J'Ennui Reviews

Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Microphones in shots? Blame the projectionist!

[6/10 · 28 November 2007]

As someone who works on movie and TV productions, on the set, often in the sound department, I can safely say that the reason "montre-1" saw mics in so many shots was due to the projectionist. He or she failed to position the film correctly, so that the frame was matted properly. During production, there is a "safe" zone outside the intended frame, and it acts as a buffer of sorts, or a warning zone for the camera operator. He or she can see if a microphone (or lights, or other crew people, etc.) is close to the "real" frame.

The fact that you saw mics in the shots of the trailers shown before the movie further illustrates how the projectionist was not doing his/her job properly. Believe me, this is how films have been made and shown for a very long time, so don't blame the technicians.

A Cold Night's Death (1973 TV Movie)

Creepy and, yes, chilling.

[8/10 · 19 January 2006]

I, too, saw this on my L.A. ABC station as "A Cold Night's Death", when I was a teenager. I was really caught up in it -- the tension, the atmosphere, the mystery. And the ending was great, at least at that time. All of this was attributable to several factors, including the writing, directing, acting, sets, and sound effects. I wonder how I'd react if I saw if for the first time now?

By chance, I worked with the director, Jerrold Freedman, many years later. At one point during that harried shoot, I managed to tell him how much of an impression this movie had made on me. Obviously so, since his name stuck in my head over the decades between.

Here's another person strongly urging the release of this obscure gem on DVD, perhaps now, while it's still winter!

Cutter's Way (1981)

One of the Best Movies of the '80s & Beyond

[10/10 · 3 June 2003]

When I first saw this movie, during its initial release, I was stunned at how powerful and moving it was. Every aspect of it is outstanding, and the score is one of the most haunting, evocative musical works ever done in cinema history. It was composed by the late, great Jack Nitzsche (who worked with a lot of Vietnam era rock'n'roll's best). I took a friend to see it a second time, but he wasn't taken with it. Our friendship didn't last, by the way...

I've often thought back on it over the years, and have mentioned it to numerous people, most of whom haven't seen it, or don't even recognize the title. I saw Lisa Eichhorn on a recent episode of "Law and Order: CI" (she's apparently done a lot of L&O's), and I instantly flashed-back to "Cutter's Way". As others here have written, she gave a phenomenal performance in this film, as did John Heard and Jeff Bridges.

Although I never read the novel it was based on, and can't find it (it's out of print), it's probably just as well. This may be one of those very rare instances where a novel might be a disappointment in comparison to the movie version.

I plan to buy the DVD of this movie ASAP, whether or not it has any "extras".

Dancing at the Blue Iguana (2000)

Bittersweet and Melancholic

[8/10 · 16 March 2002]

This movie is an outstanding example of "method" filmmaking -- in EVERY aspect: not only the actors, but the director, writers (which include the actors), and the crew all worked in this style, playing on instinct, on their gut reactions.

The performances are varied and uniformly excellent. The characters are intriguing and sometimes funny, though mostly sad. The actors all came up with their characters, did a lot of research and improvising, and the director supervised it all and brought it together (rather like a Mike Leigh film). The camera work is fine, as well, along with the sound, which incorporates a lot of overlapping dialog (rather like an Altman film).

Rent the DVD if you can and watch the documentary by Darryl Hannah, and listen to the TWO commentary tracks by some of the actors and by the director. It's all fascinating.

Cabaret Balkan (1998)

A heart- & soul-rending film...

[10/10 · 13 July 2001]

Having seen the play this film was based upon twice, I was surprised at how deeply affected I was by the movie. The actors, the writing, the direction, and the technical aspects are all top-notch.

There are several changes from the play, including some scenes and characters, but the overall writing and tone are very similar. One scene in particular which was changed was the train encounter between the drunk boxer and the young war widow. This scene's resolution was tragic and compassionate in a twisted way. It made me break down crying.

The movie is bleak, it's vicious, it's harsh, but it's so powerful and engrossing that you can't stop watching it -- like someone passing a wreck who can't keep their eyes off the man-made catastrophe. Only in this case, the spectacle is passing before the viewer, who remains stationary, transfixed, emotionally caught and bound.