460. Playtime

Playtime
1967
Directed by Jacques Tati

I really thoughts the days of having to endure silent comedies were over (though quite a few of them were enjoyable, a lot of endurance was required to get through them all).  However, here we are presented with Jacques Tati's Playtime.  Although it is not a silent comedy, his hijinks certainly play out that way and it is actually quite a tiresome watch.

Monsieur Hulot (Jesus, is there a character I have missed less?), is back for another performance.  He plays a confused Frenchman who is unable to adapt to the modernity of Paris.  It is kind of like watching your grandparents struggle with new technology.  Mildly amusing, but there comes a point where you just what to yell at them since you feel like the task they are having trouble with couldn't be any simpler.

Simply not funny and I have no idea why Tati got three movies on The List.

RATING: *----

Interesting Facts:

The failure of this film left Tati in debt for a decade.

337. Mon Oncle

Mon Oncle
My Uncle
1958
Directed by Jacques Tati

You might recall that I absolutely tore M. Hulot's Holiday to shreds.  While this isn't exactly a sequel, the character of M. Hulot is once again the star and I die a little inside.

Last time, I had absolutely no idea what Tati was going for with his film.  This time, I get the distinct impression that he is trying to imitate Modern Times and that he wants M. Hulot to be as lovable and recognizable as the Tramp.

Once again, this probably around 60% of this movie is silent.  This, of course, would be okay if the silent parts were halfway interesting.  Unfortunately, I was terribly bored and spent the entire film wondering if the list makers get some sort of perverse pleasure in testing me.

Anyway, it is a cheap imitation of Chaplin and Chaplin is superior in every way.

RATING: *---- (I will give it one because I did like it better than M. Hulot's Holiday; this isn't saying much)

Interesting Facts:

Wow, I got nothing with this one.  Here's a clip:

264. Les Vacances de M. Hulot

Les Vacances de M. Hulot
M. Hulot's Holiday
1953
Directed by Jacques Tati

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.  One of my New Year's resolutions this year was to finish this blog.  This seemed perfectly reasonable in January.  One of the year's many failures…

But let's move forward with one of the worst movies I have seen. I have absolutely no idea what Jacques Tati was going for with this movie.  A large part of it was shot as if it was a silent movie, therefore utilizing silent film humor.  However, there are large speaking parts as well, which makes the silent parts just look stupid.  And to add insult to injury, they are all horrible actors.

The film has absolutely no plot.  That is not just me bitching, The Book even admits nothing happens.  However, The Book lists that as if it is an attribute of the movie.  The Book also has the audacity to compare the comedy to that of Buster Keaton!!!!!

Just awful and out of place.  Skip it.

RATING: -----

Interesting Facts:

Christopher Lee dubs the English version.