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Reviews
M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder (1931)
M is not for the faint of heart
Cinematically, I thought that the opening sequence of the film was frightful. I think it is because Lang used such long takes to watch the children playing (from a rather obtuse angle too); then the mother tells them not to sing the horrifying song they were singing (similar to our version of London Bridges or Engine Engine Number Nine. Children mirror what they see and hear; but the only reason the children's song was so atrocious was because the Child Murderer was afoot. Then Lang uses that long take to show the woman readying her table for her childwho will never come home; it is a drastic and dramatic scene and I find the horror of it magnified because we do not see Peter Lorre choking the girl, or stabbing heror doing whatever. We figured what would happen and in implication the suspense and horror are far greater than any Freddy or Jason slasher flick.
I believe, what I find so appealing in this (first) version (Lang's 1931 cut) is that he was directorially satisfied to use long takes and wide shots that showed a world beyond the immediate camera lensor at least an implied world. That show directorial finesse; something sadly lacking in a lot of contemporary cinema. I was shocked by the use of the obscene language, but it made sense. I found myself wondering, though, if Lang did not use long takes of silence because there were moments where he simply did not have story to tell
ergo, he shows people doing what they do.
What I thought most alarming was once the mobs collaborated and cornered and captured Lorre's character, they were actually driven by the rule of law, in a fashion. Though what they did was somewhat vigil-ante, it was at least a forum for a discussion on who has the right to do what to whom. Who does have the right to take a life? Does the state? I must say that Peter Lorre's acting in that scene was nearly as perfect as any actor can get to perfection as humanly possible.
It is fitting the justice exacted on the killer life even though Frau Beckmann said justice does not bring their children back (everyone needs to watch their children closer).
Of course, we have to understand, this film emerges from pre-Nazi Germany, between the wars. Germany was a demolished state nearly collapsing from the devastating war reparations imposed on it by the League of Nations. The German people were suffering with devastating unemployment rates (for heaven's sake, there wasn't even air conditioning) and people were angry. This is the condition that produced Robert Wiene The Cabinet of Dr. Caligary, Paul Leni's The Man Who Laughs with Conrad Veidt, King Vidor's The Golem and the perennial (immortal, no pun intended) favorite F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu. The expressionists of the 20s and 30s were, as you say Trailblazers. They could make frightening films and I think that Hitchcock did well to study their works, because I believe that he refined what they did into the realm of stereo sound and Technicolor. The pre-noir effect is stark and bleak, and you are right, I think it paints a frightening picture; I will add that it shows us how life may have been in the era.
Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story (2001)
Jack and the Beanstalk may have been a children's story...
I thought that Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story was a fantastic film. In terms of editing and cinematography, Hallmark is fast becoming well - known as producers of quality films that revitalize the old classics. Now, in terms of content, "Jack" was a film that I would take my 10-year-old to see in a theater. Because despite one bed scene when Jack (the forbearer of modern Jack) abandons his beanstalk beauty, I think the film really does well at showing what could have happened after Jack cut down the beanstalk.
I liked how he built an empire with the goose's eggs. Very intriguing. Of course, nothing I have typed here is a spoiler. In terms of drama and conflict, the film does exceptionally well. Not only does Jack have to answer for the sins of the father, but he must survive in the aftermath of his short stay in the city in the clouds. But I really like what the story teaches about morals and telling the truth; about compassion and doing what is right, for the sake of living a life of integrity and courage.
I would say two thumbs up, but that might violate someone else's copyright. So, I'll say Well done, Hallmark. When can I submit my application to be one of your film writers?