by Sam Juliano
We are fast-approaching May, and seasonal weather has been announcing this development almost daily. The situation in Ukraine remains almost apocalyptic, though inspired resistance insures this horror will continue for several months, short of an unexpected truce.
Our French film poll is attracting a remarkable number of ballots (well over 50 at this point) and it will continue for one more week, with the deadline set for 5:00 P.M. on May 1st. Those still wishing to cast a ballot can do so at the thread proper here at Wonders in the Dark. For those interested in what the following poll will be, I can reveal it will be The Best Films of Spain and Portugal and will be a 20 film ballot.
Two more Paradise Atop the Hudson events are scheduled at local libraries, with the first this coming Saturday at Ridgefield Park for Arbor Day. I will be sure to report back with photos and an assessment next week. Meanwhile, I have resumed adding to Irish Jesus in Fairview, and yesterday surpassed 55,000 words. I am pleased how things are going, and with some new ideas that have come to light. Paradise has now sold 850 copies at Amazon, the vast majority paperbacks, and another 27 hardcovers at Barnes & Nobel for a grand total of 877.
Lucille and I will be visiting the Ridgefield Park multiplex tonight to watch the well-reviewed The Northman. I will post a rating on it first thing in the morning.
The Northman **** 1/2 )Ridgefield Park multiplex) Sunday night
Wishing all our great friends a terrific week!
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Congratulations on those book sales, Sam!
Just hanging out, wigging out, and watching movies.
Great Expectations (David Lean). The finest film adaptation of a Dickens novel one could hope for. But how on earth did Jean Simmons mature into Valerie Hobson, who is surely less lovely than young Miss Simmons? Picking nits, I am. Along with Hobson and Simmons, the superlative cast includes John Mills, Alec Guinness, and Martita Hunt who dazzles as Miss Havisham. A+
Panic in Needle Park (Jerry Schatzberg). Not the “unflinching” landmark depiction of heroin addiction some claim. Shirley Clarke’s “The Connection” (1963, and the best film about narcotics that I know) briefly shows a needle dangling from an arm, and when Jane Forth watches junkie Joe Dallesandro shoot up in “Trash” (1970) the camera doesn’t shy away.
This is a sickening appropriation of the drug subculture by Schatzberg (director of the chic and empty “Puzzle of a Downfall Child”) and his scenarists John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion in their high Hollywood culture-vulture period. A major performance by Kitty Winn, who won at Cannes but was overlooked by AMPAAS. C+
Also watched and admired “The Merchant of Four Seasons” and “Major Dundee.”
Thank you so much my friend! Must appreciated! Good point about the Hobson metamorphosis, and I totally agree on the masterful GREAT EXPECTATIONS! A + indeed. i couldn’t agree more; the famous art direction and cinematography are justly acclaimed! NEEDLE PARK is a very good film, but yes it is rather a bit overrated, maybe in part because it showed Pacino at his earliest. Excellent framing there of the Shirley Clark film, and also a good call on “Trash.” Damn, I haven’t yet seen “Puzzle of a Downfall Child.” Both “Merchant” (especially for me) and “Dundee” are indeed exemplary works. Thanks as ever my good friend!!
My Lord, actresses had a field day in 1971: Jane Fonda (Klute), Bibi Andersson (The Touch), Kitty Winn (Panic in Needle Park), Irene Papas and Vanessa Redgrave (The Trojan Women), Glenda Jackson (Sunday Bloody Sunday), Lili Darvas (Love), Verna Bloom (The Hired Hand).
Oh God yes! What a spectacular line-up of acting riches there! Darvas for me delivered one of the greatest performances of all-time and Torovsik was wonderful in support! The girls in “The Last Picture Show” (all of them!) and even Janet Suzman in N & A was very fine.