Lists of movies seen, reactions to some,

Joker told me of the early days of their courtship, he and Jenocean would sometimes watch three straight movies as a matter of course. I have a problem w/ wandering attention, so I count it as Cupwinning time when I can make it through one. But, sometimes, one just gets the jag to watch many.

So, my first list consists of movies seen hodgepodge recently. For me, that Gospel of Matthew by Pasolini was a prod. What struck me most about that film was it's very filming - I loved the fact that it was non actors, the script was just the Bible opened, music eclectic and rockin', etc etc etc. It made me want to explore Italian film - esp that era - a lot more. So, I've tried to watch such films in the last few weeks - but since I am but a 'punter' in these matters, I'm sure I've missed some great films - lists of yr favourites would be appreciated.

So, I saw:

"Open City" - pretty good. Filmed rite the Nazis had retreated from Rome in 1944. No 'Matthew'.

"La Commare Secca" by Bertoluchi. Outstanding. A total rashoman type take on a murder - six or seven different people are interviewed by police after the murder and they try to figger out who did it. watched it/ Jacob in his roommates mess. Later.

And then there were other non Italian films I'd picked up:

"Je, Tu, Il, Elle", a terribly boring Euro film - I think properly it was Belgium, but was in french. It promised hot sexy chick in sexy situations - yes, that's why i picked it up - but man what a shitty film. I forced my way through the whole 90m. It consisted of three parts - a women (not that sexy - the box lied) who sat around in a room writing a letter, eating sugar, and rearranging furniture. The next 30m was her w/ a truck driver she hung around with. The only redeeming part from there was advertised correctly on the box this time - it said she "...passively meets hs sexual demands..." or the like - and she does. There is a 'hand shandy' scene that I thought was kool. I will admit to a certain liking of that theme - again, anytime a women acts to .......... well, whatever, it was a little bit of en interesting scene. for that reason. The last part was her meeting up w/ a lesbian lover. I was watching this film again w/ jacob, and when these two women started to mash on each other, we both naturally got closer to the tv to watch. it's funny - we are used to porn, so when two naked women start to make love, our natural expectation was that real explicit sexual scenes -as opposed to the soft focus long shot - was to be viewed by us. We laughed @ our upbringing. Shitty film. Do not watch it.

"Station Masters Wife" - Ah, German film - but w/in my quest to watch more, i guess, of the great European directors stuff. It's typical fare for me - over sexed wife starts fucking whoever. Pretty good flick. It seemed very 70's shot - but that was what Fassbinder wanted. I'll have to see more of his shit as well.

"Volver" - Q turned me into a huge Aldamover fan back in the 80's and I've seen pretty much all since then. Some better than others, but this wone was great for several reasons. Good story w/ lots of unexpected turns. Lots. I'd see it. And, as well, I'd see it for Penelope Cruise. Sexy sexy young woman. When this film came out originally, I remember Ebert and Roeper talking about who much Aldamover just loved the female form ( I knew there was some reason I like his films so much) and its true. Twice we get to see the most perfect Penelope sit upon the toilet and pull down her black panties. My face went red both times as the shame if it all............. and there is another time when she is mixing up food in a bowl and the camera films it from above - what wonderful cleavage is on display. I'd assumed Aldamovar was gay - is he? - but he certainly holds the same appreciation for the female as we do.

"Departed" - good film, see it. So, he won an academy Award for this film and not many others. Funny. But, again, it's a good film - not his best.

Harold Lloyd films - Got a DVD from Harold Wash lib on a trip to the city center a few weeks back, and bit by bit made my way thought he various 23m or 16m or 73m films he made back then. They are not the end all and be all of that era of films - Chaplin, Marx's and the Stoogers are like class of that era/style - but i thoroughly enjoyed the earlier 'silent 'films and less liked the later talkies. I will get vol 2 of this collection sometime and make my way through it as well.

"Wedding in Galilee" - Palestinian film from the 80's about a Palestinian wedding where the Israeli generals have to show up. This film was a bit uninteresting, but for some aspects. First - the singing!!!! Not only were there tonnes of great Arab type singing - sounded so kool - but also Israeli stuff as well. It sounded great, and shared - in my mind - lots w/ the singing of the Africans In "Matthew" and the later Italian girls in Bitter Rice". Loved that aspect. I also loved that Palestinian girl in the blue dress who dances in front of the camera several times - enough about her. And then there is the nude scenes - lots of the naked bride. This was kinda shocking because this was obstinately an Arab film and I figger that naked women scenes would not be in it. Nt that they were all that sexy - the scenes, that is. Well, if little miss bluesdressdanser were in them.......