Happening (2021). 12.8.23. Despite the potent subject matter, this was unoriginal, both as a story and a film (it was quite sketchy and matter-of-fact). I compare it unfavourably to Saturday Night and Sunday Morning which was actually made in the 1960s (the time this is set). 7/10
Gentlemen prefer blondes (1953). 17.8.23. Yet another old film with the same pattern: a really impressive – borderline brilliant - first half and a largely silly, unimaginative, throwaway second half. Jane Russell is outstanding throughout. 7½/10
Pride (2014). 23&24.8.23. Very much in the spirit of The Full Monty and Brassed Off (and probably some other UK film iterations of that period and later), this is completely formulaic with absolutely no surprises in terms of script or direction. It’s still highly competent and highly watchable though. 7/10
Pillow talk (1959). 25.8.23. Despite a thin plot, this gentle comedy maintains interest and fun throughout: it never drags and doesn’t become the usual silly farce towards the end. Rock Hudson as the leading man is superb. 8½/10
Beyond sunrise (1995) (watched 20.9.23) and Beyond sunset (2004) (watched 21.9.23). I marginally preferred the second film to the first. The characters looked just too perfect and the dialogue seemed too smooth in the first (he was less attractive in the second but she just as beautiful, and the contrast between the characters in the second was much more pronounced). Both films though are special and need at least one repeat viewing to absorb the supposed profundity of the dialogue. 8/10 (sunrise) and 8½/10 (sunset)
The worst person in the world (2021). 24 / 25.9.23. The film’s greatest asset is the central performance by Renate Reinsve which is utterly mesmerising. (Her co-star Anders Danielsen Lie seems equally skilled.) Add a nuanced delicate script and flawless direction and you have got a near-perfect film had there not been the blemish of the very incongruous final scene which was puzzling and disappointing - its arty nature at odds with the rest of the film - but I understand it a little more on reflection. The narration simultaneous with the action worked. (Looking on Wikipedia after writing the above, I see that critics were critical of the unimaginative and two-dimensional character of Julie, and that criticism does seem valid despite Reinsve’s astonishing portrayal.) 8½/10
Past lives (2023). CINEMA. 3.10.23. This currently has rave reviews, and while it is certainly somewhat captivating, believable, nuanced, even effortlessly tear-inducing on occasion, there is nothing that makes it truly great. 8/10
Rocks (2019). 20&21.10.23. Another film using amateur actors which is more convincing than most using professional ones! Impeccably directed and performed, and without being either preachy or contrived. 8½/10
Mean streets (1973). 13 & 14.11.23. Fascinating to see a very young De Niro and Harvey Keitel, but the film’s rawness is its most noteworthy quality. 6½/10 [After reading the Wikipedia entry, I realise I seem to be very much in a minority with this review.]
Sisters (1972). 17.11.23. A
good, solid start, but unfortunately this short film loses its way in the
middle and becomes increasingly camp and 70s-dated (in a bad way).
I also started watching the following films, but they didn't entertain me enough to keep watching.
Good vibrations (2013). 30.7.23. Watched half.
Ghost Busters (1984). 26.8.23. Watched 2/3 and scrolled through rest.
The piano (1993). 6.9.23. Watched half.
Manhunter (1986). 24.9.23. Watched 25 minutes.
Us (2019). 8.11.23. Watched half.
