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keithtrumbo
Reviews
Out of Africa (1985)
The One that got away!
This was a film that when it came out for some unknown reason I never saw. Over the years it has passed me by many, many times either in people's conversations or midnight wanderings with the remote but always I let it go by. Maybe it was the fact that it won such acclaim and attention and was talked about so much that I thought I knew the film, that I didn't need to see it. There was always another film to see. Well obviously my 'mistake' was rectified as I wouldn't be writing this now. I came home to find my girlfriend watching the very beginning, proceeded to read the day's newspaper but had one eye on the screen. She had seen it a few times and later on tiring went to bed. I'm not sure why this time was different but I continued to watch. Thank god I did. This is a magnificent, intelligent, moving film that on this night of 6th August 2007 means so much more to me than had I seen it in 1985. Of course now I realize why I've been so averse although unconsciously of seeing it. Going through a bloody divorce then not of my own choosing I don't think could have handled as Meryl so brilliantly did the strength that her character had with love and all it's attachment. This is human film that really seeps into your soul and I'm full of admiration for Sidney Pollack's brilliance and for putting together a team of people both in front and behind the camera that have created such a gem. All the Actors were superb with Meryl setting the pace like a long distance runner wanting to cross the line with everyone winning! This is a film with a strong heart!
Jack of Diamonds (1967)
Gabor should know!
One great line in the film. After Gabor's jewels were stolen the second time the Press showed up at the scene of the crime to interview her. One Reporter asked if she had seen the Cat Burglar. She said: "No, but that he must have seen me". Feigning surprise after looking her body up & down he said: "Why would the burglar have left?". Gabor retorted: "There isn't a straight man left in America"! They all laughed and left. Now given that this film was released in 1967 the expression 'straight' seems ahead of it's time and yet there seems no doubt as to what was implied. Was this some in-joke as surely Gabor had done much 'research' in her personal life. I'm sure the audience laughed with the Reporters yet only a few would have known what the joke really was.
Breaking and Entering (2006)
A sensation!
See the film for one reason only....Vera Farmiga. She plays the hooker and for the approximate 10 minutes she's on the screen it comes alive. The experience reminded me of seeing 'Easy Rider' when first released and being hit with a jolt when Jack Nicholson lit up the screen. She is electric! (See how under used she is in 'The Departed'...wouldn't know it's the same actress).The others are all good but she's like a wake-up call! As a morality play I find there's only so much wallowing in others messy lives that I can take when they continue down the road of self destruction. I had no sympathy at all for Jude/Robin/daughter characters and wished that Ray Winstone & Julitte Binoche had been the heart of this story...would have been much more alive and unpredictable. Well photographed, the film captures a dark edge of today's London that makes one want to keep looking over one's shoulder.
Imitation of Life (1959)
Striking camera work
Agree with many others regarding the emotional impact of this film but I would like to acknowledge Douglas Sirks direction in giving the film such humanity especially at a time when many people didn't know that they wanted or even needed to hear it. It was not only expressed in the words but quite strikingly in the camera angles that treated people with dignity & equanimity especially in the church scenes...almost portrait stills...very powerful. The lighting gave the actors such prescence especially two quick stills of them sitting in the pews. Every face is seen clearly...no one's an extra here. Then to hear Mahalia's voice sailing over all...well to paraphrase another movie's ending "this is the stuff that movies are made of".
Never Let Go (1960)
The real side of Peter Sellers?
Saw this movie in the UK in the early 60's. Sellers was a major comedic hero of mine who I first discovered in The Goon Show. What made "Never Let Go" so important was that as far as I can remember this was the only time he played a vicious character. The scene where he is crushing Adam Faith's hands in a drawer stayed with me forever not only because Faith was a major pop star at that time but that it was shocking to see Sellers play this cruel roll. Now some 40+ years later I wish Sellers had pursued this other side of his character in more films as I think he could have become a real 'bastard' London character that have become so popular. Yes I prefer his comedy as it was so important to Britain's comedic release from it's stiff upper lip but he might have become one of the few actors that span both comedy & drama. Imagine Sellers with a touch of Bob Hoskins & Michael Caine (Long Goodbye mixed with Ipcress/Alfie). Definitely worth seeing. As an aside Adam Faith was a huge pop singer who did some acting and later became a very successful business man. Look out for his music.