gasgiant Reviews

Death in Venice (1971)

One of the greatest foreign films ever

[11 November 2004]

Death in Venice is a must see for all of those interested in "great" film-making. I regard the film as essential watching. The final scene, in which the lovesick middle aged man watching a beautiful boy as his absurd makeup runs and he dies of the plague is one of the most horrific and sad in film history. Featuring the music of Gustav Mahler, we are visited by the dark, amber strains of his Fourth Symphony as we visit Venice, which has been beset with the plague. A middle aged man falls in love with a teenage boy, and is heartsick from afar. This is sumptuous, heartbreaking film-making. A must see.

Sugar Hill (1993)

A strong, beautifully shot film about the drug business.

[14 February 2002]

I thought this was a very interesting film about a young successful drug dealer who sees the destruction of drug sales and wants out, and how difficult that proves to be. Snipes is excellent, and Abe Vigoda (Fish from Barney Miller) is terrific as the ageing Mafioso who both likes him and demands unflinching loyalty.

Bounce (2000)

A lovely, lyrical, carefully made romance.

[19 June 2001]

Personally, I believe in quiet, well-acted romances with unusual plots and surprises. While this is a quintessential "chick flick," it still moves us guys with its careful attention to believability, acting and pace. Both stars give great performances, and we really want them to get together. They have "chemistry." Go ahead! Rent it! You won't be disappointed.

New York, New York (1977)

This film makes my top 20 of all time! I kid you not!

[19 June 2001]

New York, New York is a marvel. The beautiful production design of this dark chamber musical helps us see a side of post-War America many of us are unfamiliar with. The destructive relationship of lead characters Francine Evans and Jimmy Doyle (Liza Minelli and Robert DeNiro) does not obscure their obvious love for each other and their music. The film is a burgundy-tinged valentine to the musicals of the 40's, and there is frequent wonderful humor and a delightful supporting turn by Lionel Stander. Do not listen to the nay-sayers; this is Martin Scorsese's finest film.

The Silencers (1966)

Personally, I think this film is a nice parody of the James Bond style films

[19 June 2001]

This is an amusing film and Stella Stevens is just wonderful. There's a great scene where she has a special pistol that fires backwards, and pretends to give up, and hand over the gun to the enemy guy, who attempts to shoot her, thus shooting himself. And STella is a major babe.