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Reviews
Herr Schmidt und Herr Friedrich (2001)
A simple and moving portrait of a love between two people
This is a beautiful little film that chronicles the lives of two German men who have lived and loved together for twenty four years. Most of the film is focused on their reminiscences of their courtship and struggle to join as a couple while separated by geography and politics (one being from West Germany; one from East Germany.) They look at old photographs, and play old 45 rpm records of German pop songs from the 60's. They read old letters they wrote to each other while still trying to overcome bureaucracy and join together. They wander about their house and do the domestic things that any older couple would do; water plants, grill meat in the backyard, prepare for a 50th birthday party. They are remarkable for their un-remarkableness. We see that theirs has obviously grown into more of a companion relationship as they have aged, though it is obvious that "Kuddel" still adores his Friedrich.
*** Possible spoiler ahead *** Just minutes after we hear the men reading some early letters to each other declaring their love and devotion, the film ends - then, in the credits, we learn that Friedrich has died of a sudden illness just months after filming had ended. When I saw this, I just sat and sobbed - it had taken the breath out of me. I felt so moved for "Kuddel" and his loss, I so wished that I could have learned something of his fate as a single man. *** End of spoiler ***
More than anything else, this film illustrates that, for all our differences, we as humans are all very similar, and tend to share the same feelings and emotions, regardless of how they are directed. I would highly recommend this moving film to anyone.
Nine Lives Are Not Enough (1941)
Great little gem from the forties!
This is a delightful mystery with a great performance from Ronald Reagan. At a very quickly paced 63 minutes, the action rarely lets up, and the plot has enough turns to keep you guessing. I was suprised at Reagan's excellent timing and charm - in so many films he comes off as stuffy, but not here. Great supporting cast kept everything lively and great fun to watch - highly recommended!
Cape Fear (1991)
Very good film, not as good as the original, however.
Very tense, gripping work from Scorcese, though DeNiro seems just a bit over the top. I truly preferred the original version, as the violence of this one was again, over the top. Otherwise, an excellent film to watch on a dark night. Oh, and one thing about this film is absolutely outstanding: When Robert Mitchum drawls out, "Well, pardon me all over the place!" That is truly a moment of cinematic glory!!
Private Hell 36 (1954)
Good noir film with some solid acting.
Very watchable film, especially scenes with Steve Cochran. He is absolutely beautiful to look at, one of the most gorgeous men ever captured on film. He is also the best actor of the cast, bringing a sly grace to his role. He seems very on target as a cop who sees an opportunity to get rich off of money from a dead murder suspect. Ida Lupino does a capable job as the object of his lust, but she was a bit long in the tooth at that point, and just didn't "fit" as a femme fatale. Howard Duff went way overboard in his portrayal of the "good" cop. His teeth-clenching, jaw-rubbing portrayal of moral dilemma was kind of strained. Dorothy Malone did a suprisingly good job as Duff's wife. Her performance in the film was one of the most subtle she ever gave. The film suffered when it got really bogged down in the middle as they searched for the suspect at the racetrack. A lot of that should have been trimmed out. Otherwise, a nice film for a rainy afternoon.
September Storm (1960)
A soggy, dreary TURKEY!
This awful mess is one of the worst films I have ever viewed. It is hard to imagine a film that could make Mallorca look drab and uninteresting, but this one succeeds. The acting, for the most part, is non-existent. The dialog is utterly inane. The fact that this was originally made in 3-D is no excuse for the cheap, cheap, CHEAP look of this film. There is really nothing about this film to recommend. Can this turkey and throw it away!
Junior Miss (1945)
Absolutely charming film, well worth a viewing.
This is a delightful film that I love to view whenever I run across it. It features Peggy Ann Garner as Judy, the thirteen-year-old daughter of a middle class family in New York in the forties. Through a procession of misunderstandings, the family is thrown into a series of calamaties during the Christmas/New Years holiday. Of course, at the end, all is well thanks to Judy. Peggy Ann Garner's performance is just perfect, and her relationship with Barbara Whiting, who plays Judy's best friend Fuffy, seems very true to life. I guess this film might seem a tad boring to some modern viewers, but it certainly transports me back to a wonderful time. Be sure to be on the lookout for Mel Torme, who has a tiny role as one of the boyfriends of Judy's older sister. He looks like he is about fifteen years old, but he has that unmistakable voice!
The Citadel (1938)
Moving drama with some excellent, though uneven, acting.
Very good film from King Vidor with a great look and a mostly excellent cast, take from the classic novel by A Cronin. Robert Donat as Dr. Manson, a highly-principled physician who struggles with the conflicting demands of his profession, provides an uneven central performance. It is sometimes hard to understand his motivations and this is the film's biggest weakness. Rosalind Russell does a fine job as his ever-faithful, often suffering wife. Her performance is perfect, and does provide a moral core to the film. The film wisely avoids a lot of details of the novel that would have muddied up the storyline. (In the book, Dr. Manson has an affair with one of society patients.) The film also boasts some fine performances from a very young Rex Harrison and Ralph Richardson. In fact, Richardson's role as an idealistic, though flawed doctor steals the spotlight every time he is on the screen. The film also has a great look, especially the outdoor scenes of the British villages.
Society Doctor (1935)
Competent Medical melodrama; good, strong entertainment.
Very watchable film dealing with the moral and emotional struggles of an inner city intern, Dr. Morgan, effectively played by Chester Morris. Robert Taylor as Dr. Ellis and Virginia Bruce as Nurse Madge complete a love triangle with Morris that serves as the film's centerpiece. The movie is very nicely filmed - I love the look of hospitals in films from the thirties and forties; they seem so very clean and orderly, nothing like the messy Emergency Rooms we are accustomed to seeing on screen nowadays. Though a tad bit slow at times for the modern viewer, this is a solid piece of melodrama; a great film to watch on a rainy afternoon.
Mad Love (1935)
Highly atmospheric thriller, very well done!
This is a great, little gem of a film that deserves a viewing from anyone interested in expressionist film. Director Karl Freund gives a wonderful sense of the macabre to the interior shots, and the delightfully morbid sense of humor used throughout the film is a constant delight. Peter Lorre gives a stellar performance as the bizarre, bug-eyed Dr. Gogol, whose obsessive lust for the lovely Yvonne Orlac propels the movie. Hoping to be close to her, he agrees to operate on her pianist husband after a train accident leaves his hands crushed. Unbeknownst to either Yvonne or her husband, Dr. Gogol has transplanted the hands of the recently guillotined knife-thrower murderer, Rollo, onto Mr. Orlac. Shortly after he is able to use the hands again, Mr. Orlac notices that they seem to have a mind of their own, and they want to kill! Peter Lorre's portrayal of Dr. Gogol's descent into total psychosis is masterfully done. Some of the humor in the film is played over the top, especially the constantly besotted maid whose performance just goes overboard, but otherwise there is a skillful mix of comedy and horror. All-in-all, a fine example of expressionist filmmaking, one that never fails to delight.