Screen cap from Sam Raimi’s “Os the Great and Powerful”
by Sam Juliano
I’d like first off to express my deepest appreciation to my dear friends and some WitD readers who sent me supportive e mails and placed comments on multiple threads regarding my wife Lucille’s present condition. As I stated in updates answering some, she will be having the laparoscopic procedure in a few weeks to remove the gall bladder as a result of stones moving towards the bile duct. A number of readers informed me that their husbands, wives, brothers, sisters and friends have had the same procedure over the years, and that despite the fear associated with any kind of a hospital stay (one day in and out with this one) I am confident all will be well, and Lucille will feel much better as a result. I can’t thank everyone enough for the exceedingly kind words.
Our very good friend Richard R.D. Finch is nearing a final schedule for the April James Cagney blogothon he has organized for his blogsite The Movie Projector. Many will certainly recall the spectacularly-successful William Wyler blogothon Finch chaired months ago, a venture that received an appreciative seal of approval by none other than members of the celebrated director’s own family. A banner will soon be posted on the sidebar, and yours truly will be contributing an essay, much like a number of good WitD friends.
If devout Catholics are disappearing at record numbers these days, there are still some out there- myself included- who find the various machinations involved in the selection of a new pope no less historically and politically fascinating. When a man in his late 50’s can say that there have been only five papal conclaves in his entire life (1958, 1963, 1978, 1978 again and 2005) well it’s obvious such an event is an extreme rarity. And rarer still that this new convergence of the red-capped cardinals follows an almost unheard of “resignation.” I correctly called the election of the then German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger on my e mail network, which preceded the birth of WitD. This conclave is not nearly as predictable, though it does appear that a favorite has now emerged: Cardinal Angelo Scola of Milan, Italy, a 71 year-old conservative in Benedict XVI’s mold, who would return the church’s leadership to Italy after a Pole and German who have led since John Paul I -Albino Luciani- died under mysterious circumstances in 1978 after only one month in office. While I have no real spiritual rooting interest since virtually every serious contender is ultra-conservative, and the method the choice is made seems less inspired by divinity than by some unscrupulous deal making, I do think the cardinals should not be choosing another Italian. Vatican corruption needs an outside reformer, and Scola is really the same old, same old. If Scola is not elected on the first ballots on Tuesday (word is that he has around 40 votes of the 77 needed, thought the 28 Italian cardinals are about evenly split for and against him with the other half behind Brazil’s Otilio Scherer, the 63 year son of German immigrants) over Scherer, that means the cardinals may go for a compromise, in which case either Marc Ouellet of Canada or Peter Erdo of Hungary may get named. An early leader, African Peter Turkson, seems to have hurt himself with interviews that showed him as too eager to be chosen. American cardinals are seen as long-shots, as the joke is that the CIA would be running the Vatican, and tensions with the muslin world would escalate, but Boston cardinal Sean O’Malley is still being touted as a real possibility if the voting continues into a fourth day.
Lucille and the kids and I saw two movies in theaters this week:
Oz the Great and Powerful * 1/2 (Saturday night) Secaucus
Jason and the Argonauts (1963) **** 1/2 (Sunday) Film Forum
Here are the terms I’d use to describe Disney’s OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL: a colossal bore, inert, bloated, charmless, unattractively mounted, awkwardly paced, oddly unemotional and James Franco as poorly miscast as he’s been in his career. But I won’t say it too loud as Lucille liked it fair enough as did Broadway Bob, his mom, and the two young ones who attended: Jillian and Jeremy. I am one of the biggest THE WIZARD OF OZ fans in the blogosphere, but this re-application of some of the same characters and situations is wholly forgettable. To be fair there were a few good ideas, but they add up to little.
As far as Don Chaffey’s classic mythological adventure fantasy JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, it always a delight to watch on re-viewing, and it was a perfect choice for Film Forum Jr.’s ongoing Sunday morning Festival for families. Ray Harryhausen’s celebrated special effects of course were ground-breaking, if dated by today’s standards. The wonderful George Pal short “A Date with Duke” featuring Duke Ellington preceded the main feature.
Purported “favorite” Cardinal Angelo Scola of Italy
Brazilian Cardinal Otilio Scherer, 63 year-old son of German immigrants and papal frontrunner
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Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, a papal frontrunner
New links! (Live thanks to Tony d’Ambra once again!)
Judy Geater reviews Richard Brooks’ 1953 “Battle Circus” at Movie
Classics: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/
Samuel Wilson reviews “Diva” at Mondo
70 http://mondo70.blogspot.com/2013/03/diva-1981.html
Tony d’Ambra reviews 1955′s “The Big Knife” at Films
Noir.net http://filmsnoir.net/film_noir/the-big-knife-1955-bore-me-deadly.html
John Greco reviews Roberto Rossellini’s “Stromboli” at Twenty Four Frames http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/stromboli-1950-roberto-rossellini/
Laurie Buchanan takes a close look at “Housekeeping–The Kind That Matters” at Speaking From the Heart http://tuesdayswithlaurie.com/2013/03/05/housekeeping-the-kind-that-matters/
Sachin Gandhi offers up a review of ‘Nacer Khemir’s Desert Trilogy’ at Scribbles and Ramblings http://likhna.blogspot.com/2013/03/nacer-khemirs-desert-trilogy.html
Srikanth (Just Another Film Buff) reviews “Far From Heaven” at The Seventh Art http://theseventhart.info/2013/03/10/flashback-87/
Jon Warner reviews Borzage’s “Street Angel” at Films Worth Watching http://filmsworthwatching.blogspot.com/2013/03/street-angel-1928-directed-by-frank.html
Dean Treadway talks about Oscar night at Filmacability http://filmicability.blogspot.com/2013/02/my-final-thoughts-about-2013-oscar.html
Terrill Welch offers up “West Coast Blues in Photography and Painting” at the Creativepotager’s blog http://creativepotager.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/west-coast-blues-in-photography-and-painting/
Joel Bocko has a “March update” at Lost in the Movies http//thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2013/03/lost-in-movies-status-update-march-2013.html
Shubhajit Lahiri reviews Kiarostami’s “Certified Copy” at Cinemascope http://cliched-monologues.blogspot.com/2013/03/certified-copy-2010.html
Jaimie Grijalba offers up “The Act of Seeing with One’s Own Eyes” at Overlook’s Corridor http://overlookhotelfilm.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/the-act-of-seeing-with-ones-own-eyes-1971/
Patricia Hawthorne reviews the book “Chin Music” by Lee Edelstein at Patricia’s Wisdom http://patriciaswisdom.com/2013/03/chin-music-lee-edelstein/
Marilyn Ferdinand reviews Rossellini’s “Journey in Italy” at Ferdy-on-Films http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/2013/journey-in-italy-viaggio-in-italia1954/17807/
Murderous Ink reviews “Evangeline After Fukushima” (Part 5) at Vermillion and One Nights
http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2013/02/evangelion-after-fukushima-part-5.html
Roderick Heath reviews “Gangster Squad” at This Island Rod http://thisislandrod.blogspot.com/2013/02/gangster-squad-2013.html
Dee Dee features Gary Tooze’s review of Robert Florey’s 1949 “The Crooked Way” at Darkness Into Light http://noirishcity.blogspot.com/2013/03/9313-looking-at-3-post-world-war-ii.html
Pat Perry offers up an Oscar round-up at Doodad Kind of Town http://doodadkindoftown.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-oscars-2013-good-bad-overlooked-and.html
Richard R.D. Finch reviews “The Breaking Point” at The Movie Projector http://themovieprojector.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-breaking-point-1950.html
Weeping Sam has posted Dennis Cozzalio’s latest quiz (Jean Brodie) at The Listerning Ear http://thedancingimage.blogspot.com/2013/03/lost-in-movies-status-update-march-2013.html
David Schleicher reviews the German film “Barbara” at The Schleicher Spin http://theschleicherspin.com/2013/03/10/theyre-coming-to-get-you-barbara/
Ed Howard reviews “The Bridesmaid” at Only the Cinema http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-bridesmaid.html
Brandie Ashe offers up an exciting February update at True Classics http://trueclassics.net/2013/02/01/state-of-the-blog-february-2013/
Anu has his Tope 10 of 2012 leading up at TheConfidential Report http://theconfidentialreport.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/top-ten-of-2012/
Kaleem Hasan offers up the Malick “To the Wonder” trailer at Satyamshot http://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/to-the-wonder-trailer/
Craig Kennedy offers up a trailer to Sophia Coppola’s new film http://livingincinema.com/2013/03/08/teaser-sofia-coppolas-the-bling-ring/
Drew McIntosh reviews “Saddle Tramp” at The Vial http://thebluevial.blogspot.com/2013/02/saddle-tramp.html
Jason Bellamy reviews “Zero Dark Thirty” at The Cooler http://coolercinema.blogspot.com/2013/01/everybody-breaks-bro-zero-dark-thirty.html
Kevin Olson review John Carpenter’s “The Fog” at Hugo Stiglitz Makes Movies http://kolson-kevinsblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/john-carpenter-fog.html
Hokahey reviews “Oz the Great and Powerful” at Little Worlds http://hokahey-littleworlds.blogspot.com/2013/03/ive-feeling-were-not-in-kansas-anymore.html
J.D. LaFrance looks at “After Dark My Sweet” at Radiato Heaven http://rheaven.blogspot.com/2013/03/after-dark-my-sweet.html
Matthew Lucas reviews “Beyond the Hills” at From the Front Row http://www.fromthefrontrow.net/2013/03/review-beyond-hills.html
Paddy Mullholland offers up “V/H/S” at Screen on Screen http://screenonscreen.blogspot.com/2013/03/review-vhs.html
Click on names for archives
Writers/Founders
Wonders in the Dark 
What a blog list Sam! and she whistles on of those long low appreciative notes. Thank you as always for your generous inclusion of Creative Potoger and this latest post “Wet Coast Blues in photographs and paintings.” The latest painting study with all those deep blues and high waves is leading me to towards my next big 3 x 6 foot canvas. The biggest consideration is going to be where to paint it!
I can see from your review that the new Oz need not go on my watch list 😉 As for the Canadian papal frontrunner, the national buzz here suggests that he may lack leadership skills. On the movie front we watched:
THE FISHER KING 1991 directed by Terry Gilliam. Such a great film if a person is feeling a little down or out of sorts. The acting is excellent! The story superb! Maybe Lucille might find it takes her mind off of that gallbladder pain. I wish her all the best with the surgery and her recovery. I had mine out will full incision when I was 16 years old. Haven’t missed it!
Warm hugs to you and your family Sam and may spring be at our door!
Thanks very much Terrill. With the last few weeks in blog link limbo, I was hoping to get a worthy presentation in place. Australian Tony d’Ambra, a dear friend, and site “savior” more times than I would like to even ponder employed his technical expertise to bring the scroll alive. Your latest post is real eye candy, especially those with a hankering for the shades of blue like me. Sounds like that upcoming 3 X 6 foot canvas with take it’s place among your masterpieces. I am assuming you may be making progress with this outdoors on a fine spring day. I greatly look forward to the finished product. I may have been a bit too harsh on OZ, but I adore the 1939 original far too much to have it desecrated like this. Ha! My two youngest, Jillian and Jeremy, 12 and 10 did rather like it though. The Quebec cardinal Marc Ouellet seems to be far more popular in Rome (where he has chaired a major office and is well-respected) than he is in Canada, where as you note, there is some criticism of his management skills. And my, is he a staunch conservative like too many of his colleagues. This is why the church is always losing members. In any case, I think he would be the “compromise” choice if the Scola-Scherer contest remains inconclusive. Gilliam’s THE FISHER KING is indeed a film to take anyone’s mind off physical discomfort and I thank you very much for recommending it! We do own the DVD and I will advice Lucille to watch it here tomorrow night. Thanks so much Terrill! it’s always a delight to have you around my very dear friend! Have a great week!
Sam, I just went to stop by and read a few of the new links for the blogs you posted tonight. It seems that only Craig Kennedy’s and mine are live links. I am not sure what happened in the posting process but thought I would let you know.
Terrill—
There were indeed only two live links, but once again the site’s savoir and Johnny-on-the-spot Tony d’Ambra has again lent his incomparable technical expertise to clear up some glitches that kept the scroll dead. Thank you my friend.
You are most welcome Sam and I hope to get a chance to wander through them later today. I have studio guest coming by to look at my paintings this morning but maybe a little later…
Sam – I hope (and I’m sure) all will go well with Lucille’s procedure.
The quick spin from this weekend:
Barbara – **** – a wonderfully restrained German film that Hollywood could learn a lot from (see below)
End of Watch – * – I honestly can not fathom the good reviews this film received. I found not a single authentic moment in its faux-documentary style and everyone involved over-acted to within an inch of their lives. Grotesque stereotypes…horrible style. Bad bad bad.
Hello I Must Be Going – *** – Mildly diverting indie character piece featuring a charming Melanie Lynskey.
I will be avoiding OZ The Great and Powerful like the plague – it looks beyond awful to me. You may recall I found Alice in Wonderland to be one of the worst films of the past decade and this looks to be cut from the same ilk especially based on what you had to say about it!
David—
Thanks very much for the kind words. I am not the fan of BARBARA that you are, but am well aware it was exceedingly well reviewed. I hope to take another look at it at some point. I am not all interested in END OF WATCH, and your pan strengthens my resolve! I have not seen HELLO I MUST BE GOING. I do well remember you were allergic to ALICE and am certain you would have just as negative a response to OZ. Thanks as always my friend. Have a great week!
Oh my gosh yes David, End of Watch is awful!!!!!!!
Jon – had it not been advertised as a gritty drama I would’ve thought End of Watch was a Wayans Brothers parody of cop dramas – it was THAT bad.
Hope all is well Sam. It’s been a pretty excellant week for me as far as movie watching goes. I was able to go through Heinosuke Gosho’s masterpiece An Inn at Osaka (which Allan wrote a wonderful essay for last year: https://wondersinthedark.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/an-inn-at-osaka-1954-heinosuke-gosho/), Dorota Kędzierzawska’s wonderful Crows, and the first four episodes of House of Cards. Oz the Great and Powerful has been high on my list of most anticipated films to see this year, but with the array of bad reviews (including your 1 1/2 stars), I might just pass on it. It’s too bad. I love the 1930s classic and while I was skeptical of the project, having seen what disney did with Alice in Wonderland, I still had faith Sam Raimi (one of my favorite contemporary American filmmakers) would produce something worthwhile. I might just wait and pick it up when it gets to redbox. It’s pretty sad that Disney couldn’t produce memorable films from the imaginative worlds created by Lewis Carrol and L. Frank Baum. Something tells me they’ll fail again with George Lucas’s galaxy.
Anu—-
I am thrilled to hear you break out the masterpiece assessment for Goshi’s AN INN AT OSAKA, as I saw it myself for the first time about six months ago, courtesy of a copy Allan had sent on to me and found it every bit as great as you attest. Yes, agreed Allan’s review was exceptional. I also agree with you on CROWS, but sad to say I have not yet seen any of the “House of Cards” episodes. I wouldn’t really want to steer you clear of OZ, as you need to see if your own reaction is on the same level of others. There are some fans out there, and the reviews are basically split. I liked ALICE somewhat more than you, but I can well understand your own reservations. Like you I regard the 39 film as a masterpiece and one of American cinema’s most beloved properties. Can’t blame you though, if you wait for the redbox. Thanks as always my friend! Have a great week!
Hey Sam. The machinations leading into the Papal conclave were bound to be Machiavellian and are also symptomatic of a Church hierarchy out of touch with its followers, and out of step with the times. The decline in the priesthood will not be arrested and the disaffection in the West will continue unless a fairly radical reformer is elected. Sadly, there is only an outside chance the next Pope will come from Latin America or from Africa. The Church in these locales is more vibrant and closer to the social justice concerns of the Gospels. The intertwined issues of celibacy and the tragic consequences of sexual and physical abuse will also need to be urgently addressed by the new Pope, but the signs are not encouraging. In a way, faith and its radical imperatives for many Catholics can only be found outside the Church’s structures – away from the strictures of a curia more concerned with bureaucratic obfuscation and desperately hanging on to an increasingly untenable inertia.
Tony—
I believe you hit the nail on the head by asserting that the machinations in the conclave are very much Machiavellian, and furthermore as you intimate the church is anachronistic and caught in a time bubble which allows for little tangible change. And I’m not just referring to to the engineering of black and white smoke signals through a chimney installed on the roof of the sistine chapel nor the threat of excommunication for the slightest breech of secrecy, but the steadfast refusal of the church to even entertain discussions of married priests and ordained women, when the former for one, would surely favorable impact the ongoing child sex abuse problems that have cost the faith millions of followers worldwide. Alas, you are probably right that a Latin American pope is unlikely, even if at teh opening of this conclave Brazil’s Odilio Scherer goes in with the strong support of the curia Italian cardinals, which is probably about 12 of the 28 from that country. But with the multiple votes, it is conceivable that when the archbishop of Milan, Angelo Scola begins to gather momentum he probably won’t be stopped. I do see Scola winning but I am really hoping I am wrong. The last thing Catholics need is another Italian pope after the recent internal scandals involving Benedict’s butler. All that you say that is urgent Tony, is dead-on, and sad to say your dire prognosis of continued inertia seems inevitable. The church really needs a wide-card like the Phillipine’s 55 year-old Cardinal Luis Tagle, but alas we can both agree these right wingers just don’t have it in them. In realistic terms I am hoping for Scherer or Ouellet (or even Turkson, O’Malley or Dolan) but I am figuring it be Scola and a return of an Italian to the papacy. First ballot voting begins today.
Thanks as always my friend for the terrific comment. Have a great week!
Hi! Sam Juliano, Allan, Tony, WitD writers and readers…
Thanks, for sharing the update about Mrs. Lucille Juliano, health issue and she is in my thoughts [and prayers]…too!
Sam Juliano,I see that your viewing left you with a weakest link: “Oz the Great and Powerful”* 1/2
and a strong link:“Jason and the Argonauts (1963) **** 1/2
I hope that you and your family enjoyed the latter film. However, I don’t want to dismiss the former film neither.
“Here are the terms I’d use to describe Disney’s OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL: a colossal bore, inert, bloated, charmless, unattractively mounted, awkwardly paced, oddly unemotional and James Franco as poorly miscast as he’s been in his career…”
Ha!ha!
But I won’t say it too loud as Lucille liked it fair enough as did Broadway Bob, his mom, and the two young ones who attended: Jillian and Jeremy.
I must say that I quite agree with your wife, Mrs.Lucille Juliano, Broadway Bob, Broadway Bob mom, and your two youngest children Jillian and Jeremy.]
I say try to forget viewing “Oz the Great and Powerful” in order to re-visit the film again after a month or so…
Why? Because others that have watched the film think that film transcend the 1939 classic “Wizard Of Oz…”…You have to remember that this film is about The Wizard and how he arrived in Oz…It’s not about Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin-man, and Cowardly, Lion…Oh! my…
Most importantly, it’s doing fairly, well at the box-Office and even with it flaws in the end the film is receiving 3 to 3 1/2 stars by some reviewers and people that I have talked to that have watched the film enjoyed the film.
Now with that being said, in the end, I do accept your opinion about the film.
However, I most definitely, plan to voice my opinion after I view the film… too!]
Thanks, for sharing the Pope update information, and the links to other blogs…I hope that you and your readers have a great week…as usual.
deedee 🙂
Dee Dee—-
Thanks as ever for your concern, thoughts and incredible support for Lucille and our family. Again I want to say how moved I am for your steadfast attention and cherished friendship. There is no doubt that OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL has it’s share of fan, and as I say my two youngest ones did like it. There are few greater American films than the 1939 THE WIZARD OF OZ, and the #2 placement at the site’s musical polling produced one of WitD’s greatest threads of them all:
https://wondersinthedark.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/the-wizard-of-oz-no-2/
Perhaps my deepest feelings for the original film prejudiced me against any kind of a re-make, but I did at least realize that the film was examining an earlier period than the events of the novel and Raimi’s film. I will admit Dee Dee, that the film had a few very imaginative moments, but I did find it problematic. I did of course enjoy taking the kids to JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS as part of the Film Forum Jr. Sunday morning series. In a few weeks they will be screening EASTER PARADE on the holiday morning, and hosting a hat contest. And with Chaplin’s THE KID, they are asking everyone to have their kids sport their own home-made hats. The kids are very interested in this. Thanks for everything my beautiful friend, and have a great week!
Sam – sorry to be so late, but was sorry to read about Lucille and glad to read the problem will be taken care of soon!!!!
Only saw the preview of Oz when we saw Lincoln (the only theater film in a long while for us) and just that, in my opinion, was enough to never seek it out –
Appreciate reading your thoughts on the selection of the new Pope = Cheers to you and yours!!!!
Michael—–
How great it is to hear from you my friend, and thanks so much for the terrific creative card to received from you in the mail. And thanks very much for the concern about Lucille. I am sure all will be fine in the end, but it’s natural before to be on edge. I will keep you abreast by mail. Yes, the OZ trailer was indeed enough to grant closure in a non-viewing sense, but as a family of WIZARD OF OZ lovers, there was a strong resolve to check it out. days later it’s completely forgotten. As I just said above to Tony, the pope selection is historically and politically fascinating, even if the ‘spirtual’ side has been MIA there for a very long time. This is no less political than a presidential election, even if it is done under the guise of ‘secrecy.’ Ha! Thanks again Michael, and I hope and anticipate you bother are well. Have a splendid week!
Many thanks for the mention to Sam and Tony, and I hope Lucille is soon feeling a lot better and that all goes smoothly with the gall bladder op. I will hope to avoid the Oz sequel! I hope everyone has a good week.
The latest film I’ve reviewed at my blog, Richard Brooks’ ‘Battle Circus,’ is a lesser-known Bogart movie where he plays a surgeon in the Korean war and has a romance with June Allyson – a very interesting film which shows the way forward to M.A.S.H., but the romance sections are rather weak.
Apart from that I’ve been pretty much in guilty pleasures territory with a couple of glossy/hard-boiled 1960s private eye dramas, ‘Harper’ starring Paul Newman and ‘Tony Rome’ starring Sinatra. I especially liked this line from the Sinatra one: ‘It ain’t polite to tell a man in a dirty business he’s in a dirty business.’ Sheer bliss.
Judy—-
Thanks so much for the very kind words! Lucille will probably be getting her date for the procedure tomorrow. I am figuring it will be in about two weeks. Your review of BATTLE CIRCUS is typically superlative, and I’ll be adding my two cents. Sounds like you liked it well enough, though it’s far from perfect. But yes, definitely a rarity in a relative sense. Haha I love that line from TONY ROME, which was an entertaining film. HARPER is fine as well as I recall. I once owned it on laserdisc. But I’d agree that both would be guilty pleasures. As far as OZ, you may wind up liking it more, but I am figuring you won’t be a fan. Thanks again my great friend!
I suspect that Scola will emerge victorious. But I don’t think picking an Italian is the right message for the rest of the world after the sex abuse scandals and the business of the butler stealing important papers.
Best to Lucille. I’m sure all will be well.
Peter—-
Thanks for the kind words about Lucille. I am also beginning to believe Scola will be named the next pope, but should this conclave go into Thursday I will change my prediction. If the one ballot on Tuesday and four on Wednesday fail to produce a winner, Thursday would mean a compromise in in the works, and we could then see Ouellet, or one of the Americans, though the latter possibility still remains a long-shot. Scherer could still technically be a ‘compromise’ as well. It will be might interesting. Thanks again my friend
Sam –
First of all, my sincerest wishes for Lucille’s speedy and complete recovery and that she feels better soon. I apologize that I have been off this thread fora couple of weeks and missed the updates on her health situation, but I am wishing the very best for her.
As a partially fallen-away Catholic myself, I watch the papal conclave news with equal parts fascination, hope and disgust. No fan of Benedict, I am hoping against hope for a pope who will reform and revitalize the Church, but I am not conviced that would really happen.
Your assessment of OZ is not a surprise to me, it’s what I would have guessed just from the trailers. I have absolutely zero interest in seeing it.
Here, I caught a few good, small films on VOD:
A LATE QUARTET (which I recall you liked very much) – well acted, if a bit coolly handled. I was suprised at how chilly and detached a film with such deeply emotional underpinnings could feel, but that can be a great virtue.
LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE – I liked, but didn’t love, it. My only other experience of Kirostami was CERTIFIED COPY which was brilliant; this one lacked the earlier film’s richness for me, plus that WTF, out-of-nowhere ending was completely unsastisfying. Believe, I’m not looking for Kirostami to tell a convenional story or wrap things up with a tidy, pretty bow, but that was just nuts.
ANOTHER EARTH – I’m completely taken with Brit Marling and her method of landing good roles by writing them for herself (or co-writing, here with Mike Cahill). Like her later effort, SOUND OF MY VOICE, this one shows that a tiny budget need not limit the effectiveness of a good story. Cheaply made but very compelling.
THE MONK – The New York Times called it exactly right: “Diverting, but rather thin.” The story of an exceptionally pious monk led astray by temptation has some occasionally interesting visual flourishes, but ultimately lacks the courage of its convictions, settling somewhere in the tepid middle region between enticing restraint and high camp.
Pat—
Thanks very much for the kind words and concern, which I have promptly passed on to Lucille as well. I am figuring the procedure will be done in about two weeks, and we may have an answer on that front tomorrow after an afternoon doctor’s appointment.
“Lapsed Catholic” seems to be the way many of us descibe ourselves, though Lucille and I have raised our kids as Catholic, complete with after school CCD classes and all the sacraments. But the church has been a major disillusionment in recent years, and like you say little will change no matter who is elected. I admired Benedict’s (Joseph Ratzinger) scholarship and humility (he never wanted power, which is something to give him points for) and for the fact that he was the secon non-Italian pope, but his administration was admittedly scandal ridden, and he’s an extreme conservative who seemed to yield on nothing. Yep I am figuring you won’t have much use for OZ, if I have you figured right Pat, and don’t think anyone will be remembering it after a month or two. Fair enough estimation of A LATE QUARTET, which I found innocuous and rather charming. I am with you (like, don’t love) on the Kiarostami; I haven’t seen THE MONK, but am most interested based on what you say here, and I am a big fan of ANOTHER EARTH and enthusiastically embrace your assessment! Have a great week Pat! Many thanks as always my friend!
Sam, I’m happy and hopeful to read that things are looking up for you and yours. You seem to confirm the bad feeling I had about Oz. I’d hoped Raimi couldn’t produce such an apparent dud but so much looks wrongheaded about this project. I say that not out of so much reverence for the 1939 film but because everyone seemed to miss that this revisionist-fairytale thing in pop culture is very much about female empowerment yet here (as with the more obviously doomed Jack the Giant Slayer) the focus is on a man. I suppose it was the only way they could go without appearing to rip off Gregory Maguire, but it seems like a dead end despite the pre-release commitment to a sequel and a popular first weekend. Would have thought Franco a natural since he seems like something of a mountebank in real life, though perhaps too much of a 21-st century sort for this role.
Didn’t get to see Fanny & Alexander for the 1982 poll but did watch Veronika Voss (and have reviewed it) and Identification of a Woman. The Antonioni disappointed me; it barely gets by on Tomas Milian’s implosive charisma. Otherwise I’m back to Pre-Codes now that TCM has lifted its annual Oscar incubus, and I’m looking at more westerns, with Richard Fleischer’s These Thousand Hills being the best of the most recent batch and William F. Claxton’s Young Jesse James the worst. Let’s hope for better things all around this week.
Samuel—
Thanks for the very kind words. Everything is going well indeed, and we’re just waiting to hear the date conformation. You do make some vital disclaimers on Raimi’s focus for OZ, which as you note is intrinsically wrong-headed. The focus on Franco’s character was in the end problematic, first since the bumbling OZ was never among the most interesting characters to explore in the first place. Franco was a bust her, and it may be what you say about the modern transcription,, but he’s must too confident an actor for this role, even if he is a mountebank in real life. The Antonioni you mention here is one of my least favorite from a director I adore. I will definitely take a look at your new review on the the great Fassbinder work, and hope you do get to FANNY AND ALEXANDER in the near future. You have really been staying close to that TCM schedule which happy to hear has resumed. Seems like there are as many films about Jesse James than there are about Sherlock Holmes of Count Dracula! Ha! Thanks as always my excellent friend! Have a great week.
Have no interest in Oz.
Great to hear Lucille will soon be having the procedure. Nothing to worry about at all.
Sam, I am hearing there is some serious movement in Rome for the American cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston. Apparently he is beloved by many.
Frank—-
Right on! You’ll save time and money!
Your encouraging words on Lucille and the gall bladder front are very much appreciated. Frank, I actually mentioned O’Malley’s rising chances in the MMD proper above, though the election of an American still remains a long shot. I’d love to see it, but it’s doubtful during my lifetime. Thanks as always my friend. Have an excellent week!
Best wishes to Lucille, you and the family, Sam.
On the film front I watched Rossellini’s “unofficial” wartime trilogy on TCM Fri. night and all three films were spectacular, especially the first, “Open City”. It’s odd how neorealistic cinema gets touted for its use of untrained, non-professional actors, but the most memorable dramatic moments come from those actors with a background in theater, writing and other films (Aldo Fabrizi, Anna Magnani, “self-taught”, according to Sidney Lumet, who worked with her and Method man Brando in ‘The Fugitive Kind’).
Heading over to read Marilyn Ferdinand’s review of “Journey to Italy”, which will screen on TCM’s tribute to Rossellini later in the month.
Have a great week, everyone.
Thanks very much for the kind words Mark! OPEN CITY is rightly considered a foundation of Italian neo-realism, and remains Rossellini’s most revered and identifiable work. The story behind the making of the film is as fascinating as any cogent analytical study could ever yield. With Pontecorvo’s THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS its the quintessential resistance film, and its realistic treatment of daily Italian life in essence heralded the postwar renaissance of the Italian cinema. Rossellini was intent on showing that Italians had fought valiantly against oppression and for freedom.
Anyway, I have read that the director sold his bed, a chest of drawers and a ‘mirrored wardrobe’ to raise funds for the film, and that the priest Don Pietro was modeled on on Father Don Morosini, who was executed by the Nazis in 1944. When one speaks of humanism in the cinema, this film, and two by De Sica (BICYCLE THIEVES and UMBERTO D) are invariably mentioned first, and rightly so. Your own discussion here is fascinating for sure! I know Marilyn has a great piece up there! Thanks as always my great friend@
Sam –
Being on the outside (not catholic) looking in, the replacement process for the Pope is definitely complex and fascinating. I find it interesting that anyone in their 70’s and older would be considered. Not because they wouldn’t be seasoned, wise, and wonderful, but because of the non-longevity factor. It seems like the Catholic church would find itself in this same replacement process again, much sooner than later.
We’ve been wondering about your thoughts on OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL and sorta, kinda, had a hunch it would fall well short of the mark.
Like many of the other commentors have attested to, Len will tell you that having his gall bladder removed was one of the best decisions he ever made. It made a world of positive difference. And I’m confident that Lucille will feel the same way.
Onward!
Laurie—
Count yourself blessings (pun intended) that you are on the outside looking in, especially when you ponder the ills of this church and how we’ve seen corruption get pushed under the carpet once too often. But that’s not to say that there aren’t some beautiful people among the college, and it would be great to see a major surprise in the voting. Of course we are talking here about a change in style rather than substance, as the 115 member voting conclave are mostly all ultra-conservatives appointed by either John Paul or Benedict. Speaking of longevity, what’s interesting is that Benedict (Joseph Ratzinger) may well have lived into a 90’s when you consider his older brother (also a man of the cloth) is close to 90 himself. So, even though he was elected at age 78, he could have still turned his pontificate into a long one had he stayed on till death. Still, he went 8 years, which all things considered was long. But yes, you are right in that the cardinals should be looking for someone in their 50’s or early 60’s.
You may like OZ a bit more, but certainly there seem to be a fair number of naysayers out there. Thanks so much for those reassuring words from Len, which I will pass on to Lucille. Thanks as ever my great friend! Have a terrific week!
Hello Sam and everyone!
First of all, thanks for featuring my blog at the blogroll with my latest entry on my personal blog. As always my good wishes and thoughts are with Lucille and you as well as your family, my prayers and good thoughts will be in my mind specially the coming weeks.
On the movies you Saw, well, I just love Jason and the Argonauts, it’s one of those childhood classics for me, my father and my brother, it’s sense of adventure and fantasy is just impressive and I rate it the same as you, ****1/2, on the Oz film, well, let’s see…
My week movie wise (I’m saving some for a surprise):
– You, the Living (2007, Roy Andersson) ****1/2 A surprisingly warm fantasy of modern life, of sorts, with great small shorts and vignettes of life with quirky characters and beautiful cinematography, it has many comedic and highly musical moments as well, it’s one of those films that were lauded as among the best of the past decade and that was my main reason to see it, and I think that while not on my list, sure, I can understand why some people would put it there.
– High Rise (1973, Danny Steinmann) **1/2 Danny Steinmann was a director that recently died and who started his career with this particular film, a porno with a ridiculous plot and even more ridiculous music. The movie gets most of its high points just because of how wild and crazy it is, but the rest of the elements there are just barely passable at most times.
– The Shadow Within (1970, Yoshitaro Nomura) **** A japanese independent film that features the story of a salaryman that grows bored of his wife and suddenly comes across a girl from his home town, there his own childhood and the attitude of the fatherless son of her become mixed up in a series of tense and chilling scenes, with some nice cinematography this is a hidden treasure of japanese thrillers done with more brains in the style and visuals as well as in the plot.
– Wolf Children (2012, Mamoru Hosoda) ****1/2 Hosoda is the future of japanese animation, and here he prooves it once again with this romantic, adventurous, sad, and at times heartbreaking story of a mother who tries to rise two kids that have the same feature that their dead father had: turning into wolves at will. The classic struggle of wild vs civilization is enforced with the translation of the locations of the film to the nature and the seclusion that the mother wants to put the children through. Great and beautiful animation as well, one of my favorites in a while.
– Oz the Great and Powerful (2013, Sam Raimi) **** I thought that this particular film was good and at times great thanks to the presence of the maestro Sam Raimi behind the camera, who gave the mainstream Disney film a flourish and an authoral cover with visual flourishments as well as plot developments from the earlier films of his filmography, just like he did in his own Spiderman trilogy. I loved the colors and the performances, I had a great time at the theater, and of course, I loved the Bruce Campbell cameo, if there was ever a reason to see a movie it’s that.
– The Unseen (1980, Danny Steinmann) ***1/2 Steimann’s debut on the mainstream filmmaking was with this indie horror movie, a slow burner that manages to have a punch or two towards the audience in terms of twists and turns that the plot can make here and there to make it interesting. Besides, it’s decently performed, and the horror here in terms of what is the scare is quite original in terms that it isn’t done enough, the deformed incest son that kills is just an interesting creature.
That’s all Sam, have a good week!
Jaimie—-
Thanks as always for the very kind words my friend! I am sure all will be well with Lucille, and appreciate the concern and support. Nice to have another perspective on OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL with that solid four-star rating from you. I realize the film does have fans, and some of the factors I identified as ‘debits’ could just as easily be admired. Of the others yo discuss I am definitely a big fan of Andersson’s YOU THE LIVING. I am not familiar though with Steinman and appreciate your responses. I am most interested in WOLF CHILDREN and THE SHADOW WITHIN and very much appreciate reading of your similar love for JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, one of the greatest fantasy adventure films of them all. Again, thank you my friend, and have a great week!
Thanks for the mention Sam. Hope all goes fine with the surgery and warm wishes to Lucille and all of the family.
Love the insight into the papal voting system. I had followed it in the initial days only because Marc Ouellet’s name made the story quite prevalent here. But his name gradually drifted out of the running. The voting process reminds of how the Soccer World Cup host nation is selected with individual members balancing their vote between a candidate nation’s relevance and long term implications of their selection. Legacy is often talked about when members cast their vote and some members want to go with a bold selection. While some members want to return the game to its roots by selecting a host with a deep history. In a way, this tension between past and future also seems to be mirrored in the papal voting process.
I had no desire to see Oz and your rating confirms my expectations. Although, I was pleasantly surprized by Escape from Planet Earth. I didn’t think I would get much out of it but found the pokes at Star Wars, Star Trek and the whole Area 51 conspiracy amusing.
Much appreciated Sachin! I am figuring all will be well indeed.
I agree that Ouellet’s name has dropped from where it was in the original analysis, but he is still being seen as a viable compromise candidate if there isn’t a way to decide between Scola and Scherer. They are now saying the four that could be proposed if the conclave is not quickly decided are Ouellet, O’Malley, Dolan or Erdo. True what you say about ‘past’ and ‘future’ in your fascinating comparison between the papal conclave and the Soccer World Cup. Ha! Today I was reading comments under news articles where readers were really teeing off against this age-old process, asking among other satiric swipes why people who have long been entrusted with moral leadership will now elect those who assert they are there as a result of the ‘will of God,’ yet these are the people who have covered up the sex abuse charges. hard to argue that, but historically and politically this remains a fascinating event. Interesting what you say there about ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH. Thanks very much my friend!
Thank for the mention, Sam, and good luck to Lucille…
Thanks so very much for that WS my very good friend!
I did not watch any movies this week because I am just reading in every available minute to get caught up and then to day they are supposed to be over nighting a book to me for MONDAY – a new find revealed. I can hardly wait for it’s arrival.
I think most of your readers would totally enjoy the CAPITAL OF THE WORLD by Mires review that went up Monday. It is the history behind picking the site for the United Nations – the author a Rutger’s professor includes some very funny stories and the read is quite a mirror on the prejudices and blindness of the American boosters of their own communities.
the review for Friday is about The great seducers of history – and Duke Ellington is a major player in this tome. We are losing our great Lady’s MEN with all our texting and tweeting and they are becoming extinct – though the new classes to teach men how to LOVE women are not doing the trick and are way off the mark.
I was hoping the BOYS CLUB would be looking for some fresh ideas and not just keep wallowing in the past – but after reading THE GOOD POPE, I am even less optimistic. There is lots of discussion here about the selection process and of course about all the scandal and sexual misconduct of priests. The Homosexual community here is quite active and there is a huge Matthew FOX fan club.. The Catholic Nuns in our area are extremely radical and outspoken. So I am interested in how things are emerging locally.
Waiting to hear how my daughter liked OZ she of course will be looking at the computer generated art and she went with 2 pre-teens who are very savvy.
Always a pleasure to stop by here…now I have to get writing on my next review and pick up the pace here! Good health to you all
Patricia—
Thanks as always for your ever-comprehensive response on these pages! Yes, the intricacies of THE GOOD POPE and it’s application on this week’s historical event make it quite a worthwhile supplement at this time. As I have said to others here, no matter what happens in the conclave there will be little change in the church. This is a contest of style rather than substance. The American cardinal Timothy Dolan, is easily the most charismatic and appealing of anyone in the college, and for those wanting a more pastoral pope, he is their man. Dolan and O’Malley are hugely popular with the Italian press and masses in fact. Yes the sex scandals have many rightly asking how cardinals who were engaged in coverups can now purport to promulgate the wishes of God in the selection process.
I’d be most interested in knowing what your daughter thought of OZ. CAPITAL OF THE WORLD sounds terrific, as the subject is one that greatly interests me. And Duke Ellington and the great “seducers” of history is also an irresistible subject. Great to hear you have been on a reading binge as of late. Thanks as always my friend! Have a great week!
Hey Sam,
Thanks for the kind mention. I am finally back from the West Coast and still a bit jet-lagged. Ah well. Did see some warm sunshine so that’s always good. Sending you, Lucille, and the family much love and good vibes. I certainly know how stress levels can go up in the face of medical procedures, so my thoughts and support is with you especially during this time. Things will turn out just fine I know they will.
On the movie front, I finally finished Berlin Alexanderplatz and it’s just a staggering achievement. Probably one of the 100 best films ever made and probably Fassbinder’s greatest work. I still think he is vastly underrated, even in today’s world. I will write up a piece on it.
I also watched Chinese Roulette and thought it to be a fascinating psychological drama from Fassbinder.
I also liked Angelopolous’s Landscape in the Midst. I found it to be a very poignant human story with some fine visuals.
Then there was End of Watch. Geez it was Godawful! My goodness enough with the shaky-cam and the gimmick of having the characters carry around the camera. What an annoying movie! Ick.
Well up this week…..I’m not sure yet. I have to go pick up some movies now that I’m back in town! Have a great week Sam!
Jon—
Your regular traveling is really remarkable, and your energy to manage it week in and week out trumps anyone who makes claim for movies as the ultimate demonstration of resilience. Ha! Yes, BERLIN ALEXANDERPLATX is a staggering masterwork, as I noted in the 1980 voting, where I placed it #1 on my ballot. I greatly look forward to your review. I have been away from the blogs over the past few days but I will be checking into FILMS WORTH WATCHING this afternoon. In any case I also find BA as one of the greatest films of all-time, and Fassbinder’s supreme masterpiece. CHINESE ROULETTE is very fine, as is the Angelopoulos. Haven’t seen END OF WATCH, but no doubt you are dead-on. Have a great weekend my friend and many thanks too about your kind words about Lucille. Today we got he official date about the gall bladder procesure: Thursday, April 4, which of course is three weeks away.
Sam,
Thanks again for the shout out. As you know this past Friday I hung nine (was suppose to be 10 but there was not enough room) 0f my photos as part of a group show that will run through the end of May at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. This past week I also had a phone interview with Dwayne Epstein, author of a new bio on Lee Marvin. I am currently in the middle of transcribing the one hour conversation and hope to have it posted sometime next week. in between I did catch the following films. Hope you and your family are well.
The Killers (****) Don Siegel’s remake holds up very well and has even gotten better with age. Lee Marvin’s cool, cold killer steals the film from fairly a good cast. Originally scheduled to be the first movie made for TV, after the Kennedy assassination it was deemed too violent for TV and was released in theaters.
Guns of Diablo (**) Two part episode of the TV series THE TRAVELS OF JAMIE MCPHEETERS turned into a feature film with a couple of added scenes. MGM did some similar things with THE MAN FROM UNCLE series also. Charles Bronson and Kurt Russell star. Overall, rather ordinary TV fare.
Castle on the Hudson (***) Remake of “20,000 Yeats in Sing Sing” and for what it’s worth this version holds up better than the original thanks to John Garfield’s attitude which adds some sparks.
Split Second (**) Dull crime film despite DP Nick Musurara behind the camera. First film directed by Dick Powell.
A Day at the Races (****1/2) The musical numbers are a drag and stop this from being a comic masterpiece, otherwise the Marx Brothers are spectacular along with the great Margaret Dumont who is just superb here. What a treat!
John—-
You really had a fabulous week! I congratulate you on the photo show, and will be looking ahead to seeing a Facebook presentation! What I have seen previously was most impressive! And how great is that to have an upcoming interview on the Lee Marvin volume with Dwayne Epstein!?! I will be reading it at TWENTY FOUR FRAMES when posted! I completely agree with you on the re-make of THE KILLERS and THE GUNS OF DIABLO. I do like SPLIT SECOND more than you do, and though I adore the Marxes, I am marginally lower on DAY AT THE RACES. Still I do like it of course and can’t blame you for the high regard. I haven’t seen CASTLE ON THE HUDSON. Again, I want to commend you for your incomparable energy and creativity on all fronts my friend! Best wishes to you and Dorothy and have a great weekend! Thanks too for the kind words!
Thanks Sam & Tony for the mention, and apologies for being late in joining in.
I’m glad to know that Lucille isn’t in any danger though she needs to be operated on. I’m sure everything is going to turn fine in the end for you and your family. Interestingly, laparoscopic surgery has reminded me of my earlier job where I used to do engineering design & analysis (more specifically, Finite Element Analysis – a Mechanical Engg. field) of laparoscopic surgical instruments, including New Product Developments.
Yes, I read the news that white smoke has been released, indicating that a new Pope has been selected – which, as I can understand, is a momentous occasion for the Catholics around the world.
Anyway, here’s what I watched in the past week:
– The acerbic but mediocre noir by Robert Wise, Born to Kill
– Kiarostami’s delectably self-reflexive Certified Copy
– Yoshida’s complex, audacious & formally ambitious magnum opus, Eros + Massacre
– The reasonably good (if not great) black comedy by Scorsese, The King of Comedy
– The dark, disconcerting & visually mesmerizing Woman in the Dunes by Teshigahara
– Cassavetes’ much celebrated Indie feature, Faces
Shubhajit—
Thanks for the very kind words my friend! The date is April 4th, and I’m also sure all will be well. Interesting what you say there too about your previous job design instruments for this procedure! Yes, white smoke billowed out in Rome and we have a right wing orthodox, who like nearly all in the college of cardinals is out of touch with the modern world, but there is no question that ‘Francis’ is a champion of the poor, much like the beloved Saint whose name he honored. I agree with you on BORN TO KILL as I stated at your review. CERTIFIED COPY is excellent, and EROS is extraordinary (Allan’s favorite film of it’s decade) and concur KING OF COMEDY is good and not great. I like FACES, but not quite as much as everyone else, and do agree that DUNES is mesmerizing. A masterpiece. Thanks as ever my great friend! Hope you have a terrific weekend!
Sam, thanks so much for the mention, as always. Been quiet on the movie-watching front of late. But I did want to stop in and tell you that Lucille and your family are in my thoughts.
Thanks so much, Sam, for all that you do. Hope you’re having an awesome week!