I know I’ve
neglected you all... but I've had little time to write recently. I trust you’ll forgive me once you see this batch of excellent films (and avoid the clunker among them). Thank you!
Year of the Carnivore (Sook-Yin Lee, 2009)
- Looking to
improve your sex skills? This is exactly what Samantha Smalls will try to do in YEAR OF THE CARNIVORE. A funny and refreshing film… way less smutty than the
title suggests. Tentative score: 7.8
Je ne suis pas là pour être aimé (Stéphane Brizé, 2005)
- In a
similar vein to YEAR OF THE CARNIVORE – but more romantic in its approach – JE NE SUIS PAS LÀ POUR ÊTRE
AIMÉ tells the story of a lonely bailiff in Paris. A superbly acted film you
should see with your significant somebody. Heartwarming without being mushy. Tentative
score: 8.2
Once Upon a Time in the West (Sergio Leone, 1969)
- Yes, there is gunplay
in this horse opera but much, much more. Splendid acting, a great plot, striking
imagery and a dream score by Ennio Morricone. A true masterpiece in this genre.
Tentative score: 9.2
Je vais bien, ne t’en fais pas (Don’t Worry, I’m Fine)
(Philippe
Lioret, 2006)
- A sneaky
little family drama that introduced me to Mélanie Laurent. Tentative score: 8.1
Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino, 2009)
-Rewriting
one of history’s darkest pages for laughs and sadistic thrills is clearly not
my cup of tea. Solidly acted, technically accomplished, stylistically confused and fatally misguided. Tentative score: 3.0 (If you want a serious Résistance
movie, see LE BON ET LES MÉCHANTS (1975) by Claude Lelouch.)
Wizard of Oz (The) (Victor Fleming (and King Vidor), 1939)
- Another genuine masterpiece for young and old alike. Tentative score:
9.0
A Single Man (Tom Ford, 2009)
- A touching film about love lived and lost. Great acting and a flawless
script. Tentative score: 8.2
Apocalypse Now Redux (Francis Ford Coppola)
- The word ‘Redux’ is very important here. This full-length version
(around three and a half hours) feels much more complete and satisfying than the shorter version I
saw long ago. War is hell and this movie feels like it. A legendary epic, no
doubt. Tentative score: 9.4
Nowhere Boy (Sam Taylor-Wood, 2010)
- John Lennon’s first steps as a musician. A stormy film that
made me think twice about John’s family life and his relationship with Paul McCartney. Tentative
score: 8.0
Mildred Pierce (Michael Curtiz, 1945)
- A suspenseful and shocking film noir that mustn’t be missed. So what if
it’s old… it’s still a thrill to watch. Tentative score: 8.4
This should
keep you busy for a while!
MBiS
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