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Reviews
Whaler Out of New Bedford (1962)
Vivid Recreation
This is an excellent film that recreates the Benjamin Russell painting which is, amazing as it seems 8 feet high and 1800 feet long. A panorama, if ever there ws one. The music by Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger and Bert Lloyd is very atmospheric. Unfortunately, as far as I know, this DVD is not commercially avaiable.
William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe (2009)
A film to see for anyone who gives a damn about justice for the oppressed
This film by Kunstler's daughters Emily and Sarah, is a wonderful memorial to their father. Kunstler, along with Noam Chomsky Fred Hampton, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Huey P. Newton, was one of the twentieth century's giants in terms of fighting for the rights of those oppressed. To give recognition to Sam Melville and all the other martyrs of Attica, to give thanks to the Estate of Nicholas Ray, to give recognition to those who led the insurrection at Wounded Knee, seems to me already sufficient justification for this film. Joris Ivens would have been happy to have made this film, as he clearly would have recognized Kunstler's importance. A magnificent film. Power to the People!
Se permettete parliamo di donne (1964)
a delightful comedy
This film, apparently not available in a 35mm print, is extremely good. Gassman in his various roles is very funny and his versatility is displayed quite well. In one role, he strongly resembles the character, Bruno, whom he played in Risi's The Easy Life, even down to having the same type of horn sound, with his sports car. If you get a chance, see this film. I am indeed fortunate to be in Paris at the moment where there is an Italian Comedy festival at the Reflet Medicis cinema. many of the films they are showing are not available on DVD. In fact the film was shown on a DVD, that is, apparently (I asked the manager of the theater about this) only available to movie theaters and not to the public.
I mostri (1963)
A must-see!
This film is terrific, at the same level as Risi's The Easy Life. Each of the 19 episodes works wonderfully. The two principal actors, Gassman and Tognazi are superb. I laughed loudly many times during the film, shown in Paris where I am currently spending three months, as the first film in an Italian Comedy series running at the Reflet Medicis cinema. The final episode, The Noble Sport,was tragic in its denouement, just as the final scene in The Easy Lifeis tragic. In that film, the Gassman character, Bruno, walks away,physically unscathed. In I Mostri, the character played by Gassman in the final episode, does not get off so lucky. It is inexplicable to me that these films are not available on DVD (or video) in the United States. Of course many great films are not available, but do not hesitate to go significantly out of your way to see this film.