Duchamp, Marcel Movie Reviews

Ignore the ridiculous review that Amazon decided to head up this entry -- what a fatuous lot of garbage. Try watching some of the Duke's films and you'll see in most of them a respect for Native American culture that's surprising -- especially if you've been brainwashed into thinking that every Western Hollywood ever made was racist towards Indians. As for Jameson's description of "macho gun play", don't worry -- we don't "fret" about it. We like it. That's why we watch these movies. That "macho gun play" helped settle whatever land you're sitting on right now, Jameson. Try and remember that. Great movie from the Duke!

This is one of the more 'fun' films of John Wayne (along with Mclintock). Wayne plays Sam McCord, a prospector who struck it rich in Alaska. His partner sends him to Seattle to fetch his fiancee, but Sam finds her married and instead goes looking for another French woman (the other woman was French, and Sam apparently thinks all French women are alike). He finds one, Angel, and takes her to Alaska, but both of them fall in love with the other on the trip back. The result is a hilarious fiasco of love and hate, with Sam playing the stereotypical stubborn, hardheaded man.

This movie is a lot of fun. There are the typical barroom brawls (as well as a fight on the street), and also a shootout just for good measure. This is John Wayne through and through, but there is a strong comic element as well. North to Alaska is definitely worth the time, both for fans of John Wayne and for anyone who enjoys a good, lighthearted western comedy.

Partners (John Wayne, Stewart Granger, and Fabiano Anthony Forte) who share an interest in a gold mine near Nome Alaska must fend off all sorts of claim jumpers and worse. In the middle of the struggle we realize the definite lack of available women. Due to the riggers of protecting the mine Stewart Granger (George) asks John Wayne (Sam) to retrieve his intended from Seattle.
John Wayne intends to fulfill the contract but finds a small hitch. The intended is already married. However everyone knows that one Frenchie is like another and if you can replace a departed pet then why not a departed ... well you get the idea.
On his return things get a little more complicated. Who are the good people and who is the bad? So watch the movie and see who gets the mine and who if anyone gets the girl.

Marcel Ophuls explores the subject of Klaus Barbie and how he was able to escape justice for 40 years. Barbie was aided by many factors and factions, among them the Intelligence apparatus of the US itself.

Ophuls is best known for two reasons, one being the butt of a famous Woody Allen line, and the other for his father, the director Max Ophuls. He is a first rate documentarian and commentator in his own right, and it is best evidenced here.

He tells this story in an original fashion, a well organized fashion. While his appearance may at times appear to be comic his questions are well placed, and the answers he gets while sometimes offensive and absurd, are real, there is no spin.

His central theme may be that justice was only served when it served those in power, namely the Reagan administration and French President Francois Mitterand. The Cold War made strange bedfellows, and French confusion over the Vichy Regime and the Holocaust clouded the journey to bring Klaus Barbie to justice. Ophuls shows all of that, a myriad of people who all thought they were doing the right thing, Germans, French, Americans, and South Americans.

This movie does run over four hours, but I feel almost anyone will be fascinated by the subject and more so the people which run the gambit from heroes to rogues. You may be offended and shocked at times, you will also find humor, and most of all that people will say anything. This movie will also leave you with many questions, Ophuls answers many, but his movie leaves many more, not his failing but a tribute to his work, so in the end Woody Allen was wrong about Ophuls in general.

Several decades ago, Edward R. Murrow did a withering documentary on Senator McCarthy. He did this by pointing a camera at McCarthy and having him hang himself with his own words. That is what happens repeatedly in this documentary - former US intelligence agents, former nazis, South American businessmen, petty bureaucrats all tell their story and condemn themselves and the bodies they are or were associated with. This is a great, great movie.

This documentary, by Marcel Ophuls, is about Klaus Barbie who was known as the "Nazi Butcher of Lyons". Barbie was the Gestapo chief responsible for the death of most of Lyons' population, including women and children, during the Nazi occupation of France. After WW II, he cooperated with American intelligence agents, who helped him settle in Bolivia in 1951. Barbie was extradited to France and put on trial in 1987, where he received a sentence of life in prison. You will not find the normal usual footage showing atrocities. Instead he uses his interview skills with those who knew Barbie. This documentary is about 4 1/2 hours, and you will not want to take a break.

There are not many filmed biographies dedicated to the Music master of all times, the latest being "Beethoven in Love" (which is Hollywoodiana at its worst).
In Abel Gance's version, "Un Grand Amour de Beethoven", not only do we find some of the best French actors of an Era long gone, but we have a true effort at character study.
Like in the Austrian movie, which nowadays is practically unavailable, called "Eroica", another excellent example of a screen translation of the man's life, "Un Grand Amour..." is a fair attempt at giving us Beethoven, the man, not the lover, not just the composer, but a man in his time.
In this one, somebody may still ask himself if Beethoven's love went to women, to a particular woman, or to a simple and probably more logic choice, to his music.
But there is more. The man's interior struggles are shown.
In a time period in which Revolutionary thinking seemed to permeate society, Beethoven comes through as the German "revolutionary" composer he was.
Beethoven craved for human love like any other human being, but in the end, as a realist as he was, and viewed the handicap he was facing, deafness, he concentrated totally and exclusively to his music.
In this movie, one can see that struggle for love, but instead of being a defeat to Beethoven (as in the above mentioned trashy movie), the man turns it into a triumph over the senses and brings himself, as well as his own music to an apotheosis never since equaled by any other composer.
Abel Gance seems to have understood this and respecting the genius of another master of the artistic trade, delivers a very touching account of the master's life.
The only downside to this effort is the poor technology filmmakers had in those days. At times the sound is dreadful and some conversations can only be understood by reading the subtitles (mind you, I speak French fluently, but I still could not understand some passages).
The music is hauntingly beautiful, but lacks depth and roundness. Poor Abel Gance, he must have struggled hard to finance this project.
Despite all this, this is, together with "Eroica" (if one can find it), the only true effort made, at bringing the great master back to life.
Being a theatrical director and an actor myself, I am still hoping to be able to, one day, put together some music historians, a dignified cast and crew and start what I always wanted in my childhood: film the entire life of Ludwig van Beethoven, according to his own letter exchange and the biographies of his closest friends and admirers.
Beethoven needs and deserves a faithful reconstruction of his life, told to generations to come.
He was more than just a musical genius. He was a highly controversial historical, philosophical and revolutionary/reactionary figure.
Abel Gance's effort is just a tiny cut in Beethoven's life and by reducing it into a two hour effort, he just partially managed to expose the man behind the composer, turning it naturally, as one would expect from a master such as Gance, into a masterpiece.
And yet, it is still lacking amplitude.
Nevertheless, this movie is a must for every Beethoven fan, if not of master Abel Gance.
Let's hope to find soon a larger and better product than "Bethoveen in love".

THRILL as the great French Director who brought us the epic of "NAPOLEON" brings us the story of the great German composer! SEE Beethoven as not only a romantic artist but a tragic hero! LISTEN to how Gance uses sound in an expressionist film, which uses the visual techniques of the SILENT cinema! READ the English subtitles of this French language film! SEE Harry Baur frown repeatedly as Ludwig Van Beethoven even while composing some of the GREATEST MUSIC the world has ever heard!

I have mixed reactions about Abel Gance's Beethoven. It was a great movie and Harry Baur's portrayal of Beethoven was impeccable, but there was too much use of Beethoven's 5th Symphony as soundtrack music. To Gance, Beethoven seems to equal the 5th Symphony. This is untrue. He wrote a lot of great music that was not used in the film. One of the features of this film that I really liked was that it did not include any vulgar sex scenes that I found in the movie, The Immortal Beloved. But what I consider the ultimate strength of this movie is that it metaphorically shows the composer struggling against the disappointment of hearing that the woman he loves has fallen in love with someone else, coming to terms with his worsening deafness, and struggling against poverty by trying desperately to earn a living through his music. Although most of the scenes are fictional, these scenes are metaphors of his existence as a human being.

This 1959 adaptation of the Greek myth thrilled me.It is quite rare that I am entertained by books turned into movies. Even though the setting (in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil at Carnival)undeniably differs from the original, I truly admire this film.

This was a great film but it was sad. Eurydice is being chased by death (a dude in a death mask but the actual grim reaper) and we never know why. Perhaps Eurydice was supposed to have died and she somehow cheated death but she finds Orpheus while visting her cousin only Orpheus is engaged to Mira, a crazy but beautiful woman who immediately becomes suspicious of Eurydice. This film was made in Rio and the cinematography was wonderful considering how dated this film actually is. Be warned that it's subtitled and that it's a pretty depressing ending.

When I first saw this movie in 74, I was in my early teens.

I was aware of Africa and its many different people, but I had

no idea (besides African Americans) that there were other

people of African decent, and (who looked like me)spoke a

foreign language. I was filled with even more Black Pride!

In the 80's I purchased a VCR. I inquired to a friend as to

whether I could find Black Orpheus on tape, my friend said "all

movies were on tape now." Ever since then I have had several

copys.I've shared my tapes with everyone, most of the time they

were not returned but thats alright because it meant the

person enjoyed it. Many of my friends and co-workers thought

that they would not enjoy a foreign film but were intriqued by

Black Orpheus.

I would like say in closing that for many years I've searched

for info on the cast of this movie, very little has been found.

A couple of days ago I read that Adhemar da Silva (death) had

died in '01. He was not only an actor but an outstanding Olympic

athelete of the 52-56 games. Between both games he won seven gold

medals in the triple jump. Mr.da Silva was also a lawyer.

Why do we always allow good people to go to the wayside before

we give recognition. I would definitely like to known about the

lives of the surviving actors, especially the children whom are

not that much older than I.

PEACE

Well made suspense romance story starring Bogie and Bacall. They are so good together...Also see The Big Sleep. Hawks was a genius.

"To Have And Have Not" is the film credited with launching Lauren Bacall's career. Bogart is a sea captain in Martinique who meets up with a mysterious stranger on a quest across the tropics for adventure. Like most of Warner's adventure films of the period, its not the story, so much as it is the atmosphere that makes up the sum of this film - though in this instance - no less than literary giant, Ernest Hemmingway, is responsible for the framework on which the film's plot is based.

TRANSFER: VERY NICE! - Again, Warner outdoes the competition when it comes to remastering their catalogue of great films for the DVD consumer. The gray scale is outstanding and fine detail is rendered with remarkable clarity. Blacks - for the most part - are black. The stock footage - used during the fishing trip sequence - is obvious, riddled with excessive grain and slightly out of focus rear projection. However, that's to be expected. The rest, as they say, is the stuff that dreams are made of! The audio is MONO but cleaned up and very well balanced.
EXTRAS: Once again, Warner gives us a featurette that, although short, covers a lot of ground regarding the film's production. There's also a Warner Brothers cartoon and the film's original theatrical trailer.
BOTTOM LINE: This IS vintage Bogart and Bacall. It's also a fine example of what classic movies can look like on DVD if a studio is willing to take the interest and the time. A definite YES!!!

In 1944, director Howard Hawks (1896-1977, who directed "Sergeant York" in 1941 and many John Wayne films in the 1960's) directed the film version of Ernest Hemingway's novel, "To Have And Have Not", which was published in 1937. Starring the legendary Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) as Harry 'Steve' Morgan, the story takes place in 1940 on the Caribbean island of Martinique, a French colony, not long after France's surrender to Nazi Germany in World War II and the establishment of the infamous Vichy Republic. Harry Morgan owns and operates a private fishing boat and provides services to sports fishermen. His only interests are his personal well-being and his best friend & shipmate Eddie (Walter Brennan, 1894-1974, who won three Oscars for Best Supporting Actor between 1937 and 1941), who is also an alcoholic. Things begin to change for Harry when he meets the voluptuous Marie 'Slim' Browning (played by the legendary Lauren Bacall in her big-screen film debut) at a hotel/restaurant/nightclub owned by Gerard 'Frenchy' (Marcel Dario, 1900-1983). Marie is stuck on Martinique due to insufficient money, but uses her pick pocketing abilities to get cash, as well as sing in the nightclub with its pianist, Cricket (the composer Hoagy Carmichael, 1899-1981, best known for his songs "Stardust", "Ole Buttermilk Sky", "Georgia on My Mind"). Harry's life changes further when Frenchy gets him involved with several Free-French activists attempting to escape detection by Vichy officials, especially the head of the Martinique police, Capt. M. Renard (Dan Seymour, 1915-1993).

Sadly, "To Have and Have Not" did not receive any Oscar nominations, which may be in part due to Humphrey Bogart's starring role and nomination for Best Actor for the 1942 film "Casablanca". Though there are superficial similarities between "To Have and Have Not" and "Casablanca", viewers should remember that Ernest Hemingway's novel ("To Have and Have Not") was published 5 years prior to the production of "Casablanca", but the novel was altered slightly for film to incorporate aspects of World War II.

Other memorable characters in "To Have and Have Not" include Paul de Bursac (Walter Molnar, who also goes by the name Walter Szurovy), his wife Mme. Hellene de Bursac (Dolores Moran), Johnson (Walter Sande) and Lt. Coyo (Sheldon Leonard). Overall, I rate the film and DVD of "To Have and Have Not" with 5 out of 5 stars. The DVD includes a Warner Brothers "Merrie Melodies" cartoon entitled "Bacall at Arms" (1946), which was based upon the film "To Have and Have Not" and includes fun animations of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart.

under the conditions of pure magic - a fairytale - i'd find it rather difficult to believe that a person would be unable to enjoy this movie. for soldiers of love, fizzled cynics in contempt against the modern world, and artists interested in exploring - from outside oneself - the metaphysical relationship with his or her muse - i doubt there's a more perfect film than 'children of paradise'.

the criterion dvd is loaded with features, though, save for the wonderful and poetic commentary, most of them are completely worthless and unnecessary. they could have done us a lot more favors. perhaps when the next great video medium comes around, the 'children of paradise' release will have more bonus featurettes and what not.

but as for now, the transfer is exquisite. the sound is great. and the movie, of course, is perfect.

A timeless story about the price of art, set in 19th century Paris. 'Paradise' is the name of the theater where the actors struggle to ply thir craft. It's meant as a double entendre, since it is at once both paradise and hell. The main action plot cosists of a love triangle between remarkable characters. The actors are magnificent, including Marcel Marceau's teacher, the great mime, Jean Barrault.

This classic was shot during the occupation, and many actors and stagehands literally risked their lives to finish the project, including the director, Marcel Carne.

This is perhaps the best French film of all time. Certainly among the top five. I could name 'Grand illusion' and 'Beauty and the Beast' , but then would be hard pressed to come up with another in the same league.

Magical.

Wait for a long rainy day to watch this one to truly enjoy it.It's a bit long but very worth it. Jean Louis Barrault is fabulous as the mime.

After watching this movie I was struck by how gorgeous Peter O'Toole's blues are. He's funny and sweet and sarcastic, as well as wealthy and intelligent, in other words, any straight woman's dream. The plot is sweet and quick and very tongue in cheeck. Audrey's at her best and "gives givenchy a break" "in one of the scenes, a genuinely hilarious one that I won't describe lest I ruin the plot. And remember - boomerangs and empty whisky bottles are a lot more useful than you might think them.

I love this movie. It has everything: romance, comedy, quirkiness and a kissing-in-a-closet scene! Audrey Hepburn was as adorable and entertaining as ever, and this was the first time that I'd ever seen a Peter O'Toole movie and he was fabulous! He's extremely funny and pretty darn spunky! You could just instantly fall in love with him, the second you saw those bewildered round blue eyes peering over the top of the "Van Gogh" painting. I didn't find this movie boring for an instant and I loved watching them steal back the "Cellini" sculpture, using, amongst other things, a bucket, a magnet and a boomerang! I think that this is now my favourite Audrey Hepburn movie. They make an extremely likable couple and their exploits in "How To Steal A Million" are engaging and engrossing.

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Audrey plays a girl who's father copies Van Gough oils. One night, as she is reading in bed, Audrey hears a sound from downstairs. It is a 'burglar'! However, the two fall in love and decide to try to stop anyone from finding out about her father's profession. This movie never gets old. Hilarious!

Movies just don't get any better than this Cocteau masterpiece. The film, especially the scenes in the Beast's palace, overflow with a dreamlike quality that is positively spellbinding. The imagery and creativity put to work by Cocteau and company should be used as textbook examples of how to create astonishing magic with restraint. Criterion's restoration is, as always, beyond reproach. This production company is, arguably, the finest in the business. The images are crisp and clean and so beautifully touched up that the entire film has a fantastic sheen normally attributed to Hurrell and Richie glamour shots of the 20's and 30's. In my opinion, the seductive qualities of "La Belle et la Bete" have yet to be replicated in any other film. There have been many fantastic movies made since "Beauty" but none really come close to matching Cocteau's brilliance and sense of cinematic wonderment. A must have for lovers of cinema. For me, this is a desert island DVD along with "Cries and Whispers," "Brief Encounter" and "Nights of Cabiria" all of which just happen to be part of the Criterion Collection.

If you're considering buying any one item here, you have just found it. This is quite simply one of the top five films ever made, combining such a lyrical reading of the story, memorable acting and special effects that couldn't be better illustrated in any other context. It is as if Cocteau is holding a wand.

Indeed! This is the 'ultimate' version of the fable created by the legendary Jean Cocteau and starring Jean Marais as you know who ...... The restoration is magnificent, crisp, pristine images and lots of required extras on this version including the Philip Glass score [absolutely a double-plus].

It's a dreamy, semi-nightmarish vision - never quite duplicated [copied?] by Hollywood ~ and light-years ahead of its time. Superior and expertly detailed costume and set design.

Forget the cartoon version - silly bland fare by comparison.

Movies just don't get any better than this Cocteau masterpiece. The film, especially the scenes in the Beast's palace, overflow with a dreamlike quality that is positively spellbinding. The imagery and creativity put to work by Cocteau and company should be used as textbook examples of how to create astonishing magic with restraint. Criterion's restoration is, as always, beyond reproach. This production company is, arguably, the finest in the business. The images are crisp and clean and so beautifully touched up that the entire film has a fantastic sheen normally attributed to Hurrell and Richie glamour shots of the 20's and 30's. In my opinion, the seductive qualities of "La Belle et la Bete" have yet to be replicated in any other film. There have been many fantastic movies made since "Beauty" but none really come close to matching Cocteau's brilliance and sense of cinematic wonderment. A must have for lovers of cinema. For me, this is a desert island DVD along with "Cries and Whispers," "Brief Encounter" and "Nights of Cabiria" all of which just happen to be part of the Criterion Collection.

If you're considering buying any one item here, you have just found it. This is quite simply one of the top five films ever made, combining such a lyrical reading of the story, memorable acting and special effects that couldn't be better illustrated in any other context. It is as if Cocteau is holding a wand.

Indeed! This is the 'ultimate' version of the fable created by the legendary Jean Cocteau and starring Jean Marais as you know who ...... The restoration is magnificent, crisp, pristine images and lots of required extras on this version including the Philip Glass score [absolutely a double-plus].

It's a dreamy, semi-nightmarish vision - never quite duplicated [copied?] by Hollywood ~ and light-years ahead of its time. Superior and expertly detailed costume and set design.

Forget the cartoon version - silly bland fare by comparison.

"The Song of Bernadette" is a film that by all accounts should be distilled into a religious pot boiler. And yet there is something haunting, awe inspiring and yes, even stirring about this tale of a child who, after witnessing visions of the Virgin Mary, begins to have miracles performed in her small French town. Jennifer Jones is the lead and her angelic visage tenderly conveys the warmth, tenderness and poignancy of the tale. Anne Revere, Vincent Price, Charles Bickford and Gladys Cooper give vivid performances that really enhance the story. As far as entertainment value goes, "The Song of Bernadette" will enthrall, captivate and move you.
THE TRANSFER: Fox gives us a poor looking DVD that, while improved from previous VHS and Laserdisc versions, still has a long way to go to be just as jaw-dropping as the film's subject matter. Though the B&W scale and sharpness of the image is much improved, botth digital and film grain are excessive and distract. Aliasing and shimmering of fine details is evident throughout. Pixelization is another down fall of this transfer. The audio has been cleaned up and is well presented.
EXTRAS: The Jennifer Jones Biography, an audio commentary, a Movietone trailer, some Fox promotional stuff for other movies in their classic series, a restoration film to video comparison that proves that at least some work was done on the transfer before sending it out to DVD and this film's original theatrical trailer.
BOTTOM LINE: Fox really didn't look after their library of classic films and the deterioration in their camera negatives or fine grain print masters shows. But digital technology has made it possible to all but reverse the ravages of time. All a studio need do is take the time, effort and money to meticulously restore a movie back to its original brilliance. Remember what Paramount's Sunset Blvd. looked like before its complete restoration? - That's right; painful. And now, a vision of loveliness. That sort of committment is needed to make films like "The Song of Bernadette" truly live again on DVD. Sadly, Fox doesn't seem to be taking the hint!
ASIDE: Other Fox titles to steer clear of: Heaven Knows Mr. Allison, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, The Towering Inferno and all of the Rodgers and Hammerstein titles. Most of these are available in review form by me at this sight. Check listings for specifics.

About 3 Months ago I bought this DVD. I have watched it about 5 times and every time I watch it it brings tears to my eyes. I really love the specail features on this DVD.

Here is a brief Description:

Bernadette (Jennifer Jones) is a poor orphan who's main goal is to meet Christ. It is really amazing at the trajedies, and the sacrifices she makes to be able to see jesus.

Great Movie. 5 Star Rating.

Finally, one of the greatest films from the 40s gets released on dvd and Fox has done a wonderful job here. I will skip the details about the film itself (which have already been written here) except to say that it is a very compelling film and features one of the best casts ever. You don't have to be religious to enjoy the film either (I'm not) and despite the length, it doesn't seem that long (it's that good). Jennifer Jones gives an inspired performance and is luminous in her Oscar winning performance.

The image quality is very good - there are a few noticeable nicks and scratches but nothing to be concerned about. A restoration comparison is provided and when compared with the older prints, it is excellent indeed.

Extras include a brief clip of a visibly nervous Jennifer Jones accepting an award from the GIs. Also, a superb A&E Biography titled "Jennifer Jones - Portrait of a Lady" which covers her life in detail and provides many excellent clips from her illustrous film career.

Commentary is provided by Jones biographer Edward Epstein, Hollywood historian Donald Spoto and Alfred Newman biographer John Burlingame. I was a tad disappointed with the commentary. Epstein is by far the most interesting with his commentary that discusses Jennifer Jones. Spoto is an expert on religion (as well as Hollywood history) and I found his thoughts on the relgious aspects of the film to be quite boring and seemingly pompous. Burlingame's comments on Newman are interesting but I would have rather heard about the film itself. What would have been wonderful - a commentary with Jennifer Jones! I wonder if Fox tried to contact her?

Overall, well worth the price and a valuable addition to your dvd library!