Welcome to the second installment of
"At the Movies with tkt". This month we'll
start with my normal format, one current theatrical
release and one video "Retro Pick O' the
Month".
 HANNIBAL
Rated: R
CAST: Anthony Hopkins,
Julianne Moore, Ray Liotta, Gary Oldman
DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott
What's It All About, Alfie?
The sequel to the 1991 Best Picture Oscar blockbuster
"The Silence of the Lambs". It's 10 years
later, and Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter is
hiding out in Europe. FBI agent Clarice Starling is still
obsessed with capturing him and she gets her chance to
try when he returns to the US.
My Two Cents
I hated "The Silence of the Lambs". I saw it in
theaters when it was new and I haven't seen it since. I
think it was one of those movies where everyone told me
how good and scary it was, and by the time I finally saw
it, I couldn't help but be disappointed. When I heard
they were making a sequel, I immediately was like "I
will never see it", but the trailer sold the film
really well, and during it's second week of release,
there I sat. The sequel is about 1000 times better than
the original. It was scary in parts,  and REALLY nasty in
others, and the acting and story were first rate. If you
have popcorn or other snacks during the film, I strongly
suggest that you finish them no farther than 15 minutes
into the movie to allow for sufficient digestion before
the end of the movie. In all seriousness the scene near
the end of the film is the nastiest thing I have ever
seen on film. I cannot fathom that another film will come
out before the end of the year that will be able to beat
"Hannibal" for a Best Makeup Oscar, and Hopkins
deserves another nomination as well. Julianne Moore's
performance not only makes you say "Jodie
who?", but also solidifies my theory that she is the
finest actress working today that does not already have
an Oscar.
Would I Buy This film on DVD?
Absolutely. Not only is it a great movie that will hold
up to repeat viewings, but the DVD is bound to have a TON
of special features including deleted scenes and
director's commentary. I hope they tell us how they made
the nasty scene at the end of the movie. Overall I give
it 4 out of 5 FIREBALLS.
 DIABOLIQUE
Rated: Unrated in US
CAST: Simone Signoret, Vera
Clouzot, Paul Meurisse
DIRECTOR: Henri-Georges Clouzot
What's It All About, Alfie?
At a private school, the abusive headmaster's wife and
his mistress plot together to kill him. When they
apparently succeed, but the body disappears. After this,
there are repeated "sightings" of the body. The
two women (especially the sickly wife), are driven nearly
insane with waiting to see if they will be caught, and
also if the body will ever turn up.
My Two Cents
SUBTITLE ALERT. This film is in French. DO NOT LET THIS
DETER YOU FROM WATCHING IT. Yes, you'll have to read it,
but a good film such as this, after about 10 minutes you
forget you're reading. I am a fan of Alfred  Hitchcock, and this
film has every bit as much, if not more maddening
suspense-filled moments for the audience as Hitchcock's
classics. In fact, this film helped inspire the classic
Hitchcock film "Psycho". Please don't confuse
this film with the mid 90's American version starring
Sharon Stone and Kathy Bates. That film is also HOT, but
for a different reason (it has Sharon Stone and Kathy
Bates in it), while the film itself is pretty lousy. The
reason the original "Diabolique" is HOT is
because the story is well told and it's SO suspenseful.
Ok, so Simone Signoret is HOT in a 50's French actress
kind of way too.
Would I Buy This Film on DVD?
I already own it. I'm not sure if it's available on VHS
or not, but if you have a DVD player, and your local
video store has a respectable DVD selection, RENT THIS.
It's a "Criterion Collection" release. If you
speak fluent French (and who amongst us doesn't), you
have the option of turning off the English subtitles so
they don't interfere with your enjoyment of the film.
Overall, I give this film 4.5 out of 5 FIREBALLS.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
wishes to congratulate the winner of our March drawing.
May I have the envelope please? And this HOT little Oscar
statuette keychain goes to...
SASSY WYLE!
Keep your speech down to 45 seconds please, SASSY. Or,
the orchestra will rudely start while you are still on
the stage. :)
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