Film Reviews by CSF

A woman ruins her life and her entourage's with her jealousy. What I don't understand is that it seems to happen all of a sudden. I thought one was born with jealousy and suffers from it all his/her life.

The violence is hidden, the suffering is visible, the obsession is obvious. Jealousy is an illness. Many films deal with it. The other one is 'L'Enfer' by Claude Chabrol. But, 'Jalouse" is more refined and not as pathological as L"Enfer. Foenkinos shows how jealousy can be such an invisible poison. It takes a very long time for everybody to see it, even longer to understand it; by then the damages are there. Fascinating to watch.

These films were very informative. I can see I lived through this period without realizing the tragic situation. I didn't even suspect it. The films are remarkably well done without soapiness or self pity, just the facts. I would love to talk to McQueen to tell him about some of my experience in teaching and some of the misunderstansting on both side. As an old teacher, I know how difficult it is to change mentalities and the cinema is a powerful way to do it. Mangrove is my favourite episode. The episode where a black man wants to be a policeman to "change the world" is diheartening. The film ought to be shown in every school and police schools. As for the episode on education, I have to say I saw this kind of attitude towards white kids because they were over gifted! It looks as if some teachers don't like when kids are too intelligent. I have always wondered how can one be a teacher and have prejudicies, whatever the prejusicies are.

Must be seen by every one.

A very good old fashion film by genious Hitchcock. Bearing in mind the story happened in 1941, it shows that Americans of the time were not very affected by the war in Europe. It takes place in London, so there should have been a mention of the war. The white cliffs of England look like a painting by Turner. Perhaps, in that case, the black and white would have been more realistic. For this part, Hitchcock should have chosen a woman not as beautiful as Joan Fontain but that was not Hollywood style. The film is like a tennis match: your mind looks at one character then the other one, almost at the same rythm as in a tennis match! It is love-love at the beginning and at the end.

A fascinating film but it leave a lot of questions behind. It is not a bio of Seberg, it is an extract of her life. It is well made and Kristen Stewart is very close to her model in manners and appearance. Romain Gary was such an important figure but in this film, he doesn' t show his influence, his grief or his talent. Also she was an important figure in the New Wave of the French cinema she was representing. The film should have been called 'Jean and The Black Panther'. I am afraid it is a typical superficial but entertaining Hollywood film.

I was probably expecting too much because I saw the fantastic film La Vie est Belle (Life is Beautiful) by Roberto Begnini who was rewarded in Cannes. I thought it would be the same kind. It is but it failed where Begnini succeeded so well. I could not make head or tail of this tale full of clichés coming in rows.

So many good films about this topic! One of the best one would be 'Rebel Without a Cause'. But the youth of the 50's has a sense of rebellion, changes, looking for answers. This film, sadly reflects an aimless generation because peace and abundance were arranged for them. Where does their vaccum come from? How long will it take to fill it. Who will

I know it focuses on Thomas More but it doest's show enough of Anne Boleyn's thoughts and reaction concerning the attitude of More.

Apart from that everything is great: script, actors, decors... And it doesn's date!

I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because it was too short and not detailed enough for me. Of course this film is a must and I thoroughly agree with the comments of all those who gave 5 stars.

I am always surprised when Woody Allen writes a drama. I'm surprised because usually Allen is famous for his comedies. The script, the characters, the actors are excellent because authentic. We are entertained as we are learning about life. I find it disgraceful that his films have a very limited distribution because of a woman's diffamation. It has been prooved but not on the first page of the papers.

I dare not to criticize Bunnuel. He is one of the cinema genius and has an incredible knowledge of the human's dark corners. I saw all his films in France, when I was 18 because he was a 'must' in France. It took me 20 years to understand and appreciate them. It was a big shock in film making. That's what I call breaking ground. It took me even longer to understand Belle de Jour but I've never forgotten it.

I was a little disturbed to watch 2 different actresses for the same part. I can't make up my mind whether it was an excellent idea to show the two sides of the woman or it was not necessary and rather artificial.

My favourite film is The Discreet Charm of the Bourgoisy. So clever!

This film is like when you find a gem in a bric-a-brac. I wanted to see this film because I love Terence Rattigan and Burt Lancaster and my family was fond of Rita Hayworth. All of them in the same film! Not disappointed at all. They were the actors my parents were always praising. Their playing was not dated, I would say 'vintage' maybe. The story is a well written classic drama. Only I would have wished a more elaborated ending.

On the other hand some aspect of the story has become a very modern issue! The idea of sexual harassment in the 50's is coming back today with the same people's reaction.

This is a documentary for the fan of the cinema and also the professionals. It is well made but a bit longish and repetitive.

Soooo original, soooo exciting, sooooo intelligent, sooooo imaginative, sooooo new. I didn't expect this film to be so good.

A family of 'worms' find an apple to live in. The apple is too good, they are not alone so the comedy becomes a drama and...more.

The film is not only very entertaining but also trigerring lots of question and thoughts. Go with friends and then you would have enough to feed your conversation for 10 hours. I can't say any more without spoiling the film, there is a surprise every ten minutes and it is credible, very credible.

I am asking those who saw the film to explain it to me. It is so complicated that I kept watching it to see if I am going to understand what's going on. Still didn't get it. I don't think I'll spoil it if I say a couple of things, it won't make any difference. We don't know if she breaks a leg by accident or crime. We don't know why her uncle behaves like that. The violence and sex are gratuitous. And, above all, what on earth great actors like Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Iron and Matthias Schoenaerts are doing in here? What a waste of talents! And I am so frustrated!

When actors are that good, the film won't date. I read a lot about Henry VIII and Richard Burton IS Henry VIII. Of course I can say the same about Genevieve Bujold. Not to be missed.