So Long at the Fair - 1950 ****

My best friend hunted down a copy of this for me and I am so grateful (thank you pasta!) because it was a brilliantly constructed and shockingly overlooked mystery gem supposedly based on a true story.

The story is of a sister and brother who go to Paris in 1889 to see the world fair. The night before they are due to depart to the fair they check into a hotel with separate rooms. The next morning the sister eagerly rushes to her brother's room to wake him, and finds with horror that both he and his room have disappeared. And even more shocking is that the owners and staff og the hotel claim that she arrived alone and that they never saw her brother. Enter Dirk Bogarde, the one man who spoke to her brother the night before the disappearance, and the one person who can help her unravel what happened.

A tight plot, with a shocking ending, Jean Simmons and Dirk Bogarde are totally in sync with each other.

Vanity Fair - 2004 *** 1/2

I do wonder whether William Mackpeace Thackery's novel went on for quite as long as this film seemed to. I'd wanted to see this for a while, and thought it would be interesting to see Resse Witherspoon in a period drama. But she was actually very good, and very natural (you wouldn't imagine through watching her that she was the same actress as in 'Legally Blonde') and gave her character Becky Sharp a real edge.

The story is typical of the period, or regency era, a young girl from a not too privileged background seeks greater things by climbing her way up the social ladder by any means necessary.

Interesting and at times quite gripping, 'Vanity Fair' is a story of a gutsy woman who grabs opportunites with both hands regardless of the consequences, something maybe more of us should take on board.

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.

Lady Jane - 1986 ****

Another film I've wanted to see for ages which I can tick off my list. And captivating it was too.

One of the things that is so upsetting about films like this is how utterly despicable the monarchy was in the 16th century. Putting innocent people to death to make a transaction easier for a new Royal, bullying people into taking the crown and then throwing it back in their face when they can's rule the country like their advisors want etc.

Jane Grey was a poor unfortunate girl, and she really was only a girl of 16 when she was ordered to take the crown despite being against the idea, and become married despite feeling that she was too young (there is a scene that shows her being whipped until nearly unconscious by her mother when she disagrees with the idea) and then was ultimately beheaded for treason on account of her being Queen (along with her husband Guildford) when she had never really wanted to be in the first place, hence her being known as the Nine Day Queen, and as her mother chillingly put it towards the end of the film 'If she is the Nine Day Queen then what happens to her on the Tenth?'. In these times it seems like people in the moarchy really couldn't trust anyone, even their family, and it was incredibly sad to watch Jane's world collapse as her parents ordered her to do more and more without a thought for her own feelings. Only being a child she didn't have a clue what ruling her country meant (her first wish when she became Queen was to have a batch of real shillings made for her!) and was forced into marrying someone that she didn't know (although in the film she eventually falls in love with him) yet again by her parents, whose plans of grandeur overtook the feelings of their own daughter.

A stunningly acted piece, both from Helena Bonham Carter and Cary Elwes who play the doomed lovers, with extra support from Patrick Stewart (again!) and Michael Horden. A masterpiece of a tragic event that could have been avoided, like so many other monarchy fatalities.

The Canterville Ghost - 1997 ****1/2

I remember having a tape of this story which I listened to avidly when I was 10 or 11. It never scared me despite the subject matter sounding quite eerie, but actually used to help me get off to sleep. And I remember it still to this day (I'm 25 now).
Patrick Stewart plays the ghost of Sir Simon De Canterville who finds it impossible to get any peace once a loud and brash American family move into his house. Added to which, he is destined to walk through the house groaning and clanking his chains for eternity until a curse put upon him by his late wife's family is lifted. which doesn't go down very well for anyone. The only people who believe in him are the three children, (the two young boys and the teenage girl played very well by Neve Campbell) leading them to set up an elaborate production of Hamlet (with him playing the ghost of Hamlet) to show the parents that he does in fact exist.
Campbell soon becomes close to the ghost who recounts to her the nature of his and his wife's death and she realises that only she can lay him to rest forever after finding the riddle of Canterville hall in an old book in the library.
I just loved this film, and I loved Patrick Stewart, he was just the epitome of who I imagined Sir Canterville to be when I listened to my audio tape all those years ago. It also made me cry bucket loads. Lovely film. And no blood or half naked people in it. The film simply had a great storyline instead...

(HORROR) Sick Nurses - 2007 **

This film was neither 'sexy, sick or full of shocks' as the poster knowingly depicts. Its about a bunch of nurses who go around without very much on and then get bumped off during the course of the film by the 'ghost' of a patient they killed with copious amounts of blood involved.

I thought it would be funny, but it's not even that. The only thing I can say is that its the most predictable thing I've seen in ages horror-wise. It's strange how these bad horror films have to rely of buckets of blood and half naked women to make up for the lack of a storyline, and as I keep asking myself, why do I keep watching them??

(HORROR) The Torment - 2010 *

Absolutely diabolical. Why do I bother watching these supposed 'horror' films and then end up being continually disappointed???

Still, as usual I thought this would be different. And it wasn't.

A man breaks up with his girlfriend and goes to stay with his friend and his partner. Whilst there, he experiences some horrifying things.

Really bad. I don't think any movie to do with possession has really scared me in the last few years, except maybe 'An American Haunting.'

Wild Strawberries - 1957 **** 1/2

On contrast to the last Bergman on my list (Cries and Whispers) this was absolutely superb. The acting was stunning, the cinematography was divine. For this film, Bergman was the master.

The film follows an old academic who goes on a journey to collect his doctrote accompanied by his daughter in law and an assortment of characters. Along the way he revisits his past and experiences scenes from his life in amazing detail.

To me, this movie had a hint of 'A Christmas Carol' about it. It was a story of regret, of past moments, and of excepting your choices in life. The main character spends several scenes watching his past life without anyone being able to see him (as in ' A Christmas Carol' ) and also watches himself woo his first love (again, as in CC). What I loved about this film was how some of the actors play more than one part, many in the present scenes also play characters from the academic's past and the fun part is being able to spot them.

I really enjoyed this film, and there were several scenes (including his dream at the beginning) which have not left my mind since I saw it. Amazing.

Cries and Whispers - 1972 **

What a disappointment. And very strange because this is the second colour Bergman film I've seen and the first was equally dark and unexciting.

On a contrast, all the black and white ones were amazing that I have seen so far. This film was based around illness, and infidelity, and negativity and so it's hardly something you might want to watch if you were hoping for something happy.

It has the same sad and melancholy tones as 'Autumn Sonata' (which was the other colour one I saw). Maybe his films are meant only for b&w.

I couldn't enjoy it, maybe for it's dreadfully depressing storyline.

The Red Shoes - 2005 ****

This was a very confusing Tartan Asia film. (I'm back on my TAE buzz). It was good, and my god it was creepy, terrifying in fact, but there was a lot of it that I didn't understand which therefore would probably render a re-watch sometime.

The red shoes are in fact pink, although there is a specific reason why the title says 'Red' but I haven't been able to find it out.

The shoes are cursed (as usual there is a long story that goes into why), and claim anyone who dares to pick them up and try them on. This usually means a painful death or in other cases, the person having their legs cut off. The 'victims' also become sort of manic and psychotic around others when faced with losing the shoes and usually there is also a girl with long black hair down her face near the scene of the crime. I think it's quite a good storyline, and the Asians are so talented at weaving bizarre plots around bizarre objects that they do it like no other, (added to which, the black haired girl is now their sort of 'gimmick' which is darn effective no matter how many times it's seen). However there was a lot that I missed in this film despite paying attention, and I can only guess that that is because I will need to see it again (which is not a bad thing!).

(HORROR) The Devonshire Terror - 1983 ***

This was a rather low budget film. And as with many films that I have watched recently, it started off well and with good prospects and ended rather poorly. I'm all for low budget movies, but when the acting is wooden and the plot partly implausible it makes it hard to take them seriously.

The story is of three young women who are burned at the stake on witchcraft charges in 17th century Devonshire.

300 years later three women arrive at the town almost to the day of the burnings to take up various positions in the community and are subsequently accused of witchcraft by the younger generation of the accusers hundreds of years ago.

A bit predictable, but not too bad. Apparently the director went on to make the notoriously bad 'Green River Killer' afterwards which I have to see just to see how dire it really is.

Prime - 2005 ****

This film was good actually, mainly because it didn't follow the typical 'chick flick' formula that so many romcoms these days do.

It was more of a film about growing and maturing as an individual and in a relationship and had a good motto as well, added to which, it's ending was a bit like 'The Break -Up' in that it wasn't a particularly happy ending, or an ending that the audience may want to see, but it certainly taught you a lot.

A divorced 37 year old business woman (Thurman) becomes entangled with a 23 year old painter (Greenberg)who just happens to be the son of her psychoanalyst (Streep). Pretty soon she is telling her analyst all her feelings and worries regarding the relationship and the analyst is instructing her to do certain things that she would never dream of suggesting if she knew that her son was involved. However that is all to change for the better and the worse.

A nice film, and a real film about real life and real relationships which is somewhat refreshing in today's predictable American market where you always expect a happy ending.

Who Slept with her? - 2006 ****

This Japanese film was actually very quirky and very funny, and I stumbled upon it by mistake.

A new member of staff at a strict boys school causes a stir as each boy fantasises over her and three particular students are convinced that they can 'have her' without their manical headteacher finding out. Things as expected, don't go to plan. It does sound rude and maybe if it was an American film it would be a bitn crude but actually as it's Asian it's not to be taken too seriously and I raised a smile quite a few times.

The three male students are hilarious, the headteacher is completely loopy, and the female member of staff is a complete tease.

Watch with some wine and chocolate and have a laugh at a pointlessly funny film.

(HORROR) And Soon the Darkness - 1970 ***

The poster was actually the thing that drew me to this film. As well as the fact that I'm really into 60s and 70s horror.

The story is of 2 British girls who go on a cycling holiday to France. Whilst they are there, the girls have an argument and fall out. This ends up in them going off their separate ways.

One of the girls feels guilty and decides to cycle to a cafe along the road and wait for her friend to appear. But she never does. And sooner or later she realises that her friend has vanished. She then meets an assortment of weird characters, each of whom it's hard to know whether to trust them or not and tries to get to the bottom of the mystery, with some terrifying results.

The film has a very eerie feel about it, but some of it was a bit annoying and the remaining girl is the most irritating character ever. Flouncing around in her stupid pink hotpants and ridiculous haircut got a bit tiring after a while.

Tesis - 1996 **** 1/2

I think that the first part of this film was superb, I was totally gripped to it and couldn't tear my eyes from the screen.

However the last 20 minutes or so lagged just a bit which was a shame because I was enthralled into finding out what the outcome would be.

A young student working on her thesis about AudioVisual Violence on the screen (it took me over 5 hours to realise that the title was actually thesis in Spanish....) unwittingly uncovers a snuff film involving a girl who used to be at her university but mysteriously disappeared several years beforehand. With the help of her slightly sadistic friend who has his own collection of violent and pornographic films, she tries to figure out the connection between the film and the camera that is used.

It's a really excellently made film. A good storyline and very watchable, although Ana Torrent gets a bit annoying after a while.

Dogtooth - 2009 ***

A very weird movie. One that leaves you with an empty and slightly unhinged feeling in your stomach, but one that I have been itching to see for sometime. There definitely is a hint of Michael Haneke in it as well which adds to the strangeness.

Also it is the only Greek film that has ever won at the Cannes film festival so Yorgos Lanthimos must be very pleased with himself.

A husband and wife go to bizarre and sometimes frightening extremes to 'protect' their three children from the outside world. The children cannot go out the house, are barely able to interact with anyone who comes to visit, and are taught words that have different meanings everyday by listening to tapes their mother makes (i.e. a zombie is a yellow flower, a sea is something you sit in with leather armrests).

It is not clear why the parents are being this way, (one bizarre scene has the father lining them up and telling them that cats are their enemy and that as long as they don't venture out into the garden for too long then they will not be eaten by one) and one suspects that they are either the most paranoid human beings in the world or just utterly mad.

The children survive by making up games with each other that appear to be mostly sexual, and spend a lot of time being incestuous with each other.

It is a complete head ****, which I'm sure is what the director intended, but like 'Funny Games' it makes you feel very uneasy afterwards, although the thing about films like this is that they don't have a point. It is pointless to expect there to be a reason to this film, so just watch it and suspend your disbelief.

The Soft Skin - 1964 *****

Francois Truffaut yet again serves up a sumptuous visual delight for us with this story of a famous writer who starts an affair with a woman he meets on his plane to a conference and continues the affair once back in Paris, despite being married with a small child.

You feel everything with this film. The uncertainty, the worry, the awkward moments (i.e where he has to pretend not to acknowledge her when she runs up to greet him in front of his work collegue) and they all appear true to life, as it appears this story was based upon Truffaut's own accounts of leaving his own wife for the actress Fanny Ardant.

Jean Desailly is not an attractive man, in fact his character is very unsympathetic and very shallow which makes it even more pathetic to see him throw away a good marriage with a wife who clearly loves him for someone he meets on a whim.

I have so far seen four Truffaut films that I know of: This one, The Girl Next Door, The 400 Blows, and Jules and Jim. Each one has been superb and I enjoy Truffaut's 'New Wave' approach to his film directing each time I see more.

(NOIR) Dark City - 1950 *** 1/2

'Dark City' will never be one of the best film noirs, and if anything, having Lizabeth Scott in it really made it worse (every film I have seen with her in she has acted like a wooden, unexciting version of Lauren Bacall), especially when she spends a lot of her time singing and looking panic-striken. She has the most unexpressive face I have ever seen in a 'femme fatale' role and I'm sorry to say this but I don't think she can really act which leads a lot of her scenes to be quite flat.

Anyway, the main star is Charlton Heston who definitely can act, and he's pretty good as a nasty, petty hoodlum who runs an illegal poker racket. He's even more nasty when he gets tangled up in the death of one of the men he fleeced, and finds himself falling for the dead man's wife, despite being somewhat attached to Fran (Scott).

I love film noir, and this certainly falls into the category of a watchable one, but not a 'classic'. Interesting to see Charlton Heston in a nasty role when ultimately he would end up playing a whole series of good characters though.

(NOIR) The Prowler - 1951 ***

I kept seeing the very beginning part of this film being shown advertising scary or bizarre films and so thought it was about time that I saw it all the way through. It starts off well - a woman reports a prowler outside her window at home and 2 policemen arrive to speak to her. One becomes infatuated by her and tries to get her to run away with him, despite her being a married woman. Then certain unpleasant things happen and the story just suddenly goes downhill. Bit of a pity really because this is one of those sort of film-noir, sort of thriller movies that, if it were really good, you would be scared of on a Saturday night, but it ended up being far too ridiculous for that. Van Heflin is a good actor though, and Evelyn Keyes would end up acting in the hilarious 'The Seven Year Itch' in years to come.

Dr Terror's House of Horrors - 1965 ****

Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing in the same scene? Enough said.

But no, really, this is actually a very good Amicus production, and yes, there may be parts in the film that don't add up, but who cares, it's enjoyable and pretty eerie to boot.

Five men aboard a train are joined by the mysterious Dr Schreck (German for terror, hence Max Schreck) who presents them with a packet of tarot cards and offers to tell each of them their destiny. We are introduced to a variety of topics, including vampires, voodoo, werewolves, walking hands etc and nearly frightened out of our wits.

The twist comes at the end, as it always does in any Hammer or Amicus movie, and it is totally fitting. Cushing is almost unrecognisable in this because of his thick bushy eyebrows etc so it took me a while to work out it was him, but Christopher Lee is on top form, proud, intellectual and sophisticated.

The Devil's Backbone - 2001 ***

Guillermo del Toro is one of those interesting directors, because he can bring out either a masterpiece (Pan's Labyrinth) or a pretty dire effort (Cronos), as well as a load in between that don't sway you much either way.

The Devil's backbone was bizarre. And I won't deny that it had some very frightening parts, and one of the cutest little boys I've ever seen in a Spanish film, but the story didn't flow right for me, it didn't connect, and I think that is what let it down.

The young boy Carlos, is sent to an orphanage towards the end of the Civil War, and is given the bed of a boy named Santi who died due to a mysterious explosion in the orphanage years ago. Carlos begins to see him as a ghost, but no one else does, and he realises that this is Santi's way of trying to get Carlos to avenge his death, and in the process of doing so, he uncovers some rather terrifying facts about his new home, and the people who live in it.

Del Toro has obviously stolen quite a bit from this for his later work 'The Orphanage' which features several similar ghostly scenes which send shivers down your spine. The war going on around them is significant, but it doesn't quite overpower the story like it did in 'Pan's Labyrinth' and I feel too much time is taken up with pointless scenes that don't add much to the storyline.

Worth a watch for a die hard Del Toro fan however.

Blood Relatives - 1978 *

Of all the Chabrol films I have seen, I'm pretty sure that this is the worst. It's so unlike anything else that he has done, and maybe that's why I couldn't get my head around it. Donald Sutherland is usually quite an interesting presence in the film world, but I didn't connect much with his performance here. Obviously the fact that it is not a French film in french set in France probably has something to do with it, and I don't begrudge Chabrol for edging out of his comfort zone, but I really hope the next one of his that I see isn't like this, as it may halt my quest to watch every one of his films.

Sweet Smell of Success - 1957 *****

'Match Me Sidney', 'The cat's in the bag and the bag's in the river.'

This is probably one of the most quoted films I have ever seen. And one of the grittiest and nastiest portrayals of a columnist and his unashamed bullying and intimidating of his press agent who, despite his awful treatment, still idolizes and looks up to him, to the point where he will break up relationships and ruin people's lives to give him what he wants. It's terrifying in a way, the power of the newspaper, and the power one man can have over another man, but also utterly fascinating, with one of the most sleazy and memorable soundtracks of the 1950s, captivating New York at it's slimiest and slickest.

Lancaster is amazing to watch as the power hungry JJ, and Curtis is pitiful as the press agent Sidney Falco who can't seem to get a break, however hard he tries.

Although gritty to watch, and fairly uncomfortable, it cannot be denied that behaviour like this happens in the world of journalism, and the lengths some people will go to is astounding.

Lancaster and Curtis must be two of the greatest pairings to ever be seen on screen.

The Tingler - 1959 ****

This is a totally bizarre film with the always wonderful Vincent Price.

This time, Vincent stars as a scientist who discovers a parasite that feeds on the fear of humans, named the Tingler (aptly named because it makes the victim's spine tingle when they are scared). After finding out that his friend's wife who is deaf and mute has died from shock, he sets out to discover the truth about her death.

It's very camp, but actually some scenes are very scary, and I did have to look away sometimes.

The tingler is the weirdest looking creation, sort of a cross between a person's spine and a large caterpillar and there is a particularly eerie scene in a theatre where the tingler is loose amoung the audience. Watch for Price, preferably on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

The Baby - 1973 **

This is one of the weirdest films I have ever seen. Apparently a 'cult classic' I can only imagine it's because people are completely traumatised by it afterwards.

A young social worker goes to investigate a case involving a family's strange relationship with their baby, the only thing out of the ordinary is that the 'baby' is a 31 year old man.

It's one of those films that gives you the creeps and afterwards you feel a bit disturbed. I suppose it does satisfy 'cult' status but it's not something I would want to see again. Sort of makes you wonder why this film is so hard to find. It reminds me a bit of how I felt after watching 'Pink Flamingos', just like I wanted to drench myself in cold water to get rid of the shock. The only thing I did like was that the mother character sounds a cross between Joan Crawford and Shirley MacLaine. Bizarre.

(NOIR) The File on Thelma Jordan - 1950 *** 1/2

I have never heard of this film, but it kept coming up as a recommendation that I must see, and as I am on a film noir kick I decided that I had to. Plus it had Barbara Stanwyck who nearly always delivers a good performance and was directed by Richard Siodmak (who directed 'Criss Cross'). And she certainly did here. One of the lovely things about old films, and seemingly film noir at the moment, is that even when you think you've seen all the good ones, there are always dozens and dozens of unexplored gems left to enjoy.

Wendell Corey stars as Cleve, a DA who crosses the path of Miss Thelma Jordan when she appears at the station wanting to make a complaint about suspected burglars at her house which she shares with her aunt. This first meeting soon turns to an affair despite the fact that Cleve is married and Thelma has a complicated past of her own.

Soon afterwards, Thelma's aunt is found murdered, Thelma is on trial for the crime. And it is up to Cleve to untangle her from the mess.

Film noir certainly, and Stanwyck is known for playing the ultimate 'Femme Fatale (although interestingly I wouldn't cite her as one in this movie, as she has a complex and layered character that is not completely ruthless). Worth a watch.

(NOIR) Criss-Cross - 1949 ****

A very well done thriller-noir from director Richard Siodmak who went on to direct 'The Killers.'

Burt Lancaster gives a gripping performance as a man who gets caught up with his ex-wife and her mobster husband. It's not one of the best film noirs out there but it sure is worth a watch, and I think the academy award for acting in this film should go to the totally underrated Dan Duryea who steals practically every scene he is in. Yvonne DeCarlo is a beautiful femme fatale but I found her performance to be a bit wooden and her role probably would have to been better suited to someone like Claire Trevor or Gloria Grahame.

However, Lancaster is a good half good/half bad guy and I will have to check to see if he has been in any other film noirs of the 40s.

(NOIR) Woman in the Window - 1944 **** 1/2

A stunning offering from Fritz Lang starring the amazing Edward G. Robinson and the gorgeous Joan Bennett.

Robinson plays a professor named Richard who leads a comfortable yet uninteresting life with his wife and children. One evening he notices a beautiful portrait in a window opposite the men's club where he spent time with his friends. While staring at it he turns and comes face to face with the subject of the portrait, the glamourous woman who posed for it, and he soon finds out that his life will never be quiet and comfortable again.

I thought the ending was excellent and I really wasn't expecting it. This is what makes such a brilliant film noir; the shadows on the walls, the sultry woman, the shady bad guys and the subtly witty dialogue. They really don't make them like this anymore. They really had to act then. I'm happy to tick this off my list and I'm sure it will be a film I will be revisiting. Fritz Lang is a god. You know that anything with his name on has the sealed stamp of approval.

Julia's Eyes - 2010 ***

I saw Guillermo del Toro's name and thought 'it's going to be superb'. I wouldn't say it was superb but it wasn't a badly done movie. It's the story of a woman whose blind sister suddenly commits suicide. Or so everything thinks. But Julia doesn't. And she won't rest until she uncovers the mysterious truth, despite the fact that she is now starting to suffer with her own sight as well.

It's one of those teeth-clenching movies where you can see what is going to happen but the main character can't which always gets under my skin. Glad I've seen it.

La Rapture (The Breach) 1970 ****

I've never heard of this Chabrol film, and was blown away as usual. Chabrol is back on form. Or rather, his 1970s movies show him at his peak.

Stephane Audran is yet again the star, totally captivating and mesmerising the audience.

She stars as Helen, who runs away from home with her son after her mentally ill husband attacks them both one morning.

Leaving him in the care of a hospital, she rents a room in a boarding house across the road and meets the strange assortment of people staying there whilst waiting to obtain a divorce. Her husband goes back to live with his wealthy and manipulative parents who think that they can buy Helen's son with their money . They then hire a distant family friend to help them effectively 'get the dirt' on Helen to prove that she is not fit to look after her son.

The story is bizarre, surreal and everything you would expect a Chabrol to be. 1970s France has never looked so edgy and exciting.

(HORROR) The Last Victim - 2011 **

First off, this is nothing to do with John Wayne Gacy's life story. It's a film based around a student who becomes obsessed with Gacy after deciding to research him for a project. He makes the decision to contact him to find out about his reasons for committing murder and gets some terrifying results. Nothing new here, just entertaining. But doesn't follow a specific 'serial killer' story.

Tootsie - 1982 ****

What a hilarious film.

Dustin Hoffman plays an unemployed actor who has a bad reputation in the business and realises that the only way he is going to get on television is if he disguises himself... as a woman!

Dustin Hoffman is almost unrecognisable as 'Dorothy' the wise-cracking and sharp talking character from the hospital soap opera who won't take any nonsense from anyone.

Jessica Lange plays his love interest who is blissfully unaware of the mixed-gender issue and sees 'Dorothy' as an amazing friend.

Brilliant movie, I was in stitches many times!

The Leopard - 1963 **

At almost three hours long, this film sucked most of the enthusiasm I had originally mustered for it clean out my body.

I have no idea why Burt Lancaster was in this movie. This is an Italian movie, and Mr Lancaster most certainly isn't an Italian.

Added to which the movie had sub-titles but was dubbed as well. Pointless. I thought that a film so long would at least have had some endearing quality to it, but in my opinion it didn't.

I was not impressed and was just disappointed.

The Unknown - 1927 ****

What a superb film. Lon Chaney totally blew me away with his terrifyingly eerie characterisation of a burglar named Alonso who poses as an armless circus performer.

Joan Crawford is almost unrecognisable as Nanon, who becomes Alonso's love interest against her will. Alonso then sets up what he thinks is a cunning plan to win Nanon over, with drastic results.

The score that I heard with the film was spot on and the acting was simply amazing. The thing about silent movies is that you can spot someone who can't act a mile off because all you are relying on is their facial and physical expression. Films nowadays show us that most actors can't act very well indeed. The actors in this film can captivate you with a single glance, and without saying a word.

It was a horrifying thought to think that this film was almost lost, and was only found by fluke in a box named 'unknown' full of unknown films (how ironic).

This has set me off on an obsession with silent films.

Night Train to Munich - 1940 ****

A gripping 1940s thriller from the excellent Carol Reed. Rex Harrison plays a British undercover officer posing as an entertainer who meets up with Margaret Lockwood and they both become embroiled in a terrifying plot to do with German concentration camps.

Reed always delivers on his films, and this was no exception. I have never seen Harrison play such a two-sided character before; one minute a sharp and arrogant German with a monocle, the next a charming and suave British performer who wooes Margaret Lockwood.

Lockwood and Harrison make a pretty good couple. I'm impressed.

Merci Pour Le Chocolat - 2000 ***

I was totally disappointed in this. Mainly because I have become such a big fan of Chabrol's work which is nearly always superb, and so for this to be below average was a big shock.

The only positive to the movie was that Isabelle Huppert was astounding and I could barely take my eyes off her when she was in shot, but that alone couldn't save this.

The story centres around Huppert and her husband and son. Her husband is a famous piano player (in French films there seem to be a lot of people who are piano players, especially in some kind of suspense thriller) and Huppert is the heiress to a Chocolate Factory.

One day an aspiring pianist has lunch with her mother, her male friend and his mother, and finds out that she was nearly switched as a newborn in hospital by Huppert's husband. Although her mother brushes it off she becomes paranoid that she is in fact the famous pianist's daughter (despite him having a son), and around about the same time, Huppert decides that she cannot have an extended member in her family.

As I said, Huppert is really the best thing going here, and although it is suspenseful it is no way near as good as some of Chabrol's earlier work (i.e 'Le Boucher') which was a great shame. However I shall strive to continue my search with watching his films.

Broadcast News - 1987 ***

Not a bad film actually, and Holly Hunter was excellent as producer to William Hurt and the love interest to Albert Brooks. This reminded me a bit of the other movie based on TV that I saw a while ago that I didn't think much of....

It's always interesting to see how much things have changed when watching a film that involves 'up to date' tv equipment. It looked totally out of place and totally unfashionable. HA! 'Network' is the name of the film I was trying to remember which to be honest was pretty dire in comparison to this.

Yet again another film that I put off watching when in fact it was well worth the wait. I need to start changing my assumptions on films.

Apologies

I apologise profusely to everyone for my lack of film reviewing recently, as certain things have stopped me from going crazy and reviewing everything like I usually do.
Rest assured, I shall be starting again from today to review each film I see again. I saw about 20 over the last 2 months which I didn't review and then felt it was too much one after the other. From now on I shall make a conscious effort to do it after I see each one, or two.
Thanks!
Fiona

The Man From Laramie - 1955 ****

This was my third western, and I have so far enjoyed every single one of them.

James Stewart is excellent as Mr Lockhart 'The Man From Laramie' who comes to the town of Coronato to avenge his brother's death. At the same time he gets caught up in the dodgy going's on in the town, where the 'Waggoman's (an influential ranching family) always seem to be in the centre of the trouble. He comes to blows with both the father and the sadistic son, and one particular scene involving Stewart's hand leaves you cringing for ages.

This was the last film that James Stewart did with director Anthony Mann, and I would now like to see his other efforts.

Spirited Away - 2008 **** 1/2

I have never had the slightest interest in Japanese animation which is strange really because I love Disney and Pixar stuff.

However this was in my 1001 movies to see book, so I thought I would give it a go.

I have never seen anything so weird and wonderful in my life.

However I totally loved it and was gripped the whole way through except when my DVD skipped!

You can always count on Japanese movies to be totally bizarre. It was like watching a dream unfold before me and seeing all the strange make believe characters that you might imagine existed when you were younger.

The story is of a young girl who is in the process of moving to a new place with her parents, however after their car breaks down things start to go very weird and her parents, after gorging themselves on some food they find in an empty restaurant turn into pigs, leaving the girl to enter a strange world of spirits and monsters in an effort to save them. I cannot help but reiterate how amazingly weird it is, and I urge people to see it. It's a fable I guess, about living in the real world and escaping into a fantasy? Maybe Japanese people interpret it differently, but I certainly saw it that way, and it only added to my enjoyment. It's convinced me that I have to watch all the other Japanese anime movies I have noticed but never really taken much notice of.

The Bad and The Beautiful - 1952 **

This movie in my opinion was seriously let down by Kirk Douglas. And I'm trying really hard to like watching Lana Turner but she just comes across as rather too arrogant for her own good in most films I have seen her in. She's stunning, but thatdoesn't mean she can actually act. Same as Greta Garbo.

The story revolves around an actress, a screen writer and a director who have all fallen out with Kirk Douglas for individual reasons relating to each of their careers. They are approached by a movie producer who begs them all to reconsider helping Douglas out, and then we are shown a series of flashbacks as to how the situation has got this far. I did think it was probably quite a faithful example of the movie business of the 1950s, but it still didn't grip me in the way I had been so sure it would.

Maybe it will be another film like 'The Thin Man' which I watched and hated the first time, andthen watched and adored the seconds, but I doubt it.

(HORROR) Surviving Evil - 2009 *

Billy Zane's acting career has completely crashed. A totally stupid film. Hideous acting, I don't even want to write a proper review except to say a load of people running around and having sex in a remote forest whilst being chased by a make believe shape-shifter is hardly a good plot device for a horror movie. I'm glad I could delete it off my computer afterwards. Billy Zane should just take up gardening and give up acting.

How Stella Got her Groove Back - 1998 ****

I'd heard great things of this movie but only just finished watching it. I thought it was really amazing. Angela Bassett looks amazing for her ages (I have no idea how close to 40 she actually is in this but she looks lovely anyway).

She stars as a 40 year old woman who has lost all interest in romance and love, and it's only on a whim that she grabs best friend Whoopi Goldberg and takes her off to Jamaica for a break. Both women have totally different ideas of what they want from the holiday, but before long Stella has met a gorgeous young man named Winston who seems utterly besotted by her despite being 20 years younger than her.

This is a pleasing film, although I know some people see the idea of an older woman and a younger man almost bordering on illegal, but to me age shouldn't matter as long as you are compatible. No one ever slags off a Hugh Hefner wannabe snagging a young girl.

Anyway, a great film, a happy film, an upbeat film, showing you that love usually comes along when you least expect it. Plus some great songs.

Beauty Shop - 2005 ****

I really like Queen Latifah, she's the epitome of a strong, independant and larger than life woman.

In this movie she plays Gina, who decides to open up her own salon when she quits her old job working for Jorge (Kevin Bacon) who constantly puts her down and insults her work.

Starting up the new place is tough, but with the help of her friends, her relatives and a lovely man upstairs she soon has the whole place buzzing and full to the brim with customers. Jorge is disgusted, and sets out to ruin her plans.

A really good cast, an upbeat movie with a feel-good factor.

Buried - 2009 *****

I'll be honest, I put off watching this film for a really long time because I had seen the first five minutes or so and though that Ryan Reynolds was pretty rubbish.

When my best friend came over I decided it was time to dust it off and press play, and I must say I was completely gripped by his acting, and think this is one of the most controversial and powerful movies of the year.

Reynolds plays an American truck driver stationed out in Iraq, who wakes up to find himself buried in a coffin with only a handful of things such as a phone to help him before his oxygen supply runs out.

The first thing he tries to do is establish how and why he is in the situation and then tries to ascertain how best to get himself out. Throughout the film there is only Reynolds, (there are voices on the phone but no other bodies) he carries the whole movie effectively by himself in this small, concealed area, and I think his acting is pretty darn amazing. He has totally gone up in my estimations as an actor.

Many people will probably wonder how you can make a whole film based around this topic, but it can be done, and done to the bet of it's ability. Plus an ending I really didn't expect. A film that will leave you shocked and shaking for ages afterwards.

Smiley Face - 2007 ****

This was utterly hilarious. I actually fell off my chair at one point because I was laughing so much.

Anna Faris really is one very funny actor, and in this she plays a layabout stoner who eats her room-mate's hash cupcakes by accident and ends up running all over town trying to get attend an audition, find some money and hide from a less than happy drug dealer who she owes dosh - all in one very long acid-trip day.

Some scenes really had me in stitches, and the whole film seems like it would be even funnier if you were drunk or at the very least high on red bull.

One I will want to see again.

(HORROR) Homecoming - 2009 **

My best friend came over the other weekend and we decided to watch a couple of horror films.

I must say that I was hoping this was going to be far better than it was. It seemed to be a mix of 'Misery' and 'Single White Female' but with none of the really good bits.

Mischa Barton, whom I last saw playing a wimpy non-descript character in the OC totally came out of her shell in this to play a psychologically disturbed young woman who decides to seek revenge when the ex love of her life comes back home for the holidays with his new girlfriend.

On the surface she is happy and supportive of his new relationship, but underneath she is angry beyond compare, and we soon learn that she is hiding some terrifying secrets from her past.

Some scenes are horrifying (there was one scene reminiscent of 'Misery' that made us grimace and have to look away), some are totally ridiculous, and others (including a scene with a mammouth plate of ham) had us rolling on the floor.

Not one I would recommend, instead I would tell people to see the two films mentioned above, but on a plus side Barton's acting was pretty good.

About Last Night... 1986 ****

As mentioned earlier with 'St Elmo's Fire' I'm trying to work my way through all brat pack related movies. Doing so involves watching movies that just one or two of the group have been present in and I thought who better to swat up on first that Demi Moore.

I actually really enjoyed this film. A film that's fairly close to real life and doesn't try to sugar-coat a relationship to make it something that it's not.

Moore and Lowe decide after a night of casual sex to start a relationship, believing that being with each other more and more (to the point where they actually move in together) is making their relationship closer and better. Their friends are totally against them being in a relationship and do and say anything they can to try to talk them out of it. However I must say that the 2 friends are dreadfully unsympathetic characters who seem to find it insulting that their friend has even dared to start a relationship with someone else and therefore push them to one side. This is very true to life and there are plenty of people out there who feel jealous or betrayed when a friend gets a new partner.

Anyway I thought both characters worked well together, and I love Demi Moore (I've seen her now in practically everything she has ever been in) so that was an added bonus. Added to which there is a great soundtrack to this movie. Another great reason to pay it some attention.

12 Days of Terror - 2004 **** 1/2

First off, the poster for this movie looks ridiculous and totally modern which is not what the film is. However, saying that I found this movie utterly compelling, and one of the best shark movies I have ever seen. Added to which, one of the things I liked about it was that it wasn't gory for gore's sake. It tried as best it could to depict events which happened a very long time ago, and although it may not have been spot on I think it was probably as close as it could have been whilst also trying to have a constant storyline as well.

The shark attacks of 1916 that occured in New Jersey really shocked the community, but the fact that the mayor and the police both decided not to close the beach for swimming until 2 attacks had taken place showed a definite lacklustre approach towards the safety of the bathers.

I thought the whole film was very atmospheric, very upsetting and excellently acted (Colin Egglesfield was a standout performance) and the fact that the events were real made it even more terrifying.