Welcome to the 886th Edition of my series. I hope everyone is having a good holiday weekend however celebrated. I don't have to work tomorrow so I'm glad for that one. I was also happy to see the 49ers win to advance in the playoffs. I don't have much else to say so I'll just get on with my selections for the week.
Eastern Promises (2007): This is part one of a possible Vincent Cassel trilogy. David Cronenberg directed this gangster film that was written by Steven Knight. Naomi Watts stars as Anna who is a midwife at a London hospital. She helps to deliver a baby of a Russian prostitute, played by Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse, who ends up dying in childbirth. Anna finds the diary of the prostitute and learns of her ties to the Russian mafia setting out to the baby to a safe family. Viggo Mortensen stars as Russian gangster Nikolai who tries to keep the peace. Josef Altin, Raza Jaffrey, Sinead Cusack, Jerzy Skolimowski, Armin Mueller-Stahl. and many others co-star in this film. This is a plot that is rather convoluted to really describe through words. I have read that this is pretty accurate in depicting the Russian mafia. This has become quite the cult film and deserves a look.
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021): Shaka King directed this film that is based on a true story of the Black Panthers. Lakeith Stanfield stars as William O'Neal who is arrested for stealing a car and is offered a plea deal. FBI special agent Roy Mitchell, played by Jesse Plemons, offers to drop the charges for William if he agrees to infiltrate the Illinois chapter of the Black Panthers headed by Fred Hampton, played by Daniel Kaluuya. Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders, Algee Smith, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Lil Rey Howery, Dominique Thorne, Martin Sheen, Amari Cheatom, Khris Davis, Ian Duff, Caleb Eberhardt, Robert Longstreet, Amber Chardae Robinson, Ikechukwu Ufomadu, James Udom, and many others co-star in this biographical film. This is not always easy to watch but it is an important one. It is a really good look at this era of the FBI that was lead by J. Edgar Hoover, played by Sheen. I will give away a lot if I continue so just go check this movie out and then research these people when done.
Lady Bird (2017): I know I have gotten a bit heavy handed in my first couple selections so now I make it a little lighter with this coming of age comedy which was written and directed by Greta Gerwig. Saoirse Ronan stars as high school senior Christine McPherson who prefers the name Lady Bird. She struggles in her town of Sacramento in a Catholic school she does not seem to fit in very well but her parents are convinced it is the safe route. In her senior year, Lady Bird finds love and looks to get out of the state for college. Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Beanie Feldstein, Lucas Hedges, Timothee Chalamet, Lois Smith, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Odeya Rush, Jordan Rodrigues, Marielle Scott, John Karna, Jake McDorman, Bayne Gibby, Laura Marano, Marietta DePrima, Daniel Zovatto, Kristen Cloke, and many others co-star in this comedy. Ronan is really good in her role in trying to find herself in life and learns some lessons about friendship. Gerwig makes her directorial debut in this film and is a really good one. This is available to watch on Showtime.
Dragon Around (1954): This is my animated short for this week which comes from Disney. Our two favorite chipmunks Chip and Dale believe they are fighting a dragon. In reality, it is a power shovel being driven by Donald Duck. This put Donald and the chipmunks at odds with each other with comic results. This is available to watch on Disney Plus.
Midnight (1939): Mitchell Leisen directed this screwball comedy. Claudette Colbert stars as American showgirl Eve Peabody who becomes stranded in Paris and picked up by the good-hearted taxi driver Tiber, played by Don Ameche. John Barrymore co-stars as Georges who wants Eve's services for his own gain. Francis Lederer, Mary Astor, Elaine Barrie, Hedda Hopper, Rex O'Malley, Monty Woolley, and many others co-star in this comedy. This is another one that is convoluted to describe in words. This movie during the Golden Year of film. This nears the end of Barrymore's career and gets his 1939 entry. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
A Bullet for the General (1967): Damiano Damiani directed this spaghetti Western. Gian Maria Volonte stars as revolutionary leader El Chuncho. He makes a controversial decision to bring in the white man Bill Tate, played by Lou Castel, who gives unforeseen help when robbing a government supply train. They have no idea how to feel about Bill and his boyish charm while he forms quite a friendship with Chuncho. Klaus Kinski, Martine Beswick, Jaime Fernandez, Andrea Checchi, Aldo Sambrell, Jose Manuel Martin, and many others co-star in this western. This is a pretty good Spaghetti Western set during the Mexican Revolution. This has some great action, political statements, and some comic relief. This is available to watch on Tubi.
Interiors (1978): Woody Allen wrote and directed this Bergman-esque drama. Diane Keaton, Mary Beth Hurt, and Kristin Griffith star as sisters Renata, Joey, and Flyn whose parents announce a separation. E.G. Marshall and Geraldine Page co-star as the separated parents leaving their three daughters to deal with things in their own way. Richard Jordan, Maureen Stapleton, Sam Waterston, and many others co-star in this drama. This is Allen's first dramatic film breaking away from his usual comedy even though still dealing with similar situations. As described this is partly inspired by the legendary Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. The script and performances make this drama really work. This is available to watch on Prime.
There's Always Tomorrow (1956): This is part two of a possible Barbara Stanwyck trilogy. Douglas Sirk directed this romantic drama. Fred MacMurray stars as to manufacturer Clifford Groves who starts to feel unappreciated by his wife Marion, played by Joan Bennett, and his kids. His past love Norma, played by Stanwyck, comes back into his life where Clifford rekindles his old past love. William Reynolds, Pat Crowley, Gigi Perreau, Jane Darwell, Race Gentry, Judy Nugent, Helen Kleeb, Frances Mercer, and many others co-star in this film. This does a good job showing the gray areas in the family unit and how feelings need to be considered on all sides. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Patriots Day (2016): This is part two of a possible John Goodman trilogy. Peter Berg directed this film based on the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Mark Wahlberg stars as the troubled police officer Tommy Saunders who is assigned to work security during the annual event. What would usually be an enjoyable event for people to come together, someone must ruin it. The police force and the FBI team up to find those that committed the horrific act. Goodman, Michelle Monaghan, J.K. Simmons, Dicky Eklund Jr., Michael Marchand, Rhet Kidd, Rachel Brosnahan, Jake Picking, Lana Condor, Jimmy O. Yang, Melissa Benoist, Alex Wolff, Kevin Bacon, and many others co-star in this film. This was a surprisingly moving film which focuses mostly on the point of view of Saunders who learns what is more important in life. This is available to watch on Pluto TV.
Official Rejection (2009): I end the week with this Documentary which was directed by Paul Osbourne. This takes a look at a group of young filmmakers including Osbourne as they try to get their feature film to be screened at a film festival. This shows the difficulty in getting a low-budget movie to a festival. Scott Storm, Andy Dick, Troy Duffy, David Faustino, Jenna Fischer, Traci Lords, Bryan Singer, Kevin Smith, Jennifer Tilly, Lloyd Kaufman, and many others give interviews in this documentary. This is a good look at the independent film industry of today and how they tried to maneuver to at least get into something. There is also a lot of talk on the Sundance Film Festival where many feel that is no longer an independent film festival. This is very eye-opening and worth a look.
Well, that is it for this week but continue on for my segment "Tube Time". Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned in two weeks for my next release which so far includes Ethan Hawke, Evan Rachel Wood, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, and many others.
TUBE TIME
Smallville (2001-2011): This was a rather different take towards the Superman legend. Tom Welling stars as a young Clark Kent as he tries to find his way in Smallville, Kansas while trying to learn his powers and save his town from threats. He learns values from his adoptive parents Jonathan and Martha Kent, played by John Schneider and Annette O'Toole. He also continues to learn about himself through his biological father Jor-El, voiced by Terence Stamp. Kristen Kreuk also stars in this series as Clark's love interest from his younger days in Lana Lang while later Erica Durance would come onto the show as Lois Lane. Michael Rosenbaum would star in this series as Lex Luther who would start out as a pretty decent person and friend to Clark but would have a slow descent into darkness. Allison Mack, Justin Hartley, John Glover, Sam Jones III, Cassidy Freeman, Aaron Ashmore, Eric Johnson, Laura Vandervoort, Camille Mitchell, Jensen Ackles, Callum Blue, Alessandro Juliani, James Marsters, Phil Morris, Ian Somerhalder, Jane Seymour, Alaina Huffman, Ted Whittall, and many others would co-star or play recurring roles in the series. I really enjoyed this take to the legend and we would meet a lot of others from the DC universe like his main ally in Oliver Queen aka Green Arrow, played by Hartley. There are a lot of appearances from past franchises to guest star on this series. This is available to watch on Hulu.
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