Films Worth Viewing Year 2 | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Films Worth Viewing Year 2

The Hunger Games"-Gary Ross-2012

For the next few weeks all "The Hunger Game Games" films are available on Comcast Xfinity for free. The original film is available on Prime for free. You can try other options.

Let's start at the beginning with the books. Author Suzanne Collins was born in Hartford in 1962. Her early career was with Nicklelodian. Her first series was the "Underland Chronicles; it started in the '90's. "The Hunger Games" published by Scholastic Press in 2008 was a super success. The series is the all time Kindle best seller. If you are a Prime Member; you can read the series online for free. The film rights were sold to an unknown production company. Collins was involved with the project as a producer and as a screenwriter with the director Gary Ross. Gary Ross is best known for the screenplay for "Big" and for writing and directing "Seabiscuit" and "Pleasantville." Lionsgate ended up producing the film.

Collins structured each book as a 3 act play; each act had nine chapters. She drew upon classical mythology (The Minotaur) and Roman history for the arena games. She felt that the gladiatorial conflicts needed three building blocks: 1. an all powerful government, 2.) people who could be forced to fight to the death, and 3. the contests used as popular entertainment to divert the masses and strengthen the government. In the Minotaur legend Athens contributed 7 boys and 7 girls who were hunted down by the Minotaur in a maze. In the books and the movies each of the 12 districts contribute a boy and a girl between 12 and 18 to compete in games where only one is left alive. This victor receives a large pension. The first book opens with the choosing of the
two competitors from each district. In district 12 Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister Primrose's place. Katniss is of course the hero; she is played by Jennifer Lawrence. Her salary for the first film was $500,000; her salary for the sequel was $10 million. Jennifer Lawrence became a superstar. The film had an 80 million $ budget. it made well over 400 million$ in the US market alone. Leaving aside Harry Potter, this is the biggest success for young adult themed entertainment. There is a prequel book scheduled to come out in May of this year.

There are only 3 novels in the series; the last novel Mockingjay was split into two parts for film purposes. The same thing was done with the Harry Potter series. Obviously, Katniss makes it through the arena twice and triumphs in a war.

Lawrence is terrific, but she has a great group of supporting actors: Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Bank, and Willow Shield. All of these actors were in all four films.
Lenny Kravitz played a key character in the first two films. Donald Sutherland plays the ruthless President Snow in all four films. He fought hard to get the part. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, the best character actor of the past 25 years, joined in the second film playing a games master. He died before he completed work on the fourth film.

If you need to find more plot details, go to IMDb and read synopsis. IMO the first two films are superior, but all four are worth viewing. As I have mentioned before, SciFi favors dystopian futures. One final mythological bit remember Pandora"s box? The only thing left is hope. President Snow almost waxes poetical about hope and how to balance it with fear. They provide a limited binge; they run a little over 8 hours.

If you are interested, check out "Winter's Bone" Lawrence's first Oscar nominated performance. Lawrence has shown a wide range of abilities. She is going to be very visible for a generation.
 
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zymurg said:
For the next few weeks all "The Hunger Game Games" films are available on Comcast Xfinity for free.
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We switched to Comcast recently. They have a ton of free movies on demand, some fairly recent. I've been enjoying that.

I've seen endless chatter in reviews or message boards about The Hunger Games ripping off the Japanese film Battle Royale. I've seen both, I think the similarities are only surface level and they are quite different. The Japanese movie is kind of a cult classic but I think it's terrible. Very cheesy, horrible acting.
 
"Notorious"-Alfred Hitchcock-1946

Hitchcock was signed to David O.Selznick's Vanguard company. Selznick needed money to complete "Duel in the Sun" so he sold his package Hitchcock directing, Ben Hecht writing, Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman starring to RKO for $850,000 and half of the profits. Sadly, the name Ben Hecht has been largely forgotten. He started out as a newspaperman in Chicago. He wrote screenplays and scripts with his longtime partner Charles McArthur. One of their most famous collaborations was "Front Page." Hecht won the first Oscar for "Underworld" in 1927. Almost 40 years later he scripted "Notorious." Just looking at the 3 years before and the three years after"Notorious" he worked on the following films: Journey into Fear, Lifeboat, Spellbound, The Front Page (TV), Gilda, Notorious, Duel in the Sun, Kiss of Death, Ride the Pink Horse, Miracle of the Bells,Rope, Portrait of Jenny, Whirlpool, and The Inspector General. Hecht was known for his caustic wit: :The movies are one of the bad habits that corrupted our century." Or "Would that our writing had been as good as our lunches."

Hitchcock had a massive crush on Bergman. She got along very well with men, many including Cary Grant were life long friends. Of course she wasn't always virtuous. She deserted her first husband and daughter to live with famous director Roberto Rossellini. They had a child out of wedlock, and two more after she married him. They divorced in 1957. Jean Renoir wrote a play and a film for her. She was blacklisted during her years with Rossellini, but she came back with an Oscar for "Anastasia." She won a Tony for "Joan of Lorraine", several Oscars, and in her final role as Golda Meir an Emmy. She died before the ceremony. This is considered one of her best performances.

The story begins with her father being convicted of treason as a Nazi agent. We see her first hosting a drunken party after. There is a man sitting in the foreground. We only see the back of his head, It turns out to be Devlin (Cary Grant). Devlin wants her to infiltrate a Nazi cell in Buenos Aires headed by Alexander Sebastian. He had a major crush on Alicia Huberman (Bergman). She despised her father's politics, Devlin had recordings that showed this. He convinces her to come to Brazil. They have fallen in love, but when she agrees to seduce Sebastian (Claude Rains), Devlin views her with contempt. She ends up marrying Sebastian, and he figures out that she is an American agent. Sebastian goes to his mother and confesses his stupidity.
She (Leopoldine Kanstantine) replies with my favorite line in the movie: "We are protected by the enormity of your stupidity." Classic Hechtian dialogue which confirms Sebastian's domination by his mother. They plan to poison her slowly, Devlin discovers the scheme and rescues Alicia. This condemns Sebastian. The film ends with Sebastian walking up the steps to what will be his certain death.

This makes Ebert's "The Great Films". Go to ebert.com and read the review; he does a much better job than I could explaining and describing the famous kissing sequence. This film is character driven, none of the principals is really heroic, there is no real on screen violence, Hitchcock constructs suspense with his camera work. There are famous examples for instance the steps leading to the mansion's front door lengthen when the ill Alicia is helped to the car to escape to the hospital. Another is the discovery of the special bottle in Sebastian's wine cellar. Unfortunately, for many modern viewers this type of construction is too slow moving.
To an extent we are all products of our viewing histories, still for me this is a very satisfying viewing experience. Highly recommended for patient viewers, Hitch is a master craftsman, and he has two of the greatest film actors of all time and an all time great screenwriter as his collaborators in this film. You be the judge.
 
"Hud"-Martin Ritt-1963

Martin Ritt is an excellent director (Edge of the City, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, The Long Hot Summer, Norma Rae, Sounder, The Great White Hope, and The Molly Mcguires) who never won an Oscar.
He came up through the Broadway stage and TV. When he was blacklisted from TV; he went back to the stage.
The film is based on a Larry McMurtry story "No Horseman Pass By." The script was written by Harriet Frank Jr. and her husband Irving Raveitch. They often worked with Ritt. Frank died this January; she was well into her 90's. The film won 3 Oscars (nominated for 7): leading actress (Patricia Neal), supporting actor (Melvyn Douglas) and, Best Cinematography (James Wong Howe). Howe is one of the all time greats in his profession.

Paul Newman plays Hud Bonner an uncaring, womanizing, loner. He would be the prodigal son, but he came back from the war. His father, Homer Bonner (Douglas) is a man of principle who still manages his ranch from the saddle despite his advanced years. He lives with Hud and his grandson Lonnie (Brandon De Wilde). De Wilde was an important child actor (Member of the Wedding and Shane). He never made as an adult actor; he did mainly TV as an adult. They have a housekeeper, Alma Brown (Patricia Neal).

The cast spent weeks in Texas immersing themselves in their roles. Newman was a method actor; he lived his characters. Douglas was very sociable and went out drinking with the locals. With the exception of the scenes inside the Bonner house, the film was shot in Texas.

Early on a mysterious cattle death frames the story. Homer calls in the Federal Government; Hud would have sold off the herd. The herd is carrying hoof and mouth disease; they must be destroyed. Hud uses this to try and get control of the ranch. Lonnie has love and respect for Homer, but he is also drawn to Hud. I've given enough of the plot. Douglas is great; he never overplays. He radiates honor and honesty, but he has his weaknesses. Newman gives an intense raw performance as Hud; we can see his charm and his emptiness.
I think De Wilde is solid. Neal in limited screentime creates a character who is part of the glue holding the family together. This a memorable film. This is a must see. It is the rare combination of story, script,camera work, directing, and acting with no real weak links.
 
zymurg said:
"Notorious"-Alfred Hitchcock-1946

Hitchcock was signed to David O.Selznick's Vanguard company. Selznick needed money to complete "Duel in the Sun" so he sold his package Hitchcock directing, Ben Hecht writing, Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman starring to RKO for $850,000 and half of the profits. Sadly, the name Ben Hecht has been largely forgotten. He started out as a newspaperman in Chicago. He wrote screenplays and scripts with his longtime partner Charles McArthur. One of their most famous collaborations was "Front Page." Hecht won the first Oscar for "Underworld" in 1927. Almost 40 years later he scripted "Notorious." Just looking at the 3 years before and the three years after"Notorious" he worked on the following films: Journey into Fear, Lifeboat, Spellbound, The Front Page (TV), Gilda, Notorious, Duel in the Sun, Kiss of Death, Ride the Pink Horse, Miracle of the Bells,Rope, Portrait of Jenny, Whirlpool, and The Inspector General. Hecht was known for his caustic wit: :The movies are one of the bad habits that corrupted our century." Or "Would that our writing had been as good as our lunches."

Hitchcock had a massive crush on Bergman. She got along very well with men, many including Cary Grant were life long friends. Of course she wasn't always virtuous. She deserted her first husband and daughter to live with famous director Roberto Rossellini. They had a child out of wedlock, and two more after she married him. They divorced in 1957. Jean Renoir wrote a play and a film for her. She was blacklisted during her years with Rossellini, but she came back with an Oscar for "Anastasia." She won a Tony for "Joan of Lorraine", several Oscars, and in her final role as Golda Meir an Emmy. She died before the ceremony. This is considered one of her best performances.

The story begins with her father being convicted of treason as a Nazi agent. We see her first hosting a drunken party after. There is a man sitting in the foreground. We only see the back of his head, It turns out to be Devlin (Cary Grant). Devlin wants her to infiltrate a Nazi cell in Buenos Aires headed by Alexander Sebastian. He had a major crush on Alicia Huberman (Bergman). She despised her father's politics, Devlin had recordings that showed this. He convinces her to come to Brazil. They have fallen in love, but when she agrees to seduce Sebastian (Claude Rains), Devlin views her with contempt. She ends up marrying Sebastian, and he figures out that she is an American agent. Sebastian goes to his mother and confesses his stupidity.
She (Leopoldine Kanstantine) replies with my favorite line in the movie: "We are protected by the enormity of your stupidity." Classic Hechtian dialogue which confirms Sebastian's domination by his mother. They plan to poison her slowly, Devlin discovers the scheme and rescues Alicia. This condemns Sebastian. The film ends with Sebastian walking up the steps to what will be his certain death.

This makes Ebert's "The Great Films". Go to ebert.com and read the review; he does a much better job than I could explaining and describing the famous kissing sequence. This film is character driven, none of the principals is really heroic, there is no real on screen violence, Hitchcock constructs suspense with his camera work. There are famous examples for instance the steps leading to the mansion's front door lengthen when the ill Alicia is helped to the car to escape to the hospital. Another is the discovery of the special bottle in Sebastian's wine cellar. Unfortunately, for many modern viewers this type of construction is too slow moving.
To an extent we are all products of our viewing histories, still for me this is a very satisfying viewing experience. Highly recommended for patient viewers, Hitch is a master craftsman, and he has two of the greatest film actors of all time and an all time great screenwriter as his collaborators in this film. You be the judge.
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I haven't seen "Notorious" in a number of years, but I am pretty much in agreement here, it is an excellent film. It doesn't make my top 5 favorite Hitchcock movies (Rear Window, North By Northwest, Foreign Correspondent, Vertigo, and Psycho), but it does probably get into my top 10, which just goes to show that Alfred Hitchcock made a bunch of terrific films.

I'm probably a bit unusual, but Ben Hecht has not been forgotten by me. But then again, a lot of my non sports television viewing often finds me checking out what is showing on Turner Classic Movies. Hecht has to be around the top of the heap in any discussion of prolific screenwriters from the Hollywood studio era.

Another plus in this film is having Claude Rains as the chief bad guy. Rains is one of my favorite character actors, and this film has a fine role for him. He may be the baddie in this film, but you have to give him some sympathy at the end of the film as he walks back up the steps to face his fate.
 
"A Few Good Men"-Rob Reiner-1992

Reiner had a solid career as an actor most memorably with "All in the Family." He had a 10 year run as a director from 1984 with "This Is Spinal Tap" , "Stand By Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally," "A Few Good Men," and "The American President" included in his resume. He is better known for comedy, but this military courtroom drama is still fresh today. This film marked the beginning of Aaron Sorkin's career in movies and TV. He adapted the film from his play. The play ran for over 400 performances on Broadway. It is based on a real case of a Code Red at Guantanamo. His sister was in the Jag Corps, and she told him the story. The leading enforcer, Lance Corporal David Cox, was given a Dishonorable Discharge. In 1994 his bullet ridden body was found. The case was never solved.

Not surprisingly, the Navy gave no help in making this picture. It wasn't filmed on military bases; the drill team is from Texas A and M; the courtroom is a vacant federal courtroom. Spielberg reportedly suggested the most famous line: "You Can't Handle the Truth." The film was a huge financial success and was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. That was the only Oscar nomination the picture received.

The courtroom sequence with the great interplay between Lt. Kaffee (Tom Cruise) and Colonel Nathan T. Jessup (Jack Nicholson) is great drama, but I suggest that it is the attention to detail in the buildup that makes the final scenes so compelling. The news stand owner, Luther, and Kaffee have an ongoing quip fest: "it ain't over till the fat lady sings." "You can say that again, Luther." It ain't over till the fat lady sings." This gives us insight into one aspect of Kaffee's character. The initial plea bargain conference at the soft ball field gives us another. When Kaffee retrieves his bat and views the clothes in his closet is another. Kaffe's conversations with Captain Ross (Kevin Bacon) the prosecutor provide an insight into both Kaffe's techniques and Ross's character. This attention to detail builds so that the ending is credible.

Think about Jessup's executive officer, Lt Colonel Markinson's role. He is a man of honor; he believes that he is a failure. He finds that he is responsible for the death of a soldier under his command. He commits suicide in full dress uniform. That's almost Japanese. Think about the two Marines on trial, PFC Downey and Lance Corporal Dawson. They believe in a code. Dawson despises Kaffee because he has no code. He cherishes his honor. A little aside Wolfgang Bodison who plays Dawson was a location scout. Reiner cast him because he looked the part. Jessup and Lt. Kendrick (Keifer Sutherland) turn out to be lacking in honor. Dawson deservedly salutes Kaffee at the end.

My summary doesn't give you the depth in this film. The obvious conclusion is to re-watch the film. I expect that almost all of you have seen this at least once, but I know that I found new pleasures this time. Fortunately, this is available for free if you have Comcast. i,2,3 has it, but I couldn't get any sound; you may do better.
 
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"Whale Rider"Niki Caro-2002
"Saint Ralph:-Michael McGowan-2004

These two young adult films are worthy of your attention. "Whale Rider" really immersed me in a culture which I knew next to nothing about. This film is based in the Maori culture in New Zealand. Just about the sum of my knowledge was the the NZ national rugby team use Maori war chants to disconcert their opponents. This is Niki Caro's first widely distributed film. She is from NZ, but she isn't Maori. There was some agitation about her directing this film based on a book by a Maori writer, Viti Ihimaera. Caro lived among the Wharanga so she could understand the culture. She learned basic Maori. The novel is now part of the NZ curriculum. In the film a good portion of the dialogue is in Maori it isn't translated.

There are three key roles in the film: Pikea (Keisha Castle-Hughes) a 12 year old Maori girl who lost her twin brother and mother at birth. She lives with her grandfather Koro (Rawiri Paratene) and grandmother Nana Flowers (Vicki Haughton). Pikea's dead twin was supposed to be the heir in a long line of Maori chiefs. Since Pikea is a girl she can't qualify. She was named for the chief who rode a whale to New Zealand and founded their community. I have a temptation to try an extract social messages from the story. Certainly the film does present an indigineous culture struggling to survive, and a young girl trying to make herself a leader in a male dominated traditional society. Upon reflection, I think I am better served in trying to understand the individuals involved in a coming of age story. I am reluctant to disclose more of the plot; you really need to listen and observe with as few preconceptions as possible.

The acting is excellent, and it is beautifully photographed. It won awards in multiple film festivals around the globe; it made quite a lot of money, and Keisha Castle-Hughes was nominated for the Oscar at age 12. The scenes involving whales are pretty amazing. I had heard about this film; this was my initial viewing. Very highly recommended.
to be continued
 
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"Saint Ralph" is another coming of age story. This story isset in Hamilton, Ontario in 1953-1954. Ralph Walker is in his first year at a Catholic high school. Ralph has some major problems; his father died in WWII; his mother is hospitalized, and he is pretending to live with his grandparents who are dead. He is the butt of some nasty jokes. The conservative Father Fitzpatrick (Gordon Pinset) has him under observation. Since he is the head of the school; he holds Ralph's fate in his hands. He sentences Ralph to run as a member of the cross country team. Ralph's mother takes a turn for the worst; she falls into a coma. Ralph is determined to bring her back.
He hopes for a miracle; he comes to believe that if he wins the Boston Marathon; this miracle will bring his mother back from the coma. Ralph has his doubts, but he pushes them aside and works with ever increasing devotion to make the miracle possible. Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott) the cross country coach and once Canada's best marathon runner becomes his coach.

Ralph's efforts draw both Ire and disdain from Father Fitzpatrick, but he persists. He has two friends who help him. A male classmate has been forging notes so the school will believe that Ralph is living with them. A young girl hoping to become a nun helps Ralph religiously, and a nurse, Alice (Jennifer Tilly), help shim train. Still difficulties mount as Father Fitzgerald discovers that Ralph is living alone.

The director is a marathon runner so the training scenes are carefully constructed. The film does a great job bringing to life Hamilton in the mid fifties. These two films are both feel good films, something which is important in our current situation. Both are available for free streaming.

"Whale Rider" is the better of the two, but both are well worth viewing.
 
Good call with Whale Rider. I remember catching that a Trinity. Excellent flick.
 
"Walk the Line"-James Mangold-2005

I'm not sure why this film didn't do better at the Academy Awards. Let me start with what it did superbly well.
T-Bone Burnett was responsible for the music. He took two principal actors who were not trained musicians and taught them to play instruments (guitar and auto harp) and taught them how to sing. They learned not only how to sing and play, but how to sing and play as Johnny Cash and June Carter. Jocquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon give us what almost defies the term performance; is it possible that they were possessed by spirits?

The opening of the film depicts the few minutes just before Cash appears on stage before his live concert at
Folsom prison. Then it swiftly cuts away to Arkansas in 1944. Cash is a ten year old boy listening to country music on the radio in bed with his brother Jack. We see the affection between the two; Jack is planning to be a preacher, and J.R. hopes to do something in music. Jack's life ends tragically when he cuts himself with an electric saw. We think back to the first scene where Johnny Cash is playing with an electric saw blade before the concert.

James Mangold is a quality director and screenwriter. His credits include: Cop Land, Kate and Leopold, 3:10 to Yuma, Wolverine, and Logan. When I finished viewing this film; I felt I knew Cash and Carter. Some films draw you in emotionally; other films give you the sense of observing reality. I had the second type of experience with this film. I don't know if any of you have watched the video of Rosanne Cash singing "Tennessee Flat Box." There are cuts of many flat box players in sepia toned old films intercut with Rosanne in the present singing the song. We are in a sense observing her memories. This film cut too close to the bone for many family members including Rosanne.

This film is available for free streaming on 1,2,3. I must advise you that this isn't a feel good film. Cash wasn't able to free himself from pills; he did manage everything much better during the 35 years he and June were married. They both died shortly before the film came out. We get only the briefest glimpse of their life together as a married couple. Let me end on a positive note; the concert scenes are superbly filmed. You get a sense of the interplay between the performers and the audience. Highly recommended.
 
zymurg said:
"Walk the Line"-James Mangold-2005

I'm not sure why this film didn't do better at the Academy Awards. Let me start with what it did superbly well.
T-Bone Burnett was responsible for the music. He took two principal actors who were not trained musicians and taught them to play instruments (guitar and auto harp) and taught them how to sing. They learned not only how to sing and play, but how to sing and play as Johnny Cash and June Carter. Jocquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon give us what almost defies the term performance; is it possible that they were possessed by spirits?

The opening of the film depicts the few minutes just before Cash appears on stage before his live concert at
Folsom prison. Then it swiftly cuts away to Arkansas in 1944. Cash is a ten year old boy listening to country music on the radio in bed with his brother Jack. We see the affection between the two; Jack is planning to be a preacher, and J.R. hopes to do something in music. Jack's life ends tragically when he cuts himself with an electric saw. We think back to the first scene where Johnny Cash is playing with an electric saw blade before the concert.

James Mangold is a quality director and screenwriter. His credits include: Cop Land, Kate and Leopold, 3:10 to Yuma, Wolverine, and Logan. When I finished viewing this film; I felt I knew Cash and Carter. Some films draw you in emotionally; other films give you the sense of observing reality. I had the second type of experience with this film. I don't know if any of you have watched the video of Rosanne Cash singing "Tennessee Flat Box." There are cuts of many flat box players in sepia toned old films intercut with Rosanne in the present singing the song. We are in a sense observing her memories. This film cut too close to the bone for many family members including Rosanne.

This film is available for free streaming on 1,2,3. I must advise you that this isn't a feel good film. Cash wasn't able to free himself from pills; he did manage everything much better during the 35 years he and June were married. They both died shortly before the film came out. We get only the briefest glimpse of their life together as a married couple. Let me end on a positive note; the concert scenes are superbly filmed. You get a sense of the interplay between the performers and the audience. Highly recommended.
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My wife turned me into a huge Johnny Cash fan, maybe 25 years or so ago. When this film was initially released, it was on our must see list. It did not disappoint at all. Reese Witherspoon won the Best Actress Oscar for playing June Carter in this film. I thought she richly deserved it.
 
"Crazy Heart"-Scott Cooper-2008

I've seen this story before is often the first sentence in a review. I've read that there are only six basic stories; I'm not sure if it is true, but I read it somewhere. "Crazy Heart" is one of those films; you've heard about; Jeff Bridges did win the Oscar for his portrayal of Bad Blake. Blake is 57 years old and at the end of a long career. His agent can only book him in terrible venues. As the film opens he arrives at a bowling alley which will be that night's venue. Blake plays with pickup bands, always lit, sometimes drunk. Next comes a chance at redemption, if he can write some new songs, the very popular Tommy Sweet, Colin Farrell, will offer him opportunities as an opening act. Blake resents this; he gave Sweet his start, but he wants the better money and visibility. He doesn't want it to be over.

At one of his stops he consents to be interviewed. The interviewer is the niece of a talented piano player who will be part of his accompaniment that night. Jean Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a single mother who is a music writer for the local paper. Blake is good with her son, and a relationship develops, but when Blake does'n watch her son while getting a drink at a bar; every thing falls apart. Blake seeks help from his friend Wayne (Robert Duvall) who runs a bar. Wayne gets him help, but even his earnest plea to Jean doesn't move her. Blake previously confessed to Jean about his family that :"I wasn't there even when I was there."

There is a coda which takes place 16 months after the main story. Blake is back touring with Sweet. Sweet performs a song that Blake wrote based upon his relationship with Jean. It had become a major hit. Blake is sober and healthy, and Jean approaches him after a concert. She is engaged and Blake gives her a large check for Buddy her son. This of course brings to mind the great Stones' song "You can't always get what you need, but if you try real hard; you just might get what you need."

T-Bone Burnett was involved with the music and wrote a song for the film. Jeff Bridges' performance was universally praised. Most liked the music. This is available for free streaming on YouTube. If you like this genre; it is enjoyable. Next up "Once."
 
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"Once"--John Canney-2007

This is another Indie winner. The cost was 150,000 Euros; it mad just under $21 million. Canney wrote the script; his first draft was only 60 pages. It was filmed with natural light in the streets of Dublin. The interiors were homes of cast and crew with the exception of the music store and the recording studio which were actually a music store and a recording studio. You may remember Glenn Hansard who plays The Boy; he was in "The Commitments." Canney played in his band; they had been friends for years. Canney wanted him to write the music for his film; he ended up playing the lead. Hansard recruited Marketa Irglova to play the girl. They had been friends for years.

The story is simple a Dublin busker (street performer) meets a young girl from the Czech Republic who sells flowers and cleans houses to make money to support her mother and her daughter. The Boy works in his father's shop repairing "hoovers." Together they make music, literally, and figuratively. They gather together a motley group of performers, hire a recording studio, and in an all night recording session they make a demo.
The Boy is going to take the demo to London. He hopes to sell his music and regain his girlfriend. He and The Girl have become attached in the short period (2 to 3days) covered in the film. Her estranged husband arrives in Dublin; she has confessed in Czech (untranslated) that she loves The Boy. The parting is wistful. The Boy gives her an upright piano before he leaves.

As mentioned above the principals were friends rather than romantically attached; that and the fact that they are not professional actors created some apprehension. They are believable. The music is excellent; one of the songs won an Oscar. Bob Dylan was so impressed that he recruited them to open for him in a world tour. The film made a number of critics top ten lists. Based on winning the audience award at Sundance; it was picked up for distribution by Fox Searchlight. Guess what; it was re-worked for a Broadway musical which won 8 Tonys.

I had fond memories of this film, but watching it this time; I felt a little ambivalent. Then suddenly, I was back inside the film emotionally. I survived the letdown when they don't get together at the end. It is hard to explain why it works, but easy to experience it. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a free streaming source. Very highly recommended.
 
"Sweet Smell of Success"-Alexander McKendrick-1957

Burt Lancaster had a production company; this film was a financial disaster. Today it is highly regarded. McKendrick had some real success in Britain including "Whiskey Galore." James Wong Howe is regarded as one of the greatest cinematographers of all time; Elmer Bernstein is one of the best screen composers. The performances of both Lancaster and Tony Curtis are lauded. The script by Earnest Lehman (from his novella) and Clifford Odets is known for its wit. So what went wrong? Watching the film today, one is likely to answer nothing really. However, in its day the tone of the film was unappealing. The two principal characters, J.J. Hunsinger (Lancaster) and Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis) are not hero material. They aren't conventional villains either. They are swamp creatures. If the audience has any feelings for them it is likely to be disgust.

J.J. Hunsinger is modeled on Walter Winchell. He was a very influential columnist from the 30's through the 50's. Falco is a publicist; he got paid by clients for getting their names in influential columns. There is clearly a master/dog relationship between Hunsinger and Falco. The plot involves the romantic relationship between Steve Dallas (Martin Millner) an up and coming jazz guitarist and Susan Hunsinger (Susan Harrison) J,J,'s very attractive 19 year old sister. Hunsinger didn't want his sister to have any relationship with a man particularly one who stood up to him. Falco was tasked with breaking up the relationship.

What thisfilm does brilliantly is to create the world of the mid fifties NYC. There are the legendary restaurants/bars, the clubs, the sleeze of the column/publicity business, the corruption reaching everywhere, and the power that those at the top used unchecked by morality. One can'thelp but be reminded of the Quote: "All power tends to corrupt..." Falco desperately wants what Hunsinger has, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

This is superb nastiness. This is available for free if you have Pime. This film is compelling viewing.
 
"Sleepless in Seattle"-Nora Ephron-1993

There could hardly be a greater contrast between two films than between this and "Sweet Smell of Success." This is one of the top RomComs of all time. It was all filmed in and around Seattle except for establishing shots of NYC. That includes the scenes on the observation deck of the Empire State Building. The budget was 21 Million $. The world wide gross was 277.9 million $.

The use of music to set mood is genius. This begins with Jimmy Durante singing "As Time Goes By" during the opening credits. This is based on a Jeff Archer story; Ephron and Archer wrote the screenplay. A Seattle Architect, Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) lost his beloved wife several years back. His son Jonah (Ross Malinger) calls into a National Call in Show with a Christmas wish for his father. The wish is that he find a woman to love and marry. The call creates a sensation, particularly when Sam comes on the air and speaks about the woman he loves and lost. The host names Sam "Sleepless in Seattle." Thousands of letters pour in, Jonah tries to interest his father in some of the letters.

One of the avid listeners to the original program was Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) a writer for a Baltimore Newspaper. She is engaged to Walter, a man with whom she shares values, interests, and perspective. After a ritual viewing of An Affair to Remember" starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr with her friend Beckie (Rosie O'Donnel)and her editor at the paper;Annie writes a letter to Sleepless. The letter details a Valentine's Day meeting at the observation tower of the Empire State Building. Jonah believes this Annie from Baltimore who loves baseball and Brooks Robinson would be the perfect match for his father.

Just for remembrance a couple of scenes stand out: Victor Garber and Hanks in a fake tearful remembrance
of the Dirty Dozen after Ria Wilson breaks down talking about "An Affair to Remember." Then when Jonah decides he will go to NYC to make the Valentine Day's date; his girlfriend Jessica (Gabby Hoffman) develops a plan to enable Jonah to fly unaccompanied to NYC. This includes a special note for the stewardesses asking them not to mention Jonah's height. He is nine passing for 12. Jessica assures him that since it is on the computer; they will believe it. Finally in NYC Walter and Annie are shopping for china and they both utter 10 for the number of place settings simultaneously. 8 is too few and 12 is too many again delivered in chorus.

Hanks and Ryan have almost no screen time together; yet, the audience agrees with Jonah; they will be perfect with each other. Remember Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men: "You want me on that wall; you need me on that wall", that character misjudged his audience. Ephron doesn't misjudge hers. We want Sam and Annie on the Empire State Building; we need them on the Empire State Building. The film ends with another song by Jimmy Durante, Make Someone Happy." Just a parting comment this film was a worldwide success, over half the box office came from outside the US. If you have Comcast, you can watch it free because Showtime has a special free peak. This includes all their films. I will be making use of this freebie.
Next up "American Graffiti."
 
"American Graffiti"-George Lucas-1973

Francis Ford Coppola made this film possible. Lucas only got to make this film because signed on as a producer. The script was written during film school. The film's budget was $770,000. It made $115 million in the US. It was filmed largely at night in San Rafael and Petaluma, California. Lucas missed his 10th year reunion at Mendocino High because he was shooting the film. Universal almost didn't release the film; they had no idea how to market. There were no bankable stars, and the target audience was unclear. This is a film set in the summer of 1962 reaching the theaters in 1973. The music wasn't the same; the car culture depicted in this picture didn't exist everywhere in the US, and almost the entire film takes place over a single night. One interesting note; this film introduced expanded credits because Lucas couldn't afford to pay most of the crew because of the very tight budget.

Originally Lucas planned to follow four stories in sequence during the night. First we have the high school couple Steve and Laurie (Ron Howard and Cindy). Steve has just graduated, but Cindy will be returning as
cheer leading captain. Their relationship has reached a crisis point. Then we have Curt (Richard Dreyfus) who drives a strange car and is supposed to be taking the plane to college with Steve. He is unsure about that decision; a series of strange experiences fill his night. Next up is Terry or Toad (Charles Martin Smith) who is a working class type. No college for him, but for the next 3 months; he gets to use Steve's car. He hopes to use the car to pick up a chick. Finally we have John the car god. He has the fastest hot rod in the Valley. He spends most of the night with an unlikely passenger Carol (Makenzie Phillips). She is a tween. John (Paul LeMat) struggles with the shame of being tied to a kid and becoming a prank partner.

What ties the stories together is the music. All the cars are listening to Wolfman Jack on the same radio station. Is there such a thing as a ubiquitous figure of mystery? There are stories about this legendary disc jockey. Many believe he is broadcasting from Mexico. It turns out that he is broadcasting from a local site.
Curt finds him and sends out a request for a beautiful mysterious stranger driving a white T-Bird. He knows the message will get through, because everyone listens to the Wolfman.

This film had an amazing cultural influence beginning with "Happy Days" and its sequels. Fonzie was derived from the Paul LeMat character. Does anyone remember the series "Cruising Years on DVD. I hold in my hand the the 58,59,60 set. It features well known DJ's from around the country doing replica radio shows including commercials with the songs from a particular year. In this case the DJ's were Jack Carney, Hunter Hancock, and Dick Biondi. This was AM radio before the rise of FM which played longer cuts and even gasp whole albums. It's almost like the Lone Ranger commercials with a return "to the thrilling days of yesteryear."

This template has been used dozens of times in movies "Back to the Future" for instance. I have seen this film a half dozen times. This time I'm getting more out of writing about it than I did watching it. This is available for free streaming if you have Comcast which is now featuring free Showtime. This is considered one of the top 100 American films by most critics. It is still a must see.
 
"Rocketeer"-Joe Johnston-1991

This film commits the venial sin of too literal a translation from another medium. It was adapted from a graphic novel by Dave Stephens It centers on the theft of an experimental rocket developed by Howard Hughes. The rocket was stolen by gangsters led by Eddie Valentine( Paul Sorvino) contracted by Neville Sinclair (Timothy Dalton), a thinly disguised Erroll Flynn. Sinclair is a Nazi spy; surprisingly Flynn was rumored to have been a Nazi spy. I had never heard that before. There is a chase sequence which takes the trailing FBI and the gangsters to an airfield. The exchange of fire brings down a plane prepping for a famous air race.The pilot Cliff Secord (Bill Campbell) barely escapes with his life when the plane explodes. There will be no race for Secord and his technical wiz Perry (Alan Arkin). One of the gangsters hides the rocket in the hangar where it is discovered by Secord and Perry. What follows is a series of wild chases involving the gangsters Secord and his girlfriend, Jenny (Jennifer Connelly). When the gangsters discover that Neville Sinclair is a Nazi agent,the gangsters switch sides.
Howard Hughes Terry O'Quinn re-emerges to give Cliff a new plane even after the rocket has been destroyed.

This is just fun; it can be a welcome change in atmosphere. It didn't do well at the box office, but it helped Johnston get the job directing the first Captain America film. If you have Comcast use the Showtime free service. Go to Classics; you'll find this there. I hope to get another comment in today to make up for missing yesterday.
 
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I should have mentioned that the acting was very good, particularly Dalton and Arkin. Dalton has an interesting line about doing his own stunts; I thought it referred to Flynn doing his own stunts, but I read that it referred to Dalton doing his own stunts as James Bond. Connelly looked like she was enjoying herself in the fight sequences. Contrast that with the "Princess Bride" where the heroine was a wuss. It looked like the whole cast had fun making this film. One last bit W.C. Fields makes an appearance for about two minutes in a clever,funny cameo. Once again a fun film.
 
"Donnie Brasco"-Mike Newell-1997

The film is based on a book by Joseph D. Pistone the real Donnie Brasco. The script by Paul Anastasio is solid.
It depicts the Life of an undercover FBI agent in the Bonnano Family in New York. Pistone said the film was 85%
accurate. He actually spent six years undercover; he almost never saw his family. Anastasio had transcripts of the tapes. Johnny Depp spent a long time interviewing and observing Pistone. There is a funny story about the first day of shooting; it sounds unbelievable. Depp and Pacino had never worked together. Depp sat on a hidden whoopie cushion in the first scene. It sounded like he was continually farting; Pacino was put off, but when Depp showed him the cushion; they both laughed hysterically. That broke the ice, and they became friends.

The film is centered on the two men. One is a made Mafioso, the other is apparently a shady jewel man. When they are on screen together; it is compelling viewing. Other scenes suffer by comparison. The family scenes were shot after all the Mafia material was in the can. Mike Newell thought that they were two different stories.
The family scenes are the weakest part of the film. Pacino delighted in the Mafia language and customs. Remember how he introduces Brasco :He's a friend of mine" not He's a friend of ours." Then there is the whole fugazzi bit. This Depp exploits in a scene with an early Paul Giamatti, or was that faghet about it. The language, the clothes, the movements, the body language, and the customs like the morning line up for the boss add patina to the film. Surprisingly, 2/3rds of the total box office came from outside the US. This isn't on a par with the Godfather trilogy or "Goodfellas," but it has it's own charms.

Johnny Depp has more range than he is often given credit for, and Pacino is one of my all time favorites. Fortunately the film is basically about their friendship. I recommend this highly. It is available free through the Comcast/Showtime thingy. Two exceptional lead performances, excellent dialogue, an interesting story based on real undercover experience make this well worth viewing.
 
"Destry Rides Again"-George Marshall-1939

"See what the boys in the backroom will have." This song was sung at The Last Chance Saloon in Bottleneck. The mayor/judge sits in the saloon playing checkers by himself; he is totally corrupt. Presiding over the gang running the saloon and the town is Kent (Brian Donlevy). He calls in Frenchie (Marlene Dietrich) who sings and otherwise entertains the crowd. She also "Helps"Kent with his poker games and runs the other girls. The town has an honest sheriff who tries to investigate Kent's latest rigged card game which cost a rancher his land and his herd. This allows Kent to control access to the town; he can charge twenty-five cents for each head of cattle crossing his property. The sheriff disappears and the corrupt mayor appoints the town drunk, Wash Dimsdale (Charlie Winniger) as the new sheriff. Dimsdale sends for Thomas Jefferson Destry (Jimmy Stewart) the son of the famous sheriff served under.

The new deputy arrives by stage. He helps a woman of the stagecoach while holding her parasol. This and the fact that he doesn't believe in using guns marks him as a figure of scorn. Dimsdale has reformed: "A man has to choose between the bottle and the badge." This sets up the rest of the film; the reformed drunk and the deputy who uses his wits instead of a gun against Kent and his gang.

This was released in 1939; it was a comeback for Dietrich and one of the key films which established Stewart as a top box office draw. It was Stewart's first Western. Dietrich and Stewart had an affair during the film. Dietrich gave Stewart a life sized doll of Flash Gordon. Stewart really liked comics. The Hayes office cut one great line: After winning at cards; she stuffs the winnings into her bodice and proclaims: "There's gold in them thar hills, boys." She also can't end up with the hero because she is morally flawed.

This is IMO a good to very good film and not a great film as rated by many critics. Still it has some very funny bits including the classic cat fight between Una Merkel and Dietrich. This is well worth viewing and is available for free on Comcast, and like almost all films before the mid-forties, it is available for free streaming.
 
zymurg said:
"Destry Rides Again"-George Marshall-1939

"See what the boys in the backroom will have." This song was sung at The Last Chance Saloon in Bottleneck. The mayor/judge sits in the saloon playing checkers by himself; he is totally corrupt. Presiding over the gang running the saloon and the town is Kent (Brian Donlevy). He calls in Frenchie (Marlene Dietrich) who sings and otherwise entertains the crowd. She also "Helps"Kent with his poker games and runs the other girls. The town has an honest sheriff who tries to investigate Kent's latest rigged card game which cost a rancher his land and his herd. This allows Kent to control access to the town; he can charge twenty-five cents for each head of cattle crossing his property. The sheriff disappears and the corrupt mayor appoints the town drunk, Wash Dimsdale (Charlie Winniger) as the new sheriff. Dimsdale sends for Thomas Jefferson Destry (Jimmy Stewart) the son of the famous sheriff served under.

The new deputy arrives by stage. He helps a woman of the stagecoach while holding her parasol. This and the fact that he doesn't believe in using guns marks him as a figure of scorn. Dimsdale has reformed: "A man has to choose between the bottle and the badge." This sets up the rest of the film; the reformed drunk and the deputy who uses his wits instead of a gun against Kent and his gang.

This was released in 1939; it was a comeback for Dietrich and one of the key films which established Stewart as a top box office draw. It was Stewart's first Western. Dietrich and Stewart had an affair during the film. Dietrich gave Stewart a life sized doll of Flash Gordon. Stewart really liked comics. The Hayes office cut one great line: After winning at cards; she stuffs the winnings into her bodice and proclaims: "There's gold in them thar hills, boys." She also can't end up with the hero because she is morally flawed.

This is IMO a good to very good film and not a great film as rated by many critics. Still it has some very funny bits including the classic cat fight between Una Merkel and Dietrich. This is well worth viewing and is available for free on Comcast, and like almost all films before the mid-forties, it is available for free streaming.
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A very watchable and fun movie. This is one of the films that helped cement Jimmy Stewart's star power prior to the start of WWII, together with the pre war Capra movies he was in ("You Can't Take It With You" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington"), plus "The Philadelphia Story" and "The Shop Around the Corner".
 
"A Night at the Opera"-Sam Wood-1935

This is the Marx Brothers first film for MGM. It came about because Chico played bridge with Irving Thalberg. The film had as many writers as there were people in Graucho's cabin on the ocean liner. Surprisingly, "Duck Soup" was a failure, so Paramount lost interest. Thalberg was convinced that he could make a movie starring the Marx Brothers which would be both a popular and critical success. He was right. This is one of the great comedy classics of all time. The Marx Brothers are noted for being cinematic anarchists; pitting them against the supposed snobbery of Opera provided they with a perfect stage. Actually, most of the movie takes place well before the performance.

First we have to get the cast from Italy to New York. Since this is the 30's, we are traveling by ship. However, before we get on board' we have to meet the cast. There is a wicked tenor, Rudolpho Lassparri(Walter King) with a crazy dresser, Tomasso (Harpo). Rudolpho actually whips Tomasso, outside his door he is comforted by the pretty young soprano Rosa Castadi(Kitty Carlisle). Rudolpho is interested in her, but she is interested in a younger more talented tenor, Ricardo Barone(Alan Jones). He has no reputation, so he is going to stay in Italy while his love goes off to America. Wait he meets a friend from the conservatory, Fiorello (Chico) who becomes his agent and promises he will get him to America. Meanwhile, Otis Driftwood and Mrs. Claypool are not having dinner. The manager of the New York Opera Company, Herman Gottleib, is trying to woo Mrs Claypool (Margaret Dumont) to support his opera company,and he wants to sign the tenor Lassparri.

In the first of the comedy classic scenes, Driftwood believes he is signing Lassparri when he negotiates with Fiorello. Together, they literally tear up a contract until they come to the sanity clause, but as Fiorello knows; "You can't fool me there ain't no Santa Claus." Since Tomasso has been fired, he joins Riccardo and Fiorello
hiding in Driftwood's steamer trunk. This sets up the second classic scene. How many people and how cleverly can you get them in a tiny room? Watch this scene several times(the clips are available). In the first preview, the scene didn't work so they improvised it for the movie. This may well be the most famous extended gag in films.

There is more fun, much more fun before they get to New York. Then we have several bits involving impersonation of a world famous flying troop, and a mysterious sequence of events at Claypool's hotel room.
When we finally reach the Opera; we have a magnificent series of gags and stunts as the police and the Opera staff try to capture the four malefactors. Don't worry, the opera is completed and we hear Ricardo and Rosa sing one of Verdi's most famous duets. The actors sing they aren't dubbed.

I had trouble running down a workable free stream, but I have done so in the past. Still this is a classic; if possible beg borrow or steal the DVD. The commentaries and special features are worth it. This is my favorite Marx Brothers film.
 
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zymurg said:
"A Night at the Opera"-Sam Wood-1935

This is the Marx Brothers first film for MGM. It came about because Chico played bridge with Irving Thalberg. The film had as many writers as there were people in Graucho's cabin on the ocean liner. Surprisingly, "Duck Soup" was a failure, so Paramount lost interest. Thalberg was convinced that he could make a movie starring the Marx Brothers which would be both a popular and critical success. He was right. This is one of the great comedy classics of all time. The Marx Brothers are noted for being cinematic anarchists; pitting them against the supposed snobbery of Opera provided they with a perfect stage. Actually, most of the movie takes place well before the performance.

First we have to get the cast from Italy to New York. Since this is the 30's, we are traveling by ship. However, before we get on board' we have to meet the cast. There is a wicked tenor, Rudolpho Lassparri(Walter King) with a crazy dresser, Tomasso (Harpo). Rudolpho actually whips Tomasso, outside his door he is comforted by the pretty young soprano Rosa Castadi(Kitty Carlisle). Rudolpho is interested in her, but she is interested in a younger more talented tenor, Ricardo Barone(Alan Jones). He has no reputation, so he is going to stay in Italy while his love goes off to America. Wait he meets a friend from the conservatory, Fiorello (Chico) who becomes his agent and promises he will get him to America. Meanwhile, Otis Driftwood and Mrs. Claypool are not having dinner. The manager of the New York Opera Company, Herman Gottleib, is trying to woo Mrs Claypool (Margaret Dumont) to support his opera company,and he wants to sign the tenor Lassparri.

In the first of the comedy classic scenes, Driftwood believes he is signing Lassparri when he negotiates with Fiorello. Together, they literally tear up a contract until they come to the sanity clause, but as Fiorello knows; "You can't fool me there ain't no Santa Claus." Since Tomasso has been fired, he joins Riccardo and Fiorello
hiding in Driftwood's steamer trunk. This sets up the second classic scene. How many people and how cleverly can you get them in a tiny room? Watch this scene several times(the clips are available). In the first preview, the scene didn't work so they improvised it for the movie. This may well be the most famous extended gag in films.

There is more fun, much more fun before they get to New York. Then we have several bits involving impersonation of a world famous flying troop, and a mysterious sequence of events at Claypool's hotel room.
When we finally reach the Opera; we have a magnificent series of gags and stunts as the police and the Opera staff try to capture the four malefactors. Don't worry, the opera is completed and we hear Ricardo and Rosa sing one of Verdi's most famous duets. The actors sing they aren't dubbed.

I had trouble running down a workable free stream, but I have done so in the past. Still this is a classic; if possible beg borrow or steal the DVD. The commentaries and special features are worth it. This is my favorite Marx Brothers film.
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1930's crazy comedy doesn't get any better than the twin pillars of WC Fields and the Marx Brothers. Duck Soup remains my favorite from Groucho and company, but Night at the Opera is excellent as well.
 
"Boyz in the Hood"-John Singleton-1991

Amazingly, this is Singleton's first film. It was budgeted at 6;5 $ million, and it grossed $57.5. It took in over $19 million the first week, In several places showings were closed by fights. Despite this film has remained onr of the top American films of the 90's. It is hard to believe that it is almost 30 years old. If you haven't seen it you should, and it is well worth a second look look if you have. How do you understand the hood, if you don't live there? What does it share with a more generalized american teen culture? Laurence Fishburne (Jason "Furious" Styles) has made some important films about coming of age in Black America. My favorite is "Akela and the Bee" a much different take and a more optimistic one on life in the hood. Fishburne and his wife (Angella Bassett) are separated. After an incident at school she sends her son Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) to live with his father so he can learn how to be a man.

The film jumps ahead seven years; Tre is thinking about college, and he has a steady girlfriend (.Nia Long). He has bonded with a small group of friends in South Central. The two most significant are Ricky Baker (Morris Chesbnut) and Darren/Doughboy (Ice T). Ricky is a talented football player who is in line for a college scholarship. Darren has already been through juvie and carries. A seemingly simple incident in a car situation sets up the murder of Ricky by another gang. This is another type of car culture than we saw in American Graffiti.

The film opened in Cannes to great acclaim. Singleton has stated that he tried to make a film like those he wanted to see, but never did. Scorcese has often said similar things, for Scorcese he found the films of Elia Kazan. This film of Singleton's is often compared with Spike Lee's work. It is more direct and small scaled, and where Lee has a substantial body of work of substance; we have only this one film which is arguably more moving that Lee's best. My own personal experience draws me to this film. I spent about 15 years teaching in the inner city. Of course it was Hartford, and not LA. It was also from the late 60's through the mid eighties. It was before the crack epidemic, and just at the beginning of rap.

This is available for free streaming on YouTube. It is also available on Comcast. Very highly recommended, and I also suggest that you view some of the retrospective videos on YouTube. This helped me to put this film and the audience response into perspective. Taking a note from Shakespeare: "Oh, brave new world that has such creatures in it." For most of us this world is as foreign as the world of the "Tempest," but this is a very true world.
 
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"The Graduate"-Mike Nichols-1967

I'm not sure how I feel about this film. I think I fall more into the time capsule group, than in the enduring masterpiece group. Like most Americans of my generation; I do have some very specific memories, but one of the best things about writing about a very diverse universe of films is that I can go to school about these films.
I think it is only natural for an individual to view films through a personal prism based on life experiences, films viewed, what films one cherishes, and what background knowledge we can find to enhance the experience. I found out some interesting new to me information. Mike Nichols was born in Berlin in 1931; he came to the US when he was 8. Years later a parody in "Mad" caused him to reflect on his relationship to the film. Nichols is also Jewish. Ben Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) is ostensibly a Wasp. Of course Hoffman is actually Jewish. While writing this "Goodbye Columbus" popped into my head. Leaving aside the Mrs Robinson part; the girls have more than a passing resemblance. Both Ross and Ali McGraw became iconic symbols in the respective movies and in general. McGraw is the Jewish Princess; Ross is the Wasp Princess.

Hoffman (Braddock) is an outsider because internally he is an outsider; Benjamin is an outsider because of class/money distinctions. Both pursue/stalk their erstwhile romantic fixations. If not for Braddock's internal make-up; he would be right for Elaine. In the resolution/end; Ben is determined to stop the marriage. In the Iconic scene where he pounds the glass and shouts Elaine; several endings were possible. In the film Elaine hears his impassioned cries and runs away with Ben. They board a bus and sit in the back. The passengers stare at them. Initially they look at each other, but then they stare blankly ahead. We are left with multiple questions, but we can reflect back to Mrs. Robinson's words to Elaine:" It's too late," and the response: "Not for Me." In "Goodbye Columbus" Richard Benjamin walks away from Ally McGraw because she is too dependent on her parent's approval.

In "the Graduate" the counterpart would be Elaine hearing and seeing Ben and then kissing her husband. "Here's to you Mrs. Robinson; Jesus loves you more than you will ever know." For me the key question is why Mrs. Robinson seduces Ben. Yes,she is unhappy in her marriage, but why the son of her husband's partner? Robert Redford was rejected for the Ben role because he exuded sexual magnetism and confidence.
Hoffman as Ben doesn't; he is confused and unsure about everything. Some critics felt that the movie falls apart when Ben moves from Mrs. Robinson to Elaine. Think plastics, Ben is looking for something; he isn't sure what. He realizes that his relationship with Mrs. Robinson is empty. He is cruel to Elaine when he takes her to a strip joint. Mrs. Robinson and Ben don't love each other; it isn't clear that Ben and Elaine love each other. What is clear is that neither wants what the adults want them to want.

The film was a huge box office success. Nichols won the Oscar for best director, but the film won no other Oscars. That is unheard of. I realize that this commentary can seem confusing, but the film confused me.
It clearly struck a chord with both audiences and critics. In the first decade of this century many commentators found the film lacking, but in this decade commentators on IMDb take a more positive view.
This is available on Prime, but I haven't been able to find other free streaming options. You should see the film for the performances of Hoffman and Bancroft and the direction of Nichols. The music is great. Highly recommended.
 
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"Seabiscuit"-Gary Ross-2003

This movie is a screen adaptation of Laura Hillenbrand's excellent book by director Gary Ross. Ross has written some notable scripts beginning with "Big." This is a major production with flawless filming of the horse races. The period mileu is well conceived. I liked the intro by historian David McCullough. This loser or underdog horse became almost like a good luck charm in the late 30's. His exploits were shown in newsreels, some of his races were broadcast, and his name and story filled the newspapers. All of this makes a highly entertaining movie.

The movie focuses on 3 central characters in Seabiscuit's revitalized career. He was the grandson of Man o' War.
He was purchased by a rich automobile entrepreneur, Charles Howard (Jeff Bridges). He built his fortune from nothing. He loses his only child a son in an automobile accident while he was in San Francisco. His marriage doesn't survive the trauma. In Mexico he meets Tom Smith (Chris Cooper) a down on his luck trainer who is living wild while rehabbing a horse. Tom Smith finds Red Pollard (Tobey McGuire) a down on his luck jockey and bare knuckle fighter with a way with horses. Together they find, re-train, and promote Seabiscuit. The three principals are all well developed. Together this unlikely group of misfits create or perhaps rehabilitate this great champion. I should mention the contribution of William H, Macy who plays an offbeat racing commentator on the radio. he's kooky,but funny.

If you haven't seen the movie; I don't want to spoil the conclusion. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a free streaming option. The DVD has useful extras. There is a documentary made in 1938 which is available for free if you have prime. I have seen "The Story of Seabiscuit", and I read the book which I recommend. This is well worth viewing.
 
zymurg said:
"The Graduate"-Mike Nichols-1967

I'm not sure how I feel about this film. I think I fall more into the time capsule group, than in the enduring masterpiece group. Like most Americans of my generation; I do have some very specific memories, but one of the best things about writing about a very diverse universe of films is that I can go to school about these films.
I think it is only natural for an individual to view films through a personal prism based on life experiences, films viewed, what films one cherishes, and what background knowledge we can find to enhance the experience. I found out some interesting new to me information. Mike Nichols was born in Berlin in 1931; he came to the US when he was 8. Years later a parody in "Mad" caused him to reflect on his relationship to the film. Nichols is also Jewish. Ben Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) is ostensibly a Wasp. Of course Hoffman is actually Jewish. While writing this "Goodbye Columbus" popped into my head. Leaving aside the Mrs Robinson part; the girls have more than a passing resemblance. Both Ross and Ali McGraw became iconic symbols in the respective movies and in general. McGraw is the Jewish Princess; Ross is the Wasp Princess.

Hoffman (Braddock) is an outsider because internally he is an outsider; Benjamin is an outsider because of class/money distinctions. Both pursue/stalk their erstwhile romantic fixations. If not for Braddock's internal make-up; he would be right for Elaine. In the resolution/end; Ben is determined to stop the marriage. In the Iconic scene where he pounds the glass and shouts Elaine; several endings were possible. In the film Elaine hears his impassioned cries and runs away with Ben. They board a bus and sit in the back. The passengers stare at them. Initially they look at each other, but then they stare blankly ahead. We are left with multiple questions, but we can reflect back to Mrs. Robinson's words to Elaine:" It's too late," and the response: "Not for Me." In "Goodbye Columbus" Richard Benjamin walks away from Ally McGraw because she is too dependent on her parent's approval.

In "the Graduate" the counterpart would be Elaine hearing and seeing Ben and then kissing her husband. "Here's to you Mrs. Robinson; Jesus loves you more than you will ever know." For me the key question is why Mrs. Robinson seduces Ben. Yes,she is unhappy in her marriage, but why the son of her husband's partner? Robert Redford was rejected for the Ben role because he exuded sexual magnetism and confidence.
Hoffman as Ben doesn't; he is confused and unsure about everything. Some critics felt that the movie falls apart when Ben moves from Mrs. Robinson to Elaine. Think plastics, Ben is looking for something; he isn't sure what. He realizes that his relationship with Mrs. Robinson is empty. He is cruel to Elaine when he takes her to a strip joint. Mrs. Robinson and Ben don't love each other; it isn't clear that Ben and Elaine love each other. What is clear is that neither wants what the adults want them to want.

The film was a huge box office success. Nichols won the Oscar for best director, but the film won no other Oscars. That is unheard of. I realize that this commentary can seem confusing, but the film confused me.
It clearly struck a chord with both audiences and critics. In the first decade of this century many commentators found the film lacking, but in this decade commentators on IMDb take a more positive view.
This is available on Prime, but I haven't been able to find other free streaming options. You should see the film for the performances of Hoffman and Bancroft and the direction of Nichols. The music is great. Highly recommended.
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When I was a teenager before I went to UConn "The Graduate" was my favorite film. "The Graduate" is indeed an excellent film, and the fact that I was a big Simon and Garfunkel fan at the time probably had something to do with my view on the film at the time as well. At some point "Casablanca" became my favorite film, probably right around the time I became a student at UConn ("The Maltese Falcon" is now my favorite film, with "Casablanca" clocking in at the second spot). Around the time I became a student at UConn I also started to see a lot more classic films. These days I still think "The Graduate" is an excellent film, but it would probably be well down the list of my favorite films, that is, if I were ever to sit down and make such a list.
 
zymurg said:
"Seabiscuit"-Gary Ross-2003
Tom Smith finds Red Pollard (Tobey McGuire) a down on his luck jockey and bare knuckle fighter with a way with horses.
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I'd love to know how in hell Maguire got cast for this. He's not tall, but he's a good 4" taller than a typical jockey. And former "bare knuckle fighter"... laughable. Kid would fall over in a stiff wind.

Anyway, I found it OK, but IMO, "Secretariat" was the far better movie among recent vintage horse racing flicks.
 
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