Two movies - and that's a wrap

Paths of Glory (1957) - banned in France and Spain for many years - This is a great example of a concise screenplay. Clocks in at 1-3/4 hour. Compare it to big, baggy, and ponderous Schindler's List at way more than 2 hours. (And I like Schindler's List!) Sorry, but this is why you have to see Citizen Kane, because those deep-focus shots inside the general's drawing room are lifted right out of "Kane" made 16 years earlier. Everyone remembers the tracking shots inside the trenches, but my favorite is the tracking shot in the courtroom from behind the backs of evenly spaced soldiers, setting up a visual rhythm worthy of Maya Deren "Meshes of the Afternoon" (1943).

I had never realised that it's Ralph Meeker behind that beard who's one of the executed soldiers. He's one of my favorite actors and he's the leading man in my next Must See Recommendation: "Kiss Me Deadly" 1955, by Robert Aldrich.



Cassandra's Dream (2007) Woody Allen in serious mode and not successful at all. Here's an example of why you cannot blame the actors for a bad movie. Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell really do good work here, but they can't save a sinking ship.

Have a great weekend everyone.