1001movies’s posterous

living by the book 
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November 17, 2009

549

Aileen – The selling of a serial killer (1992)

A coldblooded murderer (or rape victim?) seeks justice by propagating her version of the truth. A confused moviemaker stumbles among loose ends searching for his version. And a hopeful viewer, out for drama and closure, wants the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Everybody gets frustrated. On showcase are sloppy police work, strange ex-partners and greedy luck-seekers as well as weirdo lawyers, sensation-prone media and election-minded politicians.

This provocative documentary stays in my book. Should ideally be viewed together with its companion »The last interview with the real monster – life and death of a serial killer«, a follow-up that radically changes the perspective.

Filed under  //   1990s   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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November 8, 2009

548

Gegen die Wand (2003)

Freedom sounds great in theory, but (as the song goes) it's really just another word for nothing left to lose. Pursuing maximum independence easily creates monsters of pride, loneliness and destruction whether you're a turkish immigrant in Germany or not.

Twisted dark comedy, heartwrenching love story, sharp social commentary. This one definitely stays in my book.

Filed under  //   2000s   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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November 5, 2009

backtrack; Zéro de conduite (1933)

Short, tragic farce of abusement and rebellion on several levels. Sometimes whimsically playful, sometimes terrifyingly razor-sharp in mixing childish mischief and adult misconduct. Eternal symbolism of oppressive society and threatening anarchy with school as the microcosm backdrop. Surreal and sublime, almost silent. Unusually frank storytelling and experimental execution.

Pleasant surprises like this is reason enough to continue the race towards 1001. Stays in my book, and very much so.

Filed under  //   1930s   backtrack   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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November 2, 2009

1001 movie blogs you must read before you die

Well, not really. But here is another one concerning our favourite book. Intelligent and funny writings by the ambitious Cristopher Cox:

http://1001afilmodyssey.blogspot.com/

Posted by nicolas krizan 

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November 1, 2009

backtrack; Freaks (1932)

Legendary depiction of unsuspicious love and dark treachery among the artists of a travelling freak show. A conventional plot is elevated by the touching depiction of the outcasts and a ferociously vengeful ending.

On my »not-for-the-squeamish« list.

Filed under  //   1930s   backtrack   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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October 30, 2009

backtrack; Scarface – The shame of a nation (1932)

Long before Tony Montana there was Tony Camonte. Equally ruthless and determined, just as doomed by destiny. Control is everything In mob life. Deal with competing gangs, your own organization, family, society and hardest of all, yourself.

On my list.

Filed under  //   1930s   backtrack   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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October 25, 2009

547

Once (2006)

Once upon a time there was a guy. He met this girl and they didn't live happily ever after. A documentary-looking modern-day fairy-tale about a street minstrel and a flower-girl, how's that for a change? No sex, no violence and (almost) no drama. Still this little kitchen sink musical is a nice and clever experience in its own unobtrusive way.

Would have benefitted from a little more complexity I suppose, however the warmth and sensibility nevertheless secures its place on my list.

Filed under  //   2000s   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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October 23, 2009

backtrack; Vampyr (1932)

A strange, unworldly »Symphonie des grauens« if there ever was one. Immerse yourself in the foglike atmosphere of confusion and bewilderment. Sink slowly into a grey and white universe of weird characters both fascinating and threatening. Ingmar Bergman's movies could have been something like this if he had made them a couple of decades earlier.

On my list.

Filed under  //   1930s   backtrack   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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October 21, 2009

546

The princess bride (1987)

Is it even possible to make a decent fantasy movie with laughable sets, hideous costumes and not-very-special effects? Maybe, but not in combination with a corny script, unconvincing actors and dull jokes. The only redeeming value whatsoever is a certain tongue-in-cheekishness of storytelling and dialogue that fails miserably at times but sometimes works quite well.

The most obvious »Not-on-my-list« entry so far.

Filed under  //   1980s   no   seen  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

Comments [2]

October 20, 2009

backtrack; M (1931)

Deeply unsettling portrait of a murderer, a city and a society. An amazing Peter Lorre as the compulsive child-molester manages to evoke both creeping fear, strong disgust and finally even a kind of desperate sympathy.

On my list with no hesitation whatsoever.

Filed under  //   1930s   backtrack   seen   yes  
Posted by nicolas krizan 

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