Rope

#221  Alfred Hitchcock 'Rope' (1948)

It may be a sort of a cliche, but Hitchcock IS one of my favourite directors, and this one of his finest movies (though Roger Ebert doesn't seem to agree..!). I found the 'play' around the wooden chest quite suspenseful. The fact that it was taking place in one apartment only and that it comprises long shots lasting minutes, just added to the overall positive experience. Thank you Hitch!

Muriel's Wedding

#911  P.J.Hogan: Muriel's Wedding (1994)

Next I wanted to include the 90's, the time of my binge-watching of every single movie in the local videostore :) The thing is, I haven't seen most of those movies since, but those that I have, they show how much a vision of things and emotional reception can change in a decade or two. I have seen Muriel's Wedding (again!) on a plane recently for the 2nd time; and although I kinda remember it more as a comedy than a drama, this has now been proven to be vice versa. However, its quirkiness is still loveable! Very happy that both Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths went on to make memorable careers. One of the best female buddy couples on-screen ever!

The Heartbreak Kid

#573  Elaine May: The Heartbreak Kid (1972)

After a line of movies that I happened to love or found entertaining, here is one that I didn't particularly fancy - it did entertain with a number of scenes, like the one pictured when the main character, newly married, tries to win over the father of a young girl he met on his honeymoon. The premise itself is painful to say the least, and throughout the movie I mostly felt unsympathetic and annoyed. Which I guess doesn't say about the film as much as it does about my preferences...nevertheless, this is something I don't believe I will watch twice.

On a lighter note, Cybill is uebercute, and Grodin still remains one of those faces you remember fondly from your childhood.

The Big Sleep

#200 Howard Hawks: The Big Sleep (1946)

I found the dialogues in this movie intriguing and entertaining, so much so that I couldn't just pick out a few lines as favourites. Ok like 'Why did you have to go on?' - 'Too many people told me to stop'. I have never read a Raymond Chandler book, but if this script is close enough to it, I'd sure like to start. 

'Bogie and Bacall' were already married by then, and their chemistry is splendid. The whole movie is full of interesting female characters, not so in the niche as the male counterparts. Oh well, i was fun watching it! Even while struggling to catch everything that was going on, such twists and fast talkers - thank god for the repeat-option :)

Whiplash

#1175 Damien Chazelle: Whiplash (2014)

Omg how I love J.K. Simmons. And who is this great new actor who holds his own next to him? I have seen this movie on a plane, I think it was on my way to Bangkok in February last year - I just vaguely remembered hearing about some movie with praised Simmons' performance, with no real clue what it was about; and to be honest, if I've read the synopsis I probably would have picked another movie. BUT. How cool is it to discover greatness bit by bit without previous expectations? Just love it when that happens! One of the best movies of the current decade, of that I am sure.

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

#67 Mervyn LeRoy: I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932)

Back to the 30's...I have watched this some weeks ago, and it is actually the first time I have heard of the 'Pre-Code Hollywood' *blush*. To explain: it refers to the brief era in the American film industry between 1929 (the introduction of sound films) and 1934 (the enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code, which censored profanity, sexual innuendo, promiscuity...you get the picture).

It is also my first encounter with Paul Muni of Scarface fame, and was impressed with such a natural presence on screen. In all, the movie shows the broad palette of characters - and the almighty system - who destroy an honest man's life. It has always been an emotional rollercoaster for me to watch people's demise, and this was no exception. In short, worth a watch.

The Piano Teacher / La Pianiste

#1029 Michael Haneke: The Piano Player (La Pianiste) (2001)

Much like recently viewed Persona this has been emotionally grabbing, to that point that my total immersion caused sighs and clinched fists, all because I simply stopped seeing it as a movie and felt inside the story, so immediate and real. Well this is what a movie should do after all, right? I have seen Isabelle Huppert in a few movies in the past, but what I have seen here is beyond any words, at least that I could muster in my limited english (though I struggle in Croatian too). So I'll stop trying, and just say...splendid.

Alphaville: Une étrange aventure de Lemmy Caution

#457 Jean-Luc Godard: Alphaville: A Strange Adventure of Lemmy Caution (1965)

This is my 3rd movie by Godard; not sure why I didn't expect much from it, maybe because the previous one ('Contempt') was a bit too abstract for me - not that I don't love abstract movies (after all Alphaville can be describe the same) but I think it can easily slide into absurdity. From by humble point of view of course :)

As it happens I have started this blog with three truly symbolic movies, the ones I have to read up on to realise the subtleties that I've missed, and will require a second viewing for sure. In all I have enjoyed the Godard's take on the future similar to that of 1984, and am now looking forward to discovering more of his work.