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Maigret (1992)
sly, smart, urbane, and fun
Reat mystery series set in Paris before the guillotine was reitred. It's compelling fun to see Maigret slice through the layers of lies he's told to nail the villain. The theme music is fabulous and it sets the mood. You really feel. As if you were back in '50s Paris.
This has a Colomboesque feel; the interest is in seeing how he garners the evidence to obtain the conviction.
I have seen two of these and am will binge the rest. I lok forward to seeing him mount oleaginous malefactors on the skewer of evidence and send them to the guillotine for their misdeeds.
Regrettably, not nearly enough of these were made.
Lincoln (2012)
brilliant
This movie makes Abraham Lincoln the imperfect yet magnificent man, come right out of the screen at you. The lead is portrayed with sincerity and to great effect and is entirely in- character. This is entirely what I imagined Lincoln to be: at times affable, keenly focused, and at once erudite and folksy. This character, in all of his dimensions, even the tragic ones, is played expertly.
Sally Field gives a command performance as Mary Todd Lincoln. It is nothing shy of magnificent. She is to be applauded for this fine effort.
The production values are tremendous. John William's music is unobtrusive but highly atmospheric. The cinematography fully conveys the 'world lit by fire' atmosphere of the mid 19th century.
The creators of this movie are smart enough to focus on the events leading up to the 13th amendment. This was an epic process and the scope of the film is correct.
It is likely this will be seen as a definitive depiction of Lincoln.
Inception (2010)
Phew, a summer film appealing to those with an IQ higher than 3!
This is not your typical summer film: it demands you pay careful attention to a fairly complex but quite intriguing plot. It has managed to steer clear of such banality as love interests that are grafted hamhandedly and gratuitously onto a plot.
This has all of the makings of a great science fiction classic. I am surprised it was made: Hollywood demands "dumb;" said demand has gone a long way toward turning off this film fan to the ever-burgeoning crop of new movies that bristle with banality. I am pleased and amazed to see a movie such as this appear in the filmic desert of high summer.
When you go to see this, pay close attention to get the full nuances of an intriguing story. Expect originality. Enjoy some fight and chase scenes that are adrenaline-filled and fun. This movie represents a fine effort in many ways. It will engage your intellect as well as your emotions.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
Ugh
This was just plain tripe. Moonraker is the next weakest Bond movie (and it's indeed awful), but the celluloid this was printed on was wasted.
I am a Bond aficionado with a large tolerance for silliness, but this thing was over the top. Lazenby's performance was lame, stupid and unconvincing. He seemed to have a cocky contempt for the whole enterprise; hence, his performance that seemed to have mailed in via some jerkwater post office. He just didn't give a damn about the role. This movie was a bomb.
Blucch. Save your money and spare your Netflix queue this indignity.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Meeeeee--yow. Delicious!
Whilst this is not a Shakespearean drama with infinite gravitas, it sure is a hell of a lot of fun. Meryl Streep plays Miranda believably without going over the top (tho Miranda is over the top!). Her performance, in a word, is impressive.
Andy Sachs plays the role of the wide-eyed Midwestern girl but the character is anything but stupid, naive and incompetent. She shows herself to be a little tiger, surmounting the obstacles heaved at her by the often unreasonable Miranda. She plays the role in a way that is engaging and sympathetic. Anyone who has had a career in a highly competitive business immediately understands the predicaments faced by Andy.
The characters in Andy's milieu all serve important roles; they come across as sincere and believable. If you appreciate the fare of Larry McMurtry that often features strong, resourceful women, you will also appreciate this flick. Go see it.
Laura (1944)
a tour d'force
Laura represents one of the finest efforts ever in the movies. It is a classic film that is at the pinnacle of the genre. Everything is done to absolute perfection.
It is the razor-sharp dialogue that makes this picture sparkle. The three men who pursue her are an explosive combination; their interactions are filled with rapier wit and erudite disdain. Their contempt for one another is palpable but properly and credibly restrained.
We do not need to mention that Gene Tierney is lusciously beautiful. The dark atmosphere given the film by Preminger and the tight sequencing of events maintain your keen attention throughout.
I have seen this movie several times. It does not pale or flag in successive viewings.