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Post by Hoosier X on Oct 23, 2022 17:49:18 GMT -5
Japanese Hammer sounds good to me! I'll have a look for that one soon, as I'm on a horror kick that I think will extend beyond this month, as I show no signs of getting tired of it yet. They're playing Hausu at a nearby movie theatre here in a week or two, so I'll try to see that again. I’ve seen Hausu a couple of times over the years. I love that movie! It’s on HBO Max, on the TCM Hub. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Oct 26, 2022 12:02:53 GMT -5
Moving on in to the 60s with 1962. I'll just say off the top...C'mon 1962. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - John Ford's last great film boasts great performances by John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Lee Marvin. The film was hugely influential on Sergio Leone and it really is Ford's best look at the making of the myth of the west as opposed to he himself generating that myth. It's also fairly subversive in giving a feel for the true making of the West through state-building, the press and civilizing effects of townsfolk as opposed to the myths that had been generated, in large part, through Hollywood films. "This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." To Kill a Mockingbird - It's probably too much to say that this film (and Harper Lee's book) are the reason that I do what I do for a living. But it's absolutely fair to say that it was an influence. Gregory Peck embodies the role of Atticus Finch to a point you can't imagine anyone else in the role. And he dominates the film, even when he's not on-screen, in the way that Atticus dominates the story. Which isn't to say that the other actors aren't fine. I generally don't care for a lot of child actors, but Mary Badham is great as Scout, Brock Peters gives an excellent early performance as Tom Robinson and we can't forget Robert Duvall's screen debut as Boo Radley. I've seen the criticism of the film as having "white savior syndrome" but I don't think it's remotely fair given the time and setting of the film. I'll accept that it is a fairly idyllic look at a Southern small-town in the 1930s, but it's also told from a white child's point of view. Ultimately it's a beautiful film that has had an actual tangible effect on my life. Lawrence of Arabia - What a completely gorgeous film. This is a movie that just screams to be seen on a big screen. The bigger the better. Because the desert is as much a star of the film as any of the cast. It is simply a tour de force for Cinematographer Freddie A. Young and Director David Lean. It's not just the beautiful camerawork though. Lean gets great performances from Peter O'Toole (in the role that made him a star), Alec Guiness and Omar Sharif. This is one of my middle son's favorite films (likely number two after Pulp Fiction) and he wrote a long paper on it for a film class in college. While I recognize that there are problems with the historical accuracy in some places, it is, quite simply, a masterpiece of film. Dr. No - I mean...c'mon. It's the introduction to most of the world of James Bond, the greatest spy in popular culture. Beyond that it's a super fun film and Sean Connery is so amazingly charismatic that sixty years later his introduction of himself as "Bond...James Bond" is an iconic part of film history. The film (and its progeny) were incredibly influential, bringing about the secret agent films and television shows of the 60s and 70s. Whatever its short-comings, and whatever problems we may see in retrospect, it is a film that is just stamped in our collective psyche. And when all is said and done, Ursula Andress coming out of the surf in that white bikini...well that is magic. The Manchurian Candidate - Excellent political thriller that holds up well even though it is deeply rooted in the Cold War. Part of that are the great performances, particularly that of Angela Lansbury as the mother from Hell. Sanjuro - Nominally a sequel to Yojimbo (the script was altered slightly after the success of Yojimbo to make the lead character the same) this is just a fun well-acted samurai film. Toshiro Mifune is at his charismatic best and the cinematography is excellent. It's not Kurosawa's best, but it's just a great film. Cape Fear - Late model film noir based on John D. MacDonald's novel "The Executioners." Overall a very good thriller anchored by Robert Mitchum at his most menacing. The score is also excellent and the script is quite good though it's watered down from the incredibly tough book by MacDonald that makes Max Cady even more of a monster than he is here (the film code watered down a lot). Ride the High Country - I love this movie a lot. Like a lot more than most people. It's almost certainly my favorite movie directed by Sam Pekinpah (yes, over The Wild Bunch). I'm an absolute sucker for "end of the West" films and I'm a huge fan of both Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea (and Warren Oates for that matter). This was Scott's last film appearance, so it truly was the end of the West. It really is just a joy to watch the aged Scott and McCrea together in a very nicely done western. This was a film that was a bomb in the U.S. (partly because MGM had zero confidence in it) but was a success in Europe. It's since become much more respected and it something of a cult classic. So...my favorite. Arrggghhh! As much as I love a lot of the others...and I do, it probably comes down to To Kill a Mockingbird and Liberty Valance. And honestly it's such a hairs breadth between them that on any given day it could change. But today I'm feeling Lawyerly...so I'll give it to To Kill a Mockingbird. Still a lot of films that I should see (particularly non-American films)...or haven't seen in far too long. Including, Harakiri; Jules and Jim; Carnival of Souls (been eons); The Trial (ditto); Lolita (ditto again); Advise and Consent As usual 1962 in film as a reminder. |
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Post by Rob Allen on Oct 26, 2022 14:15:09 GMT -5
Unfortunately, I can't see the name "To Kill a Mockingbird" without thinking of the Get Smart episode that did a Maltese Falcon parody called the Tequila Mockingbird. Google tells me that the name has been used a few more times since then.
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Post by commond on Oct 26, 2022 19:29:53 GMT -5
Manchurian Candidate is my hands down favorite from '62.
Chris Marker's Le Jette is a film everyone should see, especially comic book and sci-fi fans. Ozu's final film, An Autumn Afternoon, is a beautiful swan song. Jules and Jim is a classic. A lot of people are fond of Godard's Vivre Sa View as well. Ivan's Childhood is an impressive debut from Andrei Tarkovsky, who will go on to be one of most acclaimed directors of the 60s and 70s. Crime lovers ought to check out Melville's Le Doulos. Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? is decent, but the hideous makeup is off-putting.
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Post by berkley on Oct 26, 2022 21:18:39 GMT -5
Having seen Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen just a few months back, I'll say that would be my current favourite 1962 movie. I'll go through the wiki list later, but from the titles already mentioned, I'll pick out Jules and Jim, Doctor No, and Sanjuro as other contenders.
I'm kicking myself because I had a chance to see The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance at the movie theatre not long ago but got mixed up with my work schedule and missed the opportunity, as it was playing only that one night. I'll put it off now until I get seriously into some early 1960s viewing. I've always liked the Gene Pitney song, schlocky as it is.
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Post by Hoosier X on Oct 27, 2022 14:08:57 GMT -5
For 1962, I have a three-way tie for Dr. No, Lawrence of Arabia and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Actually, I’m inclined to give it to Baby Jane. I watch it pretty regularly every two or three years. I haven’t watched Dr. No or Lawrence for a long time.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Nov 3, 2022 11:08:54 GMT -5
And now... 1963. The Great Escape - There's simply everything to love about this movie. Incredible old-school epic action-adventure film with a true all-star cast. Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasance, James Coburn. This movie is always just incredibly fun to watch. This is the film that really cemented McQueen as an international superstar. Elmer Bernstein's music is particularly notable. I always want to watch this film. The Birds - I like, but don't love this film. Any follow up to Psycho was almost bound to be a let-down. And this, to me, started the decline of Hitchock as I find his late work to be, at most, interesting failures. Still, you have to love Tippi Hedren being attacked by the avians. From Russia With Love - Bond is back and the follow-up to Dr. No may well be the best Bond film ever. Compared to later installments (at least until Daniel Craig) the film seems significantly more grounded and real-world. The supporting cast is better than average with Pedro Armendáriz and Robert Shaw adding weight. Daniela Bianchi is probably better than Ursula Andress...but I prefer my Honey Ryder. Still one of, if not the best, Bond films ever. The Sword in the Stone - It's been quite a while since I've seen this one. But I'm a bit of a nut for things Arthurian. And the wizard's duel between Merlin and Mim is a delight. Still it's fairly lightweight Disney. The Pink Panther - The first in the series, this one is elevated by the performances, particularly that of Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau. The story itself is a fairly by-the-numbers caper and David Niven, Robert Wagner, Capucine and Claudia Cardinale all do well in their respective roles. But it's Sellers, who convincingly acts as if he's not in on the joke who stands out in what would otherwise be just a nice ensemble piece. It's probably also helped by a fabulously silky score by Henry Mancini. But...damn...it was disappointing as a kid that it wasn't about the cartoon cat. McLintock! - Not a great film. But definitely a fun one. Any time you have John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara together it's well worth the price of admission. Add in a lovely little turn by Yvonne DeCarlo and Stephanie Powers at her cutest and it's just a fun comedic western. It was also fairly important in Wayne's career allowing him to bounce back from the utter disaster of The Alamo in 1960. The Raven - Honestly it's been far too long since I've seen this one. But Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff in a Roger Corman Poe film. This one needs more than just an also mention. Donovan's Reef - And another Wayne film that's more fun than good. This was honestly kind of a way for John Ford and John Wayne to get a paid vacation to Hawaii (though it's set in French Polynesia) with their yachts and bring Lee Marvin along for good measure. My understanding is that Ford took ill pretty early in the production and most of the directing was done by Wayne. But Ford himself said they weren't going for anything but fun with the movie. It's silly and goofy, but how can you not love watching John Wayne and Lee Marvin mix it up together? So, my favorite film of 1963? This one is actually easy. It's The Great Escape. A near perfect blend of action, adventure, drama and just a bit of comedy. Well directed, great music and a stellar cast. And...C'mon...that motorcycle chase was one for the ages. While the jump stunt on film was done by Bud Ekins, apparently McQueen actually did the stunt himself for fun even though the insurance companies had forbidden him from doing it in the movie. Still a lot of films that I should see (particularly non-American films)...or haven't seen in far too long. Including, 8 1/2; High and Low; Charade; Hud; It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. As usual 1963 in film as a reminder. |
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Post by Hoosier X on Nov 3, 2022 14:20:51 GMT -5
My two favorite movies of 1963 are The Birds and King Kong vs. Godzilla.
The Birds is my favorite Hitchcock film. I watch it almost every year the week of Thanksgiving.
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Post by commond on Nov 3, 2022 19:16:55 GMT -5
8 1/2 is the best film of 1963, but if I had to pick a personal favorite it would be either Godard's Contempt or Hud. I went through a phase where I was heavily into Paul Newman as a heir to Brando/Dean/Clift, and because he's so devilishly handsome, and Hud and The Hustler were two of my favorites. Shock Corridor is a great Samuel Fuller film. The Bergman and Kurosawa stuff from this year doesn't do a lot for me, but they're solid films. I liked the novelty of seeing Burt Lancaster in a Visconti film. He does a pretty good job considering the differences in how European films were shot. The UK is still going great guns -- Billy Liar, The Servant, This Sporting Life, Tom Jones -- it really is a golden period for British cinema. Seijin Suzuki's Youth of the Beast is worth watching if you want to see an early yakuza flick.
There's a few French New Wave films I haven't seen from this year, including some early Rohmer. There's also an Ermanno Olmi film, a Nelson Pereira dos Santos film, and an Iranian short about a leper colony (not sure when I'm gonna be in the mood to watch that.)
The Nutty Professor is good fun. I also like Mario Bava's Black Sabbath.
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Post by berkley on Nov 4, 2022 5:09:48 GMT -5
I've never seen 8 1/2 properly or even all the way through: from memory, I tried to watch it on a rented video back in the '90s and had to return it before I'd finished. What a humiliating confession for a self-proclaimed film-fan! And I think I was on a bit of a roll with Fellini at the time, having just watched La Dolce Vita and Amarcord, and was very much in the mood to carry on, so I can't recall now why I didn't just keep it for a few more days and pay the late fee, if that was what I was worried about. Looking back, my Fellini-viewing experience has been very sporadic and haphazard and I'm still missing a few of his most famous.
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Post by badwolf on Nov 4, 2022 10:10:59 GMT -5
Charade is my favorite film of 1963 by far.
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Post by badwolf on Nov 4, 2022 10:13:41 GMT -5
Sundays and Cybèle is my highest rated film of 1962, but I can't say that I remember it offhand.
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Post by coke & comics on Nov 6, 2022 12:25:18 GMT -5
I see I've missed about two decades. Maybe I'll catch up. Maybe I won't. I'll start with where you are.
1963. Seen 11 films. 3 I consider masterpieces. You named two of them.
The Great Escape I just saw for the first time last year. But loved it.
What I appreciate about The Birds as well as Psycho is that the movie seems entirely invested in its essentially red herring plot. Had this just been a romantic comedy about a quirky woman annoying a guy until they fall in love, it would have been an entirely enjoyable one. Similarly, if Psycho had been a straightforward noir about a woman facing the spiraling consequences of a bad decision. These are great movies before their plots take sharp turns.
My #1 choice for the year though is High and Low, which is my single favorite Kurosawa film. A seemingly straightforward procedural investigation into a botched kidnapping slowly unpacks the nature of class imbalance in society.
From Russia with Love and It's a Mad Mad Mad World round out my top 5.
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Post by coke & comics on Nov 6, 2022 12:27:10 GMT -5
Having seen Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen just a few months back, I'll say that would be my current favourite 1962 movie. Seeing things on the big screen really helps me appreciate them. That movie in particular seems made for the experience. |
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Post by coke & comics on Nov 6, 2022 12:34:41 GMT -5
I'll try to play a bit of catch-up.
1962. I agree it's a stupendous year for film. To Kill a Mockingbird, Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance...
Just like with 1963, I have to go to Japan for my #1. Harakiri is my vote for the greatest samurai film ever and one of the best films of all time, by Masaki Kobayashi, my #3 all time top director after Hitchcock and Spielberg. Only watch if well-versed in other samurai films or stories, as this is the one that tears the genre apart.
My #2 is Mockingbird. For #3, I'll look to French science fiction that stretches the definition of film. La Jetée is a short time travel maybe-movie that would later be remade and expanded on as 12 Monkeys.
Also from Kobayashi that year is The Inheritance. Something of a Japanese answer to a Hitchcock film, with a bunch of people scheming to inherit a dying wealthy man's fortune for themself.
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