Last movie you saw and rate it

“Kael to Farber”?

Um . . . ugh, reversed order there mid-thought, sorry . . . no, “conversation with film” to “conversation with readers”.

I’ve wanted to see Murder by Contract for years – where is it available?

I’ve been intrigued ever since I picked up the poster for it for a few bucks some years ago:

It’s fantastic. But I won’t hang a poster of a film I haven’t seen.

Just saw Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 8/10. The film has a much slower pace than your traditional espionage thriller (George Smiley is the antithesis of James Bond) but it was fun to watch nonetheless. I’m also glad to see that Gary Oldman finally got an Oscar nod.

@Peter

Glad you enjoyed Tinker Tailor. One of my favorites.

murder by contract is available from netflix and in a boxset of columbia film noir classics

Bitchin’! Thanks Ruby.

@Santino – Actually, I recommended Murder by Contract on this very thread last summer. Jazz and I had a little conversation about it. So, yes, you can thank me now.

rolls eyes ohhhhkaaaay….thanks Nathan….

nathan, have u seen dmytryk’s the sniper which is also in that set?

If I recall, I didn’t love the film as much as you did, Nathan. (I wish I could remember the reasons.)

@ Ruby – No, haven’t seen The Sniper. It’s on my mile-long “to watch” list, though.

I’ve seen The Sniper! I didn’t think it was very good. :-)

thanks, flip trotsky! i just like saying that name :P

Summertime- 3 / 4

Driving Miss Daisy – 3/10

Not as bad as I was expecting, but not really a thing.

“In 1989, Do the Right Thing was not even nominated [for best picture]. What film won best picture in 1989? Driving Miss Mother F—ing Daisy! That’s why [Oscars] don’t matter. Because 20 years later, who’s watching Driving Miss Daisy?….There are many times in history where the best work does not get awarded. And I’m not even talking about my own work. So that’s why [the Oscars] don’t matter.” – Spike Lee

“A guy like him should shut his face.” – Clint Eastwood

LOL Just so you know, I was directing it at the movie. You’re OK watching Driving Miss Motherfucking Daisy.

Hah, I know, and I actually agree with Spike (for once). This just in, The Oscars are a joke…

Le Silence de la Mer (Dir. Jean-Pierre Melville, 1949)

You can look at this movie two ways. It is either one of the greatest monologues in movie history or it is one of the greatest conversations. Either way, it’s an amazing picture.

^Hulu Plus?

Is it like Melville’s later films like Army of Shadows and Le Samourai or more like Bob Flambeur (or neither)?

Neither. The Silence of the Sea is its own thing. There’s Melville’s precision and calmness of mood, but beyond that…don’t expect any gangsters or whatnot. No priests either.

Yeah, Hulu Plus.

lol ok

The Quiller Memorandum – 3 stars

A little bit of Melville, a little bit of Tinker Tailor, yet not as good as either. If you dig spy films from the 60s, this is a passable interest. I don’t know. I think my main issue was with George Segal. He’s a much better comedic actor and I think he was miscast here. There’s not much to the story so a lot rests with the lead. And I just don’t think Segal is all that interesting.

But if you like the cat and mouse, boys and their games element of Tinker Tailor, you’ll find a similar thing going on in The Quiller Memorandum.

Dark Alibi (Phil Karlson, 1946) – Charlie Chan mystery that isn’t really a good mystery. Intermittently hilariously funny but mostly dull and sometimes completely inane. 4/10

Scandal Sheet (Phil Karlson, 1952) – tense, taut noir set in the newspaper world, based on a Samuel Fuller novel. Crisply shot, well-acted, effective thriller. 8/10

5 Against the House (Phil Karlson, 1955) – I had some misgivings about this film, though it has its positive qualities. There’s a lot of manufactured drama and infighting among the protagonists that distracts from what the film probably should have been – a neat little casino heist picture. 6/10

Key Witness (Phil Karlson, 1960) – ultimately dull and preachy story about a witness to a gang murder, and that gang’s efforts to prevent him from testifying. Some of the most cringeworthy acting I’ve ever seen from one of the gang members makes some scenes unwatchable. 3/10

wicker tree

about a good a sequel as one could find (far better than original)

it has the most agreeable hodge podge of styles, genres and fun nudity I have seen in ages

pariah

cannot believe Spike Lee produced this; it is so cliche and obvious

gives lesbianism and bi-confusion a bad name

Written on the Wind(again) – 3 1/2 / 4

Late August, Early September (1998) – 4 out of 10

Late August, Early September (1998) – 4 out of 10