The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps (1935)
Alfred Hitchcock
English
Criterion 56

When a mysterious woman goes home with bachelor Richard Hannay, her secret leads him from his simple trip in London to the Scottish country side as a fugitive from a crime he didn't commit. He needs to expose the man with no pinky finger before Hannay is put away for the crime and he must stop top-secret information from escaping to Germany.


James - A great thriller with just the right amount of comedy and love to make it enjoyable for anyone. Hitchcock is a director with many greats, but this is one of the best. Also, there is some fantastic cinematography that combines silent-era imagery with modern storytelling.
B+


Britney - As a journalist, I was excited to relive the time when newspapers were present in every hand, even if our protagonist wished they were not. I usually dislike thrillers but this one is delightful and funny. The only reason this film isn't an "A" for me is because I didn't care much for most of the characters besides Hannay.
B


Criterion Collection: The 39 Steps

Ratcatcher

Ratcatcher (1999)
Lynne Ramsay
English (with subtitles)
Criterion 162

A look at a poor boy who deals with his guilt after the death of another boy. Set in the Glasgow's urban slum, the boy deals with a troubled family and neighborhood bullies.

James - The actual visuals were as much a character in this movie as were the actors. While visually striking, the plot was nothing special. That's not to say I didn't like it, but it was not a normal (beginning-middle-end) plot and it wasn't really interesting. But I liked it.
B+

Britney - This film was depressing but I adored it. The characters seemed real, though the plot was a bit too ambiguous for me. If you can look past the ambiguity, you will appreciate the colors and cinematography. The fact that Scottish English had to be subtitled was humorous, but much needed.
A-

Criterion Collection: Ratcatcher

Tout Va Bien

Tout Va Bien [Everything's All Right] (1972)
Jean-Luc Godard and Jean-Pierre Gorin
French
Criterion 275

The story of a American reporter and her film-director husband as they are trapped in a factory strike. This highly political film looks at the capitalism and the establishment left and showcases the political ideas of both Godard and Jane Fonda, the main actress.

James - I like this movie both for the cinematic qualities (Godard was a major influence on Wes Anderson and this movie shows it) and the political message. The account that He gives in the middle of the film about how he fell out of the radical left explained quite well the feelings I have with politics.
A-

Britney - This is a beautiful film which is easy on the eyes. I loved the long, panning shots that are used more often than not. It is hard to readjust the way you view films, because at times I felt restless and bored compared to faster-paced modern films, but I never disliked it. If it wasn't in France and in French however, I wouldn't have liked it as much.
B+

Criterion Collection: Tout Va Bien

The Battle of Algiers

The Battle of Algiers (1966)
Gillo Pontecorvo
French, Arabic
Criterion 249

A theatrical reenactment of the beginning of the Algerian struggle for independence, this film tells the story of the bombings, shootings, and general rebellion of the Algerian people to overcome their French colonizers.

James - A great movie, a great documentary. I think this film has enormous relevance today. I especially liked the ability of Pontecorvo to capture the feeling of excitement and rebellion in his shots of violence. Also, the news-reel style of the French side added to the feel of actual footage of the revolution.
A

Britney - While this was a powerful film in both storytelling and cinematography, it failed to hold my attention. However, the great suspense when a few Algerian women dressed up as French women in order to retaliate, was very engaging. If I were rating this just as a film, it would be an A. But, I personally didn't care much for it.
B-

Criterion Collection: The Battle of Algiers

My Dinner With André

My Dinner With André (1981)

Louis Malle

English

Criterion 479

Two men, André Gregory and Wallace Shawn, have dinner and discuss philosophical questions of love and life.

James - I felt like I was watching 100 minutes of someone's inside joke, but they didn't even think it was funny. This film seems as if it was made by New Yorkers, for New Yorkers. It was masturbatory. I just wasn't concerned at all with any of it.  

F

Britney - We got this film as a present, so I roughed through it. The entire time, I just wanted to walk away. The only characteristic of this film that interested me was the hilariously outdated restaurant and Wallace's lisp. I would not recommend this film to anyone.

F

Criterion Collection: My Dinner With André