by Sam Juliano
Air conditioners are now in regular use as Northern Hemisphere inhabitants are officially planning for the fast-approach summer. Heck, even I just submitted my ‘summer 2012’ intent form for the program I have worked in for the past 18 years consecutively. It was during some computer time back in the summer of 2005 that I first met Allan during an e bay transaction and subsequent e mail conversations from the Lincoln School annex, so the practice has widened the personal and social horizons, to say the least. It seems our own vacation plans will again be focused on the beachfront resort, Wildwood, in Cape May County, New Jersey, a place of many fond memories that we have visited endless times over the years. It’s a place of multiple boardwalks, roller coasters, ferris wheels, beach sand, and a quaint colonial town of older well-kept structures dating back to the colonial era. It’s also a place that boasts the famed ‘Lobster House’ and it’s succulent New England clam chowder. But August is a long time away, and before then us devout bloggers are thinking of R.D. Finch’s William Wyler blogothon in late June, and the launching of the long-awaited ‘Comedy Countdown’ on July 1st. For the latter venture, it has been decided that each voter will be submitting their own Top 50 comedies, which can be any combination of features and/or shorts by July 1st. A final countdown list of 60 films will be tabulated and revealed to those who have cast ballots, and assignments will be divided among the voters who also want to write, and a few others who only want to write.
Marilyn Ferdinand, Roderick Heath, the Self-Styled Siren and Greg Ferrara have just completed yet another hugely-successful and popular Film Preservation blogothon, and a salute in in order to them all for their peerless commitment and tireless energy towards this most worthy cause. Throughout the blogosphere, many took up the call to arms, and some top-drawer prose was highlighted. Ed Howard of Only the Cinema was on a rampage the last two weeks offering up one early Hitchcock review after the other in an incredible run. But the effort came in from all quarters, and as I say it was quite a venture. I also want to thank Marilyn and Rod for their exceedingly kind words in appraisal of the posts that appeared at WitD from Allan and myself. I also want to yet again acknowledge Dee Dee, who kept the sidebar active and updated in enthusiastic support of the blogothon.
Peter Lenihan has contributed his final entry in his superlative “Finding Ford” series, his tenth to be exact, and everyone at Wonders is that much richer for the postings. Peter is swamped with work at the present time, and what with his taking up residence overseas, it is never a certainty when he can even get on-line as he’s admitted. What Peter has done has expanded the Ford literature, and his writings will be cherished. Peter has indicated there is a possibility he may return down the line, but though that would be fantastic, what he has done over the past months is deeply appreciated. Thank you my friend!
Our Chilean friend and colleague Jaime Grijalba will be assuming the “every other Wednesday” opening on weeks that Jim Clark isn’t posting. I am very happy for Jaime, who has well earned this spot.
Lucille and I had another moderate week, though a stage play by John Patrick Shanley in Manhattan, two classics on the big screen and one new movie opening were still negotiated.
The Dictator ** (Friday afternoon) Secaucus multiplex
Grand Illusion (1937) ***** (Thursday night) Film Forum
The 39 Steps (1939) ***** (Sunday afternoon) IFC Film Center
Storefront Church (stage play) *** 1/2 (Saturday night) Linda Gross Theatre
The stage work, STOREFRONT CHURCH is the first production to be presented in the Linda Gross Theatre on 20th Street by the Atlantic Theatre Company since the new renovation was recently completed. The third of a trilogy by John Patrick Shanley the production features Once Upon a Time and Breaking Bad star Giancarlo Esposito (who is long known for his roles in Do The Right Thing and The Usual Suspects, Tony winner Tonya Pinkins, Tony nominee Bob Dishy, Tony nominee Zach Grenier, Drama Desk winner Jordan Lage and Ron Cephas Jones. The play completes Shanley’s “Church and State” trilogy, which began with his Tony-winning play, Doubt. The show tells the story of a Bronx borough President (Esposito) who, forced by the mortgage crisis, must confront a local minister (Jones). The question in front of them is one that faces us all: What is the relationship between spiritual experience and social action? The drama has some powerful moments, and the cast is inspired, but it’s a mixed effort for the most part, and a far cry from the first famous installment.
Sasha Baren Cohen’s crass and shameless shtick works in a few hysterical scenes (one a borderline conversation with an elderly couple on a plane) in THE DICTATOR, but outside of these and a buffo ‘dedication’ to start the film, the thin material wears thin, and even at 90 minutes you can’t wait for the movie to end. It’s rather a miracle that Ben Kingsley was persuaded to be in the cast. THE 39 STEPS and GRAND ILLUSION need to embellishment here, but I’ll only say that Renoir’s film was taken in for the umpteenth time in an absolutely gorgeous restored print, that again had me loving the film all over again. The bedside sequence near the end with Raufenstein and the British soldier and the clipping of the window geranium provide for some of the most unforgettable moments in all of cinema.
Actor Giancarlo Esposito, lead player in John Patrick Shanley’s play ‘Storefront Church’ with Broadway Bob after last night’s performance (picture by Lucille Juliano)
This week’s featured link scroll is as follows:
In a wonderful new series at Movie Classics Judy Geater takes an in-depth look at silent and pre-code actor Warner Baxter: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2012/05/13/warner-baxter/
In her latest post at Patricia’s Wisdom our erstwhile proprietor talks about the transporting properties of film and literature in her latest post: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2012/05/transportation/
Jon Warner at Films Worth Watching again writes with great skill and insight on Powell and Pressburger in his assessment of 1945’s “I Know Where I’m Going”: http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-know-where-im-going-1945-directed-by.html
Jaime Grijalba has come through big-time for the Film preservation blogothon with a terrific essay on “Psycho” at Exodus: 8:2: http://exodus8-2.blogspot.com/2012/05/alfred-hitchcock-presents-psycho-1960.html
Laurie Buchanan asserts “My Hat’s Off to You” in another delightful and insightful post at Speaking From The Heart: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/my-hats-off-to-you/
Samuel Wilson has written a stupendous new piece in his ‘Pre-Code Parade’ series on 1932’s “The Hatchet Man” at Mondo 70: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2012/05/pre-code-parade-hatchet-man-1932.html
After the hectic week at Ferdy-on-Films and This Island Rod, Marilyn Ferdinand and Roderick Heath are taking a well-earned break, though a guest writer Paroma Chatterjee offers up an excellent review of Hitch’s “Suspicion” at the former site: http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/?p=14413
John Greco has penned a terrific review of Joseph H. Lewis’ “The Big Combo” at Twenty Four Frames: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/the-big-combo-1955-joseph-h-lewis/
Tony d’Ambra at FilmsNoir.net is heading up with a tube displaying a new neo-noir titled imperfect by Michael Tucker, that’s quite a treat: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/imperfect-impressive-new-indie-neo-noir.html
R.D. Finch expands the Ford literature with a fabulous review of “The Prisoner of Shark Island” at The Movie Projector: http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2012/05/prisoner-of-shark-island-1936.html
At Doodad Kind of Town Pat Perry’s splendid contribution to the For the Love of Film Preservation blogothon is on Hitch’s “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”: http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2012/05/hitch-does-rom-com-for-love-of-film.html
At Scribbles and Ramblings Sachin Gandhi takes a fascinating look at two high-profile Spanish films at ‘Euro 2012’: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2012/05/spanish-films.html
Ed Howard’s incredible Hitchcock series for the Film Preservation blogothon concludes with this excellently penned, blunt assessment of “Jamaica Inn” at Only The Cinema: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2012/05/jamaica-inn.html
Craig Kennedy’s latest review at Living in Cinema is a great one on Wes Anderson’s soon-to-release “Moonrise Kingdom”: http://livingincinema.com/2012/05/17/moonrise-kingdom-2012/
“Stormy Sky Over the Belle Chain” leads up at the wondrous Creativepotager’s blog run by the great Mayne Island artist Terrill Welch: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/%EF%BB%BFstormy-sky-over-the-belle-chain/
David Schleicher is proud to announce that ‘Issue Two’ of the Stone Digital Literary Magazoine’ is now available. It’s over at The Schleicher Spin: http://theschleicherspin.com/2012/05/15/issue-two-of-the-stone-digital-literary-magazine-now-available/
Just Another Film Buff has penned a terrific capsule on Satoshi Kon’s 1997 “Perfect Blue” at The Seventh Art: http://theseventhart.info/2012/05/19/ellipsis-61/
At The Last Lullaby, the ever delightful filmmaker Jeffrey Goodman takes a look at part sixteen of his long running quartet series: http://cahierspositif.blogspot.com/2012/04/favorite-four-part-sixteen.html
At Vermillion and One Nights Murderous Ink has written a towering analytical and superbly referenced essay on the appearance of the piano in Japanese cinema: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2012/05/88-keys.html
Stephen Russell-Gebbett at Checking on my Sausages again offers up a thoughtful post, this one titled “The New Cinema of Shattered Minds”: http://checkingonmysausages.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-cinema-of-shattered-minds.html
At Cinemascope Shubhajit Laheri is leading up with an excellent capsule review of Fassbinder’s “The Third Generation: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2012/05/third-generation-1979.html
Greg Ferrara at Cinema Styles has written a splendid essay on Alfred Hitchcock: http://cinemastyles.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-have-nothing-new-to-say-about-alfred.html
A notable artistic collaboration leads the way at Michael Harford’s heartening Coffee Messiah’s blog: http://coffeemessiah.blogspot.com/2012/05/collaborations.html
At The Blue Vial Drew McIntosh asserts “It’s in the Eyes!”: http://thebluevial.blogspot.com/2012/05/its-in-eyes.html
J.D. offers up a fascinating essay on “In Case You Didn’t Feel Like Showing Up” at Radiator Heaven: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2012/05/in-case-you-didnt-feel-like-showing-up.html
Dave Van Poppel has a tremendous batch of short reviews up at Visions of Non Fiction on the Toronto Film Festival: http://visionsofnonfiction.blogspot.com/
Why did I do 26, some will ask. I had time to. Some weeks I will not and will go will the number I had decided on. But I had time tonight to take it further.
Click on names for archives
Writers/Founders
Wonders in the Dark 
Sam, thanks for the shout out regarding the dig-lit-mag. I’m diligently working on my comedies rankings – and it’s very hard! Still not sure where to draw the line as comedy can be so subjective and I want to include some of my favorite dark comedies and accidental comedies along with the obvious stuff. As a huge fan of satire, there’s a fine line there, too…as say something like “Network” is obvious gunning for drama (and methinks shouldn’t be included despite providing some nervous laughter), but “Dr. Strangelove”, on the other hand, while dealing with subject matter that is dead serious, is also laugh-out-loud hilarious and should clearly be included. Then there’s those pesky comedy dramas – I always thought films like “Manhattan” and “Lost in Translation” were comedies – but some would argue they’re dramas. And then there’s the inclusion of the shorts – ah! Which and how many of the “Our Gang/Little Rascals” to include?
BTW – can’t recall, did you see “Bernie” and if so, what did you think?
DAVID-That is a very fine line between drama and comedy. However, having recently watched NETWORK on TCM , I am firmly camping with the group that considers it a very black comedy.
David—
First of all I want to apologize for the delay in the project we will be working on together. Later tonight (Monday, May 21) I will finally be forwarding the questions that were supposed to be forwarded last week. As far as the comedies, there isn’t a clear-cut delineation, but most will probably opt to go with many of the acknowledged classics.. NETWORK will definitely make my own Top 60, as will DR. STRANGELOVE. These are greats atires, and deserve lofty inclusion, methinks. As to OUR GANG, you can be rest assured that my Top 60 will include “Dogs is Dogs” and “The Kid from Borneo,” two timeless classics that are my two favorites in the series. The humor in the former of course belies a deep humanity and emotional resonance. I am not a fan of LOST IN TRANSLATION, but most are, and the Woodman’s MANHATTAN is a certain placement for The List.
I loved BERNIE, and talked about it briefly on last week’s Diary.
Thanks as ever my friend! Have a great week!
Sam – I look forward to the questions.
You guys have me convinced then to include “Network”! I don’t think it will be a surprise as to where it will land on my list.
I really enjoyed “Bernie” too – a pleasant surprise.
http://theschleicherspin.com/2012/05/21/dont-mess-with-texas-or-bernie/
With regards to Our Gang – If you consider Dogs is Dogs – don’t forget, too, Pups is Pups. Then there, of course, is Teacher’s Pet. But yeah – The Kid from Borneo takes the cake – almost TOO funny.
David, DOGS IS DOGS is indeed wonderful, and a worthy choices as well.
I will definitely be checking out that new BERNIE review!
Incidentally, David, I’d add A-LADDIN AND HIS LAMP to the short list of OUR GANG greats.
David is there really a debate over whether Manhattan or Lost in Translation would qualify as comedies? They are clearly not straight up dramas. I’m not sure how anyone would see them as a drama. I think the bigger question, is with what you say about accidental comedies, or films that are so bad that they are funny. Should those count? I would like to hear the argument for it, cause I don’t think I would tend to agree unless someone could convince me otherwise.
Interesting, Jon – I don’t know. Should we base successful comedy on the filmmakers’ intention or on our own reaction to it? To be honest, I have 1 maybe 2 of these “accidental” comedies that could show up on my list. I can’t imagine anyone would run amuck with this notion and come up with a complete “joke” comedy list – sooo…I don’t know. I’m willing to go with the consensus. I like Sam’s invitation that “anything goes” on these lists – that really is the true nature of comedy, isn’t it? But I wouldn’t whine if I couldn’t include something like Roland Emmerich’s 2012 at #50 (as a goof) – ya know?
Yeah it makes sense. I completely agree that it’s our reaction to it that counts. In that case, certainly including a couple is not going to break the bank. However, cinema is loaded with GREAT comedies and you could fill up a top 50 with just Chaplin, Keaton, Stooges, Allen, Marx Brothers etc.
Oh Sam I am just shaking my head and chortling at how especially wonderful you are! 🙂 Thanks yet again for having time to drop by and add a link for Creative Potager. I still have nothing much to report in the area of movies. However, I did get to go to the Mayne Island May Day Celebrations on Saturday. I will be doing a special photography post about this amazing colourful and entertaining event where children grow wings for the day, a queen is crowned with a garland wild flowers, adult cloths are layers of frolicking miss-match and shoes go missing as the community dances together in circles. I hope to have it up in the morning for us. In the meantime stay safe Sam and enjoy the arrival of summer which is still holding itself back like a young boy at his first dance.
Terrill—
I will leave the matter of the links to a weekly survey of the time I can allocate to the project. Some weeks I can do more (like this one) and other times I will be limited to 10. Be rest assured my friend, that your incomparable place will always be among the ‘finalists.’ I appreciate your remarkable support and kind words as always. Wow, that upcoming May Day photography session sounds like one glorious and ravishing proposition! Can’t wait to gaze at that eye candy when it is becomes available! Love that summer simile too, which is dead-on! Have a great week my friend! Many thanks!
Well you know Sam you have to be careful with clam chowder because now they are saying almost all of the clams, and shrimps and oysters and scallops are not coming from America anymore. The two biggest seafood exporting areas in the world are now Philipinos and Vietnam and they are next to Japan so there is radiation in those clams. Do not give that chowder to the children because radiation is known to give people compulsive and desires and even cancer. Do you remember the Star Wars episode when Mr. Spock got stuck went into the tank with the radiation and they had to send his body into space? This is another knock on Obama you are going to hear in the next few weeks, he’s lax on the importers because wants to keep China happy and now people are eating seafood that is going to make everyone sick. It’s while his polls are low. You can read about it in the newspaper. Peace and Blessings.
Jack—
Your submission here has had me in stitches for hours, though I know you were being as perfectly sincere and honest as you always are. I am definitely concerned about the radiation in the chowder, and I might take a pass, opting instead for flouder and shrimp when I visit the Lobster House. I do remember that Star Trek episode with Spock (I think it was actually THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK, which was the third film) and I am definitely concerned over Obama’s standing right now. A potential Romney win is too horrifying to even ponder. I hope you will stay the course with the Dems my friend! And enjoy the Florida beached. Have a great week, and thanks!
Hey Sam, apart from the new indie neo-noir you have kindly linked to, I watched two movies only this week, rather spending a lot of time listening to the wide-ranging and outstanding cd-catalog of world music issued by the Putumayo label.
One movie was utter trash, Soderbergh’s latest Haywire. The last word of dialog says it all… As Rex Reed wrote in the New York Observer: “The movie is nothing more than a locker-room joke. Nothing resembling plot, character development or a star-making career move of any kind is anywhere apparent. The whole point of this time-wasting farrago of idiocy is that women can cut, kick, slash, burn, maim and kill just like men—and make bad movies that are just as stupid. Mr. Soderbergh doesn’t even try to guide his unknown, inexperienced leading lady from the fight ring to the acting arena. He just cranks up the camera and lets her punch herself catatonic. Maybe it’s the role she’s playing, but Gina Carano has all the charisma of a Sherman tank.”
The other movie The Red House (1947) was an average rural gothic melodrama masquerading as noir horror. A deranged man’s terrible secret is hidden in a red house nestled in a dark forest. Edward G as the nutter does his best, but the direction by Delmer Daves is uninspired – the pace is meandering and there is never any real tension. But I really liked 19yo Allene Roberts – a soft ephemeral beauty with humility and engaging pathos:
Tony—
Ms. Roberts is indeed lovely, and what a beautiful photo you’ve posted here. Makes me want to re-evaluate my position on THE RED HOUSE (ha!) which is just about the same as yours. I thought Miklos Rozsa’s score was fabulous
(a kitchen sink CD is forthcoming) but the film was not as riveting as I was led to think it would be. The quality of teh DVD print was fine, but on the softside. Edward G. Robinson was very good as always, but the story doesn’t hold together, and it’s after all preposterous. As you note, there is little tension. It’s definitely on the lower end of average all things considered. But I know others who liked it more, including Allan and John greco.
As to Soderbergh, I have not liked any of his most recent films, so I am not at all surprised by the dire observations you have made here. Ha, Reed’s observations are a hoot! He can really be biting when he doesn’t like something. But I haven’t much hope and am of the belief that you are probably right. Thanks as always my great friend! Have a very good week!
Sam, thanks so much for the great mention.
I too am looking forward to summer. We all need that little break, I think.
I’m envious hearing about your GRAND ILLUSION and 39 STEPS outings. Both are personal favorites of mine. This week I finally was able to catch up with a couple of things. I saw QUEEN CHRISTINA and LAZYBONES. There were tremendous moments for Garbo in the former and the latter yet another noteworthy film from Borzage.
Thanks so much, Sam, for all that you do. Here’s to another awesome week!
Thanks very much Jeffrey, for the peerless support and loyalty. You are one person i’d love to meet in person one day, if circumstances allow. Yes, the print for GRAND ILLUSION was particularly stunning, and hope it opens in other selected cities at least. THE 39 STEPS looked fine too, though not on par with the Renoir. Two exceptional films for you there. Garbo gave a tremendous performance, and yes I agree the Borzage is at least a minor classic. Yes I yearn for the vacation break. Have a great week my friend. many thanks as always!
Ahhhhhhhhh…. GUSTAVO FRINGE LIVES!!!!! Great photo of Bob and Giancarlo Esposito (he brilliant as the resident nasty, Gustavo Fringe, on THE BEST SHOW ON TV: BREAKING BAD)… I’d have killed to get a shot with him. His turn on BREAKING BAD is one of the many highlites from a show peppered with great moments. Seriously Sam, you don’t know what you’re missing by denying yourself a few days with the 5 time Emmy Winning series (I have them all on Blu-Ray if you want to see them…
He might have been memorable in films like DO THE RIGHT THING, ONCE UPON A TIME WHEN WE WERE COLORED and NIGHT ON EARTH, but Esposito will forever be immortalized by his role on a this show that I know will be looked back upon, years down the road, as one of the greatest in the history of American Television. Gustavo Fringe was the role of his life…
Dennis—
You practically have me convinced to give BREAKING BAD a go soon. I never realized Esposito had so prominent a role in that series until I had first read the playbill and had subsequently read your enthusiastic evaluation here. Yes, he was certainly memorable in DO THE RIGHT THING, COLORED, NIGHT ON EARTH (and THE USUAL SUSPECTS), but apparently your declaration here is pretty much irrefutable. Thanks as always for the terrific addition my friend!
Sam,
The Shanley play sounds interesting, I am an admirer of his work. As for myself, I have been busying writing, preparing for an interview with former stuntwoman Martha Crawford Canterini reading her book “Fall Girl” along with some in-house photography work and movies.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (***1/2) If I remember correctly, I think I must like this film more than you did, Sam. I found it charming and funny with some fine performances from Judi Dench and Bill Nighy. Nothing to write home about come award time but amiable.
A Matter of Life and Death- (*****) Beautifully photographed, innovative, thought provoking. emotionally moving masterpiece from Michael Powell.
Seduced and Abandoned (****1/2) A dark satirical tale of old world Sicilian honor where the whore/madonna complex is the curse of every woman and murder and kidnapping are traditional reactions to protecting family respect. Director Petro Germi and his writers skewer the world of Italian double standards in marriage, family values and religion.
The Lost Weekend (****) Still remains a powerful look at a man who has lost his soul and his dignity to addiction. The lies, the conspiring one does to get money for just one more drink. Probably the most powerful look at alcoholism up until “Leaving Las Vegas” came out years later.
The Steel Trap (**) Minor film with a preposterous story of a bank manager who steals one million dollars and plans to make a quick getaway out of the country. Theresa Wright as Joseph Cotton’s wife is almost unrecognizable as a blonde.
Thirteen Women (**1/2) – Bigotry causes an exotic half breed (Myrna Loy) to seek revenge on murder her former classmates. The women drop off melodramatically one by one until the final confrontation by the two soon to be stars, Irene Dunne and Loy. A short, eerie and entertaining enough oddity.
Rampart (**1/2) Story of a dirty cop is intriguing, however this film seems to never get itself off the ground. It rambles on going nowhere, though there is a nice performance by Woody Harrelson. Overall, it missed the boat.
Come and Get It (****) Lumberjack gives up his true love to marry the boss’s daughter and the good life. Twenty years later, now the richest man in the state, he meets and becomes infatuated with the daughter of his now dead real love both played by the lovely and tragic Frances Farmer. Edward Arnold and Walter Brennan, generally two fine supporting actors, get their chance here to carry the day with fantastic performances.
Fort Worth (***) Decent enough B western with Randolph Scott as former gunman now who wants to fight injustice with his newspaper.
John—
Best of luck with that upcoming interview with Margaret Crawford Canterini John! Your past interviews at TWENTY FOUR FRAMES have all been most rewarding! You saw quite a diverse lot of movies there this week, and looking through all the splendid capsules I can’t say I’m far off from your final judgement. MARIGOLD HOTEL I rated a half star less, but it does have it’s moments and is reasonably entertaining. (and certainly well-acted) Seems like Maggie Smith really had the audience going. You are right to give A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH the highest rating of the group (5 stars) in my opinion, and certainly both THE LOST WEEKEND and COME AND GET IT are all-time classics. I would probably give an extra half star to the Wilder. Agreed that Arnold and Brennan are fantastic in COME AND GET IT. THIRTEEN WOMEN is eerie and entertaining. I would give four to SEDUCED AND ABANDONED, but again we are pretty much on the same page. I haven’t seen RAMPART yet. Completely agreed on THE STEEL TRAP. Have a great week my friend. Many thanks as always!
Nods to the entire cast of STOREFRONT CHURCH, especially Giancarlo Esposito and Zach Greiner. Both chatted with me/us as if we were long lost friends. Very personable and grateful that we waited. Tonya Pinkins and Ron Cephas Jones, too, were a delight to meet. Of the three Shanley plays, STOREFRONT CHURCH ranks in at #2. It can never compare to DOUBT.
Bob—
It was great to meet up with the cast, which was made possible by your insistence. Esposito was one of the friendliest of all performers. I agree that STOREFRONT, while boasting some unforgettable moments, is not in a league with DOUBT! Thank you my friend! And now on to THE CARETAKER by Harold Pinter on this coming Friday night.
Did you get this last sentence Jamie? I wish you were here.
Hi Sam! Thanks for the kind mention as always. Well it was a light film week for you but of course Grand Illusion and The 39 Steps are never “light”. As for
The Dictator, I’m wondering if you have liked any of SBC’s films before? What about Borat etc? I think Borat is really funny and it surprised me as I was not expecting to like it. In fact, regarding Borat, I’m wondering how this might factor into the voting for the comedy countdown, if at all. I’m curious. I’m actually going to be revisiting several comedies that I have either not seen in many years, or wasn’t that smitten with on first viewing- The Producers (saw it 15 years ago), Animal House (also many years ago), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (can’t even remember anything about it). I also just picked up some Harold Lloyd stuff. So, my plan is to brush up on Comedy so I’m ready for the debates and the comments!!! Just like the Musical Countdown!! I like to be prepared.
My past week was light on movies, as I was traveling. I’m back in the office now this week so should be able to see things at home. Up this week is Floating Weeds, WR:Mysteries of the Organism, Les dames du Bois de Bologne, When a Woman Ascends the Stairs, La notte bianche. Have a great week my friend!!!
By the way…..are you going to see the opening of Moonrise Kingdom this coming weekend? Not sure if you’re a Wes Anderson fan or not Sam.
Jon—
Yes, Renoir’s film is enveloping and gripping in the end, and is hardly light as you note, and THE 39 STEPS is another intricate work, obviously. As I explained to Pierre (below) I did like BORAT to a point, but it is not a film that holds the stage all that well on repeat viewing. The laughs become rather strained, but I guess you could say that about a number of comedies. BORAT is most eligible for the comedy countdown, but I won’t be including it myself. As far as those three treasures you mention (THE PRODUCERS, ANIMAL HOUSE and MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL) every one will make my list and in a formidable position too. You are talking cream there, and with a sprinkle of sugar to boot. THE PRODUCERS for me is one of the greatest comedy films of all-time. And yes, Harold Lloyd deserves to be part of this equation for sure. I know you are one to prepare, and we are all that much richer for it my friend! You really have a terrific batch lined up there, with FLOATING WEEDS, WHEN A WOMAN ASCENDS THE STAIRS and LES DAMES DU BOIS DE BOLOGNE among my favorites. Thanks as always for the marvelous, spirited comment and you have a great week as well my friend!
Oh, and YES I will be seeing MOONRISE KINGDOM this weekend! I must say I’m very excited for this one.
Hey Sam, great that you guys saw Espositio. Dennis is right about ‘Breaking Bad’ you need to see it. I heard about that print for ‘Grand Illusion.’ Hope they will give the film a run in Montclair.
You are right not to mention the Yankees these days!
Just a hop, skip and a jump out of last place!
Frank–
I hope I will soon be able to keep my promise to Dennis with ‘Breaking Bad.’ I actually never even realized that Esposito was in it, or I would have said something to him when he posed for the photo with Bob. All I could muster up was a comment about ‘Do The Right Thing.’ which I stated was one of my favorite films. Espositio responded by saying ‘Gee, that’s a long time.” And I said, “yes, 23 years ago.” GRAND ILLUSION might indeed appear in Montclair. I’ll keep you abreast my friend. And yes, the Yankess aren’t worth talking about these days! Ha! Have a great week, and thanks as always.
Sam –
Your August vacation plans sound like you and yours will be stepping into a quaint Norman Rockwell painting with boardwalks, roller coasters, ferris wheels, and beach sand — ahhhhhhhhh, bliss.
Untold hours of work have gone into the Comedy Countdown that I’m looking forward to this July.
I’m intrigued by the question posed in STOREFRONT CHURCH, “What is the relationship between spiritual experience and social action?” That had to be tough to negotiate on stage. I’m curious to know if the audience leaves with an answer, or if they leave even more perplexed than when they arrived?
Thank for, Sam, for pointing to Speaking From The Heart.
Laurie—
Ha, Norman Rockwell indeed, you picked the perfect guy for these visuals. It is bliss, made moreso by the rare opportunities to indulge these days. This is probably why we think of this months in advance. As far as the ‘comedy countdown’ the project has launched and we hope to have an idea of how things will be going within a month or so. That question was most assuredly difficult to negotiate on stage, though in the end I am certain the audience was able to understand the relationship, because of a strong cast and generally fine writing. The reviews haven’t officially come out yet, as it’s still in previews, but I’m figuring it will get decent notices.
Thanks as always my very good friend! Have a great week!
Sam – Yesterday the library notified me that “My Brilliant Career” (1979) had arrived. I watched it last evening and can say that I clearly understand why it deservedly won six Australian Academy Awards (including Best Picture and Best Director). The film stars Judy Davis and Sam Neill and is based on a story — written by a woman, thus “peculiar” at that time in history — that was published in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1901.
Tonight we’re going to watch “Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle” (1994) starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Campbell Scott.
Just now saw this Laurie! So sorry for the late response. MY BRILLIANT CAREER is magnificent. I know it won all those awards, and it’s is internationally revered. I am the proud owner of aDVD copy of it. MRS. PARKER is most interesting and features quite a turn in the lead there by Jennider Jason Leigh. I’m sure you’ll come in with a favorable response. Thanks again my friend!
Thanks for the mention, Sam! Much appreciated. I thought I’d try a something little different this week with a concert film review. That’s too bad about THE DICTATOR. Judging from the trailers that is one I can wait for until shows up on Netflix and your comments certainly seem to support that feeling.
J.D.—
That was indeed a great idea, and terrific writing to back it up J.D. I definitely will be putting it my two cents there later tonight. THE DICTATOR just wears thin after a while, and you get a guilty feeling for having laughed at a few of the crasser moments. Yep, I’d definitely wait to go the netflix route. Thanks again my friend. Have a great week!
Finally saw The Avengers. Sam, I see what you are saying, but it still was a great deal of fun. My two daughters loved it. The Hulk scenes were a gas. I know the characters weren’t developed, but that wasn’t what they were shooting for.
Ricky—
I did admit two weeks ago that I was in the minority on this film, although at WitD the reaction and sentiments are uniformly negative. For fans of super hero movies I can well understand why it works, and I wouldn’t dare begrudge you and the girls some joy. At least one of my kids liked it a lot. (Jeremy) Thanks again, and have a great week!
Sam – I too am interested in hearing your rating of The Dictator compared to Borat and Bruno.
Pierre—
Of the three, I’d say BORAT was the best, and BRUNO the worst. THE DICTATOR falls in the middle, though not of a satisfactory estimation in general terms. THE DICTATOR had it’s moments for sure, but too few. BORAT eventually lost steam too (and not so sure I can watch it again) but for the first two-thirds it was funny. Thanks for stopping by my friend! Hope to talk soon!
Hi Sam, your review about The Dictator is what I was thinking the film might end up being going by the trailers. Still, I plan to see it at some point in the future. Thanks for the kind mention and the comment you left. Hope you have a great week ahead.
Indeed Sachin—
The film isn’t any better than the worse than middling reviews it got. It’s mostly crass, it crosses some lines for humor, and is rather redundant. Thanks as always, and have a great week!
Sam, the best news of the weekend was the box-office sinking of Battleship. I’m always glad to have assurance that Americans won’t fall for everything, but was does the global take say about the rest of the world? Nothing drew me to the theaters this weekend, so at home I watched George Cukor’s Rockabye, a Pre-Code renunciation tearjerker with Constance Bennett overacting furiously; Roberto Rosselini’s Stromboli, an awkward blend of neorealist acutality and inert dubbed melodrama but almost worth it for the actuality (e.g. fishing sequence, volcano) alone — though the animal cruelty (typically Italian???) may handicap it further for some; Preston Sturges’s The Great McGinty, which doesn’t change my votes for 1940 but allows me to mention Brian Donleavy and Akim Tamiroff as strong runners-up in their acting categories, and to comment on how much of the Coen Bros. is in this one film; and F. W. Murnau’s City Girl, next up for review and predictably amazing in some ways, yet also interesting as a conflicted step toward Pre-Code sensibility for studio and director alike. Don’t forget to see more movies!
Ha Samuel, I’m sure the pace will pick up when the festivals start kicking in. There is one on Von Stroheim and another on the 100th anniversary of Universal over the summer. I do join you in a toast though, for the tanking of BATTLESHIP. I would never see it in the theatre, but I managed to get a copy of it. Again, I don’t think I’ll watch that either! Ha! IU haven’t yet seen ROCHABYE nor STROMBOLI, but agree on that acting (and writing) prominence of Sturges’ THE GREAT MC GINTY. I do love CITY GIRL and look forward to your upcoming treatment of it. Have a great week my friend! Many thanks.
Sam, I’ve never seen ‘La Grande Illusion’ on the big screen, so right now I’m chartreuse with envy. Lucky New Yorkers!
Speaking of chartreuse and magenta and fuschia, I rewatched ‘The Gang’s All Here’, and the indefatigable Carmen Miranda with her tutti-frutti hat will leave you in slack-jawed disbelief. Freud would have had a field day with this Busby Berkeley double-dipped banana split with extra strawberries on top, of all things a love story in a mostly tropical nightclub locale set against the backdrop of WWII. In amongst the pineapple chunks and palm fronds you may also spot Alice Faye, Edward Everett Horton, Benny Goodman and the rubber-limbed Charlotte Greenwood, the human Gumby. But beware, this profuse confection may leave you with a stomach ache (or astigmatism) afterwards. A ‘Yellow Submarine’ for the forties.
Also caught centenarian Kaneto Shindo’s lovely ‘Kuroneko’ (‘Black Cat’, 1968), but don’t have time to comment now, though I thought I saw the spectral traces of Val Lewton and Jean Cocteau lurking in the dry ice and shadows. The basic formula: cats equal female sexuality (surprise!). Rural superstition and monster lore play a big hand here, too, and it’s all very strikingly done. I understand ‘The Naked Island’ is Shindo’s chef d’oeuvre.
Mark–
I am thinking that this print of GRAND ILLUSION will open semi-wide in art houses around the country as I’ve been informed it’s playing in LA right now as well. It is a stunning print, and it’s the same one that will be featured on the upcoming Region 1 at the end of July:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00827OWSO/ref=nosim?tag=dvdbeaver-20&link_code=as3&creativeASIN=B00827OWSO&creative=373489&camp=211189
And ironically, THE GANG’S ALL HERE just completed it’s own one week run at the Film Forum in April. I wasn’t able to make that, but much appreciate your take, especially “Yellow Submarine for the 40’s” and the Freudian implications. Ha! Edward Everett Horton always floats my boat.
Yes the spectral traces (love it!) of Lewton and Cocteau are most evident. I also love KURONEKO (another seen not long ago at the Film Forum as I reported on the Diary) and I know it’s s favorite of Jamie’s as well, and much appreciate your deadon framing. Actually ONIBABA is Shindo’s masterpiece, but I do like THE NAKED ISLAND and KURONEKO quite a bit. Look forward to further insights my friend! Have a great week, and thanks so much as always!
Sam,
Thanks much for the release info on ‘La Grande Illusion’, I’ll be looking for it at the local art venues and plan on a DVD purchase as well.
Yes, ‘The Gang’s All Here’ will leave you with the sensation that someone dropped acid in the punch bowl, and Miranda (‘the most famous Brazilian woman of the 20th century’, per biographer Ruy Castro) is Berkeley’s Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. By the time she got around to her samba with the Benny Goodman orchestra, I was exhausted by her relentless energy. Brazilian bombshell hell, she’s more like a Brazilian ICBM. Miranda’s tirelessness apparently wore her out and sadly she died young of a heart attack in 1955 at age 46.
~~ I’ve never really been a Sally Field devotee, but her performance in ‘Norma Rae’ as a smart but uneducated millworker groping for some kind of self-knowledge is a knockout. Dismissed and forgotten by most cineastes because it lacks any chi-chi cinematic rhetoric, Martin Ritt’s 1979 film played last night on TCM, a happy reminder that ‘Norma Rae’ remains what it always was — a extraordinarily moving work worthy of rediscovery, especially during this current period of GOP attacks on workers’ rights.
With fiery support from Ron Liebman as a union organizer, and a small turn by future David Lynch regular Grace Zabriskie. Here is a fine film made without ostentation and with plenty of good, old-fashioned, non-corny liberal heart.
Today’s musical selection is the ravishing main theme of Tornatore’s THE LEGEND OF 1900 from Ennio Morricone:
Nice choice Sam!
Any reports on the new Wes Anderson film?
Thanks Peter!
I’ve heard and read terrific reports on Anderson’s film, and am figuring to see it this coming Saturday night. oddly, I’m not sure what theatre it will be playing at, since there is no concrete information on-line as to it’s destination. But it is definitely opening Friday. I have never been the biggest Anderson fan (and coincidentally enough I just sent an e mail to site friends about the great early reviews) but this one one appears to be special. The proof wwill be in the pudding. Have a great week my friend!
http://focusfeatures.com/moonrise_kingdom/theatres
Sam that link says what theatres in NY it will be playing at. I’m very excited about the film and have been a big fan of Wes Anderson going way back. He’s been a bit off his game the last couple, but I have high hopes for this one.
Ah Jon, thanks so much my friend! I see it will be playing at Union Square, which is one of our theatres of choice. So there we will go. Like you I do have very high hopes for this. The early reviews are extremely favorable. We will be sharing notes soon my friend!
Super! Can’t wait to hear your reaction Sam!!!
Happy Monday, Sam, and thanks for the link.
Your upcoming family vacation sounds wonderful, makes me nostalgic for family vacations when I was a kind (although our “beach” was the shore of Lake Michigan, as opposed to the Atlantic!) Sounds like you enjoyed some classic cinema this week. I blush to tell you that I have never gotten around to GRAND ILLUSION, although it is on my very long list of someday-must-sees.
For my part, I’ve been laser-focused on getting my condo on the market by the end of the month, so I spent a good deal more of the past week in hardware stores and storage unit facilities than in front ot viewing screens. All I managed to see was WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN which was, not surprisingly, highly disturbing with a great performance by Tilda Swinton. Once the condo is listed, I pledge to return to film viewing and blogging whole heartedly! Take care, and to eveyrone at WITD, have a great week!
Pat–
I bet the shore of Lake Michigan is every bit as enjoyable as the Atlantic, and I could well imagine what memories you cherish of the trips there. It seems every year in May we begin to ponder the short break, and this year even more after we passed completely last summer. The kids, especially, miss it, understandably. Pat, I can well understand you not getting around to GRAND ILLUSION yet, but there is a silver lining, as you can either see the theatrical print in a theatre, or the upcoming blu-ray. It’s a win-win. Good luck with the condo sale, again completely understand your direction and priority. I would be doing the same. As far as WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, I agree it’s disturbing and can’t argue about Swinton’s performance. Several here at WitD had it among their top films of the year. I know you will be back soon enough Pat. Good luck, and as always thanks so much my friend!
Sam, thanks very much for the kind plug. I’m another one who envies you seeing ‘La Grande Illusion’ on the big screen – I recently bought the DVD, but seeing it in a cinema must be great.
I haven’t had time to watch much this past week, but did see three older movies, two of which star Carole Lombard, Lubitsch’s ‘To Be or Not To Be’ and Hitchcock’s attempt at a screwball comedy, ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ – I was tempted by the latter after reading Pat’s review. I don’t always think ‘To Be or Not to Be’ holds together all that well, but I did enjoy both Lombard and Jack Benny’s performances a lot and have found some of the best scenes sticking in my mind since – especially Benny’s soliloquies! I wasn’t very impressed by the Hitchcock, but, again, Lombard is great.
The third film I saw was a pre-Code comedy-melodrama, ‘Penthouse’ (1933), which stars Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy – I really enjoyed this one, which was made by the same director (WS van Dyke) and writers as ‘The Thin Man’ and has the same sort of witty irreverence. I’ve been trying to catch up with some of the great films in recent weeks, but I still love the small-scale pre-Codes just as much as ever.
Judy—
What made the screening of GRAND ILLUSION so special, as I mentioned to Pat, is the gorgeous new print. Word is that this print is the source for the blu-ray. Seeing either the blu-ray or the Studio Canal or Criterion DVD is certainly a fair enough alternative, and in fact for intimacy even a better one. Yes, I would have to agree that MR. & MRS. SMITH is a rather problematic Hitchcock, though it’s entertaining enough. Pat did pen an excellent review of it, but even she had some problems. But Lombard is great indeed as is Lubitsch’s TO BE OR NOT TO BE. Wow, you make that Warner Baxter/Myrna Loy collaboration sound most desirable. I’ll keep my eyes open. Van Dyke (dubbed one-take Woody for his reputation of working in overdrive to always stay within time schedules and budget) also directed NAUGHTY MARIETTA. Thanks as always Judy. Have a great week!
I have been away from my PCs for a while, so I wasn’t able to do my routine round around my favorite sites, including here at WinD. You mentioned Koreeda’s film last week, and though I was aware of it, to me, it didn’t (and doesn’t) sound fascinating enough to get up and go to see it. His film are getting progressively more commercially-motivated than previous films, and uses more mundane casts and staffs (to me, at least).
The 39 Steps is still my favorite among Hitchcocks, definitely so even compared to anything from his Hollywood era. I just finished another one of John Buchan’s Hannay novel, Mr. Standfast, which was much of a disappointment. And come to think of it, that The 39 Steps the film is much more complex and intriguing than the original novel, as well.
Yes, I finally caught “The Artist” on screen, and liked it. It is a gorgeous BW silent (w/ sound track) as I always loved about art of cinema. (Not long ago, I was so immersed in the world of silent cinema, I was wondering “why do they have sound these days?”) I don’t have to mention that after watching the film, I dug out my DVDs of “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Top Hat”, watched them back to back, do I?
I can see your reaction to “The Dictator”, as I understand your taste. Personally, I love those sophomoric-jokes-to-the-extreme, but it just comes down to how much money and time you are ready to spend on them. Probably I’m getting old, but I would just rent it on DVD, laugh and forget about it. Besides, we have too many sophomoric jokers in our government already.
Thanks for the link, as always.
MI
Hello M.I, my friend. I completely understand the matter of being off-line, the blogging is after all a luxury to be negotiated when there is some spare time. That’s a very interesting take on Kore-eda, one I can agree with for sure. My favorite of his films remains NOBODY KNOWS, but it does seem his latter work is aimed at commercial markets. There were some wonderful moments in this latest film (I WISH) but all in all, I found it uneven. THE 39 STEPS is an absolute masterpiece and one of Hitch’s great films. Nice that you are reading a Hannay novel by John Buchan! I am not surprised that Hitchcock’s work is more complex. I was thrilled when I had originally read at your site that you liked THE ARTIST. Ha what you say about sound! I’d be content with silent cinema, with music only on the soundtrack. And who can blame you for reaching for those DVDs containing those classics? Ha! Jean Dujardin’s work remains vivid to me months later, and what a spectacular score by Ludovic Bource! I won’t deny that while I was in the theatre I laughed at a good part of THE DICTATOR, and sometimes hysterically, but afterwards the effect wore off. What a tremendous opening ‘dedication’ though and that scene in the helicopter is rather a classic. But let’s see what you think. Have a great week my friend! Many thanks as always.
Hello Sam and everyone!
Thanks for featuring my blog in your special blogroll of this week!
It’s good to hear you’re ok and that you’re still taking things a bit more slowly on the movie front, and it’s nice to hear things from the vacation front, you sure deserve them! It’s been a hard year for all of us so we need our rest, I know I need mine! I’m posting a bit late since I was out at my girlfriend’s house, since May 21st is festive here.
On your movie front I’ve seen “The 39 Steps” and I like it quite a lot, but I wouldn’t consider it a masterpiece, but shying away from one, (****1/2) in that regard I prefer “The Lady Vanishes” much more. I will watch “The Dictator” since I’m an admirer of SBC, and I can’t wait to see Grand Illusion.
On my end, well, things pile up on me and it gets harder to run along. I had to shoot and edit a videoclip, which just needs a few tweaks to be completely perfect, but here it is in its still incomplete form:
I also had to shoot a short scene on friday, but that was all, really.
My week movie wise:
– Love (2012, Doze Niu) ***1/2 A mixture of drama, romance and comedy, all with an ensemble cast of really well known chinese and taiwanese actors. I’ll have more to say about this one soon, but I liked it quite a bit.
– Ashes (2012, Apichatpong Weerasethakul) **** Experimental short film, done with a new kind of camera that shoots on film and is portable, it is quite impressive and visually interesting. The film is featured on the site MUBI and was launched at a party on Cannes. It is hypnotic and quite beautiful in itself. I’ll say more about this, I think.
– Dark Shadows (2012, Tim Burton) ***1/2 I think that the cast did a spectacular job in this film, there’s some nice art direction, costumes and overal visually impressive, reminding me of the Hammer vampire films from the 70’s. Still, I can’t deny this is one of those that feels weird when you see them, as if they were over-edited and there’s so much we can’t see because the studio issued a shorter cut. This would benefit from a full director’s cut, if it exists. Still, I felt entertained, but I can’t see myself watching it again unless the Director’s cut appears.
– The newspaper of Agustín (2008, Ignacio Agüero) **** Chilean documentary on one of the most influential and famous newspapers of Chile, “El Mercurio”, which is owned by a family that has been always called Agustín Edwards, hence the name of the documentary. The film chronicles the lies, the cover-ups and the overall maligned state of its journalism during the days of Pinochet’s dictatorship, and the state of how the journalists still haven’t apologized for running fake stories and making up facts, that still happen nowadays.
– So Sorry (2012, Ai Weiwei) **** Chinese underground documentary that chronicles many of the facts that sorrounded the anti-government chinese artist Ai Weiwei, his detention, his operation after being hit by chinese officials, this is strong stuff that may feel weird for those moralists about documentaries. I’ll have more to say.
– The Inmigrant (1917, Charles Chaplin) ****1/2 One of the best shorts from Chaplin, because it mixes equally good the slapstick and the emotional elements as well as a romance. The whole thing is a laugh and tearful riot, with many thrutful elements inside of it. Great.
– A Sure Deal (2001, Ricardo Carrasco) **** A chilean comedy that fiddles around with greatly constructed characters and chilean familiar tropes and traits on personality. Even if its a bit unnerving as it moves along, it maintains the characters around, which is always nice, and they’re all greatly acted, so that’s a plus for me.
Have a good week Sam!
Thanks for the very kind words Jaime! Yes, one does begin to think of beaches along the ocean, resort hideaways and boardwalk rides with the kids at this time of the year, though for us it is still at least two months away. I’d also like to keep things on moderation mode as far as seeing movies in the theatres, at least until the Universal 100th Anniversary Festival in August, which commences the same month as our planned one week vacation. As of late, spurred on by the recent film preservation post on restored film scores, I have been focusing my attention on music. Over the past week I’ve been listening to a number of scores in my collection and have acquired some new ones. I will have several posts up in the future to this end. In any event, that was a great short you have up here, and I hope a number of people have taken a look. Terrific contribution to the blogothon too with your PSYCHO essay. Nice to see you stayed back at the girlfriend’s and enjoyed a rest. I also love THE LADY VANISHES, which I also rate with five stars. That was quite a movie report there. I see you liked DARK SHADOWS quite a bit more than I did, even with the disclaimer that you wouldn’t watch this version again. I would agree the longer version should be made available. ASs you know my own issues with the film has more to do with the approach Burton too. I agree with you on that marvelous Chaplin short of course, and am most intrigued with Weerasethakul’s short!! The Chilean documentary and comedy are also intriguing as is the Chinese documentary, all of which I haven’t seen. Thanks again my friend, have a great week, and good luck for this terrific short!
I enjoyed Jaime Grijalba’s short video! “Storefront Church” sounds very interesting. I count myself as a fan of Shanley’s screenplay to “Doubt” and his writing and direction of “Doubt”. I also would always think of Esposito as Buggin Out in “Do the Right Thing”.
David—
Yes, Jaimie’s short is marvelous! STOREFRONT doesn’t match DOUBT, but there is some dramatic power and good parts for fine actors.
Good to see you are thinking the same on Esposito.
Thanks for stopping by my friend!
Wow after taking a week off, I am truly behind on saying Thank YOU for your nice comments on Patricias Wisdom…Transportation was one of my favorite writes in 2012 – I loved having a week off in San Francisco and listening to literally dozens of graduation speeches….in 5 days…plus applauding my daughter’s distinguished Master’s thesis award (from the Broadcast, Electronic Media, Communications, and Arts College at the SFSU) Education is a public experience not a private greed machine was the big take away…and R. Murdock was given no leeway on the issue of integrity and honesty in broadcasting and media
Something else we have in common! I spent several summers in Cape May NJ living in a Quaker community and first scrubbing motel rooms for weekly guests and then teaching AIDs education to the Gay community before we even called it AIDS A stunning place to be and relax, relax and relax…so good for kids.
I actually watched a first run movie in SF….no lie and i thought I would post about it Memorial day schedule.
Book Group II watched POETRY last night, but as all are working women, except for me, there was little time to discuss – we will do it at the June meeting over The Swan Thieves.
Hope you will have a great holiday weekend. My teacher daughter is counting the days until June 15th…when she we be out of the classroom for 2 weeks…and mountain climbing… Her school in Portland, Oregon will start again after the 4th of July – she is looking forward to that as she will have the Library with the graduating Kindergarteners for half a day and the new kindergarteners for half a day….Oh what stories a Librarian can read!
Thanks for your great efforts – as always and again thanks for the shout out
Patricia—
Thanks so much for this spirited aqnd engaging replay! My deepest apologies for ot realizing it was actually here until today! Sounds like congratulations are in order for your daughter!!! And you spend several summer in Cape May? And it that capacity? Wow! Thanks for the amazing anecdote!s throughout this marvelous submission! Can’t blaming your teaching daughter for looking forward to the break, especially with those wonderful plans in place! As you know I think POETRY is a masterwork, and I’m sure the group with love it! The librarian experience is wonderful. Here in Fairview, New Jersey, my hometown, I am a trustte on the town’s Library Board, a position I’ve held for 11 years now. The library is the place to be!
Wishing you and yours agreat Memorial Day too Patricia!
That’s awesome that you got to see Grand Illusion and The 39 Steps in a theater, Sam. I’ve seen both films on DVD and of course love them, but have a sneaky suspicion I’d appreciate them even more if I saw them on the big screen.
Thanks very much Adam! The stunning print of GRAND ILLUSION defrinitely yielded a glorious experience in the theatre, but the print of THE 39 STEPS wasn’t bad. It is always an advantage to see films in a theatre when possible as you know, but at-home DVD viewings often provide intimate experiences just as potent.
Couldn’t agree more about the storefront
-Solomon Berkovitch