Monthly Archives: January 2011

King Vidor – The Big Parade, The Crowd

Posted on January 30, 2011 by

The Big Parade (1925) dir. King Vidor The Crowd (1928) dir. King Vidor Two of King Vidor’s late silent films are early landmarks in genre. 1925′s The Big Parade, much moreso than Griffith’s Birth of a Nation laid down the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The New World

Posted on January 30, 2011 by

The New World (2005) dir. Terrence Malick Watching a Terrence Malick film is like watching a sunset over the ocean while lying on a hot beach. It’s a beautiful experience, but you’ll fall asleep before it’s over. It is fascinating … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Gun Crazy / Deadly is the Female

Posted on January 29, 2011 by

Gun Crazy (1949) dir. Joseph H. Lewis Gun Crazy was originally titled Deadly is the Female. Both delicious titles point away from Bart’s responsibility and towards the noir tradition of an inescapable fate. Bart’s obsession with guns isn’t any indication of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Suspiria

Posted on January 27, 2011 by

Suspiria (1977) dir. Dario Argento I have limited experience with giallo, but Suspiria immediately seems notably less exploitative, at least sexually.  The movie is set in a ballet school co-ed dormitory, with young nubile girls sharing secrets, shoes and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek

Posted on January 23, 2011 by

The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1944) dir. Preston Sturges In some ways, The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek was written by the Hays Code.  Preston Sturges built the convoluted plot around the Code’s strictures, and the Code is the butt of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trouble in Paradise

Posted on January 22, 2011 by

Trouble in Paradise (1932) dir. Ernst Lubitsch Two thieves meet, fall in love, and conspire to delude a rich, beautiful woman out of a small fortune.  A word to the wise – if you’re in love with a dashing young … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

TSPDT 1,000 – 2011 Update

Posted on January 22, 2011 by

The 2011 edition of the They Shoot Pictures, Don’t They 1,000 Greatest Films List was published this week. The world of film is a broad, vast wilderness, and TSPDT provides a map.  Not for the utility of getting from Point … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

It’s a Gift

Posted on January 21, 2011 by

It’s a Gift (1934) dir. Norman Z. McLeod It’s a Gift exists somewhere between silent comedy and modern sitcoms.  It’s the first W. C. Fields film I’ve seen, and I very much enjoyed it. The plot isn’t of much importance … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Black Orpheus

Posted on January 20, 2011 by

Orfeu Negro – Black Orpheus (1959) dir. Marcel Camus Black Orpheus is a Brazilian movie in the same way Slumdog Millionaire is an Indian movie.  Orpheus was a French production with a French director, but starring (mostly) locals, featured a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three Colors

Posted on January 18, 2011 by

Trois couleurs: Bleu – Three Colors: Blue (1993) dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski Trzy kolory: Biały – Three Colors: White (1994) dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski Trois couleurs: Rouge – Three Colors: Red (1994) dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski Kieślowski’s Three Colors trilogy is to be praised in addition to his … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment