967. The Pianist

The Pianist
2002
Directed by Roman Polanski

I know we are supposed to separate the man from the artist, but it is hard for me to get on board with that theory, especially considering the fact that the Academy gave a known rapist a Best Director Oscar.  I guess we can just discuss the film, but I am going on record saying I feel a tad gross about it.

Basically, Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jewish pianist, struggles to survive during World War II.  His family is forced from their home into the Warsaw Ghetto, where Szpilman witnesses unfathomable suffering.  In August of 1942, his family is transported to the Treblinka extermination camp.

Essentially, this is the European Schindler's List and, as you can probably guess, it is upsetting as hell.  It even horrified me enough to do additional research on Treblinka.  If you look up the camp, I would advise having a tab open containing images of baby sloths so you don't drown in your own tears.  I have to, of course, fawn over Adrien Brody.   His performance was truly brilliant and deeply moving.

Obliviously an extremely difficult film to watch, but it is ultimately rewarding.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Roman Polanski's parents were sent to concentration camps during the Holocaust.  His father survived, but his mother did not.  During filming Polanski met a man who helped the Polanski family during the war.

Adrien Brody learned how to play the piano for the film.

584. Chinatown

Chinatown
1974
Directed by Roman Polanski

Why do all of my favorite directors have to be such creeps in real life?  Should I feel guilty about enjoying this?  I guess I have adored too many Woody Allen films to turn back now.  Still, I will have a slight feeling of remorse praising this as one of my favorite movies.

Chinatown isn't nearly as complicated as some of our other noirs but it is still a bit hard to summarize.  A private dick named Jake Gittes, played by the always flawless Jack Nicholson, is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to do surveillance work on her husband.  Soon the husband ends up dead and the real Evelyn Mulwray reveals herself.  Oh no.  Jake is going to pay for his nosiness (sorry, I am a slave to the puns).

This film is absolutely perfect; I can't think of one negative thing to say about it.  Usually Faye Dunaway gets on my nerves by overacting, but she was made for this role.  I thought film noir was nearly dead after the disappointment that was The Long Goodbye.  I love that I was proven wrong.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Jack Nicholson had just entered into a relationship with Angelica Huston when filming began, making the scenes with John Huston rather uncomfortable.

Ali MacGraw was originally supposed to play Evelyn, but lost the role when she divorced the producer for Steve McQueen.  That's fair.

Roman Polanski has admitted that the darkness in the film was a result of his own despair at his wife's murder.

482. Rosemary's Baby

Rosemary's Baby
1968
Directed by Roman Polanski

I often talk about how much I love horror films, often to strangers I have just met, much to their chagrin.  Movies just don't get more visual, more interactive, and more memorable than when blood is spurting everywhere.  Well, the blood is optional but you get the point.

Rosemary's Baby is one of the best horror films I have ever seen.  It is certainly not the scariest (although the last scene always gave me the creeps; what you don't see always scares me more than what you do see), but it is a really thrilling ride.

Rosemary and her husband Guy move into a new apartment which even beats Rear Window for the Creepiest Neighbors Award.  They decide to have a baby but the conception...well, let's just say it is grounds for divorce.  Slowly (a little too slowly sometimes), Rosemary realizes that something is wrong.

The most vulnerable beings I can think of are infants and pregnant women.  Both of these things are in danger throughout the entire film.  Additionally, I have a great support system, and I can't think of anything more terrifying than realizing I can't trust anyone.

I am not saying this is the best film but it is definitely worth a watch, particularly if you are interested in studying the development of the horror genre.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Mia Farrow was served divorce papers on set.

Mia Farrow actually ate real raw liver for the film.

Said to be an extremely faithful adaptation of the book.

Trailer:

441. Repulsion

Repulsion
1965
Directed by Roman Polanski

This is the first Roman Polanski movie on The List.  He has actually been in the headlines lately because of the renewed discussions of the Woody Allen sex scandal.  Comparisons are drawn between the two of them because it brings up an interesting question: can we separate the artist and his work? First of all, I think it is ridiculous to compare the two: Polanski pled guilty to rape charges while it has never been proven that Allen molested Dylan Farrow.  But in my opinion you can absolutely separate the artist's work from the artist's life, especially when the scandal occurs after the the artist is well established.  Maybe I won't get tickets to the next Mel Gibson movie, but I am not going to pretend that I hated Braveheart.

Anyway, I saw this movie awhile ago when I was eagerly viewing every horror film on The List.  There are hundreds of types of horror movies (I don't just mean slasher, monster, or supernatural; I am thinking way more specifically like creepy child, dead teenager getting revenge on her tormentors, haunted insane asylum, etc.).  I have seen so many horror flicks that I pretty much know my stand on every single kind.  This film is the "person slowly going crazy, possibly all in their head, possibly not" type and let me tell you, I have never been too much a fan.  It is a frustrating watch for the viewer and in my experience, is rarely scary.

Carol's sexual fears are pretty interesting and lends itself to some discussion: was she just a closed off lesbian?  Was she abused when she was younger?  Was she ever going to find treatment?

I realize I was kind of all over the place with this review, but it is just one of those days.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

First female orgasm passed by the British sensors.

Trailer: