A middle-aged woman starts having an affair with her ex-husband, who is now married to a much younger woman.
The plot is 100% predictable, but, except for some cringeworthy midsection scenes, it's mildly funny and entertaining. The film is obviously intended to cash in on older women's low self-esteem.
It's fascinating to read the "I hated it" user reviews at the Internet Movie Database. There seems to be a growing animosity against stories involving wealthy fictional characters. By this standard many comedic masterpieces of the 30's and 40's would never get any recognition. Another frequent grudge is a moral one, that the film promotes adultery, etc; based on this criterion, we would have to reject most pre-code comedies. Of course, the distinctive factor about this kind of contemporary film is the shift to an older age range for the main characters.
Rating: 43
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Combat!: The Celebrity (1962) (TV)
I could not do better than the Internet Movie Database plot summary: "Del Packer, a famous baseball star who was drafted into the army, winds up as a replacement in the squad. While Kelly looks for a way to make some money by setting up a baseball game with a neighboring outfit, Billy--a devoted baseball fan--is awestruck to be in the same squad as one of his heroes. However, Packer has his own demons to fight, and while the other squad members are too star-struck to notice that something may be wrong, Saunders isn't."
Friday, February 26, 2010
Holocaust (1978) (TV)
It follows the trajectory of the members of a family of German Jews during the Nazi era.
It might be an oversimplification to say that, while Cinema is literature dumbed-down, Television is Cinema dumbed-down. But often that is the case. Holocaust has some OK parts, some awful ones, and is excellent on only one item. The awful parts are practically everything related to characters Karl and Inga; the excellent aspect is Fritz Weaver's performance; I guess most everything else is OK.
It seems that the version that I saw on TV is a somewhat shortened one (a couple of sequences missing, like Heydrich's death).
Rating: 53
It might be an oversimplification to say that, while Cinema is literature dumbed-down, Television is Cinema dumbed-down. But often that is the case. Holocaust has some OK parts, some awful ones, and is excellent on only one item. The awful parts are practically everything related to characters Karl and Inga; the excellent aspect is Fritz Weaver's performance; I guess most everything else is OK.
It seems that the version that I saw on TV is a somewhat shortened one (a couple of sequences missing, like Heydrich's death).
Rating: 53
Seminole (1953)
Set in 19th century Florida, the film depicts the conflict between an Indian-hating major and one of his lower-ranking officers, who had a half-Indian friend who is now the chief of the Seminoles.
Pretty nondescript stuff, although well-enough made considering its B-production status.
Rating: 35
Pretty nondescript stuff, although well-enough made considering its B-production status.
Rating: 35
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Burn After Reading (2008)
A CIA ex-agent, his wife, her lover, two gym employees, a CD containing said ex-agent's memoirs.
Entertaining.
Rating: 57
Entertaining.
Rating: 57
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
They Call Me MISTER Tibbs! (1970)
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
A prostitute is murdered, and the first suspect is a liberal preacher. The detective in charge of investigations is a personal friend of the suspect; he investigates a series of persons who might have done it: a realtor from whom she was subletting the apartment where she lived; a pimp who owned the building where she lived; the building's janitor.
Moderately pleasurable policier. In the realm of ideas, the film draws an interesting parallelism between the several subplots , a fact which has been noted by Christopher Mulrooney (see my links). The unifying theme of the movie seems to me to be Impotence, in a general sense. The titular character has a son and a daughter, the former of whom is a lazy, disobedient kid who watches TV all day in his pajamas and mistreats his little sister. His father's idea of an education is based on talking to his son as a "friend", attempting a sort of alliance of the "boys" versus the "girls" (i.e., Tibbs' wife and his daughter). This tactics doesn't work at all, and when the boy simply shows his utter contempt for his father's authority, the latter slaps him in the face, and that doesn't work either. It becomes clear that Tibbs is utterly impotent to deal with his family. On the other side of the movie, we have this preacher who is engaged in passing a law which supposedly would improve the lives of poor people. He gets involved with a woman, a prostitute, whose life he tries to change by giving her books, and with whom he sleeps. So, if you compare the two strands of the plot, the thematic convergence becomes clear: authority presupposes respect, and respect presupposes a certain distance from the people from whom you want that respect. Violence emerges out of a fracture in the self-image of the supposed authority figure. In the film, this is also worked out symbolically as a necklace which the perpetrator makes the prostitute wear, and which she provocatively tears off of herself. That necklace had belonged to the perpetrator's mother, adding another layer of psychology to the events.
Rating: 51
A prostitute is murdered, and the first suspect is a liberal preacher. The detective in charge of investigations is a personal friend of the suspect; he investigates a series of persons who might have done it: a realtor from whom she was subletting the apartment where she lived; a pimp who owned the building where she lived; the building's janitor.
Moderately pleasurable policier. In the realm of ideas, the film draws an interesting parallelism between the several subplots , a fact which has been noted by Christopher Mulrooney (see my links). The unifying theme of the movie seems to me to be Impotence, in a general sense. The titular character has a son and a daughter, the former of whom is a lazy, disobedient kid who watches TV all day in his pajamas and mistreats his little sister. His father's idea of an education is based on talking to his son as a "friend", attempting a sort of alliance of the "boys" versus the "girls" (i.e., Tibbs' wife and his daughter). This tactics doesn't work at all, and when the boy simply shows his utter contempt for his father's authority, the latter slaps him in the face, and that doesn't work either. It becomes clear that Tibbs is utterly impotent to deal with his family. On the other side of the movie, we have this preacher who is engaged in passing a law which supposedly would improve the lives of poor people. He gets involved with a woman, a prostitute, whose life he tries to change by giving her books, and with whom he sleeps. So, if you compare the two strands of the plot, the thematic convergence becomes clear: authority presupposes respect, and respect presupposes a certain distance from the people from whom you want that respect. Violence emerges out of a fracture in the self-image of the supposed authority figure. In the film, this is also worked out symbolically as a necklace which the perpetrator makes the prostitute wear, and which she provocatively tears off of herself. That necklace had belonged to the perpetrator's mother, adding another layer of psychology to the events.
Rating: 51
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Eddie (1996)
A limo driver who is a basketball diehard fan is hired as coach to a team which is going through a bad phase.
It's predictable and formulaic throughout, but it's not badly done.
Rating: 36
It's predictable and formulaic throughout, but it's not badly done.
Rating: 36
Combat!: Any Second Now (1962) (TV)
Lt. Hanley takes refuge inside a church during a bombing raid, and gets stuck under a beam which falls on his leg. A time bomb which fell inside the same church must be disarmed before he can be freed.
Combat!: Far from the Brave (1962) (TV)
The Internet Movie Database has a satisfactory summary: "When the squad's BAR man is killed saving them from being wiped out in an ambush, the men aren't too happy with his replacement--including Saunders, who was especially close to the man, and particularly Kirby, who expected to be promoted to BAR man. The fact that the new man was, up until a few days ago, a cook's helper with no combat experience doesn't help matters, either."
This interesting episode is important as the basis of future ones, since here is where we get acquainted with the weapon which Kirby will be using in them - the BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) - and the process which will lead him to become the squad's BAR man.
This interesting episode is important as the basis of future ones, since here is where we get acquainted with the weapon which Kirby will be using in them - the BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) - and the process which will lead him to become the squad's BAR man.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! (2008)
Documentary about exploitation films made in Australia in the 70's and 80's. Interviews with Australian directors, actors, stuntmen, technicians, and critics, plus clips, and commentaries by a guest director who is an aficionado of the films in question.
As interesting as the format allows, I guess.
As interesting as the format allows, I guess.
Monday, February 15, 2010
The Horse Whisperer (1998)
An accident involving a truck leaves physical and psychological sequels on a teenage girl and on the horse she was riding during the accident. Her mother takes them both on a trip to meet a horse 'therapist' living in a secluded ranch with his brother and the latter's wife.
I could enjoy with no problem about one fourth of the movie, which is exactly up until when the titular character appears. After that, the film slowly (very slowly) reveals its purpose. Working women, the film says, should be tamed the same way horses are. The message is conveyed amid mellow music and "ravishing" landscapes. A cube of sugar for the horse, a ton for the viewer. An absurd film.
Rating: 25
I could enjoy with no problem about one fourth of the movie, which is exactly up until when the titular character appears. After that, the film slowly (very slowly) reveals its purpose. Working women, the film says, should be tamed the same way horses are. The message is conveyed amid mellow music and "ravishing" landscapes. A cube of sugar for the horse, a ton for the viewer. An absurd film.
Rating: 25
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Puffball (2007)
Based on a novel by Fay Weldon (1st ed. 1980).
A young architect is reforming the country cottage that her boyfriend gave her; they decide to live there. There has been a tragedy in that house a long time ago, involving a fire in which a boy was killed. That boy's mother still lives in the neighborhood, and has a middle-aged daughter who still has hopes of having a male child.
The first hour, featuring a devilish complicated succession of events, is probably irreproachable. I see it as a comedy. After that first hour, there is not much plot development, and the film shifts its tone to supernatural horror or thriller. Close to the end, there is an accumulation of suspenseful episodes having to do with the deliverance of the child. The unifying themes are pregnancy and childbirth, and the fears that surround them.
Rating: 52
A young architect is reforming the country cottage that her boyfriend gave her; they decide to live there. There has been a tragedy in that house a long time ago, involving a fire in which a boy was killed. That boy's mother still lives in the neighborhood, and has a middle-aged daughter who still has hopes of having a male child.
The first hour, featuring a devilish complicated succession of events, is probably irreproachable. I see it as a comedy. After that first hour, there is not much plot development, and the film shifts its tone to supernatural horror or thriller. Close to the end, there is an accumulation of suspenseful episodes having to do with the deliverance of the child. The unifying themes are pregnancy and childbirth, and the fears that surround them.
Rating: 52
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire (2009)
An overweight African-American teenage girl, pregnant for the second time from her father, and living with her abusive mother who does not work, finds a way out of her prison-like life when she is led to an alternative school.
There is not much besides the exposition of the basic dramatic point, which is a portrait of certain social sores which were supposedly prevalent in the eighties. Most of the development relies on very simple devices, and we could reduce the whole plot to one sentence: girl is abused until she says enough. To evoke a theme brought out in the movie, this film's style stands in relation to the art of cinema just as 'fast food' does in relation to culinary. But it is slightly more nourishing than some related product such as Juno, for example.
Rating: 40
There is not much besides the exposition of the basic dramatic point, which is a portrait of certain social sores which were supposedly prevalent in the eighties. Most of the development relies on very simple devices, and we could reduce the whole plot to one sentence: girl is abused until she says enough. To evoke a theme brought out in the movie, this film's style stands in relation to the art of cinema just as 'fast food' does in relation to culinary. But it is slightly more nourishing than some related product such as Juno, for example.
Rating: 40
Friday, February 12, 2010
Le Divorce (2003)
The film tells what two American sisters living in Paris go through: Roxanne, in a state of advanced pregnancy, is left by her husband for a Russian woman; Isabel, Roxanne's sister, takes up with a young musician and then with a middle-aged married politician. The issue of the division of possessions in Roxanne's divorce arises, preeminent amongst which possessions stands a painting which may be by Georges de la Tour.
This is my second viewing. The film casts an entertaining look into the cultural specificities of France and the U.S., and flows rather well as a story. The subplot about the mad American lawyer, who is the Russian woman's husband, is both improbable and amusing.
Rating: 59 (unchanged)
This is my second viewing. The film casts an entertaining look into the cultural specificities of France and the U.S., and flows rather well as a story. The subplot about the mad American lawyer, who is the Russian woman's husband, is both improbable and amusing.
Rating: 59 (unchanged)
Goodbye Charlie (1964)
A womanizer is killed by a lover's husband, and a few days later comes back to life in a woman's body.
Entertaining comedy.
Rating: 51
Entertaining comedy.
Rating: 51
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Chi to hone (2004)
English title: Blood and Bones.
A panel of the life of Korean immigrants in Japan, from 1923 onwards, taking as its focal point a man and his interactions with his women and children. The film shows how, after disappearing during World War II, he starts a business from scratch and, first as a seafood producer, then as a loan shark, builds a fortune.
An analysis of man at his most brutal and egotistical, in screaming details of rape, beating, avarice, exploitation, and of course the reverse of the coin, that is, abject passivity and economic interest, out of need or greed.
Rating: 60
A panel of the life of Korean immigrants in Japan, from 1923 onwards, taking as its focal point a man and his interactions with his women and children. The film shows how, after disappearing during World War II, he starts a business from scratch and, first as a seafood producer, then as a loan shark, builds a fortune.
An analysis of man at his most brutal and egotistical, in screaming details of rape, beating, avarice, exploitation, and of course the reverse of the coin, that is, abject passivity and economic interest, out of need or greed.
Rating: 60
Monday, February 08, 2010
Back to School (1986)
An elderly man decides to attend University as an encouragement to his son who was thinking of quitting it.
Unpretentious comedy which delivers some bits of superficial satire on universities along with low-brow sexual humor and a plot which involves a sports competition.
Rating: 41
Unpretentious comedy which delivers some bits of superficial satire on universities along with low-brow sexual humor and a plot which involves a sports competition.
Rating: 41
My Zinc Bed (2008) (TV)
A love triangle consisting of the owner of a business software company, his ex-alcoholic, ex-druggie wife, and a recovering alcoholic poet, who is hired by the businessman to do publicity work.
The theme here is addiction and the role of support groups in recovery. The text possesses a modicum of refinement which keeps it watchable, although it is nothing particularly strong or memorable.
Rating: 39 [Note: raised to 53 when viewed again in February 08, 2011]
The theme here is addiction and the role of support groups in recovery. The text possesses a modicum of refinement which keeps it watchable, although it is nothing particularly strong or memorable.
Rating: 39 [Note: raised to 53 when viewed again in February 08, 2011]
Vers le sud (2005)
English title: Heading South.
The world of female sexual tourism in Haiti is depicted. A newcomer arrives in search of a young man whom she had met in a previous visit; he has a relationship with a habituée of the place, and a conflict arises between the two.
Not without interest, but flawed because of poor writing which translates into weak cinematic content. Examples - I think it would benefit from a visual exposition of Legba's first encounter with Brenda; they chose to narrate this and the other two women's backgrounds through their talking to the camera, a very poor choice; second, the car ride sequence which serves as an exposition of Legba's troubles is very poorly done; third, Ellen's bursts of bitchiness, signaling her contradictions in regards to her true feelings, are too caricatural.
Rating: 34
The world of female sexual tourism in Haiti is depicted. A newcomer arrives in search of a young man whom she had met in a previous visit; he has a relationship with a habituée of the place, and a conflict arises between the two.
Not without interest, but flawed because of poor writing which translates into weak cinematic content. Examples - I think it would benefit from a visual exposition of Legba's first encounter with Brenda; they chose to narrate this and the other two women's backgrounds through their talking to the camera, a very poor choice; second, the car ride sequence which serves as an exposition of Legba's troubles is very poorly done; third, Ellen's bursts of bitchiness, signaling her contradictions in regards to her true feelings, are too caricatural.
Rating: 34
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Combat!: Rear Echelon Commandos (1962) (TV)
A detailed description and analysis of this episode is to be found in Christopher Mulrooney's site (see my list of links on this page).
One thing I have learned from it is that I must never light a hearth's fire in a town in which there might be hidden enemies with a machine gun.
One thing I have learned from it is that I must never light a hearth's fire in a town in which there might be hidden enemies with a machine gun.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Le silence de Lorna (2008)
*SPOILERS*
English titles: Lorna's Silence; The Silence of Lorna.
Lorna is an Albanian woman who pays a Belgian man to marry her so that she can get Belgian citizenship. He is a drug addict trying to quit drugs. Lorna's "agent" plans to give her husband an overdose so that she gets quickly available for a new wedding, this time with a Russian who will pay them for it.
Apparently, there is nothing easier than giving an overdose to someone you want to get rid of. At least, that is what we learn from this film. Oh, and, if in L'enfant we learned that the Belgian police are not very diligent, in Le silence de Lorna we learn that they are not very bright. About the title, no idea what it is supposed to be referring to. This film relies on an overly convoluted plot to express the idea that women are easily driven mad, particularly when they are in the criminal business. It seems to imply that Lorna somehow found a truer love with the drug addict than with her Albanian lover, a plot element which makes the film a variation on such films as Green Card, and Les noces de papier.
Rating: 40
English titles: Lorna's Silence; The Silence of Lorna.
Lorna is an Albanian woman who pays a Belgian man to marry her so that she can get Belgian citizenship. He is a drug addict trying to quit drugs. Lorna's "agent" plans to give her husband an overdose so that she gets quickly available for a new wedding, this time with a Russian who will pay them for it.
Apparently, there is nothing easier than giving an overdose to someone you want to get rid of. At least, that is what we learn from this film. Oh, and, if in L'enfant we learned that the Belgian police are not very diligent, in Le silence de Lorna we learn that they are not very bright. About the title, no idea what it is supposed to be referring to. This film relies on an overly convoluted plot to express the idea that women are easily driven mad, particularly when they are in the criminal business. It seems to imply that Lorna somehow found a truer love with the drug addict than with her Albanian lover, a plot element which makes the film a variation on such films as Green Card, and Les noces de papier.
Rating: 40
Combat!: The Gantlet (1967) (TV)
*SPOILERS*
Sgt. Saunders is captured, placed on a train, escapes, ends up with a scumbaggish sergeant, they run into some Germans, are unmasked, kill the Germans, put on their uniforms, Saunders is injured, abandoned by the scumbag, rescued by Germans who think he is one of them, their camp is attacked while Saunders is under morphine, he steals a motorcycle, falls, a field battle takes place next to him, he shouts a warning to his friends who are about to be shot from behind, the allies win, take him with them, he encounters the scumbag again, slaps him.
I sum up my comments in one word: wow.
Sgt. Saunders is captured, placed on a train, escapes, ends up with a scumbaggish sergeant, they run into some Germans, are unmasked, kill the Germans, put on their uniforms, Saunders is injured, abandoned by the scumbag, rescued by Germans who think he is one of them, their camp is attacked while Saunders is under morphine, he steals a motorcycle, falls, a field battle takes place next to him, he shouts a warning to his friends who are about to be shot from behind, the allies win, take him with them, he encounters the scumbag again, slaps him.
I sum up my comments in one word: wow.
Combat!: Jonah (1967) (TV)
A new replacement is deemed to be a "jonah", that is, jinxed, that is, a bearer of bad luck for those surrounding him.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Cruising (1980)
A series of killings of homosexual men spreads fear among that segment. A policeman goes undercover to try to find the perpetrator.
This film sabotages most of the potential appeal from its plot, by introducing ambiguous elements in its development. What remains of positive is the exposition of some ideas concerning the corruption of the individual by his work. The result is still somewhat problematic; for starters, I think it could delve deeper into the main character's issues.
This is my second viewing.
Rating: 43 (up from 36)
This film sabotages most of the potential appeal from its plot, by introducing ambiguous elements in its development. What remains of positive is the exposition of some ideas concerning the corruption of the individual by his work. The result is still somewhat problematic; for starters, I think it could delve deeper into the main character's issues.
This is my second viewing.
Rating: 43 (up from 36)
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