Fritz Lang's 'While the City Sleeps' on Super 8

A few nights ago we watched this rare print mounted on four 600' reels. Now Fritz Lang is very famous for his silent films but here we have a talkie, that too on Super 8 film! But this talking picture is no reason to celebrate Fritz Lang, who remains a giant of the silent era.

Here is an excellent idea for a story and screenplay, whose execution isn't particularly bad. The feature works on two levels, one as an office drama and the other as a thriller. The office politics is more engaging in my opinion. Like in most movies there are several beautiful women, only here they fit into the thriller segment of the story. Every time a beautiful woman walked into the frame, I felt she would be the next victim of the serial killer. Very soon we have too many such women and guessing who the screenplay will sacrifice becomes difficult. This maintains a certain suspense in the picture. All in all, a very good movie but can be skipped.

'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' on Super 8, with music score

Two genres seem hot among film collectors: Horror and Sci-Fi. No horror collection is ever complete without The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Finally, after almost two years, I have a Super 8 sound print of this title mounted on one 1200' reel.

My wife and I watched Dr. Caligari for the first time on DVD, four years ago. Back then the feature floored us. Even today it sucked me right in. My wife however felt that the sense of mystery was lost second time around. All the buzz around Dr. Caligari drew my brother to this screening, he didn't like it all that much.

Jean Renoir's 'The Southerner' on Super 8 film

The feature is mounted on two 800' reels and the second reel is very very full. Since this is a public domain feature, I was expecting a poor print. But I was surprised! The (tinted) image and sound are extremely good.

The feature doesn't feel dated. Comparisons between joining-the-workforce and self-employment, factories and farming, roles of men and women .... serve in making the story contemporary. The story and screenplay throw up several dramatic situations; but unlike Frank Capra, Renoir avoids milking the drama. Despite Renoir's restrained direction, the feature moved us in a few places. Excellent movie!