Zarafa

Zarafa

Pathé etc.

8 February 2012

Children's, Animation, Historical Drama

DVD
D+

I didn't like the story, but the visuals weren't bad.  Rémi Bezançon co-wrote, and co-directed with Jean-Christophe Lie.

Who You Think I Am AKA Celle que vous croyez

Who You Think I Am AKA Celle que vous croyez

Diaphana Films

27 February 2019

Drama?

DVD

C-

Binoche seems better than the material, but not enough.  Director Safy Nebbou co-adapted the novel by Camille Laurens.

White Material

White Material

Wild Bunch Distribution

6 September 2009

Drama

DVD
D+

The wildlife was nice.  Claire Denis wrote and directed, and this is at least better than her two later films I rejected, Un Beau Soleil Intérieur AKA Let the Sunshine in and High Life.

The White Crow

The White Crow

BBC Films etc.

31 August 2018

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

I liked the sets and architecture.  This is based on Rudolf Nureyev: The Life by Julie Kavanagh.  Ralph Fiennes directed and plays Pushkin.

Vortex: The Dawn of Sovereignty AKA Vortex, l'aube de la souveraineté

Vortex: The Dawn of Sovereignty AKA Vortex, l'aube de la souveraineté

Studio Unknown

5 April 2021 [Internet]

Sci-Fi

DVD
C-

I wasn't that into the story, but it was nice to see a mother-daughter relationship in this genre, for a change.  Michel Rousseau wrote, directed, and stars.

The Visit (1964)

The Visit (1964)

Darryl F. Zanuck Productions

31 July 1964

Drama

DVD
C-

I hope they put out the good towels.  Bernhard Wicki directed, the year before Morituri.

A Very Long Engagement AKA Un long dimanche de fiançailles

A Very Long Engagement AKA Un long dimanche de fiançailles

2003 Productions etc.

27 October 2004

War Drama, Historical Drama, Romance, Mystery

DVD
B-

I saw this in the theater at the time because I loved Amelie.  Not as long ago, but when I wasn't as deep into this project as I am now, I gave Amelie a B-, the charm having faded.  This probably was a B in the theater, especially with some of the dazzling shots, but it's a B- at home now.  I definitely enjoyed it more than most war dramas of course.  But even the romance aspect doesn't really work for me, because the missing fiancé is such a cypher, even in flashbacks.  Then and now, I most loved the "at home" scenes, with the cats, uncle, aunt, and postman.

Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet co-adapted the Sébastien Japrisot novel.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

EuropaCorp etc.

21 July 21 2017

Sci-Fi

DVD
D+

Thankfully a bit cheesy, especially the dialog.  Luc Besson wrote and directed, three years after Lucy.

Two Brothers AKA Deux frères

Two Brothers AKA Deux frères

Pathé

7 April 2004

Children's, Historical Drama

DVD
C-

Not many children's movies switch from tiger sex to a Victorian auction.  Jean-Jacques Annaud directed and co-wrote, 

2046

2046

Jet Tone Productions etc.

20 May 2004

Sci-Fi, Romance

DVD
C-

Stylish but it didn't draw me in.  Kar-Wai Wong wrote and directed.

The Triplets of Belleville AKA Les Triplettes de Belleville

The Triplets of Belleville AKA Les Triplettes de Belleville

Les Armateurs etc.

11 June 2003

Animation, Comedy
DVD
D

Ugly character design, but the cityscapes aren't bad.  Sylvain Chomet wrote and directed.

Transporter 2

Transporter 2

EuropaCorp

3 August 2005

Action
DVD
D-

Racist and sexist, with bad acting.  Louis Leterrier directed, five years before Clash of the Titans.

The Brand New Testament AKA Le Tout Nouveau Testament

The Brand New Testament AKA Le Tout Nouveau Testament

Terra Incognita Films

1 September 2015

Comedy, Fantasy

DVD
D+

I might've gone with a C- for this tale of God's daughter, if not for the (admittedly offscreen) child abuse.  Jaco Van Dormael directed and co-wrote.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

StudioCanal etc.

16 September 2011

Mystery

DVD
D

Rather dull, except for the cast list, although I tuned out before I recognized that many people.  This is based on the John le Carré novel and directed by Tomas Alfredson, six years before The Snowman.

The Tin Drum AKA Die Blechtrommel

The Tin Drum AKA Die Blechtrommel

Franz Seitz Filmproduktion etc.

3 May 1979

Historical Comedy, Fantasy

DVD
C

I enjoyed the movie when I saw it in '83 or '84, finding it funny and profound.  (My hippie aunt thought nothing of taking me and my same-age cousin to such a controversial film.)  I subsequently read the Günter Grass novel once or twice.  So I gave it over a half hour today, but I just couldn't get into it.  Volker Schlöndorff directed and co-wrote.

Time Regained AKA Le Temps retrouvé

Time Regained AKA Le Temps retrouvé

Gemini Films

19 May 1999

Historical Drama

DVD

C-

Confusing but pretty.  This is based on the Marcel Proust novel and directed by Raúl Ruiz.

Three Worlds (2012) Trois mondes

Three Worlds (2012) Trois mondes

Pyramide Distribution

5 December 2012

Drama

DVD
D+

A hit-and-run accident, so, yes, the highlight is hearing French ambulance sirens.  Catherine Corsini directed and co-wrote.

This Is Our Land AKA Chez nous

This Is Our Land AKA Chez nous

Synecdoche

22 February 2017

Drama

DVD
C-

Apparently this turns into a political thriller later, but the first quarter hour is very slow-moving.  Lucas Belvaux directed and co-wrote.

Terror's Advocate AKA L'Avocat de la terreur

Terror's Advocate AKA L'Avocat de la terreur

Magnolia Pictures etc.

6 June 2007
Documentary

DVD
C

I wasn't that invested in the subject, but this seems well made.  Barbet Schroeder directed, seventeen years after Reversal of Fortune.

Temblores AKA Tremors

Temblores AKA Tremors

Tu Vas Voir Productions

1 May 2019

Drama

DVD
C-

Boosted a notch because it was so mysterious at first about the man's "dreadful secret," which just turns out to be that he's gay.  Jayro Bustamante wrote and directed.