patita-1 Reviews

The Name of the Rose (1986)

Great

[3 June 2002]

14th Century.Abady.Mysterious deaths.A franciscan monk and a young novice arrives at this inhospitable place.The monk William(Sean Connery) almost behave as a detective.He is there to find out the cause of the death of a young monk.William doesn't believe in superstitions(the monks in the abady think that this crime is the devil's fault) he needs to know the truth. This fascinating film plays(so well) with false concepts.We don't know really what's going on.Also we should remember,in Middle-ages the people believed that the devil was among them,living in the world,that he was the causing of the black plague or other diseases.The church took advantage on that,the famous inquisition appears,the church used believers as a way of submission. Religious people like Bernardo Gui(played by Murray Abrahan)remind us of the infamous spanish inquisitor-Tomas de Torquemada-Gui was a true sadistic,worse of all,he was the censorious of his time.Another sinister character is the blind monk Jordi(who condemned a joyful way of life).

William is a rational man,almost scientific.He is against repression and men like Gui.William represents the free thinking,he loves books(Aristotheles).When he found out that the death -Spoiler ahead!-of the monks got to do with a forbidden book(poisoned pages) he is even more intrigued than us.The people who think s that some books influence d us in a way that could change our perspectives,like poison to our minds,are especially –short mind-religious people(this movie shows that).The young novice(Christian Slater who proves that he can carry a picture) represents the pure innocence,he will find love in this horrible place.He is clever enough to understand and learn from his mentor.The young girl accused of witchcraft is one of the victims of a perverse system.This film has memorable scenes,especially the last final scene.

The name of the rose is a fascinating as reading Umberto Echo book , it is one of the greatest adaptations ever.I also find interesting how the film portray monks as a pathetic figures(behind the hood,secrets, conspiracies and pain)they are Doomed people. Enjoy ---8/10----

The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)

Dance with Vampires!

[8/10 · 3 June 2002]

The title "fearless vampire killers" it's not so good as "Dance of the Vampires",outside U.S. this is the original title

I always will remember this film as "Dance of the Vampires" ALSO,CONGRATULATIONS to Mr Polanski for the Palme D' Or, he deserves it(without him just cinema "boring")

I enjoyed poetic scenes such as like moment in Sarah's bath comparing the textures of first soap bubbles, then falling snowflakes, and finally crimson blood. when Alfred(Polanski) carries his master across the castle battlements remind me of Polanski early short films. Krystov Komeda's music has been acclaimed as "the most innovative and haunting score ever devised for a horror movie" by the heavyweight Aurum Film Encyclopedia. Krystof Komeda's wondrous music, with its weird choral effects and little melodies Komeda's score communicates the Kafka-like isolation of the setting and the characters

Polanski chose some of the finest English cinema craft artists to work on the film: cameraman Douglas Slocombe, production designer Wilfrid Shingleton Polanski engaged noted choreographer Tutte Lemkow, who played the actual Fiddler in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, for the film's climactic Danse Macabre minuet.

Sharon Tate as Sarah was delightful(we should remember her in a good way,as a decent actress and person,her scene with Polanski is really cool ,especially "the bite scene") Jack MacGowran as Professor Abronsius is just great Polanski's films often deal in contrasts of master and servant, the empowered and the powerless. The supposedly benign Abronsius bullies Alfred for his own purposes, just as the vampires consider all of humankind a resource to be harvested.

The character called Shagal got the best lines in the movie,when A woman thrusts a crucifix in his face, only for Shagal - a Jewish rather than a Christian vampire - to go "Oy-yoy! You got the wrong vampire" and bite her anyway Count Von Krolock (Ferdy Mayne, who plays the Count)he looks really as a Nosferatu or a man that needs Transfusion!.

Also funny is Herbert, the openly gay vampire who is interested in Alfred rather than Sara, the sexual deviations implicit in early Hammer films like The Brides of Dracula (1960) and Kiss of the Vampire (1964) are brought out. Hammer would increasingly exploit this in their lesbian

The Pianist (2002)

Pure Sensibility

[30 May 2002]

Congratulations to Mr Polanski,he totally deserves it, The Palme D'Or for The pianist,Cannes owed him this honour.This film is not really about the holocaust it's more about a personal journey,a more subjective story. CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO THE KING!.

The Cat's Meow (2001)

About Kirsten

[29 May 2002]

`She stole Brad Pitt's long- dead heart in interview with the Vampire.'

I first saw Kirsten Dunst in the film"interview with the Vampire" and she was brilliant!.All that professionalism in that short age(she was only 11)and then she appears in The Virgin Suicides,one of the greatest movies of 1999.Dunst became a cult actress with Honors;in The Cat's Meow she plays marvelously the actress Marion Davies,she is so great here(just look at her when she dances).I think this is her first film as a woman,and maybe she could transcends(as Jodi did as Kinski did) to a more matured actress without losing her charm. Ah! Kirsten is a lucky girl too Did you know that her first kiss on screen was with Brad Pitt? yes,in interview with the Vampire.Kirsten was blessed from the start!.Also kudos for the Director.is nice to know that Peter Bogdanovich is back again,He is maybe one of the most underestimated Directors.I keep the faith!

One Night Stand (1997)

More than One Night Stand

[7/10 · 20 May 2002]

The title of this movie(One Night Stand) may suggest that it's about "Cheating" but is something else,is about an instant attraction,the things occur spontaneously between Karen(Ms Kinski )and Max(Wesley Snipes)THEN just a memory of that perfect woman,then the re- encounter,the desire and passion appears again and then…surprise!LOVE!

Max and Karen are drawn together with both of them finding something in each other that had been lacking in their own relationships BUT is Robert Downey jr who steals the show HE IS THE GLUE that represents human connection in the film,believe me HE ROCKS!!!.Wonderful performances by the cool Wesley Snipes,Ming Na Wen,Nastassja Kinski(she is so smooth!!!),OK I got to say something about this actress,Kinski,she's a true woman.She doesn't has the vulgarity of Jennifer Lopez(Oops!).

I also liked the two sex scenes of our protagonist with this two woman(the difference of how they make love…),even the film has some cameos from Ione Skye(remember that actress of Say Anything?);His real life brother ,the musician Donovan Leitch,OK Mike Figgis is the Director but he also is responsible of the wonderful music in this film.

I hate to say it,but Roger Ebert was right in saying that Kinski has the best line of the movie: "What do you do, Karen?" asks Mimi(Max's wife). And she replies: "I'm a rocket scientist."

The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

for God's sake!

[16 May 2002]

"Thank god,I'm Atheistic" (Luis Buñuel)

I don't understand this fascination for religion or why some people think of Jesus as our saviour?,anyway,but we have this film"Last temptation..." and the Christian right criticized it because it's not"Jesus of Nazareth?".Some boring catholic countries even banned this film because it was "offensive",so,they think they're right and the artist is wrong...GIVE A BREAK! Where's the freedom of an artist's creativity? For god's sake!.J. Luc Godard said that"Cinema is like Christianity,because it's not based on true history".If Mr Scorsese choose a different version of a story, How can that be wrong?.

The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

For god's sake!

[14 May 2002]

"Thank god,I'm Atheistic" (Luis Buñuel)

I don't understand this fascination for religion or why some people think of Jesus as our savior?,anyway,but we have this film"Last temptation..." and the christian right critized it because it's not"Jesus of Nazareth?".Some boring catholic countries even banned this film because it was "offensive",so,they think they're right and the artist is wrong...GIVE A BREAK! Where's the freedom of an artist's creativity? For god's sake!.J. Luc Godard said that"Cinema is like Christianity,because it's not based on true history".If Mr Scorsese choose a different version of a story, How can that possible be wrong?.

Last Tango in Paris (1972)

Two to Tango

[14 May 2002]

Some people think of Last tango...as"pretentious",NO sexy or even "boring".Well, you've miss the point!.It's obvious that Brando's character"Paul" is a self degrading,self destructive fellow,as other dramatic character,He is a tortured man.Paul felt a terrible guilt.The film show us some hints:that he was a terrible husband and person.When he meets a young woman,he submit her in a sick way,so,we have here and incredible psychological film.The sex scenes is just part of his mental deterioration.How can that be erotic?.To me erotism is part of the senses(caresses,self respect and respect)more than wild sex with a stranger.

Bertolucci just knew how to bring tortured male characters on the screen(see the conformist;Spider's Stratagem)their protagonists are like man without resolutions.Also NOTICE Gato Barbieri music(sublime!);Francis Bacon paintings and the tango contest scene(similar to the film The conformist). 8/10

Intimacy (2001)

No Intimacy

[13 May 2002]

This film proves that sex without emotional connection is almost impossible.This film has no pornographic scenes,not even in the sensual level.To me the film is about suffering and the desolate destiny for our protagonist and what happens to people can't have a conversation with other person.Intimacy is almost an exercise about isolation,affliction and desperation(see Hanecke's The piano teacher)in a Metropolis.I think the New French Cinema is a good example of what's going on with modern society and its lack of...everything! Especially of what has happened with Jean Marie LePen in France and the embarrassment of a civilized French society when the a xenophobic politician gained 17 percent of the votes.

The Piano Teacher (2001)

Superb Huppert

[13 May 2002]

La Pianiste is a vouyeristic journey.We can't judge our female protagonist even psychologically,it's impossible.Is she disturbed? is she mad? I can't even answer that question.Her character's desperation reminds me of Catherine Deneuve in "Repulsion". this film is maybe about isolation in a perfect rigid society.I think the New French Cinema is a good example of what's going on with modern society and its lack of...everything! Especially of what has happened with Jean Marie LePen in France and the embarrassment of a civilized French society when the a xenophobic politician gained 17 percent of the votes.

Isabelle Huppert said in a interview:"If that's true, if some men are reluctant about the film, it's clearly because it's about a woman who tries to behave a little bit like a man. She tries to change the rules of the game, and that can be very disturbing for some men to look at. She's the one who wants to control the situation; she wants to control the man's desire. Most of the time, that's the man's position. Why couldn't this be relieving for a man?".Oh Huppert! she's interesting.

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

Haunting

[13 May 2002]

A Vampire who wanders in eternity.Louis(Mr Pitt) seems more a doomed immortal man.He hates his condition.This kind of vampire reminds me of the angels in the German film "Wings of Desire",we should call it "fangs undesire".Louis is in constant company with a young ambiguous girl,played by Kirsten Dunst and she was brilliant,all that professionalism in that short age(she was only 11)and then she appears in "The Virgin Suicides",one of the greatest film of 1999.Dunst became a cult actress with honors,this year she impressed me again in The Cat's Meow,I think this is her first role as a woman,maybe she could transcends(as Jodi or Kinski did) to a more grown up actress without losing her charm.Ah! Kirsten is a lucky girl too Did you know that her first kiss on screen was with Brad Pitt? yes,in interview with the Vampire.Kirsten was blessed from the start!.

The Ninth Gate (1999)

Underrated.Still a decent film

[8/10 · 30 April 2002]

The title "The Nine Gates".The number `Nine' also is part of Dante's The Divine Comedy and the journey through the Nine circles of hell.Corso(Johnny Depp) Itinerary is similar of the Italian Poet but with a sustancial difference.The knowledge progression of the sin helped Dante to free himself from it.Meanwhile Corso own Destiny Overwhelmed him:The contact with Evil.The figure of "The Girl" is like a false Virgilio.Our Protagonist shares the same age with the Florentine Poet and the idea of "The nine Gates" it is similar to bible passages like this:' In the Tranquility of my days I will walk to the Doors of the sun'.It reminds us the beginning and the ending of the movie.

I also find interesting that A BOOK is a key protagonist in this film,as the Ring was for Lord of the Ring; or the Forbidden Book who intrigued us in The NAME OF THE ROSE.Also The Ninth Gate in some scenes works as a parody.Especially the scene of the Satanist Sect,this is a Satire that tells us that The Evil is not behind this eccentric celebration, the evil it is a more complex than that.All of Polanski Protagonists(Catherine Deneuve in Repulsion; Jack Nicholson in Chinatown;Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby and Polanski himself in The Tenant) are anti-heroes or Unconscious propagator of Evil.Their stories progress negatively to the point of Resignation."They do without Knowing".They seem dominated by forces beyond their control.

Note: Spoilers!.Corso,is not about to let his chance at immortality slip away.Driving,hitching rides and walking,he makes his way to Balkan's ancient stone castle,where the publisher is preparing to deliver his soul to the devil.The two man battle for control of The Nine Gates,but neither one knows that the set of engravings contains one forgery,rendering any attempt to pass through The Ninth Gate doomed. Ultimately it is THE GIRL,revealed at last as an agent of the devil,who decides wether the secrets of The Nine Gates will be unlocked and to whom.'(extract from TNG site)

Psycho (1960)

`What are you running away from?'

[30 April 2002]

Imagine you are running for a bad reason.While you're driving the car,your mind figure it out situations.You know you did wrong and that remorse haunts you.Outside: it's rainy night.Take a detour.Off the main road Our Protagonist sees `Bates Motel Vacancy'.She will spent the night there and the caretaker Norman Bates will become your own Executioner!.You won't live to tell the story!!!.

Marion begins to reconsiders.She plans to repent,redeem herself and return the money.Her repentance is her punishment(later we see the famous `shower/murder' scene).

This film has so many great scenes.My favorite one is Their long conversation over Marion's dinner in the "parlor" under the watchful eyes of Norman's birds Norman at first wins our confidence by making embarrassing revelations about himself - "A hobby should pass the time, not fill it"; and, much more surprisingly, "A son is a poor substitute for a lover." But his anger over Marion's suggestion that he have Mother committed, an anger that seems to grow with its expression, almost without limit, is frightening.

Marion's "good night" to Norman are the last words she will ever speak, and the last words we will hear for the next 16 minutes (other than Norman's "Oh, God, Mother! Blood! Blood!). Another great one is the last scene(little spoiler) We then get our final glimpse of Norman, staring helplessly, while Mother gives us her side of the story through the voice over. She finishes by saying that she's just going to sit here like the harmless old lady she is. Suddenly, the focus returns to Norman's eyes. He looks right at us and grins menacingly If you enjoyed this Masterpiece I recommend you another Hitchcock film"The Lodger".

In appearance, Norman is surprisingly reminiscent of the (very) young Gregory Peck of Spellbound (1945), Norman is play by Anthony Perkins.

The Gothic Style victorian house behind the motel on a hill is exactly like the Edward Hopper's painting "The House by the Railroad". 9/10

Repulsion (1965)

9/10

[9/10 · 29 April 2002]

In Repulsion last scene give us some clues of the story.A close up of an old family photo.Maybe as a guilt.Carol is fearful of men and repulsed by sex.She is very close with her sister.Her trauma grows when her sibling Helen leaves her alone in their apartment.

A young and grown up woman would choose a man and maybe she will enjoy a healthy sex life.But a woman also can choose living without sex ,she can focus in other activities.For this reason we can't call her repressive or neurotic.Freud thought that sex was primordial for men & women.I don't know what concept the Film Director had on the complexity of female sexuality.But he was right in casting Catherine Deneuve as the mentally fickle Carol. Deneuve reputation as A cold sensual blond,was an intelligent choice.A woman that attractive breaks all stereotypes.

When a woman is repulsed by sexual encounters is because she suffers from Androphobia.But the problem of our female protagonist is more complex.Her hallucinations and paranoia increases and the most tragic thing is that Carol is invisible to the world around her;Helen,the absent sister,got no idea of what's happening to her.

The gifted Filmmaker,Roman Polanski is a forgotten Artist in the United States.This year a mediocre movie director won an Oscar instead of Robert Altman.George Lucas received A Lifetime achievement award BUT in Hollywood they are afraid of reward a fascinating and complex Director.If we ask a young generation of moviegoers who is Roman Polanski…will they know the answer?

Notice: The extreme roving close up.The sudden silence.A rape scene and the ticking of a clock.An empty room as Carol wanders out of it,out of sight,and then back.The ringing telephone.The shelf of broken toys;and of course The dead Rabbit!!!.

Catherine Deneuve ia one of the most beautiful woman that has ever graced the silver screen.

Repulsion Understands how to portray madness in a cinematic lenguage

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

2001 The best year in Cinema History

[28 April 2002]

I've read some of your comments here and I realized that there's two kind of opinions:The honest one and reviews from disdainful angry people( comments of RSura or Da Reel Nick Carter- see below-).If you don't like this movie I can accept that.BUT I can't accept comments like" this movie is bad or boring" GIVE ME something more clever than that!!!.Don't attack(on)the Filmmaker and his work!.

I say it again "2001" is worth watching it,like BLADE RUNNER,it makes you"wonder" and that is a great quality (and legacy) for a film. Those who think this film is Boring,maybe you are this Arrogant unbearable Star Wars freak fans or "Paulettes"(fans of the old witch critic Pauline Kael).Long Live 2001!!!.

"When you think of the greatest moments of film,I think you are almost always involved with images rather than scenes,and certainly never dialogue.The thing a film does best is to use pictures with music and I think these are the moments you remember.Another thing is the way an actor did something: the way Emil Jannings took out his handkerchief and blew his nose in The Blue Angel,or those marvelous slow turns that,Nikolai Cherkassov did in Ivan The Terrible". --Stanley Kubrick--

Note: IMDB reviewers are like the Mafia ,they only kill each others.

Manhattan (1979)

Woody Allen rules!

[26 April 2002]

I've read some of the comments here and I was enrage by some of them.Especially "Woody Allen haters"( read the awful reviews of "sddavis63" from Canada or "ajdagreat").Even a fellow named "brando70" considers Allen A rapist? that"he was repulsed" by the relationship between Isaac and Tracy.Give me a break!.Does America still have unbearable moralist like that?.A relationship between an older man and a young mature woman shouldn't be seen as "immoral".In this film Tracy and Isaac,their relationship is the most healthy of the entire movie.How could that be negative?.SO,IF YOU HATE WOODY ALLEN,stop wasting your time(and ours) in writing bad things about him,instead go and read the bible or rent "Jaws" on DVD!.

Fight Club (1999)

misunderstood?

[25 April 2002]

You can force it but it will not come.you can taste it but it will not form.you can crush it but it's always here.you can crush it but it's always near chasing you home saying everything is broken everyone is broken.you can force it but it will stay stung. you can crush it as dry as a bone.you can walk it home straight from school.you can kiss it.you can break all the rules but still everything is broken,everyone is broken.why can't you forget it?

I considered the being whom I had cast among mankind, and endowed with the will and power to effect purposes of horror, such as the deed which he had now done, nearly in the light of my own vampire, my own spirit let loose from the grave, and forced to destroy all that was dear to me.

Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change. The sun might shine or the clouds might lower: but nothing could appear to me as it had done the day before. A fiend had snatched from me to me as it every hope of future happiness: no creature had ever been so miserable as I was; so frightful an event is single in the history of man.

(Extract from a radiohead song and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.)

Blue Velvet (1986)

IT Started with a ear

[25 April 2002]

It's a Strange World

Blue Velvet has a colorful beginning.The suburbs with a idyllic lifestyle.It seems that nothing wrong could happen here.It reminds me films like American Beauty and the classy presentation and haunting music it's similar to Chinatown. Jeffrey(Mc Lachlan) is a young innocent man with a hidden and dangerous obsession with a mysterious complicated woman, makes him flirting with a vouyer/sado phase.

The first hour of Blue Velvet is slow but fascinating.At the beginning of the second hour… is a little tedious at times.The problem I guess is Denis Hopper.He is not a good actor.Casting him as a Psycho sadistic man was a big mistake .Every time he appears it is just annoying. Blue Velvet has space for two great underrated actresses:Laura Dern .She almost a David Lynch Muse.Her role as a school girl is a little bit miscast because she was too old to played a teenager but that is exactly the purpose of it.She convinces us that she can be a naive teen.And Isabella Rosellini was very brave for portraying a risky role none Hollywood actress would dare to do her part.

I liked the nightmare like quality of Blue Velvet and the conclusion of the mystery is brilliant(the last 10 minutes) BUT I'LL give Blue Velvet 6/10 Only because Dennis Hopper ruined the movie.

Vertigo (1958)

Afraid of Brunettes

[8/10 · 25 April 2002]

James Stewart is "Scottie" a serious detective who's scared of heights but not afraid to follow a client's blond wife Madeleine(Kim Novak) around San Francisco.Scottie and the audience only focused on poor Madeleine,we notice that he only speaks to her after he saves her from drowning.

The film will surprise us with a more twisted subject: Madeleine is out of the picture,Scottie is devastated but he sees a woman,Judy(a brunet Novak again) Who resembles the dead female.Our poor detective is so obsess by her that he even makes her over as Madeleine.There's a plot a little unrealistic(a murder plan)and some question… in the open scene of Vertigo we see Scottie left hanging by the fingers in a roof.How he get down from that?.In the next scene we only see him using a cane?.

Vertigo works because Scottie is profound and complex it deals with obsession;manipulation; fear and most of all "guilty".This fellow Scottie is a tortured man.Maybe Madeleine represents "an ideal woman" as all Hitchcock blonde actresses: Madeleine Carrol;Joan Fontaine;Marlene Dietrich;Doris Day; Tippi Heddren and Hitch's Favorite "Grace Kelly".

Donald Spoto amazing book"the Dark side of Genius" suggests that Scottie resembles the director's obsession for actresses and turn them into blond goddesses.Hitch work out his sexual fantasies on films.This one is particular fascinating and disturbing as all men's mind. 8/10

Manhattan (1979)

better than Annie Hall

[23 April 2002]

The best friend of Isaac(Woody Allen),"Yale" had a lover,a sophisticated Mary(Diane Keaton).Yale introduce her to Isaac. At First they don't like each other ,but they start an affair; Isaac used to have a young lover,Tracy(Mariel Hemingway) and also had `troubles' with his ex wife(Meryl Streep) a lesbian who just release a book that tells everything of their marriage(what a nightmare!!!)

My favorite scene is when Mary and Isaac go out on a sunday walk in Central Park and it starts to rain. The best moment of the film is of course the city of Manhattan and the recurrent places in a Woody Allen film:Museums;book shops; restaurants etc especially when we only hear"Jazz music" not dialogues.

Another great scene is when we see Allen lying on the couch and recommends a list of beloved things like Groucho Marx; Louis Armstrong "Potato head blues ";Flaubert"Sentimental Education";Cezanne paintings;Brando; or Sinatra. I've never been in Manhattan(insn't that sad?)but with the marvelous cinematography of Gordon Willis it seems that I already know all this places!.

( Little spoiler) I also loved the last scene where Isaac and Tracy(before her trip to London) and Isaac says to her `Dont be so mature!'.Six months it's not to long anyway.

The Conformist (1970)

Shadows are not Visions but Realities

[23 April 2002]

I realized that three of my favorite films got something in common. Their protagonists dressed impeccable suits and wear hats too:J.J. Gittes in Chinatown(1974);Marcello in 8 ½(1962);and Marcello Clerici in Il Conformista(1971) also this actors seem to be in a kind of crossroad or in an emotional conflict , in appearance they look impassible.

Our man,Clerici( played masterly by J.L. Trintignant) is an elegant,attractive man.He is serious and reflexive.He wants to know the significance of normal/normality.He asked to his best friend,Italo(who is also gay and blind) Who is a normal man? "a normal man is one who turns his head to see a beautiful woman's bottom. The point is not just to turn your head. There are five or six reasons. And he is glad to find people who are like him, his equals. That's why he likes crowded beaches, football, the bar downtown-" Maybe we can find `normality' in disappointment or boredom.

Our man,the conflicted Marcello carries inside him a terrible guilt.Something he experienced during his childhood,a trauma always present in his mind(the audience are aware of this through flashbacks) Being an adult and Fascist in the tumultuous Europe of the 30s,Marcello has A STRANGE MISSION:To visit (in Paris) his former university professor, Quadry(who is an anti- fascist) and to be part of his murder/complot, but, is he capable to do that?.Besides this,Marcello has a relationship with two opposite woman;his child/woman wife,Giulia(Stefania Sandrelli)and Quadry's wife,Anna(Dominique Sanda,what a presence!)He feel in love with this sophisticated intimidating blond,"I'm hostile because I'm sincere"! Anna says to Marcello and she's right. I was impressed during the scene in that French forest covered with snow.Especially when the woman (she is outside) shout at Marcello(He is inside the car) through the car's window. He staring at her in shock. Then the persecution into the forest.Chilling!.

Vittorio Storaro Cinematography is superb.An example? Notice when Marcello enters the palace to see the Ministry.He walks up the stairs and his shadow's projection on the floor diminish.Or when Marcello is at Quadry office he argues Plato's Myth of the Cave,he closed one of the two windows,the room is half dark shadows on the wall appear but Quadry re-open the window and Marcello's shadow disappears almost as a ghost or illusion.

Note:Being an Actress should be as difficult as being an Astronaut.In this time anybody is a movie star.This film presents a example of how a true Actress should act or move:Dominique Sanda was not like today Movie Actresses(She had personality and sexuality at the same time) and we'll never see someone like her for a long time.

Vertigo (1958)

Afraid of brunet

[8/10 · 23 April 2002]

James Stewart is Scottie, a serious detective who's scared of heights but not afraid to follow a client's blond wife Madeleine(Kim Novak) drowning.

The film will surprise us with a more twisted subject: Madeleine is out of the picture,Scottie is devastated but he sees a woman,Judy(a brunet around San Francisco.Scottie and the audience only focused on poor Madeleine,we notice that he only speaks to her after he saves her from Novak again) Who resembles the dead female.Our poor detective is so obsess by her that he even makes her over as Madeleine.There's a plot a little unrealistic(a murder plan)and some question… in the open scene of Vertigo we see Scottie left hanging by the fingers in a roof.How he get down from that?.In the next scene we only see him using a cane?.

Vertigo works because Scottie is profound and complex it deals with obsession;manipulation; fear and most of all "guilty".This fellow Scottie ia a tortured man.Maybe Madeleine represents "an ideal woman" as all Hitchcock blonde actresses: Madeleine Carrol;Joan Fontaine;Marlene Dietrich;Doris Day; Tippi Heddren and Hitch's Favorite "Grace Kelly".

Donald Spoto amazing book"the Dark side of Genius" suggests that Scottie resembles the director's obsession for actresses and turn them into blond goddesses.Hitch work out his sexual fantasies on films.This one is particular fascinating and disturbing as all men's mind. 8/10

It Happened One Night (1934)

A runaway Bride

[16 April 2002]

In this memorable comedy `Clark Gable' proves once again tha t he was the king of comedy.His macho attitude was perfect for the role but at the same time in some scenes he shows his true self(gentlemanly; kindness) of course my beloved scene is the Hitchhike,Claudette Colbert legs are just irresistible for any road driver.Another scene that is so great is when Claudette and Clark pretending to be a marry couple and then we see both eating breakfast in silence and gentle with each other.

I'm not an admirer of Frank Capra movies,but this one is a real gem,maybe because the actors were so talented for comedies.I dont know but it really works.Clever dialogues some memorable scenes . `It happened one night' Is one of the greatest 30s comedies.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

John Miller has no personality?

[5/10 · 15 April 2002]

The American people think that SPR is an excellent film but the real European who are more educated than you guys, are right in saying that this `war film' is mediocre.The best war films are from renegade 'real artists', Filmmakers(not like Spiel- who?) like FF Coppola(Apocalypse Now) or Terence Malick. If you feel `superior' because you live in The United States you should see`We Were Soldiers' it portraits `how brave' the American soldiers were.I bet you will cry!!!. 5/10

Schindler's List (1993)

Why can't we see good German people?

[8 April 2002]

I dont know but I just can't call `Schindler's list' a Masterpiece.To me is more like a Documentary for Jews. I can't wait to see the film `The Pianist' based on the wonderful and - more close to reality – book by the Polish Pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman(an Holocaust surviver) , Szpilman also recounted the deplorable actions Jews and Poles were driven to in order to survive. "Szpilman was objective, not sentimental "He showed Poles who were good and those who were wicked, Jews good and wicked, Germans good and wicked.Maybe this one will be a Masterpiece.