Louise Bourgoin in "Blanc comme Neige" BR720 [2010 Belgium, France]

Christophe Blanc's latest film is a thriller (or should I say a comedy thriller) called "Blanc comme Neige" [Eng. Title: White Snow] with some high expectations. The film does start off nicely, but looses its way half way through. Some of the scenes are not believable at all - the plot is there, but the screenplay lets it down.
Maxine is a luxury car dealer living a contended life - a successful business, beautiful wife Michèle, loving daughter, neat little villa, and of course his sparkling new beemer. When he discovers the reason why his partner got murdered, he's shocked to know that his partner had been selling defective cars to the Finnish Mafia, and when they ask for a refund, he tells them that he doesn't have the money any more.
Now they're pursuing Maxine for that money. He asks his brothers to help get rid of the gang, but things get ridiculously complicated further.

There are two brief nude appearances in the film, first when Michèle slides off into the pool, naked, and later when Maxine has a bad dream concerning his wife at office. I've added a few extra seconds before and after to allow people to follow the scene. Michèle is played by the absolutely gorgeous Louise Bourgoin. Let's say she looks even more stunning in Blu-ray..!






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Elvira Mínguez in "Tapas" [2005 Spain]

José Corbacho & Juan Cruz's debut feature in 2005, "Tapas" is a typical example of what makes European films so magical. The gentle comedy drama is a beautiful and intimate portrait of people living in a neighbourhood of Barcelona - the part of town tourists usually don't get to see. It observes the lives of a grocer, a supermarket assistant, a tapas bar owner and an elderly couple, conjuring up a nostalgic view of the town's quarter where one of the film's directors grew up. The film deservedly won several awards including a Goya for Best New Director the following year. There is only brief nudity in a couple of scenes, but I so liked the film that this post is actually more of an excuse for writing something about it. Needless to say - Recommended Viewing.

Raquel has been separated for two years, and now has an online relationship with an Argentinian man she's not yet met. Sexual frustration initially draws her to one of her regular customer's son, but it develops into something more deep. The first few scenes are about Raquel, played by Elvira Mínguez. Even though there's very little nudity, the initial kissing scene is erotic where you have a young lad making out with a woman old enough to be his mother. The final scene is of the tapas bar owner having sex with his regular prostitute and confidante Carmela, played by Rosario Pardo. This is a gently funny scene where the guy asks her to recite player names of his favourite football team from 15 years ago. She tells him afterwards that it's his weird fantasies and behaviour that would have driven his wife away - the wife had left him unannounced at the beginning of the film. And I loved that accent of hers too!





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Annamaria Clementi in “Ishyri Dosi... Sex” [1978 Greece]

OK, this year's Oscars are upon us, and under the best foreign language film of the year, my personal favourite is the Greek nomination, "Dog Tooth" aka "Kynodontas" - a unique film in the way it explores fundamental issues relating to human identity, perception, and nature. To be fair I haven't seen the Danish and Algerian entry, so my choice may be biased, but the aforementioned film is definitely Oscar-worthy. There are a couple of blog-related scenes in that film too, which I will post when I get around to it.

Meanwhile to cheer for the Greeks, I've decided to review a film that was already in my posting-queue, which was there for an Italian actress who stars in it. Ilias Mylonakos' 1978 crime-thriller, “Ishyri Dosi... Sex” [International Title: Operation Orient] is a typical 1970's sexploitation flick using Playboy centrefolds and B-grade male actors of the time - let's just say you don't watch these films looking for virtuosity. Having said that, the film is technically sound, with decent editing, sound and cinematography. Those days, they 'cared' about what they were making - even if it was trash, the people in the studio and lab made it with professional integrity.

As far as I'm aware (and I've exhausted my search after 2 years), this film was never released on DVD, and the only copies you're likely to come across are VHS-transfers in full-screen. Some people sell them on a DVD, so make sure before committing to buy anything. There are however some awesome scenes that would have looked incredible - if only it were digitally remastered from the originals.

Alas, my review is also based on the same source! And I couldn't even enhance them significantly, simply because I'd spoil what little definition there is left. But this is certainly worth watching - films like these simply don't get made today - at least not the way they did back in the 70's.




Clip 1: Annamaria Clementi
As a babe, in my book - she's 'up there' among the finest - nothing more, nothing less. She plays the love interest of the protagonist-gangster, taking care of him when his wife is not around. She was the only reason I sat through the film, and the time was ALL worth it..! I don't need to describe the scenes as it is dubbed in English, so you'd know what's going on anyway








Clip 2: Annamaria Clementi & Rosaria della Femmina
Rosaria della Femmina plays the gangster's wife. The scene starts with her spending a sleepless night alone, and she wanders around the house, wondering what he's doing with his mistress, the very dishy Annamria Clementi, who gets liberally groped here, and even if you can see from her attitude that she's more of a 'you can only see - but not touch' kinda girl, it doesn't stop the guy from giving it a sincere try..!





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María de la Fuente & Alejandra Ambrosi in "Crímenes de Lujuria" [2011 Mexico]

Once in a while, one's likely to bump into some trash - here's one I stumbled upon recently. Walter Doehner's 2011 Mexican 'thriller', "Crímenes de Lujuria" [Eng. Title: Crimes of Passion] is just one of those. This juvenile plot is built over an appalling screenplay and inept direction, and we don't need to even mention the acting - I think I played out a more thrilling 'doctor-patient' game with my next door neighbour as a kid than what this has to offer in terms of 'thrills'. The saving grace for this film is perhaps the fact that my neighbour had yet to develop her 'tetas' at the time, bless!

I'm probably being a tad harsh because I've had a bad day at work, or may be the film is actually atrocious - judge for yourself...

Clip 1: Maria de la Fuente
Impressive name, impressive tetas, but barely shown. She's the wife of a hotel's ageing owner, and an insurance agent staying there has his eyes on her legs (or what's between them), and wants her to get them insured. She's cock-thirsty, and he's eager for a lay - and things happen. They end up murdering the old man, and someone notices it. Police are now on their trail, She thinks it's the concierge who's blackmailing them and decides to find out by inviting him for a screw. Her step daughter who also fancies the insurance agent, happens to be the silent witness.







Clip 2: Alejandra Ambrosi
Alejandra is cute - she's the hotel owner's precocious daughter, and wants to 'explore' the insurance guy - he curses himself after turning down her advances, out of loyalty to her step-mom..!





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Irina Potapenko & Ursula Strauss in "Revanche" [2008 Austria]

Götz Spielmann made this beautiful film, "Revanche" [Eng. Trans: Revenge], a thought-provoking observation in love, loss, bereavement, revenge, and guilt. The film won numerous awards and was also nominated for Oscar for best foreign language film  It is also a harmonious film where the direction, screenplay, and main cast combine to produce a deeply moving story. I was equally impressed by the breathtaking cinematography, the crisp editing, clean set design and lighting - it all looks naturally simple - and that's the beauty of it. I am also glad Artificial Eye had produced yet another excellent DVD transfer. I highly recommend this film and DVD.

Set in a sleepy Austrian village, Alex is a handyman at the brothel where Tamara works. They're in love, and desperate to get out of that industry. But they couldn't - Tamara owes her pimp money, and Alex needs some cash to set-up a new business. When the pimp tries to force Tamara into working for some exclusive 'clients', Alex decides to rob the local bank and escape with Tamara. But due to a freak accident, Tamara is killed during the escape. And the rest of the film is of Alex bereaving her death, wanting to seek revenge. Policeman Robert who shot Tamara is struck by a deep sense of guilt. Robert didn't intend to shoot her - aiming for the wheels, he apparently misses his target.



Scene Breakdown:
1)  Tamara, played by the gorgeous Irina Potapenko with Alex, making love in the shower, followed by a discussion in bed about their respective financial needs.
2) Scenes in the brothel, and Tamara is with a client who seems interested only to watch her play with her vagina.
3) Tamara calling home after making love to Alex. Later, after escaping with her belongings, they're in a hotel room and Alex wakes her up with his heist mask.
4) Robert with his wife Susanne, played by Ursula Strauss - they're childless and she wants to adopt a baby, but he has reservations.
5) Alex is seriously considering revenge for Tamara's death, and Susanne, who visits his grandfather now and again invites Alex over one night when her husband is at work - obviously for sex. After some deliberation Alex visits her and asks plainly why she wants a fuck when she's happily married with a nice home et al. He then has totally loveless sex with her in the dark.
6) Susanne and Alex are in bed - he now has to leave - Robert has arrived home early.



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