Films Worth Viewing

[zymurg]

Short Takes

I've watched a number of films searching for one or more films worthy of a Boneyard recommendation. Here they are. "The Scarlet and the Black" is a TV film about Hugh O'Flaherty (Gregory Peck) a Monsignor ar the Vatican in WWII. He hid thousands of Allied POWs who had escaped from the Nazis. This is a true story based primarily on "The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican" by J.P. Gallagher. Sir John Gielgud plays Pius XII, and Christopher Plummer plays Colonel Herbert Keppler the SS officer who commanded Rome. Ennio Morricone wrote the score; the director and screenwriter, Jerry Landon and David Butler respectively, are relative unknowns. This was filmed on site in Rome. Out side of a wobbly Irish accent by Gregory Peck, the acting is at least very good, the story is interesting, and the production values are first rate. Historically, the actions of the Vatican during WWII are a minefield. My best guess is that the protagonist really was a hero. Worth a look.

"The Story of Louis Pasteur" is another 30's biography featuring Paul Muni in the title role. Solid filmmaking, but not on a par with his "Life of Emile Zola."

"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" is a 1990 film directed by Tom Stoppard adapted from his play. I saw the play in London, and I liked it a lot. The cast is solid: Richard Dreyfus as the Player, Gary Oldham as Rosencrantz, and Tim Roth as Guilderstern. Somehow much of the whimsy of the play has faded away, and we ae left with 2 hours of boredom. I must say that most critics thought more highly of the film than I do.

"Dry White Season"-Euzan Palcy-1989 is the story of Ben de Toit a secondary school teacher in the white suburbs of Johannesburg in the 1970's. As a former star winger for the Springbocks, the South African national rugby team, he had some real standing in South African society. His gardener's son and then his gardener are killed by the South African Special Police. He becomes involved in trying to investigate what happened, and later in bringing a civil case against the Special Police. Many critics thought this type of story
about South African arpartheid would have been better told by focusing on blacks as the central characters.
What I have never seen in this criticism is the acknowledgement that the director, Euzan Palcy, was not only a black female from Martineque , but she had made only one previous film. Her reputation was such that she was able to bring Marlon Brando out of retirement to play an attorney who worked for civil rights. Her abilities as a director were such that she was able to get an excellent performance in this cameo role.

Donald Sutherland, an underrated and versatile actor, is excellent as Ben de Toit. This based on a novel written by a white South African, and given the nature of Hollywood film making, it is surprising that this film was made, but around this time several films were made about South Africa and its problems including a re-make of "Cry the Beloved Country" starring James Earl Jones. This is a good film which I like more than most film critics. Recommended.

I will be back with some more short takes shortly.

 

[dbmill]

"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" is a 1990 film directed by Tom Stoppard adapted from his play. I saw the play in London, and I liked it a lot. The cast is solid: Richard Dreyfus as the Player, Gary Oldham as Rosencrantz, and Tim Roth as Guilderstern. Somehow much of the whimsy of the play has faded away, and we ae left with 2 hours of boredom. I must say that most critics thought more highly of the film than I do.

I saw the film version of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead several times many, many years ago, but not at all recently. My reaction is pretty similar to yours. I agree about the casting of Dreyfuss, Oldham, and Roth, they are fine. However, while there are moments of interesting stuff, for the must part I felt it was on the dull side. However, my wife likes this film a lot more than I do, especially the pieces of business where Rosencrantz and Guildenstern nearly stumble upon various scientific discoveries way before their time. While somewhat amusing, I never thought these instances add up to a solid piece of filmmaking.

 

[zymurg]

Short Takes continued

"United"-James Strong-2011
This is based on the 1958 Munich air crash of the Manchester United football team returning from a match in Yugoslavia during the European Championship. This ManU club was known as Busby's Babes because of their youth and the fact that they were developed by Busby and Jimmy Murphy, the deputy manager. The movie was made by BBC and broadcast on British television. The story was written Chris Chitnall; he interviewed survivors,and used the original reporting. The team was flying on a leased private jet; the jet was hired so that ManU could play in Europe while maintaining its schedule of matches in the Football Association's First Division. There were 23 initial deaths; these included not only members of the team, but reporters and ManU staff and supporters. The story is seen through the eyes of Jimmy Murphy (David Tennant) and Bobby Charlton (Jack O'Carroll). Charlton was one of the greatest of all ManU players. Murphy has to hold the team together, and Charlton has to recover psychologically. I should note that the Busby family didn't like the film's portrayal of Matt Busby.

I must confess that this was during my high school years when I played soccer. I think that this disaster played a major role in ManU becoming my favorite side. This is well done; if you are a soccer fan, this is well worth viewing.

"Atticus v. The Architect: The Political Assassination of Don Siegalman" 2017

This is a documentary about the incredible case of a former Democratic governor of Alabama who was targeted by Republican operatives, initially backed by Casino money from Indian Casinos in Mississippi. It involved malicious prosecution, witness and jury tampering, a corrupt and criminal Federal Court Judge, dubious legal theories, and a massive cover-up which extended into the Obama administration and Attorney General Eric Holder. Over 110 former state attorney generals filed briefs in support of Dan Siegelman. This is well done; I'm not in a position to evaluate the evidence presented in the documentary. This is probably of little general interest, still it is well done, and the case is interesting.

"The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman"-John Korty-1974

This is a TV film made for CBS from the the 1971 novel by Earnest T. Gaines. This was several years before "Roots" on ABC. The film was universally praised, and the star, Cicely Tyson, won numerous awards including an Emmy. The make-up for her appearances as the 110 year old protagonist is spectacular. The speech patterns and movement patterns are believable; the story is told using an interview with a magazine writer as an entry point. The narrative begins with the Civil War, Jane picks her name from a list offered by a Union soldier. When the newly freed blacks are informed of their freedom by the plantation owner, Jane becomes part of a group walking North. Most are murdered by a gang trying to prevent the freed slaves from leaving the plantations. Jane continues with the son of the group's leader. She kept as a souvenir two flint rocks used to start fires on the road. The story begins with a voice over then cuts to the action in each episode.
The film culminates with the 110 year old Jane Pittman drinking from a whites only fountain in front of the county courthouse. This was filmed in Louisiana. CBS provided study guides; and the film is still used in schools. Many people thought the book was a biography, but Gaines wrote the book primarily using WPA interviews taken in the 1930's. Tyson's performance is unforgettable; reading the comments on various sites it is obvious that this film moved many viewers. It is available for free on Amazon Prime. Highly recommended; view this film.

 

[zymurg]

"School of Rock"-Richard Linklater-2003

Linklater is an interesting director; he is very inventive visually and in story telling. He is relatively prolific, and he bounces from indie financing to major studio financing. Like directors from Hollywood's golden age, he has developed a group of players who re-appear in several films. The opening credits are a feast for the eyes; the closing credits are a feast for the ears. The story begins with an epic failure by Dewey Hines (Jack Black); his over the top performance at a poorly attended show leads to his firing from from the band he started. This self absorbed low talented rocker has no future; music was his life. He owes money for rent, and he is in danger of being thrown out. A phone call from the principal of Horace Green elementary offering an extended substitute position for Ned Schneebly is the answer to his financial problems.

What follows gets better and better; Jack Black is a difficult actor to work with, but here his manic nature is utilized almost perfectly. It is believable that Black could be good with kids, and that he could teach them.
The kids are amazing; some of them were chosen for their musical ability; the rest were professional actors with agents. The performance in the Battle of the Bands is really well choreographed, both backstage and onstage.
The DVD extras are well worth your time. As Jack Black says at the Toronto Film Festival: "You're never to old to be young."

The script was written by Mike White who lived next door to Black for three years. White plays Ned Schneebly in the film. Sarah Silverman plays his girlfriend. Joan Cusak plays the Horace Green school principal. Surprisingly most of these kids didn't make it in show or the music business. The exception has been Miranda Cosgrove (Summer Hathaway); she has had numerous featured roles on TV. 16 years later the film fostered a TV show and a musical. Linklater hasn't ruled out a sequel, but don't hold your breath. This
is most likely a once upon a time production.

Watch this film; again if you've seen it, and if you haven't seen it, where have you been living? My highest recommendation. Enjoy yourself for two hours.

 

[storrsroars]

School of Rock is definitely not a movie I would expect to see here.

I actually have never seen it because I generally find Jack Black obnoxious. But solely based on it being in this thread I guess I'll have to watch it.

However, if I hate it, I'm coming after you, zymurg.

 

[dbmill]

School of Rock is definitely not a movie I would expect to see here.

I actually have never seen it because I generally find Jack Black obnoxious. But solely based on it being in this thread I guess I'll have to watch it.

However, if I hate it, I'm coming after you, zymurg.

I have not seen School of Rock either. I have a very long list of movies that I would like to see, and School of Rock is on it. One of these days I'll get around to it.

However, there is a Richard Linklater directed film that stars Jack Black that is one of our favorites from movies made in this decade. This film is "Bernie", which also stars Shirley MacLaine and Mathew McConaughey. When I first saw it, I thought it was pretty good, while my wife thought it was terrific. She liked it well enough that I got the DVD for her one Christmas. After watching it a couple more times, my opinion of the film changed, and now I feel this is indeed a terrific film. "Bernie" is based on a true story. It is hardly your typical Jack Black film, as he plays a mortician in a small Texas town. This role also allows Black to use his musical gifts quite a bit in all sorts of settings, including funerals.

 

[zymurg]

I have not seen School of Rock either. I have a very long list of movies that I would like to see, and School of Rock is on it. One of these days I'll get around to it.

However, there is a Richard Linklater directed film that stars Jack Black that is one of our favorites from movies made in this decade. This film is "Bernie", which also stars Shirley MacLaine and Mathew McConaughey. When I first saw it, I thought it was pretty good, while my wife thought it was terrific. She liked it well enough that I got the DVD for her one Christmas. After watching it a couple more times, my opinion of the film changed, and now I feel this is indeed a terrific film. "Bernie" is based on a true story. It is hardly your typical Jack Black film, as he plays a mortician in a small Texas town. This role also allows Black to use his musical gifts quite a bit in all sorts of settings, including funerals.

I like "Bernie" quite a bit. This is another example of Linklater's ability to get a performance out of Jack Black. I'm surprised that more 'Yarders haven't seen this film. It really merits a view. Matthew McConaughey, another Linklater favorite is also in "Bernie."

I have not seen School of Rock either. I have a very long list of movies that I would like to see, and School of Rock is on it. One of these days I'll get around to it.

However, there is a Richard Linklater directed film that stars Jack Black that is one of our favorites from movies made in this decade. This film is "Bernie", which also stars Shirley MacLaine and Mathew McConaughey. When I first saw it, I thought it was pretty good, while my wife thought it was terrific. She liked it well enough that I got the DVD for her one Christmas. After watching it a couple more times, my opinion of the film changed, and now I feel this is indeed a terrific film. "Bernie" is based on a true story. It is hardly your typical Jack Black film, as he plays a mortician in a small Texas town. This role also allows Black to use his musical gifts quite a bit in all sorts of settings, including funerals.

School of Rock is definitely not a movie I would expect to see here.

I actually have never seen it because I generally find Jack Black obnoxious. But solely based on it being in this thread I guess I'll have to watch it.

However, if I hate it, I'm coming after you, zymurg.

That's your right; I have no illusions about my taste. I too find Jack Black over the top, but Linklater has a way with actors. Matthew McConaughey is another example. Watch the "Before..." series; three films made with the same actors over decades embellishing how a fictitious relationship might develop over time. Ethan Hawke and Julie Depuy both took active parts in developing these films. The commentary on "School of Rock" gives the viewer an idea how Linklater involves actors.

 

[zymurg]

"Chinatown"-Roman Polanski-1974

Robert Evans produced this film; his first after leaving as head of Paramount. He was key to getting Roman Polanski to return to the US to direct this film. Evans also was responsible for greenlighting Robert Town's script. Town wrote the script with Nicholson in mind. Polanski was responsible for getting Faye Dunaway and John Huston for their roles. Evans vetoed Polanski's choice of William Fraker as cinematographer. Jerry Goldsmith only had 10 days to write the score; the previous composer's music was used in the official trailer. Still, this was a very harmonious production. Polanski really liked Evans; the feeling was mutual. Towns was available to do quick re-writes. The one major re-write was the ending, here Polanski consulted Nicholson to make sure the Gittes' dialogue was in keeping with the rest of the film. The final result was one of the most admired American films of the 70's, which many critics consider the high mark of American film making.

The casting of the three principal roles Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson), Evelyn Cross Mulwray (Faye Dunaway), and Noah Cross (John Huston) is perfect. The story is based on a big problem/issue water for Los Angeles; without adequate water there is no Los Angeles. The story is set in 1937; an aggrieved wife, Evelyn Mulwray comes to Jake Gittes' office to investigate her husbands' infidelity. Of course as we later find out; she really isn't Mulwray.
This deception is the template for the movie. Mulwray is murdered. Discovering the murderer isn't enough to solve the case. The ending is shocking in both visuals and story content. Just a few bits of trivia; Jack Nicholson is in every scene; Polanski decided not to do a lead character voice over, and Roman Polanski has a small role in the movie. He is the thug who cuts Gittes nose.

This is a film which has grown in critical esteem in the past 40+ years. It was nominated for 11 Oscars, but only won for Robert Town's screenplay. Today, would this film even be made? It moves not slowly, but deliberately. The film begins with Curly (Burt Young) finding out that his wife was cheating. An hour and a half later he returns to help Gittes escape from the police and help Evelyn Mulwray get away. Nothing is wasted. Another set up is the tidal pool at Evelyn Mulwray's house. It is salt water, and late something is found in the pool. I don't want to reveal the plot for those of you who haven't seen the film. This is a great film without any qualifiers. Repeated viewings bring new pleasures

 

[zymurg]

"Stranger than Fiction"Mark Forster-2006

This is an example of a high concept comedy. A more familiar example is "Groundhog Day" what would happen if you had to repeat the same day over and over again,perhaps forever? In this case a mild mannered IRS representative can hear an author in his head. She is writing his story. How will he react? From this concept Zach Helm produced a script, and Mark Forster produced a film. Harold Crick (Will Farrell)lives a quiet life without human connection outside of work. He counts and measures everything. The author in Harold's head is Karen Iffel( Emma Thompson), who is suffering from perhaps a terminal case of writers' block She is finally writing again, but she is having difficulty in deciding how to Kill this Protagonist.

Simultaneously with the author commenting, Harold's life has become more complex. Of course he seeks medical explanations, but he ends up consulting a professor of Literature, Professor Hibbert (Dustin Hoffman).At first the busy professor seems likely to reject his plea for help. However, the phrase:"Little did he know..." brings them together in a literary hunt to find the nature of Harold's story, and later the author's identity. Of course all 'Yarders will recognize this as third person omniscient.

Meanwhile, Harold is given the responsibility of auditing Anna Pascal, a baker. This is the typical start of many rom coms; meet funny, disdain and dislike dominate, but we suspect that there will be a happy ending. Meanwhile, Karen Iffel's struggles have caused her publisher to send her an assistant, Penny Asher (Queen Latifah) to ensure that this book is finished on schedule.

The first half of the film is very funny in the laugh out loud sense. The second half is more reflective. Harold is forced to examine his life, and particularly his job. Other characters are forced to examine their lives as well. I am struggling not to reveal more of the plot. Let me move on to production values; without ever identifying Chicago, the action clearly identifies the location. There area lot on screen special effects. They visually re-inforce the narrative of actions like Harold brushing his teeth, tying his tie, and running for the bus. This film is a personal favorite; I like it more than I can reasonably justify. I still can recommend this film highly. This is just a bit more personal than rational.

 

[dbmill]

"Stranger than Fiction"Mark Forster-2006

This is an example of a high concept comedy. A more familiar example is "Groundhog Day" what would happen if you had to repeat the same day over and over again,perhaps forever? In this case a mild mannered IRS representative can hear an author in his head. She is writing his story. How will he react? From this concept Zach Helm produced a script, and Mark Forster produced a film. Harold Crick (Will Farrell)lives a quiet life without human connection outside of work. He counts and measures everything. The author in Harold's head is Karen Iffel( Emma Thompson), who is suffering from perhaps a terminal case of writers' block She is finally writing again, but she is having difficulty in deciding how to Kill this Protagonist.

Simultaneously with the author commenting, Harold's life has become more complex. Of course he seeks medical explanations, but he ends up consulting a professor of Literature, Professor Hibbert (Dustin Hoffman).At first the busy professor seems likely to reject his plea for help. However, the phrase:"Little did he know..." brings them together in a literary hunt to find the nature of Harold's story, and later the author's identity. Of course all 'Yarders will recognize this as third person omniscient.

Meanwhile, Harold is given the responsibility of auditing Anna Pascal, a baker. This is the typical start of many rom coms; meet funny, disdain and dislike dominate, but we suspect that there will be a happy ending. Meanwhile, Karen Iffel's struggles have caused her publisher to send her an assistant, Penny Asher (Queen Latifah) to ensure that this book is finished on schedule.

The first half of the film is very funny in the laugh out loud sense. The second half is more reflective. Harold is forced to examine his life, and particularly his job. Other characters are forced to examine their lives as well. I am struggling not to reveal more of the plot. Let me move on to production values; without ever identifying Chicago, the action clearly identifies the location. There area lot on screen special effects. They visually re-inforce the narrative of actions like Harold brushing his teeth, tying his tie, and running for the bus. This film is a personal favorite; I like it more than I can reasonably justify. I still can recommend this film highly. This is just a bit more personal than rational.

In my mind "Stranger Than Fiction" is an excellent film. Definitely my favorite movie with Will Farrell in it, and the supporting cast is very good. I don't mind a little whimsy in the movies that I like if it is done well, and like "Groundhog Day" this movie has it.

 

[zymurg]

"Young Sherlock Holmes" Barry Levinson-1985

This is one of the many films produced by Steven Spielberg for Amblin Productions. The scriptwriter, Chris Columbus, was involved with "The Goonies." Later he was a Hogwart's resident. Levinson was a talented young director who also was involved with Spielberg. The ending for this film was a set-up for a sequel. After the closing credits, a character signs the name Moriarity in a hotel register. Since the initial films of Sherlock Holmes material in the silent era; this fictional character has never been long off the silver screen and television when it became available. I'm not sure why he has this continuous popularity. The original stories and the novels appeared in "The Strand," this movie acknowledges that this is not a canonical story. No fictional character has appeared in more screen adaptations than Sherlock Holmes, and it seems that every decade produces new adaptations of the material.

What marks this presentation as unique is that we see a teenager who will become the adult detective. This film explains some of the characteristics of Holmes including but not limited to: his clothing choices, the violin playing, his style of pipe, and importantly his emotional detachment. I'm not going to discuss the plot except to say that it takes place at Brompton Public School. Watson comes to the school because his old school closed because of financial problems. Holmes goes on to solve several murders, and Lestrade uses this case to gain promotion to Detective Inspector. The murders involve a hallucinogenic drug. In one of these visions the first completely computer generated animated character appears in a film. This was the work of Industrial Light and Magic which has evolved into Pixar.
This is worth a look. Despite an almost yearly new appearance by Holmes, I've never been really satisfied with any of the depictions. This is one of the most original settings and story, so if you are a Holmes fan; this is definitely worth viewing.

 

[zymurg]

"Looking for an "Echo"-Martin Davidson-2000

I could have cited 1998 as the release year, but 2000 seems to be the year when things began happening. It ran for one week in one theater in 1998. It is available from streaming services. If you are interested in Doo Wop; this is one film you shouldn't miss. Kenny Vance was responsible for much of the music. He and his group Kenny Vance and the Planotones sing for the group Vinnie and the Dreamers. The title of the film:"Looking for an Echo" comes from the song Vance wrote, but to my mind the definitive recording is by The Persuasions. The Persuasions are an acappella who began in the 1970's; their first album "Chirpin" contains "Looking for an Echo." Watch it on You Tube.

Armand Assante plays Vinnie. The Dreamers were one of the many casualties of the British Invasion. Typically these groups dropped out of sight. Despite their success in the early rock era; most were never paid their royalties. Some like Frankie Valli and Dion lasted a little longer, but most were finished by 1965. Vinnie has lost his wife and has three children in the 1990's when the film is set. One son is a policeman; the other is an aspiring musician. His daughter is hospitalized with lukemia. Tina is well played by Christy Romano. Vince makes a living as a bartender and as a part time musician who plays at weddings and bar mitzvahs. Vinnie turns 50, finds a love interest, and sees his daughter return home. The film ends with the reconstituted Dreamers performing "Looking for an Echo" in concert. In the film his son Tony (Eduardo Bollerini) wrote the song.

This was made on a miniscule budget shot in Brooklyn. The dialogue is very solid, and this is a talented group of actors. Everything feels authentic. This is a marginal worth viewing, but if you like the music of the era; then it is highly recommended. If you love the music, remember the Five Satins came from New Haven, then this will really tug at your heartstrings.

 

[zymurg]

Short Takes

"Citizen X"- Chris Gerolmo-1995

This is the story of one of the most prolific serial killers of all time; Andrei Chikalito(Jeff DeMunn) who killed over 50 people. This is a fact based story based on a book by Robert Callen; the 50+ deaths between 1978 and 1990 were investigated by Victor Barakov(Stephen Rea) and Col. Mikhail Fetisov of the Militia. The investigation was hampered by official Soviet policy that serial killers were only a Western phenomena. This was filmed in Hungary; the script is excellent;the score by Randy Edelman is appropriate. The cast is excellent; this is one of
HBO's quality films in the 90's. Recommended.

"Playing for Time"-Daniel Mann-1980

This is one of the many excellent films about the Holocaust. This was a TV film. The original script was by playwright Arthur Miller. The film is about the women's orchestra in Auschwitz from the point of view of
Fania Fenelon based on her autobiographical writings. The cast which includes: Vanessa Redgrave, Jane Alexander, Shirley Knight among others is excellent. The orchestra was moved to Bergen Belsen, so most of its members survived the war. I must point out that other survivors have different perspectives on the experience.
Still this is excellent film making and well worth viewing. I realize that the subject is somewhat upsetting, but it is an important one. Widely available from streaming services.

More short takes will follow shortly.

 

[zymurg]

Short Takes:"Gully Boy"-Zoya Aktar-2019

A film about the rap sub culture in Mumbai, who knew? This is a technically well made film; the story is interesting, and I found it pretty watchable. However, 3 hours is a long time, and unless you are interested in modern urban India or Indian rap; you probably have better things to do with those 3 hours.

"Captain Fantastic"-Matt Ross-2016

This is a pretty good film that I totally missed when it was out in theaters. Vigo Mortensen plays Ben Cash who lives with his children off the land. His wife is bipolar and in the hospital;she dies committing suicide. Her will specifies cremation she is a Buddhist not in a religious sense, but in a philosophical sense. I'm not sure I understand the distinction; this film is not kind to organized religion. Ben Cash makes a scene at his wife's funeral. Mortensen was nominated for an Oscar, and this is a solid performance. The children ranging is movie age from 18 to 7, are also excellent. There is a family crisis; several of the children are at odds with Ben's behaviors. The film ends with a resolution which enables the family to stay together and it brings them into a closer relationship with the rest of the world. The film has a definite point of view, but it is very well made, and it has some clever humorous bits, as well as some solid scripting about family conflicts. Well worth viewing if you approach it with an open mind.

"The Man Who Fell to Earth"Nicholas Roeg-1976

This is a famous film. David Bowey plays a traveler from a distant planet. He left behind his family; his plan is to return with water as the planet is a desert. Tom Newton, one of the traveler's names, has brought with him inventions. He starts a corporation which quickly becomes one of the world's biggest. Bowie has a detachment which he projects in his character. Newton fails in his goal to return to his native planet; the federal government intervenes. This film is more mood piece that coherent story. I believe Roeg tried to shock his audience; there is a lot of pretty weird sex in the film. This isn't in my sweet spot, but it is an influential film. I'm not sorry I watched it, but I won'be returning for repeat viewings.

 

[nwhoopfan]

"Captain Fantastic" was certainly different than any other movie I've seen. I found it a worthwhile viewing experience. I appreciated the amazing scenery in the early scenes, from right here in Washington State. I thought all of the children performed well, it was notable that the 2 older daughters really do look like they could be sisters. Also 2 of the younger children also play siblings in "The Glass Castle," interesting coincidence.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I also thoroughly enjoyed "Stranger Than Fiction." To me the humor was amusing more than hilarious, but it turns out to not be a comedy primarily. Interesting role for Will Ferrell, he was not what you would expect him to be, a more nuanced and restrained performance from him than usual. Some wonderful supporting actors and actresses in this film.

 

[zymurg]

"The Sweet Hereafter"-Atom Egoyan-1997

Mitchell Stevens (Ian Holm) is a plaintiff's lawyer in accident cases. He comes to a small Canadian town to bring a suit on behalf of local residents after a disaster where a school bus carrying some 20+ students goes off the road and falls through the ice. Egoyan wrote the screenplay from a Russell Banks novel inspired by a Texas school bus disaster in 1989. The movie weaves together both time and observers. We see the events from the perspective of different observers, and how the events have affected them. Stevens is the outsider; his business is to assemble a group of plaintiffs and to assemble evidence so that blame may be assessed. He believes that only by assessing blame can the townspeople channel their anger positively. His principle is that somebody must be to blame.

Holm's performance is masterful. The lawyer, Mitchell Stevens, brings his own problems to his investigations. His daughter, Zoe, has become a drug addict. Later we find out that she has AIDS. He believes that he has done everything a conscientious parent could do, but the cures have never lasted. His anger has never been resolved. He has never found someone to blame.

The school bus driver, Dolores Driscoll, is a loving and caring person. The walls in her house are covered with pictures of "her children." We are offered some views of her positive interactions with the children, particularly at a local fair. The fair introduces us to our second perspective. Nicole Burnell (Sarah Polley) is a talented aspiring country music singer. We see her practicing with other musicians, then meeting with her father. She is the apple of his eye. Nicole survives the bus crash, but she is confined to a wheelchair. The night before the accident she is babysitting the children of Billy Ansell, Bruce Greenwood, while he has a tryst with the wife of the local motel owner. Nicole reads the children Robert Browning's "The Pied Piper of Hamlin". It is an 1888 edition with beautiful illustrations. Nicole tells the children that Pied Piper is angry with the townspeople for not paying him. He plays his tune and causes the children to follow him because of that anger. One child who is lame cannot keep up, and he is left behind when the mountain closes.

Billy Ansell follows the bus carrying his children every day. They wave to each other, so on the day of the crash he is following the school bus. He sees the accident, but he can do nothing to stop the bus or even to
rescue anyone. He faces down Stevens telling him to drop the case; he goes so far as to threaten the lawyer.
That doesn't work, so he attempts to convince parents not to be a party to the law suit.

Nicole's deposition dooms the suit; she lies about the speed of the bus when it goes off the road. Mitchell remarks to Nicole: "You'd make a good poker player." Nicole thinks: her town has become: "A place with its own special rules and its own special laws. A town of people living in the Sweet Hereafter."

This film has terrific acting and beautiful photography, but what makes it compelling is how Egoyan tells the story. The people in the town may get to live in the "Sweet Hereafter," but this viewer certainly didn't. I keep rewinding the story in my mind. I try to examine it from different perspectives. Let me give you one example. Mitchell accepts the loss of the suit. In the coda to the film, two years after the bus crash, he sees Dolores, the bus driver, now the driver not of a school bus but of a large commercial bus. She is happy and is charming her passengers. Mitchell is in this city after a plane flight where he has been discussing his daughter with one of her high school friends. Should he have learned something about leaving his own anger and blame behind? From that point, my mind tries to travel several roads simultaneously.

I found no easy answers here, but lots of interesting questions. Highly recommended.

 

[zymurg]

Whoops, I did it again. My review of "Atlantic City" is on Movies you watch over and over.

 

[storrsroars]

"Atlantic City"-Louis Malle-1980

The film opens with a shot of a massive building being blown up; This was the Traymore Hotel, but it was actually blown up in 1972. There is a scene in a bathroom where the attendant, an old friend of Lou's (Burt Lancaster), retells a story about being sent to purchase a hundred boxes of rubbers. This is a tale associated with Nucky Johnson fictionalized in "Boardwalk Empire" as Nucky Thompson. Susan Sarandon was involved with Malle during the filming. She suggested John Gare to write the script. Malle was under time pressure to finish the film by the end of 1979 or his funding would be lost.

Burt Lancaster was not the first choice to play Lou, but it is hard to believe that anyone could have done better.
If you have seen "The Leopard", you know what I mean. Lou has dignity despite the fact that he is hanging by a thread. He is a kept man and a low level numbers runner. He inflates his past accomplishments. He watches his neighbor Sally (Susan Sarandon) as she removes her blouse and applies lemon juice to her skin to cover up the smell of sea food from her job in an oyster bar. Lou still tries to maintain appearances, we see him ironing his tie before he goes downstairs to see his employer Grace (Kate Reid). Grace came to Atlantic City as a Betty Grable look alike; she ended up marrying a major player in Atlantic City. 35 years later she is living in a once proud hotel scheduled for demolition.

The meat of the story begins when Sally's husband, Dave (Robert Jay) arrives with Sally's very pregnant sister Chrissie (Hollister Lauren). He is carrying a sizable quantity of uncut heroin. He enlists Lou's help in marketing.
Dave has ruined Sally's life before, and he ruins her hopes of becoming a dealer in a casino again.

The film ends on a note of triste; this French word implies sadness, but with with a sense of memory of better times. There is perhaps a soupcon of hope. Sally drives away with a good bit of money, and Grace and Lou walk the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. They are survivors.

The film was nominated for the big five Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor,and Best Actress. There were no victories. This is a personal favorite; not a shot is wasted, and we come to know these characters, but even when we think we know them; they can surprise us. Few films marry plot and character development as well. I think it is a great film; I hadn't seen it in at least five years, but this viewing gave me a sense of quiet satisfaction. It was better than I remembered.

I'll throw my reply over here in case people miss your original post.

Atlantic City is a favorite of mine as well. Too bad it's rarely on cable. I feel it's one of Lancaster's best performances. Also one of my top five as far as a lead role by someone collecting Social Security.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

atlantic city, just up the street from lucy, that giant elephant in margate (formerly 'south atlantic city'). hang a right at the 'knife and fork steakhouse,' located at the intersection of atlantic and pacific avenues. fire up your 'dream machine' and grab a pen to write down the stuff you can see and do there, since Civil War times. maybe you end up with a bestseller, or an oscar, or an emmy. I hear they recently made a tv show about it, tho i never saw it.
luv dat flick. frank d'addario of Bridgeport, a great man, was reportedly the first italian-American to be granted a casino license there for the claridge. hmmm. more stories--the Connecticut casino! frank sinatra was at his funeral.
oh, and lucy? she was modeled after Bridgeport's p.t. barnum's jumbo the elephant (residing in, yeah, you guessed it, Bridgeport). The giant elephant's name has spawned the common word, "jumbo." sounds right.

Lucy the Elephant - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The Claridge Hotel (Atlantic City) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

the current President of The United States of America has some great ac stories, too.
luv dat flick. the human condition, writ large with clams casino on the side.

ya can't surf in vegas or tahoe. bummer.

 

[zymurg]

"To Be or Not to Be"-Ernst Lubitsch-1942

This film was not a particular critical favorite when it was made. Bosley Crowther wrote a nasty revue for the New York Times. He wasn't the only one. Lubitsch wrote a letter trying to explain that the film was satire, and that he was sensitive to the issues involved. The film was a financial success, part of that may be due to the death of Carole Lombard in a plane crash shortly before the film opened. Lubitsch was an Austrian Jew who came to Hollywood in 1929 during the transition from silent to sound pictures. He was one of the pioneers of the screwball comedy. This genre featured fast dialogue, unusual settings, and both physical and verbal humor.
Two famous examples of this genre are "The Philadelphia Story" and "The Lady Eve."

Jack Benny was Lubitsch's first and only choice to play "That Great Polish actor, Joseph Tura. Benny was a major radio star, and he had a film background, but despite his success in "Charlie's Aunt", he wasn't being asked for major roles. Carole Lombard was a later addition; Miriam Hopkins was slated to play the role, but she and Benny were incompatible. The set was a happy one; there are litterally dozens of photos showing playful antics on the set.

The story begins in Warsaw in August of 1939. Inside a popular theater the troupe is rehearsing an anti Nazi play; representatives of the Foreign Office force the cancellation of this show. The troupe returns to "Hamlet."
A young Polish pilot frequents the theater sitting in the center of the third row. Lt. Sobinski (Robert Stack) is taken with Maria Tura (Carole Lombard). He sends her flowers and comes to the dressing room. They set up a meeting. The signal is a famous speech by "Hamlet." When Tura begins "to be or not to be" ; the Lieutenant
rises and crosses to the aisle. Tura notices and is shocked. Maria and the lieutenant meet several times; she goes up in his bomber. Several weeks into their relationship, Poland is attacked and Warsaw is bombed. Poland falls quickly and the aircrews flee to England to continue the fight. The theater is not open.

In England a professor meets with the aircrews, and they give him information about friends and relatives in Poland. He is supposedly going to Poland to meet with the underground, but he is actually a German secret agent. Sobinski suspects him because the professor has never heard of Maria Tura. This sets up the meat of the film where great efforts are made to prevent this information from going to the Gezpatcho.

I'm not going to revealthe rest of the plot, the jokes, the misadventures, the pratfalls, and the ending. This is classic Lubitsch; the film has steadily risen in appreciation of both audiences and critics. Mel Brooks re-made the film in 1983 almost word for word. Stick with the original. The is a Bollywood re-make; that I haven't seen; nor have I seen the Polish and Hungarian plays, nor the Broadway Musical. This is widely available, and it is one of my all time favorite comedies. In my opinion a great comedy that Yarders will laugh with. The humor is both clever and broad.

 

[zymurg]

I should mention that I've lost my wifi. This limits my time on line. Posts will be limited; I will try to preview two or three films a week.

 

[dbmill]

"To Be or Not to Be"-Ernst Lubitsch-1942

This film was not a particular critical favorite when it was made. Bosley Crowther wrote a nasty revue for the New York Times. He wasn't the only one. Lubitsch wrote a letter trying to explain that the film was satire, and that he was sensitive to the issues involved. The film was a financial success, part of that may be due to the death of Carole Lombard in a plane crash shortly before the film opened. Lubitsch was an Austrian Jew who came to Hollywood in 1929 during the transition from silent to sound pictures. He was one of the pioneers of the screwball comedy. This genre featured fast dialogue, unusual settings, and both physical and verbal humor.
Two famous examples of this genre are "The Philadelphia Story" and "The Lady Eve."

Jack Benny was Lubitsch's first and only choice to play "That Great Polish actor, Joseph Tura. Benny was a major radio star, and he had a film background, but despite his success in "Charlie's Aunt", he wasn't being asked for major roles. Carole Lombard was a later addition; Miriam Hopkins was slated to play the role, but she and Benny were incompatible. The set was a happy one; there are litterally dozens of photos showing playful antics on the set.

The story begins in Warsaw in August of 1939. Inside a popular theater the troupe is rehearsing an anti Nazi play; representatives of the Foreign Office force the cancellation of this show. The troupe returns to "Hamlet."
A young Polish pilot frequents the theater sitting in the center of the third row. Lt. Sobinski (Robert Stack) is taken with Maria Tura (Carole Lombard). He sends her flowers and comes to the dressing room. They set up a meeting. The signal is a famous speech by "Hamlet." When Tura begins "to be or not to be" ; the Lieutenant
rises and crosses to the aisle. Tura notices and is shocked. Maria and the lieutenant meet several times; she goes up in his bomber. Several weeks into their relationship, Poland is attacked and Warsaw is bombed. Poland falls quickly and the aircrews flee to England to continue the fight. The theater is not open.

In England a professor meets with the aircrews, and they give him information about friends and relatives in Poland. He is supposedly going to Poland to meet with the underground, but he is actually a German secret agent. Sobinski suspects him because the professor has never heard of Maria Tura. This sets up the meat of the film where great efforts are made to prevent this information from going to the Gezpatcho.

I'm not going to revealthe rest of the plot, the jokes, the misadventures, the pratfalls, and the ending. This is classic Lubitsch; the film has steadily risen in appreciation of both audiences and critics. Mel Brooks re-made the film in 1983 almost word for word. Stick with the original. The is a Bollywood re-make; that I haven't seen; nor have I seen the Polish and Hungarian plays, nor the Broadway Musical. This is widely available, and it is one of my all time favorite comedies. In my opinion a great comedy that Yarders will laugh with. The humor is both clever and broad.

Actually, Ernst Lubitsch came to America in the early 1920's and did a number of silent movies in Hollywood from 1923 on. Still, from what I have seen of his flims, "To Be Or Not To Be" is as good as Lubitsch gets, and it is one of my favorite comedies of all time. As seems to be typical of many of his films, he may be making it in Hollywood, but the setting is often Europe. Lubitsch is often filming a very opulent class of people in these European settings. However, In the case of this film in dealing with wartime Europe and Nazis running amuck in Poland, the surroundings are definitely not ritzy, as only the Nazis are enjoying any opulence at this point and many of the actors in Jack Benny's theater troupe are going into more or less survival mode.

I'm also a big Jack Benny fan, this is probably the best movie that he ever did by far, as usually he wasn't working with a filmmaker of the caliber of Lubitsch. Carol Lombard also did fine work in this film. She was a very solid comic actress. Lombard also appears in another of my favorite comedies from this time period, "My Man Godfrey".

 

[zymurg]

"Stardust"-Matthew Vaughan-2007

I actually like "Kickass" better, but I think that most of you have already seen that film. Vaughan is an interesting film maker. His natural mode is over the top, but he seems to inspire confidence in actors and the technical staff. He was able to convince Neil Gaiman that he would do justice to his book. Gaiman gave him the rights for nothing. Vaughan had made only previous film as director, "Layercake". Still he was able to get backing from Paramount for a 70 million$ film with an unknown star, Charlie Cox (Tristan). He did this by managing to recruit A list stars like Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pffeifer, and Peter O'Toole.

The story is complex. On one side of a wall is the Victorian English village of Wall; on the other side of the wall is Stormhold a magical kingdom. There is a hole in the wall; there is a watchman, but one young man eludes him. He crosses over and meets a young woman held captive by a witch. Nine months later he picks up his infant son. The young boy grows up, at age 18 he has fallen in love with a vain young woman. When a star falls to earth, he promises to return on her birthday with the fallen star. Meanwhile his father gives him a letter from his mother. The letter is wrapped in a magic candle which he can use to travel to Stormhold.

The old king of Stormhold is on his deathbed; he summons his sons. He originally had 12 sons; five had been killed previously. The path to the throne is the only surviving male heir. There is a missing princess, Una, but she is not in the line of secession. Secundus is pushed out the window, the King (O'Toole) imposes another task on his heirs. The king to be must be the last surviving male heir, and he must also bring back the star.
Several more heirs are poisoned. Only Primus and Septimus are left to pursue the fallen star.

Three witches are also pursuing the star, the heart of the star will bring back their youth. Lamia (Michelle Pffeifer) wins the right to pursue the star. She eats the remains of the last fallen star which gives her a youthful appearance. Tristan lights the candle and is transported across Stormhold to where the star has fallen; he literally smashes in to the star a beautiful young woman, Yvaine (Claire Danes).

There is one more key actor Captain Shakespeare (Robert DeNiro) who commands a pirate ship which is stealing lightning. Tristan and Yvaine end up on the ship, don't ask. The Captain protects them and trains them without revealing who they are. The Captain has one more good scene where he sells the lightning to
Freddie the Fence (Ricky Gervais).

The visual effects are a credit to Peter Chaing. The script is by Vaughan and Janet Goldman. There are some funny bits and clever dialogue, but the plot stuffs five pounds of stuff in a four pound sack. Visually the film is a treat. This is a qualified recommendation, appreciate its strengths and live with the weaknesses. Vaughan isn't like anyone else.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I love "Stardust." I think of it as akin to "The Princess Bride," with an actual special effects budget. It didn't do very well at the box office, I don't think it's become a cult classic like TPB either. Anyway I like the idea of turning a fairy tale on its ear and playing with the conventions and tropes of the genre.