Welcome to the 844th Edition of my series. MURDER AT CAFE NOIR is coming along very well. If you are in or near the area, come out for some laughs. I will get more ticket info as time goes on but the theater could use some donations so if willing, go to https://pulseoperahouse.org/ and there will be info there. No football now so I'll just get on with my selections.
Definitely, Maybe (2008): This is part one of a possible five-part Rachel Weisz series. Adam Brooks wrote and directed this romantic comedy. Ryan Reynolds stars as political consultant Will Hayes who is getting a divorce and whose 10 year old daughter Maya, played by Abigail Breslin, is very intent on her father explaining his past relationships. Rachel Weisz, Elizabeth Banks, and Isla Fisher co-star as Will's past relationships leading Maya to figure out which one turns out to be her mother. Daniel Eric Gold, Adam Ferrera, Derek Luke, Liane Balaban, Annie Parisse, Nestor Serrano, Kevin Corrigan, Kevin Kline, and many others co-star in this movie. This is a pretty fun comedy with Reynolds and Breslin working well together as father and daughter and the discussion they have on Will's past. This would be a really good date night movie.
Sunlight (1957): This is an early work from Melvin Van Peebles who is likely most know for his work in the Blaxploitation genre. This takes place in San Francisco where a black man commits a petty crime out of love. This looks at the poverty and injustice that many black people suffer and remains relevant today. This is the start to a very good career and the baby was Melvin's son Mario Van Peebles who would go onto have a really good career in his own right. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel as well as a lot of other works of Melvin Van Peebles.
La Grande Illusion (1937): This is my French film for the week which was directed by Jean Renoir which is centered around WWI. Jean Gabin and Pierre Fresnay star as French soldiers who end up in a German POW camp. When there, they become friends with the other prisoners and look to organize an escape. Dita Parlo, Erich Von Stroheim, Julien Carette, Jean Daste, Gaston Modot, and many others co-star in this film. This has a lot of antiwar messages but also has many humorous moments of dialogue to go along with it. This could be a good double feature to go along with THE GREAT ESCAPE.
American Folk (2017): David Heinz wrote and directed this independent film. Mucicians Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth stars as Elliott and Joni who are strangers that meet in California right after 9/11 happens. They take a road trip in a beat up van to get to their destinations of New York and discover they have similar tastes and talent in music. They rely on their music and the kindness of strangers to get through all their obstacles. David Fine, Bruce Beatty, Elizabeth Dennehy, Miranda LaDawn Hill, Emma Thatcher, Holger Moncada Jr., Julian Gopal, Lawrence A. Mandley, Michelle West, and many others co-star in this film. This is a very good homage to the world of folk music. It is also a very moving film set after such a tragic event. This is available to watch on imdb tv and Tubi. Also, look into these talented musicians.
The Lion in Winter (1968): This is part one of a possible four part Anthony Hopkins series. Anthony Harvey directed this royalty film which is based on the play by James Goldman who also wrote the screenplay. Peter O'Toole stars as Henry II who announces his successor to the throne and wants his son John, played by Nigel Terry, to take the throne. His estranged wife Eleanor, played by Katherine Hepburn, has other ideas and wants their son Richard, played by Anthony Hopkins to take the throne. A young Timothy Dalton makes his film debut and co-stars as Philip II who looks to take over the kingdom. John Castle, Jane Merrow, Nigel Stock, O.Z. Whitehead, and many others co-star in this film. This takes place around Christmas so I wish I had known that or I might have put this in one of my December editions. This is a pretty compelling and authentic film on a royalty power struggle.
Borg vs. McEnroe (2017): Janus Metz directed this sports film that is based on a true story. This looks at Wimbleton in 1980 and looks at the rivalry between Bjorn Borg, played by Sverrir Gudnason, and the volatile John McEnroe, played by Shia LeBeouf. On the surface, it would seem they have nothing in common but in reality, they both had similar childhoods and had different ways of handing their anxiety. Stellan Skarsgard, Tuva Nuvotny, Jackson Gann, Ian Blackman, Robert Emms, David Bamber, Mats Blomgren, Julia Marko-Nord, Jane Perry, and many others co-star in this sports film. Borg's real-life son Leo Borg plays the younger Bjorn Borg. This is a really good look at these two tennis legends and was mostly an individual look until their very intense matchup at Wimbleton. The actors played the title roles very well. This can be enjoyed by tennis and non-tennis fans and yes I can be serious.
The Racket (1951): This is part two of my possible Robert Mitchum trilogy. John Cromwell directed this film based on the play by Bartlett Cormack. Robert Mitchum stars as Captain Thomas McQuigg who is one of the few non-corrupt people on the force must look to take down political corruption as local crime boss Nick Scanlon, played by Robert Ryan, looks to get a corrupt district attorney elected as judge. Lizabeth Scott, William Talman, Ray Collins, Joyce Mackenzie, Robert Hutton, Virginia Huston, William Conrad, Walter Sande, Les Tremayne, Don Porter, Walter Baldwin, Brett King, and many others co-star in this film. This is a pretty dark and violent film but also enjoyable. Mitchum and Ryan have a great rivalry as they are both very dedicated to their side of the law.
I Think He'll Be Alright (2021): I decided to use another short film for the week. Jeffrey Scott Richards directed this documentary short which is his own video diary. Richards documents his own health anxiety as well as getting the Covid vaccine. He also does some thorough research on the vaccination as well and is very open about his own personal experience. I have avoided Covid selections but Jeff and his wife Jenny, who is also featured, have been long time supporters of this and I knew he had good intentions about it. This was very informative while also being entertaining. This is available to watch at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ithinkhellbealright?fbclid=IwAR0tfSsS4s07SlaknrvqVT-WnNORe0M9H9GVowBAuBeotxpxufh35hSLP68 and is about 30 minutes long.
All Screwed Up (1974): This is my Italian film for the week which was written and directed by Lina Wertmuller. A group of immigrants from the south of Italy in Milan while facing all the everyday struggles. Luigi Diberti, Giuliana Calandra, Isa Danieli, Claudio Camaso, and many others co-star in this film. This is an ensemble film and a statement of the struggles going on at this time and likely now. It is a comedy within all the serious situations. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Oh, Hello On Broadway (2017): I end the week with this live special which was directed by Michael John Warren and Alex Timbers. Nick Kroll and John Mulaney play the elderly Gil and George. This is essentially a stand-up comedy routine with these two men in various situations. This was an act popularized on Comedy Central's KROLL SHOW. I honestly don't know a lot about these guys but what they did in this show was quite funny with an amusing cameo from Steve Martin. This is available to watch on Netflix.
Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week which so far includes Rachel McAdams, Gwyneth Paltrow, Fred Astaire, and many others.
No comments:
Post a Comment