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cjhadfield
Reviews
House of Cards (1968)
A rare beauty
I'm shocked that this movie only gets a low rating. I think that's probably because it's low key and under the radar. However, it's absolutely amazing. It's got that Hitchcock feel about it, but it's in the same vein as Charade or Wait Until Dark. George Peppard is great in it as is the tragically beautiful Inger Stevens. Orson Welles is even in it as the evil maestro behind a planned plot.
Set in Paris and other French beauty spots, the theme is a chase or rather pursuit. It has all the hallmarks of a thriller thoroughly set in that time with dastardly people, sexy people, duped and dishonest people. It's a must for those of us who enjoy noir, thrillers or just low key unusual gems.
Le septième juré (1962)
Baldies of the world unite
This is Existentialism at its best. What is life all about? What happens if I do this or that, or indeed, if I don't do these things? Where do I belong? What is love really? What's the meaning of life? What the f... is it all about? It ticks all those boxes. French cinema at its best.
It reminds me of Jean-Paul Satre's works, furthermore, it revolves around that time of French Existentialism and the need to know the answers to life, the universe and everything. It's not Marxist, it's not even post-Marxist, it's pure homogeneous full on assault and it's a niche Gallic movie that deserves more air time and recognition. I hope this sparks with the fence-sitters to watch it.
PS, it also reminds me of that post-existentialist movie Monsieur Hire, which incidentally also had a baldie dealing with all these existentialist matters. Loved that one also.
Dressed to Kill (1980)
Wooden
Seriously? Despite the big names like Angie Dickinson, Michael Caine etc, this movie is so risibly awful. The dialogue is so wooden it has warping. It's almost B-movie 1950s. The musical score is heavy and feels like an albatross over your shoulder. I'm perplexed how this is a 7+ rating. I thought it was a schlock horror comedy at first but then realised Brian de Palma was seriously trying to make a thriller. There are obvious nods to Hitchcock with the lack of dialogue storyline and sudden change in synopsis. However, Hitch it ain't. I was surprised first of all because I hadn't seen this before - it's 40 years old - but also as surprised because I was expecting better.