Catching up on movies watched the last few days.
The Romance of Astrea and Celadon (Eric Rohmer, 2007). One of those old man’s movies where everything seems without art and completely essential. (full review 11/7)
Slumdog Millionaire (Danny Boyle, 2008). Whatever you think of this movie (adapted from a novel), surely it is among the zaniest plots ever put on film: the horrors of life refracted through an episode of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” (full review 11/21)
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Robert Wiene, 1919). With live violin/piano work by Gunter Buchwald, a fitting sort of split-personality musical experience. And the film is still a rich commentary on lots of things, including the relationship of filmmaker and audience.
JCVD (Mabrouk El Mechri, 2008). I liked it, but when Seagal sees this he’s coming after Jean-Claude Van Damme. (full review 11/21)
The Invisible Man Returns (Joe May, 1940). Part of a Halloween triple-bill — and a perfectly decent B-movie, with Vincent Price unseen for most of the picture.
The Raven (Lew Landers, 1935). A Lugosi-Karloff vehicle that doesn’t need considerable childhood affection (although I have that for it) to qualify as a spiffy little horror show. Among other things, it’s awfully well-shot for a second-tier studio and a third-tier director, and leading lady Irene Ware is an appealing star-who-never-was.
Curse of the Werewolf (Terence Fisher, 1961). Somewhat slow and nonsensical, but it has a weirdly high number of memorable things in it, and Oliver Reed is a true rough beast.
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