So while I continue to wrap my mind around Tree Of Life, I will fulfill a request to blog of a classic film that continues to scare and entertain...Wait Until Dark. This is one of my favorite scary movies and one of Audrey Hepburns greatest performances. I have never been a fan of gory films, but I don't mind being scared. If you're like me, this is the film for you. Audrey plays a woman who has recently lost her sight and becomes entangled in a desperate search for a doll that happens to contain heroin. I've seen this several times and it still gives me goosebumps.
The best part of the film for me is Alan Arkin, who plays the mastermind of three thugs trying to get their hands on the doll. He nails one of the creepiest, slimiest bad guy roles in film. It's full of 'jump in your seat' moments that are never once hokey interlaced with a feeling of dreaded anticipation for what's next. Top it off with the eeriest film score i've ever heard which is composed by Henry Mancini. I once made about a dozen 14 year olds watch this during a lock in. My hearing took a worthwhile toll. Be sure not to watch it alone......
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Freedom Riders
Now as much as i enjoy escaping everyday life by diving into a good film, sometimes learning about our past or stories of long ago can be just as enjoyable. I have PBS to thank for that. Not only do they broadcast the most amazing (and high quality) films and documentaries, but they rerun them during the night and online so people like me can view then for free. Thank you PBS! Anyways, I'd like to talk about such a program that I have seen recently.
This is a subject that I've always been (especially considering my family and upbringing) rather sensitive to. It was an episode of American Experience called Freedom Riders. In 1961 the American South was still very segregated. African Americans basically had little to no rights. Even civil rights and equality laws passed by Congress were completely ignored by local and state governments. Something so simple as eating lunch at a diner or talking back to a white man could cost you your life. This was most evident in Alabama and Mississippi. So when two groups of young people consisting of blacks and whites, men and women, decided to ride a greyhound bus from D.C. to New Orleans, everthing changed. They fought segregation head on. They were a non-violent army that stood against that which was wrong. Watch this trailer.
Neither bus made it past Mississippi. The first bus didn't even make it to Birmingham without being surrounded by local klansmen and set on fire. The second bus made it to Birmingham only to face severe beatings. The whites involved were beaten first because the only thing they hated more than blacks were "nigger lovers". The fear and violence endured and the bravery and non-violent reaction by these modern day hero's and those that picked up their cause when they fell are to be saluted and applauded as much as any soldier who fought in any war. Please watch this episode if you haven't already.
This is a great stain in our country's history. While it is important to remember where we've come from, it is equally important to step back and reflect on who we now are and where we are headed. Watching this has made me do so, and I hope it does the same for you who watch it. I look forward to hearing your comments on the matter.
This is a subject that I've always been (especially considering my family and upbringing) rather sensitive to. It was an episode of American Experience called Freedom Riders. In 1961 the American South was still very segregated. African Americans basically had little to no rights. Even civil rights and equality laws passed by Congress were completely ignored by local and state governments. Something so simple as eating lunch at a diner or talking back to a white man could cost you your life. This was most evident in Alabama and Mississippi. So when two groups of young people consisting of blacks and whites, men and women, decided to ride a greyhound bus from D.C. to New Orleans, everthing changed. They fought segregation head on. They were a non-violent army that stood against that which was wrong. Watch this trailer.
Neither bus made it past Mississippi. The first bus didn't even make it to Birmingham without being surrounded by local klansmen and set on fire. The second bus made it to Birmingham only to face severe beatings. The whites involved were beaten first because the only thing they hated more than blacks were "nigger lovers". The fear and violence endured and the bravery and non-violent reaction by these modern day hero's and those that picked up their cause when they fell are to be saluted and applauded as much as any soldier who fought in any war. Please watch this episode if you haven't already.
This is a great stain in our country's history. While it is important to remember where we've come from, it is equally important to step back and reflect on who we now are and where we are headed. Watching this has made me do so, and I hope it does the same for you who watch it. I look forward to hearing your comments on the matter.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Straw Dogs
I recently discovered that this is being remade. No i will not see the remake. Not ever. Why? Well i'd rather just watch the original again. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, Straw Dogs (1971) is an amazing film. It is, however, not for everyone. This film is very shocking in it's violence and sexuality. One of Dustin Hoffmans greatest performances, and my favorite film by Sam Peckinpah (Wild Bunch, The Getaway).
A New Way
I've decided to reformat this whole fiasco. No full-on blogs. I suppose you could consider this to now be a film diary of sorts. I have had some of you say to me that I'm considered to be your personal film critic, and to that I'm honored and hope to serve you well. So here's the deal: every film I watch from now on will be posted along with a brief review. I have no rating system as of yet, but I am open to ideas. If there is a particular film you'd like me to review or want my opinion on, please leave a comment or email me at op70no1@gmail.com. Thank you and enjoy.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Royal Tenenbaums
It was very difficult to choose a film for my first blog. This feels like a first date. The nervousness and not knowing whether it'll end at date two or flourish into a beautiful union. Well here's to the latter. So why Royal Tenenbaums?
This is the first of Wes Anderson's films that I had seen. While most rave on and on about Rushmore (made in 1998), it was this film that I really connected with. First of all this film is perfectly casted. From the children to the parents down to the amazing smaller roles and cameos (Seymore Cassel was absolutely brilliant). One of the many things I love about Wes is that his films merit multiple viewings. I catch something new every time. This can easily be said for all of his films (I didn't like Life Aquatic the first time I saw it, but now I totally love it).
He has a very particular look and feel to his films. Stylish and sentimental, this film portrays the complexity of relationships and family with a biting and subtle humor. He tackles the painful moments of life, love, and even drug use with a formal matter-of-fact attitude that I find refreshing. Now I must mention the soundtrack. His use of punk, pop, and Mark Mothersbaugh's original score aligns itself perfectly his lush visuals and witty dialouge. Wes Anderson is one of the best directors of my generation, and this movie is one of his best.
Royal: Can I say something to you, Henry?
Henry Sherman: Okay.
Royal: I've always been considered an asshole for about as long as I can remember. Uh, that's just my style. But I'd really feel blue if I didn't think you were going to forgive me.
Henry Sherman: I don't think you're an asshole, Royal, I just think you're kind of a son of a bitch.
Royal: Well, I really appreciate that.
This is the first of Wes Anderson's films that I had seen. While most rave on and on about Rushmore (made in 1998), it was this film that I really connected with. First of all this film is perfectly casted. From the children to the parents down to the amazing smaller roles and cameos (Seymore Cassel was absolutely brilliant). One of the many things I love about Wes is that his films merit multiple viewings. I catch something new every time. This can easily be said for all of his films (I didn't like Life Aquatic the first time I saw it, but now I totally love it).
He has a very particular look and feel to his films. Stylish and sentimental, this film portrays the complexity of relationships and family with a biting and subtle humor. He tackles the painful moments of life, love, and even drug use with a formal matter-of-fact attitude that I find refreshing. Now I must mention the soundtrack. His use of punk, pop, and Mark Mothersbaugh's original score aligns itself perfectly his lush visuals and witty dialouge. Wes Anderson is one of the best directors of my generation, and this movie is one of his best.
Royal: Can I say something to you, Henry?
Henry Sherman: Okay.
Royal: I've always been considered an asshole for about as long as I can remember. Uh, that's just my style. But I'd really feel blue if I didn't think you were going to forgive me.
Henry Sherman: I don't think you're an asshole, Royal, I just think you're kind of a son of a bitch.
Royal: Well, I really appreciate that.
Monday, March 28, 2011
What's it all about?
I thought I'd send out my first blog here as a sort of mission statement as to what it's all about.
I am an avid watcher of films...all films. I admit that I was a late bloomer when it came to movies, but have more than made up for that. Years ago I worked at a video rental store that had the largest collection of films in probably the entire Midwest. While I was there I began to catalogue every movie I had ever seen. This is also where I discovered the Criterion Collection. It is now one of my goals to see every film in that collection. So here I am several years later and my love for all things cinema has flourished to quite the obsession. Many of the films I'll review and comment about will be older films and mostly those from Criterion along with a few fresh ones I'll catch in theatres. I will do my best to be informative while keeping the snobbery to a minimum. Enjoy.
k.
I am an avid watcher of films...all films. I admit that I was a late bloomer when it came to movies, but have more than made up for that. Years ago I worked at a video rental store that had the largest collection of films in probably the entire Midwest. While I was there I began to catalogue every movie I had ever seen. This is also where I discovered the Criterion Collection. It is now one of my goals to see every film in that collection. So here I am several years later and my love for all things cinema has flourished to quite the obsession. Many of the films I'll review and comment about will be older films and mostly those from Criterion along with a few fresh ones I'll catch in theatres. I will do my best to be informative while keeping the snobbery to a minimum. Enjoy.
k.
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