|
Post by Ish Kabbible on Dec 21, 2015 16:11:30 GMT -5
Room Service (1938) The Marx Brothers, Lucille Ball, Donald MacBride, Ann Miller
The boys are scrambling to get a backer for their play before being evicted for not paying their hotel bill
There are some who do not rank this high among the Marx Bros films but I do. Maybe the best comedy to take place in a hotel bedroom. Granted Lucille Ball is really not given any chance to show off any comedy skills she had by this time. But Donald (Jumping Butterballs) MacBride is a great foil and makes one forget that Margaret DuMont did not register at the hotel. Its pure Marx Bros inanity, no wasted time with a saccharine love sub plot and syrupy sweet love songs. Its flying turkeys in a room instead. Ann Miller lied about her age and was only 15 years old when it was filmed
|
|
|
Post by DE Sinclair on Dec 21, 2015 16:31:58 GMT -5
The Road To Hong Kong (1962) Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Joan Collins, Robert Morley, Dorothy Lamour & A Bunch Of Surprise Guest Stars Bob takes a drug that gives him a photographic memory of secret rocket ship plans. An evil spy organization headed by Morley with Collins as a seductive agent try to coerce the info from Hope. The final Road film. They talk Crosby to temporarily stop abusing his son and talk Lamour into appearing just for a few minutes towards the end for this final round-up with a spy and SF theme but still in glorious Black & White. Its getting extremely silly by this point and the boys, still playing pattycakes, are getting long in the tooth, but WAIT A MINUTE.... So we have an evil spy organization with a secret underground lair and secret plans to be seduced from the heroes by a beautiful enemy agent. Sounds like one of those thousands of James Bond-like spy films that deluged the theaters throughout the 1960s from all different countries. BUT THE ROAD TO HONG KONG CAME OUT MONTHS BEFORE DR. NO. It actually set the template for all that was to follow. So this film is actually ground zero for one of the all-time biggest trends in cinematic history. And never gets credit for it. Even if it is a silly movie Oh, and there is a horific scene of Bob and Bing strapped to a device that automatically stuffs bananas in there mouths for minutes on end in ever-increasing speed. Long enough to send a few members here insane from the spectacle of the mashed fruit and a big slope nose sticking out from it It's been a long time since I saw this one, but thankfully I seem to have blocked out the evil banana torture device. I do remember Bing crooning "Have a little oolong tea" repeatedly while trying to trick Hope into drinking the memory drug.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2015 23:25:10 GMT -5
Continuing my rewatch of the Marx Brothers films in order of release. Horse Feathers - 1932 - starring The Marx Brothers, Thelma Todd This was the fourth film done by the Marx Brothers and it's one of their best. The plot, such as it is, has Professor Quincy Adams Wagstaff (Groucho) becoming the president of Huxley College. Being more interested in football than academics, Prof. Wagstaff lures two would be football players (Chico and Harpo) from the local speakeasy to play for his team. The boys set about beating their arch-rival with their unique brand of football. Zeppo is given a bigger role in this film, in hopes that he would stay longer(he only stayed for one more movie). He plays Groucho's son, the new president of a college who has not won a football game since 1888 and Thelma Todd plays the college widow, trying to get the football play sheet.
The movie abounds with highlights, including Harpo burning a candle at both ends, Groucho's exchange with his son after his first speech `Dad, I'm proud to be your son!' `You took the words right out of my mouth! I'm ashamed to be your father!' and Groucho tossing a piece of Lifesavers candy to Thelma Todd after she had fallen out of the canoe and begged "Throw me a lifesaver!" Of course the "Swordfish" scene was a classic.
A movie who's only fault lies in the way it seems to have been chopped here and there, leaving some scenes feeling clunky. Even so, there is so much irreverence going on that it's really a miracle it wasn't censored.
This film has memorable songs, great gags, and a satisfying ending. If you are a Marx Brothers fan, this is a must see, if you don't see it, I'm against it!
|
|
|
Post by berkley on Dec 22, 2015 5:06:28 GMT -5
How are Ghandi and Dr. Suess similar? (Desperately trying not to be snarky...) ha! - I still didn't get it until I saw someone explain over in another thread a little while ago!
|
|
|
Post by Prince Hal on Dec 22, 2015 8:07:51 GMT -5
How are Ghandi and Dr. Suess similar? (Desperately trying not to be snarky...) ha! - I still didn't get it until I saw someone explain over in another thread a little while ago! It happens so often that they must seem correct to everyone.
|
|
|
Post by adamwarlock2099 on Dec 22, 2015 10:11:09 GMT -5
I've still got Dead Ringers on DVD from Netflix sitting on top the entertainment center. I am not sure from the synopsis if there will ever be a "mood" I would be in to watch this film. While I have watched a lot of Cronenberg in the last six months or so (with just Crash and Spider left on my queue) I think this might be the clincher for ... "ok I'm done". Though despite what I read about Brood on the internet it wasn't near as offensive and disgusting as many said it was in reviews. So maybe Dead Ringers won't be what I am afraid it is.
|
|
|
Post by DE Sinclair on Dec 22, 2015 10:20:45 GMT -5
I've still got Dead Ringers on DVD from Netflix sitting on top the entertainment center. I am not sure from the synopsis if there will ever be a "mood" I would be in to watch this film. While I have watched a lot of Cronenberg in the last six months or so (with just Crash and Spider left on my queue) I think this might be the clincher for ... "ok I'm done". Though despite what I read about Brood on the internet it wasn't near as offensive and disgusting as many said it was in reviews. So maybe Dead Ringers won't be what I am afraid it is. I saw Dead Ringers many years ago. Unfortunately, that's one bell I can't unring. I would if I could. I found it very disturbing and creepy, and not in a good way. Obviously you may feel differently, so I won't spoil it, but you couldn't pay me to watch it again (unless it was a lot of money).
|
|
|
Post by adamwarlock2099 on Dec 22, 2015 10:28:47 GMT -5
I've still got Dead Ringers on DVD from Netflix sitting on top the entertainment center. I am not sure from the synopsis if there will ever be a "mood" I would be in to watch this film. While I have watched a lot of Cronenberg in the last six months or so (with just Crash and Spider left on my queue) I think this might be the clincher for ... "ok I'm done". Though despite what I read about Brood on the internet it wasn't near as offensive and disgusting as many said it was in reviews. So maybe Dead Ringers won't be what I am afraid it is. I saw Dead Ringers many years ago. Unfortunately, that's one bell I can't unring. I would if I could. I found it very disturbing and creepy, and not in a good way. Obviously you may feel differently, so I won't spoil it, but you couldn't pay me to watch it again (unless it was a lot of money). Of most of his films I watched, I was really surprised (despite the title of the movie) I found a History of Violence to be the most ... not offensive ... but personally distasteful to me. There's one scene in particular that really seemed tacked on to fill his status quote of body horror/sex. While movies like Naked Lunch were so ridiculous I couldn't take it seriously, and Slither was quite grotesque and nothing I want to watch again, to actually liking eXistance, I am not sure what to expect. Brood garnered some angry reviews, especially be Ebert, to even attacking Cronenberg as a person for making that film, and it wasn't even close to being as disgusting as he made it out to be. So, as you said, it is hard to know how each individual will react to different stimuli. If by after the holidays I can't bring myself to watch, I don't think I ever will. But damn Jeremy Irons is a good actor. So there's that going for it.
|
|
|
Post by DE Sinclair on Dec 22, 2015 10:37:50 GMT -5
I saw Dead Ringers many years ago. Unfortunately, that's one bell I can't unring. I would if I could. I found it very disturbing and creepy, and not in a good way. Obviously you may feel differently, so I won't spoil it, but you couldn't pay me to watch it again (unless it was a lot of money). Of most of his films I watched, I was really surprised (despite the title of the movie) I found a History of Violence to be the most ... not offensive ... but personally distasteful to me. There's one scene in particular that really seemed tacked on to fill his status quote of body horror/sex. While movies like Naked Lunch were so ridiculous I couldn't take it seriously, and Slither was quite grotesque and nothing I want to watch again, to actually liking eXistance, I am not sure what to expect. Brood garnered some angry reviews, especially be Ebert, to even attacking Cronenberg as a person for making that film, and it wasn't even close to being as disgusting as he made it out to be. So, as you said, it is hard to know how each individual will react to different stimuli. If by after the holidays I can't bring myself to watch, I don't think I ever will. But damn Jeremy Irons is a good actor. So there's that going for it. "Body horror/sex" is a pretty good description for the movie. Irons is a good actor and I loved him chewing up the scenery in Dungeons and Dragons.
And if he was going for creepy, disturbing, dysfunctional, & disgusting in Dead Ringers (which I'm pretty sure he was), he did a fine job of it.
|
|
|
Post by Ish Kabbible on Dec 22, 2015 14:58:00 GMT -5
House Of Games (1987) Written/ Directed by David Mamet Lindsay Crouse, Joe Mantegna, J.T. Walsh, Mike Nussbaum
A best selling psychiatric authoress is fascinated over the life and escapades of a con man and his team
Mamet's directorial debut and, as always, smart and engaging script. He was married to Lindsey Crouse at the time. Joe Mantegna is riveting as the con man. Excellent film and a learning experience of cons that you too can play. If you got the nerve. With a very good poker game during the opening segment. And it's a Criterion release. Boy, do I miss that label. Guaranteed to arouse a feeling from you as you watch their offerings. Wholeheartedly I recommend this film along with just about anything that Mamet writes
|
|
|
Post by Hoosier X on Dec 23, 2015 0:21:22 GMT -5
I thought I'd seen all the giant monster movies worth seeing. Then I heard about the North Korean movie "Pulgasari."
My nephew and I watched it on YouTube tonight. Totally bonkers!
"Pulgasari" is for people who love movies like "King Kong vs. Godzilla," "The Magic Serpent" and "War of the Gargantuas."
My head is still ringing from the cinematic insanity of "Pulgasari."
|
|
|
Post by berkley on Dec 23, 2015 2:03:02 GMT -5
I thought I'd seen all the giant monster movies worth seeing. Then I heard about the North Korean movie "Pulgasari." My nephew and I watched it on YouTube tonight. Totally bonkers! "Pulgasari" is for people who love movies like "King Kong vs. Godzilla," "The Magic Serpent" and "War of the Gargantuas." My head is still ringing from the cinematic insanity of "Pulgasari." Sounds like something I'll want to have a look at, so thanks!
|
|
|
Post by Hoosier X on Dec 23, 2015 9:41:03 GMT -5
I thought I'd seen all the giant monster movies worth seeing. Then I heard about the North Korean movie "Pulgasari." My nephew and I watched it on YouTube tonight. Totally bonkers! "Pulgasari" is for people who love movies like "King Kong vs. Godzilla," "The Magic Serpent" and "War of the Gargantuas." My head is still ringing from the cinematic insanity of "Pulgasari." Sounds like something I'll want to have a look at, so thanks! The director was a South Korean filmmaker who was kidnapped along with his famous actress wife and they were forced to make several movies for North Korea. Kim Il-sung was still alive but Kim Jong-Il was in charge of things like kidnapping directors and actresses. I heard that Kim Jong-Il is credited as producer.
|
|
|
Post by Hoosier X on Dec 23, 2015 11:50:53 GMT -5
Has anybody seen Black Moon? WOW! I love this feeling, when I see two really great movies in a row, first Pulgasari and now Black Moon. Two very different films that I never hear anybody talk about.
I've known about Pulgasari for a while. But Black Moon, I didn't know anything about it when I started to watch it. I couldn't even remember why I put it on my list of films I wanted to record from the TCM schedule at the beginning of the month. As soon as I saw it was directed by Louis Malle, I knew that was why I marked it.
I don't really know who to recommend Black Moon to. Do you trust Louis Malle? I do. Do you trust Louis Malle if he makes a film that looks like something Luis Bunuel and Chantal Akerman would cook up? I do now.
The main actress is Rex Harrison's granddaughter. Also, Joe Dallesandro is in it. Also too, it's filmed at Louis Malle's house.
|
|
|
Post by Ish Kabbible on Dec 23, 2015 13:47:06 GMT -5
Jacob's Ladder(1990) Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Pena, Danny Aiello, Jason Alexander, Ving Rhames, Eriq LaSalle, McCauley Culkin
Tim Robbin's army unit suffered a mysterious experience in Vietnam and the survivors have vague memories of what exactly happened. Now Tim is a postman living in Manhattan and suffering hallucinations of demons following him. His old army buddies also share these disjointed feelings
Compelling, mysterious, surreal storytelling that kept me riveted till the end. Certainly a unique film and told in a frightful manner. Director Adrian Lyne put his heart into making this film, seeing it through many years before finally getting the green light for production. Government drug experiments on unsuspecting victims is a favorite conspiracy theory of mine and this film is a great example of what might have occurred.
|
|