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Le théorème de Marguerite (2023)
Collapse and maths
I hate mathematics, I have always hated them, but I love this movie which doesn't need to be a good expert in maths to appreciate it. It is a true authentic character study about a young woman who is an expert in maths and whose world suddenly collapses when she realizes that all her theories don't match anymore. This is not a comedy, a stupid comedy which French film industry has the secret, but a true riveting story, that the French has also the secret of...Never boring and you always wonder what the following scene will be. Nothing predictable. What could we ask for? Not a masterpiece but what for after all?
The Beekeeper (2024)
Compared to EQUALIZER, this is a B(EE) movie.
Maybe because Jason Statham is not and never will be Oscar winning actor Denzell Washington. Never forget that Washington's previous performances before or even during the EQUALIZER films franchise were awesome, nearly all of the films where he played. But Jason Statham never changes, and his charisma will never get better nor worse, he is already at his forever peak. BEEKEEPER is crap to me, Statham is at his worst, here. I don't stand Statham in such characters where is is absolutely unbeatable, he can kill hundreds of supermen only by himself, without a single scratch. I know that Washington is the same in EQUALIZER but that's different, and he deserves better than this franchise. Here, I guess director David Ayer, the TRAINING DAY - Academy Awards winning Denzel Washington - screen writer and also director of gritty and violent cops stories - BAD TIMES, END OF WATCH, SABOTAGE, made this one to pay his billls, this doesn't look like his at all. The same feeling when he made - not FURY of course, a pure gem - SUICIDE SQUAD crap. But TAX COLLECTOR was OK too. And this scheme of government ghost, obscure departments, agencies, using dirty money, has been used so many times, since the late seventies, from PARALLAX VIEW, till ENEMY OF THE STATE and many more films which I don't now remember the titles, with or without the approval of the White House...An eternal subject for Hollywood industry. If only it could be the same in France....
Pool of London (1951)
Common and good British drama
Crime? Hmmm Maybe a little, but social drama, for sure yes. It is a good film showing London a few years after the Blitz - there were batches of UK movies showing the ruins of London as settings, and as you can guess, there are many social elements in this story, evoking for instance racism, as ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW will be several years later in Hollywood; or even A PATCH OF BLUE, starring Sidney Poitier. This is not the film I will remember the most, unlike the previous : ODDS.... It lacks of tragedy and noir, gloomy atmosphere. Photography is awesome, directing too and that makes the result very agreeable. You can't get bored with such an item. Typical British film of this period, at least for major productions, not the B department ones.
The Desert Rats (1953)
Obvious response to DESERT FOX
If the Hollywood film industry focused on a German - Nazi? - general and also hero with DESERT FOX about Erwin Rommel, of course they must made also a movie showing the opposite side, the Desert Rats, British - and Commonwealth - army. Because they also fought very bravely. They only had more tanks, weapons, troops, ammo in the second part, and that's the reason why they finally succeeded among Rommel. This good war film doesn't emphasize on this important point. But it remains interesting, not too much propaganda, as were the forties movies. I would have loved seeing this authentic scene which I read in a war book document about Rommel, who had been wounded after a battle - because Rommel fought besides his troops, not behind the lines in a bunker - So Rommel was lightly wounded and asked the German doctors to first take care of a British prisoner who was more heavily wounded. Terrific scene that should have been shown.... DESERT RATS proved that Robert Wise was a complete outstanding director that could make any kind of film - crime, war, musical, adventure, science fiction, horror, western, with great talent.
Man of the West (1958)
Anthony Mann of the West
This is a true tremendous western from Anthony Mann, different from the other ones he gave us. More brutal, more violent, more gritty, not for the saturday matinees in movie theaters with the whole family. Yes, this is totally different from the other westerns starring Jimmy Stewart, for instance. Julie London has never been so gorgeous and terrific in a film. Gary Cooper in his best role, I mean concerning his second part of career. Ten times more tense and outstanding than HIGH NOON, for me. It is poignant, action packed for such a film, my favourite as western, from Anthony Mann. Don't miss it at any cost.
Bluebeard (1972)
Richard Burton as Vincent Price's surrogate
Of course I am not surprised when I read that Richard Burton wanted to make a tribute to Vincent Price for such a twisted role, evil, disturbing character. The kind of character that George Sanders could have had very easily. But I think it was the case with BLUEBEARDS TEN HONEYMOONS.... That said, this movie is probably - I would say surely - the worst movie from director Edward Dmytryk, the provider of WARLOCK, CROSSFIRE, RAINTREE COUNTY, YOUNG LIONS. I prefered his previous and next movies: SHALAKO and HUMAN FACTOR. This is a lousy film, but fun, worth the watch, despite the length - two hours.
Tower of London (1939)
And then there were none left
The main peculiarity of this movie is that three of the main characters will be used nearly three decades later by Roger Corman for his movies adapted from Edgar Allan Poe's books: Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff and especially Vincent Price, who will play in Corman's remake of TOWER OF LONDON, in 1962. Stories are the same of course but Corman had his own trademark whilst Rowland V Lee had his own too. This story is terrific, but a bit disturbing, especially for this period - late thirties - showing a terrifying evil character: Basil Rathbone, who was absolutely perfect for the role; as Vincent will also be for the remake.
Helen of Troy (1956)
Hollywood or Cinecitta, who cares?
This sword and sandal movie is the contribution that Robert Wise gave to the genre during the Hollywood time. This is not entirely an American production, unlike BEN HUR, TEN COMMANDMENTS or DEMETRIUS AND THE GLADIATORS, but the Hollywood prestige here, in terms of production design, score, overall atmosphere, is definitely not a spaghetti sword and sandal film. This is not a Pietro Francisci's movie. Robert Wise gives here a convincing, powerful "peplum" - as we say in France - gritty, exciting, and this time with no Christianity element, unlike ninety percent of the other sword and sandals features from Hollywood industry. That makes it something exceptional. Bob Wise was a very complete director, excellent, awesome in any genre: western, science fiction, adventure, musical, horror, crime...And of course sword and sandals.
Blanc, bleu, rouge (1981)
Purely awesome
What a tremendous French series, a costume, period historical topic, taking place during the late 1790's, during and just after the King Louis the sixteenth fall. It is a family saga, a tragedy, a downbeat and sad tale, where supporting characters are as terrififc as the lead ones. Superb acting, directing skills, screenplay. The director was the TV vet Yannick Andrei, who made very little for the big screen: only a crime film AU DELA DE LA PEUR. So this one is in the line of JACQUOU LE CROQUANT. Very gloomy but great, easy to follow despite the numerous characters. I highly recommend it. It would be great that many young audiences discover it.
Vincent doit mourir (2023)
Under George Romero and David Cronenberg's influence
This is a very unlikely, unpredictable, unusual film which I am talking about. I am very puzzled, actually. This plot about a man who suddenly becomes the target of the other people wrath, anger, violence, makes me think of a zombie film. A social fantasy - not horror though - story, exploring a very modern problem: violence in the today's world, where people become more and more agressive, brutal, most of the time for meaningless reasons.... You wonder where this plot will lead to all long this nearly two hours feature. Rather long length for a first film. It is a zombie plot but without zombies...Watch it and you'll understand. Unsatisfactory ending. Could have been better.
The Egyptian (1954)
At least, Michael Curtiz made a sword and sandal
I always forget that Michael Curtiz made a sword and sandal film, not very spectacular, not so exciting as Howard Hawk's LAND OF PHARAOHS or SALOMON AND QUEEN OF SHEEBAH, but quite good enough to be seen. And despite the Marlon Brando's absence, the cast is quite good enough to justify the watching. This is a story of romance and intrigues, as so many sword and sandals films, don't expect huge battles with thousands of extras. This is not a Cecil B De Mille's film, this is not BEN HUR too. This movie is not my favourite in terms of sword and sandal movies. However, I never get tired to see it every four or five years.
Samson and Delilah (1949)
Awesome sword and sandal film from Hollywood
It is the first sword and sandal movie in color that Hollywood made. And directed by the master so far of sword and sandal films: Cecil B De Mille. I guess Henry King made some too during the silent era; I just guess, I am not sure. This is one of the best Victor Mature's performances, the role in which he was not too wooden, lame, despite his forever presence. Because for me, Victor Mature was - as Arnold Schwarzenegger - more know for his presence and charisma on screen than known for his acting skills. He was a bad actor but a tremendous presence, face, glance, especially in sword and sandal: SAMSON AND DELILAH, THE EGYPTIAN, DEMETRIUS AND THE GLADIATORS, ANDROCLES AND THE LION...I don't even admire and evoke the Hedy Lamarr outstanding, magical performance too. You can't avoid such film.
The Park Is Mine (1985)
The park is mine and MINED !!!!
Of course, it could not be as terrific, tense, gripping and exciting as the novel which this film is inspired from. Impossible. So the director made his very best, especially for a TV result. With a huge budget, maybe it would have been better.... Maybe. In the book, many details were given, which gave more interesting elements to the whole. Tommy Lee Jones is absolutely the best choice for this character, far more interesting than Stallone in FIRST BLOOD; a rather close character, let's admit it. In the book, you have so many things that you don"t find here; the novelist even describes some informations concerning the Asian mercenaries hired by the municipality of NY to track the lead character down. Some of their past, the Indochina war and their feelings.... Here, guess what...But it's ok. Rare plot, not that usual but a bit predictable though.
City for Conquest (1940)
Open your eyes on the American Dream search
This is not a true movie about boxing, prizefighting game, but only a drama, powerful and terrific story, using the prizefighting sport - and of course business - to describe the American Dream, a dark - and not "blind" - side. A poignant, gripping drama showing not gangsters - for once very rare for a Warner Brothers film - with Anthony Quinn in a villain role - but not a gangster, as he did during the same period for Paramount pictures and the Louis King and Robert Florey's movies, co starring the likes of Lloyd Nolan, Buster Crabbe, Akim Tamiroff and J Caroll Naish. So, back to CITY FOR CONQUEST, Jimmy Cagney is as terrific and engrossing as he was in ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES, in a character who could make you - the audiences - very uncomfortable. Great film from Anatole Litvak.
Champion (1949)
As excellent as THE SET UP
Yes, year 1949 brought us the two most terrific and prestigious films ever made about prize fighting, boxing: this one THE CHAMPION and of course THE SET UP, both provided by two RKO pictures veterans: Mark Robson and Bob Wise. Forget the SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME, which is also awesome but too classical for my taste. The two previous titles are gritty, tough, gloomy but so realistic, as also will be REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT, made several years later. You can compare this one with CITY FOR CONQUEST, which is more a drama related to the American dream than a true film about prize fighting, and also a boxing world film where Arthur Kennedy plays the brother of the lead character prizefighter; here Jimmy Cagney and Kirk Douglas in THE CHAMPION. The latest is a rise and fall scheme, showing an anti hero, another kind of anti hero as Bob Ryan in THE SET UP. Kirk Douglas outstanding.
Joe MacBeth (1955)
Terrific American crime film directed by a British film maker
I have always confounded this film with Russel Rouse's NEW YORK CONFIDENTIAL; I don't know why, maybe because plots are rather close and because I have always also confounded Paul Douglas - here - and Broderick Crawford - NEW YORK CONFIDENTIAL; both actors had more or less the same kind of face and played the same kind of characters too. So this explains that. This Ken Hughes' film is excellent, a gritty, violent crime movie, the rise and fall scheme concerning a ruthless and ambitious gangster and his moll. I would have never imagined Paul Douglas in such a role, and Ruth Roman is excellent in his gun moll role. Best film from Ken Hughes, besides CROMWELL.
Le solitaire (1987)
Last and least French action hero
This is the last action film in which Jean Paul Belmondo played. He began in 1963 with L'HOMME DE RIO, in terms of action films, proceeded with PEUR SUR LA VILLE, L'ALPAGUEUR, LE GUIGNOLO, LE PROFESSIONEL and LE MARGINAL before finishing with this crime flick destined to movie theaters but that looked like a TV film. Let's be honest, this is not LE PROFESSIONEL nor LE MARGINAL; the director Jacques Deray, with whom Belmondo made several movies including BORSALINO, was not very concerned with this story, very lousy, predictable, as any TF1 crime series episodes. Moulin TV show is even better than this deception. There was no gross with this film, that's the reason why Belmondo stopped making action films. Jean Pierre Malo is the only good surprise in a convincing villain character. Only gunfights scenes are OK.
Bengal Brigade (1954)
This is from Laslo Benedek, really?
I can't imagine that a director such as Laslo Benedek made this adventure studio movie, a film that could be done by a Budd Boetticher, Joseph Pevney, Douglas Sirk - why not...All Universal home directors of this period, among many others: Nathan Juran, Jack Arnold...But Laslo Benedek;..I can't believe it. What happened to him? I can understand THE WILD ONE, but this adventure flick.... Ths director seemed to have greatest difficulties to find his own trademark. He worked for US movie and TV industry, European productions too. NIGHT VISITOR is a terrific story, but I still don't understand why Benedek made this however excellent adventure war yarn about the fall of the British colonialism. I recommend it.
The Burning Hills (1956)
Forgotten Warner Brothers western
Tab Hunter has here one of his rare lead characters role; he usually co starred with big names, and this movie is not a B picture either. Stuart Heisler was not Lesley Selander, Alfred Werker, Ray Nazzaro or Jack Arnold. This vengeance plot, scheme, is as old as the western genre, so don't expect any surprises here. You'll find here a very good time waster and a Nathalie Wood's performance which is worth the viewing. Nothing special concerning this western, that was rather in the Twentieth Century Fox manner, using supporting actors for Cinemascope - or the studio equivalent - frames. Good western.
The Masque of the Red Death (1964)
Late Fantastic Corman
I just learned this week that Roger Corman, this wizard, this magician of the B movies, passed away. I was not that surprised, because he was old, but still was in grief, because I had followed his movies, watched them, over and over since so many decades. And since a couple of months, I decided to review them on Imdb. What a sad coincidence. This film belongs to the Edgar Allan Poe's stuff adaptations, starring the fabulous Vincent price who was for Corman what Lon Chaney Sr was for Tod Browning; at least for the Edgar Poe - or Lovecraft - cycle produced and directed by the master. This is not a fairy tale, despite the medieval castle and the beautiful women, but a movie that may disturb young or unprepared audiences. Typical of the rest of the features belonging to this cycle of films dedicated to Edgar Allan Poe. RIP Roger....
Gueules noires (2023)
THE DESCENT meets DJINNS
The French horror industry provided many movies during the 2000's and early 2010's and suddenly more or less disappeared, at least in France, and the directors moved away to Hollywood ( Alexandre Aja, Xavier Gens, Eric Vallette ) because of bigger budgets at their disposal and the opportunity to increase their popularity; bigger budget but also pain the ass producers on their back. This movie offers the peculiarity to show a first part which looks like a social drama, a semi documentary about pit coal workers, underground miners, during the fifties, a plot speaking of racism...And suddenly, after the first part, it suddenly turns into a horror film, as we have seen before in the American and also some French industry stuff. Good directing, acting, production design - which surprised me, especially in the first part, with Philippe Torreton whom I did not expect to see in a horror film. I like Samuel Le Bihan, in a charismatic leader role, tough, rough, fair, the same kind of character - or more precisely personality - he had in TOTAL WESTERN. Good French horror film which also made me think of Neil Marshall's THE DESCENT. But for me it is so surprising that there is NO FEMALE character in this film, in a period where strong lead women characters, even in actioners, are galore. Galore. It would not have surprised me to have here a woman sent among men, into the mine, fighting alone against the "thing".
Black Patch (1957)
Just for Jerry Goldsmith's score
Well, maybe I am wrong, this little western is not totally a waste, just a predictable plot, already seen dozens of times before. Two former friends from the civil war, one sheriff and one outlaw, love the same woman.... But this is an Allan H Miner's western, a B production, and any B western - and I don't mean the Roy Rogers or Allan Rocky Lane flicks - is worth watching. This one is truly agreeable, but not a masterpiece, as also was THE RIDE BACK, also from the director. And it is written by Leo Gordon, who also plays in the film. If you have one hour and twenty minutes to waste, go for it.
The Molly Maguires (1970)
Solid movie, totally in the Martin Ritt's manner
Who, better than Martin Ritt, could speak of social problems, including racism, in the sixties and seventies - even later? No one, or maybe Sidney Pollack could evoke some social issues in his movies. But this one, unfortunately a failure at the box office, is really tremendous, and not only because of the cast - Richard Harris and Sean Connnery - but also because of the plot itself. I admit that the undercover cop - or detective - is not new at all, but here Sean Connery is awesome and surprising in this role of a "gang" leader, one year before ANDERSON TAPES. Really, this Martin Ritt's film is really an absolute must see.
Tristan + Isolde (2006)
Not Arthur and Guinevere nor Knights of the Round Table
If you crave for medieval legends, myths, this movie is definitely for you, but the production design from the early 2000's looks very like a TV movie or a Russian - or Eastern Europe - adventure film concerning medieval times. It is not a bad film, but considering the director's identity - Kevin Reynolds - this film is painful to watch, the best proof of a downfall. After WATERWORLD disaster, there was 187 - a tremendous social drama - and that's it. That said, it is a worth watching film for the common viewer, common movie buff or not, for any audiences who like medieval tales, with romance, action, fairy and gloomy tales...I would have dreamed that Richard Thorpe made it in the fifties.... Just a dream.
Capricorn One (1977)
Peter Hyam's One
This movie is for me the most prestigious, terrific, outstanding film from the director, who will never provide better after this one, despite OUTLAND and 2010.... But he did not only make science fiction flicks, he also provided some dramas and thrillers. I won't say forget the rest, but this one is really unique, riveting, not predictable at all. The kind of plot that the likes of Alan J Pakula or Sidney Pollack could have done too. I can't prevent myself to think of PARALLAX VIEW atmosphere. I love it. I don't think they could make such a film now. The best of Peter Hyams, period, no matter what he has done after this one.