Eclipse 1956: 赤線地帯

(December 12, 2022)

This is it! The final movie in this Criterion Eclipse blog series. Once again, this Mizoguchi film veers towards kitsch, and I’m not sure why anybody would hail these films as, well, anything to er hail. Is it just because of the exoticism? That seems crass, so I’m sure not, but it’s hard to see … Continue reading Eclipse 1956: 赤線地帯

Eclipse 1948: 夜の女たち

(December 12, 2022)

This is a depressing, brutal movie, and I can’t imagine why the American censors didn’t stop it at the time. Again, as with Sisters of the Gion, Mizoguchi is making a film about how prostitution sucks. In that film, it sucked because men are assholes (but the women should have known that, is my reading). … Continue reading Eclipse 1948: 夜の女たち

Eclipse 1936: 浪華悲歌

(December 12, 2022)

Oh, I forgot to write anything here… it’s mostly because this is kinda really uninspiring. It’s a very straightforward story — there’s almost nothing here. But I can see why it was a success — it’s a nice little tragedy. Osaka Elegy. Kenji Mizoguchi. 1936. This blog post is part of the Eclipse series.

Eclipse 1936: 祇園の姉妹

(December 12, 2022)

The final Criterion Eclipse box set! The end is nigh! So only four more posts to go in this blog series. This is kinda fun — virtually all other Japanese films I’ve seen in this blog series has cinematography that’s so composed, one way or another. With Ozu everything is tidy and symmetrical, and Naruse … Continue reading Eclipse 1936: 祇園の姉妹

Eclipse 1934: 限りなき舗道

(December 9, 2022)

The Japanese kept on making silent movies for way longer than was reasonable… but this is the final one on the Criterion Eclipse box sets. I mean, in a way it’s nice — some male Japanese actors have a tendency to grunt a lot and talk way below their natural ranges, which is annoying to … Continue reading Eclipse 1934: 限りなき舗道

Eclipse 1933: 君と別れて

(December 6, 2022)

This film is marred with many technical problems (much like the first Naruse film, but not the subsequent ones). Like that first film, most of the cuts is followed by a judder, which makes things rather unpleasant to watch. A new issue seems to be that they’ve apparently fired the focus puller — a number … Continue reading Eclipse 1933: 君と別れて

Eclipse 1974: Cartesius

(December 5, 2022)

I really enjoyed Rossellini’s Blaise Pascal, and I really disliked his Medici, and this one was made between those two — so what’s it going to be like? So this one is about Descartes… and it seems more like the Blaise Pascal film. In this scene, they’ve put Descartes before the horse. Very odd makeup … Continue reading Eclipse 1974: Cartesius

Eclipse 1933: 夜ごとの夢

(December 5, 2022)

Why haven’t those devices (for holding chilled water bags on foreheads) taken off all over the world? Anyway, I’m having a hard time getting into this movie. There’s scens that are really fun (especially involving those sailors), but the main plot (about an out-of-work father and a geisha mother) just isn’t all that interesting. The … Continue reading Eclipse 1933: 夜ごとの夢

Eclipse 1972: Blaise Pascal

(December 4, 2022)

So this is another one of these made-for-TV historical things Rossellini was doing? The first one, L’età di Cosimo de Medici, was horrible. This looks a lot less something you’d punish school children with as homework for a history class and more like an actual movie. The acting style is an odd hybrid — it’s … Continue reading Eclipse 1972: Blaise Pascal

Eclipse 1932: 腰弁頑張れ

(December 4, 2022)

As with several early Japanese films on the Eclipse box sets, this is more than a bit unrestored. Some scenes are extremely noisy. Practical to have the baby in a backpack. This is most amusing. Flunky, Work Hard!. Mikio Naruse. 1932. This blog post is part of the Eclipse series.

Eclipse 1931: 生さぬ仲

(December 4, 2022)

OK, two box sets to go… this is the first film on the Silent Naruse set. And it is, indeed, silent. (Well, except for the soundtrack.) The cinematography and editing on this is insane for a movie from 1931. Each shot lasts, like, two seconds, and most are much shorter. And whenever there’s something longer, … Continue reading Eclipse 1931: 生さぬ仲

Eclipse 1944: La ciel est à vous

(December 3, 2022)

So political! This is pretty odd structurally, in that it doesn’t really seem to have any structure. Instead it moves from scene to scene in a way that feels true to life (and it was apparently based on a real-life woman pilot). It’s interesting… and it’s amusing… but it’s not really gripping? It’s a movie … Continue reading Eclipse 1944: La ciel est à vous

Eclipse 1945: 續姿三四郎

(December 3, 2022)

Oooh! An evil… American? He’s so evil! OK, now he’s getting his comeuppance! Judo power to the rescue! Wow. Wow. I didn’t know that it was possible for a Kurosawa movie to get a rating this low on imdb! Anyway, this was made in the last days of WWII, and is set in the late … Continue reading Eclipse 1945: 續姿三四郎

Eclipse 1941: 簪

(December 3, 2022)

This blog series is winding down soon — I think I’m on schedule to watch the final movie early next week. And then I can finally watch something else! (Yes, I know, I know.) Again with the blind masseurs — was this filmed back-to-back with the previous movie, The Masseurs and a Woman? I think … Continue reading Eclipse 1941: 簪

Eclipse 1938: 按摩と女

(December 2, 2022)

The first movie on the Shimizu was unrestored and barely watchable. The second looked very nice indeed, and was kinda brilliant. This one looks rather dodgy? Perhaps there’s a correlation between whether somebody’s found it worth their time to restore a film and how memorable it is, because it doesn’t really look promising either way. … Continue reading Eclipse 1938: 按摩と女

Eclipse 1961: 小早川家の秋

(December 2, 2022)

OK, I’m getting confused now. Ozu uses the same actors in film after film (which isn’t unusual), but he also sets the films in very similar sets — often reusing the same offices and homes when shooting, apparently. So I’m finding myself going “oh, she’s the daughter of… oh, was that this film or the … Continue reading Eclipse 1961: 小早川家の秋

Eclipse 1972: L’età di Cosimo de Medici

(December 2, 2022)

To celebrate Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles winning the 2022 #1 spot for Longest Film Title Ever, I’m finally watching this thing, which is four and a half hours long. Unless I ditch it, of course. Ah: The Age of the Medici, originally released in Italy as L’età di Cosimo de Medici … Continue reading Eclipse 1972: L’età di Cosimo de Medici

Eclipse 1943: Lumière d’été

(November 29, 2022)

This is a very odd movie. I guess it’s a romance? It’s set in a hotel right next to a mine, so we’ve got a desolate hotel with almost no guests, booms in the night, and a cast of hotel employees out of Comedy Central Casting. It’s great! Ooh! Mysterious stranger! Tournesols! Exactly! This is … Continue reading Eclipse 1943: Lumière d’été

Eclipse 1936: 有りがたうさん

(November 29, 2022)

Heh, this is called Arigatō-san because there’s a bus driver that says arigatō so everybody he passes? Anyway, I had a hard time watching the previous Shimizu film in this box set just because of technical issues with film stability (OK, it made me nauseous), but this looks fine… I’m enjoying this a lot already … Continue reading Eclipse 1936: 有りがたうさん

Eclipse 1945: 虎の尾を踏む男達

(November 29, 2022)

This starts off with half an hour of plot recaps… but I guess that means that this is gonna be a samurai movie instead of another of the disastrous wartime propaganda movies of Kurusawa. I think this may be a comedy? Ah, right. This is an er 12th century tale about samurais and stuff, but … Continue reading Eclipse 1945: 虎の尾を踏む男達

Eclipse 1960: 秋日和

(November 28, 2022)

This starts off like many of these late Ozu films — with a bunch of guys around a table talking about nothing much in particular… So what’s it going to be about this time? Is it the same group of men as in the previous movie? I mean, Ozu uses the same troupe of actors … Continue reading Eclipse 1960: 秋日和

Eclipse 1941: Remorques

(November 28, 2022)

Huh. This Grémillon box set is also set during the occupation. I’ve somehow saved a whole bunch of box sets filmed during WWII in Japan and France for the end of this blog series (we’ve got about 10% to go until it’s done). I didn’t do this consciously, so I guess it’s just a coinkidink. … Continue reading Eclipse 1941: Remorques

Eclipse 1933: 港の日本娘

(November 28, 2022)

Oh, this is a silent movie… Uhm… there’s an audio track here with very vigorous pianner music… but perhaps I should listen to something else to avoid going insane. But what! OK, I’m putting on …and the Ambulance Died In His Arms by Coil. The Eclipse sets usually aren’t restored films — they’re supposed to … Continue reading Eclipse 1933: 港の日本娘

Eclipse 1944: 一番美しく

(November 27, 2022)

That’s just not true! I’m very productive and my character is the worst. Kurosawa’s previous wartime movie avoided dealing with the war at all by being all samurai and stuff. But this looks like it’s going to be a straightforward wartime effort propaganda movie? She almost organised a strike, because they increased the men’s workload … Continue reading Eclipse 1944: 一番美しく

Eclipse 1968: Nevinost bez zaštite

(November 27, 2022)

So this is a mockumentary? So this is a parody of older Yugoslavian movies? It’s kinda gruesome as parodies go, since it seems like it has actual documentary footage from WWII? I mean, it’s amusing, but it’s not “ha ha” funny…? I guess that’s “satire” for you. OK, this film is just an excuse to … Continue reading Eclipse 1968: Nevinost bez zaštite

Eclipse 1958: 彼岸花

(November 27, 2022)

It’s weird seeing oldee-tymey looking Japanese people in colour, finally. I mean, contemporary from the 1950s… I’m digging this movie — it’s kinda languid and relaxed… And funny. I mean, so far. I’m guessing there’s gonna be some drama later, but I’m confident it won’t be too stressful. Somehow the framing and sets here remind … Continue reading Eclipse 1958: 彼岸花

Eclipse 1943: 姿三四郎

(November 26, 2022)

This is the first DVD on the Early Kurosawa box set. Here’s my most controversial opinion ever: Kurosawa’s just not that good, eh? So I’m actually kinda excited about seeing these movies, because he’s certainly got something going on, and perhaps it wasn’t all covered in schmaltz when he was young? Let’s find out. This … Continue reading Eclipse 1943: 姿三四郎

Eclipse 1967: Ljubavni slučaj ili tragedija službenice P.T.T.

(November 26, 2022)

This is much better than Makavejev’s previous movie, which was rather overwrought — it seemed like he wanted to have everything in there. This is much more relaxed; perhaps he realised that he could make more than one movie before the state came down on him or something. Was Makavejev religious? I think I detect … Continue reading Eclipse 1967: Ljubavni slučaj ili tragedija službenice P.T.T.

Eclipse 1957: 東京暮色

(November 25, 2022)

Ozu is mixing it up! This character is placed mid-shot as usual, but he’s not staring into the camera! He’s looking slightly to the left of the camera!!1! OZU IS INNOVATING! Oh, right, hi, welcome back to the Late Ozu Box Set Live Blogging Experience. I think Ozu has the most movies in the Criterion … Continue reading Eclipse 1957: 東京暮色

Eclipse 1965: Čovek nije ptica

(November 24, 2022)

Wow, this is a snappy film. After watching so many slow French and Japanese movies, it’s overwhelming. Makavejev’s name seems extremely familiar — I feel like I should know who he is, but I don’t, really. Very chaotic. This movie looks great. The shakycam is a bit hard on my stomach, though. It’s an uneven … Continue reading Eclipse 1965: Čovek nije ptica

Eclipse 1946: Sylvie et le Fantôme

(November 23, 2022)

This is most drôle. Ghosts and romance. Hang on… Is that a young Jacques Tati? It’s even got a ghost dog! This started off really well, with lots of zip and pep. It’s still amusing, but it’s gotten a bit bogged down? We’ve been introduced to three fake ghosts and one real, and several other … Continue reading Eclipse 1946: Sylvie et le Fantôme

Eclipse 1956: 早春

(November 23, 2022)

Ozu’s Tokyo Story is officially the best movie ever (you don’t get more official than the director’s poll at Sight and Sound). Well, at least it was in 2012 — in a week we’ll find out what the new winner is. This is the first film on the Late Ozu box set, but it’s not … Continue reading Eclipse 1956: 早春

Eclipse 1943: Douce

(November 23, 2022)

This is really good — razor sharp characters, fantastic set design, and a promising storyline. Uhm uhm… this isn’t going as well as I’d hoped. I mean, it’s a nice movie and all, and I like the languorous pacing, but it’s just not that interesting? There’s the most hilarious review of this on imdb: If … Continue reading Eclipse 1943: Douce

Eclipse 1946: 大曾根家の朝

(November 22, 2022)

OK, so we’re now in 1946, and Keisuke Kinoshita is working under American censors now instead of the Japanese ones from two years earlier. It turns out that the Japanese were the villains all along! His previous movie, Army, was brilliant, so I went into this with high hopes (which, of course, one shouldn’t do). … Continue reading Eclipse 1946: 大曾根家の朝

Eclipse 1944: 陸軍

(November 22, 2022)

Yes, this is another Japanese wartime movie. The previous two films in this box set have been pretty dire, but perhaps this will be more interesting, now that the war isn’t going as well as in 1942… Yes indeed. Oh, but we start off in Olden Times… Is this gonna be about how the Japanese … Continue reading Eclipse 1944: 陸軍

Eclipse 1942: Lettres d’amour

(November 22, 2022)

*cough* *cough* I’ve got a cold, but perhaps watching some more movies from the Eclipse Criterion collection is the answer… I started this box set (made in Occupied France) a while ago, but then er got busy with other things, and I don’t remember the first movie at all. This looks quite amusing — it’s … Continue reading Eclipse 1942: Lettres d’amour

Eclipse 1942: La mariage de Chiffon

(October 15, 2022)

I was watching a box set of WWII movies from Japan, but I couldn’t finish two of the movies, because they were just too brutally… er… bad. So I’m switching it up completely! And starting on the box set of movies from… er… Occupied France in 1942. Totally different! Autant-Lara was hot shit during WWII … Continue reading Eclipse 1942: La mariage de Chiffon

Eclipse 1944: 歓呼の町

(October 15, 2022)

I thought this box of war-time movies would be more… er… distinct? But it’s like the main requirement of the censors is that the movies should be as boring as inhumanely possible. I mean, some of this may not be from gummint requirements, but just from crushing filming conditions — many of these scenes just … Continue reading Eclipse 1944: 歓呼の町

Eclipse 1943: 生きてゐる孫六

(October 6, 2022)

This looks extremely unrestored, even as these movies go. It’s got these weird artefact-looking shadows that almost look VHS-like, but surely that can’t be the case here. Nah. Kinoshita’s previous movie was really enjoyable, even if it devolved into a very patriotic movie towards the end. This looks shoddily made (even if it has more … Continue reading Eclipse 1943: 生きてゐる孫六

Eclipse 1943: 花咲く港

(September 29, 2022)

I’ve seen plenty of post-WWII Japanese movies — but this is from 1943, in the middle of the war. It possible I’ve seen no Japanese war-time films before? Well, this Criterion Eclipse box set should fix that, because it’s got approx. five of them. This is slightly vague about when it’s set — but it … Continue reading Eclipse 1943: 花咲く港

Eclipse 1991: আগন্তুক

(September 29, 2022)

This looks exactly like Ray’s previous movie, and that one was… pretty bad. After two pretty bad movies from Ray, this is actually pretty good. It’s something that could have been done as a stage play — most of it happens in a couple of rooms — but feels so natural this way, because it’s … Continue reading Eclipse 1991: আগন্তুক

Eclipse 1989: গণশত্রু

(September 26, 2022)

Oh, this is a version of the Ibsen play. Which I haven’t seen in a long while. I’m guessing Ray didn’t have huge resources to do films at this point? So Ray is following the plot of the play pretty closely… or at least what I remember of it. OK, I don’t think they were … Continue reading Eclipse 1989: গণশত্রু

Eclipse 1984: ঘরে-বাইরে

(September 11, 2022)

So this has a pretty high imdb rating… but only 1.7K votes… And the majority of those votes are from India. I mean, from outside the US. So this is basically a movie that’s nobody’s watched in a while, and the only people who’ve watched it are in India. I mean, outside the US. But … Continue reading Eclipse 1984: ঘরে-বাইরে

Eclipse 1952: Androcles and the Lion

(September 10, 2022)

Now that’s some matte painting. Wow: Harpo Marx was originally signed to play Androcles, and after the first five weeks of shooting, Pascal was thrilled with the results; but Howard Hughes, who had seen Young on TV, hired him for the lead, and Harpo was replaced. How utterly weird. Not wow: When it opened in … Continue reading Eclipse 1952: Androcles and the Lion

Eclipse 1945: Caesar and Cleopatra

(September 8, 2022)

Wow. Selznick got second billing. This is quite odd. I mean, it looks like a filmed stage show and a hugely expensive movie spectacle at the same time. It’s a weird thing to watch. I guess it’s all MDF and matte painting? And Vivian Leigh is playing Cleopatra as a 12 year old girl (or … Continue reading Eclipse 1945: Caesar and Cleopatra

Eclipse 1941: Major Barbara

(September 3, 2022)

This is an unusual Eclipse box set — it’s three movies based on George Bernard Shaw’s plays. I think this is the only box set that’s focused on a writer? Oh, Shaw and director Pascal collaborated of four films. This first one, Pygmalion, is the one people’s seen (but not as much as My Fair … Continue reading Eclipse 1941: Major Barbara

Eclipse 1966: O slavnosti a hostech

(September 3, 2022)

I forgot to watch this when I watched all the other films in the Pearls of the Czech New Wave box set, but Emacs reminded me. This is very stylish. And I’m guessing very symbolic and stuff? Is that handsy guy supposed to symbolise the Russians? I can smell symbolism going on. Or are the … Continue reading Eclipse 1966: O slavnosti a hostech

Eclipse 1992: My Crasy Life

(September 2, 2022)

This is kinda brilliant? And so weird. It’s about Samoan gangs in LA. OH MY GOD! This is where Cabaret Voltaire sampled that whole long speech from! *gasp* Heh, the video is just bits from this film! Man it’s so weird when you’ve listened to an album half your life and then finally stumble on … Continue reading Eclipse 1992: My Crasy Life

Eclipse 1955: 生きものの記録

(September 2, 2022)

Everybody lives in fear of the dentist, surely. After a series of Kurosawa duds, this starts off in a pretty interesting way, at least. I mean, it’s not original or anything, but it’s got some interesting flourishes. Good old-man acting! Anyway, this is really good — it’s about fambly (FAMBLY!) and fear of the H-Bomb … Continue reading Eclipse 1955: 生きものの記録

Eclipse 1986: Routine Pleasures

(September 1, 2022)

This is the kind of documentary that could be a lot of fun — it’s a filmmaker drilling down into a group of people being really passionate about something. But… Gorin just doesn’t seem that interested, really? And I can see why; it’s really hard to see how you could find anything interesting here. It’s … Continue reading Eclipse 1986: Routine Pleasures

Eclipse 1951: 白痴

(September 1, 2022)

Oh, this is the Fyodor novel… And it’s three hours long aaaaa Err… that’s a lot of exposition… … and it just goes on and on. And now there’s a voiceover offering more exposition! Aha! It was originally intended to be a two-part film with a running time of 265 minutes. After a single, poorly … Continue reading Eclipse 1951: 白痴

Eclipse 1950: 醜聞 スキャンダル

(August 26, 2022)

Philistine time: I remember Kurosawa being hot shit back in the 80s, what with spectacles like Ran being shown in theatres all over the world, and nominated for all the Oscars and everything. Yes, sure, he’d been hot shit before that, too, but that was when I became aware of him. And… as a teenager, … Continue reading Eclipse 1950: 醜聞 スキャンダル

Eclipse 1979: Poto and Cabengo

(August 26, 2022)

This is fascinating. I have no idea whether this is a real documentary or not — it’s bizarre — but it’s a fascinating movie in any case. It’s a heartbreaking movie. Poto and Cabengo. Jean-Pierre Gorin. 1979. This blog post is part of the Eclipse series.

Eclipse 1947: 素晴らしき日曜日

(August 26, 2022)

But it isn’t: the best non-Italian neorealist film I’ve come across This has nothing in common with neorealist filmmaking except being about poor people. Instead it’s a riff on Capra — and it’s a pretty good one? OK, it gets less Capra-ish after a while. There’s strong scenes in here, but the movie as a … Continue reading Eclipse 1947: 素晴らしき日曜日

Eclipse 1946: わが青春に悔なし

(August 20, 2022)

Hm. This is from 1946? I guess I’m surprised that this is so… that this is didactically explaining that the previous Japanese gummint were cads and scoundrels and that the Japanese invasion in Manchuria was a crime. I mean, was that something that would be a hug box office draw in Japan, a year after … Continue reading Eclipse 1946: わが青春に悔なし

Eclipse 1936: Rembrandt

(August 20, 2022)

Is that true today, I wonder? (Substitute billionaire.) Well, that’s an original way to start one of these movies — with Rembrandt well established, rich and surrounded by fans. Most amiable. Laughton is wonderful in this. His mannerisms are so precise and fit with the character he’s playing perfectly. And also fits the movie — … Continue reading Eclipse 1936: Rembrandt

Eclipse 1934: The Rise of Catherine the Great

(August 19, 2022)

Oops — I’m watching the movies on this Alexander Korda box set out of sequence, because this movie, the direct follow-up to The Private Life of Henry VIII, wasn’t directed by Korda himself. (He only produced it.) But both this and The Private Life of Don Juan were released in 1934, so I’m not that … Continue reading Eclipse 1934: The Rise of Catherine the Great

Eclipse 1934: The Private Life of Don Juan

(August 18, 2022)

Oh… Henri Bataille, not Georges Bataille. So I guess that after the success of the Henry VIII movie, Korda wanted to keep the money rolling in by doing another movie also called “The Private Life of…”, but this time with another sexual rapscallion. (Because that’s how he portrayed Henry, and not as a homicidal lunatic.) … Continue reading Eclipse 1934: The Private Life of Don Juan

Eclipse 1933: The Private Life of Henry VIII

(August 18, 2022)

Oh, this is by Alexander Korda… I watched a bunch of films earlier in this blog series by Zoltan Korda, who I’m assuming is Alexander’s brother? But this is an oldee English costumey drama. OK, they’re not going for historical verisimilitude what with the comically large grind stone and all. Oh, I’m always confused when … Continue reading Eclipse 1933: The Private Life of Henry VIII

Eclipse 1962: からみ合い

(August 16, 2022)

This is cheery. And really good. Could this be a Kobayashi movie that doesn’t suck? *crosses fingers* I’m watching this and my brain is like “this is kinda good innit?” and then yet another ridiculous scene happens. Kobayashi is trying so hard to make a movie with an intriguingly complex plot, and mostly succeeds? Like … Continue reading Eclipse 1962: からみ合い

Eclipse 1986: … and the pursuit of happiness

(August 15, 2022)

This is the final movie on the Louis Malle box set (which is, I think, the second-largest Eclipse box set after the first one, which was all of Bergman’s early movies). Malle’s earlier documentaries have been pretty hit or miss, but they all felt very organic? This one doesn’t. The previous ones have been, like, … Continue reading Eclipse 1986: … and the pursuit of happiness

Eclipse 1957: 黒い河

(August 15, 2022)

Hey, it’s been a couple of weeks since I watched a movie from Criterion’s Eclipse series, and it’s mostly been because I haven’t really been impressed with either of the two box sets I’m watching: The Louis Malle one had one fantastic movie, and then the rest have been, to use a technical term, “ehh”. … Continue reading Eclipse 1957: 黒い河

Eclipse 1985: God’s Country

(August 3, 2022)

So in the 70s, PBS wanted Malle to do a documentary, and he semi-randomly landed at Glencoe, Minnesota. But there was no budget to edit it, so it languished until 1985. Nine churches, 5K people. Perhaps not the ideal stache for a town with 80% German-ancestry population. It’s a slightly odd documentary — I mean, … Continue reading Eclipse 1985: God’s Country

Eclipse 1956: あなた買います

(August 3, 2022)

I really disliked the first Kobayashi movie on this Criterion Eclipse box set, but at least it was earnest. This… is a movie about baseball and baseball scouts? OK, it’s a critical movie about baseball scouts… This is brutally tedious. The cinematography is OK — the shots generally look nice — but it’s just so … Continue reading Eclipse 1956: あなた買います

Eclipse 1956: 壁あつき部屋

(July 30, 2022)

Huh. This is about Japanese war criminals in prisons run by Americans? So we’re supposed to be sympathetic to the Japanese, I think? Because the American guards are portrayed as being kinda uncouth. Not much couth on display. And whenever an “American” talks we get some side titles. Most of them don’t sound like they … Continue reading Eclipse 1956: 壁あつき部屋

Eclipse 1969: L’inde fantome

(July 29, 2022)

This is supposed to be the last really hot day for the summer here (or something), so I thought I’d mix up a batch of batida de mango and then watch six hours about India, as one does. This is a documentary TV series Malle and his crewed filmed over some months in India and … Continue reading Eclipse 1969: L’inde fantome

Eclipse 1942: Jungle Book

(July 25, 2022)

Nice Technicolor. This is a fascinating mix of shots that look almost real and shots that look so unreal you think they’re aiming for a kind of hyper-reality. Was is all shot in a back lot in Putney? So evil! Sabu! This is very entertaining and beautifully shot (with no regards for naturalism). But I … Continue reading Eclipse 1942: Jungle Book

Eclipse 1969: Calcutta

(July 25, 2022)

It’s been so long since I watched an Eclipse movie! This is another film from the Malle box set — a documentary about Calcutta? So these are just random things you might see if you’re in Calcutta and have a movie camera? Malle used a purely observant camera in Humain, Trop Humain to great success, … Continue reading Eclipse 1969: Calcutta

Eclipse 1938: The Drum

(July 1, 2022)

OK, I’m on a new laptop… let’s hope this blogging/screenshot thing works from this thing, too. Oh, yeah — this is that box set about that actor. The Colonial superiors. Those beards look really real! Oooo! Are they carrying on up that pass? Man, the enlisted men look younger every year. This looks oddly like … Continue reading Eclipse 1938: The Drum

Eclipse 1937: Elephant Boy

(June 21, 2022)

Oh, this box set — “Sabu!” — is a collection of movies featuring this guy (later seen in Black Narcissus etc). And this is his first movie. Man, that’s a big elephant. Oh my god! These filmmakers are insane!!!! (No babies were squished during the making of this movie, I hope, but…) See? Very large … Continue reading Eclipse 1937: Elephant Boy

Eclipse 1933: 非常線の女n

(June 20, 2022)

Oooh! Is that the Evil Corporate Guy? He always looks like this. That’s a nice sweater. As with all the other Ozu movies, this looks really good. And the plot is a more engaging than his other two crime dramas in this box set. I think? OK, I’ve lost track of what the plot is. … Continue reading Eclipse 1933: 非常線の女n

Eclipse 1974: Place de la République

(June 20, 2022)

This is very 70s. I mean, in a good way. It’s apparently a totally random documentary thing where they spent a couple of weeks in one specific place in Paris and interviewed people walking by. I love all these people, but Malle and his team seem to go after the more… “interesting”… people. I don’t … Continue reading Eclipse 1974: Place de la République

Eclipse 1974: Humain, trop humain

(June 17, 2022)

This is utterly fascinating. It’s a documentary from a car factory? There’s no commentary track or sound be, so we have to just sit here and look at people assembling cars. Oh, they’re assembling the wiring harness for the car? Ooo. Of course, this wouldn’t be that fascinating if it hadn’t been for the amazing … Continue reading Eclipse 1974: Humain, trop humain

Eclipse 1974: Vive le Tour!

(June 16, 2022)

Oh, this is a documentary about that bicycle thing? Louis Malle, Louis Malle… It’s such a familiar name, but I can’t quite remember… he’s done a bunch of movies I’ve seen, right? Aaah! My Dinner with Andre. Of course. But I think that’s basically the only movie of his I’ve seen? Oh, and Au revoir … Continue reading Eclipse 1974: Vive le Tour!

Eclipse 1930: その夜の妻

(June 16, 2022)

OK, I’m slightly drunk, but I have no idea what this movie is about. It started off with a robbery, but now I’m lost. The bag-of-presumably-cold-water-or-ice-hanging-on-a-string treatment for fever never really took off outside of Japan, did it? It does sound nice, though. I like bits of this, but… it’s really not that interesting? It … Continue reading Eclipse 1930: その夜の妻

Eclipse 1930: 朗かに歩め

(June 15, 2022)

This is one of seven movies Ozu made in 1930. It seemed like 35% of all Japanese men looked exactly like this — that stache, those glasses, that hairdo, that collar, that tie — before WWII (according to movies), and then 0% afterwards? It’s a very distinctive look, signifying upper class functionary, I guess? I.e., … Continue reading Eclipse 1930: 朗かに歩め

Eclipse 1955: L’angelo bianco

(June 14, 2022)

Oh, right — this is the sequel to Matarazzo previous movie, so first we get reacquainted with the characters. Aww. This is so over the top. This is a pretty weird movie. I mean, it doesn’t even make a stab at having an existence as a separate entity: It’s basically “and then what happened to … Continue reading Eclipse 1955: L’angelo bianco

Eclipse 1951: I figli di nessuno

(June 11, 2022)

Hey, that’s the wrong aspect ratio for the screenshots… There, that’s better. So weird — with the gpu-next renderer in mpv, the image looks fine on the screen, but the screenshot is in the wrong aspect ratio… Aww. I can see why this was a box office smash at the time — it’s so shamelessly … Continue reading Eclipse 1951: I figli di nessuno

Eclipse 1967: 拳銃は俺のパスポート

(June 4, 2022)

Right, the chipmunk guy is back. As usual with these Nikkatsu movies, it’s quite stylish and well made, with sometimes inventive cinematography and slightly off-kilter plots. But again, it’s just not a very gripping movie, and it’s hard to keep your mind from wandering. I mean, it’s hard for me to keep your… er… It’s … Continue reading Eclipse 1967: 拳銃は俺のパスポート

Eclipse 1964: 拳銃残酷物語

(June 1, 2022)

It’s been weeks since the last time I had a change to watch a movie (I think)? Where was I… oh, yeah, in the middle of the Nikkatsu Noir box set. This one doesn’t start off in a promising manner — it kinda looks like a pastiche of American movies of the late 40s? But … Continue reading Eclipse 1964: 拳銃残酷物語

Eclipse 1950: Tormento

(May 23, 2022)

Well, the Matarazzo flick I saw the other day was kinda insanely entertaining. So I’m getting my hopes up way too high for this one, which has virtually no viewers. So this is one of those really lost movies in the Criterion Eclipse series. Oh, she’s back from the previous movie. Cool. And that guy … Continue reading Eclipse 1950: Tormento

Eclipse 1960: ‘十三号待避線’より その護送車を狙え

(May 23, 2022)

This is very stylish. This is all well and good, but the movie doesn’t quite feel fully baked. It’s like they had a couple of ideas, and a crew that kicks ass, and then they went out filming. That is, every scene looks great, but it’s hard to keep being interested? This movie looks so … Continue reading Eclipse 1960: ‘十三号待避線’より その護送車を狙え

Eclipse 1949: Catene

(May 20, 2022)

This is very cute. It’s like an anti-neorealism movie? But not quite? It’s a melodrama, and it’s fun. The first half of this movie was amazeballs great. But then… it really drags? It picks up again at the end, with a totally over-the-top court scene. Fantastic. Chains. Raffaello Matarazzo. 1949. This blog post is part … Continue reading Eclipse 1949: Catene

Eclipse 1958: 錆びたナイフ

(May 20, 2022)

Wow, this is super noir. The opening sequence was brutal. This was one of the biggest box office hits in Japan that year… and I just don’t get it. I mean, it looks good and the actors are engaging, but it’s just so choppy. The plot (what there is of it) is rather unengaging… It’s … Continue reading Eclipse 1958: 錆びたナイフ

Eclipse 1957: 俺は待ってるぜ

(May 17, 2022)

Oo, this is by Koreyoshi Kurahara — and I already saw his Eclipse box set (and it was (intermittently) fantastic). This is a different box set (Nikkatsu Noir), and an earlier movie, but I’m excited. This is perfect — you’ve got the mysterious woman, and the helpful restaurant owner guy — it’s the Platonic Ideal … Continue reading Eclipse 1957: 俺は待ってるぜ

Eclipse 1977: Восхождение

(May 16, 2022)

The Shepitko movie I saw the other day was really something odd and interesting. So I’m excited to watch this one, but… it’s a war movie? OK, even more topical. This starts off great… a bunch of soldiers/guerrillas in the forest, fleeing the Germans? Or something? I heard the word “partisans” being used. Aha: The … Continue reading Eclipse 1977: Восхождение

Eclipse 1951: The Steel Helmet

(May 16, 2022)

This is very Sam Fuller. I just read the liner notes on this DVD — this was Fuller’s final movie for B-movie producer Robert Lippert. It was a ten day shoot, and was such a hit that Fuller was snatched up by Fox and the big times. Yeah, it’s a band of misfits. This movie … Continue reading Eclipse 1951: The Steel Helmet

Eclipse 1966: Крылья

(May 15, 2022)

Love those chairs. Anyway, this is a Soviet movie made by an Ukrainian director. Unexpectedly current affairs relevant! For once, I read the liner notes on the DVD before starting to watch it, and… perhaps I shouldn’t. Because they seemed to say that this was gonna be on par with a Tarkovski movie, and… So … Continue reading Eclipse 1966: Крылья

Eclipse 1950: The Baron of Arizona

(May 14, 2022)

But not well! Vincent Price! I would never have guessed that this was a Sam Fuller movie. It’s so… staid? At least so far. We’ve got a cumbersome framing device where one of these guys is telling the story, and he also provides a voiceover. Neither seems necessary? Such subtle. So passion. I’m finding this … Continue reading Eclipse 1950: The Baron of Arizona

Eclipse 1933: 出来ごころ

(May 12, 2022)

This is the final movie on the silent family comedy Ozu box set. And since it’s silent, I’m playing disco bangers while watching it. “You know why your hand has five fingers? If it only had four, your glove would have one extra.” There’s jokes here. Anyway, this is a very amiable movie… it’s not … Continue reading Eclipse 1933: 出来ごころ

Eclipse 1949: I Shot Jesse James

(May 12, 2022)

This is a box set of three early Sam Fuller movies, and as such is an outlier in the Eclipse series — the films are mostly Japanese and French things where Janus Films had distribution rights. And it’s odd that Criterion wouldn’t just release these movies as part of their regular series. I mean, Fuller’s … Continue reading Eclipse 1949: I Shot Jesse James

Eclipse 1932: 大人の見る絵本

(May 11, 2022)

The previous Ozu movie was fantastic, and once again, the Eclipse DVD comes without any soundtrack. So I’m listening to reggae bangers. Various: Harmony, Melody & Style (1) This is really good… I have no idea where this is headed. Is it just gonna be about these kids? This movie has the best featured review … Continue reading Eclipse 1932: 大人の見る絵本

Eclipse 1931: 東京の合唱

(May 8, 2022)

This is very, very unrestored. And silent. I mean, totally — there’s not even any music. So I listened to banging house music while watching this. Ozu had made several dozens of movies before this (churning out half a dozen per year in the 20s), but this is apparently considered his first really good one. … Continue reading Eclipse 1931: 東京の合唱

Eclipse 1968: Wild 90

(May 8, 2022)

Heh heh. Anyway, so this movie is three drunk, high guys pretending to be Italian mobsters and improvising, with D A Pennebaker filming. I like Pennebaker’s camera work. It’s really cool. The three guys are kinda on the tedious side. They don’t say anything interesting — it’s like they have an idea that their prattle … Continue reading Eclipse 1968: Wild 90

Eclipse 1938: Quadrille

(May 8, 2022)

Chirp chirp. OK, I’ve totally been slacking off on this blog series, and it’s mainly because I’ve been completely busy with other stuff. But it’s also because the Eclipse movies aren’t quite what I imagined they would be. Criterion touts these movies as lost gems, and the Eclipse box sets I’d seen before this (the … Continue reading Eclipse 1938: Quadrille

Eclipse 1937: Désiré

(May 7, 2022)

I love this — the chatter between the maid and the cook; totally cynical in every respects. It’s like the total antithesis of every Upstairs/Downstairs British thing ever. I really want to love this movie — it’s very mischievous — but it’s just not firing on all cylinders? These scenes feel like they’re aiming for … Continue reading Eclipse 1937: Désiré

Eclipse 1968: Beyond the Law

(April 22, 2022)

Rip Torn’s a good name. Hm… are the screenshots in vaguely wrong aspect ratio? They seem to be… slightly wider than they should be? But they’re 1.33:1… hm… imdb says 1.37:1, which… doesn’t explain anything. That’s harsh. The DVD has subtitles, though, so it doesn’t really matter that the sound is kinda crappy. But I’m … Continue reading Eclipse 1968: Beyond the Law

Eclipse 1970: Maidstone

(April 22, 2022)

Prepare to be stunned: I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by Norman Mailer? He’s suck an American cultural touch stone tat that seems unlikely, but nope. I’ve read the commentary on this one: It had a really successful run at the Whitney… and then Mailer took it to a midtown theatre, where it bombed … Continue reading Eclipse 1970: Maidstone

Eclipse 1937: Les Perles de la couronne

(April 19, 2022)

Like the previous Guitry movie, this is very odd. But while Le roman d’un tricheur was exhilarating, this is more like… eh? eh? I mean, it’s amusing, but it’s… It’s a lot. And the movie feels like it thinks that it’s a whole lot funnier than it is, so you sit there going “eh heh” … Continue reading Eclipse 1937: Les Perles de la couronne

Eclipse 1936: Le roman d’un tricheur

(April 16, 2022)

This is very meta and witty. Hang on… these screenshots are in the wrong aspect ratio? I just upgraded mpv, and everything was going so swimmingly, but these are definitely wrong. They’re 1.5:1, while what’s on the screen is 1.37:1. How annoying. That’s better. This is totally wild. It’s perhaps not a very technically proficient … Continue reading Eclipse 1936: Le roman d’un tricheur

Eclipse 1945: The Wicked Lady

(April 10, 2022)

Whoho! Nice hats. And doilies. She’s so wicked! This is a lot of fun. It’s totally over the top and delighting in its own absurdeties. This was released just after WWII, and was the highest-grossing movie in the UK of the year, and I can totally see why. (They had to reshoot scenes like this … Continue reading Eclipse 1945: The Wicked Lady

Eclipse 1932: Les Croix de Bois

(April 8, 2022)

I had really expected more French movies in the Eclipse series from Criterion. But it’s… mostly Japanese and British movies? I think we have a theme. Was this filmed as a silent movie originally? It kinda seems like it — it’s got scenes with speeded-up action and stuff. And these bits. But then it totally … Continue reading Eclipse 1932: Les Croix de Bois

Eclipse 1945: Madonna of the Seven Moons

(April 8, 2022)

Mm-hm. Well, that’s not threatening at all! I’m enjoying this. It’s a quite weird movie. That is, it’s not clear what this movie is going to be about. I think…? that the movie started with the woman above being raped (by that guy with high wasted pants up there), but then we’re warped to a … Continue reading Eclipse 1945: Madonna of the Seven Moons

Eclipse 1966: 愛の渇き

(April 7, 2022)

This is an odd movie, even for a Koreyoshi Kurahara movie. But he’s gotten a new lens! The bits in the margins are no longer in squash-o-vision, so when he pans the camera, it’s no longer nauseating. OK, the lens is still kinda fishy, but not as extreme as in earlier years. So, OK, this … Continue reading Eclipse 1966: 愛の渇き

Eclipse 1964: 黒い太陽

(April 7, 2022)

Wow. That’s the most thrilling title sequence ever. And the characters and situations seem so familiar from Koreyoshi Kurahara’s previous movies, and that… somehow makes it even more exciting? No, I can’t explain it either. It’s actors from The Warped Ones back in the same and in different roles? Or something? The movie seems even … Continue reading Eclipse 1964: 黒い太陽

Eclipse 1962: 憎いあンちくしょう

(March 27, 2022)

This is absolutely fantastic! It’s so 60s. But… way ahead of the curve. I can’t believe this was made in 1962. And funny. Again I’m wondering what lenses they were using in Japan at the time… at the edges, people look really compressed. I love this movie. I mean, the look of this movie. Sixty … Continue reading Eclipse 1962: 憎いあンちくしょう

Eclipse 1960: 狂熱の季節

(February 19, 2022)

That’s a title technique I haven’t seenbefore. Wow, this is really something. I don’t think I’ve seen anything this chaotic from a Japanese director… I guess it’s a supercharged reaction to the media reports about nihilistic post-Rebel Without A Cause teenagers? But with jazz instead of rock. Amazing camera movement. (And Breathless, I guess.) This … Continue reading Eclipse 1960: 狂熱の季節

Eclipse 1943: The Man in Grey

(February 19, 2022)

I’m starting to wonder whether the Eclipse box set series is less about resurrecting lost film gems and more about just utilising the Janus Films library. (Janus Films and Criterion have the same owners.) Because most of these movies carry the Janus title card, and… er… more than a few of these movies haven’t really … Continue reading Eclipse 1943: The Man in Grey

Eclipse 1960: ある脅迫

(February 19, 2022)

Oh, is this a Japanese noir? Only funnier? I think it is! This is pretty great. But now it’s kinda getting bogged down? It started off brilliantly. The twists and turns are good — very noir — but it’s just a bit hard to care that much? Intimidation. Koreyoshi Kurahara. 1960. This blog post is … Continue reading Eclipse 1960: ある脅迫

Eclipse 1969: Žert

(February 18, 2022)

This is the final movie on this Czech new wave box set from Eclipse, and… it kinda looks really good? Which makes a change. EEK SHOES IN BED This is kinda riveting. It movies so fluidly between “the present” and either remembrance or fantasy (it’s hard to tell whether the movie is him thinking about … Continue reading Eclipse 1969: Žert

Eclipse 1968: Rozmarné léto

(February 18, 2022)

I’ve been pretty underwhelmed by this Criterion box set of 60s Czech(oslovakian but not really) new wave movies. I mean, it’s not necessarily the plots or anything, but just how sloppy these movies look. Which is probably totally unfair. I mean… if you’re waiting for the Soviets to roll in and crush everything, perhaps getting … Continue reading Eclipse 1968: Rozmarné léto

Eclipse 1967: Návrat ztraceného syna

(February 11, 2022)

I wonder whether it really looked like this originally? I mean, the high contrast and everything falling abruptly into #000? It could be the result of a bad DVD transfer and a “restoration” prioritising having no noise over actually being able to see what’s on the film. I doubt that this is what it was … Continue reading Eclipse 1967: Návrat ztraceného syna

Eclipse 1969: Putney Swope

(February 11, 2022)

So, I’ve been totally underwhelmed by the other Downey movies in this box set, but I think this is supposed to be Downey’s “real” movie from these years? So I’m now discarding all preconceptions… ommm… Heh heh. Heh heh. This starts pretty swell. OK, now it’s boring. It went from farce to “satire”. (Which is … Continue reading Eclipse 1969: Putney Swope

Eclipse 1975: Two Tons of Turquoise To Taos Tonight

(February 11, 2022)

As with the previous Downey movies, I just don’t see the attraction. It’s relentlessly amateurish instead of being avant garde (which I think he’s aiming for?). I mean, I get that it’s supposed to be funny and shit, but… that doesn’t help? Perhaps being really stoned would help? That’s really old! Downey’s movies feel like … Continue reading Eclipse 1975: Two Tons of Turquoise To Taos Tonight

Eclipse 1966: Sedmikrásky

(February 4, 2022)

Ooh, this is good. Urquell! Well, this is all quite amusing, but… It just feels so aimless. I mean, every scene is fun and interesting, but it doesn’t really seem to amount to much of anything? It’s a bit film studentey? Daisies. Vera Chytilová. 1966. This blog post is part of the Eclipse series.

Eclipse 1968: No More Excuses

(February 4, 2022)

Well, this is funny and all… but it’s a bit puerile? I do enjoy the people being interviewed. As with the previous Downey movies, it’s less an aesthetic than just not knowing how to frame a shot. Deskilling? I think this movie posits the question: Are Americans just really bad at making art movies? It … Continue reading Eclipse 1968: No More Excuses

Eclipse 1966: Chafed Elbows

(February 3, 2022)

I don’t know. This feels pretty self indulgent. I mean, it’s a parody of underground movies — some references to Warhol and stuff, but the aesthetics are straight out of 50s B movies, so it feels like it’s just… missing the point? It’s pretty amusing… it’s mostly still photography with voiceovers. But a lot of … Continue reading Eclipse 1966: Chafed Elbows

Eclipse 1964: Babo 73

(February 3, 2022)

Well… This is the kinda film that lands in the eerie no man’s land between no budget B movie and art movie? It doesn’t work as art and it doesn’t work as B movie. I’m guessing it was made by guys hopped up on diet pills and hooch? Satire’s just another word for don’t have … Continue reading Eclipse 1964: Babo 73

Eclipse 1965: Perličky na dně

(February 3, 2022)

What’s that she’s drinking… What! She’s drinking a bottle of Maggi!? Salty, dude. So this is the first film on the Czech New Wave box set. It’s pretty amusing, and I can totally see what they’re going for, but it does feel quite amateurish. Yes, it’s a collection of shorts. I mean, it’s a portmanteau … Continue reading Eclipse 1965: Perličky na dně

Eclipse 1977: Le Couple Témoin

(January 29, 2022)

Oh, so this is a pre-reality TV reality TV parody/satire. Now it’s more a… “biting satire of consumer culture” or whatever they used to call that stuff. I mean, it’s funny. And I love the colours. But it’s just not that interesting? Perhaps it was ahead of its time and fantastic back then etc, but … Continue reading Eclipse 1977: Le Couple Témoin

Eclipse 1971: Warnung vor einer heiligen Nutte

(January 29, 2022)

OK, final movie on the Fassbinder “early movies” box set… I have to say that I’ve been surprisingly underwhelmed by the other movies here, because I like many of Fassbinder’s later movies. Oh! I think the slow pace of the film re-creates an environment (namely the filming of the previous Fassbinder film, whitey) and achieves … Continue reading Eclipse 1971: Warnung vor einer heiligen Nutte

Eclipse 1968: Mr. Freedom

(January 28, 2022)

OH MY GOD is this the best movie ever made? IT COULD BE OK, this isn’t the best movie ever. But it’s quite amusing. Absolutely. The Polly Magoo movie was so fascinating. It kinda didn’t follow through on its promise… it just couldn’t quite make it work. But it’s almost a fucking masterpiece. This one, … Continue reading Eclipse 1968: Mr. Freedom

Eclipse 1970: Der amerikanische Soldat

(January 28, 2022)

Wow, never seen that phone model before. It’s… odd… This has a good noir thing going on. This is quite amusing and, as usual with Fassbinder, I love each individual shot. But I don’t think this quite works? I mean, it’s a kind of parody/pastiche of a noir movie, but it’s just not that… funny/interesting? … Continue reading Eclipse 1970: Der amerikanische Soldat

Eclipse 1966: Qui êtes-vous, Polly Maggoo?

(January 27, 2022)

This is absolutely magnificent! And I thought I wasn’t totally ignorant about films from this era, but I’ve never seen a film by William Klien before. And based on the first ten minutes of this movie, he might be the best director of anything in the whole world ever! I am the flabbergast! I love … Continue reading Eclipse 1966: Qui êtes-vous, Polly Maggoo?

Eclipse 1970: Götter der Pest

(January 26, 2022)

So apparently… Katzelmacher was a success? According to the Criterion DVD cover, it enabled Fassbinder to make eight (!) moies over the next twelve (!) months. *sniff* *sniff* This is one of those eight movies. This is much better than the katzenjammer film, though. Is he wearing shoes in bed? Savage! Is this where Biba … Continue reading Eclipse 1970: Götter der Pest

Eclipse 1969: Katzelmacher

(January 25, 2022)

Was this shot at the same time as Liebe ist etc? Looks really similar But a different aspect ratio. Shot on 16mm? This feel like a very improvised, low-stakes thing? Hm… wikipedia has nothing on it… ah, he DVD cover tells the story: It was filmed over nine days and released four moths later. I … Continue reading Eclipse 1969: Katzelmacher

Eclipse 1969: Liebe ist kälter als der tod

(January 25, 2022)

This is totally riveting. I may have seen this before? But it’s been probably three decades. And I’ve seen a bunch of Fassbinder’s later movies, of course, but this feels pretty unique. This is extremely nouvelle vague, but… later? OK, at the start here I thought this movie was absolutely amazing. But there’s a lot … Continue reading Eclipse 1969: Liebe ist kälter als der tod

Eclipse 1968: 昆虫大戦争

(January 25, 2022)

Oh, this is by the same director as Goke! Wow, this Vietnam vet is having a flashback… in 1968!1! I’m not sure whether this is racist or not. Poor rat. Goke was a unique and brilliant movie, but… this isn’t Goke. I mean, on a scale of cheap monster/horror movies from the 60s, this is … Continue reading Eclipse 1968: 昆虫大戦争

Eclipse 1968: 吸血髑髏船

(January 25, 2022)

After the sheer brilliant insanity of Goke, Body Snatcher From Hell, my expectations for this movie are unreasonably high. But the first scene here is brilliant, so perhaps this is going to be another masterpiece. OK, this isn’t Goke. I mean, it’s pretty good, but it’s… a pretty normal ghost story? It’s well made and … Continue reading Eclipse 1968: 吸血髑髏船

Eclipse 1968: 吸血鬼ゴケミドロ

(January 22, 2022)

It’s a Shochiku film! Such bokeh. This is fantastic. Absolutely thrilling. Wow. I’m amazed and riveted. This may be the best start to a movie ever. Hajime Satô never got to direct anything after this, so I’m assuming it keeps this up! I love how they’re using the odd lenses as a feature here — … Continue reading Eclipse 1968: 吸血鬼ゴケミドロ

Eclipse 1967: 宇宙大怪獣ギララ

(January 22, 2022)

Ooo! Could he be the villain? Such lens. Wow, that’s harsh. So this is where Bezoz got the design from. This is a straight up sf movie? This is not what I expected from Criterion — they usually eschew genre movies (I mean, unless they’re really … big…). Is there gonna be a twist and … Continue reading Eclipse 1967: 宇宙大怪獣ギララ

Eclipse 1938: En kvinnas ansikte

(January 21, 2022)

Wow. This isn’t exactly the kind of role you’d think an actor in this phase of her career would choose. You gotta admire Bergman’s pluck going for this role. She apparently blackmailed the film company into making this film by refusing to make another comedy unless they backed this movie. It’s kinda good, too? Er… … Continue reading Eclipse 1938: En kvinnas ansikte

Eclipse 1938: Dollar

(January 21, 2022)

So we (for very small values of “we”) continue watching the Ingrid Bergman in Sweden box set from Criterion. There’s six movies included in this set, and the first three weren’t… good. I mean I haven’t seen many Swedish movies from the 30s, but I vaguely imagined that they had to be better than this. … Continue reading Eclipse 1938: Dollar

Eclipse 1936: Intermezzo

(January 18, 2022)

Molander was one of the biggest directors in Sweden, I think? From the 20s to the 50s. I think he’s still pretty well known? I mean, in Sweden. I’m not sure he ever had an international success? So this is another one of the Ingrid Bergman movies. Well, it seems obvious that Bergman is gonna … Continue reading Eclipse 1936: Intermezzo

Eclipse 1935: Valborgsmässoafton

(January 18, 2022)

OK; we continue (after two week break) watching the Criterion Eclipse Ingrid Bergman box sex, and we’re now in 1935. That’s a fun shot. There she is. That’s a young baby. I like it when the actors are hamming it up. But… this is a pretty bad movie. It’s badly paced and the lines (and … Continue reading Eclipse 1935: Valborgsmässoafton

Eclipse 1935: Munkbrogreven

(January 2, 2022)

Oooh. Oldee tymey Swedish movie. I haven’t really seen that much pre-50s Swedish stuff, I think? This is a pretty unusual Criterion Eclipse box set. Virtually all of them are selections from a specific director, and there’s a couple sets that collects different directors working in the same idiom, but … this may be the … Continue reading Eclipse 1935: Munkbrogreven

Eclipse 1981: Documenteur

(January 2, 2022)

Wha. That’s one of the murals from the Mur murs documentary… so Varda did this at the same time as the documentary? Is it a fiction about doing a documentary about murals in Los Angeles? I hope so! This is absolutely enthralling. This is so meta. It’s the most 80s movie ever, and Varda captured … Continue reading Eclipse 1981: Documenteur

Eclipse 1980: Mur Murs

(January 2, 2022)

So this is a decade later than Varda’s three previous California movies? Oh, this is a documentary about murals in Los Angeles? This is fantastic. It’s got a free-flowing delightful kind of flow. And these murals are pretty amazing. I’m guessing that funding for this sort of thing dried up when Reagan came into office? … Continue reading Eclipse 1980: Mur Murs

Eclipse 1969: Lions Love (… and Lies)

(January 1, 2022)

I’m enjoying this movie… but… I can’t help wondering how this would have played out of it had had French actors instead of American actors. These people just don’t seem… intriguing? Especially the guys. And since so much of this seems improvised, that’s a problem. OK, I’m getting into this now. Yeah, whenever the two … Continue reading Eclipse 1969: Lions Love (… and Lies)

Eclipse 1967: Uncle Yanco

(January 1, 2022)

This is brilliant. Varda’s having a lot of fun with doing a documentary and then questioning whether it’s fiction or not. It’s overwhelming. It’s very Godard. This is brilliant. Uncle Yanco. Agnès Varda. 1967. This blog post is part of the Eclipse series.

Eclipse 1968: Black Panthers

(January 1, 2022)

With every purchase. This is very different from Varda’s earlier movies. I mean, not the subject matter, but the way it’s filmed and edited. It’s so restless and frantic. The little red book is in such a practical format. But this is really good. It’s got Varda’s eye for details, and her curiosity about everything. … Continue reading Eclipse 1968: Black Panthers

Eclipse 1932: One Hour With You

(December 31, 2021)

As musicals go… this doesn’t have a lot of music? This is a pre Hayes code movie – I don’t think that costume would have flown afterwards? This is a very odd movie. I just read the Criterion text on the DVD cover, and apparently this was going to be a George Cukor movie, but … Continue reading Eclipse 1932: One Hour With You

Eclipse 1931: The Smiling Lieutenant

(December 31, 2021)

Now that’s a train I’d like to ride. This is very amusing. It’s not hilarious or anything, but it’s got a good flow going on, and the characters are good, and it never stops amusing. I was disappointed in the previous two Lubitsch movies, but this works. I really like this movie… but… I’d be … Continue reading Eclipse 1931: The Smiling Lieutenant

Eclipse 1930: Monte Carlo

(December 30, 2021)

Those are some very complicated credits. This is another 1.2:1 movie — the early talkies used a portion of the normal 1.37:1 film stock to carry the audio, so the movies became narrower. (The first few sound movies Lubitsch did, and were filmed twice, and released in both 1.37:1 silent versions and 1.2:1 talkie versons.) … Continue reading Eclipse 1930: Monte Carlo

Eclipse 1929: The Love Parade

(December 28, 2021)

Hey, this is brilliant. An early screwball comedy? It’s from 1929, so it’s part of the first wave of talkies, I guess? It’s in … 1.2:1? And… they apparently made this in French and American at the same time? Jeanette MacDonald name and face are both quite familiar to me, but looking over her imdb, … Continue reading Eclipse 1929: The Love Parade

Eclipse 1973: Come On Children

(December 21, 2021)

Uh-oh. The first Allan King movie (about an institution for children) felt really exploitative. In the second one, the people participating were adults, at least, so there consent was less dubious. But it bombed at the box office. So now we’re back to his… big hit movie, kinda? Heh. The liner notes on the DVD … Continue reading Eclipse 1973: Come On Children

Eclipse 1969: A Married Couple

(December 21, 2021)

This is like… a reality TV show? I mean, before they became game shows. Or, as they might have been called back then, “a documentary”. But it’s people being very, very aware of cameras being in the room with them and hamming it up a bit. But… is this non-scripted? I mean, more or less … Continue reading Eclipse 1969: A Married Couple

Eclipse 1967: Warrendale

(December 17, 2021)

Wow. This is Canadian? I thought the Eclipse series was just Japanese and French movies. These kids are very sleepy. Oh, this is a documentary!? These are really the sleepiest kids ever! Uhm. Autism? So this is a documentary about some emotionally disturbed children at an institution where they have a thing about … holding … Continue reading Eclipse 1967: Warrendale

Eclipse 1968: 帰って来たヨッパライ

(December 17, 2021)

Wow. Ôshima’s gone all late nouvelle vague? This starts off like a Godard movie from 1968… But more Japanese, I guess. I think this movie is about Japanese racism? Towards Koreans? But it’s … very odd. And it’s also about Vietnam. So… now it’s the entire movie all over again? Or… did this DVD skip? … Continue reading Eclipse 1968: 帰って来たヨッパライ

Eclipse 1967: 無理心中日本の夏

(December 16, 2021)

This reminds me of… Tarkovsky. But a horny, lighthearted Tarkovsky. I know, it’s a contradiction in terms, but it’s got the same sort of flow. But… Tarkovsky a decade later than this. I was absolutely riveted by this movie until we landed in this room, and now it’s just… wilfully odd instead of fascinating. OK, … Continue reading Eclipse 1967: 無理心中日本の夏

Eclipse 1967: 日本春歌考

(December 16, 2021)

This is the most Summer of 1968 movie ever, and it’s from 1967. It’s all about student rebellion and protest and sex and stuff. Oh! These guys are high school students… I thought this was supposed to be about university graduates or something. I guess those uniforms would be a stronger signal about their age … Continue reading Eclipse 1967: 日本春歌考

Eclipse 1966: 白昼の通り魔

(December 13, 2021)

It was so impressed by Ôshima’s previous movie… but I don’t know about this one. It just seems calculated and by the numbers? The shots still look interesting, but without the spectacular colours of the previous movie, it’s just less striking. I don’t think they’re going for realism here at much… but some of the … Continue reading Eclipse 1966: 白昼の通り魔

Eclipse 1965: 悦楽

(December 13, 2021)

I absolutely adore the cinematography on this. The angles, the framing, the colours. This is the most rational crime ever. Oh my god. This movie just doesn’t go where you expect it to. It’s either amazingly brilliant or just… odd? I’m not quite sure. I lost the thread here for a second, and now I … Continue reading Eclipse 1965: 悦楽

Eclipse 1962: All Night Long

(December 13, 2021)

It’s one of those funny cigarettes, see? Anyway, next on the schedule was Victim, but it turns out that I watched it a couple months ago. It was OK. So I’m onto the final Basil Dearden movie instead. They’re getting hooked on the reefer! Patrick McGoohan drums up a storm very convicingly, I must say. … Continue reading Eclipse 1962: All Night Long

Eclipse 1960: The League of Gentlemen

(December 9, 2021)

This is quite amusing. It’s like a classic heist movie. It’s probably not the original one? But it’s got all the bits that later heist movies have. And fascinatingly enough, it doesn’t work at making the criminals sympathetic? That said, this thing has got really weird pacing issues. I realise that they’re going for knuckle … Continue reading Eclipse 1960: The League of Gentlemen

Eclipse 1959: Sapphire

(December 9, 2021)

This is so weird. I mean, it’s… kinda normal, but… off. I like it! I love the colour scheme. This is all about racism and stuff, which… I mean, I didn’t think London in 1959 was that racist? I mean, it’s… some of the characters are so racist that it’s kinda more like they’ve been … Continue reading Eclipse 1959: Sapphire

Eclipse 1937: Un carnet de bal

(December 9, 2021)

This has some of the fascinating visuals from Duvivier’s earlier movies, but it’s pretty… pedestrian. That is, there’s a bunch of scenes inbetween the special ones that seem totally haphazard. I don’t even know what this movie is about? I kinda zoned out there for half an hour. This movie just lacks nerve. The performances … Continue reading Eclipse 1937: Un carnet de bal

Eclipse 1933: La tête d’un homme

(December 9, 2021)

The first two movies in this box set looked pristine — sharp and restored. This looks like it’s been scanned from a very tired print and not fixed up at all. So I’m guessing that this is a less historically important movie? He’s eeeevil!!!! This really hasn’t aged well. It’s just kinda basic? Looks great, … Continue reading Eclipse 1933: La tête d’un homme

Eclipse 1932: Poil de Carotte

(December 9, 2021)

I was gonna watch a whole bunch of these Eclipse movies from Criterion, but I got caught up in a bunch of Emacs stuff. Back on track: Movies! Movies! Wow, that’s some close-up camera work. They camera has to be like five centimetres from his nose. Duvivier is some kind of genius. I mean, on … Continue reading Eclipse 1932: Poil de Carotte

Eclipse 1931: David Golder

(December 3, 2021)

What! Oh, right, I’ve been watching some really bad movies lately. I want to get back into watching, you know, actually good movies, and I think a way to force myself to do that is to… watch all the Eclipse movies from the Criterion Collection: Because if I don’t, that stack is gonna topple! It’s … Continue reading Eclipse 1931: David Golder