Kaze's Movie Notes: Archive 8

The Dark Knight (2008) ***
It’s just Gotham again, but Heath Ledger reaches through all the CGI shenanigans to give you the willies. His Joker makes you remember that evil’s always out there frolicking. What do we do?

Chinatown (1974) *****
Twenty-five years after the heyday of film noir, here’s the best. Roman Polanski, whose own biography has taught him plenty about evil, uncovers the devil’s face in John Huston. A great film.

Violent Summer (1959) ***
Real world of politics and family ties intrudes on love affair between privileged kid and older woman (she’s all of 30). A walk down a well-worn path, but several perfect moments. Very Italian.

Shane (1953) *****
An iconic western, but wouldn’t it have been more interesting if Jack Palance rather than Alan Ladd had played Shane? If a remake were in order, here’s a vote for Russell Crowe.

Rescue Dawn (2006) ***
Visceral account of a downed American flyer’s escape through the Laotian jungle. Christian Bale eats maggots, loses weight, gets drenched, but keeps that gleam in his eye. Well done.