The War You Don’t See: an incisive and passionate John Pilger documentary
Alan Lowery and John Pilger, “The War You Don’t See” (2010) Last night (Sunday, 10 April 2011), I caught this documentary presented by veteran Australian journalist…
nausika
Vertigo: a beautiful film with disturbing themes of obsession and control
Alfred Hitchcock, “Vertigo” (1958) For a mainstream Hollywood drama, this famous film by Alfred Hitchcock, regarded by some as his greatest work, features some very disturbing…
French and French-language Films, German and German-language Films
Vampyr: vampire horror film explores issues of human existence
Carl Theodor Dreyer, “Vampyr” (1932) Made originally as a silent movie with a voice and musical soundtrack added later, this film boasts very creative if contrary…
Borat movie tells more about film-makers’ biases and prejudices than those of its subjects
Larry Charles, “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” (2006) Using the narrative form of a naif travelling in a foreign…
Blade Runner: movie remarkable chiefly for visual impact and theme
Ridley Scott, “Blade Runner” (1982) The curious thing with this movie is that as it recedes back in time – 2012 will be its 30th anniversary!…
L.A. Confidential: well-made with convoluted plot about deception and illusion
Curtis Hanson, “L.A. Confidential” (1997) Based on the novel by James Ellroy and named after an actual 1950’s magazine which focussed on celebrity scandal, “L.A. Confidential”…
German and German-language Films
Pandora’s Box: apart from its lead star, it’s an ordinary film with soap opera plot
G W Pabst, “Pandora’s Box” (1929) On its cinematic release, this German movie garnered little attention for its American star Louise Brooks in her home country…
Brink of Life: sympathetic and unromantic 1950’s investigation of pregnancy and childbirth
Ingmar Bergman, “Brink of Life” (1958) Even in these supposedly more “liberal” times when no topic seems taboo to speak about openly, a director, male or…
Yossi and Jagger: potentially good film needs bulking up in plot, theme and characters
French and French-language Films
The 400 Blows: excellent existential film of young adolescent search for understanding
Francois Truffaut, “The 400 Blows” (1959) This debut feature film by director Francois Truffaut is a very affecting one. By the standards of its time (1950’s),…