Welcome to the 819th edition of my series. I've been pretty busy with work and CLUE rehearsals but can always find a little time to release these. Come see me as Colonel Mustard October 7-10 at the Marion Civic Theater and will have more details in the coming weeks. I will get on with my selections for the week.
Temple Grandin (2010): This is part three of my possible five-part David Strathairn series. Mick Jackson directed this HBO biopic which is based on the novel EMERGENCE which was written by Temple Grandin and Margaret Scariano. Claire Danes stars as Temple Grandin who is autistic and with the help of her parents and teachers is able to overcome many obstacles to earn a PH.D. She has developed a lot of humane ways to handle livestock and has helped a lot in the autistic community. Strathairn, Catherine O'Hara, Julia Ormand, Stephanie Faracy, Barry Tubb, Melissa Farman, Steve Shearer, Richard Diller, and many others co-star in this biopic. Danes plays Grandin to perfection in this movie. These days, there is a lot more awareness of autism but Grandin grew up in a time where it really was not that known and had a lot to overcome but had the right support system. Grandin also has her own website in templegrandin.com and has a lot of good insight into autism. This is available to watch on HBO Plus.
The Magic of Belle Isle (2012): Rob Reiner directed and co-wrote this character driven film. Morgan Freeman stars as Monty Wildhorn who is an alcoholic and western novelist. He is also wheelchair bound and mostly giving up on everything. While house sitting for a nephew, he slowly befriends his neighbor, single mom Charlotte, played by Virginia Madsen, and her three daughters, played by Madeline Carroll, Emma Fuhrmann, and Nicolette Pierini. They are all able to help him find the inspiration again. Kenan Thompson, Ash Christian, Fred Willard, Jessica Hecht, Kevin Pollak, Boyd Holbrook, and many others co-star in this film. This is a pretty simple movie as the tagline goes, "A Re-Coming of Age Story". That is a pretty accurate description of this movie. This is a very moving and feel-good movie driven by a good script and performances. This is available to watch on Hoopla Digital.
In the Fade (2017): My first two selections were feel good ones but this one not so much. This is my German film for the week which was written and directed by Fatih Akin. Diane Kruger stars as Katja who has a rather perfect life with her husband Nuri, played by Numan Acar, and her son Rocco, played by Rafael Santana. Katja is left alone when her husband and son were killed by a nail bomb and she is determined to have justice. Denis Moschitto, Samia Muriel Chancrin, Hanna Hilsdorf, Laurens Walter, and many others co-star in this film. This is a very intense film of a person who essentially loses everything. Kruger excels very well in the lead so someone very easy to get behind.
Life in a Medieval Town (1965): This is my short film which is from the Coronet film series and is just as it sounds. This is from the point of view of a young serf of life in a medieval town. This appears to be one of the later Coronet shorts. Most of them try to give advice, this one attempts history. Keep in mind the Rifftrax guys used this short in their recent showing that features HOBGOBLINS. This can be found on Youtube, among others from this "educational" franchise.
Intermezzo (1936): This is my Swedish film for the week which was directed and co-written by Gustaf Molander. Ingrid Bergman stars as piano teacher Anita Hoffman whose job is meant to just be an instructor to a daughter of married couple Professor Holger, played by Gosta Ekman, and Anita Brandt, played by Inga Tidblad. This couple has really lost its love and the professor falls in love with Anita changing all of their lives forever. Erik Berglund, Hugo Bjorne, Anders Henrikson, Hasse Ekman, Britt Hagman, and many others star in this film. This is a tearjerker love story to say the least and the first time I have seen this version. Bergman would move to the states in a later time and this would get an American remake in 1939 which is good in its own right. This version is available to watch on HBO Max.
The Prince and the Showgirl (1957): Laurence Olivier directed this film based on the play by Terence Rattigan. Olivier stars as the Regent who sees a show and takes a liking to the showgirl Elsie, played by Marilyn Monroe. She becomes entangled in political intrigue the longer she stays. Richard Wattis, David Horne, Jeremy Spenser, Sybil Thorndike, Harold Goodwin, Jean Kent, and many others co-star in this film. It is hard to describe this beyond what I have. Monroe is able to hold her own with Olivier and manages to work very well with him. This was also produced by Monroe's own production company. The 2011 movie MY WEEK WITH MARILYN is based on the making of this movie so could be a good double feature.
Time (2020): This is my documentary for the week which was directed by Garrett Bradley. This takes a look at Fox Rich whose husband Rob is serving a 60 year sentence for armed robbery which they both did. Fox is campaigning to get her husband an early release. It also takes a look at her family and the business she is running. Fox did do some time with a plea bargain it is good to see how she adjusted after and became a successful businesswoman. This is available to watch on Amazon Prime and might want to look into this further as there are some things left out.
Black Peter (1964): This is my Czech film for the week which was directed and co-written by Milos Forman in his directorial debut. This centers around a 17 year old boy named Petr, played by Ladislav Jakim, who is working a job he is not very good at and constantly getting lectured by his father. This is part of the Czech New Wave movement from this era and as mentioned Forman makes his big debut which would turn out to be quite a career. This is a good look at the difficult life of a teen just trying to get by in life. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
In a Lonely Place (1950): This is my Film Noir for the week which was directed by Nicholas Ray and based on the novel by Dorothy Hughes. Humphrey Bogart stars as screenwriter Dixon Steele who becomes the prime suspect in a murder but his neighbor Laurel, played by Gloria Grahame. They form a relationship but as she gets to know Dixon, the more she second guesses his innocence. Frank Lovejoy, Carl Benton Reid, Art Smith, Jeff Donnell, Martha Stewart, Robert Warwick, Morris Ankrum, William Ching, Steven Geray, and many others co-star in this film. Before anyone asks, no this is not the Martha Stewart we know today. I believe this is possibly Bogey's best performance of his career and feel the same way about Grahame who I believe is a bit underrated. This is a very compelling story that deserves a look. This is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
Auntie Edna (2018): I end the the week with this animated pixar short that spins off from THE INCREDIBLES. Edna, voiced by Brad Bird, agrees to babysit Jack-Jack for Bob, voiced by Craig T. Nelson. Jack Jack displays all kinds of powers as Edna is both intrigued and concerned. This is a pretty fun animated short but would likely be best to get acquainted with the franchise first. This is available to watch on Disney Plus.
Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week which so far includes Holly Hunter, Peter Sellers, Alfre Woodard, and many others.
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