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!…
nausika
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),…
Alien: Resurrection (dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet): more a lame rehash than a revival
Jean-Pierre Jeunet, “Alien: Resurrection” (1997) The idea behind this movie was to give new life to the Alien movie franchise but despite some interesting ideas about…
American Psycho (dir. Mary Harron): compelling satire on Wall Street society
Mary Harron, “American Psycho” (2000) Based on the Brett Easton Ellis novel of the same name, “American Psycho” is a satirical survey of the people working at…
4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days: intelligent look at friendships under strain in a brutal mercenary society
Crisitan Mungiu, “4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days” (2007) A bleak and often heartbreaking offering from young Romanian director Cristian Mungiu, this movie about a…
Andrei Rublev: multi-layered film about art, faith and taking creative risks
Andrei Tarkovsky, “Andrei Rublev” (1966) Loosely based on the life of the eponymous 15th century Russian icon painter, “Andrei Rublev” examines the relationship of an artist…