Recent Films

Mr and Mrs Smith [1942]
dir. Alfred Hitchcock

Okay, but not particularly impressive attempt by Hitch to do a screwball comedy. The humour is slightly uncomfortable, there’s only one classic Hitchcockian moment (when a couple find themselves suspended precipitously on a fairground parachute ride) and the conclusion screams that they didn’t know how to finish the film.

Une Femme Est Une Femme [1961]
dir. Jean-Luc Godard

Highly enjoyable, playful take on kitchen sink drama. As the director is Godard, the setting Paris and Jean-Paul Belmondo’s involved there’s no way this would be dismal. Godard plays left right and centre with the standard elements (the soundtrack pushes and pulls you all over the place, the continuity editor’s obviously on acid, etc, etc). A joy.

The Bishop’s Wife [1947]
dir. Henry Koster

Cary Grant as an angel, David Niven as a disgruntled bishop who’s lost sight of his convictions, Loretta Young takes the titular role. Charming, feelgood, soppy. Ideal Christmas fare. Luverly.

Mirror
dir. Andrei Tarkovsky

See other post. A string of visions requiring, demanding repeated viewings (experiences) to absorb (not assimilate).

Orphee [1950]
dir. Jean Cocteau
Poetry. Angels. Death. Why are there so few films as wonderful as this? Orphee, Orphee, Eurydice, Heurtebice and Death.

Down By Law [1986]
dir. Jim Jarmusch

A perfect small film. Not at all disappointing to revisit after so many years with such fond memories.

Shadow Of A Doubt [1942]
dir. Hitchcock

Joseph Cotten is absolutely brilliant in this. Time Out review says it much better than I can: “One of Hitchcock’s finest films of the ’40s, with Cotten as the infamous ‘Merry Widow’ murderer, who takes refuge with the small-town family of his sister (Collinge). Focusing on adoring niece Wright’s dawning realisation that her kind, generous and handsome uncle is in fact a cold and cynical killer, the film is not only psychologically intriguing (both niece and uncle are called Charlie, and he arrives in town as if in answer to her prayers for excitement), but a sharp dissection of middle American life, in its own quiet way an ancestor of Blue Velvet. Is Uncle Charlie all these gentle folk deserve, when adolescent girls dream of the romantic life, and middle-aged men (papa Travers and neighbour Cronyn) endlessly discuss gruesome murder? Funny, gripping, and expertly shot by Joe Valentine, it’s a small but memorable gem.”

The Village [2003] dir. M. Shamalyan
Overstated, slight movie. Fairly watchable.

Querelle [1982]
dir. Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Must confess to ignorance beyonds the very basics of Genet, upon whose novel Querelle De Brest this film is based. Stylistically it’s magnificent and suggested the worlds also of William Burroughs and Jacques Brel. Suddenly Iggy Pop’s swagger becomes somehow recognisable, enriched. It’s a troubling, strangely affectless film, nothing connects easily. One to see again someday, to think about more.

“Each man kills the thing he loves…” ta, dada, da
“Each man kills the thing he loves…” ta, dada, da…

Ghost Dog, The Way Of The Samurai [1999]
dir. Jim Jarmusch

Never did get to see this when it came out. Glad to see it now. Will want to see it again. Many echoes of Down By Law. A little sentimental by the end, but not cloyingly so.

Yi Yi (A One And A Two) [2001]
dir. Edward Yang

Did see this one at Curzon Soho and enjoyed it very much. Bears a repeat viewing as well, despite the atrocious transfer to transfer to dvd. The urban family slowmoving, bewildered, lost, moving forwards or at least on. Elegiacally removed. Recommended.