Welcome to the 891st Edition of my series. In a couple weeks, I am attending my first convention which is the wrestling convention the Squared Circle Expo so I am excited for that one. I also have the play ORPHAN TRAIN which is at the Pulse Opera House in the last two weekends of April and the first weekend of May so I will keep posted on that as time goes on. I don't have much else for the week so I'll just get on with my selections.
Sirens (1994): I start the week out with this romantic comedy which was written and directed by John Duigan. Hugh Grant stars as the young minister Anthony Campion and Tara Fitzgerald stars as Anthony's wife Estella. They go to Australia to visit the eccentric artist Norman Lindsey, played by Sam Neill, to talk to him about a painting that has been termed blasphemous by the church. Estella must also deal with sexual urges as she meets Norman's wife and models that live at the estate. Elle Macpherson, Portia de Rossi, Pamela Rabe, Ben Mendelsohn, John Polson, Julia Stone, Vincent Ball, and many others co-star in this comedy. Macpherson is more known as a model so she is very fitting to her role and shines very well in this movie. This is also De Rossi's debut that was a start to a good career. There are also some great locations as well as the characters that kept this movie going and has gone onto be rather underrated through the years. Let's also keep Sam Neill in our thoughts as he recently revealed that he has stage 3 cancer. This is available to watch on Paramount Plus, Peacock, and most of the free streaming apps so make a date night to see some art and a bit of nudity.
The Infernal Cauldron (1903): This is my short film for the week and a very early one. This was directed and written by Georges Melies. The premise of this film is that two demons throw helpless captives into a boiling cauldron, and then try to summon forth their spirits. Melies is most known for his historical short A TRIP TO THE MOON but has a lot of other works. This short film was done in color and understand this was from the cells being painted. This is available to watch on HBO Max among a lot of other works for Melies. This is only two minutes long but packs quite a bit into these two minutes and the others are very short as well. Make a Melies day with the friends to watch the short films and the movie HUGO which depicts him.
Chinatown (1974): Roman Polanski directed this Neo-noir that takes place in 1930s Los Angeles. Jack Nicholson stars in one of his most iconic roles as private investigator Jake Gittes. Gittes is hired by a woman named Evelyn Mulwray, played by Faye Dunaway, to investigate her husband that she believes is being unfaithful. Like any case that is taken that seems simple gets far more than he bargained for as he learns of the corruption of the wealthy Noah Cross, played by John Huston. Perry Lopez, John Hillerman, Darrell Zwerling, Diane Ladd, Roy Jenson, Richard Bakalyan, Joe Mantell, Bruce Glover, Nandu Hinds, James Hong, Noble Willingham, Rance Howard, Burt Young, and many others co-star in this Neo-Noir. This has a very authentic feel to it and is a good throwback to the classic Film Noirs of the '40s. There are lots of twists and turns with the murders and betrayals going on. This remains one of Nicholson's best films and rightfully so.
The Dream Catcher (1999): Ed Radtke directed and co-wrote this independent film that references my state of Indiana. Maurice Compte stars as abandoned Philadelphia teen Freddy sets out to find his uncle in Indiana. When getting to Ohio, he is joined by homeless teen Albert, played by Paddy Connor, as they set out on an unforgettable and even sad road journey of unattainable goals. Jeanne Heaton, Joseph Arthur, Patrick Shining Elk, Larry John Meyers, John Thomas and David Reece co-star in this independent film. This was a very well directed and acted road film by an unknown cast and crew. This is a story of the unrealistic American Dream as these troublemaking teens set out for better lives. This is a good story of hope and pain and deserves a look.
Strangers on a Train (1951): This is part three of my Alfred Hitchcock trilogy and is my favorite Hitchcock film. Hitchcock directed this film that is based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith. Farley Granger stars as tennis pro Guy Haines who is looking to get a divorce from his estranged wife. While on a train, he meets Bruno Antony, played by Robert Walker, who recognizes Haines and is aware of his situation. Antony wants to get rid of his hated father and presents Haines with an interesting idea of a "murder swap". Haines laughs it off but soon learns that Antony is quite serious about it. Ruth Roman, Leo G. Carroll, Patricia Hitchcock, Kasey Rogers, Marion Lorne, Jonathan Hale, Howard St. John, Norma Varden, Robert Gist, and many others co-star in this film. This has a great blend of suspense and Hitchcock's usual dark humor. This has been parodied and borrowed a lot through the years including the climax at the carousel ride. A notable parody is the 1987 comedy THROW MOMMA FROM A TRAIN and could make a good double feature.
C'mon, C'mon (2021): Mike Mills wrote and directed this independent film. Joaquin Phoenix stars as radio journalist Johnny whose sister Viv, played by Gaby Hoffman, asks him to watch her son Jesse, played by Woody Norman, while she deals with some personal issues. This is a new experience for Johnny as they get to know each other better and changing Johnny's outlook on certain things. Scoot McNairy, Jaboukie Young-White, Deborah Strong, and many others co-star in this film. Phoenix is a lot lighter in his performance and kind of a coming age story for him. I don't usually mention production companies but this was done through A24 productions and they manage to make just about anything work. This movie is no exception with its performances and script.
Nightmare Alley (1947): Edmund Goulding directed this film that is based on the novel by William Lindsay Gresham. Tyrone Power stars as the ambitious con man Stan Carlisle who is working a sideshow as a carny and the of the mentalist Zeena Krumbein, played by Joan Blondell. He also learns the code of the carny in order to make it look like he is reading minds and goes on the ride but also falls. Colleen Gray, Helen Walker, Taylor Holmes, Mike Mazurski, Ian Keith, and many others co-star in this Film Noir. This would be remade in 2021 with Ryan Gosling at the helm. I have not see that version as of yet but intend to watch it in the coming weeks. This is still a pretty compelling film and I believe this had a forced ending so I will check the newer one out to see if it is any different in that regard.
OT: Our Town (2002): This is my documentary for the week which was directed by Scott Hamilton Kennedy. This takes part in Dominguez High School in Compton, California where a play has not been done in 20 years. A couple of ambitious teachers who have no budget or stage decide to put on a production of Thornton Wilder's OUR TOWN. This chronicles the ups and downs of the teachers and students trying to put on the production that is straight out of Compton. This also shows a lot of clips of the 1977 movie version with Hal Holbrook so it might be beneficial to watch the first and then how they relate this play that is in Compton. This is a good look at trying to bring something positive to the infamous town. Having been in this production in September, I enjoyed seeing other people trying to put together their own show.
Slap Shot (1977): This is part three of my Paul Newman trilogy. George Roy Hill directed this hockey comedy. Newman stars as player/coach Reggie Dunlap who coaches a struggling minor league hockey team in Pennsylvania that is losing its local mill. He looks to get them more on the violent side and to be more entertaining which starts with the overly aggressive Hanson brothers, played by Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson, and David Hanson. This starts to get the fans more behind them but at what price? Michael Ontkean, Strother Martin, Jennifer Warren, Lindsay Crouse, Jerry Houser, Andrew Duncan, Yvon Barrette, Allan F. Nicholls, Brad Sullivan, Stephen Mendillo, Yvan Ponton, Matthew Cowles, Kathryn Walker, Melinda Dillon, and many others co-star in this sports comedy. This has been regarded as a cult classic through the years and Newman has said this was the movie he had the most fun. I suppose this could be considered and underdog movie, just not the conventional sort. For wrestling fans out there, Paul Heyman would use the Hanson Brothers as the inspiration his stable the Dudley Brothers which would put out one of the best tag teams of all time in the Dudley Boys.
Revolutionary Road (2008): This is part four of my six part Kate Winslet series and part one of a four-part series for Zoe Kazan. Sam Mendes directed this film that is based on the novel by Richard Yates. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet reunite in this film as '50s suburban married couple Frank and April Wheeler. They are a struggling couple trying to keep it together and raise their two children. Michael Shannon, Kathryn Hahn, David Harbour, Kathy Bates, Ty Simpkins, Ricahrd Easton, Ryan Simpkins, Dylan Baker, Zoe Kazan, Max Casella, and many others co-star in this film. As most might know, DiCaprio and Winslet were in the 1997 film TITANIC. This one takes a look at the dark side of the American dream and the kind of front we put on for others. It is hard to really describe this beyond what I already did so just take a look at it and could make a good double feature to go with AMERICAN BEAUTY.
Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for two weeks which so far includes Edward Norton, Kate Winslet, Cary Grant, Glenn Close, and many others.
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