The Baron of Arizona

Sam Fuller's second film is fun and fairly unbelievable with Vincent Price working over 20 years on a hax to become Baron of Arizona. It doesn't really bear any ressemble to a Sam Fuller filmm though.

Lights in the dusk

Kaurismaki's latest film is a fairly typical affair, filmed in his trademark style, but probably even bleaker than most of his other films, with no redemption or light at the end.

Robinson Crusoe on Mars

As the titles implies. Apparently a cult film in the US since its release in 64. Obviosuly very dated now, not a bad set and good use of Death Valley, and apparently factually correct on life on Mars at the time. It just drags on for too long.

Cockfighter

Another strange film from Monte Hellman, filmed by Almendros, with an almost mute Warren Oates and a bunch of chickens, all very melancholic.

I shot Jesse James

Sam Fuller's first film is quite good, but far from his later masterpiece 40 Guns. John Ireland gives a great performance as Bob Ford who shot Jesse in the back, despite loving him, to be free to marry Cynthy, it all goes bad at the end.

Cézanne

A few years before Une visite au Louvres, Straub and Huillet did something fairly similar with Cézanne.

Prince of the City

NY in the 70's, filmed by Lumet, about police corruption, uses great character actors with great faces, nicely shot, but a bit too long.

Stop Making Sense

Excellent filmed concert, and true to its reputation.

House of games

Mamet first film, and surprisingly quite good, nicely shot and an entertaining story, with great actors, about a successful but unfulfilled woman looking for something and attracted to a con man. The dialogue is well written but sounds a bit theatrical i.e. fake.

Cruising

NYC is the very late 70s, with lots of leather bars, guys with taches and a stunned Pacino. It was controversial, but actually not that great. It looks better than basic exploitation films, but less fun, in fact it's a bit dull for a Friedkin film of that time.

Death proof

I had lowish expectations, but had a ball! The story is weak, the dailogues pretty funny, great acting, cool cars, and good feel, with scratchs and jumps in the first part and much slicker picture in the second. The plot could have been stronger, but makes it quite charming. Film of the year so far.

A dancer's world + Appalachian spring

Interesting film with Martha Graham and her troup in the late 50's-early 60's. She was getting on a bit by then and not in her prime, but it does give a good of her art.