There’s an amazing scene in the film M by Fritz Lang* where a serial killer of children is put on trial by the local criminal fraternity and the parents of those he has murdered. They decide, not surprisingly, that he must die for his crimes. And in the scene, the murderer, Beckert, played wonderfully by the wonderful Peter Lorre, tells them all that they cannot kill him, in fact they have no right to try him at all, because he is a man. Continue reading “A Picture of a Man”
I resolved to see some of the Film Festival this year and booked a ticket for a Polish documentary called Bracia/Brothers by Wojciech Staron and boy am I glad I did. It may be the best film I ever saw. I’m not sure yet. But it’s way up there – that’s for sure.
Two brothers, Mieczyslaw and Alfons Kułakowski have returned to Poland after an exile of 80 years (yes), in Siberia and Kazakhstan, to resume their lives as best they can. The film, shot over 8 years, tells of their lives, as they live them, now. Continue reading “Bracia / Brothers – A Masterpiece of Film”
Warnings : Contains spoilers: if you’re planning on seeing Nocturnal Animals, be warned. Also, this is long, and rambling.
I went to see Nocturnal Animals on Friday.
I had mixed feelings. John thought it was a case of style over substance, he was surprised at all the five stars. Mark was impressed, he liked the style, but he’s also braver than me and is okay with being unnerved. I’m a scaredy cat. Continue reading “Tom Ford v. The Dardenne Brothers (AKA: Style v. Substance)”
All the old Cork City cinemas get together now and again, for a few jars in a quiet pub, and to reminisce about the good old days. Capital is in great form tonight – they’re making a retail centre where he lay derelict for years, and he’s proud of that.
Capital – Come here lads, what was the best fillum ye ever showed? I can go back to the forties, but still, I think for me it was Jaws in ’75. That was a great show, a big breakthrough for Spielberg, and I had queues all the way ‘round to Oliver Plunkett Street. The screeching of the girls when that shark came out of the water, you never heard the like of it. And the John Williams music when it was going to attack. Dadum, dadum, dadum. Great show. What about you, Savoy? Continue reading “The Old Cinemas go for a Pint”
I watched Hell or High Water last night. And as Brian said, it’s well worth checking out.
I think it also helped me understand better why so many Americans are voting Trump, and why so many British people voted Brexit. Not to mention why so many Irish people are so pissed off with our own political system and with our politicians that we don’t even have a working government any more. Continue reading “Hell or High Water – Comancheria”
It’s the fourth instalment of the Knucklehead trilogy (I know, I know – must be a Coen thing) after Burn After Reading (2008), Intolerable Cruelty (2003) and O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000).
And what a breath of fresh air it is: funny and witty and giddy and flakey and thoughtful as only these fraternal auteurs can be. Continue reading “Hail, Caesar! The Coen Brothers: would that TWER so simple”
Nor is it about the Pixarian Joy in Inside Out – the best film of 2015 bar none, Oscars Schmoscars (see what I did there? No not that, the thing with Pixar – I adjectived it man, keep up). Continue reading “My Problem with Joy”
