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pbreslin
Reviews
The Public Eye (1992)
Joe Pesci as Arthur Fellig
The Public Eye is loosely based on the life and work of Arthur Fellig.
Fellig's nickname, ("Weegee"), was a phonetic rendering of Ouija, due to his frequent arrival at scenes only minutes after crimes, fires or other emergencies were reported to authorities.
He is best known as a candid news photographer whose stark black-and-white shots documented street life in New York City. Weegee's photos of crime scenes, car-wreck victims in pools of their own blood, overcrowded urban beaches and various grotesques are still shocking.
In 1938, Fellig was the only New York newspaper reporter with a permit to have a portable police-band shortwave radio. He maintained a complete darkroom in his trunk of his car, to expedite getting his free-lance product to the newspapers.
The Public Eye shows much of this with added, (untrue), drama. I recommend this movie for anyone who enjoys a good crime yarn and people with an interest in the life and times of Arthur "Weegee" Fellig.
Much of the factual information in this review was gleaned from Wikipedia.
Mad Dog Time (1996)
Outstanding
Most of the comments have been positive but I would like to add that viewers should also focus on the sets. The set designer used a lot of beautiful art deco treatments along with beautiful buildings, stairs, doors, furniture and so forth. It is worth paying attention to. The movie is driven by characterization and symbolism which is very rich. All the gangster actors were cast - it was like seeing old friends and it was a treat. The dialog was amusing at times but stilted at times and I suppose it was meant to be that way. This is a film buff's film. It was made by people, for people who love the medium. Don't miss this one.
Barry Lyndon (1975)
Ne'er do well rises, then falls ...
This is one of the finest movies ever made. From the narrator's droll quotes from the author (Thackeray), to the use of available light to film the movie, to the various costume scenes, to the beautiful scenery, this film has it all. There is one scene where the English are engaging the French across a field. The English troops march toward the French while their regimental band plays "The Jolly Grenadier". The English troops are mowed down by the ranked French troops who have "the honor of first fire". The scene was absolutely chilling. Barry Lyndon is a film buff's film.