by Sam Juliano
It’s official. Spring 2021 has arrived and with it a real sense of hope and better days ahead. There remains of course people out there who would rather defy sensible regulations and play politics, but with vaccination numbers rising and in some areas cases falling there is no reason for most of us to live in consternation. I suspect the coming summer will be far, far different than the horror show we experienced in the corresponding months of 2020, and am hoping the vast majority of our friends who are able to get the vaccination are doing so. I’ve been told by our dear Canadian friends that it isn’t as readily available up there, but I am hoping that situation will improve greatly in the coming weeks. This hopeful expectation is also aimed at our friends in Europe, South America and Asia.
On Wednesday our resident film essay master Jim Clark, published the latest in his extraordinary Ingmar Bergman series, the 1964 comedy (in color), All These Women.
Lucille and I watched plenty of classic movies and television episodes over the past week but we did manage to take in two of the recent award-nominated films via streaming. (We almost attended a showing at a local theater, but we are delaying it until tomorrow (Tuesday). I’d like to add some commentary but for now I offer up the 1 to 5 star ratings:
Promising Young Women **** (Monday) Amazon Prime (I may up it a half star at some point)
Hillbilly Elegy ** 1/2 (Tuesday) Netflix (second viewing for me as Lucille wanted to see it, but haven’t reported on it until now.
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I thought Promising Young Woman was harrowing and very well made. That final scene though was difficult to watch!
Ricky I am in full accord with you on that disturbing finale and for that matter for the film in general. Thanks for checking in my good friend!
How great is Mulligan? She’s the cat’s pajamas IMO.
Apropos of nada, I’ve often wondered what happens to Louis Calhern’s bedridden wife (Dorothy Tree) at the end of “The Asphalt Jungle.”
I believe she’s pretty fantastic my friend and it is coming upon 10 years since we watched her in a Manhattan play and had our photos taken with her:
Hmm, good question you ask about Dorothy Tree! I will have to research that!
Thank you so much my friend!
Goodbye to the astonishly versatile George Segal. The riotous “Where’s Poppa” with Ruth Gordon and “The Owl and the Pussycat” with the formidable Streisand were released back-to-back in the fall of 1970.
And in the spring of that same year Segal appeared in Kershner’s marital drama “Loving” with Eva Marie Saint.
He was always a Kael favorite.
It just dawned on me that 1970 was 51 years ago. Who knows where the time goes, Judy Collins?
Mark, yes I was deeply saddened at Segal’s passing and I has quite a lot of conversation (and love for him) on my MY FB post. I remember Kael liked him and you do identify a number of his great performances (will add WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?” and BLUME IN LOVE. Yes 51 years ago! Unreal!
A few years ago (2017) Lucille and I attended a Bertrand Tavernier Film Festival at Manhattan’s Quad Cinemas with abandon. The celebrated French director had flown in from Paris and he introduced and moderated fascinating Q & As on at least six of his films. I heard him and even participated with a few questions after watching “A Sunday in the Country,” “Coup de Torchon” and “Life and Nothing But.” I look back on the festival as a cherished event! I am so deeply saddened to hear Tavernier has passed at age 79. He was a true master methinks.
https://variety.com/2021/film/global/bertrand-tavernier-dead-1234938030/?fbclid=IwAR04zC1fNtfoWK2_rZojzoAKnMLXCMPVBAPAZ45uVNwsOKG-99DmUSC5ctA
And also today……………Jessica Walter (Play Misty for me). What a terrible week!
https://variety.com/2021/film/news/jessica-walter-dead-arrested-development-archer-1234938246/?fbclid=IwAR3OjQF0boQTrVGZ4sI8sWFtofKywhTehavfy8BF2AtDNtqRyR2WSdQrHbE
“A Sunday in the Country” is one of the most perfect films I’ve seen.
Mark, absolutely!!! I couldn’t agree with you more!
Happy birthday to irreverent *bad boy* Ben Mankiewicz and his luxuriant head of hair.
Happy Birthday Ben!!!!!
It must be simian cinema day on TCM, however I don’t see “The World of Suzie Kong” on the schedule.
Mark, I love George Dunning’s score for that film and have the CD!!