If... (The Criterion Collection)
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Movie Reviews of If... (The Criterion Collection)
Movie Review: The movie seems based on my reality
Summary: 5 Stars
With the exception of the retaliation at the end, I lived through almost every instance displayed in the movie. For me, it was not fiction.
I saw "IF" in former British colony, India in the late 60's while I as an orphaned boarder in Calcutta Boys' School. I was about 10 then and worshiped Malcolm's character in that movie. His courage gave me the strength to endure the physical abuse I had to endure at the hands of the sadistic principal, his cruel teachers and 'monitors' all of whom were given the power to abuse children - as they saw fit.
I am buying the DVD to add to my collection now that it is out, so that I never forget. This movie, as far as I am concerned is truly based on the British boarding school system that often times physically abuse children in their care - while hiding behind the guise of discipline. Rent if, if you don't buy it. But watch it nonetheless. Child abuse is still present today in former British colonies.
Protect your children in the hands of people like those, including so-called nannies. I know some are perhaps good, but others are cold hearted and view beating children (even their own) as acceptable.
Movie Review: Private school rebellion
Summary: 5 Stars
Film set in 60s in the upper class boy's private school in England, shows the daily life of the adolescent boys. We see them bond, study, daydream and misbehave. They are governed by all male staff and the only two women around them are the elderly nurse and the wife of the principal. Boys feel smothered in the close quarters of the boarding school and confused about their sexual awakening. The sexual repression leads them to be mean to each other and to generally rebel against all rules of conduct asdefined by the authorities at school (i.e. their teachers and tutors). This is the time when physical punishment is an acceptable practice of disciplining the boys. Other than sports, these boys have no outlets to express themselves, or their emotions. In turn they steal, skip classes and exhibit resistance in only way they know - by fighting. Before long we see them as they see themselves. Liberators from the establishment, they fight evil with evil because no one thought them any better. This film is ultimate show of how unhappiness can have a disasterous consequences. A classic film for any generation that made young actor Malcolm McDowell famous.Movie Review: Like Clockwork, if...
Summary: 5 Stars
The orange clock strikes a different color, this movie intersects and reveals a paralleled greatness. Kubrick found the perfect match for his later masterpiece.
Malcolm McDowell. Whoa. He naturally exudes a rebellious flair with his simple stare. That disgruntled smirk. His casual pacing and look of discontent. He is an amazing actor, I'm shocked I haven't seen him in tons of other prominent roles.
This character and story seemed like a perfect companion film for Clockwork Orange. Alex(from C.O.) could have easily been sent to this reform school, like the young Mick Travis was.
Due to some cruel disciplinary tactics, Mick and some friends rise up against the overbearing school system. Chaos ensues to say the least.
This story is told in a very peculiar and poetic way, mixing black & white images with color shots as fantasy and reality collide.
I also wondered if this movie was a counterculture message. It's easy to believe this satire was not too off base with some possible problems that may have needed to be addressed. This is a pretty intense unraveling, worth checking out...
Movie Review: I'm Sure It Will Be GOOD!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's about bloody time this film comes out....I haven't seen this disc yet, but since it is a Criterion issue, then...what the title of this review sez. I'll admit If... is my favorite film of all time, for all kinds of reasons, but first and foremost, I went to an all boys private school in the US which bore many similarities to the school portrayed in If... and If... is indeed the operative word if added to "only". If you haven't seen this film before, then I envy you, if you have and remember it fondly, then it will probably exceed those memories. The only negative I can thrust towards this package is the choice of supplements. I wish they could have added Anderson's The White Bus, as it is the true transition from This Sporting Life to If... The inclusion of that film, since it's under an hour would have made this my nomination for best DVD release of the year....but alas maybe someone at Warner's will see fit to try to include it on the release of O Lucky Man whenever that gets it's release...Someday...If...Only. For now though...Mid-June and IF... A Reason NOT to die or go insane!Movie Review: Beautiful, surreal film
Summary: 5 Stars
I had never heard of this movie before but it was on Film4 last night and I watched it on a whim because it stars Malcolm McDowell and I enjoyed his performances in A Clockwork Orange and Caligula.
The movie is about a trio of friends who are in the 6th form at a boys boarding school, one of who is having a relationship with a younger boy and another who becomes increasingly fixated on guns and rebellion.
Parts of the film are realistic and seem like an ordinary boys school in the 60's but other parts of the movie are very strange and surreal such as random scenes shot in black and white, the bizzare dog-like fight involving a girl in a cafe, and of course the ending, which I found quite powerful because I wasn't expecting it at all.
Deffinatly agree with it being in Film4's "Movies to see before you die" series. I'm certainly glad I didn't miss it.