dir. Yorgos Lanthimos. What a cast. Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz are all such different styles of actors, but it works so well. Weird and funny, and beautifully filmed. The natural light day scenes, and candle-lit night scenes are more beautiful and enjoyable than anything Kubrick did in BARRY LYNDON (1975). (showing @bkksr this week)
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Blinded By The Light (2019)
dir. Gurinder Chadha. So much fun. Coming of age modern classic with lots of Springsteen songs, it’s charming. If it wasn’t for the single artist soundtrack like certain other recent films, it could fit perfectly into the 90s genre of uplifting Thatcherite era British cinema. “Tramps like us, Baby, we were born to run!” How…… Continue reading Blinded By The Light (2019)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Portrait de la jeune fille en feu) (2019)
dir. Céline Sciamma. Almost needs its own genre of luxury romance. So gorgeously shot, the two leads (Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel) have such great chemistry that you can’t stop watching. I need to see more films with the same cinematographer, Claire Mathon. (Opens at @thebkksr later this month!)
Young Frankenstein (1974)
dir. Mel Brooks. As near to a perfect movie that I can think of. Some days my favourite film ever. Perfect cast, Gene Wilder and Teri Garr sparkle, wonderful cameo by Gene Hackman. The only joke I don’t enjoy is Marty Feldman making fun of his eyes. Madeline Kahn might be the funniest person who…… Continue reading Young Frankenstein (1974)
Heat (1995)
dir. Michael Mann. Rewatched HEAT. Natalie Portman is so talented, even at fourteen. I love watching her interact with Pacino. “I gotcha baby. Here’s your momma!”
Thief (1981)
dir. Michael Mann. Making my way back through his catalogue. I now see the connections to HEAT (1995) more closely, thanks @phil_jablon. I forgot how great James Caan is, just so natural and comfortable. Seeing him in this makes me want to re-watch MISERY (1990) and THE GAMBLER (1974) again. Once again phone booths date the…… Continue reading Thief (1981)
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
dir. Irvin Kershner. My favourite Star Wars film. A masterpiece, but now so familiar that I can’t be objective about it. Watched again tonight, will certainly reappear in this movie diary. This time I loved watching the moment of eye contact between Vader and Leia before Han is frozen in carbonite. It’s just a second,…… Continue reading Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Kiss (1963)
dir. Andy Warhol. Silent experimental film of couples kissing, gay and straight. Felt dull when watched during university, but now I can appreciate the almost luxurious lighting design, and enjoy the refreshingly simple concept. It would feel more voyeuristic if the actors weren’t hamming it up, but I suppose that extra acting is part of…… Continue reading Kiss (1963)
One, Two, Three (1961)
dir. Billy Wilder. I watched this for the first time, at the annual Open Air Kino presented by the Goethe Institute. Super fast dialogue, sidesplittingly funny, full of great physical comedy, and cold war politics jokes. Horst Buchholz (“the German James Dean”) steals the show.#onetwothree #1961 #billywilder
Heat (1995)
dir. Michael Mann. Infinitely re-watchable, cold and gripping even 25 years later. One of the first “action” films I saw growing up. The female cast members stood out this time, Ashley Judd on the balcony is terrific. The over-the-top dialogue is still enjoyable. “For me the action is the juice”.
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