I suppose this falls into the category of neo-noir, owing to its nearly all taking place during the day, as well as it being made in 1966. Other signs are ‘everyone is out for themselves,’ ‘no one has any compassion,’ ‘money isn’t as important as power,’ and ‘death happens near water.’
Damned fine picture with an incredible script. The performances and camera-work are also top-notch.
Recommended!
★★★★☆
What could have been a timeless comedy celebrating and lovingly sending-up a genre is covered in tasteless and frequently offensive bigoted and intolerant humour. Not only is there a white British actor playing a Chinese man, there are jokes based entirely around transgender and homophobic comments.
Given its production date, much of this was already past the ‘best before date.’
A promising idea, but best passed by.
★★☆☆☆
Quite possibly the best, and saddest silent drama I have ever seen. The copy I streamed is awful; however there is a 4K transfer made from a copy in Universal Studios Archives that I must locate.
The story-telling involves little dialogue per se, but is clear as a bell to a modern viewer. It is so sad that its ending comes as a great relief. Much of the plot’s resolution comes thanks to a very unfortunately named pet wolf.
Recommended
★★★★☆
A surprisingly great film! There are some sub-par performances (the male lead is a bit too much of the ‘real mean do not emote’ school), but great actors otherwise. A fine script with a solid story.
Anna May Wong has a bit part!
Heck, there’s even a ‘follow that cab!’ chase sequence! What more could you ask for‽
★★★☆☆ (actually 3½)
This #RiversOfLondon novel by Ben Aaronovitch is very very good, and I enjoyed it immensely.
I continue to feel that the author could stand to punch up the action towards the climax, as it needs more description and detail to really hit the mark for my tastes. ‘Drama’ is often a pejorative, but I feel there needs to be more of it here.
The entire series is very highly recommended.
★★★★★
Quite possibly the best bio-pic / documentary / overview of an artist’s work I have ever seen. It’s as much a work of art as the material from which it draws and reflects.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
#review #EndemicPandemic #film #documentary #IOwnThis #music #Bowie
Tonight, the first in the #ShaftTrilogy.
I’ve seen this first entry before, but it was some time ago and many of the best scenes I did not recall at all.
Some great thriller action, showing what New York was really like at the start of the ’70s: run down, filthy, and barely recognizable as a ‘modern city.’
The racial tensions are wound as tight as possible. Under all the jive vocabulary beats a strong energy to win for a change.
★★★★☆
Damned good fun to be had here! Clearly MGM fronted more money for this, based on it saving the studio from bankruptcy (‘Shaft’ did well and was one of only three 1971 MGM films that turned a profit), as we see four vehicles of various transportation modes destroyed in the final chase.
Great action, superior dialogue to last time, and a tighter storyline.
Highly recommended!
★★★★☆
I’m reading this 👇🏻 right now, and clearly @cmpriest is having a ball writing it. There’s a description of a brother and sister — plus two people’s viewing of them — that is worth the price of the book alone.
Anywho; the reason I’m babbling about this right now is that I would like to know, because of it being mentioned on p150, WHERE CAN I GET A HAWAIIAN SHIRT WITH ‘THE CHILD’ EMBLAZONED ON IT AS A PATTERN…‽ For goodness sake, woman; hook a brother up…‽
Good fun, but this third entry in the #ShaftTrilogy is much like the Bond films of the 1970s: lots of action but Bond doesn’t do much more than work his way through a series of inevitable events. Not much of a thriller; more of a predictable dawdle to the ending.
Not really recommended, but necessary for those who want to experience the fullest depth of Shaft.
I’m so very sorry about that one.
Well, no, not really.
★★★☆☆
Come for the joy of Fritz Lang’s direction of a suspense picture, stay for the glory of Edward G Robinson’s performance and an incredible plot!
Honestly, I did not see the ending coming, and I doubt you will either.
No, not that ending.
Nope, not that one either.
Also, as most good #noir pictures seem to, it has DAN DURYEA in it!!
Many thanks to the Vancouver Public Library (#VPL) for having this in their collection!
Very highly recommended!
★★★★★
Last week was “Harper.” Tonight, the sequel, set in New Orleans.
This has far more action than the earlier picture did, and has a more anarchic situation for our hero to wade through before he even understands what’s going on. Still, it’s not so complicated that we can’t keep up with it.
Great setting, characters, acting, cinematography, direction, and writing.
Recommended.
★★★★☆
This #neonoir is possibly the most impressive motion picture I have seen in a very long time.
I’m going to watch it again tomorrow night. This is due to the plot being so carefully structured that if you miss anything, much will not be clear in the next scene.
Also the opening sequence of the film introduces the names of 80% of the characters but you haven’t a clue who any of them are.
A steep learning curve.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
Ian Alexander Martin
Noel J Penaflor