Review of White Heat (1949) by Torsten D — 30 Nov 2004

[b][size=2]HOUSE OF WAX (Andre de Toth, 1953) - 6.5 / pro (-).

[/b]The great aspect of this films are the art and set direction. The atmosphere in the wax museum is well-done. The wax figures are amazing. I also liked the basic idea that the hero and the villain are the same person. In the end, I must admit that the film was unfortunately not really half a suspenseful as one might expect. The last act with the corpses is also irritating, to say the least.

[b]MONSOON WEDDING (Mira Nair, 2002) - 6.0 / mixed (+).

[/b]I don?t think I can tell where the euphoria sorrounding this film is actually coming from. The first two thirds of the film felt very, very trivial to me as if I was watching an OK-made-for-TV movie. In the last act, the part about the possible child abuse is handled very well and in subtle, yet gripping manner. As a whole, however, to me this is a film that I will soon have forgotten about.

[b]WHITE HEAT (Raoul Walsh, 1949) - 6.0 / mixed (+).

[/b]Maybe my expectations were too big, but I don?t think this film is outstanding. For the most part, it?s well-written and there is enough suspense to make it worthwhile. However, IMO the film just piles up one contrivance too many. There simply were too many scenes that I was unable to buy.

[b]THE GREEN ROOM (Francois Truffaut, 1978) - 8.5 / PRO (-).

[/b]Judging by the IMDB rating, I thought this film was more for Truffaut completists, but now I can?t tell why it?s so underseen and disliked. In a way, the film reminded me of "Taxi Driver", because in parts it tells a similar story of a man returning from war, who becomes obsessive with something, which will ruin his life. He is obsessed with the dead, which adds a nice mystery feel to the movie. What viewers may not like about this film is that it is almost impossible to connect with the main character. I liked that aspect, because seeing a man ruining himself, made me want to jump into the film and shake him to wake up. I never could understand what he did and he really got from his deeds, but this is one of those rare films where I remained that much of an outsider, but still received a humane and gripping experience.

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