by Sam Juliano
We really do have reason to be optimistic in view of the lowering of cases and hospitalizations which most attribute to the rising number of vaccinations. Students are returning today (Monday) to our own school district and after so many months of consternation and uncertainty (documented on this MMD week after week after week) a sense of normalcy is no longer a long shot.
This past week was a busy one at Wonders in the Dark. Jim Clark added a stupendous essay in his long-running, authoritative and prolific Ingmar Bergman series with a trenchant piece on 1960’s The Devil’s Eye; J.D. Lafrance published a fabulous essay on George Steven’s 1956 American classic Giant; and Lee Price concluded his magnificent Phil Moore exploration with Part 3: Phil Moore is Top of the Charts!
The Golden Globes are set to air on Sunday evening and I will revise on Monday Morning as a result of my posting the MMD a day early as I sometimes do. Lucille and I watched two more 2020/2021 films via streaming this past week and I reviewed The Devil’s Eye on blu ray to better prepare for my reading of Jim’s superlative essay.
I Care a Lot ** 1/2 netflix
Rialto **** Amazon Prime
The Devil’s Eye **** Criterion blu ray
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Sam,
Thanks so much for taking time, in your busy life, to revisit the Devil’s Eye!
Jim my great friend it was truly a fabulous re-visit and I thank you for inspiring it with your stupendous essay!
Joan Crawford: “I’ll show you a pair of golden globes.”
Shakespeare in Love. Whenever I see young Joseph Fiennes I’m reminded of what Kath says in Joe Orton’s Entertaining Mr. Sloane: “You have a lovely neck on ya, Mr. Sloane. Kinda like a princess.” Fiennes is indeed lovely, neck and all. Paltrow is enchanting and Dench is majestic. Now if Zeffirelli had directed Shakespeare he would have included at least one shot of Fiennes’ bare backside in the contrapposto position. B+
Hahaha on Zefirelli Mark! Yes indeed! of course Zeffirelli was bullish enough on the Bard what with his two rightly famous film adaptation, The Taming of the Shrew and the ravishing Romeo and Juliet! In the latter he brought the gorgeous Hussy and Whiting to the masses! Love your reference to Entertaining Mr. Sloane! Whenever Orton is mentioned I always think of his tragic early demise. Crawford too is showcased quite uproariously here! Have a great upcoming week my friend.
Happy birthday to Samantha Eggar. She’s great in Wyler’s shamefully neglected “The Collector.”
Yes she is indeed and I consider it her greatest performance my friend! Happy belated Birthday!