Welcome to the 855th Edition of my series. I will start by saying Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there whether a mom to a human, animal, or an alien. I don't really have much else going on right now so I will just get to the selections.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022): This is part six of my Nicholas Cage series where Cage plays the struggling actor Nick Cage. Tom Gormican directed and co-wrote this comedy that parodies Nicolas Cage and even some of his iconic characters. Pedro Pascal co-stars as cage's superfan Javi Gutierrez who leads a very dangerous life. Cage is also recruited by CIA operative Vivian, played by Tiffany Haddish, and is in for a very action packed adventure. Sharon Horgan, Paco Leon, Neil Patrick Harris, Lily Sheen, Alessandra Mastronardi, Jacob Scipio, Katrin Vankova, and many others co-star in this comedy. This was nothing short of lots of fun and laughs. I admit I am a bit of a sucker actors parodying themselves like Bruce Campbell in MY NAME IS BRUCE, Jean Claude Van Damme in JCVD, and even Michael Bolton in the Netflix special MICHAEL BOLTON'S BIG, SEXY, VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL. Nicolas Cage plays himself to perfection and is a great script. I also feel there was a certain statement being made by Cage in this movie. This was worth the trip to the movie theaters.
Mallrats (1995): I follow up with some more comedy that was written and directed by Kevin Smith. Jeremy London and Jason Lee star as TS and Brodie whose girlfriends Brandi and Rene, played by Claire Forlani and Shannen Doherty, dump them for different reasons. The guys turn to the mall to seek refuge and with the help of some of their friends including our heroes Jay and Silent Bob, played by Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, they set out to win their girls back. Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Renee Humphrey, Ethan Suplee, Priscilla Barnes, Brian O'Halloran, Sven-Ole Thorsen, and Stan Lee himself co-star in this comedy. This is Smith's follow-up from CLERKS and inter-connects a little bit. This is also very raunchy like his first movie. This is very fun if you don't offend easy.
Queen and Slim (2019): Now I get more serious with this film which was directed by Melina Matsoukas. Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith star as Slim and Queen who go on a first date together. Things take an unexpected turn when they get pulled over and the police officer goes too far resulting in Slim killing the officer. Queen feels they have no choice but to run and go viral when the video gets put out. Bokeem Woodbine, Chloe Sevigny, Flea, Sturgill Simpson, Indya Moore, Benito Martinez, Jahi Di'Allo Winston, Bryant Tardy, and many others co-star in this film. This will really get you thinking and can spark quite a discussion. This came out at a really good time with the Black Lives Matter movement. I also believe that every police officer should watch this. This is not an easy watch but an important one. This is available to watch on FXNOW.
How to Sleep (1935): This is my comedy short for the week which is a Robert Benchley short. Benchley is a lecturer to talks about the stages of sleep while struggling for his own sleep. This was a pretty funny few minutes. Robert Benchley did a long series of comedy shorts from this era. This is on the dvd for A NIGHT AT THE OPERA which was featured last week.
Tobacco Road (1941): John Ford directed this comedy/drama that is based on the novel by Erskine Caldwell and the play by Jack Kirkland. Charley Grapewin stars as Jeeter who struggles to make it in rural Georgia and whose family farm is being threatened by a local bank. Marjorie Rambeau co-stars as his wife Bessie and Gene Tierney and William Tracy co-star as their kids Ellie May and Dude. Elizabeth Patterson, Dana Andrews, Slim Summerville, Ward Bond, Grant Mitchell, Zeffie Tilbury, Irving Bacon, and many others co-star in this film. This is hillbilly life to the core and probably perpetuates about every stereotype. Tracy seems to define over the top in his role as Dude and is intriguing to watch. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967): This is my homage to the late Robert Morse who recently left us. David Swift directed this movie adaptation on the popular musical by Frank Loesser. Morse stars as window washer J. Pierrepont Finch who reads the book of the title and looks to move up in the corporate world of where he works. Michelle Lee, Rudy Vallee, Anthony Teague, Maureen Arthur, Carol Worthington, Ruth Kobart, Jeff DeBenning, Robert Q. Lewis, Paul Hartman, Dan Tobin, John Holland, Justin Smith, Murray Matheson, and many others co-star in this musical. Morse is a lot of fun as Finch and is a good movie adaptation. Many years later, Daniel Radcliffe would play the role of Finch on stage. This might also be a good double feature to go along with THE HUDSUCKER PROXY. This is available to watch on Tubi and Pluto TV so go get your musical fix for free.
At Any Price (2012): Ramin Bahrani directed and co-wrote this film. Dennis Quaid and Zac Efron star as father and son duo Henry and Dean. Henry runs a shady agricultural business and wants nothing more than his son to follow in his footsteps. However, Dean dreams of being a professional race car driver. The business is threatened by scandal. Kim Dickens, Heather Graham, John Hoogenakker, Dan Waller, Maika Monroe, Clancy Brown, Ben Marten, ChelcieRoss, and many others co-star in this character driven film. Quaid and Efron are a good father and son. It is not always easy to watch but is a pretty compelling film. This is also the last movie that Roger Ebert gave four stars.
Lilies of the Field (1963): Ralph Nelson directed this film based on the novel by William E. Barrett. Sidney Poitier stars as travelling handyman Homer Smith who comes across a group of East European Catholic nuns. Mother Maria, played by Lilia Skala, believes that Homer is the answer to their prayers and that Homer was sent from God to build a chapel. Homer tries to get away but continues to be compelled to stay. Franchesca Jarvis, Stanley Adams, Dan Frazer, and many others co-star in this film. This is a pretty touching film with a good performance out of Poirtier. This is available to watch on Tubi and Pluto Tv.
The Man I Love (1946): Raoul Walsh directed this film based on the novel by Maritta M. Wolff. Ida Lupino stars as Petey Brown who comes to visit her family and lands a job at small time hood Nicky Toresca's, played by Robert Alda. While there, she falls in love with down and out ex-jazz pianist San Thomas, played by Bruce Bennett, but has other issues with her siblings and Toresca and has a choice to make. Andrea King, Martha Vickers, Alan Hale, Delores Moran, John Ridgely, Don McGuire, Warren Douglas, and many others co-star in this film. This is a pretty intense and dark film with Lupino great as Petey. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Roma (2018): I end the week with this film written and directed by Alfonso Cuaron. This centers around a middle-class Mexican family in the '70s and mostly focuses on the maid Cleo, played by Yalitza Aparicio. She works for Antonia and Sofia, played by Fernando Grediaga and Marina de Tavira, and takes care of their four children. Things get complicated when Antonia leaves for his mistress and Cleo learns she is pregnant. Diego Cortina Autrey, Carlos Peralta, Marco Graf, Daniela Demesa, Nancy Garcia Garcia, Veronica Garcia, Jorge Antonio Guerrero, Latin Lover, and many others co-star in this film. This is more of a character driven film and Cuaron was able to make it very watchable with his direction and cinematography. Aparicio also does well carrying to story in the ups and downs of her employment. This is available to watch on Netflix.
Well, that is it for this week. Stay tuned for next week which so far includes Shirley MacLaine, Edward Norton, Orson Welles, Doris Day, and many others.
No comments:
Post a Comment