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Les vampires (1915)
Amazing glipse into the past!
Now here's a movie that doesn't require a replication of Paris in the early 20th century. The real McCoy is used for the settings, vehicles, costumes, firearms, etc. Since it was filmed in 1916 one can see for example how horse-drawn carriages were still a very popular means of transport in the "modern" sense. If you a true fan of motion picture history -- then you can't afford to miss this gem. It represents the dawn of the motion picture industry before we had well-known movie stars and blockbusters like Intolerance (1916) and Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919).
This film, a series of 10 episodes, tells the story of a gang of thieves and murderers (The Vampire Gang) who are out to create havoc in Paris for their own personal goals. The heros of this tale are a newspaper reporter, Phillipe Guerande, and his hilarious sidekick, Mazamette. Together they aim to foil the latest capers of the gang and find themselves in unexpected trouble throughout the entire series. Ingenious methods by the criminals are used in each episode.
Each episode builds upon the first, so I strongly recommend you watch it in sequence (as if you watching the Sopranos on HBO). It's interesting to see how the characters develop and improve their acting as they gain experience and confidence within their roles. Irma Vep and Mazamette, especially are a treat to watch. Later in the series, both Irma Vep and Mazamete deliberately ham it up for the viewing audience and camera just for fun! Guerande reminded me a lot of Gene Kelly with his clean-cut facial expressions and haircut. Only the last episode (#10) was a disappointment. For some reason, much of the print was washed out in the interior scenes, the tinting inconsistent (many outdoor scenes were red instead of green etc.) and the storyline was unrealistically forced forward (i.e., how did Mazamette enter into Guerande's house at 2:00 am uninvited and how did Guerande climb down the 3rd floor balcony of the Vampires' mansion after he threw away their knotted rope, the Vampires' only means of escape from that level?)
Most episodes are 45 minutes in length, except #10 which is nearly a hour. Even though the entire series runs over 8 hours, don't watch it a double speed as suggested by a previous reviewer. The score adds ambience, suspense & excitement to the Parisian scenes at the appropriate places. Lastly there are two supplements on the DVD. The first is a royal waste (a true supernavel, or "turnip" according to the French), the second is a cute story starring the young boy who played Mazamette's son in "Les Vampires".
Memento (2000)
Who killed Leonard's wife?
It amazes me how many people praise this movie yet still don't get it and fail to grasp the full truth of the story. Because the plot is so complicated in the way it was presented it took my wife and I hours to figure out what really happened. Credit that to the director for having pulled off such an incredible and original movie. ------WARNING***-----SPOILER AHEAD------------- I have read the last 80 comments on this board and not once did anyone observe that Leonard ALREADY had started his body tatooing before his wife died. In an extremely brief scene at the the end of the movie, Leonard is seen laying in bed half-naked with his wife with a few of his tatoos already on his upper chest. This lead me to the following conclusions. 1. Leonard's wife survived the intruders' attack, though Leonard himself suffered severe head trauma which leads to his handicap. 2. As a result of this affliction, Leonard begins tatooing his body, the results which are seen in the final bedroom scene with his wife. 3. Leonard himself kills his own wife with an insulin overdose and then transposes the deed to Sammy Jarkis. The 'real' Sammy never had a wife according to Teddy. Yet in order to justify his 'revenge', Leonard reminds himself that Sammy was a murderer. 4. Leonard is sent to a mental institution (according to the clues in the official website) and begins plotting the murder of the second assailant in his diary. He then escapes the institution and hooks up with Teddy who helps him find the assailant. Teddy photographs the blood-covered Leonard as a reminder of his nasty deed, knowing full well that Leonard will soon forget and continue his killing rampage. 5. Teddy takes advantage of Leonard's affliction and uses him to kill a drug dealer for monetary gains only to be outsmarted by Leonard when he realizes he was duped by Teddy.
Presumably, Leonard will continue his rampage until the authorities eventually catch up with him and puts him away for life.
Die Siebtelbauern (1998)
Boring and unrealistic
It's unfortunate that a movie with gifted actors, an interesting premise, and beautiful cinematography has to be marred with simplistic us vs. them conflict and unrealistic drama. I just don't get it. The Inheritors starts off meaningfully well with a mysterious murder that results in 10 peasants inheriting a farm who previously never owned anything. Halfway through the story, however, the plot becomes predictable and often at times boring. There are also scenes that show complete disregard for justice by the church and state when the peasants are harassed in the most horrific way. Scenes like those are never as simple or as black and white as shown here. I can't believe an entire town would tolerate that type of curelty by its own citizens. Don't waste your time on this film. There are far better foreign films that depict the trial and tribulations of peasant life in the mountains of Austria. For example, see the "Last Valley" starring Michael Cain and Omar Sharif. Though the setting takes place in Switzerland, it's actually filmed in Austria. Now that's a film that deals with injustice in a much more effective and believable way!
Winstanley (1975)
Disappointing film
With all the fanfare surrounding this low-budget indie, I guess I was expecting a bit more than a series of disjointed scenes and poorly exposed cinematography. The film opens with great promise showing a well-executed battle scene interspersed with text explaining the political landscape of the mid-1600 but then rapidly goes downhill with below average technical production. There's no drama or tension to speak of. I've seen much better historical "documentaries" when I was in grammar school. A valiant effort but it doesn't hold a candle against other indie films of the period. A '4' in my book, and that's being generous.
The Matrix (1999)
The Resurrection revisited!
This movie has no equal when it comes to combining the hottest action scenes, the coolest protagonists, thought-provoking dialogue, and direct parallels to the Old and New Testatment. It's hard to believe that Keanu finally gets to play Jesus Christ in designer shades -- but he pulls it off miraculously!
Just pay attention to the way the movie uses the terms Zion, Trinity, Nebuchadnezzar, the Oracle, the very first Matrix, sacrificing one's life for another, and especially the resurrection of the Chosen One. Never has a movie so skillfully employed Biblical doctrine in such a revealing fashion without offending unbelievers. Those who believe in the One will know what I'm talking about when they watch this thrilling movie!
Quicksilver Highway (1997)
Borrriinng!
It shocks me to think there are IMDb reviewers out there who would give this sordid piece of uninteresting, uninspiring, unsurprising, total waste of potential film acting a 10 rating! Never had I painfully sat through such a bomb hoping that the film would just get better because others enjoyed it. Don't waste your time. You're better off getting a cheap B-flick that is campy and fun. This ain't it.