Seth Rogan and Michelle Williams in Sarah Polley's perceptive and moving drama "Take This Waltz" screened at Tribeca
by Sam Juliano
April showers bring May flowers. Almost every year this adage rings true, but in the NYC area there has been little of the wet stuff. Only the past few days have we been reminded of how it might feel walking down the street without an umbrella. Those with allergy problems have been faithfully taking their allegre tablets twice a day, while wearing shorts has suddenly come into vogue again.
It’s been business as usual at Wonders in the Dark, with a high-quality posting by Peter Lenihan on an early Ford, Jamie Uhler’s excellent treatment of David Bowie in his amazingly prolific series, and the usual contributions by Allan Fish, including the latest entry in his ‘forgotten artists’ series and the Sunday posting on the most recent year in voting for all the major movie categories. The comedy countdown specifications draw closer, but Yours Truly has barely had enough time to visit the bathroom the last few days since the start of the Tribeca Film Festival. As a result I have not a spare moment to do any link updating, and was only able to put together this brief MMD lead-in before departing on Sunday morning.
Everyone is urged to keep watch for Dee Dee’s sure to be exciting new interview, which is tentatively planned for posting this morning.
Lucille and I (and Broadway Bob for a few) were busy on the Tribeca Film Festival front and saw:
Youssi *** 1/2 (Thursday night) SVA auditorium
Una Noche *** 1/2 (Thursday night) Chelsea Cinemas
The Girl *** (Friday night) SVA auditorium
Polisse **** (Friday night) Chelsea Cinemas
Struck by Lightning * 1/2 (Saturday afternoon) BMCC auditorium
Xingu *** (Saturday night) Chelsea Cinemas
Graceland *** (Saturday night) Chelsea Cinemas
Whole Lotta Sole *** 1/2 (Sunday afternoon) Chelsea Cinemas
Take This Waltz **** (Sunday night) BMCC auditorium
Sleepless Nights **** (Sunday night) Chelsea Cinemas
I plan on posting a full round-up when the festival is complete. So far, three of the ten films have been most impressive, and I am currently undecided whether to go with 4 or 4.5 on each. For now I will go with the lower rating, but may change my position by the time I post my complete round-up next week. TAKE THIS WALTZ examines the difficulties in sustaining a loving marriage and guilt and betrayal that finds a way in; SLEEPLESS NIGHTS is a riveting French thriller about drug lords, the mob and kidnapping that features a stupendous chase, and visceral filmmaking. Another French thriller, POLISSE examines corruption, pedaphilia and some searing social issues in some powerful interogation sequences.
Screen cap from French thriller "Sleepless Nights" screened at Tribeca.
As mentioned above, links will remain as they were last week:
For the Love of Films: The Film Preservation Blogathon begins May 13, hosted by Ferdy on Films, This Island Rod, and Self-Styled Siren. The cause is free online streaming of the Graham Cutts/Alfred Hitchcock film The White Shadow (1923), recently found and restored, and recording of the new score by Michael Mortilla. To help raise funds for this worthy cause and to get more information, sign up to blog at http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/?p=13979.
Filmmaker Jeffrey Goodman takes an appreciative look at a terrific quartet of films he recently took in in a continuing series at The Last Lullaby that includes works by de Toth, de Oliveira, Scorsese and Niblo: http://cahierspositif.blogspot.com/2012/04/favorite-four-part-sixteen.html
Judy Geater has beautifully penned the 1935 “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” by Dickens at Movie Classics: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2012/04/15/mystery-of-edwin-drood-stuart-walker-1935/
Tony d’Ambra offers up a terrific review and beautiful screen cap display on the ‘Expressionist Noir Melodrama” ‘Deception’ at FilmsNoir.net: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/deception-1946-expressionist-noir-melodrama.html
Jon Warner at Films Worth Watching has penned an excellent review of Max Ophuls’ poetic “La Ronde:http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2012/04/la-ronde-1950-directed-by-max-ophuls.html
John Greco takes on 1935’s “China Seas” by Tay Garnett at Twenty Four Frames, and the result is another marvelous essay: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2012/04/13/china-seas-1935-tay-garnett/
Ed Howard has penned an extraordinary essay on abstract filmmaker Stan Brakhage’s “Persian Series” 1-3: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2012/04/persian-series-1-3chinese-series.html
Samuel Wilson at Mondo 70 has his ‘Now Playing’ series leading up with a consideration of April 7 though 10: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2012/04/now-playing-april-6-7-1962.html
Laurie Buchanan at Speaking From The Heart is embarking on her annual ‘writer’s institute’ and the excitement is palpable: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/write-as-rain/
One of the net’s most gifted writers is Tokyo’s Murderous Ink, whose latest post at Vermillion and One Nights is an intricate and descriptive essay on tomatoes and Kurosawa’s “Stray Dog”: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2012/03/botanical-puzzle.html
Craig Kennedy at Living in Cinema has authored a terrific review on “The Cabin in the Woods”: http://livingincinema.com/2012/04/15/the-cabin-in-the-woods-2012/
Jaimie Grijalba at Exodus 8:2 has intriguingly posted about “My First Music”: http://exodus8-2.blogspot.com/2012/04/mi-primer-videoclip-chistelle-esg.html
Pat Perry has penned an engaging piece on good actresses making bad films at Doodad Kind of Town that’s most assuredly food for thought: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2012/03/when-good-actresses-make-bad-movies.html
Sachin Gandhi is featuring a buffo African Films 2012 spotlight at Scribbles and Ramblings: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2012/04/african-films.html
Peter Lenihan has ‘A Couple a Things’ up at The Long Voyage Home: http://thelongvoyagehome.blogspot.com/2012/03/couple-things.html
David Schleicher talks about the terrific ‘Game of Thrones’ in a round-up at The Schleicher Spin: http://theschleicherspin.com/2012/04/01/the-return-of-game-of-thrones-and-even-stranger-bedfellows-on-s
Terrill Welch’s latest post at the ever-rapturous Creativepotager’s blog is titled “The Plum Tree and the Brick Building”: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/the-plum-tree-and-the-brick-building/
Adam Zanzie has penned a terrific assessment of the work of director Andrew Stanton at Icebox Movies: http://iceboxmovies.blogspot.com/2012/03/andrew-stantons-women.html
Stephen Russell-Gebbett’s latest post on ‘Movie Morality Debate Topics’ has yieled a terrific comment thread at Checking on my Sausages: http://checkingonmysausages.blogspot.com/2012/03/movie-morality-debate-topics.html
R.D. Finch at The Movie Projector has penned an extradinary review of Ingmar Bergman’s “Smiles of a Summer Night“: http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2012/04/smiles-of-summer-night-1955.html
Pat Perry takes a candid and insightful look at “The Iron Lady” and Meryl Streep’s performance in her new multi post at Doodad Kind of Town: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2012/02/on-big-screen-and-home-screen-capsule.html
“Explore the Dancing Image: Top Posts” is leading the way at Joel Bocko’s rich treasure trove at The Dancing Image: http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2011/12/explore-dancing-image-top-posts.html
Shubhajit has authored a terrific review of Robert Altman’s “Nashville” at Cinemascope: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2012/04/nashville-1975.html
Writer Extraordinaire Jason Bellamy pulls no punches with a fantastic takedown of “The Hunger Games” at The Cooler: http://coolercinema.blogspot.com/2012/03/all-they-can-eat-hunger-games.html
Dee Dee has posted a wonderfully informative oust on the noir “Jewel in the Crown” and accompanying lobby cards at Darkness Into Light: http://noirishcity.blogspot.com/2012/02/holding-auction-month-jewel-in-crown.html
Patricia at Patricia’s Wisdom is leading up with a look at a facinating book about ‘the Art of the Sale’: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2012/04/the-art-of-the-sale-learning-from-the-masters-about-the-business-of-life-philip-delves-broughton/
J.D. at Radiator Heaven offers up an engaging and comprehensive essay on “Repo Man”: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2012/04/repo-man.html
Anu at The Confidential Report has checked in with a fabulous Ten Best list that fully warrants everyone’s attention: http://theconfidentialreport.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/top-ten-of-2011
Just Another Film Buff (Srikanth) has posted a spledidly written economical piece on Ichikawa’s “Tokyo Olympiad” at The Seventh Art: http://theseventhart.info/2012/03/31/ellipsis-58/
Hokahey has written a very fine mostly positive assessment of “The Hunger Games” at Little Worlds”: http://hokahey-littleworlds.blogspot.com/2012/03/down-and-out-in-district-12-hunger.html
Jason Marshall talks about the ‘Best of 2011’ at Movies Over Matter: http://moviesovermatter.com/2012/02/19/a-brief-look-at-the-best-of-2011/
Tony Dayoub has posted an excellent feature on “The Assassination of Sterling Hayden by the Auteur Francis Coppola” at Cinema Viewfinder: http://www.cinemaviewfinder.com/2012/03/assassination-of-sterling-hayden-by.html
Michael Harford, the erstwhile ‘Coffee Messiah’ offers up a telling comparion between black coffee and communication in his latest post at the Coffee Messiah blog: http://coffeemessiah.blogspot.com/2012/04/coffee.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
At Petrified Fountain of Thought Stephen Morton has announced his #1 film of the new millenium with a wonderful essay. It’s the “Lord of Rings Trilogy”: http://petrifiedfountainofthought.blogspot.com/2012/03/best-movie-of-00s-lord-of-rings-trilogy.html
Kevin Olson has penned a truly fantastic essay on Ingmar Bergman’s “Through A Glass Darkly” at Hugo Stiglitz Makes Movies: http://kolson-kevinsblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/through-glass-darkly.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 Man From Porlock Craig insightfully explores “Warrior” and “The Trip”: http://themanfromporlock.blogspot.com/2012/03/oh-brother-warrior-and-trip.html
Jeopardy Girl has some great plans in 2013 with a vist to the U.K. in the cards. She talks about it at The Continuing Saga of Jeopardy Girl: http://jeopardygirl.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/pickmeup/
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Wonders in the Dark 
I didn’t do much movie-wise this weekend. Saw “Edward Scissorhands” at a local theater on Saturday, which would’ve been great except I’m pretty sure it was a digital print, and I’m frankly a little pissed that the theater didn’t let that be known before I plunked down twelve bucks for it. As such, I’m a little concerned about some of their upcoming retrospectives, which include Ken Russel’s “Tommy”, Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil” and a whole series on Miyazaki, and I’ll want to make sure that they’re showing 35mm prints. Usually I’m not picky about if it’s celluloid or digital, but unfortunately with smaller theaters the digital copies aren’t as reliable in terms of quality.
Besides that, there was, again, “Legend of Korra” on Nickelodeon. I don’t think anybody else here watches this, or saw “Avatar: The Last Airbender”, but it’s good enough to point out.
I quite agree with you there Bob on the frustration in plopping down that kind of money and them getting digital prints instead of 35 mm. That is the problem with DCP for many people as well, though I know there are others who will contend it is relatively insignificant. But for high-priced tickets I must agree with you. Thanks as always for the great report.
I’ve seen the first couple seasons of Avatar. I agree it’s one of the best kid’s cartoons out there, though I’m not anime-buff enough to proclaim my undying love for it. Glad the new show seems to be keeping up the same standards–so many shows on Nick are utter crap.
I stayed away from theaters this week in favor of home viewing, including 1) 35 Shots of Rum, which I liked and is my first Claire Denis film; 2) the first 15 minutes of Coriolanus, which my friend and I didn’t finish because it was too loud and violent for her; personally, I found the setting rather intriguing but was put off by the bad sound recording — I’ll return to it later; 3) the newest and potboiler episode of Mad Men; and 4) About Schmidt, my first viewing, and I must say I thought Nicholson was effective as a not-so-colorful Midwesterner, although Dermot Mulroney gets a Pierre de Plume award for his modified mullet and weird mustache not to mention Kathy Bates for her good acting. Sometime soon I hope to see the Bob Marley documentary.
Pierre—
I completely agree with you on 35 SHOTS OF RUM, a Denis masterwork. I liked CORIOLANUS, but would have done exactly the same as you did if that problem surfaced. Vanessa Redgrave was impressive in that film I must say, but in some ways it is uneven. Still haven’t watched MAD MEN in any capacity just yet, and agree completely with you there on ABOUT SCHMIDT. Kudo to Dermot for winning that Pierre de Plume award!! Ha!
Thanks as always my very good friend!
Hi Sam!
Sounds like you’re super busy with the festival and as you should be!!! I’m glad to hear you liked Take This Waltz. I’ve been wanting to see that, which pretty goes the same for anything that Michelle Williams is in….. <3. Haha! I hope it gets a broader release, which it seems like it would with also Seth Rogan being in it, which is a pretty big name. I had a very busy week with work travel and visiting family in Chicago all weekend. But, we did manage to see The Hunger Games, which was quite enjoyable. I do really like Jennifer Lawrence's work and even though the film didn't quite churn on all cylinders, it was entertaining.
My film of the week though, was Ivan's Childhood by Tarkovsky. I can't believe I haven't seen it before!!! I was completely floored by this film and am totally in love with it. One of the best films I've seen in awhile. I have seen several Tarkovsky films but it's been quite some time since I've seen something of his and reminded of just how beautiful the camerawork is and how emotional the imagery can be. I need to track down some of his others very soon. I think I'm about to go on a Tarkovsky kick!!! My current favorite film of his is Nostalghia, but Ivan's Childhood is quite something indeed. Well I do hope you have a great week and hope to hear more from the festival!!
Jon—
I am pretty sure you will like TAKE THIS WALTZ quite a bit! Williams delivers an affecting performance and the much-maligned Rogen does quite nicely as well. I am guessing a release is imminent soon. I am looking ahead to your full reaction to THE HUNGER GAMES. I agree it’s far from perfect, but for what it is, it’s quite fine. Agreed on Lawrence! IVAN’S CHILDHOOD is magnificent, can’t argue with you there. Yes, it’s certainly as emotional as any film Tarkovsky has made, and the cinematography is lovely. As I can honestly say I like NOSTALGHIA least of all his films, I am hereby urging ANDREI RUBLEV, THE MIRROR, STALKER, SOLARIS and THE SACRIFICE in short order! Ha!
Thanks as always for the wonderful words my friend! Have a great week as well. I will of course be playing the festival game through the last day on Saturday.
Sam, you know I’ve been rethinking ‘Ivan’s Childhood’ and believe my reservations stem from the film’s point-of-view problem, that the story should be strictly and solipsistically Ivan’s, and that Tarkovsky should’ve dropped the meandering plot involving the girl’s flirtation with the soldier. The entire drama should remain intensely fixed in Ivan’s head.
You’re right about the cinematography, which is, indeed, lovely.
Later, my friend.
Mark,
It’s certainly clear that the subplot of the love story doesn’t necessarily “fit” within the framework of Ivan’s point of view. However, I feel that emotionally and visually, those scenes work for me within the film. I actually didn’t care that those moments didn’t fit within his head. It spoke to me on an emotional level.
Sam, are you aware that ‘Sleepless Nights’ is available via ‘On Demand’? It does look like a pulsating thriller, and I read some terrific responses. I would imagine that the Michelle Williams film (and maybe several others) will get a wide release as Jon speculates.
Frank, just checked it out and you’re right! I’ll be availing myself of this service.
Sam –
Goodness gracious, with the Tribeca Film Festival you’re busier than a one-armed paper hanger! (and clearly loving every minute of it).
I’m having just as much fun looking at what you gave low scores as the the three that scraped the ceiling: Polisse, Take this Waltz, and Sleepless Nights.
Just to indicate how large of a rock I live under…I had no idea that Seth Rogan did anything other than comedy films. Well, you lifted the rock and shed some light on that in this wonderful post.
– Laurie
Thanks so much Laurie! While I do admit the three that I awarded four stars to (I may up the grade on one or more of those yet) are quite good, there are a few others I wouldn’t hesitate recommending to others. Included would be yesterday’s delightful WHOLE LOTTA SOLE. Wednesday’s screening of the documentary WAGNER’S DREAM, dealing as it does with the Metropolitan Opera’s new Ring Cycle, is one I am truly excited for. It was the very first film I wanted to see in this entire festival.
But yes, Seth Rogan does very impressive work here in Sara Polley’s resonate film, one that has you tearing. Ms. Polley did the very fine AWAY FROM HER, and appeared in THE SWEET HEREAFTER years back.
Thanks again my friend! Have a great week!
I know Sam is ultrabusy, so I’m going to do my own plug. We are taking names for people who wish to participate in the third For the Love of Film: The Film Preservation Blogathon, which is raising money to permit 4 months of free online streaming and score recording of the Graham Cutts/Alfred Hitchcock film THE WHITE SHADOW (1923). The names will be used in a press release to garner attention, If you’d like to join the cause and all the fun, please go here, read all about it (there’s a link to the original announcement), and let us know if you’re in. THANKS, blogosphere! Marilyn Ferdinand, Ferdy on Films
Marilyn—
I had an idea of what I was going to do, but when you subsequently included film scores you have me thinking again! A most noble and exciting venture! I hope many answer the call with a real purpose.
Thank You my friend, and have a terrific week!
Amazing how far Tribeca has come in just 11 years.
Pretty unbelievable Fred. It is now seen as a major US festival.
Thanks my friend.
Sam, thanks for the mention. Great to know you’re so deeply engrossed in Tribeca Film Festival and I’m sure you’re having a grand time there watching movies from around the globe. But, that said, I’d recommend do not sacrifice your bathroom breaks, even if its for cinema (just joking). Looking forward to hearing about all the films – good, bad & ugly – that you would be watching there.
I had a great week, but unlike you, it was anything but hectic. Rather, I lazed around for most of the times, and at others went for walks around the picturesque town of Darjeeling – exploring the place (though my second visit to the place, the last time I was here I was a kid really) with a camera. The place & its various surroundings are really a photographer’s delight.
As expected I hardly got to watch any movies as such, apart from some bits & pieces that I watched on television which aren’t really worth speaking about. In fact, I returned home today evening, and finished watching Woody Allen’s September a few minutes back. Hope to watch a few more before I relocate to Pune on the 1st of next month.
Shubhajit—
Thanks so very much! Yes it has been a trip and a half with the festival, and I am leaving in a matter of minutes to see two more films. I will indeed be as honest as I can with the final assessment. Well, you lived teh hectic life there for months, so you deserve to relax. ha! Darjeeling must be a paradise. I hope to see some capsules up at CINEMASCOPE as I will be soon heading over there. Your work has always been tenacious. I wish you a great week my friend. many thanks as always.
Hi! Marilyn…
A great plug for a great cause…I have up-dated the link(s) on WitD side-bar [and my user name above this comment leads back to Marilyn’s up-dated information about the upcoming blogathon…too!]
…In order for fans Of films to let you know if they plan to participate in yours, The Self-Styled Siren, and Rod’s[For The Love Of Film: Film Preservation Blogathon on…May 13, 2012-May 18, 2012]
Once again, tks, for the update!
deedee
Nice work as always Dee Dee!!!!!!
I was wondering whether you had any intentions of seeing Michael Winterbottom’s Trishna, Sam. It is supposed to be one of the major spotlights of the festival, and it is described as an Indian Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. It would seem to be right up your alley.
I am looking forward to seeing Sarah Polley’s film and Sleepless Nights. Your effort so far is simply incredible.
David!!!!
Your question is posed on the very day that I have firmed up intentions to see it! I wasn’t sure if it would work in the schedule, but I realized it is simply a must. Yes, everything you say there is reason to make it a must. I’m sure those other two films will be getting theatrical releases. I know SLEEPLESS NIGHTS is available from On DEMAND.
Thanks as always my friend!
Sam,
Thanks again for the shout out. Saturday night we saw Jon Stewart, hysterical show, one of his great lines right at the beginning was “It’s always fun to come to Florida because you never know what might kill you,” making reference to Florida’s idiotic “stand your ground law.” Have begun preparing for my first photo exhibit which will be at the Dunedin Branch Library starting on May 1st and will run for the entire month. It’s a small showing but my first.
My movie going was a bit curtailed this week with only one classic and a bunch of mostly mediocre budget B films.
A Night to Remember (****1/2) the finest film to be made on the Titanic disaster. The film brilliantly recreates the events, the class distinction that was prevalent in Britain at the time. Historically actuate, meticulously filmed with terrific special effects for its time. Screenplay by famed author Eric Amber.
Werewolf of London (**) Disappointing Universal horror film from their classic 1930’s period. The two leads are unsympathetic. Only bright spot were the transformation scenes which were actually good for the film’s time period.
Thunder Over the Plains (***) Decent low budget western with Randolph Scott set in post Civil War Texas. Tightly directed by Andre DeToth.
And a couple of Boston Blackie films, one subpar called “Chance of a Lifetime” (*1/2) and another, ” After Midnight with Boston Blackie” (**1/2) the better of the two. Finally, a minor Harold Lloyd short, “Haunted Spooks (**1/2) rounded out the week. Lloyd’s short was entertaining enough but definitely not one of his best.
John,
Lucky you, seeing Stewart.
Speaking of au courant political humor, just yesterday saw a bumper sticker reading ‘PALIN IN 2012. WHO CARES, THE WORLD’S GONNA END ANYWAY’.
I’m not sure how much Stwart tours but it was a blast seeing him.
John—
Best wishes to you on that first photo exhibit at the library! Wish I were there cheering you on! In any case would love to hear about it. I am sneaking in a response to you here as it was testing in school today, then the after school program and then a quick ride to the city with Lucille for three more Tribeca films in succession–one at 6:00, one at 8:30, and one at 10:00 with abrief supper break between the first two. That’s fantastic that you and Dorothy got to see Jon Stewart! Would love to hear more about that event! I agree A NIGHT TO REMEMBER is the best film on the Titanic disaster far and away. The new Criterion blu-ray is cause to celebrate. I fully agree with your assessment of THUNDER, but I do like WEREWOLF OF LONDON and HAUNTED SPOOKS a bit more. Still you were more than fair enough.
Thanks as always for your spectacular wrap, your friendship and your loyalty my friend!
Hello Sam and everyone!
Wow, Tribeca sounds amazing! Looking forward to a post that will look over the features that you’ve seen. You can even make a review for the best one you saw, if you’d like. Of all those “Yossi” was the only I was aware of and I’ll look forward to it.
On my end, as I said on an email, my short film was selected to be made at my class! So that means work, work, work, and I haven’t even started yet with the maint things, there’s not even a script! But that will be done soon enough and with that, I’ll be able to call a short mine, finally.
Movie wise, I saw:
– Easy Street (1917, Charles Chaplin) **** Good short from the master of the slapstick and the emotional-romantic comedy. This one has some good acrobacies and set pieces, but the final message is kinda meh to me, when he goes to church, but that’s just me.
– The Echo of Songs (2010, Antonia Rossi) **** Chilean documentary that is playing on theaters right now in one screen and when I went to see it, I was alone… so the atmosphere was perfect for me to applaud the effort. I have a review on my blog.
– JSA: Joint Security Area (2000, Chan-wook Park) ***** His first feature film is also my favorite movie of his and one of my favorite movies of all time. A play on Rashomon, lies, politics and perspectives is the best thing that this movie has to offer to the viewer, as well as amazing acting lessons from all the Korean players, so it’s a masterclass in every single level, on my opinion. We watched this at our Korean History and Culture class.
– Red Sorghum (1987, Yimou Zhang) **** A splendidly photographed film, one of the best uses of the colour red in the history of movies, but the story could’ve been much much better. As a portrait of chinese costums works pretty well, but as a historic document, I think it veers towards a segued perspective, and with that, all the beauty dies in the final exciting yet morally dubious minutes. A final allabance to the communist China is the final touch that made me just like the film, not love it.
– The Pawnshop (1916, Charles Chaplin) **** Funny short film from Chaplin that showcases a great deal of supporting players that sometimes even surpass the quality of what Chaplin has to offer. Still, it has amazing and funny moments that made me laugh hard.
– The Rink (1916, Charles Chaplin) **** Chaplin skating, I think I’ve said enough, the thing is that this one is the closest I’ve got to actually upgrade it to a higher rating, I just liked it a lot more than the other shorts I saw last week.
– Scenes from a Mall (1991, Paul Mazursky) **1/2 Not even Woody Allen manages to save this film, that has some great acting from the two leads, but the rest of the film is barely well filmed, its barely focused, it has poor settings, poor situations, poor storylines, poor everything else. This may be completely forgotten if it wasn’t because of Woody Allen, in which he makes no other contribution other than his face.
– The Sunshine Boys (1996, John Erman) *** Why did Woody Allen participate in this? He doesn’t look that old, and voudeville isn’t his main source of comedy, stand up routines are, and still this manages to be viewable because of the chemistry between the two leads, but in the end, even if its funny every dialogue they say, the film just kinda stalls and gets boring out of monotony.
Have a good week Sam and keep being the insane man you are!
I’ve read that ‘Scenes from a Mall’ was the clincher for critic Pauline Kael, the bomb that made her decide to retire.
Jaime–
I was actually giving serious thought to a post on the favorite Tribeca film, but a complete overview is a certainty. As I say I may add the other one as well. But it has been quite a venture, and one that has yielded some surprises and some very fine films. But it has been grueling. YOSSI was a good effort. Best of luck to that classroom creation and presentation of your short! I do indeed expect you will understandably be very busy on that front, and rightfully so. I will definitely want to take a look at the finished product my friend! Anyway, I see you had a very busy week with Chaplin shorts, and like you I regard the lot highly. However, I do rank EASY STREET among his best, much as I do THE PAWNSHOP. Yep, I am no fan of that particular Woody Allen film you assess here either, I agree with you completely on Zhang Yimou’s film and am most intrigued by that Park. (and even the Chilean documentary) Finally I am no fan of THE SUNSHINE BOYS either. Have a great week my friend, thanks as always for the tremendous submission, and best wishes again with the film.
Sorry I’m late but my schedule’s a little different this week. Alas, the closest I’ll get to Tribeca is seeing that De Niro commercial for the on-demand side of it. Still plenty to watch on the old DVR. Just this morning I finally sat through A Man Escaped, courtesy of TCM — Bresson really is the man to make a prison picture if you want to emphasize the claustrophobia and patient labor involved in planning an escape. Great stuff. Also saw and reviewed the bizarre Pre-Code misfire Meet the Baron, and more recently saw a charmingly bittersweet P-C musical, W. S. Van Dyke’s Cuban Love Song. Lawrence Tibbett was quite good if not quite a convincing Marine, and though Jimmy Durante is even less convincing in uniform his was a refreshingly restrained performance — he’s stil the comedy relief but he doesn’t get away with shtick. Another underrated item is Lloyd Bacon’s Invisible Stripes, part of Warner Bros’ second cycle of tragic gangster pictures. George Raft is quite good as the antihero (and surprisingly plausible as William Holden’s older brother) and Bogart takes a step in the right direction as Raft’s prison buddy who returns to crime yet doesn’t prove the usual heel Bogart played in these years. There’s a strong emphasis on society’s prejudice against ex-cons that reminds me that social consciousness didn’t go out when Code Enforcement came in. Also saw Delmer Daves’s Jubal on an HD set — very nice but the process shots are all the more glaring, though they don’t get away of the intense, noirish drama distinguished by G. Ford, Borgnine, Steiger and Bronson. Daves’s westerns deserve a box set someday.
LOL on what you say about that De Niro Tribeca commercial Samuel! As I’ve stated to others on the thread it’s been quite a ride, though there are a few films that I could have done without. Thrilled to hear you watched A MAN ESCAPED, which to these eyes is the greatest prison drama ever made, and one of Bresson’s supreme masterpieces. Yes that claustrophobia an painstaking detail and intricate sound design are superbly applied. I’ve seen that Daves western and pretty much agree with you, but I’m sorry to say I still haven’t caught up with MEET THE BARON, CUBAN LOVE SONG and INVISIBLE STRIPES. I’ve just taken note of each. I have seen some of the second cycle of Warner gangster pictures, but not INVISIBLE STRIPES Great observation there with the ‘social consciousness.’ Bacon, of course did the musical masterpiece 42ND STREET as you well know, and another strong effort, 1938’s A SLIGHT CASE OF MURDER.
Thanks as always Samuel, for the great submission! Have a nice weekend!
Sam Juliano said,
“So far, three of the ten films have been most impressive, and I am currently undecided whether to go with 4 or 4.5 on each. For now I will go with the lower rating, but may change my position by the time I post my complete round-up next week….”
Hi! Sam Juliano…
I’m glad to read that you are enjoying the films along with your wife, Mrs. Lucille Juliano, and Broadway Bob at the Tribeca Film Festival…I will look forward to reading your round-up review Of all the films that were screened at the Festival too!…Thanks, for mentioning my upcoming interview with poet Claudia Schöenfeld and for sharing yours and Allan Fish’s time and space with your fellow bloggers…too!
Now, to switch gears [just a bit] and discuss what I watched on the Telly:
I watched Spielberg/Jackson animated film Tin-tin [and plan to placed the novel in my cart…] closed Bogart’s “Tough Without A Gun” and I plan to open a book entitled “An Unexpected Guest…” by Anne Korkeakivi.
In search Of a hard to find 1947 film noir entitled “This Was A Woman” [Are you asking me?…LOL]
I also watched 2 films featuring actor Richard Greene
“Don’t Take It To Heart ” (1944) Starring Richard Greene & David Horne [on you-tube] and “Unpublished Story,” [on dvd] as I search for a 3rd film that feature Greene entitled “I Was An Adventuress.”]
That’s about it…Sam Juliano, I hope that you, Allan, your writers, and readers, have a great week too!
deedee 🙂
Thanks so very much Dee Dee!!!!!!!!!!! I will return to this comment tomorrow to deal with it fully.
Thanks so much Dee Dee for the fabulous submission. The festival has been a gas, but very demanding of course. Your interview with Claudia Schoenfeld was a huge hit, and in view of the passion you exhibited and terrific questions I’d say you deserved it tenfold. Claudia is one engaging poet. I don’t know of Korkeakivi’s volume, but hope you enjoy it. i have seen Spielberg’s TIN TIN and well know of Bogart’s TOUGH WITHOUT A GUN. I will immediately see what information I can find on THIS WAS A WOMAN, a film I have never seen. Of the two Greene films, I have indeed seen UNPUBLISHED STORY which is most fine.
Thanks as always my friend for the great wrap, and congratulation on the fabulous interview with Claudia! Have a nice week-end!
Hi Sam!
Yesterday was extremely hectic, so I’m only just now getting to the Monday diary. I envy you the opportunity to partake of the Tribeca festival. Some of its offerings are available now via OnDemand, so I’ll refer to your reveiews here when choosing what to partake of.
Another slow week here on the movie front. I’m still catching up with 2011 films, so watched SHAME and ALBERT NOBBS this week. The former was slightly disappointing to me, not nearly as visually compelling as Steve McQueen’s first feature, HUNGER, although I thought Michael Fassbender was amazing (as always). ALBERT NOBBS was a disappointment to me, too. You could see the tragic ending coming from the first frame. Glenn Close played it so timid and repressed and quavering with longing that it was painful to watch, and (SPOILER ALERT!) from the first moment you saw her squirrelling away her cash under the floorboards, you knew someone else was going to end up with it. Janet McTeer’s bracing performance was the only thing that kept it watchable for me.
Have a great week, Sam – and everyone at WITD!
Pat—
Thanks as always for your superlative submission. I liked SHAME more than you, but I fully understand and respect those disclaimers, and agree that Fassbender was tremendous. Like you I was unimpressed with ALBERT KNOBBS, despite some strong acting. Likewise I also saw that ending telegraphed in advance. McTeer was exceptional, yes.
I know some of the Tribeca films are accessible ON DEMAND and hope you get to some of em. Michael Winterbottom’s TRISHNA, which I am seeing on Friday is one I am certain you will go for big.
Thanks as always my excellent friend!
Muriel Spark’s novels (or novelettes) have kept me practically movie-less these past couple of weeks, but…
‘Funny Girl’ — Thank God for Streisand, otherwise this Willie Wyler musical would rank right down there with Huston’s ‘Annie’.
‘On A Clear Day You Can See Forever’ — Thank God for Streisand, otherwise this Vincente Minnelli musical….
‘Endless Love’ — Handsome Martin Hewitt gets humped and dumped by Brooke Shields, the bitch.
‘One Man’s Poison’ — One of Bob Osborne’s picks on TCM Sunday night. Trash made hugely enjoyable by Bette Davis playing impersonator Charles Pierce playing Bette Davis. Every mannerism, every tic, every neurosis, every Davisism that made Bette so grand, so mercurial, so endlessly parodied, every man’s Bette noire, is on display in this hoot about murder and raging libidos in the horsey English countryside (Davis must have slept and showered in her jodhpurs). Play it again, Bob.
It’s all Allan Fish’s fault, I suppose. Or Juliano’s. I’ve just borrowed the 3 Stooges boxed set (3 DVDs!! 19 Original Films!!). With WiTD in the grip of Stooge fever since the release of the Farrelly brothers new picture, I now feel duty-bound to watch “America’s slaphappy funnymen”, although I’ve always dismissed the boys as brainless infants, Three Blind Morons, a low IQ Marx Brothers. Those haircuts, but come to think of it, Einstein had a bad ‘do’, too. A Plumbing I Shall Go…..thank God I upped my meds (up your meds, lady!).
Later, guys and dolls.
Mark, it’s hard to believe that Bette made Another Man’s Poison on the heels of All About Eve. I guess she and Gary Merrill were so infatuated with each other after their on-set romance they were willing to do anything together onscreen. Re The Three Stooges, I never cared for them as a child but suddenly, one liquor-ridden night as a 40-something adult, I found them hugely entertaining!
I was wondering about the chronology of ‘Another Man’s Poison’, whether it was pre- or post-‘Eve’ and G. Merrill, who here had the good sense to put the horse out its misery. Apparently, Davis and Merrill forgot to read the script before they signed up. Against all odds, though, the film is still crazy fun.
I stay away from alcohol because once I start I can’t stop, so I’ll have to take on the Stooges sober. Maybe a large swig of their idiocy will prove intoxicating.
Mark, thanks again for the stupendous comment (s). Well I am limited in the length of my comments today because of the non-stop nature of the Tribeca Festival, which I must tell you is driving me bonkers despite the inherent joy. I am thrilled to hear you are giving those zany boys another shot. They did have a classic period that yielded a fair number of timeless shorts. I am looking forward to your full report. And you broached some other interesting features there as well.
It seems the nature of Davis’s and Merrill’s relationship mirrored that depicted in Another Man’s Poison. In other words, their marriage was raucous to say the least.
mark – in his comments about “Another Man’s Poison,” TCM’s Robert Osborne I believe mentioned that this was the first pic Davis and Merrill made after getting married — and I think perhaps the first either did after All About Eve. The latter film seems to be an exception for Davis — during that period of her career — of quality material awash in a sea of mediocre choices that pretty much lasted ’til her entry into horror with Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Even Mr. Skeffington — pretty good material she made in 1944 shortly before The Corn Is Green — showed some signs of what would become Davis’s trademark grotesqueness. But quite possibly you already are aware of these things.
Pierre,
Yeah, hard to believe Davis and Merrill chose ‘Another Man’s Poison’ to follow up ‘All About Eve’, but maybe the script chose the newlyweds. It’s either work or wither in Hollywood and Bette’s nonconventional glamor was fading by the 1950s, her self-described “black” period (nothing to do with blacklisting, just bad material, bad box-office and how the hell could she compete with Monroe?). Who knew that Marilyn would become a world-bestriding star and sex symbol when she and Davis occupied those stairs together in ‘All About Eve’? I still remain fiercely loyal to Davis, though, even in her 50s wilderness days. Her scenes with a teen Natalie Wood in ‘The Star’ are very touching, and I’ve always found ‘The Catered Affair’ with Borgnine and Debbie Reynolds respectable enough. Certainly the camp was starting to creep into her work with ‘Poison’, but I had a helluva good time watching Davis chain-smoking her way through this empurpled pulp. When the camp took over with a vengeance in ‘Baby Jane’, her performance (for me) was painful to watch. In Davis’s high camp career I prefer ‘Dead Ringer’ and ‘The Nanny’.
Thanks, Pierre
A quick note to Jaime, Pat, Mark, Samuel and others:
My apologies for the delay in reposnding to this terrific comments, but I will be able to do so during the day tomorrow. This is some free time in the afternoon. I will be leaving school today with just minutes to spare before going to Tribeca for three films in succession. This will get me home by midnight, so only sleep will follow. Ha! Thanks to Pierre, mark and others who have been carrying teh conversation here.
Message to Jon Warner: I composed a long comment this morning under your review of EARRINGS OF MADAME DE, but it disappeared when I attempted to post it, much to me great disappointment. I was not able to reconstruct it but i will at first available opportunity. Terrific review by the way!
Oh No Sam!! Sorry my blog ate your comment. That’s sad. It was the thought that counted though. Thanks and I do know you love that film.
Jon–
It does happen from time to time and it’s never fun i know. But I will replace that comment today.
I am always impressed with these festivals and how many movie you can watch in a short period of time. Leaves me once again wondering about if you folks are eating okay?
We popped into summer for the past weekend 77’F and after 3 weeks of cold rain we plunged ourselves into the yards. Allergy season is definitely a problem here with so many plants late blooming and the sudden heat. WOW
As a matter of fact, every time we were free from the yard and necessary work, we were sleeping because of severe headache and runny noses.
I borrowed a friend’s DVD player, while her family is away and was able to see the Descendents with George Clooney. I think it might be time for us to purchase a new machine as so many items would not play recently. I loved this movie and could see why it garnered a nomination or two.
:You always amaze me with your joy in this venture. I just do not think I am as passionate about anything (except my children) as you are about film
Thank you for you sharing and good words.
Patricia—
First off I want to thank you for the book. Lucille is in possession of it and is planning to read it soon. I am very happy to hear the DVDRs are now playing, and that you got to see THE DESCENDANTS, but am not so pleased that the allergies are taking their toll on you during yard work Yes the Tribeca Festival has been obsessing us as of late, and the beat goes on until Saturday. Thanks again my friend, and hope you have a great weekend.
Sam, sounds as if you are having a great time at Tribeca, and thanks very much for the mention. Paul and I made it to the cinema once this week and saw a new British comedy, ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’, directed by Lasse Hallstrom and starring Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt. Apparently the original novel is mainly political satire, but the film is more of a romantic comedy – though there are still some satirical bits, mainly starring Kristin Scott Thomas, who for my money steals the show as the prime minister’s press secretary! Anyway we both enjoyed the quirky humour, even if a lot of it is fairly predictable.
At home I also saw ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ with my son, Max, who is keen for me to catch up with all the films starring the Avengers characters before we see ‘The Avengers Assemble’! I must say I thought ‘Captain America’ was much better than I expected – a good story and less of a CGI-fest than many of the comic book movies Max has taken me to in the last few years. 🙂
Apart from that, I’m still playing catch-up with some great 1930s films, and have seen ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’, ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘Bride of Frankenstein’, all from 1935, and ‘Fury’ from 1936. Also just treated myself to David Thomson’s book “Have You Seen…?”, and am having a lovely time dipping into his collection of 1,000 short reviews, even if I can’t always agree with them – he’s such a readable writer, and it’s also nice to see that he has revisited some films he didn’t like in the past and changed his mind about them. Thanks again, Sam, and wishing a good week (or what is left of it) to all at Wonders.
Ah, David Thomson…a great read.
Judy—
As I mentioned to some others the Tribeca Festival has been ultra-exciting but inevitably grueling. Lucille has accompanied me for most of the features (Broadway Bob for the others) including multiple screenings at once. Last night for example we watched three films in succession (Wagner’s Dream, Booker’s Place and Unit 7) and by the night’s end we were spent. I also saw SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN. I guess I liked it less than you did, but I won’t deny it does have it’s charms and quirky humor, and the director has done some nice things in the past (MY LIFE AS A DOG, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES) Interesting that you mention THE AVENGERS, as it will be screening at TRIBECA on Saturday for it’s official premiere before the early May opening in theatres. And much like Max, we have a few in this house who can’t wait. I will probably take a pass on the Tribeca screening, as it will be a mad house and I would only be able to bring a single child, when in fact everyone here wants to see it. I can certainly agree with you on what you conclude about CAPTAIN AMERICA.
You continue to watch some Hollywood masterpieces of course (that trio from 1935 is buffo) and couldn’t agree with you more on Thomson’s book, which I also own. He’s tough to please I know, (he has little use for Kubrick and Ford, for example) but he’s always a great read.
Thanks so much Judy as always! Have a great weekend!
Sam,
Thanks so much for the great mention. I’m looking forward to more reports from Tribeca. I know you’re all-in there.
This week was fairly slow for me on the movie-watching front. I only took in STAGE DOOR, which I had never seen before and thoroughly enjoyed. Although I have read where some find it overwrought, I particularly loved Andrea Leeds’ heartwrenching performance as Kay.
Here’s to another awesome week. Thanks so much, Sam, for all that you do!
Thanks again Jeffrey, for the glowing support and kind words. The festival is complete, and the wrap will be posted tomorrow. Agreed on Ms. Leeds and on STAGE DOOR, a screen classic in every sense. I know you’ve been busy yourself, and the movie watching will find it’s way as always.
Thanks again my great friend!