina (1995)
Not a perfect remake, but certainly magical!
Since Sabrina of 1954 was always one of my favourites, not least because of the astonishing Audrey Hepburn, I looked forward to the remake with mixed feelings. However, this turned out to be a blessing. Julia Ormond may not be Audrey Hepburn, but she certainly possesses enough class and dignity to make the role of Sabrina worthy. Some of the quiet scenes with Harrison Ford are simply magical and her appearance at the ball just after her return from Paris is equalled in my opinion only by the entrance of Barbara Stanwyck as and in "The Lady Eve" from 1941 - an apparition, simple and pure. Pollack has created an absolutely worthy remake - 8 out of 10!
Nattevagten (1994)
Probably the SCARIEST Danish film ever made!
Not much to say about this film. The actors are BRILLIANT and towards the end you are against on the wall clawing at the wallpaper for sheer excitement. Forget the 5th-rate US remake and watch the original horror, but don't do it alone.........
Candyman (1992)
A genuine scare - your worst nightmare come true!
"I am a rumour - to be whispered about on street corners, to live in other people's dreams, but not to have to be........"
This quote pretty much summons up the film, which may well be the scariest movie I have ever seen. Candyman - Tony Todd - is nothing short of magnificent!
Apart from a few clumsy performances, some too gory scenes with too much red ketchup, this film attacks your senses and leaves you frightened because you cannot put this away a logic. In short, it plays your fears - or as the professor puts it - the essence of what modern folklore is about.
Definitely worth watching, but don't do it alone!
The Jewel in the Crown (1984)
Positively a masterpiece!
Arguably the best television series ever made, it captures perfectly the spirit of the novel and the time in which it takes place, a time in which the British were slowly losing India without properly realizing it till it was too late. The photography is breathtaking and the performances are outstanding by everyone. Dame Peggy Ashcroft as the haunted "servant" who has been accepted as a companion by Fabia Drake but who is later asked to leave when her protector dies and also by Geraldine James who slowly sees her world crumble before her eyes, unable to do anything about it, but finding at least SOME kind of solace in Tim Piggot-Smith's arms. Especially the first episode with the tender love scene between Susan Wooldridge and Art Malik (both utterly fantastic) is superb and not until much much later does the horrid truth about what happened that night occur to us.
In short: a pure joy, which keeps you riveted to the screen from start to end. I have watched the entire series twice and will surely watch it again and again, if only to marvel at the performances and the craftsmanship of the production.
Au petit Marguery (1995)
Pure Delight!
Having always been a fan of Ms. Audran - not least since her masterpiece, Babette's Feast, this film is pure delight, it glides along perfectly and is brilliantly played by all. Not only the meal served is extremely tasteful, but the film as a whole - don't miss it!
Mrs Dalloway (1997)
Sublime adaptation of essential novel!
This film is VERY little less than a masterpiece!
It actually works on several levels, all blending effortlessly together. Redgrave is absolutely sublime and shows what a great actress she really is - she sails thru the film with grace and dignity and lends real spirit to the character whom she plays. Surrounded by a stellar cast, most notably Graves and McElhone she makes this film a sheer delight to watch.
And you can watch it again and again and never get tired of the wit and beauty which is ever-present all thru the film.
Citizen X (1995)
Scary, chilling and little short of a masterpiece!
This film is probably the scariest I have ever seen! Forget "Seven", and "Silence of the Lambs". This film is deeply gruesome in its simplicity and its almost documentary-like approach to the hunt and final capture of probably the worst serial killer in the 20th century. Sutherland is awesome as the subtle colonel/general who believes and keeps believing Rea's wonderfully understated detective. But von Sydow takes the prize - as always - as the uncertain and scared psychiatrist who agrees to help with the case.
The film is deeply moving - don't miss it!
American Psycho (2000)
Sick, but genuinely intriguing!
The film is really sick but somehow you cannot take your eyes off the screen. The film keeps you riveted and especially Bale is BRILLIANT and genuinely scary as the lunatic, Bateman. Don't miss it but have someone you trust next to you..........
The Love Letter (1999)
sweet little nonsense film!
This film ain't half bad. It may be a little long at times, but carried along by beautiful scenery, an IMMENSELY beautiful love letter and great actors, you forget time and enjoy. The grand prize, however, goes to Blythe Danner and Geraldine McEwan as..........well that would be telling, but they are just GREAT!
Flawless (1999)
Immensely powerful performances from the stars!
This film may prove to be a little overly long, but is easily saved by it's two stars, Robert de Niro and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Especially the latter is GREAT!
If this film is deemed any competition to "In & Out", it beats this film by MILES! Don't miss it! And the soundtrack, especially the tango is alluring and seductive.
The Out-of-Towners (1999)
Absolutely awful and embarassing to everyone but John Cleese!
This film so NOT funny - such a waste of great stars, who seem to be caught up so in their own stardom that they forget. Only shining moments belong to John Cleese as the hotel manager who likes to dress up - you almost fall out of your chair with helpless laughter when he dances to Donna Summer's "Bad Girls" while wearing high heels, a mink coat and a dainty hat. The rest: FORGET IT!