Mask, The / Eyes of Hell, The (1961)
“I’ve tried to stop, but I can’t — I don’t want to!”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“I’ve tried to stop, but I can’t — I don’t want to!”
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Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:
Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“Aren’t we able to do anything to save ourselves?”
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Review: … a huge, chicken-like bird that tries to peck away at Rogan (and is similarly roasted and eaten): … a gigantic bee that seals Rogan and Brown inside a honeycomb cell: … and more. Indeed, it’s these animated creatures — crafted by Ray Harryhausen — that make the film memorable and beloved by many viewers, but unfortunately, they don’t make much sense within the narrative, and weren’t part of the original novel. With that said, it’s refreshing to see the inclusion of a black actor and character (Jackson) who’s given a reasonably equitable role (at least up until the women arrive): … and the opening escape sequence — as the prisoners leave their jail in a storm and sail high into the air — is genuinely exciting (see still below). Harryhausen fans will want to check this one out. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“If you’re not tough enough, you’re never going to make it.”
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and goes in narrative directions that must be seen to be believed. However, it’s all convincing enough if you’re willing to get drawn into the lure of its fairy tale charm. Indeed, this remains a sufficiently enduring story that it was remade by the same director (Donald Wrye) in 2010 — a version I haven’t seen. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“The same thing keeps happening in all these towns.”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“Some will live and some will die, before tomorrow’s sun is high.”
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Review: Unfortunately, while the film is high on gothic atmosphere, it’s slow on plot and pacing; there’s one central premise to the storyline — who will Lee and his henchman (Mirko Valentin) capture next? — and we simply watch this play out in scene after scene, in spooky settings. In terms of the performances, leading actress Gaia Germani (who often reminds one of Audrey Hepburn) is simply perpetually frightened (for good reason): Sutherland is nearly unrecognizable in his female guise; and it’s refreshing to see a dwarf (Anthony Martin) emerging as a hero of the situation. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? |
“Torture! Torture! It pleasures me!”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“I have a script; you have a contract.”
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Review: he also cleverly shows up as the villains (Knife McBlade, “white hunter”, and Zarubian) in each of the satires. Friedkin directs with a sure hand, and it’s well-edited to boot. While it’s certainly not must-see viewing, it’s not totally awful, either. Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
Must See? Links: |
“Nobody pays any attention to gold hunters in the desert – except the desert!”
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Review: Indeed, Brazzi’s character shifts over time are what primarily drive the narrative, which otherwise consists of LOTS of desert-survival scenes (as well as inevitable lust for Loren). To its credit, the creaky film never quite lags, even when the characters are faced time and again with similar variations on near-death; and the ending brings some interesting surprises. However, this one isn’t must-see viewing for anyone other than die-hard fans of the stars. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“I find myself becoming intrigued by everything in Japan.”
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Review: Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |
“If you follow Bob long enough, I think maybe you can translate these things.”
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I could go on and on, but won’t. Just — be forewarned. Redeeming Qualities and Moments: Must See? Links: |