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Post by Hoosier X on Jan 6, 2016 13:36:07 GMT -5
After I got my 12-year-old nephew to watch Pulgasari (which he liked), he was receptive to my description of The Unholy Three, and he said he would give it a try, though he would prefer the sound version if it was available. Neither version was on YouTube, but a few weeks later, I saw the silent version (1925) on the TCM schedule, so I DVRed it, and we were lucky enough to be able to watch it while he was still somewhat enthusiastic about it.
And he liked it a lot! He commented that it was like a foreign film because you can't just listen to the dialogue while you mess around on your electronic device; you have to watch it. I've told him a bunch of times that one of the main reasons he doesn't like a lot of TV shows and movies is because HE HASN'T ACTUALLY WATCHED THEM!
Briefly, The Unholy Three is a Lon Chaney film directed by Tod Browning about a criminal organization made up of a ventriloquist (Chaney) who masquerades as an old lady running a pet store, a midget (Harry Earles, who you might remember from Freaks, but he's also one of the Lollipop Guild in The Wizard of Oz) and a strong man (Victor McLaglen, who won Best Actor for The Informer in 1935, beating both Clark Gable and Charles Laughton in Mutiny on the Bounty).
Bananashenanigans ensue!
My nephew watched the whole thing! He was fascinated by the midget. He said "He looks like a little kid. Are you sure he isn't a little kid?" more than once.
When it was over, my nephew was rather proud of himself for watching a whole silent movie.
I feel like I struck a major blow for cultural literacy among the younger generation!
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Jan 6, 2016 15:54:11 GMT -5
Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind (2002) Directed by George Clooney Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, Julia Roberts
The true (?) story of Chuck Barris from NBC page boy to hit songwriter (Palisades Park) to TV show producer (The Dating Game/ The Newlywed Game/ The Gong Show) to C.I.A. assassin
Outrageous, surreal and entertaining bio-pic, if one's to believe Chuck Barris' assertions. Sam Rockwell nailed down Chuck in this one. Drew Barrymore is loveable, George Clooney is stone faced as his role demands. Each time I've seen this movie, it got better and better. Of course the C.I.A. has denied any association dealing with Barris and his penchant for self-promotion might lead one to doubt his confessions. Cameos abound during the film including plenty of archive footage from Chuck's TV shows as well as Brad Pitt as a bachelor contestant. Great movie
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Jan 6, 2016 16:04:58 GMT -5
The Battle Of Britain (1969) Harry Andrews, Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Curt Jurgens, Kenneth More, Lawrence Olivier, Christopher Plummer, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Robert Shaw, Susannah York
England stands alone after the defeat at Dunkirk and Germany sends its Luftwaffe armada over the skies of Great Britain to deliver the final blow
Big budget war movie with spectacular aerial footage and can-you-spot-the-famous-actor scenes. That's pretty much what you get here. Wave after wave of German fighters and bombers over England to be met by the plucky defenders. Lots of bullets and bombs. Wave after wave . 132 minutes of waves until you're drowning and in hopes of seeing Snoopy vs The Red Baron. Again, the aerial footage is great but there's so much of it you finally get inured. Very very little characterization or other subplots. A bit of a bomb at the box office too. 1969 was not a good year for war movies in the American cinema
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2016 18:23:45 GMT -5
The Battle Of Britain (1969) Harry Andrews, Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Curt Jurgens, Kenneth More, Lawrence Olivier, Christopher Plummer, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Robert Shaw, Susannah York
England stands alone after the defeat at Dunkirk and Germany sends its Luftwaffe armada over the skies of Great Britain to deliver the final blow
Big budget war movie with spectacular aerial footage and can-you-spot-the-famous-actor scenes. That's pretty much what you get here. Wave after wave of German fighters and bombers over England to be met by the plucky defenders. Lots of bullets and bombs. Wave after wave . 132 minutes of waves until you're drowning and in hopes of seeing Snoopy vs The Red Baron. Again, the aerial footage is great but there's so much of it you finally get inured. Very very little characterization or other subplots. A bit of a bomb at the box office too. 1969 was not a good year for war movies in the American cinema I've enjoyed the aerial (it was fantastic) footage, the drama, and all the famous actors scenes too and I just can't believe that it's didn't do so well in the box office as you said here. I was hoping for a better historical subplots and all - but frankly I was a little disappointed of the way they made it. I have mixed feelings about this movie Ish.
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Post by Pharozonk on Jan 6, 2016 18:39:24 GMT -5
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
I love the mix of comedy and horror in this one. I often struggle between choosing between this movie and The Howling as my go to werewolf flick, but this is a no brainer whenever I'm in the mood for something with a sense of humor about itself. John Landis' script is witty and full of dark humor, from David's bizarre hallucination of his dead friend Jack to him waking up naked in the zoo. These comedic bits contrast heavily with the frankly graphic werewolf scenes, especially the tragic climax.
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Post by dupersuper on Jan 6, 2016 20:45:23 GMT -5
I'm in the middle of Silver Screen Fiend by Patton Oswalt: an interesting book about movies and movie-going. I'll be done Thursday or Friday (going through tonights comics before I get back to it.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Jan 7, 2016 12:53:26 GMT -5
That's Entertainment Part 2 (1976) Hosted by Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly
Part 1 released in 1974 went on to be a surprise blockbuster in the theaters. A montage of MGM classic film song and dance numbers from their vaults resonated with the movie going public. And of course when that occurs, a sequel is sure to follow. MGM was the Tiffany movie studio during the golden age of Hollywood. They were known for the most lavish productions, the classiest product, the best stars. Even when a popular actor or actress was under contract to a rival studio, MGM was sure to work out a deal to get them loaned to their company on a temp basis.
There was plenty of great song and dance numbers left over to fill this sequel. And unlike the original release, they included comedy bits as well to break up the continuity. So here we have famous Marx Bros, Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Jimmy Durante and other funny bits interspersed with Sinatra, Cable, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Tracy and Hepburn and more. Damn, even Lassie arrives for a woof. 2 hours of great entertainment as the title declares.
Astaire was in his 70s, Kelly was in his 60s and this was their first pairing on the silver screen for over 30 years. They still had enough left in their tanks for one more dance number together.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Jan 7, 2016 13:08:08 GMT -5
Cul-De-Sac (1966) Directed by Roman Polanski Donald Pleasence, Lionel Stander, Jack MacGowan The desolate coast of Ireland. Lionel Stander has a wounded arm and is pushing a car down an empty road. In the car is his partner, shot in the gut and bleeding out. They come upon a solitary 900 year old fortress on the beach. A good place to hide out and call their boss to pick them up. Donald Pleasence and his young wife live in this fortress and are powerless to stop the hulking criminal Polanski's 3rd film after Knife in the Water and Repulsion and only cemented his reputation of one of the best young directors. This is simply the best movie Lionel Stander ever performed in. The first half of the film is mesmerizing but unfortunately loses some steam in the middle. Jacqueline Bisset has a small role and does not have a line of dialogue. Donald Pleasence plays his part with delicious quirkiness. But this film is all about Lionel Stander who finally gets a chance to shine after so many character pieces.
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Post by berkley on Jan 8, 2016 9:19:15 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure I saw That's Entertainment parts I and II on tv back in the 70s. And they were indeed great entertainment. I was always a fan of Hollywood song and dance numbers. Some of my favourite moments in the Marx Brothers or Abbot & Costello films are the musical interludes.
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Post by adamwarlock2099 on Jan 8, 2016 9:49:21 GMT -5
Cul-De-Sac still remains a very memorable movie. I think I've only watched it 2-3 times, but always enjoyed it. Donald Pleasence is awesome in this. And the first thing I think I had seen him in outside of his more well know role of Dr Loomis. I should really get back into watching more of his movies again. There are still some I haven't seen yet.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Jan 8, 2016 12:54:50 GMT -5
Dracula AKA Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) Directed by Francis Ford Coppola Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins, Cary Elwes, Tom Waits
You should know the story
Visually stunning with lavish production. Erotically charged. A more faithful adaptation than the Universal classic. Mesmerizing shadow work. There's so much to like about this big budget version of ol' Fang tooth. Acting wise-Gary Oldman is fine but doesn't topple Bela as the definitive Count Drac. Tom Waits is a scream (literally) as the manic Renfield. Winona is winsome and Sadie Frost as Lucie is bursting out of her nighties half the time. Keanu however is completely wooden. Coppola originally had Johnny Depp set for the film but the studio overrode him, wanting more of a heartthrob to lure in young girls to see the film. Depp would have been perfect. 20 minutes of gore was cut from the final print at the studios behest as well. Maybe that's just as well because at 126 minutes it's still a bit draggy and could have been edited a bit more judiciously.
A box office winner as well as taking a boat load of awards for Costumes, Effects and other technical qualities. Coppola went on to direct Mary Shelley's Frankenstein a few years later
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2016 13:04:17 GMT -5
Dracula AKA Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) Directed by Francis Ford Coppola Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins, Cary Elwes, Tom Waits You should know the story Visually stunning with lavish production. Erotically charged. A more faithful adaptation than the Universal classic. Mesmerizing shadow work. There's so much to like about this big budget version of ol' Fang tooth. Acting wise-Gary Oldman is fine but doesn't topple Bela as the definitive Count Drac. Tom Waits is a scream (literally) as the manic Renfield. Winona is winsome and Sadie Frost as Lucie is bursting out of her nighties half the time. Keanu however is completely wooden. Coppola originally had Johnny Depp set for the film but the studio overrode him, wanting more of a heartthrob to lure in young girls to see the film. Depp would have been perfect. 20 minutes of gore was cut from the final print at the studios behest as well. Maybe that's just as well because at 126 minutes it's still a bit draggy and could have been edited a bit more judiciously. A box office winner as well as taking a boat load of awards for Costumes, Effects and other technical qualities. Coppola went on to direct Mary Shelley's Frankenstein a few years later Well Written Review and I totally agree with you ... and I was somewhat disappointed in this film and I just don't know what was on the mind of Francis Ford Coppola's when he directed this movie. I seen it twice and walked away from it. Haven't seen it since then.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Jan 8, 2016 13:05:14 GMT -5
The Corn Is Green (1945) Bette Davis, Nigel Bruce, John Dall, Joan Loring, Mildred Dunnock
1895 Welsh. A small poor community where children do not go to school but instead begin work in the mines at the age of 12. Bette Davis arrives determined to educate those in need. The squire of the community, Nigel Bruce, thinks its all just poppycock by Jove. John Dall, young adult mine worker, exhibits literary skill which Betty Davis wants to develop and send him off to Oxford if he passes the entrance exam. The town tart, Jean Loring, wants Dall to stay in the community even if it means getting knocked up to keep him. Lots of tea drinking
Always a pleasure coming across a Bette Davis film I haven't seen. She wears no make up at all, giving her more of a spinster look. Nigel Bruce is such an oaf which is a specialty for him. Joan Loring was outstanding. Its old fashioned and there's been many other superior films dealing with teachers and disadvantaged students (Blackboard Jungle, To Sir With Love and on and on) but this was a bit all right. Have a cuppa?
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Post by Hoosier X on Jan 8, 2016 19:01:18 GMT -5
I watched the 1933 version of Alice in Wonderland this morning. I saw it 20 years ago (or more) and I've been wanting to see it again for quite a while. I remember thinking it was OK with some very interesting scenes, but I totally loved it this time through!
Highly recommended.
I especially love W.C. Fields telling Alice that words mean what he wants them to mean at any given moment, her objections be damned! "Are we to be the masters of words, or will they be the masters of us?"
Alice doesn't know what to say to that.
It's weird weird weird. Maybe this is what movies were like in 1933, but I think this looked weird to 1937 audiences because the movies changed so much. A handful of stars that are still icons today - Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, W.C. Fields - and a bunch of people you will recognize if you watch old movies - Edward Everett Horton, Edna May Olivier, Alison Skipworth, Jack Oakie, Roscoe Karns, Richard Arlen, Charles Ruggles, Sterling Holloway, Roscoe Ates. Charlotte Henry is a damn good Alice.
It looks like they were using real, live flamingos for the croquet scene.
For me, it's another reason why 1933 is becoming my favorite year for the movies.
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Post by Hoosier X on Jan 8, 2016 19:04:18 GMT -5
The Corn Is Green (1945) Bette Davis, Nigel Bruce, John Dall, Joan Loring, Mildred Dunnock 1895 Welsh. A small poor community where children do not go to school but instead begin work in the mines at the age of 12. Bette Davis arrives determined to educate those in need. The squire of the community, Nigel Bruce, thinks its all just poppycock by Jove. John Dall, young adult mine worker, exhibits literary skill which Betty Davis wants to develop and send him off to Oxford if he passes the entrance exam. The town tart, Jean Loring, wants Dall to stay in the community even if it means getting knocked up to keep him. Lots of tea drinking Always a pleasure coming across a Bette Davis film I haven't seen. She wears no make up at all, giving her more of a spinster look. Nigel Bruce is such an oaf which is a specialty for him. Joan Loring was outstanding. Its old fashioned and there's been many other superior films dealing with teachers and disadvantaged students (Blackboard Jungle, To Sir With Love and on and on) but this was a bit all right. Have a cuppa? I haven't seen this one, but I've gotten into the habit of just recording any Bette Davis movie - whatever it might be - whenever I see one scheduled on TCM. The last few weeks I've seen Sisters (with Errol Flynn) and Old Acquaintance (with Miriam Hopkins) and they were both worth seeing.
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