8/10 (Very Good)
Richard Loncraine’s Richard III is an inventive adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous play by the same name. Instead of a late medieval setting, we’re greeted with an industrial, Continue reading
TV and Film Ruminations
Two (Short) Film Ruminations: Le Diable Noir (1905), Un Homme de Têtes (1898), Georges Méliès
The French director Georges Méliès (1861-1938) is rightly famous for his innovative use of special effects. He’s credited with inventing time-lapse photography, multiple exposures, stop-trick, and dissolves. I’ve selected two outrageously fun short films of his. He’s most famous for the sci-fi classic Voyage to the Moon, but any cinema lover will enjoy these two pieces of cinematic history.
Le Diable Noir (1905)
A Film Rumination: Three Crowns of the Sailor, Raoul Ruiz (1983)
8.25/10 (Very Good)
If Jan Potocki’s fantastic 18th century novel A Manuscript Found in Saragossa — a frame story within a frame story within a frame story — was recited over the course of a wine filled evening by a drunken sailor the result might conjure something of the kaleidoscope of heavily tinted Continue reading
A Film Rumination: Futureworld, Richard T. Heffron (1976)
5/10 (Average — worth watching if you like the genre)
Futureworld is the sequel to the equally campy Westworld. The chemistry between the main characters (played by Peter Fonda and Blythe Danner) is actually above average and probably saves the film from utter failure. However, I enjoyed myself despite the predictability, the absolutely silly premise, the lack of action (there’s a sword fight and that’s about it) and the anti- Continue reading
A Film Rumination: The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, Fassbinder (1972)
8/10 (Very Good)
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972) is by far my favorite Rainer Werner Fassbinder film I’ve seen and like all of his films, an acquired taste. I’ve not always appreciated his works — I barely tolerated The Merchant of Four Seasons and managed to watch only half of The Marriage of Maria Braun (I did enjoy Veronika Voss). However, Continue reading
A Film Rumination: The Wind Journeys, Ciro Guerra (2009)
7/10 (Good)
On strong recommendation from my sister I finally got around to seeing this unusual Colombian film. I have to admit, I know very little about Spanish language cinema (especially from the Americas). Regardless, I found The Wind Journeys a fascinating experience — one Continue reading
A Film Rumination: Damn the Defiant! (variant title: H. M. S. Defiant), Lewis Gilbert (1962)
7/10 (Good)
Damn the Defiant! isn’t the best naval action film out there however it’s definitely an under appreciated good film. That said, I have a weakness for the subject matter since I grew up on C. S. Forester’s Hornblower and Alexander Kent’s Captain Bolitho books (i.e Napoleonic era valiant British officers fighting the evil Frenchies!). Thus, Continue reading
A Film Rumination: Fitzcarraldo, Werner Herzog (1982)
9/10 (Masterpiece)
Werner Herzog’s masterpiece, Fitzcarraldo (1982), has long been one of my favorite films. It’s one of the few films I’ve seen more than once (with friends, family, and with my cat). Every time, I’m blown away by its sheer audacity and raw power. This is entirely due to Herzog’s rather mono-thematic view of the world (MAN MUST Continue reading
A Film Rumination: The Battle of Culloden, Peter Watkins (1964)
7.5/10 (Good)
The pseudo-documentary (docudrama) The Battle of Culloden––made for BBC Television––was the first feature film by the soon to be famous (in somewhat esoteric circles) radical pacifist Continue reading
Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations 