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William Friedkin recommended Diabolique (1955) in Movies (curated)

Diabolique (1955)

1955 | Crime, Drama, Horror

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Movie Favorite

"Ranks with the best of Hitchcock, who wanted to make it but Clouzot beat him to the rights. It was made in the same year as Night and Fog and The Night of the Hunter, 1955—what a year, what a decade for world cinema. The penultimate scene had the same effect on me as Psycho. Though it no longer holds surprises for me, I watch it for its mastery of suspense and the performances of Paul Meurisse, Simone Signoret, and  Véra Clouzot. But I confess that the nine-minute scene without words where  Véra hears noises from her bedroom, goes down the hall to check them out, and is literally scared to death still nails me. You can bet I thought  about how it was shot and paced when I sent Ellen Burstyn up to that attic in The Exorcist. No nudity, no sexuality, no violence, just pure, slow-building suspense that escalates to terror. The original novel was written by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac, who also wrote Vertigo."

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Kudos

Elijah Wood recommended The Night of the Hunter (1955) in Movies (curated)

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

1955 | Drama, Mystery

9.0

(5 Ratings)

Movie Favorite

"Oh, oh, Night of the Hunter. That’s just a film that… It was actually recommended to me by Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson’s wife. I think it’s her favorite film of all time. I’d never really seen anything like it because it’s kind of a film noir set in the South. The story, it’s about a family who are terrorized by a con-man. Robert Mitchum was an incredible actor — the original Cape Fear is another incredible performance by him — but it’s such a slimy performance in this film. He’s such a great manipulator and tells tall tales. And it’s famous because he’s got these tattoos on his knuckles of “love” and “hate” and it actually is a conduit for a really great story that he repeats throughout the film. The cinematography’s incredible; it’s just like all blacks and whites and hard shadows and lots of silhouettes along the river. It’s just a stunning, a stunning film! It’s really good. Talking about these movies makes me want to see these movies again. [laughing] They’re so good!"

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Kudos

Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Crimson Tide (1995) in Movies

Sep 17, 2020

Crimson Tide (1995)

1995 | Action, Drama

8.5

(6 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Personally I find the roles of Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman interesting in this movie for a different reason that I think was intended. Hackman made his career and became a household name throughout the 60's, 70,s and 80's, while maintaining a level of relevance and definitely a level of respect through today. Denzel came into prominence in the 1990's and has become a beloved and highly regarded figure in his field. Watching their respective roles in Crimson Tides almost felt like a kind of "passing of the guard" in more ways than one.

That aside, the movie itself is loosely based on actual events aboard a Russian Submarine wherein a stubborn second in command defied the orders of his superiors and saved the world from certain disaster and preventing World War III. Brilliantly portrayed by all involved, Directed through the lens of genius. One of the greatest underwater films of all time that is still being used as a basis for films being made today (I'm talking to you Hunter Killer).

Kudos

Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Accidental Romeo in Books

Jan 11, 2021

First off: the cover is amazing - well the guy is. And the plot sounded good.

It started quite good but it become pretty obvious from fairly early on that a certain someone wasn't all that he seemed and it was rather slow in getting to the culprit and why he'd done what he did.

And then the romance, too. It started quite nice and gentle and then the dirty talk when they finally got into bed...there is one word I don't like - begins with c, ends in t, and is 4 letters - and Hunter used it a few times. To me, it's not hot or attractive. I find it kinda vulgar and it puts me off.

As for the rest of the story. I just found it a little boring. There wasn't enough stuff going on for me. I like a little angst between my characters, I like to get drawn into their romance, I like them to fight and make up...

It just wasn't what I wanted it to be.