Henry V (1944)

Spotlight on... Royalty on Film

Henry V is the 1944 adaptation of the play by William Shakespeare, and stars and is directed by the brilliant Laurence Olivier.  In fact, the full title of the film as it appears in the opening credits is "The Cronicle History of King Henry the Fift with His Battell Fought at Agincourt in France" - this was the title of the 1600 quarto edition of the play.

The film begins recreating Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, where we feel part of the audience of a production of Henry V.  This was an effective technique used by Olivier, and gives a sense of realism of what the world would have been like during this time - it even rains halfway through the performance wetting the audience. The film later transitions into a stylised scenery and real life sets, before reverting to backdrops.

Beautifully filmed in vibrant colour, the film was intended to be a morale booster for Britain towards the end of World War II, and was partly funded by the British government.

Olivier won an Honorary Oscar for his "Outstanding achievement as actor, producer and director in bringing Henry V to the screen".

The film is considered to be the best adaptation of 'Henry V', and possibly one of the best film adaptions of any Shakespeare play.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) - Star of the month... Marilyn Monroe

The Asphalt Jungle is a film noir film crime caper directed by John Huston (father of Angelica Huston). Based on the novel by W.R. Burnett, it tells the story of a group of criminals planning and executing a jewel robbery. The film stars Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen and in a very small but important role, Marilyn Monroe in one of her early films.

The supporting cast includes James Whitmore, Sam Jaffe, John McIntire, Marc Lawrence and Teresa Celli. 

In 2008, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." It was also nominated for 4 Oscars (Best direction; Best Supporting Actor - Sam Jaffe; Best Cinematography - Black & White; and Best Writing - Screenplay). 


It is still regarded today as one of the most important and influential crime films ever made.

Although primarily shown in black and white, a computer colourised version of the film was shown on TV in the 1980s and 1990s. Here is a brief clip of Marilyn from the colourised version of the film: 

Marilyn Monroe

Re-issue poster giving Marilyn top
billing despite her small role

Marilyn Monroe appears as Angela Phinley, mistress of Alonzo D. Emmerich (played by Louis Calhern), whom she calls "Uncle Lon".


Marilyn was still an unknown at the time of the film's release. She had only appeared in a small number of films in very small roles. And although her name was not listed on the original poster, following her rise to fame, film posters were redesigned to include a prominent picture of her and even included her name. 


Despite appearing in the film for about 4 minutes, Marilyn steals the film from the very first shot of her laying on the couch. This film got her noticed by director Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who cast her in her next important role in 'All About Eve' (1950).

Use of sound rather than music

A technique which John Huston has used in this film, is to use sound rather than music. This technique is particularly effective during the 11 minute robbery sequence, adding to the naturalistic style of the film. There are moments of silence in between sounds of drilling, bricks smashing and dynamite exploding. We hear the police siren in the distance, which gradually gets louder and louder as the police car gets closer. This helps in building up suspense, and the viewer sympathises with the crooks, wanting them to get away.


The music score by Miklós Rózsa lasts for about 6 minutes. After the main titles,  there is no music until approx. 100 minutes into the film.

Did you know...

Marilyn Monroe as Angela Phinley

• Georgia Holt (mother of Cher) was considered for the role of Angela Phinley
• The role of Angela Phinley (played by Marilyn Monroe) was originally intended for Lola Albright
• A spin-off TV series followed in 1961, lasting only 13 episodes
• The film features the film debut of Jack Warden

Concluding remarks

The Asphalt Jungle is a great crime film, and definitely worth watching to see Marilyn Monroe in the role which first got her noticed.

The 400 Blows (aka: Le quatre cents coups)

Spotlight on Movie Mothers... Monster Mothers

The 400 Blows is François Truffaut's first film, and also the first film in the Antoine Doinel series. It was voted #29 on Empire's list of 100 Best Films of World Cinema, 2010.


This semi-autobiographical character study tells of a young boy Antoine Doinel (played by Jean-Pierre Léaud), who turns to a life of crime after suffering neglect from his parents, and harsh criticism from his teacher.

French new wave (la nouvelle vague) cinema

'The 400 Blows' is a defining film of the French new wave (la nouvelle vague) movement displaying many of its techniques, such as:

• Use of a hand-held camera - used effectively as the camera scours the Doinel apartment, and the narrow staircase leading to the apartment
• Location shooting
• Panning and tracking shots 
• Ambiguous ending (New wave's most defining feature)

Antoine's relationship with his mother

Mrs. Doinel is cold, bossy, negative and degrading towards Antoine. Mrs. Doinel often complains Antoine is a wild child, and she can't control him. And one stage she says "He gets on my nerves". But is it because of her behaviour, that Antoine appears to be misunderstood.  Antoine does not have his own bedroom and is forced to sleep in a sleeping bag on the couch. 
During the film, Antoine wags school with a friend. The next day when he returns to school, his teacher asks him why he was not at school. Antoine replies it was because his mother died. This is significant, because deep inside Antoine feels his mother is dead, evident by the nature of their relationship. In one scene, Antoine says "I could tell my mother didn't like me. She was always yelling at me for no reason." Later in the film we find out the man married to his mother is not his biological father. Antoine was an unplanned pregnancy, and his mother had wanted to have an abortion, however Antoine's grandmother would not let her. It is resentment of never wanting Antoine which leads to her treatment of Antoine.
In one scene, Antoine finds out his mother is having an affair with another man. Shortly after, Antoine's mother behaves very different towards him, bathing him and smothering him with kisses, as if he were a newborn. She also encourages him to sleep in her bed, as he would be "more comfortable there". This leaves the viewer wondering if the change in behavour is out of maternal instinct, or if it is because she is scared Antoine may tell Mr. Doinel she is having an affair.

**Spoiler alert** Ambiguous ending 

A key feature of new wave was including an ambiguous ending. This technique was designed to provoke thought and discussion after the film. At the conclusion of the film, we can't help wondering what's next for Antoine. Will he get away, or will he be caught? Unfortunately we never find out, as the film's sequel continues several years later, and does not provide closure to this film.

Harold & Maude (1971)

Harold and Maude (1971)

Spotlight on Movie Mothers... Monster Mothers

This film is available to watch on YouTube - refer to link below this post. All YouTube links current as of 12 May 2012.

Harold and Maude is a romantic comedy with a difference. What makes it so unique? It tells the love story of a 20 year old and a 79 year old... Yes, you read that right.


The film was a commercial flop for Paramount Pictures when it was first released. Interestingly enough, it is based on a Broadway play, which closed after only 4 performances. Like a fine wine, it's popularity has increased over the years with it now being considered a cult classic.


The American Film Institute have ranked this film #45 in their list of 100 Funniest Movies of all Time. It was also selected for preservation by the National Film Registry in 1997 for being "cultrally, historcally or aesthetically signficant"


Harold Chasen (played by Bud Cort) is a 20 year old obsessed with death. He gatecrashes random funerals, drives a hearse and states a number of "fake suicides".


Maude Chardin (played by Ruth Gordon) is a 79 year old swinger and holocaust surviver, who is obsessed with living life to the fullest. Maude also enjoys gatecrashing random funerals, which is where she and Harold meet.

Musical Highlights

The film's soundtrack features songs by Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam). While I am not a fan of Cat Stevens, the included songs, 2 of which are new, are important to the film's storyline, and enhance the viewing experience.
The musical highlight for me is "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out" (see link below).

Harold's relationship with his mother

Despite living in the same house, Harold has a very detached relationship with his rich, snobby mother. To get her attention, Harold stages a number of "fake suicide attempts", ranging from hanging himself, self mutilation, drowning, shooting himself, just to name a few.

The video on the right contains a montage of Harold fake suicide attempts.

Harold's mother feels Harold is now at the age where he should be getting married, and without his consent registers him into a computer dating service, which she says "screens out the fat and the ugly, so it is obviously a firm of high standards". One by one, Harold attempts to horrify each dating candidate with staged morbid acts of self mutilation.


Freud's oedipus complex holds that boys have a subconscious desire to sexually possess their mother, and kill their fathers. Is this story the oedipus complex to the extreme? Is Harold's detached relationship with his mother the catalyst for his obsession with death, and his attraction to Maude?


After finding out Harold has proposed to Maude, his mother sends him to a psychologist who says: "A very common neurosis, particularly in this society whereby the male child subconsciously wishes to sleep with his mother. Of course, what puzzles me, Harold, is that you want to sleep with your grandmother".


Harold is also sent to his priest, who has the funniest line in the film: "I would 
be remiss in my duty if I did not tell you the idea of intercourse and the fact of your firm, young body co-mingling with the withered flesh, sagging breast and flabby buttocks makes me want to vomit".

Watch this film on YouTube

The complete film is currently available on YouTube to watch (linked below).

DVD Releases
This film was available on DVD in Australia, but is currently out of print.
A Special Edition DVD is being released by the Criterion Collection in June 2012 as Spine #608.

May 2012 Spotlight on Movie Mothers

As this Sunday is Mother's Day, I thought it would be appropriate for my movie Spotlight theme for May to be Movie Mothers. I have made a selection of films I will aim to watch over the next few weeks, and comment on them in my blog. The films will fall into the following categories:


Monster Mothers (the mothers from hell we love to hate)

- Harold and Maude (1971)

- All Fall Down (1962)

- The 400 Blows (Les Quatre Cents Coups) (1959)

- Mommy Dearest (1981)

- Love Crazy (1941)

Mothers Dearest (caring mothers we love, often sacrificing their lives/happiness for their children)
- Little Women (1933) (to coincide with Katharine Hepburn's birthday)- Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960)- Mildred Pierce (1945)- Three Daring Daughters (1948) (to coincide with Jeanette MacDonald's birthday)- Pocketful of Miracles (1961)- A Ticklish Affair (1963)　My next post will be a blog about 'Harold and Maude' (1971). Voted #45 funniest film of all time by the American Film Institute, Harold & Maude' is a very unusual and unlikely romantic comedy.

My name is John Sambuco, and I suffer chronic cinephilia...
What is cinephilia? Cinephilia is the term used to refer to a passionate interest in cinema, film theory and film criticism. It is a serious disorder, and once infected, there is no cure.


Is there a prevention for cinephilia? Yes - Avoid all forms of film and moving image. 
Is this practical in today's digital revolution? "Not bloody likely!" to quote Eliza Doolittle in the 1938 British film 'Pygmalion'. 


In the early days, film was contained within the safe walls of a cinema. Those who wanted to experience it could, and those who didn't want to didn't need to. There were many people in the 1920s and 1930s who felt film was a corrupt, blasphemous and immoral artform, and actively went out of their way to avoid it... some even fought to have film banned.


Today, film is available virtually everywhere. We can watch film at the cinema, on TV, on our PCs, on our smart phones and on our tablet computers. We can watch film at home, at the office, in our cars, on planes, in buses, at cafés, while we're shopping, while we get our hair cut, while we wait in a doctor's waiting room... film is available virtually anywhere and everywhere we go. In short, THERE IS NO ESCAPE!!


Why has film captivated so many spectators from around the world?  After all, film is just an optical illusion generated by a series of photos played in sequence. It's nothing special, or is it?
I think David Bordwell and Kristen Thompson say it best in their book "Film Art: An Introduction":

"Film takes us on a journey, offering a patterened experience that engages our mind and emotions" (Bordwell & Thompson, 2008, p2)

Film communicates information and ideas, while showing us (the viewer) places and ways of living we might not have known. It draws us into the lives of its characters, and uses stylistic techniques such as camera framing, lighting, editing and music to trigger our emotions.


While there is no cure for cinephilia, it is treatable by subjecting the cinephile to as much film required to satiate their impulsive craving. Without proper treatment, the cinephile may experience severe withdrawal symptoms and become extremely bored.

Good evening world, and welcome to my first fliXposed Blog...

My name is John Aron Sambuco, and I'm from Melbourne, Australia. 
I have an abnormal obsession with film (known as cinephilia). In fact, I had originally intended to name this blog Cinephiliac, however it was already being used by a fellow cinephile. After some reflection and consultation (thanks, Gianni), I settled on fliXposed. A combination of the words "flick" and "exposed".


This blog was born two days ago while I was having lunch with my friend Daniel, who suggested "maybe you should start a film blog". I immediately dismissed the idea, thinking no one would be interested in reading it. But the more I thought about it, the more logical and right the idea sounded. Even if no one else reads this blog, I figure I can write this for myself, and use it as a vehicle to capture my thoughts (before I forget them). 


So here I am, sitting behind my MacBook (feeling like Carrie Bradshaw in an episode of 'Sex and the City') writing my first blog post. 


Do you have a Mission Statement?
YOU BET!
The purpose of this blog is to Inform, Educate, Entertain and Inspire people from around the world to better appreciate the art of cinema. It is my hope that my passion for film will infect others and spread the cinephilia epidemic on a much larger scale.


Are you qualified to blog about film?
I hope so...

• I have a Bachelor's degree from LaTrobe University majoring in Cinema Studies
• I have an insanely broad and eclectic taste in film
• I worship vintage movie stars as if they were saints
• I enjoy films dating back to the 1920s up to the present day
• I also enjoy International and art house film

Which films are in scope? 
Pretty much everything!! Although... 


I will primarily focus on classic and important contemporary film from around the world (note the use of the adjective, "important"). From time to time, there may be references to a recent Hollywood blockbuster, but this is to be seen as an exception, rather than the rule.


Why have you chosen to avoid recent Hollywood blockbusters?
The primary role of an educator is to expand the horizon's of their students, and expose (or in my case fliXpose) them to new concepts and ideas.
If you'd like to read about recent Hollywood blockbusters, there are many other blogs and websites already designed to do this. 


I'm interested in exploring different kinds of film - where do I begin?
For anyone wishing to experience the best in what the legacy of film can offer, I strongly recommend watching films which have been released by the Criterion Collection. 
A complete list of films the Criterion Collection has released on DVD/Blu-ray is available here


What will I write about in my blog?
I envisage my blog posts will fall into one of the following categories...

• Star of the Month - every month I will select a specific movie star, and set myself a challenge to watch as many films as possible featuring this individual

• Spotlight on... - Each month I will select a specific theme, and make a selection of films to watch corresponding to this theme

• Star birthdays - on an ad hoc basis, I will select specific individuals who are celebrating birthdays (or who would have been celebrating their birthdays if they were still alive), and watch a film (or 2, or 3), showcasing their unique star quality

• Film theory/commentary - from time to time I will write a blog commenting on film theory, and demonstrate the integration of theory into practice

• Other films - As I watch films, I may write a short commentary articulating my thoughts 

Anyway, I'm about to head to the gym.


Tune in next time when my blog post will discuss the disorder of cinephilia...