Monthly Archives: January 2013

Two key characteristics of Max Ophüls show up in his 1952 film, “Le Plaisir,” which tells 3 stories of pleasure: The camera often follows the characters, and furniture and other items often clutter the foreground of scenes.  Many critics make … Continue reading →

As a big fan of silent films, I appreciate it when filmmakers tell the story visually in sound films.  One of the pleasures of “Rififi,” a 1955 caper film directed by Jules Dassin, is that he shows the entire caper … Continue reading →

Peter O’Toole stars as the title character in “Lord Jim,” a 1965 film version of the Joseph Conrad novel.  O’Toole plays a disgraced British naval officer who attempts to redeem himself by helping an island village defeat a warlord called … Continue reading →

The always reliable Fredric March and Charles Laughton deliver excellent performances in the 1935 version of “Les Misérables.”  March plays Jean Valjean, who is sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread.  Laughton plays a policeman in charge of … Continue reading →

Alec Guinness, an actor who performed well in everything he did, began his film career in 1934, with “Evensong,” as an extra.  He didn’t make another film until “Great Expectations” in 1948, but he soon became a staple comic actor in … Continue reading →

“Two Weeks in Another Town,” a film directed by Vincente Minnelli from 1962, recalls another Minnelli film, the wonderful “The Bad and the Beautiful,” from 1951.  Kirk Douglas stars in both films, but Two Weeks in Another Town drifts more … Continue reading →

For an exquisitely conceived and executed movie, take a look at Max Ophüls’ 1953 film “The Earrings of Madame de…”  Ophüls casts the lovely Danielle Darrieux as a flirtatious woman of high class named Louise who gets involved in an … Continue reading →

“Diabolique,” a French film from 1955 directed by Henri-George Clouzot, offers a taut and interesting story about a wife and a mistress of school principal who plot a murder. The principal, Michel, played by Paul Meurisse, beats both his wife … Continue reading →

I saw “Dark City,” a 1998 film, in a movie theater when it first came out.  I found it highly impressive, with wonderful images, a great story, a well-designed plot, and lots of wonderful and interesting ideas.  Directed by Alex … Continue reading →

The Italian cinema thought up a great idea when they decided to make a funny “caper” film in 1958.  The film, “Big Deal on Madonna Street,” follows the story of 5 completely inept small-time hoods who decide to burglarize a pawn … Continue reading →