FilmFanatic.org

Synopsis:
A teenage virgin (Myriem Roussel) becomes mysteriously pregnant, and must convince her boyfriend (Thierry Rode) that the conception was “other-worldly”.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Christianity
• French Films
• Godard Films
• Pregnancy
• Virginity

Response to Peary’s Review:
As Peary notes, this notorious Godard film — condemned by the Pope upon its release — is actually “curiously uninvolving, confusing, and boring”.

He argues that “Godard shows his growing lack of concern for acting”, and what’s worse, “he doesn’t bother to develop his characters sufficiently so we can understand their feelings about their unique circumstances.” Along with Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Hail Mary is likely to be remembered more for the controversy it engendered among religious groups than any intrinsic values it possesses as a drama. Peary does, however, provide an interesting analytical spin on the story, suggesting that Godard meant for us to view all births — not just that of Mary’s baby — as mysterious and “extra-terrestrial”. I’m not sure I agree with this assessment, but it’s certainly a provocative take on the enduring Christian mythos of immaculate conception. If you rent the DVD, be sure to check out “The Book of Mary”, a short coming-of-age film included as an extra.

Redeeming Qualities:

• Fine cinematography
  

Must See?
No, though film fanatics may be curious to check it out simply given its controversial history.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• Roger Ebert’s Review
• Time Out Capsule Review

Synopsis:
Several psychotic criminals (including Martin Landau and Jack Palance) escape from an experimental insane asylum run by Donald Pleasence, and terrorize the house of a doctor (Dwight Schultz) and his family.

Genres:

• Donald Pleasence Films
• Escape
• Horror
• Jack Palance Films
• Martin Landau Films
• Mental Illness
• Psychopaths

Response to Peary’s Review:
As Peary notes, this cult horror flick starts off with an interesting premise but loses its momentum and originality about halfway through, giving way to “ugly violence” and “stupidity”. Nonetheless, it’s fun watching Martin Landau and Jack Palance together in a film, and Donald Pleasence is excellent as the well-meaning but gravely clueless asylum director. The moral of the story: never, ever assume that all psychopathic criminals need is someone to “understand them”.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

• Martin Landau’s creepy portrayal as The Preacher
  
• Donald Pleasence as the fatally naive asylum director
  
• Jack Palance as the one “redeemable madman” in the bunch
  
• Atmospheric cinematography
  

Must See?
No, unless you’re a fan of slasher flicks and/or “insane asylum” movies.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• NY Times Original Review

Synopsis:
When his sister is raped and murdered, a stevedore (Gerard Depardieu) vows to find her killer; meanwhile, he falls for a wealthy young woman (Nastassja Kinski) and dumps his girlfriend (Victoria Abril).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• French Films
• Gerard Depardieu Films
• Nastassja Kinski Films
• Revenge
• Waterfront

Response to Peary’s Review:
As Peary notes, this follow-up to Jean-Jacques Beineix’s cult film Diva (1981) is “delirious, pretentious, and obscure”, but nonetheless contains “many powerful scenes” and some undeniably “erotic visuals”. Beineix purportedly based Depardieu’s character on photos of Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) — a noble intention, but one which ultimately doesn’t pan out; while Depardieu has his own kind of sexy animal magnetism, he never comes close to channeling the unique spirit of Brando’s Kowalski.

Redeeming Qualities:

• Nastassja Kinski as Loretta
  
• Depardieu — on a bet — breaking a solid block of ice in half by gnawing his way through it
  

Must See?
No. While the film was subject to much critical debate when it came out, it no longer warrants such attention.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• Roger Ebert’s Review
• Time Out Capsule Review