Viewed in
1996
Formats
VHS
Premise
Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine star in Billy Wilder's classic about a man who lets his work superiors use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.
Thoughts
Unfortunately, it's been a long time and the details are fuzzy. I do recall liking the characters and the dialogue, which should not be surprising considering the cast and Wilder's writing. Though I did not think it was as great as everyone said it was.
What I would change
Not idea.
Showing posts with label 1960. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1960. Show all posts
La Dolce Vita
Viewed in
2012
Formats
HDTV
Premise
Federico Fellini's classic tale of an Italian gossip writer slumming it with celebrities and intellectuals.
Loved
Unforgettable fountain, Virgin vision, and paparazzi scenes.
Disliked
Unlikable characters.
Thoughts
I respected it, but there's little chance I'll ever want to see it again.
Between the mumblecore-like conversations were some haunting and sometimes trippy scenes. One of these amazing sequences was the famous fountain scene, in which the main character chases after the extremely buxom Anita Ekberg in one of the most sensual movie moments I've ever experienced. She could've given Marilyn Monroe a run for her money.
Two other scenes stuck with me: when two kids lead bloodthirsty media and hopelessly-religious on a goose chase after claiming to have seen the Virgin, and when the paparazzi swarm the poor unsuspecting wife before she learns of her husband's homicide-suicide. Both were incredibly painful, heart-breaking, sharp, and shockingly still relevant today.
Fellini clearly had a great understanding about the seedy aspect of celebrity and tabloids. This film was a somber reminder that paparazzi were always this desperate and opportunistic, and their behavior has been the same even since the 1960's. Not exactly a great history lesson to learn about.
This movie was three hours long, and unfortunately, it felt longer than that. The artsy-fartsy stuff was fun for a while, but I started to get tired of them, along with the mumblecoreness. Aside from the visuals, diving into that world, I was uncertain if there was a strong message underneath all that. There's clearly a theme of unhappiness and lost souls contrast with the lifestyles of the rich and famous, but was it trying to be more? It didn't help that I didn't find any of the main characters to be sympathetic as they spout philosophical poetry.
La Dolce Vita definitely had some great memorable moments. But overall, it was only mildly enjoyable, even for the elitist art snob in me. For film buffs, it's worthy watching it once out of respect.
2012
Formats
HDTV
Premise
Federico Fellini's classic tale of an Italian gossip writer slumming it with celebrities and intellectuals.
Loved
Unforgettable fountain, Virgin vision, and paparazzi scenes.
Disliked
Unlikable characters.
Thoughts
I respected it, but there's little chance I'll ever want to see it again.
Between the mumblecore-like conversations were some haunting and sometimes trippy scenes. One of these amazing sequences was the famous fountain scene, in which the main character chases after the extremely buxom Anita Ekberg in one of the most sensual movie moments I've ever experienced. She could've given Marilyn Monroe a run for her money.
Two other scenes stuck with me: when two kids lead bloodthirsty media and hopelessly-religious on a goose chase after claiming to have seen the Virgin, and when the paparazzi swarm the poor unsuspecting wife before she learns of her husband's homicide-suicide. Both were incredibly painful, heart-breaking, sharp, and shockingly still relevant today.
Fellini clearly had a great understanding about the seedy aspect of celebrity and tabloids. This film was a somber reminder that paparazzi were always this desperate and opportunistic, and their behavior has been the same even since the 1960's. Not exactly a great history lesson to learn about.
This movie was three hours long, and unfortunately, it felt longer than that. The artsy-fartsy stuff was fun for a while, but I started to get tired of them, along with the mumblecoreness. Aside from the visuals, diving into that world, I was uncertain if there was a strong message underneath all that. There's clearly a theme of unhappiness and lost souls contrast with the lifestyles of the rich and famous, but was it trying to be more? It didn't help that I didn't find any of the main characters to be sympathetic as they spout philosophical poetry.
La Dolce Vita definitely had some great memorable moments. But overall, it was only mildly enjoyable, even for the elitist art snob in me. For film buffs, it's worthy watching it once out of respect.
The Magnificent Seven
Viewed in
2000, 2011
Formats
VHS, HDTV
Premise
Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen star in a western remake of The Seven Samurai.
Loved
The star power.
Disliked
Forced subplots.
Thoughts
An entertaining old school western.
The star power was fantastic, with Brynner and McQueen being flat out cowboy bad asses. It also had Charles Bronson and other recognizable faces like Robert Vaughn and James Coburn. Don't forget Eli Wallach as the sinister baddy. Director John Sturges did a good job of making each member of the seven easily distinguishable and the pace relatively brisk.
While the story was pretty simple and similar to Kurosawa's classic, it never felt boring, due to the cool presence of the previously mentioned actors and lush cinematography. The production value was high, and I was entertained throughout most of the two-hour-plus runtime. There wasn't anything unique about the gun fights, but they were energetic and well-done. Plus I enjoyed the catchy theme song by Elmer Bernstein.
While the majority of the stars were fun to watch, newcomer Horst Buchholz stood out like a sore thumb surrounded by these great actors. His brash, naive kid character was pretty annoying at times. Another part that bugged me was around the two-thirds mark, the film makers felt compelled to add subplots and "character moments" for all seven hired guns. It gave time for these actors to show their stuff, but it totally bogged down the momentum of the main plot. Charles Bronson's was especially cringe-worthy.
The Magnificent Seven won't make it to my list of favorite westerns, but there's no denying its timeless appeal with its star power and well-executed cowboy shoot-em-up stuff.
What I would change
Got rid of the time-wasting "character moments", making the film less than two hours long and tightening up the last act.
2000, 2011
Formats
VHS, HDTV
Premise
Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen star in a western remake of The Seven Samurai.
Loved
The star power.
Disliked
Forced subplots.
Thoughts
An entertaining old school western.
The star power was fantastic, with Brynner and McQueen being flat out cowboy bad asses. It also had Charles Bronson and other recognizable faces like Robert Vaughn and James Coburn. Don't forget Eli Wallach as the sinister baddy. Director John Sturges did a good job of making each member of the seven easily distinguishable and the pace relatively brisk.
While the story was pretty simple and similar to Kurosawa's classic, it never felt boring, due to the cool presence of the previously mentioned actors and lush cinematography. The production value was high, and I was entertained throughout most of the two-hour-plus runtime. There wasn't anything unique about the gun fights, but they were energetic and well-done. Plus I enjoyed the catchy theme song by Elmer Bernstein.
While the majority of the stars were fun to watch, newcomer Horst Buchholz stood out like a sore thumb surrounded by these great actors. His brash, naive kid character was pretty annoying at times. Another part that bugged me was around the two-thirds mark, the film makers felt compelled to add subplots and "character moments" for all seven hired guns. It gave time for these actors to show their stuff, but it totally bogged down the momentum of the main plot. Charles Bronson's was especially cringe-worthy.
The Magnificent Seven won't make it to my list of favorite westerns, but there's no denying its timeless appeal with its star power and well-executed cowboy shoot-em-up stuff.
What I would change
Got rid of the time-wasting "character moments", making the film less than two hours long and tightening up the last act.
Ocean's 11
Viewed in
2006
Premise
The Rat Pack rob a casino.
Who should watch
Rat Pack fans.
Thoughts
It was a bit slow, but fun. Despite the number in the title, the movie only focused on the big four. Basically, it was an excuse to show off the musical skills, camraderie and chemistry of the Rat Pack.
The movie was also darker than I expected. I especially liked the storyline when the step-father discovered the heist and demanded his share, thus setting up a funny ending. I wonder how much of the ending of the original 'Italian Job' was drawn from this movie's ending?
What I would change
Not bothered with the darker subplots.
2006
Premise
The Rat Pack rob a casino.
Who should watch
Rat Pack fans.
Thoughts
It was a bit slow, but fun. Despite the number in the title, the movie only focused on the big four. Basically, it was an excuse to show off the musical skills, camraderie and chemistry of the Rat Pack.
The movie was also darker than I expected. I especially liked the storyline when the step-father discovered the heist and demanded his share, thus setting up a funny ending. I wonder how much of the ending of the original 'Italian Job' was drawn from this movie's ending?
What I would change
Not bothered with the darker subplots.
Psycho
Viewed in
1999
Formats
DVD
Premise
Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece about deadly deeds at the Bates Motel.
Loved
Anthony Perkins' performance.
Thoughts
It's been a while since I've seen it, but I still clearly recall the famous shower scene, Bernard Herrmann's memorable score, the plot twists, and of course Perkins as Norman Bates. His act was something beyond haunting. A rare film in which its quality matched its hyperbolic hype. I hope to re-watch this classic again for a more detailed review someday.
What I would change
Nothing.
1999
Formats
DVD
Premise
Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece about deadly deeds at the Bates Motel.
Loved
Anthony Perkins' performance.
Thoughts
It's been a while since I've seen it, but I still clearly recall the famous shower scene, Bernard Herrmann's memorable score, the plot twists, and of course Perkins as Norman Bates. His act was something beyond haunting. A rare film in which its quality matched its hyperbolic hype. I hope to re-watch this classic again for a more detailed review someday.
What I would change
Nothing.
Spartacus
Viewed in
2001
Formats
DVD
Premise
Kirk Douglas stars in Stanley Kubrick's tale of the slave Spartacus leading a violent revolt against the decadent Roman empire.
Thoughts
Don't remember much about it, except for the famous "I'm Spartacus" scene, and that I was mostly disappointed in it because it was Ben-Hur without the Christianity storyline. Even if Kubrick intended the movie to be an allegory to McCarthyism, I was never impressed with it.
What I would change
No idea.
2001
Formats
DVD
Premise
Kirk Douglas stars in Stanley Kubrick's tale of the slave Spartacus leading a violent revolt against the decadent Roman empire.
Thoughts
Don't remember much about it, except for the famous "I'm Spartacus" scene, and that I was mostly disappointed in it because it was Ben-Hur without the Christianity storyline. Even if Kubrick intended the movie to be an allegory to McCarthyism, I was never impressed with it.
What I would change
No idea.
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