Henry Saw: A lot of cool movies each Sunday night...

For the last few months Ben and I have tried to watch a "new" movie every Sunday night...here are some thoughts about what we've seen so far...


So a few months ago Ben had the idea of blocking out each Sunday night to watch a film that neither of us had seen before. I think it's finally time to discuss what we've been watching and which, in my mind, are worth seeking out:


Le Samourai: Alain Delon plays a hit-man in 1960's Paris who lives alone and kills in style...

Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, LE Samourai is a very cool movie in almost every sense of the world. The cast is stylish, the camera work is suave, the music is modern...and yet it is impossible to connect to the film. This isn't an action movie...or a noir movie...it's very much an exercise in style and design. It's an awesome movie to look at, and has extended brilliant sequences, but is a hard movie to connect to. Still a must see for any fan of gangster movies, Paris, or good looking people...

Grade: B+




Le Doulos: About a recently released convict who quickly finds himself in trouble again and is never sure who among his old underworld friends he can still trust...

This film was also directed by Jean-Pierre Melville (better known as the director of Le cercle rouge and L'armée des ombres) but is a lot less interesting than Le Samourai. This film is filled with double-crossing and surprises but is never as engrossing as Le Samourai. It lacks an Alain Delon to hold the film together and is never half as cool to look at. It's a forgettable film that feels as though it is trying too hard to be grim and cool...and doesn't quite get there.

Grade: C+




Blast of Silence: A hit-man wonders around New York City during Christmas time before his last job...

This is a very interesting film...a fascinating look at New York City in 1960 and featuring a very unique narration...but I kind of struggled to stay with it. The whole cast is boring and amateurish, the plot is non-existent, and the pace (despite its 77 minute running time) is somewhat plodding. Still, as a movie that clearly influenced the Scorseses and Cappolas of the world it is definitely worth a viewing.

Grade: B-




Yojimbo: A roaming samurai finds himself in the middle of a war between rival gangs in a violence ridden town...

Akira Kurosawa is rightfully thought of as being one of the great directors of all time and this film is just another reason why. Operating on a smaller scale than Seven Samurai, Rashomon, or Ran, Yojimbo is a fairly focused action film. It is filled with actually funny moments and genuinely exciting fight scenes. The spaghetti western A Fistful of Dollars (Clint Eastwood's first "Man With No Name" film) is a remake of this Japanese classic but doesn't really compare

Grade: A-




A Wednesday: A man calls up the Mumbai police, and tells them he has placed five different bombs in the city -- all set to go off in some time. He wants four terrorists in exchange. What is his motive?

This is an Indian film that is far more interesting, and fun to talk about, than it is to actually watch. Its a stylistic mess, with horrible editing, crap music, and a poor script (outside of one scene...which I'll get to). It's actually the only Indian film I've ever seen without singing and/or dancing and it tries very hard to emulate "Western" cinema in its pacing and tone. The one great scene in the film is when we find out why the terrorist is committing this act...it's really a great scene...but it's the only great thing in the film. Actually, it's the only good thing.

Grade: C-




The Thief of Bagdad: Prince Ahmad is the rightful King of Bagdad but he has been blinded and cast out as a beggar. Now a captive of the wicked Grand Vizier Jaffar he is cast into a dungeon where he meets Abu, the best thief in all Bagdad. Together they escape and set about a series of adventures that involve a Genie in a bottle, a mechanical flying horse, an all-seeing magic jewel, a flying carpet and a beautiful princess.

By far the most fun film of this little weekly marathon of ours. This fantasy film is among the most innovative, fresh, and exciting films I've ever seen. The special effects in the film are astonishing for the time, the plot is simplistic but utterly charming, and the whole thing rates right up there with The Wizard of Oz as being a perfect and timeless family film. A revelation.

Grade: A+


That's all for now, there are some more to discuss but we'll get to those at a later date...