Review of Looking for Richard (1996) by Emily R — 18 Jul 2004

So I've watched a few movies since my last entry. Here are some brief reviews:

Looking For Richard: Great movie. Pacino is as good as ever in the role of Richard III. Not only is it Shakespeare (which I am ever fond of) but it's an actor's guide to Richard III and great for those who might not understand all that funny talk.

Twelfth Night: (Doesn't that look funny all spelled out?!) A not so good rendition of one of Shakespeare's best. Helena Bohnam Carter is good, and Ben Kingsley is good (imagine). I think Kenneth Branaugh could have been a better director, though. It took me three viewings to get all the way through it. KB could have made a four hour long version and it would have kept my attention to the last...and it would have made me want more. Oh well. Bygones.

Contempt: Have I reviewed this before? I dunno. But this time I went into it with a whole new perspective. This is J.L. Godard's most commercial movie, starring Jack Palance and the ever gorgeous Bridgette Bardot. It's about a misunderstanding that leads to disaster. It is well shot (the scenes in Capri are amazing for the scenery alone), well written (based on some novel) and the way the characters are portrayed are brilliant. Leave it to Godard to let the characters to turn into the actors rather than the other way around. Jack Palance is a machismo american swine. Bardot is inconstantly in love. Fritz Lang is a dedicated artist. What a movie! Plus, the Criterion edition has LOADS of special features that are great including a conversation between Lang and Godard that is long but incredibly interesting. It's something that could only be dreamed of. What great men.

Makes me want to go rent "M".

That's all.