George Ballantine's 'The Nutcracker' (Tchaikovsky) performed by New York City Ballet in encore HD simulcast
by Sam Juliano
Santa Claus has really been making his rounds the past week in small towns and in the biggest stores, but he is conserving much of his energy for Sunday, when his reindeer will be descending on cities and communities all around the globe. Here at Wonders in the Dark jolly old St. Nick sent a personal letter to the entire staff:
To All my buddies at Wonders, my favorite place to hang out:
You guys are really the best. Jamie Uhler has made me forget all about the Beatles over the past months, so much so that I have told my elves to discard all the Fab Four’s CDs scheduled for delivery on the Big Day. Although my friend Bob Clark seems to think the ‘Bearded One’ is a more imposing figured than Yours Truly, I still have a Star Wars blu-ray set heading over to his Westchester, New York home. My buddy up in Kendal always says ‘Bah humbug’ but my friends at Masters in Cinema have something cooked up for him. Jim and Valerie Clark are two of the loveliest of people, and my crew in Canada will be taking good care of them. My friends in Brooklyn will be paying Maurizio Roca a visit too! A fine young man! I will personally be flying over Santiago, Chile and Sydney, Australia (do you think I’m stupid, it’s summer Down Under!) to take good care of my friends Jaime Grijalba and Tony d’Ambra. My head elf in the states said he has a going away present for Joel Bocko for his new adventure out West. Sam and Lucille, I have a season’s movie pass to one of your favorite theatres, effective on December 25th. I trust you’ll be using it for ‘War Horse’ later that night. Dennis Polifroni is another up and coming star at this place who will be receiving some wonderful DVDs. Our dear friend Dee Dee, gets our most sacred blessings for her stupendous humanitarian efforts in behalf of the human race. There is an eternal star in the sky shining for her. Loved the musical poll by the way. My favorite song is (what else?) “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”
Have a Merry Christmas and the Best Year ever in 2012!
-S.C.
Cool dude, that Santa Claus fellow! Well, the past week was an active one for Lucille and I, but at this time of the year this is no surprise. We attended four movies in theatres, while I took my youngest daughter Jillian to see the encore HD simulcast of the NYC ballet’s ‘George Ballantine’s Nutcracker’ on Tuesday night at our local multiplex.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy *** (Thursday night) Village East Cinemas
Young Adult *** 1/2 (Saturday night) Chelsea Cinemas
The Big Parade (1928) ***** (Monday night) Film Forum
Possession (1981) **** 1/2 (Friday night) Film Forum
Gary Oldman delivers a striking performance in the British film re-make of a popular spy mini-series, and the film does contain some arresting sequences. Yet there is dramtic inertia here, and the story arc is mired in a holding pattern that includes a dreadfully dull opening section. It’s a case of the sum making for less than the individual parts. But I’d certainly be up for a second viewing at some point. YOUNG ADULT contains some acerbic Diablo Cody writing, and Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt are top-rank in YOUNG ADULT, which is admittedly a tough film to embrace, yet it’s underlying cynicism is really the major virtue. THE BIG PARADE (1928) is one of the greatest silent films of all-time, and one of the best war films, so a live accompaniment by Steve Sterner of this King Vidor masterpiece was one of the greatest of all screenings. The absence of this treasure on DVD remains an unforgiveable slight from Warners, even with very fine booties out there, including some copied from the laserdisc. POSSESSION (1981) from Andrezej Zulawski is one of the most disturbing of all films. There were shocks, disturbing sequences, grotesqueries, avante-garde, psychological meltdown, unsettling expressionism and a demonic premise that accelerates in intensity after a slow start. The sequence on the stairs near the end is unforgettable, but the surrealism throughout takes on the spectre of a nightmare that will never be completely forgotten. Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani are masterful in this near-masterpiece of the cinema.
Tchaikovsky’s NUTCRACKER ballet is a perennial chestnut that never loses it’s magic and wonderment, and the George Ballantine version from the NYC Ballet has held up magnificently for years now. The encote HD broadcast on Tuesday at local movie theatres included some wonderful intermission interviews and looked marvelous with so much of the close-up camerwork. In the end, for all the beautiful sets, it’s the deft foot work and the glorious score that always trump all.
Some great posts have recently appeared in the blogosphere:
Tony d’Ambra’s lead post at FilmsNoir.net is a most fascinating one, as it presents where he stands in regards to Frank Krutnik’s volume “In A Lonely Street” which make some telling connections between 40’s melodrama and film noir: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/film-noir-and-the-classic-hollywood-narrative.html
John Greco take a fascinating look at the National Film Registry in “Amazing Shadows” at Twenty Four Frames: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/these-amazing-shadows-2011-mariano-and-norton/
R.D. Finch has written a buffo essay on “The Tree of Life” at The Movie Projector: http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2011/12/tree-of-life-2011.html
Judy Geater at Movie Classics announces the release of William Wellman’s “A Star is Born” on Kino blu-ray in February: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/a-star-is-born-1937-comes-to-blu-ray/
Jaime Grijalba offers up thanks to Wonders in the Dark for posting his fabulous essay on the writer Vargas Llosa at Exodus 8:2: http://exodus8-2.blogspot.com/2011/12/miercoles-de-cuentos-critica-de-la-casa.html
Joel Bocko offers up “Highlights For the Holidays” at The Dancing Image, which showcases some of the great posts from the past year: http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2011/12/highlights-for-holidays.html
Just Another Film Buff (Srikanth) has posted some arresting images from a movie he admits ‘blew him away’: “We Need to Talk About Kevin” at The Seventh Art: http://theseventhart.info/2011/12/18/evakevin/
Laurie Buchanan at Speaking From The Heart covers “Leo” in her extraordinary astrological series: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/leo-jul-23-aug-22/
Dee Dee has posted a wonderfully informative and engaging piece on the origin of lobby cards at Darkness Into Light: http://noirishcity.blogspot.com/2011/11/holding-auctiontaking-look-at-eleven.html
Jon Warner at Films Worth Watching has returned from a memorable trip to the U.K., and he offers up a fantastic review of “My Week With Marilyn” which he viewed during his time there: http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-week-with-marilyn-2011-directed-by.html
Kaleem Hasan’s Satyamshot blog continues to attract record-breaking numbers at this altar for Indian culture, film and politics. Here’s a recent post displaying images for the new “The Dark Knight” film: http://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/the-dark-knight-rises-first-poster/
Roderick Heath has penned a brilliantly engaging and comprehensive essay on David Cronenberg’s “A Dangerous Method” at Ferdy-on-Films: http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/?p=12517
Meanwhile, at Heath’s solo movie blog “This Island Rod” the great writer offers up a classic takedown of “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”: http://thisislandrod.blogspot.com/2011/12/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-2011.html
At Roderick Heath’s literature blog, English-One-O-Worst, the great writer takes on the Bard’s “King Lear” and the result is a scholarly masterpiece: http://englishoneoworst.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-he-rightly-is-king-lear-as-king.html
Pat Perry has penned another perceptive piece on the severely flawed sex comedy “Friends With Benefits” at Doodad Kind of Town: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2011/12/on-home-screen-friends-with-benefits.html
Craig Kennedy’s always engaging Watercooler post is leading the way at Living in Cinema: http://livingincinema.com/2011/12/18/catching-up-is-hard-to-do/
After a brief hiatus Ed Howard has returned with a mighty essay on the all-time Carol Reed classic “The Third Man” at Only the Cinema: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2011/12/third-man.html
Murderous Ink, in Tokyo examines ‘Nuclear Noir’ in a brilliant new post at Vermillion and One Nights: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2011/12/nuclear-noir.html
At Patricia’s Wisdom, our friend and proctor of the same name has authored a tremendous review of Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life”: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2011/12/the-tree-of-life/
At Scribbles and Ramblings Sachin Gandhi has penned a brilliant piece on ‘Three Films by Mohammad Al-Daradji”: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2011/12/three-films-by-mohamed-al-daradji.html
At the always-spectacular Creativepotager’s blog, artist Terrill Welch offers up another captivating work-in-progress on her latest oil painting: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/spilling-over-original-oil-painting-by-terrill-welch/
Writer extraordinaire Samuel Wilson, has penned a superlative review of the Danish prison film “R” at Mondo 70: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2011/12/r-2010.html
At The Long Voyage Home, Peter Lenihan officially announces the upcoming John Ford retrospective at Wonders in the Dark that he will be chairing: http://thelongvoyagehome.blogspot.com/2011/12/announcement-john-ford.html
The gifted and always brilliant Jason Bellamy takes a fascinating and perceptive look at “J Edgar” that in some measure differs from the majority stand. It’s at The Cooler: http://coolercinema.blogspot.com/2011/11/solid-weight-j-edgar.html
Filmmaker Jeffrey Goodman at The Late Lullaby offers up a new quartet of films including one by Ozu and another by Pialat that impressed him greatly as of late: http://cahierspositif.blogspot.com/2011/11/favorite-four-part-fifteen.html
Again Stephen Russell-Gebbett offers up a wholly audacious position with some brilliantly perceptive writing in his announcement at Checking on my Sausages that “Sucker Punch” is his #1 film of 2011: http://checkingonmysausages.blogspot.com/2011/12/sucker-punch-film-of-year.html
At The Schleicher Spin David announces the birth of an exciting new literary magazine: http://theschleicherspin.com/2011/12/17/introducing-the-premier-issue-of-the-stone-digital-literary-magazine/
At Cinemascope Shubajit Laheri has penned a fantastic capsule on the Hungarian masterpiece, “The Round-Up” by Miklos Jansco: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2011/12/round-up-1965.html
Michael Harford, the erstwhile ‘Coffee Messiah’ offers up an engaging video about the beverage’s worldwide popularity: http://coffeemessiah.blogspot.com/2011/11/coffee-break.html
Troy Olson announces plans to commence with his Robert Bresson project at Elusive as Robert Denby: http://troyolson.blogspot.com/2011/11/argh.html
Jason Marshall issues an expertly reasoned pan of Lars Von Trier’s “Melancholia” at Movies Over Matter: http://moviesovermatter.com/2011/12/03/the-earth-is-evil-we-dont-need-to-grieve-for-it-lars-von-triers-melancholia/
At Radiator Heaven J.D. has penned a superlative piece on 2005’s “Mirrormask”: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2011/12/mirrormask.html
At Petrified Fountain of Thought Stephen Morton offers up three terrific capsules on “50/50″, “Moneyball” and “Ides of March”: http://petrifiedfountainofthought.blogspot.com/2011/11/recent-movies-5050-moneyball-ides-of.html
Fritz Lang, Joseph Losey and Jean-Luc Godard all figure in Drew McIntosh’s latest post “I’ll Be Damned” at The Blue Vial: http://thebluevial.blogspot.com/2011/11/ill-be-damned.html
Kevin Olson offers up a postscript to his recent Horror Blogothon at Hugo Stigliz Makes Movies: http://kolson-kevinsblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/italian-horror-blogathon-postscript.html
Tony Dayoub at Cinema Viewfinder offers up an interview with the Self-Styled Siren: http://www.cinemaviewfinder.com/2011/11/gone-to-earth-conversation-with-self.html
Hokahey has penned an impressive review of “The Immortals” at Little Worlds: http://hokahey-littleworlds.blogspot.com/2011/11/immortal-imagery-immortals.html
Dave Van Poppel is gearing for some updates at Visions of Non Fiction, but presently is still leading up with his very fine review of “Project Nim”: http://visionsofnonfiction.blogspot.com/2011/08/project-nim.html
At The Reluctant Bloger Jeff Stroud has offered up some stunning beautiful images in a post titled “Autumn Leaves”: http://jeffstroud.wordpress.com/
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Hey, Sam – Tinker, Tailor etc… is at the top of my must-see list…surprised you didn’t like this more. Were you a big fan of the original mini-series and/or have you read the novel?
I’ll be checking out YOUNG ADULT tomorrow – really looking forward to it – big fan of Reitman and Theron – and I love dark comedies.
Seems like there is even a bigger onslaught of films for Christmas than usual – I’m afraid a lot of films with fall through the cracks for me – especially the limited releases (The Artist etc) that will be fighting for local screens here. The Fincher GIRL and Spielberg’s WAR HORSE are greatly anticipated here.
Thanks for the shout out to the new dig-lit-mag, The Stone. It’s an experiment for sure! Hoping to uncover some great new writers in the process.
Oh – and for some bizarre reason I watched THOR this weekend. I guess I’ll give it ** for being dumb fun, but what was with Branagh and all the Dutch angles? I haven’t seen such an egregious use of Dutch angles since BATTLEFIELD EARTH. It’s hard to believe this is the same guy that directed HENRY V.
David—
To be honest I have neither read the novel, nor have I seen the mini-series of TINKER TAILOR. So at least I was able to judge this on its own terms. To be sure it did have its moments, and the acting was top-rank, (Oldman, Hurt, Firth) but in the end the film’s context was mostly bankrupt. But you may think differently.
You will probably like YOUNG ADULT with that track record.
I suspect the Christmas movies will be opening wide next week, and within two weeks you should have everything you want to see.
The Stone does seem like a worthwhile experiment.
Many thanks and have a great week my friend!
No need for the near- prefix Sam in regards to Possession, and I’d put Adjani’s performance up there with anyone’s. I saw Mission Impossible 4 this weekend, which I liked quite a bit; there were certainly missteps but it worked more often than it didn’t–Bird is a really witty visualist and there was always this sense of someone with intelligence working behind the camera, which you couldn’t really say about the last one.
Peter—
The more I think about POSSESSION, the more I agree that the pre-fix should be erased. Adjani was truly electrifying for sure! I didn’t get to MI 4, but am very intrigued by your positive report here. of course I have noticed that the reviews have been quite favorable across the board. I may be able to catch this mid-week. Thanks as always for the excellent report my very good friend. Have a great week!
Does S.C. stand for “sad cunt!”
As for Masters of Cinema cooking something up for me. It’s my funeral pyre. Sam, you spoil me.
Just a quick note to say that, once the final couple of possibles arrive, I’ll be showcasing my top 40 DVD/Blu Ray releases of the year in a post.
The post on the top DVDs and blu-rays sounds great!
Thanks for the plug, Sam. I saw the Sherlock Holmes sequel at the cinema yesterday with the family – my son loved it, though he started sighing in the chess scene near the end because apparently someone made a move he disapproved of! Very much the mixture as before, ie a lot of stunts and chases and CGI and not very much for Holmes purists, but once again I thought Downey Jr carried it all off with sarcastic charisma. Also enjoyed seeing Jared Harris as Moriarty.
Meanwhile, as with buses, you wait ages for a movie about someone who has never been fishing pretending to be an expert angler, and then two come along at once! At home, I watched Hawks’ ‘Man’s Favorite Sport’, with Rock Hudson as a fake angling expert after reading John Greco’s review of it – then, by sheer coincidence, saw 1930s screwball classic ‘Libeled Lady’ and was surprised to find William Powell as another fake angling expert. I loved ‘Libeled Lady’, anyway – Powell, Harlow and Myrna Loy are all great in it – and enjoyed the Hawks though it isn’t one of his best. Also watched Harlow in ‘Bombshell’ from 1933, but I didn’t like that quite so much as some of the comedy feels a bit overdone, though maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood for it – and it certainly has some good scenes.
Judy—
I must confess that I was not a fan of the first Robert Downey Sherlock Holmes movie (I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Rathbone/Bruce aherent) but I know I am in the minority. I found the pyrotehnics a bit wearisome, and some of the narrative convoluted, but who am I to say? I have some very good friends who love it, so I am not at all surprised that your son is a fan. I’m sure an excellent validation for the film can be mounted, indeed has a number of times.
I actually am preparing to watch BOMBSHELL soon (I am a big fan of Harlow’s RED DUST) but I suspect you summation here is dead on! Love your bus analogy with the Hawks film and LIBELED LADY, the latter a sure masterwork. I did see John Greco’s terrific review of the former, and actually need to post a comment under it. It’s fine, but I agree not one of Hawks’ best.
Have a great pre-Christmas week my great friend, and the best to you and your family! It’s been a great 2011 convening with you here, and the musical countdown will be forever remembered. Here’s to even better year in 2012!
Sam,
Thanks, as always, for the mention and for the kind comments which often come in spite of your diametrically opposed views. I will be reading Jason Marshall’s ‘pan’ of Melancholia, a film I would put in second for the year (or maybe joint first).
This week, amongst other things, I saw:
Super 8 ****
Stephen—
It matters not what I (or anyone else thinks) about a film you review. The bottom line is the argument and you are on quite a winning streak. You and I do agree on MELANCHOLIA, which is near the top of my list as well.
Maybe I liked SUPER 8 a bit less, but your rating is fair enough.
Thanks as alway smy friend, and have a great pre-holiday week!
Sam, thanks so much for the wonderful mention.
An early Merry Christmas to you as I know next week’s diary will already be post the 25th. I was very jealous to hear of the Vidor screening. That’s one I’ve yet to see, but it sounds right up my alley.
This week was also a little slower for me. I only took in the indy DADDY LONGLEGS. Even though it won’t have a place in my best of 2011 list, I was still very happy to see it.
Here’s to another awesome week, Sam. Thanks so much for all that you do!
Jeffrey—
Aye Jeffrey; next week’s diary will be up on the 26th.
Fisrt off my friend I want you to know of the incredible thrill I got this past Friday afternoon as I was looking at the new release section of my local blockbuster here in Fairview, New Jersey. The releases are offered up alphabetically on the specious back wall of the store. Under the “L” section, sitting proudly were several copies of THE LAST LULLABY directed by Jeffrey Goodman! smiled from ear to ear and thought of how the incredible success you have had with your maiden film! I can’t tell you how great it is to see your work in nationwide release like this, and I know you must be so proud!
My good friend Jason Giampietro knows the director of DADDY LONGLEGS. I did see the film a while back, and while I agree it wasn’t a great effort it was still reasonably intreresting. I did report on it at the Diary.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year. Your friendship is deeply cherished! Thanks as always for the terrific report!
I really gotta agree with Sam on TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY. My problem with the film is that, even though faithful to the novel, it’s so deliberately slow paced that your praying for something, ANYTHING to break the monotony of the whole thing. Oldman was fine in the role of George Smiley (looks like a he’ll finally get the Oscar nomination that has eluded him for so long), as well as the rest of the cast, but I still have more of a fondness for that early ’80’s BBC mini-series with Alec Guiness.
HUGO is an absolute stunner. From the very first sequence, Martin Scorsese’s film sucks you right in. I don’t wanna give too much away as part of the joy of this film is the reveal of a very real historical figure, but I will say that Scorsese hasn’t been in this great a form since GANGS OF NEW YORK and this adaptation of the Caldecott winning childrens novel is breathtaking on so many levels. NOTE: I urge anyone planning on seeing HUGO to go for the 3D option. Scorsese is one of the few directors working with this process that knows how to utilize it to its fullest intention. Like the way James Cameron used 3D for AVATAR, the same can be said for Scorsese and it’s use on HUGO. It’s not about what jumps off the screen but how it draws YOU IN to the world of the film.
On a lighter note; Sam and I saw TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY in the city last Thursday night. Bob Clark met up with us for the show as well as Maurizio Roca. Never having met Maurizio before, it was a big thrill to finally put a face and a voice to the words he leaves here on the boards of WITD. I found Maurizio’s company to be intelligently engaging and he’s a really swell guy all around. It was nice to meet him and I hope there will be more opportunities in the future for Sam and I to hang with the gang…
P.S.-I was thrilled that Maurizio praised BREAKING BAD on my recommendation during our discussions at the city eatery THE DISH. Talk about boosting my already overinflated ego!!!!! LOL!!!!!
To all here at WONDERS, I wish you a very happy holiday season!!!!!!
Dennis—
This is an utterly fantastic comment in every sense! As it is we completely agree that TINKER TAILOR was a moderate disappointment, while HUGO reached for the stars and came within hailing distance. This stylistic wonderment is (as virtually all the critics’ groups nationwide have affirmed) one of the best films of 2011, and as you rightly state easily Scorsese’s best since GANGS OF NEW YORK, a film that HUGO at least matches. You are quite right about the 3D too. I just placed my order on amazon for Howard Shore’s magnificent score, which taps upon his love of early French cinema (I also ordered the brooding score for McQueen’s SHAME) which is surely among the best of teh year with the aforementioned SHAME, JANE EYRE, DRIVE and THE ARTIST. THE TREE OF LIFE is great too of course, but much of it, like MELANCHOLIA borrows from classical sources.
Yes it was a great time at The Dish with Maurizio, Bob, et al.
Thanks as always for the stupendous submission my great friend!
Hi Sam!,
Thanks for the terrific mention. I appreciate it thoroughly. I’m sure you and Jillian really enjoyed that showing of the Nutcracker. I mentioned to you that I took my oldest to see it live last weekend and she’s still running around in her tutu this week “replaying” things for us in the house. So fun. Also, you’re right about The Big Parade being one of the best of all silent films and one of the greatest war films as well. It is rather outrageous that there isn’t a proper DVD release of this from Warner Studios. For a film of this stature to get such short shrift is beyond me. I don’t ever recall hearing what the reasoning is? Flat out stupidity maybe? Ha! Bizarre to say the least. I am sort of interesting to see Young Adult, as it apparently stars such an unlikable character and I’m curious to see how that plays out, but I’ve read mostly mixed reviews thus far on that film.
My favorite experience of the week was watching the BluRay of The Red Shoes. I had always loved the film and thought it so beautiful, but the BluRay is simply jaw-dropping. I was continually floored by the presentation and restoration. Anton Walbrook gives one of the all-time great acting performances and Powell and Pressburger were at the top of their game. Preaching to the choir I know. 🙂 It’s one of the all time greats.
Sam, I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy my friend.
Jon—
I do well remember you mentioning that you saw The Nutcracker with your daughter last weekend, and I can’t say I’m surprised it is still occupying her thoughts! (and actions) Jillian seemed spellbound by the whole thing. THE BIG PARADE is indeed one of the greatest silent films ever made, and the Warner reluctance to rlease DVDs after promising several years ago, remains a major slight. And it’s not just THE BIG PARADE. It’s GREED, THE WIND, THE CROWD and SHOW PEOPLE. Every one of these films was previously released on VHS tape and laserdisc. Of course there are fine enough copies on DVDRs taken from the lasers that are easily obtainable, but these treasures deserve the full package treatment. This is probably the biggest ommission out there in the DVD market.
Agreed that YOUNG ADULT is not at all an easy film to warm up to. As far as THE RED SHOES blu-ray I can well see why you would be blown away by that presentation. Blu-ray seems to have been made for films like THE RED SHOES.
Jon, thanks again, and I wish you and your lovely family a wonderful holiday season!
I saw that same Nutcracker production two years ago. I believe it is offered every year. That’s too bad that ‘Tinker Tailor, Soldier Spy’ didn’t live up to your expectations. The mini series was a classic.
I see you were loathe to even mention the Giants and the Jets. Can’t say I blame you.
Both teams were pathetic. Ironically, they play each other next week, with the winner a probable playoff finalist.
Fred–
The Nutcracker like Handel’s Messiah is performed every year of course. I do prefer however, this George Ballantine production. You may feel differently about TINKER TAILOR, so give it a whirl.
Well, as far as the Jints and the Jets, they will forge their own destinies on Saturday. With Rex Ryan shooting his mouth off again, I must say I’m actually leaning towards the Jints as far as personal feelings. But what a match that will be!
I wish you and your family the best. Thanks as always for your friendship and year-round support!
I just said as much Frank. The winner will immediately be crowned temporary heros of the NYC area, while the loser is all but through for this season.
Hi Sam – It has been very busy on the work front, so my posting has taken a tumble (to be remedied with a review of The Artist in the next day or two). However, we’ve been busy on the play front, too. We’ve been catching up with more big 2011 films, including Hanna and My Week with Marilyn. I’m starting to think this is the year of the star turn – the scripts have been weak, but the central characterization strong in so many films this year, including these two. We also took in our December tradition and went to hear the Chicago Chamber Choir give their Christmas concert. They do carols from different countries: the first was France, last year was Spain, and this year was England, with a great performance of Benjamin Britten’s Cermenony of Carols and more familiar carols of the season. I finally have everything I need to make homemade baguettes, so the adventure begins anon.
Marilyn—
I did figured you were busy as of late, but Rod of course has come in with some tremendous reviews as of late. I can’t wait to read your upcoming review on THE ARTIST, a film that really ravished me. (even if I feel it’s winning all these critics’ awards at the expense of some other films) may be a bit over the top. But still, a splendid and exuberant work. I couldn’t agree with you more when you say that this may be the ‘year of the star turn’ at the expense of weaker scripts. How true is that. The Chicago Chamber Choir doing Christmas carols is most divine! I attended a similar concert last night with Broadway stars singing at a charity venue, but nothing to match the Chicago Chamber ensemble. The British performance of “Ceremony of Carols” is fantastic. I wish I were there. And the ‘different country’ every year is a wonderful way to approach the material. Good luck on your upcoming culinary adventure and have a great week my excellent fiend.
I’ll be looking (impatiently) for THE ARTIST post!
Sam – The Nutcracker Ballet (December, 1990 – San Diego) was the last ballet I ever got to see with my mother. Our whole family was there, including my maternal grandmother. It was a breathtaking performance. I will never, ever forget that magical Christmas.
Laurie–
A holiday like that would surely be unforgettable. I hope you took enough pictures, although knowing you as I do there isn’t a question on that front. 21 years ago seems like yesterday though, but there it is. But as it was the last ballet you saw with your mother it will alway shold a special place in your heart.
Thanks as always my very good friend, and both you and Len (and your son) have a Merry Christmas and the best year ever in 2012.
Hi Sam. Thanks for your comment at my site the other week! I really appreciate it. After seeing a few more films this holiday season I’ll write out a top ten. Can’t wait to see yours! Too bad about Tinker Tailor…. really my most anticipated film of the year. Keep well!
Dave–
You may well like TINKER TAILOR more than I did, so I encourage you to check it out at first opportunity of course. I’d love to know which films this year impressed you the most, so I will surely be keeping an eye open at your place.
As always thanks so much my very good friend and Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Saw it tonight Sam! Disappointing, so I’d have to agree with you. I found it quite boring and confusing. There was really a lack of excitement and at one point I just gave up trying to understand what exactly was going on. Maybe I need to read the book or watch the miniseries. I caught Into the Abyss last night though, which I enjoyed quite a bit more.
I am figuring you will be braving the gridlock traffic to head into Manhattan again tonight for the Monday silent film festival. I think you had said it goes into February. The Big Parade is one of the greatest of films. Hope that a great film is on the schedule. I have been reading some strong reviews on War Horse. Seems it is posised to be a big holiday film for this year.
You got me intrigued on Possession.
Frank—
I did NOT see the silent film festival last night (Monday)for the first time since the venture began, as I needed to attend a Christmas concert at Symphony Space that involved some distinguished Broadway singers. The festival runs until February, but that will be the final and only time I will be missing apart from a situation beyond my control. The missed film is Erich Von Stroheim’s THE MERRY WIDOW. Most of the reviews on WAR HORSE have indeed been favorable, but not all. The proof will be in the pudding.
POSSESSION only runs until Thursday night, but yes you must see this one way or another.
Thanks as always my grat friend! I wish you and Carol the best holiday season ever!
As Dennis mentions above it was great to get together and see Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The movie itself was listless at times and rather inert though certainly rewarding in key spots. The real fun was afterwards when we basically turned one of those long Wonders threads into a real life discussion. I then went to see Hugo the next day at my local movie theater and found it quite entertaining and well made. It may not be Scorsese at his absolute best, but it does showcase another side of the filmmaker that confirms his ability to expand into any genre he wishes with very good results. I have made it a point to see as much stuff from 2011 as possible in these next few weeks. What I saw this week….
Tinker Tailor ***1/2
Hugo ****
50/50 **1/2
Incendies ****1/2
The Turin Horse ****
We Need To Talk About Kevin ****1/2
By the way Sam, I think Santa Claus is lying to you in that letter. No way anyone on this blog is getting anything but coal stuffed in their stockings.
A reminder to Polifroni…..
The cartel’s running hot
because they weren’t getting respect
talkin about some “Heisenberg”
who owns the market now…..
Gotcha Maurizio! LOL! The search for “Heisenberg” will continue but the road to his uncovery will be repleat with many jagged rocks and bumpy passages, Nothing is what it seems and perceptions you have now will surely change as the series progresses. One thing is for certain, BREAKING BAD is one of the great character studies ever done on TV and watching Walter and Jesse progress with the plots twists is a blissful decent into the darkest regions of human experience. I’d go as far to say that BB is the best show on American TV and joins the ranks of THE WIRE, SIX FEET UNDER and LOST for great dramatics in the past 2 decades….
Maurizio—
Yes TINKER TAILOR did indeed suffer from inertia at various junctures. This sadly compromised the experience. I can’t ask for more from you as far as HUGO is concerned, as I know you are not usually a big fan of this genre of film. But it’s clear enough that you recognized it’s worth and artistry even if not in an out-of-control way. I do know you greatly admire Martin Scorsese and his well-documented versatility.
I am happy too that you were so taken with KEVIN, a film I had some minor issues. (but those issues are what prevent for from being a masterwork IMO) INCENDIES is a very great film, and I concur with your rating on it. It certainly contends for a Top Ten or Top Twenty list. I hope to see THE TURIN HORSE before the end of the month on a DVDR being sent to me right now, but I won’t be considering it to make any list, as it didn’t open in a US theatre, which for me in vital criteria. I know you and I aren’t eye to eye on 50/50 but fair enough.
Alas, you may be right about the coal. this may be a Santa smokescreen!!!
Have a great week my excellent friend! Hope to share more notes with you soon!
Sam –
As always, thanks for the link and your constant support of my site – means a lot to me.
I envy you your continuing whirlwind of movie, theater and concert going. A business trip this past week (in which my suitcase did not arrive in Houston until 28 hours after I did – way to go Continental/United baggage handlers!!!) severely impacted my filmgoing, although I did order an in-room movie at the hotel, I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT. Given the woman-centric focus of my site, I felt I had to finally see this; to my surprise, it was not bad. Not great either – certainly no contender for any end-of-year kudos or even my recurring Academey of the Underrated, but has a nice performance by Sarah Jessica Parker, plus it authentically nails the stress of frequent business travel. (In that respect, a good choice for this trip!)
Over the weekend, we caught MARGIN CALL, which I mostly liked, although I thought the sublplot with Kevin Spacey’s dying dog was entirely superfluous.
Marlon’s family is flying in from North Dakota and Germany later this week, so it will be another busy one. After that, I have a whole long list of films to catch up on, including HUGO, DRIVE, A DANGEROUS METHOD, SHAME, YOUNG ADULT, POETRY and UNLCE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES. At the rate I’m going, I should be able to put up a Best of 2011 list at my site by around Valentine’s Day!!
Happy Holidays to you and all the Wonders in the Dark writers!!
Pat—
Ya know Pat when I drove an airport limousine for 14 years (weekends and summers) I saw that terrible event happen a number of times. Continental seemed to be the biggest culprit, and people there were so irate that it’s a miracle physical violence didn’t erupt. Or did it after I walked away! To say such a horrible event is frustrating would be the understatement of the decade. The 28 hours later is really sad. Hence, I completely understand why your hopes were waylayed. You have my unconditional sympathy there. I’m sure your laptop wa sin that suitcase as well. I have never seen I DON”T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT, but I take your word for it. I will look for a review at DOODAD at some point. I had mixed feelings on MARGIN CALL, and by George I completely agree with you on those disclaimers!!! That is some list you have lined up. There are no less that five films that you name that I believe you will say are great! But let’s see what you come up with. Allan usually released his list in March, so you can’t possibly be considered late. You make the list when you’ve seen what you planned on seeing.
Have a terrific week, and the best holiday season ever my very great friend!
Sam, thanks for the weekly blurb, among other things. Every week we read of how you scramble about the metropolis in search of eclectic cinema and high culture. Meanwhile, I program my DVR for Turner Classic Movies, which last Wednesday pulled off one of its most mindboggling stunts ever with a day dedicated to the archival holdings of George Eastman House. The prime-time highlight was the TV premiere of Kubrick’s Fear and Desire, and boy, was the director right to sit on that one! On the other hand, in the middle of the afternoon TCM unleashed Kinugasa’s A Page of Madness. To call that a revelation would be a cliche of understatement. It’s a little masterpiece that stands comparison with the best silents of the US and Europe. By itself that made the day worthwhile but I’m still working through my recordings of that day. Just yesterday I scoped The Lottery Bride, one of those operetta oddities that Guy Maddin might have dreamed up if Hollywood hadn’t beat him to it. Jeanette McDonald, Joe E. Brown, Zasu Pitts, Rudolph Friml and a William Cameron Menzies arctic airship crash — you see what I mean.
Still found time for R and Jack Gold’s The Medusa Touch, a secular devil movie with Richard Burton unconvincing as a telekinetic madman and Lino Ventura thanklessly cast as a plodding investigator. Also wasted time on Martin Campbell’s Green Lantern, which simply wanted to tell too much of a mythos built up over fifty years in one two-hour gust and lacked the naive confidence in its hero that sustained the comic-book series in the first place. Wrong in nearly every decision it made and the worst film of 2011 I’ve seen except for Red Riding Hood. Just remember that I don’t see as many theatrical releases as the rest of you before you ask questions.
Samuel—
Wow! You really didn’t care for RED RIDING HOOD to that extreme? Well, I liked it quite a bit, but would welcome any elaboration you might be willing to share. TCM matched any trek through the metropolis with the unearthing of some of those gems! I had heard that the Kubrick would be shown )from a friend by e mail), but somehow I misunderstood it and was convinced it was KILLER’S KISS, which of course is on THE KILLING DVD. I own a copy of KINUBASA courtesy of Allan, but the print quality is dire. I am assuming the TCM print you saw of it was quite good, as Allan has alway sclaimed the estate was holding on to a perfect print, while allowing shabby dupes to circulate. I did watch a good part of the film, but print quality was so poor that I couldn’t get through it. I have seen THE LOTTERY BRIDE and am greatly amused by your sketch of it.
I agree with you completely on THE MEDUSA TOUCH but haven’t seen either R, nor GREEN LANTERN. Again talk about making the most of your weeks, here’s one that deserves applause.
Have a great holiday my friend and many thanks as always!!!
Red Riding Hood is the most unconvincing fantasy film I’ve seen in a long time. Honestly, it’s even unconvincing as a fantasy; you can’t believe that someone actually imagined it. The young cast makes the Twilight kids look like Strasberg graduates. But I have to concede that it’s a film that wasn’t meant for me, though I can’t imagine anyone going away satisfied with it. Also, the Eastman-TCM Page of Madness looked pretty beat up, but this is a film that had been lost for fortysomething years. Kinugasa’s visual power came through just fine, though.
Aye, Samuel, I know that KINUBASA has been in circulation in a rough print. I actually have a copy of it. Great that you still saw the power come through!
Santa is needing to get very busy these days as we just received official word that everyone is coming home for 4 days – and by the end of the day the new oven will be all in place and polished ready for some workhorse days ahead…
I already tried it out yesterday and made Gluten Free Sandwich Buns and WOW what a difference it made to have an oven that works well.
I did not see any movies this week, and was counting on seeing HUGO, I hope it will stick around awhile longer before the New Years things arrive.
Have Streep’s Iron Lady on my list for NEW YEARS EVE day!
I have assigned Tree of LIFE and Creation to my book group for my next read, So far they have been please, but I think one more movie should be added to the list – as Cutting for Stone was over 1,000 pages and took a great deal of time to read! Fair is Fair!
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday – We love Sendak’s Nutcracker in Seattle each year – it never disappoints!
I am taking the week off between Christmas and New Year, just because I have not taken a day off all year and all of my children will be home…
Hoping for a massage from SC!
Patricia—-
Wonderful news about the gang returning home! But yes that will certainly put some pressure on Santa over the coming days, needless to say. And best of luck with the new oven! As far as HUGO I sincerely hope that it does stick around, as it’s box-office hasn’t been inspiring despite the great reviews and critics’ awards. Like you I am looking forward to IRON LADY. I will be seeing THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, WAR HORSE, THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN, MI4 and A SEPARATION over the coming days.
Great news about the assigning of TREE OF LIFE to the book group! A perfect follow-up to that great film review you penned on it. The Sendak Nutcracker is great I know, and as far as taking a break, you certainly have earned it my friend.
I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and the best year ever in 2012! Many thanks as always for the great submission here.
Never imagined Santa to be such a movie buff. I’d love to read his top 10 later this year.
Thanks for the pointer, Sam. I’m sure in the minority here reg. KEVIN, which I thought is far from what critics are allowing it to be. Oh well.
ANd that’s a surprisingly negative assessment of TINKER TAILOR there. I’d probably be seeing it next week, along with HUGO.
I’ve been attending the Bangalore International Film Festival all this week and will be busy running about for the rest of the week. I’m documenting my impressions in short here; http://twitter.com/#!/J_A_F_B Most of the titles have been a disappointment, but I’m looking forward to the more important titles scheduled later this week (especially a rewatch of THE TREE OF LIFE).
Cheers!
JAFB, I am thinking THE POLAR EXPRESS and MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET may top his list. Hisa least favorite movie according to reports in BAD SANTA which doesn’t surprise me at all.
As it is my friend you are most assuredly NOT in the minority as far as KEVIN goes, at lewast not among the writers of WitD. Allan loves it, Maurizio loves it, Jamie Uhler loves it. So I may be teh only one that pulls back a bit, unless Bob is thinking teh same. I konow Jim hasn’t yet seen it.
TINKER TAILOR was tedious for a good stretch because it was never fully developed from the mini series. The abstract is not always wise for such a plot-driven work. But let’s see what you think.
I will check out those musings my friend. Can’t wait to hear your Bangalore report in full. Have a great week and many thanks as always! THE TREE OF LIFE is a great one to re-visit of course!
I expected to hear some kind of a report on MI 4, especially in light of the remarkable reviews it has received. Normally it isn’t my kind of movie, and anything short of being kidnapped and forced to watch it, I won’t be plopping down greenbacks. There is too much out there this time of the year.
I read some of the reviews for M. I. 4 and found them stunning as well. I also investigated further and found out why… Look close at the credits… The director is BRAD BIRD. Normally a director and writer for animation (he was one of the top dogs for THE SIMPSONS. He went on to great acclaim for his IRON GIANT (a film that doesn’t get half the praise it deserves) and he was also the writer and director of the Academy Award winning PIXAR films RATATOUILLE and THE INCREDIBLES. Considering THE INCREDIBLES (I had this film in the No. 1 position of Best Of The Year for its year of release) and it’s references to 60’s spy and action films, it comes as no wonder that he’d apply his same authority all over the M. I. franchise. Makes sense to me. Although M. I. 3, directed by JJ Abrams, was pretty solid too!
Dennis, thanks for this report. I may decide to bite the bullet and check this one out.
Peter–
It isn’t my kind of movie either, which is why I offered no coverage of it. But the spectacular reviews are there for all to see, and I’ll be giving a shot over teh coming week locally. But yeah, there is so much out there to see before MI4.
Thanks as always my excellent friend. Wish you and Sue a great week!
Yep, Bird has done some excellent stuff Dennis. You are right of course to sit the Pixar.
Thanks again for the nice mention, Sam. I finally got myself back into the theaters this week to catch up on a few films and happily I liked them all, Scorsese’s HUGO topping the list.
Hugo (****1/2) Enchanting is not a word that comes to mind when discussing a Martin Scorsese film but this film is exactly that, as well as a homage to the early days of cinema, and as a allegory for film preservation. Fantastic camerawork and the best use of 3-D that I have seen (Generally a process I have little use for), just a great film.
My Week with Marilyn (****) Terrific performance from Michelle Williams highlights this film about a true life affair between MM and a young member of the crew during the making of “The Prince and the Showgirl.”
Young Adult (****1/2) A bleak cynical comedy that attacks middle America values of small towns, coming home, high school memories and the notion of what is a romantic comedy with a big sour lollipop of a script that will unsettle some and bore THE HANGOVER/BRIDESMAID crowd. Charlize Theron is devilishly funny and on target as the badly behaved, self centered, world weary woman who comes home looking to rekindle a romance with her high school boyfriend now married. Patton Oswalt almost makes this film a derisive joy.
Oliver Twist (*****) David Lean along with cinematographer Guy Green evoke Dicken’s London in stark brilliant expressionistic photography. Wonderful performance from Alec Guinness whose Fagin ranges from a friendly thief at first to a demon enemy as the film progresses. Anthony Newley as the Artful Dodger and young John Howard Davies as Oliver help make this a real treasure.
Pygmalion (****1/2) Leslie Howard and Wendy Hiller are superb in this 1938 version of Shaw’s classic look at class distinction. Howard’s Henry Higgins is an unrepentant, arrogant, boorish professor of phonics who, as a lark, decides to teach a ragged lower class street peddler of flowers how to act and speak the Queen’s proper English. The ambiguous ending hints, for those who desire Higgins and Eliza to get together, at a so called happy ending, yet Higgins seems to remain determined not to change as does the smiling, and knowing, Ms. Doolittle.
The Bishop’s Wife (****) The original TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL. What makes this film so charming are the performances by Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven and a wonderful supporting cast. The snow scenes, the small town atmosphere all add to the Christmas ambiance. A nice blend of humor, drama and fantasy.
Fear and Desire(**1/2) Stanley Kubrick’s first feature film is uneven and amateurish to some extent but worth seeing if for no other reason than to see for how far the young director would progress within a few years.
Bombshell (***1/2) Jean Harlow is a put upon celebrity relatives, friends and co-workers seems to be taking advantage of until she attempts to change her life. Fun comedy with nice performances from Harlow and Lee Tracy.
John—
Wow!! You really had yourself a banner week there, as did Dorothy!!!
Well, as you must know I am with you all the way with HUGO, a film that straddles a five-star rating and is surely among the Top Ten best films of the year. It’s pure magic from a director who has left the boc triumphantly. I also agree with you that the 3D was t\errific, and also that normally I have little use for the gimmick. Williams is indeed most memorable in MARILYN, a film I do like just a bit less than you, but am pretty much with you.
I like YOUNG ADULT less, but can’t really argue with what you say, as you’ve made a persuasive case for it. Fact is I like much of it. It is certainly bleak, and as you say Theron is ‘devilishly funny.’
You are dead on in every regard with OLIVER TWIST and PYGMALION (wonderful capsules there!) and I would even go the distance with the latter too. But it’s all semantics as we concur fully.
Excellent capsules on BOMBSHELL and FEAR AND DESIRE, the latter of which I was hoping to see on that airing. I’d go exactly that way with THE BISHOP’S WIFE too.
To you and Dorothy the best Christmas ever and a New Year with sustained happiness. Thanks as always for all you have done here at WitD, and especially your exceeding humanitarian efforts my excellent friend!
Santa is an anagram for Satan, matey — wishing all Wonderers, cinephobes, atheists, buggers, rummies and film whores……
Speaking of Satan, I watched ‘Satantango’ twice over the weekend; once piecemeal to get the cat/poisoning scene out of the way, and then straight through nonstop, no bathroom breaks, nothing, semmiseg.
This film sure ain’t the Joan Didion of ‘Play It As It Lays’ leaning over the abyss in a pink Pucci blouse. A flat-out masterpiece, and limp with admiration I hope to address it as soon as I pull myself out of the rustic Hungarian dung and mire. A great stocking stuffer for the Pollyanna in your life, and why isn’t this thing now playing at Radio City Music Hall just in time for the apocalypse???
And RIP the great Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011).
Mark–
I like that anagram! Ha! And I am delighted that you have now embraced SATANTANGO for the masterpiece it is, and are preparing an in-depth analysis/defense of it. No the film is certainly no Joan Dideon leaning over the abyss in a pink Pucci blouse, that’s for sure! Ha! Radio City playing Tarr, now that would be truly the end of life as we know it! LOL! I once as an 18 year-old brought friends to that landmark palace to see the film 1776, and I was p[ractically physically assaulted on the way home by the group. We always share that story decades later. But what a fabulous place to visit for any kind of venue.
R.I.P. Hitchens indeed. Jamie had sent me the note on him as well earlier in the week.
Still my friend, in true BAD SANTA spirit the best to you always and thanks for a fabulous 2011 in cinematic discourse. You are simply one of the best!
Hello Sam and everyone!
And so, Alea Jacta Est. Tomorrow is the big show, tomorrow we see on the big screen the short film I codirected with my friend Julio Amaro. There has been many days of hard work, but it all comes down to this single day, and my mind is now resting expectating.
Wow Sam, Santa is sure a nice fellow, even if I’m down in Chile he always comes with some presents for me and my familt, even if I don’t have a chimney (he may come back by the back door), so I know he’s a nice fat jolly good fellow, that’s a very nice letter from him.
You had a good week Sam, maybe a bit lackluster on the new releases, but I look forward to Tinker Soldier and Young Adult myself. I also would love to see The Big Parade.
So, the year is coming to an end, but on the 24 I’m sure I’ll be visiting here with a salute to all of those who visit and work at Wonders. You are the best. Best wishes for this holidays, Merry Christmas.
My week, movie wise:
-The Devil’s Double (2011, Lee Tamahori) **** Interesting film about Saddam’s son’s double. While not great, it manages to drive its story through the dark and the light of it, not shying away fromt the dirtier spots of Irak. Extremely well acted, because I could distinguish between the two characters, and it wasn’t until the movie finished that it was played by the same actor! Wow.
– Special Effects (2011, Bernardo Quesney) ***** The first five-star film I’ve seen in the year, hence, the best film of the year as of now. And it’s chilean. That is not common for me, to be liking chilean cinema, so this one was a real surprise. It’s an interesting experiment on what is film and how do you film it and the themes of what a plot should be, what chilean cinema is, and film language. Great stuff.
– Helldriver (2010, Yoshihiro Nishimura) ***1/2 Over the top, bloody, violent, funny, extremely directed, weirdly acted, nice effects, crazy crazy all around. This gory picture goes above and beyond any expectation, specially when we are talking about zombie movies, and while it isn’t as bloody as Braindead, it comes close to its weirdness and crazy moments. Worth seeing for crazyness alone.
– Santa Claus (1959, René Cardona) * Mst3K was one of the great series on the history of television, and this and Santa Claus vs the Martians are two of my most revisited, and this is usually the time I do so. The film itself, a mexican production, makes no sense at all, and it’s just funny when you look at it using the MST3K treatment. The film, is awful, and maybe one of the worst movies ever made.
– Yojimbo (1961, Akira Kurosawa) ****1/2 Great film that talks more about economy and politics than it does about japanese history or culture. The way the bodyguard was treated is more like an influence maker, a currency that was thrown away between the great people in the town. Really great film. Amazing, and this is a rewatch.
Thanks.
“Yojimbo”‘s playing at the same local theater I saw “Breathless” at recently, and thankfully there the big, wide screen will work better for the film. They’re also showing “The Secret of NIMH”, though, which is probably a bigger deal for me. Kurosawa’s always in and out of the art-house. Not so Don Bluth.
Jaime—
Well, my friend, as I am responding to you two days after you made this submission, I know your big event is now over, and I trust it was a resounding success! Please appraise me as to the results, I’d love to hear about it.
Thanks for the wonderful salute to Wondersm which I return to you my great friend!
Yes, the past week was active, even if TINKER TAILOR was rather a disappointment. This evening I will be treking down to our local multiplex to see THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, and expected to see WAR HORSE, TIN TIN, A SEPARATION, MARGARET, TUESDAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS and MYSTERIES OF LISBON over the coming days, most of those in theatres, a few on DVDs.
Yes, Santa is a swell fellow, and I was thrilled to get such a hands-on letter from him! Hope you get what you want this year!
Wow, that Chilean film SPECIAL EFFECTS rates five stars, eh. I know you rarely go with the top rating so that is really something. Of the other films I have only seen the Kurosawa (I concur with the rating), though I am devilishly interested in that awful SANTA CLAUS, which is probably one of those movies that is so bad that it’s funny to watch. Definitely want to see Lee (ONCE WERE WARRIORS) Tamahori’s latest.
Again that’s so much as always my great friend, and I wish you the best holiday season ever!
Not a success.
To all my Diary friends!!!
I must leave the house now for a Christmas show in Manhattan (I even had to miss the Monday silent festival at the Film Forum for this one, single week –The Merry Widow is the film that will be missed–) that starts at 7:00 at Symphony Space on Broadway and 88th Street.
Hopefully I can respond to more comments here later tonight, but I will definitely have everything under full control tomorrow.
It’s great to see Andrezej Zulawski’s film getting another run. If there’s one obscure cult filmmaker who deserves a retrospective, its him. His debut, The Third Part Of The Night, was one of the most fascinating films i’ve ever seen and his unfinished science fiction epic, On the Silver Globe, is among the greatest “what-if”s in cinema history. But even if the film is incomplete, it’s pretty fantastic.
Anubhavbist—
It is always a treat to have you stop by. I was mesmerized, disturbed and and even humored by Zulawski’s nightmarish vision, and I will be re-visiting the DVD over teh coming months. I also like THIRD NIGHT quite a bit and very much appreciate this excellent capsule analysis of it. My Facets DVD of THE DEVIL just arrived in my mailbox today! I am not familiar with SILVER GLOBE. As always thanks for the terrific submission and have a great holiday season my very good friend!
If you’re getting notices from SC could you please tell him to stick a metal pineapple up Coppola’s arse so we can get Napoleon released.
Ha! Good one here!
Allan Fish!!!!…Omg! lol
deedee 🙂
Thanks as always Sam. It’s always nice to get a mention here. You and I are pretty much in agreement about Tinker Tailor. I thought individual scenes worked, but the construction of the narrative was a slog. (Why do we have to wait so long for Ricky Tarr’s story?? The investigation makes no sense unless we know why people are taking the suspicions seriously.) I had the sinking suspicion that I knew what was going on only because I had read the book and seen the miniseries. I felt bad for my friend (who doesn’t go to the movies that often) sitting next to me, fidgeting out of boredom. I did, however sort of like it, but not enough for a ringing endorsement.
I also agree with you about Young Adult. Just saw this one yesterday and was shocked at how much I liked it. Charlize Theron gives a great performance. And do you know how stunned I was when I realized, about two thirds of the way through the picture, that Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody have put together a more thoughtful movie about depression than the so-called serious director Lars von Trier. He gave us mental illness porn, while Reitman and Cody delivered a surprisingly insightful and heartfelt consideration of the same issues, broadly speaking. I’m sorry, I can’t miss another opportunity to bash Melancholia.
I also managed to see The Muppets (****), The Descendents (***), My Week with Marilyn (***1/2), Mission Impossible (***1/2), and Sherlock Holmes (***). Am I the only one who noticed that Mission Impossible and Sherlock Holmes had essentially the same story?
Jason—
Yes I am happy to be in agreement with you on TINKER TAILOR and concur with you on your points. Dannis and Maurizio here are also in agreement as is Roderick Heath, who posted a brilliant essay in dissent. But yeah, it’s fair enough without a ringing endorcement. Perhaps in retrospect I didn’t like YOUNG ADULT as much as you, but we’re certainly close enough. The assertion about the film trumping Von Trier in translating depression is however one I am in complete disagreement on, but fair enough, I know you aren’t a fan of that film. And yes, I see you jump in when that film is thought of. LOL!!! Of the others you saw there I’d say I agree with you fully on THE MUPPETS and on MARILYN, in fact my ratings were exactly the same for both. I haven’t seen MI4 but will take note of that reasonable regard when I do see it; I didn’t care for the first SHERLOCK at all (pyrotehnics galore) so I will probably like this one even less than you.
The big difference is your three star rating for THE DESCENDANTS, which gets 4 1/2 from me, and contends for teh year end best of list. But again, I understand we will sometimes come away with strong differences.
Excellent point there MI4 and SHELOCK!!! I’ll remember that!
Have a great week my friend, a wonderful holiday and a brisk pace at the theatres! Many thanks as always!
Hello! Sam Juliano, Allan and WitD readers…
“Well, the past week was an active one for Lucille and I, but at this time of the year this is no surprise. We attended four movies in theatres, while I took my youngest daughter Jillian to see the encore HD simulcast of the NYC ballet’s ‘George Ballantine’s Nutcracker’ on Tuesday night at our local multiplex…”
Sam Juliano, I hope that you, and Mrs. Lucille Juliano enjoyed all four films and I also hope that your youngest daughter Jillian enjoyed the Ballantine’s Nutcracker…too!
Hmmm…Sam Juliano, let me take a look at what you did last week:
I see that all four films that you viewed received either 3 1/2 to 4 star (s) treatment. [Which is good news…I suppose for film-goers who want to eventually, own these films.
I also read [Well, I really stumbled upon the review] a review about the film “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”…Therefore, I’m not surprised by your rating for this film.
Once again, thanks, for sharing…and mentioning me too…as usual!
deedee 😉
Dee Dee—
It is beyond wonderful to see you back at this thread, though I well understand you have had your hands full. Your performance during the musical countdown was stupendous and appreciated beyond words by everyone involved. Your Christmas themed additions to the present sidebar has me smiling again. Many thanks. Yes, this past week was a memorable one in the movie theatres, and we all had a great time. My daughter Jillian wa sthrilled to see THE NUTCRACKER on the HD encore presentation. It appears that a few of the kids will be attending THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO later tonight, so the best goes on. Yes, TINKER TAILOR simply tried to condence too much from the mini-series, hence it never subsequently took hold. But I’ll certainly look at it again down the road on a DVD.
Again I thank you great lady for all you have done. You couldn’t be paid to be honest, as no figure would acknowledge teh breath, passion and loyalty you have imparted. I’m overwhelmed.
“Our dear friend Dee Dee, gets our most sacred blessings for her stupendous humanitarian efforts in behalf of the human race. There is an eternal star in the sky shining for her…”
Thanks, Santa, but I think my right wing is…clipped! lol
deedee 🙂
No it is not my lovely young lady. Santa will be making a pewrsonal visit to you this year! You are my all-time favorite!
I am floored that Jolly Old St. Nick has visted Wonders in the Dark!!!!!! But ain’t what he says the truth!
Thanks a lot Sam for the kind mention. It was fun reading the letter sent to the WitD staff. I’m quite interested in watching Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and jope to see it sooner rather than later.
I managed to watch the following movies this past week:
1. David Cronenberg’s Crash
2. Lars von Trier’s miniseries Riget (The Kingdom) – hope to watch Riget II (i.e. the second season) soon
3. Alexei Gherman’s Nouvelle Vague-ish Russian dramedy My Friend Ivan Lapshin
4. Kieslowski’s Blind Chance
5. The recently released Norwegian film King of Devil’s Island
Shubhajit—
Yes the letter was a lot of fun!!! TINKER TAILOR seems to be dividing the blogging community, though there are more qyes than nays. I’d be most interested in hearing your response over the upcoming weeks. Normally, I’d say this one is right up your alley.
I must say while I am anxious to hear what you thought of these, it is the Norwegian KING OF DEVIL’S ISLAND that has me most intigued, since I saw it at the Cinema Village just a few weeks ago. And this is one that received little attention. Kieslowki, Von Trier and Cronenberg films will always have me intrigued. Anyway fantastic round-up my great friend.
Have a wonderful week, and look forward to comparing notes!
I’m so sorry for bringing up the actress Ginger Rogers can’t dance…topic again, but while surfing [or lurking] for Tumblr to follow…I ran across this Tumblr called
Old Hollywood…
…and the owner posted an article were both “The Mister” and actress Ginger Rogers, both expressed their feeling(s) about each other and…lo and behold…actor Fred Astaire basically, said, “Ginger Rogers couldn’t [dance] nor tap!”
[However, in the [post] article he did say, that her style and talent helped both Of their careers and contributed to their success as dancing partners.]
To be quite honest I have never read or knew how he felt about her[Ginger Rogers] as a dancing partner…Therefore, after reading the quote {and most importantly, if the quote is true…]
I would think that he would know what lady or man [Gene Kelly] that he danced with could dance or not dance…with his [extreme] attention to detail when it came to the art Of dance.
Now, where is the “tar and feathers” for him [“The Mister”]…I ask you? Because after the musical countdown I disappeared…Because I was “running” for my life! from fans Of actress Ginger Rogers. lol
“Now, where is the “tar and feathers”for him [“The Mister”]…I ask you? Because after the musical countdown I disappeared…Because I was “running” for my life! from fans Of actress Ginger Rogers. lol….”
LOL Dee Dee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well I won’t pretend to have a full scope of knowledge on the Astaire and Rogers relationship, but what you relate there does seem to be consistent with what I have read. Astaire is way too harsh in that judgement of course, though he is right to cite that bottom-line chemistry that made them the most famed dance partners of them all. In any event both made their mark on the musical countdown as expected.
Thanks again my dear friend!
Sam, happy holidays to you and yours, and thanks for the kind mention of course. It’s been kind of slow on the movie front for me the past week or so, but I’ve managed to squeeze in a small handful of favorite Christmas movies (Huston’s THE DEAD is on tap for tonight), as well as one previously unseen non-Christmas masterpiece that really blew me away (Borzage’s LAZYBONES). I’m also going to try and knock out a couple more 2011 releases for the Year-end post I’m preparing, which will actually focus much more on the older stuff I’ve seen this year as opposed to my favorite newer releases, though I should have a rough top 10 on that front.
I’m looking forward to catching Fincher’s newest this week, and I’m also really looking forward to TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY, it seems like something right in my wheelhouse.
Drew—-
Thrilled to hear from you my great friend! Happy Holidays to you as well. Huston’s THE DEAD is a beautiful film, one that I reviewed for the John Huston Festival run by Adam Zanzie last year. The last 10 minutes are as ravishing as any in the history of the cinema, methinks. I hope you do something with it at THE BLUE VIAL either by way of review or screen cap display. Either way it would be terrific. I know that particular Borzage is an earlier one, but I haven’t ever seen it. Miraculously, Allan hasn’t either. I would love to know what you make of it. Great to hear that you are preparing your year-end list, which from you is always serious quality stuff! I’ll be keep my eye out for it. As far as THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATOO, I have plans to see it tomorrow on opening night at our local multiplex.
You may well like TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY quite a bit. I know I stand with a tiny minority, and truthfully it is not where I prefer to be.
Have a great week my friend, and many thanks!
I’m kinda surprised Allan hasn’t seen it, considering it’s available in R1…in an admittedly expensive box set. (I rented mine from the library).
Indeed Peter. i was most surprised Allan hadn’t seen it too, as I know he owns that box (as I do).
I hope Santa has something left for me this year!
I’d settle for a Giants win over the Jets and a snowless December.
Ricky—
I am thinking it may be coal, as Santa is supposedly a Jets fan. He likes the color of Gang Green’s jerseys, wouldn’t you know! And wishing for a snowless December is really asking for trouble, my friend!
Anyway I still like you, and the best always to your wonderful family. Have a great week!
Thanks for the wonderful mention Sam. My wait for Tinker, Tailor will probably end around the last week of January when the film will finally open here. In the meantime, I plan to watch the 1979 BBC Series this week while I wait for the film.
I did manage to see The Artist and was disappointed. The two leads were good and there were some charming parts but overall I felt the silent treatment was a gimmick and not a homage. Would have preferred if the work was made as a pure silent film.
Sachin—
I do hope that you wind up going for TINKER TAILOR more than I did. But either way that’s an excellent strategy to watch that mini-series beforehand. Perhaps the fact that I haven’t seen that series impacted my viewing of the new film in some sense. I agree that the two leads in THE ARTISTS were marvelous, and while the film worked better for me (it will place for sure in my upcoming Top 20 Films of 2011 list) I can well see why you would see the device employed in the film as a gimmick. The film is winning all kinds of critics’ awards, yet here a WitD a few others do support your position.
Have a great week my friend! And keep me abreast with the soon-to-be-new addition! Many thanks as always!
Sam I know I am sort of offline but had to drop by and wish you and everyone at Wonders in the Dark the very best of the holidays! I am watching a little different genre at the moment with
ATTACK THE BLOCK (2011) directed by Joe Cornish being the viewing choice of my nine year old grandson last night. It was the 3rd time he had see it but the scariest because I kept jumping and gasping every time an alien ate someone. I must say it was better than I had anticipated.
THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (2011) direct by Steven Spielberg was my choice for tonight. It was a hit with all and I can see from the ending that another adventure must be in the works. A great family movie particularly for those that have read the books because the stories have been around a few generations.
Well that is it… off again to visit with family and friends….
Terrill—
Always a treat to have you stop by! I know you are on holiday sabatical, a time when creative inspiration in in the Mayne Island air! I extend to you, David and your beautiful family a wonderful holiday season! I have heard some very good things about ATTACK THE BLOCK, and your own reaction here -and that of your nine-year old grandson- makes me want to introduce it to some of my own brood, who are horror film fans. Thanks too for the glowing report on THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, which I may well be seeing tonight in our local multiplex with my friend Dennis and two of my kids. It will be either this or DRAGON TATOO, but both will be seen in the coming days, along with WAR HORSE.
Again, have a great week my dear friend, and I toast to an even better 2012! It’s been a great year sharing inspirations with you.
Has anyone ever thought to make of a list of the best Christmas movies?
I’d suggest:
It’s A Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street
The Santa Clause
Scrooged
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Story
Home Alone
Because you can’t even get as far as 5 and you’re into the shit, Bob.
It’s a Wonderful Life, Scrooge (1951), Remember the Night, Miracle on 34th Street, perhaps Meet Me in St Louis if one was being loose with the definition Xmas movie. After that, you’re in a sewer of mediocrity, as witnessed by four of your choices.
John Huston’s THE DEAD is one of the very greatest Christmas movies, Bob.
And THE POLAR EXPRESS deserves a placement.
Thrilled that you by my friend!!!
Have the best holiday season ever!!!
Sam,
I’ve just realised that the link to my post is in fact a link to Shubhajit’s.
Stephen I am so sorry about this lamentable error. I have done this in the past more times than I would like to remember, but the fact that I was away from the site all day compunds the mistake. I just rectified it now.
Have a great holiday my friend!
Don’t worry about it. You do so much to promote and encourage other film bloggers, more than anyone else I’ve come across online.
“Have a great holiday my friend!”
Thank you. I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas period.
Sam,
Thanks for the mention. Because I am in the middle of moving into new house, I was not able to respond to your kind words until now. It’s been a hectic week, full of frustration and great deal of stress. I will be settling down in Kanagawa, near the Pacific Ocean. Remember the beach in the last of “Brothers and Sisters of Toda Family”? That’s just 10 minutes walk from my new place.
Wish you a happy Christmas.
MI
Happy Holidays to you too my very good friend!
I can well understand the hectic time you have had moving shop, and of teh stress and frustration that accompanies it. How divine that you have resituated at that magnificent locale. Yes indeed I do remember that film fondly and have immediately recalled the location. Best luck to you and your wife there, and enjoy many years of happiness!!!