L'ivresse du pouvoir (2006)

English title: The Comedy of Power; A Comedy of Power.
Correct translation of the French title: The Drunkenness of Power.

A magistrate investigates corruption in a public company.

Boring drama (it is not a comedy, as the English title falsely implies). The incompetence of the writing team is evident in the absurd behavior of the protagonist's husband, who, among other things, for some unknown reason is ready to dismiss the possibility of a threat to his wife's life.

Rating: 39

Boarding Gate (2007)

A businessman about to sell his share of the company he owns meets with his ex-lover, who is now an employee of a couple of Chinese importers in Paris. What is her motive to look her ex-lover up after so long?

To reveal more of this film's plot would be spoiling the pleasure of watching it. It is a well concocted and well told story of sex, money, betrayal and intrigue, which kept me interested.

Rating: 68

A Child Is Waiting (1963)

About an institution for boys with mental retardation. A former musician who is in need of an occupation employs herself at the institution; one of the more problematic boys gets attached to her.

Interesting drama, very realistic in what concerns the representation of the day-to-day activities of the institution, but lacking in realism in the dramatic area, especially the subplot featuring Reuben's parents. There is no way one can understand the logic of these characters' behavior. For instance, a mother who will not visit her child is in no position to demand that from her ex-husband, and yet that is what she does!

Rating: 51

Death Wish 3 (1985)

An aging man with a past as a vigilante resumes that role in a fight to dismantle the rule of a gang in a New York neighborhood. 

Rather dismal sequel, with practically nothing besides scenes of shootouts in a severely deficient plotline (one thing I could not understand is how the protagonist could buy heavy artillery at a mall whilst the police enforced a strict limitation on firearm possession). Balsam's stupendous performance in a small role is so contrasting with the film's inanity that it becomes a sort of aesthetical oddity. 

 Rating: 31

Soldier's Girl (2003) (TV)

Based on a real event, the film narrates the tragic story of intolerance which culminated in the murder of an American soldier by a fellow soldier. The murdered man was having an affair with a transexual.

Engaging drama. The whole cast delivers good performances; Hatosy gives a superb one.

Rating: 59

Cobra (1986)

A tough and somewhat truculent cop is assigned to protect a top model whose life is in danger after she witnessed a crime.

The plot has some severe weaknesses, the most blatant of which is the vagueness of the description of the criminal organization behind the series of crimes; said organization seems to sport a vaguely nietzschean ideology and engage in some sort of ridiculous ax-clashing ceremony, but aside of that nothing is known. The film has a varied collection of set-pieces, among which is a well done car chase - the scene where the hero makes an about-face with his car in order to get rid of his chaser, and then resumes his former course, is anthological. There isn't much of a nexus to hold these isolated moments together, though.

Rating: 32

Wolfen (1981)

Strange killings in New York are investigated by a somewhat unconventional cop; he is aided by a charming expert on terrorism and a coroner.

The plot makes no realistic sense, but the film has some interesting set-pieces and is well directed. This is my second viewing but should probably count as the first, since my previous viewing was of an unsubtitled copy and much of the dialogue was missed.

Rating: 50 (down from 64)

Combat!: The Medal (1963) (TV)

Tightly dramatic episode about a man who is attributed a heroic deed whose real author was killed.

Combat!: The Prisoner (1962) (TV)

Fun episode about a soldier who is mistaken as an officer by his captors.

The Thing (1982)

A monster from outer space lands on the Arctic and attacks the folks at an outpost. It can take the shape of the person it attacks.

Entertaining and well made, up to a point: I would not call it exciting; on the other hand, it has impressive (disgustingly so, I should add) monsters. This is my second viewing, but it should perhaps count as the first, since my previous viewing was of an unsubtitled video, and therefore at that occasion I did not understand much of the dialogue.

Rating: 53 (up from 22)

Street Justice (1989)

A CIA agent who had been held prisoner in the URSS escapes and is chased by his own agency. He goes to his home town where he hides and takes notice of the local corruption; he tries to make things right for his former family.

The plot is weak and often not very plausible; but the film is well acted and watchable, minimally.

Rating: 30

Combat!: A Day in June (1962) (TV)

This episode is about the D-day, and it is good, like all the others I have seen. I forget the details.

The Snake Pit (1948)

A woman begins to show signs of madness and is committed to an institution.

The screenplay is clearly schematical, with lots of psychoanalitical clichés. What makes the film watchable is the mise-en-scène, which is capable of creating some memorable sequences (the one about the rug which no one is supposed to walk on springs to mind, but there are others).

Rating:52

Combat!: I Swear by Apollo (1962) (TV)

Saunders and his men take refuge in a convent when one of his soldiers and a French man are wounded. They force a German doctor to operate on the French man.

Seinfeld: The Rye (1996) (TV)

Kramer overbuys at a market sale; he is left in charge of a horse carriage; George and his parents have dinner with his girlfriend's family; George's father takes back the loaf of bread he had brought; George plans to replace it. Elaine is dating a saxophone player who is reluctant to give her oral sex.

This is a marvelous episode of an excellent show.

When Time Ran Out... (1980)

A volcano eruption wreaks havoc in an island visited by tourists.

A poor spectacle both in visual and in plot terms. Its madness bears a vestigial aesthetical value.

Rating: 33

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)

Two brothers in deep financial trouble organize the theft of their parents' jewel store, with tragic consequences.

As a showcase for Hawke's and Hoffman's dramatic talents (and Finney's too, come to think of it), this works well; otherwise it's a problematic film, with a conspicuously contrived plot in service of a clear ideological agenda of indictment of capitalism. Wallowing in its own bleakness, it comes short of being truly convincing.

Rating: 47

Combat!: Cat and Mouse (1962) (TV)

Sergeant Saunders and another sergeant get trapped inside a German post. The synopsis for this episode and a lot (all?) others of this show are found in Christopher Mulrooney's page.

I am usually incapable of producing worthwhile commentary of TV shows, even though I like some of them (e.g. this one).

The New World (2005)

A dramatization of the story of the first settlers in North America; Captain Smith's romance with Pocahontas is narrated; she marries another man after Smith goes on a long trip.

An interesting and mostly pleasant film. Malick's style is practically identical to the one he used in The Thin Red Line, with plenty of nature shots and voiceover to express a character's thoughts.

Rating: 69

The Craft (1996)

This blog is not being updated as punctually as it should be, and consequently it becomes hard to remember the plot of the films being commented. This one is about teenage witches. They are four, and one of them is a newcomer to the high school where the other three study; the fourth one initially doesn't deal in witchcraft, and is invited to join the "circle".

90's trash, infinitesimally lifted by Balk's impressive performance.

Rating: 26