I was all proud of myself for going through so many movies and blog posts today. You can do a lot of writing and watching if you ignore all your important work. I recommend this method. In any case, my drive is starting to lose fuel so I will pump out this review and Asphalt Jungle and call it a day. I told my mom today that I was starting the 50s and she said "maybe now I will have heard of some of these movies." Well, sorry Mom, because we are kicking off the 50s with a movie no one has ever heard of. Such is the way of the list. Anyway, you most likely have heard of the story of Eurydice and Orpheus. This is like that except he really does love Eurydice; he is in love with Lady Death. Poor Eurydice. I have a deep respect for French films; the acting is nearly always phenomenal, at least from the movies I have seen. This film is no exception. The movie is also filmed in a very dreamlike way that I got really into. However, it is not the most exciting film; I'd say I was bored for about one third of it. It had its merits but ultimately is not worth it. RATING: **--- Interesting Facts: Jean Cocteau and Jean Marais were lovers. Cocteau drew the opening titles.
La Belle et La Bete Beauty and The Beast 1946 Directed by Jean Cocteau
No, unfortunately we are not talking about the Disney film, which is what I thought when I checked it off when I first got the book. When I realized it was talking about the 1946 version of the film, I realized that I would have to live a lie with my false checkmark. But today, the truth will be realized! I tried my best to watch this without wishing that they would all break out into "Belle" during the opening scene. Fortunately, I was rewarded because this is an amazing film in itself. For those martians who do not know the story, I will give a brief summary. Belle's father is kidnapped by beast so Belle sacrifices herself as a prisoner in his stead. Belle then proceeds to suffer from both Stockholm syndrome and bestiality. First off, you have to get over how hokey the Beast looks and focus more on the incredible acting. I am surprised he is able to move in that costume let alone play a lovable beast. The sets are absolutely beautiful but because this is a fairy tale movie, it suffers from flat characters and slight cheesiness. Still, it is fun and sweet. RATING: ****- Interesting Facts: After the Beast transformed into a human, Greta Garbo famously said "Give me back my Beast" because of Jean Marais phenomenal acting. The stream the Beast tries to drink out of was actually a sewage runoff. Ew. Used reverse motion to achieve candle effect.
