voisjoe1_0
Chicago Public Library
voisjoe1_0's Completed Shelf
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voisjoe1_0's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Dec 05, 2019
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Nov 30, 2019
Comment:
Simenon had the talent to make me slowly despise the cruel actions of a suspect who was attempting to get a rise out of Maigret. This is a fairly good talent, to make the reader feel disgust, even though these are just characters in a book. Simenon doesn't just write who done it stories, he writes to get you to feel, to make you lose your sense of control, to help you explore the lowest underbelly of French society like he did early in life before he began to write professionally.Simenon had the talent to make me slowly despise the cruel actions of a suspect who was attempting to get a rise out of Maigret. This is a fairly good talent, to make the reader feel disgust, even though these are just characters in a book. Simenon…
PaniquePanique, DVD
DVD - 2018 | French
voisjoe1_0's rating:
5 out of 5 stars
Added Nov 29, 2019
Comment:
A 1946 Julien Duvivier French film loosely based upon the non-Maigret Georges Simenon novel "Monsieur Hire's Engagement" (also known as "The Engagement"). In 1989, Patrice Leconte would direct the highly acclaimed "Monsieur Hire." According to the Criterion supplement, the two films not only are different from each other, they are also different from the novel. While viewing the film, see if you can spot the scenes that inspired Alfred Hitchcock in his films "Strangers on a Train," "Vertigo," and "Rear Window."A 1946 Julien Duvivier French film loosely based upon the non-Maigret Georges Simenon novel "Monsieur Hire's Engagement" (also known as "The Engagement"). In 1989, Patrice Leconte would direct the highly acclaimed "Monsieur Hire." According to the…
Maigret and the Man on the BenchMaigret and the Man on the Bench, Book
by Simenon, GeorgesBook - 1975
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Nov 23, 2019
Comment:
While I have seen several films based on Simenon novels, this is my first Maigret novel (I tried a non-Maigret books but never finished it). In this book, Inspector Maigret builds the life story of a man that had not been known by his friends and relatives. I am not fully certain I completely understood the mystery's solution, but that is not as important as being introduced to Maigret's patient method of uncovering facets of the mystery, like building a house, brick by brick.While I have seen several films based on Simenon novels, this is my first Maigret novel (I tried a non-Maigret books but never finished it). In this book, Inspector Maigret builds the life story of a man that had not been known by his friends and…
Giant Little OnesGiant Little Ones, DVD
DVD - 2019
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Nov 21, 2019
Comment:
This film has greater depth than most coming of age films.
voisjoe1_0's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Nov 18, 2019
Comment:
About a prep school written by an attendee of such a school. About teenage jealousy, guilt, etc. I guess I am too old to feel what the author is trying to convey. Just when the novel picks up in the second half when Leper shows signs of what may be war stress syndrome, the novel seems to revert to its calmer self, which I really was not enjoying. Since the action took place during WWII, instead of going to college, the graduates looked "forward" to enlisting in one of the branches of the military.About a prep school written by an attendee of such a school. About teenage jealousy, guilt, etc. I guess I am too old to feel what the author is trying to convey. Just when the novel picks up in the second half when Leper shows signs of what may be…
Little WoodsLittle Woods, DVD
DVD - 2019
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Nov 17, 2019
Comment:
An indie film proving you don't need to spend millions to make a decent, intense action drama. There are very few angelic characters, if any, in this film.
The NightcomersThe Nightcomers, DVD
DVD - 2019
voisjoe1_0's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Nov 14, 2019
Comment:
Watching this film, I wished that Brando would have spent his time with another project. I had some difficulty in determining the point of this one. What kind of person was he playing? Just a careless, stupid man who did whatever crazy idea that came into his head?Watching this film, I wished that Brando would have spent his time with another project. I had some difficulty in determining the point of this one. What kind of person was he playing? Just a careless, stupid man who did whatever crazy idea that…
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Nov 08, 2019
Comment:
The ?7th? Kurt Wallander novel. Kurt is dealing with murder and his own mortality in that he has allowed his health to deteriorate into pre-diabetes. Maybe author Mankell is starting to run out of ideas for his creation, Wallander. Maybe author Mankell is starting to feel old himself. I have extremely appreciated Hammett, Chandler and Cain (James M.) and can say that, for me, Mankell is just a step below those great mystery writers.The ?7th? Kurt Wallander novel. Kurt is dealing with murder and his own mortality in that he has allowed his health to deteriorate into pre-diabetes. Maybe author Mankell is starting to run out of ideas for his creation, Wallander. Maybe author…
Top of the LakeTop of the Lake, DVD
DVD - 2013
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Nov 07, 2019
Comment:
A TV series created by the Cannes Palme d'Or award winning New Zealand feminist film director Jane Campion starring Holly Hunter, Peter Mullan, and Elizabeth Moss. A few nice people and some innocent teens have to put up with a lot of crude males.
Billy BathgateBilly Bathgate, DVD
DVD - 2019
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 28, 2019
Comment:
This is no Chinatown. This film got a lotta' flak for spending too much money for the content. I probably liked it more than most people. It was a decent mob movie.
Never look awayNever look away, Unknown
Unknown - 2019 | German
voisjoe1_0's rating:
5 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 28, 2019
Comment:
The film's protagonist was unlucky enough to suffer under both the Nazi regime and the Communist German regime before he was able to flee to West Germany. This director has now made two German masterpieces and one inexplicable fluffy English speaking film starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.The film's protagonist was unlucky enough to suffer under both the Nazi regime and the Communist German regime before he was able to flee to West Germany. This director has now made two German masterpieces and one inexplicable fluffy English…
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 21, 2019
Comment:
The beauty of the film is the German Expressionism that director Fritz Lang produced. This raises it from a routine film noir. Compare it to some of the film noir release in the 1950's which often lack any traces of Expressionism. One interesting fact is that Lang wanted the murder victim to be an African-American, but the film financiers chickened out and made the victim white. They were afraid that even the tiniest hint of miscegenation would be blocked by the Hays Code.The beauty of the film is the German Expressionism that director Fritz Lang produced. This raises it from a routine film noir. Compare it to some of the film noir release in the 1950's which often lack any traces of Expressionism. One interesting…
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 17, 2019
Comment:
Listed in "The 1000 Books You Should Watch Before You Die." Suffering tragic white racism in Arkansas, including his brother's rejection at the emergency ward of a whites only hospital and a long prison sentence for a youthful indiscretion, Himes viewed the life of blacks in America as unjust, absurd and menacing and wrote in such a way as to describe this daily horror. This is the first of a series of eight hard-boiled detective novels, several of which were made into top selling films.Listed in "The 1000 Books You Should Watch Before You Die." Suffering tragic white racism in Arkansas, including his brother's rejection at the emergency ward of a whites only hospital and a long prison sentence for a youthful indiscretion, Himes…
JezebelJezebel, DVD
DVD - 2006
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 16, 2019
Comment:
Set in the south, a few years before the Civil War, Bette Davis won the Oscar for playing Julie, a manipulator of men. Fay Bainter, won the Oscar for best supporting actress. Possibly the only film of its time (1938) in which Hollywood included a zillion black actors, seemingly servants. The truth is, they were house slaves. There is even one scene where a large group of slaves sang a chorus song seemingly like they were rejoicing at what a great life they had with the great white people. The truth is that Jack L. Warner of Warner Brothers was a super racist twelve years later firing black author Chester Himes, saying he didn't want no N****s on studio property.Set in the south, a few years before the Civil War, Bette Davis won the Oscar for playing Julie, a manipulator of men. Fay Bainter, won the Oscar for best supporting actress. Possibly the only film of its time (1938) in which Hollywood included a…
UnforgottenUnforgotten, DVDThe Complete Third Season
DVD - 2019
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 14, 2019
Comment:
This third season dealing with a third super cold case required quite a bit acting by Nicola Walker. Her character is getting worn down in this third case. Maybe this is the final season. Her number one subordinate played by Sanjeev Bhaskar is in better shape as he claims he doesn't bring the cases home.This third season dealing with a third super cold case required quite a bit acting by Nicola Walker. Her character is getting worn down in this third case. Maybe this is the final season. Her number one subordinate played by Sanjeev Bhaskar is in…
Ahlat ağacıAhlat ağacı, DVDThe wild pear tree
DVD - 2019 | Turkish
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 13, 2019
Comment:
The strength of Nuri Bilge Ceylan is the cinematography of the landscapes so if you don't get or like the story, you haven't wasted your time. If you haven't seen a Ceylan film, perhaps you should first view "Three Monkeys" which I suggest is his most accessible film. If you don't like "Monkeys" I suspect you will not like any of his films. They always seem to be about examinations of life, which may be demonstrated by the protagonist's life at age 25 or so as he views his father's life. Things for many people, just do not turn out the way we expect them. No matter how worthless some people may seem, a closer examination will show bits of deep worth.The strength of Nuri Bilge Ceylan is the cinematography of the landscapes so if you don't get or like the story, you haven't wasted your time. If you haven't seen a Ceylan film, perhaps you should first view "Three Monkeys" which I suggest is his…
The Fire This TimeThe Fire This Time, BookA New Generation Speaks About Race
Book - 2016
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 10, 2019
The Dangerous Case of Donald TrumpThe Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, Book27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess A President
Book - 2017
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 10, 2019
The girl in the fogThe girl in the fog, DVD
DVD - 2019 | Italian
voisjoe1_0's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 09, 2019
Comment:
I probably would have to watch a second time to see if there was enough in the film to allow one to really understand what was going on. A fairly convoluted mystery.
The Postman Always Rings TwiceThe Postman Always Rings Twice, Paperback
by Cain, James M.Paperback - 1992
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 07, 2019
Comment:
This first major novel explores amoral characters leading to a best selling film. Often asked is "where is the postman? - I didn't see any mailmen in this book or movie." In the old days, if the postman was unable to deliver a package, he would return later for another try. For our amoral murderers in this book - if at first you don't get your comeuppance, don't rejoice, you might get that comeuppance just around the corner. In my humble opinion, Cain's next novel, "Double Indemnity" is much more complex with more double whammies for our sad amoral murderers.This first major novel explores amoral characters leading to a best selling film. Often asked is "where is the postman? - I didn't see any mailmen in this book or movie." In the old days, if the postman was unable to deliver a package, he would…
voisjoe1_0's rating:
5 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 04, 2019
Comment:
For me, the last half of the book boosted it past the great novels of Hammett and Chandler. I've seen the film a few times, so I thought I would try the book. The movie had to include changes to pass the Hays Code. So much amorality in the book just wasn't allowed in movies until the fall of the code in the sixties. Plus, the character of Keyes had to be enhance to make greater use of Edward G. Robinson. The book was very very loosely based upon a true murder case. Only someone with imagination of James M. Cain could make into a masterpiece.For me, the last half of the book boosted it past the great novels of Hammett and Chandler. I've seen the film a few times, so I thought I would try the book. The movie had to include changes to pass the Hays Code. So much amorality in the book just…
Joan of ParisJoan of Paris, DVD
DVD - 2012
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 04, 2019
Comment:
Paul Henreid of "Casablanca" and Michelle Morgan of "Port of Shadows" are great lead actors in this patriotic film of Americans and French struggling against the Nazis in WWII. Thomas Mitchell is great as the heroic priest. The cinematography and story make it one of those films that helped keep up the morale of the Allies during a desparate period during WWII.Paul Henreid of "Casablanca" and Michelle Morgan of "Port of Shadows" are great lead actors in this patriotic film of Americans and French struggling against the Nazis in WWII. Thomas Mitchell is great as the heroic priest. The cinematography and…
voisjoe1_0's rating:
3 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 03, 2019
Comment:
John Ford's first color film. The film seemed fragmented and lacking in depth. Though there were too sides in the war, it was difficult to distinguish which side seemed to be the one to root for. Maybe John Ford's mind was on other films he was about to make. If I had to choose the Ford film I liked the least, I suspect this is it.John Ford's first color film. The film seemed fragmented and lacking in depth. Though there were too sides in the war, it was difficult to distinguish which side seemed to be the one to root for. Maybe John Ford's mind was on other films he was…
voisjoe1_0's rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Added Oct 02, 2019
Comment:
This film traces Anne Frank's movements after being captured by Nazis and placed in various concentration camps for many months (until liberation). Jews like Anne Frank often were kept alive so they could be part of prisoner exchange programs. She almost survived the war, but she died of disease and starvation just a few weeks before liberation.This film traces Anne Frank's movements after being captured by Nazis and placed in various concentration camps for many months (until liberation). Jews like Anne Frank often were kept alive so they could be part of prisoner exchange programs. She…
Comment: