by Sam Juliano
It does appear conclusively that the icy grip of one of the worst winter seasons has been disconnected and signs of spring have begun to surface. Sadly for those who have allergies this is a time when discomfort reigns supreme, but this matter is still a few weeks away for most.
As previously announced, preparations for the ‘Best Childhood Films’ countdown will proceed very soon. As with our prior countdowns, the new one will be negotiated by gathering together the votes of approximately thirty film floggers who have been part of a cinema e mail network dating back to the musical countdown.
Lucille, the boys and I traveled down to the quaint village of Mount Holly, New Jersey on Saturday morning to attend the photography exhibit that largely included the superlative work of our good friend Jeff Stroud. The entire venture translated to a great time, and Jeff’s framed captures deserve wide exposure.
Most of my movie watching this past week was at home on our new 50 inch 4X screen. Classic television and blu-rays were watched with abandon, and I’m figuring there will much more to come in the months ahead. We did get to see two films in theaters though:
Cinderella ** (Friday night) Starplex
It Follows **** 1/2 (Saturday night) Angelika Film Center
CINDERELLA, directed by Kenneth Branagh is all surface glitz and little emotional depth. A narrative mess, that has nothing on the Disney classic, isn’t at all redeemed by Kate Blanchett and company. IT FOLLOWS is a riveting, terrifying horror film that largely re-invents the form, stressing mood and atmosphere, and leaving behind gore and violence. Original and impossible to shake.
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Sam, it was great to meet you, Lucille and the boys! I was honored to give you a personal tour of the exhibition. And very touched by your fine words of collection and my photographs… I am glad we all have met!
Great to know you made it safely home and to the movies. I was going to go see Cinderella only because of Cate Blanchett now I will just wait until it is on DVD. The Follow sounds interesting I will check it out!
Have a great week !
Jeff, be rest assured we were all thrilled to make the trip down there and to meet up. The exhibition was dazzling, and the kids were mightily impressed with your art, the location and hospitality. Definitely a day to remember! As far as CINDERELLA, you may well like it much more than I did. And IT FOLLOWS is first-rate as far as recent horror films go. Thank you and have a great week my friend!
Must see IT FOLLOWS!
Robert, I’d be very much interested in learning what you think, though I’d wager you will be mightily impressed. Ironically, as much as I though this film was excellently done, my wife, son Jeremy and friend Broadway Bob were far less enthused with it. But the reviews have been incredible. Thank you my friend!
Yet another active week, eh, Sam! We’d planned to wait until Cinderella comes on cable, and from what you say that was a sensible decision!
approximately thirty film floggers
In typo veritas. 🙂
Not much movie watching gone on here over the past week, although we’ve popped several episodes of the BBC’s Luther first season into the DVD player. It’s very good; at the same time, we’ve no plans to move on to Season #2, at least for a while. Overegging the pudding, sorta thing.
I’ve enjoyed Crow Hollow (1952), A Private Scandal (1931) and Shattered (2008). There are several movies called Shattered from around this time; this is the one with Jennifer Spriggs. It’s an indie with a reasonably thought-provoking script. Oh, and I saw an old Alfred Hitchcock Hour episode called Annabel (1962), based on Patricia Highsmith’s This Sweet Sickness (1961).
John—I’d venture to say that a DVD viewing of CINDERELLA is the best way to go, but then you may wind up liking the film more than I did.
I am quaking in my boots here reading that you just watched an episode from THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR! And I’ll tell you why! I just received my parcel of the entire series on three DVD sets from Australia, where the sets were produced. Apparently the rights in the country of origin (the good old USA) have never been properly negotiated and all of us 60’s anthology fans–and this period and form is a specialty of mine for years- have waited for eternity for these sets. They are Region 4, but I have two all-Region blu-ray players and collect all-Region DVD and blus regularly. I just watched the brilliant and chilling AN UNLOCKED WINDOW from the series last night–photographed by Stanley Cortez and scored by Bernard Herrmann–and agree with everyone that it is one of the series’ masterpieces, though over the coming weeks I will watched a ton of them, and will report on my future MMDs. I’ve seen another film from that recent period called SHATTERED (you did acknowledge that) but must catch up with the others. Thanks again my friend! Have a great week!
I’ve heard good things about It Follows. Can’t wait to catch up with that movie Sam. What I saw this week….
The Captive ** Ridiculous Atom Egoyan film that plays like a very poor relative to Villenueve’s Prisoners. I was rolling my eyes at the script during some incredulous moments. I still can’t believe Ryan Reynolds has a career. He has to be one of the worst actors ever.
Foxcatcher ****1/2 And now I can add another great movie to 2014. What a brilliant well directed piece of art. The real life events are slowly uncoiled in such a confidant precise manner. There is a disturbing matter-of-fact way the conclusion is presented. It’s a chilly distant film, but necessary when exploring such powerful subject matter (privileged people who become insulated from society at large). While Hollywood continues to mostly wallow in cheap gimmicky cynicism like Birdman, or the hollow and puerile sentimentality of The Theory Of Everything, its good to see films like Foxcatcher get made.
Citizenfour *** Shocking as this may sound to most people who frequent this site, I didn’t find Citizenfour very engaging on a cinematic level. Yes the subject matter is something every American should be concerned about, but the actual documentary was so dry and listless in spots. Great content, poor execution IMO.
Kill The Messanger ** Weak, cliched film that could of used a director on the same level as Alan J Pakula to inject some life into another movie with important subject matter. I was looking forward to seeing this movie for some time, but it never quite jelled for me.
Well Maurizio, you are certainly correct to dismiss both that Egoyan film and KILL THE MESSENGER–both of your capsules impressively and accurately explain why they are to be avoided. And you may remember that I also had little use for the inexplicably, highly-praised CITIZEN FOUR (Pat Perry is with us too) and found it wholly listless. I’ve promised to see it again, but so far there isn’t sufficient motivation to do so. The film was (though planned to be of course) was claustrophobic, dull, and generally predictable. But the reviews were great and I know Marilyn Ferdinand for one loved it, but I couldn’t wait to get out of that theater. You state the contrary position there excellently. I am NOT the fan of FOXCATCHER you are, but I fear I was too harsh with it. The acting was superb, and the idea a potentially fascinating one (Pierre loves it too!) so this is one I really must watch a second time as soon as I can. I am delighted though that you are finding that 2014 is not a bad year at all, and in fact better than normal when you factor in foreign language and some key indes.
I will predict you will like IT FOLLOWS! Thanks and have a great week my friend!
Jeff’s exhibit would have been a joy for me to see. Glad you got to see it, and on your report back. Had to get my telephoto lens repaired after I dropped it during our recent trip to Vancouver. Got it back the other day and today we are on our way to Lakeland for a day of photographing at the Circle B Bar Ranch. A great spot with a wide variety of wildlife.
On the movie front this past week…
Focus (***) Will Smith and Marot Robbie are enjoyable to watch and there is some wicked fun along the way. That said, the film overall is rather average and should have been better. Want a good confidence film? Go see The Sting or The Grifters and skip this.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (**1/2) They got the title right. This sequel is definitely the second best and most likely the last film in the series. With the humor reduced to typical TV sit-com status, the charm wears off about half way through the film.
I am writing an article on the late Lizabeth Scott for The Dark Pages and have been watching a few of her films. The three I saw this week were I Walk Alone (***1/2), Dead Reckoning (***1/2) and Too Late for Tears (***1/2). They are all decent films and worth seeing. Scott is particularly evil in Too Late for Tears. The script itself is uneven, but Liz gives us one of the great femme fatale characters.
I am writing an article on the late Lizabeth Scott for The Dark Pages and have been watching a few of her films.
I’m looking forward to reading that issue.
John—there is no doubt indeed, you would have have been all over Jeff’s exhibit, especially since you yourself have had similar art exhibits yourself and am an accomplished photographer. Wow, Vancouver and Lakeland!! You are making some great stops there John! Sorry to hear about the lens mishap though. Like you I had very little used for THE SECOND BEST MARIGOLD HOTEL, and hope they will close down this series. You superbly frame why it is a failure. I also am no fan at all of FOCUS, which you again astutely assess. Like John Grant, I too would love to read your piece on Lizabeth Scott, and have solid regard for DEAD RECKONING and TOO LATE FOR TEARS. Have a great week my friend. Many thanks as always!
Sam,
We’ve been so busy lately I can’t keep up with anything. Too bad that Cinderella was not well liked. It has received solid reviews and my kids want to see it. I think we will venture out next weekend for that. I did manage to see the terrible Nightcrawler. I can’t believe this film got fine reviews. Not only does the premise seem completely archaic (What is this, 1982?), but the execution was strictly by the books. I honestly can’t figure out why in 2014 there was a film released about a guy selling footage to a nightly news cast. Not only did it recall better films (Network, Medium Cool), it dragged and dragged for most of its 2 hours. I can’t figure out what all the praise was about for Gyllenhall.
That’s all I’ve got to report on the film front Sam. Finally our snow has melted at least!
Jon—I know you are a guy always on the move in every sense. I do hope you get to catch some breathers. I am hoping you will find some time to do some essays for the Best Childhood Films countdown, but I know this will depend on some factors on your end. I am not so down on NIGHTCRAWLER as you are, but neither do I see it as any kind of masterpiece. I did however find Gyllenhall’s work as blood-bloodcurdling and most effective. I did definitely scream out NETWORK while watching it of course, but this film decidedly veered off to even more disturbing narrative twists. The film was not in my Top Ten, though I included it as one of my last runners-up. I do respect your position. Happy to hear the snow is melting as it is here. Have a great week my friend. many thanks as always!
Sam yes speaking of the Childhood countdown, did you send an email blast to everyone? I don’t think I saw that yet. It would be nice to support it and would be good to get writing again.
Jon, it will finally be sent out to everyone -including your fine self- during the day tomorrow. Thrilled to hear you are planning to write again my friend!
Hello Sam and everyone!
Truly great week for you, doing the things you want and doing them right. Still I want to see both films that you saw on theaters, hah!
Anyway, the movies I saw last week:
– Akira (1988, Katsuhiro Otomo) ****1/2 The first half of this movie is maybe a bit too bro-ish and it was always the most difficult part to get through, but the second half is a breeze, maybe the word mindfuck has been overused, and that’s mainly because it shouldn’t be used around so lightly to every movie that is kinda confusing. This isn’t confusing per se, but it’s mindblowing in terms of visuals, and that’s the mindfuck right there, your brain tries to wrap around the existence of those twists, the meat, the metal, the explosions, and in that, it’s the struggle that defines the mind fuck that this movie truly represents.
– Buzzard (2014, Joel Potrykus) **** This is maybe among the most promising films that I’ve ever seen. I might even take a look at this guy’s other films he made prior to this one, just to see if it checks out to be like his grandiose film or just a continuation of a developing sense of dread and world. While one might think that it takes the “easy” way out, the ending just brings another level forward that might’ve been brewing in the back of the mind of some people that saw it, and even at that, it is a brave statement towards some sort of cultural appropriation that this film delves into with the hopes of making something else beyond the pure referential work that some filmmakers work around. The director may belong to a certain culture that is lived through in this film, but at the same time he takes a hard look at himself and all that surrounds it, and finds itself empty.
– Chûkon giretsu – Jitsuroku Chûshingura (1928, Shozo Makino) **** This is maybe the best version to start with the Chushingura adaptations. This is labelled “the truth” and it goes through all the things that went down in terms of what really happened and why these ronin want revenge. Formal in its visual style, but in a sense it has some creative and impressive intertitles. The film works mostly because of how hard it tries to follow a classic story, with all its contradictions and things that are superfluous and that most surely than not got cut out in further adaptations. We are lucky that we still have this with us, it’s a treasure.
– Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1993, Takao Okawara) **** The little Godzilla is maybe the cutest thing ever and this movie surely doesn’t fool around: it brings you battles between Rodan and Godzilla, Rodan and MechaGodzilla, and finally one of the harshest battles in the series: Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla. Not one of the most entertaining but one of the most dedicated in bringing forward a world of its own, a world that is near us but at the same time the most implausible ever. There are needlessly impressively beautiful moments, like the flight in some kind of robot airplane of sorts that looks like Rodan. Bizarre yet touching.
– Lord of War (2007, Andrew Niccol) ***1/2 I am a fan of Andrew Niccol, as I think Gattaca is a great film, his script of The Truman Show truly something special, and even “In Time” was a great time at the movies for me. I’m not going to say that all of his films are the example of perfection, as “The Host” managed to be the trainwreck that it was, but it was mostly a film for hire, so I’m not that much worried. This, on the other hand, is a little heavy-handed, the narration and the scenes are filled with metaphors and phrases that are “for the plaque” as we say here in Chile, quotes that get tossed around in bro-ish conversations. But it is well performed by Nicolas Cage and the rest of the bunch, it’s just that the way that every five minutes there seems to be a new metaphor for selling guns, or what guns truly are, or what his work is, that I find it ultimately a bit silly.
– Príchozí z temnot (1921, Jan S. Kolár) ***1/2 Part Dracula, Part Frankenstein, Part Caligari. While two thirds of these films weren’t made yet, their properties were well known, and the influence of the German expressionism film in this in terms of structure is clear. Nevertheless this movie is really among the most interesting in the period as it represents a living dead that, through the means of alchemy, can put himself in a state of death just to be resurrected via following a carefully detailed ritual. The film ends up being less about the rituals and blood (though the details are there and it’s great to see them) but about a long lost love that is, would you guess, reincarnated in the present of the story. It has some mistakes that could be attributed to the fact that this movie was made in Czechoslovakia.
– Ghost Ship, Part I (1957, Sadatsugu Matsuda) ***1/2 There aren’t ghosts nor ships in this movie, yet it still manages to be a compelling film on the issues of family, loyalty and love.
That’s all Sam. have a great week!
Thanks so much Jaimie! Yes we had a busy week when you factor in the weekend trip and the work being done in our home, that has been a long time coming. As always I see you watched a batch of stuff, with the normal level of diversity. Very impressed especially that you got to see that 1921 Czechoslovakian film! I have not yet seen it myself, but perhaps Allan has. Your terrific capsule, vowing for the influence of German expressionism among other attributes, alone makes it quite intriguing. Fascinating stuff as you relate! GHOST SHIP (Matsuda) also sound like a most interesting work. As you know I also think GATTACA is a very great film (a masterpiece for me) and I think Niccol is a talented guy, but LORD OF WAR is nothing special. Your review is right on. Your capsule on CHUKON GIRETSU is absolutely brilliant and dead on!! i really want to see BUZZARD -your capsule is excellent- and I much appreciate that terrific framing of AKIRA, an animation landmark, and the film that inspired our longest comment thread ever at WitD with nearly 400 comments. Thanks as ever my friend for the spectacular wrap and have a great week!!!
Sam –
I’m so jealous that you got to actually see Jeff’s work in person. I’ve known Jeff for many years, but we’ve never actually met in person, and I’ve only seen his work on the internet. Fantastic on a laptop screen, it must have been a real treat to see it — three dimensionally — right in front of you!
We’re going to take a pass on both Cinderella (not into saccharine) and It Follows (don’t want the bajeebers scared out of me).
Have a wonderful week!
Laurie—-as you may know my connection to Jeff was made exclusively through YOU and Terrill Welch. I would never have known him at all if he were not one of your regulars, and I do know you back a very long time with him. The meeting of course was possible because he is a fellow New Jerseyite. I’d have to think his work seen in person goes beyond the still impressive internet images, yes indeed. Can’t blame you for taking a pass on this week’s highlighted film. Have a great week my friend! Thank you as always!
Sam, I found it interesting that you dismissed Cinderella and embraced this new horror film. But considering what everyone is saying I’m anxious to see the latter. That must have been a great trip down to see Jeff Stroud, the photographer.
Aye Frank, that is indeed a rarity as far as my own tastes go. I do love classic horror films a real lot and during my childhood that was my favorite genre, but more recent horror is less effective for the most part. We did indeed have a great time visiting Jeff and his exhibition. Have a great week my friend.
I am looking forward to the “Best Childhood Films” countdown!
Ricky, the venture is certainly inching closer, though I must get moving on the opening e mail salvo. Will keep you informed. Have a great week my friend!
Still can’t sit through a movie and was enjoying the DVDs until I fell backwards down the stairs on Friday the 13th No conclusions from all the medical tests which is frustrating – but we can witness all the bruises Glad I can read – all be it slowly Computer is a bit hard yet…I think I will skip these two movies. It is so fun to meet a fellow blogger – Why I got to meet Terrill Welsh on her California tour and I was feeling fine when she was here!
Oh dear Patricia, I am very sorry to hear of that mishap! I know you have gone through a number of health issues and/or illnesses over the last year, and I know well this is the last thing you needed right now. Hopefully all the tests will reveal no broken bones, though I am saddened to hear of the bruises. The most thrilling news of course is you getting to meet Trill. That is absolutely fantastic, and no doubt a dream for so many of her fans! I really hope you are on the mend and will soon do the things you enjoy to do. Have a much better week my friend!
Sam, I grew up one town over from Mt Holly! In fact in middle school I spent many a Friday nights at the Sacred Heart school dances there. It is a quaint little spot…though I recall the infamous Gardens Apt complex when I was a kid – quite notorious. Not sure if it still stands or is still notorious.
Thanks so much for adding that David. I knew you grew up in south Jersey, but never connected that with Mt. Holly! Wow, the town next door, eh?! That Gardens Apt. complex does sound like an intriguing place for sure. But definitely a quaint town, and one we enjoyed visiting. Have a great weekend my friend!
Sam, apologies that I am just showing up here. I have been unusually busy of late.
I was glad to read your thoughts on IT FOLLOWS. I definitely need to catch it when I have the opportunity. It seems to be attracting a lot of positive attention.
My own moviegoing has been slowed lately but I have been continuing to push through BREAKING BAD. This week I made it all the way to the final three episodes of the final season and can’t wait to see how it all wraps up.
Hope you are doing great and having an awesome week so far!
Jeffrey, no apologies needed. Your appearances here are cherished whenever they are negotiated, and I can never thank you enough! Yes IT FOLLOWS was that rare contemporary horror film that worked in a very big way (for me anyway). I do propose that is scares! You did a fabulous job working your way to the end of BREAKING BAD, which I do rate as one of the best television properties of recent years. Your recent indulgence in television has yielded quite the marathon achievement!! Have a great week my friend! Many thanks as always!!