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Post by Jep Gambardella on Dec 3, 2023 16:56:25 GMT
The Cinémathèque here in Montreal is having a retrospective of this Italian director, known for his comedies stretching from the 50s to the 80s. Yesterday I saw “I Soliti Ignoti” (“Big Deal on Madonna Street”), with Vittorio Gassman and Marcello Mastroianni. Very funny comedy about a group of small-time criminals trying to pull an elaborate scheme to rob a pawn shop.
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Post by Red Baron on Dec 4, 2023 8:59:23 GMT
Great filmmaker. My favourite film of his is The Incredible Army of Brancaleone, also starring Vittorio Gassman.
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Post by Jep Gambardella on Dec 4, 2023 14:59:46 GMT
Great filmmaker. My favourite film of his is The Incredible Army of Brancaleone, also starring Vittorio Gassman. That one is showing later this week, but I have other plans on that day. I think I have seen it many years ago; it is a favourite of my father's.
Yesterday it was A Dog's Life (1950), with Gina Lollobrigida and Marcello Mastroianni in a small role. I had never heard of it before. Dramatic comedy about a travelling variety theatre troupe struggling to keep afloat. Quite funny, I am very glad I had the chance to see it.
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Post by Red Baron on Dec 4, 2023 19:36:27 GMT
Great filmmaker. My favourite film of his is The Incredible Army of Brancaleone, also starring Vittorio Gassman. That one is showing later this week, but I have other plans on that day. I think I have seen it many years ago; it is a favourite of my father's.
Yesterday it was A Dog's Life (1950), with Gina Lollobrigida and Marcello Mastroianni in a small role. I had never heard of it before. Dramatic comedy about a travelling variety theatre troupe struggling to keep afloat. Quite funny, I am very glad I had the chance to see it.
Haven't seen that one. Will add it to my watchlist. Story description reminds me of Variety Lights, Fellini's feature debut which was released the same year.
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Post by Jep Gambardella on Dec 7, 2023 16:21:11 GMT
La Grande Guerra (“The Great War”, 1959). Another new discovery for me. The movie follows the misadventures of two conscripted soldiers (played by Vittorio Gassman and Alberto Sordi) sent to the front in northern Italy to fight against the invading Austrians during WWI. Brilliant anti-war movie, up there with any other example I can think of – All Quiet on the Western Front, Paths of Glory, you name it. It strikes a perfect note between showing the horror and the futility of trench warfare with just a little bit of humour that is never exaggerated to the point of where it could be considered inappropriate or disrespectful.
I don't know how easy it would be to find it for home viewing, but I highly recommend it.
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Post by Jep Gambardella on Dec 10, 2023 12:58:35 GMT
Casanova ‘70 (1965) - Marcello Mastroianni plays a ladies’ man who can only get sexually excited if there is danger involved. It has its funny moments but it did not age very well. Not a top shelf Monicelli or Mastroianni.
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