1984’s Dune is a mess. Universal Pictures released it, Dino De Laurentiis produced it, and David Lynch directed it based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi novel. It was supposed to be a mega-hit, a blockbuster to rival Star Wars with multiple installments. But it … Continue reading DUNE
The films of Federico Fellini are gateways into the more impenetrable corners of European cinema. And La Strada, his fourth feature film, was the first to set him on the path from Italian neorealism to his own personal style—one that can … Continue reading LA STRADA
It’s the story of boy meets girl, but it’s all mixed up. He’s Ferdinand (Jean-Paul Belmondo), a married man with kids. She is Marianne (Anna Karina), the babysitter. But they are not strangers; they’ve known each other for years: Four … Continue reading PIERROT LE FOU
It was a Saturday in July when Meursault killed the man. The man, an Arab, was lounging on the sun-drenched beach when Meursault approached. The Arab pulled a knife, shining sunlight in Meursault’s eyes. Meursault pulled a pistol and fired. … Continue reading THE STRANGER (LO STRANIERO)
A while back my good friend Pablo Kjølseth—the master behind CU-Boulder’s International Film Series—asked me to guest write a post for TCM’s Movie Morlocks, now retitled Streamline in conjunction with FilmStruck. I chose to write about one of Federico Fellini’s … Continue reading LA STRADA
Michael J. Cinema 