Screen cap from Australian charmer “The Sapphires” about Down Under soul-singing quartet
by Sam Juliano
March of last year boasted some lovely Spring weather, as 19 of the first 22 days of the month yielded to temperatures of 60 degrees and higher in the metropolitan area. This year the number of days that have gone 60 degrees or higher is zero. With snow, and numbers in the low 30’s we’ve seen a raw extension of the Winter season, and can only hope that April will finally reverse the dogged course. A late weather report today is revealing that we will have several inches of snow today, starting in the morning.
The 2013 Tribeca Film Festival will be launching in Manhattan on Thursday April 18th, and will run until Sunday April 28th. If everything goes as expected I will be attending quite a few films with Lucille during the ten day period on passes that are likely to be sent my way. As was the case like last year, I will be exhaustively covering the festival at WitD.
The U.S. congress has once again showed it’s cowardice, bowing to the powerful NRA gun lobby by killing the assault weapon ban that has been so vigorously proposed after the Newtown tragedy back in December. When anyone looks at the terrible events that defined that incomparable calamity, it’s clear that mental health issues are to be considered as strongly as the matter of gun control. But regardless, weapons of war have no place on the streets, and congress have proven themselves unwitting enablers of future disasters.
I spent this past week watching a number of films on my plasma, before heading out over the weekend to take in three classics and one new release. Lucille and I watched the following, with the three boys on hand for the Sunday Film Forum Jr. screening, and Sammy for both Kubricks; Danny for one Kubrick and Jeremy for the Australian film:
The Sapphires **** 1/2 (Friday night) Landmark Sunshine Cinemas
2001: A Space Odyssey ***** (Saturday) IFC Film Center
A Clockwork Orange ***** (Saturday) IFC Film Center
Young Frankenstein *** 1/2 (Sunday) Film Forum
THE SAPPHIRES won twelve Australian Academy Awards last year, and just this week opened on US screens. It’s the real-life story of four Aboriginal women who form a singing group in the 60’s, belting out soul music with a noted individual style and bravado. The film is based on a stage play by Tony Briggs, whose own mother is one of the four in the group. Briggs co-wrote the film with director Wayne Blair. This utterly charming indigenous work features a spirited Chris O’Dowd as the scruffily likable talent scout who discovers the girls. Inevitably the film will be compared to Dreamgirls, but there’s far more earthy grit than there is glitz, and the social issues have more immediacy. There are some harrowing scenes of war violence that mirror some actual events, but in the end the film is irresistible.
All thirteen of Stanley Kubrick’s feature films are screening at the state-of-the-art IFC Film Center as a lead-up to the documentary ROOM 237 that will be opening on Thursday at the same art house multiplex in downtown Manhattan. The Saturday afternoon screening of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY is simply one of the most unforgettable events I can remember on the movie front, and it actually elevated what was already considered a masterpiece of the cinema. The huge screen of the theater’s first-floor theater was a perfect match for a film that has always used size to incomparable advantage. Similarly, it was a remarkable experience to take in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, a film I have seen many times on the big screen, firstly back in 1971 when as a just licensed 17-year old I was treated to my first ever “towing” when my car was lifted from what was an unrealized illegal spot on 61st Street. Back in those days it was financially manageable -$75 I believe- but as I was in attendance with two friends, the whole incident was rather embarrassing, and is often brought up in conversation. But it’s always a thrill to re-visit the Korova Milk Bar, the prison employment of the Ludovico Technique and a bit of the old ultra-violence. I have tentative plans to see Barry Lyndon yet again on Tuesday night, when it makes it’s only screening in this festival. My son Sammy has not yet seen it. As I have stated in the past I do believe that Kubrick’s four big color films starting with 2001 are his supreme masterpieces: 2oo1; A Clockwork Orange; Barry Lyndon and The Shining.
The Film Forum Jr. series continued this past week with an 11:00 A.M. screening of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, a film that has always delighted Lucille and the three boys, all of whom were in attendance. I have always preferred The Producers and Blazing Saddles among Mel Brooks’s pantheon, but the film does have it’s moments. Next week there will be a ‘hats’ contest prior to the holiday showing of EASTER PARADE.
Prior to the theatrical cinema burst over the weekend, I managed to take in a number of films on my at home plasma, which included Sono’s GUILTY OF ROMANCE and STRANGE CIRCUS; Four Joan Crawford films from the 50’s: HARRIET CRAIG, QUEEN BEE, AUTUMN LEAVES and THE STORY OF ESTHER COSTELLO; the BBC HAMLET AT ELSINORE with Christopher Plummer and the new Twilight Time blu-ray of the 1943 THE SONG OF BERNADETTE.
Links are re-posted again. I hope to u-date over the next two days:
Judy Geater reviews “The Band Wagon” at Movie Classics: http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/the-band-wagon-vincente-minnelli-1953/
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 
So glad to hear you bringing our nurturing, junior film critic, the remarkable Sammy Jr, with you to the Kubrick festival. If more young adults could see these films on the big screens, as originally intended, I believe you’d find more uncontested fanatics for these films than ever before. Most only ever see them for the first time on TV, and while home theatre systems are progressively getting bigger and better they still miss out in adding to the awe of the monumental screen experiences.
Yes, to be honest Dennis, I was inspired to see these films for the umpteenth time because Sammy had not seen them on the big screen. The IFC Film Center’s big first floor state-of-the-art screen is really the way to go with these films, and this weekend only enhanced the appreciation ten-fold. You are right that at the very least each of these films should be seen in this fashion once. Have a great week my friend!
Sam, tell Sammy (I command you! ha) to read “A Clockwork Orange’ (it’s a fast read). Once you get into the rhythms of Burgess’ nadsat teen slang the novel’s a gas (there’s some 60’s slang for you).
Indeed Mark! This is one novel I did read back in the day when the film was released, and Sammy has been making some inquires about it!
“As I have stated in the past I do believe that Kubrick’s four big color films starting with 2001 are his supreme masterpieces: 2001; A Clockwork Orange; Barry Lyndon and The Shining.”
I completely agree with this statement (and some of the people on the site are directly responsible when it comes to one film in particular). Room 237 and To The Wonder are my two must sees in the upcoming weeks.
Aye Maurizio, I have seen your agreement on this position at the site in prior discussions. I also am greatly looking forward to both ROOM 237 and TO THE WONDER, both of which will be seen in the upcoming two weeks. The spectacularly-praised Kubrick documentary actually opens on Thursday, and I will be seeing it on Friday. Thanks as always my friend!
I am going to do my best to see the Kubricks on the big screen as well. I am slightly bummed that these are DCP prints, it seems like the nail is officially in the coffin for ever seeing the 35mm prints again. I know they did the side by side comparison at the Film Forum last year, but in the past few months the 35mm prints I have seen of Herzog’s Nosferatu and Electra Glide in Blue, among others, have made me long for the hiss and rough edges of celluloid. When this argument first started coming up I wasn’t too concerned about it, but as 35mm appears to be going the way of the dinosaurs I am starting to feel sad about it. I’m splitting hairs though. Did you take the kids to see Spring Breakers yet?
I got a phone call from Dennis’s friend Jack Marsh the other day:
And you know people in Florida are very upset about Broken Summer because they got tax credits to shoot that movie down here and there is underage sex and nudity and drug use and when I saw it people there were three different guys breathing heavy in the theater like they were having an asthma attack, and there was a girl on her knees in front of a guy in the row behind me and you don’t need to have an imagination to understand what she was doing. And half of the crowd looked like they did drugs in the parking lot. Marjorie wrote a letter to her editor about the way it portrayed Florida as some kind of drug playground and Florida’s not like that. They didn’t show any golf courses or palm trees in that movie. How can you make a movie about Florida and not show any golf courses? And you know Serena Williams she can kiss Disney goodbye because she was cursing and in a bikini and smoking and she has a lot of kids that are fans of hers. What is the matter with her parents that they let her do a movie like that doesn’t know she know all of the people who follow her are going to follow her and try to be in drug movies? This is why people were against Obama because this is the way this country is headed and if these kids are praised for being on vacation instead of in school then we can forget about ever beating China.
Aye Jason, in the end I agree that it is splitting hairs. I remember when CDs came in to upend high-quality vinyl the same type of complaint was made, with some preferring the hiss and warmth of the older format. But having seen both DCP and 35 MM of these very films I can say the different is less than minimal. But like you I do mourn the issue of 35 mm disappearing. Jason, I did not take the kids to see SPRING BREAKERS yet. The reviews are generally mixed, but I must say I was shocked to see that the ordinarily difficult-to-please Manohla Dargis of THE NEW YORK TIMES is down as giving it a review that translates to ‘100’ on Metacritic. Now that’s shocking. Hope to get to it soon enough. As far as Jack’s phone call I am still in stitches!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!
Have a great week my friend. Sammy and I will be seeing BARRY LYNDON on Tuesday night, to let you know.
I found The Sapphires to be absolutely flaccid, imitative, incompetent garbage, and I say that as someone whoo knows both the co-screenwriter and relatives of the real-life models.
Wow Rod, do tell me how you really feel! Ha! Well, as always I respect your position and can only say with a number of films we have different tastes. I found the film guilty of not one of your complaints myself, and frankly found it buoyant, inspired and wholly exhilarating. I had quite a bit of fun watching it. Thanks as always. Have a great week my friend.
Well, for some balance here. They do say no man is an island. Pun intended. But hey, not all of us want every film to be a masterpiece. This is a movie that brings us a bright side to a sorry tale of neglect and despair. Our indigenous people have had it tough for too long. This is a story that needed telling and to reach a wide audience. The film is not a masterpiece but neither does it deserve this kind of pompous dismissal. I can add nothing to Sam’s joyful and open assessment. Most Aussies love this film, and understandably. Even, most established US critics while acknowledging its flaws can indulge in the feel good factor, and give it a thumbs up. Only the wankers at Slant, have judged it poorly, against imposed criteria that just don’t apply. And as far as I know the ladies who inspired the film, love it. I have also read the limited US release has been so successfull, the distributor is working on wider distribution across the country.
Why, he questioned in mild amusement, if the pro column is so stacked and overwhelmingly righteous, is balance therefore required when the anti column raises its voice? And citing uncritical standards as a means of bludgeoning an opinion is the very height of pomposity. This shall be the end of my comments here, on all and any future occasions, Sam.
Close the door, it gets draughty.
Thanks again for the shout out. I admittedly am not a fan of “2001” but I do think A CLOCKWORK ORANGE is one of Kubrick’s supreme achievements. The FF Jr. series continues to be a wonderful introductory source with Brooks YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. The entire gun lobby thing is disheartening as is our Congress. I am at a point now where I expect nothing from them and am not disappointed anymore. Anyway, have a great week!
On the film front this week…
They Drive By Night (****) Probably rated this film higher than most would, but I admittedly have a soft spot for it. Bogart is rather low-key, Raft is better than usual but it’s Ida Lupino’s conniving widow almost sending an innocent Raft to jail who steals the movie though her breakdown at the end is a bit overboard. Walsh keeps the film moving.
The Return of Frank James (***1/2) After the death of his brother Jesse, Henry Fonda’s Frank James comes out of hiding to find the Ford Brothers and romance Gene Tierney. Fictitious version of the James legend but Fonda gives a strong performance and Henry Hull is entertaining as the newspaper publisher. Nicely filmed by cinematographer George Barnes.
Front Page Woman (***) Bette Davis is a female reporter in a battle of the sexes with George Brent, a reporter for a rival paper. Entertaining enough if nothing to rave about.
House on 92nd Street (***) – FBI, double agents and a Nazi spy all directed by Henry Hathaway. The quasi-documentary style drama, filmed in NYC, gives a nice touch of realism but the story drags at times and frankly I never found Lloyd Nolan an appealing presence.
Take the High Ground (**1/2) Worth seeing for Richard Widmark’s hard ass performance as a Korean War Vet now a Drill Sgt. at Fort Bliss, Texas. Other than that this is a pretty standard story of raw recruits from varying backgrounds in basic training. Gets points for reflecting the military was now integrated.
Phantom of the Rue Morgue (**1/2) Predictability, a lack of chilling scenes and a slow pace equal mediocrity. Apparently, this was originally released in 3-D back in the early 1950’s and it may have worked a bit better in that format. On the flat screen, it’s just that, flat.
John—
Great to hear you have such high regard for A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. We enjoyed a fantastic viewing on Saturday night that has not only maintained it in the general perception, but has enhanced it further if that is even possible. The family really did enjoy YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, and the screening was a sell-out.
Glad to hear you are in complete agreement with Congress’ despicable stand on the assault weapons ban. As I stated in my Newtown post around six weeks ago, if the murder of 20 elementary school children in their classrooms isn’t the motivation to enact change, well then there will never be any change. It’s a position that has the rest of the world shaking their heads, and that’s an understatement.
I can’t say I am far off from your ratings this week to be honest. I also would go with four for the solid THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT and would go with three for FRANK JAMES, which is beautifully-filmed but a bit bland. I like RUE MORGUE a bit more, but agree with some of your issues. Pretty much agree on HOUSE and FRONT PAGE WOMEN, but haven’t seen TAKE THE HIGH GROUND. Terrific capsules as always my friend! Have a great week!
Good morning, Sam,
Kubrick on the big screen!!! How I envy you. I wish I could see 2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY on the big screen again, now that I’ve come to really appreciate it. I saw it in college, but it went right over my head (perhaps I should have been smokng the same illicit substance as many of my fellow audience members that night, so as to ehance the experience!) I would give anything to see BARRY LYNDON on a big screen, another of Kubrick’s films I’ve come to fully appreciate only very belatedly. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is always fun.
The latest twist in an ever-stranger winter/spring: today’s storm missed the Chicago area entirely. We’re expected to warm up into the low 50s by Easter Sunday, which will be a wonderful respite from a long, gray winter. Our energies here have been mostly consumed by moving Marlon in and finally consolidating our households – on top of work, that leaves little time for films and even less for blogging. However I did manage to catch BEYOND THE HILLS this week. I found it a difficult and challenging film, but one that stayed with me for days; I was especially struck by its subtlety and refusal to make easy judgments of its characters, plus the dislocating sense of place in the depiciton of the monastery – and the contrast of that against scenes in the greater, more contemporary world – chillingly underscored the entirely different kinds of moral logic operating in those two worlds. Really exceptional filmmaking from Christian Mingui, if not nearly as accessible as his prior great FOUR MONTHS,THREE WEEKS,TWO DAYS.
We relaxed on Saturday night with a TCM double feature of GUN CRAZY and ANNIE OAKLEY. I also watched Alex Karpovsky’s RED FLAG, an agreeable, scruffy little indie with more than a dollop of Woody Allen-esque neurosis in the Karpovsky character and a few good luaughs. Karpovsky is one of the brighther lights in the cast of GIRLS, and I’m looking foward to watching another of his films, RUBBERNECK, via OnDemand in the near future.
Take care and have a great week!!
Pat—-
It seems like you have taken the same path as Maurizio as far as BARRY LYNDON is concerned, in that there is some late appreciation. I must admit that I came to fully see it for what it is – I would now include it among the top ten films ever made if I published a desert island list – but I didn’t feel that way back in the 70’s and 80’s. The same could be said about THE SHINING, which I now see as a stone-cold masterpiece like the others in discussion here. Yes, I bet those fellow movie-goers were engaging in enhancement for their screening of 2001. Ha! Well, I will readily admit that the viewing I had of it on Saturday afternoon on that huge state-of-the-art screen in DCP was the greatest ever for me. I walked out stunned. Hopefully you’ll get a crack at a Kubrick Festival soon enough. The IFC decided to offer it as a lead-in to the Thursday opening of ROOM 237. Thrilled to read your strong reaction and excellent capsule on BEYOND THE HILLS. It is definitely a film that grows on you, and I suspect it will hang around for months to be included on a year-end ‘best of’ list. GUN CRAZY is quite impressive of course, and ANNIE OAKLEY is worth a view as well. I have not seen RED FLAG and am most intrigued with your assessment of Karpovsky’s work in it. Thanks as always my friend! Have a great week!
Sam, I have heard nothing but great things about The Sapphires. Pretty incredible reviews. You had to figure that there would be comparisons with Dreamgirls for more than one reason too. Hope to see it soon.
Kubrick in that manner is cinematic bliss.
Frank—
THE SAPPHIRES has received fantastic reviews stateside, as you will see on the composite sites, but of our Australian friends we are one for two, with Tony d’Ambra singing it’s praises and Rod Heath roundly dismissing it. Gauging your own taste I am 100% certain you will love it. Thanks as always my friend.
Hello Sam and everyone! Well, it seems that April will be festival season for the both of us, and it will be a great time as well! Hah! Well, beyond that, I’ve been working hard and making the best until the job is done and can go on my vacation.
I’ve seen most of what you’ve seen this week, mostly re-runs, as I grant 2001 and Clockwork Orange the same marks as you, they are among my favorite films of all time and masterpieces. I rank “Young Frankenstein” at ****1/2 and prefer it to the famous and controversial Blazing Saddles.
So, my week movie wise:
– A propósito de Buñuel (2000, José Luis López-Linares, Javier Rioyo) **** An informed and well researched documentary on the spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel, with interviews with practically everyone who knew him and/or worked with him, there are no exceptions and no blank spots, this is most likely the perfect document to start someone with Buñuel, it was shown at the class that I’m the teacher’s aid of, and it caused a good reaction. It has some clever editing so that elevates the material a bit.
– The Last Stand (2013, Jee-woon Kim) **** Schwarzeneger comes back and he gives a good punch or two. Directed by one of the three most important korean genre filmmakers, he manages to translate some of his style to the mainstream action film that manages to become something else. There are many great and thrilling moments, filled with fun here and there, great car sequences (not like the blur and nothingness of the Fast and Furious films), great bloody action, some nice one-liners and above all a good sense of fun times.
– Los Olvidados (1950, Luis Buñuel) ***** What a heart-breaking and emotional film, even if Buñuel distances himself from the events happening on the screen, avoiding the tear-jerker, that manages it to become even greater in sense of how it still affects you what is happening with the small kids in the screen and how their childhood is simply interrupted due to their condition inside the maniacal capitalist environment of Mexico City. There are many strong sequences as well as actions, and it all feels so real that it hurts a lot, it’s another masterpiece from what is becoming one of my favorite filmmakers.
– La prima cosa bella (The First Beautiful Thing) (2010, Paolo Virzi) *** A troubled and psychologically perturbed man is having a breakdown now that his mother is dying of cancer. It tries to be a tearjerker but at the same time it tries to bring other elements to try to steer clear from that path, but at the end it just seems a bit convoluted and overcrowded with unnecesary flashbacks towards the life of he and his mother, we understand the relationship wasn’t good, show them in the present! Anyway, this italian film is just maybe a bit too overcrowded.
– Spellbound (2002, Jeffrey Blitz) **** Shows the journey of many kids to the national (US) spelling bee contest. A great film in terms of how it chose its protagonists and it managed to keep with a group that would go ahead in the competition. It’s a nice view of what is the relationship between parent and son, the training they go through, the complicated words they are given, it’s a ghastly ordeal, but is it worth it? Maybe the film doesn’t answer that, but it’s a great thing that a documentary about it was made.
– Bring me the Head of the Machinegun Woman (2012, Ernesto Díaz Espinoza) ***1/2 A chilean film labeled as part of the LatinXploitation movement, an over-violent and funny film with a clear videogame aesthetic and 70’s exploitation homage at the same time. There are some clever bits and others that show the low budget that this was working with. Still, an achievement in genre filmmaking for Chile.
– The Grandmaster (2013, Wong Kar Wai) ***** Wow. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say. It was what I expected: beautiful, emotional, entrancing, a moving picture with all its words. A beautiful amount of fight choreography makes it even better, the fight sequences, the walking sequences, everything with a great cinematography and detail to the period in which it takes place. It’s the great film of 2013 and I see little adversaries coming forward to take that place. I need to see it again and again and again.
That’s all Sam, have a good week!
Jaimie—
Great to hear that we will be sharing Festival notes for this coming month. I officially received my confirmation from Mr. Pete Torres today by e mail, and am prepared to become a man on a mission from April 18 to April 28. I still need to check out the schedule, or some of the films that will be offered. I am not sure it has been posted yet. And likewise I am looking to hear what you will be seeing in the coming weeks! I am not at all surprised that you give 2001 and A CLOCKWORK ORANGE very high marks! And you are in an overwhelming majority with YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, which I like but don’t love so so many others do. I simply cannot wait to see Kar Wai’s THE GRANDMASTER!!!! This is one of my favorite directors, and your five-star rating pretty much says it all. But you say more in your fine capsule. I did see SPELLBOUND in theaters back in 2002, and I absolutely loved it. In fact I had it in my Top 10 at around #9 as I recall. It’s simply irresistible. I have stayed clear of THE LAST STAND, but am intrigued by your favorable assessment. Of the others, I will swifty put the stamp of approval on a bonafide Bunuel masterpiece, LOS OLVIDADOS, which is frankly one of my absolute favorites by the great satirist. That film, however, with it’s meat/mother imagery has always been quite disturbing to me, especially in the savage murder of Julian by the delinquent Jaibo. A few other films you have written about do have me interested of course. Have a great week my friend. Many thanks as always!
Sam –
I know you’re describing your local weather, but it holds true for ours as well. I’m so ready for spring to arrive. Now!
You’ve definitely piqued my interest with THE SAPPHIRES.
I usually see one film a week, but with my right leg in a cast I saw three films on DVD this week — Whoohoo!
Chicken with Plums (2011 French drama)
Et maintenant, on va où? (2012 Arabic)
Abel’s Field (2012)
Laurie—
You can say that again! We are now having a raw rain mix out there, though they are now saying temperatures will move into the high 40’s tomorrow. This has been some Winter. Ugh! And I should hardly complain, knowing how Chicagoans have suffered this year. I am sure you will love THE SAPPHIRES. I actually only saw one of the three you have seen, and that was CHICKEN WITH PLUMS, which I took in at the Tribeca Festival last April. There was a good deal of magic in that film, methinks. Not perfect, but I much enjoyed it. I again extend wishes for a great week my friend! Many thanks as always.
Sam your link sharing schedule has me feeling overwhelmed just thinking about all the blog visits! Thank you as always for your inclusion of Creative Potager. I have a new post up this morning called “Finding the Rhythm of the Sea in oil on canvas in the art studio” which I think you will enjoy. But on the movie front I have two offerings:
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS – 2006, directed by Gabriele Muccino. Talk about no matter how hard you try everything is just plain difficult! The biographical story of stoke broker Chris Gardner is one I will not soon forget as he stays focused on a vision that seems unattainable. The obstacles Gardner faces and the love of his son are equally heartbreaking and inspiring. A must watch for anyone who hasn’t seen it.
THE NOTEBOOK – 2004, directed by Nick Cassavetes. A love story like no other as an elderly man reads a story to an elderly woman who at the beginning of the movie does not seem to know who he is. The story he is reading is about young lovers who are separated by southern class differences, geography, family meddling, and the passage of time. I secretly love tales of men who are hopeless and relentless romantics! The film is a going on my personal list of “movie gems.” For fear of giving away too much, I shall stop here.
All the best of a short week Sam and the Wonders in the Dark community as we approach the Easter weekend!
Terrill—-
Thank you my friend! Well, I should have updated as I had planned to, but Sunday included an early screening, so I had to cut back again. Your love of THE NOTEBOOK would all by itself have you forging a lifetime friendship with Lucille and Melanie! Ha! It’s one of Melanie’s favorite films ever in fact, and she’s always asking me about the work of the author and director. It is certainly a forerunner in that kind of film, and it has moved and inspired many. I like THE PERSUIT a bit less, but Lucille loves it as much as you do, and I should really watch it again. You have framed both films marvelously as always. Yes, Easter is fast approaching, and we do have a half day on Thursday and off on Friday. The best to you and David, and I will soon be heading over to see your latest creative work my friend!!! Happy Holiday!
Saw one new (new to me, anyway) picture this week: ‘Titus’, or Hannibal Lechter Meets Fellini Satyricon, Julie Taymor’s high concept, patently show-biz razzle-dazzle adaptation of ‘Titus Andronicus’, Shakespeare’s goriest play, a slaughterhouse of murder, dismemberment, cannibalism and rape. And as if that weren’t enough overload (‘Titus’ isn’t one of the Bard’s greatest), Taymor adds unto Shakespeare a gaudy Roman orgy, some of which was cut to avoid an NC-17 rating. Well, at least Taymor may have helped pull this tragedy of heinous revenge out of its undeserved obscurity. With Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange (she seethes as Tamora, Queen of the Goths) and a very effete Alan Cumming as Saturninus.
Ha Mark! Your description of Shakespeare’s notorious (but yes well-deserving of far more attention) gorefest is brilliant. TITUS is unavoidably uneven to say it mildly, but I still liked it to some extent. This is a kind of Shakespearean CALIGULA. Perhaps this would have been a good choice for Jarmon. I like Taymor’s style (I am a fan of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE) and am willing to dismiss what many others will not. Thanks for the creative assessment here Mark! Have a great week!
Yes, a Shakespearean R-rated ‘Caligula’, that’s perfect.
The films of 1955: Lola Montes, Smiles of a Summer Night, Pather Panchali, Rififi, The Night of the Hunter, and……………..(drum roll)……….QUEEN BEE! I’m speechless. I nearly choked to death on my pinot grigio when Crawford gave Lucy Marlowe’s pretty puss the slap heard ’round the studio, a tooth-rattling, Jake LaMotta-like wallop. I never recovered from the shock. Kim Morgan over at Sunset Gun has a great piece on ‘Queen Bee’ about the ambivalent feelings one has toward Crawford in her later mannish, ballbusting melodramas when she was ruthless and hard.
Fasten your seat belts: tonight it’s ‘Autumn Leaves’ and Harriet Craig’.
Mark—
Your 1955 short list and drum roll are fantastic! I can’t contest a single placement, and would add a few others (RICHARD III, LES DIABOLIQUES, EAST OF EDEN, REBEL WITHOUT A CASE, ORDET, THE MAN FROM LARAMIE and the two great shorts, NIGHT AND FOG and THE RED BALOON to that year’s Hall of Fame. But love your assessment of QUEEN BEE! Joan doesn’t change her spots in HARRIET CRAIG of course, but in AUTUMN LEAVES she’s quite admirable. Can’t wait to hear your response!
Hi Sam,
I’m jealous of the Kubrick marathon screenings you get to attend. It sounds fantastic.
I recently took advantage of a Criterion sale – 50% off! – and snagged up a few titles: Black Narcissus, Kes, Eyes Without a Face, Diabolique and Shoot the Piano Player. I watched the first two this week as I hadn’t seen them before. A great treat. I definitely preferred Kes, but both were pretty darn great. I plan to watch the other three this weekend when I am visiting my parents and can take advantage of their big screen tv.
Hope all is well.
Dave—-
Hopefully there will a chance for you to see some of these in the Toronto area. You picked up quite a few wonderful titles there -all essential- and like you I am huge fan of KES and the others. With Criterion’s newest title announcement (MARKETA LAZAROVA, SAFETY LAST, WILD STRAWBERRIES, THINGS TO COME and SHOAH for June) our wallets will not be getting a rest. And yes those titles on the big screen will look fantastic. Great hearing from you my friend! Have a terrific week!
I really wish I could have seen those Kubricks in that great place to watch movies. Especially 2001.
Ricky, the Kubrick Festival will be running through Thursday. There is still one more screening of THE SHINING and the one single screening of BARRY LYNDON is tomorrow night. Thanks as always my friend!
Sam, the only time I ever saw a Kubrick on a big screen was when the “restored” Spartacus made the rounds. Obviously I envy your easy access to a Kubrick fest, but I have other movies to watch. Since the Italian director Damiano Damiani died earlier this month, I took a look at his Confessions of a Police Captain and How to Kill a Judge. The former is a strong, tragic crime drama about a system that forces good men to distrust each other, while the latter (a kind of meta-sequel) somewhat self-consciously sends up the crime genre while again playing on the universal assumption of corruption and how people can exploit it. Also on the foreign front, I saw Marcel Carne’s Quai des Brumes on TCM and liked it a lot. On Netflix I saw Jess Franco’s Awful Dr. Orloff, the movie that established his archetypal vocabulary for the rest of his career — and the surprising thing is how ordinary and derivative it is, even if it’s decently crafted in some ways. On the domestic front I watched The Man From Colorado an early attempt at western noir (in color) with Glenn Ford a little too one-note as a psycho Civil War vet and William Holden a little too bland as his former friend; Sam Wood’s Paid, a Pre-Code amorality tale that turns into a twisty cat-and-mouse between the cops on one hand and Joan Crawford & Robert Armstrong on the other; and a bunch of stuff from W.S. Van Dyke. In his ethnographic mode we have The Pagan, a late silent with Ramon Novarro that could be compared interestingly with Woody’s other noble-savage story, Tarzan the Ape Man, and Eskimo, a structured documentary on the Flaherty model, a talkie with intertitles (the subtitle apparently hadn’t been invented yet) for translated dialogue and another indictment of the white man’s exploitation of primitive folk. WSVD also made Night Court, a melodramatic thriller with Walter Huston as a corrupt judge who suffers torture for his misdeeds, if that’s what you want to call Phillips Holmes slapping you around a lot. Not a bad week overall, but here’s hoping everyone’s is better, and condolences to Allan on his loss.
Samuel, SPARTACUS did have a well-promoted run years back, with NYC’s celebrated Ziegfeld hosting the premiere. Great capsule assessments there about the Damiani films, which I know about, but haven’t yet seen. I am a big fan of QUAI DES BRUMES,, and I have seen that Franco, which for some is a Trash Classic. I see the artistry in Rollin, but have never thought much of Franco, nor Fulci for that matter. I’d like to see NIGHT COURT and RAID, both of which you attractively frame. Similarly, I have not seen THE PAGAN and hope to at some point. Thanks as ever for another fascinating report my friend! Have a great week!
Sam,
Thank you for the mention.
I wish we had the similar retrospective on Kubrick here in Japan. As I complained many times before, the oppotunity for enjoying movies by projection is now scarce here. But the films like 2001, SPACE ODYSSEY, need to be shown on a huge screen.
Last weekend I saw ARBITRAGE (2012) starring Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon. It’s a bleak view of the world, in which everybody is and can be controlled by money. Tim Roth is a frustrated police detective, who investigates a woman’s death, which Gere is trying to cover up. A fair production.
I posted a new article up at my site.
http://vermillionandonenights.blogspot.com/2013/03/memory-is-requiem-for-dead-neurons-part.html?m=0
Part 2 wil be up shortly.
MI
MI—
I do hope at some point you will get the opportunity to see the Kubricks at a retrospective. I quite agree that 2001 is as essential a big-screen viewing as any film ever made, but I guess a case could be made for every one of the director’s other films as well, especially BARRY LYNDON, which I will be seeing tonight. I agree with your deft assessment of ARBITRAGE, and my own summary judgement is certainly no higher than “fair.” Looks like your new brilliant post deserves full immersion, and I’ll be checking it out very soon! Thanks as always my friend! Have a great week!
Sam, thank you for the kind mention.We have bitterly cold weather here too at the moment, but yours sounds even worse. I saw ‘Autumn Leaves’ not long ago and was very impressed by both Crawford and Robertson – haven’t as yet seen the others of hers that you mention here, but I plan to do so before long. I hope everyone has a good week and that the weather improves for us all.
In the last week I’ve seen three films for the first time at home. The first was ‘La Bandera’ (1935), a Julien Duvivier film with Jean Gabin joining the Spanish foreign legion and falling in love with Moroccan dancer Annabella. Must say I found this rather uneven and not quite up there with some of the other 1930s Gabins I’ve seen, but I’ve read that it was an important breakthrough role for him and it certainly has its moments.
The others were ‘Tokyo Joe’ (1949), a lesser Bogart film which is a rather pale imitation of ‘Casablanca’, but again has its good moments, and ‘Saturday’s Children’ (1940), a tragi-comedy directed by Vincent Sherman with John Garfield cast against type as a young bespectacled inventor, Claude Rains and Anne Shirley – I’ve reviewed this one and I liked it a lot although it does become increasingly bleak as it goes on.
Judy—
We thought temperatures would rise today, but it’s still chilly out there. I have heard from Allan too that you have suffered through a comparable cold season. With April around the corner, we can at least hope. Ha! Yes I agree both Crawford and Robertson were most effective, with Joan going against type for the most part. I have seen several Duviviers, but not LA BANDERA. Based on what you say it’s at least worth a single look. I need to check out SATURDAY’S CHILDREN and visit your recent post on it. Agreed that TOKYO JOE is a lesser Bogart. Thanks for the spirit report on all fronts, and let’s hope for a more pleasant week out there my friend!
RIP Harry Reems. Now the long departed Linda Lovelace can fellate him in the afterlife (and with his passing ‘Deep Throat’ seems an even more indelible cultural signpost, though I prefer ‘Behind the Green Door’ with the late Marilyn Chambers).
Ha Mark! A most worthy testament indeed!
Sam,
Hey I hope you are doing well my friend. Things have been very busy around here with work and March Madness in full swing. So have not watched many movies over the last week. Winter continues it’s grip. We had more snow flurries today and it’s still too cold to be doing much outside. May daughter asked me the other day, “Why does the weather not say Spring, even though the calendar DOES say Spring.” Haha she’s too smart for her own good.
Anyway, last night I watched Rust and Bone. I know you didn’t like it that much. I found it to be rather engrossing and well-acted. I did like how several shots and sequences were very expressive. Overall I think the film was a bit uneven, and I wouldn’t call it masterpiece by any stretch, however I did like it a good deal. It appears that Amour is finally coming to the area and will be playing at the kalamazoo film society in a few weeks. I will go check it out and then will finally be able to issue my “best of 2012” list. I was really waiting to be able to see Amour before finalizing this list and I think I’ll be ready by Mid-April.
I’m looking forward to upcoming releases of To the Wonder in April, and Before Midnight in May. Hoping they both deliver.
Well I’m wishing you all the best for a wonderful Easter with family and friends!
Jon—
Thanks as always for the concern and kind words. Since I have been concentrating on weight loss, I have felt so much better. I know that Winter continues to hold so many captive and your neck of the woods is pretty much on the top of this list according to some whop have reported over the past months. Ha, your daughter’s observation is a telling one! My position on RUST AND BONE, which admittedly not so favorable, seems to be in the minority, so I can’t say I am surprised at your positive assessment. I am sure I will give it another go at some point. I can’t blame you for delaying your 2013 ‘best of’ list without seeing AMOUR, which so many name as their favorite. I am also looking forward to the two films you note there Jon! TO THE WONDER is just a week or two away, methinks. Thanks as always my friend! Have a great weekend!
I was able to see Anna Karina with Kiera Knightly…this week by paying for it on the iTune streaming movies site. Several of my friends went up the pike to see QUARTET in the big city, but that was not in the cards for me….I am reviewing some amazing books right now and although I am still 8 behind ( was 11 at the start of the new year) I am enjoying the reading time and each new arrival – 5 more just this week.
We are in full daffodil mode and the Camellias are amazing this year…it is still too cold without a coat and hat and we just get come and go rain and then sun for a few brief moments. I did wear sunglasses on the way home from my Doctor’s visit.
I am on routine for medical exams which will be part of my cancer screenings for the next several weeks or may even a month. I have to say reading books is easier for me than movies for the next few.
Thank you for the great shout out about Patricias Wisdom. Although the new Paulo Coelho book does not have a give a way…most of the others do and these books are so amazing.
The good news is that during Lent I have gotten down #10s and still do not need medication….food and exercise are still doing the trick….Well Jack Benny probably summed it up best when he said “Growing Old is NOT for Sissies!”
Wow my spelling is really off….the bloodsuckers must have taken too much today!
Patricia—-
I hope you found some worth in the new ANNA KARENINA adaptation by Joe Wright. Certainly it’s very well-mounted and dazzling in a visual sense. I do like QUARTET, as I’ve mentioned at the site, and I’m sure you’ll get a chance to see it soon enough. I must head over to your place to check on your latest book reviews, which you are clearly excited about! If food and exercise are doing the trick, then you are definitely on the right path of course. Ha, Jack Benny has always sized things up insight fully! Have a great weekend my friend! Many thanks as always!
Sam, thanks for the mention.
Great to know that you’ll be covering the Tribeca Festival quite exhaustively – I’m sure you’re looking forward to the event, as I too would have had I been in your position. The fest has garnered quite a bit of respect & adulation over the years. I’m also glad to know you’re unequivocal position on the issue of gun control. I continue to be dismayed as to what kind of logic supports the possession of assault weapons. In fact, any weapon, which can kill people at will through the simple pressing of a trigger, can be devastating in the hands of the people. But of course, therein lies that thing called politics, though I still don’t understand how the gun lobby manages to remain so strong even today. Interestingly, a popular Bollywood actor is to be incarcerated as per the ruling of the Supreme Court of India for the unlawful possession of weapons, unless of course the political brass plays spoilsport by pardoning his offense.
Anyway, here’s what I managed to watch in the past week:-
– Kaurismaki’s devilishly experimental Calamari Union
– A Bengali film on sexual identity, called Chitrangada, by Rituparno Ghosh (a filmmaker some of whose works I’ve admired a lot)
– De Palma’s brilliant reworking of Blow-Up into political paranoia, Blow Out
– Kaurismaki’s delightful & deadpan comedy, La Vie De Boheme
– The latest Hollywood flick which doesn’t really have much to write about, Olympus Has Fallen
Shubhajit—-
I did receive the official confirmation, and will be receiving the passes any day now, and yes I am very excited! I have yet to take a hard look at what will be offered, but will do so in the upcoming days. And yes you are right that Tribeca and steadily gained in stature, and features several high-profile features and shorts. Your discussion on the gun lobby and nixed assault weapon ban is dead on, and the question you pose is one few can rationally answer. Every time I think of the matter my blood boils. And as you attest to there, the situation is also a problem in India, even if on a much lower-scale. The only film that I have seen of the five you superbly frame here is De Palma’s BLOW OUT, which is for me the director’s greatest work. Thanks as always my friend for the terrific comment, and have a nice weekend!
Sam, sorry for the late reply here. Been quiet for me these last few weeks on the movie-watching front. But always enjoy checking in and hearing what you’re up to. I’m particularly jealous of all the Kubrick viewings!
Here’s to an awesome week, Sam. Thanks so much for all you do!
Any reply from you at any time is deeply appreciated Jeffrey. I can’t thank you enough! And I am flattered and overjoyed when you do stop in, you can be sure of that! I won’t soon forget those Kubrick viewings and hope that festival moves to your neck of the woods at some point. Thanks again my excellent friend!
Great review!
I love your style and tone! Keep it up 🙂
Check out mine!! http://moviereviewsdirect.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/the-sapphires-soulful-inspirations/
All the best 🙂