1100. El Angel Exterminador

El Angel Exterminador
The Exterminating Angel
1962
Directed by Luis Bunuel

1100 movies, 1100 reviews! I've given many unprompted speeches about my milestones over the years, but this feels like a pretty big one. It's been a blast, and thank you to every person who has reached out to me, even when it's just to tell me what an asshole I am. I get a kick out of every comment. Speaking of comments, an Anonymous commentator recently suggested I watch The Exterminating Angel, as it is the ultimate quarantine movie. And boy, was it.

Senor Edmundo Nobile and his wife Lucia host a dinner party at their lavish mansion. A mysterious power prevents the guests from leaving the party, and, as the days pass, they grow more and more desperate.

I love stories that answer simple what if questions; what if nobody could leave a dinner party? The symbolism here was fascinating. I thought it was brilliant that all the servants (for an unknown reason) left their posts right before disaster struck. It was like, once the bourgeoisie had nobody left to step on, they imploded. Putting aside class issues that were so obviously prevalent in this film, the movie also managed to tap into my own social anxiety fears (what if I couldn't leave somebody's house? What if they couldn't leave my house??).  A very eerie and unique film.

This is probably the best Bunuel movie I have seen, and it wasn't even in my edition. Instead, they included The Young One? What gives?

Oh, and the fact that Buffy the Vampire Slayer paid homage to this movie is just icing on the cake.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Bunuel believes that the film was a failure and wishes it could have been shot in Paris, and included cannibalism. Artists must be saved from themselves.

Was banned in Russia, because why not.

553. The Discreet Charm of Bourgeoisie

Le charme discret la bourgeoisie
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
1972
Directed by Luis Bunuel

We have had a string of terrible movies lately, which are every once in awhile interrupted by absolute masterpieces.  I guess that is the major theme of the seventies.  This is one of the gems, but don't worry.  Pink Flamingos is coming up which I am sure will restore order to the universe of horrible films.

A group of bourgeoisie friends try to get together several times for a meal.  However, bizarre circumstances, interrupted by many dream sequences, keep preventing them from doing so.

Why do I like this film so much?  I hated previous Bunuel work.  I still get freaked out thinking about what that man does with animals.  However, this movie is absolutely beautiful.  I have always loved stories that take place in dining rooms or plots that happen during any perfectly ordinary event, proving that someone doesn't have to be shooting at you or sleeping with you for life to happen.  Here we get to watch this group of people try to be ordinary in a world that is anything but.

The ending was a bit unsatisfying but I wouldn't expect anything else from Luis.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

John Landis' favorite film.

508. Tristana

Tristana
1970
Directed by Luis Bunuel

We are officially starting the 1970s.  Who is excited?  Anyone?  When we start the 80s, I can use a Ferris Bueller reference here that I am sure will kill.  Anyway, we are kicking off the 70s with a really great film.

Catherine Deneuve plays Tristana, a young orphan who is taken care of by Don Lope Garrido.  He is deeply in love with her, while she desires to feel real passion and be independent.  When she ends up falling for a new guy, it seems like she should finally be able to achieve happiness.  Unfortunately, it is a Spanish film so nothing can work out that well.

We all know that anything done by Catherine Deneuve is going to be absolutely brilliant.  However, a great performance doesn't always mean a great movie; just look at abominations like Mamma Mia or Nine.  In this case, though, we got a great plot and not once did Daniel Day-Lewis sing! I call it a win.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

The character of Don Lope is partially based on Bunuel's father.

463. Belle de Jour

Belle de Jour
1967
Directed by Luis Bunuel

Wow, how old is Bunuel at this time?  He was making movies in 1930!  Well, thankfully he has still got it.

Severine, played by the lovely Catherine Deneuve, is a bored, sexually repressed wife who decides to become a prostitute to live out her sexual desires.  This movie blends a lot of fantasy and reality, but unlike some other pretentious films, it is done in a non annoying way.

I sound like I absolutely love this film, but really, I didn't enjoy it too much.  I can certainly appreciate it and found it a lot more insightful and entertaining that 2 or 3 Things.  Still, I found a lot of the characters to be unsympathetic and annoying.  What was really holding Severine back?  I mean, I know society is holding her back blah blah blah whatever.  Characters that don't help themselves are the most annoying people to watch.

This film is gorgeous and Catherine Deneuve is always fascinating to watch.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Bunuel himself didn't know what the ending meant.

Trailer:

376. Viridiana

Viridiana
1961
Directed by Luis Bunuel

Well, that was gross.

I just moved into my new place and instead of doing any traditional moving duties, I decided to pop this bad boy in and get some movie reviewing done.  And by "popping this bad boy in" I mean watch in a less than reputable website because I no longer get Netflix DVDs.

Unfortunately, less than reputable websites rarely have subtitles and this movie is in Spanish.  Now since I only know English and a made up language that sort of resembles French, I was sort of stuck with film.  I decided to just follow along with a plot synopsis and come up with my own ideas for what they were saying.  On a separate note, I would be a kick ass screenwriter.

Anyway, this is the story of a nun who goes to visit her uncle.  Her uncle takes her to be his deceased wife and some sick stuff goes down.  Eventually, the nun inherits his money and decides to spend the money on a charity that goes horribly, horribly wrong.

Luis Bunuel is a very strange guy who likes to fill our heads with pretty disgusting and disturbing images.  Now, if these images or ideas made me feel anything other than revulsion, I would be all for continuing to watch his movies. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

But I will give credit when credit is due.  This film is not boring in the slightest and I never had any idea what to expect.  Except when I read ahead on the Wikipedia page.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

The Vatican and Spain both denounced and banned the film.

360. La Joven

La Joven
The Young One
1960
Directed by Luis Bunuel

I have really been falling behind on this blog.  I am still watching the same amount of movies but I am having trouble writing reviews lately.  I am blaming that partly on the great deal of apathy I have been feeling and partly because the movies I have been watching lately have failed to impress me.

This is the story of Traver, a black man who is accused of rape.  He escapes onto an island occupied by a beekeeper and his dead wife's granddaughter.  Both men make advances toward the girl, who is easily twenty years younger than both of them.  Gross.

So the film certainly has interesting themes.  The idea that rape seems to be accepted by the girl but rejected by the man who has been accused of it is actually rather fascinating.  Disturbing but fascinating.

This is isn't exactly a movie I would recommend but it kept my interest for its 95 minutes.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Released as Island of Shame in the UK, FYI.

230. Los Olvidados

Los Olvidados
The Young and the Damned
Directed by Luis Bunuel

Full disclosure: I could not find this movie with subtitles.  It seems relatively well known but I could only find it from a less that reputable site that kept asking if I was into Asian women.  No, I am not.

Anyway, in the movies whenever two characters are watching a film with no subtitles, the couple usually adds their own hilarious dialogue and it is generally a pretty adorable scene.  Since I watch movies alone since I have been single for like…ever, it was not fun at all.  I had like four different windows open trying to follow the plot since I don't speak a word of Spanish.  It was not cute or hilarious, it was just irritating.

So from what I gathered, this movie was about a bunch of street toughs doing things.  It was actually pretty brutal.  Several birds were killed on screen and kids were beaten to a pulp.  I think there was also an attempted rape? Maybe?  I don't know.

This was evidently a pretty accurate portrayal of life for kids on Mexican streets.  However, there were fantasy elements in it that made it even harder to understand for me.  I really have no opinion on this.   If you can find a version with subtitles, let me know.  Honestly, it probably wasn't for me with or without subtitles.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

365 shots in the whole movie.

Its theatrical release only lasted for three days due to its response from both the press and the government.

77. Las Hurdes

Las Hurdes
Land Without Bread
1933

Good god, that was depressing.  I am in the midst of watching The Talented Mr. Ripley, reading The Shining, and watching this little comedic gem.  I need to consult some chocolate about this.  But before we resort to that, let's finish the review!

Life in Las Hurdes ain't no crystal stair, ladies and gentleman (wow, I just made that reference).  The point of this documentary was to show that even in "civilized" countries like Spain, things are not always ginger peachy.  In addition to showing some of the poor inhabitants, you also get to watch a goat fall off a cliff and a donkey get killed by bees.  That was so gross!!

This entire documentary, though, is narrated in a cold, emotionless voice much like Ovid's.  I would recommend that you watch it.  It is only twenty-seven minutes and it is available on YouTube.  I wish I hadn't seen somethings but I guess that really doesn't matter.  I mean, Se7en is just the worst and I will still give it a glowing review.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

This film was banned in Spain from 1933-36.

Holy shit, this is so disturbing.  The animals were actually killed in the way shown on camera.  That is revolting.

First part:

48. L'Age d'Or

L'Age d'Or
The Age of Gold
1930

It seems like the only picture you can get of this movie is of this lady sucking a statue's toes.  No really how I would want to be remembered as an actress but hey.  At least she didn't have ants coming out of her hands.

So this movie is like an extended version of Un Chien Andalou.  Now a sixteen minute movie of complete and utter confusion is a bit easier to watch than a chaotic film that lasts over an hour.  The whole time I watched this I was in a prolonged state of "whaaaaa?" (much like my high school trignometry class).  I really am not a fan of experimental or surrealist film.  What is wrong with a plot and a story?  They never hurt anyone...

I forget if I said this in one of my other reviews but I have seen plenty of good films that convey a message while having an enjoyable plot structure.   I think I needed someone to watch this with me who was a huge Dali fan so he (and yes I am referring to my dream guy here) could keep me enthused and interested.  Much like when I watch James Bond films, after being confused for the first half hour, I stop caring/trying.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

After being premiered in 1930, fascist groups started to throw purple paint (did they just have that lying around?) at the screen and slashed paintings by artists such as Salvador Dali.  It was removed from circulation after that.

Available on YouTube.  First part:

40. Un Chien Andalou

Un Chien Andalou
An Andalusian Dog
1928

What the fuck was that????

So this is one of those surrealist films that is "artsy and sophisticated" that no one really understands but they pretend to.  It is a sixteen minute long French (of course) movie that just shows a series of weird, disturbing images in hopes of getting some sort of reaction.  You have probably heard about the famous eye-splitting scene.  That isn't the disturbing part.  The ants are the disturbing part.  There is a hole in this one guys hand where ants come out.  Now I have been scared of ants since I stepped into an ant hill while volunteering for a park when I was younger.  You should be too!  Here are some scary ant facts.

1. The Argentian ant is a type of ant that lives in a global colony.  That means that if an Argentian ant from Mexico and one from New Zealand met each other, they would work seamlessly together.  A global colony!
2. They have been known to attack villages during droughts and then to eat babies and chickens.
3. They are superorganisms!!!

Anyway, back to the movie.  Disturbing for disturbance's sake.  I have seen a lot of better ways to communicate a message than just putting together a bunch of random scenes.  Still, if you want to watch it, at least it is short.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

Salvador Dali cameoed.

This is the shortest movie in the list.

Voted as one of the most dangerous movies by Premiere magazine.

The eye that got sliced was a cow's eye.

Available to watch on YouTube: