Welcome to the 850th edition of my series. This has been a wrestling week for me as it continues into tonight for the conclusion of WRESTLEMANIA. I would like to announce that the radio play LOST HORIZON. I did earlier in the year airs today at 5 pm eastern time on the website https://www.weciradio.org/. It will also air the next two Sundays and will eventually be available on platforms like Spotify on the podcast "Richmond Radioworks". I will shut up now and get on with my selections.
Captain America: Civil War (2016): This is part three of my trilogy for the late William Hurt. Anthony and Joe Russo direct this entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the third in the Captain America series though was more of an Avengers movie. Events happen that pit Captain America, reprised by Chris Evans, and Iron Man, reprised by Robert Downey Jr., against one another. Essentially we have team Captain America where he is joined by Falcon, played by Anthony Mackie, Hawkeye, played by Jeremy Renner, Winter Soldier, played by Sebastian Stan, Ant-Man, played by Paul Rudd, and the Scarlet Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Team Iron Man where he is joined by Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, War Machine, played by Don Cheadle, Vision, played by Paul Bettany, Black Panther, played by Chadwick Boseman in his introduction to the MCU, and Spider-Man, played by Tom Holland in his introduction to the MCU. Emily VanCamp, Daniel Bruhl, Frank Grillo, Martin Freeman, John Kani, John Slattery, Hope Davis, Alfre Woodard, and many others co-star in this superhero film. Hurt reprises his role of Thaddeus Ross who is now Secretary of State. I guess we will not get our Red Hulk from Hurt though I don't know they were going in that direction. This movie shows that everyone has to have consequences and the disagreement, among other things, leads to these people who have fought together for so long to go against each other. This has a great storyline and some really good action. The events of this movie play into the Disney Plus series FALCON AND WINTER SOLDIER which could make a good double feature. This is available to watch on Disney Plus.
Birdy (1984): This is part one of a possible six-part Nicolas Cage series. Alan Parker directed this film based on the novel by William Wharton. Matthew Modine and Nicolas Cage star as Philly friends Birdy and Al who are in the Vietnam war. When getting home, Al suffers some serious injuries while Birdy is in a military institution and seemingly emotionally scarred. Al looks to get through to his bird-obsessed friend. John Harkins, Sandy Baron, Karen Young, Bruno Kirby, Nancy Fish, and many others co-star in this film. I did not really know what to expect but its was a pretty moving film. My own favorite singer Peter Gabriel wrote the music score which is his first and with his limited time constraints, he recycled some of his own movie which fits really well. I would love to see Peter work more in film with composing music and I believe he could write a really good movie. This is a really good look at the effects of a couple Vietnam Veterans. This is available to watch on Prime.
One Day (2011): Lone Scherfig directed this film based on the book by David Nicholls. Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway stars as Dexter and Emma who meet at college graduation. They remain friends and the movie shows them on the anniversary date they met on through the years and sometimes they are closer than others. Each life takes a different turn but continue to find each other whether in person or just over the phone. Patricia Clarkson, Tom Misom, Jodie Whittaker, Rafe Spall, Josephine de La Baume, Ken Stott, Heida Reed, Amanda Fairbanks-Hynes, Gil Alma, David Ajaja, Georgia King, Lorna Gayle, Matt Berry, Romola Garai, Diana Kent, James Laurenson, Matthew Beard, Toby Regbo, Thomas Arnold, and many others co-star in this film. This is a really good look at a friendship through the years and the changes the characters go through in life. This is available to watch on Starz.
The Red Balloon (1956): This is my short film for the week which was written and directed by Albert Lamorisse. As one might guess, this is a balloon that is red in this movie. This balloon appears to have a mind of its own as it follows a young boy through the streets of Paris. This has been a rather timeless film of a simple but effective story with the star being a balloon. This is always worth a half hour watch. It is available to watch on HBO Max and the Criterion Channel.
This Day and Age (1933): Cecil B. DeMille directed this pre-code crime drama. A group of high school students band together after the town tailor is murdered when refusing to pay protection money to the local gangster Louis Garrett, played by Charles Bickford. After Garrett is acquitted, the students go through extreme measures to get justice. Judith Allen, Richard Cromwell, Harry Green, Bradley Page, Edward Nugent, Ben Alexander, John Carradine, and many others co-star in this film. DeMille is more known for his big extravaganza films but takes it down a bit here while still focusing on a very important topic. It is also one of his more underrated films and is every bit as good as the Dead End Kids movies. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Dead Ringer (1964): Paul Henreid directed this horror film. Fresh off the success of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE, Bette Davis stars as estranged twin sisters Margaret and Edith. Edith is bitter towards her twin sister and kills her while also taking her identity. She finds that impersonating her sister is not easy as she must deal with Margaret's sleazy boyfriend Tony, played by Peter Lawford, and Sergeant Jim Hobbson, played by Karl Malden. Philip Carey, Jean Hagen, George Macready, Estelle Winwood, George Chandler, Mario Alcalde, Cyril Delevanti, Monika Henreid, Bert Remsen, and many others co-star in this film. This is a pretty decent twin thriller that still holds up together. Davis takes on both roles very well. I would even say it is a good look at upper-class jealousy.
The Power of the Dog (2021): This is my western for the week which was directed by Jane Campion and based on the novel by Thomas Savage. Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons star as brothers Phil and George Burbank who are wealthy ranchers. George finds love in the widowed Rose, played by Kirsten Dunst, while Phil does what he can to make them miserable until he finds his own possibility of love. Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kenneth Radley, Sean Keenan, George Mason, Ramontay McConnell, Cohen Holloway, Alistair Sewell, Alice Englert, Thomasin McKenzie, Keith Carradine, Alison Bruce, Adam Beach, and many others co-star in this western. This is a more psychological western so if expecting a lot of action, this is not the western to watch. It is hard to really describe this further than what I already did without spoiling it but Cumberbatch is very compelling in his role.
The Card (1952): Ronald Neame directed this comedy based on the novel by Arnold Bennett. Alec Guinness stars as Denry who comes from a poor background and decides he must do what he can to raise his living standards. He finds many ways to rise in the ranks of business and social class. Glynis Johns, Valerie Hobson, Petula Clark, Edward Chapman, Veronica Turleigh, George Devine, Joan Hickson, Frank Pettingill, Gibb McLaughlin, and many others co-star in this comedy. This is one of the Ealing comedies that were produced in Britain. This is a good satire on social class. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Boeing, Boeing (1965): John Rich directed this comedy that is based on the play by Marc Camoletti. Tony Curtis stars as Bernard Lawrence who is engaged to three different flight attendants, played by Dany Saval, Christiane Schmidtmer, and Suzanna Leigh, and able to keep them away from each other knowing their schedules. Jerry Lewis co-stars as Bernard's visiting friend Robert Reed who haplessly tries to help his philandering friend keep it altogether. Thelma Ritter co-stars as Bernard's maid Bertha who also tries to keep it altogether for Robert even if she does not seem to like it. Curtis is really good in his role and Jerry Lewis tones it down in this one speaking in his normal voice instead of the nerdy voice he used a lot in this era. This does have a lot of funny moments and is available to watch on Pluto TV.
Tupac: Resurrection (2003): I end the week on this documentary that was directed by Lauren Lazin. This takes a look at rapper Tupac Shakur's life through home movies, photographs, recited poetry and some recorded audio from Tupac himself. This shows Tupac as a very complicated person who could be described in many ways. This was produced by Tupac's mother Afeni Shakur. This is a pretty insightful documentary and there is not a lot more I can say but presents him as human and not so much a hero. This really deserves a look.
Well, that is it for this week but continue on for my segment of "Fun and Useless Facts". Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week which so far includes Olivia Colman, Michelle Williams, and many others.
FUN AND USELESS FACTS
These are some interconnections of actors and actresses in my selections for the week. I stopped after 25 facts and mostly focused on the first three selections of the week and some that connected to the later selections. I am sure there is plenty I have missed so feel free to comment.
Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Civil War) plays Tupac Shakur (Tupac: Resurrection) in the 2009 biopic NOTORIOUS.
Daniel Bruhl (Captain America: Civil War) and Josephine de La Baume (One Day) were in the 2013 film RUSH.
Diana Kent (One Day) and Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog) were in the 2008 comedy HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE.
Don Cheadle (Captain America: Civil War) and Nicolas Cage (Birdy) were in the 2000 holiday film THE FAMILY MAN.
Hope Davis (Captain America: Civil War) and Nicolas Cage (Birdy) play an estranged couple in the 2005 movie THE WEATHER MAN.
John Slattery (Captain America: Civil War) and Patricia Clarkson (One Day) co-star in the 2003 independent film THE STATION AGENT.
John Slattery (Captain America: Civil War) and Bruno Kirby (Birdy) were in the 1996 film SLEEPERS.
Marisa Tomei (Captain America: Civil War) and Rafe Spall (One Day) were in the 2015 film THE BIG SHORT.
Martin Freeman (Captain America: Civil War) and Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog) star as Watson and Holmes in the BBC series SHERLOCK.
Martin Freeman (Captain America: Civil War) and Ken Stott (One Day) were in THE HOBBIT trilogy.
Martin Freeman (Captain America: Civil War) and Rafe Spall (One Day) were in the 2007 comedy HOT FUZZ.
Matthew Modine (Birdy) and Anne Hathaway (One Day) were in the 2012 superhero film THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.
Nicolas Cage (Birdy) and Adam Beach (The Power of the Dog) were in the 2002 war movie WINDTALKERS.
Nicolas Cage (Birdy) plays Dracula in the upcoming film RENFIELD, and yes, you read that right. John Carradine (This Day and Age) plays Dracula in the Universal era most notably with the 1944 film HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and the 1945 film HOUSE OF DRACULA.
Patricia Clarkson (One Day) and Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog) were in the 1995 film JUMANJI.
Paul Rudd (Captain America: Civil War) plays Paris in the 1996 film ROMEO + JULIET. I played Paris in a 2013 production of ROMEO AND JULIET in Farmland, Indiana. I am pretty sure this is the only role that Paul and me will ever share.
Robert Downey Jr. (Captain America: Civil War) plays Sherlock Holmes in the 2009 film SHERLOCK HOLMES, the 2011 sequel SHERLOCK HOLMES: GAME OF SHADOWS, and I have heard there is a third one in production. Fellow MCU alum Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog) plays Holmes in the BBC series SHERLOCK in a more modern take to the famed detective.
Robert Downey Jr. (Captain America: Civil War) and Nancy Fish (Birdy) are in the 2005 film KISS KISS BANG BANG.
Robert Downey Jr. (Captain America: Civil War) and Patricia Clarkson (One Day) were in the 2005 film GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
Scarlett Johansson (Captain America: Civil War) auditioned for roles in the 1995 film JUMANJI and the 2005 film ELIZABETHTOWN that would both ultimately go to Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog).
Scarlett Johansson (Captain America: Civil War) auditioned for the role of Fantine in the 2012 musical LES MISERABLES which would ultimately go to Anne Hathaway (One Day).
Scarlett Johansson (Captain America: Civil War) and Jim Sturgess (One Day) play siblings in the 2008 film THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL.
Scarlett Johansson (Captain America: Civil War) and Patricia Clarkson (One Day) are in the 2008 film VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA.
Scarlett Johansson (Captain America: Civil War) and Romola Garai (One Day) are in the 2006 movie SCOOP.
Sebastian Stan (Captain America: Civil War) and Anne Hathaway (One Day) were in the 2008 film RACHEL GETTING MARRIED.
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