Hollywood Movies Antakshari

Have not seen it! Have seen both Cat People and Invasion.

And talking about Hitchcock and sex...

Marnie (1964)

It was a big flop when it was released; it is now regarded as a typical, if not great Hitchcock film. Tippie Henderson is the heroine, a compulsive liar and thief who has some strange fears. Sean Connery blackmails her into marrying him and tries to find out what is behind those fears. Gossip: Hitchcock is supposed to have been so obsessed with Tippi Henderson that he used to monitor every action of hers and finally by the end of the movie, they were not on talking terms. The film itself explores the taboo subject of sexual tension/repression obliquely (ofc) and it is this underlying, freudian psychoanalytical angle that gives the film its edginess. And it is the last score that Bernard Herrmann did for Hitchcock.

This post has been edited by mmuk2004: Apr 30 2009, 11:23 AM

He had her under exclusive contract and in fact deliberately destroyed her career after Marnie by refusing to lend her out to anyone. She was particularly upset about Godard being interested in casting her and Hitchcock not permitting her release.....

Les Enfants du Paradis (1945)
Review I wrote the first time I saw this film....

As a film buff for well over 20 years I've seen pretty much all of the acclaimed classics of cinema. So, the odds of adding another classic to my top 10 or 20 or 50 all-time favorite list are slim. I had completed little more than an hour of Les Enfants last weekend when I knew that even if the rest of the film went downhill (which it didn't!!!) it would be in my ratings alongside other favorites like Lawrence of Arabia, Double Indemnity, another great French film Le Salaire de la Peur, The Seventh Seal and a handful of other classics.

There is nothing I can criticize about the film. If the length of three hour sounds excessive, I would say that the three hour flew by. This is a marvelously entertaining film with varied art forms - the theatrical, the mime, poetry - seamlessly combined to make a complete story. It alternates from love story to tragedy to comedy and at each moment the mood it captures is never false. Only superlatives apply in describing the acting. I had heard the name Arletty before. Now I'll never forget it. And she was the third best actor in the film. For me the actors playing Baptiste and Lemaitre (both based on real historic characters of the 1840's) gave among the greatest performances in cinema history. I could appreciate the magic of Baptiste's mime and Lemaitre's theatrics even though I can't speak french and had to rely on subtitles (not for Baptiste though!).

There are many magical moments in the film. The first mime by Baptiste reenacting to the police and the crowd is great cinema. Lemaitre first seeing and flirting with Garance is another. Oh, there are too many. I've just mentioned two from the first 20 minutes of the film! The entire film is a joy from beginning to end...


This post has been edited by Faraaj73: Apr 30 2009, 04:37 PM

Col. Frank Slade has a very special plan for the weekend. It involves travel, women, good food, fine wine, the tango, chauffeured limousines and a loaded forty-five. And he's bringing Charlie along for the ride...

Al pacino , finest of actors won an Oscar for this 1992 film. But somehow i feel that the picture never got the reviews / revenues it warranted.
If a film is about inspiration...or character or about how and what we come to pick on our journey of life..this takes the top prizes.
No computer graphics, nor big budgeted...this small film is about how a young boy, who stands by what he believes come to get impressed by a retired colonel...and along the way inspires the maestro to see life from a different angle. For me, it has been an experience to watch this film..If you havent watched it yet, just get it and kick your shoes off..to enjoy the beauty of life. The speech of Al pacino in the climax is something legends are made of...

This is indeed a brilliant film and Pacino won a much-deserved Oscar for his brilliant speech in the end. The film is looked down on by some critics because its a remake. However, the original - the Italian Profumo di Donna starring Vittorio Gassman in the Pacino role - was a pretty ordinary film. Scent of a Woman is definitely one of the best remakes ever....as is....

No Way Out (1987)
This is a thriller remake of the noir The Big Clock with Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman (what a great actor!) reprising the Ray Milland and Charles Laughton. Again, overlooked by critics because of the remake stigma....

I enjoyed No way out immensely..the editing is fantastic for that film which makes us sit on the edge of the seat, till the very end. Gene Hackman was menacing...and ruthless. truly great actor.

This funny funny film will tickle a rib or two....with a simple plot to go with, the entire film is a laugh riot. Two people who are deeply in love...a musician and an executive, buy a mansion which has come cheap. Then they start to spruce it up a little before getting married and moving in. A big surprise awaits them..as the house needs every kind of service from Plumber to Electrician to mason....to carpenter.
As they start pouring in funds from their personal accounts...they get to know the first hand experience of building a house...
Both lead actors Tom Hanks and Shelley long were very good..and fresh as daisies. a Treat worth watching....produced by Stephen Spielberg...

The Bachelor Party(1957)
Starring Don Murray, E.G. Marshal, Jack Warden

Five bookkeeper colleagues go out for a night on the town as a bachelor party for Arnold. There is one remaining bachelor among the bunch, Eddie, who is Arnold's best man. The other three married men envy Eddie's carefree life, especially Charlie, who hates his life but can't figure out why. He works hard, goes to night school four days a week, and doesn't spend much time with his pregnant wife, Helen. Charlie doesn't want to admit to himself that he doesn't yet want to be a father. As the purpose of the night hits him, Arnold confides his insecurities to Charlie about love and marriage. A further revelation from Walter, the eldest of the group, makes the men think further about life in general. An encounter with a girl he picks up at a Greenwich Village party and what looks to be desperation on Eddie's part to have a good time makes Charlie realize by the end of the night what he really thinks of his life.

The movie had a Tom Hanks namesake in 1984 (minus the The) which was quite funny in places too.


This post has been edited by hildebrand: May 15 2009, 02:13 PM

Here's a pic of the Tom Hanks movie poster!

I was not much impressed with this movie. It has two of my favorite stars, yet personally, i felt something missing. But, yes, a passable film. I thought there was so much potential for this theme..and lots of it left untapped.

PS...gonna look for Bachelor party..

Loved this film

Good choice Aditya. LA Confidential is not just one of the finest neo-noirs, its one of the finest films of the modern era....I read the book and this is a rare case of the film being better....

Ladri di biciclette (1948)
The greatest work of neo-realism, this is Vittorio de Sica's masterpiece.....the only film that made me cry - the end is truly heartbreaking.

Both are my favorite films..

The first one has the finest talents coming together to play out a drama that is spellbinding..and holds us till the very last scene.
The second one is my altime favorite...not for nothing is it considered to be in the best of ten films ever made...Difficult to explain that experience. Suffices to say that if you havent seen that film...make sure you see it, because it is about life...and the inexplicable injustices it deals out to the good nice people...



This is one more film..an unforgettable drama. It missed oscars because it was released in the odd season and swept under the rugs.. But then oscars is not the ultimate praise...for a film. It is the audience that counts..and this film has won hands down in that department..
Imagine being incarcerated in a jail for no fault and on false charges..for a banker who is a decent person althrough...even in the most trying circumstances..Then, trying to mingle in the criminals that live there...and then, the way a single indomitable human soul goes about conquering the odds ...with nothing but the will to live and be free.. !!! Enough said..just try this for the beauty of life...and the celebration it deserves !

It was quite hyped then due to the pairing. I love its opening and closing songs.
Do you know it was a remake of the movie The Shop Around The Corner(1940) starring my fave James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. As a tribute to the original the shop owned by Meg Ryan's character was named as "The Shop Around The Corner"!

The original hasn't aged well and I thought You've Got Mail was quite an intelligent update. Hanks' Godfather imitation was really very funny....

Night of the Living Dead (1968) - the 1990 remake was good too.
A low-budget horror classic from George Romero which played on the I Am Legend concept and introduced zombies. Dawn of the Dead was one of the very good sequels.


This post has been edited by Faraaj73: May 16 2009, 04:57 PM

Yes, i do know. infact, i got the film of Jimmy in my collection. I love jimmy...his portrayals have such an earthy feeling...it doesnt look like acting at all.. Vertigo, Anatomy of a murder.....they are still spellbinders.



I just loved the film so much, i hunted for the book ( talking about eighties...) and read it in a go. The film was made in strict faith to the book. The star cast , while no great shakes...is just perfect. A taut film to the end...as the jackal takes careful aim at the french president...Charles Degaulle..even as the detective rushes upstairs..! Recommended for sheer rush of adrenaline..