Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 780st Edition

Welcome to the 780th edition of my series.  As we come to an end on Thanksgiving weekend, I will say it has been a good weekend for me.  As of now I don't really having anything happening so I'll just get on with my selections for the week.

Tab Hunter Confidential (2015):  I start the week out with this documentary on the actor which was directed by Jeffrey Schwarz.  This focuses on the ups and downs of his career that was mostly in film but also in music in his early career.  It also discusses his struggle on hiding that he was gay, especially in the early part of his career.  Hunter was still alive during this documentary so is able to interview and reflect on his triumphs and struggles.  Debbie Reynolds, Robert Wagner, George Takei, John Waters, and many others get interviewed.  This was a really good look into Hunter's career and was quite a career he had being a matinee idol and when that wore off, he found ways to reinvent himself until he decided to retire in the early '90s.  This is available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Murder in the First (1995):  Marc Rocco directed this film which is based on a true story.  Christian Slater stars as the young and idealistic public defender James Stamphill.  Stamphill gets his first trial where he must defend Alcatraz inmate Henri Young, played by Kevin Bacon, who is being accused of first degree murder after killing a fellow inmate.  Stamphill finds that the conditions and Young's treatment is what lead to the killing and tries to expose the corrupt Alcatraz prison.  Gary Oldman, Embeth Davidtz, William H. Macy, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brad Dourif, R. Lee Ermey, Mia Kirshner, Stefan Gierasch, Kyra Sedgwick, and many others co-star in this film.  As mentioned, this is based on a true story of Henri Young and is mostly a fictional account of what happened.  This is still a very sad but also very moving story some of which is about forming a friendship.  Slater and Bacon work very well together in this film.  I also found myself comparing Henri Young to a Jean Valjean.  I don't want to give any spoilers but I would recommend looking into the real-life Henri Young.

Edgar Allan Poe:  Buried Alive (2016):  I bring another documentary, this one is an episode of the PBS series AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.  Eric Stange directed this documentary based on the famed writer, played by Denis O'Hare, who could be called "the Father of Horror" and brought us the detective story genre that so many love today.  Kathleen Turner provides the narration of the documentary and Chris Sarandon does reading of some of his stories.  Roger Corman whose best work is said to be his movies based on Poe stories is interviewed in this documentary.  This takes a look at this rather misunderstood person and take a look at him beyond his writing where he was a literary critic and even had his own paper at one time.  A great documentary on someone very significant in the literary world.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973):  This is my short selection for the week and figured this was a good time to feature this animated classic.  Bill Melendez and Phil Roman directed this animated special based on the characters of Charles M. Schultz.  Peppermint Patty, voiced by Christopher DeFaria, decides to invite herself and the other friends over to Charlie Brown's, voiced by Todd Barbee, house for Thanksgiving.  Chuck is very unprepared for this and with the help of Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock, they try to put together what they can of a Thanksgiving.  For years, these holiday specials have been getting shown on CBS but this year they are on the Apple TV+ app.  I do not like that myself and I did not get the app.  However, I have these on dvd so I just pulled out my dvd of other PEANUTS specials.

The Most Dangerous Game (1932):  Irving Pachel and Ernest B. Schoedsack directed this action film based on a short story by Richard Connell.  Joel McCrea stars as Bob whose ship is washed ashore leaving him the lone survivor.  He ends up at a mansion with the insane hunter Zaroff, played by Leslie Banks, making just as the title implies a game with Bob and another shipwreck survivor in Eve, played by Fay Wray.  Bob and Eve must band together to survive.  Robert Armstrong, Noble Johnson, William B. Davidson, and many others co-star in this film.  This is a pretty decent action movie from this era which is a pre-code film where they could get away with a little more before that Hays code came about.  This is available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Brink of Life (1958):  This is my Swedish film for the week which was directed by who else, Ingmar Bergman.  This takes place in a maternity ward where Eva Dahlbeck, Ingrid Thulin, and Bibi Andersson as expectant mothers.  They all bond with one another in the ward and each have their own story on how they feel about motherhood.  Barbro Hiort af Ornas, Erland Josephson, Max Von Sydow, Gunner Sjoberg, and many others co-star in this film.  This is a very well done film and it gets pretty deep into the subject matter.  This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.

I Lost My Body (2019):  Jeremy Clapin directed this French animated film which is based on the novel by Guillaume Laurant who also co-wrote the film.  This centers around a severed hand looking for its body after escaping its fate in a Parisian laboratory.  We also see flashbacks of its original body in pizza boy Naoufel, voiced by Hakim Faris, and his love for Gabrielle, voiced by Victoire Du Bois.  Patrick d'Assumcao, Deborah Grail, and many others lend their voices to this animated film.  This is a very clever animated film and it is also a rather beautiful story at the same time.  This has been in production since 2011 and finally got it made.  This is available to watch on Netflix and is really worth a look.

The Chase (1946):  Arthur Ripley directed this film noir which is based on the novel by Cornell Woolrich.  Robert Cummings stars as unemployed vet Chuck Scott who does a simple good deed by finding a wallet and tracking down who it belongs to.  He returns it to Eddie Roman, played by Steve Cochran, who is grateful toward Chuck and gives him a job as a chauffeur.  What Chuck learns is that Steve is a gangster with a lot of enemies.  Michele Morgan co-stars as Chuck's unhappy wife Lorna who asks Chuck to help her escape the marriage.  Lloyd Corrigan, Jack Holt, Don Wilson, James Westerfield, Peter Lorre, and many others co-star in this film.  This is a rather surreal film that has gone rather overlooked through the years.  Nothing is at all what it seems, even when see seem to know what everything is with the movie.  This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel. 

Dr. No (1962):  Terence Young directed this film based on the novel by Ian Fleming that would be the start of a very long-running franchise.  Sean Connery takes on the role of British agent James Bond who must investigate the disappearance of a colleague and teams up with Quarrel, played by John Kitzmuller, and his CIA ally Felix Leiter, played by Jack Lord.  Ursula Andress stars as Bond girl Honey Ryder whose look is rather iconic.  Joseph Wiseman co-stars as the title character who is behind all the crimes happening.  Bernard Lee, Anthony Dawson, Zena Marshall, Eunice Gayson, Lois Maxwell, Peter Burton, Marguerite LeWars, and many others co-star in this action film.  Technically, the first on-screen appearance of James Bond was on the tv series CLIMAX! in the episode CASINO ROYALE where Barry Nelson plays Jimmy Bond.  That is actually the reason they could not start with Fleming's first Bond novel and had to start with this one and would many years later introduce my favorite Bond in Daniel Craig which was essentially a prequel.  Jack Lord would be the start of recurring character Felix Leiter who has been portrayed in many different ways through the years.  R.I.P. Mr. Connery and Alex Trebek who may not have ever met but had quite the rivalry in SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE on the Celebrity Jeopardy segments.

Trash (2014):  I end the week with this film which was directed by Stephen Daldry and based on the novel by Andy Mulligan.  Rickson Tevez, Eduardo Luis, and Gabriel Weinstein star as Brazilian teens who typically go through trash hoping to find useful items thrown out and come across a wallet which they learn is very important when learning of the sizable reward.  They become unlikely whistleblowers when going after corruption.  Martin Sheen and Rooney Mara become allies to the boys.  Wagner Moura, Selton Mello, Stepan Nercessian, and many others co-star in this film.  This is a very eye-opening film and also inspirational in some ways.  This shows kids who could have easily benefited and look the other way but decide they must do what they feel is right.  This is another that I hope to get on the radar a bit.

Well, that is it for this week.  Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week which so far includes Christian Slater, Andy Serkis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Steve McQueen, Shirley MacLaine, Ving Rhames, Bob Hope, Faye Dunaway, and many others.

Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 779th Edition

 

Welcome to the 779th edition of my series.  As we approach Thanksgiving this week, I'm sure most will reflect on the kind of year we have all had.  Just about everyone has had to do less, if any, of what they are used to doing each year.  For me, it was the world of theater.  Usually by now, I have done two or three shows, sometimes four but I have only gotten to do one back in July.  I was about to do my second show of the year in MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET at the Marion Civic Theater but with everything going on and the restrictions they decided to halt it for now.  I am grateful to have gotten to be in YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU back in July.  I think the hardest thing for me was my work situation.  When all this started, I thought my job would be the one thing I would not have to worry about but in late May, I learned I was wrong.  The client at Concentrix I was working for announced they were not going to continue leaving everyone having to figure out their future.  This was a job I mostly liked and had planned on spending the rest of my days there until death or retirement so it put me in a mild depression.  I took a job with another client at Concentrix but that one just did not work for me.  I made the decision to go to Navient which I believe might just work out so I don't feel as bad now.  I know the traditions of many will be halted at least for years.  I intend to just watch movies and television myself and maybe try doing some Doordash deliveries for those that are open.  With all this, I am not going to forget to be thankful.  I'm still alive, I have a more hopeful work situation, and I have my friends and family.  Okay, I'll shut up now and get to my selections for the week.

These Amazing Shadows (2011):  I start the week out with this documentary on the film industry.  Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton directed this documentary which is mostly centered around the National Film Registry and its significance including film preservation.  This includes short films, classics, newsreels, silent films, and even home movies.  There are a lot of interviews from people in the film industry including Rob Reiner, Debbie Reynolds, Leonard Maltin, John Waters, Christopher Nolan, John Singleton, Steve James, and many others.  John Waters was probably the most entertaining in some of his views on classic film.  This is a great look and homage to our wonderful film industry taking a look at the known and lesser known.

Never Look Away (2018):  Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck wrote and directed this film that takes place in Nazi era Germany and post WWII and is centered around an artist named Kurt Barnert, played by Tom Schilling.  We meet him as a child where we see his inspiration to be an artist.  He flees to West Germany where his is tormented by the experiences from his childhood while also falling in love with fellow student Ellie, played by Paula Beer, whose father is former Nazi Professor Seeband, played by Sebastian Koch.  Seeband does what he can to keep his daughter way from him.  Saskia Rosendahl, Oliver Masucci, Hanno Koffler, and many others co-star in this German film.  This is loosely based on real-life artist Gerhand Richter.  This is a three hour movie that was very sad at times and very moving at times.  If you can invest three hours and don't mind English subtitles, this is really worth a look.

The Forest For the Trees (2003):  I follow up with another German film, this one being written and directed by Maren Ade in her feature directorial debut.  Eva Lobau stars as Melanie who moves to Karlsruhe where she hopes to start fresh and is a very idealistic new teacher.  Things do not go quite as planned for her when she gets into her class finding a bunch of unruly high school kids.  She also struggles to make friends in her new town.  Daniela Holtz, Robert Schupp, and many others co-star in this German film.  This was clearly shot on a very low budget but the story and performances by Lobau make it easy to forget about the low budget.  When looking at the cover for this movie, it seems like it will be a comedy but is much deeper than that.  It is rather depressing at times to see this person do what she can to fit in and many can probably relate to this character.  This includes the idealism of a job and the insecurity of having a friend.  This is available to watch on Hoopla.

The Zoot Cat (1944):  This is my animated short for the week that feature the most famous cat and mouse duo in Tom and Jerry.  Tom makes advances toward a jive-taking female cat that get nowhere until he gets a zoot suit which makes him the cool cat.  Tom must still deal with his mouse nemesis Jerry.  This is one of the few cartoons which Tom and Jerry speak.  Tom and Jerry enthusiasts should really enjoy this one.

Limite (1931):  This is my Brazilian and silent film for the week which was written and directed by Mario Peixoto and was the only movie he ever directed.  This centers around three people in a boat which were two women and a man all remembering their past.  They struggle in their existence while in this drifting boat.  Olga Breno, Tatiana Rey, and Raul Schnoor star as these people.  Most other countries likely did not have the technology like our country to have sound so many would remain silent for a while longer.  This is a pretty compelling film that silent buffs should check out.  This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.

Murder She Said (1961):  George Pollock directed this murder mystery based on the novel by Agatha Christie.  Margaret Rutherford stars as one of Christie's most known characters in Miss Marple who witnesses a murder happen while she is on a train that occurs in a crossing train.  When trying to tell the police, Marple does her own investigation leading her work as a maid for a wealthy family.  Arthur Kennedy, Muriel Pavlow, James Robertson Justice, Thorley Walters, Charles Tingwell, Conrad Phillips, Ronald Howard, Joan Hickson, and many others co-star in this murder mystery.  This is the first on-screen appearance for the Miss Marple character in which the casting of Rutherford was not favored by Christie at first until they met one another and became friends.  This is a pretty good murder mystery which a very fun elderly character in Miss Marple.  This is available to watch on Hoopla Digital.

Anomalisa (2015):  Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson directed this stop-animation film.  David Thewlis stars in this movie as the voice of Michael Stone who is being called to speak at a conference on account of his book about customer service.  He has lived a mundane life in a rather unhappy marriage but connects with a woman named Lisa, voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh, who gives him the spark in life he has not had in a long time.  Tom Noonan co-stars as "everyone else" which was many characters both male and female.  People first need to keep in mind, this is Kaufman and this is his first animated movie.  He made this his own just like everything else he does.  This is a good look at human existence.  It is one of those that has to be seen to really be explained.

Monster on the Campus (1958):  This is my horror b-movie for the week which was directed by Jack Arnold.  Arthur Franz stars as Professor Donald Blake who acquires the specimen of a prehistoric fish.  It is found that the fish was exposed to gamma radiation and makes him an ape-like creature.  Joanna Moore, Judson Pratt, Nancy Walters, Troy Donahue, Phil Harvey, Helen Westcott, Whit Bissell, and many others co-star in this b-movie.  What more do I need to say about this on the description I gave?  This is a pretty fun watch and decent enough story to be enjoyable for fans of classic horror.

El Topo (1970):  Alejandro Jodorowsky wrote and directed this western and I use the word rather loosely.  Jodorowsky also stars as the title character who wanders through the western world in a spiritual journey while encountering many bizarre characters.  Brontis Jodorowsky, Alfonso Arau, and many others co-star in this film.  I will say that this movie is not for everyone.  I don't know if the word "bizarre" really covers this film.  I really cannot provide much of a description that has elements of western and religion.  It also has a lot of surrealistic imagery.  Many celebrities including John Lennon, David Lynch, Samuel Fuller, Bob Dylan, Marilyn Manson, and Peter Gabriel have cited really liking this movie.  This was apparently the inspiration for Peter Gabriel for the album THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY which came out when he was with Genesis.  John Lennon helped a lot with the distribution to make this the worldwide film it is today.  

Beach Rats (2017):  I end the week with this independent coming of age film.  Eliza Hittman wrote and directed this movie.  Harris Dickinson stars as Brooklyn teen Frankie who struggles with his bleak home life, his self-identity, and a potential relationship with a girl while also meeting men online.  Madeline Weinstein, Kate Hodge, Neal Huff, Harrison Sheehan, and many others co-star in this film.  This is more of a character driven film with an unknown cast making the most of the script.  I am sure many can relate to Frankie's struggle in life.  This is available to watch on Hulu.

Well, that is it for this week.  Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week which includes Kevin Bacon, Joel McCrea, Ingmar Bergman, Sean Connery, Rooney Mara, and many others.

Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 778th Edition

 

Welcome to the 778th Edition of my series.  Just last Sunday, I released a 15 year anniversary.  Last Monday, I had a couple things start for me.  I started new employment at Navient after almost 13 years at Concentrix.  Later that evening, I went to Marion for my first rehearsal for the musical version of MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET which is my second round of that show, first being at Muncie Civic Theater.  They needed men and at the time I was not sure of my work situation but with Navient, I'll be working days while in training so it works out.  Show dates are December 3, 4, 5, and 6 at the Marion Civic Theater so more information will come out about that in the next couple weeks.  I will get on with my selections for the week.

Vito (2011):  I start the week out with this documentary which was directed by Jeffrey Schwarz and is based on Vito Russo who was one of the founding fathers of the gay liberation movement.  Russo was one of the earlier activists for LGBT rights and would go onto write the book THE CELLULOID CLOSET which critiques the portrayal of gays in film starting from the silent era.  He would also go around hosting lectures of the same title.  He also hosted a show called OUR TIME which was geared toward the gay community.  This was a very outspoken man and rather ahead of his time.  This was a very insightful documentary that has interviews with friends and family reflecting on their times with him as well as archive interviews with Russo.  It also has some really interesting explanation to scenes of older movies that have some gay subtext.  This is available to watch on Amazon Prime.

The Lion King (1994):  I follow up with this Disney animated selection which was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.  This centers around an animal kingdom which is ruled by Mufasa, voiced by James Earl Jones, who is grooming his son Simba, voiced by HOME IMPROVEMENT alum Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick when older, to be the king.  Mufasa's bitter brother Scar, Jeremy Irons, is determined to become king by any means necessary when killing Mufasa and casting out Simba claiming it was his fault.  Simba has lead a care free life with his friends Timon and Pumbaa, voiced by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella, and learns that Scar is a very ruthless ruler and must return home.  Rowan Atkinson, Niketa Calame-Harris, Jim Cummings, Whoopi Goldberg, Robert Guillaume, Moira Kelly, Madge Sinclair, Cheech Marin, Frank Welker, and many others lend their voice to this Disney classic.  This is loosely based on Shakespear's HAMLET and personally I'd rather see this than the material it is based upon.  While this is rated G, younger children may get a bit scared during some of the action scenes, mostly those involving the laughing hyenas.  This has quite a few sequels, spin-offs, and animated series.  It also has a very popular Broadway musical that I would love to see someday.  This is available to watch on Disney Plus.

Enemy (2013):  Denis Villeneuve directed this film which is based on the novel by Jose Saramago.  Jake Gyllenhaal stars in this film as history professor Adam Bell who is a rather somber man stuck in a routine.  He rents a movie and by chance sees an actor that has an uncanny resemblance.  He becomes obsessed about meeting this person and learns he uses a stage name of Daniel Saint Claire whose real name is Anthony Claire, also played by Gyllenhaal.  Anthony is also married to a woman named Helen, played by Sarah Gadon, who is several months pregnant.  Once the doppelgangers meet, their lives become intertwined.  Melanie Laurent and Isabella Rosselli co-star in this film.  Gyllenhaal is great in his dual role.  This is a rather strange movie that is rather hard to explain beyond what I already did.  

Shoe Palace Pinkus (1916):  This is my silent selection for the week and is technically a short film by today's standards, I believe it was considered more of a feature film at the time having about 45 minutes.  Ernst Lubitsch directed this silent film where he also stars as Sally Pinkus who has been expelled from school for goofing around.  He gets a job at a shoe place and slowly rises to the top when charming a rich benefactress.  This is some early work in the career of Lubitsch who would go onto direct classics like NINOTCHKA, THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER and TO BE OR NOT TO BE.  Fans of silent comedy should enjoy this one which is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.  

Naked Gun (1956):  This is my western for the week which was directed by Edward Dew and no this is not that hilarious comedy trilogy that stars Leslie Nielsen.  Willard Parker stars as Breen Matthews and is trying to get a fortune to a rightful owner only to encounter the town of Topaz dealing with people like Judge Cole, played by Billy House, who is known as "the hanging judge".  Mara Corday, Barton MacLane, Tom Brown, Veda Ann Borg, Chick Chandler, Jody McCrea, Morris Ankrum, Timothy Carey, and many others co-star in this western.  This is a pretty good b-western and some good action near the end.  This is a little over an hour and is available to watch on Crackle.  

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975):  Milos Forman directed this classic film based on the novel by Ken Kesey and based on the play by Dale Wasserman.  Jack Nicholson stars in one of his most iconic roles as R.P. McMurphy who pleads insanity and ends up in a ward for the mentally unstable.  McMurphy tries to band the inmates together to rebel against the authoritarian rule of Nurse Ratched, played by Louise Fletcher.  Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, Sydney Lassick, Vincent Schiavelli, Brad Dourif, Mews Small, and many others co-star in this film.  Nothing really needs to be explained by this classic film.  Kesey himself did not like this moving saying they butchered his book, but the general public did not share that opinion.  Nicholson and Fletcher worked really well off each other.  This is available to watch on Netflix and I would recommend watching the more recent mini-series RATCHED which is a prequel about Mildred Ratched and how she would become the mean nurse.  

He Named Me Malala (2015):  This is my second documentary for the week which was directed by Davis Guggenheim.  This takes a look at the young Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai whose efforts got her attacked by the Taliban but miraculously survived.  Instead of just living in fear, she stepped up her efforts to fight for women's rights which mostly focused on education rights.  She would go onto become the youngest winner of a Nobel Prize.  This is a very compelling documentary on someone I had not heard of but someone that we need more of in our world.  What else can be said here, just go and seek this out.

Rififi (1955):  Jules Dassin directed this French film which was based on the novel by Auguste Le Breton.  Jean Servais stars as ex-con Tony le Stephanois who is just getting out of prison.  He meets up with a couple of  his friends who offer him a spot in a jewel heist and reluctantly accepts.  They bring in a safecracker named Cesar, played by Dassin, and plan the perfect crime except the human element comes into play.  This gives a really good look at the planning for what they are calling the perfect crime including a rather long scene that has no dialogue.  This covers just about every base.  Dassin was blacklisted in the states at this time during the "Red Scare" so he went onto France to make this classic heist film.

Yojimbo (1961):  I go from France to Japan with this Samurai epic and there are no blacklisted Americans in this one.  Akira Kurosawa directed this samurai film which stars Toshiro Mifune as ronin Sanjuro.  He comes into a town which is divided by two gangs so he decides to play one side against each other.  This movie inspired quite a bit of other movies like A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS and LAST MAN STANDING.  Mifune plays his part to perfection and is very entertaining.  This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel and is worth a look.

MOVIE TIME IN THE TOWN OF POTTERSVILLE

Hereditary (2018):  I end the week with selection from my "Movie Time in the Town of Pottersville series."  After insisting all October that we watch movies that I had listed, I owed it to Stephanie to watch something she wanted so I accepted this selection.  Ari Aster wrote and directed this horror film.  Toni Collette stars as Annie whose mother has just died and everyone in the family handles it in a different manner.  Annie and her daughter Charlie, played by Milly Shapiro, are dealing with the supernatural.  Her son Peter, played by Alex Wolff mostly tries to suppress his feelings while her husband Steve, played by Gabriel Byrne, is just trying to hold it together and skeptical of the supernatural.   Mallory Bechtel, Jake Brown, Ann Dowd, Brock McKinney, and many others co-star in this film.  This is Aster's feature directorial debut.  This was a pretty chilling thriller that was a good script.  I likely would not watch as much horror if it was not for Stephanie so I'm usually glad to go into Pottersville and watch something.  This is available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Well, that is it for this week but I do have one more selection from "Movie Time in the Town of Pottersville" so keep on going.  Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week.

The Nun (2018):  We watched this on Friday night when Steph hit me up to get some pizzas at the Guardian and then when I got there she insisted on this one so I accepted.  Corin Hardy directed this film which was a spin-off and prequel from THE CONJURING films.  Demian Bichir stars as Father Burke who is investigating a suicide from a nun that hung herself.  He is joined by Sister Irene, played by Taissa Farmiga, who is on the threshold of her final vows.  They uncover an unholy secret that risks their lives and faith.  Jonas Bloquet, Bonnie Aarons, Ingrid Bisu, Charlotte Hope, and many others co-star in this film.  I have seen the first CONJURING but it's been awhile.  Stephanie cited that it was not nearly as good with James Wan not being the director.  I guess I need to revisit these movies soon.

Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 777th Edition and the 15 Year Anniversary

 

Welcome to this week's edition of my series which is the 15 year anniversary.  I know, I can't believe it either.  What I did with this one is I used a selection for each wild card for this year's Madness and came across some interesting selections that I was able to make count for a horror movie and tv contest.  It has been quite a year for just about everyone I think in some form or another.  I am glad to have this to keep me going and thankful to those that have supported me in these 15 years both old and new.  Here are my selections.

Worthless (2018):  The wild card for this selection is Tara Reid.  Chris Cardillo Sr. wrote and directed this thriller that takes a look at the price of bullying.  He also co-stars as Talia's father.  Tara stars as Talia Medici though played by Alexandra Grossi in the high school scenes.  Talia was mostly the lead bully in her high school days and her personality has not changed much.  She is forced to relive her high school ways in a CHRISTMAS CAROL sort of way though much darker.  Quinton Aaron, Erin O'Brien, Tanya Christiansen, Cabrina Collesides, Fallon Maressa, Laura Hine, Chris Cardillo, Jamie Houk, Rachel Chelsea Foster, Danielle Driscoll, and many others co-star in this film.  This is a really good look at bullying and the effects.  It also shows how the way Talia was treated at home did not help who she was in school.  This seems like a rather personal project for Cardillo and Tara must have been very interested as she is an executive producer.  This is available to watch on Amazon Prime.

1941 (1979):  The wild card for this selection is Steven Spielberg who directed this comedy that is a parody of WWII.  This takes place days after the Pearl Harbor attack where a group of Californians prepare for an attack on the Japanese.  The Japanese and Germans, lead by Toshiro Mifune and Christopher Lee, have plans of their own.  Dan Aykroyd, Ned Beatty, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Tim Matheson, Warren Oates, Robert Stack, Treat Williams, Nancy Allen, John Candy, Lucille Benson, Elisha Cook Jr., Eddie Deezen, Bobby Di Cicco, Dianne Kay, Perry Lang, Patti Lupone, J. Patrick McNamara, Frank McRae, Steven Mond, Slim Pickens, Wendie Jo Sperber, Lionel Stander, Dub Taylor, Joe Flaherty, Michael McKean, Samuel Fuller, John Landis, Mickey Rourke, Andy Tennant, and many others co-star or have bit roles.  This movie has multiple storylines and I thought it was kind of a cross between FROM HERE TO ETERNITY and MASH.  As you can also see, this has quite the cast.  Rourke makes his feature film debut in the minor role of Reese as well as Dan Aykroyd who had been established in television before this movie. 

A Countess from Hong Kong (1967):  The wild card for this selection is Tippi Hedren.  Charles Chaplin wrote and directed this romantic comedy which was his last movie and after years of starring in his films, he would only make a cameo in this one.  Marlon Brando stars as ambassador Ogden Mears who is travelling in a boat and meets stowaway Natascha, played by Sophia Loren.  At first Ogden does what he can to get rid of her while slowly falling in love with her.  Hedren co-stars as Ogden's estranged wife Martha who kind of complicates things for Ogden and Natascha.  Sydney Chaplin, Patrick Cargill, Michael Medwin, Oliver Johnston, Margaret Rutherford, Bill Nagy, Geraldine Chaplin, Josephine Chaplin, Victoria Chaplin and many others co-star in this film.  As you can see, Chaplin put a lot of his family in this movie including his son Sydney who co-starred as Brando's friend and three of his daughters in bit roles.  This is not Chaplin's best movie by any means but is of interest.  Both Chaplin and Brando have spoken negatively of one another in their autobiographies.  

Groove (2000):  The wild card for this selection is Rachel True.  Greg Harrison wrote and directed this independent film on the San Francisco rave scene.  Word gets out that a rave is happening and preparation is happening at an abandoned warehouse.  This mostly centers around the character David, played by Hamish Linklater, who has moved into town hoping to start a career as an novelist but has gone nowhere after four years.  His brother Colin, played by Denny Kirkwood, talks him into going to the rave.  Chris Ferreira, Steve Van Wormer, Elizabeth Sun, Ari Gold, Jeff Witzke, Lola Glaudini, Rachel True Angelo Spizzirri, Vincent Riverside, Nick Offerman, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Brian Benson, and many others co-star in this film.  This is hard to explain beyond what I already have.  This is a good look at the rave scene and have seen people praise its accuracy.  This also has a few real life west coast djs, at least from that era.

Turn the Key Softly (1953):  The wild card for this selection is Joan Collins.  Jack Lee directed this film that is based on the novel by John Brophy.  Joan Collins, Yvonne Mitchell, and Kathleen Harrison play women from different walks of life that are being released from prison.  This takes a look at how things are going for them in their first day and they all struggle in some way.  Terence Morgan, Thora Hird, Dorothy Alison, Glyn Houston, Geoffrey Keen, Clive Morton, and many others co-star in this film.  This has kind of a BEST YEAR OF OUR LIVES FEEL to it having people struggle with the start of their new lives after being used to different world.  This has gone on to be a very underrated movie that deserves more attention.

The Memory Book (2014):  The wild card for this selection is Adrienne Barbeau.  Paul A. Kaufman directed this Hallmark movie.  Meghan Ory stars as budding photographer Chloe Davenport who is at local flea market and comes across a photo album from the '70s that looked like a perfect couple.  She sets out to find the people in this album to understand the "true love" she is out to find.  Luke Macfarlane co-stars as Gabe who has a chance meeting with Chloe and decides to help her on her journey while slowly forming a relationship.  Art Hindle, John Cassini, Stephanie Van Dyck, Adrienne Barbeau, Amitai Marmonstein, Michael Coleman, Lisa MacFadden, Stephen Miers, and many others co-star in this Hallmark movie.  I know the word Hallmark will make some run for the hills but I know it has its audience.  This was mostly predictable but I did find it pretty enjoyable with the well-written characters.

Tammy and the Bachelor (1957):  The wild card for this selection is Leslie Nielsen.  Joseph Pevney directed this film based on the novel by Cid Ricketts Sumner.  Leslie Nielsen stars as Peter Brent whose plane crashes in a swamp where he is nursed back to health by Tammy, played by Debbie Reynolds, and her grandpa, played by Walter Brennan.  Pete becomes amused with Tammy's naive but outgoing personality.  When Tammy's grandpa is arrested for bootlegging, Tammy goes to Pete's upper-class home to live.  Mala Powers, Sidney Blackmer, Mildred Natwick, Fay Wray, Philip Ober, Craig Hill, Louise Beavers, April Ken, and many others co-star in this romantic comedy.  Reynolds is perfectly cast as Tammy whose education is on living and enjoying life and is able to educate the very educated family and friends of Pete.   This was a pretty funny movie combining the lower and upper classes.

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994):  The wild card for this selection is Bruce Campbell.  The Coen Brothers directed and co-wrote this Capra-esque comedy along with Sam Raimi.  Tim Robbins stars as business graduate Norville Barnes who leaves the town of Muncie, Indiana, which is where I live, to go to New York hoping for big things.  He finally finds work at a manufacturing plant and is promoted to president by the head of the board of directors Sidney Mussburger whose idea for a scam is to promote a moron for president.  The ideal Norville looks to make the most of his position and becomes more successful than expected with his invention.  Jennifer Jason Leigh co-stars as Amy Archer who investigates the company and Barnes.  Charles Durning, John Mahoney, Jim True-Frost, Bill Cobbs, Bruce Campbell, Joe Grifasi, Peter Gallagher, Noble Willingham, Steve Buscemi, Anna Nicole Smith, Jon Polito, John Goodman, Mike Starr, and many others co-star in this comedy.  If you have seen enough Capra films you will understand what I'm saying with Capra-esque.  It was cool to see my town get referenced in a Coen Brothers movie and was a great comedy.

High Noon (1952):  The wild card for this selection is Lee Van Cleef who makes his film debut in this western.  Fred Zinneman directed this western which is based on a magazine story called THE TIN STAR by John W. Cunningham.  Gary Cooper stars as lawman Will Kane who is turning in his badge and about to leave town after marrying Amy Fowler, played by future Princess Grace Kelly.  This gets delayed when he learns about the release of the dangerous Frank Miller, played by Ian MacDonald, who Will put in prison and fears Miller will terrorize the town.  He stays in town to put a stop to Miller and his other henchman who are waiting around despite the town's refusal to help and his newlywed's anti-violence beliefs.  Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, Otto Kruger, Lon Chaney Jr., Harry Morgan, Eve McVeagh, Morgan Farley, Harry Shannon, Robert J. Wilke, Sheb Wooley, and many others co-star in this western.  This is one of my favorite westerns.  This has some great lead up to a great climax.  This is also meant to be a statement towards the McCarthy Era where people were getting blacklisted for supposed communism.  

River's Edge (1986):  The wild card for this selection is Crispin Glover.  Tim Hunter directed this film on morality and the reactions of people on how to handle when a friend does something horrible.  Daniel Roebuck stars as high school student Samson who commits a murder and his group of friends that are also friends with the victim are torn on how to handle it.  Layne, played by Glover, is determined to protect Samson while Matt, played by Keanu Reeves, is more torn on what to do.  Ione Skye, Dennis Hopper, Joshua John Miller, Roxana Zal, Phillip Brock, Tom Bower, Constance Forslund, Jim Metzler, Danyi Deats, Taylor Negron, Christopher Peters, and many others co-star in this film.  This is not a very upbeat film by any means.  This was a breakthrough role for Reeves.  Roebuck is very good in a much darker role for him and would go onto be quite the character actor in both film and television.

Well, that is it for this week but I did bring back the "Fun and Useless Facts" segment so read on.  Thanks again to all who have supported me through the years and stay tuned for next week.

FUN AND USELESS FACTS

I decided on this one to only use selections that involve the ten wild cards for this year's Madness which are listed on the photo above.

Tara Reid (Worthless), Steve Buscemi (The Hudsucker Proxy), and John Goodman (The Hudsucker Proxy) were in the 1998 cult classic THE BIG LEBOWSKI.

Tara Reid (Worthless) and Tippi Hedren (A Countess from Hong Kong) were in the 1998 movie I WOKE UP EARLY THE DAY I DIED which was from a script that Edward D. Wood Jr. wrote.  I was actually looking for this but could not find a way to obtain it.

Tara Reid (Worthless) and Rachel True (Groove) were in the 2014 movie SHARKNADO 2:  THE SECOND ONE.

Tara Reid (Worthless) and Tim Matheson (1941) were in the 2002 comedy VAN WILDER:  PARTY LIAISON.

Ned Beatty (1941) and Leslie Nielsen (Tammy and the Bachelor) were in the 1990 horror spoof REPOSSESSED.

Christopher Lee (1941) plays Dracula on many occasions from the '50s to the '70s.  Leslie Nielsen (Tammy and the Bachelor) plays Dracula in the 1995 spoof DRACULA:  DEAD AND LOVING IT.

Christopher Lee (1941) and Crispin Glover (River's Edge) were in the 2009 animated film 9 and 2010 movie ALICE IN WONDERLAND.

Robert Stack (1941), Leslie Nielsen (Tammy and the Bachelor) and Lloyd Bridges (High Noon) were all in the 1980 classic comedy AIRPLANE!

Eddie Deezen (1941) and Leslie Nielsen (Tammy and the Bachelor) were in the 1996 comedy SPY HARD.

John Landis (1941) and Bruce Campbell (The Hudsucker Proxy) have cameos in the 2004 superhero film SPIDER-MAN 2.

Wendie Jo Sperber (1941) and Crispin Glover (River's Edge) were in the popular BACK TO THE FUTURE trilogy

Joan Collins (Turn the Key Slowly) and Lee Van Cleef (High Noon) were in the 1958 western THE BRAVADOS.

Adrienne Barbeau (The Memory Book) and Lee Van Cleef (High Noon) were in the 1981 sci-fi classic ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK.

Adrienne Barbeau (The Memory Book) and Leslie Nielsen (Tammy and the Bachelor) were in the 1982 film CREEPSHOW.

Leslie Nielsen (Tammy and the Bachelor) and Anna Nicole Smith (The Hudsucker Proxy) were in the 1994 comedy NAKED GUN 33 1/3:  THE FINAL INSULT.

Bruce Campbell (The Hudsucker Proxy) and Daniel Roebuck (River's Edge) were in the 2002 classic BUBBA HO-TEP.

Bruce Campbell (The Hudsucker Proxy) was considered for the role of Jack Traven in the 1994 action movie SPEED which would ultimately go to Keanu Reeves (River's Edge).