Celluloid #77

In Home

All That Heaven Allows (1955) Sirk - Technicolor film about burgeoning feminism, but in a time when class restraints provide obstacles. A widow falls for her gardener, but he lives a less traditional life, seemingly unconcerned about material possessions or status. She is still a part of the local social club, but seems to long for something different. Her fear and indecision provide the drama. 4/5

Catch a Fire (2006) Noyce - A man loves his family and soccer, and doesn't have any real political interest until he gets accused of being a terrorist. After he and his wife are tortured and then released, he actually does join an anti-Boer (white South African) group that encourages violent resistance. 3/5

Liquid Sky (1982) Tsukerman - A bizarro film that involves the early 80s New York fashion/underground music scene and a UFO. The film plays around with fluid gender and sexuality, but the sex is all very ugly and depressing and centers around a character who can "kill people with her cunt." The aliens are seeking opiates found in the human body during orgasm, but that part is all a little fuzzy. Cool to look at and delightfully cultish. 4/5

Nothing But A Man (1964) Roemer - Early 1960s film about a railroad worker who falls in love with the preacher's daughter. They are all black and living in the South; facing hardships of racism, unemployment, and family issues. Not a new story, but one that showcases the struggles of this era of civil rights. 4/5

Pu-239 (2006) Burns - A man gets radiation poisoning during an accident at the power plant he is employed for. Realizing he only has days to live, he steals some of the plutonium to sell on the black market in order to provide for his family. 3.5/5

Sunset Boulevard (1950) Wilder - Classic film about an aging, crazed actress named Norma Desmond. She was a silent film star, and now past her peak, has delusions about breaking back into Hollywood. She also has a tragic one-sided relationship with a struggling writer. Full of oft-quoted lines. 4/5