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Post by brutalis on May 30, 2021 12:05:23 GMT -5
Spent the morning watching 1936 Swing Time, the acclaimed Astaire and Roger's dance extravaganza. Wonderful songs highlighted by 4 spectacular dance routines from the dynamic dance duo. Trivial comedic plot so the dances are the spotlighted treat. Both are at the height of their game showing great style, flair and skill.
Astaire performs a tap tribute in blackface honoring the great Bojangles in the 1st ever shadow dance with not 1, not 2, but 3 giant silhouettes of himself on a giant white screen behind himself. A superb special effects driven number requiring 3 days of filming. Along with the other dances this film is considered one of the "best" for the Astaire/Rogers team.
Including signature songs Pick Yourself Up, The Way You Look Tonight and never Gonna Dance this movie provides, laughs, romance, songs and dancing the likes of which is lost in time for Hollywood. Suit up in your best dress suit or gown and delightfully dance away your day.
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Post by brutalis on May 30, 2021 16:22:33 GMT -5
Keeping the dance moves flowing is 1949's On the Town delivering 24 hour shore leave to sailor's Gene Kelly (directing and choreography), Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin in New York. 1 day 1 night to see the sites and take the town by storm. So of course romancing and dancing ensues along with humor. The boys meet the ladies Betty Garrett, Vera Allen and Ann Miller during their adventures as love ensues.
Lots of fun numbers providing everyone their moment to shine with the highlight being the opening New York New York. All the numbers zip along with a mixture of Hollywood sets and live shots of New York adding authenticity that Kelly had to fight for inclusion. He was right of course.
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Post by brutalis on May 30, 2021 19:20:15 GMT -5
Finishing off with some fancy footwork is 1956Anything Goes. Bing Crosby's final Paramount film ending his 23 years with them pairs him up with Donald O'Connor, Jeanmarie and Mitzi Gaynor in hoping to mine comedic/dancing gold following the success of. .The duo teaming for a new show both hire leading ladies without the others knowing.
During their sea cruise return to America from Europe the guys are at first upset over their individual hirings but all that quickly changes as both fall for the others hired lead. Comedic confusion and romantic frustration along with songs and dance on the high seas makes for entertaining viewing. Bing sings, Donald dances, both make jokes all the while both leading ladies perform wonderful dances. O'Connor even has a spotlight routine with a room of children which is both fun and adorable.
Nothing spectacular here, just pure delight enjoying skilled performers doing what they do best, enttertain us movie watchers!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2021 18:27:06 GMT -5
Keeping the dance moves flowing is 1949's On the Town delivering 24 hour shore leave to sailor's Gene Kelly (directing and choreography), Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin in New York. 1 day 1 night to see the sites and take the town by storm. So of course romancing and dancing ensues along with humor. The boys meet the ladies Betty Garrett, Vera Allen and Ann Miller during their adventures as love ensues. Lots of fun numbers providing everyone their moment to shine with the highlight being the opening New York New York. All the numbers zip along with a mixture of Hollywood sets and live shots of New York adding authenticity that Kelly had to fight for inclusion. He was right of course. This is such a classic...my wife is a huge Gene Kelly fan and I've watched this with her many times over the years. I loved Vera-Ellen in particular as "Miss Turnstile", but the whole cast was wonderful. I'm more the Fred Astaire fan, but Astaire and Kelly were both so amazingly talented.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2021 18:57:04 GMT -5
And with great dancers on the brain, that reminds me of a very entertaining Ginger Rogers movie we watched recently. The Major and the Minor from 1942 starred Ginger as the lead in a delightful farce of a comedy. No Fred, no dancing, but if one needs proof Ms. Rogers was a versatile and talented actress, look no further.
The premise is very light-hearted and no small measure absurd...Ginger is a lady from Iowa trying to make it in New York City, and ready to throw in the towel and head back home to Iowa. Short on the funds she needs for the train back home, she dresses like a 12-year old so she can obtain reduced fair for the train ticket. Her guile indeed allows her to purchase the ticket and board. Unfortunately 12-year olds should not be caught smoking by train conductors, and the ruse is up until she inadvertently lands in the private train compartment of an Army Major who assumes she is a child passenger in distress. The Major is a gentleman of the highest order, and is protective as if she were his own daughter.
Ginger is forced to keep the pretense up, and things only get worse when the train is detained by flooding. After a series of events she is getting shuttled by automobile to a military academy with the Major, and meets his suspicious fiance along with a whole academy of young cadets who adore her as a teenage queen.
Terribly silly? Very much so...in the wrong hands this could be a terrible movie, but Ginger is absolutely hysterical and there's a wonderful supporting cast that makes this a charming winner.
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Post by Batflunkie on Jun 13, 2021 8:21:19 GMT -5
So I bought and watched La Femme Nikita. Loved the music and the overall pacing and grim tone. I think the only thing that I didn't like about it was how anti-climatic the ending was. The ending song was almost taunting me
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 13, 2021 10:08:03 GMT -5
So I bought and watched La Femme Nikita. Loved the music and the overall pacing and grim tone. I think the only thing that I didn't like about it was how anti-climatic the ending was. The ending song was almost taunting me
I fell in love with that the first time I saw it, in the early 90s, when it was released on VHS. I had seen an interview with Anne Parillaud and they showed a clip that intrigued me. I do have to say you need to watch it subtitled, rather than the dubbed version, so you can get a better feel for the acting. I have no problem with the ending, as it seems fitting, to me. Her missions become more and more dangerous because she is expendable and breaking into a foreign embassy, to copy documents is the height of stupidity. The chances of getting back out are pretty slim. So, it was destined to fail or at least be a complete mess. For Nikita, it provides a chance to run, before she is put in another position to be killed. She had found something to live for, which was missing at the beginning. This was the first time I heard Eric Serra's music and I went out and bought the soundtrack. That driving base moves the action scenes (he's a bass player); but, his melodies add layers of warmth to the romantic elements. His scores for Besson's films are always great and he also got to do Goldeneye (as did actor Tcheky Karyo, aka Bob, in this). If you enjoyed this, I recommend checking out Besson's earlier film, Subway, with Christopher Lambert. Serra appears in the film as a bass player, who ends up part of a band that Lambert puts together, which includes Jean Reno as a drummer. The film features Lambert, as a safecracker, who hides out in the Paris Metro system, and finds a whole world down there, while Isabelle Adjani tries to recover photos that he stole, from a safe. It helped launch a revolution of filmmaking in France, along with the film Diva and La Femme Nikita (or just Nikita, in France). If you want truly bizarre, check out Besson's Le Dernier Combat, which features no dialogue, and is set in a post-apocalyptic world, with people scavenging to survive. Jean Reno is a marauder, trying to break into a fortified hospital, manned by a single person, with elaborate traps and barriers. It's like the coyote and road runner, until it pushes beyond, into the dark. Reno was the biggest constant in Besson's early work, until Hollywood came calling.
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Post by brutalis on Jun 13, 2021 13:54:48 GMT -5
Spent my morning travelling back to 1947 to enjoying the romantic/fantasy pairing of Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison in the Ghost and Mrs. Muir. A quaint seaside house brings together the defiant young widow Lucy to the irascible salty seaman's ghost Captain Gregg. Having accidentally killed himself in kicking the gas and so passing in his sleep without a will the irritable Captain haunts his home driving away possible buyers.
Until he finds his match in the determined and strong willed Mrs. Muir. The pair work out a mutually agreeable living arrangement as the the ol' sea dog finds himself liking the presence of the young woman. When her inheritance dries up forcing Lucy to face a life alone the Ghostly Captain strikes upon the grand idea of having Lucy write of his life at sea. This proves a successful idea as his biographical memoir delivers money in saving the day as well for the unlikely pair growing closer in love. But for all the money from the novel saving the day it also delivers a humanly love interest into the equation.
Wanting Lucy's happiness more than anything the irritable apparition knows the feelings they share between them is doomed so he implants thoughts into her mind that she dreamt of the sea captain which inspired her writings. Hoping she finds love and joy with a mortal he allows her to slip away from him. Lucy soon finds the man she has fallen in love with is married she remains alone in the seaside cottage growing old until her now grown daughter returns with news of her engagement and reminds Lucy that the ghostly Captain Gregg was real and not a dream.
Even more years pass with Lucy alone until she dies alone in the bedroom where she and the Captain spent their time together. As she passes the Seaman appears once more, calling to her as her youthful spirit arises from her aged body and they begin their true love walking into the afterlife.
A wonderful story made all the more merry with Rex Harrison channeling much of himself into Captain Gregg one would believe. Tierney is beautiful and strong and one she's why the dead Captain would be captivated by her. This classic remains a favorite of mine which I truly savor with every watching every few years. Who says romance is dead? Not the Ghost or Mrs. Muir for sure!
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Post by Prince Hal on Jun 15, 2021 11:09:23 GMT -5
You are so right, brutalis. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a delight start to finish. Superb supporting cast, excellent direction by Joseph Mankiewicz. Tierney is as strong and determined here as she is in another favorite of mine, Leave Her to Heaven (1945), though with quite opposite motivations. In Heaven she is bone-chillingly cruel. (The swimming scene is almost unbearable to watch.) Tierney turned in many fine performances ( Laura and Dragonwyck come to mind), but her personal life consisted of tragedy after tragedy and almost unbelievable sadness.
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Post by tartanphantom on Jun 15, 2021 12:51:40 GMT -5
Spent my morning travelling back to 1947 to enjoying the romantic/fantasy pairing of Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison in the Ghost and Mrs. Muir. A quaint seaside house brings together the defiant young widow Lucy to the irascible salty seaman's ghost Captain Gregg. Having accidentally killed himself in kicking the gas and so passing in his sleep without a will the irritable Captain haunts his home driving away possible buyers. Until he finds his match in the determined and strong willed Mrs. Muir. The pair work out a mutually agreeable living arrangement as the the ol' sea dog finds himself liking the presence of the young woman. When her inheritance dries up forcing Lucy to face a life alone the Ghostly Captain strikes upon the grand idea of having Lucy write of his life at sea. This proves a successful idea as his biographical memoir delivers money in saving the day as well for the unlikely pair growing closer in love. But for all the money from the novel saving the day it also delivers a humanly love interest into the equation. Wanting Lucy's happiness more than anything the irritable apparition knows the feelings they share between them is doomed so he implants thoughts into her mind that she dreamt of the sea captain which inspired her writings. Hoping she finds love and joy with a mortal he allows her to slip away from him. Lucy soon finds the man she has fallen in love with is married she remains alone in the seaside cottage growing old until her now grown daughter returns with news of her engagement and reminds Lucy that the ghostly Captain Gregg was real and not a dream. Even more years pass with Lucy alone until she dies alone in the bedroom where she and the Captain spent their time together. As she passes the Seaman appears once more, calling to her as her youthful spirit arises from her aged body and they begin their true love walking into the afterlife. A wonderful story made all the more merry with Rex Harrison channeling much of himself into Captain Gregg one would believe. Tierney is beautiful and strong and one she's why the dead Captain would be captivated by her. This classic remains a favorite of mine which I truly savor with every watching every few years. Who says romance is dead? Not the Ghost or Mrs. Muir for sure! You are so right, brutalis . The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a delight start to finish. Superb supporting cast, excellent direction by Joseph Mankiewicz. Tierney is as strong and determined here as she is in another favorite of mine, Leave Her to Heaven (1945), though with quite opposite motivations. In Heaven she is bone-chillingly cruel. (The swimming scene is almost unbearable to watch.) Tierney turned in many fine performances ( Laura and Dragonwyck come to mind), but her personal life consisted of tragedy after tragedy and almost unbelievable sadness.
Great Film-- and don't forget Charles Lang Jr.'s beautifully warm b&w cinematography-- very similar to what he did on The Uninvited three years earlier.
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Post by Prince Hal on Jun 15, 2021 13:07:44 GMT -5
Glad to see there's another Uninvited fan here, tartanphantom! It's a longtime favorite of ours. The photography, the music, the atmosphere, the acting, the unusual sub-text. Just a unique gem. I hadn't been aware of Lang or that he worked on these two films, and now that you point this out, I can see the similarities. I particularly love the way Uninvited looks, obviously thanks to Lang.. I'll be looking for others of his films. (I see he had 17 Oscar nominations... impressive, indeed.)
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Post by tartanphantom on Jun 15, 2021 13:32:43 GMT -5
Glad to see there's another Uninvited fan here, tartanphantom ! It's a longtime favorite of ours. The photography, the music, the atmosphere, the acting, the unusual sub-text. Just a unique gem. I hadn't been aware of Lang or that he worked on these two films, and now that you point this out, I can see the similarities. I particularly love the way Uninvited looks, obviously thanks to Lang.. I'll be looking for others of his films. (I see he had 17 Oscar nominations... impressive, indeed.)
Lang is probably my 2nd favorite cinematographer for b&w film, right behind Nicholas Musuraca. It's funny-- even with film being a primarily visual medium, the average person usually overlooks the importance of the cinematographer in the creation of film as an artistic vehicle. The Director and the cast members get most of the recognition, but without the right person behind the camera, the film wouldn't even exist.
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Post by Prince Hal on Jun 15, 2021 14:25:19 GMT -5
Glad to see there's another Uninvited fan here, tartanphantom ! It's a longtime favorite of ours. The photography, the music, the atmosphere, the acting, the unusual sub-text. Just a unique gem. I hadn't been aware of Lang or that he worked on these two films, and now that you point this out, I can see the similarities. I particularly love the way Uninvited looks, obviously thanks to Lang.. I'll be looking for others of his films. (I see he had 17 Oscar nominations... impressive, indeed.)
Lang is probably my 2nd favorite cinematographer for b&w film, right behind Nicholas Musuraca. It's funny-- even with film being a primarily visual medium, the average person usually overlooks the importance of the cinematographer in the creation of film as an artistic vehicle. The Director and the cast members get most of the recognition, but without the right person behind the camera, the film wouldn't even exist.
Yes indeed, and I'm ashamed I didn't know of Musuraca either, though when I checked the list of his films, it is filled with so many that I love: I Remember Mama; Five Came Back; Cat People; (and Curse of); Seventh Victim; Back to Bataan; Bedlam; Whip Hand; Spiral Staircase, etc.
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Post by tartanphantom on Jun 15, 2021 16:14:31 GMT -5
Lang is probably my 2nd favorite cinematographer for b&w film, right behind Nicholas Musuraca. It's funny-- even with film being a primarily visual medium, the average person usually overlooks the importance of the cinematographer in the creation of film as an artistic vehicle. The Director and the cast members get most of the recognition, but without the right person behind the camera, the film wouldn't even exist.
Yes indeed, and I'm ashamed I didn't know of Musuraca either, though when I checked the list of his films, it is filled with so many that I love: I Remember Mama; Five Came Back; Cat People; (and Curse of); Seventh Victim; Back to Bataan; Bedlam; Whip Hand; Spiral Staircase, etc.
Perhaps the best film in its genre. Musuraca shooting, Jacques Tourneur directing, Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas, Rhonda Fleming in the cast.
For film noir, it just doesn't get any better-- perhaps Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity or Preminger's Laura (another great performance by Gene Tierney) come the closest. Nothing against Bogart or Alan Ladd, I like them too, but this is just my personal opinion.
Out of the Past is strictly top-hole-- If a Criterion edition were available, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2021 17:28:36 GMT -5
Enjoying a run of three of my favorite Peter Sellers movies, thought I'd share thoughts on each one:
My all-time favorite comedy is 1964's Dr. Strangelove, the well-known Kubrick classic that likely needs no introduction to many. But as a brief recap, during the height of the Cold War a US General goes, as the President of the USA (one of multiple roles Sellers plays) says to the Soviet Premier "Kissov", a "little soft in the head" and sends orders to a US patrol bomber to conduct on a nuclear strike on the USSR.
This General ("General Ripper") is played by Sterling Hayden who plays the role brilliantly, simultaneously staying in character as the hardened career officer while dropping one absurd line after another (anyone who remembers the "precious bodily fluids" knows what I'm talking about). Peter Sellers appears again as a timid British officer ("Captain Mandrake") who has become stuck against his will with the General as the madness unfolds.
And what a supporting cast...George C. Scott as General Buck Turgidson is in top form, Slim Pickens as the bomber's commander and pilot (with one of the most classic "motivational" speeches to his crew as they prepare to attack), and we even get the screen debut of James Earl Jones as a crew member.
The movie alternates between the military base General Ripper has locked down, the inside of the patrol bomber, and the War Room at the Pentagon (again, with Sellers as the President, along with General Turgidson and a wily Soviet Ambassador present amidst the other officers). One of the most classic lines of any comedy ever to me: "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the war room."
And finally Peter Sellers in the role of Dr. Strangelove himself, the crazed German ex-Nazi whose appearance is relatively brief in the film but so iconic.
I never tire of re-watching this one...brilliant dark comedy of the highest order.
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