World Film
GuideReviews Index
"Tokyo Story" DVD Review
Universal in theme, humanistic, and accessible, this is one of the greatest masterpieces of world cinema. To my mind, this movie' incredible power comes from its seeming simplicity, which allows emotions to build slowly and subtly, much as they do in real life. It's a mark of Ozu's genius that by the time the film reaches its end, it moves me with a power that feels more like reality experienced than make-believe.
Mostly Martha DVD Review
Mostly Martha DVD Review: Some have typed this film as a food movie, but I consider it to be more of a character study. I enjoyed the character development showing one woman going through a subtle but meaningful change. Read a DVD review of Mostly Martha.
"Floating Weeds" DVD Review
A review of two films by Ozu -- A Story of Floating Weeds (1934) and Floating Weeds on DVD.
"Persona" DVD Review
Persona is a movie defies that complete understanding, but each time I see it, I find new nuances of meaning. The film takes on slippery issues such as reality and identity. But it has a hypnotic power, and each time I watch it, I’m drawn in deeper. Read a DVD review of Persona.
"The Rules of the Game" DVD Review
I've enjoyed watching my VHS copy of Jean Renoir's The Rules of the Game over the last several years, and now I'm thrilled to own the Criterion Collection DVD version. I think Renoir's deep-focus photography, unerring sense of composition, and fluid visual style are ideally suited to the film's story. But what I like best about the movie is Renoir's profoundly humanistic sensibility.
"Ikiru" DVD Review
I see Ikiru as a thought-provoking meditation on what it means to live, and I believe that is what makes it resonate so strongly, both intellectually and emotionally. It is a story of an examined life, albeit one looked at when time has all but run out. It is a film that hits deep enough that it makes me reexamine my own life and the lives of others around me. Read a review the of Criterion Collection two-disc DVD set.
"Jules and Jim" DVD Review
Of all the films I've ever seen, Jules and Jim is one of my favorites. It is superb, both in terms of artistic content and entertainment qualities. I've watched it at least half a dozen times, both on videotape and on the big screen in art-house revival, and I've never seen it looking better than on the Fox Lorber DVD.
"La Strada" DVD Review
Featurning an unforgettable Chaplinesque performance by lead actress Giulietta Masina, Fellini’s lyricism, and a memorable musical score by Nino Rota, “La Strada” is one of my favorite Fellini films. This is a movie no cineaste should miss, and Criterion Collection has done a great job on the DVD set.
"Apu Trilogy" DVD Review
The Apu Trilogy is a beautiful, moving, and humanistic masterwork of world cinema, and every time I see it, I am reminded of film’s potential as an art form. Pather Panchali, Aparajito, and The World of Apu are all works of great beauty and emotional power.
“Talk to Her” DVD Review
I loved this inventive Spanish-language film, which is written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. I’ll admit it’s strange and unsettling, but I found it quite moving. Read a brief DVD review and overview of Talk to Her.
“L’Atalante” DVD Review
L’Atalante is a cinepoem that is infused with an evocative mood of lyrical, bittersweet romance, and I think it is one of the greatest movies ever made. Read a short review of L’Atalante on DVD.
“Three Colors” Trilogy DVD Review
I think Kieslowski’s Three Colors trilogy is an innovative masterpiece of world cinema that works both intellectually and humanistically.
“Y tu mamá también” DVD
I loved this high-spirited, unusual, and fun art-house movie, which I found to be artistic, cinematic, and thought-provoking. Read a movie review and DVD overview of Y tu mama tambien.
"La Terra trema" DVD
La Terra trema captures the theme of the exploitation of the weak by the strong better than any film I know. I think some of the images in La Terra trema are unforgettable, and I give it my highest recommendation. Read a review and DVD overview of La Terra trema.
"Hiroshima mon amour" DVD Review
Alain Resnais's influential, innovative film is moving, compelling, and lyrical. I hadn’t seen it in years, and after watching it on DVD recently, I was amazed at its resonance and complexity. Read a short overview and DVD review of Hiroshima mon amour.
"Wings of Desire" DVD Review
Some find this film flawed and pretentious, but I do not. I think Wings of Desire is an imaginative masterwork of world cinema.