郭虔哲
发表于1分钟前回复 :In the time of Counter-Reformation, a miller and his son come under investigation by a priest of the Inquisition, when rumors spread that their prosperity comes from working with the Devil.The Devil's Trap is a film directed by František Vlá?il, based on a novel by Alfréd Technik, adapted by František A. Dvorák and Miloš Kratochvíl. It was the first of three historical dramas that Vlá?il made during the Czech New Wave (technically he isn't really a part of the New Wave, however these films were made during the same era of artistic freedom), preceding his more well known Marketa Lazarová (1967) and Valley of the Bees (1968).Set in the late 16th Century during the Catholic Reformation, in the Moravian Karst, situated in what is now the Eastern Czech Republic, it tells the tale of a miller (Vítezslav Vejrazka), and his son Jan (Vít Olmer), who come under suspicion and are investigated by a Jesuit priest of the Inquisition (Miroslav Macháchek), when rumors of witchcraft are spread by the local regent (Cestmír Randa), who is jealous of the miller's prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace.As expected from Vlá?il, this film is a stunning experience all the way through. From the opening shot, an ominous manipulation of perspective with a close up of a mangled figure of Christ dominating the foreground against a tiny figure in black walking along the horizon, to the breathtaking confrontational finale inside the vast stalactite filled Karst caverns, it is a wonderful display of visual mastery.Maybe not quite as impressive as Marketa Lazarová, but still full of astonishing imagery. As seen from unique angles and distinct points of view which highlight the director's remarkable sense of awareness of framing, motion, and positioning on the emotional and dramatic tone of the scene. The most memorable being a repeated shot where the camera is suspended and launched with speed through the air towards the miller's door.The story here is a simple one and I would say more accessible than his later works. With a conventional structure emphasized as much by its plot and characters, than by its expressionistic cinematography or authentic historical detail. The events play out without much surprise, and there is a strong underlying, almost supernatural, mysterious aspect that is left unresolved, in fact barely explored, which is slightly disappointing, but only because it's so fascinating that I wish there was more.Acting is great all around. Particularly the villains: Miroslav Macháchek as the priest, casting a sinister and imposing shadow wherever he goes, and Cestmír Randa as the weasel like regent behind all the persecution. While Vít Olmer brings a charismatic leading man presence in his role as the miller's son Jan, in love with the lovely orphan girl Martina (Karla Chadimová), who becomes a dangerous object of rivalry between Jan and other young men of the village.The film also features the evocative music of Zden?k Liška (perhaps the most prolific composer of the Czech New Wave). In this his second of eleven collaborations with Vlá?il, his compositions are used sparingly, but to great effect, complimenting but never overpowering a scene. The best example of which can be heard in an amazingly shot celebration and dance sequence at the end of the second act.The Devil's Trap might not be a masterpiece, but it is still a strong effort, with a fascinating straightforward story and a glorious historical setting captured beautifully by Vlá?il's unmistakable visual prowess. A fine work that would also be the perfect starter plate to prepare yourself for the challenging feast of Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees. It even has an easy to digest running time. It's therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored.
陈晓欣
发表于4分钟前回复 :太朱(韩石圭 饰)原本是暴力组织“倒强派”的一名跑腿的无名小卒,在一次帮派内部发生的内讧中,用自己的生命作代价,保护了老板的生命安全,使其安全的脱离了险境,从此太朱摇身一变成为帮内的三号人物。接下来太朱和帮内惯于使用烟灰缸当武器来杀人的宰哲为了争当帮内的老大结下怨仇,变成了对手。五年以后太朱接手了帮内交给的重要任务,即管理平华宾馆的业务。但素有“核炮弹”之称的监察(崔岷植 饰)成为太朱的拦路虎,太朱虽然采用怀柔政策引诱他,但还是失败了。陪酒小姐出身的太朱妻子——玄芝(李美妍 饰)一直梦想成为诗人,偶然的机会结识了不三不四的下流诗人——冷保。在没有思想准备的情况下,失身于诗人冷保。玄芝虽然对诗人冷保很满意,但是很快又踢给了别人的太太智罗,并成为其情人。5年前遭受“倒强派”铲除的赵必失败后带领着三个徒弟走进深山老林进行了特殊的强化训练,并和“不死派”联合起来准备对“倒强派”进行报复。每天枪林弹雨,历尽15年流氓生活的太朱,至今还没有当上帮派老大。但是太朱并没有因此而放弃,他还在不断奋斗着,为了适应世界发展潮流,使帮派走向国际化,有空就学学外语,但是意志不坚定,总是坚持不下来。