Les Miz

Went the other day to see the movie musical version of "Les Miserables", or "Les Miz" as it's affectionately known.  For those unfamiliar with the story - and really, you've got to have been hiding under a rock to be unfamiliar with it - it's the story of a man named Jean Valjean. He's a Frenchman in the first half of the 19th Century who has been imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's family.  After nearly 20 years, he's released. Unable to find work or refuge, and just when he is caught stealing again, he is shown mercy by a Catholic priest. This changes him and he remakes himself, giving himself a new identity and occupation.  However, he is constantly on the run, hounded by a police inspector named Javert, who doesn't believe in mercy or repentance and would like nothing better than to throw him back in prison.  This all takes place against the backdrop of corruption, poverty, and misery that comes to a head when some rich youth try to lead the peasants in a revolt against the government of Napolean II.

If that description seems long, let me just say that's not even the half of it.  And the movie seems even longer.  I wish I could say that I loved it - I really wanted to.  I mean, they assembled a terrific cast - Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, and Sacha Baron Cohen, and had an Oscar-winning Director in Tom Hooper.  They even trot out Colm Wilkinson (the original Jean Valjean) as the priest.  So I went in with high expectations.  But alas, it is 3 hours of nothing but dirty filthy miserable people singing - and doing it off-key.  

The singing was all done live and not to a pre-recording, and not everyone could stay on key, which was a distraction for me.  And frankly I missed having some dialog.  Most of the acting was ok - I would give a shout out to Anne Hathaway (as Fantine), Eddie Redmayne (Marius) and Samantha Barks (Eponine)

If you've seen the stage musical (which I haven't), you'll likely love the movie.  I've heard stories of people sobbing through it, and huge rounds of applause at it's conclusion.  While I admit to a few tears at the end (I dare even the most hard-hearted not to have a few tinges of emotion), I was really just glad it was all over.

If you go: Take a cushion and be prepared to stay awhile. The film comes in at just under 3 hours. Also bring plenty of tissues.

Classic Character - John Ford Stock Company

Harry Carey, Jr. died today.  He was a great performer in classic Westerns.  But what makes his passing particularly notable is that he was the last of a group of actors known collectively as the "John Ford Stock Company".  John Ford was perhaps the greatest American film director ever, and he had a group of character actors that he worked with pretty much exclusively. They show up in his movies again and again.  People like Ward Bond, Victor McLaglen, John Qualen, Mildred Natwick, Jane Darwell, Ben Johnson, and of course, Harry Carey, Jr. So in his honor, today's classic character is a shout out to the entire John Ford Stock Company, and some of their classic roles.

Ward Bond - It Happened One Night, Drums Along the Mohawk, It's a Wonderful Life, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Rio Grande (aka The Cavalry Trilogy), The Quiet Man, The Searchers

Victor McLaglen - The Informer (Oscar Winner), Gunga Din, The Cavalry Trilogy, The Quiet Man

John Qualen - The Grapes of Wrath, His Girl Friday, Casablanca, The Searchers, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Mildred Natwick - The Enchanted Cottage, The Three Godfathers, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, The Quiet Man, Dangerous Liaisons

Jane Darwell - Gone with the Wind, The Grapes of Wrath (Oscar Winner), The Ox-Bow Incident, My Darling Clementine, several Shirley Temple movies, and Mary Poppins

Ben Johnson - The Cavalry Trilogy, Shane, Hang 'Em High, The Wild Bunch, The Last Picture Show (Oscar Winner), The Sugarland Express

Harry Carey, Jr. - Red River, The Three Godfathers, The Cavalry Trilogy, The Searchers, Mister Roberts, Mask, Tombstone

For most of these folks, their careers lasted for several decades, spanning from the silent era on up to the 1990's, and included some of the finest pictures ever made in Hollywood, and not just those made by Ford. But it was their association with Ford that brought them all together and makes them "Classic Characters".   

Hitchcock

It's 1959, and Alfred Hitchcock is fresh off the success of "North by Northwest".  He's bored, and he's looking for his next great achievement. He picks up a pulp horror novel called "Psycho", and becomes convinced that this will be his next project.  The movie "Hitchcock" is about his efforts to get the film made, while dealing with multiple issues. First, there's his relationship with his wife Alma Reville. She's his closest collaborator, but she's tired of the self-sacrifice this constantly requires, and is anxious to show what she can do on her own.  Then there's the studios, who are loathe to spend money on a campy horror movie, that they're not even sure they can distribute, as there's no possible way it will get past the censors.

How this all plays out is great campy fun. I absolutely loved this movie.  That said, it's probably not for everyone.  It is definitely an "Art-House" picture, and will have a limited appeal, mainly to those like myself who are enthralled by movie history.  The acting is all amazing, and that's saying something.  Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, and Toni Collette are terrific as always. But who'd have thought Scarlett Johanson and Jessica Biel would have it in them.  It's an incredible achievement for first-time feature director Sasha Gervasi.  One small quibble - I could have completely done without Danny Huston's character.

(Word to the wise: Like I said, this movie is not for everyone.  There are several scenes of Hitch commiserating with serial killer Ed Gein, model for the character of Norman Bates. While these are all an illusion, they may be uncomfortable for some.  And some conservative types may also be uncomfortable with the characterization of Anthony Perkins as a closeted gay man, although it is accurate.)

Life of Pi

Based on one of the more popular recent novels, a young Indian man named Pi, and his family make the difficult decision to leave India for a new life.  His father is a zookeeper, so they leave by cargo boat, taking all the animals with them - the animals are all destined for other zoos.  While en route, the storm of the century arises, sinking the boat and all the occupants, with the exception of Pi and a few of the animals.  This is the story of his fight for survival over months at sea, with only a tiger for company.

If any movie this year were to score awards for visual effects and cinematography, this one is it.  It is a beautiful movie to look at - visually stunning, and the special effects are breathtaking.  The young star, Suraj Sharma, is incredible.  It's a terrific achievement from director Ang Lee.  Roughly two-thirds of it takes place in the middle of the ocean, amid storm and sun, where it's just Pi against the ocean and the tiger. I don't think it gives too much away to say that the tiger is an obvious metaphor.

While I enjoyed it, this isn't a movie that bears repeated viewing. 

Lincoln

Saw the new movie "Lincoln" recently, and it was a pleasure to watch.  It takes place during the time leading up to the passage of the 13th Amendment in early 1865, just prior to the end of the Civil War.  President Lincoln is convinced that passage of the amendment will bring an end to the war, and this shows the efforts of lawmakers and lobbyists to make sure that passage happens.

The movie has so many stars, but I call out just a few: Daniel Day-Lewis is amazing as Lincoln. His ability to inhabit a character is like no other, and this is perhaps his crowning acting achievement.  Sally Field is fantastic as Mary Todd Lincoln. Tommy Lee Jones is brilliant as Representative Thaddeus Stevens, ugly hairpiece and all. And James Spader as lobbyist W.N. Bilbo is absolutely hysterical.

It's a terrific film, and not without it's light touches despite it's serious historical message.  Spielberg's direction is spot on.  Definitely worth seeing.

(Word to the wise: There is some foul language in places, as well as scenes of war carnage. Definitely a PG-13, and not for young children)

It's a BIG Country!

I love a good Western. There's just something about a Western that makes you feel all rough and tough and ready to set off on a horse, with your hat on and your guns blazing.  And of all my favorite Westerns, I absolutely adore "The Big Country". It's a movie I watch regularly, and it just gets my blood pumping, from the very beginning strains of Jerome Moross's masterful accompaniment and the first shot of the wheels of the stagecoach and the hooves of the horses pulling it. I just love it.

Directed by William Wyler, "The Big Country" stars Greg Peck as a former ship's captain, who comes West to marry his intended, Carroll Baker. Right away, his Eastern sensibilities bring him into conflict with his future father-in-law, local cattle baron Charles Bickford, and ranch foreman Chuck Heston (who also happens to be in love with Baker).  It seems that Bickford is locked in a feud with another rancher, Burl Ives, and both of them are eager to gain control of the only available local water source, The Big Muddy River. The river happens to run through a ranch owned by Jean Simmons, and she maintains the peace by allowing both of them access.  When she decides to sell the Big Muddy to Greg Peck, the bullets and the fists start flying.

Also featuring Chuck Connors and Alfonso Bedoya, "The Big Country" is BIG. Roughly 3 hours long, widescreen, full of beautiful people and amazing scenery.  There's romance, danger, fist fights, gun play, and plenty of wide open spaces.  It's not Wyler's best work, but it's certainly his funnest.

Top 10: Halloween

Being as it's Fall and Halloween is almost upon us, it seemed fitting to talk about a few of my favorite Halloween movies.  Notice I didn't say Horror.  I'm certainly not a fan of that disgusting genre.  No, when I say Halloween, I mean two things: One is suspense.  The kind that has you biting your nails and on the edge of your seat, where danger is always lurking around the corner, but you never actually run into it.  The other is suspense spoofs - the kind that have you biting your nails, but also laughing out loud.  So, let's review a few of my favorites:

1. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) - Take two cute old maiden ladies who just happen to be serial killers, one nephew who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt, one nephew who is a homicidal maniac, and one nephew who's trying to deal with it all while preparing to leave for his honeymoon.  Starring Cary Grant, Josephine Hull, and Raymond Massey, it's flat-out hysterical, a screwball comedy/mystery if ever there was one.  And Raymond Massey is so creepy, I've never been able to watch him in anything else without looking over my soldier.

2. The Body Snatcher (1945) - Boris Karloff is a creepy menace as the grave robber/murderer who supplies two Doctors with cadavers for their research.  Henry Daniell is the main researcher who is willing to look the other way, all in the name of moving science forward.  Creepy, suspenseful, and full of foreboding.  Definitely watch this one in the daytime.

3. The Sixth Sense (1999) - Bruce Willis as a psychologist treating a young boy (Haley Joel Osment) who sees the spirits of dead people.  This one has plenty of atmosphere, and the twist at the end is masterful.  The best of M. Night Shayamalan's movies.

4. Young Frankenstein (1974) - Mel Brooks's masterpiece.  A spoof on the original Frankenstein, here Gene Wilder stars as a descendent of the original Doctor, who is trying to get beyond his family's past, but ends up giving into it.  Peter Boyle as The Monster, Madeline Kahn as the fiance, Terri Garr as the buxom Assistant, Marty Feldman as Eye-gor, and Chloris Leachman as Frau Blucher.  Funny, funny, funny. You won't be able to keep from quoting it.

5. Clue (1985) - Based on the classic board game, where several guests arrive at a mysterious mansion and try to discover "whodunit". So funny, it needed three alternate endings.

6. Corpse Bride (2005) - A groom on the eve of his wedding accidentally says "I Do" to a dead young woman, and he then has to find a way out of the underworld and back to his true love.  Outstanding animation, and voices by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. A whole lot of spooky fun.

7. Beetlejuice (1988) - Another one from Tim Burton. This time, a young dead couple tries to scare a crazy familie of eccentrics out of their former home. When all else fails, they call on Beetlejuice.  Spooky, funny, and totally creative.

8. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) - The kids are all ready for Halloween, and go off trick-or-treating, while Linus waits in the pumpkin patch for the arrival of The Great Pumpkin on Halloween Eve.  Totally precious, and it should be on every kid's Halloween viewing list (and every grown-up's for that matter).

9. Cat People (1942) - Simone Simon is a young married woman who won't consummate her marriage because she's under an ancient curse, and afraid she'll turn into a panther.  But when the husband starts stepping out, her jealousy ends up setting the curse in motion. A moody, and atmospheric thriller, where something is always lurking in the shadows.  If you watch this, make sure all the lights are on first.

10. Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - This sequel to the original "Frankenstein" introduces another mad scientist, who convinces Dr. Frankenstein to give it another go.  And this time around, the monster is seeking a mate.  Not all that scary today, but notable for the appearance of Elsa Lanchester as the Bride, and for being the source material for much of "Young Frankenstein".

Honorable Mention: The Others (2001) - Nicole Kidman stars as a young mother living alone with her two young children in an old house on the Isle of Jersey. While waiting for her husband to come home from war, she decides to hire some servants, who may or may not be who they claim. Of course, their arrival brings all sorts of unintended spooky consequences.  This is a brilliant film.  The acting is incredible, and the camera work really contributes to the spooky atmosphere. There's also a twist at the end that rivals the one in Sixth Sense. Awesome.

Top 5 - Comedies

As much as I adore musicals, and westerns, and romantic dramas, I love me a really good funny movie.  One that makes me erupt in loud guffaws and break out in joyous tears.  Sadly, there are darn few of those anymore - most of today's comedians seem to go for the lowest common denominator (Yes, I'm talking about you, Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler).  So today's edition of Top 5 focuses on my favorite movie comedies.

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963) - A group of motorists witness a car over a ledge.  As they go to the scene to check it out, they discover Jimmy Durante who has been ejected and is just a few moments away from kicking the bucket.  Before he does, he tells them about a treasure in loot that he has hidden "Under the big W."  From there, it's every man for himself as they try to outrun and outwit each other and be the first to find the buried treasure.  The movie stars the great Spencer Tracy, and every comic then known, with a host of others in cameo performances. It's flat-out hysterical. I love it.

One, Two, Three (1961) - Written and directed by Billy Wilder, this satire is about Coca-Cola's man in Berlin at the beginning of the 1960's. He's assigned to keep tabs on the boss's daughter, who has just eloped with a communist from East Berlin. Can he fix the situation before his Boss arrives? 

The movie stars Jimmy Cagney as the Coca-Cola exec, and Horst Buchholz as the communist. The dialog is spoken at break-neck speed, and hilarity ensues, with all sorts of jokes skewering communists and capitalists alike.  Make sure to pay attention for some small tributes to movie history, too.  You will definitely laugh out loud.

(Special note: With this one, it helps to have some understanding of history and of the Cold War)

To Be or Not to Be (1942) - Jack Benny and Carole Lombard star as married Jewish actors Josef and Maria Tura.  She rendezvous with a young military officer during his Hamlet soliquoy, at which point they become aware of a Nazi plot to overthrow the Polish resistance. Then they must use all of their acting skills to defeat a Nazi spy. It's pointed social satire and hysterically funny.  It's a pointed and hysterical satire of the Nazis. Director Ernst Lubitsch had a long career spanning from Silents to Talkies, and of all his comedy classics ("Ninotchka", and "The Shop Around the Corner" among them), this is his comedy masterpiece.

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) - The title of this movie alone  should let you know that you're in for something.  In it, an insane Air Force General sets off the process for nuclear war, while various politicians and military personnel from both sides try to stop it.  Sounds deadly serious - I mean how could a movie about nuclear war be funny, especially if it's directed by Stanley Kubrick, right?  Wrong. This movie is flat out hysterical.  For one thing, it has the great Peter Sellers, playing four different parts, and for another, it has Slim Pickens putting on his best rodeo.  Political, satirical, and very very funny.

(Tip: Watch for a young James Earl Jones as a member of the flight crew.)

The More the Merrier (1943) - It's World War II, and there's a housing shortage in Washington, D.C.  Jean Arthur has an apartment and puts half of it up for rent. Charles Coburn (in an Oscar-winning performance), with a little trickery, rents it, then proceeds to rent half of his half to Joel McCrea, without telling Arthur.  All sorts of awkward situations occur, as the three try to maneuver around each other. While all this is going on, Coburn is also trying to play matchmaker for the other two - it also has one of the steamiest scenes of a movie from that era, and how it ever made it past the production code, I'll never know.  Funny, funny, funny, and my favorite Jean Arthur movie.  

(Tip: Aside from the aforementioned steamy scene, watch for the one where Jean Arthur is explaining the next morning's schedule to Charles Coburn. Hysterical!)

Classic Character - Joan Blondell

During the decade of the 1930's, if there was anyone who epitomized the brassy blonde, it was Joan Blondell.  No dumb blonde this one, she was fast talking, smart, and funny, and always a step ahead of you.  And while she was big in the 30's, her career spanned over 40 years.  I happened on a few of her movies recently, and she is definitely deserving of the title "Classic Character".  Check her out in these:

Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) - Joan shares an apartment with a group of chorus girls. Their composer neighbor Dick Powell is in love with Joan's roommate Ruby Keeler. Unbeknownst to them, neighbor boy is heir to a family fortune, and his interfering brother, played by Warren William, comes to New York to try to bust up the romance.  He thinks that Joan is Ruby, and this begins an elaborate case of mistaken identity. A very funny movie, and she's great in it.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) - notable for being the first picture directed by Elia Kazan, it's the sentimental story of a young girl growing up in Brooklyn in the early 1900's, and the challenges faced by her and her family. Joan plays Aunt Sissy, sister to Mother Dorothy McGuire. Although adored by her niece and nephew, her sister doesn't consider her the finest example, as Sissy has had 3 different husbands, all of whom she has called "Bill". It's a terrific role, filled with humor and understanding. I think it's her best work.

The Cincinnati Kid (1965) - Steve McQueen is a young card-playing phenom, who wants to be the greatest poker-player ever. Edward G. Robinson is the grand old man of the game, and Joan Blondell is Lady Fingers, well-known in New Orleans, and a supporter of The Kid. It is she who will end up dealing the hand in their final confrontation.

Irene Dunne

So TCM has been having it's "Summer Under the Stars" this month. Each day is dedicated to one particular star, and the other day it was Irene Dunne.  While I've always enjoyed her movies, I really gained an appreciation for her with this line-up.  And there's a few I'd like to call out:

Consolation Marriage - 1932 (No Known Photo)

She and Pat O'Brien are both jilted by their "True Loves", so go to the nearest speakeasy to drink away their sorrows.  They meet, realize they like each other, and become terrific friends.  Several months in to the friendship, they decide to marry for convenience, and have a seemingly happy, maybe not passionate, marriage.  A few years later, the True Loves return to tempt them away from each other.  And it's here where they learn what True Love really is.  It's not one of her notable films, and it may be hokey, but I call it out, as it's a terrific early example of naturalistic acting. Prior to this, acting in sound pictures was pretty stiff.  But here the actors are natural and actually appear to be enjoying each other.

Theodora Goes Wild - 1936

One of the great yet unappreciated screwball comedies.  Irene plays an uptight New England lass, who's from the most prominent family in town - who just happens to be the pseudo-named author of the country's most scandalous novel.  Her secret is discovered by Melvyn Douglas, and he proceeds to blackmail her into hosting him. If she doesn't take care of him, he'll spill her secret.  Along the way they fall in love, and just when she thinks love will conquer all, she discovers that he has secrets of his own.  She then turns the tables on him - HILARIOUSLY!

The Awful Truth - 1937

Here Irene is paired with Cary Grant. They play a married couple who are in the process of a divorce, because he thinks she's been indiscreet.  While waiting the 60 days for the divorce to be final, they both undermine each other's new relationships, with hysterical results.  Eventually they realize they may not want to be divorced after all.

Tip: watch for the scene where she drops in on his society girlfriend's dinner party, pretending to be his drunken sister.

A Guy Named Joe - 1944 (No Known Photo)

Irene stars as a flyer in the Women's Air Service.  She's pining for her lost love, Spencer Tracy, when she meets flyer Van Johnson. Tracy also happens to be Johnson's guardian angel, so there's a love triangle.  By the end of the picture, she learns to let go of the past love and move on with the new.  Notable for being one of the few instances in films of the time where the lead actress was nearly 20 years older than her leading man.  And also for being Steven Spielberg's all-time favorite movie.

Night of the Iguana

Ok, so admittedly I'm not a fan of most Tennessee Williams movie adaptations.  They're typically super serious, super neurotic, super self-important, and super talky (although, I can appreciate the occasional Brando "Stella! Hey Stella!" or Elizabeth Taylor "Maggie the Cat is alive!" impression).  So when "Night of the Iguana" came on the other day, I was pretty tempted to skip it.  I saw it once years ago, and it was SERIOUSLY all of the above.

But the thing is, I'm the world's biggest fan of Deborah Kerr. So how could I not watch, at least for a few minutes, right?  Well, let's just say that few minutes turned into watching pretty much the entire picture.  Shot on location in Mexico, it's really a story of a group of lost souls, trying desperately to hang on to whatever goodness is still in them.  And while I still say that Tennessee Williams is just too much, my opinion has changed of this one.  For one thing, it has plenty of atmosphere. And for another, it is seriously Deborah Kerr's best work ever.  I've seen enough plays and movies to know when acting is good, and man - she was good in this.  Really, she should have gotten nomination #7 for this one.  And not only that - it's Ava Gardner's best work ever. She was known more for being a beauty, but she was seriously underrated as an actress.

That said, I'm not a huge fan of Richard Burton - he's always trying to make his diction too precise, and he never knew the meaning of the word subtle.  And my opinion doesn't change here.  Really - the picture belongs to Deborah Kerr and Ava Gardner, in the last great parts of their careers.  What a note to end on!

Word to the wise: If you do decide to watch this - make sure the kids are not in the room. This one's for grownups.

Bourne Legacy

I haven't been to the theater much this summer - but if you're looking for a cool action movie, I have to recommend "The Bourne Legacy".  Granted, it's not about Jason Bourne, and it doesn't have Matt Damon.  But it's the continuing story of the Treadstone program, and when someone starts picking off operatives, Jeremy Renner comes to the rescue. Along the way he picks up scientist Rachel Weisz.  They go from New England, to Boston, to DC, to Manila, trying to unravel the conspiracy and save each other's lives.  There's plenty of action, and Jeremy Renner is pretty dreamy (Matt who?).  And how can you not love a picture that puts Stacy Keach back in theaters?

Summer of 2012

Ok, so I've been very remiss at keeping up with my "all movies all the time" blogging, so we'll play a little catch-up by talking about some key movie experiences and thoughts from the summer of 2012:

To start off - Is it just me, or have we lost quite a few film luminaries this summer?  Andy Griffith, Ernie Borgnine, Celeste Holm, Richard Zanuck, Marvin Hamlisch - and I'm sure I'm leaving out some more.  I might just mention some of my favorite performances and contributions from each of the above, may they rest in peace.

 Andy Griffith was known mostly as a TV star. But in the mid-1950's, he had quite a career going for himself in the movies.  A couple of cases in point - "A Face in the Crowd", and "No Time For Sergeant's".  In the former, he was a country boy who overnight becomes a TV star, and before long starts believing his own press, to the point where he becomes what he rails against on his show.  Andy Taylor he ain't, and he should have gotten a nomination for it.  In the latter, he plays an innocent and idiot bumpkin who goes into the service and gets in one ridiculous scrape after another.  This was the character that became the precursor to TV's Gomer Pyle.

Ernie Borgnine was not the handsomest of actors.  But he had heart, and you loved him, even when he was playing a baddie, as he did quite often. But check him out in one of my all-time favorites, "Marty".  Here he's a homely, lonely, lovelorn butcher, who meets a homely, lonely, lovelorn teacher played by Betsy Blair. They connect, and he realizes that "You and me, we're not such dogs as we think we are." Heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once, and impressive enough to earn him the Oscar.

Celeste Holm was originally a Broadway star. Casual fans may not know that she was the original 'Ado Annie in "Oklahoma".  But she later won an Oscar for a terrific film, "Gentleman's Agreement", the first of the post-war message movies, about a reporter (played by Greg Peck) who wants to know what it's like to feel discriminated against, so he pretends to be Jewish.  Celeste is his friend and fellow reporter. And she's fabulous.  Or, if you're looking for her in lighter fare, I personally adore her in "High Society", the musical remake of "The Philadelphia Story".  She and Frank Sinatra are reporters sent to cover Grace Kelly's society wedding, and get more than they bargain for.

Richard Zanuck was the son of one of the original Hollywood Moguls (Daryl F. Zanuck).  In the mid-60's, he took over for the old man as Head of Production of 20th Century Fox. He greenlit and produced such pictures as "The Sound of Music", along with "The Sting", "Jaws", and later, "Driving Miss Daisy".  Not a bad track record.

Marvin Hamlisch - composer extraordinaire.  A true prodigy, he composed the music for "The Way We Were", "Ice Castles", "The Spy Who Loved Me", "Sophie's Choice", and a host of others.  His music was THE sappy soundtrack for movies in the 70's and early 80's.  And oh yeah, he arranged the music for another little picture "The Sting".  (See, you're humming "The Entertainer" right now, aren't you?)

The Way

Had some time last week to sit down and watch "The Way", starring Martin Sheen.  It's the story of a father, who has a difficult relationship with his son (played by Sheen's real-life son, and the film's director, Emilio Estevez), made even more so when his son decides to chuck it all and go off hiking around the world.  Shortly after leaving, the son is killed in an accident while hiking the El Camino de Santiago in Spain.  The father goes to retrieve his son's remains, and on the spur of the moment, decides to hike the El Camino himself, in memory of his son.  Along the way, he meets an interesting cast of characters, all walking the El Camino for their own reasons.

I really loved this movie.  That said, Sheen's character is not necessarily loveable. He's angry at himself and his son, he's bitter, and he's not very nice to anyone around him. But his journey helps him to come to terms with his feelings, and ends up drawing him closer to his son, to his hiking comrades, and to his lapsed Catholic faith.  It's as if hiking "the Way" ends up helping him find his way.  

It's a terrific performance, and a thoughtful, quiet, beautiful film.  I highly recommend it.

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Saw a preview for this movie several months ago, and the girlfriend's and I have been anxiously awaiting it ever since.  It finally arrived in Salt Lake this week, so off we went last evening to see it.  And thankfully it did no disappoint.  But really, considering the cast, how could it?  I mean, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton - some of my absolute favorite actors, all in the same picture.  Of course it's going to be brilliant!

It's about a group of retirees from the UK, who see advertised online the "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel". It's a hotel in India, specifically geared to Seniors. Of course, they each decide to de-camp to begin life anew in India, and arrive to find the hotel to be not quite as billed.  But being British, they decide to make the best of it, and each of them end up being changed in some way or other by the experience.

It's funny, touching, and yes, exotic.  We laughed out loud, we cried, and at the end, there was a big ovation. We even walked out quoting lines from it.  Who knows, I may have to de-camp to India myself one day.

West Side Story

"West Side Story" was on the other night.  As many times as I've seen it, I can't NOT watch it when it comes on.  In my opinion, it's got the finest music score for a Broadway show ever written - Leonard Bernstein could have retired on that score alone.  In one brilliant, original stroke, it's as if musicals all of a sudden grew up.

And the dancing!  For me, there are really only two great dance movies, "West Side Story" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (yes, I'm purposely leaving out Gene Kelly, who was always too full of himself).  The power and athleticism of the dancing is just brilliant (there's that word again).

So there I am the other night - blinds closed (good thing), and singing and dancing around the living room with utter abandon.  Not a pretty sight I'm sure. I laughed, I cried, I got mad and wanted to rumble. I'm sure I did permanent damage to my knees and back, and I'm lucky I didn't break any of the furniture.

Yes, I know it's got a sad ending, and it's violent and all about juvenile dilinquents, etc., etc. But from the opening overhead shot of Manhattan, and the whistle calling all the Jets, it grabs you and doesn't let you go.  I don't even care that Natalie Wood didn't do her own singing.  It's awesome. And totally brilliant!

Moneyball

The other night my friend and I rented "Moneyball", starring Brad Pitt.  I had somehow missed it when it came out in the fall, but it had gotten a lot of terrific press, and a ton of Oscar nominations.  I'm also a huge baseball fan, so I was really looking forward to it.  And it did not disappoint.  Pitt plays Billy Bean, former pro ballplayer, and now General Manager of the Oakland A's baseball team.  His team has just lost the pennant, and also lost their three best players.  As a small market team, he knows they can't compete with increasing salaries, so he searches for a unique solution. He finds it in the form of Jonah Hill, who plays Assistant GM Peter Brant. He and Hill become convinced that the only way to win is to go after players who are off the radar, but have an uncanny ability to get on base.  Thus begins the ups and downs of their season, as they try to prove their new concept.

Now the above description may sound a bit dull, but I beg to differ.  It's a totally terrific movie, and definitely worth a viewing.  Pitt and Hill are both fantastic, and it also has an outstanding screenplay from Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin.  And if that doesn't grab you, then I have two words: Brad Pitt.  A buffed out Brad Pitt no less. Worth the price of admission alone.

Classic Rom-Com

Last night TCM played a classic romantic comedy from 1949 starring Cary Grant.  Since this was one I'd never seen before, it caught my attention. I mean, who doesn't love Cary Grant?  Admittedly, the title of this one was intriguing to say the least, which double caught my attention.  Now at first blush, it's going to sound like a weird one, but here goes.  The romantic comedy in question was none other than "I Was a Male War Bride".  See? The title just kind of grabs you (or not).  But it ended up being HILARIOUS and totally adorable.  Seems that Grant and Ann Sheridan are battling army officers, he a French Army captain, and she a U.S. WAC Lieutenant.  They can't stand each other, but get sent on a special mission together. Hilarity ensues, and as these things tend to go, they fall in love and decide to get married.  Challenges arise when he tries to emigrate to the U.S. as the spouse of an American army officer, and more hilarity ensues. 

I have to say, I thought this picture was awesome! It's what all romantic comedies should be, and so seldom are these days.  Cary Grant is charming and fabulous as always, and displays his great gift for physical comedy.  Ann Sheridan is a perfect comic foil for him (wish she'd made more comedies).  I literally laughed out loud, which is saying something.  I highly recommend it.

The Sherman Brothers

Here's a shout out for Robert B. Sherman, who passed away today.  You may be wondering who that is, but any true fan of classic Disney films and songs would know right away that Mr. Sherman was one half of the extremely prolific song-writing duo, the Sherman Brothers.  Along with his brother Richard M. Sherman, he was responsible for all the great Disney classics, and many more.  From "Mary Poppins", to "The Jungle Book", to "Bedknobs and Broomsticks", to the "Winnie the Pooh" movies, it's hard to name a Disney movie of the 60's and 70's that they didn't write the music for.  And not just the movies - if you've ever ridden Disneyland's "Small World" ride, you've heard his music too.

After Walt Disney's passing, the Sherman Brothers left and began freelancing, and kept on cranking out the classics, including composing music for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", "The Slipper and the Rose" (my fave Cinderella adaptation) and "Charlotte's Web". 

The legacy of terrific Disney movie music begun by the Sherman Brothers continues today, with the likes of Allan Mencken and Randy Newman cranking out the latest generation of classic Disney hits.  So a big thank you to the Sherman Brothers!  And I think I'll "go fly a kite"!

Top 5 Movie Canines

One of the principal actors in "The Artist" has been getting a lot of press, so much that several commentators were shocked he didn't receive an Oscar nomination.  Alas, they don't have one for his category.  If this sounds a little cryptic, I'll just have to come right and say that that cast member in question happens to be Uggie the dog.  So since Uggie has been getting so much attention, this got me to thinking about other super-star Dogs from movie history, so this addition of Top 5 is devoted to my favorite canine movie contributors.

1. Lassie - who can resist the big collie with the flowing mane?  She's loyal, and she knows where to go for help every time Timmie falls in the well.  And she always comes home.  (And yes, "she" is played by a boy pooch.)

2. Asta - This pooch was a huge star in the 30's and 40's, in the popular "Thin Man" series.  Not only did he get to hang out with William Powell and Myrna Loy, but he was often smarter, and more sober than his owner.

3. Toto - Admittedly, I'm not a fan of "The Wizard of Oz".  But not only does this classic pooch have to follow the yellow brick road with a bunch of weirdly dressed folks, he has to do it while stuffed in a basket. And he has to take on flying monkeys.  Poor thing deserves a nod just for not having to go into therapy afterwards.

4. Hachi - This dog takes the award for loyalty, and does it in both Japanese and English. No matter which version of the movie you're watching, who doesn't dissolve into tears every time they see Hachi the Akita waiting every day at the train station for his deceased owner.  I hope someone or some pooch remembers me like that after I'm gone.

5. Skip - This little guy gets additional votes just for being in Mississippi.  He and Frankie Muniz grow up together in the small-town South, and Skip can now be used as a link in "Six Degrees to Kevin Bacon". Priceless.

Honorable Mention: Hooch, from "Turner and Hooch".  Best use of canine saliva in a motion picture.

The Artist

I've talked here before about how fun it can be to see a silent movie.  But normally a silent film is something that's released prior to the invention of talkies. However, this year is the year where it seems everything old is new again, as there's a new silent movie out, called "The Artist".  It's also shot in black and white, and in the pre-1950's square screen ratio format.  

The girls and I went to see this the other night, and I just have to say, what a treat.  The movie takes place in Hollywood, around the time of the transition from Silents to Talkies. I stars French Actor Jean duJardin as a big-time silent movie star who pridefully refuses to make the transition, and then has to live with the consequences of that decision.  And Berenice Bejo is the former protege who makes the transition and ends up becoming a huge star.  It also has a host of well-known character actors in supporting roles.  Part "Singin in the Rain", and part "A Star is Born", it's clever, it's funny, it's sweet - it's everything a movie-going experience should be.  I highly recommend it.

(Something else I noticed while I was sitting there - with no dialog, and limited music, I could actually hear the sound of the film rolling upstairs in the booth. I honestly can't remember the last time I heard that sound at a movie, but it was so refreshing - movie's today are so stinking loud.)

Westward the Women

Denise Darcel died today.  She was a popular French actress from the early 50's. She appeared mostly in B pictures, but there were a few gems among them - for example "Battleground", "Veracruz", and one of my all-time favorites, "Westward the Women".  Starring Robert Taylor and John McEntire, "Westward the Women" is a terrific picture about a wagon train of women, headed for California to become brides.  

Taylor and McEntire are the men guiding them in their journey, and both of them, particularly Taylor, were big stars at the time.  But the real stars of the movie are the women themselves, Denise Darcel among them.  Along the way they learn to shoot, handle mule teams, and face different hardships, such as untimely death, assaults from bad men and unfriendly Indians, and even childbirth.  It also shows how physically demanding such a journey would have been (and let's just say, that after my first viewing, I was mighty glad I was never a pioneer).  Just when you think they're never going to make it, the train pulls through, and everyone lives happily ever after.  The movie's tagline says it all - "Never underestimate the will of a woman when there's a wedding ring in sight!"