Screen cap from the British classic “A Kind of Loving” (1962) by John Schlesinger at Film Forum
by Sam Juliano
Spring weather has finally asserted itself in the New York Metropolitan region as the week before Easter is upon us as we near the middle of April. The Tribeca Film Festival launches in just nine days, though the actual schedule -aside from the special events- begins on Thursday, the 20th. Lucille and I will be super active as always, and I’ll be reporting on FB and back at the site here on successive Mondays. The Montclair Film Festival begins immediately after Tribeca concludes, and there are two dates we will be attending, as our friend Jay Giampietro’s new short is being screened on the opening Friday.
Lucille, the three boys and I attended a local classic rock venue on Saturday night at the Oak Ale House in Maywood, New Jersey where our friends the group Nemysys, presented their usual rock standards in addition to some new additions. We saw two films in theaters, but both were old classics screened at the Film Forum. I have seen both, especially the De Mille many times over the years. Seeing them on the big screen is always a treat. I also saw numerous newly arrived blu rays of classic films that I plan to re-cap on future MMD’s.
The Ten Commandments (1956) ***** Film Forum (Sunday morning)
A Kind of Loving (1962) **** 1/2 Film Forum (Sunday afternoon)
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Hm. I’m kind of overdue a rewatch of A Kind of Loving myself — must see if I can fit it in (tho not on the big screen, alas).
Good luck to both with your annual Tribeca marathon!
John, A KIND OF LOVING is definitely a film to watch again, but as it is largely an intimate work the small screen is the best place for it methinks. Thanks for the kind words on the coming marathon, which for me is as daunting as it is appealing. I keep tell myself: moderation! Ha! Have a great upcoming weekend my friend!
Sam, one can never see The Ten Commandments too many times in their life. lol. A Film Forum week is always a winner. But the calm before the storm I see with Tribeca around the corner.
Yes the calm before the storm indeed Frank. That is the best way to put it for sure. I’ll be reporting back here with “reckless abandon.” Ha! Have a great weekend my friend.
I’ve never thought THE TEN COMMANDMENTS was a great movie, but I think your 5 stars is correct. LOL, a total camp classic, that is such a blast to watch, many of which are the opposite of intent (or rather the intent on the page—spiritual) as DeMille certainly knows what he was doing. I love those camp movies of the type, Hawks’ LAND OF THE PHARAOHS, etc.
Jamie, your clarification on greatness/camp classic is right on the money!! The film has its share of hokey dialogue (“His God IS God” and “Let it be written, let it be done” always come to mind) and the drama by intent often goes way over the top, but yes it is absolutely a “blast” to watch in every sense, and De Mille had full control of what he wanted to do. I too love “Land of the Pharaohs”, and of course those early De Milles like “Cleopatra” and “Sign of the Cross.” It also need not be said but I’ll say it anyway that “The Ten Commandments” is tons better than that other 56 epic “Around the World in 80 Days,” which today is only memorable for Victor Young’s score. Have a great weekend my friend!
Yeah, it’d sort of have to be better than AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS.
Oh yeah. Just about any movie is better than Around the World in 80 Days, which is just about unwatchable today. 🙂
I wanted to stop by and hello to everyone. Sam, I am looking forward to your Tribeca report. I’ve been looking through the lineup, and several have piqued my interest. The weather is so beautiful today.
Thanks so much for checking in Celeste! Tribeca is just one week away from today, and I am still trying to firm up a potential schedule to get Lucille and I through this expected marathon. We’ve had wonderful weather this week absolutely! Have a fabulous weekend my friend!
Oh the big film festivals are on the horizon – sounds good and I know you will be very busy during that time. I have been reading some pretty amazing and award winning books right now and that is taking up most of my time. I also read for 2 book groups and am doing a second edit on a friend’s book that looks like it might be picked up. Finishing up Laurie Buchanan’s book NOTES TO SELF that was really time consuming. I think I have tickets to the Al Gore second ecology film and have been working hard to keep our public schools out of the Koch Brother’s pockets and Betsy Devos challenges are many. I would have to say the Trumpers really HATE our state even though they got a surprising number of votes here.
It seems like a very busy time for us all. Thank you for reading and writing so many comments on my reviews – it made me feel glorious.
Keep up the good work here and on FB. Thank you
Patricia—
Lucille and I will indeed be theater hopping for nine days, though my tentative plans are to take a more relaxed approach to the affair, and avoid one of the spots where the films are screened down by the World Trade Center. You have been really doing a fantastic job with the book reviews and groups, and so thrilled to hear you have completed Laurie’s new book. I have that lined up on my own itinerary as well! The Koch brothers and Betsy are scourges on our society. Your state is not regarded with special fondness by the Trumpsters, that is indeed a fact. Was happy to finally check out your site–a long time coming. Have a great weekend my friend. Many thanks!
Sam — If there’s such a thing as reincarnation, I want to come back as one of you and Lucille’s children because they get to do the COOLEST stuff with their parents!
Ha, Laurie, thanks for those wonderfully appreciative words my friend. I love the entire concept! Trust all is well with you as your approach another milestone in your remarkable career. Best wishes to you and Len!
“The Ten Commandments” is one of those films that demonstrates how entertaining movies can be. Some much hokiness, but it works gloriously.
Ricky, I used the word “hokey” above in another response, so we both know how this element actually works in the film’s favor. Yes it does come off gloriously indeed. Thank you my friend. Have a special weekend!
Color me stoked (for now). Ken Russell’s uncut version of The Devils (1971) is currently playing at the Gateway Film Center in Columbus. Will the film be as loathsome as I remember it or will I change my mind and get off on all the wretched excess? Or will the film’s hysteria send me running to reread Huxley’s eminently sane The Devils of Loudun? The timelessness of Oliver Reed’s great performance as Grandier surely remains undiminished.
Mark, that uncut screening is worth dashing off to for sure! We had that over here during the Russell Festival a few years back when Russell was ailing (he died shortly afterwards) but it wasn’t truly uncut, as the Rape of Christ sequence wasn’t there. By now of course you will have already seen it so I am anxious to hear your response. Allan was a huge fan, awarding it his highest rating and I have always been inclined to agree. Wow, if you go off to read that Huxley you really will have immersed yourself! Ha! I agree with you on Reed’s extraordinary turn in the film absolutely. Thank you my friend, as Happy Easter as I respond to you today on the holiday! 🙂