The Apartment (1960)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

After watching Brief Encounter, Billy Wilder was so fascinated by one of the minor characters that he made a film based on that character. The Apartment is not simply a romantic comedy, although it is romantic and it is funny. The two main characters have a lot of depth to them which is a quality most modern day romantic comedies sadly lack.

Sex and Fury (1973)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

Awesome sexploitation trash cinema!

Casino Royale (2006)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Casino Royale is definitely better than the last 2 or 3 James Bond films. Daniel Craig is believable as Bond. However, I miss Q and I miss the gadgets. Another complaint: what's up with all the blatant product placements? James Bond in a Ford (gasp)?

The Gay Divorcee (1934)

Rating: * * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

I am really in a muscials phase right now, I have watched so many lately. The Gay Divorcee is another Astaire/Rogers collaboration with a lot of the same actors from their other films. The story is cute and Ginger Rogers is just lovely. It's so funny when Fred Astaire has to act tough and it's even funnier when the other person is actually inimated by Mr. Astaire!

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

A very intelligent and somtimes humorous film which reminds me a bit of Charlie Kauffman's Adaptation. I don't think it's nearly as good as Adaptation (which I think it's one of the best films in the last 20 years), but Will Ferrell's performance shows that he is more than just a comedic actor.

Scoop (2006)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

A very light Woody Allen film. Set in London again, Scoop is a good companion piece to the superior Match Point. Come to think of it, Allen has not had a great comedy in quite some time. Not that I did not enjoy Scoop, but I think the last great Woody Allen comedy was Bullet Over Broadway more than 10 years ago. I am not really complaining, I enjoy pretty much all his films (Okay, maybe not Celebrity). Scarlett Johansson has become his muse, and her Woody Allen impersonation is much cuter (and less annoying) than many of the other actors' (notably Kenneth Branagh in the terrible Celebrity).

Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940)

Rating: * * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Fred Astaire's first MGM musical after ten movies with RKO, nine of them with Ginger Rogers. He is paired up with the Queen of Tap, Eleanor Powell here. Ms Powell was an even better dancer than Ms Rogers, and the "Begin the Beguine" number is an aboslute delight. That being said, there is just something about the Fred and Ginger pairing that is so special, the chemistry so perfect, that I don't think even Ms. Powell's world class dancing ability was able to match.

Carefree (1938)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

Great Irving Berlin music (one song about yam) and great dancing. The slow motions of one dance number really showcases the elegance of Astaire and Rogers. The smile of her face when she dances is priceless. The plot (with hypnosis and all that) is silly but fun.

Fando y Lis (1968)

Rating: * * * (Out of 5)

A very strange film by Alejandro Jodorowsky. There are some Felliniesque images but the film has a performance art feel to it. It inspired me to have some interesting dreams that night after I watched it.

The Curse of the Cat People (1944)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

I prefer horror films to be pyschologically scary rather than simply gory like most of the new ones out there. The Curse of the Cat People manages to be creepy and scary without resorting to using cheap gimmicks. The connection to the first film is very slight, but it did not bother me. The only complaint is the ending, which I thought was a bit unclear.

Undertaking Betty (2002)

Rating: * 1/2 (Out of 5)

You would think that any film with Christoper Walken and Naomi Watts would be at least decent. Well... the scenes with Walken and Ms. Watts (love her accent!) are decent in Undertaking Betty... the rest of the movie is not.

Lee Evans has got to be one of the most annoying actors around.

My review here: http://www.amateurmoviereviews.com/2006/11/undertaking-betty-2002.html

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003)

Rating: * * * * 1/2(Out of 5)

South Korea has produced so many interesting films in recent years. Director Ki-duk Kim has made some ultra violent films, but this is a very Zen piece. Gorgeous cinematography with virtually no dialogue, the film shines in its simplicity.

I am a Sex Addict (2005)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

I wanted to see the film because of Rebecca Lord, but Caveh Zahedi's very personal film was a pleasent surprise. It was funny, and insightful, and very honest. Mr. Zahedi completely broke down the 4th wall, and would take himself out of the film narrative to address the viewer. He also shows that you can make a good film with almost no budget.

Follow the Fleet (1936)

Rating: * * * * (Out of 5)

The dance numbers are good, but it is not the best Astaire/Rogers film. Maybe because they had to share the leads with Randolph Scott and Harriet Hilliard, not that Scott and Hilliard are not likeable. For a change, Fred Astaire plays a working class character.

Rien ne va plus (The Swindle) (1997)

Rating: * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Claude Chabrol's 50th film is a bit of a disappointment, considering that his 49th was the chillingly excellent La Cérémonie. Rien ne va plus seems routine by comparison. The cons in the film are not particularly exciting, and neither are the characters, even though it is always a joy to watch Isabelle Huppert and Michel Serrault.

Clash by Night (1952)

Rating: * * * 1/2 (Out of 5)

Now part of the Film Noir Classic Collection, I am not sure if Fritz Lang's Clash by Night is really a film noir. That being said, what is film noir anyway?