kmoss55 Reviews

The Ninth Gate (1999)

Evil through books

[8/10 · 16 August 2002]

I think the film contains good suspense and tension overall. Yet I could not help but noticing similarities with the movie The Name of the Rose, with Sean Connery (1986). 666666 "Minor spoilers ahead" 666666 Incidently both of them are more or less detective stories with a focus on a book connected with evil and danger. They also share a plot in which the characters who develop a close interest in the book die one after another. Besides, the two movies contain numerous references to black magic, supernatural and mystery (secret places, sudden fires, burning books...).

Considering the quality of the plot, the directing and acting in The Name of the Rose or other thrillers (Hitchcock, Clouzot), I realise that although enjoyable the Ninth Gate has flaws, like a lack of attention to details and too much vagueness. However,it avoids becoming corny by leaving some freedom to the imagination (like at the end, by not showing you-know-who).

The Go-Between (1971)

A witness of a tragic love triangle

[7/10 · 13 September 2001]

I have watched this film several times and still find it quite captivating, despite the piano/singing sequences. The story by Hartley is much reminiscent of D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover, written earlier. It has secret passion, deceit and class differences for main themes. I think some of the contents of the film may be a bit confusing or unclear for someone who has not read the book, but otherwise it is a good adaptation.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD***

Throughout the film we cannot help feeling sorry for the ever-running boy Leo (Dominic Guard), especially in two scenes: first when he is scolded by Marian (Julie Christie) for initially avoiding her request; she then manipulates him, making him feel guilty to get her own way. The cruelty lies in the use of her privileged status, which makes it easy for her to win over his resistance by reminding him of his poor background. Second when he is caught in his lies by Mrs Maudsley we can only pity him despite his mistakes.

The feeling of an imminent disaster is well present and the building of the tension announces the end of the deceit for Ted (Alan Bates) and Marian, as well as the young boy's lost innocence (after his initial ignorance about sexual matters or the details of the love affair itself). As soon as the secret is out, the triangular links are destroyed : the days of complicity between Leo and the two illicit lovers are over, and the truth is fatal to the other triangle formed by Ted, Marian and Hugh.

One of the interests of the film is in the use of a certain language ("spooning"), as well as the subtext ( Marian explaining to Leo : "I must marry him (Hugh)", implies the social pressure, the society expectation and probably the fact she must know she is pregnant at this stage).

Despite the tragic denouement and Leo's trauma there is a notion of hope at the end; Now a much older man Leo is given a last mission as a "postman". His revisit of the Hall is a journey into the past as well as an opportunity for him to discover the present results of what happened years ago.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Excellent Poirot adaptation

[8/10 · 24 August 2001]

First of all, Albert Finney gives a remarkable performance as Poirot : he looks exactly like the character described by Agatha Christie, so similar to what I had in mind ! I found him so much closer to the character than David Suchet, who turns it into a gay-like idiot with a very bad belgian accent.

The rest of the cast (with enough big names!) works pretty well, I loved Lauren Bacall as a drama queen lady. Anthony Perkins plays with no problem the troubled, nervous secretary and John Gielgud is superb as the dignified waiter with his dead-pan humour. As for Jean-Pierre Cassel he is equally convincing.

I admire the way this movie was adapted from such a book, given the theatrical aspect of the plot and their characters. It is a challenge to take an Agatha Christie story and make it successful on screen. This film lives up to my expectations, though you cannot beat the book as often the case !

Comment réussir... quand on est con et pleurnichard (1974)

Cracking comedy with excellent cast !

[7/10 · 23 August 2001]

I laughed throughout the whole film and found the dialogues so well written : in fact I think that Michel Audiard is a bit like a French Woody Allen, as his scripts and characters remind me of some of his work; parodies and caricatures of all classes, with such losers as Antoine Robineau (Jean Carmet), Foisnard (Jean Rochefort) and Gérard (Jean-Pierre Marielle) who are all great actors.

You feel attached to their characters in a way, however low and annoying they can be. Jane Birkin looks so sexy, lively and shows a good sense of humour, particularly in a scene that suggests a bad and tacky copy of a famous show in Paris...

Very funny and well acted movie that deserves to be better known !

Savage Nights (1992)

Pathetic and repulsive

[1/10 · 23 August 2001]

I cannot express how low this film goes right from the start. How can someone suffering from the Aids Virus make love, unprotected, to unsuspecting people because he feels that the virus is not part of him ? What sort of message does this convey to the public ?

Just because this film is probably meant to shock it does not make its message acceptable or even interesting. Lots of people can be easily influenced by such contents. However passionate an affair can be, there is no excuse for displaying such a destructive and self-destructive behaviour as Cyril Collard does in this film. It is also twisted and despicable to make viewers believe that there is love between Jean and Laura in this story, when lust and perversion are the only words to describe their relationship.

Enough with cynicism all the time : being cynical about everything is not being talented, remember. Unfortunately, the more cynical the better these days. It is just too easy.

I hope that any other film on Aids will be thought-provoking and show some intelligence on the subject next time.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Inspiring and stimulating

[9/10 · 23 August 2001]

I loved this film when I was a teenager and still do. Although the story is set in the late fifties the message does not age : to look at things in a different angle, follow your inner voice and contribute your verse, how refreshing !

If you are cynical (or a sheep!), forget this film and save your breath : you haven' t got that sensitivity and you would not understand what it is all about. It is too easy to be cynical about everything. So follow the herd of the cynics who abound these days.

I do not need the help of a guru or a Keating to seize the day. However I like the idea that you should be free of the need to be popular or approved by others to make your life interesting to yourself. More often I believe hell is others, like Sartre would say.

This movie contains some excellent thought-provoking material and gives a poetical philosophy of life as well. It also has great sensitivity, with attaching characters and deeply moving scenes and music. More films like this, please !

Day for Night (1973)

Excellent movie-in-the-movie !

[8/10 · 23 August 2001]

This film is a Tribute to Cinema itself. It shows with rare talent how the magic of a film is created without spoiling it. I am impressed by the quality of both of the scripts of the movie and in the movie, and the way the subject of film-making is treated.

Truffaut is excellent at building a tension or creating any atmosphere and happily mixes in the comedy and the tragic; he can make me smile, laugh and cry from one moment to another and move me with one line. There is so much to be interested in with this story : the problems encountered at all levels when directing (technical, financial, relational) but also the rewards for the efforts of everyone involved.

The different interactions formed on a set in the team are particularly focused on and make most of the interest of this film, such as the love affairs between actors or in the crew, the fights and conflicts that shows the contrast in harmony between life and cinema.

The only minor downside of this film is the wooden acting of Jean-Pierre Léaud and beautiful Jacqueline Bisset. Why not choosing an actor /actress with both talent and good looks or charm ? I am sure it is possible. Also the dream sequences are unnecessary to the film.

Otherwise an excellent film not to be missed by real cinema fans !

The Cow and I (1959)

A forgotten classic

[7/10 · 23 August 2001]

This film by Henri Verneuil showed Fernandel in one of his best roles. Today he is still funny as a cheeky but down-to-earth man with simple needs who is dragged into impossible situations. This is an out-of-the-ordinary "love story" between a man and and a stubborn cow (the animal of course, nothing offensive let me reassure you) called Marguerite...I like the twist at the end after all their little adventures.

Charmingly dated but worth seeing again if you are feeling a bit nostalgic !

First Knight (1995)

A pleasant fairytale and action movie

[7/10 · 22 August 2001]

This film deserves recognition for what it is : a good interpretation of part of a legend, with an excellent casting.

Who else but Sean Connery as an ageing and dignified King Arthur ?

Julia Ormond is a convincing and stunning princess with her graceful, touching beauty; her looks are also refreshing and different from all the ever-present boring blondes who get a part in anything because of their hair colour.

As for Richard Gere he is as handsome, charming and fearless as Camelot would be.

This film is not for historians or purists nor does it claim to have a documentary value. It has a sense of magic and the pace is well alternated between romance and action. The emotion and intensity are present thanks to the actors and the music, appropriate to all the scenes in the movie. That is what matters.

Who cares about details such as a castle looking a bit dodgy, blue clothes (we have seen much worse and tackier in cinema history) or the odd line or fact. Never mind that. Just relax and escape : it is only entertainment at the end of the day, not a time for History or Legend Reconstruction. You are better off going to a course or reading a book, do not rely on films to educate you all the time.

Why comparing films ? Let's just say there are different approaches to a subject, that is what makes the interest. Enjoy !