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Reviews
Shanghai Express (1932)
Classic Hollywood meets Mao
Josef von Sternberg gives us an accurate description of the civil war in China of the 1930's in addition to superb performance of Dietrich and Clive Brook makes the movie very enjoyable to watch.
A simple love story evolves to suspense theme which enable us to experience the complicity of this civil war, the Nationalist, the Communist and the Westerners amid them. In some ways, the movie is the story of China in the first half of the 20th century.
It's funny and interesting to observe the West point of view on China on their feeble days and even more amusing to watch the movie in the new bullet train that's occupy our days rail road between Beijing and Shanghai, a six hours journey in compare to 'Shanghai lily' trip of three days long.
Highly recommended, especially for the classic Hollywood and the Chinese seekers.
La battaglia di Algeri (1966)
The battle of conscious
The movie opening sequence is bird's eye view of Algiers, showing us the European part and the indigenous quarter ("Casbah", hinting us the main rivalry of the movie. Pontecorov's work is extraordinary, we can see his passion for cinematography by letting the camera moves and speak for it self, as the film develop we can recognize the importance of the footage which took place in the "Casbah" itself of Algiers just few years after the end of the struggle (and the following independence), the narrow alleys and cooperativeness local population. I was happy to find, though, involvement in the production of Algerian was huge, never the less the participant of some ex-FLN fighters as actors, the movie does show us the terrible affect of terrorist action against the local European civilians. Furthermore, the portrayal of the French army was decent, consider their complicated task in converting battlefield tactics into heavy populated areas.
I think in such delicate issues, and of course if the main purpose is to bring the audience neutral opinion, Pontecorovo did an excellent job. The movie, except from the great history lesson, is relevant for today also, we can refer to it in different clashes around the world involving regular army forces and guerilla fighting.
Nashville (1975)
Upheavals in Nashville
This amusing musical is a striking example of Robert Altman's movies, huge amount of characters, some intertwined and some don't gives us the feel of chaos but as the film continues Altman grip it thoroughly and we can feel his unique work at it's best.
The plot is a mosaic of country music scene in it's hinterland, Nashville. The songs fits in perfectly and, to my opinion, are great hits for themselves, make the film highly entertain. This parts of American society, southern culture, is often not on the spotlight of Hollywood film makers, hence given us the opportunity to expose through it, though, from obvious reasons, the country music industry denounce the film as totally fiction.
Don't miss it!
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
The father, The son and the Holy Spirit
The film start's in a peaceful way, hence given us the impression of a mainstream love story. Gradually, the plot evolves to the more darker aspects of Polanski's state of mind.
Polanski, in his best horror "apartment trilogy" (Repulsion and The Tenant) film shows us the young and beautiful couple (Farrow and Cassavetes)and their relationship with the next door neighbours, an old, childless and tend to be neurotic, the Castevets (Gordon and Blackmer) intrude to the young couple life and give us a somber essence to life in the heartbeat of every metropolin lifestyle.
As much as the movie continue we can feel the suspense in the air through Farrow magnificent performance that enable us to experience a good horror movie from a fine director. A must see movie!
For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)
Love story amid Spanish civil war
For Whom the Bells Tolls is a thrilling novel and one of the most acclaimed books of the 20Th century. It depict very accurately the turmoil of Spain during the civil war alongside the upheavals of the previous century.Only three years after it was first publish and in the heights of WW2 this movie was very relevant upon debut.
Set on the mountains between Madrid and Segovia, Robert Jordan, the reflection of Hemingway himself or shell I say his alter ago, joins a group of insurgents in the Fascists side, together they show us the complicity of war, while everyone need to choose their side whereas opinions and creed sometime prove us that nothing can be black or white, add it the toughness of daily fighting and you get a fabulous story.
Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman enshrined us that this movie will take us all the way to the path of glory, though, Katina Paxinou, as Pilar took the best supporting actress in the academy awards.
As one of my favorite books I was more than looking forward to watch Sam Wood adaptation. The book influence was poignant, showing us the life of the simple soldiers in the Republic and criticise the high rank of the local Communist party and the Soviets in particular, it was banned in the Soviet Union for many years on. Unfortunately the movie doesn't show the political intrigue that eventually causes the Republic to loose the granting Franco decades of reign, instead the movie put it emphasis on the love story between American explosive expert, Robert Jordan (Cooper) and beautiful young comrade, Maria (Bergman). To my opinion, the movie took from the book it main objective, nevertheless the movie is worth watching and can be describe as good American love-drama.
Ninotchka (1939)
Garbo shine above pre-war Europe
Garbo performance is immaculate in her biggest comedy role, Melvyn Douglas supporting role is also very good, he enhance Garbo perfectly.
Ernst Lubitsch as director accompanied by his friend Billy Wilder as screenwriter gave us entertainment and satire in her best elegant form.
The story of four Soviet spies and their antics in the France capital is the ultimate depiction of the atmosphere in Europe in the shadow of the upcoming war. We can feel the ambiguous attitude of the American people (and furthermore Lubitsch and Wilder as European immigrants) toward the Soviets in the unfolding events of Nazi aggressiveness in Europe. Paris's seductive as it can be, Garbo shine above all and the movie is fun to watch even from seven decades forward.
To my opinion, someone who want to introduce himself with this 'Golden Age' of Hollywood cinema can easily be exposed by this film.