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Raging Bull (1980)
all in one
A work with every aspect so specifically planned that it all seems so smooth and flowing. The editing during the fight scenes are like no other, the long camera shots of domestic life are quaint yet tense, the performances both comical and incredible. A film such as this is the perfect combination of collaborative effort between director, editor, actors, and writers. The mounting dramas are countered with the simplicity of charming dialogue. The strong performances are countered with the throbbing music and dancing edits. One feels both anger and sympathy, along a path to redemptive glory, as we follow and submit to images and a touching story of a man fighting for relevance and dignity.
Stromboli (Terra di Dio) (1950)
a sincere work
I wanted to take the time to write of this work by my grandparents Rossellini and Bergman, as it has always been a film of both great emotion and confusion for me personally. If anything, there is much to be said for my grandmother moving from Hollywood to a deserted volcanic island with meager means and low production capacity. This speaks to her love not only of my grandfather's work, but also to her sense of adventure and courage, looking for new ways to express herself as an actress. When it comes to my grandfather, this is his most impulsive directorial work. He was in a both stressful and joyous time in his life and i can only imagine the feelings of both anguish and happiness that he felt. All of these swirls and jests of emotion are apparent, they are as evident as the very powerful setting itself. Though the film is certainly not perfect, and at times even slow and overtly dramatic, it is nonetheless sincere and beautiful. It is a work of love made by two people in love.
Ossessione (1943)
A truly innovative
With such an encompassing and honest director at the helm, the film set off an entire new manner and means of production. A true harbinger and testament to the effectiveness of simplicity and sensitivity, a story of love and sadness, turns towards a larger question of dynamics and relations. Amidst the barren and dismal plains of a seemingly forgotten place, two people find each other and fight to hold onto each other. Effective camera work, true performances, contrast the works of the time, playing the power of down and stripping all lavish and outlandish methods of editing to focus on the language of blunt and direct shooting. He was ahead of all the others, and after this film, no other film would be made the same way. If anything, modern cinema is captured in this very work, even before the conclusion of an ongoing war that would further set off great changes. An historic piece in itself, aside from an invigorating and enticing story.
Barry Lyndon (1975)
A true adventure
A visual glory of time and movement as we cross settings, nations, villas, wars, and paths along with a man searching for himself in a distinctly modernizing world, all the while holding back to past traditions. Our protagonist is courageous, yet spiteful, frank, yet subtle, a character of his times trapped between borders cut across revolution, languages, and traits. Not only is this one of the most beautifully shot films of all time, the colors, the simplicity of movements, but it is also one of the most entertaining, a true adventure. A masterful director, cast in order. If anything, the a story of a lost person's searching, in order to not only survive, but thrive, is distinctly powerful. A painting in itself, the colors, technique are held in time as if not knowing when it was even possibly shot. A wonderful soundtrack that ensues and inspires.