Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones in Drake Doremus heartbreaking tale of first love, "Like Crazy"
by Sam Juliano
The musical countdown has entered the Top Five with Judy Geater’s spectacular review of Meet Me in St. Louis posting on Sunday. After nearly three months the wildly popular venture is drawing to a close, with the #1 unveiling scheduled for Thursday. As a special feature two reviews of that top film will be offered up by Dennis Polifroni and John Greco. No previous project in the site’s history has attracted more comments or page views than the musical countdown, and none has enlisted the gleeful participation of the blogging community quite like this. Writer after writer have outdone themselves with masterful writing and a real passion for the material. That tireless blogger Dee Dee, has managed the sidebar with daily updates and fabulous material that has greatly enriched and enhanced the project. She is incomparable.
Though Old Man Winter prematurely reared his ugly head last week, it appears that there are still quite a few leaves out there to change color. Ghosts and goblins are yielding now to turkeys and stuffing, and for a date with the voting booth this coming Tuesday. Baseball is done and most sports fans are well into the NFL schedule. Giants fans are ecstatic after a last minute TD gave them a huge win over the New England Patriots at Foxsboro. The Jets also triumphed over the Buffalo Bills.
Joel Bocko’s “Fixing A Hole” series continues with a new topic for November – “Animated Animals.” He started the venture off with a band, penning a marvelous review on 1937’s The Story of the Fox by Wladyslaw and Irene Starewicz. Bocko’s Sunday posting will sit alone beginning next week, as the musical countdown will conclude in three days. Then there’s Jamie Uhler, who miraculously has reached the 48th installment in his remarkable “Getting Over the Beatles” series that considers British music over three decades. This series has become one of the site’s most treasured columns, and one of it’s most accomplished. Bob Clark contributed a stupendous review this past week on V For Vendetta.
Lucille and I rallied over the weekend to register a decent enough week, seeing one stage play and three films in theatres.
The play, by Tennessee Williams, Now the Cats With Jewelled Claws, is by far the most bizarre that the drama icon has ever written, and a clear description of it is pretty much impossible. But such is usually the case with an absurdist satire like Cats, which is far more Ionesco than it is Williams. The staging ran less than an hour, and included the casting of John Waters regular Mink Stole, who was one of the two New York ladies lunching. Everett Quinton as a restuarant manager with an expressionistic delivery and a flamboyant feminine gait was a real scene steeler, in a play that emphasized details instead of it’s incoherent story line. The two actors who play the male hustlers, Joseph Keckler and Max Steele, (who first enter wearing pink leather jackets with the words “The Mystic Rose” emblazened on them) are most effective is suggesting the work’s lurid underpinnings. Cats staged at the cozy and intimate Club La MaMa on 4th Street.
We saw three films in theatres:
Like Crazy **** 1/2 (Sunday afternoon) Union Square Cinemas
The Last Rites of Joe May **** (Saturday night) Quad Cinemas
Tower Heist ** (Saturday afternoon) Edgewater multiplex
Sundance hit LIKE CRAZY is as intimate, achingly authentic and fragile a story of first love as I’ve seen in quite a while, and it’s so believable and wrought with natural turns, that it’s impossible not to show empathy for the two lead characters, played beautifully by Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones. The boy lives in L.A., and meets and falls in love with the girl, who is a British student attending the same college. The director Drake Doremus offers no pat ending, shameless tears or false assurances, and the audience will read their own ideas into the ending, much as the actors created many of their lines during the filming. Against all odds of probability, because of it’s uncompromising honesty and deeply-fely story arc, this is one of the best films of the year.
Dennis Farina delivers an extraordinary performance as an aging criminal runner, in THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY, who gets out of jail to find his apartment has been rented. This leads to some surprising reconciliations and a situation that recalls the role Burt Lancaster had in regards to Susan Sarandon in “Atlantic City.” The usually spporting player Farina, gives a searing naturalistic performance in the service of an effective script and appropriate use of grainy film stock. Director Joe Maggio makes great use of opera arias in the story, which in addition to being musically pleasing, helps develop the theme.
TOWER HEIST does have some laughs and entertaining set pieces (especially the ones involving the red car) but Stiller, Murphy and Broderick are towing the company line, and a day after you see the film you are ready to dispose of it in the trash bin. It’s one of those films where you are embarassed that you played along.
The musical coundown ends of Thursday. This means that in next week’s diary I will resume the practice of updating all links. I apologize for the difficulties in doing this the past few weeks, but the musical poll’s responsibility must be paramount. Only a few links were updated.
John Greco’s second part of his interview with Peter Winkler – who penned a volume on actor Dennis Hopper – is a riveting read! it’s at Twenty Four Frames: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/interview-with-author-peter-l-winkler-part-two/
Judy Geater has unearthed another desirable curiosity at Movie Classics with a superb review of “Laughter” starring Nancy Carroll, Frederick March and Frank Morgan: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/laughter-harry-d%e2%80%99abbadie-d%e2%80%99arrast-1930/
The ever brilliant writer and commentator R.D. Finch of The Movie Projector concludes his four-post series on Ken Russell with “Ken Russell at the BBC: Part 4, Song of Summer” http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2011/10/ken-russell-at-bbc-part-3-dantes.html
Murderous Ink offers a fascinating description of the chaos that was early Japanese film screening at Vermillion and One Nights: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2011/10/frames-per-second.html
Jaime Grijalba’s October countdown to Halloween has been a joy for fans, and he continues his progression through the history of horror with “Halloween H20″ at Exodus 8:2: http://exodus8-2.blogspot.com/2011/10/23-freddy-vs-jason-2003.html
Jon Warner offers his positive take on the love-it/hate-it minimalist western “Meek’s Cutoff” Films Worth Watching: http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2011/10/naked-spur-1953-directed-by-anthony.html
Pat Perry has authored a fantastic double review of two highly-regarded multiplexers (50/50 and The Help) of recent weeks at Doodad Kind of Town: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2011/10/5050-and-help-diary-of-friday-afternoon.html
Filmmaker and blogger extraordinaire Jeffrey Goodman offers up an extraordinary list of La Novelle Vague titles that are essential for cineastes at The Last Lullaby: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/satsang-sacred-listening/
Laurie Buchanan asks her readers to ponder “What Do You Do With Fear” at Speaking From The Heart: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/what-do-you-do-with-fear/
Tony d’Ambra’s newest post at FilmsNoir.net in his marvelous ‘Film Origins’ series features 1940′s “Angels Over Broadway”: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/film-noir-origins-angels-over-broadway-1940.html
At Mondo 70, Samuel Wilson has penned an utterly fascinating review of the Spanish language “Dracula”: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2011/10/wendigo-cumpla-dracula-1931.html
Roderick Heath has authored a master class review at Ferdy-on-Films of Spielberg’s “Jaws”: http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/?p=11979
Murderous Ink in Tokyo has penned a brilliant historical and political essay on two celebrated Kinoshita featues, “Army” and “Twenty-Four Eyes” at Vermillion and One Nights: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2011/09/apron-as-weapon.html
Sachin Gandhi of Scribbles and Ramblings has a fascinating, glowing report up at his place on the Calgary International Film Festival: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2011/10/ciff-2011-all-about-mavericks.html
Terrill Welch reports on the success of her second “Salish Sea Sunday Savings” sale at the Creativepotager’s blogsite: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/second-salish-sea-sunday-savings/
Qalandar reviews the Hindi gangster flick “Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster” at Satyamshot: http://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/qalandar-reviews-saheb-biwi-aur-gangster-hindi-2011/
Shubhajit Laheri has penned a superlative capsule review of “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid” at Cinemascope: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2011/10/pat-garrett-and-billy-kid-1973.html
Craig Kennedy’s “Movie Quote of the Day” at Living in Cinema is from Brian de Palma’s “Carrie” based on Stephen King’s novel: http://livingincinema.com/2011/10/23/movie-quote-of-the-day-carrie-1976/
Patricia examines a book “You are Not So Smart” by David McRaney at Patricia’s Wisdom: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2011/10/you-are-not-so-smart-david-mcraney/
Stephen Russell-Gebbett has penned an utterly brilliant review of Von Trier’s “Melancholia” at Checking on my Sausages: http://checkingonmysausages.blogspot.com/2011/10/melancholia-lars-von-trier.html
David Schleicher takes on Von Trier’s “Melancholia” brilliantly at The Schleicher Spin: http://theschleicherspin.com/2011/10/10/melancholia-marriage-and-the-end-of-the-world/
Srikanth (Just Another Film Buff) featues Chuck Workman’s “Precious Images” at The Seventh Art, making a comparison to Joel Bocko’s brilliant montage series: http://theseventhart.info/2011/10/23/short-films-13/
Michael Harford has a new collage up at the venerable Coffee Messiah’s place on “Coffee and Seuss”: http://coffeemessiah.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-give-up-i-believe-in-you-all.html
Again Ed Howard and Jason Bellamy have produced a towering installment in their monumental “Conversations” series with a brilliant discussion on Kubrick’s “Barry Lyndon”: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2011/10/conversations-28-barry-lyndon.html
Jason Bellamy has penned an exceptional essay on “The Ides of March” at The Cooler: http://coolercinema.blogspot.com/2011/10/men-behind-curtain-ides-of-march.html
Ed Howard has a terrific new piece in his “Films That I Love” series on Ernst Lubitsch’s “The Shop Around the Corner” at Only The Cinema: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2011/10/films-i-love-55-shop-around-corner.html
In a set of links, the Film Doctor explores a number of economic and political topics, from Google & Facebook as Big Brother, to the illusion behind the “creative industry” myth: http://filmdr.blogspot.com/2011/10/reactionary-links.html
At Movies Over Matter Jason Marshall names “The Apple” as one of his favorite “bad” movies: http://moviesovermatter.com/2011/09/17/hes-so-eager-to-believe-and-so-easily-deceived-like-a-baby-watching-magic-hes-so-gullible-its-tragic-the-apple-my–favorite-bad-movies/
James Hansen has written an outstanding essay in defense of “Drive” at Out One Film Journal: http://www.out1filmjournal.com/2011/09/shadowing-spotlight-nicolas-winding.html
At Radiator Heaven J.D. reviews ”A Scanner Darkly” which he considers the first accurate translation of Philip K. Dick from page to screen: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2011/09/scanner-darkly.html
Srikanth (Just Another Film Buff) offers a fascinating review of Kevin MacDonald’s “A Life in the Day” at The Seventh Art: http://theseventhart.info/2011/10/16/ellipsis-49/
Roderick Heath at This Island Rod has penned a towering essay on 1968′s “The Lost Continent”: http://thisislandrod.blogspot.com/2011/10/lost-continent-1968.html
TCM’s Greg Ferrara rescues rare clips of Christopher Lee telling ghost stories from a defunct CD-ROM on Cinema Styles: http://cinemastyles.blogspot.com/2011/10/christopher-lee-tells-stories-and-gives.html
At Cinema Viewfinder, Tony Dayoub kicks of New York Film Festival coverage with a thoughtful review of “George Harrison: Living in the Material World,” Martin Scorsese’s latest music documentary: http://www.cinemaviewfinder.com/2011/10/nyff11-movie-review-george-harrison.html
Steven Morton’s “First Thoughts on Tree of Life” are up at Petrified Fountain of Thought: http://petrifiedfountainofthought.blogspot.com/2011/10/first-thoughts-on-tree-of-life.html
Craig at The Man From Porlock analyzes the faults of Moneyball, and wonders why sports films keep raising the position of their “underdog” heroes: http://themanfromporlock.blogspot.com/2011/09/off-field-moneyball.html
Hokahey at Little Worlds marvels at the formal prowess of the Oregon Trail film “Meek’s Cutoff”, praising its “magnificent dissolves” and “real-time realism”: http://hokahey-littleworlds.blogspot.com/2011/10/oregon-trail-verite-meeks-cutoff-2011.html
At Not Just Movies Jake Cole discusses “The Blue Angel” and wonders why the Germans – kings of the silents – made such a strong transition into sound: http://armchairc.blogspot.com/2011/10/blue-angel-josef-von-sternberg-1930.html
Record Club #4 – The Dirty South” is leading the way at Elusive as Robert Denby, and proctor Troy Olson has quite a comment thread to show: http://troyolson.blogspot.com/2011/08/record-club-4-drive-by-truckers-dirty.html
Kevin J. Olson announces the return of his Italian Horror blog-a-thon at Hugo Stiglitz Makes Movies: http://kolson-kevinsblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/italian-horror-blog-thon-returns.html
The saddest of times for Jeopardy Girl as she movingly relates at The Continuing Story of Jeopardy Girl. Wonders in the Dark extends it’s deepest condolences to our friend up north: http://jeopardygirl.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/gone/
Adam Zanzie continues his recap of the book “War Horse” on Icebox Movies in anticipation of the upcoming Spielberg film: http://iceboxmovies.blogspot.com/2011/09/war-horse-1982-chapters-6-10.html
Dave Van Poppel at Visions of Non-Fiction has posted a terrific review of the documentary “Project Nim”: http://visionsofnonfiction.blogspot.com/2011/08/project-nim.html
Andrew Wyatt defends the 80s monster movie “Q” at Gateway Cinephiles: http://gatewaycinephiles.com/2011/09/30/looklisten-q-at-the-wufs
Dennis Farina in "The Last Rites of Joe May"
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Writers/Founders
Wonders in the Dark 
Hi Sam,
You must feel very proud of the musical countdown, as you’ve championed it from the beginning. I’m starting to feel a bit of sadness that the countdown is coming to a close, but all good things must come to an end someday. I’m looking forward to the climax for sure and this week should make for some great reads as usual. I also wanted to personally thank you again for letting me take part in your countdown and being able to submit a few essays. It was a great honor to do so.
I’m surprised you went to see TOWER HEIST! Haha I think I will let that one slide by without checking it out. As far as heist movies go, I’ll stick with Le Cercle Rouge!
Anyways, my big find of the week was finishing my exploration of the new Matarazzo set from Criterion which is rather fabulous if you’re a fan of Melodrama, which I think you are. The best is the double dip of Nobody’s Children and The White Angel, which combined together is one of the greatest and most outrageous melodramas ever put on film. I was very aware of the Catholic suffering at play in the films and the grand connections of life through circumstances. What fascinating films these are. Loved them.
This will be my last week at home and then will be leaving for work in the UK next Sunday. I will be watching Le Beau Serge, Sawdust and Tinsel, and Nightmare Alley this week. Hope you have a great week!
Jon—
I am incredibly proud of the musical countdown indeed, and I agree it’s conclusion is depressing. Yes, it was tons of work, yes, it required sacrifice, and yes, it was endlessly enriching while it thrived. But it’s exceeding success went beyond all expectations and the writing quality of so many essays was simply astounding. I dare say this countdown brought out the best in so many, yourself included. Although I did try to mute Dennis’s enthusiasm and urgency in regards to the recently-proposed comedy polling so that the site and the writers could enjoy a well-earned rest, I do see that project on the horizon. You will be called on (if your personal life allows) to submit a ballot and some essays, but again I don’t want to get ahead.
Your energy, your continued enthusiasm, and wonderful personality were a real pleasure for everyone!
LE CIRCLE ROUGE indeed! Now THAT is really the heist film!!! I went along to appease the kids, but at least I laughed.
I have not seen those Matarazzos yet, but I am thrilled to read what you say here. I will definitely get to these soon enough.
And you have some great films ahead you there for this final week!
Thanks as always my great friend!
I managed to see “Martha Marcy May Marlene” this weekend. Decent film, and probably recognized mostly for the performances (especially the titular character’s actress, though I can’t for the life of me remember her name). I’m struck by the distant visual style of the film, and how it reminded me of Lanthimos’ “Dogtooth”, these two films that both depict the insular nature of cult-mentality by keeping the zombified prisoners at an arm’s length from us, at least. I wonder a little why the possibility of Martha being taken in by a cult is never broached by the sister and her husband, but then it did feel as though this was a film that only focuses on what would normally be the first act in the cult-recovery story. Also, cults aren’t really as much in the public imagination as they have been in other decades (I just started rereading DeLillo’s “Mao II”, so it’s on my mind).
Yep, Bob, it has indeed been compared to DOGTOOTH, a film I was no fan of. I liked this film less than you and ironically the major issue I had was the one you broached here: “I wonder a little why the possibility of Martha being taken in by a cult is never broached by the sister and her husband.” This film was a turgid one to sit through I must say, in good measure because the lead character is so unlikeable.
Many thanks my very good friend!
Glad to hear things are normalizing, Sam. Apropos of the musical countdown I took a look at Mark Sandrich’s proto-musical Melody Cruise this weekend, and the experience was telling about what makes a real musical and what Sandrich’s oddity is lacking. Trying to work down my DVR queue I also watched Lloyd Bacon’s Cagney vehicle Here Comes the Navy, Howard Zieff’s quaint Hearts of the West, Raoul Walsh’s roguish King and Four Queens, Martin Ritt’s sporadically dramatic The Brotherhood, Jacques Tati’s gimmicky but charming Jour de Fete, and Fellini’s ponderous And the Ship Sails On. Also took in a DVD of Elio Petri’s The Tenth Victim, a film I dimly remembered from childhood broadcasts and now see as an interesting pop-art misfire. Looking forward to a surprise atop the survey, but not really expecting it after seeing West Side Story go up tonight. But we’ll see.
Samuel—
I am hoping to get back to my normal order of business, checking out other blogs, and getting a hold. But to be honest so many people did overtime, and your pronounced role in the comment section during the project was enriching and most appreciated. You really looked at a diverse lineup there, and I’ll agree that in a rare instance a Fellini is ponderous. THE BROTHERHOOD is indeed sporadic, in fact I was simply going to say it had it’s moments. I haven’t seen MELODY CRUISE, I’m afraid to say, but I mostly love Tati’s JOUR DE FETE. The Petri has eluded me, but have decent enough regard for the Walsh and that Cagney.
We I’m sure the result of the musical countdown was exactly as you had expected.
As always thanks very much my friend!
Thanks Sam, I hope anyone who follows the link enjoys not just the pictures, but the video clips one click away!
At midnight, I also (finally) have my #1 noir piece going up as a late response to Maurizio’s countdown. Hopefully it leads a few people back to his excellent review of the movie, which I linked in the intro and just re-read – it’s great, as were so many of those essays (which I unfortunately caught up with way after the fact).
And you & anyone who reads this can feel free to email me with your own picks for best work of the year as I will be doing another year-end best of the blogosphere round-up in December. The announcement will go up Tuesday.
Many thanks to you Joel for everything and all you have done! I will over to check that noir posting today, and I’ll certainly add my two cents! You know you can definitely count on me for a year end list! I actually just began thinking of that this week. But we have a good seven weeks of prestige cinema left that will in all loikelihood alter anything we presently come up with.
They couldn’t PAY you for all you have done for this site my towering friend!
Thanks Sam! I’m talking about your pick for best piece by you, though, not best film. I know we already have some top contenders from the countdown itself, so I look forward to seeing what your selection will be.
Ya know, I am torn between three of four, so I am going to request that YOU my friend (who has been so extraordinary with support and helpful scrutiny) choose the one you think is tops. I think you would have a stronger grasp on how these things worked for the reader!
Ha, well at least give me your nominations. 😉
I will indeed send you my nominations by e mail tomorrow Joel.
Like Jon, I’m a bit sad that the musical countdown is coming to an end – many thanks to you for organising it all, Sam, and many congratulations on its success. Thanks also for the kind double plug for my own blog and for my essay in the countdown. It has been fun taking part, and I’m looking forward to reading the last few pieces.
My husband and son actually went to ‘Tower Heist’ yesterday but I was at work so had an excuse not to go along – doesn’t sound as if I missed much there! I’ve only seen a couple of movies on TV this week. The first was ‘Le Jour se Leve’ (1939), a masterpiece which has been running through my mind ever since – Jean Gabin is magnificent in it, but so is the whole cast. The other film was ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ (1943) with Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman – I did like this too but found the script a bit repetitive and overblown in places. Very glad to have seen it, though.
Judy—
I couldn’t agree with you more. The morning ritual went on for much too long, and so many people -including youself- put your hearts and souls into the venture. It was a success because so many took it seriously from the start.
I must say I completely and utterly agree with you on both films you saw this week. The Gabin film is a masterpiece of the cinema, and FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS definitely has issues, I do adore Victor Young’s score, though.
When it comes to appreciation Judy, it must be from me to you, as you have really been magnificent throughout. I can’t thank you enough my great friend!
Sam, thanks for the mention. Yes, the completion of the Musical countdown is indeed something to look forward to, especially given the time and effort that have been expended on it.
I guess I somehow missed in joining in the comments thread of your last Monday Morning Diary. So here’s what I’ve seen since I posted at the one prior to your last week’s journal:
– Satyajit Ray’s elegantly paced social satire, Shatranj Ke Khiladi (The Chess Player) – his only foray in the Hindi language
– A relatively recent Hindi movie called Badmaash Company (Rogue Company) that I ought to have given a miss
– A recent Bengali movie centered on an ageing rockstar calle Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbo Na (Ranjan, I won’t be coming back)
– The beautiful Groundhog Day (which I was revisiting)
– The Fighter, which I quite liked for its grim realism & uplifting spirit
– Johnnie To’s kinetic & hyperstylized Gangster-Western, The Exiled
– A audacious, angry and experimental underground Bengali movie called Gandu (which is a dirty slang in Indian languages)
– Preminger’s addictive courtroom drama, Anatomy of a Murder
– Sam Peckinpah’s masterly & hyperviolent Western, The Wild Bunch (which too I was revisiting)
– Kurosawa’s High & Low which, though good, wouldn’t rank among his best works, in my opinion.
By the way, it was a pleasure following Joel Bocko’s marvelous 32 days’ journey through his movie collection. I had a great time following this terrific series (the video compilations were absolutely brilliant) & participating in the discussions.
I’ve thanked you before for the praise, but thanks again, Shubhajit. It was a pleasure having you on board.
Thanks very much Shubhajit. I will be sending on some questions to you over the weekend. I’m sure you know what I am referring to here, and we will further communicate by e mail. Thanks for the great words on the countdown. You saw quite a lineup of Hindi and Bengali films. Of course I do know Ray’s film well and have seen it. I saw your reviews at CINEMASCOPE on THE FIGHTER and GROUNDHOG DAY! Nice work as always! ANATOMY FOR A MURDER is quite good, and as far as HIGH AND LOW, I do like it quite abit, but not as much as other Kurosawas.
Thanks for the super wrap my friend! We’ll speak soon!
This is the legendary Peter Sellers interview with Parky in 1974, including his riff on Kenneth Mars in The Producers in part 1 and George Formby in part 4…
Well Allan, this is great stuff!!!!!
Well, I’m saddened by the conclusion of the MUSICAL count as the essays and the offerings from each writer have given me (and I’m sure many others here) a daily smile and fond memories of films that we have come to love and movies we needed to seek out…
I am putting the final touches on the rules for the ballots and setting up an organized email folder for the Comedy poll. So as to not put any writer in a predicament of having to scramble to finish a review or cut themselves short before a deadline, I have devised a fool proof plan and calendar to go into effect the moment Sammy gives me the go ahead. The launch of the comedy poll and count-down will be announced after a much needed rest from the MUSICAL venture that is just wrapping up this Thursday.
On the personal front: I finished viewing some of my favorite guilty HORROR pleasures and came across a few new ones for this past Halloween…
Starting off, I was glad to procure a copy of the fondly remembered 1972 tele-film from ABC called GARGOYLES. This crepy little made-for-me chiller stars Cornel Wild as an archieologist who, travelling with his daughter through the desert villages of Arizona, stumbles upon a nest beasts that the famed stone appendages get their name from. Although crude by todays standards, I remebered this film having quite an impact on me as a kid and I’m glad to say the chills still work. The make-up and special effects costuming was done by a then unknown Stan Winston (who won an emmy for his efforts), and the direction of the film by Bill Nolan (MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER-TV SERIES) is suggestively creepy. The moment the the gargoyles ransack the doctors motel room to retrieve one of their dead still has the power to create gooseflesh and I’m pleased to say that my memories of this film were backed up by a viewing after many years of not seeing this.
Forget the remake, the original TV version of DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK (which I procured through WARNER ARCHIVE DVD on demand) is still one of the most effectively scary American gothic horror flicks of the 70’s. The story of a couple not heeding the warnings about an old house they inherited is beautifully acted by TRUE GRITS Kim Darby and the late Jim Hutton. Re-seeing this little ditty about tiny gnome like demons that terrorize the newly married couple had me smiling from ear-to-ear as one of my co-workers (a kid too young to have ever seen it or remember it) practically jumped out of his skin when the little marauders attempt to carry a straight razor from the medicine chest to the shower to cut the throat of the protagonist. DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK is one of those little seen gems that still lives on in the memories of the select few that were lucky enough to see it back then and I was thrilled to see that Warners still had it available for home viewing.
But…
The gem of the week came from the newly purchased CRITERION Blu-Ray of ISLAND OF LOST SOULS. This once hard to find horror gem of the pre-code era still has the ability to freak out the viewer. Based on HG WELLS novel THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU, Charles Laughton give any tremendous early performance as the twisted scientist and surgeon who, on a remote island, has found a way to turn jungle animals into humanoid beings. Bela Lugosi practically steals the show as THE GIVER OF THE LAW, one of the beasts that leads the clan in their striving to be like “men”. Atmospheric and as graphically violent as any film made from this period, ISLAND OF LOST SOULS makes every subsequent film telling the tale look like baby shit. It’s still the most unsettling and disturbing of the great horror films to come out of the US at that time.
The Blu-ray looks sensational and disc comes with a wealth of supplementary features to make this one of must haves from the CRITERION COLLECTION. I picked this Blu-Ray up at a Barnes and Nobles last Thursday where a 50% off sale on all titles from CRITERION was taking place. I saved an additional 10% by also applying my B+N savings card to the purchase. The guy at the store told me that the sale was going on in the stores and online till just before Thanksgiving. So, anyone looking to grab these wonderful Blu-Rays for a fraction of the course better hurry before the offer expires!!!!!
Dennis, I didn’t know you were going to do the comedy poll! That’s great and looking forward to that one for sure. Island of Lost Souls is a bona fide classic from the pre code era. Very creepy and well made.
Jon, the comedy countdown is planned as a collaborative effort among several. Dennis’ enthusiasm is appreciated, but the project won’t be getting off the ground until the late Spring at the earliest. Any rules or ballots must be cleared among those who will be most closely involved with the project. I acknowledge that people do need a break after the demands of the (sadly) concluding musical poll.
Dennis—
As I stated to you in private, the comedy poll is a venture in it’s absolute infancy, and it is not expected that anything connected to it would move forward until at leats the later part of the spring, (April/May) There will be a number of people taking part in the management of the poll, if it does indeed move forward.
This is a tremendous submission from you, in every sense imaginable. The framing of “Gargoyles” for one is fantastic! The great enthusiasm you voice on the Criterion blus, and the ISLAND OF LOST SOULS will surely make all cineastes excited. Somehow I can voch for that purchases last week! Ha! I still would like to pick up the blu of CARLOS and the two Chabrols.
Thanks as always my excellent friend!
Sam,
Thanks again for the shout out! Hopefully, life is back to normal for you and the family. Congratulations on the success of the countdown and I will have my essay to you shortly, today or tomorrow. Not much to report. Did get to see a few films this week listed below.
The Rum Diary (**1/2) Early Hunter S. Thompson novel is turned into a mediocre film with Johnny Depp again playing Thompson’s on screen alter ego. This is Thompson, pre Gonzo, the early days still trying to find his voice. At one point he states, “I haven’t figured out how to write as myself yet.” The events that unfold during the course of the story will help shape his vision in the future. Overall, the film was disappointing.
Tower Heist (***) Okay, the film is forgettable but I was just glad to see the old Eddie Murphy back instead of talking to the animals or wearing a fat suit. Good for a laugh.
The Gazebo (****) Black comedy starring two of the most unlikely actors for this kind of film, Debbie Reynolds and Glenn Ford. Sharp writing and the two leads performances highlight the film, including one scene where via a phone call the master of macabre himself, Alfred Hitchcock, is asked for advice on how to dispose of the body.
The Uninvited (****) Atmospheric spook fest that is eerie enough to keep the goose bumps alive all night. Great black and white photography and a rocky coastline to die for. However, I do wonder how a music critic and his sister, who if I am not mistaken did not have a job, could afford a house like that
John—
Yes, it took a few days to complete recover from that nighmarish experience, but matters are stablizing now. I have seen your essay on my e mail folder, and all I can say is “wow!!!” But I’ll have more to say in two days! Ha!
I have avoided THE RUM DIARY for pretty much the same less-than-enthused observations you have setlled on. This was one film too many in this vein.
Yeah, TOWER HEIST was low-brow fun. I may have been a bit too harsh. But in the end, as you also acknowledge it is shortly remembered.
I completely agree with that assessment of THE UNINVITED. I am most interested in checking out THE GAZEBO based on your glowing words! Have a great week my friend. Many thanks for all you have done for the countdown and for the site in general!!!
Sam, thanks so much for the wonderful mention!
Congratulations, first off, on the whole musical countdown. What a fantastic venture and a great addition to the already incomparable WITD.
I was very interested in your thoughts on both LIKE CRAZY and THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY. They are firmly on my radar, and I will make a point to see them both when they get to Louisiana.
My week was a little slower. I only saw MEEK’S CUTOFF and OF GODS AND MEN. I was very happy to see them both but preferred the French film. I found the acting sublime and the overall filmmaking hypnotic and wonderfully contemplative. It’s only the second Xavier Beauvois film that I’ve seen, someone whose work I definitely want to continue to follow.
Thanks so much, Sam, for all that you do. Here’s to another awesome week!
Jeffrey–
Thanks so much for the very kind words on the concluding musical countdown. I have been so wrapped up in the preparations that here we are at 1:00 P.M. and I still haven’t even begun my piece on THE WIZARD OF OZ, which is due up sometime near midnight. After just a few more responses on this thread I must abort and move forward on the review if I hope to complete it. But so many people are to be thanked for making the project fly right from the start.
Yes, i do strongly recomment both LIKE CRAZY and THE LAST RITES OF JOE MAY, and hope they arrive in Bayou Country very soon. I do think you will connect with both if my perceptives are right.
I wasn’t much of a MEEK’S CUTOFF fan, but I do think OF GODS AND MEN is one of the best films of the year, and completely agree that it is hypnotizing and sublime. I’ll add this:
The film’s piece de resistance both thematically and emotionally turns out appropriately to be a wordless scene: the monks indulge in a few bottles of wine in a gathering that suggests the Last Supper. The most lyrical segment of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is played on the soundtrack while the monks smile and immerse themselves in cameraderie and bonding. It represents in its purist form the essence of the Christian faith. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reviews the film has garnered, an extreme minority has complaimed that Beauvois ‘lost grip of the material’ by using Tchaikovsky as a crutch, when the scene cried out for total silence. Truth be said the director earned his right to accentuate this crucial moment, and his tasteful choice is to be roundly applauded. It’s one of the cinema’s most profound expressions of spirituality ever filmed. While others films through the years have examined faith from various angles (Bergman’s Winter Light and Bresson’s Diary of as Country Priest are the ones that are immediately recalled, though both deal with quite the other extreme) Of Gods and Men is a riveting study of what the skeptics have always likened to a kind of ’blind adoration’, executed with little rationality or practical judgement.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the film is the manner in which it documents the uncompromising nature of fervent religiosity, and how the worst kind of impending calamity can never dislodge the power of belief. In this sense Of Gods and Men transcends it’s secular trappings to express a universality in the obstinence of purpose and principle at any price. It’s a stone-cold masterpiece of the cinema.
Thanks for always brightening up the cinematic landscape my exceedingly multi- talented friend!
Sam –
Glad to hear that your power has returned and life is back to normal. I am a bit wistful about reaching the end of the Musicals Countdown. It’s been such a happy morning ritual to come to Wonders in the Dark each day, read the latest essay and commune with the other musical lovers via the comments thread.
I’m sure I’ll get to a matinee of TOWER HEIST at some point, although yours is not the only unenthusiastic review I’ve read.
My week was about catching up on 2011 releases. I saw and quite liked BEGINNERS, on which I am at work on a review. I recall you didn’t care much for this one, but I found it touching and beautifully acted, if a bit flawed. Christopher Plummer has rightly earned a great deal of praise for his role, but I thought Ewan McGregor handled the thankless role of the son with remarkable grace and sweetness.
I also caught HORRIBLE BOSSES, which was kind of funny, nothing special – as well as Kevin Smith’s RED STATE, for which I was completely unprepared. I came in expecting sometihng along the lines of “Jay and Silent Bob Take On the Branch Davidians,” and discovered a horror/action film that, at least for about the first third of its running time, is genuinely chilling. It’s very well-acted (particularly by Michael Parks and John Goodman) but ultimately Smith just isn’t a good enough filmmaker to make his action scenes compelling or to drive home his satirical points with enough bite. It’s worth seeing, but it could have been so much better.
Pat–
I agree that the imminent end of the musical morning ritual is an aching realization, but we did have three months of enrichment, comeraderie and some serious agreement (Yes I know for the first time in the countdown, things got rather sticky today on THE WIZARD OF OZ thread, but I was figuring as much after a similar mammoth thread developed when the film placed #1 in the 30’s polling) and it was a real joy reading through everyone’s stellar work. Your own support throughout was spectacular and I want to thank you for all you have done.
I know I was tough on BEGINNERS, but at some point I’ll give it another go. Yes, Plummer was excellent for sure! I agree with your general comments on Kevin Smith but haven’t seen either of those two films yet. Good to hear there is some entertainment value there.
I will be seeing WEST SIDE STORY tonight at 7:00 at my local multiplex with several people. I was wondering if you also had similar plans?
Thanks as always my great friend!
Would have loved to see Like Crazy and The Last Rites of Joe May. I’ve read close to nothing on both. I did come across a blurb that claimed that the former film recalled Cassavettes.
Saw that Giants win. Incredible!
Bringing in Cassavettes when discussing LIKE CRAZY may be overkill, but I see the reasons behind the comparison.
I hope you get to these these Frank!
Yes, it seems the Giants have inflicted pain on the Patriots more than once these past few years.
Many thanks my friends!
Hello Sam and everyone!
Thanks again for featuring my blog, as always Sam, and I’ve been following and expecting the end of a glorious musical countdown that has managed to make me understand, a bit, the passion that comes to the fans of this genre I’m most unexperienced with. I also look forward to all the lists (of all the voters) as well as the usual thread with all the commenters top 10-20-50-100-1000 musicals (if someone ever dares to go as much as that).
Anywho, you had a great week, so it seems, filled with movies and theater, which is always nice. But what a harsh statement on Tower Heist, ashamed of going with the ride? I remember those kinds of films and always flavour the experience more and then dump it, but not without a certain regard “at least it was entertaining”.
My weeks and days have been tiring, even if I had the world’s shortest week (wednesday, thursday, friday), but still it was quite the work to go through the script again and meetings with sound guys, actors and many many technicians of the world of film in way for the shooting date, which is only 10 days away.
My week movie wise:
– 3/60: Bäume im Herbst (1960, Kurt Kren) *** Experimental short film that consists of flickering images of dead leaves on trees on autumn. I think I would’ve liked this more if I wasn’t so sleepy, and also if it had any music, I really missed it here after last week’s animation overhaul that drove me crazy.
– Halloween (2007, Rob Zombie) ***1/2 The last movie I saw for my halloween madness, the review is at my site.
– In Time (2011, Andrew Niccol) **** Interesting sci-fi concept on how humanity has resorted to time as a currency in the favour of beauty, it’s like a whole commentary on how society has resorted to looks for all their transactions and life. But it also manages to slip by a subversive message on money, the rich and the upper class that is quite interesting in times of Occupy and World Revolutions, like the one we have here. Interesting for this times.
– A Separation (2011, Asghar Farhadi) ****1/2 The best movie of the year so far. I know I say this every two months, but hey, I keep seeing films and find them better than the ones I see before. This is an impressive iranian drama that actually talks about a lot of things that not only iranian, but world society must attend to. With beautiful cinematography, I think this one will break records when it comes out in USA. It may go up to ***** but I have to see it again.
– Lapis (1966, James Whitney) **** One of those animations that make you wonder HOW do they did that? It’s like moving all over the place and it’s so colourful and so detailed, it’s almost like magic really.
– The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975, Jim Sharman) ***** I rewatched this on the day of Halloween, it played on TCM and I HAD to watch it again just to sing along to those magnificent songs as well as admire the wonderful coreography that really makes it one of the greatest musicals of all time, for me.
– Variations on a Cellophane Wrapper (1972, David Rimmer) ***1/2 Repetitive experimental short film that manages to deliver some striking images just repeating the same sequence over and over again.
Well, that’s all Sam, I reviewed Melancholia at my blog and I also started seeing the original DARK SHADOWS series, I’m on episode 10, 1235 to go.
I love Dark Shadows! I think it really gets going when Barnabus Collins (Jonathan Frid) enters the story. You probably have quite a few episodes to go.
I’m eagerly awaiting episode 125 when the first ghost appears for real.
Jaime—–
As always I make one of my favorite persons online wait for my response! This a weekly ritual I know, but the sheer volume and scope of your pieces always seduces me to save it for what I can give it maximum attention. As far as the musical countdown lists of the seven voters, I will put them on a weekend thread or as part of Monday diary or diary thread. The voters can enter their musical list (as you have) under one or both of the reviews of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. I will check your blog reviews first thing in the morning as I need to get back into my normal routine. I plan to see MELANCHOLIA on either Saturday afternoon or Sunday. I have owned teh screener of it for a while, but have deliberately waited to see it in a theatre.
Thanks so much for all your stellar support through the venture!
I may have been too harsh on TOWER HEIST, but I’d like to hear your own views. Some of it was fun, and in the end one must look at this as harmless escapist fun. But it was still rather uneven in that sense. I always knew how much you loved ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, but I’m stunned to hear that you consider A SEPARATION as the best film of 2011 (wow!) even with almost two months left! The show films are intriguing, but I am most interest in Andrew Nichol’s film, much as I adored GATTACA. And yes DARK SHADOWS was a big part of my youth, and agree with Frederick on his point about the entrance of Barnabus Collins. I’d love to hear your views my friend. Thanks again for the terrific wrap!
That Tennessee Williams play sounds like a hoot. I had never heard of it until now. Mink Stole was great in Waters’ “Pink Flamingos” especially. Hope you got a chance to meet her afterwards.
I hope “Like Crazy” shows up in Montclair.
Peter—
Broadway Bob got his picture taken with Mink Stole! I didn’t get to meet her though, I was standly just several feet away. The Williams play is so bizarre that it simply can’t help but intrigue! Ha!
I think you can count on LIKE CRAZY showing in Montclair! Many thanks my friend!
OMG! Taffy “I Wouldn’t Suck Your Lousy Dick If I Was Suffocating And There Was Oxygen In Your Balls” Davenport! One of the last survivors of the Waters menagerie; love it.
Sam – Your fine critique has made me want to see LIKE CRAZY. I can read between the lines…it’s going to be “bittersweet” and I’ll probably cry my eyes out. It’s simply a matter of how many tissues should I take along.
And we’ll give a wide berth to TOWER HEIST, thank you very much. The highlights were probably in the 3-minute preview, so we’ll just save our money.
I’m glad to know that you guys have dug out from the worst of the snow storm. Gosh, but that came out of nowhere! We haven’t had our first snow yet, but I’m confident it’ll be here soon enough 🙂
Laurie—
It is indeed a five-handkerchief weepie, but I say that in the best sense. The film does a great job showing what befalls any young person when obstacles beyond their control intrude on their small world. It is deeply, deeply affecting film, that I can’t recommend more, and I can’t wait to hear your reaction! TOWER HEIST can be seen as a guilty pleasure in one sense, but yeah, when there are other pressings screenings to negotiate it could wait for netflix.
That was a freak storm, and it caused much discomfort and stress. But perhaps it will take the place of a December or January storm we will never get? Ha! Wishful thinking. Here’s to a snowless Winter in Crystal Lake!
Thanks as always my exceptional friend!
Sam I think LIKE CRAZY shall be put on my “must watch” list. We on the other hand watch a different kind of love story last night…
ANNA CHRISTIE (1930) directed by Clarence Brown and is an adaptation of the 1922 play by Eugene O’Neill. Historically interesting as a intriguing transition from theatre to film. We are going to watch the German version tonight.
The next two pieces I want to share with you same are short pieces that you will be able to access from the links featuring each film. Both of these were particularly moving and inspiring for me as an artist and I just get the feeling you will like them as well.
FEATHER TO FIRE (I don’t know the year) by Gregory Colbert and is 6.24 minutes long https://plus.google.com/114820480752300993890/posts/5ifVDQgKRHv
GEHARD RICHTER AT THE TATE MODERN (October 2011) interviewed by Nicholas Serota. This video interview with Gerhard Richter touched something significant for me right from the beginning when he says:
You feel very free when you paint. I always had the feeling – I wasn’t sure that I am good, not at all, but I was always sure I am allowed to do this.
http://www.casualoptimist.com/2011/10/25/gerhard-richter-at-tate-modern
Best of the week to you!
Terrill—–
FEATHER TO FIRE is truly magnificent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really, really love it!!!!!!!!!!!! Alluring, atmospheric photography, and a piercingly beautiful musical score that has Asian sound. It really is mesmerizing, and the combination of image and sound gives off a meditative effect. I will be sharing this with others on my e mail network. Many thanks for this!
And Richter’s work is magnificent, I can see why much of it influenced you and why both these links provide more than just a little artistic inspiration! As far as your own work be rest assured it speaks for itself and with some serious volume!
I agree that 1930’s ANNA CHRISTIE is more curiosity than anything else,, and yes as an early example of stage to film. Would love to hear your views on the German version.
Thanks for really brightening my days with those wonderments!
Sam, my comment must be getting caught in moderating or spam – likely because it has a couple links in it. But it has to be there someplace – twice actually. The second one has the correct spelling of the third title 🙂 Take care, Terrill
Terrill–
I just now rescured this comment from the wordpress spam page. You are right that it’s always a problem when links rae part of the comment, which I find rather bizarre.
Thanks so much for your persistence my great friend!
A well, it was a risk I was prepared to take. Glad you found it and sorry for adding the extra work to your already full plate. Take care Terrill 🙂
It is welcoming news that you are looking forward to turkey day and the heat has come back on and lights restored. I have so enjoyed the musical countdown – each and every writer did such a fine job and I discovered 3 on the list I had not seen.
You asked me to try and review a movie on my site…I have trouble doing that right now because all the book publishers want my reviews to try and sell books for the holidays….and so my schedule is very tight and I just had to pull an all nighter because the book I review this week came so late, I truly had to push – good news it is such a great book.
I have set aside Nov 17th to review a movie….not a new movie, but one I saw on DVD and I believe I would like to encourage others to see it again…
Our 20 year old oven died last month and I might be better at reviewing all the new disposable ovens being produced and on the market! Wow has this been a disheartening research project.
I am also hoping to see a movie in the theatre as I am going to San Francisco for a week to visit my daughter….I can just hop a bus to go and see something fresh and new while she is at work….I promise I will write about it even if I do not like it…
Patricia—
It was a very long five days without electrical power. But we did have (and made the most of the option) to use the school building where Lucille is Principal. I look forward to the 17th for the movie review you have tentatively planned for PATRICIA’S WISDOM!!! I well understand the situation with the book publishers that has prevented you from free-lancing to that extent though.
Terrific news too that it is a great book you have there!
Patricia, if you will be in San Francisco you might want to check out the possibility of visiting the Castro!!!! They may have a worthwhile film classic for you to see, and one that you may want to review. I know they show a lot of film noir there, but they go in other directions too. Anyway thanks for the great comment, have a great trip and will speak to you soon my friend!
Thanks for the mention and film update Sam. I had not heard of the Dennis Farina film at all. I will surely have to see it because I have a soft spot for Farina. I was a huge fan of CRIME STORY when I was growing up even though exact details of the episodes slip my mind. The things I remember the most are his role of Lt. Torello along with Ray Luca and the catchy theme song. I would love to drop Gosling’s driver character into that world 🙂
Sachin—
Gosling does indeed belong in that world! Ha! But yes, Farina against all odds may have delivered here in this low-budget inde that few will see, the performance of his life! He’s winning all kinds of praise, and his work here has earned it. Yes, many will indeed mention CRIME STORY. Hopefully the film will make an appearance by you. I’d love to read of your reaction.
Hope all is well my great friend out West!
Finally, “Singin’ in the Rain” finishes the countdown!
Good work, I must say. Congratulations to all of you in WinD for completing this daunting task.
I was pretty much sure any of top ten is interchangeable among them regarding its order, but glad to see my favorite hit the No.1 place. Musical cinema is exactly the genre “they don’t make films like this anymore”, and the adage “it’s the pictures that got small” sounds too right. Gorgeous colors, wonderful staging, and shamelessly escapist, this is the cinema art whose raison d’etre desperately demands audience’s imagination. And you have to do it gracefully. I have a feeling modern filmmakers are bit too self-conscious to pull that off. Considering the sheer abundance of musicals in early talkies, it is quite interesting that Hollywood did not think advent of sound wasn’t necessarily the end of fantasy, but called for different set of rules. In that sense, Singin’ in the Rain just does that.
Ah, thank you for the link, again. I really appreciate it.
MI
MI—
It’s always a treat to hear from you my friend! You offer up an intelligent and tasteful assessment of our three-month long project. I must say I speak for several writers when I say the venture was draining, but as you’d expect with this kind of attention and enthusiasm that it enhanced our reverence for the form. Yes SINGIN IN THE RAIN is a choice that just about everyone could have predicted. Yes, that adage is only too true! You offer up a telling view as to how and why the studios ‘changed the rules.’ at that time.
But yes there were several placements in the Top 10 that could well have been interchangeable as you suggest. My own #1 favorite is WEST SIDE STORY, but there is no doubt that SINGIN IN THE RAIN must always be mentioned prominently when trying to gage the top film in this genre. As some her said it was a foregone conclusion it would win this poll.
Look forward to your next piece my friend! Many thanks as always!