Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on September 15th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on August 18th, 2004
The folks at Criterion continue their quest to make every one of Fellini’s heirs millionaires with their release of I Vitelloni, the famed director’s second solo effort. This semi-autobiographical tale follows the lives of a group of young men who are on the verge of growing up and making something of their lives, but haven’t quite gotten there yet. Part American Pie, part About a Boy, and all Fellini, this film is an important addition to any foreign film collection.
The film garnered ...ritical acclaim upon its release, and even earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. I was personally surprised about how universal and timeless the themes of the film were. Many modern films deal with the same issues of escape from a small town and becoming something grand. Especially surprising were the comparisons that can easily be drawn with modern gangster movies and television shows such as The Soprano’s. The interaction between the friends in this film is uncannily similar to scenes of Tony Soprano and his crew sitting outside Satriale’s Pork Store.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on February 17th, 2004
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on December 12th, 2003
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 18th, 2003
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 18th, 2003
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 17th, 2003
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 15th, 2003
James Gandolfini is a brilliant actor. He is one of those rare talents that sneak in the back door to show business, hiding in the shadows until the public realizes just what a powerful artist he has always been. I, like many Americans, first began to notice Gandolfini through his work in the immensely successful HBO television series The Soprano’s. In the French/American hybrid film New World, Gandolfini is at top form yet again, playing an American soldier stationed in France in the 1950’s with more ...ime than responsibility.
As with most films you have never heard of, there is a reason why this one may have passed you by. Gandolfini only has a supporting role in this film, which is unfortunate, since he is by far the greatest actor herein. Excepting his performance, this is a film that starts off slow, coasts through the second act, and then finishes with a rousing series of events that made me use the word, “whaaaat?” on several occasions. While the plot seems to be going somewhere at first glance, be forewarned… it isn’t. The film’s bad editing is a perfect compliment to its equally bad script, making for a confusing and pointless film that considers making some daring statements throughout, but in the end makes no statements at all.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on November 14th, 2003
Synopsis
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 26th, 2003
Revenge is the theme of what many people consider H.G. Clouzot’s finest film, the 1955 thriller “Diabolique”. This is the story of two women who want to kill the same man. One is his kind and gentle wife, and the other is his attractive but hard-hearted mistress. The two work together to end his life, devising a plan that comes to fruition surprisingly early in the film. What initially appears to be a film about the plotting of a murder turns into a film about something else… something more sinister and unexpected. A... the two realize that the man they mean to kill may not be dead after all, their dread and terror escalates, as does the tension on the screen.
Clouzot’s real life spouse, Vera Clouzot, plays the part of the mild mannered wife, and she does so superbly. I really cannot say enough about her performance in this film. She is reason enough to watch the film, but the engaging plot and thrilling finale make it even better. Criterion brings us a true classic of early French cinema, with “Diabolique”.
