After Hours (rewatch)

I hate movies like this.  I don’t even want to talk about it.  I don’t remember disliking this movie so much, but I know I was on acid the first time I saw it, so maybe that’s why.  Anything’s interesting on acid.  Anyway, there are funny moments but it’s all too irritating and tense.  Rating: 4

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The Shining (rewatch)

I really do get upset when I think about the fact that there are only 12 Kubrick films.  The man was incredible.  Sure, he made some questionable choices in The Shining.  But the choices he made are so exciting and so bold.  Was it wrong to have Nicholson play it so over-the-top?  Or is it a parody of the genre?  Or maybe a celebration of the genre?  Kubrick transcends the genre, as he did with just about every genre he touched.  I’ve seen this movie at least 5 or 6 times, and it still scares me.  The image of the girls in the hallway… does it get any creepier than that?  And the music is simply astounding.  Some people criticize Duvall’s performance, but I love it (I read once that Kubrick deliberately made her character seem annoying to give the audience some small bit of empathy for Jack — brilliant).  The fear she projects just floors you.  Rating: 10

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Ringu 2

Not as scary as the first one, and gets really silly and nonsensical with all the business about water.  I guess with Japanese films you have to put aside any assumptions that things are going to make sense (Akira, for example).  It was kinda cool, but you can definitely sense the writer and/or director running out of ideas.  Rating: 6

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The Last Picture Show

I don’t see what the fuss is about.  Probably works better as a novel, with more time to get invested in the characters.  The film was watchable, but not very engaging.  The acting was solid, but not outstanding.  The script was realistic, but not profound.  The cinematography was serviceable, but not breathtaking.  In other words, good but not great. Rating: 6

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What’s Up, Tiger Lily?

I wasn’t expecting it to be very funny, but there were some absolutely hilarious lines.  On the other hand, there was also a lot of downtime, with long action scenes lacking dialogue, and studio-injected bits of The Lovin’ Spoonful performing.  Still, surprisingly good, on a level with Allen’s mid-tier comedies like Take the Money and Run or Small Time Crooks.  Rating: 7

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Images

I’ve said before that Altman makes movies I like but don’t love.  At last, I found one I love.  It’s no secret that I like my movies a little on the weird side.  Images is weird in spades.  Offbeat and creepy and damn unsettling.  The ending totally caught me off guard.  John Williams turns in a surprisingly unconventional score.  Very cool flick.  Rating: 9

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The Dirty Dozen

S’okay.  I was into it while I was watching it, but now that it’s over I feel blah about it.  Nothing special, but not a waste of time either.  Rating: 7

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The Silence (rewatch)

I wasn’t thrilled with this one the first time, but it’s grown on me a bit.  I do miss the brilliant character interaction that Bergman is so good at, but I’ve accepted that this isn’t typical Bergman.  This time around I found myself appreciating Nykvist’s cinematography a lot more, really impressive.  I still don’t care much for the dwarves, it seems like a cheap way to make a point (and I’m not entirely sure what the point is supposed to be). Rating: 8

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Underworld Beauty

Worthwhile, but again, not as amazing as Branded to Kill.  Great camera angles.  I’d be more likely to watch this again than Tattooed Life.  Rating: 7

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Winter Light (rewatch)

I was going to wait to see this on the big screen this Friday, but to heck with it.  Big screen, small screen… doesn’t really make much difference to me.  It’s still the same great movie.  Pitch-perfect performances, incredible script, very powerful stuff.  I really need to watch these Bergman films more often.  Rating: 10

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