What can I say about this terrific and heartbreaking film ? Here is a simple man, the president of America's Boy Scouts, who comes to Washington to be a Senator, but soon he realizes he is a pawn in a political machine much bigger then him. Jimmy Stewart was the everyman actor because he's ignorant like anyone who dosen't truly grasp the outside world. However what makes him hero is he stands on his principles and fights, in this film, nearly to his own death. The hallmarks of this film is the gripping climax and finale. Theire isn't a single film in existence that builds up this amount of tension so sincerely. Senator Jefferson Smith (Stewart), with the aide of this secretary Saunders (Jean Arthur). Manage a fillabuster of the US Senate. He has the right to talk as long dosen't yeild to anyone in the senate, stop talking, leave the room, or even sit down. He stands their for over 8 hours, reciting the US constitution, making some occasional quips, but mostly pleading to the senate about the corruption by his morally bankrupt and treachrous mentor Senator Paine and Paine's superior, Political Boss Jim Taylor. The issue specifically is a collision of interests between Smith and Paine about building a national boy scout camp. The site were Smith wants to build it is part of a public works bill framed by Jim Taylor and supported by Paine. Paine then sets up a fraudulent campaign of accusations of Smith having already a deed to the land were camp should be built and plans of selling the land for a huge profit. This all culminates to this grand finale were Taylor sends his lackeys to destroy Smith's reputation in his home state, a strangle hold of Smith's doing at the senate and accusing him of sabatoging the public works . The boy scouts who support Smith desperately make phamplets to save his reputation but physically attacked by Taylor's thugs. Paine then finally presents to the senate thousands of Telegrams telling Smith to stop his fillerbuster from his home state. Smith, just before collapses to the floor, re-inforces what his later father, who was good friends with Paine, told Smith and Paine. The lost causes are the ones to fight for. After Smith falls to the ground, Paine runs out of the senate floor and nearly shoots himself. Paine, mad with guilt, confesses all the corruption he has done with Taylor and the film ends.
This is the epitome of the inspriational film, something this profound in film maybe exagerrated but it's point it's clear, express what you believe in even when no one is listening.
Mr Roberts makes a valiant if doomed attempt to restore the honour of this thread...
I'm not crazy about Mr Smith... it's a typical Capra film like It's a Wonderful Life or Meet John Doe or derivatives like Jerry McGuire in that the hero is a touch green (as if that's a good thing) and sticks his neck out, but is saved not by his own machinations but my some outside force that is extremely unlikely to occur in real life.
So in the case of It's a Wonderful Life, I assure you that if you are to be about to top yourself by jumping off a bridge, the chances of an angel called Clarence arriving to save you are pretty slim. Likewise, my understanding of the climax of Mr Smith... is that (and what about spoilers Mr Roberts?)
Stewart only wins because the crooked senator suffers a fit of guilt, which is not that likely. You may as well have Red Grant deciding it's a bit mean to be a killer after all, or what about those gold sovereigns in Bond's briefcase...
I like to subconciously emulate my heroes. Emulating a Capra hero means you'll end up sticking your neck out - but with no one to step in to save you.
Stewart only wins because the crooked senator suffers a fit of guilt, which is not that likely. You may as well have Red Grant deciding it's a bit mean to be a killer after all, or what about those gold sovereigns in Bond's briefcase...
I thought it was very likely for Sen. Paine to at least feel guilt because the film already established a relationship between Paine and Smith. That demonstration Sen. Smith pulled on the Senate floor would have certaintly moved him, the man stood for 8 hours for cryin' out loud.The suicide attempt is another story. Also Capra did a great job making viewer feel that the man wasn't going to win for a very long time.
I like to subconciously emulate my heroes. Emulating a Capra hero means you'll end up sticking your neck out - but with no one to step in to save you.
Well of course but that is film for you. Their is always going to be some exeggeration and there is no harm in that, that is what makes film fun. You can play with reality to make something unique and enjoyable on the screen. I wish we had more films like Capra's these days, everything today wants to be so relentlessly grim or realistic and gets rather tiring. That is why enjoy old films alot more, they don't try to be more then what they are.
Oh yes, you were right about the spoiler tags NP. I didn't know we had them but still, sorry folks.
NP, say what you want about Capra or Mr.Smith Goes To Washington but stay away from It's a Wonderful Life. :v One of my all-time favourite films, it is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen and is by far my favourite 'Christmas' film (although it never gets shown anymore.) As far as I'm concerned, that film is off limits. I mean, if I allow people to insult it, the next thing you know, Casablanca will be attacked.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Why don't you show It's a Wonderful Life to your girlfriend, DS? I'm sure she'd like it.
) I wish I could, but it's been ages since we watched a *video together, and when older films like IAWL get screened at the cinemas, she isn't interested. She also prefers to go to a particular cinema complex, which I don't love, and at that complex, only new films get shown.
*I said video, rather than dvd, as we've never watched a dvd together; only videos. That gives you an indication of how long it's been since we watched a film other than at the cinemas.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Okay, so the gore is definitely heating up now - and there were some moments where I was hiding behind my hands, but I couldn't escape the sound affects
We are now exploring the reasons behind 'jigsaw's' motives, (although you know you have to watch Saw IV to keep up with the explanation) and you get to see what happens after Saw I. (which Saw II does not do....) I'm still unsure of Amanda's seeming obsession with jigsaw, how he has this obsessive hold over her, but I'm sure we will see why in the next instalment.
The 'victim' in this film was weak IMO - and I didn't quite feel the empathy you were supposed to feel, considering he was a vengeful man (for the death of his son) - being tested for his forgivingness. However, I am now intrigued to see the next one, and I never thought I would get past Saw I, so that, in itself, is interesting.
She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
say what you want about Mr.Smith Goes To Washington
Cheers Dan. Mr Smith is an idealistic cretin whose opposition to compromise is against democracy; his brand of cheap emotionalism is only worthy of contempt. I would rather have hard-headed pragmatists in charge of my country than a manipulative cry-baby any day. Loathesome film. Despicable.
Donkey Skin
Jacques Demy's slightly mad adaptation of a French fairytale. Catherine Deneuve (so beautiful it hurts) stars as a Princess who has to flee her kingdom after her grief-stricken father proposes to her. Dressed as a donkey, she finds work as a skivvy in another land where the locals mock her for her strange appearance. Oddly enough Deneuve is still 100% hot despite being dressed as a donkey. A handsome Prince stumbles across her in a forest and is convinced she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, but when he tells everybody they take the proverbial P out of him. Poor Princey falls ill, until the love of a good woman dressed as a donkey cures him. Demy's film has a knowing sense of humour that should appeal to any fans of The Princess Bride.
say what you want about Mr.Smith Goes To Washington
Cheers Dan. Mr Smith is an idealistic cretin whose opposition to compromise is against democracy; his brand of cheap emotionalism is only worthy of contempt. I would rather have hard-headed pragmatists in charge of my country than a manipulative cry-baby any day. Loathesome film. Despicable.
What do you really think? :v ) JD, I have never before read such a passionate repudiation of this film. ) I'm happy I afforded you the opportunity to do so.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
I would rather have hard-headed pragmatists in charge of my country than a manipulative cry-baby any day.
...ooh...me too...
On the brighter side, I showed my boys The Enforcer tonight, the third of the Dirty Harry films. They've become big Eastwood fans B-) I can't wait to show them some of his westerns
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Mr Smith is an idealistic cretin whose opposition to compromise is against democracy; his brand of cheap emotionalism is only worthy of contempt.
What was so contemptable about his ideals ? They were pretty much un-biased. I am really curious about your POV.
I would rather have hard-headed pragmatists in charge of my country than a manipulative cry-baby any day. Loathesome film. Despicable.
Everyone has to be manipulative to some degree in order to get their point across, the problem is when it's for the wrong reasons and I don't see any that were particularly objectionable. As for him being a "cry baby", I think the emotional display here was quite right for film. No one is going to be interested in a guy sitting down for 8 hours and politely speaking.
Anywho, last night I saw:
BEAT THE DEVIL
A surprisingly hilarous film. Bogart and associated international cirminials plan a heist in Africa but one disaster leads to another. You won't fall out of your seat in tears but the acting can be hilarous. Also Benard "M" Lee makes a brief appearance at the end of the film.
Excalibur, an English Dark Ages epic from the early 1980s.
It's easy to praise this in terms of what it isn't. It isn't a Hollywood flick, not that I'm against their treatment of period epics but they're best left to the Roman era, which they do quite well. Excalibur is of course the story of Arthur and the Round Table, Merlin and so on, from around 480 AD.
It's atmospheric and authentic by not trying too hard. Early scenes are almost Carry On in tone. A US film would have some English actor like McKellan as Merlin, or grey and sage-like, but Nicol Williamson, with his Leonard Rossiter-style delivery, is excellent; a very wily character whom you'd not trust entirely. Oddly, unknowns play the main leads: Arthur, Lancelot and Genevieve (although blokes of a certain age will know Cheri Lunghi as Grade A crumpet, though be hard to place her). Yet the supporting cast is made of actors who would make it big in Hollywood: Helen Mirren, Patrick Stewart, Liam Neeson.
A wonderfully erotic tale, lots of naked flesh and gore and it strays into Lair of the White Worm territory towards the end - no bad thing in my view.
If you have a choice between the truth and the myth, print the myth so the saying goes. This is certainly apt here, as Excalibur is far more entertaining than the dreary King Arthur with Clive Owen.
Also, The Poisdon Adventure.
More unPC fun, this classic disaster film is just a glorified assault course with human interest, though that's a bit like saying Terminator 2 is just a series of long chase scenes. It's unPC because the women are all nervous hysterics, while the main one holding them up is Shelley Winter's fat bird (it was probably she who capsized the ship... ) )
Time has lent the film some unintended self-parody seeing as Leslie Nielson, he of disaster spoof Airplaine, is the ship's captain. There's also Grandpa Joe in the cast, lending depth to its 'the fat one gets it' Willy Wonka-style morality.
Again, the recent Clive Owen remake sucked, do we see a theme emerging here?
I was thinking about Excalibur the other day; I used to have the DVD and was wondering when or if a BluRay version would ever see the light of day.
While the movie is beautifully photographed, its also very uneven. The opening scenes showing Uther's (played by a suitably surly Gabriel Byrne) quick rise, and even quicker fall from grace and his squandering of Excalibur are so well done that the rest of the film is something of an anti-climax in comparison. Uther's fairly graphic rape of Igrayne was a somewhat shocking scene from this section, especially given the fact that the actress was the director's daughter.
The film is also a little bit too long with a middle that really drags. I think John Boorman fell a little too much in love with the footage he shot and couldn't bear to excise any of it. It could have definitely used some pruning. Oddly enough, in spite of the film's saggy middle, it then builds to a dramatic climax and ends quite abruptly, as if Boorman ran out of film or money. The final scenes feel somewhat disjointed and even if they are somewhat true to the Arthurian legends, they leave the narrative hanging and make for a somewhat unsatisfying end to the movie.
Overall, infinitely superior to Owen's King Arthur but still a somewhat flawed film. Oh well, it makes a great double feature with Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but that's another review...
Two films yesterday, one in the cinema and one at home...
First, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I feel like I am in the perfect place with respect to the Potter series. I didn't read the books myself, so I'm not in a position to be driven crazy by how similar/dissimilar the films are to the novels, or to quibble about details from the books which inevitably must be cut from the films. However, my daughter read each book voraciously as soon as it was released, and she told me enough about the characters and the major plot points that I can follow along with the films just fine. For example, I knew...
...that Dumbledore didn't survive this episode...
...but I didn't know how or who else was involved, so I was able to experience that part of the film from a fresh perspective. I have now seen all 6 films, and for me this one tucks in nicely behind Azkaban as the second-best so far. The characters are becoming more interesting and well-rounded as they mature. Examples in this film include...
Snape (Alan Rickman is brilliant in this one), Ron and Hermione, and especially Draco Malfoy, who reveals a vulnerable side of himself that made me dislike him even more).
The film's dark tone (Hogwart's has never looked more Burton-esque) is balanced by some genuine humor that tends to revolve around raging teenage hormones, as well as some excellent action sequences. The movie flew by for me, despite a running time of more than 2h30m. And if all of the above doesn't convince you, then you can at least watch Helena Bonham Carter do some of the most unmitigated scenery-chewing I've seen in a while.
Then later, For Your Eyes Only. The only Moore film my kids hadn't seen all the way through. Still a lot to like -- the beauty of Greece, the amazing stunt sequences in Cortina, the relationship between Bond and Melina which goes well beyond the standard lust, the character of Colombo recalling Kerim Bey and Draco. Still things to cringe at -- the cheesy Spanish villa scenes, the silly portrayal of Tanner, and of course Bibi. On what had to at least my 50th viewing but my first in probably 5 years, three things surprised me...first, Roger Moore looked a lot better than I expected him to...second, the film actually dragged for me, and seemed like little more than a sequence of set pieces...and third, the silly Thatcher scene had us all laughing out loud; yes, one could argue it has no place in a bond film, but it sure is funny, even for my kids who have no idea who Dame Maggie is.
Hilly...you old devil!
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
"The International"
I really enjoyed this one---a nice thriller with lots of sudden death and plot twists. Clive Owen looks like hammered s**t throughout: a man who hasn't slept, eaten or...anything else, including bathed...in quite a long time. Naomi Watts is also very good here, and decidedly unglamourous---the boys couldn't believe this was Ann Darrow from the latest King Kong) This is fairly standard stuff, inasmuch as it deals with huge worldwide conspiracies that can't possibly be stopped, etc., and so it works on that level all the way through. I thought that
...the shootout at the museum...
was classic stuff, B-) well-framed and shot.
I didn't much care for the ending, though; and neither did my sons. Loeff Jr said, "Dad, I don't understand." I told him that
...it's all about futility....
...like much of life itself. I'm not sure that helped him grasp it...
Despite this, a strong 3.75 out of 5 stars.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
International was just excuse for Clive Owen to be James Bond. Same goes for Tom Cruise and those awful Mission Impossible films.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
He was very much unlike James Bond in International, IMHO, in every way possible, except that he can apparently handle himself in a gun fight. I enjoyed it for what it was.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
More straight faced then Bond, I'll give you that. However, International seems to be just another spy film clingling on to trends set by Bourne and Bond. Not horrible but far from being great either.
Anywho, Last night I watched:
ROPE
A rarely mentioned Hitchcock gem. Based on a play which was inspired by the thrill kill commited by Leopold and Loeb in the 1920's, two young college men, Brandon and Phillip, kill another student at their apartment but not nessecarily for fun. They both subscribe to a philosphy their Professor Rupert Cadell (Jimmy Stewart) proposed to them, killing should be an art and intellectually superior people are entitled the right to kill whoever is inferior.
Not too long later the boys host a party in their apartment and stuff the body of the student in a trunk. Cadell is also invited this party because the boys want his help to defend this theory to other students and important persons in the casual atmosphere of polite conversation. In the classic "Hitchcockian" style of supense, Cadell carefully untangles the crime that eventually explodes into a tense confrontation. Any fan of Hitchcock would place ROPE right up with greats like NORTH BY NORTHWEST and PHYSCO.
By the way, I was very surprised to learn that Jimmy Stewart felt he was mis-cast and this was the only collaboration with Hitchcock he disliked. Of course the actor's point of view is not always the same of the viewer.
French 60s Superstar Alain Delon is a professional hitman who only wants to retire and raise his five year old boy. The mob has other plans, and soon, tragic circumstance in accidental killing of both wife and son change everything. Tony's out for revenge and starts offing his former mafioso comrades faster then you can say Mack Bolan-Executioner.
Another wide screen beauty from VideoAsia, some more awesome car wrecks in Milan and Coopenhagen. And the great twist ending. I'm really enjoying these films as they are a pleasant alternative to the walmart or Best Buy aisles...
A corny, B-movie, slasher starring Charles Bronson as Detective Leo Kessler. Kessler is in pursuit of a handsome yet twisted serial killer who stabs young woman. J. Lee Thompson directs and knows how to lay on the camp such as the mysterious paralysis induced by fear all the victims seem to get in films of this ilk. However, that is not to say that is a bad movie. The killer is cautious and stays one step ahead of everyone else, except Kessler of course. Also if you enjoy Bronson you are going to enjoy him here. I really wish there were more films like this today, good principle actors, good direction, a rather depth less story, and fun camp.
I love Bronson, although I've never seen this film. The only thing I know about it, other than it starring an all-time cinema great, is that Roger Ebert hated it and gave it zero stars. )
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Comments
What can I say about this terrific and heartbreaking film ? Here is a simple man, the president of America's Boy Scouts, who comes to Washington to be a Senator, but soon he realizes he is a pawn in a political machine much bigger then him. Jimmy Stewart was the everyman actor because he's ignorant like anyone who dosen't truly grasp the outside world. However what makes him hero is he stands on his principles and fights, in this film, nearly to his own death. The hallmarks of this film is the gripping climax and finale. Theire isn't a single film in existence that builds up this amount of tension so sincerely. Senator Jefferson Smith (Stewart), with the aide of this secretary Saunders (Jean Arthur). Manage a fillabuster of the US Senate. He has the right to talk as long dosen't yeild to anyone in the senate, stop talking, leave the room, or even sit down. He stands their for over 8 hours, reciting the US constitution, making some occasional quips, but mostly pleading to the senate about the corruption by his morally bankrupt and treachrous mentor Senator Paine and Paine's superior, Political Boss Jim Taylor. The issue specifically is a collision of interests between Smith and Paine about building a national boy scout camp. The site were Smith wants to build it is part of a public works bill framed by Jim Taylor and supported by Paine. Paine then sets up a fraudulent campaign of accusations of Smith having already a deed to the land were camp should be built and plans of selling the land for a huge profit. This all culminates to this grand finale were Taylor sends his lackeys to destroy Smith's reputation in his home state, a strangle hold of Smith's doing at the senate and accusing him of sabatoging the public works . The boy scouts who support Smith desperately make phamplets to save his reputation but physically attacked by Taylor's thugs. Paine then finally presents to the senate thousands of Telegrams telling Smith to stop his fillerbuster from his home state. Smith, just before collapses to the floor, re-inforces what his later father, who was good friends with Paine, told Smith and Paine. The lost causes are the ones to fight for. After Smith falls to the ground, Paine runs out of the senate floor and nearly shoots himself. Paine, mad with guilt, confesses all the corruption he has done with Taylor and the film ends.
This is the epitome of the inspriational film, something this profound in film maybe exagerrated but it's point it's clear, express what you believe in even when no one is listening.
I'm not crazy about Mr Smith... it's a typical Capra film like It's a Wonderful Life or Meet John Doe or derivatives like Jerry McGuire in that the hero is a touch green (as if that's a good thing) and sticks his neck out, but is saved not by his own machinations but my some outside force that is extremely unlikely to occur in real life.
So in the case of It's a Wonderful Life, I assure you that if you are to be about to top yourself by jumping off a bridge, the chances of an angel called Clarence arriving to save you are pretty slim. Likewise, my understanding of the climax of Mr Smith... is that (and what about spoilers Mr Roberts?)
I like to subconciously emulate my heroes. Emulating a Capra hero means you'll end up sticking your neck out - but with no one to step in to save you.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
I thought it was very likely for Sen. Paine to at least feel guilt because the film already established a relationship between Paine and Smith. That demonstration Sen. Smith pulled on the Senate floor would have certaintly moved him, the man stood for 8 hours for cryin' out loud.The suicide attempt is another story. Also Capra did a great job making viewer feel that the man wasn't going to win for a very long time.
Well of course but that is film for you. Their is always going to be some exeggeration and there is no harm in that, that is what makes film fun. You can play with reality to make something unique and enjoyable on the screen. I wish we had more films like Capra's these days, everything today wants to be so relentlessly grim or realistic and gets rather tiring. That is why enjoy old films alot more, they don't try to be more then what they are.
Oh yes, you were right about the spoiler tags NP. I didn't know we had them but still, sorry folks.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
*I said video, rather than dvd, as we've never watched a dvd together; only videos. That gives you an indication of how long it's been since we watched a film other than at the cinemas.
Okay, so the gore is definitely heating up now - and there were some moments where I was hiding behind my hands, but I couldn't escape the sound affects
We are now exploring the reasons behind 'jigsaw's' motives, (although you know you have to watch Saw IV to keep up with the explanation) and you get to see what happens after Saw I. (which Saw II does not do....) I'm still unsure of Amanda's seeming obsession with jigsaw, how he has this obsessive hold over her, but I'm sure we will see why in the next instalment.
The 'victim' in this film was weak IMO - and I didn't quite feel the empathy you were supposed to feel, considering he was a vengeful man (for the death of his son) - being tested for his forgivingness. However, I am now intrigued to see the next one, and I never thought I would get past Saw I, so that, in itself, is interesting.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
darlin', I've done childbirth - and an emergency c-section to boot - so all I say is
"bring it on!"
Cheers Dan.
Donkey Skin
Jacques Demy's slightly mad adaptation of a French fairytale. Catherine Deneuve (so beautiful it hurts) stars as a Princess who has to flee her kingdom after her grief-stricken father proposes to her. Dressed as a donkey, she finds work as a skivvy in another land where the locals mock her for her strange appearance. Oddly enough Deneuve is still 100% hot despite being dressed as a donkey. A handsome Prince stumbles across her in a forest and is convinced she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, but when he tells everybody they take the proverbial P out of him. Poor Princey falls ill, until the love of a good woman dressed as a donkey cures him. Demy's film has a knowing sense of humour that should appeal to any fans of The Princess Bride.
...ooh...me too...
On the brighter side, I showed my boys The Enforcer tonight, the third of the Dirty Harry films. They've become big Eastwood fans B-) I can't wait to show them some of his westerns
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
mountainburdphotography.wordpress.com
What was so contemptable about his ideals ? They were pretty much un-biased. I am really curious about your POV.
Everyone has to be manipulative to some degree in order to get their point across, the problem is when it's for the wrong reasons and I don't see any that were particularly objectionable. As for him being a "cry baby", I think the emotional display here was quite right for film. No one is going to be interested in a guy sitting down for 8 hours and politely speaking.
Anywho, last night I saw:
BEAT THE DEVIL
A surprisingly hilarous film. Bogart and associated international cirminials plan a heist in Africa but one disaster leads to another. You won't fall out of your seat in tears but the acting can be hilarous. Also Benard "M" Lee makes a brief appearance at the end of the film.
It's easy to praise this in terms of what it isn't. It isn't a Hollywood flick, not that I'm against their treatment of period epics but they're best left to the Roman era, which they do quite well. Excalibur is of course the story of Arthur and the Round Table, Merlin and so on, from around 480 AD.
It's atmospheric and authentic by not trying too hard. Early scenes are almost Carry On in tone. A US film would have some English actor like McKellan as Merlin, or grey and sage-like, but Nicol Williamson, with his Leonard Rossiter-style delivery, is excellent; a very wily character whom you'd not trust entirely. Oddly, unknowns play the main leads: Arthur, Lancelot and Genevieve (although blokes of a certain age will know Cheri Lunghi as Grade A crumpet, though be hard to place her). Yet the supporting cast is made of actors who would make it big in Hollywood: Helen Mirren, Patrick Stewart, Liam Neeson.
A wonderfully erotic tale, lots of naked flesh and gore and it strays into Lair of the White Worm territory towards the end - no bad thing in my view.
If you have a choice between the truth and the myth, print the myth so the saying goes. This is certainly apt here, as Excalibur is far more entertaining than the dreary King Arthur with Clive Owen.
Also, The Poisdon Adventure.
More unPC fun, this classic disaster film is just a glorified assault course with human interest, though that's a bit like saying Terminator 2 is just a series of long chase scenes. It's unPC because the women are all nervous hysterics, while the main one holding them up is Shelley Winter's fat bird (it was probably she who capsized the ship...
Time has lent the film some unintended self-parody seeing as Leslie Nielson, he of disaster spoof Airplaine, is the ship's captain. There's also Grandpa Joe in the cast, lending depth to its 'the fat one gets it' Willy Wonka-style morality.
Again, the recent Clive Owen remake sucked, do we see a theme emerging here?
Roger Moore 1927-2017
While the movie is beautifully photographed, its also very uneven. The opening scenes showing Uther's (played by a suitably surly Gabriel Byrne) quick rise, and even quicker fall from grace and his squandering of Excalibur are so well done that the rest of the film is something of an anti-climax in comparison. Uther's fairly graphic rape of Igrayne was a somewhat shocking scene from this section, especially given the fact that the actress was the director's daughter.
The film is also a little bit too long with a middle that really drags. I think John Boorman fell a little too much in love with the footage he shot and couldn't bear to excise any of it. It could have definitely used some pruning. Oddly enough, in spite of the film's saggy middle, it then builds to a dramatic climax and ends quite abruptly, as if Boorman ran out of film or money. The final scenes feel somewhat disjointed and even if they are somewhat true to the Arthurian legends, they leave the narrative hanging and make for a somewhat unsatisfying end to the movie.
Overall, infinitely superior to Owen's King Arthur but still a somewhat flawed film. Oh well, it makes a great double feature with Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but that's another review...
First, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I feel like I am in the perfect place with respect to the Potter series. I didn't read the books myself, so I'm not in a position to be driven crazy by how similar/dissimilar the films are to the novels, or to quibble about details from the books which inevitably must be cut from the films. However, my daughter read each book voraciously as soon as it was released, and she told me enough about the characters and the major plot points that I can follow along with the films just fine. For example, I knew...
Then later, For Your Eyes Only. The only Moore film my kids hadn't seen all the way through. Still a lot to like -- the beauty of Greece, the amazing stunt sequences in Cortina, the relationship between Bond and Melina which goes well beyond the standard lust, the character of Colombo recalling Kerim Bey and Draco. Still things to cringe at -- the cheesy Spanish villa scenes, the silly portrayal of Tanner, and of course Bibi. On what had to at least my 50th viewing but my first in probably 5 years, three things surprised me...first, Roger Moore looked a lot better than I expected him to...second, the film actually dragged for me, and seemed like little more than a sequence of set pieces...and third, the silly Thatcher scene had us all laughing out loud; yes, one could argue it has no place in a bond film, but it sure is funny, even for my kids who have no idea who Dame Maggie is.
I really enjoyed this one---a nice thriller with lots of sudden death and plot twists. Clive Owen looks like hammered s**t throughout: a man who hasn't slept, eaten or...anything else, including bathed...in quite a long time. Naomi Watts is also very good here, and decidedly unglamourous---the boys couldn't believe this was Ann Darrow from the latest King Kong
I didn't much care for the ending, though; and neither did my sons. Loeff Jr said, "Dad, I don't understand." I told him that
Despite this, a strong 3.75 out of 5 stars.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Anywho, Last night I watched:
ROPE
A rarely mentioned Hitchcock gem. Based on a play which was inspired by the thrill kill commited by Leopold and Loeb in the 1920's, two young college men, Brandon and Phillip, kill another student at their apartment but not nessecarily for fun. They both subscribe to a philosphy their Professor Rupert Cadell (Jimmy Stewart) proposed to them, killing should be an art and intellectually superior people are entitled the right to kill whoever is inferior.
Not too long later the boys host a party in their apartment and stuff the body of the student in a trunk. Cadell is also invited this party because the boys want his help to defend this theory to other students and important persons in the casual atmosphere of polite conversation. In the classic "Hitchcockian" style of supense, Cadell carefully untangles the crime that eventually explodes into a tense confrontation. Any fan of Hitchcock would place ROPE right up with greats like NORTH BY NORTHWEST and PHYSCO.
By the way, I was very surprised to learn that Jimmy Stewart felt he was mis-cast and this was the only collaboration with Hitchcock he disliked. Of course the actor's point of view is not always the same of the viewer.
French 60s Superstar Alain Delon is a professional hitman who only wants to retire and raise his five year old boy. The mob has other plans, and soon, tragic circumstance in accidental killing of both wife and son change everything. Tony's out for revenge and starts offing his former mafioso comrades faster then you can say Mack Bolan-Executioner.
Another wide screen beauty from VideoAsia, some more awesome car wrecks in Milan and Coopenhagen. And the great twist ending. I'm really enjoying these films as they are a pleasant alternative to the walmart or Best Buy aisles...
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Oops, wrong thread ... ;%
xxx
A corny, B-movie, slasher starring Charles Bronson as Detective Leo Kessler. Kessler is in pursuit of a handsome yet twisted serial killer who stabs young woman. J. Lee Thompson directs and knows how to lay on the camp such as the mysterious paralysis induced by fear all the victims seem to get in films of this ilk. However, that is not to say that is a bad movie. The killer is cautious and stays one step ahead of everyone else, except Kessler of course. Also if you enjoy Bronson you are going to enjoy him here. I really wish there were more films like this today, good principle actors, good direction, a rather depth less story, and fun camp.