15 January 2021. By Neptune RUSSIAN FILMS Let’s take a look at the rich tradition of Russian cinema this week. Did you know that the Lumière brothers exhibited their groundbreaking series of short film clips in Moscow and Leningrad in 1896, where they also made the very first film in Russia – of the coronation […]
FILM: Superb French films
1 January 2021. As French-speaking Switzerland is right next to France, I thought I would salute our neighbors with a few of their many superb films. After all, it was the Lumière brothers of nearby Lyon who gave us the beginnings of cinema way back in December 1895! And film has continued to be a […]
FILM: ANIMATION MAGIC!
17 December 2020. Let’s do these classics for the season, for the snow and the free, nothing-to-do days (once Christmas is over…). Sadly cinemas will remain closed through mid- to late January, as will all other cultural activities. Indeed tragic for the living arts. Animation may often be directed towards children, but so many are […]
FILM: Musicals – the absolute jewels
11 December 2020. I had to leave out many fine examples (7 BRIDES FOR 7 BROTHERS, GIGI, SWEENEY TODD, MOULIN ROUGE, MARY POPPINS, PURPLE RAIN, LA LA LAND…), but here are the absolute jewels. We need such uplifting talent and joy in these grey, uncertain times… AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (1951) Gene Kelly was at […]
FILM: 5 favourites for that desert island
4 December 2020. This week I’ve picked five of my favorite films for you. Each is completely different in theme and genre, yet there is a common thread of intelligence, charm and nostalgia to them. Another similarity is the excellence of their directors, the ultimate visionary behind any unforgettable film. There are obviously many more […]
FILM: Intelligent comedies of old
27 November 2020. There are so many exceptional, intelligent comedies of old…though few good new ones, as they mainly go for vulgarity these days with juvenile below-the-belt crassness (in the vein of Judd Apatow films). As we certainly need humor in these morose, uncertain times, here are some choice picks from way back to lighten […]
FILM: THRILLERS FROM 1964 to 2004
20 November 2020. Hello Cinephiles. If you managed to see any of last week’s suggestions on romantic comedies, you know I won’t lead you wrong. But come on, admit it, you’ve been too busy watching multiple Netflix series… they can be addictive. This week, let’s go for some exceptional classic thrillers – starting from the […]
Film: armchair comedy and romance classics
13 November 2020. Since you won’t find any big screens this month, relax in your favorite armchair or sofa and try to download these marvellous oldies. I thought I’d pick you a few romantic dramas and comedies to ease the mix of confinement and dark skies. The three old classics are simply superb, for the […]
FILM: 4 Netflix picks
6 November 2020. November 2020 is not a kind month to cinephiles, for as you know by now, all forms of art, culture, entertainment, convivial dining and our well-organised and socially-distanced cinemas have been closed down till the end of the month in Geneva. And it goes beyond borders, with most of Europe shutting down. […]
FILM: THE SINGING CLUB
23 October 2020. THE SINGING CLUB **1/2 Based on true events, this English dramedy is in the usual vein of sweet, entertaining films out of Britain, much like “The Calendar Girls” or “The Full Monty”. It tells the story of a group of military wives waiting for their men to come home from the war […]
