A personal journal of film and documentary reviews, and reviews of anything else that intrigues me.
Chinese and Chinese-language Films
Wu Yonggang, “The Goddess / Shen nu” (1935) A year after this film was made, its star Ruan Lingyu took her life by overdosing on barbiturates,…
French and French-language Films
Luis Bunuel, “Diary of a Chambermaid” (1964) Of the Spanish director’s late-autumn career in which he directed classics like “Belle de Jour”, “The Discreet Charm of…
Kaneto Shindo, “Kuroneko” (1968) A companion piece to his earlier classic “Onibaba”, Shindo’s “Kuroneko” explores vengeance and human desires for love in the setting of a…
Jan Hrebejk, “The Teacher / Ucitel’ka” (2016) Billed as a comedy drama, Hrebejk’s “The Teacher” is a character study of how an individual uses her political…
Takashi Miike, “Blade of the Immortal” (2017) Condensed from 30 volumes of manga into a single work of about 140 minutes, this film was probably always…
Kenneth Branagh, “Murder on the Orient Express ” (2017) At least superficially this film is quite enjoyable to see Agatha Christie’s famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot…
French and French-language Films
Claude Chabrol, “Les Biches / The Does” (1968) A beautifully elegant film of stylishness and subtle performances from its lead female characters, “Les Biches” is a…
Takeshi Kitano, “Zatoichi” (2003) Based in part on the television and film series revolving around the adventures of itinerant blind masseur / swordsman Zatoichi in late…
French and French-language Films
Louis Malle, “Le Voleur / The Thief of Paris” (1967) A crime comedy caper starring then popular French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo and directed by Louis Malle,…
Australian and New Zealand Films
Philippe Mora, “Mad Dog Morgan” (1976) Based on the life of an actual bushranger who plagued Victoria and New South Wales during the second half of…