#18: Nosferatu (1922) March 3, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Horror, adaptations, 3 stars, 1920s, world cinema, F.W. Murnau, 2007, silent films , add a comment1922 | F.W. Murnau | 81 mins | DVD | PG
One of the earliest and most-referenced horror films, and the first screen adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (faithfully, albeit unofficially). With such a weight bearing down upon it I found it quite hard to watch it objectively, and so was mainly left with the sense that I didn’t enjoy it as much as Sunrise and that I’d rather like to see a fully restored version. Perhaps Masters Of Cinema shall treat us to one soon. Whatever one’s thoughts on it, it really is a must see for anyone into sci-fi/fantasy, horror, or (again) the history of film.
#17: Notes on a Scandal (2006)
Posted by badblokebob in : Drama, Thriller, 2000s, adaptations, 4 stars, British films, 2007 , add a comment2006 | Richard Eyre | 92 mins | cinema | 15 / R
I hear that this is displeasing as an adaptation. But I haven’t read the novel, so that doesn’t cloud my judgement. Judi Dench is brilliant as ever in a rare villainous role (the Oscar would’ve been hers were it not for Helen Mirren’s equally brilliant but more obvious turn in The Queen), Cate Blanchett gets to spar with her as the flawed ‘hero’, and the rest of the principal cast are very good also. It lacks something towards the end, perhaps because it functions better as a character piece than as a thriller, but is still worth a watch.
#16: Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
Posted by badblokebob in : Drama, Romance, 4 stars, 1920s, F.W. Murnau, 2007, silent films , add a comment1927 | F.W. Murnau | 91 mins | DVD | U
Murnau’s first film in America, throughout the decades hailed as one of the greatest film ever made. Maybe it is, in some respects; for a film made 80 years ago it certainly stands up very well today. It’s helped by being a fable, giving it added resonance for any time period, though probably hindered by being silent (virtually — as one of the first films with a synchronised soundtrack there are some effects). Certainly recommended to anyone interested in the history of film.
Week 8
Posted by badblokebob in : Editorials, progress reports, 2007 , add a commentMy quest: to watch 100 films that I have never seen before, by 31st December 2007!
Number of films per week required to achieve this: 1.93
Current average number of films seen per week: 2.63
More than on target. Excellent.
With that information relayed, on to the films that I watched between February 19th and February 25th 2007. They’re now firmly in chronological order.