Sympathy for the Devil

60s Drama
4.5 stars

I don't know if I've ever seen a film quite like this. I really liked this movie. A bit clunky, but the camera movements were outstanding. Scenes of the Rolling Stones working out the title song cut between various scenes of revolutionaries, artists and intellectuals. Great filmmaking. Requires a lot of concentration to watch, but should be more well-known.

Medium Cool

60s Drama
4 stars

Very interesting blend of documentary style and story. Captured an interesting zeitgeist, the craziness surrounding the 1968 national Democratic convention in Chicago. The director has taken some great doc footage and crafted a narrative fiction film around it. Creative storytelling. Stars a young Robert Forster for all you Tarantino junkies.

Fury

Noirish
3.5 stars

Very early and interesting noirish story loosely based on the Brooke Hart case. The scene of the mob storming the jail was particularly chilling, the rest of the film less so, but as Lang's first American picture, it's historical.

Murder, My Sweet

Noir
4 stars

Very stylish noir thriller. Some excellent, inventive camera work. Good Marlowe story. Another noir that can easily be held up to represent the genre. Despite the scary character Moose Malloy, this film is fun the entire way through.

Tokyo Story

50s Drama
4.5 stars

The camera never moves! A lyrical story about realizations at the end of one's life. Growing old doesn't seem like fun. Slow and steady wins the race, or does it?

The Seventh Seal

50s Drama
Existential
5 stars

This is great highbrow cinema. Existential cinema. I could imagine Woody Allen watching this and coming up with humorous situations based on it. Set in the 14th century, but pertinent to eternal questions. Wonderful filmmaking.

Hoover Street Revival

Documentary
4 stars

Almost-great doc about how a preacher in impoverished LA has changed lives. Old school yet marginally experimental. Me likey.

Performance

70s Drama
4.5 stars

With Mick Jagger. A very interesting film of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Outstanding. Contains the early music video Memo From Turner. I watched this a couple of times and texted several friends about it.

Le Cercle Rouge

70s Drama
French
4.5 stars

Great, relatively unknown stylish French crime film. Hugely inventive, and deserving of much wider recognition. Recommended without reservation.

Radio On

Borderline 70s/80s Drama
British
4.5 stars

This is a real gem of a find, a British art house road movie. The opening, with the German version of Bowie's "Heroes" and a camera moving around an apartment, is wonderful and sets the tone for what follows. One of the best soundtracks I've ever heard including Kraftwerk (from Radioactivity), incredible visual sense (Wim Winders had some involvement with production), pacing meditative, and overall a strong film.

Los Zafiros: Music From the Edge of Time

Music Doc
3.5 stars

A touching look at the surviving members of Los Zafiros, Cuba's all-time pop group from the early and mid 1960s. A love of the subject and the people shines through here, as does a nice look at Cuba today. Plus the music is great.

Decoy

Noir
3.5 stars

Old school noir about a greedy woman. Veers into sci-fi and that's not so good.

American Blackout

Documentary
3 stars

A valuable social doc on the disenfranchisement of African-American voters, focused on the '00 and '04 elections. Any elected official who engages with tough questions of the Bush administration-and not ex post facto-deserves some sort of notice. The fact that some of our elected officials feel voter disenfranchisement isn't an issue at all is downright scary. More serious attention needs to be paid to this problem.

Marie Antoinette

00s Drama
2.5 stars

Wonderful sets & costumes, the use of (relatively) modern music with a period piece movie is occasionally inspired, and the outdoor scenes often engage an evocative use of camera. That's the good. This film is about 45 minutes too long, as so much of the action repeats itself and the story itself moves at a snail's pace. I fought the urge to turn it off about 3 times. Some may quibble over the Schwartzman casting, but I thought he was a nice choice.

They Drive By Night

Noir
3.5 stars

Decent early noir (very similar in some respects to Thieves' Highway) that starts as a workers' struggle story and ends up with a mad woman gone amok. Bogart is a supporting player here, but Raft is good. Not bad, but I like my noirs with more grit.

Green Street Hooligans

00s Drama
4 stars

I liked this movie about a US college kid going to England and finding friendship with a hooligan. Good soccer fandom film. I've always wanted to go over to the UK and follow a soccer club around for 6 months or so. This movie is a little underrated.

Silent Running

Sci-Fi
3 stars

An interesting ecological sci-fi movie that showcases a few precursors of Star Wars. There are no women in this film, and for a rated G film, actually has a murder. I found the subject matter of this film very compelling, although Bruce Dern is a little strange for a leading figure and the movie follows the pattern of early 70s sci-fi with lots of quiet spaces and solitude as subject fodder. This movie is a bit preachy, but with our current climate crises, it seems loaded with foresight. The ending is provocative.

The Spiral Staircase

Noir
2.5 stars

Country-noir. This movie was a snoozer, with some interesting characters but a non-starter plot. Overall a whodunnit with some strong expressionist elements and fine acting, but the problem here is a suspense story where the suspense never mounts.

The Devil and Daniel Johnston

Music Doc
5 stars

A fascinating look at a young musician with manic depression. Here's another film I showed to my students at UCSC. This film pulls the veil back on the notion of celebrity and is blessed with such a wealth of personal archival material. See this film.

Bad Day at Black Rock

50s Drama
3.5 stars

This film gets a lot of hype. The use of widescreen/cinemascope and color are very impressive, and of course Lee Marvin is great, but I thought the social messaging was disappointing.

The Amazing Mr. X

Noir
3 stars

A very short film, John Alton cinematography, but kind of fluffy. A woman is tricked by her supposedly deceased husband into fear of carrying on another relationship. They definitely don't make this kind of movie anymore.

On Noir...

A few quick words here about my affection for film noir.

As someone interested in social history, I am curious about the influential group of noir filmmakers who emigrated to the USA from Europe, folks like Fritz Lang, Billy Wilder, Otto Preminger, Robert Siodmak, Edgar G. Ulmer, etc. Whether fleeing persecution or pursuing artistic opportunity, the noir film directors list lends itself to further reading.

I also have nostalgic appreciation (although what's the term when you are nostalgic for something you never actually experienced?) for location shooting in these pictures, especially the films set in California. I've spent a good amount of time driving all over Los Angeles just to stand on locations where Mike Hammer stood in Kiss Me Deadly, to see Phyllis' Double Indemnity house, etc.

At its best, noir storytelling is a splendid mix of desperation, law v. crime, lust and betrayal, all set to hard-edged dialog, sharp clothes, shadowy streets, shots of whiskey, and endless cigarettes. And it should not be overlooked how noir gave female actors wonderful, memorable, exciting, commanding opportunities.

I'm not saying noir is perfect. Too often, perhaps in a reflection of the times of production, racial stereotypes on screen are embarrassing and insulting. This makes films like Odds Against Tomorrow and No Way Out all the more stunning and powerful.

Just a few Favorite Noir Films
Kiss Me Deadly
Touch of Evil
Asphalt Jungle
The Big Combo
Lady in the Lake
Odds Against Tomorrow
Sorry, Wrong Number
Elevator to the Gallows

and, of course,
Double Indemnity

The Big Knife

50s Drama
3.5 Stars

A dark, interesting film that views just as much like a play as a movie due to the serious restrictions in locations. Palance is excellent, almost Pacino-esque, and Rod Steiger is the closest I've seen to another Brando. A Hollywood horror story. Good stuff.

Zoo

Doc
.5 star

The responsibility for this dud falls on the director and editor. At what point did they think they had the story? The entire movie circles around the issue of zoophilia or bestiality, never landing on any insightful explorations or even insight into the event itself. There's way too much Errol Morris homage as if the filmmaker either never found the story or proper access. The story is what was gelded here.

Prime Cut

70s Drama
3.5 stars
Lee Marvin

This is one of those weird 1970s dramas, with Lee Marvin and Gene Hackman. There are some fascinating scenes here, but overall this movie is kind of flat.

The Enforcer

Noir
3.5 stars

Flashbacks in flashbacks abound here for this derivative noir. Bogart is great in this paint-by-numbers noir.

Criss Cross

Noir
4.5 Stars

A gem of a noir with Burt Lancaster as a sympathetic lovestruck man. The film, like the great Kiss Me Deadly, features a shot of the Angels Flight in Los Angeles. The story is good, the only thing keeping this from being a 5 is the all-too-quick final scene between the triangle of lovers.

Bullet Boy

British
00s Drama
4 stars

Called the "Boyz in the Hood" of England, it's the story of some youths trying to stay on this side of the law. Sad stuff. Massive Attack soundtrack. Damn good movie.

High Sierra

Noir
4 stars

Good early noir showing the transition from the gangster picture to noir. Bogart is outstanding and the story is consistently interesting from start to end. A very intense 1940 movie from Raoul Walsh.

Whirlpool

Noir
3.5 stars

The scary thing is, after seeing Angel Face and this, I came to the realization I may not like Otto Preminger that much (Man with the Golden Arm notwithstanding). This one, about a rich kleptomaniac who gets treated/swindled by a hypnotist is well crafted and the drama is tight, but ultimately the payoff isn't so strong.

Angel Face

Noir
3 stars

Even though I love Mitchum, this one didn't quite do it for me. The violence in this film is shocking, but the film's pace is a bit slow and overall the film is a bit melodramatic. I had high hopes for this one, but Mitchum comes across as weak-willed and that's ultimately what drives the action.

36th Chamber of Shaolin

Martial Arts
Existentialist
5 stars

Whoa! This is a great kung fu movie, existential, political, funny and exciting. Highly recommended.

Wild Strawberries

50s Drama
Existentialist
4.5 Stars

This would have been a 5 but it carried just a tad too long towards the two-thirds mark for me. Definitely the basis for Woody's Deconstructing Harry. I think I found a new favorite filmmaker in Bergman. Some of growing old sure doesn't look fun.

Night and Fog

Doc
Film Poem
50s
4 stars

Like Hiroshima Mon Amor, a beautifully shot, poetic statement about an awful chapter, this time about the Holocaust. A short film made in the wake and thus containing the urgency of unimaginable horror. This film should be required viewing to film and history students.

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

British
60s Drama
4.5 stars

Great British realism new wave film about wayward lad in youth home who also runs fast, and is thus a target for being exploited. About a lot more, though, so you gotta pay attention. Lead actor oozes charisma.

Clean Slate

Coup de Torchon
French
80s Drama
James Thompson
4.5 stars

So much a better Thompson production than The Killer Inside Me, this French film is a scary story about a cop in Senegal who becomes comfortable with killing his foes. Shot very urgently. Highly recommended.

Favela Rising

Music Doc
3.5 Stars

Very good music doc about afro-reggae in Rio. Another film I showed in my UCSC class. My students LOVED this movie. I watched this while I was cutting First Gravy and I got upset because I thought it was better than what I was trying to do. I got so mad that I turned it off a little before the end and put it back in and sealed up the return envelope. My special lady friend then got mad at me and chastised me, so I ripped the envelope back open and we got in a fight. Swell. She was right though, the ending was pretty special.

Strange Impersonation

Noir
3 stars

A bit schmaltzy, this is noir melodrama, without too much to distinguish it. The usual "it's just a dream" denouement only makes one realize how much better "The Woman in The Window" is, although a noir from a female character's perspective is always welcomed.

District B13

French
00s Action
4.5 stars

Wild, kinetic cop film with crazy chases, etc. Similar to beginning of the more recent Casino Royale. Clips of one of the amazing chase scenes made a round on the internet when this film came out. This is one of those films you can invite a bunch of people over and watch.

Secretary

00s Drama
3.5 stars

A unique, sexual frustration and release film. I think it indicts the workplace, but who knows. A little too self-aware for my tastes.

The Parallax View

70s Drama
3.5 stars

Interesting, yet ultimately bland conspiracy thriller (in this way somewhat of the same tone as the original Rollerball--though not as good), with Warren Beatty as a journalist trying to piece together why folks are being offed. Interesting throughout, famous for the brainwash/testing sequence (hello Zoolander). A good premise, but ultimately falls short.

Bug

00s Drama
3 stars

Apparently this movie started life as a play, and it still seems like a play. The acting is good, but ultimately and especially at the conclusion I was wondering why do I care what it's all about? Frenetic, occasionally oddly compelling and pretty good, though hardly great.

Kansas City Confidential

Noir
4 stars

Bank robbery where they framed the wrong man who looks to get revenge. Good story. With Neville Brand. Why didn't Neville Brand become a bigger star? That guy is so charismatic, he's practically incendiary.

The Squid and The Whale

00s Drama
4 stars

Entertaining story about 2 kids on the fast track to therapy because of mom & dad. No, it did not seem as if I was watching home movies. Or so I've told my shrink. Ahem.

Nightmare Alley

Noir
3.5 stars

A favorite of the noir cognoscenti. Noir goes to the carnival. This one was very dark and kind of scary, but went on a long time with interludes of that old-school melodramatic, stiff acting. A unique noir.

Coogan's Bluff

60s Drama
3 stars

I expected more out of the Don Siegel Clint Eastwood partnership in their film before Dirty Harry. This film is nowhere near the level of that one. A bit cheesy, a bit slow, although Lee J Cobb, always a great ingredient, gets a small supporting role.

Jazz on a Summer's Day

Music Doc
4.5 stars

They cheated with recreating a party scene, but beautiful photography throughout. The music presented here represents jazz at the highest levels, but the commentary here would seem to be on the audience as much as the musicians. Consistently exciting.

The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack

Music Doc
4.5 stars

Great movie about daughter trying to have a relationship with her famous father. Very telling. A combo music bio and family story. Wonderful. Another film I showed to my UCSC students.

The Tin Drum

80s Drama (borderline 70s/80s)
4 stars

This is actually a stunning film when one considers the scope, although without question it is disturbing. The child who refuses to get bigger is an amazing storytelling device, although the sheer creepiness around it was tough to take. Recommended.

Tension

Noir
4 stars

This is a very good noir about a man whose woman is a shrew. Old school.

Lord Love A Duck

60s Comedy
3 stars

Clever Roddy McDowell send up of California living in the early 1960s. It's ok , I guess. Tuesday Weld was great, but the movie is like a stone skipping across themes. Never stays put for very long. Harvey Korman is brilliant, but not sure if I could sit through this one again. Groovy title song.