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JohnH9
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Shirkers (2018)
An uninteresting women makes an uninteresting movie which fortunately disappears.
An uninteresting person makes an uninteresting movie. Fortunately, the film disappears due to the bad evil director. This allows her to fantasize that it was really a great film and then to make an uninteresting documentary about it. Extremely boring film with nothing of interest. Less than a waste of time, a dull grind made to allow the failed filmaker to indulge herself at the audiences expense.
Pickup on South Street (1953)
Great story, strong acting, Unexpected Gem of Film Noir genre.
Pickup on South Street will keep you watching. The story moves along well and the performances match the script. It's a tightly spun yarn involving theft, foreign intrigue, police work and relationships. Every actor did a great job however "Moe" Thelma Ritter is a real standout and gives a very moving dialogue later in the film. Beautiful actress Joan Peters plays her role believably and very well and even seems in one scene, to take a very realistic beating. The film pulls no punches, and doesn't hesitate to present viewers with the seedy side of life as well as giving believable motivations to all involved. Watch it, but be prepared to not leave your seat until it's over, it will hold you.
Trafalgar (2007)
Nice Documentary using enhanced animation coupled with human actors
A historically accurate and engaging documentary.This film uses a combination of realistic animation along with human characters. Key points are illuminated via commentary by historians. The film is always engaging, clear, and quite enjoyable to experience.
Trafalgar was a major naval engagement in the age of sail, between the alliance of French and Spanish sea power against British sea power. France at that time commanded an unequaled continental army under the command of military genius Napoleon Bonaparte, while the British navy was considered the supreme force on the worlds seas. British Admiral Nelson gained legendary status due to his participation in this battle. Some small artistic license is taken by allowing the main narrator / protagonist to be the French Sea Captain Pierre-Charles Villeneuve. I suppose some historians may thus feel that some parts of the film are biased towards Villenueve, due to the sympathetic treatment of his positions and giving his imagined viewpoint. Regardless, the film accurately tells the history of the battle, including related prior histories of previous experience between major players in this naval war. I found it always engaging, while learning a great amount of information. If you enjoy learning about the age of these great battles in the age of sail,Trafalgar is worth watching.
Line of Sight (2012)
Raw, street level record of Alley Cat Races worldwide
This film has minimal narration and is edited to give the viewer the look and feel of actual Alley Cat races. The film spans the world and many cultures and styles of Alley Cats. The film should probably be preserved as a historic record, such film is rare. Clearly the cinematographer took great risks in following high speed reckless riders though busy city streets, sometimes against traffic and at night. My opinion of courier racers is that they are clearly some of the best riders anywhere in the world, however they are also a menace with a complete disregard for any others on the streets. I would have liked to see a more complete video including names, some insights as to the people and places, but that is not what the director intended. I felt the music did not enhance but sometimes distracted, but with virtually no dialogue, you can turn it down and play whatever you like while viewing. If you want an inside view of the dynamics and action of an Alley Cat race, this is probably as complete and well done as it gets. If, however, you want a deeper perspective on the lifestyle behind the race, this is empty and devoid of that. However, for what it is, it is profound, interesting, energetic, and transfixing.
The Alley Cat (2014)
Choices and consequences, living in the fringe Bike Courier culture
A lone bicyclist pedals in slow motion, light reflections glisten off rotating spokes, as beside the rider, city lights reflect off shop windows, themselves reflected off shop windows. The first thing you notice is the profound filming technique. The Alley Cat is illuminated with artistic precision, using insightful application of light, shadows, and color, the scenes are inviting, sometimes enchanting, and the city is vibrant. Bicycling has never looked so good. The opening riding scene is intermixed with a brief emotional and engaging discussion between two woman. We don't yet realize that the films protagonist, Jasper, is being introduced and partially defined in this brief prelude.
Next we see Jasper, a Chicago bicycle courier intently riding, this is not only a statement of her job, but also of her culture. Bike Couriers have become a fringe culture, centered around people who love and excel at bicycling. It is young, dangerous, low pay and physically demanding. Couriers closely bond via shared experiences, dangers, honed skills, and shared physical activity, much like a sports team, or military unit.
The film primarily occurs in two halves, the race-and the post race ride, both largely, and masterfully defined via bicycling. The film name derives from a bike race created by couriers, racing through city streets to check points. The race serves as a backdrop for presenting Jasper's choices and the rigid dilemma created by them. Events during the Alley Cat race will play a vital role in triggering the second half of the film - post race. As Jasper rides, we 'hear' her narrating her thoughts. Ullrich brilliantly captures the introspective nature of bicycling here, allowing generous time to filming the act of riding. Her choice of actress, Jenny Strubin, makes a perfect fit. Strubin has a compelling screen presence, is intense, often serious, and contemplative. Strubins role is often essentially that of a silent actress, conveying her emotions via expression, here she excels at the difficult task.
Between the race and post-race segment, we experience significant changes in illumination. During the race, when all is bright and glittery, and post-race, darkness prevails. Following the Alley Cat race, Jasper's face is almost consistently shrouded half in darkness.
While Jasper presents a sympathetic character, she is not without fault, we see that she is suffering in her dilemma. Yet while she is the victim of her circumstances, she is also the author of them. Jasper struggles with hard emotional issues. Yet she cannot fully recognize her own flaws, so she relives them ride after ride, never seeing the full truth that is spoken to her.
With all it's ramifications, Jasper has unintentionally become the resolute and complete cyclist. Her existence, her very DNA resounds with riding, human interaction has become secondary. Time and again, she makes excuses in order to avoid people in favor of riding. She routinely neglects meaningful contact even those she would most wish to bond with.
The story is brilliant in it's logic and understanding of human nature, of the exuberance of riding, human frailty, of human interaction and self actualization.
But there are some story flaws, a side plot of a race-cheater is hinted at,yet never brought to fruition. Other than Jasper, most characters are thinly defined, some, almost literally, are props in a race. Jasper's lone post-race ride treads finely between the intended drama and a caricature of a dystopian 'Wizard of Oz'-like journey, with a series of strange, yet unpleasant, encounters along the way. Of course that is not to say there are filming flaws. I don't like to mention budget as a factor in film quality, but this film clearly transcends budget significantly. This is not 'four people in a room talking' or a 'monologue in a car' as so many lower budget films are. This has a large rich cast, vast amounts of movement in a wide ranging area. It is a full road movie, and no budget could improve the filming. That said, it certainly would be interesting to see what Ullrich could do with a multi-million dollar film fund.
All in all, Marie Ullrich's 'The Alley Cat' is spectacular, animate, living art, she has done an amazing job of portraying the feel and introspective nature of bicycling, she's created a character who will haunt the imagination long after watching and re-watching the film. Jasper becomes one of those iconic figures, like Mad Max, Solomon Kane, Hyakkimaru, who run on endlessly to fight their monsters.
Under the Skin (2013)
A painfully slow submergence into the dark pool of tedious boredom
The irritating noise in the beginning leading to a non-event non- surprise, is a good summary of the entire film. Jonathan Glazer's direction comes across like one of those people who try too hard to appear deep but are merely annoying. Heavy on atmosphere, but lacking substantially in story, the film abandons a decent book and meanders without purpose. The story itself has logic flaws. First the lovely Scarlett Johansson seems to have a purpose of driving about trying to select men who have no attachments. With her sexy looks she gets these single unattached men into her van and drives them, ultimately, to their doom. However, we later see Johansson select a family man with a wife and a clearly dependent infant child? At her odd house, she lures these men using her well proportioned body doing a strip tease while asked they follow her. This causes them to walk into a dark black- oil looking liquid and sink and soon be dissipated in the murky liquid. We are given no reason for this, although is seems the body materials may be being put to some use after this processing. While the book made clear that these unfortunate men served as food for aliens, the film chooses to be more artsy, for the sake of being artsy, and give no meaning or explanation. And so Glazer sacrifices any relevance for the sake of atmosphere and the desire to fancy himself the new Kubrick, which he is not, nor is he even a worthy apprentice. Avoid this tripe, it is overrated, the film offers nothing other than a glance at Scarlet Johansson in the flesh, without which it would have no redeeming values.
Stretch (2014)
Fast paced, absorbing, Intelligent
I couldn't stop watching this film. From the opening, which wastes no time engaging with action and intrigue, to the very ending, never a dull moment. Stretch also has fun philosophical undertones. The film manages to poke fun at the wealthy upper-class with a steady barrage of the wealthy, to paraphrase Great Gatsby "conducting themselves according to the rules of behavior associated with an amusement park". Chris Pine's uncredited Karos is an extreme example of wealthy overindulgence and decadence combining Howard Hughes with Charles Manson. Somehow Pine manages to create an oddly likable character and one which commands attention in every appearance. I gained even more admiration at Pines acting ability seeing his Karos than I had with his excellent Captain Kirk. Patrick Wilson projects an entirely sympathetic and engaging persona. His damaged-goods character on a quest to find redemption makes the film. This is a role - actor combination that is hard to match. Wilson is nothing less than perfect, his every expression is engaging. Jessica Alba's supporting role is a strong credit to her ability and screen presence. Helms also delivers with his trademark sarcasm. Cameo's by Hasselhoff and Liotta add 'icing on the cake' to this fun film. Be sure to listen to Hasselhoffs dialog! You'll want to see it again and again. And Liottas' "show about a talking car" grimace is classic. All in all a fun ride of a show, I'll easily call it a 10 out of 10. A real winner that makes me want to see more of Carnahan's direction and writing.