The Scar (aka, Hollow Triumph; aka, The Man Who Murdered Himself) (1948) Paul Henried produced, starred in, and partially directed this noir about a convict who, to escape the mob, takes on another person’s identity. In John Alton’s exquisite cinematography, a world of smoke and rain melts into identity confusion where no one can be … More The Scar (1948)
Caltiki — The Immortal Monster (1959) You know what’s in store for you when neither director wants his name on the movie. Often dismissed as an imitation of Quartermass Xperiment, this collaboration between Ricardo Feda, for the formal dialogue scenes, and Mario Bava, for the special effects, exploits Aztec mystique from an ancient Mexican text. … More Caltiki — The Immortal Monster (1959)
La Dolce Vita (1960) Marcello Mastroianni plays his defining role as a tabloid journalist in the post-War economic rise of Italy. The movie exposes the crass intrusiveness of the paparazzi, who relentlessly pursue celebrities. Condemned by the Vatican and Neo-Realist filmmakers, this film combines artificial sets with real locations. Winner of the Palme d’Or at … More La Dolce Vita (1960)
Follow the Fleet (1936) Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance in this homage to the U. S. Navy, singing music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. Lucille Ball and Betty Grable appear in supporting roles, in an Art Deco set designed by Carrol Clark. “Id Rather Lead a Band” showcases Astaire’s theatrical ability to tap off … More Follow the Fleet (1936)
The Stone Raft (2003) George Sluizer adapts Nobel-Prize winning Jose Saramago’s satirical allegory about the continent of Iberia breaking off and sending Spain and Portugal toward a collision with the Azores. Five people come together, each feeling somehow responsible for causing this natural disaster, and together with a stray dog journey to find a way … More The Stone Raft (2003)
The Harder They Come (1972) Penny Henzell directs Jimmy Cliff in this reggae crime drama, which became a breakthrough sensation in Jamaica for shooting on location using the local Creole dialogue. Roger Ebert wrote, “the movie’s ending is an exercise in plot; its beginning and its music deserve better than that.” The film made a … More The Harder They Come (1972)
Multiple Maniacs (1970) Not for the squeamish, CRITERION has just released a beautifully reconstructed edition of John Waters’ transgressively offensive home movie, featuring all the freaks he could find in 1969. This is a film created to shock and offend everybody, and still works today. Harris Glenn Milstead cross-dresses as the savagely murderous Divine, … More Multiple Maniacs (1970)
King of Hearts (1966) Alan Bates stars as a Scottish WWI ornithalography specialist mistaken for a munitions expert who is sent into a small provincial French village of Marville to disarm a booby trap rigged by retreating Germans. only to accidentally release inmates from the local mental asylum who assume identities of the absent … More King of Hearts (1966)
Kagemusha (1980) A common thief, discovered to bear a striking resemblance to his feudal lord, is employed as a decoy to keep civil war from breaking out. Akira Kurosawa drew from the Sengoku period, based upon a history of Takeda Shingen, known for his military skills. Mortally wounded by a sniper, the lord requests … More Kagemusha (1980)
Alibi Ike (1935) Wide-mouthed comedian Joe. E. Brown plays a baseball pitcher whose hayseed bashfulness leads to boasting with alibis to cover his mistakes. As a result, he winds up kidnapped by gamblers. Olivia de Havilland cameos as the doting love interest in this choppy, badly segued adaptation from a Ring Lardner classic short story, … More Alibi Ike (1935)
