Review Pile
When I have something to review for DVD Times it’ll be listed here. I’ve also left a collection of links to my last 5 reviews.
Still Walking (Hirokazu Koreeda, 2008)
Late Spring (Yasujiro Ozu, 1949) [Dual Format] (w/The Only Son)
James and the Giant Peach (Henry Selick, 1996) [Blu-ray]
Hotel (Jessica Hausner, 2004)
Lovely Rita (Jessica Hausner, 2001)
Last 5 Reviews:
Paranoiac (Freddie Francis, 1963) [Blu-ray]
Lourdes (Jessica Hausner, 2009) [Blu-ray]
Columbia Pictures Film Noir Classics II
A Town Called Panic (Stephane Aubier, Vincent Patar, 2009)
Correct me if I’m wrong, but is that a still from Dames? I seem to remember that “Naughty Stories” book from one of the Berkeley musicals. Thanks for recommending those, by the way. Still need to watch Gold Diggers of 1935, but I’m a bit reluctant to. Gold Diggers of 1933 is easily my favorite of the bunch, with plenty of variety, some of the more *inventive numbers*, and an excellent cast to boot. The 1935 one seems to have lost both Ruby Keeler and Joan Blondell, which is unfortunate.
Close, it’s from Footlight Parade, which caught me off guard with how delightful and fun it was. The pre-Code musicals have caused me to reevaluate the things I’ve always disliked about that genre - interruptions of the plot for the singing of tunes I generally don’t enjoy - and really appreciate Berkeley’s visual genius. The end of Footlight Parade or Gold Diggers of 1933 is like watching a fireworks display, with the constant oohing and ahhing of a peak-filled spectacle. And Cagney is so good at showing his talent as not just an actor but a complete performer in Footlight Parade.
I got a kick out of that screen shot with Claire Dodd and thought it would be perfect on this page.