johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies Chosen By Johanlefourbe list
Notes: Well, to be honest, pretty much like with 'Night of the Living Dead', even though I did like the damned thing, I can't say I thought it was really great though. Sure, I did like how it was sharp with a nice combination of horror, humor and satirical critic on our consumerist society. The main issue was that the acting was rather weak and the directing, with all respect to Romero, was nothing really amazing either. In my opinion, both were actually better in the recent remake. As a matter of fact, I can't actually say which one was better between this original version directed by George A. Romero and the remake directed by Zack Snyder. Indeed, the remake did look better but it still turned out to be a rather standard action flick, lacking the wit and originality of this first version. I guess, pretty much like when 'Night of the Living Dead', came out, it must have been quite a shock for the audience because they never had seen anything like this before. However, Iâm afraid it has actually lost most of its impact nowadays. Anyway, even if I donât think it is really such a masterpiece, it still a classic though.
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies ... my own version (1970's) list
Notes: At first glance, it seemed to be about the rise of Fascism in Italy and its impact on the rich Jews living in a small city but De Sica obviously went beyond that but, to be honest, I'm not sure I fully understood what he was getting at. Eventually, what were we supposed to feel about the Finzi Contini? Were we suppose to feel sorry for them because even their incredible wealth couldn't save them from the Fascist madness? Also, what was the deal with Alberto who was sick throughout the whole movie? Same thing with his sister Micòl, what was the deal with her ice queen bitch act? At least, it was intriguing that most of these Jews were attractive with blond hair and blue eyes which made them look like some perfect Nazis which shows that Fascism is not only an ignorant ideology but, apparently, it is also blind. Anyway, even if I didn't care much about the characters, they were still complex and interesting and, eventually, even if this movie didn't completely blow me away, it was still a solid historical drama.
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe posted a video
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies ... my own version (1970's) list
Notes: To be honest, I have to admit that I was expecting something more from it, especially since it has such a stellar reputation. It is an intriguing movie though, not doubt about it. Indeed, basically, back in those days and up until 'Schindler's List', even though Spielberg's movies were massively popular, they were all still pretty much some kind of theme-park attractions. However, here, he truly tried for the first time to deliver something more grown-up, even meditative, and you could really feel the influence of Stanley Kubrick. Sure, most viewers are still raving about the special effects which were quite ground-breaking for the time period but I was mostly intrigued by the tone which clearly stood out from the rest of his work. Furthermore, I have to admit that I really loved this ending. Seriously, it must be one of the most soothing endings I have ever seen. However, I also thought that it was rather bewildering that everyone would celebrate Roy Neary leaving with the aliens when, in fact, he had a wife and 3 kids he left behind. Seriously, it was really messed-up for them and I don't really get why the writers didn't pick instead Jill Guiler and her son or Lacombe. Anyway, except for this fascinating ending, to be honest, nothing much really noteworthy happens during the rest of the movie. I mean, basically, you have a bunch of mildly interesting characters constantly running around with a look of bewilderment on their face and not much more than that after all. Still, even though I did end up with some mixed feelings, it is a classic though.
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies Chosen By Johanlefourbe list
Notes: At first glance, it seemed to be about the rise of Fascism in Italy and its impact on the rich Jews living in a small city but De Sica obviously went beyond that but, to be honest, I'm not sure I fully understood what he was getting at. Eventually, what were we supposed to feel about the Finzi Contini? Were we suppose to feel sorry for them because even their incredible wealth couldn't save them from the Fascist madness? Also, what was the deal with Alberto who was sick throughout the whole movie? Same thing with his sister Micòl, what was the deal with her ice queen bitch act? At least, it was intriguing that most of these Jews were attractive with blond hair and blue eyes which made them look like some perfect Nazis which shows that Fascism is not only an ignorant ideology but, apparently, it is also blind. Anyway, even if I didn't care much about the characters, they were still complex and interesting and, eventually, even if this movie didn't completely blow me away, it was still a solid historical drama.
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies Chosen By Johanlefourbe list
Notes: To be honest, I have to admit that I was expecting something more from it, especially since it has such a stellar reputation. It is an intriguing movie though, not doubt about it. Indeed, basically, back in those days and up until 'Schindler's List', even though Spielberg's movies were massively popular, they were all still pretty much some kind of theme-park attractions. However, here, he truly tried for the first time to deliver something more grown-up, even meditative, and you could really feel the influence of Stanley Kubrick. Sure, most viewers are still raving about the special effects which were quite ground-breaking for the time period but I was mostly intrigued by the tone which clearly stood out from the rest of his work. Furthermore, I have to admit that I really loved this ending. Seriously, it must be one of the most soothing endings I have ever seen. However, I also thought that it was rather bewildering that everyone would celebrate Roy Neary leaving with the aliens when, in fact, he had a wife and 3 kids he left behind. Seriously, it was really messed-up for them and I don't really get why the writers didn't pick instead Jill Guiler and her son or Lacombe. Anyway, except for this fascinating ending, to be honest, nothing much really noteworthy happens during the rest of the movie. I mean, basically, you have a bunch of mildly interesting characters constantly running around with a look of bewilderment on their face and not much more than that after all. Still, even though I did end up with some mixed feelings, it is a classic though.
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe posted a review of Capone
“Following the âFantastic Fourâ debacle, Josh Trank still managed to come up with a new directing effort but, even though it turned out to be another critical bomb, I was still eager to check the end-result. Well, to be honest, I wonder why this movie had received such harsh reviews since it was ” read more
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe commented on a list
666GreatestFictionalVillains in abc order (2021) (610 characters items)
"Wow.... such a cool list! Well done ;) I didn't see The Predator or maybe I missed it"
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe voted for list
666GreatestFictionalVillains in abc order (2021) (610 characters items)
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies ... my own version (1980's) list
Notes: It is definitely one of the movies that I absolutely need to re-watch at some point. Still, I remember very well the first time I saw the damned thing. Indeed, at some point, I saw âParis, Texasâ, I was completely blown away by the whole thing and it immediately became one of the best movies I had ever seen. With this in mind, I was really eager to check Wim Wendersâs follow-up and since it had such a stellar reputation, I had some really high expectations. Well, to be honest, even though I did like this movie, I had actually a hard time to really care about the damned thing. I mean, sure, I was able to see that it was a real work of Art, no doubt about it, but, while I was completely swept away by âParis, Texasâ, this time around, I never felt much connection with this story or the characters involved. Eventually, 10 years later, they would actually deliver a Hollywood remake which is usually considered blasphemy for all the fans of this movie but I donât think it was so awful, at least, if you donât try to compare it to this German classic. Anyway, even if this movie didnât really fufill my expectations, it was a decent watch and it is definitely a major classic.
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe posted a review of In a Valley of Violence
“I wasnât really sure what to expect from this flick but since there was a decent cast involved and since it was suggested by a fellow Listal member, I thought I might as well check it out. Well, I really loved the intro and the whole Sergio Leone vibe so the damned thing certainly displayed some p” read more
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies Chosen By Johanlefourbe list
Notes: It is definitely one of the movies that I absolutely need to re-watch at some point. Still, I remember very well the first time I saw the damned thing. Indeed, at some point, I saw âParis, Texasâ, I was completely blown away by the whole thing and it immediately became one of the best movies I had ever seen. With this in mind, I was really eager to check Wim Wendersâs follow-up and since it had such a stellar reputation, I had some really high expectations. Well, to be honest, even though I did like this movie, I had actually a hard time to really care about the damned thing. I mean, sure, I was able to see that it was a real work of Art, no doubt about it, but, while I was completely swept away by âParis, Texasâ, this time around, I never felt much connection with this story or the characters involved. Eventually, 10 years later, they would actually deliver a Hollywood remake which is usually considered blasphemy for all the fans of this movie but I donât think it was so awful, at least, if you donât try to compare it to this German classic. Anyway, even if this movie didnât really fufill my expectations, it was a decent watch and it is definitely a major classic.
3 years, 7 months ago
johanlefourbe added 1 item to 1001 Movies ... my own version (2010's) list
Notes: Like many other heralded movies released in 2019, even if I really liked the damned thing, it didnât really blow me away though. The point was that, sure, it was indeed visually and technically impressive. However, even though the story was decent enough, to be honest, it was nothing really original or amazing. At least, the plot wasnât as ridiculous as it was in âSaving Private Ryanâ (a movie with an amazing intro but otherwise seriously overrated). Indeed, everything happening was fairly realistic but, again, there was nothing really ground-breaking about these 2 soldiers involved in some seemingly impossible mission to bring a crucial message. Furthermore, pretty much like Christopher Nolan with âDunkirkâ, Sam Mendes chose a realistic approach regarding his characters but, while this approach definitely has its merits, it also has its downside. I mean, on one hand, you really feel that you are dealing with some average soldiers, that they could be anyone, the boy-next-door, yourself, your brother,⌠However, on the other hand, you do end up with some âaverageâ characters who were barely charismatic and who didnât have any real distinctive features or personalities. Still, there is no doubt that the visuals by Roger Deakins (easily one of the best cinematographers at work nowadays) were just so impressive and it is possible that I would have enjoyed this movie more if I had seen it on the silver screen and not at home.
3 years, 7 months ago