Monte Hellman Cockfighter 1974
(rewatch)
One hell of an engine under the hood - cinematography by Néstor Almendros. Music by Michael Franks. Produced by Roger Corman and Samuel W. Gelfman. Would watch this many times in my early to mid twenties, first on VHS and then graduated to the DVD. The cockfighting sequences are at times a little tough to watch, but the film is pure bliss with one great cast - especially Warren Oates and Harry Dean Stanton. In addition Laurie Bird, the writer Charles Willeford, Robert Earl Jones, Richard B. Shull, Ed Begley Jr., Troy Donahue, Steve Railsback (strange looking bugger whom was given some wrong information on how to motivate his bird) and the interesting looking Warren Finnerty who appeared in an impressive number of quality films; Jonas Mekas' The Brig (a great film!), Shirley Clarke's The Connection, Who's Crazy?, Cool Hand Luke, Easy Rider, The Panic in Needle Park, The Last Movie, and The Laughing Policeman. Perhaps not as seamless a film as Two-lane Blacktop, but one hell of a great film and more so if you love Mr. Oates.
Simon Fellows A Dark Place 2018
Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes Menace II Society 1993
(rewatch)
Second time trying this and still can't get beyond the nihilism. Tough film.
(rewatch)
A favorite film as a kid. Still very good even as I enter walking cane territory. Very nice to see Robbie Coltrane in the film, funny scene with him. I still say to myself "Hello my family and I were looking for sechs" every now and again when the number 6 comes up, a few other lines as well. Had forgotten Amy Heckerling directed this, she did some good ones.
Robert Altman Images 1972
Robert Altman's pastoral and psychedelic British film not unlike Jerzy Skolimowski's The Shout (also starring Susannah York) from 1978. York so great in this. Small role by the sleaze bag actor (meant respectfully) Marcel Bozzuffi from The French Connection, and the ever strange René Auberjonois from McCabe & Mrs. Miller and M*A*S*H. Stunning grainy color photography by Vilmos Zsigmond, every frame blows your mind, and a frightening score by John Williams that I would listen to on its own over and over. Psychedelic sound design works well with his 20th century classical score. Was hard to tell when score stopped and sound design began.
Martin Scorsese The Age of Innocence 1993
(rewatch)
Hadn't seen this since it came out, didn't remember liking it. Warmed to it this second time much more. Daniel-Day Lewis and Michelle Pfeiffer stunning in this film. Definitely one of the most blatantly Powell and Pressburger inspired film by Scorsese. One funny thing was I noticed the boom in a couple of shots, strange that Scorsese would let this go, perhaps intentional? Beautifully shot by Michael Ballhaus and as always the editing work by Thelma Schoonmaker is beyond comprehension, one of the best film editors in the history of cinema, magically operating between completely invisible cuts to completely visceral.
2.21.2020
Brian De Palma Blow Out 1981
(rewatch)
Like the idea of this film very much but not a De Palma fan. Second viewing, still have problems with it, and what an immoral ending, hard to stomach. Technically has some great moments.
Kenneth Anger Fireworks 1947, Puce Moment 1949, Eaux d’artifice 1953, Scorpio Rising 1963, Invocation of My Demon Brother 1969
(rewatch)
Immersing myself once again this evening in the light of Mr. Anger's projections.
Robert Altman Images 1972
(rewatch)
Second time this week watching this masterpiece. Much of the film reveals itself the second viewing, that was initially a bit obscure.
Andrew Davis The Fugitive 1993
(rewatch)
Perfect thriller.
2.23.2020
Walter Hill The Warriors 1979
(rewatch)
I have seen this film quite a few times, probably not as many as die hard fans, but more than your man on the street. I unknowingly purchased the blu ray which is the Director's Cut which sadly took much away from the masterpiece. Still nice to see big on the screen in HD.
James L. Brooks Terms of Endearment 1983
(rewatch)
One of those films I saw as a kid of 9-10 years old. I remember even then thinking the music was overpowering, same feeling this time. Interesting how eccentric Debra Winger's character is, refreshing in
Victor Nunez Ruby in Paradise 1993
Best performance from Ashley Judd, really overwhelming. Wonderful underrated 1990s film, a must see.
2.25.2020
John Ford Rio Grande 1950
(rewatch)
Wayne's performance is stunning here, one of those actors that could win an academy award from reading the phone book. Best part of the film was Harry Carey Jr. continually saying "Yo".
Milton Katselas Report to the Commissioner 1975
Really wonderful underrated 1970s American crime film.
Patty Jenkins Monster 2003
(rewatch)
Charlize Theron so good in this, she delves into the darkness heavy and transforms it into this role. She sort of looks like Jon Voight in Heat, a real transformation from her regular presence. One hell of an actor. Also, another Florida related film after Ruby in Paradise.
Larry Cohen Q: The Winged Serpent 1982
Larry Cohen God Told Me To 1976
(rewatch)
Had not spent much time with Cohen's films previously, all really amazing, especially striking with Q and God Told Me To how he uses New York City as a character.
2.27.2020
Jim McBride David Holzman’s Diary 1967
(rewatch)
Brilliant film.
Jean-Luc Godard The Image Book 2018
Mike Leigh Another Year 2010
(rewatch)
Peter Yates The Friends of Eddie Coyle 1973
(rewatch)
One of the most perfect casts: Robert Mitchum, Alex Rocco, Richard Jordan, Peter Boyle, Joe Santos, James Tolkan, Mitchell Ryan, and Steven Keats. Film bridges serious 1970s art cinema with B films.
Rian Johnson Knives Out 2019
Andrea Arnold Red Road 2006
Intense film, starts a bit slow but gets moving fast. Kate Dickie and Tony Curran both so good in this, and defiantly joins the history of films with striking sex scenes, along with Fargo and Blade Runner 2049. The quality of the digital photography in terms of image quality was a little wanting at times, but besides that looked beautiful with Robbie Ryan's fabulous aesthetic.
Alfonso Cuarón Roma 2018
(rewatch)
Third viewing - this time with the Criterion blu. For a film that many people find slow, it really moves like a Chuck Yeager flight for this viewer. This viewing the continuity was really striking, in the way movement of cameras go from one shot to another, but also as background objects continue to move from one shot to the next, like the trajectory of airplanes in the great balancing scene.
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