I can never find enough time to write about everything I’d like to, including the films I see. Of the 11 films I saw in January, I discussed only three of them on the blog. I’d love to revisit one or two others and write more on them later. Maybe I will.
Anyway, I’ve linked to previous posts on three of these films. The others I’ve only written a few sentences about, but I hope it’s enough for you to gauge whether or not you’d like to see them. (I only list TV shows after I’ve watched an entire season.) Each film listed includes title, release date, director and running time. (Since TV seasons often contain multiple directors, I do not list their names, even if the same person directed each episode.)
Road House (1948) Jean Negulesco [1:35]
Lightweight noir with Richard Widmark going a bit over the top. Some good moments; hardly a noir classic, but worth a look. 3/5
Oslo, August 31 (2011) Joachim Trier [1:36]
One of this year’s Oscar nominees for Best Foreign Film. The pace of this film - about an addict’s first day of freedom from being institutionalized - might be too slow for some, but there’s some real treasure to be discovered here. Excellent performances. 5/5
Brick (2005) Rian Johnson [1:50]
Discussed previously here. 4.5/5
All Night Long (1962) Basil Dearden [1:31]
Discussed previously as part of the Criterion Collection's Eclipse Series 25 Basil Dearden’s London Underground set here. 3.5/5
Desert Bloom (1986) Eugene Corr [1:45]
A disappointing film, despite a nice performance by Annabeth Gish as a young girl coming of age during the post-WWII atomic testing in Nevada. The story is too obvious, too predictable, almost making you think you’re watching a Lifetime movie. 2/5
The Invisible War (NF 2012) Kirby Dick [1:37]
Another Oscar nominee, this time for Best Documentary - the story of rape in the military, a problem that does not seem to be getting better. 4/5
Being John Malkovich (1999) Spike Jonze [1:58]
Previous thoughts here. 4/5
Sherlock: Season Two (TV 2012) [4:26]
If you haven’t seen this modern-day BBC incarnation of Sherlock Holmes, find Season One and get caught up. (Each season is only three episodes long, but they’re all about 90-minutes each.) Finally, a TV show that’s clever, smart, engaging and addictive. 4.5/5
Night Train to Munich (1940) Carol Reed [1:33]
Rex Harrison playing a singing spy trying to pass as a Nazi? How can you say no to that? Despite a goofy shootout and a pretty misleading title (Very little of the film actually takes place on a train.), Night Train to Munich is a fun tale. 3.5/5
Cold Weather (2010) Aaron Katz [1:30]
Calling this a sleeper would be inaccurate. Maybe comatose would be better... “Slacker noir” actually may be the best way to describe Cold Weather, which features a former forensics science major named Doug (Cris Lankenau) who fancies himself as Sherlock Holmes. Doug investigates the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend in a dreary Portland, Oregon. Probably the most laid-back detective film of all-time, Cold Weather slowly accumulates into something quietly memorable and endearing. 4/5
Black Moon (1975) Louis Malle [1:40]
Black Moon is very much a film of it’s time, dealing with the battle of the sexes with a twisted Alice in Wonderland backdrop. Many will find it offensive. Unless you’re either a student of 70s films or a Criterion Collection completist, skip this one. 2/5
Now tell me what you saw last month....
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