sadness and hope

I am compelled to take a little break yet again.
My computer is not working well.
I can no longer pause or rewind (or sometimes even play)
a DVD without sending it into convulsions.
It's the main reason why I haven't watched many movies lately
and I need to take it in to get fixed.

I'm really really hoping it is fixable and
I really really hope to be back to posting soon.
Seven Sinners is at the top of the pile -any thoughts on that one?

misleading

Looks great, doesn't it?
Its always such a pleasure to discover previously unknown great films,
like uncovering a beautiful shell at the beach.

Sadly, this is not one of them.
Oh, its fine and all. Just not great.
Perhaps it turned out great - I didn't finish it.
The characters became annoying after spending so much
time with them as they did nothing.
The time would have been better served with more singing by Pedro Infante.

Let's just look at these images and dream, OK?

Nosotros los pobres
directed by Ismael Rodrigez
cinematography by Jose Ortiz Ramos

a nice cross for April

I was sad to find myself largely unimpressed by
the aesthetics of this film.
I felt embarrassed by the sculptures commissioned for the film,
prominently featured in most of the sets.
Same for the wide-eyed eyelash whip-cracking from the star.
I tried to not look at them.

The final action sequence absolutely captivated me.
The quick-cut editing forced me to watch it a second time,
and finally to freeze frame in order to let all the gorgeousness sink in.
It was just like a fireworks display,
with all the brightest and loudest offerings saved for the finale
and set forth in an explosive burst of energy.


The Scarlet Empress (1934)
directed by Joseph von Sternberg
cinematography by Bert Glennon

I saw stars

Such a visually striking film with an equally engaging plot.
This film is famous for very good reasons.
I was particularly struck by how architecture is used
both in fantasy:



and to set the tone for the actual lives of the characters:





Awaara (1951)
directed by Raj Kapoor
cinematography by Radhu Karmakar

its all about the light

What else is there in the darkened room of the cinema but light?









How can this flickering light create such stunning images?







How can someone I don't even know and would likely dislike in real life wrest my feelings from me and reproduce them onto the screen? Using light?



das Blaue Licht (1932)
directed by Leni Riefenstahl
cinematography by Hans Schneeberger
and Heinz von Jaworsky