Confessions of a Film Nerd

"Are we gonna talk or are we gonna play cards?" - John Wayne Christopher: 28, Film Student, Actor, lives in Melbourne, likes cheese a lot and sitting down in the shower...

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Deborah Kerr in “The Innocents”

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The Innocents (1961)

Enter, my lord. Come from your prison. Come from your grave. For the moon is arisen. Welcome, my lord.

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Films that I finally watched #8

The Innocents (1961) Dir. Jack Clayton

A young governess for two children becomes convinced that the house and grounds are haunted.

I do really love an old school haunted house chiller and this one did not dissapoint. The Innocents has so many similiarities with my favourite haunted house film The Others which also has at its centre a fragile woman taking care of two children in a gothic mansion. The Innocents has some strong elemnts to it that make it a classic of the genre: the beautiful black and white cinematography, the wonderfully shaken yet persistent performance of Deborah Kerr and an ending that genuinely shocked me. For its day it was very controversial and you just did not see films ending this way at the time. Watch it with the lights out!

My rating: 8/10

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Films I finally watched #7 

American History X (1998) Dir. Tony Kaye

A former neo-nazi skinhead tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path that he did.

An incredibly powerful film and possibly one of the best films for me that has been made about racism. I was really glued to this film and the places that it took me.Obviously Edward Norton was amazing as was the rest of the cast but Tony Kaye has really helped this film stand out by using black and white during the scenes of extreme racism which turns the film into a piece of art. The script is so cutting and there are 2 quotes in regards to racism that stood out to me in American Hisotry X. They are:

“Your anger is shutting down the brain god gave you”

“Has anything you’ve done made your life better?”

My rating: 8/10

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Films the I finally watched #6

Léon: The Professional (1994) Dir. Luc Besson

Mathilda, a 12-year-old girl, is reluctantly taken in by Léon, a professional assassin, after her family is murdered. Léon and Mathilda form an unusual relationship, as she becomes his protégée and learns the assassin's trade.

I can totally see why Leon is a cult film. Its well shot, has great performances and characters, it’s very 90′s and doesn’t take itself too seriously. I also thought this was a great New York film. At times I found Leon a bit slow but I still understand the cult status and love of this film. I have no doubt that Portman would have been approached for a sequel but it just wouldn’t work without Matilda and Leon’s relationship which is the core of the film. Also Besson has a great eye for comedy that edges on silly: love it!

My rating: 7/10

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Films that I finally watched #5

Se7en (1995) Dir. David Fincher

Two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi.

One of the best serial killer films you will see (the 90′s was so good for them!), Se7en has a few things going for it. It has one of the best villains you will ever see on film (played to perfection by Kevin Spacey), an always reliable director in Fincher and a great script which manages to genuinely surprise you and stray from formula. The climax of this film is superbly directed and unforgettable with an ending that is by all means brutal, human and realistic. 

My rating: 9/10

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Se7en [1995]

(Dir. David Fincher)

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12 Angry Men (1957) 

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Films that I finally watched #4

12 Angry Men (1957) Dir. Sidney Lumet

A dissenting juror in a murder trial slowly manages to convince the others that the case is not as obviously clear as it seemed in court.

A brilliant classic! So political and a great character study: every man on the jury is so well written, played and feels three dimensional. The scene that blew me away was Henry Fonda calling another juror a “sadist” because he in truth, didn’t care whether the accused was innocent or not, he just wanted to see him executed due to his own bitterness with the world. There is something comforting in this films message though: being kind, gentle and your own person has power.

My rating: 9/10.

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Seven Samurai (1954)

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Films that I finally watched #3

Harold and Maude (1971) Dir. Hal Ashby

Young, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.

I loved this film, it was so beautiful and human. Its also hilarious, dark, extremely quirky and has something no other film has running through it. Oh and the climax of the film? I literally put my hand on my chest and marvelled at what had been created. I know that there are people out there who would say “omg this films weird” and all I could do is laugh at them and be grateful that I can see all the beauty in this film. Be grateful, love and remember that life is for living, thats the message of Harold and Maude. 

My rating 9/10

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Films that I finally watched #2

The Bride Wore Black (1968) Dir. Francois Truffaut

After being rescued from suicide by her mother, Julie leaves town to track down, charm and kill five men who do not know her. What is her goal? What is her purpose?

I’ve always been a fan of the “black widow” villain and this silly, fun old film paved the way for lots of revenge thrillers like Tarantino’s Kill Bill. Its also stylish with a great score and while the bad editing is distracting, its great fun and well shot for its time. 

My rating: 6/10