Best Movie Releases of February 2010

Best Film of the Month – Flame and Citron

Based on actual events that occurred in Denmark during World War II, Flame and Citron is a fierce WWII resistance film, with thrilling shootouts, intricate character relations, and, as with any films of this type, distressing war violence. The film is centered around two Danish resistance fighters, almost assassins, Flame and Citron. They are issued missions by a select group of higher-ups in the Danish resistance. But when doubt arises about the validity of some of the missions, Flame and Citron begin to wonder whether they can trust anyone, besides each other. The characters around Flame and Citron are so shady, I, personally, didn't know who they could trust, until the very end of the film. This, along with the many other outstanding qualities, such as the acting, writing, and direction, makes Flame and Citron my choice for the best film of the month.

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'Under the Radar' Film of the Month – The House of the Devil

Technically, Flame and Citron belongs here as well. However, since it earned the distinction of best film of the month, I'll use the opportunity to award another film the honor of 'under the radar' film of the month. And that film is The House of the Devil. If, like me, you enjoy older horror films with a devilish and/or cult theme, such as Rosemary's Baby, Suspiria, The Wicker Man, or The Sentinel, you will most likely enjoy The House of the Devil. It is like a long, lost psychological horror film from the early 1980s. In fact, this was the intention. The locations, clothes, cars, music, and everything else, including the payphone and cassette tapes, are all reminiscent of the 1980s. And by being similar to the older horror films, The House of the Devil is much more psychological thrilling, than it is bloody or gory. Some have referred to it as boring, and though slow at times, I was never bored—even during my second viewing. It's a film that builds tension and slowly reveals its mysteries. Another striking aspect of the film is the lead actress, Jocelin Donahue. (I have to admit that I was a little entranced by her.) I thought she played her role marvelously. Also, she reminded me, slightly, of a young Margot Kidder, who has starred in several horror films, such as Sisters, Black Christmas, and The Amityville Horror, from around the same era in which this film is set. In any case, if you're a fan of any of the above mentioned films, don't miss this one!

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Blu-ray of the Month – A Serious Man

I watched a A Serious Man in theaters, and although I liked it, I was a little overwhelmed by all of the Jewish references. However, after watching it again, on this magnificent Blu-ray, I enjoyed it immensely! This is another terrific black comedy from, my favorite American directors, Joel and Ethan Coen (also known as: "the Coen brothers"). There are almost two films here: the feature film about a man who is striving to find meaning, and maintain order, in his life, as everything around him, including his family, career, health, and faith, is spinning into chaos; and a strange, yet contemplative short film, preceding the feature film, about a "dybbuk." [From Wikipedia, "In Jewish folklore, a dybbuk is a malicious possessing spirit, believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead person."] As for the Blu-ray, the picture and audio quality are, basically, stunning! It's nice to see, something, other than a comic book film, look and sound this exceptional!

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DVD of the Month – Bad Girls of Film Noir

"Bad Girls of Film Noir" is a two volume (sold separately) DVD set. While watching these films, I realized the title is a little misleading. The films in the set would not actually be classified as "film noir." However, I understand the title is referring to the leading actresses, who can be classified as "Bad Girls of Film Noir," based on other films completed during their respective careers. Nevertheless, it's nice to see these classic films on DVD. They all seemed to have been restored, as the picture and audio quality is really impressive.

Volume 1 includes the following films:
• The Killer that Stalked NY, starring Evelyn Keyes, is about a woman who, unknowingly, is spreading smallpox throughout New York. This was my least favorite of all the films. It almost seemed like a propaganda movie, saying, "hurry and get your smallpox vaccine." Though, it could easily be updated to "hurry and get your swine flu vaccine."
• Two of a Kind, starring Lizabeth Scott, is a splendid, con artist film with plenty of double-crosses.
• Bad for Each Other, starring Lizabeth Scott and Charlton Heston, is about a surgeon who must decide between helping people in desperate need or being well-paid. Lizabeth Scott's character was almost unbearably icy in this film. I much prefer her as loving and emotional, as seen in the film noir, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers.
• The Glass Wall, starring Gloria Grahame, is a suspenseful, race-against-the-clock film. This is my favorite film from Volume 1. Though, that could be attributed to the talented beauty, Gloria Grahame, as I really enjoy her other films, such as The Big Heat and In a Lonely Place.

Volume 2 includes the following films:
• Night Editor, starring Janis Carter, is about a cop, who, while on a date with his mistress, witnesses a murder. For fear of losing his wife and child, he does nothing about it. But when faced with the guilt and his duty as a policeman, will he come clean? And will the murderer let him? I enjoyed this one very much!
• One Girl's Confession, starring Cleo Moore, is about a woman who, justifiably, steals $10,000, buries it, and goes to jail because of it. Never telling anyone where the money is buried, she smoothly serves her time behind bars. But once released, will the owner of the money—or even, others who know about the crime—be waiting to see where it is buried? If she has someone else dig it up, can she trust them? I love these kinds of movies! This, and the previous, one remind me of something that might have been shown on the television show, "Alfred Hitchcock Presents."
• Women's Prison, starring Cleo Moore, Jan Sterling, and Ida Lupino, is, as the title states, about a women's prison. This film was a little melodramatic, but, at times, was so well-done that I was infuriated with the warden of the prison! Definitely an engaging film!
• Over-Exposed, starring Cleo Moore, is about a woman with a knack for getting what she wants. After training to become a photographer, she quickly becomes the number one 'camera girl' of a mafia-funded nightclub. But when her dream job, as a news photographer, opens, is she in too deep to leave her nightclub job?

If I were to pick one volume over the other, I would easily choose Volume 2. One of the main reasons for this is that, before watching this set, I had never seen, or heard of, Cleo Moore. I am now sad that more of her films are not currently available. She is, especially, great in these types of films. Regardless, I enjoyed both volumes, and happily choose the entire set as the best DVD release of the month.

Buy Volume 1 or Volume 2 from Amazon

For information about the criteria I use to choose the best films releases of the month, please read my other blog post, located here.