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“I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this flick but since it seemed to have a solid reputation (it is included in the ‘1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die’ list among other things), I was quite eager to check it out. Well, eventually, it turned out to be a solid film noir, no doubt out” read more
“A movie made by Pixar is always a big event and, even though this movie was rather poorly received, since it was available on Disney+, I thought I might as well check it out. Well, I’m afraid, I would have to agree with the critics here. Indeed, it has been years since Pixar had released such a we” read more
“I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this flick but since it seemed to have a solid reputation (it is included in the ‘1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die’ list among other things), I was quite eager to check it out. Well, to be honest, I don’t think this movie grew old very well. I ” read more
“I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this flick but since it was selected by IndieWire as one of the best movies released in 2022 so far, I thought I might as well check it out. I have to admit that I had no idea what it was about before watching the damned thing but, eventually, it turned out” read more
Notes: To be honest, I don’t think it is really a great movie. Indeed, there was nothing visually really impressive about it, none of the characters involved were really interesting (except for Efrem and Old Ned) and the story was pretty much a random mess. And yet, the historical value of this movie is huge since it is considered as the earliest known surviving film directed by an African-American. As a result, it was quite intriguing to see such an old movie finally from a black perspective, focusing on black characters and directed by a black man, On top of that, the 3rd act turned out to be actually quite mind-blowing. Indeed, instead of developing the story going on so far, they took a left-turn and ended up with a rather long flashback scene showing what happened back then when the main character was younger and the end-result was just so shocking. Indeed, you had a double lynching coupled with a grizzly rape scene and some little boy who got shot at but still managed to escape. Anyway, it was just so nightmarish but, in the contrary to most of your typical horror pictures, it was something that was really taking place back then in the South making the whole thing so much more horrible and frightening. Another unforgettable scene that occurred just before was when Efrem, a wretched weasel, also got lynched, not because he was accused of any wrongdoings but simply because this mob was apparently getting ‘impatient’.
Notes: To be honest, I don’t think it is really a great movie. Indeed, there was nothing visually really impressive about it, none of the characters involved were really interesting (except for Efrem and Old Ned) and the story was pretty much a random mess. And yet, the historical value of this movie is huge since it is considered as the earliest known surviving film directed by an African-American. As a result, it was quite intriguing to see such an old movie finally from a black perspective, focusing on black characters and directed by a black man, On top of that, the 3rd act turned out to be actually quite mind-blowing. Indeed, instead of developing the story going on so far, they took a left-turn and ended up with a rather long flashback scene showing what happened back then when the main character was younger and the end-result was just so shocking. Indeed, you had a double lynching coupled with a grizzly rape scene and some little boy who got shot at but still managed to escape. Anyway, it was just so nightmarish but, in the contrary to most of your typical horror pictures, it was something that was really taking place back then in the South making the whole thing so much more horrible and frightening. Another unforgettable scene that occurred just before was when Efrem, a wretched weasel, also got lynched, not because he was accused of any wrongdoings but simply because this mob was apparently getting ‘impatient’.
“I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this flick but since it kept hearing some pretty good things about it (it is included in the ‘1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die’ list among other things), I was quite eager to check it out. Well, to be honest, I don’t think it is really a great ” read more
“To be honest, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this flick but since it was directed by François Ozon, I was quite eager to check it out. Well, I have been following Ozon for more than 20 years (I have even seen his directorial debut ‘Sitcom’ in the movie theater when it was released) ” read more
Notes: I have to admit that it was only when the film started that I discovered that it was actually directed by Youssef Chahine, the great Egyptian director. In fact, I have to admit I have seen only one of his movies and it was more than 20 years ago so it was really neat to rediscover this master, especially since this movie is considered as his magnum opus. And, indeed, the damned thing was really intriguing. Basically, you spend one single day at the Central Station in Cairo with a multitude of colourful characters and Chahine definitely didn’t sugarcoat their living conditions, that’s for sure. Still, most of the people working there remained fairly cheerful so there was a fine balance between dark and grim realism (reinforced by the black and white cinematography) and the light banter between the characters. However, there was a shift in the tone, I’m not sure if it was sudden during the final act or if it was a slow progression, I should rewatch it to be completely sure. Anyway, at some point, it became a rather nail-biting psychological thriller and I wonder if we will ever see a Hollywood production showing so much compassion towards a psychopath. Apparently, the Egyptian audience hated the damned thing so much when it was released and, eventually, it is not surprising that something so dark would be ban for 20 years in Egypt.
Notes: I have to admit that it was only when the film started that I discovered that it was actually directed by Youssef Chahine, the great Egyptian director. In fact, I have to admit I have seen only one of his movies and it was more than 20 years ago so it was really neat to rediscover this master, especially since this movie is considered as his magnum opus. And, indeed, the damned thing was really intriguing. Basically, you spend one single day at the Central Station in Cairo with a multitude of colourful characters and Chahine definitely didn’t sugarcoat their living conditions, that’s for sure. Still, most of the people working there remained fairly cheerful so there was a fine balance between dark and grim realism (reinforced by the black and white cinematography) and the light banter between the characters. However, there was a shift in the tone, I’m not sure if it was sudden during the final act or if it was a slow progression, I should rewatch it to be completely sure. Anyway, at some point, it became a rather nail-biting psychological thriller and I wonder if we will ever see a Hollywood production showing so much compassion towards a psychopath. Apparently, the Egyptian audience hated the damned thing so much when it was released and, eventually, it is not surprising that something so dark would be ban for 20 years in Egypt. 
