J'ai vu tuer Ben Barka (2005)

English title: I Saw Ben Barka Get Killed.

Based on the real events surrounding the kidnapping and murder of a Moroccan leader in the sixties. He was conned into taking part of a film promoting the cause of former colonies, whose producer was being paid by his political enemies, some of whom were linked to the French police. He traveled to France and police agents got him when he was heading to a rendezvous with the film producers. The more astounding facts were the (unwitting) involvement of artistic celebrities Georges Franju and Marguerite Duras.

Political thriller, well made, in the style of the early Gavras's films.

There has been an earlier film, L'attentat (1972), based on these incidents, but that was a much more loosely based version.

Rating: 51

The Untouchables (1987)

This is about a team of law people which, in 1930's Chicago, was assembled in order to bring down Capone and his liquor business.

I decided to rewatch this because of the abnormally low grade which I assigned it upon first viewing. I arrive to the conclusion that back then I didn't understand the anti-realist style which characterizes this film. Now I do. And I still don't like it. But a little credit is due to the staging effort on some of the set-pieces.

Rating: 32 (up from 6)

Combat!: The Bankroll (1966) (TV)

Kirby plays poker with money borrowed from fellow G.I. Jeetleman. The big winner up until then has been G.I. Farley. Kirby consistently wins until Farley, claiming to have run out of money, starts giving him I.O.U.s (or markers, as they call it in the episode). They have to stop playing because they are called into combat. They raid a nearby village which is infested with Germans. Farley tries to turn Kirby into his protector, since, he says, if he dies he won't be able to pay him what he owes.

Combat!: Gulliver (1966) (TV)

Littlejohn is given a day's leave, but is caught by a German air raid and wounded. A gang of French kids ties him up and takes him to a house, where they keep him hostage and plan to sell him to whoever is willing to pay.

This interesting episode belongs to a recurring streak in cinema and TV history featuring sinister children, where they reflect the adult evil that surrounds them, amplifying it.

Cassandra's Dream (2007)

*spoilers follow*

Two brothers with different personalities receive the visit of a rich uncle, on whom they place their hopes of financial redemption. But the uncle has problems of his own.

The narrative exemplifies the trap: the first line is not so hard to cross, but once you've crossed it, you must cross a second, harder, one. If you think of the two brothers as the embodiment of two opposing tendencies within one individual, what the film exposes is how ethical concessions really break the human unity, thus destroying man. On another angle, it is a money power play, in which the rich gets richer and the poor get dead. They never had a chance, really. All performances are completely satisfactory, regardless of what you may have heard or read.

Rating: 62

Combat!: The Outsider (1966) (TV)

This is about Culley, a replacement. He was a small farmer in West Virginia. He doesn't like to be a soldier and refuses to engage in social intercourse with the other members of his new platoon. In combat, he follows orders very strictly and does not go out of his way to help a fellow soldier. He is saving money to buy a tractor. His colleagues develop a strong aversion to him.

One of the sadder episodes, with a heavy tragicity about it.

Combat!: Conflict (1966) (TV)

The squad is tired and the men are nervous; a bitter conflict arises between Caje and Littlejohn. They are all sent on a mission to make a prisoner.

Los abrazos rotos (2009)

*possible spoilers follow*

English title: Broken Embraces.

A filmmaker recalls the incidents of his life relating to his love affair with one of his actresses, the wife of a millionaire.

In this, a Barbara Stanwyck lookalike plays an Audrey Hepburn lookalike in a film produced by her Anthony Quinn lookalike husband. Los abrazos rotos's primary contribution to universal wisdom is that you shouldn't ignore someone who looks dead: he might be faking it just to see if you will ignore him. At a particular point in the film, I yearned for a truly awful car accident to happen, and my wish was promptly granted. Am I the psychic or is the filmmaker? I couldn't find other reasons for this film's existence.

Rating: 20

P.S.: I viewed it again in October, 2011. The rating was changed to 45

Wo shi shei (1998)

English title: Who Am I?

A CIA operative loses his memory after an operation involving a powerful mineral with explosive capabilities and is then hunted down.

The plot skeleton bears a resemblance with The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) and with the Jason Bourne novels. Here, the emphasis is on action and spectacle. Creatively choreographed fight sequences are the highlights. Chan has successfully marketed violence to kids all through his career.

Rating: 39

Combat!: Decision (1966) (TV)

The IMDB Plot Summary: "Saunders is uneasy about Charles Harris, a doctor turned demolitions expert."

Combat!: Headcount (1966) (TV)

The IMDB Plot Summary: "Ordered to escort an important group of German prisoners to the rear, Saunders faces heavy odds; the POWs outnumber the GIs 18 to 5."

Combat!: The Letter (1966) (TV)

Saunders receives a letter from his younger brother saying he has enlisted. A new replacement looks like this brother, and this resemblance leads Saunders to assume a protective attitude towards him.

Mon colonel (2006)

English title: The Colonel.
English translation of the French title: My Colonel.

A young man volunteers to serve in Algeria, a French colony. His superior initiates him in the techniques of torture.

Mostly mediocre, directed in a mechanical style which reminded me of Truffaut. The subject is interesting.

Rating: 45

Combat!: A Child's Game (1966) (TV)

The IMDB Plot Summary: "Saunders' men are ordered to take a farmhouse that is defended by a determined group of teenage German soldiers."