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Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer, a review by Danae Cassandra

Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer
Year of Release: 2002
Directed By: Robert Trachtenberg
Starring: Stanley Tucci (narrator)
Genre: Documentary, Musical

Overview:
Everyone feels a connection with Gene Kelly. He's a guy's guy to men. To women, he's a knight whose shining armor is a T-shirt and khakis. And he solidifies that link with a vigorous, athletic way of dance he calls American Style. Gene Kelly makes us all fee like we should be dancing and singing in the rain.

The life and career of this innovator whose work includes Singin' in the Rain, On the Town and An American in Paris are recalled in this study of the driven genius - often narcissistic, always a perfectionist - who reenergized the movie musical and redefined dance on screen. Packed with marvelous clips and interviews with family and Hollywood colleagues, Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer is the definitive look at a magical talent whose story has never been fully told until now.

My Thoughts:
A really nice biography of Kelly and retrospective of his career. Kelly is not only an icon of dance, but an icon of the American film. Quite thorough and worth a watch for fans of his.

Bechdel Test: Fail (N/A)
Mako Mori Test: Fail (N/A)

Overall: 3/5

(From July Movie Marathon: Musicals (Yes... You read right!) on July 17th, 2016)

Lips of Blood, a review by Danae Cassandra

Year of Release: 1975
Directed By: Jean Rolin
Starring: Annie Belle, Jean-Loup Philippe, Catherine Castel, Marie-Pierre Castel, Natalie Perrey, Serge Rolin
Genre: Horror

Overview:
LIPS OF BLOOD (Levres de sang) was considered by Jean Rollin to be the best, or most developed, story he ever wrote. Of all his films, it perhaps best transcends his tendencies toward the poetical and arcane, while remaining at the same time true to his most personal, recurring obsessions: childhood, nostalgia, lost love, romantic quests, the cinema, obsolescence. In the course of its telling, it may also touch on such unsavory topics as vampirism and incest, but it would not be an exaggeration to call LIPS OF BLOOD "Jean Rollin's Somewhere in TimeForever EmanuelleMy Thoughts:
I continue to love Rolin. As I said in my previous review of this film, it''s a beautiful piece of visual poetry - dark, romantic, and atmospheric. Rolin has style. He certainly sets up some gorgeously artistic shots. He subverts the traditional horror villain - the vampires here aren't the villain, for all that they do kill people. The film is also rather slow-paced, and I'm certain Rolin's style isn't for everyone. I really enjoy his style, myself - this is my second Rolin this year, and I've got three more planned to watch.

Watched For: Scavenger Hunt #19, Hoop-tober 3.0, Horror/Halloween Challenge 2016

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

Horror/Halloween Challenge Films: 3/52

(From Horror/Halloween 2016 Challenge on October 3rd, 2016)

The Flash Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

Guest Stars:
Paula Marshall as Iris
Michael Nader as Pike
Tim Thomerson as Jay Allen
Priscilla Pointer as Nora Allen
Lycia Naff as Lila
Richard Belzer as Joe Kline
Robert Hooks as Chief Arthur Cooper
M. Emmet Walsh as Henry Allen

My Thoughts:
This is a series I enjoyed since it originally aired in 1990, Wow... it just hit me that this series is already 20 years old! I used to watch this with my wife (girlfriend at the time) every week. And we were both bummed when it was canceled after the first season. This movie length pilot episode is a great origin story for our hero. I think John Wesley Shipp was a great choice for the Scarlet Speedster. And I also liked the lovely Amanda Pays as Tina McGee... the scientist that helps Barry Allen. She is the only person that knows Barry's secret. Well except for Barry's dog of course. I still laugh every time that dog freaks out because of Barry's speed. I actually laughed out loud when Barry asked his dog if he wanted to take a walk... and scared the dog goes hide in the closet... pulling the door shut with his leash. The episode ends on a good note... with Barry sitting with his nephew talking about his father and telling him that if he ever needs him he would be there in a Flash. This is a very strong and fun start to a great series.

My Rating:

(From The Flash Marathon on April 7th, 2010)