Welcome to the 859th edition of my series. I hope everyone is hanging in there in these crazy times. I don't really have a lot to say right now so I'll just get on with my selections.
Red Rock West (1993): This is part ten of my ten part Nicolas Cage series. John Dahl directed and wrote this modern-day Film Noir. Cage stars as a drifter named Michael who is looking for work and stumbles upon the town of Red Rock where he is mistaken for a hitman that is hired by Wayne, played by J.T. Walsh, to kill his wife Suzanne, played by Lara Flynn Boyle. When he warns Suzanne that he was hired, she pays him to kill Wayne. Trying to take the money and leave, things get complicated when the real hitman Lyle, played by Dennis Hopper, comes into town. Craig Reay, Dale Gibson, Timothy Carhart, Dan Shor, Dwight Yoakam, and many others co-star in this film. This has always been one of my favorites and is very underrated in my opinion. There are lots of twists and turns and is a perfect Neo-Noir. This is available to watch on Peacock.
Turbulence (1997): This is part two of my Ray Liotta series in which I believe I will make a five-part series. Robert Butler directed this action thriller that takes place onboard a plane. Liotta stars as convicted serial killer Ryan Weaver who is being transferred. When escaping and murdering the pilots, it is up to the fight attendant Teri, played by Lauren Holly, to outsmart him and fly the plane with instructions by air traffic control. Brendan Gleeson, Hector Elizondo, Rachel Ticotin, Jeffrey DeMunn, John Finn, Ben Cross, Catherine Hicks, Heidi Kling, J. Kenneth Campbell, James MacDonald, Michael Harney, Grand L. Bush, Alan Bergman, and many others co-star in this action movie. Liotta clearly has a lot of fun in his role with Holly as his foil. This was not nominated for any Oscars and is probably not very realistic. Just get the popcorn and enjoy. This is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
The Batman (2022): Matt Reeves wrote and directed this superhero film and latest adaptation of the dark and brooding caped crusader. Robert Pattinson makes his first appearance as Bruce Wayne and while I hate to give spoilers is also Batman. Paul Dano co-stars as the Riddler who is killing key figures in Gotham City making Batman investigate the corruption in his town. His allies are Commissioner Gordon, played by Jeffrey Wright, and Selina Kyle aka Catwoman. Colin Farrell co-stars as the Penguin and is nearly unrecognizable in his role. Andy Serkis takes the role of Bruce Wayne's trusted butler and mentor Alfred Pennyworth. John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Jayme Lawson, Gil Perez-Abraham, Peter McDonald, Con O'Neill, Alex Ferns, Rupert Penry-Jones, Kosha Engler, and many others co-star in this film. Dano portrays the Riddler far differently than Jim Carrey, Frank Gorshin of the sitcom, or John Glover from the animated series. This is more of a Noir detective movie that an action movie but there is a lot of action. Pattinson brings a great interpretation to Batman and the movie is worth the near three hours. This is available to watch on HBO Max.
Little Red Riding Rabbit (1944): This is my animated short for the week which stars Bugs Bunny, voiced by Mel Blanc. Bugs works is way into the classic tale where Red is going to Grandma's house to take her food. The Wolf is more interested in the contents in the basket which is Bugs himself rather than in Red who proves to be a bit of trouble herself. This is different and a pretty fun few minutes. This is available to watch on HBO Max along with a lot of other Looney Tunes shorts.
Hopalong Cassidy Enters (1935): Howard Bretherton directed this classic western based on the novel by Charles E. Mulford. William Boyd stars as Bill Cassidy who goes by the name Hopalong after being wounded in the leg in battle. Kenneth Thomson stars as evil foreman Jack Anthony who is trying to play two ranchers against one another so Hopalong helps to expose the real bad guy. James Ellison, Paula Stone, Gabby Hayes, Frank McGlynn Jr., Charles Middleton, Robert Warwick, Willie Fung, Frank Campeau, Jim Mason, Ted Adams, and many others co-star in this film. This was as very popular western character in this era and would be featured in many movies and television shows. This was the start of the franchise and is available on Prime, Epix and Paramount Plus as well as the free streaming app Freevee.
Pigs and Battleships (1961): This is my Japanese film for the week which was directed by Shohei Imamura and based on the novel by Kazu Otsuka. This takes place in postwar Japan and centers around small-time hoodlum Kinta trying to move up in the Yakuza. He has a girlfriend Haruko who is a barmaid and does not like Kinta's lifestyle. She wants them to move with her uncle to get jobs in his factory but Kinta does not want to be a "wage slave". This is a pretty dark story and a rather bizarre climax. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Bird on a Wire (1990): John Badham directed this action comedy. Mel Gibson stars as Rick Jarmin who is in the witness protection and is recognized by his ex-girlfriend Marianne, played by Goldie Hawn. Rick also finds there is corruption in the system as the man, played by David Carradine, he put away is out and after him putting Marianne in the middle. Bill Duke, Stephen Tobolowsky, Joan Severance, Harry Caesar, Jeff Corey, Alex Bruhanski, John Pyper-Ferguson, Clyde Kusatsu, and many others co-star in this action comedy. Gibson and Hawn make a really good duo. While this is not big on plot, it is big on the action and a pretty cool action climax that takes place at the zoo.
Portrait of Jason (1967): Shirley Clarke directed this documentary which is more like a shoot interview. This is an interview of gay black prostitute and nightclub performer named Jason Holliday. Obviously it was hard enough for him for his sexuality in this era and to add to that being a minority. This is an interview that was about 12 hours long but edited to a little less than two hours. This was worth a look for historical purposes. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Hold Back the Dawn (1941): Mitchell Leisen directed this love story centered around immigration. Charles Boyer stars as Romanian citizen Georges Iscovescu who is trying to get citizenship in the United States. He learns that being Romanian it can take up to eight years to gain the citizenship but can marry an American citizen to get it quicker. He learns of this through his dance partner Anita Dixon, played by Paulette Goddard, so targets schoolteacher Emmy Brown, played by Olivia de Havilland. Victor Francen, Walter Abel, Curt Bois, Rosemary DeCamp, Eric Feldary, Nestor Paiva, and many others co-star in this film. This is a pretty compelling film that is worth a look and as described is far more than just a love story. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
First Position (2011): I end the week with this documentary that was directed by Bess Kargman. This takes a look at six youth ballet dancers as they prepare for the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix competition. They each have their own story on working hard but maintaining a bit of a life in such a cutthroat world. The ones featured are very likable kids and easy to root for them while watching the documentary. This is available to watch on Prime with subscriptions to AMC+ or IFC Films Unlimited.
Well, that is it for this week but stay tuned for my returning segment of "Movie Time in the Town of Pottersville". Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for next week which so far includes Ray Liotta, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and many others.
MOVIE NIGHT IN THE TOWN OF POTTERSVILLE
The Spine of Night (2021): I came across this dvd at the library and thought it would be something that Stephanie might want to watch. Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King directed this animated horror fantasy movie. Lucy Lawless stars as the fierce high priestess Tzod who looks to put an end to the eternal vigil of the all-powerful guardian of the last light of the gods. Richard E. Grant, Patton Oswalt, Betty Gabriel, Joe Manganiello, Patrick Breen, Larry Fessenden, Jason Gore, Tom Lipinski, Nina Lisandrello, Rob McClure, Abigail Savage, and many others co-star in this animated film. It is really hard to explain this movie any more than what I already did. I can say it is very violent with a lot of animated nudity and probably not very family oriented animation. In some ways it reminded me of something out of Ralph Bakshi but they made it their own. Due to their limited crew, this movie took seven years to make and the end result is worth it. This is available to watch on Prime with a subscription to AMC+.
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