Christophe Chohin Reviews

Undercurrent (1946)

Quite a cliché of a film noir

[2 April 2003]

Nothing new in this movie. The direction is good, the actors are tremendous but it is so predictable, so long that you wait only for one thing : the end. Too much talk, nonsense talk, not enough simplicity. Quite a shame with such a great director and a wonderful distribution. There are so many stronger films noirs !

Maimil (2001)

Interesting kirghiz movie

[7/10 · 26 January 2002]

Maimal is the story of a young Kirghiz who has to go to the army. But before, he would like to have his first sexual experience. The problem is that he looks like a monkey and is shy because of this. Sounds dull ? Maybe if it was an American movie. It would be something like American Pie. But in Kirghiztan, it leads to a touching fable about young Kirghizs. And it's a good way to talk about the problems of this former USSR Republic : alcohol, poverty and so on. Let's say this movie is clever, well acted, well directed and an interesting experience for every movie lovers. Ever seen a kirghiz movie ? Try this one.

Five Graves to Cairo (1943)

A nice propaganda movie

[8/10 · 3 January 2002]

Shot in 1943, this movie gives you what you deserve : some sort of propaganda. But at that time, how many movies could afford to be so unrespectful ? Even if the allies are good and the axis forces evil, they are not depicted as a cliché. For example, Rommel, who was certainly the only "healthy" German general, is full of spirit, always has a good word and is well educated. Erich von Stroheim gives a nice shape to this character. In the meantime, Mouche, the little French maid, is tortured between Pétain and the image of allies. She remembers that "French soldiers were left behind by English ones in Dunkerque and captured or killed". What a stupifying sentence in 1943. But Billy Wilder is cunny enough to say what he had to say owing to his humour. And the screenplay is so clever that for anybody interested in the period (and even if you're not), this movie is worth seeing.

"We shall take that big fat cigar out of Mr. Churchill's mouth and make him say Heil." Erwin Rommel in Five graves to Cairo !

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Please, it is not the best film in cinema's history !

[6/10 · 22 December 2001]

The Lord of the rings is number one in the top 250 of imdb. How is it possible ? The Tolkien lobby has voted blindly ? Of course, it is not a bad movie. I would even say it is a very good first part. But I would not be astonished if the second one and the third one are better. This "Fellowship of the ring" is the set up of the serial. We discover the characters, their personalities and doubts. What The Phantom Menace did not do. But there are a few lacks like some SFX which are truly dreadful (the cavetroll looks like Shrek which is not very realistic). The story is well adapted and you never fell that it lasts 2h45. But please, it is not because of Tolkien and a few battles that this movies deserves 9.6/10. What about The Two towers for example ? 11.7/10 ? Please have some consideration for other directors who have made the masterpieces of movies' history (Citizen Kane, 2001, The Barefoot contessa, Apocalypse Now). PLEASE.

Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)

A sad attempt of American like advertising

[6/10 · 2 February 2001]

Christophe Gans is like the child who uses for the first time a camera : he tries everything, does not look for any sense. This movie is a succession of nice scenes that have nothing to do with the plot. You can see the movie as a dilmena between new and old world. Fronsac went to America and brought back with him the freedom of big spaces while in France, old traditions are embodied by the Gavaudan's beast. No matter the way Gans depicts the XVIIIth century, the movie lacks of homogeneity. There are spaghetti western like pictures, Hong Kongese clichees and so on. One good point is the cast with a lot of worth knowing actors. The other is the reflection between the Lumières era and the Revolution to come. But inbetween, a lot of nothing in a beautiful box.

Yi Yi (2000)

Loving and dying in Taïpei

[9/10 · 13 October 2000]

Taking place in Taïpei, this movie tackles the issue of the birth, life and death of the love feeling. From childhood to the grave, the director Edward Yang follows all the emotional steps. Innocence, doubt and finally wisdom are the key words of this movie. Filmed through reflections, mirrors and windows, it shows with subtlty the private life of its characters. It also deserves the "Prix de la mise en scène" it received> this year in Cannes. Watching all these destinies in front of> our eyes is a pure three hours long pleasure. Asia is definitly the place to follow at the present time for good and original films (Suzhou River, In the mood for love...)

Saint-Cyr (2000)

A good and disturbing historical film

[8/10 · 19 May 2000]

It is inspired by the life of Madame de Maintenon who created with the help of Louis XIV a school for young girls. This could seem dreadful and it is not. This movie is something inbetween Full Metal Jacket (First part) and Barry Lyndon (Second part). It is more than the story of young girls. It deals with religion, the duality of (wo)man. It is beautiful and savage and the actresses are great (ever heard of Isabelle Huppert ?). Hope you can watch it in French because the language is perfect. Definitely worth looking. I just hope this movie will be screened all other the world. Maybe a palme in Cannes will help but I do not think Mr Besson will like that sort of movie ;-)

Rio Bravo (1959)

A great film about waiting

[28 January 2000]

When people talk about this movie they say that it is a great western. Of course but if you think twice this movie has nothing to do with westerns. Where are the fights or even the Indians ? Yes, there is a Sherif, there is the good and the evil but are you sure the Sherif is really good ? Also this movie is about waiting, maybe the greatest film about waiting. Nothing happens. The bads wait for an opportunity, the goods wait for the bads. The music is still playing. The prisoner waits for what the others are waiting on both sides. That is what is so fascinating in Hawk's movie : spectators wait with actors. They do not get borred because they know something's gonna happen. But it never happens... until the very last scene. And finally, you have waited, listening to the wonderful Dickinson's voice, seeing an alcoholic trying to escape from his condition and an old sherif falling in love. Waiting, waintin, wainting...