Connery and Pfeffier, how can you go wrong?

 

The Russia House (1990)

Directed by Fred Schepisi this film based on the novel of the same name stars Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer. A British book publisher is contacted by a Russia who wants to leak nuclear secrets.

Somehow this film manages to pull off having both a happy and melancholy ending which is rather unusual. A nice twisting narrative that looks at the human desire for peace in a system against it. Both well made and well acted with some lovely on location shots in Russia.

4/5

The silent director's favourite subject

 

Serpentine Dance: Loie Fuller (1897)

Directed by Georges Demeny this is an early short film. A woman performs a Serpentine dance.

Similar to many other films of the period down to the hand painted colour tinting. I suppose fine for what it is. Once you have seen one of these you have seen them all.

3/5

More like a peasant

 

King of Thieves (2018)

Directed by James Marsh this film inspired by real events stars Micheal Caine, Jim Broadbent nad Charlie Cox. A bunch of OAP thieves decide to rob a vault over Easter weekend.

Even having an all star cast is some how unable to save this film. The script is as tired as some of the actors in the film. Not really a fan of the way the film tries to make heroes of the protagonist and gloss over the violent past.

1/5

I don't love this

 

I Love You (1891)

Directed by and staring Georges Demeny this is an early short film. A man says “Je vous aime” to the camera.

Unfortunately the image on the is one is pretty degraded and scratched up. Without speaking French it is a little hard to make out what he is saying. Might be one best left in the past.

2/5

it burst

 

Ball Passing Through a Soap Bubble (1904)

Directed by Lucien Georges Bull this is an early short film. A ball passes through a large soap bubble.

Getting a bit late in the day for these sort of short, single shot experiment films this is still fairly entertaining. Interesting to see the slow motion version of how the bubble bursts. Decent image quality.

3/5

Now there's two of them!

 

Cheval Monte, Deux Chevaux Bais Se Suivant au Pas (1899)

Directed by Etienne-Jules Marey and Charles Comte this is an early short film. Two horse riders ride past the camera.

Another nice, simple horse riding film from Marey and friends. Again the image quality is really good for the age of the film. Pretty fun.

3/5

A lady at the canter

 

Bay Horse, Ridden by Therese Rentez, Canter (1899)

Directed by Etienne-Jules Marey and Charles Comte this is an early short film. A woman rides a horse past the camera.

Another nice little horse riding short from Marey and chums. Both the dress of the woman and the canter of the horse add a bit of class to this short. Really good image quality.

3/5