The 29th Hall of Fame

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I forgot the opening line.
Yay we're back. Okay everyone - very careful from here on out.
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Latest Review : Le Circle Rouge (1970)



Adam's Apples


"Congratulations! You've been cast in Casino Royale."
"Wonderful. I hope I don't have to bleed from an orifice this time."
"Well..."


Is this a dark comedy, or what? It's also the kind of model of efficiency I've come to expect from the typical Danish movie. From the alcoholic, kleptomaniac Gunnar to the no-nonsense Dr. Kolberg, there are exactly as many characters as the story calls for, and no line or scene is wasted. Just because it's light on fat doesn't mean it's light on heft or emotion, thankfully. The performances deserve credit for this, especially Mikkelsen's, who is utterly convincing as someone who must convince himself that all of his hardships are a result of God testing him in order to stay above ground. Even more impressive in a less showy and more inward role is Ulrich Thomsen, who makes Adam so despicable that he might as well spit black bile instead of saliva and comes across like if he's resisting redemption with every fiber of his being. The apple tree and all the disasters that befall it also provide an ideal metaphor as if it's the main story in miniature and it provides some of the biggest laughs, animal cruelty notwithstanding. The mournful, bassoon-heavy score, which seems to lament that Ivan has to suffer and that Adam has to be the way he is, is another nice touch. The movie concludes, appropriately, in a way that made me smile as much as it made me ask, "really?" I mean, how in the world are we supposed to believe...that Adam have possibly grown back a full head of hair so quickly?

I'm not the biggest fan of M. Night Shyamalan's Signs, but I do give it credit for how it explores faith. The way this movie questions the meaning and value of it reminds me of how well that movie does these things. If Ivan's literally life-saving story isn't enough, we have Khalid's misplaced vendetta against Statoil to not only make us wonder how many of the stories we tell ourselves to give us a reason to get up in the morning are actually true, but also if it matters if they are. With that said - and maybe it's because I'm not the most religious person in the world - what resonated with me even more in movie is how it explores what it means to be good or evil. This may just be a backhanded compliment to Thomsen, whose failure to understand why Ivan is the way he is and that he constantly questions his sincerity is akin to an alien failing to understand humanity. I would expect there to be miracles and occurrences that make you wonder if everything happens for a reason in a movie like this one, but I can't help but think that some of them are contrivances. Even so, with its fine performances, trademark Danish efficiency and dark yet hearty laughs, it's a movie that ends up being one Ivan would be proud of: it does more good than bad.





Stroszek (1977) -


...I think this is all at the heart of the film's twisted humor of capturing how bizarre the world Bruno navigates is. Certain scenes such as Eva's pimps playing a piano as they beat Bruno, a mobile home being driven into and away from a plot of land, and the auction do a great job at representing the absurdities of both Germany and the U.S. Also, the final couple minutes are excellent and easily the best example of the film's humor. The scene acts as a parallel for Bruno's emotional journey throughout the film....
I like what you wrote there and in that way Stoszek reminds of the feeling I got from Paris Texax, though it's not as free-form as Stoszek is.



I like what you wrote there and in that way Stoszek reminds of the feeling I got from Paris Texax, though it's not as free-form as Stoszek is.
I remember having a similar reaction to Paris, Texas as well. Between the two, I'd definitely give the edge to Paris, Texas, personally (it's not quite my favorite Wenders film though), but both have some great moments in them.



Vengeance is Mine (1979)
I don't know if many read my review as it was posted on Monday. But I do have a question for anyone who has seen the movie. There was this brief shot that I didn't understand. Was it symbolic? Or did a character actually hang themselves?




I remember having a similar reaction to Paris, Texas as well. Between the two, I'd definitely give the edge to Paris, Texas, personally (it's not quite my favorite Wenders film though), but both have some great moments in them.
I really liked Paris, Texas which was chose for me in one of the Personal Recommendations. I think Paris, Texas feels more polished with characters we can become more involved in...I might have gave it a 4/5. I like Stroszek because it's so free form and unpolished and that appeals to me too.



I really liked Paris, Texas which was chose for me in one of the Personal Recommendations. I think Paris, Texas feels more polished with characters we can become more involved in...I might have gave it a 4/5. I like Stroszek because it's so free form and unpolished and that appeals to me too.
Also, you should check out Wings of Desire if you haven't seen it yet. It's my favorite of his films.



Also, you should check out Wings of Desire if you haven't seen it yet. It's my favorite of his films.
I did see that, it was Cosmic Runaway's nom in the 13th HoF. I didn't like it at the time but that was because I didn't really know what I was watching and so got a bit fussled. If I had pre-read about the film and it's style of film making I bet it would've helped me know what to expect and put me in the right mindset. I find that knowing what an unconventional film is about helps me from losing interest.





Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

The rare triple genre film Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a science-fiction horror film that could also classify it as a film noir. The plot is very simple...a doctor returns to his California town after a business trip. He reconnects with a high school flame but he also discovers a series of strange events over the course of the day.

Some would call this a low budget film...which is absurd you have a cast of dozens of citizens and an entire town. I would call this a prestige episode of the Twilight Zone. Ellsworth Frederick who later got an Oscar nomination for his later work really elevated the subject matter with creative shots. The film is littered with claustrophobic shots and creative angles. You could also keep track of all the characters even though the film has a very short run time.

I also give credit to the script unlike other Body Snatcher films these Aliens don't give off a particularly evil nature. You have a degree of nuance with the antagonists which what I think elevates the subject matter. You also have to credit the casting the makeup artists for finding 4 solid character actors and making them look and feel like big stars (Bing Crosby, Jane Wyman, and Elisabeth Taylor) even though they were just character actors.

The ending of the film is also great...it's ambiguous we don't really know where the next step for the story is. And to me that's such an unusual and powerful way to conclude the story.



I don't know if many read my review as it was posted on Monday. But I do have a question for anyone who has seen the movie. There was this brief shot that I didn't understand. Was it symbolic? Or did a character actually hang themselves?

Akira Nishiguchi was hung for his crimes...I can't remember if they referenced it or not but that was the mode of execution for Japanese criminals at that time.



I did see that, it was Cosmic Runaway's nom in the 13th HoF. I didn't like it at the time but that was because I didn't really know what I was watching and so got a bit fussled. If I had pre-read about the film and it's style of film making I bet it would've helped me know what to expect and put me in the right mindset. I find that knowing what an unconventional film is about helps me from losing interest.
I've considered nominating it for a main Hall of Fame, in fact. I might sit the next one out since I'm trying to catch up on some films I've been meaning to rewatch, but I should be back for the 31st Hall of Fame.



The trick is not minding
I don't know if many read my review as it was posted on Monday. But I do have a question for anyone who has seen the movie. There was this brief shot that I didn't understand. Was it symbolic? Or did a character actually hang themselves?

It was foreshadowing of his future



Akira Nishiguchi was hung for his crimes...I can't remember if they referenced it or not but that was the mode of execution for Japanese criminals at that time.
Thanks Siddon, I didn't know that.

It was foreshadowing of his future
Ah, that makes sense, thanks Wylde.



These Hall of Fame threads really make me appreciate how open minded and decent everyone is in Chypmunks music competition threads.
When I first read this I thought you were serious, until I read your post directly before this one in which you said-

Princess Bride is brilliant. It's funny, exciting, heartwarming, imaginative, full of great cameos and is great meta commentary on the art of storytelling. You people who don't like it are mental.
I love your sense of humor, you should join the next Hall of Fame