The Stars Look Down (1940)

The harsh world of English Miners during the 1930s as described by novelist A. J. Cronin is turned into a film directed by Carol Reed.  Michael Redgrave plays a teacher, Davey, who returns to his mining hometown with a wife that's not in love with him named Jenny played by Margaret Lockwood.  A parallel theme soon emerges as Jenny lusts for more personal gain and wealth so too the mining industry pushes their workers to the brink of tragedy.   This is a powerful story that will easily stay in your mind long after you watch it.  I only wish the copy I watched was better but it's very possible this is one of those lesser known classics that needs a desperate restoration.  Grade: A-  

Holy Motors (2012)

I can't decide if I loved this film because I hunger for surreal and warped storytelling (which never get made it seems anymore) or because this is actually a great film.  It's a wonderfully weird tale of an "actor" being driven around in a white limo all day in Paris from one assignment to the next taking on different "roles".   It works on so many levels as an anthology piece and as a metaphor for life and the challenges of being who we are.   It's also a showcase of actor Denis Lavant and his amazing range.  His various performances make watching this film a priority for lovers of acting.   Overall if you dislike anything out of the ordinary you might want to skip this one but if you're like me and want stories that live on the edge of what's acceptable then you have to watch this one.  It's an enthralling and imaginative work from director Leos Carax.   Grade: A

Kudos: I wanted to give a shout out for the use of actress Edith Scob from the film Eyes without a Face.  Nice tribute to said film with the mask she wears.  Another reason to love this film. 

Bread, Love and Dreams (1954)

Vittorio De Sica stars in a charming romantic comedy directed by Luigi Comencini about a small Italian village getting a new Marshall.  The Marshal Antonio Carotenuto arrives and quickly become smitten with a young girl known as Frisky.  Yet Frisky is in love with a young soldier under the Marshall's charge.  Misunderstandings create great comic fire and this story really burns really hot.   Speaking of hot, Gina Lollobrigida who plays Frisky sizzles and is memorable enough to warrant a return as the same character in sequel.  Grade: A-

Obssessione (1942)

The Italian adaptation of James M. Cain's novel The Postman Always Rings Twice directed by Luchino Visconti (his first film).  The plot is the classic film noir; drifter walks into a restaurant, gets a job, has an affair with the owner's wife.  They set out to kill the husband.  Yet this film has more depth than that, and that's what makes this version succeed.  I like the other adaptations a lot but I have to say this one is quite good.  It's only flaw is its length at 140 minutes.  Grade: B+. 

Stolen Kisses (1968)

Francois Truffaut’s second and half film about Antonie Doinel is the kind of sequel you rejoice not because he made it but because he succeeded at making it as good as the first one.   Jean-Pierre Leaud is grown up and falling for women just as he was in the last segment, the short Antoine and Colette.   Here he works for a detective agency while dating Christine Darbon (played by the beautiful Claude Jade).  Jean-Pierre Léaud proves that he's become an accomplished actor with strong comic gifts.  And to think I get to follow this character for two more films, what a treat.  It'll be interesting to see where Truffaut takes Antonie Doinel.  All I hope is that the love story between Antonie and Christine lasts.  Grade: A      

 

Lust for Life (1956)

Vincent Van Gogh is one of my favorite painters and if I had known that there was a film biography about his life staring Kirk Douglas I would have seen it by now.  Mr. Douglas seems to almost fly too close to the sun in his performance, meaning he almost over acts, but the emotional core of a manic depressive is there and because of that it’s spectacular.   It’s that typical biography that goes through the motions of A,B,C until his death but the acting and visuals are so great it doesn’t matter.    It shocks me that this film didn’t get nominated for Best Picture and in the year that Gigi one too.  Based on Irving Stone's novel and directed by the visual master Vincente Minnelli.  Grade: A-

Loving (1970) 3/25

In a startling character study directed by Irvin Kershner, we're introduced to an illustrator played by George Segal who is cheating on a beautiful wife, played by Eva Maria Saint, while dealing with the pressures of obtaining a new business account that will save him from financial ruin.   What a pathetic fool this guy is, and yet he's so human and fascinating you can't help but hope he stops his collapse. I wouldn't say he's likable but it's so enjoyable to watch him so goof up his life.  One of the only sex comedies I know of that drifts so close to the weaknesses of the modern man.  Dark at times yet always funny. Grade: A-