ΩΩΩΩΩ Classic Alien (1979; 117 min.) ΩΩΩΩ Excellent ΩΩΩ Good Directed by: Written By: Dan O’Bannon ΩΩ Mediocre Cast: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Ian Ω Poor Holm, Yaphet Kotto, , Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton

A sci fi thriller of the highest order. The Adventure of ’ Smarter Brother The freighter Nostromo is diverted from its flight home, the crew awakened from (1975; 91 min.) hypersleep, so they can investigate a signal

from a previously uncharted planet. The Directed by: Gene Wilder place is a rock but they set down and a party Written by: Gene Wilder is sent out to find the source of the beacon. Cast: Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty What they encounter is a creature from Feldman, Leo McKern, Roy Kinnear, Dom nightmare, terrible and relentless, driven by DeLuise its own instincts and motivations.

Look at that cast: how could this movie be The cast of Americans and Brits make for a anything less than screamingly funny? bitchy and believable crew. They’re ordinary Writer/director/star Wilder is unabashed people, thrust into an impossible situation. about yanking out all the comedic stops and The hunters swiftly become the hunted. The Feldman and Kahn are only too happy to join narrow corridors are warrens, the walls in on the fun. closing in a little more each time the creature

attacks. Scott handles pulp-y material with The evil Dr. Moriarty (McKern) is up to no finesse, the ship and its environs transformed good but his celebrated arch-rival has into a high tech haunted house. H.R. Giger’s something else on his plate. The case gets creature design is the piece de resistance and, turned over to Holmes’ younger brother taken as a whole, this is a first-rate, expertly Sigerson (Wilder), who is more than slightly crafted feature, regardless of the genre. resentful of his sibling’s fame. The plot is unimportant, really, mayhem the order of the ΩΩΩΩΩ day.

Conan Doyle purists might be offended but everyone else can join me in a rousing round The American of the ever popular “kangaroo hop”. (2010; 105 min.)

1/2 ΩΩΩ Directed by: Anton Corbijn Written by: Rowan Joffe Cast: , Violante Placido, Paolo Bonicelli, Thekla Reuten

2

Stylish but fairly formulaic thriller, Clooney as exasperation with their loved ones and charismatic and photogenic as ever. This wonder when they’ll summon the strength time around he's a specialist, creating custom- and courage to escape the deep ruts they’ve made weaponry for anyone willing to pay his dug for themselves. price. But somewhere along the way he's run afoul of powerful enemies and must seek Broadbent and Sheen present a credible refuge in a remote Italian village until the couple, one never doubts for a moment that danger passes...or his adversaries manage to they’ve spent decades together (a tribute to find him. the enormous amount of rehearsal time Leigh devotes to his projects before a single Beautifully composed and shot feature, frame is exposed). Characters in this movie Corbijn's photographic eye absolutely are fully inhabited by the actors who play unerring (as amply demonstrated in his Joy them and I came away from “Another Year” Division biopic "Control"). This time around feeling as if I had spent two hours the material isn't as first-rate and, I think, he's eavesdropping on private lives and intimate somewhat constrained by his chosen genre. disclosures.

The real find here is the lovely Ms. Placido, There’s no happy ending, no huge, dramatic whose easy sexuality and unaffected charm scenes or epiphanies; Mr. Leigh is too good a play nicely against Clooney's stoic, virtually director and too perceptive an observer of monotonic performance. the human condition to allow treacle or sentiment to mar his creations. While ΩΩΩ1/2 “Another Year” might lack the firepower and intensity of Leigh’s masterpiece “Naked”, it is a compassionate, thoughtful examination of the problem of loneliness and Another Year the depths to which men and women will (2010; 129 min.) descend in order to escape their solitude. A drowning person will clutch the point of a sword, as Directed by: the old saying goes. And even a lost cause is Written by: Mike Leigh eminently preferable to waking up and Cast: , Ruth Sheen, Leslie facing the world alone. Manville, Peter Wight Sad, sad, sad. Tom (Jim Broadbent) and Gerri (Ruth Sheen) are a happily married couple, ΩΩΩΩΩ longtime companions who are settled, comfortable and still very much in love, even after decades of sharing home and hearth. Unfortunately, among their circle of acquaintances, they are an exception. (1979; 153 min.)

“Another Year” is divided into four parts, Directed by: Frances Ford Coppola paralleling the seasons; over the course of the Cinematographer: Vittorio Storaro year, Tom and Gerri offer solace to their Written by: John Milius, Michael Herr & troubled friends and Tom’s brother (recently Frances Ford Coppola widowed), even as they privately express 3

Cast: Martin Sheen, , Robert and audiences alike. The greatest war picture Duvall, , Frederic Forrest, ever or a pretentious dud, a “mess” as David Laurence Fishburne Thomson calls it?

“Flawed masterpiece”…”Coppola’s Coppola described “Apocalypse Now” as an folly”…“Apocalypse when?”… “experience” and I think that’s the best way to view the film. Not as an interpretation of Wayyyy back in the 1970’s, a great and Heart of Darkness, a linear work, a war story popular American film-maker took his with a beginning, middle and end. It’s personal fortune, along with a sizeable crew hallucinatory and otherworldly; watch it with and hand-picked cast and disappeared into the same eyes as you would “2001: A Space the Philippine jungle. The word around Odyssey”. To my mind, it shares a spot in Tinseltown was that he was making a the pantheon with “2001”, “”, Vietnam-era war film, loosely based on “Metropolis” and a few select others. A “Heart of Darkness” and the film starred gorgeous, 24-track nightmare, a sublime and —no, suddenly Keitel was out demanding artistic achievement. and Martin Sheen brought in. But the rigors of shooting take their toll and Sheen suffers a ΩΩΩΩΩ heart attack…the production increasingly dogged by rumours of cost over runs, sets lost to monsoons, Brando showing up grotesquely Arsenic and Old Lace overweight and under-prepared, etc., etc. (1944; 118 min.)

When Frances Ford Coppola finally returned Directed by: Frank Capra home, he was a changed man. His dream Written by: Julius Epstein and Philip project had just about destroyed him, his Epstein; also Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse hubris finally coming home to roost. Cast: Cary Grant, Josephine Hull, Jean Anguished audio recordings from that time Adair, Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre, reveal a man who has lost his way. Priscilla Lane

But the footage, my God, the footage… A rarity: a Frank Capra picture I love through and through. Months of post-production follow, trying to assemble the miles of film into something Totally madcap comedy with everyone coherent. Working along side Coppola, comporting themselves admirably. Cary Walter Murch, one of cinema’s great cutters. Grant is at his manic, fretting best as Both of them marveling at the artistry of Mortimer Brewster, a newly married man director of photography Vittorio Storaro. An who has just discovered his charming maiden unfinished print is shown at Cannes and ends aunts are serial killers. If that isn’t bad up splitting the Palm D’Or with “The Tin enough, his lunatic cousin thinks he’s Teddy Drum”. Vindication! Returning to the task Roosevelt and his murderous brother of editing with renewed vigor. Jonathan (Raymond Massey) has unexpectedly shown up with a body of his The completed picture is two and a half own to dispose of. And, meanwhile, the hours long and mesmerizing. But lovely Elaine (Priscilla Lane) waits patiently immediately upon release it divides critics for Mortimer to arrive and sweep her off her 4 feet, bearing her away to an unforgettable honeymoon… One for the late, late, late show.

As soon as Mortimer inadvertently discovers Somewhere around the North Pole, danger the first body, the movie (based on a popular lurks in the form of an underwater flying stage play by Joseph Kesselring) never lets up. saucer. It has attacked shipping and cost many lives, and now it's up to the atomic Suggestion: watch “Arsenic” on a double-bill submarine Tiger Shark to hunt it down and with another hilarious Cary Grant offering, destroy it before the saucer inflicts further “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” harm. (1948). The special effects are primitive, both the sub ΩΩΩΩ and saucer look exactly like what they are: small, plastic models.

The odd thing is, this film (along with "First Atlantic City Man Into Space") was remastered and (1980; 104 min.) restored by the good people at Criterion. I can only guess the decision based on pure Directed by: Louis Malle nostalgia, since there is little evidence of craft Written by: or talent apparent on-screen. Cast: , Susan Sarandon, Michel Piccoli, Kate Reid, Al Waxman ΩΩ

Relatively minor Malle film, rescued by a first-rate cast. Being There (1979; 130 min.) Lancaster plays Lou, a career criminal years past his prime, and Sarandon a young woman Directed by: Hal Ashby who dreams of a better life. A cache of stolen Written by: Jerzy Kosinski drugs brings them some hope of escaping Cast: Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, their dreary existence but trouble isn't long , Jack Ward, arriving. Lancaster, Sarandon and Canadian character actress Reid are good but the pacing From the moment he came across Jerzy is slow and the story meanders. Kosinski’s short novel Being There, Peter Sellers knew he was meant to play the role of ΩΩ1/2 Chance the Gardener. It is hard to imagine anyone else playing a monotonic, deadpan, remote character like Chance and making The Atomic Submarine him so bloody funny. (1959; 72 min.) Chance has worked in the garden of the big Directed by: Spencer G. Bennet house for as long as he can remember but Written by: Orville H. Hampton now “the old man”, his employer, is dead and Cast: Arthur Franz, Dick Foran, Brett Chance is left to fend for himself. He has no Halsey, Bob Steele experience in the real world, no way of 5 understanding it except from what he has biting and suggestive. The story is pretty observed on television. steamy (and unseemly) stuff for 1946, but it’s a Raymond Chandler novel they’re adapting, Sellers amazes and he gets solid support from for heaven’s sake, what do you expect? Shirley MacLaine, who is magnificent as a sexually repressed Washington hostess. ΩΩΩΩ1/2

If you get the opportunity, see if you can find a copy of this movie that comes with out takes. Sellers “corpsing” for take after take. Good stuff. (1982; 117 Min.) ΩΩΩΩ Directed by: Ridley Scott Written by: Hampton Fancher and The Big Sleep Cast: Harrison Ford, , Sean (1946; 114 min.) Young, Daryl Hannah, William Sanderson

Directed by: Howard Hawks Which version do you prefer: the original Written by: Leigh Brackett, William theatrical release or the Director’s Cut, sans Faulkner, Jules Furthman that annoying narration? Never mind, you Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, can get every single inch of “Blade Runner” John Ridgely, Martha Vickers, Regis ever shot on the deluxe, special 5-disk edition Toomey, Elisha Cook, Jr. and—

Chandler, Hawks, Bogie & Bacall. You Or not. aren’t going to go wrong with that combination. “Blade Runner” is a beautifully executed movie, the combination of Ridley’s Scott’s A movie that easily withstands multiple direction and Douglas Trumbull’s special viewings; it’s a treat to watch all that talent effects guarantees a visual feast. The Los working with material of the highest caliber. Angeles of 2019 is tall and humid, drenched in a seemingly constant drizzle. The rich and Detective Philip Marlowe (Bogart) is privileged live high above it all but the summoned to the Sternwood residence. The ordinary proles—including many minorities, a aging patriarch is concerned about the mishmash of cultures—aren’t nearly so activities of his youngest daughter, Carmen fortunate. They’re a captive audience for the (Vickers) and wants Marlowe to prevent a floating billboards that drift between the possible scandal. But it’s Carmen’s older towers, lighting up the night sky, hawking sibling (Bacall) who catches Marlowe’s eye popular beverages and recruiting colonists for and she’s the reason he sticks with the case off-world emigration. despite the murders, beatings and sordid disclosures. The combination of noir and is intriguing but never quite pans out. The The two leads definitely have on-screen streets are too bright and overflowing with life chemistry, their exchanges, by turns, frank, and the best use of shadow comes at the end 6 of the film, lights sweeping across boarded-up system, it is a carefully considered, flawlessly windows as Ford attempts to elude a designed motion picture, filmed and acted by murderous pursuer. professionals of the highest caliber.

Is a sufficiently advanced artificial being by Beatty and Dunaway play the celebrated (and any standard of the term alive? Does it have doomed) desperados and a host of fine a soul? If you manage to kill one of these so- supporting players help elevate this tale of called “”, is it murder or crime and punishment to a near-classic status. “retirement”? What’s the difference between memories and embedded programs? Can ΩΩΩΩ you love someone who might be incapable of loving you back?

I’m not sure “Blade Runner” answers any of Brazil the questions it asks. It does, however, make (1985; 142 min.) for an entertaining and stunningly presented movie. A bit of a dud when it was first Directed by: released but it’s gained stature in the Written by: Terry Gilliam, , intervening years. Definitely a “must see” Charles McKeown film. Cast: Jonathan Pryce, Ian Holm, Kim Greist, Robert DeNiro, , Katherine Whichever version you choose. Helmond

ΩΩΩΩ “A genuine individual is an outright Bonnie and Clyde nuisance in a factory.” (1967; 111 min.) ()

Directed by: Arthur Penn Neo-Orwellian political satire…or a Written by: David Newman & Robert cautionary tale of how bureaucracy, efficiency Benton and conformity can dehumanize a society to Cast: , Faye Dunaway, Gene the point where repression and Hackman, Estelle Parsons, Michael J. Pollard authoritarianism thrive?

Those making this film--the screenwriters and Pryce is wonderful as Sam Lowry, a petty director Penn--have admitted their debt to the bureaucrat who finds himself embroiled with French "New Wave", particularly the movies terrorists, hunted as a fugitive, captured and of Truffaut and Godard. hideously tortured…and all because of a simple typographical error. The protagonist But for all that, in structure and scope, in its is not a rebel, not even remotely a threat to ambition and superb production values, the state but thanks to a few inadvertent plot "Bonnie and Clyde" is still fundamentally an twists, this placid, blameless man finds American film, preoccupied with themes like himself in the direst straits, fighting for celebrity and fame, the violence at the core of survival. that culture. This is not a "guerilla" effort, made outside the bounds of the 7

Gilliam’s visual and cinematic eye has never A likable, cynical take on politics during the failed him--the set design, special effects and Reagan era. Endearing, if not always overall look of the film as good as it gets. credible. The supporting cast is stellar, Greist the only one who doesn’t quite fit in. Not my idea of ΩΩΩ1/2 a dream girl. There’s a wonderful bit with two semi-competent plumbers, one of them played by Bob Hoskins, who discover our hero has had some illicit duct work done. The Chase The dream life of Pryce’s character is (1966; 133 min) delightfully rendered. Altogether too many lovely scenes and tableaux to describe. Directed by: Arthur Penn Written by: Lillian Hellman One of my “desert island” movies. A Cast: Marlon Brando, Robert Redford, Jane magical, marvelous creation. Fonda, , James Fox

ΩΩΩΩΩ Considering the talent involved, this picture should have been far better.

Redford is the local black sheep, recently Charlie Wilson's War escaped from prison and on his way back (2008; 102 min.) home. Brando is the sheriff, responsible for keeping order in a town of armed rednecks, Directed by: adulterers and teenagers who appear to have Written by: escaped from the set of a bad Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip exploitation flick. Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ned Neatty Stereotypical, unbelievable and overlong, Entertaining fluff about how a Congressman "The Chase" features yet another dull Brando with a reputation for wild living helped arm performance. He only comes to life when the mujahiddeen warriors in Afghanistan, he's being beaten; otherwise he appears to be playing a pivotal role in the Russians' sleep-walking, a somnambulist with a seven- ignominious retreat and, eventually, the Evil figure contract. Empire's long sought after demise. ΩΩ Well...that's as may be. But I also sense a hagiography in the making: Wilson's sexual peccadilloes are tastefully conveyed but we Chinatown never see him indulging in less savory vices, (1974; 131 min.) nor do we get the full story of his involvement with ultra-right patriots who wanted to fight a Directed by: Roman Polanski "proxy war" with the Soviet Union. This inept Written by: tampering in Afghani affairs had longterm Cast: , Faye Dunaway, John consequences that still haunt us today. Huston, Burt Young, John Hillerman

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Boy, the planets were in alignment when they Cast: Brigette Lin, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony put this movie together. The perfect director Leung, Faye Wang for the perfect screenplay. And a roster of actors who combine to make the most Superb film and superb entertainment. beautiful music imaginable. Consisting of two stories set in Hong Hong, Jake Gittes has been hired to find out who one involving Lin losing a string of drug offed the city of L.A.’s water manager…but "mules", the other a lonely policeman and a then he becomes romantically involved with woman (Wang) who takes a fancy to him, the widow Mullwray (Dunaway), while slipping into his apartment while he's at work running afoul of the business interests of her and subtly, gradually transforming it. powerful father (Huston). The editing, camerawork and acting combine The script is a textbook of structure and to create a thrilling film-going experience. economy and Polanski gives it its due. He Kar-Wai is a student of film and his and director of photography John Alonzo influences (Godard and the New Wave) peek light and frame each shot to give weight and through at various points. extra significance to the words being spoken (or left unsaid). ΩΩΩΩ

There is real electricity between Nicholson and Dunaway; she has never been more glamorous, beautiful and vulnerable. In this Citizen Kane one, the ice queen melts. Nicholson was still (1941; 119 min.) an actor at this point—“Chinatown” and “The Last Detail’ (1973) came out within a year of Directed by: Orson Welles each other and were definitely high water Cinematographer: Gregg Toland marks as far as his career goes. That was Written by: Herman Mankiewicz and Orson when he was still capable of amazing us. Welles Cast: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotton, Susan Towne made his name with “Chinatown” and Alexander, Everett Sloane rightfully so. Now he’s a hired gun, a script doctor for the likes of . It seems Even after 60 years, “Kane” still compels near like a terrible waste of talent…and where, oh universal respect, bordering on veneration. Is where is his golden touch evident in “Days of it deserved? Thunder”, “Ask the Dust” and “Mission Impossible II”? Hell, yes…

ΩΩΩΩΩ Who was Charles Foster Kane: a great American? A demagogue? Reformer? Fascist? A team of reporters is given their Chungking Express marching orders—uncover everything there is (1994; 102 min.) to know about the recently deceased newspaper magnate and one time political Directed by: Wong Kar-Wai candidate. Turn over every rock, talk to ex- Written by: Wong Kar-Wai wives, embittered friends, find out what made 9 the man tick…and caused the decline and fall ΩΩΩΩΩ that led to him living in near seclusion in a remote, art-filled redoubt. And most of all, who or what was “Rosebud”, literally the last word to pass his lips? What was the City of Lost Children significance, what does it mean? (1995; 112 min.)

It turns out to mean very little and yet, quite Directed by: Marc Caro & Jean-Pierre Jeunet possibly, explains everything. Just one of the Written by: Gilles Adrien, Jean-Pierre Jeunet amazing feats Welles and his talented cast Cast: Ron Perlman, Judith Vittete, and crew pull off. “Citizen Kane” is a smart Dominique Pinon, Daniel Emilfork film and a beautiful film but it makes no effort to ingratiate itself and it does not An old fashioned yarn, a spooky fairy tale reassure and it is for that reason that casual hatched by the same folks who brought us filmgoers have never warmed to it. It’s “Delicatessen”. masterfully made, so the cinephiles can coo and murmur sagely about the use of deep Hard to believe but “City of Lost Children” is focus and perspective, but there’s an an even better, more imaginative film than its underlying cynicism and darkness to “Kane” predecessor. Krank (Emilfork) is a scientist that keeps it at an emotional distance. We who dispatches minions to kidnap children admire it but can we honestly say we love it, and spirit them back to his hidden lair, where the way we love, say, “Casablanca” or “My he attempts to extract their dreams in order Life as a Dog”? to arrest the aging process.

There is ample evidence that Charles Foster The sets and overall design are amazing but Kane’s character was not based solely on it’s the story that draws us in. We really do William Randolph Hearst. Welles’ partner care about Miette (Vittete) and her strongman and confidante acted as friend (Perlman) and cheer their efforts as caretaker for Mankiewicz as he worked on they set out to rescue his little brother from the initial drafts of the script—during breaks the evil Krank. They make a formidable the two of them undoubtedly swapped team and nothing this side of death will anecdotes and impressions about Welles, his dissuade them from their task. Watch out, burning ambition and overweening pride. Krank! There’s plenty of that visible in the finished film and perhaps that’s why Welles, despite ΩΩΩΩ1/2 being a newcomer to film, acquits himself so well in the title role. Close Encounters of the I’ve seen “Citizen Kane” at least fifteen times Third Kind and it’s still teaching me something about the (1977; 135 min.) structure and nature of film. I admire it and love it. It represents what talented men and Directed by: women can accomplish, with vision and Written by: Steven Spielberg originality, imagination and daring. It shows Cast: Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon, Teri us what it means to make Art. Garr, Francois Truffaut, Bob Balaban

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My favorite Spielberg movie and, I suspect, the one closest to his true sensibilities. Dramatization of the all too brief life of Ian Curtis, lead singer of the influential post-punk Dreyfuss plays Roy Neary, a power band the Joy Division. employee who’s sent out on a service call one night and returns a changed man. Roy has Sam Riley is Curtis’s doppelganger, to the had a “close encounter” with an entity so extent that he even performs the songs live strange, so far outside his normal, operating (i.e. without benefit of lip-synching). No parameters, that he has something of a mean feat, especially when you’re trying to meltdown. And he isn’t the only one emulate a voice that distinct and identifiable. affected. Manchester, England in the mid-1970’s was a rough place to live: double digit Around the world there have been numerous unemployment, industries shutting down, the sightings and manifestations—a squadron of future leaving the mines and mills of northern planes missing for decades turns up in the England to rust away. The music of Joy desert and, everywhere, reports of Division was sinister and infectious and the unexplained lights in the sky. Francois words, if people had actually been listening, Truffaut leads a team of investigators and made it all too clear that Curtis was troubled, becomes convinced that certain individuals conflicted and not long for this world. have been singled out for contact and are being guided to a special location for Director Corbijn photographed the band unknown reasons. during their hey day and knew the principals. He has captured the essence of the place that Dreyfuss is excellent and deserves inspired them and the desperate sadness and special citation as his harried wife. Their hopelessness it engendered. The black and chaotic family life is well-depicted and white photography adds another layer to the credible. grime. But the fierce, determined light of Curtis’ genius still shines through. Nothing The last portion of the movie features some will extinguish that, not even time. mind-boggling special effects and the mother of all motherships. The ending is a bit of a ΩΩΩΩ letdown but then Spielberg made it worse by tacking on extra footage in his “Special Edition”. This review refers only to the original theatrical release. Dante 01 (2008; 82 min.) ΩΩΩ1/2 Directed by: Marc Caro Written by: Marc Caro & Pierre Bordage Control Cast: Lambert Wilson, Linh Dan Pham, (2007; 122 min.) Dominique Pinon, Simona Maicanescu, Gerald Laroche Directed by: Anton Corbijn Written by: Matt Greenhalgh Interesting premise, gorgeous design and Cast: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Joe solid acting, a film ruined by a ridiculous, Anderson, Alexandra Maria Lara incongruous conclusion. 11

At a facility for the criminally insane orbiting ΩΩΩΩ1/2 a hellish planet, a cargo ship has just arrived, bearing the latest inmate, a man found adrift in space after some strange, undefined contact with an alien species. The man, District 9 quickly dubbed Saint-Georges, soon reveals (2009; 112 min.) extraordinary powers that might make him a threat to the facility, possibly even a menace Directed by: Neill Blomkamp to the future of humankind. Written by: Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell A huge improvement over most Cast: Sharlto Copley, David James, Jason contemporary SF movies...but that ending. Cope, Dirk Minnaar What was director/writer Caro thinking? Twenty years ago, a gigantic spaceship ΩΩΩ1/2 containing over a million alien creatures settled into position over Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then, the "prawns" have Day of Wrath lived in a squalid internment camp on the (1943; 105 min.) outskirts of the city, their close proximity causing social unrest and xenophobia. The Directed by: Carl Theodor Dreyer decision has been made to forcibly relocate Written by: Carl Theodor Dreyer, Poul the aliens to another facility. A mid-level Knudson, Mogens Skot-Hansen bureaucrat (Sharlto Copley) is put in charge Cast: Thorkild Roos, Lisbeth Movin, Sigrid of the operation, which quickly (and horribly) Neiendam, Anna Svierkier goes awry.

For those of you who find Bergman films a A good concept, a terrific, star-making trifle on the light side. performance by Copley, great special effects... but the movie is clumsily executed, frequently Oppressive and enthralling film about the shifting from documentary to fictional mode, superstitious dread witches inspired the lurches in point-of-view inexpert and, throughout Europe in less civilized and frankly, a cheat. The shoot-'em-up finale and enlightened times. The torments these leave-room-for-a-sequel resolution also didn't innocent women endured at the hands of sit well with me. their sadistic interrogators defy comprehension. Coulda been a classic.

Dreyer perfectly describes the atmosphere, ΩΩΩ1/2 the miasma of dread and fear that permeated spiritual life in the pre-scientific era. “Day of Wrath” is a film that might tempt you to avert Down by Law your eyes; it is a ghastly evocation of “the (1986; 107 min.) burning times”, a blood-curdling reminder of the terrible toll un-reason and fanaticism can Directed by: Jim Jarmusch exact. Written by: Jim Jarmusch 12

Cast: John Lurie, Tom Waits, Roberto unprecedented and brain-expanding movies Benigni were released to the world.

Second indie feature for Jarmusch, a buddy And then the corporations took over. movie (of sorts), featuring low-key humor and very little by way of high drama. Interview subjects include Kris Kristopherson, Ellen Burstyn, Paul Shrader, Three men are cast together in a jail cell, Martin Scorsese, Hopper and numerous gradually form a bond, devise an escape and others. live on the lam. Benigni's character and his notebook of English phrases is immediately ΩΩΩ1/2 likeable and, gradually, we warm toward his sullen companions as well. Waits acquits himself well and Lurie resembles a brooding Ed Wood Montgomery Clift. (1994; 127 min.)

Jarmusch's films are an acquired taste but Directed by: Tim Burton "Down by Law" deserves praise for its cool, Written by: Scott Alexander deliberate approach to the subject matter and Cast: Johnny Depp, , Sarah striking black and white photography Jessica Parker, Jeffrey Jones, Bill Murray (courtesy the great Robbie Muller). Affectionate bio pic of one of the all-time ΩΩΩ worst directors, the man who brought you “Plan 9 From Outer Space” and “Glen and Glenda”. Easy Riders, Raging Bulls How the Sex 'n Drugs 'n Rock 'n Roll Depp gives an endearing performance as Generation Saved Hollywood Wood and Landau deservedly won an Oscar (2003; 119 min) for his bang-on portrayal of Bela Lugosi. This picture has often been overlooked in favour of other, more high-profile Burton Cinema buffs will enjoy this adaptation of pictures. That’s unjust. “Ed Wood” shows Peter Biskind's account of the remaking of what the director can do with superior Hollywood that took place once the moguls material that doesn’t overwhelm us with visual went into decline, television cut into the box imagery. The final result is a melancholic office take and the old ways of making films comedy, a fwarm-hearted portrait of a lovable were rejected by a hipper, more demanding loser, a legless man who dreams of running. viewership. ΩΩΩΩ Enter the mavericks. Thanks to directors and auteurs like Dennis Hopper, Arthur Penn, Robert Altman, Sam Peckinpah and Peter Bogdonavitch, cinema was transformed. For El Dorado a few glorious years, the lunatics ran the (1966; 126 min.) asylum and some truly provocative, Directed by: Howard Hawks 13

Written By: Leigh Brackett Cast: Nicole Stephane, Edouard Dermithe, Cast: , Robert Mitchum, James Renee Cosima, Jacques Bernard Caan, Charlene Holt, How's this for a "dream team": a From the terrible theme song to the closing collaboration between artist/author Jean credits, a rehashing of every cliché Cocteau and one of the true greats of French under the sun. Leigh Brackett was initially cinema, Jean Pierre Melville. commissioned to adapt Harry Brown’s novel The Stars in their Courses, but Hawks didn’t The collision of talents creates an unusual like the material and fell back on tried and and disturbing drama that centers around a true formula. Brackett made the changes but brother and sister whose "game" removes wasn’t pleased with the end result, referring to them from the real world and eventually leads “El Dorado” as “son of ‘Rio Bravo’ rides to tragic consequences. There's a hint of again”. incest, an unnaturalness and obsessive quality to their relationship that is creepy and A town drunk and his old friend face off unsettling. against a hardened gang of killers. The odds are long but, after all, there are tropes to The soundtrack is occasionally jarring, satisfy, expectations that must be met. particularly during the first half, Vivaldi blaring out at various points (I confess I Everyone seems past their prime; even despise Vivaldi), the music sometimes Hawks’ usual economy deserts him. Wayne incongruous and, in my view, badly chosen. and Mitchum are on familiar ground and But the film itself is unique and original; enjoying themselves far too much to be it simply does not cater to ordinary rules and effective. There are no surprises, no convention. For that reason alone it deserves dramatic flourishes. This is a film completely to be seen and will undoubtedly reward out of step with its times, the old, conservative repeat viewings. values espoused in the Hawks/Ford worldview appearing simplistic, if not naïve. ΩΩΩ1/2

“El Dorado” was obsolete, even as it was being shot. It amounts to a nostalgia trip, an appeal to gilded memories of past glory. Eraserhead Instead it falls prey to stale repetition, the (1976; 89 min.) chance you take when offering up a thrice- told tale. Directed by: David Lynch Written by: David Lynch ΩΩ Cast: John Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Allen Joseph

I have real admiration for this film. Les Enfants Terrible (1950; 105 min.) It is so uncompromising, so unapologetically weird and unique, that it deserves serious Directed by: Jean Pierre Melville regard as a movie and a genuine work of art. Written by: Jean Cocteau Some critics dismiss “Eraserhead” out of 14 hand as an ill-conceived surrealistic exercise Two old friends find themselves on opposite but I think they’re selling it far short. sides of the law. Nolte is a Ranger with a hankering for the same gal (Alonso) as his For one thing, there is a coherent plot, a story former best friend (Boothe), a drug runner arc (of sorts). The characters are consistent and fugitive from justice. and the world in which they exist fully formed and plausible (in its fashion). This isn’t “Un A guy flick all the way, over-flowing with gun Chien Andalou”---the dream-like ambience play and chatter about loyalty and friendship. created by David Lynch and his The women are afterthoughts, extras and collaborators, while beholden to surrealism, is human set dressing. Ms. Alonso has little too not slavishly imitative. Right from the do except pout and take her clothes off. beginning (“Eraserhead” was his first feature), Lynch was an auteur and every frame of his It comes down to a final showdown and the films, for good or ill, bears the imprint of his pitiless aftermath, the loser stripped and left twisted psyche. to rot in the sun, is sobering and downbeat (for a movie of this kind). The black and white photography and lowkey acting further enhance the sense of Not great film-making but Hill knows how to otherworldiness. The malformed, repulsive direct and cut together an action movie. off-spring that results from the loveless Today’s directors could learn a thing or two coupling of “Henry” and “Mary” is the from the crafty old vet. That is, if they’d put byproduct of its polluted, dehumanized away their video games and laptops for an environment. hour or two…

“Eraserhead” defies expectations and refuses ΩΩΩ to concede to convention; it is deliberately elusive, denying viewers familiar patterns and reassuring backdrops. It inhabits a realm of space/time close to but not directly adjacent Fear & Loathing in Las ours’. The faces are hauntingly familiar but Vegas the perspectives are alien and unnerving. (1998; 119 min.)

Caveat emptor. Directed by: Terry Gilliam Written by: Terry Gilliam & Tony Grisoni ΩΩΩΩ1/2 and Tod Davies & Alex Cox Cast: Johnny Depp, , Christina Ricci, Ellen Barkin, Gary Busey Extreme Prejudice (1987; 104 min.) One of the most faithful and vivid adaptations of a literary work I have ever encountered. It Directed by: Walter Hill is immediately evident that all involved were Written by: Deric Washburn, Harry Kleiner intent on making a film almost slavishly Cast: Nick Nolte, Powers Boothe, Maria observant of the original novel by Hunter S. Conchita Alonso, Michael Ironside, Rip Thompson. One can only applaud their Torn devotion to a surreal, brilliant and revolutionary work of American literature. 15

Keitel is superb, every bit as good as he was The only problem is the two central in “Mean Streets” and “The Bad Lieutenant”. characters are hopelessly miscast. Depp tries He’s a man caught between two worlds and but it's del Toro I mainly take issue with. By the dark source of his brutality is the all accounts Oscar Zeta Acosta (Thompson's disappointment and fury he feels when his travel companion on that ill-fated Vegas aspirations are thwarted by forces beyond his junket) was a towering, volatile figure who control. exuded menace from every pore. Del Toro plays him too manic, mercurial...only in the Writer-director Toback isn’t looking to scene at the truck stop near the end (Ellen enlighten or reassure us. “Fingers” is an Barkin plays the terrorized waitress) do we get unpleasant film and there’s a sordid feel to a hint that the actor has done his homework. the material. Not just grit, something else: a stickiness that is retained no matter how The movie is suitably trippy, the many times you try to wash it off. hallucinations startlingly authentic, by turns terrifying and hilarious (as hallucinations tend ΩΩΩΩ to be).

Cameos by Mark Harmon, Tobey McGuire, First Man Into Space Cameron Diaz, Busey and Thompson (1959; 78 min) himself are annoying and distracting. Gilliam should have known better; smarter casting Directed by: Robert Day would've made this one a classic. Written by: John C. Cooper & Lance Z. Hargreaves ΩΩΩ1/2 Cast: Marshall Thompson, Marla Landi, Robert Ayers, Bill Nagy, Bill Edwards

Fingers Grade D science fiction, with all the good and (1978; 90 min.) bad that implies.

Lieutenant Dan Prescott (Edwards) is Directed by: determined to be the first man to venture past Written by: James Toback the outer limits of the Earth's atmosphere. Cast: Harvey Keitel, Tisa Farrow, Jim He pushes his rocket plane beyond its limits Brown, Michael V. Gazzo, Danny Aiello and achieves his goal, then finds his craft buffeted by mysterious space dust, which I read somewhere that Francois Truffaut was transforms the unfortunate pilot into a blood- a big fan of “Fingers”. thirsty creature.

Hardly anyone else, it seems, has seen this Not quite as bad as it sounds, though the taut little beauty and that’s a shame. Keitel overuse of stock footage is annoying. The plays a small-time hood and debt collector cast are game, especially Thompson, and who aspires to be a world class concert director Day does the best he can with the pianist. He plays exquisitely well…until he material at hand. has to perform in front of other people.

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Note: This flick was chosen for the full Purportedly shot in five days, "Flight to Mars" treatment by the wonderful folks at Criterion is silly, inexplicable, primitive. Backyard and they certainly did a fine job. But...why? production values, community theater quality performances. ΩΩ1/2 So bad, it's fun.

The title tells you all you need to know and Fixed Bayonets the fact that "Flight to Mars" is shot in color (1951; 92 min.) makes its mistakes and flaws all the more grievous (and glaring). plays Directed by: Samuel Fuller the leader of the Martians with his usual zest Written by: Samuel Fuller and vigor. Cast: Richard Basehart, Gene Evans, Michael O'Shea, Skip Homeier One for a slow Saturday night.

Superb war picture by B-movie vet Fuller. ΩΩ1/2

During the Korean War, a squad of 48 men is selected to fight a rearguard action while thousands of their fellow soldiers execute a Forbidden Planet strategic withdrawal. Basehart plays Corporal (1956; 98 min.) Denno, a man terrified at the notion of responsibility and Evans a wily old sergeant. Directed by: Fred Wilcox Written by: Cyril Hume Authentic and gripping, "Fixed Bayonets" is Cast: Leslie Nielson, , Anne the equal of "Steel Helmet", vividly portraying Francis, Warren Stevens, Earl Holliman, the lot of an average soldier, their acts of Robby the Robot bravery and cowardice, their sudden, violent ends. The very best of the 1950’s science fiction flicks—well, having good source material helps Not to be missed. (Shakespeare’s The Tempest), as well as a good, solid cast. ΩΩΩΩ A star cruiser has assumed orbit around the planet Altair IV, seeking to re-establish contact with a mission that was sent to the Flight to Mars planet some years before. The ship lands (1951; 71 min.) and Captain J.J. Adams (Nielson) soon discovers there are only two surviving Directed by: Leslie Selander members of the original party: Dr. Edward Written by: Arthur Strawn Morbius (Pidgeon) and his beautiful young Cast: Cameron Mitchell, Margaret daughter (Anne Francis). They were spared Chapman, Virginia Huston, Arthur Franz, while the others were wiped out by some kind Morris Ankrum of creature native to the planet—a detail that Adams finds suspicious.

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Before long the creature awakens once more Note: Both Polonsky and Garfield were and Adams’ men start dying. He confronts victims of the infamous HUAC-inspired Morbius, seeking to discover the origins of “black list”, their careers suffering irreparable the beast and a means to destroy it. damage as a result.

The sets and special effects are marvelous; ΩΩΩΩ this is the film that introduced me to Robby the Robot…and the lovely Anne Francis. God bless its creators, on both counts. The Forbin Project (aka ΩΩΩΩ Colossus: The Forbin Project) (1969; 100 min.)

Force of Evil Directed by: Joseph Sargent (1948; 78 min.) Written by: James Bridges Cast: Eric Braedon, Susan Clark, Gordon Directed by: Abraham Polonsky Pinsent, Written by: Ira Wolfert & Abraham Polonsky Before “The Terminator”, there was another Cast: John Garfield, Thomas Gomez, Marie evil machine mind bent on enslaving the Windsor, Roy Roberts, Howland human race… Chamberlain Colossus is a super-computer designed by a Super film, remarkable for its general air of team led by Dr. Charles Forbin (Braedon). pessimism, its insistence that everyone in the Weapons, tactics, and strategy have become world is compromised or can be, if the price so complex that responsibility for protecting is right. the from hostile attack has been assigned to Colossus. It is Colossus that will John Garfield plays Joe Morse, a lawyer in oversee all military capabilities and initiate the employ of organized crime. He is helping any response it deems necessary. The free set up a scheme that will bring all of the world has never been in safer hands…until numbers rackets in the city under the control the Soviet Union announces the creation of of one man, his boss Ben Tucker (Roberts). their own mechanical sentinel. But Joe’s brother Leo (Gomez) is one of the small operators who will be wiped out by A prescient and downbeat thriller. The these intrigues and it’s Ben’s efforts to shield technology seems dated now but the message his brother that lead to tragedy…and a small is still as relevant today, forty plus years later. hope for redemption. Humankind can never abdicate our moral and intellectual responsibilities and become The shot of Garfield running down early too dependent on the machines that serve us. morning streets, trapped within the steel and cement canyons that tower above him, is a ΩΩΩ perfect image.

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The Ghost Writer "Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride" (2006) was (2010; 128 min.) first out of the gate and certainly covered the territory but "Gonzo" was made with the participation of Thompson's widow(s) and Directed by: Roman Polanski son Juan and it's the latter that presents a Written by: Robert Harris & Roman more fleshed out, warts-and-all depiction of Polanski HST. The good, the bad...and near the end, Cast: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim when it got downright ugly. Cattrall, Olivia Williams ΩΩΩ1/2 Formulaic, paint by numbers thriller.

Roman Polanski continues a long, downward spiral. While "The Pianist" was redeemed by Greed its subject matter and an otherworldly (1924; 140 min.) performance by Adrien Brody, "The Ghost Writer" is ground down by leaden pacing, Directed by: Erich von Stroheim humorlessness and, worst of all, faux Written by: Erich von Stroheim significance--i.e. it has a false, exalted sense of Cast: Gibson Gowland, Zasu Pitts, Jean its own importance. Few scenes ring true and Hersholt the picture is a letdown, utterly contrived and unconvincing. “I never truckled; I never took off the hat to Fashion and held it out for Ewan McGregor plays the title character and pennies. By God, I told them the exerts himself very little. Pierce Brosnan as truth. They liked it or they didn’t like the Tony Blair-like former Prime Minister it. What had that to do with me? I manages the occasional flicker of told them the truth; I knew it for the menace...but the film is utterly lacking in truth then, and I know it for the truth suspense or surprise. now.”

ΩΩ -Frank Norris, from a title card preceding “Greed”

It was appropriate that such a fierce, Gonzo: The Life & Work of uncompromising talent like Frank Norris Dr. Hunter S. Thompson should find a champion in Erich von (2008; 118 min.) Stroheim. The director’s ego and independent spirit had made him powerful Directed by: Alex Gibney enemies, including Irving Thalberg. Written by: Alex Gibney Stroheim quarreled with his bosses, spent Narrated by: Johnny Depp extravagantly and was a figure predestined for an Olympian fall from grace. The best of two recent documentaries on one of the true iconoclasts of our time, journalist There is still so much that is good in Hunter S. Thompson. “Greed”; it may not be the ten-hour version von Stroheim dreamed of releasing, but it is an ambitious and important work. In the 19 guise of telling the story of John McTeague, Narrated by: Werner Herzog he manages to say a great deal about the acquisitiveness and pettiness of human The true story of eco-twit Timothy Treadwell, nature. McTeague’s ultimate failure might be a man whose obsessive (and unrealistic) view due to bad genes but what about Irina’s of nature as benign and cuddly led not only to miserliness and Marcus’ betrayal? What are his death but also that of his companion, their excuses? Amie Huguenard.

Certain scenes persist: Irina’s growing terror For a number of summers, Treadwell filmed as she envisions a wedding night with her himself in Alaska's Katmai National Park. brute of a husband. The lovebirds attacking He lived in close proximity to grizzly bears, each other in their cage as Irina and believing himself immune to their notoriously McTeague quarrel bitterly. McTeague ferocious appetites. pinching and biting his diminutive wife until she reluctantly hands over a few coins he can He was wrong. spend on liquor. And, of course, the closing scene, in the desert, when— Herzog, clearly, has little sympathy with Treadwell's woodsy optimism; anyone who Shhh! No spoilers! has seen Les Blanks' documentary "River of Dreams" recalls scenes of Herzog railing “Greed” is unsentimental, depressing; against the perversity and vileness of the cinematically and philosophically mature. natural world. Nonetheless, he presents us Undoubtedly the work of a master—tarnished with a portrait of Treadwell that would not, I by tampering, no question, but not think, offend his admirers, even while it irreparably harmed. condemns him for his willful stupidity and the responsibility he still carries for the death of From Wikipedia: Ms. Huguenard.

“In 1999, Turner Entertainment (the ΩΩΩΩ film's current rights holder) decided to ‘recreate’, as closely as possible, the original version (of ‘Greed’) by combining Hombre the existing footage with still photographs (1967; 111 min.) of the lost scenes, in accordance with an original continuity outline written by Directed by: Martin Ritt director Erich von Stroheim. This Written by: Irving Ravetch and Harriet restoration runs almost four hours. The Frank re‐edit was produced by Rick Schmidlin.” Cast: , Richard Boone, Fredric

March, Diane Cilento 1/2 ΩΩΩΩ

Based on a novel by Elmore Leonard.

Grizzly Man A classic western. (2005; 104 min.) Paul Newman plays John Russell, a white Directed by: Werner Herzog man captured as a child and raised by 20

Apache Indians. Russell exists in the latter added to the conflict and heightened the days of the Old West, progress rapidly suspense. changing the land and life he's always known. (Note: Deforest Kelley of "Star Trek" fame He buys passage on a stagecoach and finds has a small role as one of the gangsters.) himself the reluctant guardian of his fellow travelers after they are robbed by a gang of ΩΩΩ desperados led by Boone. He drives them hard, especially a crooked Indian agent (March), who is trying to abscond with funds The Incredible Shrinking earmarked for starving Apaches. Man Boone, as usual, is superb, a worthy adversary (1957; 81 minutes) for Russell. Newman gives a restrained, convincing performance, stoically enduring Directed by: Jack Arnold racism and hostility, acting with ruthlessness Written by: Richard Matheson and cunning (whatever the situation requires). Cast: Grant Williams, April Kent, Randy The final showdown is suspenseful and Stuart, Paul Langton satisfying, the film one of the finest examples of its kind ever released. Let’s have a special round of applause for Jack Arnold, a largely unheralded director ΩΩΩΩ who performed stout service on behalf of science fiction and fantasy in the 1950’s. Over a short span of time, Arnold directed “It Came From Outer Space” (1953), House of Bamboo “Creature From the Black Lagoon” (1954), (1955; 102 min.) “Tarantula” (1955) and “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957). An impressive run Directed by: Samuel Fuller of solid, tight B-pictures, each of which can Written by: Harry Kleiner & Samuel Fuller rightfully be called minor classics. Cast: Robert Stack, Robert Ryan, Cameron Mitchell, Shirley Yamaguchi The latter is the best of the lot. Richard Matheson turned in a spot on adaptation of Stack assumes the identity of an American his novel and Arnold does the rest. The cast G.I. to infiltrate a well-organized gang of is competent but it is Williams’ encounters Yanks operating in post World War II Japan. with a housecat and then, once he achieves He befriends the outfit's leader (Ryan) and tiny proportions, a predatory spider, that works to bring them down before his cover is resonate. The special effects are very good, blown. the sets and staging ingenious.

Echoes of the much superior "White Heat" ΩΩΩ1/2 but Fuller handles his duties proficiently, as usual, crafting an effective thriller. Too bad Ryan under acts; if he had invested his The Killer Elite character with real menace, it would have (1975; 122 min.)

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Directed by: Sam Peckinpah biplanes, a thoroughly infuriated beast, Written by: Mark Norman & Sterling ignoring the entreaties of Anne Darrow Silliphant (Wray), maddened by pain and rage. Cast: James Caan, , Bo Hopkins, Burt Ward, Arthur Hill, Mako A number of unforgettable scenes, including Kong’s battle with a pterodactyl and the Caan and Duvall play two operatives destruction of an elevated train during the employed by a private security firm with ties great ape’s rampage through . to American intelligence agencies. They are assigned to protect a valuable defector but None of the remakes can hold a candle to Duvall sells out to the other side, kills the this one. They didn’t have Willis O’Brien—it defector and leaves Caan a cripple with was Obie who breathed life into “Kong”, vengeance on his mind. animating him with meticulous movements, fooling us for nearly 80 years now, one Minor Peckinpah, the beginning of his rapid careful frame at a time. decline as a film maker. Overlong, with silly martial arts fight scenes...but Caan is quite ΩΩΩΩΩ good and the supporting cast composed of some fine character players. The King of New York (Note: "The Killer Elite" is currently being (1990; 103 min.) remade and this might be one case where the knock-off is superior to the original.) Directed by: Abel Ferrara Written by: Nicholas St. John ΩΩ1/2 Cast: Christopher Walken, Larry Fishburne, David Caruso, Giancarlo Esposito, Wesley Snipes

King Kong A guilty pleasure. (1933; 100 min.) Violent, stylish, thoroughly amoral. Frank Directed by: Merian C. Cooper and Ernest White (Walken) is a crime boss, a ruthless Schoedsack thug and murderer…and the hero of our Written by: James Creelman and Ruth Rose story. There’s a lot to admire about Frank: Special Effects: Willis O’Brien he’s an equal opportunity employer and bears Cast: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce no prejudice against anyone, regardless of Cabot their colour (unless they cross him). Like Pablo Escobar, Frank wants to use his drug A magnificent work of the imagination. money to reinvigorate slum neighborhoods, build hospitals and playgrounds…a living The lord of Skull Island is the great movie saint, our lad Frank. monster and what I like most about this version of “Kong” is that there is less of an That golden aura somehow protects him effort made to anthropomorphize the big when a crew of rogue cops decide to perform fella. He is, as he perches atop the Empire a little extra-judicial execution and raid State Building, swiping at weaving, dipping Franks’ stronghold. The body count ticks 22 ever higher, the deaths well-choreographed, reveal much about their fears, desires and right down to the blood splatter patterns. dreams.

Walken and Fishburne are superb, whereas Unendurable at times and not only because Caruso and Snipes chew the furniture. of the sex. Neither of the leads holds Newbies. anything back and their disclosures, what they look like with their flesh masks off, are as Won’t try to defend the appeal this film holds unnerving as anything you’ll experience at the for me. When I’m in a bad mood, looking movies. for some hardcore violence, “The King of New York” is the one I reach for. It pulls no Essential (but never easy) viewing. punches and never once pretends to be anything other than what it is: good, dirty ΩΩΩΩ fun.

ΩΩΩ1/2 Lawman (1971; 99 min.)

Last Tango in Paris Directed by: Michael Winner (1972; 129 min.) Written by: Gerald Wilson Cast: Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Lee J. Directed by: Bernardo Bertolucci Cobb, Robert Duvall, Sheree North Written by: Bernardo Bertolucci and Franco Arcali Lancaster is Jared Maddox, a no-nonsense Cast: Marlon Brando, Maria Schneider, marshall determined to bring in the men Jean-Pierre Leaud responsible for a drunken shooting incident in the town of Sabbath. But Maddox finds There are actually two courageous and soul- himself in conflict with a powerful rancher baring performances in “Last Tango”. While (Cobb)--they are two stubborn men, both Brando usually gets the lion’s share of used to getting their way. Only one of them attention, his co-star, Maria Schneider, will survive the confrontation. endured graphic simulated sex, psychological and professional pressures most actors can’t A good western, surprisingly bloody. But its imagine, usually while in some state of overall effect is diminished by a bad, poorly undress (naked in every sense of the word). I conceived ending. As final showdowns go, recall the comment someone made about this one is a bust. Ginger Rogers, that she had to execute the same moves Astaire did, only backwards and ΩΩΩ in high heels.

Paul and Jeanne are having a torrid affair, using sex to, alternately, reward or punish Laws of Gravity themselves for their transgressions. Neither (1992; 98 min.) wants to acknowledge the intimacy of the act but by exposing their bodies and libidos, they Directed by: Nick Gomez Written by: Nick Gomez 23

Cast: Peter Greene, Edie Falco, Adam philandering, excessive spending…and a Trese, Arabella Field willingness to squander his consderable talents for the almighty dollar (or the I try to tell everyone about this film, a equivalent in pounds sterling). “sleeper” if there ever was one. The other performers, with the exception of The life and daily routine of small time Charlize Theron as Britt Ekland, are one- crooks, their interactions and feuds. I love dimensional and stereotypical. Lithgow the documentary-like feel, how close we get (Blake Edwards) and Tucci (Stanley Kubrick) to these people. There is an improvisatory, are dreadfully miscast—Tucci misses the mark naturalistic feel to their exchanges. No one completely, failing to capture Kubrick’s seems to be reading lines. nervous, twitchy energy and active, searching intellect. There’s no huge story arc, the film unfolding over the course of a few hot summer days in A better bio pic than the usual fare but its Brooklyn. Something is going to happen and limited scope and formulaic structure someone is going to get hurt, we know that frequently betray its made-for-cable-TV roots. much. Greene and his fellow cast members carry on like they don’t see it coming…and we ΩΩΩ buy into the subterfuge like the dumb marks we are. The Long Riders ΩΩΩΩ1/2 (1980; 99 min.)

Directed by: Walter Hill The Life and Death of Peter Written by: Bill Bryden, Steven Philip Sellers Smith, James Keach , Stacey Keach (2004; 120 min) Cast: James Keach, Stacey Keach, David Carradine, Keith Carradine, Robert Directed by: Stephen Hopkins Carradine, Randy Quaid, Dennis Quaid Written by: Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely Exceptional western by Walter Hill (who later Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Charlize Theron, John went on to produce “Deadwood”). Lithgow, Miriam Margolyes, Emily Watson, Real life brothers play the siblings who made up the James-Younger-Dalton gang. David Geoffrey Rush is stellar as the notoriously Carradine is especially fine as Cole Younger, enigmatic Sellers and I find it admirable that his bar room knife fight with Sam Starr the movie makes no effort to excuse or gloss (James Remar) one of the highlights of the over the dark side of the man. His cruelty film. After the gang is shot to pieces in the and thoughtless behavior, particularly toward famous Northfield, Minnesota raid, his first wife, Anne (Watson), and oldest son, Carradine looks up at the sky and sighs: Michael, are hard to countenance. Sellers’ “Where the hell is Missouri?” It’s a child-like nature was an effective cover for wonderful screen moment. insensitivity, chronic solipsism, serial 24

James Keach is far too wooden as Jesse James convulsed by the experience. His spoiled but that’s my only quibble with this superb lifestyle is maintained thanks to thousands of offering. Walter Hill sets a fine table and his workers who plod off cheerlessly to work in fare is usually pretty meaty stuff. “The Long satanic mills, returning home spent, drained Riders” was the last really great big screen of their essence. But the slave class is western, all the others since (including “The inspired by a vision presented to them by Unforgiven”) pale by comparison. Maria, part prophetess, part saint. She speaks of peace and brotherhood and Freder They simply don’t make ’em like this any falls passionately in love with her, not more. knowing that she has been targeted by his father, the overlord and uber-manager of ΩΩΩΩ Metropolis, and the mad professor Rotwang, her popularity destined to be exploited for the good of the elite.

Metropolis The aerial shots of the city bring to mind the (1927; 124 min.) gorgeous skyscapes of “Blade Runner” (forty- five years on). The birth of the robot Maria Directed by: Fritz Lang is an amazing bit of cinema; the editing and Written by: Thea von Harbou and Fritz direction throughout are dazzling and Lang’s Lang world-building abilities formidable. Cast: Alfred Abel, Gustav Frohlich, Brigette “Metropolis” isn’t merely a place, a collection Helm, Rudolf Klein-Rogge of sets and set pieces. It is a state of mind, present in the sense of oppression and In February, 2010, I had the privilege of depersonalization one feels from the opening attending a screening of “Metropolis” at the frames. The buildings are monumental in restored Roxy Theatre in Saskatoon. The scale and dwarf the humans who constructed chance to see a classic film on a big screen, them. These great works are the products of accompanied by musicians from the slave labor and a mentality more in keeping Saskatoon Symphony playing the live score, with the ancient pharaohs of Egypt . was just too good to pass up. No amount of trimming could make My wife and I were captivated by the film; for “Metropolis” a pleasant night out at the over two hours we were transported to movies. Lang would be heartened by the another time, the silent era coming to a close, recent discovery---in South America, of all the pictures forever changing, an evolutionary places---of a version of the film sporting 30 impulse to always get bigger and better. extra minutes of footage. Now, maybe we’ll “Metropolis” cost a fortune (nearly finally see what he had in mind when he bankrupting UFA) and fared poorly with initially pieced together his vision of things to critics and the public, even after it was re- come. Before the money men lost their edited, precious footage cast into the scrap nerve, drew their knives and made the first heap. cut…

Freder Fredersen is the crown prince of ΩΩΩΩ1/2 Metropolis, leading a pampered, protected life. But, like Siddhartha, he comes face to face with real suffering and his soul is 25

My Best Fiend (1999; 100 min.) Johnny (David Thewlis) is on the run and needs to lay low for awhile. He ventures Directed by: Werner Herzog down to , where he knows some Narrated by: Werner Herzog people…and proceeds to wreak havoc on the lives of everyone he encounters. Werner Herzog's enthralling take on his long- standing relationship with actor Klaus Kinski. Thewlis gives one the greatest performances ever—he simply doesn’t miss a note. He has At various points it's evident that even Herzog climbed inside Johnny’s skin and assumed his is perplexed by his involvement with a man prickly, dangerous persona. Sallow-faced, who was frequently psychotic, belligerent, an sweaty, soul sick. At once venal and absolute horror to deal with, either personally irresistible. The rest of the players are or professionally. And yet his admiration for superb, as well. Leigh worked closely with his Kinski, the power and intensity of his on- actors, rehearsing and improvising screen appearances, is also manifest. A bete relentlessly; they all seem real, without the noir, certainly, but also a performer who pretensions that often accompany naturalistic refused to work with a net, a tightrope walker trappings. who was never afraid to look down. “Naked” is a tough film to watch and Despite the animosity, the vitriol and lunatic redemption is nowhere to be found. Leigh is antics of his star, Herzog endured a number too principled an artist to offer pat solutions of collaborations with Kinski, and together and his cast too courageous to permit they made one of the two or three best films accommodation. Collectively, they have German cinema has ever produced, "Aguirre, wrought a savage, nihilistic masterpiece Wrath of God". It’s not for everyone, which is to say it’s utterly magnificent. It was never an easy association and, as Herzog's respectful documentary makes clear, ΩΩΩΩ1/2 he still bears the scars and, years after Kinski's death, remains in awe of his mercurial, manic colleague and, yes, alter ego. Narc (2002; 105 min.) ΩΩΩΩ Directed by: Joe Carnahan Written by: Joe Carnahan Naked Cast: Ray Liotta, Jason Patric, Lloyd Adams, (1993; 131 min.) Dan Leis, Chi McBride

Directed by: Mike Leigh A cop movie with a sharp, cutting edge. The Written by: Mike Leigh energy and passion of its creators are evident Cast: David Thewlis, Katrin Cartlidge, Leslie in every scene and breakneck editing Sharp, Claire Skinner enhances the action and conflict.

Savage, unsparing exploration of a Jason Patric is a plainclothes cop who is psychopathic personality. suspended after accidentally shooting a 26 pregnant woman while in pursuit of an armed too much for him and he seeks to break suspect. His career is hanging by a thread away. and he’s in no position to bargain when his superiors offer him a chance at As the head of the gang, Lance Henriksen reinstatement…as long as he helps them gives off a cool, under-stated sense of menace investigate another cop. and Paxton just out and out steals the best scene in the movie, a bloodbath at a country Relative newcomer Carnahan shows skill and and western bar. poise behind the camera, eliciting electrifying performances from his two volatile leads. Above average horror fare. “Narc” ran out of money partway through production but filming forged on until further ΩΩΩ1/2 financing was secured, a credit to director, cast and crew. Night of the Creeps Eventually Tom Cruise liked what he saw and (1986; 90 min.) signed on as executive producer. He annointed Carnahan director of “Mission Directed by: Fred Dekker Impossible III”, only to later remove him for Written by: Fred Dekker “creative differences” (I guess he wasn’t giving Cast: Jason Lively, Jill Whitlow, Steve Tommy enough close ups). Carnahan’s next Marshall, Tom Atkins film is the lamentable adaptation of “The A- Team”. A waste of talent…and celluloid. An alien science experiment goes awry and extraterrestrial space slugs create havoc in a ΩΩΩΩ sleepy American campus town.

A sweet-natured homage to the creature Near Dark features we all grew up on. The gore is (1987; 94 min.) cartoonish, rather than stomach-churning; the makeup and mechanical effects, while crude by today's standards, serve the purpose of the Directed by: storyline. The script is far from stellar, the Written by: Eric Red and Kathryn Bigelow performances, except for screen veteran Cast: Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Atkins, at best average. But the film is Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein cheery, tongue-in-cheek and, after all, it's supposed to be a tribute to "B" movies (with A likable vampire flick from Ms. Bigelow all their attendant flaws). who, of course, went on to direct the highly acclaimed “Hurt Locker” (and not much else Note: This review is based on the "Director's of any merit). Cut", which was released on DVD in 2009.

Pasdar is a good old country boy who falls in ΩΩΩ with a roving band of murderous vampires. After proving his worth in a daylight shootout, he is grudgingly accepted into the clan. But eventually their murderous antics prove to be Night of the Following Day 27

(1968; 94 min.) of difficulty…until he reaches her and lunges for her throat— Directed by: Hubert Cornfield Written by: Hubert Cornfield & Robert And the nightmare begins. Phippeny Cast: Marlon Brando, Richard Boone, Eventually a disparate group of people find Pamela Franklin, Rita Moreno, Jess Hahn themselves holed up in a house, besieged by the living dead. They hatch a desperate plan A gang of professional criminals kidnap a to flee to safety but everything goes awry and wealthy heiress (Franklin) but tensions within the zombies seem to be gaining the upper the group leads to conflict and a fatal falling hand, when help arrives. Sort of. out. Gruesome stuff and Romero never flinches. Boone is a force to be reckoned with but After this film, his legend was made. Brando, who apparently lost faith in the Followed by a host of sequels, spin-offs and project (particularly the admittedly silly coda), sick-making imitations. basically phones in his performance. Not a great picture in the first place and the star's ΩΩΩ1/2 indifference is painfully obvious, robbing the film of its power and dramatic impetus. North Forty ΩΩ1/2 (1979; 118 min.)

Directed by: Ted Kotcheff Written by: Peter Gent, Frank Yablans, Ted Night of the Living Dead Kotcheff (1968; 98 min.) Cast: Nick Nolte, Mac Davis, Dayle Haddon, G.D. Spradlin, , Directed by: George Romero Bo Svenson Written by: John A. Russo Cast: Duane Jones, Judith O’Shea, Karl Based on an excellent novel by former NFL Hardman, Keith Wayne flanker Peter Gent and a bitter counterpoint to feel good crap like “Jerry Maguire”. This Full disclosure: this movie was is big time corporate football the way it really playing the night my father’s body is, folks: it’s all about money and no one was found, so it has always put a gives a damn about the welfare of the players special whammy into me. or the beauty and integrity of the game.

A brother and sister bicker as they drive out Nolte is a banged up receiver who’s nearing to a country cemetery. A thunderstorm is the end of his shelf life. The only reasons he brewing and Johnny (Russell Streiner) just still makes it on the field are his relationship wants to get this over with as quickly as with the team’s star quarterback (a possible. As the gravesite, Barbra (O’Shea) surprisingly good Mac Davis) and his glances over and sees a man lurching toward willingness to put his body on the line Sunday them. The man seems to be ill, in some kind after Sunday. But he pushes his luck when he butts heads with his autocratic coach and 28 threatens team unity with his refusal to conform and play by the rules. Phase IV (1973; 84 minutes) The entire culture of football is exposed, from sex-starved groupies to spying Directed by: Saul Bass conducted on behalf of league headquarters. Written by: Mayo Simon It’s the most cynical and realistic depiction of Cast: Nigel Davenport, Michael Murphy, professional athletes I’ve seen to date. The Lynne Frederick gladiators, it seems, are still with us…and will be for as long as we choose entertainments Well-acted and intriguing , where the blood is real, the pain genuine and sporting a cast of millions. unrehearsed. Ants are exhibiting some rather odd behavior ΩΩΩΩ and a small team of scientists is dispatched to the Arizona desert to find out what’s going on. What they discover might represent a Out of the Past threat to the future existence of (1947; 97 minutes) humankind…but before they can raise the alarm, they are isolated and besieged by the Directed by: Jacques Tourneur resourceful insects. Written by: Geoffrey Homes Cast: Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Not just another creature feature, a cerebral Douglas, Rhonda Fleming, Richard Webb, and moody film with a downright trippy Steve Brodie ending.

The best film noir ever? You won’t get any ΩΩΩ argument from me.

Robert Mitchum is hired to find a woman (Greer) and bring her back to her mobster Raging Bull boyfriend (Douglas) but she throws a monkey (1980; 119 min.) wrench into the works by making him fall in love with her. Directed by: Martin Scorsese Written by: Paul Schrader, Mardik Martin No one is without sin and no one’s heart Cast: Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Cathy completely unsullied and pure. And, by the Moriarty, Frank Vincent way, they don’t call them femme fatales for nothing. The three leads mesh nicely; Isabella Rossellini tells the story of watching Mitchum and Douglas make worthy Martin Scorsese snip a single frame out of adversaries and their on-screen encounters one of his films, a superstitious ritual he are rife with menace. apparently performs on all of his finished movies. Perfection perceived as an offense Top flight entertainment. against the greatness and supremacy of God? How Catholic of him… ΩΩΩΩ

29

That single frame is the only thing missing revolution and that’s what gives it the power from “Raging Bull”—the film boasts two and authenticity it retains to the present day. spectacular performances (DeNiro and Reed and his wife, Louise Bryant, were Pesci), some of the most gorgeous vilified for their politics, including their cinematography ever (Michael Chapman’s opposition to the First World War. In one b/w photography sumptuous, grainy, fluid), all early scene in “Reds”, Reed is asked at a of it shaped and stewarded by a director at public function to comment on what the war the very top of his game. is all about and curtly replies “Profits”. A sentiment not likely to go over well in such a The fight scenes are visceral and gory (the highly charged, jingoistic atmosphere. real life Jake LaMotta serving as advisor), the epic battles with Sugar Ray Robinson Reed also has friends in the artistic thrillingly re-enacted. Once again DeNiro community, including the playwright Eugene and Scorsese take an unattractive, dangerous O’Neill (a carefully crafted and superb character and somehow draw us into his performance by Jack Nicholson). Louise and corner so that, in the end, we are left O’Neill become embroiled, creating a conflicted, sullied, morally compromised. fascinating love triangle, resolved only when Quite the trick. Louise and Reed depart for Russia.

ΩΩΩΩΩ “Reds” is long but never for a second over- long. Vittorio Storaro’s cinematography is wonderful, as always; he’s what gives the movie such scale. The soundtrack is well- Reds chosen and the editing seamless. Nicholson (1981; 196 min.) and Maureen Stapleton (Emma Goldman) shine and even Keaton, an actress I don’t Directed by: Warren Beatty normally like, is fine. But it’s Beatty’s show Written by: Warren Beatty and Trevor and he deserves credit for a solid Griffiths performance, as well as persevering in his Cast: Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Jack efforts to make a movie within the Hollywood Nicholson, Maureen Stapleton system that describes a less than bright and shining era in American history. Dissidents An epic with heart and brains. A labour of and “radicals” were ceaselessly hounded, love for its director, star and co-writer; Beatty imprisoned, in the case of Emma Goldman started filming the testimonials that frame the deported, for rallying and organizing on film in the early 1970’s. behalf of their working class comrades.

The story of John Reed, a celebrated But Reed was also disillusioned by what he journalist and socialist who wrote the seminal found in Russia. Power was concentrating book on the 1917 Russian revolution, Ten into the hands of a few individuals and the Days That Shook the World. Reed moved ordinary people were still suffering incredible in the highest circle of the Left, well- hardship. The revolution had been betrayed acquainted with Emma Goldman, Pancho but Reed, at least, was spared the even gorier Villa and, eventually, many of the figures aftermath, including the rise of Stalin. His pivotal to the overthrow of the Czarist regime. body was interred, along with other heroes of Ten Days is an insider’s view of the 30 the Revolution, beside the Kremlin wall. A (1950; 77 min.) singular honour for a singular man. Directed by: Kurt Neumann One of the best films of the 1980’s. Written by: Kurt Neumann Cast: Lloyd Bridges, John Emory, Osa ΩΩΩΩΩ Massen, Hugh O'Brien, Noah Beery, Jr.

Weak science fiction flick raced into production to compete with "Destination Moon". Reservoir Dogs (1991; 99 min.) A mishap en route to the moon sends a space craft careening out of control and when the Directed by: crew finally recover their wits, they find Written by: Quentin Tarentino themselves approaching...Mars? A good cast Cast: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael can't save a talky, stereotype-spouting, yawner Madsen, Steve Buscemi, Chris Penn, of a script. But I had to smile when I spotted Lawrence Tierney Morris Ankrum (as Professor Fleming)--my God, the man seemed to be in every SF or Oh, baby, what a debut! giant bug picture in the 1950's!

Kingpin Lawrence Tierney has a plan but he ΩΩ needs a crew of eager young crooks to help him carry it out. The job is a sweet one and promises ample rewards for all involved. Nothing can possibly go wrong… Scanners (1980; 103 min.) An ensemble to die for ensured that Tarantino’s first venture behind the camera Directed by: David Cronenberg would be a memorable one. Thanks to this Written by: David Cronenberg flawless thriller, he became what he is Cast: Stephen Lack, Jennifer O’Neill, Patrick today…with dozens of wannabes and hacks McGoohan, Michael Ironside trying to emulate his brazen magic. Lack and O’Neill are “scanners”, genetic Madsen and Penn are the two who create the mutations, capable of using their minds as greatest impression—the potential for violence weapons. McGoohan plays a doctor who is they effortlessly radiate, the depths behind trying to help them to atone for his past their cool regard. In a film featuring some mistakes, Ironside a ruthless rival, seeking to truly bad men, they make me the most use their special gifts for his own, selfish ends. nervous. They are capable of anything and that makes them very, very dangerous indeed. Lack gives an odd, detached performance in the lead role (it works, somehow) but O’Neill ΩΩΩΩΩ just plain can’t act. It’s up to Ironside and McGoohan to do the heavy lifting and they manage quite well, thank you.

Rocketship X-M 31

I like the way Cronenberg uses sound— The Seven Per Cent disembodied voices, uterine burbles—to imply the experience of living inside a Solution “scanner’s” mind. It adds to the overall (1976; 114 min) creepiness, yet another tool the director is willing to employ in his determined effort to Directed by: Herbert Ross get under our skin. Written by: Nicholas Meyer Cast: Nicol Williamson, Robert Duvall, Alan And, oh, yeah, don’t forget the famous Arkin, Vanessa Redgrave, Jeremy Kemp “exploding head” scene near the beginning. It’s a pisser. The title refers to the cocktail of cocaine Sherlock Holmes injected when he was ΩΩΩ1/2 between cases and bored. Writer Nicholas Meyer (he also authored the book on which his screenplay is based) supposes that his reliance on the drug might become a Seance on a Wet Afternoon problem, forcing his friends, including his (1964; 111 min.) colleague Dr. Watson, to intercede.

Directed by: Bryan Forbes I like Nicol Williamson’s twitchy, neurotic Written by: Bryan Forbes portrayal of Holmes. It brings to mind Cast: Kim Stanley, , Jeremy Brett’s interpretation of the cerebral Judith Donner sleuth (though Brett is, to me, the definitive Holmes). Duvall is miscast but does his best Director/writer Forbes delivers a stylish, and Arkin, as Sigmund Freud, has the time of atmospheric chiller, edge-of-your-seat his life. Director Ross completes his entertainment with nary a drop of blood ensemble with fine character actors and even spilled. a cameo by (as Dr. Moriarty). Stanley is superb as medium Myra Savage, an unbalanced woman who aspires to fame and Great fun, if a bit over the top. fortune. She concocts a plan to kidnap a child and then use her "powers" to aid the ΩΩΩ police in finding her. She enlists her husband (Attenborough) in the scheme and he willingly goes along...at least until her dark The Shining designs are revealed and he is forced to make (1980; 119 min.) a difficult choice. Directed by: Stanley Kubrick Gripping from beginning to end. Written by: Diane Johnson and Stanley Kubrick ΩΩΩΩ Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers, Barry Nelson

An error in judgment: “Barry Lyndon” had tanked and perhaps the Master was looking 32 to redeem himself with something more commercial. But The Shining (the novel) was Directed by: Douglas Trumbull no Lolita, and I don’t think it speaks to any of Written by: Deric Washburn, Michael Kubrick’s great passions, notions or fetishes. Cimino, Steve Bochco Cast: Bruce Dern, Cliff Potts, Ron Rifkin, It is apparent from the outset that the movie Jesse Vint was fatally miscast. Shelley Duvall is tolerable in smaller roles, a fragile and neurotic A gem that deserves a new generation of fans. character actress; she can’t hold our attention and sympathy for two solid hours. But Freeman Lowell (Bruce Dern) and his Nicholson is the biggest problem. For some colleagues are caretakers of a spaceship reason he and Kubrick decided to play Jack bearing the last surviving trees indigenous to Torrance as nuts right from the beginning. planet Earth. Humankind has decimated its After a mere two minutes in his company, I eco-system to the extent that these trees are knew there was no way in hell I would ever maintained in the hope that, one day, they consent to spending an entire winter snowed can be re-introduced to the planet’s poisoned in with the guy. soil, forests and fauna restored to barren, lifeless lands. What made the book so effective was Torrance’s gradual deterioration; Kubrick Lowell is especially passionate about their dispenses with that and, frankly, with most of mission and is understandably devastated the scares, as well. He may have reinvented when headquarters transmits a message to the science fiction film with “2001”, but he blow up the domes and return to Earth. didn’t do the same for the horror genre with While his companions rejoice and set about “The Shining”. The epic movie treatment their tasks, Lowell fumes…and decides to act. just doesn’t work and the completed picture seems over-acted and over-directed, while Dern’s performance is a marvel; he spends consistently under-achieving. much of his time on-screen alone or interacting with one of ship’s drones, robot “The Shining” required a lighter, more helpers who patter about, tending the forests, intimate touch. Kubrick never could be doing odd jobs, exhibiting a rudimentary bothered with making us actually like and machine intelligence. They’re no replacement relate to his characters. And he didn’t seem for human company and Lowell’s to understand that horror traditionally disintegration is inevitable and touchingly sad. demands a moral centre, a strict delineation between good and evil. That was completely Special effects whiz Trumbull turns out to be alien to Stanley Kubrick’s way of thinking a first-rate director—years later he helmed a and, in a nutshell, why he was so wrong for decent techno-thriller called “Brainstorm” this project. (1983), which, sadly, turned out to be Natalie Wood’s swan song: she died just days before ΩΩ1/2 shooting was completed.

Warning: the title song for “Silent Running”, warbled by Joan Baez, is truly nauseating. Silent Running Once you endure that, however, you’re in for (1971; 90 min.) a treat. 33

This film has been unfairly maligned for far ΩΩΩ1/2 too long.

Okay, it might not be “Wages of Fear” Something Wicked This (1953), but “Sorcerer” is a nervy and engrossing motion picture, brilliantly Way Comes photographed. (1983; 95 min.) After a botched robbery, Roy Scheider flees Directed by: Jack Clayton to South America, where he tries to lose Written by: Ray Bradbury himself among other desperate men in an Cast: Jonathan Pryce, Jason Robards, Vidal ugly village a stone’s throw from the end of Peterson, Shawn Carson, Diane Ladd the world. Work is hard to come by and the money running out—so when the man from Faithful adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s classic the American oil company promises huge novel. Jonathan Pryce gives the part of Mr. bonuses to anyone who will take on the job of Dark an especially sinister reading. His driving three truckloads of nitroglycerine travelling circus features attractions meant to through the near impassable jungle, he’s not appeal to yearnings, desires and baser short of volunteers. instincts…and there are plenty of takers. Including 13-year old Jim Nightshade (Shawn Criticized for its hefty budget and for daring Carson), who resents the restrictions and to remake Clouzot’s classic film, “Sorcerer” prohibitions of childhood. Careful what you tanked at the box office and Friedkin’s career wish for, Jim… never recovered. But “Sorcerer” deserved better and I hope viewers will seek it out and I’ve heard rumours that Bradbury and a realize what a gripping and suspenseful film it sympathetic producer did a little post- is. production tinkering on the film and if that’s the case, it’s one of those rare instances where Special mention should be made of the the retooling actually helped. spooky electronic score provided by Tangering Dream. It’s the best film-related A good family picture, though a bit spooky in work they ever did. places for the young uns. ΩΩΩΩ ΩΩΩ

Sorcerer (1977; 121 min.) (1977; 121 min.)

Directed by: Directed by: George Lucas Written by: Walon Green Written by: George Lucas Cast: Roy Scheider, Bruno Cremer, Ramon Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Bieri, Francisco Rabal Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing

34

It’s Kurosawa’s “Hidden Fortress”…with “Star Wars” and “Jaws” came out within two robots! years of each other and helped create the blockbuster mentality that has dominated The sequels and franchising and name- Hollywood ever since. While in some ways branding and action figures have diminished their release signified technical advances that but not completely effaced the power and took cinema in new and exciting directions, it sheer fun of the original. And I mean the also instilled a mindset that led to the rise of original version of the very first movie, not films by the likes of Michael Bay, James the ten million-dollar retooling Lucas did in Cameron and J.J. Abrams. 1997 to goose up the CGI and crowd the frames with more creatures and gadgetry. For that (and more), Messrs. Spielberg and Lucas have much to answer for. My friends and were thirteen or fourteen when “Star Wars” came out and I remember ΩΩΩΩ emerging from the theatre feeling electrified by what I’d just seen. We went back again and again, just to re-experience, in Straight Time increasingly diluted form, that initial (1978; 114 min.) sensawunda the film inspired. Luke Skywalker, an ordinary farm boy, suddenly Directed by: finds himself swept up in events of enormous Written by: Alvin Sargent, , significance and despite his humble origins grows and matures…and by the end of the Cast: , , film has become a true warrior and Gary Busey, Harry Dean Stanton, M. implacable foe of an interstellar empire. Emmett Walsh That was a story we could all relate to. Forget Ratso Rizzo and the “rain man”, “Max It’s a classic heroic journey, steeped in Dembo” is Dustin Hoffman’s best, most mythos; there’s nothing very original about nuanced performance. “Star Wars” and the ending is predetermined and obvious. But there was a freshness to the Max is a habitual criminal, a man incapable presentation and technically the film was such of defeating the worst parts of his nature, a leap forward that my teenaged mind was always seeking the easier path, the one to overwhelmed. which he is most closely attuned. Max is out on parole, someone almost guaranteed to re- That said…I watched “Star Wars” again not offend. He gives straight life a shot, enduring long ago—I have an ancient VHS copy of the an over-zealous parole officer (Walsh), even original theatrical release—and the clunky applying for a job. It’s while at the dialogue and cardboard acting made me employment office that he meets Jenny wince. Even Alec Guinness can’t do much (Theresa Russell), who might be the one with a script and director more interested in person he encounters who’s as lonely and lost action and spectacle than characterization. as he is. What I could forgive as a child struck me as hopelessly clichéd and predictable 30 years But Max can’t hold it together and after a on. botched holdup, he knows there are some

35 things that can’t be fixed and some people where a catalogue of human sins are who won’t be helped. constantly on display. There are no good guys, no one to cheer for. “Straight Time” sports no frills or stylistic adornments. A small, fully realized film, it The ending is blood-soaked and absolutely achieves its modest aims while keeping us vital. It puts paid to any notion of expiation; entertained throughout. And for that, it is to Bickle has been swallowed by the dark side. be commended. And sweet Iris will always be a whore.

ΩΩΩΩ ΩΩΩΩΩ

The Tenant Taxi Driver (1976; 126 min.) (1976; 114 min.) Directed by: Roman Polanski Directed by: Martin Scorsese Written by: Gerard Brach and Roman Written by: Paul Shrader Polanski Cast: Robert DeNiro, Jodie Foster, Harvey Cast: Roman Polanski, Isabel Adjani, Shelley Keitel, , Peter Boyle Winters, Melvyn Douglas

This film is amoral, vicious, a monstrous Terrifying movie, to my mind every bit as thing to behold. frightening as “Rosemary’s Baby” or “Repulsion”. Don’t miss it. Polanski plays Monsieur Trelkovsky, a timid, Travis Bickle (DeNiro) drives a cab in New inoffensive gentleman who has just taken York City and gazes out through bloodshot, possession of a flat in Paris. The previous sleepless eyes at a city consumed by vice, tenant was the victim of some kind of every institution and individual compromised, breakdown and attempted suicide by flinging covered in filth. The sewers are over-flowing herself from the window. The information is with garbage and there’s a miasma of unsettling but not unduly alarming. Until M. corruption and decay that permeates Trelkovsky has reason to suspect his everything. Travis is an empty vessel and as neighbors of hatching some kind of malign he navigates through mean, ugly streets, NYC scheme against him… pours into him, flooding him with paranoia and violence. A meditation on the effects of loneliness and isolation. Trelkovsky has no friends, no There’s something infernal and nasty about social network to fall back on when he begins “Taxi Driver”—it’s sordid and ugly through to fear for his safety (and sanity). and through. Everyone involved, including cinematographer Michael Chapman and the I like Polanski’s performance; it’s convincing great Bernard Herrmann (this was his last and restrained. Trelkovsky is not an score), put their heads together and altogether nice person but his eventual fate is collaborated on a Dante-esque masterpiece, a still far too cruel and undeserved. The trip through a shadow-filled netherworld supporting cast of old vets acquit themselves 36 well and the film was shot by Sven Nykvist, army to prevent the ants from creating a who does his usual exemplary job. global menace that might have dire consequences for the future of humankind. ΩΩΩΩ Good cast (especially Gwenn), decent script and a considerable budget really help and the film is played straight, no campiness or They Might be Giants shlock. (1973; 88 min.) Only one quibble: surely a small role could Directed by: Anthony Harvey have been found for the seemingly ubiquitous Written by: James Goldman Morris Ankrum! Cast: George C. Scott, Joanne Woodward, Jack Gilford ΩΩΩ1/2

An oddball addition to the Sherlock Holmes canon and a sweetheart of a film. Thief George C. Scott plays a man who believes (1981; 123 min.) himself to be the great detective and Joanne Woodward is a psychologist who’s supposed Directed by: to certify him as mad so his avaricious Written by: Michael Mann brother-in-law can seize his money. Cast: James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Willie Nelson, Jim Belushi, Robert Prossky Scott and Woodward have terrific chemistry and the movie wins us over without resorting to treacle. A terrific closing scene: are they An eye-grabbing debut by Mann...and I both mad…or never more sane? would argue he hasn’t been nearly as good since. ΩΩΩ1/2 James Caan is splendid as a professional thief who dreams of going legit and leading an idyllic life. He thinks he’s found the girl, now Them! he needs a few more things to fall into place (1954; 92 min.) before he’s free and clear.

Directed by: Gordon Douglas But his first mistake is abandoning his Written by: Ted Sherdeman independent status and taking on a job for Cast: , , Leo (Prosky)—the burglary goes without a , Joan Weldon hitch only now the thief discovers his new boss isn’t one to relinquish his prize One of the best of the 1950s "creature employee. features". Solid, well-executed actioner, no nonsense to Nuclear testing in the New Mexican desert the last frame. has created a giant species of ants. First the FBI is called in, then scientists and finally the Great score by Tangerine Dream. 37

ΩΩΩΩ ΩΩΩΩ

The Thief of Baghdad The Thief of Baghdad (1924; 135 min.) (1940; 106 min.)

Directed by: Raoul Walsh Directed by: Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell, Written by: Lotta Woods and Douglas Tim Whelan, Zoltan Korda Fairbanks Written by: Miles Malleson and Lajos Biro Cast: Douglas Fairbanks, Anna May Wong, Cast: Conrad Veidt, Sabu, June Duprez, Snitz Edwards, Charles Belcher John Justin, Rex Ingram

A stunner from the silent film era. A great, old style yarn and a film that influenced the likes of Ray Harryhausen and Fairbanks is Ahmed, the “thief of Baghdad”, a generation of fantasists. a cutpurse with an insatiable appetite for bling. As the picture opens, he’s dozing by a And why not? You’ve got multi-armed silver water fountain but scarcely unaware of his maidens and flying horses and magic surroundings. When a passerby stops for a carpets…and a beautiful princess who needs drink, Ahmed nimbly relieves him of his rescuing from the evil, scheming Conrad valuables. Veidt.

Fairbanks’ Ahmed has the soul of a true The film is episodic and structurally not that larcenist—he takes what he wants, when it sound—no doubt the result of different hands suits him…including a magical rope employed at the helm (four, count ’em four different by a holy man (stolen while its owner is directors)--and the musical interludes are praying!). Ahmed dreams of sneaking into unwelcome, but the overall charm of the the palace and claiming some real loot and picture wins out in the end. Sabu is engaging gets his opportunity when he poses as one of and impressively athletic in the title role and a group of suitors, come to woo the princess. Veidt, of course, the perfect villain. She is a true treasure and Ahmed is smitten by her—until he is discovered and flogged. This film won two Academy Awards, both in Sent on a quest to prove his worth—which the technical category, and is visually includes a memorable battle with a giant impressive, despite its vintage. lizard—Ahmed succeeds and returns in time to save the city…and earn his rightful reward. ΩΩΩ1/2

The design, photography and acting combine to make this version of “Thief of Baghdad” superior to all that followed. You simply The Thing can’t beat Douglas Fairbanks as a leading (1982; 109 min.) man: he’s magic onscreen. A robust physical presence, magnetic personality, exuding Directed by: strength and indomitable will. A hero, even Written by: Bill Lancaster when he pretends not to be. 38

Cast: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Richard the other actors come off as ciphers. Long Dysart, Richard Masur, T.K. Carter intervals when the only sound is the roar of a super-charged engine. Bor-ing! There are some who consider the 1951 Howard Hawks/Christian Nyby version of An amateurish road movie, heedlessly shot, “The Thing” superior to John Carpenter’s acted and edited by sniggering cronies, made remake. up as they went along. Some half-decent photography, but the races and car chases Um...no. become tiresome, especially when you don’t give a tinker’s damn for any of the principal Carpenter far more effectively captures the players. claustrophobic, paranoid atmosphere of “Who Goes There?”, the novella that serves Similar in tone and general aura of as the source material for both movies. The inconsequence to another film from around acting in the 1982 film is far superior to the the same time, Richard Sarafin’s “The original—Kurt Russell is especially fine as Vanishing Point”. helicopter pilot J.P “Mac” MacCready. Rob Bottin’s creature effects are amazing and ΩΩ Ennio Morricone’s score provides a little extra menace and atmosphere. 2001: A Space Odyssey Love the ending. (1968; 141 min.)

Note: A location in northern B.C. doubled Directed by: Stanley Kubrick as Antarctica and the production designers Written by: Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley are to be congratulated for carrying off such Kubrick an elaborate ruse. Cast: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Douglas Rain, Daniel Richter ΩΩΩΩ Arthur C. Clarke has been quoted as saying that MGM had no idea they were getting “a Two-Lane Blacktop ten million dollar religious movie” when they (1971; 103 min.) signed on for “2001”. I can’t imagine it was pitched to them that way—Kubrick’s name Directed by: Monte Hellman may have been golden at MGM (he had final Written by: Rudolph Wurlitzer and Will cut and complete control over his films) but Corry that might have been pushing his luck a tad Cast: James Taylor, Dennis Wilson, Warren too far. Oates, Laurie Bird It’s hard to talk about “2001”—so much has Taylor is “The Driver”, Wilson “The already been written about it, the superlatives Mechanic”, Oates “GTO” and Bird “The all taken. This odyssey traverses great epochs Girl”. That about sums up the effort that was and leaps across vast gulfs, exploring cosmic exerted by Hellman and his scenarists to give themes like extraterrestrial intelligence and their characters any kind of human attributes, the evolution of life in our galaxy. Religious? and/or motivations. Oates does his best but It must have been pretty close to a religious 39 experience if you watched the film in the late Sixties, a head full of good acid, that creepy Passable western, redeemed by the two Ligeti score screeching from the speakers as charismatic leads. Both are mercenaries for astronaut Dave Bowman defies the puny laws hire in revolution-era Mexico, selling their of physics and goes “beyond the infinite”. services to the highest bidder. Lancaster’s performance is a bit unnerving: he can be How will those with shortened attention spans smiling and charming one moment and as deal with the prologue, set in the prehistoric cold-blooded as a rattlesnake the next. and can they sit through the extended Cooper is his usual laidback, taciturn self, but docking sequence, the Orion shuttle keeping there’s an extra dimension to his low-key time with the revolving space station to the acting, perhaps owing to a desire not to be tune of the “Blue Danube Waltz”? upstaged by his co-star. He brings a certain dignity and gentility to the role of Ben Trane, “2001” is not a showcase for any of the actors as befitting a man who once owned a sizeable involved. They acquit themselves plantation and whose allegiance to the professionally but, really, the best Confederacy cost him everything. performance is by someone in a non-human role. Douglas Rain’s silky, detached delivery The final shootout brings to mind the is perfect for Hal, an A.I. whose actions are conclusion of “The Wild Bunch”, though, of all the more terrifying because they are course, not nearly as gory and balletic. committed by someone utterly lacking in feeling or conscience. Big Blue gone bad. ΩΩ1/2

“2001: A Space Odyssey” is the most optimistic of Kubrick’s films, affirming that A Walk in the Sun humankind, despite its flaws and self- (1945; 117 min.) destructive tendencies, has a destiny written in the stars. While Stanley Kubrick was never Directed by: Lewis Milestone an artist who was prone to waxing Written by: Robert Rossen sentimental, in this instance he isn’t afraid to Cast: , Richard Conte, John call upon higher powers and “2001” might be Ireland, Lloyd Bridges, Sterling Holloway his most heartfelt paean, perhaps even a form of prayer. Superb World War II drama, depicting an infantry platoon fighting their way inland ΩΩΩΩΩ from the Salerno (Italy) beachhead.

Unlike most war films from the era, this Vera Cruz picture oozes authenticity. Director (1954; 94 min) Milestone understands the virtues and vices of the average fighting man. He refuses to Directed by: Robert Aldrich romanticize their lives or resort to silly Written by: Roland Kibbee & James R. jingoism and, as a result, this movie, like his Webb 1931 adaptation of Remarque's All Quiet on Cast: Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster, Cesar the Western Front, stands the test of time. Romero, Denise Darcel, George Macready, Jack Elam, Ernest Borgnine 40

A strong ensemble cast, Richard Conte The performances are uniformly first rate, particularly splendid. the actors at the top of their game. Holden was never better but singling out anyone Warning: The movie features one of the from this terrific ensemble is doing a grave worst theme songs you'll ever encounter. disservice to the others.

ΩΩΩ1/2 Kudos to Lucien Ballard’s photography and Jerry Fielding’s muscular score.

The Wild Bunch Don’t miss this one—but be sure to seek out (1969; 145 min.) the Director’s Cut, it fleshes out more of the back story, particularly the relationship Directed by: Sam Peckinpah between Ryan and Holden. Written by: Walon Green and Sam

Peckinpah ΩΩΩΩΩ Cast: , Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Warren Oates, Strother Martin, , Edmond O’Brien The Wages of Fear (1953; 140 min.) The best western ever. Nothing else comes close. Directed by: Henri-Georges Clouzot Written by: Henri-Georges Clouzot Holden is the leader of the gang of and Ryan Cast: Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Peter an old friend released from prison to help Van Eyck, Folco Lulli, Vera Clouzot hunt him down. After a bloody daylight robbery, Holden and his confederates flee One of the most suspenseful, nail-biting south of the border, where they come into movies you’ll ever encounter. contact with a people trapped in the midst of a bloody civil war. A group of men, all of whom possess a shady past, take on the suicidal task of transporting But if the past threatens to catch up with the three trucks filled with nitroglycerine through gang, the future has already arrived. One of the jungle, across forbidding terrain, in order the best scenes has them looking on in to snuff out an oil well fire. wonder as a corrupt and drunken general, brilliantly played by Emilio Fernandez, circles Matinee idol and torch song singer Montand the village square in an early automobile. plays against type but it’s Charles Vanel who This is an era where cars are replacing horses our eyes seek out—the veteran character actor and machine guns supplanting repeating rifles gives a sterling performance, earning him a and Colt .45s. The bloody finale displays the special mention from the same Cannes jury killing power of these new weapons of who awarded “Wages” a Palm D’Or. destruction, the gore operatic, bodies spinning, bullets slamming into flesh, blood Clouzot’s best film, with a heart as black and spurting, the carnage prolonged by slow cold as deep space. motion photography; this is not a film for the squeamish. Mandatory viewing.

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(Note: This film was remade in 1977 as Above average western; Peck and his bad “Sorcerer”) boys rob a bank and flee across an expanse of desert and salt flats to escape their pursuers. ΩΩΩΩΩ They arrived at a ghost town, more dead than alive, and discover Baxter and her grandfather. The old man is a prospector Withnail & I and they soon suspect he's got more treasure (1987; 108 min) about than just his lovely young ward.

Directed by: Bruce Robinson Good entertainment, slightly marred by a silly Written by: Bruce Robinson epilogue. Cast: Paul McGann, Richard E. Grant, Richard Griffiths, Ralph Brown ΩΩΩ1/2

Have I ever laughed harder while watching a movie? Not that I can recall…  Copyright, 2011 Cliff Burns (All Rights Reserved) Richard E. Grant was made for the role of the venal, cowardly, self-centered Withnail. When he utters the line “We’ve gone on vacation by mistake”, I howl every single time.

Marwood (McGann) must endure his roommate’s spasms of rage and self-pity and cope as best he can. The two of them make the oddest couple to grace the screen since Francis’ pet mule started sassing back to him. And then factor in a cast of characters that includes Danny, the local drug dealer (Brown), and Uncle Monty (Griffiths), a lunatic relative of Withnail’s, and you’ve got the makings of one of the five best comedies England has ever produced.

ΩΩΩΩ1/2

Yellow Sky (1949; 98 min.)

Directed by: William Wellman Written by: Lamar Trotti Cast: , , Anne Baxter, Henry Morgan