Tuesday, December 04, 2012

November Film Highlights

Read das 50 word blog.

Argo (2012) Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Victor Garber. Dir: Ben Affleck.

Argo 50 Word Film Review
To rescue diplomats trapped in Iran, a CIA man pretends to be Hollywood film maker. Strikes a not entirely easy balance between serious factual drama and the tropes of Hollywood heist capers. Fortunately, Affleck pulls it off with great suspense. If the comedy seems misplaced, it grips when it counts.

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Berberian Sound Studio (2012) Toby Jones, Cosimo Fusco, Antonio Mancino, Fatma Mohamed. Dir: Peter Strickland.

Berberian Sound Studio 50 Word Film Review

A meek Englishman’s tasked with creating a soundtrack for a blood-drenched giallo horror. One of 2012’s best-kept secrets; a film about how cinema works. Through the power of suggestion a hacked cabbage or twisted root becomes an act of violence, which the brilliant Jones becomes complicit in committing. Ingeniously good.

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Bedazzled (1967) Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Eleanor Bron, Raquel Welch. Dir: Stanley Donen.

Bedazzled 50 Word Film Review

A love-sick burger chef sells his soul to the devil in exchange for seven wishes. Pete and Dud’s improvised drawn-out style isn’t ideally matched to movies, and this could’ve benefited from some trimming. That said, there are many dazzling sequences, it’s funny throughout, and Donen makes a worth contribution.

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Rope (1948) James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger, Joan Chandler, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Constance Collier. Dir: Alfred Hitchcock.

Rope 50 Word Film Review

Two men murder a friend for the thrill, then hold a party with his body in the room. Hitchcock’s real-time thriller doesn’t quite convince; it’s hard to believe straight-arrow Steward – who has his moments - could’ve inspired the Nietzschen philosophy the killers follow. Involving nevertheless; script’s witty and cast strong.

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Mighty Joe Young (1949) Terry Moore, Ben Johnson, Robert Armstrong, Frank McHugh, Douglas Fowley. Dir: Ernest B. Schoedsack.

Mighty Joe Young 50 Word Film Review

A girl and her pet gorilla are discovered by a showman and brought to Hollywood. Team behind Kong reunite in this retelling (part send-up) where ape becomes the hero and decadent city-folk get chance to redeem themselves. Animated effects and trick shots are remarkably good, though climax is crazily left-field.

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Godzilla (1954) Akira Takarada, Momoko Kochi, Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura. Dir: Ishiro Honda.
 
Godzilla 50 Word Film Review

Nuclear tests awaken a prehistoric monster that causes carnage across Japan. The original monster movie is surprisingly grim, focusing as much on resulting suffering and death that result from the explosive chaos. Characters a bit rubbish, but otherwise carried off with charisma and skill, surprisingly moody in its look.

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