Chinatown (1974): Roman Polanski, Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway

     Despite being made twenty years after the classic Film Noir period ended and being shot in color, Roman Polanski's Chinatown (1974) still managed to capture all the atmosphere and feel of it's forebears and hence has become a true heavyweight in the genre. Full of grit, sexuality, corruption and mystery, it is a tense masterpiece of 1970's Cinema.

     Private Investigator Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) specializes in cases involving cheating spouses... 

Chinatown. 1974: Jack Nicholson

     He is hired by an impostor wife to investigate Mr. Mulwray, the Water and Power Commissioner for Los Angeles, who is suspected of cheating. Gittes' snooping reveals strange findings, and when Mr. Mulwray is found dead, he grows more suspicious and inquisitive. This leads him be involved with Mulwray's real wife, Evelyn (Faye Dunaway)... 

Chinatown. 1974: Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway

     Part of the mystery involves the building of a dam, the needless disposal of tons of the City's water supply during a major drought...

Chinatown. 1974: Jack Nicholson

 and the purchase of acres of barren farmland surrounding Los Angeles... 

Chinatown. 1974: Jack Nicholson

     The web grows more dangerous as Evelyn's father, Noah Cross (John Huston), a powerful man, is increasingly implicated in the events... 

Chinatown. 1974: Jack Nicholson

Chinatown. 1974: Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway

Chinatown. 1974: Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway

Repulsion (1965): Roman Polanski and Catherine Deneuve

     Repulsion (1965) was the English language debut for both Polish director Roman Polanski and the stunningly gorgeous French actress Catherine Deneuve. It's tense, psychological horror displayed how remarkably talented each of them are. The moody, stylish skills Polanski shows here would be put to further use in his other "apartment" films, particularly Rosemary's Baby (1968) and The Tenant (1976). Deneuve seemed a bit uncomfortable speaking English, but it doesn't matter, much of her powerful performance is accomplished without the necessity of words.

     Carol (Catherine Deneuve) shares an apartment with her sister (Yvonne Furneaux) in London, and works at a beauty salon...

Repulsion. 1965: Catherine Deneuve

     She is awkward around all men, but has a particular dislike for her sister's boyfriend...

Repulsion. 1965: Catherine Deneuve

     When her sister and her beau go away on a short vacation, they leave Carol alone in the apartment...

Repulsion. 1965: Catherine Deneuve

     Alone and melancholic, Carol begins a slow descent...

Repulsion. 1965: Catherine Deneuve

     into madness...

Repulsion. 1965: Catherine Deneuve

     sadistic tendencies and hallucinations...

Repulsion. 1965: Catherine Deneuve

     and murder...

Repulsion. 1965: Catherine Deneuve

Repulsion. 1965: Catherine Deneuve

Repulsion. 1965: Catherine Deneuve

The Tenant (1976): Roman Polanski and Isabelle Adjani

     Directed by Roman Polanski, based on the novel by Roland Topor, The Tenant (1976) was the third film in Polanski's "Apartment Trilogy", following Repulsion and Rosemary's Baby. The psychological thriller plot centers on a mild-mannered man who takes a Paris apartment after the previous tenant commits suicide by leaping from the window... and the bizarre happenings that transpire after he meets the neighbors. The cinematography is excellent and the performances are great, including Roman Polanski, Isabelle Adjani, Melvyn Douglas, Shelley Winters and Jo Van Fleet.

The Tenant. 1976: Roman Polanski

The Tenant. 1976: Roman Polanski

The Tenant. 1976: Roman Polanski

The Tenant. 1976: Roman Polanski

The Tenant. 1976: Roman Polanski and Isabelle Adjani

The Tenant. 1976: Roman Polanski

The Tenant. 1976: Roman Polanski and Isabelle Adjani

The Tenant. 1976: Roman Polanski

The Tenant. 1976: Roman Polanski

Roman Polanski's "Apartment Trilogy"

"The Tenant"- movie trailer

Rosemary's Baby (1968): Roman Polanski, Mia Farrow and the Devil's Offspring

     Written and directed by Roman Polanski, based on the novel by Ira Levin, Rosemary's Baby (1968) remains an ever-strong Horror masterpiece. Never graphic and often symbolic, the film tells the story of a young woman who is unknowingly bearing the child of Satan after her husband makes a pact with their Devil worshiping neighbors. Roman Polanski is in top directorial form. Mia Farrow is excellent in the lead role. John Cassavetes is great as her husband. Ruth Gordon is fantastic in a scene-stealing role as a nosy Satanic neighbor. The supporting cast is wonderful as well, including Ralph Bellamy, Maurice Evans and Charles Grodin. 

Rosemary's Baby. 1968: Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes

Rosemary's Baby. 1968: Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes

Rosemary's Baby. 1968: Ruth Gordon

Rosemary's Baby. 1968: Mia Farrow

Rosemary's Baby. 1968: Mia Farrow

Rosemary's Baby. 1968: Mia Farrow

Rosemary's Baby. 1968: Mia Farrow

Rosemary's Baby. 1968: Mia Farrow

"Rosemary's Baby"- movie trailer

Knife in the Water. Noz w wodzie (1962): Roman Polanski's Directorial Debut

     Co-written and Directed (in his debut feature film) by Roman Polanski, Knife in the Water or Noz w wodzie (1962) is a powerful and seductive Polish drama. The film concerns a bickering couple who pick up a hitchhiker and take him sailing, and the bullying feud that develops when the hitcher starts making eyes at the pretty young wife. The small cast of three is top-notch, including Leon Niemczyk, Jolanta Umecka and Zygmunt Malanowicz.

Knife in the Water. 1962: Jolanta Umecka

Knife in the Water. 1962: Jolanta Umecka

Knife in the Water. 1962: Jolanta Umecka

Knife in the Water. 1962: Jolanta Umecka

Knife in the Water. 1962: Jolanta Umecka

Knife in the Water. 1962: Jolanta Umecka

Knife in the Water. 1962: Jolanta Umecka

Knife in the Water. 1962: Jolanta Umecka

Knife in the Water. 1962: Jolanta Umecka

Knife in the Water. 1962: Jolanta Umecka

The Ninth Gate (1999): Roman Polanski, Johnny Depp, the Devil and Rare Antiquarian Books

     Co-written, produced and directed by Roman Polanski, based on "The Club Dumas" by Arturo Perez-Reverte, The Ninth Gate (1999) delves into dark territory. The story concerns the search for a rare antiquarian book that will summon the Devil. Eeriness, mystery and tense thrills permeate this well-crafted and entertaining film. Johnny Depp is amazing as the adventurous rare book dealer. Lena Olin and Emmanuelle Seigner are lovely and devilish in their roles. The rest of the cast does a fine job as well, including Frank Langella and James Russo. 

Johnny Depp: The Ninth Gate

Johnny Depp: The Ninth Gate

: The Ninth Gate

Lena Olin: The Ninth Gate

Lena Olin: The Ninth Gate

Johnny Depp: The Ninth Gate

: The Ninth Gate

Johnny Depp: The Ninth Gate

Johnny Depp: The Ninth Gate

Johnny Depp: The Ninth Gate

Emmanuelle Seigner: The Ninth Gate

Emmanuelle Seigner: The Ninth Gate

Emmanuelle Seigner: The Ninth Gate

"The Ninth Gate"- movie trailer