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Reviews
Doña Bárbara (1943)
A film with an epic sweep and rich characters
"Doña Bárbara" is a wonderful film. Indeed it approaches epic status with a story that pulls you in and never quite goes where you expect. Imagine Barbara Stanwick's character in "The Big Valley", a tough attractive woman who runs a vast ranch but unlike Barbara Stanwick, this "Doña Bárbara" played by the equally great María Félix is smoldering, sensual and yet ice cold and ruthless. You cannot take your eyes off her subtle and alluring performance. Julián Soler as Dr. Santos Luzardo is her stoic and heroic rival and he too is a fine characterization. María Elena Marqués as Marisela Barquero, (Doña Bárbara's neglected daughter) also gives a very fine performance. Marisela is a childlike, sassy woman whom Dr. Luzardo grows to love. María Elena Marqués also has a fine singing voice and yes, in the midst of drama, smoldering passion, alcoholic degradation, lust, magical spells, superstition and some gun play there is room for a lyrically sung ballade and a delightful community dance sequence. There is even some witty light comic repartee between Dr. Luzardo and his school friend turned civic official Mujiquita, played by Paco Astol. There are so many other richly drawn characters in this story including Charles Rooner as the lecherous and repulsive Don Guillermo who also serves as a sort of Greek Chorus through his dialog with several people as does the opening narration by Julián Soler as Dr. Luzardo. The plot need not be outlined here so as not to spoil it but if you're lucky enough to see this film and you love interwoven stories that build to a climax, with many vivid characters as well as insights into Latin culture, do see it. Above all is the great María Félix whose portrayal of the dreaded but beautiful "Doña Bárbara" leads you to a finale you may not expect.
Combat!: Cry in the Ruins (1965)
A great episode that deserved study by all young film directors!
Given the brutal history of World War II in Europe it may seem improbable that two squads of opposing forces, American and German could go beyond an uneasy truce and actually work together side by side, but strange things do happen in war. Putting aside disbelief, the visual historical accuracy of this episode is very good and dramatically, it is an outstanding story, superbly filmed and directed by Vic Morrow. Lisa Pera is a fine actress and delivers all her lines in French without subtitles, and that too adds to the authenticity of her emotions. We know what's troubling the woman. The realization at the end is approached and done without sensationalism, another hallmark of Morrow's great direction. I wish he had directed more films. William Smithers is also excellent as the German officer who counter balances Rick Jason's Lt. Hanley. All the acting, even the bit parts with next to no dialog is sharply characterized and there are sequences that haunt the memory more effectively than some more famous full-length war movies. A word of praise has to be added for the wonderful music score by Leonard Roseman. It ranges from expressionism worthy of Alban Berg to a simple melody hovering between folksong and pathos.
Dexter (2006)
Dexter should get caught eventually (Slight Spoilers)
Dexter kills bad people and then works as a forensics investigator. I asked a fan what happens if he murders someone who is evil but actually it turns out they were completely innocent. They said "He never does that." Well maybe the writers should explore that one, though judging from what I've seen, it would not bother him at all. Dexter lacks the charm, wit and humor of "Kind Hearts and Coronets" (a classic British comedy about a serial killer). Maybe this is because the Dexter character abuses and tortures his victims which would only please a sadist, but no matter how bad the characters are, I hope the series ends somewhat akin to the cleverness of "Kind Hearts and Coronets", with the Dexter character caught and sentenced but a twist sets him free only until a final twist of fate outwits him. Dexter also lacks the goal, crazy as it may be, of the British character.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939)
Who wrote the haunting flute theme?
To me, this is the finest of the Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes films in terms of plot, editing and atmosphere. The entire cast contributes beautifully and even the smallest parts have memorable moments.
The Music: Cyril J. Mockridge is listed in the main title as presumably the composer who offered "musical direction" but unaccredited music was also contributed by Robert Russell Bennett, David Buttolph, David Raksin and Walter Scharf. The question is, who wrote that wonderfully haunting flute theme. (Dubbed in the film on a classical alto flute, but depicted as being played on a South American instrument.) The weird chromatic solo theme accompanies several important sequences and also gets a full orchestral treatment near the end as tension mounts, and even in that guise, it is very well done.
We also get to hear a portion of very intoxicating Latin American music in a garden party sequence played by a "Gaucho Orchestra". The arrangement there is sparkling. And then there is that surprising English music hall song "Beside the Sea" so delightfully sung, though on first viewing we aren't quite sure by whom and neither is Ida Lupino's character in the film!
The Night of the Iguana (1964)
One comment. (Very slight spoiler)
Much has been said about the famous actors in this movie, and they are all wonderful. I would just like to add that the bit players are great too. Don't take for granted the old man in the wheelchair, the poet played by character actor Cyril Delevanti. Earlier, his character hardly speaks. He seems more like a prop, accenting some of the dialog between Deborah Kerr and Richard Burton. But as the film progresses, we hear snatches of his poetry. His words provide an unrealized and unappreciated commentary. When Delevanti as the old poet, Mr. Nonno, finally gets to recite his complete poem, he reveals that he isn't just an eccentric. When he recites the verse near the end, it is one of the great moments in theater (and in this film.) After all that has gone before, all the turmoil and love/hate relationships, his insightful words brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful a literary slight-of-hand that allowed Tennessee Williams to smoothly insert a poet, and thus poetry into this drama. Many other dramatic things happen up front in this film, but Delevanti's eventual performance is also terrific as well as profound, don't miss it.
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey (1993)
I agree, a fine documentary - (Spoiler)
I found this to be a wonderful film, and the touching ending, where the film makers brought Clara Rockmore and Leon Theremin together again after so many years moved me to tears. (Sentimental? Yes, but it was real!) It was also fascinating to learn of Theremin's other inventions and his kidnapping by the KGB. Other portions of this film reveal his influence on serious electronic music as well as pop music, and of course the use of the Theremin in SciFi films. Highly recommended.
One correction to an earlier review: the theme music for the original Star Trek show did not use a Theremin at first. It was in fact a soprano voice.