Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 900th Edition

Welcome to the 900th edition of my series.  Yesterday I attended my first Renaissance festival in New Castle Indiana where I was part of the Marvelously Terrible Shakespeare Company.  We did very abridged versions of OTHELLO and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.  I would be willing to do this next year if I am available.  On August 26th, come to the Elm Street Brewery in Muncie for the Maybell Music Festival.  I will be doing a duet with my friend K.J.  That is about all I have for now so I will just get on with my selections for the week.

42 (2013):  This is part four of my five-part Harrison Ford series.  Brian Helgebrand directed this baseball film that is based on a true story.  Chadwick Boseman stars as the legendary Jackie Robinson who is known for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball and becoming the first black person to play.  Ford stars as Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey who decides to really shake things up and bring in the first black player.  When going through prospects in the Negro Leagues he decides upon Robinson who would have a tough adjustment to make.  T.R. Knight, Nicole Beharie, Christopher Meloni, Ryan Merriman, Lucas Black, Andre Holland, Alan Tudyk, Hamish Linklater, John C. McGinley, Toby Huss, Max Gail, Brad Beyer, James Pickens Jr., Gino Anthony Pesi, Brett Cullen, Jesse Luken, and many others co-star in this film.  This is not an all-out biopic on Robinson.  This shows Robinson playing in the Negro Leagues right before Rickey brought him in to start in the minor leagues into his rookie year with the Dodgers.  This is a very inspirational movie in the time of segregation when one man must overcome hate while others must rethink their own viewpoints.  This is available to watch on Prime with a subscription to Cinemax. 

Miller's Crossing (1990):  The Coen Brothers directed this gangster film that is based on works from Dashiell Hammett.  Gabriel Byrne stars as Tom Reagan who is the main adviser to the crime boss Leo, played by Albert Finney.  He becomes stuck in the middle of a mob rivalry under rival crime boss Johnny Caspar, played by Jon Polito, and in a complicated relationship with Leo's girlfriend Verna, played by Marcia Gay Harden.  John Turturro, J.E. Freeman, Mike Starr, Al Mancini, Tom Toner, Steve Buscemi, Olek Krupa, Michael Jeter, Lanny Flaherty, John McConnell, Danny Aiello III, Michael Badalucco, Sam Raimi, Frances McDormand, and many others co-star in this film.  This is a gangster film the Coen Brothers way.  It is pretty complicated to give any more explanation.  Just give it a go and I doubt you'll be disappointed.

The Old Man and the Gun (2018):  This is part two of my Robert Redford trilogy.  David Lowery directed this film that is based on a true story.  Redford stars as bank robber Forrest Tucker who is very charming and likable while being a career criminal being being in and out of prison.  In his older age, he is on the run with detective John Hunt, played by Casey Affleck, on his trail and maintaining a relationship with a woman named Jewel, played by Sissy Spacek, who loves him despite his criminal ways.  Danny Glover and Tom Waits co-star as Forrest's partners being dubbed the Over the Hill Gang but what a trio.  Tika Sumpter, Ari Elizabeth Johnson, Teagan Johnson, Gene Jones, John David Washington, Barlow Jacobs, Augustine Frizzell, Lisa DeRoberts, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Elizabeth Moss, Keith Carradine, and many others co-star in this movie.  This has a really good blend of comedy and drama with Redford announcing this would be his last movie.  This could be a good double feature to go along with CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.

Lonesome Luke, Messenger (1917):  This is my silent short for the week which was directed by Hal Roach.  Harold Lloyd stars as Lonesome Luke who is delivering a message and find himself in a girl's seminary.  Bebe Daniels and Snub Pollard co-star in this silent short.  This was a lot earlier in Lloyd's career when he played this character and this was the 59th of 67th short that he was do as Lonesome Luke and before he would become his more iconic character.  Silent comedy buffs should enjoy this one and this is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.

Wait Until Dark (1967):  This is part one of a trilogy for Alan Arkin who recently left us.  Terence Young directed this film that was based on a play by Frederick Knott.  Audrey Hepburn stars as the recently blinded Susy Hendrix and has recently gotten married to Sam, played by Efrem Zimbalist Jr., who is off on business.  As Susy is trying to adjust, a group of thugs lead by Harry Rote, played by Arkin, scheme to get into her apartment looking for something that Sam has agreed to watch unbeknownst to Susy.  She tries to thwart the criminals with the help of her youth neighbor Gloria, played by Julie Herrod.  Richard Crenna, Jack Weston, Samantha Jones, and many others co-star in this thriller.  I thought this was Hepburn's best performance and Arkin plays a very unlikable villain to perfection.  This is a great suspense thriller that holds up today.

Bus Stop (1956):  Joshua Logan directed this romantic comedy which is based on the play by William Inge.  Don Murray stars as the naive and socially inept cowboy Bo Decker who is in Phoenix for a rodeo.  While at a cafe, he encounters performer Cherie, played by Marilyn Monroe, and becomes convinced she is the one even though she is resistant of him.  Arthur O'Connell, Betty Field, Eileen Heckart, Robert Bray, Hope Lange, Hans Conried, Max Showalter, and many others co-star in this film.  I know I labeled this as a romantic comedy but it is not an all out comedy like a lot of Monroe's work and does lean toward drama at times.  Wanting to do more in her career, Monroe decided to go to New York City and study under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio with this being the first after leaving the school.  This was also produced under her own studio Marilyn Monroe Productions which would be the first of two and the other being THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL.  This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.

Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1 (2023):  Christopher McQuarrie directed the latest installment of the popular action franchise.  Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt and his loyal IMF teammates Luther, played by Ving Rhames and Benji, played by Simon Pegg, as they must retrieve a dangerous new weapon from getting into the wrong hands.  Hayley Atwell co-stars as the mysterious and uneasy ally of the team in Grace.  Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Frederick Schmidt, Cary Elwes, Charles Parnell, Mark Gatiss, Indira Varma, Rob Delaney, and many others co-star in this installment of the franchise.  This was supposed to come out a couple years ago but was delayed by Covid and looks like the next one may get delayed due to the strike.  This has been a very enjoyable action franchise and was great to see this one in theaters.  I will just say this is a very good continuation of the franchise with Cruise still up to the game.  I would recommend having knowledge of the other six films before seeing this one.   

Port of Call (1948):  This is my Swedish film for the week which was directed by Ingmar Bergman.  Nine-Christine Jonsson stars as Berit who is out of reformatory school and wanting to get away from her overbearing mother.  She falls in love with sailor Gosta, played by Bengt Eklund, who slowly gets to know Berit's past and has a hard time getting past it.  Mimi Nelson, Berta Hall, Birgitta Valberg, Sif Ruud, and many others co-star in this Swedish film.  This is a really well done love story of two rather difficult people.  This is some earlier Bergman that really deserves a look.  This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.

F.I.S.T. (1978):  Norman Jewison directed and co-wrote this film along with Sylvester Stallone and Joe Eszterhas.  Stallone stars as Johnny Kovak who is fed up with working conditions and becomes part of the trucking industry union.  As he rises up the ranks, Senator Madison, played by Rod Steiger, begins to question his means and possible mob connections.  Peter Boyle, Melinda Dillon, David Huffman, Kevin Conway, Tony Lo Bianco, Cassie Yates, Peter Donat, John Lehne, Henry Wilcoxon, Richard Herd, and many others co-star in this union film.  I guess this is relevant for what is going on in the film industry right now.  This is loosely based on union boss Jimmy Hoffa.  This is a rather underrated film for Stallone who is fresh off his ROCKY success.  

Secondhand Lions (2003):  Tim McCanlies wrote and directed this coming of age story.  Haley Joel Osment stars as Walter whose mother puts him on a couple of his wealthy and eccentric uncles in Texas.  Robert Duvall and Michael Caine co-star as his Uncles Hub and Garth who are not used to having a kid around and must warm up to each other.  Walter becomes more intrigued as he hears their adventure stories.  Kyra Sedgwick, Nicky Katt, Josh Lucas, Michael O'Neill, Deirdre O'Connell, Eric Balfour, Christian Kane, Kevin Haberer, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Jennifer Stone, Adrian Pasdar, and many others co-star in this film.  This is a very moving story and is a lot of fun.  Duvall and Caine do well in their characters that are a little rough around the edges but have a heart of gold.  This is a good one for the family.

Well that is it for this week.  Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for the next couple weeks which so far include Harrison Ford, Alan Arkin, and many others.

Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 899th Edition

Welcome to the 899th Edition of my series.  With the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike going on, I will continue to bring these out every two weeks.  I hope that soon someone can come to a reasonable agreement but I'll just leave it at that.  In other news, that strike will not stop the New Castle Renaissance Festival from happening on July 29th.  I will be performing abridged versions of OTHELLO and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.  It is free and see https://www.nchcrenfest.org/schedule for the events.  I will shut up now and get on with my selections for the week.

Things to do in Denver When You're Dead (1995):  This is part three of my trilogy of the late Treat Williams.  Gary Fleder directed this film that was written by Scott Rosenberg.  Andy Garcia stars as Jimmy the Saint whose business is struggling and turns to crime lord "the Man With the Plan", played by Christopher Walken, to help him.  To get what he wants, Jimmy must to a crime favor four him and recruits Pieces, played by Christopher Lloyd, Franchise, played by William Forsythe, Easy Wind, played by Bill Nunn, and Critical Bill, played by Treat Williams, to help carry it out.  Things go extremely awry and they struggle to stay alive.  Steve Buscemi, Jack Warden, Fairuza Balk, Gabrielle Anwar, Bill Cobbs, Marshall Bell, Glenn Plummer, Don Stark, Willie Garson, David Stratton, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Don Cheadle, Tiny Lister Jr., and many others co-star in this flim.  I believe this is one of the best performances from Williams as the violent and psychotic Critical Bill.  This has a great cast and holds nothing back in terms of violence and dialogue so take precaution there.

Witness (1985):  This is part three of my four-part Harrison Ford series.  Peter Weir directed this crime film.  Harrison Ford stars as Philadelphia detective John Book who must protect an Amish boy named Samuel, played by Lukas Haas, after he is the sole witness to a murder.  John uncovers corruption at the highest level and hides out with the Amish after an attempt on his life is made.  Kelly McGillis co-stars as Samuel's mother Rachel who forms a relationship with John much to the dismay of the Amish community.  Josef Sommer, Jan Rubes, Alexander Godunov, Danny Glover, Brent Jennings, Patti Lupone, Angus MacInnes, Viggo Mortensen, Ed Crowley, Timothy Carhart, and many others co-star in this film.  Mortensen makes his feature film debut in this movie and was the start of a great career.  This is a good look at an Amish community and there were some real-life Amish people to witness the filming.  Ford gets his first and only nomination for an Academy Award in this film.  This also has a really good action climax where Ford must rely on his wits to survive.

The Best We've Got:  The Carl Erskine Story (2022):  Ted Green directed this documentary about someone local.  This takes a look at Carl Erskine who has lived most of his life in Anderson which is about a half hour from where I live and that is where I was born.  This takes a look at his childhood in Anderson and when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers where he had quite a career that included two no hitters.  It also looked at his post career as a great humanitarian that did not go along with societal viewpoints but what he thought was right.  I had the pleasure of seeing a viewing at the Mill Creek Civic Center in Chesterfield.  I hope this gets more exposure in the years to come.  The website https://www.carlerskinefilm.com/ is where you can go to purchase on dvd, get streaming options, and where there are screenings and broadcasts.  This is a man that people should know about and learn from.

The Colours (1976):  This is my Iranian short film for the week which was directed by Abbas Kiarostami.  This is more geared towards kids and has narration about the value of colors and their association.  This also features footage of consumer culture prior to the 1979 Iranian Revolution.  This is a pretty fun short film about colors and is only about ten minutes long.  This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.

Dracula (1931):  This is a little preview to the Madness this year which has a vampire theme.  Tod Browning directed this film that is based on the novel by Bram Stoker.  Bela Lugosi stars as Count Dracula who makes a deal with real estate agent Renfield, played by Dwight Frye, to finalize Carfax Abbey in London.  In the process, he also makes Renfield a slave getting him committed to an institution while going after Mina Seward, played by Helen Chandler.  Edward Von Sloan co-stars as Van Helsing who must convince those close to him that vampires exist and that Dracula is indeed a vampire.  David Manners, Herbert Bunston, Frances Dad, Charles K. Gerrard, and many others co-star in this horror classic.  Lugosi is probably the most iconic portrayal of Dracula and had played the role in a play prior to this film.  This was the start of the Dracula franchise through Universal and is always worth a look no matter the time of year.

Cover Girl (1944):  This is my musical for the week which was directed by Charles Vidor with music written by Jerome Kern and Ira Gershwin.  Rita Hayworth stars as nightclub dancer Rusty Parker who dreams of becoming a Broadway star.  The nightclub she works at is owned by her boyfriend Danny McGuire, played by Gene Kelly.  As she becomes more successful, Danny worries she will leave and things get complicated to make a long story short.  Phil Silvers, Lee Bowman, Jinx Falkenburg, Eve Arden, Leslie Brooks, Otto Kruger, Jess Barker, and many others co-star in this musical.  Kelly got a lot of control when making this film and made a lot of things work as well as a lot of things similar to what we would see in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN.  Long before Billy Idol would sing DANCING WITH MYSELF, Gene Kelly managed to make it happen in this movie.  

The Campaign (2012):  This is my political comedy for the week which was directed by Jay Roach.  Will Ferrell stars as Congressman Cam Brady who is under some scandal and the powers-that-be appoint Tim Wattley, played by Zach Galifianakis, to run against him.  Tim is far more idealistic while Cam is willing to do whatever is necessary in their comical campaign.  Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott, Katherine LaNasa, Sarah Baker, John Lithgow, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Cox, Karen Maruyama, Grant Goodman, Randall D. Cunningham, Madison Wolfe, Thomas Middleditch, Josh Lawson, Heather Lawless, Jack McBrayer, Taryn Terrell, and many others co-star in this political comedy.  This is politically incorrect to the core so to those easily offended, I do not recommend this one.  I thought this was a hilarious parody to politics and unfortunately may not be much of a stretch these days from real-life politics.   

The Strange One (1957):  Jack Garfein directed this Film Noir which was written by Calder Willingham.  This takes place in a military academy where Ben Gazzara stars as the manipulative Jocko De Paris whose actions get someone expelled.  Through various pressures, he tries to silence those around him leading the rest to take matters into their own hands.  Pat Hingle, Peter Mark Richman, Arthur Storch, Larry Gates, Clifton James, Geoffrey Horne, James Olson, Julie Wilson, George Peppard, and many others co-star in this film.  This is a very disturbing and compelling film.  I have never believed in hazing or humiliation of any kind just to fit into a group.  This is the film debuts of Gazzara and Peppard and early performances for others.  This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969):  This is my western for the week which was directed by George Roy Hill.  Paul Newman and Robert Redford stars as the title outlaws.  They are the leaders of the Hole in the Wall Gang and when a train robbery they have a posse hot on their trail.  Katherine Ross, Strother Martin, Henry Jones, Jeff Corey, George Furth, Cloris Leachman, Ted Cassidy, Kenneth Mars, Donnelly Rhodes, and many others co-star in this historical western.  This has always ranked as my favorite western.  I always enjoyed the blend of action, comedy, and humor this film brings and the great duo of Newman and Redford.  This is available to watch on Max. 

For Sama (2019):  I end the week with this documentary which was directed by Waad Al-Kateab and Edward Watts.  Waad is a Syrian woman living through the uprising in Aleppo.  While fighting oppression, she has a daughter named Sama and has a tough decision to make.  This has some really good footage and some that is very hard to watch.  It is hard to describe this documentary much further but is a good watch.  This is available on Prime with a PBS Documentaries subscription.

Well, that is it for this week.  Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for the next one in two weeks which will include Harrison Ford, Gabriel Byrne, Sissy Spacek, Harold Lloyd, and many others

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Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 898th Edition

Welcome to the 898th edition of my series.  I am right now in Indianapolis at the Fountain Square Brewing Company where later I get to perform a duet with my friend Katie Jo Robinson.  This will be my first time performing at a music show so I am very excited.  I will shut up now and get on with my selections for the week.

A Streetcar Named Desire (1984):  This is part two of my trilogy of the late Treat Williams.  John Erman directed this tv movie that is based on the play by Tennessee Williams.  Treat Williams stars as Stanley Kowalski who is expecting a child from her wife Stella, played by Beverley D'Angelo.  They get a visit from Blanche's sister Stella, played by Ann-Margret, and tension mounts as Stanley is suspicious of Blanche's motives.  Randy Quaid also co-stars in this tv movie as Stanley's friend Mitch who becomes interested in Blanche.  This is a pretty good adaptation of the classic play with Williams doing really well as Stanley.  I found a version of this to be available on Youtube.  Stella!

The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021):  Michael Showalter directed this biopic of the evangelical world.  Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield star as evangelist couple Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker who created the biggest religious broadcasting networks.  This empire would soon come crumbling down through scandal and Jerry Falwell, played by Vincent D'Onofrio, wasting no time to take over the network which the scandal occurs.  Cherry Jones, Mark Wystrach, Sam Jaeger, Louis Cancelmi, Gabiel Olds, Fredric Lehne, Chandler Head, Jay Huguley, and many others co-star in this biopic.  This takes a good look into the life of the complex Tammy Faye where Chastain became her in her portrayal.  There is also a 2000 documentary of the same name that could be a really good double feature.  This could also go along with THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT as a double feature.

Boulevard (2014):  Dito Montiel directed this film that was written by Douglas Soesbe.  Robin Williams stars as literature professor Nolan Mack who is in a marriage of convenience with Joy, played by Kathy Baker.  He must confront his secret life when meeting a man named Leo, played by Roberto Aguire.  Bob Odenkirk, Giles Matthey, Eleonore Henricks, Henry Haggard, and many others co-star in this drama.  This is toward the end of Williams's career and life for matter.  This was a very deep role for Williams as he digs into his more serious side more than he ever did.  This is a more unknown movie from Robin and also really deserves a look as this might rank in his best performances.  This is available to watch on Plex, Tubi, and the Roku Channel.

The Case of the Cunningham Heritage (1954):  This is my short film for the week though it is technically the first episode of the 1954 series SHERLOCK HOLMES.  Ronald Howard stars as the famed detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as he meets his partner Dr. John Watson, played by Howard Marion-Crawford.  They team up to solve a mystery that has Inspector Lestrade, played by Archie Duncan, stumped.  Meg Lemonnier and Ursula Howells co-star in this episode.  This was a good episode of the two main characters meeting up.  This series is available to watch on Crackle, Pluto TV, and other free streaming platforms.

Drums Along the Mohawk (1939):  This is my western for the week which was directed by John Ford and takes place during the revolutionary war.  Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert stars as newlywed couple Gilbert and Lana.  They move to Gilbert's farm in upstate New York but get caught up in the war as some British soldiers and Indian allies invade their territory.  Edna May Oliver, Eddie Collins, John Carradine, Dorris Bowdon, Jessie Ralph, Arthur Shields, Robert Lowery, Roger Imhof, Francis Ford, Ward Bond, and many others co-star in this western.  I think Oliver might have been the standout in this film as the tough Mrs. McKlennar.  This also has a really good story that is based on true events.  This is a pretty good entry in part of the Golden Age of Cinema.

Heroes (1977):  This is part two of my five-part Harrison Ford series.  Jeremy Kagan directed this film that takes a look at Vietnam veterans.  Henry Winkler stars as veteran Jack Dunne who suffers from PTSD and breaks out of the VA clinic on a road trip.  Along the way, he meets sympathetic traveler Carol, played by Sally Field, goes along for the ride while also being engaged to marry.  Val Avery, Olivia Cole, Hector Elias, Dennis Burkley, Tony Burton, Michael Cavanaugh, and many others co-star in this film.  Ford has more of a supporting role as one of Jack's Vietnam buddies that he stops to see.  This came out the same year he would become famous for playing Han Solo in STAR WARS.  Winkler shows a lot of his dramatic side in this movie after years of playing Fonzie in HAPPY DAYS.  Field also added another road movie to this era of her career.  This is available to watch on Netflix.

Tom Brown's Schooldays (2005):  David Moore directed this tv movie which is based on the novel by Thomas Hughes.  This is a drama about a rugby school in Victorian England.  Alex Pettyfer stars as the new student in Tom Brown who has a hard time adjusting with all the bullying happening.  Stephen Fry co-stars as Headmaster Dr. Thomas Arnold who struggles to keep order within the school a lot of which is thanks to Flashman, played by Joseph Beattie.  Julian Wadham, Jemma Redgrave, Harry Michell, Clive Standen, Amanda Boxer, Georgia Tennant, Gerard Horan, and many others co-star in this movie.  This is based on a classic novel that have had many adaptations and this is the only one I have seen.  This does take a good early look at the price of bullying.  Pettyfer does great as the title character of the story as well as Fry being perfect for his role.  This could get rather intense at times but was also pretty moving.  

Black Angel (1946):  This is my Film Noir for the week which was directed by Roy William Neill and is his last feature film to direct.  June Vincent stars as Catherine Bennett whose adulterous husband is wrong convicted for the murder of singer Mavis Marlowe, played by Constance Dowling.  Catherine sets out to prove her husband's innocence with the help of the victim's ex-husband Marty, played by Dan Duryea.  Peter Lorre, Broderick Crawford, Wallace Ford, Hobart Cavanaugh, and many others co-star in this film.  This was a really good movie to piece together.  Vincent and Duryea made a great partnership in trying to prove a man innocent.  This is a really good entry into the Noir genre.

Watership Down (1978):  This is my animated film for the week which I got to see at the Muncie Public Library as part of the Cinemuncie series.  Martin Rosen and John Hubley directed this adult oriented film which was based on the novel by Richard Adams.  This takes place among a group of rabbits lead by Hazel and Fiver, voiced by John Hurt and Richard Briers.  Fiver has a very dark vision and they try to lead their group to a safer land but find the other rabbits are not favorable of what they are doing which leads to a lot of violence.  Ralph Richardson, Michael Graham Cox, John Bennett, Simon Cadell, Terence Rigby, Roy Kinnear, Richard O'Callaghan, Denholm Elliott, Lynn Farleigh, Zero Mostel, and many others co-star in this animated film.  This is not for everyone and may not be for young children.  It is a compelling film where rabbits commit such violence against each other and there are a lot of political messages.  This is available to watch on HBO Max and the Criterion Channel.

Alex's Dream (2018):  I end the week with this short film which was written and directed by Jack Cooper Stimpson.  Alex Lawther stars as Alex Morin who arrives overdressed to a private party to help a friend and feels very awkward in general.  While there, the other guests get him to open up about a strange dream he had.  Sam Haygarth, Emma Corrin, Camille Ucan, Olivia Popica, Simon Manyonda, and Chris New co-star in this short film.  This is a good look at social awkwardness and could say an introvert in a room full of extroverts.  This is only about ten minutes long and can be found on Youtube.

Well, that is it for this week.  Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for the next one in two weeks which so far includes Christopher Walken, and many others.