• Michelangelo Frammartino – Il Dono AKA The Gift (2003)

    2001-2010ArthouseDramaItalyMichelangelo Frammartino

    Synopsis
    The languid account of a disaster happening in slow motion. The film charts the bleak daily life of a village in Calabria, which once had a population of some fifteen thousand but is now down to a mere handful. An impassive old man and a retarded girl seem to be simply waiting for time to eat away their lives. They are only occasionally and fleetingly roused from their deep apathy by strange objects and sordid encounters. Read More »

  • Etienne Périer – When Eight Bells Toll (1971)

    1971-1980ActionAdventureEtienne PérierUnited Kingdom

    Alistair MacLean’s two-fisted, no-holds-barred adventure yarns are a natural for the screen. When Eight Bells Toll brings in more slugging, quick action twists, sharp dialog, amusing acting than many pix twice its length.
    Anthony Hopkins has a role that creates a character full of resource, courage, cheek and personality. A kind of James Bond, without the latter’s trademarks. Character is a naval secret service agent assigned to find out how millions of pounds in gold bullion are being pirated. He starts his explorations in the bleakness of the Western Highlands of Scotland. Hopkins and his pal (Corin Redgrave) posing as marine biologists find mystery and hostility among the natives and the obvious suspect is a suave, rich Greek tycoon (Jack Hawkins) whose luxury yacht guests some odd characters.Read More »

  • Marcel Ophüls – Veillées d’armes AKA The Troubles We’ve Seen: A History of Journalism in Wartime (1994)

    Documentary1991-2000FranceMarcel OphülsPolitics

    Complete French Title: Veillées d’Armes: histoire du journalisme en temps de guerre
    Complete English Title: The Troubles We’ve Seen: A History of Journalism in Wartime

    Article:

    None of Marcel Ophuls’ films have ever been very easy to see, but for many years The Troubles We’ve Seen (1994) has had a special mystique. To my knowledge it played only twice in North America (once at the 1994 New York Film Festival and once at Cinematheque Ontario in 1995) before vanishing more or less without a trace. Now, it’s been picked up by the intrepid distributor Milestone, who is showing it widely in anticipation of a planned DVD release. Their timing is ideal.Read More »

  • Nikos Panayotopoulos – Ta hromata tis iridos AKA The Color of Iris AKA The Colors of the Rainbow (1974)

    1971-1980DramaGreeceMysteryNikos Panayotopoulos

    A mysterious disappearance takes place during the shooting of a commercial on the beach in the early morning hours. An unknown man suddenly comes into the shot, then walks into the sea holding an umbrella and seizes to exist, before the bewildered eyes of the whole crew. After the police are notified, a confusing array of red tape manoeuvers begins, revealing the close affiliations of the Authorities with the advertising company manager and the whole mechanism of Mass Media, all of which are trying not to investigate the event but to conceal or even exploit it in their own interest. Only the musician involved in that commercial is trying to figure out what really happened.Read More »

  • Godfrey Reggio – Anima Mundi (1991)

    1991-2000DocumentaryGodfrey ReggioItalyShort Film

    Quote:
    This short is nothing short of mesmerizing! Reggio outdoes his “Koyaanisqatsi” and “Powaqqatsi” in this tribute to the wonders of the animal kingdom. The camera lingers, treks, enfolds and personifies these creatures in startlingly intimate detail, all the while accompanied by (yet another) haunting score by Philip GlassRead More »

  • Philippe Pouchain – Arletty, Lady Paname (2007)

    2001-2010DocumentaryFranceFrench cinema under the OccupationPhilippe Pouchain

    This is a surprisingly good documentary about Arletty, née Léonie Bathiat, her career, times, private life and controversial affair with a German officer during WWII. The film opens with some touching footage of her late in life, then blind, walking along the Seine.Read More »

  • Don Medford – The Hunting Party (1971)

    1971-1980ActionDon MedfordUnited KingdomWestern

    The rich and ruthless rancher Brandt Ruger keeps his beautiful young wife Melissa like a part of his property, subdued to his will. But one day she’s kidnapped by the famous outlaw Frank Calder – just to teach him reading, so he tells her. Calder doesn’t know or care who’s wife she is. He takes care of her well, and eventually Melissa falls in love with him. But Ruger feels humiliated. Full of hate, he sets out to kill him – and Melissa too, if necessary. Together with his friends and the newest technology in guns, which carry 800 yards, he initiates a battue on Calder and his gang.Read More »

  • Silvano Agosti – D’amore si vive (1984)

    1981-1990DocumentaryItalySilvano Agosti

    Sinossi:
    Un’inchiesta sull’amore tramite delle interviste a una donna, un ragazzo, un transessuale, una prostituta e un travestito. Domande sull’amore, la tenerezza e la sensualità.Read More »

  • Michael Winner – Lawman (1971)

    USA1971-1980Michael WinnerWestern

    Synopsis:
    In the dusty town of Bannock, a stray bullet fired by the gun-toting gang of cattle mogul Vincent Bronson’s drunken ranch hands results in the inadvertent murder of an innocent elderly bystander. As the culprits return to Bronson’s farm in Sabbath, Bannock’s fearless and unyielding law-man, Marshal Jered Maddox, rides into town to bring the killers back to stand trial, even though their powerful employer is willing to compensate for this unfortunate loss. The law is the law, and Maddox is bent on arresting them all. Who can escape the merciless Widow-maker?Read More »

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