My Night At Maud's - 1969 ****1/2

Strange to see two such different films from the same year (this and 'La Notte') but this was far superior to the other. My first experience of Rohmer was a happy one, and I was riveted throughout the entire movie as I experienced a potential candidate (in my eyes) for best movie of 1969. Another example of New Wave cinema from France.
A catholic man in his thirties with strict morals about fidelity and marriage bumps into an old friend on Christmas Eve who takes him back to a female friend's flat. The woman, Maud, spends the evening talking to the two men about everything from relationships to religion to politics. It then starts to snow, and the man is offered shelter at her flat until morning. With this, his morals fly out the window.
This results in a fascinating movie with some completely natural acting. I was so moved by the woman who played Maud's acting that I took in every single movement and word that she did and said with much gusto.
Another hidden gem in my eyes, a bit like 'The Soft Skin' by Francois Truffaut.

La Notte - 1969 ***

Having been so bowled over by Antonioni's first offering (L'Aventura') I figured the second in the triology would be equally fascinating. Although I think Mastroianni and Moreau are fantastic actors I couldn't quite appreciate their relationship. I was aware that they were a married couple who had both been unfaithful but they didn't appear to have any chemistry between them, even in the few tender moments where they seem like they might be getting closer together. They spent most of the film at a party wandering around individually looking unhappy. Comparing this to the first film of the trilogy left me bitterly disappointed. Such a shame after the intensity of the first one.

(HORROR) The Oblong Box - 1969 ***

Vincent Price and Christopher Lee. Yey!

A good film, very cheesy and with lots of orange paint used for blood. Based on Poe's book of the same name, the story is of an aristocrat who keeps his disfigured brother locked up in the attic. But this doesn't stop him from escaping every now and again and causing chaos in the nearby town. It's not really scary in the slightest, but I love 60s attempts at horror so always worth a look, especially with the two main actors!

Anne of a Thousand Days - 1969 ****

A sumptious dramatization of the short life of Anne Boleyn with Richrd Burton on top form as the sometimes jolly and sometimes murderous Henry VIII. Genevieve Bojold shines as Boleyn, who catches the eye of Henry VIII at one of his many feasts. Because she is unattainable and seemingly not interested in him, Henry goes to extensive measures to woe her, despite being still married to Katherine of Aragon who has not been able to give him a male heir.

Henry VIII appears to be one of those men who only chases a woman until he has 'defeated' her, and then she is apparently useless to him. Once he finds out that Anne has also not borne him any male heirs, he decides that she is also worthless and is on look out for his next conquest.

Brilliantly acted and interesting, this is one of the great historical films you must see.