Welcome to the 856th Edition of my series. It's been great seeing this warmer weather lately. That's about all I really have today so I'll just get on with my selections for the week.
Guarding Tess (1994): This is part seven of my Nicolas Cage series which I believe will be a 10 part series. Hugh Wilson wrote and directed this comedy though has a pretty serious climax. Nicolas Cage stars as secret service agent Doug Chesnic who continues to be assigned to widowed former first lady Tess Carlisle, played by Shirley MacLaine, much to his dismay. Doug finds Tess to be very difficult to deal with and they must both learn how to tolerate one another. Austin Pendleton, Edward Albert, James Rebhorn, Richard Griffiths, John Roselius, David Graf, Don Yesso, Noble Willingham, and many others co-star in this comedy. This is a pretty fun movie with Cage and MacLaine making a really good duo. As I said before, this has a lot of comedic moments along with a more serious climax.
The Resurrection of Gavin Stone (2017): Dallas Jenkins directed this movie which was written by Andrea Gyertson Nasfell. Brett Dalton stars as washed up former child star Gavin Stone who gets carried away one night and must do community service. He is assigned to a megachurch for community service ran by Pastor Allan Richardson, played by D.B. Sweeney, whose daughter Kelly, played by Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, is directing the annual passion play. Gavin decides to pretend to be a Christian for an opportunity to act. WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, Neil Flynn, Tim Frank, William Matthews, Kirk B.R. Woller, Christopher Maleki, Allie Long, and many others co-star in this Christian film. This was also produced by WWE Films and is a Christian oriented movie but I don't feel it was real heavy-handed about it. It was more about a man trying to get his life together and has a good message about commitment. There is also the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels so who would want to miss out on that? This is available to watch on Netflix.
Motherless Brooklyn (2019): Edward Norton directed this film that is based on the novel by Jonathan Lethem. Norton also stars as private detective Lionel Essrog who suffers from Tourette's Syndrome and looks to solve the murder of his mentor and friend Frank Minna, played by Bruce Willis. He learns that he is weaving a web of deception as he gets closer to the murderer. Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, Willem Dafoe, Ethan Suplee, Cherry Jones, Bobby Cannavale, Dallas Roberts, Josh Pais, Michael Kenneth Williams, Leslie Mann, and many others co-star. This takes place around the '50s and Tourettes might not have been out yet as the syndrome is more implied. Norton played the part well and met up with many members of Tourette's Association of America to prepare for the role.
Of Thee I Sting (1946): This is my animated short for the week which is for Looney Tunes. This is a WWII spoof which looks at an army which consists of mosquitos as they prepare for attack. As always, Mel Blanc provides his voice. This is a much different animated short and is pretty funny. This is available to watch on HBO Max.
Too Much Johnson (1938): Orson Welles directed this silent comedy which is based on the play by William Gillette, yes you read that right about a silent comedy. The basic storyline is a woman who has two lovers and one must chase the other. Joseph Cotten, Edgar Barrier, Arlene Francis, Ruth Ford, Mary Wickes, Eustace Wyatt, Orson Welles, and many others co-star. Many say CITIZEN KANE was Welles' film debut but this came before. Welles had trouble getting this film released and actually never got it finished in the way of editing. It would become the lost film by Orson Welles. It was never released until many years later. This is mostly of interest for historical purposes. Much could be implied by the title but I don't think it was anything extreme at this time. This is available to watch on TUBI and Pluto TV.
Dry Summer (1963): Metin Erksan directed this Turkish film. A farmer named Osman, played by Erol Tas, who claims to own the water in the village and manages to block it from others but is met with a violent dispute among the villagers. Osman does what he can to get what he wants including using his own brother. This is a very intense film that I could not take my eyes off of when watching. This is considered a landmark film from Turkey and does hold up well. This is one of Martin Scorsese's favorite movies. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Doctor Strange and the Multitude of Madness (2022): Sam Raimi returns to the superhero genre in this latest from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With this being rather freshly out, I will limit what I say about this film. Benedict Cumberbatch reprises his role of Doctor Strange which follow the events of SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME and deals further with the multiverse. Elizabeth Olsen co-stars as Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch and kind of follows her events from WANDAVISION so would be a good watch before this one. Benedict Wong also reprises his role of Wong and Xochitl Gomez debuts in the MCU as America Chavez who plays a very significant part. I will just leave it at that. I really enjoyed myself watching this entry. I went out to the Alex Theater in Alexandria, Indiana for this first time and got to watch this for ten bucks which included the movie and popcorn so I feel I got my money's worth and was good to support a locally owned movie theater.
Julie (1956): Andrew L. Stone wrote and directed this Film Noir. Doris Day stars as Julie Benton who is now happily married until she sees her husband Lyle's, played by Louis Jourdan, dangerous behavior when getting jealous. Julie's friend Cliff, played by Barry Sullivan, helps as much as he can but no one can prove anything for Lyle so the police are helpless as Julie tries to survive. Frank Lovejoy, Jack Kelly, Ann Robinson, Barney Phillips, Jack Kruschen, John Gallaudet, Carleton Young, Hank Patterson, and many others co-star in this film. This is another very intense film with Day more serious than usual. This also leads to quite the climax in the airplane. This is also available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Trick Baby (1972): Larry Yust directed this crime film based on the novel by Robert Beck. Kiel Martin and Mel Stewart star as Philadelphia con men White Folks and Blue Howard who use their opposite race as part of the con. Things get crazy and they don't know who to trust including each other. Vernee Watson, Don Fellows, Ted Lange, and many others co-star in this film. This is a gritty look at the Philadelphia scene in this era. This has gone onto be a rather underrated con film with Martin and Stewart making a good con duo. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019): I end the week with this French film that was written and directed Celine Sciamma. This takes place at the end of the 18th century where Noeme Merlant staras as painter Marianne who is obliged to do a painting of Heloise, played by Adele Haenel, before her wedding. Heloise is not happy about what is essentially a forced engagment. As Marianne and Heloise get to know each other, the more intimate things become. Luana Bajrami, Valeria Golino, Armande Bouanger, and many others co-star in this film. This is wonderfully acted and shot really well where each scene is like a painting. This is essentially an arthouse film which may not be for everyone. This is also a pretty moving film with a lot of emotional depth. 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 so far includes Nicolas Cage, Marisa Tomei, Penelope Cruz, and many others.
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