Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 287th Edition

Welcome to the 287th Edition of my long-running series. This week I pay tribute to actresses Yvette Vickers and Marie-France Pisier who recently left us. Let's get to my next ten selections.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978): This is the 27th link of The Chain which continues with Donald Sutherland and is the oldest link on the chain so far being made in 1978. This is a remake of the 1956 classic is one of the better remakes where some may regard this one as better. I have not seen the original in a while to really form an opinion. Donald Sutherland stars as health department employee Matthew Bennell who is hearing from a lot of friends that a loved one is just not acting the same. He first brushes it off until he sees first hand. It is then realized that bodies are being cloned and Matthew and friends look to put a stop to it before it gets out of hand. Jeff Goldblum, Brooke Adams, STAR TREK alum Leonard Nimoy, Veronica Cartwright, Kevin McCarty all co-star. Phillip Kaufman directed this film and look for a bit part with Robert Duvall as a priest on a swing. This is a pretty decent entry into the horror genre. This is available on Instant Netflix. The Chain continues next week with another link for Donald Sutherland.

Gang Boy (1954): This is my short film for the week from the great Prelinger Archives and this one takes a look at gangs and the price of gang wars. This was on TCM On-Demand. This is quite dated since it is more out in the open and discussed a lot more but it was probably pretty hard-hitting then and maybe even shocking that their kids could be in a gang. It was very well-intentioned but like many just become more entertaining. They used real-life gang members but the acting and narration was quite bad but was still good to watch.

Killshot (2009): This is part two of my two-part Joseph Gordon-Levitt series. John Madden, and not it's not that football commentator, directed this adaptation on the novel by Elmore Leonard. Leonard will always hold a place in my heart as being the author that got me through high school in the required readings we were all to do. The movie is all over the place but it still entertained me throughout the film. THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN alum Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a young and rather stupid criminal named Richie who then carjacks the wrong person in Armand "Blackbird" Vegas, played by Mickey Rourke, who is an experienced hitman. Against his better judgment, Armand takes Richie under his wing to show him the ropes and help Richie finish a job he had already started. Thomas Jane and Diane Lane play Wayne and Carmen who are a married but troubled couple and get caught in the middle of this job they are doing where their lives become endangered. This movie went onto some rather mixed opinions but thought it was worth it for the performances. I thought it would be very predictable but for me it really was not that way. Everybody also knows how much of a Mickey Rourke fan I am so I could be biased on here but I felt he put on a pretty good portrait of an assassin. Rosario Dawson plays Richie's Elvis-loving girlfriend in the film.

Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958): This is my tribute to Yvette Vickers who was found dead and sadly she had been dead for over a year. She plays the conniving Honey Parker in this film. This is my Sci-Fi B-movie for the week which stars Allison Hayes as Nancy who goes onto become the title character. Nancy has an encounter with an alien and no one will believe her especially her cheating husband, played by Harry Archer. When they go back, she has another encounter but that is when she started becoming bigger, growing to 50 foot. When becoming that she goes after the cheating husband and her mistress. This is for those who can appreciate the art of a cheesy sci-fi b-movie. This is available on Instant Netflix.

Swing Your Lady (1938): I see I have two b-movies in a row and this is Humphrey Bogart in a B-movie which I could not resist when I heard he is playing a wrestling promoter from that era. Bogey stars as greedy promoter Ed Hatch who comes to the Ozarks with his slow-witted wrestler Joe, played by Nat Pendleton, and ends up meeting a tough female blacksmith in Sadie Horn. Joe then begins to fall in love with her but Ed gets rather manipulative so that Joe will have his wrestling match which there is finally a match in the end and interesting to watch it from the 30s. This is also the hillbilly love story musical which I did not expect as there are a couple musical numbers. Too bad Bogey did not sing. This is mostly of interest to wrestling fans and to see Bogart in what he calls his worst movie. Look for future US president Ronald Reagon as Jack Miller.

The Other Side of Midnight (1977): This is my tribute to my Marie-France Pisier who recently left us and stars as Noelle in this film. John Beck stars as Fighter pilot Larry Douglas who meets Noelle and has quite an affair in France but leaves and does not keep his word. In the United States, he meets Catherine, played by a young Susan Sarandon, and they soon marry. In the meantime, Noelle has established herself as quite the movie star in her country but does not forget about Larry and connives to pay him back but soon betrayal follows from everywhere. That's about as much as I can explain without giving it away but it a rather compelling story with a pretty good twist.

The Station Agent (2003): Thomas McCarthy wrote and directed this independent film. Peter Dinklage stars as Fin who is quite the loner and loves anything to do with trains. A friend of his dies and then moves to an abandoned train station. In his new home, he meets a very outgoing hot dog vendor named Joe, played by Bobby Cannavale, and a struggling female artist named Olivia, played by Patricia Clarkson. These three form an unlikely friendship and each have personal struggles. DAWSON'S CREEK alum Michelle Williams plays the local librarian who also forms a connection to Fin. This is a movie driven by the characters and performances and shows a movie can be good when the star is a dwarf actor like Peter Dinklage. The art on hand was provided by GLEE co-star Jessalyn Gilsig. There is not much more I can say except that this was a very moving film and if I ever make it in acting, these are the types of films I hope to be a part of someday. This is also the type of movie I am proud to put on the radar.

Sherman's March (1986): This is my documentary for the week which was directed by Ross McElwee. McElwee set out to do a documentary on the Civil war of General Sherman's march and show the lingering effects on the town. When filming this documentary, he gets sidetracked by events in his own life and his constant dreams of nuclear holocaust. He has a girlfriend who leaves him, a family who just does not understand why he is doing what he doing, and a sister who really wants him to settle down and find someone. There were some pretty funny moments like him pursuing Burt Reynolds only to meet his look-alike but finally has his encounter with the real one. Some of the conversations with the women he meets were pretty good too. I was wanting to hear more of General William Sherman but this was an interesting documentary style.

Ip Man (2008): This is my Chinese martial arts film where Donnie Yen plays the title character in this semi-autobiographical story that takes place in the town of Foshan. In this film, Ip is a martial arts expert who specializes in the style of Wing Chun fighting. He has casual duels but does not want to teach anyone. However, things change when the Japanese army invade and must teach his countrymen to fight. Donnie Yen is great as Ip who does what he can to earn a living but refuses to give into helping the Japanese. This movie takes place in about the 1930s when China and Japan were at war. This was a beautiful Asian martial arts films and may rank up pretty high in martial arts films. Ip Man would go onto mentor the legendary Bruce Lee. Sammo Hung helped with the fight choreography. This is a martial arts films that works because of a good story and very good fight sequences. This is available on Instant Netflix and has a 2010 sequel where Ip Man is in Hong Kong starting a school. I have not seen that one but would really like to see it. Donnie Yen is a little more unknown here compared to people like Jet Li and Jackie Chan but is just as good in his martial arts and possibly one of the fastest fighters.

Amexicano (2007): I end with independent film which I found on Instant Netflix. This is a story of a Queens native who is white and has a hard time finding a job. He then reluctantly takes work that illegal immigrants would usually do. When working with another Mexican named Ignacio, he develops a new respect for him and forms a rather unusual friendship. I put this together at the last minute as it did not appear to save so forgive my lackluster writing on this one. This is a movie that can really spark a lot of discussion on our society.

Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and what you do not like. Stay tuned for next week which so far includes more Donald Sutherland, Jennifer Garner, Reese Witherspoon and many others.

FUN AND USELESS FACTS

Robert Duvall (Invasion of the Body Snatchers uncredited) and Diane Lane (Killshot) worked together in the highly regarded Western mini-series LONESOME DOVE.

Robert Duvall (Invasion of the Body Snatchers uncredited) played Captain Frank Burns in the 1970 film MASH. My Facebook friend Bill played the part in a 2007 production at the now defunct Lee's Theatrical Products which was my last show there but the first time I met Bill and many other long-time friends.

Donald Sutherland (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) and Thomas Jane (Killshot) worked together in the 1992 comedy BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER which turns into a far better tv series of which I grew up with.

Rosario Dawson (Killshot) plays Mimi in the 2005 film RENT. My Facebook friend Alli played the part in a stage musical at The Artist's Studio which I auditioned for but did not get a part.

Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) plays "Deep Throat" who helps expose Nixon in the 1997 tv movie ELVIS MEETS NIXON. Hal Holbrook plays the part in the 1976 film ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN.

My friend Lisa and I had the pleasure of seeing Hal Holbrook (Killshot) in his live one-man act MARK TWAIN TONIGHT at Emen's Auditorium at Ball State University. He has done that act for many years.

Mickey Rourke (Killshot) will play my father in THE RISE AND FALL OF SHAUN BERKEY.

Mickey Rourke (Killshot) and Humphrey Bogart play the equivalent characters in version of THE DESPERATE HOURS.

Thomas Jane (Killshot) plays The Punisher in the 2004 film THE PUNISHER. John Beck provides the voice in a SPIDER-MAN cartoon in the 90s for three episodes.

Susan Sarandon (The Other Side of Midnight) plays Belle in the episode BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on the show FAERIE TALE THEATRE. My Facebook friend Elizabeth played the part in a 2005 show at Muncie Civic Theater which is based on the Disney film and had the pleasure of playing Lefou and having a very good scene with her.

Susan Sarandon (The Other Side of Midnight) plays Janet in the 1975 film ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. My Facebook friend Kristen played the part in various productions at the Muncie Civic Theater. Kristen has gone onto have a pretty successful career in Chicago in theater and singing.

Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent) and Mickey Rourke (Killshot) worked together in the 1996 film BULLET.

Patricia Clarkson (The Station Agent) and Mickey Rourke (Killshot) both had parts in the 2001 film THE PLEDGE.