Welcome to the 141st Edition of my blog. Last week I said I would have
more mainstream films in this one but I was wrong, due to time and my
rules, I came up with some unexpected picks. I have two more
performances for OKLAHOMA outside at the Minnetrista Cultural Center. I
won't know what to do when this show is over. I heard some bad news last
week. The Muncie Civic Studio Theater was slated to do EVIL DEAD: THE
MUSICAL but due to rights issues, it will not be a go. I was really
looking forward to trying out for it so hopefully, I can do another show
in October. Well, enough about me, here we go.
History of the
World-Part 1 (1980): I got to learn about history the Mel Brooks way. We
see the dawn of man in a hilarious segment with Sid Caesar. We then go
into the Roman empire, the Spanish Inquisition and the French
Revolution. Mel Brooks stars as many roles through the ages. Gregory
Hines is funny is his film debut as Josephus. Dom Deluise is amusing as
Caesar. Also look for Hugh Hefner and even John Hurt as Jesus during the
Last Supper. Check out this wonderful show of history if you're not too
serious. There was also a scene in the Spanish Inquisition that
reminded me of a dance scene we do in OKLAHOMA. They must not have ever
gotten around to a Part 2 like they said in the film.
Hairspray
(2007): We now have the musical version of that sleasy 1988 film which I
like. Nikki Blonsky stars as the pleasantly plump Tracy Turnblad who
dreams of being a dancer on the Corny Collins Show but must first take a
stand against segregation which is geared towards her and a group of
black friends she makes. John Travolta stars as her mother Edna and
Christopher Walken is her father Wilbur. They are very fun as her
supportive parents and have a very amusing, maybe disturbing, duet song
together. I must say, I never thought I would see Walken and Travolta as
husband and wife. Christopher Walken also got to show that he can be a
versatile actor. Zac Efron also was quite good after being in HIGH
SCHOOL MUSICAL for so long. If you want a great musical and can't afford
to see it on stage, this is the one to see. I hear there is a sequal
though.
State of Grace (1990): I found this one on IFC and I
could not pass up Gary Oldman. Sean Penn stars as Terry Noonan, who is a
cop returning to his old town in an undercover role but finds it is
hard after rekindling with old friends and must choose between his
loyalty. Gary Oldman is awesome as a young gangster who while quite
violent has a kind streak. Ed Harris stars as a local mob boss. Sean
Penn's future wife Robin Wright also stars as an old flame. Also look
for Burgess Meredith in a fun, small role. The performances here make
this worth watching and must be followed closely.
Leap Year
(1921): I decided to use this "Fatty" Arbuckle movie which was
considered to be a feature film at the time due to being an hour long.
Unfortunately, this was one of the last movies the legendary silent film
comedian got to do before his rape scandal ruined his career even
though he was acquitted of any wrong-doing. He is the only person to
have worked with all three of the "Big Three" which include Charlie
Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and the man who is featured in the next movie.
Here, Fatty plays a man who wants to do good but gets in trouble when
giving marriage advice to his female friends, leasing to some hilarious
misunderstandings.
The Life of Harold Diddlecock (1947): I came
across this one by chance and is the last film of "The Third Genius"
Harold Lloyd which I suppose you can call a sequal to his 1925 classic
THE FRESHMAN. This shows the title character 20 years after his triumph
on the football field who is now a mild-mannered clerk who is fired from
his job after 20 years and turns to alcohol which lead into some funny
moments. Margaret Hamilton who is best known as The Wicked Witch of the
West in THE WIZARD OF OZ has a good, small role. It is by no means
Lloyd's best but it wasn't a bad one to go out on, some have had worse.
Halls
of Montezuma (1950): This is my war movie for the week which was
directed by Lewis Milestone. This was a great tribute to the Marines
which stars Richard Widmark as a Lietenent who at times reflects on his
times as a teacher and what that has done for him in the marines. He
must lead an attack on a Japanese base. Jack Palance, Jack Webb, Robbert
Wagner, and Karl Malden also star in this tribute to the Marines.
Our
Time is Up (2005): This is my short film for my week which is on my
2005 Oscar-winning and nominated short films. Kevin Pollak stars as a
psychiatrist who is very organized, mild-mannered and tells all his
clients that things will happen in "due time" until he learns he only
has six weeks to live and develops a more honest approach to get through
to his clients. LOST star Jorge Garcia plays the gardener.
The
Warrior (2001): This is my foreign-language film for the week which
takes place in 1900s Feudal india. Irfan Khan stars as Lafcadia who is a
ruthless enforcer to a local crime lord but experiences a moment of
enlightenment and when this happens he must go on the run through the
Himalayas and fight for redemption. This was definetly interesting to
watch and quite moving.
Man From Planet X (1951): I was looking
for something rather short and I found this sci-fi film. A crashed
rocket ship is discovered and they see a visitor who looks like a
strange alien lands and leaves people in fear over what his motives
might be and a scientist takes quite a fit of interest in this person as
well. This was a pretty decent sci-fi movie which sci-fi fans will love
and it is worth a look.
Return of the Tiger (1979): This is my
Grindhouse martial-arts film for the week. Bruce Li stars in this film
and must stop a drug operation. This is something that will be of worth
to martial arts films, and notice that it is Li, not Lee. Bruce Lee had
died a few years before this one and this Bruce Lee look-a-like Chung
Tao Ho was recruited to be his "replacement" and made quite a few movies
but did not like being Bruce Lee and preferred to play himself.
Well, that is it for this week, stay tuned next week for the 142nd Edition
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