In a Year with 13 Moons (In Eminem Jahr mit 13 Monden) (1978) Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Written by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
1978/West Germany IMDb page
First viewing/Criterion Channel
What I would like is to make Hollywood movies, that is, movies as wonderful and universal, but at the same time not as hypocritical, as Hollywood. — R. W. Fassbinder
Volker Spengler gives a heartfelt performance in another beautifully made film from this exceptionally prolific director.
Spengler plays Elvira Weishaupt, a transgender woman. The former Ernst went to Casablanca for sex change surgery when his lover said he would like him better if he were a woman.
But the sex change has led to only loneliness and abuse for poor Elvira. She now has let herself go and struggles to make a connection with anyone.
I love Fassbinder and I liked this film. It moved a bit slow in comparison to my favorites of his films.
Apocalypse Now Directed by Francis Ford Coppola Written by Francis Ford Coppola and John Milius 1979/US IMDb page
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
Willard: If that’s how Kilgore fought the war, I began to wonder what they really had against Kurtz. It wasn’t just insanity and murder; there was enough of that to go around for everyone.
Fabulous photography, thought-provoking story and fine acting make this one of the greatest anti-war movies.
World-weary Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) is assigned a top-secret mission to “terminate with extreme prejudice” rogue Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando) who has developed a cult like following deep in the jungle of Viet Nam.
Willard travels upstream on a patrol boat through horrible carnage and bombing. We get to know and like the young crew which gets picked off one by one.
Willard’s own mental state is fragile. As he travels down the river amid surreal scenes of American pop culture and horrible suffering, Willard comes to understand Kurtz. This sets up the tension in the third act about whether Willard will be able to carry out his mission or will join Kurtz in the heart of darkness. With fabulous performances by Dennis Hopper as a Kurtzian photojournalist, Robert Duvall as a surf-obsessed airborne officer, and Frederick Forrest and Laurence Fishburne as crew members.
I was not exactly in the mood to watch a film about man’s inhumanity to man. But as soon as I was into it, I was more impressed with its amazing technical accomplishments and genius than on previous viewings. A masterpiece.
Vittorio Storaro won an Academy Award for his fabulous cinematography. The film was nominated in the categories of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Robert Duvall), and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The Elephant God (Joi Baba Felunath) Directed by Satyajit Ray Written by Satyajit Ray 1979/India IMDb page
First viewing/YouTube
“Excellent!” I cried. “Elementary,” said he.” ―
Arthur Conan Doyle, The Complete Sherlock Holmes
This engaging film is the second and last of the films Satyajit Ray made about the detective Feluda, a sort of modern Indian Sherlock Holmes. The appearance of Hindu god Ganesh, the god of overcoming and new beginnings made this timely viewing for me.
Feluda goes on holiday to the holy city of Benares together with his cousin and irritating comic relief sdekick. But once they get there, the trio find it is to be a busman’s holicay. A priceless gold and gem-incrusted figurine of the elephant god Ganesh has been stolen in the household of another friend. Feluda agrees to locate the thief and the object for a price. Many complications are to follow before the film reaches its very satisfying conclusion.
I love Ray and this movie is thoroughly enjoyable. It has wit, action, beautiful scenery, and humanity included in a detective story with plenty of twists and turns. Highly recommended.
I’ve been a classic movie fan for many years. My original mission was to see as many movies as I could get my hands on for every year from 1929 to 1970. I have completed that mission.
I then carried on with my chronological journey and and stopped midway through 1978. You can find my reviews of 1934-1978 films and “Top 10” lists for the 1929-1936 and 1944-77 films I saw here. For the past several months I have circled back to view the pre-Code films that were never reviewed here.
I’m a retired Foreign Service Officer living in Indio, California. When I’m not watching movies, I’m probably traveling, watching birds, knitting, or reading.
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