Welcome to the 184th Edition
of my series. I had quite a week, with last friday was apparently my
birthday. I had some good times. I don't really have much to say so
let's get on with the movies
'Round Midnight (1986): Bertrand Tavernier directed this movie which takes a look at an aging jazz musician named Dale Turner who resides in France. Real-life Jazz musician Dexter Gordon portrays the person. Through the years, he has a battle with alcoholism, estranged from his family and holding his career by a thread. Francois Cluzet plays Francis, a man who really likes his music and befriends Dale. Francis really wants to save him from his way on life so he can focus on his music. Gordon begins to value life more with him and Francis' young daughter. This was a very moving film where Herbie Hancock co-stars and wrote the music score.
Strait Jacket (2008): This is my Anime film for the week which is something I don't do often but do when I see the opportunity presents itself. For those of you that don't know what Anime is, it is a Japanese animated movie and sometimes tv show. This takes place in a world where sorcery and reality co-exist finding benefits. However, when the right precaution is not taken, humans can become monsters and must be killed. A group of sorcerists are brought together to destroy these monsters while running their own risk. They then find a big issue where the Sorcery Management Bureau must enlist the help of an unlicensed assassin named Leiot Sternberg who resides with a young mysterious girl. Both of these people have a pretty dark past and are looking for redemption. This was a pretty entertaining and somewhat moving film where one of the biggest themes is redemption and forgiveness.
Puss Cafe (1950): This is my second Pluto short in the last couple of weeks and the first times I have really taken note of Disney character Pluto. In this one, he is trying to guard his yard but a couple mischievous cats make trouble for the dog. There are some pretty funny moments and definetly something for animation buffs.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005): This is a selection from the Random Myspace Profile selection process and for this one I chose was Camilla. This is based on the fourth installment of the Harry Potter series and here he faces the challenge of his life when he is selected for a multi-wizard tournament where he is an under-aged competitor which even brings tension between him and Ron and must face the inevitable encounter with Lord Valdemort, played by Ralph Fiennes. Harry says he did not put in his name but someone did. Ron, Hemione, Snape, Malfoy, and all our other favorites return. I am sorry to the readers who might find this satanic. Other actors include Timothy Spall, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, Maggie Smith, and others. There is not much else to say on this. I enjoyed the movie. I honestly have not read the books.
Come and Get It (1936): Howard Hawks started out as the director before getting replaced in the end by William Wyler due to some disagreements. Edward Arnold stars as Barney Glasgow, a lumberjack who becomes infatuated with a saloon girl named Lotta Morgan, played very well by Frances Farmer who I believe is the first movie of hers that I have ever featured, but leaves her to marry into wealth. Many years later, he returns to the small town to find that she has died but takes a liking to her daughter, also played by Farmer, where he then has a rivalry with his son Richard over the affections of her. Joel McCrea plays his son. Walter Brennan co-stars as Swan and wins the first Best Supporting Actor in the Academy Awards. This was a pretty compelling film with good performances. Unfortunately, Farmer did not have the career she could have because her parents had her confined to a series of asylums and institutions. She showed a lot of talent and promise here.
Lovers and Other Strangers (1970): This is a tribute to former Golden Girl Bea Arthur who recently left us. Cy Howard directed this movie based on a play by Joseph Bologna. Michael Brandon and Bonnie Bedelia star as engaged couple Mike and Susan who see many couples around them that are not very happy. Mike's brother Richie, played by Joseph Hindy, is going through a divorce with his wife Joan, played by Diane Keaton in her film debut. Susan's father is carrying on an affair. Mike's friend Jerry, played by Harry Guardino, is trying to bed the maid of honor Brenda, played by Marian Hailey who was my favorite in the movie. This shows the workings of relationships and how to solve them. Bea Arthur plays Mike's mother who is upset that her other son is getting a divorce due to her catholic beliefs. Richard Castellano plays Mike's father. Also includes Cloris Leachman as Bernice. I'm not going to go any more into the many relationship scenarios. Anne Meara plays Wilma and her husband Jerry Stiller has a cameo with their daughter, Amy, as the flower girl. This is a very overlooked movie which took the death of Ms. Arthur to make me notice.
The Story of Qui Ju (1992): This is a selection from the Random Myspace Profile selection and for this one I selected Myspace founder Tom Anderson. Zhang Yimou directed this Hong Kong film that stars Gong Li as the title character. She is a peasant in a village and is pregnant. She becomes very dismayed when the village chief kicks her husband in the groin. The chief offered money for what happened and for the medical bills but she did not want that, she wanted an apology. She then goes to many levels of court looking for this apology but is dismissed due to what they believe was the minority of the crime and feeling money should be enough. She becomes very frustrated in her quest and going farther and farther through the country. This was a very realistic film about Chinese government and very beautifully shot. However, I had a hard time with the main character going through such extremes to get this apology while hurting her family financially. I guess I just had a hard time agreeing so I was rating this lower than some at first until the end of the movie when a certain price had to be paid. Gong Li is great as the title character.
Bastard Out of Carolina (1996): Anjelica Huston directed this movie about a poor, stuggling 1950s family. Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as Anney, the mother of the family. Jena Malone is the older sister and is nicknamed Bone. Anney meets a man named Glenn, played by Ron Eldard, and they soon marry. He soon makes Bone's life hell through his abuse and molestation. Both Anney and Bone have important decisions to make and have tension even with them. This is not for everyone and I had a hard time with it myself with the images. Malone was great in her breakthrough role and I feel Eldard gets overlooked. It was definetly worth a watch and I must say it kept my attention even when I was laying down. Glenne Headly, Lyle Lovett, Dermot Mulrooney, Christina Ricci, Michael Rooker, Diana Scarwid, Pat Hingle as well as a narration from Laura Dern.
Sweepings (1933): I found this one on TCM and this seems pretty overlooked today. Lionel Barrymore stars as Daniel Pardway who builds a very big department store hoping to make it a family business but finds that his kids are not so sure they want anything to do with it. He has three sons and a daughter. Gloria Stuart plays his daughter. This is a great movie dealing with a family just like my last selection. Barrymore is great and they did a good job making him look 25 at the beginning even though he was 55 years old. This is something I did not find much info on so it does not really live on as a known classic but deserves some exposure like what TCM gave it.
The Poseidon Adventure (1972): This one is in tribute to a theater friend named Cathy. I recently spoke to her husband at the premier of MY NAME IS JERRY and cited this as one of her favorites. Unfortunately I did not know her like I should have and never had the pleasure of working with her at a show. Now to the movie. This is regarded by many as the best of the disaster films. It's the type that has an all-star cast, many sub-plots, a diverse amount of characters fighting for their survival, one person who knows they should not do what they are doing, and so on. Gene Hackman leads this group as the liberal preacher Reverend Scott. If you're looking for a great plot, this might not be the one to watch. However, it has some pretty good action. Other actors include Shelley Winters, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, Roddy McDowell, Leslie Nielson, and many others.
Well, that is it for this week, please tell me what you like and what you dislike and stay tuned next week for the 185th Edition which will include the Master of Suspense, Disney, Billy Bob Thornton and even some Pam Grier.
'Round Midnight (1986): Bertrand Tavernier directed this movie which takes a look at an aging jazz musician named Dale Turner who resides in France. Real-life Jazz musician Dexter Gordon portrays the person. Through the years, he has a battle with alcoholism, estranged from his family and holding his career by a thread. Francois Cluzet plays Francis, a man who really likes his music and befriends Dale. Francis really wants to save him from his way on life so he can focus on his music. Gordon begins to value life more with him and Francis' young daughter. This was a very moving film where Herbie Hancock co-stars and wrote the music score.
Strait Jacket (2008): This is my Anime film for the week which is something I don't do often but do when I see the opportunity presents itself. For those of you that don't know what Anime is, it is a Japanese animated movie and sometimes tv show. This takes place in a world where sorcery and reality co-exist finding benefits. However, when the right precaution is not taken, humans can become monsters and must be killed. A group of sorcerists are brought together to destroy these monsters while running their own risk. They then find a big issue where the Sorcery Management Bureau must enlist the help of an unlicensed assassin named Leiot Sternberg who resides with a young mysterious girl. Both of these people have a pretty dark past and are looking for redemption. This was a pretty entertaining and somewhat moving film where one of the biggest themes is redemption and forgiveness.
Puss Cafe (1950): This is my second Pluto short in the last couple of weeks and the first times I have really taken note of Disney character Pluto. In this one, he is trying to guard his yard but a couple mischievous cats make trouble for the dog. There are some pretty funny moments and definetly something for animation buffs.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005): This is a selection from the Random Myspace Profile selection process and for this one I chose was Camilla. This is based on the fourth installment of the Harry Potter series and here he faces the challenge of his life when he is selected for a multi-wizard tournament where he is an under-aged competitor which even brings tension between him and Ron and must face the inevitable encounter with Lord Valdemort, played by Ralph Fiennes. Harry says he did not put in his name but someone did. Ron, Hemione, Snape, Malfoy, and all our other favorites return. I am sorry to the readers who might find this satanic. Other actors include Timothy Spall, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, Maggie Smith, and others. There is not much else to say on this. I enjoyed the movie. I honestly have not read the books.
Come and Get It (1936): Howard Hawks started out as the director before getting replaced in the end by William Wyler due to some disagreements. Edward Arnold stars as Barney Glasgow, a lumberjack who becomes infatuated with a saloon girl named Lotta Morgan, played very well by Frances Farmer who I believe is the first movie of hers that I have ever featured, but leaves her to marry into wealth. Many years later, he returns to the small town to find that she has died but takes a liking to her daughter, also played by Farmer, where he then has a rivalry with his son Richard over the affections of her. Joel McCrea plays his son. Walter Brennan co-stars as Swan and wins the first Best Supporting Actor in the Academy Awards. This was a pretty compelling film with good performances. Unfortunately, Farmer did not have the career she could have because her parents had her confined to a series of asylums and institutions. She showed a lot of talent and promise here.
Lovers and Other Strangers (1970): This is a tribute to former Golden Girl Bea Arthur who recently left us. Cy Howard directed this movie based on a play by Joseph Bologna. Michael Brandon and Bonnie Bedelia star as engaged couple Mike and Susan who see many couples around them that are not very happy. Mike's brother Richie, played by Joseph Hindy, is going through a divorce with his wife Joan, played by Diane Keaton in her film debut. Susan's father is carrying on an affair. Mike's friend Jerry, played by Harry Guardino, is trying to bed the maid of honor Brenda, played by Marian Hailey who was my favorite in the movie. This shows the workings of relationships and how to solve them. Bea Arthur plays Mike's mother who is upset that her other son is getting a divorce due to her catholic beliefs. Richard Castellano plays Mike's father. Also includes Cloris Leachman as Bernice. I'm not going to go any more into the many relationship scenarios. Anne Meara plays Wilma and her husband Jerry Stiller has a cameo with their daughter, Amy, as the flower girl. This is a very overlooked movie which took the death of Ms. Arthur to make me notice.
The Story of Qui Ju (1992): This is a selection from the Random Myspace Profile selection and for this one I selected Myspace founder Tom Anderson. Zhang Yimou directed this Hong Kong film that stars Gong Li as the title character. She is a peasant in a village and is pregnant. She becomes very dismayed when the village chief kicks her husband in the groin. The chief offered money for what happened and for the medical bills but she did not want that, she wanted an apology. She then goes to many levels of court looking for this apology but is dismissed due to what they believe was the minority of the crime and feeling money should be enough. She becomes very frustrated in her quest and going farther and farther through the country. This was a very realistic film about Chinese government and very beautifully shot. However, I had a hard time with the main character going through such extremes to get this apology while hurting her family financially. I guess I just had a hard time agreeing so I was rating this lower than some at first until the end of the movie when a certain price had to be paid. Gong Li is great as the title character.
Bastard Out of Carolina (1996): Anjelica Huston directed this movie about a poor, stuggling 1950s family. Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as Anney, the mother of the family. Jena Malone is the older sister and is nicknamed Bone. Anney meets a man named Glenn, played by Ron Eldard, and they soon marry. He soon makes Bone's life hell through his abuse and molestation. Both Anney and Bone have important decisions to make and have tension even with them. This is not for everyone and I had a hard time with it myself with the images. Malone was great in her breakthrough role and I feel Eldard gets overlooked. It was definetly worth a watch and I must say it kept my attention even when I was laying down. Glenne Headly, Lyle Lovett, Dermot Mulrooney, Christina Ricci, Michael Rooker, Diana Scarwid, Pat Hingle as well as a narration from Laura Dern.
Sweepings (1933): I found this one on TCM and this seems pretty overlooked today. Lionel Barrymore stars as Daniel Pardway who builds a very big department store hoping to make it a family business but finds that his kids are not so sure they want anything to do with it. He has three sons and a daughter. Gloria Stuart plays his daughter. This is a great movie dealing with a family just like my last selection. Barrymore is great and they did a good job making him look 25 at the beginning even though he was 55 years old. This is something I did not find much info on so it does not really live on as a known classic but deserves some exposure like what TCM gave it.
The Poseidon Adventure (1972): This one is in tribute to a theater friend named Cathy. I recently spoke to her husband at the premier of MY NAME IS JERRY and cited this as one of her favorites. Unfortunately I did not know her like I should have and never had the pleasure of working with her at a show. Now to the movie. This is regarded by many as the best of the disaster films. It's the type that has an all-star cast, many sub-plots, a diverse amount of characters fighting for their survival, one person who knows they should not do what they are doing, and so on. Gene Hackman leads this group as the liberal preacher Reverend Scott. If you're looking for a great plot, this might not be the one to watch. However, it has some pretty good action. Other actors include Shelley Winters, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, Roddy McDowell, Leslie Nielson, and many others.
Well, that is it for this week, please tell me what you like and what you dislike and stay tuned next week for the 185th Edition which will include the Master of Suspense, Disney, Billy Bob Thornton and even some Pam Grier.
FUN LITTLE TRIVIA
Timothy Spall (Harry Potter) plays Beadle Bamford in the 2007 film SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET. My Myspace friend Sean played the role in versions in both Anderson and Muncie. Fellow HARRY POTTER actor Alan Rickman played the corrupt Judge Turpin in the same movie.
HARRY POTTER actors Timothy Spall and Gary Oldman have both played Rosencrantz. Spall plays the role in the 1996 film HAMLET. Oldman played the part in the 1990 film ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD.
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) sites Christina Ricci (Bastard Our of Carolina) as one of his favorite actresses.
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) was a young David Copperfield in the 1999 tv movie DAVID COPPERFIELD. Maggie Smith (Harry Potter) was Betsey Trotwood in the same movie as Radcliffe
Warwick Davis (Harry Potter) played Marvin in the 2005 film THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY and his HARRY POTTER co-star provided the voice
Bonnie Bedelia (Lovers and Other Strangers) was one of the hostages Alan Rickman (Harry Potter) and his group in the 1988 film DIE HARD
HARRY POTTER actors Brendan Gleeson and Timothy Spall have played Winston Churchill
-Gleeson plays the part in the upcoming 2009 film INTO THE STORM
-Spall plays the part in the upcoming 2010 film JACKBOOTS ON WHITEHALL
BIBLICAL FRANCHISE
-Miranda Richardson (Harry Potter) provides the voice of Mary Magdalene in the 2000 film THE MIRACLE MAKER
-Gary Oldman (Harry Potter) plays the role of Pontius Pilate in the 1999 tv movie JESUS
-Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter) does the voice of Jesus in the 2000 film THE MIRACLE MAKER
-Harry Guardino (Lovers and Other Strangers) played Barabbas, the man chosen over Jesus to be crucified, in the 1961 film KING OF KINGS
Gary Oldman (Harry Potter) plays Comissioner Gordon in the Batman films with Christian Bale. Pat Hingle (Bastard out of Carolina) plays the role in the Batman films with Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney
Gary Oldman (Harry Potter) plays Dracula in the 1992 film BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA. Leslie Nielson (The Poseiden Adventure) plays the part in the the 1995 film DRACULA: DEAD AND LOVING IT
Alan Rickman (Harry Potter) plays Rasputin in the 1996 tv movie RASPUTIN. Lionel Barrymore (Sweepings) plays the role in the 1932 film RASPUTIN AND THE EMPRESS
Frances Farmer (Come and Get it) plays Calamity Jane in the 1941 film BADLANDS OF DAKOTA. Anjelica Huston (Bastard Out of Carolina) director played the role in the 1995 film BUFFALO GIRLS
LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS actors Richard Castellano and Diane Keaton were both part of THE GODFATHER franchise
-Castellano played Peter Clemenza in Part 1
-Keaton played Kay Adams-Corleone in all three films
Gig Young (Lovers and Other Strangers) plays C.K. Dexter Haven in the 1959 tv remake of THE PHILADELPHIA STORY. Leslie Nielson plays the role in a 1950 episode of ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS entitled THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
Diane Keaton (Lovers and Other Strangers) and Dermot Mulroney (Bastard Out of Carolina) play mother and son in the 2005 film THE FAMILY STONE.
Anjelica Huston (Bastard Out of Carolina director) and Gene Hackman (Poseidon Adventure) were estranged wife and husband in the 2001 film THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
Anjelica Huston (Bastard Out of Carolina director) and Christina Ricci (Bastard Out of Carolina) were mother and daughter in the 1991 film THE ADDAMS FAMILY and the 1993 film THE ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES
-Huston was Morticia Addams
-Ricci was Wednesday Addams
Pat Hingle (Bastard Out of Carolina) played FBI founder J. Edgar Hoover in the 1992 film CITIZEN COHN. Ernest Borgnine (Poseidon Adventure) played the role in the 1983 tv movie BLOOD FEUD and the 2000 film HOOVER.
Lionel Barrymore (Sweepings) played Billy Bones in the 1934 film TREASURE ISLAND. Ernest Borgnine (Poseidon Adventure) played the role in the 1987 film TREASURE ISLAND IN OUTER SPACE.
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