Welcome to the 861st edition of my series. Last Friday, I got see a great concert in Tears for Fears with Garbage as the opening band. Both bands still got it and was a great night with the bestie Stephanie. I would also like to with the fathers, stepfathers, and father figures a Happy Fathers Day. Today is also the holiday of Juneteeth so I hope everyone enjoys the holidays however celebrated. That's about all I have for now so I'll just get on with the selections.
Something Wild (1986): This is part four of my five-part Ray Liotta series where he plays one of his first leading roles. Jonathan Demme directed this romantic crime comedy that at times is a bit of a psychological thriller. Jeff Daniels stars as businessman Charles Driggs who meets and hooks up with the wild and sexy Lulu, played by Melanie Griffith. He agrees to go along with her and things get complicated when Lulu's psychotic ex-husband Ray Sinclair, played by Liotta, comes into the picture. Margaret Colin, Robert Ridgely, Kenneth Utt, Adelle Lutz, Charles Napier, John Sayles, John Waters, and many others co-star or have cameos. This is a pretty fun ride that literally combines comedy and drama. Daniels, Griffith, and Liotta make a very good trio. This is available to watch on TUBI and Pluto TV.
My Life as a Zucchini (2016): This is my animated feature for the week which was directed by Claude Barras. Erick Abbate stars as the nine year old Courgette who goes by the name Zucchini. After losing his mother, he ends up in an orphanage where at first he struggles to find his place but soon learns a lot about friendship and love. Nick Offerman co-stars as the good-hearted cop police officer Raymond who befriends Zucchini and stays in touch. Will Forte, Amy Sedaris, Elliot Page, Clara Young, Susanne Blakeslee, Finn Robbins, and many others provide their voice in this film. This has a pretty deep subject manner to it and can be challenging to watch at times. It is also a very moving and even inspirational story of friendship.
Tabloid (2010): This is my documentary for the week which was directed by Errol Morris. This centers around Joyce McKinney who was at one time a Miss Wyoming in the '70s and had a lot going for her. Her life changed when getting involved with a man of the Mormon faith and while they were going to get married, he disappeared. She felt that he was brainwashed by Mormon elders and kidnapped so she went for a rescue which in turn made accused of kidnapping leading to "the Mormon Sex in Chains Case". This is an extremely complex case which I cannot explain any further, it just has to be watched. McKinney interviews about her side of the story along with other interviews. This is available to watch on Prime but must have a subscription to AMC+, Doc Club, or IFC Films Unlimited. It can also be found on Plex.
Beauty and the Beast (1934): This is my animated short for the week and comes from Merry Melodies so a very early one and not the same thing we all know today. This centers around a little girl being in Toyland, thanks to the Sandman, no not the Sandman from ECW, and must contend with the Beast from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. This is entertaining and good for historical purposes including that is it the second animated short to be in Cinecolor. This is available to watch on HBO Max.
Five Graves to Cairo (1943): Billy Wilder directed the Nazi WWII thriller which is based on a play by Lajos Bird. Franchot Tone stars as British soldier Corporal John J. Bramble who is a long soldier in German headquarters and poses as a German to survive. The guest of honor that night is Erwin Rommel, played by Erich Von Stroheim. Anne Baxter co-stars as French chambermaid Mouche who plays a significant part of the events in the film. Akim Tamiroff, Peter Van Eyck, Fortunio Bonanova, and many others co-star in this film. Wilder was possibly the most versatile director of all time. Von Stroheim was usually a director but came through a lot as Rommel in this Nazi thriller. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
A Raisin in the Sun (1961): Daniel Petrie directed this film based on the play by Lorraine Hansberry and felt it would be fitting to the Juneteenth holiday. Sidney Poitier stars as Walter Lee Younger who is trying to make a better life for himself and his family. His mother Lena, played by Claudia McNeil, is getting an insurance check that could make or break the family. Ruby Dee co-stars as Walter's wife Ruth who is trying to keep things together for the family but struggles. Diana Sands, Ivan Dixon, John Fiedler, Louis Gossett Jr., Steven Perry, Roy Glenn, and many others co-star in this film. This is a very good look at a poor black family from this era. Poitier is very complex as Walter and remains relevant today.
Miss Juneteenth (2020): Channing Godfrey Peoples wrote and directed this Independent film which is a perfect selection for the day. Nicole Beharie stars as Turquoise who is a former winner of the local Miss Juneteenth contest and as her daughter Kai, played by Alexis Chikaeze, comes of age, she enters her into the contest even though she is not every excited about it. Kai has other interests but is not understood much by her mother who is determined for her to win Miss Juneteenth. Liz Mikel, Kendrick Sampson, Jaime Matthis, Lisha Hackney, Akron Watson, Margaret Sanchez, Lori Hayes, and many others co-star in this film. This is a really good coming-of-age film which applies to both the mother and daughter. This may not have a big name cast but still works very well. This is a real-life contest in Texas.
Barefoot in the Park (1967): Gene Saks directed this comedy which is based on the play by Neil Simon. Robert Redford and Jane Fonda stars as the newlywed couple Paul and Corie Bratter whose personalities could not be any different. Paul is the conservative attorney and Corie is the more free-spirited and adventurous one. It also does not help that their apartment is on the fifth story and there is no elevator which lends to much of the humor in this comedy. Charles Boyer, Mildred Natwick, Herb Edelman, Mabel Albertson, Fritz Field, Ted Hartley, and many others co-star in this comedy. This was a breakthrough role for Redford and worked very well with Fonda. While this is a comedy, it is also a good look at a newlywed couple trying to adjust to that part of their life. This is available to watch on Pluto Tv.
Detour (1945): This is my Film Noir for the week which was directed by Edgar G. Ulmer. Tom Neal stars as nightclub performer Al Roberts who is hitchhiking to Hollywood and finds the person driving him has died. Fearing the cops will suspect him of murder, he keeps it a secret and meets femme fatale Vera, played by Ann Savage, who blackmails him. Claudia Drake, Edmund MacDonald, Tim Ryan, Esther Howard, and many others co-star in this Film Noir. This is a very classic low budget film that still holds up today. It also has one of the most memorable endings of all time. Savage remains one of the top femme fatales of all time. This is available to watch with Prime, Epix, Paramount +, Fandor, and the Criterion Collection. It is also on free streaming apps like Tubi and Pluto Tv.
Call of Cuteness (2017): I end the week on this animated short which was written and directed by Brenda Lien. I think this is inspired by the popular cat videos that people watch these days. This consists of a cat that is slowly being devoured due to society. That's about the best I can explain it. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Well, that is all for this week. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week which so far includes William Sadler, Clea Duvall, Alfred Hitchcock, Jeff Goldblum, and many others.
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