575. Amarcord

Amarcord
1973
Directed by Federico Fellini

I watched this while trying to get all the Fellini films over with as quickly as possible.  This was the bright spot in all the darkness.

Basically, the story is about Titta, an impish, horny adolescent.  Because the story is told through his eyes, I can sort of forgive every woman in the movie being reduced to a sexualized caricature.  Anyway, the people in his town and family are a bit...eccentric.

This film is described as a comedy and while there weren't exactly laugh out loud moments, I still had fun with it.  Fellini will never be my style, but at least I could follow the storyline in this one...somewhat.

Another short review.  I haven't had a lot to say lately...I am sure many men are rejoicing over that fact.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The title is the phonetic translation of the italian phrase "Mi ricordo" (I remember).

497. Satyricon

Satyricon
1969
Directed by Federico Fellini

Frequent readers of my blog will know that I really hate Fellini and think he is a bit of a pretentious nutcase.  So I apologize if this review seems a bit repetitive.  I also apologize if it is not the most in-depth review, since I kind of spaced out during the duration of this movie.  Unfortunately, I love myself too much to rewatch the parts that made me zone out.

Encolpio is heartbroken that his sex slave was taken by someone else.  Um, then let's see.  People are sexually abused and humiliated in different ways.  Good thing I didn't have a chance to be too disturbed since I wasn't paying much attention anyway.

The cinematography is often praised in this film, but I personally think beauty is quite easy to capture on film; it really is everywhere.

A real low for Fellini and that is coming from me, who wasn't expecting much anyway.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

Fellini didn't cast Italians as the male leads because, according to him, there are no homosexual Italians.

442. Giulietta degli spiriti

Giulietta Degli Spiriti
Juliet of the Spirits
1965
Directed by Federico Fellini

Federico, we meet again.  I have never enjoyed anything this man has done and yet I am forced to watch seven of his movies from The Book and come up with individual reasons why I don't like each movie, since I think my readers might face my main reason ("Because Fellini is a giant butthead!) a bit childish.

Juliet believes that her husband is cheating on her so, of course, she does the only rational thing: explores her sexuality with her sexy neighbor, Suzy (did I even have to write that?  I think it was implied).  Anyway, the film mixes fantasy with realism and feels like one of those crazy acid trips that I have always despised.

A lot of people have praised this film for its beauty but for me, it was a bit too much, kind of like Masque of Red Death without the fun.

Sorry for the short review, but I have lots of insignificant busy work to get to!

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Fellini took LSD in preparation for making this movie.  Did I call it or did I call it?

Trailer:

400. 8 1/2

8 1/2
1963
Directed by Federico Fellini

400!!

It is not hard for me to believe I have watched 400 movies.  In fact, I have probably seen about 830 of the films in The Book.  However, I find it crazy that I have written 400 reviews.  And people (granted not a lot of people) actually want to read them?  Totally insane.

Unfortunately, we must kick off the 400s with this boring as hell film.  This is, I believe, the fifth Fellini film I have reviewed and my complaint has always been the sad: dull, dull, dull.  Sorry I don't have more insightful views on the movies but hey, give me break: it is hard to be original 400 times.

This is the story of Guido Anselmi, a filmmaker who is suffering from…film block?  Whatever the director version of writer's block is.  The movie is comprised of almost surreal flashbacks which makes it kind of hard to follow along.  At least, hard to follow along when you keep falling asleep in the middle of it which is what kept happening with me.

I had seen the remake of this film, Nine, and wasn't that impressed. Although at least that version had some great actresses, whereas in this movie the acting was only subpar.

Overall, I don't think Fellini will ever impress me.  Just think, you only have to hear me complain about boring directors 601 times.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

Federico Fellini attached a note that said "Remember this is a comedy" on his camera.  Yeah it was really laughs aplenty…

Fellini's favorite film.  Not only of his own work, but of anyone's work.  Take it down a notch, Fellini.  You are not that great!

356. La Dolce Vita

La Dolce Vita
The Sweet Life
1960
Directed by Federico Fellini

I have a history of not liking Fellini films so when I popped this one in awhile ago, I expected the same old routine: be both confused and irritated by the film and then struggle to write a review longer than those two words.  However, this is probably my favorite Fellini film.  Of course, I have low expectations but I still think this is worth a watch.

It would be too hard to try to explain this movie; it is mostly composed of vignettes.  Each character is living what seems like a "sweet life" but in reality, is dirty and dull. I have always loved movies or books that explore the dark side of rich people's lives.  I find it interesting to see how far boredom will take people.  That is probably the main reason I liked this film, so if that doesn't interest you, you might want to skip it.

Then again, there are so many iconic scenes in this film (hot girl in fountain, Jesus statue, etc.) that it is pretty essential viewing for any movie buff.

Like I said, the story was mostly good (I think the film could have been trimmed a bit) and the acting was decent.  Not great but I least I don't actively hate this one.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The term "paparazzi" comes from this film.  The photographer in the movie is named Paparazzo.

Roger Ebert's favorite movie.

Fountain scene:

319. Le Notti di Cabiria

Le Notti di Cabiria
Nights of Cabiria
1957
Directed by Federico Fellini

Since Mr. Fellini and I have a long way to go until we can part from each other because of this list, I decided to push aside my prejudices (most of which derived from the disaster that is Satyricon) and give this movie a chance.  And surprisingly, it was not, um, awful.

This is the story of Cabiria who is a prostitute, supposedly with a heart of gold, who continues to get tricked and robbed by men because she is so desperate for love.  I say supposedly because she is actually quite bitchy to her neighbor, who is only trying to help her.

I have never seen people gesture so violently with their words as the actors did in this movie.  It was almost like a caricature of Italian people.  It also just seemed like bad acting.  Additionally, the main character is super annoying and stupid.  Um, I mean heart warming.

Okay, so I am really trying hear to make this sound good.  Honestly, it was entertaining and, although the kind prostitute concept has now been done to death, rather original.

Still not my cup of tea but hey, I am trying here.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Giulietta Masina is married to Federico Fellini.

277. La Strada

La Strada
The Road
1954
Directed by Federico Fellini

Man, I really hate Fellini.  Thanks to this list, I have actually seen around ten of his films.  I keep hoping one will stick with me but I always just end up hating all of them, including this one.

So this weird clown girl is pretty much sold to a strongman at a circus.  He is horrible and abusive but she sticks with him, because he has no one else.  Gee, I wonder why?  Anyway, more shit happens but this is a spoiler free zone.

You can see from the plot summary that this film is beyond pretentious.  Besides that fact, the story is just plain stupid.  Watching such a weak woman and such a brutal man is not my idea of fun.

Stupid and overrated.  And so begins our journey with Fellini.

RATING: -----

Interesting Facts:

Won the first academy award for best foreign language film.