Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 148th Edition

Welcome to the 148th Edition of my series. I am right now 1-0 in my fantasy football league thanks to my quarterback Brett Favre, Bill WR Lee Evans, and the Patriots defense, but all my players put in at least average contribution which was enough for my win. I'm starting my ANNIE rehearsals on Monday so expect something in the coming weeks in the recommendations. As you see, one of the characters I play is Cordell Hull who was FDR's Secretary of State during his reign in office. I now bring you the ten for this week so get your queues and read on.

Mr. Brooks (2007): I start with this thriller from Bruce Evans and one of Kevin Costner's best performances. I have never really seen him as a bad actor, but as someone who does not always pick the right things but this decision here is right to me. This was an unexpected selection when I was hanging out at my friend Geoff's house, he decided he wanted to watch it and I did not have any new movies for this week so I agreed. Costner plays the title character who is a very respected businessman but has an evil alter-ego, played by William Hurt, which compells him to commit serial murders. Demi Moore is the cop out on his trail. Dane Cook also stars as Mr. Smith, someone who knows what Mr. Brooks really does and wants to learn about what he does. This movie had me from beginning to end and did not disappoint.

The Wanderers (1979): Now I bring you Philip Kaufman in a movie of high school gangs and the one of the title name in the 1960s New York. This mainly focuses on for of the Wanderers and their conflict with each other, other gangs like the Baldies and the Ducky Boys. Richie, played by Ken Wahl, falls in love with the daughter of a mob boss which brings even more conflict. This was a fun gang movie, nothing real depressing. Karen Allen plays that daughter so it was good to see her in an early role. I have always liked Karen in what I have seen and wish she could have had a bigger career.

International House (1933): I introduced W.C. Fields to this blog last week and thought I would continue with this underrated comedy. The movie revolves around a guy named Dr. Hong, played by Edmund Breese, who has invented the television and has everyone curious when he comes to America. Fields plays an eccentric professor who comes in on his helicopter. Bela Legosi has a very amusing comedic role as sort of the villain of the movie. Other good musical performances include Rudy Vallee, Cab Calloway, and Baby Rose Marie. THis is a short and fun comedy from this era.

Man With the Gun (1955): This is my western for this week which stars Robert Mitchum as the mysterious gunslinger Clint Tollinger who comes into his old town looking for his estranged wife only to find her running a local brothel and a town in fear of corrupt landowners and the town agrees to pay him $500 to help turn the town around. This was the same year Mitchum was in his other controversial film NIGHT OF THE HUNTER and this is pretty daring as well and gets your attention right away.

Four Rooms (1995): This was chosen due to the death of Paul Starr who her was Madonna's make-up artist. This was a movie with four segments directed by Allison Anders, Alexandre Rockwell, Quentin Tarantino, and Robert Rodriguez. This was a movie of four different tales at a hotel with Tim Roth starring in all of them as Ted the Bellhop who encounters four very strange situations. Antonio Banderas was great in his small role. Also look for such 80s stars like Jennifer Beals and Ione Skye. I'm not going to go into detail on each story but it is worth it for Tim Roth and look for Bruce Willis in an uncredited appearance.

Badgered (2005): This is my short film for the week and is an animated short film. Here we have a badger trying to hibernate but keeps getting interrupted by two crows and then finds himself in an underground missile silo. This has some great animation and a great message.

Lethal Weapon (1987): This is where we first meet our friends Riggs and Murtaugh. Mel Gibson plays Riggs, who is a suicidal cop since the death of his wife. Danny Glover plays Murtaugh who is a family man. Together they must team up to stop a group of drug smugglers. Look for my hero Gary Busey as Mr. Joshua. Not much else can be said here except we would get to know these guys through the years and they have come to be one of the most memorable duos of all time.

Secondhand Lions (2003): My mom's boyfriend Tony suggested that I view this movie and I am glad he did. Haley Joel Osment stars in this coming-of-age film where he plays a young boy whose mother leaves him with his two estranged and wealthy uncles. Robert Duvall and Michael Caine are great as the two strange uncles who tell their nephew of all the conquests through the years. This has some great flash-back scenes and a great story which keeps you wondering how these guys got so rich.

Odds Against Tomorrow (1959): Here is another underrated classic that I found on TCM. Ed Begley stars as a man who wants to put together a robbery and recruits an ex-con, played by Robert Ryan and a black gambler played by Harry Belafonte. The biggest problem is that the ex-con is racist which mounts a lot of tension. Some may believe this stereotypes blacks but it really just portrays them as human in my opinion. Belafonte played a good role in a time where Sidney Poitier played many of the good roles.

The Courtship of Andy Hardy (1942): I end here with Andy Hardy, a famous character that Mickey Rooney brought to life. This is a long series of movies focusing on a middle-class family where the father is not a wealthy judge but very respected. Here, Andy takes a liking to a young, shy girl, played by Donna Reed, whose parents are going through a custody battle in order to get her. Last year I actually saw Mickey Rooney in a live show in my hometown where he and his wife did a live show called LETS PUT ON A SHOW. It was pretty fun and this movie is quite fun as well. I will be featuring the Hardy Family again in the next couple weeks.

That is it for this week. I start my ANNIE rehearsals on Monday so in the coming weeks you will find that in here I'm sure but for now just tell me what you love and what you hate.