For film lovers:
“I’d like to be for cinema what Shakespeare was for theatre, Marx for politics and Freud for psychology: someone after whom nothing is as it used to be.” Fassbinder
Phoenix Cinema is not meant to be a comprehensive site, so don’t expect to find reviews of the latest releases. Instead, you will find archived reviews of films, and I hope the categories feature proves useful to you. The categories reflect my tastes and interests, so my favourite directors, actors, actresses are listed here. Also included here are occasional reviews of books that have something to do with film.
I am especially interested in foreign film, film noir, and also films based on books. I am fascinated by the differences created by filmmakers when they transfer a book to the screen. If the film version is well-done (and this does not mean identical to the book), then a cinematic version leads to a better, richer understanding of the material for the viewer/reader. Case in point: Colonel Chabert–a French film, based on a Balzac novel that makes my Top Film List.
Also, I don’t speak from a position of authority, so you won’t find film 101 lectures here. I’m just a film lover, and these are my opinions–no more–no less. I’m not selling anything (no annoying advertising), and I make no profit whatsoever for my reviews. This means I have no other agenda except to enjoy myself, and I hope that in the process this site helps spread the word for the films I’ve enjoyed. I don’t sell films, but I can tell you where I found my copies. Finally, I don’t seek to impress you, and therefore, the opposite is also true.
Some of my longer noir reviews are at www.filmnoiroftheweek.com while my book blog, His Futile Preoccupations is at www.swiftlytiltingplanet.wordpress.com
William Hare, author of L.A. Noir and Early Film Noir kindly and generously agreed to contribute to my site. His content-rich essays are designed for the film noir addict who wants to learn more.
Since I’m not perfect, I do make errors, so if you spot one, let me know.
For e-mail:
1 response so far ↓
musegal // August 29, 2007 at 1:48 am |
Just wanted you to know that I just found your blog and I am enjoying your well-written intelligent posts on films made for British Television. I am a hug fan of Brit TV and think they have made many accomplished films in this genre that could compete in the broader film market in terms of quality. You have called my attention to many films I did not know of and I wanted to thank you for doing so. Keep up the excellent work.