Post by moviemouth on Sept 9, 2021 8:07:52 GMT
Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) - 7.5/10
While drag-racing through the American Southwest in a Chevvy 150, a driver (James Taylor) and his mechanic cross paths with an alluring hitchhiker and the inexperienced, tall tale-spinning driver (Warren Oates) of a GTO. Directed by Monte Hellman.
Worth (2020) - 7.5/10
An attorney (Michael Keaton, in top form) in Washington D.C. battles against cynicism, bureaucracy and politics to help the victims of 9/11. Also starring Stanley Tucci and Amy Ryan. Directed by Sara Colangelo.
La Chienne (1931) - 7.5/10
A woman and her pimp exploit a painter (Michel Simon) for money. Directed by Jean Renoir.
Far From Men (2014) - 7/10
Algeria, 1954. Two very different men thrown together by a world in turmoil are forced to flee across the Atlas mountains. Daru, the reclusive teacher (Viggo Mortensen), has to escort Mohamed, a villager accused of murder. Directed by David Oelhoffen.
Each Dawn I Die (1939) - 6.5/10
A corrupt D.A. with political ambitions is angered by news stories implicating him in criminal activity and decides to frame the reporter (James Cagney) who wrote them for manslaughter in order to silence him. Directed by William Keighley.
No Man of God (2021) - 8/10
The complicated relationship that formed between the FBI analyst Bill Hagmaier (Elijah Wood) and serial killer Bundy (Luke Kirby) during Bundy's final years on death row. Directed by Amber Sealey.
The Last Witch Hunter (2015) - 4/10
The last witch hunter (Vin Diesel) is all that stands between humanity and the combined forces of the most horrifying witches in history. Also starring Michael Caine and Elijah Wood. Directed by Breck Eisner.
Belle de Jour (1967) - 7/10
A frigid young housewife (Catherine Deneuve) decides to spend her midweek afternoons as a prostitute. Directed by Luis Buñuel.
The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936) - 7/10
The biography of the pioneering French microbiologist (Paul Muni) who helped revolutionize agriculture and medicine. Directed by William Dieterle.
Ashes and Diamonds (1958) - 7.5/10
As WWII and the German occupation ends, the Polish resistance and the Russian forces turn on each other in an attempt to take over leadership in Communist Poland. Directed by Andrzej Wajda.
Penguin Bloom (2020) - 7.5/10
A wheelchair bound woman (Naomi Watts) and her family take in an injured Magpie that makes a profound difference in their lives. Directed by Glendyn Ivin.
I had read about Two-Lane Blacktop but had no idea that singer James Taylor was in it. Looks like I need to watch it soon in memoriam Monte Hellman.
I found Renoir's La Chienne to be dull. Interesting that I watched Fritz Lang's American remake Scarlet Street soon after and found it to be absolutely riveting. I remember Michel Simon's constipated acting to be the main culprit for my indifference towards La Chienne. He (and Renoir) later surprised me with their solid work in Boudu Saved from Drowning. I have not seen many French comedies and have read some negativity about them, but this one was very well made.
Ashes and Diamonds and Belle de Jour are in my watchlist. I suppose I have to add The Story of Louis Pasteur there as well.
Interesting, because Michel Simon's performance is the main reason I like the movie as much as I do. Also has a clever script imo.
Boudu Saved from Drowning is on my watchlist, because of how much I like Michel Simon in La Chienne.
Yours.
She-Devil - 5/10 Didn't care much for it.
Guarding Tess - 6.5/10 I like the first half, but I think it takes a dip in the second half.
I'll keep Loverboy in mind if I am in the mood for a '80s teen comedy. I am a fan of Can't Buy Me Love.