Joy House

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Good Suspenser
Review: "Joy House", aka "Les Felins", is a surprisingly good suspenser, with more than enough twists and turns to keep you intrigued until the clever ending. Unfortunately, the film has been transfered to video with less than loving care. A scratchy, brittle-looking print has been letter-boxed slightly, then squeezed to further accomodate a standard-size TV screen. (They don't tell you that on the video box.) The results are wierdly off-putting and less than inviting. Perhaps the DVD of this title is an improvement over the video release. If not, some smart film preservationist would do well to see that a cleaner, crisper print is available for any future transfer. (In the correct aspect ratio, please!) I have a sneaking suspicion that "Joy House" may be an even better film than one would gather from its current video release. It's got an extremely attractive cast, beautiful settings, and top-notch craftsmen working behind the camera. Thankfully, the film never seems to take itself too seriously, moves at a good clip, and has an ending that's tension-packed and appropriately ironic. The only major drawback of the production might be its lack of color photography, otherwise it's almost comparable to Clement and Delon's earlier suspenser, "Purple Noon"... but not quite. Overall, "Joy House" is quite a good film, very entertaining, and, on the whole, worth purchasing, especially if you're a fan of Delon, Fonda, or the lesser-known Albright... just so long as you don't mind a video transfer that leaves a lot to be desired.(Good News! I've had a chance to compare the DVD with the VHS, and I'm happy to report that the DVD is pretty terrific, sound and picture wise. Everything you'd expect when you plunk your money down for a movie at home. A big, big improvement over the VHS version. Plus, there are two soundtracks on the disc: English and French. Only complaints: if you want to watch the film with its French soundtrack, there are no English subtitles to go with it, and, as someone else has noted, there are no DVD extras. But listen, if you're even halfway interested in seeing "Joy House", definitely, definitely watch the DVD edition and not that lousy VHS version.)

Rating:
Summary: PANDORA's WISHES .............
Review: Mirror, mirror on the wall ........

Yes, in this one the lady does talk to the mirror, [literally] but who is there? An intriguing premise - revolving around the old chesnut : "Be careful what you bet - you might just lose your head...".

There's plenty happening at this old Chateau when con-man Delon [stunning as usual] meets up with the "Fonda babe", niece to the mysterious mirror lady....

Rene Clement, that Gallic suspense master who previously introduced us to M. Delon in "Purple Noon" [the early "Talented Mr. Ripley"] dishes up this little plate of suitably tainted hors d'oeuvres.

Costumes by Pierre Balmain, music by Lalo Schifrin.

Road buddy? Antonioni's "The Passenger"

Rating:
Summary: PANDORA's WISHES .............
Review: Mirror, mirror on the wall ........

Yes, in this one the lady does talk to the mirror, [literally] but who is there? An intriguing premise - revolving around the old chesnut : "Be careful what you bet - you might just lose your head...".

There's plenty happening at this old Chateau when con-man Delon [stunning as usual] meets up with the "Fonda babe", niece to the mysterious mirror lady....

Rene Clement, that Gallic suspense master who previously introduced us to M. Delon in "Purple Noon" [the early "Talented Mr. Ripley"] dishes up this little plate of suitably tainted hors d'oeuvres.

Costumes by Pierre Balmain, music by Lalo Schifrin.

Road buddy? Antonioni's "The Passenger"

Rating:
Summary: Underrated French Classic
Review: This wonderful little gem of a movie is terribly underrated. Talented director Rene Clement (Purple Noon, Forbidden Games, ETC.) is in top form with this suspensful crime drama that takes an unexpected twist and Alain Delon has never looked better (except in Purple Noon... maybe). Fans of Purple Noon and 1960s French crime cinema should really enjoy it!

All the actors give terrific involved performances and the energy between a young Jane Fonda (Barbarella era) and Alain Delon is electric!!

Also of note - Lalo Schifrin produced an amazing score for this film that will stick with you long after it's over.

The DVD quality is terrific and the film looks very sharp, which highlights Henri Decae's amazing cinematography. Well worth purchasing if you can't find the DVD for rent!

Rating:
Summary: not bad, not great though
Review: WOW!

Great acting (you know what I mean), well directed and produced, good length and variety.

My only let down is the lack of extra DVD goodies. There are better titles out there than this, but this is worth a look.