Looking for a specific film review? CLICK BELOW

0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z / Trailers / DVD Store


January 7, 2008
50 Movies You Might Have Missed (41-45)
41. Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

Sophie Scholl was a student involved in die Weiße Rose (The White Rose), an anti-Nazi group. Following her arrest, she is quickly shuttled through the Nazi bureaucratic machine on her way to her trail for treason. During her imprisonment she stands firm on her beliefs and against the dehumanizing socialist arguments of her interrogator Robert Mohr. The verbal sparring between the two is not only brilliantly written, but is the best clash of worldviews put to film.

This is a well crafted film that brings the final six days of this brave young woman to life and is a fitting tribute to her.
42. Groundhog Day

While not the funniest film Bill Murray has ever made, it may be the most meaningful. Deceptively simple, this movie promotes an insightful message for finding meaning out of life. While the core of the concepts of the film are Buddhist (or “Buddhish” as director Harold Ramis might say) the lessons taught here speak to all faiths. An enjoyable film.
43. The Ox-Bow Incident

This is a great film even for people who are not wild about westerns. A murder has been committed and the guilty party has been fingered. A posse is hastily formed to hang the accused. Turning a deaf ear to the voice of justice and reason, the posse leaves to condemn the target of their hunt. Will vigilantism will the day?

This film is based on Walter van Tilburg Clark’s first novel of the same name and does the book justice. William Wellman’s film has a sparse and gritty feel that perfectly matches the morality of its characters. The casting is brilliant with Henry Fonda, Harry Morgan, Dana Andrews, Anthony Quinn and Matt Briggs. The acting in this piece keeps pace with the well-crafted and thoughtful script.


44. Miller’s Crossing

If you like the Coen Brother’s films, you’ll love this. A great gangster film with riveting performances alongside typical Coen Brother's oddball humor. This film walks a delicate line between goofy and serious. For anyone who loves crime dramas but are sick of the same old thing, this is a perfect choice.



45. The Passion of Joan of Arc

This beautiful and haunting film is one of the great works of cinematic art. A silent film era gem, this movie is still potent nearly ninety years later. The imagery and editing are striking in their maturity given the freshness of the medium and can match much of what is being produced on a daily basis today. This revived film shows that today’s special effects and clever plot twists fail to compete with the artistry and intelligence of the great works of years past.

The film follows the trial of Joan of Arc from her time in front of the sneering kangaroo court through to her horrid death sentence where she is burned alive. Maria Falconetti’s portrayal of Joan of Arc is disturbing and powerful. Her vacant eyes express a woman who has seen the goodness of God and the evil of man. From the film’s cold opening to the brutal end, Falconetti offers one of the silent era great performances.


Labels: , ,


posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 10:00 PM




Share






0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home