A few flicks for your summer

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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