Shane, Marilyn Ferdinand and Sam in Skokie, Illinois
Laurie Buchanan and Sam in Crystal Lake, Illinois
by Sam Juliano
This week’s Monday Morning Diary is sitting atop this morning’s comedy countdown post for the first and last time during the project due to the strong desire to headline a family road trip to the mid-west that won’t be forgotten. The fact that the countdown review today is my own made this decision an easy one. Anyone looking for Number 85 need only to scroll below the Diary post.
The road trip began on Sunday evening August 20 at 10:00 P.M. when we left our Bergen County, New Jersey home in our Honda Odyssey, heading west on Route 80 for nearly fourteen hours until we stopped off the highway in Gary, Indiana to visit Michael Jackson’s childhood home in an economically blighted area that was once a bustling steel industry city. The kids, Jacko fans all, signed their names to the board in front of the tiny house, and took pictures in front of the plaque that was placed there after the King of pop’s death. (Lucille has subsequently reminded me that the stop in Gary, Indiana was on the way back from Chicago on Wednesday morning not as I state here on the way in! Ah well, I am losing it!) Next stop was the great city of Chicago, arriving at approximately 1:00 P.M. We stayed at a Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, sleeping two nights until Wednesday morning. Like any trip that is ultimately unforgettable it’s the people you meet who make all the difference, and the precious time we spent with the likes of three blogging friends and associates provided Lucille and I and all the kids with some splendid conversation, and stories that gave everyone some pointed laughter and some sage advice on shared points on shared intersts. First off was my Wonders in the Dark friend and colleague Jamie Uhler, a person I have wanted to meet for a very long time, and one who has been part of a regular daily e mail chain since the time when he joined the writing staff of the site. My friend, who is not a ‘picture taking kind of guy’ took the full day off from his workplace to make clearance for spending time with all of us. It certainly for me was an emotional moment when I first laid eyes on Jamie after he met me in the Holiday Inn lobby after subwaying from his home on the other side of the city. Jamie accompanied me on the elevator up to our rooms where he met Lucille and all the kids, who were preparing for an early supper. With Jamie as our guide we rode around the city checking out downtown buildings, prominent movie houses and Wrigley Field, before settling on the Lincoln Restaurant for decent food and great conversation.
While the kids hung around the hotel rooms and pool, Lucille, Jamie and I then drove to the landmark Music Box Theater to attend the institution’s annual ‘Noir Festival’ and meet Ferdy-on-Film’s indomitable Marilyn Ferdinand, who used some of her season passes and gave us a tour of this atmospheric paradise for cinephiles. The rarity Shakedown was on the schedule, and though my own viewing was tainted by some serious ‘staying awake” issues after the long over night drive, I had a fabulous time. Brooklyn College’s own Prof. Foster Hirsch, who is a regular at the Jersey City Loews, delivered the introduction. Lucille and I spoke a while longer afterwards with Jamie as we further toured the city, and after dropping my colleague off we returned to the Holiday Inn courtesy of our ever-reliable cell phone direction finder.
On Tuesday morning after breakfast we took in the gorgeous Millenium Park and Navy Pier, and toured the shopping areas near the Sears Tower before setting our sites on the affluent Chicago suburb of Skokie, Illinois, where Shane and Marilyn Ferdinand waited at their home to treat us to a wonderful lunch and priceless conversation. The kids had a great time interacting with the charming Shane and the ever-spirited Marilyn, both of whom took an immediate liking to the family. Marilyn, who originally hailed from the city, and is editor-in-chief of a school publication (she was the subject of one of the most memorable installments in the WitD blogger appreciation series) is a real Chicago lady through and through. It was an awesome experience listening to her express her passion for the culture and history of the city, and in sharing so many humorous and engaging stories. A short tour of Skokie with Marilyn afterwards further enriched the visit. Heck to boot, I even placed an order on amazon.com when I returned home after hearing Shane’s boxed CD set of ‘Tati Sonorama,’ a compendium of movie scores from the films of the French comedy icon. Anyway, one of the unquestioned highlights of the trip.
We departed to Crystal Lake, Illinois a short while later. Awaiting us at their home in this beautiful rural town about 45 miles northwest of Chicago in McHenry County, were Len and Laurie Buchanan, two lovely people who proved to be extraordinary hosts. Laurie earned the affection of the kids after showng a real interest in their present and future lives and in engaging them in all kinds of worthwhile discussion. Len is a true gentleman and a perfect conversation mate. I also found out to my delight that he’s a huge fan of Golden Age Japanese cinema, and plan to further keep the flame burning to that end. Laurie, a real natural, whose “Speaking From The Heart” blogsite is a stop for many people the world over, is a holistic practitioner, who’s gifted in dealing with kids. After seeing her in action the other night, well, tell me I’m not surprised. The Buchanans were everything I expected and then some, and the Crystal Lake visit was one of the real highlights of the trip. Incidentally, Laurie’s new book will soon be published, and I’ll be keeping readers updated on this fantastic development. Laurie was the subject of a popular blogger’s appreciation feature at WitD.
I again met with Jamie after returning to the city later that night, and we both shared more conversation about Wonders in the Dark, future plans, mutual appreciations and life in Chicago. We returned to the hotel for a while, then I drove my friend back to his home after he set my direction finder back to the hotel. After breakfast on Wednesday morning we gave a sad goodbye to this great city and hit the road for the six-and-a-half hour ride to Cleveland, which was pretty much heading back our way. Setting up again in a Holiday Inn on Euclid Avenue that purportedly was the city’s first tall building, we then drove a few blocks to the banks of Lake Erie and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, where we remained till 9:00 closing time. We all enjoyed this tourist landmark, taking in some short films, the inductees section and a remarkable music gift shop. It’s a place that can never be given full justice on a single visit, and the kids are already hinting they’d like to return again within the next year during our membership period. Cleveland is a beautiful city, clean and ordered, but for me nowhere near Chicago in cultural scope and worthwhile places to visit. But then again, how many cities in the US can compare with Chicago? A friend of mine who is incredibly well-traveled refers to Cleveland as “the mistake on the lake.” While I think that summary judgement is too harsh, I can at least see where he is coming from based on my short time there. We had a late dinner at a ‘Chocolate Bar’ restaurant chain located a block from the hotel, and after a Thursday morning session on the PC we set our direction finder to the Cleveland house where the movie A Christmas Story was filmed, took a few pictures with the kids, and started our eight-hour ride back to Fairview, New Jersey. Everything went so fast, images blurred and the voices were stilled, but our family will forever hold this trip with exceeding fondness. The reward for all those hours in the van was priceless. The sole misgiving surrounding the trip was the admittedly bizarre decision I made to begin at night. It resulted in some severe exhaution problems and burning eyes that at one point required me to hold a moistened paper towel over one eye while driving. Oh and then there was the matter (ha!) of the Chicago White Sox beating the New York Yankees three nights in a row at Cellular Field, the stadium previously known as Commiskey Park that sits right off the Dan Ryan Expressway, and was the first landmark we saw entering the city.
On the movie front this past week we saw:
Shakedown *** 1/2 (Monday evening) Music Box Theatre – Chicago, Illinois
Une Partie de Campagne ***** (Thursday evening) Film Forum
Toni **** (Thursday evening) Film Forum
Le Plaisir **** (Saturday night) Film Forum
La Ronde **** 1/2 (Saturday night) Film Forum
The gang at house in Cleveland where “A Christmas Story” was filmed.
Chicago’s fountain in Millenium Park
Danny by Michael Jackson’s childhood home in Gary, Indiana
Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio
Everyone but Melanie in Chicago hotel pool
The clan at the Chicago Yacht Club on Lake Michigan
the great city of Chicago
I’ll have more to say about the films I saw on a later thread, but for now the subject is really the trip. Obviously, Renoir’s UNE PARTIE DE CAMPAGNE was the one irrefutable masterpiece in the lot (a position I know Allan shares) and it’s practically a textbook definition of the cinematic tone poems, and a film to sit with GRAND ILLUSION, RULES OF THE GAME and LA CHIENNE among the finest works of the genius Jean Renoir, one of the greatest of all directors. Lucille and the kids also attended PARANORMAN over the weekend (I did not myself) and everyone seems to have liked it.
As to the links, I re-printed last week’s scroll exactly as it was an changed some of the links closest to the top. That was the best I could do under the circumstanmces:
Judy Geater has penned a superlative review of the 1935 Hollywood version of “David Copperfield” at Movie Classics: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/david-copperfield-george-cukor-1935/
Th ever-effervescent Laurie Buchanan, whose book nears publication, talks about oversize collection in her latest post “I’m a Basket Case” at Speaking From The Heart: http://holessence.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/im-a-basket-case/
At FilmsNoir.net Tony d’Ambra makes a terrific case for James Wong Howe’s shadowy cinematography as a vital component in the classic Dashiel Hammet sourced screwball noir comedy “The Thin Man”: http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/the-thin-man-1934-james-wong-howes-noir-counterpoint.html
At the Film Noir Festival at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago, Marilyn Ferdinand reviews “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue” in yet another one of her exceptional essays, penned after a big screen viewing: http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/2012/slaughter-on-tenth-avenue-1957/15686/
Jon Warner has again written an extraordinary review, this time on Nick Ray’s celebrated “Rebel Without A Cause” at Films Worth Watching: http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2012/08/rebel-without-cause-1955-directed-by.html
John Greco has re-posted is fantastic review of “Singin in the Rain” at Twenty Four Frames: http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/singin-in-the-rain-1952-stanley-donen-and-gene-kelly/
R.D. Finch has once again offered moviegoers a top-drawer review at The Movie Projector for a musical submission of “On the Town” for a blogothon: http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2012/08/on-town-1949.html
Samuel Wilson has penned a fascinating piece in the Pre-Code Parade series on Kay Francis at Mondo 70: http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2012/08/pre-code-parade-kay-francis-medical.html
Shubhajit Lahiri has posted a tremendous capsule on Dreyer’s “Gertrud” at Cinemascope: http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2012/08/gertrud-1964.html
At Scribbles and Ramblings Sachin Gandhi features a terrific report on the showing of Indian cinema in the Sight and Sound poll: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2012/08/indian-films-in-sight-sound.html
David Lawrence, thjat erudite and personal educator from the U.K. features a poster of a Hammer classic at his new site Musings and Meanderings: http://1mouth2ears.wordpress.com/2012/08/12/movie-posters-1-dracula-has-risen-from-the-grave-1968/
David Schleicher has posted a splendid new piece at The Schleicher Spin, one that offers telling comparisonson between Andrey Zvyaginstev’s “Elena” and William Friedkin’s “Killer Joe”: http://theschleicherspin.com/2012/08/10/white-trash-melodrama-in-elena-and-killer-joe/
At Exodus 8:2 Jaimie Grijalba continues with his “100 Days of Terror” with recent reviews of the 1934 “The Black Cat,” another Poe Corman, and a film by the great Japanese experimental director Sion Sono, the last of which is featured here: http://exodus8-2.blogspot.com/2012/08/100-dias-de-terror-n20-tsumetai.html
At the Creativepotager’s blogsite “The Artist Studio Floor Show” again brings the beauty of Terrill Welch’s paintings in glorious focus: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/3890/
Roderick Heath has written another one of his remarkable massive pieces on “The Dark Night Rises” at Ferdy-on-Films: http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/2012/the-dark-knight-rises-2012/15505/
At Darkness Into Light Dee Dee is featuring the work of the esteemed writer Andrew Katsis, who takes a penetrating look at the 1940 Hawks screwball classic “This Girl Friday”: http://noirishcity.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-word-according-to-my-writer-andrew.html#.UB8tyU2PXW4
In Tokyo, the exceedingly talented ‘Murderous Ink’ turns his scrutinizing focus on a Miziguchi classic “The Lady of Musashino” at Vermillion and One Nights: http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2012/08/musashino-landscape-that-never-was-part.html
Brandie Ashe happily announces a “Singin in the Rain” giveaway at True Classics: http://trueclassics.net/2012/08/10/singin-again-plus-a-giveaway/
Joel Bocko has a lovely presentation up at The Dancing Image entitled ‘Art on the March…a visual mixtape”: http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2012/07/arton-march-visual-mixtape.html
Craig Kennedy features the actress Jane Wyatt in his ‘birthday series’ at Living in Cinema in her beloved role as Spock’s mother Amanda in “The Long Voyage Home”: http://livingincinema.com/2012/08/12/star-trek-iv-the-voyage-home-1986-jane-wyatts-100th-birthday/
Food for thought on the nature of friendship by Mark Twain leads up at the always creative Coffee Messiah’s blog: http://coffeemessiah.blogspot.com/2012/08/click-to-enlarge-keep-away-from-those.html
Ed Howard has penned a fantastic piece on Jean Rollins’s “Requiem For A Vampire” at Only The Cinema: http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2012/08/requiem-for-vampire.html
Terrill Welch talks about the significance of blog writing and reading at the Creativepotager’s blog, where she again features another magnificent painting she completed: http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2012/07/18/does-anyone-read-blogs-and-does-it-matter-that-you-write/
Sachin Gandhi offers up a terrific review of James Sallis’s “Driven” (the sequel to “Drive”) at Scribbles and Ramblings: http://likhna.blogspot.com/2012/08/driven.html
Just Another Film Buff offers up a lovely “remembrance” via his work of recently deceased famed filmmaker Chris Marker at The Seventh Art:http://theseventhart.info/2012/08/12/remembrance-of-things-to-come/
Roderick Heath has posted a terrific new review on “Chronicle” at This Island Rod: http://thisislandrod.blogspot.com/2012/07/chronicle-2012.html
At Patricia’s Wisdom, our very good friend has penned a superb book review on “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye”: http://patriciaswisdom.com/2012/07/the-unlikely-pilgrimage-of-harold-fry-rachel-joyce/
J. D. LaFrance offers an expanded version of his superlative comedy countdown “Slap Shot” review at Radiator Heaven: http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2012/08/slap-shot.html
The esteemed Film Doctor takes a scholarly look at the new “Total Recall” movie: http://filmdr.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-fall-enslaves-us-all-film-doctors.html
Adam Zanzie has posted a terrific “alternative Sight and Sound list at Icebox Movies: http://www.iceboxmovies.blogspot.com/2012/08/my-alternative-sight-sound-list.html
Jason Marshall has continued his superb coverage of 1942 at Movies Over Matter with a wonderful post on his Best Actor choice for that year: Chishu Ryu: http://moviesovermatter.com/2012/08/09/chishu-ryu-in-there-was-a-father-best-actor-of-1942/
Peter Lenihan has posted an arresting screen cap display of Murnau’s “Phantom” at The Long Voyage Home: http://thelongvoyagehome.blogspot.com/
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 The Blue Vial Drew McIntosh leads up with “off the Wall” which brings “Silver Load” and the great John Alton into focus: http://thebluevial.blogspot.com/2012/06/off-wall.html
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
Stephen Russell-Gebbett at Checking on my Sausages again offers up a brillinatly-creative feature on ‘Sport as the Perfect Fiction”: http://checkingonmysausages.blogspot.com/2012/08/sport-is-perfect-fiction.html
Tony Dayoub takes a look at the summer’s Barnes and Noble 50% off sale for Criterion collectots at Cinema Viewfinder: http://www.cinemaviewfinder.com/2012/07/criterion-summer.html
Greg Ferrara at Cinema Styles talks about the Colorado shootings in a moving feature: http://cinemastyles.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-dark-knight-shooting-in-colorado.html
Jeopardy Girl talks about social changes of movie watching in her latest posting at The Continuing Saga of Jeopardy Girl: http://jeopardygirl.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/social/
Hokahey takes a fascinating look at both “Total Recall” films at Little Worlds: http://hokahey-littleworlds.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-two-worlds-of-total-recall_5.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
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Awesome road trip, man! I loved Chicago when I was there (damn – has it been twelve years?) awhile back – always wanted to go back one day. I remember being struck by how clean it was (at least by the lakefront downtown where we stayed) and all those canals – great stuff. I also went to my first ever comedy show in the Second City! Never been to Cleveland (always struck me as a “just passing through” city) – can’t think of anything other than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and maybe Jacobs Field as a reason to go – and neither is a very strong reason for me though I’m sure both are fun nonetheless.
David—
I’m not surprised you really liked Chicago, and quite agree it’s clean, as is Cleveland for that matter. I’ll love NYC till my dying day but in that department it’s well behind the others. The lakefront section you speak of near Millenium Park and the Navy Pier is indeed immaculate! Oh now I see what Jamie was saying below about Cleveland getting short shrift. Ha! I did admit that Chicago fit the bill far more persuasively, but I will visit Cleveland again perhaps as soon as next year. But the R&R is the central attraction, and one that attracts visitors the world over. Thanks as always my friend for the terrific submission. Have a great week!
I’ve never been to Cleveland so can’t comment. About Chicago, the skyline is beautiful, but I figure, if you’re gonna spend time in a city that size that also has climate extremes, you might as well go to NYC – if you can afford it – which has so much more to offer, IMO.
Pierre—
As a life-long New Yorker, I can pretty much agree with what you say here. The visit to Chicago was to see people and get a different venue. NYC would always be the ultimate place for he culture maven in sheer size alone, and I fee I’ve taken advantage of that lucky bit of geography. But as you note Chicago is beautiful, and if I didn’t live where I do, I’d have the Windy City as a worthy alterate choice. There’s another place I badly want to visit and that’s Minneapolis, Minnesota! But Chicago needs another go-around methinks. We weren’t there long enough, sad tosay.
I can understand, Sam, why you’d want to visit Minneapolis (referred to by some locals as “The Mini Apple.” The city does have its charms but in no way compares favorably to NYC.
Pierre–Agreed. NYC has it all for sure.
Sam, after reading the recap of your trip, as well as your e-mails on the road, I can only conclude that you take anabolic steroids. How else could anyone embark on such a a whirlwind tour, with that many family members in tow and so many activities occurring — and still be able to do all that driving (with a moist compress on your eye!) and yet write this report AND submit a countdown entry. I can barely drop the occasional comment without reaching for the smelling salts.
Judging from your descriptions – and the great pics – you had a marvelous time with Jamie, Marilyn, Laurie et al. And your family is good-looking and energetic as always.
Of the films you mention above, I’ve seen only Le Plaisir and La Ronde — looking foward to seeing the Renoir classic Une Partie de Compagne.
Get some rest for Pete’s sake — the school year is just around the corner.
Pierre—
hahahaha!! Well, I will admit that the question about stamina could very well be addressed as such, what with the inordinately long stretch without rest. As I stated in those e mails and here at the site I made a bizarre choice leaving late at night, and have learned my lesson the hard way. It cost me an attentive viewing at the Music Box, but more importantly, it put everyone at risk. Inever drank so much coffee in such a short time, and the down side of that was stopping at nearly every rest stop! The idea of the moist compress was Lucile’s and it was practically a life-saver. The report and the countdown entry did occupy a good part of this past weekend, I won’t deny it. Yes, meeting Jamie, Marilyn and Laurie was so exciting and in each case we were all so delighted Thanks as always for the very nice comments about the brood. I bet you did like those two Ophuls you saw quite a bit, but Iagree you must take in UNE PARTIE at first available moment! Rest indeed, as this school year will actuallybe much more demanding thatn las year’s from hat I have been told this week. Your comments are always cherished my friend. Have a great week!
Hi! Sam Juliano, Allan, WitD writers, and readers…
What great photographs Of you, with Shane, and Marilyn Ferdinand, Laurie Buchanan and your 5 children [Who are growing up before your readers, eyes too!] with Chicago, Skokie, Crystal Lake, and Cleveland, Ohio as the back-drop…
…I’m also [very] happy to read that you finally, met [another] one Of your writers Jamie Uhler, too!
I also see that you also had time to check-out 5 films too…with each film receiving favorable ratings.
Shakedown *** 1/2
Une Partie de Campagne *****
Toni ****
Le Plaisir ****
La Ronde **** 1/2
Now, with that being said, I’m glad that you, and your family, had a safe journey and I know that your trip is now a [wonderful] memory.
Thanks, for sharing your trip [including images] with your readers… too!
deedee 🙂
Dee Dee—-
Thanks as always for the exceedingly kind words, and gracious response! Yes, I think all the photos came out quite nicely, And yes, it always occurs to me that time is flying by and the kids are moving closer and closer to adulthood. Gone are days when they were carried, in car seats in the summers at Wildwood, our seaside resort. I once was advised by someone that I shouldn’t wink my eye or they’d be all grown up. blinked half way I think! Ha! Skokie, Crystal Lake and of course the city of Cleveland all provided most memorable destinations in addition to Chicago. And yes of course it was a long time coming to meet up and spend time with Jamie. Yes we still had a moderately busy time at the movie theatres to, though Renoir’s UNE PARTIE DE CAMPAGNE is one of my all-time favorites. And that film’s major theme (the transience of happiness) seems somewhat app;licable to the nature of our too-short trip. As you know my friend, the priceless memories with always be there! And we are seriously thinking about a follow-up next year! Many thanks as always my great friend!
Glad to hear that everyone had a great time on the trip and I’m thrilled that your meet-ups with Marilyn and Laurie were a blast!
Though I knew it was coming (and this is for Maurizio Roca more than anyone else), the loss of a major character on BREAKING BAD last night totally floored me and changed the level of the playing field for every character on the show last night. As the conclusion of the series draws near, Vince Gilligan narrows down the possibilities for takers in finishing off Walter White and, suddenly, we are left with the notion that he may not suffer an end with fear and regret, but one of acquired power and forceful strength.
But, then again… You never assume anything with BREAKING BAD and ALWAYS expect the unexpected…
This season looks like it’s gonna wrap up just as exciting as it began and I can’t wait for the year to pass so we can get right back into action again for the show-down…
Finally finished THE WIRE (for the second time) and I have to say that leaving it was like turning the final page of a great book you hope never ends. I’m so close to declaring it the finest American television series of the past 25 years (but, there is the matter of a little show about a Chemistry Teacher cooking crystal meth that’s giving it the run for the money…)…
Also, can anyone gimme the run-down on this show that stars Claire Danes that is currently on the air? I was reading about her getting ready to landslide the BEST ACTRESS category at the EMMY awards and people are telling me the show should not be missed….
Claire Danes stars in Homelnd, which I raved about here a few months back when the new season of Mad Men had the limelight. Season 2 of Homeland starts very soon.
Homeland was on the right track to being great, but the finale was an utter signposted mess. All of a sudden Damian Lewis’ planted terrorist thinks, “wouldn’t it be better to try to gain top office to carry out the masterplan” Well, durgh, been saying that all year. Danes herself was extraordinary, though.
Well they needed the guy for Season 2 :). I forgave this as I wanted to see more.
Thanks for the help guys. I couldn’t, for the life of me, remember the title and I was also looking for some in house opinions that I trusted vefore I plunged into it…
I make no predictions about Walter’s fate. Whether Jesse has any involvement – direct or otherwise in Walter’s demise – should that even happen as Maurizio has suggested – I think it’s safe to say that some kind of ultimate confrontation will occur between them. I’m wondering whether and when Jesse will learn the truth about Walter and Mike. The resolution for Walt’s character may be anticlimactic or poetic (like Mike’s), and I rather doubt it’ll assume the tone of Fring’s final exit. But Walt’s exit may be no exit so to speak. I agree that Cranston’s acting is great – there are so many factors (writing, directing, editing, cinematography, art direction and more) positively affecting the quality of many of the performances. I was particularly impressed in the last episode with the work done by the actor playing Mike, most notably in “reading Walter’s beads” and in the park with his daughter for the last time. This season I feel the writing has become a little to full of itself at times, but this show is still one of the best. Such attention to detail for Pete’s sake – just one example would be the jagged shadows of light on the floor of the carwash as Skyler gingerly made her exit after Walt & Jesse arrived with a truckload of their mysterious substance. That such attention to detail would be undertaken speaks volumes.
Dennis–
Thanks as always for the effervescent and comprehensive wrap and report! Yes it was thrilling to meet Marilyn, Laurie and Jamie, and yes, I am looking forward to getting back to THE WIRE and BREAKING BAD and much appreciate this comprehensive thread discussion with Pierre, Maurizio and Jamie. I see Pierre here has added another thoughtful idea and position on BB’s eventual arc.
suddenly, we are left with the notion that [Walt] may not suffer an end with fear and regret, but one of acquired power and forceful strength.
Without getting into spoilers that might ruin it for those who aren’t up to date on Breaking Bad, I tend to suspect the series is headed in the direction you allude to later in your comment (“. . . never assume anything. . . .”). The prologue to one of this season’s earlier episodes (Walt’s 52nd birthday breakfast) seems to be a big clue.
PIERRE…
As, probably, the most obsessed fan of this show on the planet, I have taken all possibilities for the finale into consideration. Without giving away the plot points that occur after the first episode of the current season, I have concluded that the FLASH FORWARD sequence that takes place at the start of the first episode alludes to Walter in hiding and on the run from a major force of strength. Knowing what we know so far, my conclusion is that Jesse is forced into seeking out Hank and, together, they spearhead a move to irradicate or bring to justice the famed HEISENBERG.
In the end, I feel that the person putting the barrel of the gun to Walter Whites head, to finally put this rabid dog out of his misery and to relieve his loved ones from his path of destruction, will be someone very close to his affections.
That person will be JESSE PINKMAN…
But will he pull the trigger Dennis?
FRANK…
I believe Jesse will pull the trigger in the end. In a heartfelt move that signifies his love (though reluctant) for his former teacher and partner, I believe that the memories of Walter prior to becoming Heisenberg will move Jesse closer to ending the fiasco that was basis of their relationship after Walter’s cancer forced his first step into the underworld of Narcotics.
As in the first season episode that saw Jesse prerusing, sentimentally, pictures and drawings of his time in High School with “Mr. White”, it is precisely those sentiments, fond memories that, combined with his building, newfound hate for Walters alter-ego, that will push Jesse into the exectuioners position. I also suspect that the growing tensions between Walter and Jesse may hit a fever pitch should Jesse discover who was behind the hospitalization of Brock. As Jesse has become the moral center of the show and consistently displays affection for the innocent children affected by the drug trade, I see no other possible assassin in the making here.
And, BTW, I scoff at the notion that Skyler, now resembling one of the Zombies on THE WALKING DEAD, would have the courage or the strength to raise a hand towards the man that was once her loving husband. Frankly, she’s too frightened by Walt to make a move and, in some way, may think a move against him past the exile of the kids to Marie and Hank, could result in a retaliation act that would directly affect Walter Jr. and little Holly.
I think Jesse Pinkman is the man…
wow Dennis. Don’t know if I’ve ever encountered someone who loves a show as much as you love Breaking Bad. It really shows with this smart and cogent analysis and prediction. You’ve convinced me, that much I’ll say.
Jesse killing Walter is the most routine and formulaic approach the writers could take. I doubt they will be so obvious in the end.
BTW, FRANK, PIERRE and other fans of the show.
It’s almost ludicrous to think that any other actor besides Bryan Cranston will victor in the LEAD ACTOR category at this years Emmy’s. As both Maurizio and I have discussed outside of these boards, BREAKING BAD is the only show we know of that has consistantly topped itself season after season and the fourth season (the one that’s nominated for 13 awards this year) was tyhe best one nominated so far. On top of all of this, Cranstons character has grown along with the show and revealed it to be one of the most complex character studies ever done on American television. It’s really a master class in acting watching his lowly chemistry teacher, nominally a good, decent man, descend into the arms of evil. It’s a transforming performance and no other actor on TV comes even remotely close to matching Cranston for emotional and psychological detail in acting. Frankly, there is just not one better actor on TV right this moment.
He’s won the award every year for three seasons and he will win a fourth for the season he’s nominated this time around.
Yes, because the EMMYS are certainly the barometer we should use for small screen acting evaluations.
I don’t know Maurizio, I don’t think you can honestly call it routine if we take into consideration that Jesse might go to Hank in the end. I think it would be routine to have Hank discover what his brother-in-law is doing and then find Jesse and band together.
However, and I think this is where the element of surprise comes in from Vince Gilligan…
Why do we immediately think that Hank WILL discover Walt’s true identity? I think it’s the surprise of Hank NOT finding out on his own that will become the big surprise on the show…
But, hey, this is all just ideas I’m throwing out…
As you mentioned in an email to me, part of the fun and the brilliance of the show is knowing that the series is too sly and too smart to allow it to all hang out for definative predictions.
You were so right that this season has topped all the current seasons thus far.
We really shouod talk seriously about an episode by episode, critical compendium for WITD. It would be fun to do and a first for the site!!!!!
I understand you JAMIE. I’m just saying that the performance is so great it really cannot be best by anyone else on current tv…
A statement that really no one is qualified to make. Thankfully so I’d think.
True Jamie. But Dennis’ enthusiasm is a big winner. I am interested in watching the show as a result of it.
Right, and I’m not saying anything counter to this.
JAMIE-Oh, I know, I was just using broad stroked comments to define my enthusiasm…
MAURIZIO-Listen, I gave one possible scenario. If Gilligan and company goes another way who am I to argue? Whatever the outcome, I am pretty sure its gonna be mesmerizing. Although, the more I think about the scenario you brought to the boards the more I’m starting to think THAT IS THE WAY TO GO. Walter in the chair, ala GODFATHER PART 2, lost to all that he originally intended and swathed in more money and power than any man has a right to claim.
FRANK-Please do jump in and start watching. As Maurizio and I will attest, once it grabs you you’ll have a hard time “breaking” away from it… LOL!
Sounds like an outstanding trip, Sam! Glad that everyone appeared to have a great time, and your description of the all the activities I don’t have much experience in Chicago, but I agree with you that the Rock Hall is one that deserves multiple visits to truly take in. I got some movies in this week – a few pretty good ones, a few I didn’t care for, and one that is an undisputed masterpiece:
Across 110th Street (Shear): A few weeks ago, someone mentioned that they watched this one (I can’t remember who), so I decided to finally get around to watching it. A gritty, street-level flick that just screams 1970s – and I mean that as a compliment. A really, really good film, and much better than just a “blaxploitation” flick.
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (Cassavetes): I expected to be a fan, but honestly I didn’t much care for it. After being drawn into things right off the bat, I was surprised to find myself uninterested for long stretches the rest of the way. I can’t really pinpoint why. Perhaps I will revisit at some point.
Senso (Visconti): I’ve seen only a few of Visconti’s works, but between this and The Leopard he has, at the very least, two bona fide masterpieces. It is a gorgeous, perfectly paced film that showcases how great a melodrama can be. I thought both leads were fantastic, but what stays with me most is just the tastefulness of Visconti’s direction. A beautiful film, one of the best of the 1950s.
The Sicilian (Cimino): To complete my own recent, unofficial Michael Cimino retrospective I finally decided to give this one a go. In the second half, the story does begin to turn into the mess that everyone says it is. But throughout the entire film, it has some beautiful cinematography and shows that Cimino always had a great visual sense regardless of how weak of a script he was working with. Not particularly good, but an interesting failure.
Enemy of the State (Scott): This is before the T.Scott era that I am a big fan of, and is not quite as good as the films of the 2000s that he made. Still, you can see the beginnings of the style that he would hone to even greater heights in the near future. Not great, but entertaining enough.
Have another great week, Sam…and recover from all that travel!
Dave make sure to watch the shorter “Director’s Cut” of The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie that Ben Gazzara fought for instead of the longer theatrical release. I first watched the lengthier earlier version and was also disappointed immensely. Not sure if this is the case with you, but Cassavetes original cut just doesn’t work as well IMO. He lingers on the dancing performances for an unnecessary amount of time without any additional insight. His second crack at the film seems like a vast improvement overall and one of my favs by the director…
Nice trip Sam. I also hit the road this week and ventured into St. Michaels Maryland and Baltimore from Tuesday until Saturday. Visited a bunch of cool places including Edgar Allan Poe’s gravesite which was a blast to experience. Glad to see it was a great time for you as well.
Dave—
Next stop Cincinnatti!!! Ha! Well one day for sure. The R & R was an amazing place, and we have tentative plans to go again next year. Chicago, as I’ve stated on the thread was truly an amazing place, and I’m definitely hooked for another visit. I do indeed remember that someone did see ACROSS 110th STREET, and Jamie responded that he seconded the motion! Great to hear a third excellent assessment. Yes agreed that SENSO is a Visconti masterpiece fully worthy of discussion with THE LEOPARD and with his final film L’INNOCENTE. Well, like you I never saw all that much with Cassevettes’ CHINESE BOOKIE, but we both know others tha feel otherwise. I like the terms ‘interesting failure’ for THE SICILIAN, and must say I am with you there. Stylish for sure. No fan of ENEMY OF THE STATE, but can certainly respect your middling position on it, which does acknowledge some decent entertainment value! All told you have a great viewing week there! Yes, I must recoil for sure! Thanks as always my friend, and have an even better week!
Maurizio–
Thanks for the kind comment there! I was at the Poe house but not gravesite years back, and by George you have given me an idea to do this with the kids in the near future! Great to hear you had such a good time there and at St. Michael’s. You surely had very nice weather to support it. Considering we are talking Cassevettes, no wonder you are recommending the shorter version. Ha! Have a great week!
The gravesite is cooler than the Poe House which I also visited on the same afternoon. Definitely go at some point if you can. Fell’s Point in Baltimore is not a bad place to spend a day either. Visit “The Horse You Rode In On Saloon” which claims to be the oldest bar still operating in the US and supposedly the last place Poe drank before he was found in a delirious state right before death.
Haven’t read Poe since the 7th grade or something, but actually have a hardcover copy of his “Complete Tales” which was given to me as a birthday present a few years back. I also purchased his biography by Kenneth Silverman from 1991 at a bookstore in New Paltz for $7 recently. Might dive in with both after I finish Don Delillo’s The Angel Esmeralda: Nine Stories.
Thanks for that Maurizio. I definitely will be following your suggestion in the near future.
Sam – It was an enormous pleasure to meet you and your wonderful family and show off a bit of my hometown. Despite your exhaustion, you were a fine companion at the Music Box and slept off and on very quietly. As I thought Shakedown was a little too heavy on the romance and a little too light on the ruthless noir action, I didn’t see the need to give you a nudge to ensure you didn’t miss anything really good.
I’d hardly call Skokie affluent – in fact, we have welfare housing just two blocks away as well as a food pantry for hungry families – but it’s a nice place to live, and how many suburbs can boast a log cabin? We look forward to your next visit!
As for my own film viewing, of course, Noir City has taken a lot of time, with the rarity Undertow, filmed in Chicago, a very unexpected delight, and Siodmak’s The Phantom Lady a feast of noir cinematography. We enjoyed Stella Dallas at the Silent Summer Film Festival, and watched The Razor’s Edge on TCM’s The Essentials, a long journey of a movie that reflects the main character’s own search for authenticity.
It’s a wonder those walls did not crumble from the sheer force of awesomeness contained in that room!
Marilyn—
As you know, the feeling is mutual in every sense! The kids really had a terrific time speaking to you and Shane, and have mentioned it several times since we returned home. The tour around Skokie was wonderful, and we have some great photos to show for it. Yeah, the Music Box viewing difficulty for me was brought on by what I now see as a foolhardy decision to leave at 10:00 P.M. staying awake to navigate a 14 hour ride -most of it in darkness as we slowly worked our way through that endless Pennsylvania tundra. By the time 8:00 P.M. rolled around I was ready to keel over! Ha! But great company, terrific tour of a beloved Chicago movie palace with a rich tradition, and thjat unforgettable lunch meeting at your home on Tuesday afternoon. While my position on SHAKEDOWN is way too compromised, I would say you sized it up perfectly. Ah yes, that Skokie log cabin! And the Holocaust memorial and some lovely churches and main road. I nearly saw UNDERTOW, as you know, but opted for SHAKEDOWN. Great to hear the excellent report on it! As it wasfilmed in Chicago it would have been the perfect choice. I did get to see PHANTOM LADY myself at the Film Forum, and cmpletely agree with your appraisal of the splendid “noir cinematography.” I’ve always loved STELLA DALLAS, and like THE RAZOR’S EDGE, though somewhat less. It was a great time my friend, and I thank you and Shane so much for your peerless hospitality!
And Rod, that’s quite a lovely tribute there my friend!!!! Thanks so much! I know you have peer on that wall first hand as well. Thanks again!
I have a friend who grew up in Skokie — what I remember her mentioning is that there’s a fairly large Jewish population there.
Pierre—
The Jewish population in Skokie is actually the largest of any other grouping in that Chicago suburb.
Marilyn I am very familiar with Skokie. I worked there for 3 years and lived in an apartment in Evanston with my wife before we moved to Kalamazoo, MI about 6 years ago. Fond memories of that part of Chicago-land.
Sam,
Thanks again for the shout out! Sam, exhaustion is a word that does not seem to be in your vocabulary! A great “diary” of your family trip and it was wonderful you could meet WitD regulars like Jamie, Laurie, Marilyn and Shane. Chicago is a city I have always wanted to visit but other than a stopover at O’Hare Airport I have yet to see. The photos are all great and your kids are getting big! As I write this we are starting to feel the impact from the outer bands of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac which at this point seems to be heading somewhere between Louisiana and the Florida panhandle. We’ll probably be dealing with heavy rain bands and some wind for most of the day (it’s raining pretty heavy now). Glad you and the family had a great trip!
On the film front…
Yojimbo (*****) – Tightly constructed, well edited, visually stunning Kurosawa masterpiece. The westerns of John Ford which are said to have been an influence are clearly evident. A great film to introduce someone to Japanese cinema.
Good Neighbor Sam (***) Poor Jack Lemmon has to pretend he is married to his wife’s best friend and new next door neighbor, Romy Schneider, in order for her to collect on a fifteen million dollar inheritance. Okay comedy if a bit too long. Surprisingly, the book this film was based on was written by Jack Finney of “Invasion of the Body Snatches” fame.
Niagara (***1/2) Niagara opens with two great shots of natural beauty, first Niagara Falls with millions upon millions of gallons of water falling with God’s given power. The second shot is our first view of Marilyn Monroe lying naked under a thin sheet in her motel bedroom. The rest of the film does not live up to this startling opening but it’s still a decent thriller costarring Joseph Cotton as Monroe’s war vet injured husband.
Jimmy the Gent (***) James Cagney is a devious investigator who loses his girl (Bette Davis) to a big time competitor. A rough house, fast talking comedy in typical 1930’s Warner’s style. There is nothing great here but it does have Cagney and Davis together. Directed by Michael Curtiz.
Knockout (**1/2) Fairly average B boxing film starring Arthur Kennedy as a young arrogant boxer who gets taken by his shady new manager, portrayed by Anthony Quinn. His career in ruins, his marriage a bust, he goes downhill before making his comeback. The film is best when Kennedy’s pug is down and out but it’s main problem is Kennedy’s character is not very likeable so you figure he basically gets what he deserves. French actress Olympe Bradna plays Kennedy’s homespun nice Italian-American wife, Cornel Wilde is the nice guy on the side lines. Clocking in at 73 minutes, the film does not wear out its welcome.
Don’t Bother to Knock (***) Early dramatic role for Marilyn Monroe as a crazed baby sitter. Unusual and kind of sad considering what we know how her future turned out. Overall, the film’s script spends too much time on the less interesting Richard Widmark/Anne Bancroft relationship instead of focusing on crazy Marilyn’s role
The Roaring Twenties (*****) The last great gangster film from the 1930’s ends with one of the best known scenes in movies- Cagney stumbling to his death on the snow covered church steps. When a cop asks Gladys George who is this guy she replies, “He use to be a big shot.” Great stuff.
John—
I can’t thank you enough for those very kind words about the family, the road trip and the Diary report of all the meetings and activities. This was actually the very first time I ever stepped on Chicago soil myself, and I was thrilled to attest to the city’s awesome cultural appeal and breathless scenery. I am happy t hear as per a recent e mail from you that things down in Florida have made a favorable turn. I know things were looking ominous for a while and I am delighted to hear the much better prognosis! Yes the kid are getting big, and time is moving on rapidly.
Can’t blame you at all for going the distance with YOJIMBO and THE ROARING TWENTIES. Both are great films in large measure for the attributes you attest to in your concise capsules. Most Cagney fans do count the latter as one of the superstar’s gratest films, and Kurosawa advocates also have a place for YOJIMBO on the upper tier. As you note John Ford is there and it’s a perfect intro to Kurosawa! I did know and was surprised Finny wrote GOOD NEIGHBOR SAM and agree with the rating and assessment for both that film and JIMMY THE GENT. I’m a little higher than nyou on NIAGARA in large measure because of the stunning color cinematography by Joseph McDonald, but your estimation is most fair. As to DON’T BOTHER TO KNOECK and KNOCK-OUT I don’t believe I’ve seen either to this point, so I much appreciate the analysis. Thanks as always my friend for the superb wrap. I hope and trust all weill be well with you and Dorothy.
Let’s all hope our friend Jeffrey Goodman and his family and friends are safe from Isaac. New Orleans and the surrounding areas are getting pounded!
I am sorry to hear that Mr. Goodman is facing this menacing hurricane. My concern goes out to him and his family.
John, I am very concerned about the situation in and around New Orleans and all my prayers go out to Jeffrey and his family.
Sam – How in the world did you, Lucille, and the kids manage this trip? I’m exhausted just reading about all of the activities you did, but you guys pulled it off in real life (and lived to tell about it)!
As I shared with via email, you and Lucille have done an extraordinary job of parenting. I have never met a nicer group of young people. Clear, concise, and articulate – they each had something to contribute to our lively, fun-filled conversations.
As you know, Len and I haven’t owned a television in over 32 years and I was worried that the kids would be bored. No way – they can hold their own in any conversation. Further, I never once saw them with their noses buried in an electronic device. You’re beautiful clan kept me positively engaged throughout the entire visit.
I can clearly see why you (a teacher) and Lucille (a principal) excel in your careers. You’re both phenomenal in shaping the world’s future — today’s young people.
Laurie, I second that emotion!
Laurie—
Needless to say I am staggered by your comment here. As I stated in my lead-in you were every bit as phenomenal as I knew you would be, and I enjoyed the additional delight of engaging with Len one-on-one. What a great guy! Your ability to conduct meaningful conversaions with the kids displayed your special gifts and your genuine affections, and as I’ve told you they really connected with you in a big way. Yes I can’t deny theyare well-behaved kids (in that sense I’d say they have inherited Lucille’s genes! Ha!) and they are usually quite respectful. Sammy is a high honor roll student (the others do quite well enough too) and he enjoyed talking with Len about his after school robotics class. I can see Len has some expertise in that area, and was generous to impart some of it. As you note the kids were anything but bored, and they really did enjoy the visits to your home and Marilyn Ferdinand’s. I can’t say they don’t engage in electronic games and cell phones, but the don’t neglect their studies. You live in a beautiful town, and bot you and Len were consumate hosts. I can’t thank you enough my friend for all you have said and done. You really do have a gift too with shy Jeremy!
Hey Sam. You still managed to take in a few movies! Like all that you do at home, you embarked on your trip with passion and an eager desire to seek out on line friends, and you were well rewarded. Welcome home.
I have taken a sabbatical from movies, after discovering three interesting American TV series, which visually are more exciting than most of the movies that are being churned out today, with compelling original story lines and razor sharp observations on the zeitgeist: Damages, Suits, and House of Lies. Also Homeland returns for its 2nd season soon. Really exciting cinematography in Damages has me hooked – I only have 59 episodes to catch up on… House of Lies brilliantly and savagely lambasts the rampant corporate ethos that has us in the quagmire we are stuck in with insanely provocative scenarios and dialog. And The Good Wife returns soon!
Good TV can be immensely compelling and more adventurous than movies. Writers develop characters as the drama progresses and you get to know the protagonists in ways a movie never allows.
Thanks as always for the mention.
Tony likes Suits. We’ll really have to discuss this a bit at some point, it’s my favorite guilty pleasure at the moment (as I don’t watch much TV at all).
As an Australian are you familiar with Wifred? I like the Australian original but feel the American version is different and better. They are about to wrap Season 2 so getting into it later wouldn’t be that difficult a task (plus Season One is only 12 episodes and can be had on amazon for 15 bucks or less). Season 2 is a little better and some of the realizations they make about the isolated depressive are hilarious and heartfelt, often at the same time.
Jamie, I have Suits lined up but can’t start watching until my 24yo son gets back from snowboarding. Btw, watching TV with your kids is great fun and worthwhile. I began to understand my now 21yo daughter a lot more after watching Veronica Mars and The 4400 with her. TV shows can be very social as there is no taboo on making comments throughout and puncturing melodrama with insults and hoots, and then leaping into irreverent discussions about all and sundry. Funny, my kids won’t watch The Marx Bros. without me and were very disappointed when I missed watching Seinfeld with them. Ok most TV sucks, but good TV can bring families together as bridges to each other and a catalyst for real discussions about real issues.
You got me with Wilfred. I will check it out.
Tony–
Thanks for that lovely opening paragraph! Yes, it was quite a time, worthy of this big splash, and so impressive that we are seriously thinking of an encore for next summer. It is always a thrill to meet on line friends. Wellit looks like you have frther complicated the television landscape with these revelations! I have seen none, but of course have heard about SUITS from your report and that of others here. And with HOMELAND I see there hav been further enrichments from others too. After seeing a number of episodes of several US series in the past weeks, I must say your comment ‘Good TV can be immensely compelling and more adventurous than movies” deserves to be taken seriously. I will keep my eye open for all of these! Thanks as always my friend and have a great week!
Sam, I watched Episode 2 of Season 1 last night – the first couple of minutes are pure cinema. I will get a youtube clip up soonest.
The first minute – warning some graphic images of violence –
Just took a look at it! Appears to be excellent! I will immediately see if the show is available on USA netflix, an will promptly add it to my queue and raise it to the top! Thankls much for posting my friend!
As for catching up on TV, I ‘caught up’ with one that’s 34 years old and was long feared lost; THE DEVIL’S CROWN, thanks to our old friend Bobby J. While no I, CLAVDIVS, it was still a treat. Proper DVD please, BBC, you numpties. Now I have another lined up from the same source, can’t wait.
Nice!!! That’s yet another must put on the……….oh well you know what I mean!
The way I figure it you spent nearly half of your trip time in the car. But that is unavoidable when you factor in the long distance you needed to cover. I’ve yet to visit the city of Chicago. My father was stationed there in his younger days, and still tells the stories. Yes all the pictures of the kids are priceless, and you did meet some very interesting people, that alone made the trip worthwhile. But you were pushing it there with the Music Box screening. Another place I want to visit is the rock n roll hall of fame, and even Jacko’s birthplace. What a great adventure for you all.
Yes nearly half the time in the car! Quite right Peter. I bet you heard many stories, as well you should hav. The people are what made the trip in large measure, that’s for sure. As I just said to Frank, the Music Box may have been a physical ordeal, but mitigating against that in some measure was my excitement! Have a nice week my friend! Thank you as always.
Scrapbook memories, and a week I know you will cherish for the rest of your life. Great to hear you saw the ballparks up front (yeah a bummer you had to see the Yanks take it on the chin three times in a row, but you’d be a spoiled sport to deny your hosts) and got to visit millenium park, The R & R is always a gas, and I’m not surprised the kids really dug it. Beautiful location too. But overall I could understand why Chicago has so much more to offer. And looks like meeting all your friends was the clincher. Thanks for the memories! The kids look great.
I can’t blame you for konking out at the Music Box by the way.
Thanks very much Frank! Yes you said all the right words t describe the trip! Yep the Yanks lost all three in the Windy City, but did manage to take 2 out of 3 from the Cleveland Indians, making for a 2-6 road trip. Yes R & R was terrific and everything was so scenic in both locations (though perhaps not in Gary Indiana (ha!) though the kids were really thrilled to see Jacko’s birthplace. Yes, I wish I was fresh for Music Box, but was still a great place! Have a nice week my friend!
And they came home to split two games with the basement-dwelling Blue Jays. They seem to be faltering with a month to go.
Congratulations on your travels and a safe return home. While waiting for something new worth seeing on the big screen (most likely Lawless) I dug into the DVR again. With TCM doing days of Kay Francis and Irene Dunne there was plenty of Pre-Code to go around. Besides Mary Stevens M.D. and Dr. Monica in the review you so generously cite, I saw Francis in Michael Curtiz’s The Keyhole, which is rather rudely stolen from her and George Brent by Glenda Farrell and Allen Jenkins, and in W.S. Van Dyke’s Guilty Hands, a battle of wits between KF and Lionel Barrymore as she proves him guilty of murder while he frames her, but with an awful deus ex machina finish. Dunne appeared in Charles Brabin’s Secret of Madame Blanche, in which she gets to go hard-boiled before going into the sacrificial-mother act and Paul Sloane’s Consolation Marriage, in which she holds Pat O’Brien against the advances of Myrna Loy at her most blonde and vapid. Also saw Ginger Rogers in William A. Seiter’s Rafter Romance, a variation on the “Shop Around the Corner” gimmick except the couple get along in person without realizing they secretly hate each other. A cute picture most noteworthy for the restrospectively stunning moment when the Jewish landlord catches his son scrawling swastikas on a wall, only to be told they symbolize good luck. Was it only graffiti or Hollywood’s first oblique reference to Nazism? I don’t know enough to say. Away from Pre-Code, I took in Diabolique in advance of next week’s poll. The picture definitely grows on you but it’s not in the same league as Wages of Fear. Finally, next up for review is Hideo Gosha’s Violent Streets, a 1975 yakuza thriller with noirish elements and some extra sex and conceptual panache to distinguish it from the typical Fukasaku product.
Here’s a reminder for Pre-Code buffs: TCM’s star of the day this Thursday (8/30) is Warren William and there’s plenty of prime stuff on the menu.
Samuel–
Thanks much for the kind words! Well you have really thrown me for a loop this week, though your insatiable desire to seek out rarities and films that escape the radar for many is a superlative source for those seeking out new choices. I’ve seen RAFTER ROMANCE, and do wonder if that one segment wasn’t Hollyuwood’s first reference to Nazism. Foe me DIABOLIQUE and WAGES OF FEAR are very close, with both brilliant. I could well understand the former growing on you. I am very impressed with your continuation exploration of the films by W.S. Van Dyke, who was one of the most prolific workers in Hollywood history. I have seen Gosha’s SWORD OF THE BEAST, but not VIOLENT STREETS, which you seem to strongly recommend here. Warren William is one of pre-code’s most essential figures–they refer to him as the ‘heel’ for the roles he plays. I got a decent dose of him at the pre-code festival, but nothing like what TCM has planned! Thanks as always my friend for the amazing wrap and banner week viewing!
Sam –
So glad you and the family had a great trip! Some great pics of the kids and of Laurie, Marilyn and Shane. The Music Box is a treasure, and one I haven’t taken enough advantage of in recent years. You’re ahead of me on the pilgrimage to Michael Jackson’s childhood home – and I grew up just 50 miles south of Gary! Will have to make that trip someday. I was a fan from way back in the Jackson 5 era. I’m impressed that you managed to fit in so many films in the same week as the trip!
After returning home from the latest business trip on Friday night – and with all essential boxes unpacked at the new digs – I’m sliding back into my usual, cinephile ways and prepping my first post for the countdown. Sunday was a miserable, rainy day here,but perfect for curling up for a day full of movies. I watched WINGS OF DESIRE (which I had previously recorded) for the very first time, and found it incredibly beautiful and moving. And with its misty, mostly black-and-white palette, a rather appropriate choice for a gray day. Then we tuned into Gary Cooper day on TCM and took in back-to-back viewings of LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON (mid-tier Billy Wilder at best, although Audrey Hepburn is magical as always) and PRIDE OF THE YANKEES. We finished up with the last 2/3 of CONTAGION on HBO.
Have a great week!
Pat—
As you yourself predicted, we would have a great time, and we did. Thanks for the exceedingly kind words my friend! As I stated elsewhere I wish I had more stamina at the Music Box, but I sewed the seeds for that situation, so can’t complain. Sure enough my beloved ON DANGEROUS GROUND screened th following night. I knew you were born and rasied in the beautiful state of Indiana, but didn’t realize you were that close to Gary. Sadly the situation in that city has deteriorated, though I still appreciated that stop for all sorts of reasons. Like you I have been a big fan since the Jackson 5 days. I am happy that your movie opportunities are again surfacing after your return from the business trip. And I know you will soon be making your first countdown appearance and am excited! We also had rain here on Sunday, but back in Chicagoland all was quite nice on Monday and Tuesday. Agreed that LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON is mid-range Wilder, and was always a moderate fans of WINGS OF DESIRE. As far as THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES I have a severe weakness for that film for obvious reasons, but still think I can shield it from attack! Great acting and deeply felt for starters. Thanks so much Pat as always and have a great week, and see more movies!
God, Cleveland is really getting unfairly maligned here today. I was born and raised there for my first 25 years, and recall it not only fondly but as easily one of the greatest of American cities. Take it from someone who knows a thing or two:
But I’m sitting’ in the Sheraton Gibson playing’ my Gibson
Thinking’ ’bout a sunny barbeque
I’m sitting in the Sheraton Gibson playing’ my Gibson
And my mind is a Cleveland afternoon.
Cleveland, you blow my mind.
Cleveland, I wish I were home this time
Don’t wanna be unkind.
Oh no Jamie, don’t get the wrong impression. My judgment was purely comparative, and even at that I acknowledge it’s physically beautiful and it houses some famous places like R & R. To boot, I barely spent one day at the place, and could only manage a general tour around the city. My “well traveled friend” tends to have other agendas when he passes such remarks, and all I’ll say to give you a hint is that he is a rock-ribbed right wing Republican. I’ll leave it at that. Other than that I don’t think there were any other statements on Cleveland here. As we have tentative plans to return there next summer, I’ll avail myself of further investigation. As I say it’s awesomely pretty, and I’m sure many many people hold the place to their hearts as you do. But still, my own cultural interests are stoked far more by your hometown of Chicago, which is frankly spectacular. Great song there by Townshend! I’d add songs by The Band (“Look Out Cleveland”) and “Burn On” (Randy Newman) to the celebratory mix. Thank you my friend!
‘I like the way you cross the street
Movin’ through the Cleveland heat.
How precious.’
The Pretenders and snot-nosed Chrissie Hynde
Yes, those Akron-ites loved a bit of that area too… but Cleveland has a serious musical heritage of visceral rock music, from the power pop of the Raspberries and the James Gang (Townshend penned that song because he was a friend of Joe Walsh—a Clevelander— and during one trip through the city for concert he stayed with them [a trick Townshend would often have to do as booking hotel rooms was sometimes… problematic] and they threw the boys a good old fashioned American outdoor barbeque that Townshend fondly remember days later in Pittsburgh while being desperately alone and having nothing to do but sit in his hotel and practice guitar]) to the art rock of Pere Ubu and Devo, the industrial leanings of Trent Reznor and the like. Cleveland not only birthed the DJ Alan Freed who coined the term ‘rock and roll’ but it also, in many ways, shaped how it grew as much as any one American city.
Plus, the Dead Boys come from there. For about the span of 18 months they could lay claim to prize that only about 20 bands legitimately can in rocks 60 some odd years: ‘most exciting things on the planet’ (a title I think is the single most important one to have in rock music). Not bad for a bunch of scumbags from Youngstown.
From Cleveland, Ohio… the phenomenal, the incredibly Dead Boys!!!!
A truer, or more succinct introduction has yet to be given. Stiv Bators was electric and Cheetah Chrome was a man among boys of riffing….
Is Jamie Machine Gun Kelly in disguise?
Love Sonic Reducer. It is on an obscure punk compilation album I have from the 80s:
I got my devil machine
Got my electronic dream
Sonic reducer
Ain’t no loser
I’m a sonic reducer
Ain’t no loser
Sam,
Sounds like a wonderful trip. I only wish I could have met you all too! We were in town just briefly over that previous weekend though in the south suburb town of Homewood. Love the Music Box theatre. I also worked in Skokie and my wife and I lived in Evanston near there for a few years. I also had no idea that Jamie lives in Chicago! Nice to hear all about your trip. My wife and I had a great camping trip up to the UP to see Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We had a blast and it was great weather. Very nice to get away.
Thanks also for the great mention! I am a big fan of La Ronde, which is one of my two favorite Ophuls films, behind Madame de….. I am on the road traveling today and tomorrow but will be back in town Wed if all goes well. Trying to keep up with moviewatching of late has been tricky, but will soon be back in the midst of things. This week will be Man with a Movie Camera and Ivan the Terrible parts I and II.
Hope you have a great week my friend!
Jon—
We really should have planned this out better -you and me. I think we may have been able to pull off a short meeting in the overlap, and I can kick myself for not suggesting it when you did mention last week you would be in Chicago briefly. While I’m sure there will be another chance, it would have been great to see you over this past week. Wow, you lived in Skokie? Amazing! So you know it’s a great looking place then, and loaded with attractions, historical and otherwise. Yes, the esteemed Jamie Uhler has lived in Chicago for at least 6 or 7 years I think. He was raised in Cleveland as he explains on this thread. Great to herar you had a blast at Pictured Rocks! That sounds like a divine place to visit too!! I know you are a huge fan of LA RONDE! (and of MADAME DE) and have read your terrific reviews of both at FILMS WORTH WATCHING! Have a great week on the road, and enjoy those two great films you have lined up! Thanks as always my great friend!
I will return to all the other great comments on this stupendous thread later tonight when I get home from the Harold Lloyd Festival at Film Forum.
Well you know Sammy I have tried to do what you did before, drive through the night and arrive at the hotel after check-in to save money on the hotel, but you should not have done that with all of the children in the car. Did you know the number two cause of car accidents is exhaustion of the driver? You put yourself and the family in jeopardy and while I’m glad the trip worked out well you were very lucky that something terrible didn’t happen to you or your eye. I can’t believe you went all the way there and didn’t go to Wisconsin. The lakes in Wisconsin are so much more beautiful than the lakes in Chicago or Cleveland in Ohio, and you know in Wisconsin they have Milwaukee and that’s where Happy Times was filmed and you always talked about how much you loved that show. Why did you come back so soon? Labor day isn’t for another week, you had time to go to Wisconsin. Peace and Blessings
Jack–
Car exhaustion was indeed on my mind, and I realized too late how foolhardy my decision was to embark on the trip late at night. I did at least twice consider turning the wheel over to Lucille, but I was confident I could stay the course. I would love to visit Wisconsin (and Minnesota for that matter) and am thinking we may do so in the future. Yep, the trip was too short, but when we planned it we were thinking partially in financial terms, sad to say. I was tempted to go up to Boston over the final off week, but perhaps in the fall. Our previous trip there was terrific. Thanks as ever my friend for the sage advice! Have a great week!
Wow what a major trip and how lucky you were to connect with your friends along the way and see the sites. I loved Laurie’s comment and I am sure that holds true – she would not lie about such a wonderful thing as your parenting.
And still you saw films too – oh my.
I made it a day to the Pacific Ocean and a lovely meal – but most of my trips have been through books. It looks like October will be a busy month if all the bloggers I know get their own books out on the date suggested! More to review and enjoy…
The new Meryl Streep movie leaves town on Wednesday – I may not make it and need to wait until it comes out on DVD…still can not sit long in a chair..
My teacher is back at school and i see the athletes are busy working out…you folks must be on the verge….Thank you for sharing your journey and experiences.
When I lived in Cleveland the river caught fire and it was not very clean and shiny….I used to tell my sister to take her feet out of the lake!
Thanks very much for that Patricia! Laurie was really royalty in every sense, and it was quite the time to meet up with her and Len. Seeing the films after that was rather a surprise to be honest. Nothing wrong with living some experiences through books, heck for many it is preferable that way. I still haven’t seen that Streep film but plan to. Lucille wound up seeing PARANORMAN with the kid, but will see it this week. Thanks for the lovely recollections of Cleveland. Yes, the school year is about to start–teachers must report on Tuesday, and students on Wednesday. Have a great week my friend!
Well Sam, you truly have a great way to tell your stories and personal experiences! It’s nice to hear all the anecdotes, the meetings and your tireless exploration of many many subjects, and a good traveller as well! Your family is lovely and I shall congratulate you, based on the comments made here by others, on how they are, but maybe it’s more thanks to them, ha! Nah, you are doing a great job at living life, and that’s all I have to say, not many people can say so.
Well, the moment approaches for me, there will be the choosing of the final projects and I hope to be the chosen one so I can finally work on my feature-lenght script that I’ve been developing for the past 5 years, so I hope to deliver some good news in the future!
My week movie wise:
– A Plumbing We Will Go (1940, Del Lord) ****1/2 I already wrote a bit about this one at the comments section in your wonderful piece Sam! Well written.
– Panic Attack! (2009, Fede Álvarez) **** Science fiction short film from Paraguay filled with special effects and a visual storytelling of the battle between giant robots and the destruction of a latinamerican city. This short made it possible for the director Fede Alvarez to have a stab at the Hollywood industry, he is the one directing the Evil Dead remake that will premiere next year!
– Bonsái (2011, Cristián Jiménez) ***1/2 Another one of the most critically lauded chilean films from recent years, this one is about two different timelines following a same character, when he was studying literature and now where he is writing that same story. The film is beautifully shot and has many interesting moments of narration, but its acting performances are rather clunky at times, and the film feels long once it gets past some important plot points. The novel was way more emotional.
– The Dentist (1932, Leslie Pearce) ***1/2 I wrote some words on what I thought of this short at the piece itself.
– The Expendables 2 (2012, Simon West) ***1/2 This was loads and loads more entertaining, better acted, better directed and a whole different experience from the first film, with a lot of corny lines that actually bring it closer to the hoardes of films that it tries to do an homage of. the action films from the 80’s. Having Stallone here is good, as well as Van Damme, and to top it all: Chuck Norris. None of those are excellent actors (maybe JCVD comes closer to a real actor than any of those, at least for me). It still has almost no story, but the action and seeing Schwarzeneger in the movies again pays for it all.
– Groundhog Day (1993, Harold Ramis) ***** What can I say? It was on TV, I watched it, I’ve already seen this movie 4 times this year, I can’t get tired of it.
– Kitty: Return to Auschwitz (1979, Peter Morley) **** A Tv made documentary chronicling a visit to the most horrific place on earth, I’ll reserve my comments for another day, once a piece comes up. Sorry Allan.
– Marvel One-Shot: Item 47 (2012, Louis D’Esposito) **** Another one of these short films that are being made and released on the DVDs of the recent Marvel superhero films, and this is easily one of the best ones, simply because it ties in perfectly within the narrative of the latest Avengers film, and at the same time it tells its own story with its own twists and a good amount of great acting.
– Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky (2005, Simon Curtis) **** A british miniseries that Allan featured recently in the countdown, I commented there what I thought about it.
Thanks Sam and have a good week! Rest a while, would ya? HA!
Jaimie—
Thanks very much for the compliments and kind words! Yes, I was certainly enjoying a trip that we’ll always hold dear to our hearts for all sorts of reasons. While meeting on-line friends was thrilling beyond words, seeing the kids having fun was really and incomparable pleasure. The trip was admittedly way too short, so we are seriously considering a return to both cities next summer, if everything falls into place. There certainly was quite a bit to tell as you gleefully note. I hope all goes well for you with the final project – the feature-length script!!! That my friend is VERY exciting! You’ve worked very hard this past year and deserve a big success!
Great to see the very high ratings for GROUNDHOG DAY and A-PLUMBING WE WILL GO! I feel they are wll deserved. I went with the highest rating too with THE DENTIST, but your rating is fair enough. I do want to see 20,000 STREETS UNDER THE SKY, and am delighted that you rate it so highly. nAgreed on THE EXPENDABLES. Of the others I have yet to see them, but based on what you say here am most interested in PANIC ATTACK! and BONSAI. I will try and get a ittle rest, thank you! Ha!
Have a great week! Many thanks as always!
Sam, what a great road trip you had and I am glad to hear that everything went well and all of you came back with some incredible memories. Thanks for taking the time to share the trip in such a nice manner along with some pictures as well. I had no idea that this was the first time you were meeting Jamie in person, so I can imagine how special that must have been. And despite going on such a long trip, you still managed to view some films and update the links. I am in awe 🙂 Thanks for the mention.
Thanks so very much for that Sachin! I’ll certainly have the fondest memories for this Diary thread over all others, for obvious reasons, a it was a trip, short as it was, that will linger for a long times to come. True on Jamie too, it seems others were unaware he is a Chicagoan. I was admittedly surprise I followed up the trip with some other completely tasks, so all things considered everything went as planned. Have a great week my friend!
Sam,
Thank you for the link update. But it seems you placed the link to David’s site. Just noticed …
Seems like your family had an incredibly fun-packed trip. Great photographs! It must have been a wonderful experience for your kids.
I saw TOTAL RECALL last Sunday. It’s just I got this free time slot near the theater while waiting for some arrangement. The other choice was THE AVENGERS, but it was dubbed and I don’t want Robert Downey Jr. speaking Japanese. Well, TOTAL RECALL wasn’t as bad as I had feared. The original is much more innovative, of course.
Thanks again.
MI
MI—
So sorry bout that link error. I did change it earlier today. Seems I have a lamentable propensity to do that more thjan I should. Ugh. Yes we all had a week we won’t ever forget, and I’m sure the kids will reference it when they get older. Thanks for the kind words. I still need to see the re-make of TOTAL RECALL, especially since I recently saw the original in the Film Forum. hahaha what you say there about Downey speaking Japanese! I’m with you there all the way and intensely dislike dubbing in its entirety! Have a great week my friend!
Sam,
You should see the Japanese-dubbed version of “Sands of Iwo Jima”. John Wayne speaks, “that’s Jap’s trick!” in Japanese.
hahaha MI–not that one is worth paying to see!!!!
Sam, thanks a lot for the mention.
You sure had one hell of a road trip – a phrase that never fails to remind me of such seminal literary works as On the Road, and so fascinating movies made on the topic (Wim Wenders, Jim Jarmusch, Bob Rafelson, Dennis Hopper et al). It was great to know about your meeting fellow cinephiles & WitD regulars who you’d histhero known only in the virtual world. I can sure understand what a delight that must have been. Your report made for a great read.
Anway, I managed to watch just 2 movies last week:
– Bergman’s Sawdust & Tinsel, which I’ve mixed feelings about
– The WWII era masterpiece by Melville, Army of Shadows
And by the way, great to see my write-up on The Firemen’s Ball already up here at WitD. Do excuse me for resorting to hyperboles far more than I perhaps ought to have – I guess it was just a spontaneous outburst of my love for this Czech New Wave classic.
Ha Shubhajit, ON THE ROAD indeed! That is certainly applicable in this case! I should take another look at Kerouac this week! Yes those directors, all did some stellar work in that genre. You read my pulse as to visiting those blogger friends. It is always exciting when you set upon eyes for the very first time, after a very long time of on-line interaction. I am a huge fan of SAWDUST AND TINSEL, but I recognize itwas never a Bergman that impressed some as so many of the others. Among the critics I remember Pauline Kael had no use for it sizing it up as “powerfully awful.” ARMY OF SHADOWS conversely isn’t my favorite Melville, but I greatly respect its reputation and like a lot of things about it. I completely understand the use of hyperbole, especially since as you don’t use it often, it rings more compellingly. Great work my friend; thanks as always and have a terrific week!
Glad to hear you had such a great trip, Sam, though it does sound as if you might now need a holiday to recover from the holiday! Great that you were able to meet up with online friends. We had our daughter home from her job in London over the weekend and my sister and her family were also staying locally, so we were out and about with the family and went to see a very interesting modern art exhibition in Ipswich.
I seem to have been mainly watching TV rather than films lately, and now have only one episode left to see out of the first season of ‘Boardwalk Empire’ – liking it very much, although I do feel agent van Alden is going increasingly over the top. Season two comes out on DVD here next week, so I’ll be able to go straight on to it! I also saw the first episode of a new mini-series, Tom Stoppard’s adaptation of Ford Madox Ford’s novel ‘Parade’s End’, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rebecca Hall – I thought it was good if a little hard to follow at times, and am now reading the book, which so far is even better.
Thanks very much for the kind mention, Sam, and I hope you and all at Wonders have a great week.
hahahaha Judy!! A holiday to re-cover from a holiday is very much in order in view of the extensive driving that was involved in this particular trip, which Lucille figures was 50% of the total trip time spent in the car. Meeting the friends really made verything special. Great that you met up with your daughter (I hadn’t previously heard of her) and your sister and her family too, and got to theIpswich art exhibition, which must have been great! I have fallen off with BOARDWALK EMPIRE an d need to get back to it. I know the Second Season is also releasing stateside as well, and there are fans in this house. As to that Tom Stoppard adaptation I haven’t been aware of it until now, but hope to encounter it at some point, especially if you do eventually come in with a strong report. Thankls as always my friend, and have a great week!
All at Wonders in the Dark espress their deepest concern for Jeffrey Goodman. As everyone knows Jeffrey is a Louisiana resident, and the at present a threatening storm is bearing down on New Orleans and other regions in the state. We will all be monitoring the situation.
Better to take a plane and save your stamina for another day. The navy pier is the main attraction.
Thanks again Ron! Unfortunately we were not able to speand more time at the Navy Pier, but will do so on our next visit. The plan idea does make a lot of sense, though tickets for seven may be a bit steep. I’ll have to investigate further.
I was there six years ago myself, and got to speand some time at the navy pier and millenium park. Great pictures, Sam. The kids are wonderful.
Thanks much David! We’ll have to compare notes some time!
Apologies for not making a proper entry in this week’s diary Sam, unfortunately the week has rather escaped me. I’ll catch up in tomorrow’s entry (all being well I’ll post my catch-up comment tomorrow evening) but for now will simply say that I am glad you and your family had such a great time on your road trip and thank you for this comprehensive account! Thanks also for the link and the rather too generous words! Have a great day tomorrow, hopefully I’ll be back here in around 27 hours….
David—
Believe me I completely understand! This is a very busy week here stateside too with the imminent opening of school for the teachers on tuesday and the students on Wednesday! I am sure you will have your hands full in the coming days. I appreciated and relish all you have written in the past weeks, and am more than flattered by your appearances and comprehensive insights. Always look forward to your comments needless to say! But yes, it was quite a trip, and we are still talking about it and thinking of a return next August. We even have contracted the travel bug, and are figuring on Boston for the November break and Prince Edward Island in Canada over the Xmas vacation.
Thanks again my friend!
Sam, it was so wonderful to hear about your family’s trip. I know it’ll be one of these memories that you and all the kids treasure for the rest of your lives.
I’m quite envious, of course, of your two Renoir experiences on the big screen. I am very fond of both films.
This week, I only saw THE MAYOR OF HELL. I’m really glad I saw it although it won’t end up as a personal fave.
Here’s to another awesome week. Thanks so much, Sam, for all that you do!
Jeffrey–
Was very relieved to hear that all is well with you and your family in Shreveport and that Isaac veered off to the east. I feel sorry for the people of New Orleans, always having to endure such hardships. Yes our mid-west trip will never be forgotten, and we are already thinking seriously of possibly engineering an encore for next summer. There are after all so many places in both cities we didn’t see! Yes I know you are a huge fan of Renoir and of French cinema. You may envy my screenings, but in turn i envy all the Paris screenings of many of these films that you have experienced! Agreed on THE MAYOR HELL, which is fine, but no more. Again, thrilled to hear all is well, and many thanks to you my friend!