Tag Archives: Hollywood movies

where is Sergio Leone? (film: Hang ‘Em High – Ted Post, 1968)

‘Hang ‘Em High‘, made in 1968 and directed by Ted Post, marks the return of Clint Eastwood to the United States after becoming an international star in the series of three famous spaghetti westerns made by Sergio Leone. Most film … Continue reading

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life and death of a choreographer (film: All That Jazz – Bob Fosse, 1979)

It takes a lot of courage and immense self-centeredness to write and direct a film about your own death. This is exactly what the director and choreographer Bob Fosse did in 1979, the creator of some of the great successes … Continue reading

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second tier (film: Challengers – Luca Guadagnino, 2024)

I am a big fan of tennis and of a few other sports. I also love the art of film. Their meeting should be one in heaven for me, and yet, so far, I haven’t seen a sports fiction movie … Continue reading

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Paul Newman’s Farewell (film: Road to Perdition – Sam Mendes, 2002)

The tradition of big Hollywood actors playing the roles of crime family bosses is well entrenched in the history of American cinema. About halfway between Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro we have Paul Newman, one of the most impressive … Continue reading

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a tale with spies and corruption (film: The Tailor of Panama – John Boorman, 2001)

I miss John le Carré so much. I had gotten used to his novels coming out once every 2 or 3 years and would look forward to the release of the first paperback edition which I could afford to buy … Continue reading

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another Christmas movie (film: The Holdovers – Alexander Payne, 2023)

I confess that I was somewhat anxiously waiting to see Alexander Payne‘s ‘The Holdovers‘ (2023). 5 Oscar nominations should be a guarantee of watching a quality or at least interesting film. On the other hand, my experiences with Payne‘s previous … Continue reading

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Scorsese, again, on the streets of New York (film: Bringing Out the Dead – Martin Scorsese, 1999)

I can’t remember why I missed seeing ‘Bringing Out the Dead‘ (1999). I’ve been a fan of Martin Scorsese since ‘Taxi Driver’ and I thought I hadn’t missed any of his movies since then. And yet, it’s the first time … Continue reading

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Napoleon’s failure (film: Napoleon – Ridley Scott, 2023)

A few films ago I shared some thoughts about that category of directors who have reached the age, maturity, celebrity and financial independence where they have nothing left to prove or conquer, and who can afford to make almost any … Continue reading

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too much chocolate can be dangerous to your health (film: Chocolat – Lasse Hallström, 2000)

‘Chocolat‘ (2000) is one of those very successful films that I should have seen at their time and that somehow I missed, caught up in the whirlwind of my previous lives. I kept putting it off, but now its turn … Continue reading

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fading starshine (film: Murder by Death – Robert Moore, 1976)

‘Murder by Death‘ (1976) proves that the genre of films with a cast composed exclusively or mainly of first-rate Hollywood stars was not invented by Wes Anderson. Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, David Niven, Peter Falk, Maggie Smith and writer Truman … Continue reading

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