What classics did you see last week, June 25 to July1?
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spiderwort — 2 years ago(July 02, 2023 12:34 PM)
These all sound wonderful, Rufus, though maybe a little dark for me. I know I can watch the first and last on Netflix, so I will give them a go when I can and see if I can get through them (if they're not too dark, I mean). Thanks for the recommendations.
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Rufus-T — 2 years ago(July 04, 2023 04:42 AM)
The last one definitely is very dark. I would not recommend if you do not like dark theme.
The first one, though had some dark moment and much profanity, is an uplifting redemption film. I would think you will like it. -
PygmyLion — 2 years ago(July 02, 2023 06:01 PM)
Tea and Sympathy
(1956) - Deborah Kerr, John Kerr - seemed a bit like a made for TV movie. Deborah Kerr saves this movie somewhat - 7
Mrs. Parkington
(1944) - Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Edward Arnold, Agnes Moorehead. - 8
Scaramouche
(1952)- Janet Leigh, Eleanor Parker, Stewart Granger, Mel Ferrar. Nice eye-candy in Leigh and Parker, and a fair amount of action, but the plot is weak. Not very faithful to the book by Sabatini. - 6
The Very Thought of You
(1944) - Eleanor Parker, Dennis Morgan, Dane Clark, Faye Emerson, Andrea King - Morgan and Clark are back in CA for some leave after being in the Aleutians in WWII - and run into Parker and Emerson. Meanwhile Andrea King is cheating on her sailor husband, who she hasn't seen for over a year - 7
My Brilliant Career
(1979) - Sam Neill, Wendy Hughes, Judy Davis. Young women with wretched red hair tries to make it through life in 1890's Australia. - 7
Little Women
(1933) - Katherine Hepburn, Frances Dee, Edna May Oliver, Paul Lukas. Nice rendition of Louisa May Alcott's book - 8
A fair amount of plot similarties between
My Brilliant Career
and
Little Women
. -
spiderwort — 2 years ago(July 02, 2023 07:40 PM)
Lots of good choices there, PL. I've seen them all, except the Hepburn version of
Little Women
; hope to get to that one of these days. And we are in pretty much agreement about the ratings for each, though I think maybe I would rate
My Brilliant Career
higher, though I saw it long ago and don't remember it very well. The other exception is
Tea and Sympathy
.
That's one of my favorites, despite the flaws thrust upon it by the codes at the time. The play works much better, because it doesn't pull any punches. And the great Elia Kazan directed the Broadway version, with the same cast, all of whom Vincent Minelli wisely brought to the screen version. It's a shame the film script was censored, because it's definitely weaker than the play. I think if you had read the play or seen the stage version, you might feel differently. Then again, you might not. Anyway, it's one of my favorites. And I think Deborah Kerr is simply superb in it. I especially love her deeply moving final lines, "Years from now, when you talk about this – and you will – be kind. . ." -
PygmyLion — 2 years ago(July 02, 2023 08:18 PM)
One problem I had with the film was that the boys didn't look like boys. I actually thought it must be occurring in college, but apparently it was a prep school. Having all these men cavorting around as if they were boys seemed rather queer to me.
It seemed like an easy solution would be for Tom just to move to another house, that is, one where the boys rooting for him in the tennis match lived. Of course, I am a public school guy, so perhaps I just can't understand the problem. -
spiderwort — 2 years ago(July 02, 2023 09:28 PM)
Yes, I can understand that. I had a conversation just the other day with a writer/director friend who said the same thing. But that's how they did it back in those days. Even James Dean was 23 when he shot REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE. My friend said, and I agree, that TEA AND SYMPATHY would work better today, because you could use actors who were the right age and also not have to censor the script.
As for Tom moving to another house, I don't think that would have been an option under the private school situation, though I can't say for sure.
And I just wanted to add for those who don't know that the play is really playwright Robert Anderson's autobiographical story of his own experiences when he was in school. He was not gay, but everyone thought he was, because he was so sensitive. And thank God he was, because he went on to become an award winning playwright and Oscar nominated screenwriter (for I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER, based upon his own play, and THE NUN'S STORY). He also wrote the excellent screenplay for THE SAND PEBBLES, starring Steve McQueen. And he was married to actress Teresa Wright. So he clearly managed to overcome the trials and tribulations of his school years, to the benefit of all. -
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spiderwort — 2 years ago(July 04, 2023 12:09 PM)
I remember liking it a lot, too, Rufus, but I haven't seen it since it was released. I really need to see it again. I think Gillian Armstrong's
Little Women
(1994) was absolutely brilliant, and I've seen it several times. Wish I could better remember
My Brilliant Career better
, but I've only seen once, a long time ago.
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FreeHugs — 2 years ago(July 03, 2023 01:03 PM)
I watched:
Evil Dead Rise 2023 5/10 For me, this doesn't work as an Evil Dead movie. It feels like a generic horror movie with typical cliches and underdeveloped characters. It lacks originality and isn't fun or entertaining. The film looks dark and ugly. The opening was good though and a couple of the actors were cute.
Gold Diggers of 1937 1936 6/10 The musical numbers are fine, but the characters and story are fairly weak.
A Raisin in the Sun 1961 8/10 A well written, intelligent drama with good performances, even though the acting was a little over the top at times.
Hold Back Tomorrow 1955 7/10 Good performances from John Agar and Cleo Moore in this well written film.
Of Mice and Men 1939 8/10 A well acted, powerful drama.
A Dog’s Life 1918 8/10 Fantastic performance from Brownie the Dog in this entertaining and well made short film. Chaplin is very good too.
Entr’acte 1924 7/10 Some good moments, but a little uneven.
Broken Blossoms 1919 6/10 Lillian Gish is good and I liked the look of the film, but I didn't find the film very engaging. It drags on and feels longer than it is.
Ringu 1998 6/10 I thought this was just okay. It had a couple good moments and decent performances, but I don't think it is one of the all time great horror films. I didn't find it scary or all that impressive.
Un Chien Andalou 1929 8/10 This movie is random and weird. I am also random and weird, so I liked it.
The Hound of the Baskervilles 1939 6/10 This is an alright Sherlock Holmes mystery, but I didn't find it exceptional in any way. Performances are decent and the mystery is okay, but the film isn't that interesting.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny 2023 6/10 There are some things I liked here and others that didn't work for me. I liked the opening sequence and there were some good adventure sequences towards the end. I thought Phoebe Waller-Bridge was miscast and they could have done more with some of the other characters. I really didn't like the way they handled one character's fate in particular. The film is longer than it needs to be, but there are enough moments of classic Indy charm to still make it worthwhile.
Dodsworth 1936 7/10 This was a well acted, effective drama.
Samurai Cop 1991 (rewatch) 2/10 Rewatched with some of my online pals. This is a really cheesy film with bad acting and awful dialogue. It's unintentionally funny but really bad.
Infinity Pool 2023 8/10 I thought this was interesting. I liked Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgård's performances.
Cosmopolis 2012 6/10 I liked Pattinson's performance, but the dialogue and story aren't sufficiently interesting enough.
The Swearing Jar 2022 9/10 Directed by Lindsay MacKay, who also directed the wonderful and underrated Wet Bum, this romantic drama stars Adelaide Clemens, Patrick J. Adams, Douglas Smith and Kathleen Turner. The film is really well written and tells the story in a smart and surprising way. Adelaide Clemens is fantastic and Kathleen Turner is very good too. The Swearing Jar is funny and sad and sweet and beautiful. Highly recommended.
The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet 2013 6/10 This was a little uneven and slow. A couple good moments.
A Day in the Country 1946 7/10 This was lovely with fine performances.
Mother’s Day 1980 6/10 Not very good, but I have seen worse. It has a couple fun moments. -
spiderwort — 2 years ago(July 04, 2023 12:18 PM)
What a busy, busy week you had, Allaby. I've seen a lot of those, but many I haven't. My favorites (and I think the best) on your list:
A Dog's Life, Of Mice and Men
, and
A Raisin in the Sun
. I think
Un Chien Andalou
is great, but I saw it again not long ago, and I doubt that I'll ever watch it again. It's a little too creepy for me. -
Sophienoire — 2 years ago(July 04, 2023 08:18 PM)
i watched Infinity Pool today! here's my review:
https://www.filmboards.com/board/t/this-movie-is-a-hellish-trip-really-3460776/
the sound of your racing heart -
Sophienoire — 2 years ago(July 04, 2023 08:10 PM)
Wrong Turn 6: Last Resort
(Valeri Milev, 2014) 4/10
my review:
https://www.filmboards.com/board/t/Back-to-the-roots!-3459121
No Hard Feelings
(Gene Stupnitsky, 2023) 8/10
my review:
https://www.filmboards.com/board/p/21399168/permalink/#p21399168
Last Tango in Paris
(Bernardo Bertolucci, 1972) 0/10
my review:
https://www.filmboards.com/board/t/****ed-up-movie-3459816/
Ghosted
(Dexter Fletcher, 2023) 6-7/10
my review:
https://www.filmboards.com/board/t/Ghosted-(2023)-is-stupid-fun-with-Chris-Evans-and-Ana-de-Armas-3460212/
Black Widow
(Nunnally Johnson, 1954) 7/10
An ambitious young woman (former child actress star Peggy Ann Garner) moves to New York City and immediately begins using people including her uncle (Otto Kruger), wealthy boyfriend (Skip Homeier) and a Broadway producer (Van Heflin) on her climb to the top.
Based on the 1952 novel by Patrick Quentin and directed by Nunnally Johnson. It's a more than decent murder mystery a la Laura set among the posh theatrical and artistic set in a stylish Manhattan. Although filmed in Deluxe color and CinemaScope, the film is often referred to as noir and I'd agree with that. It's just a good old fashioned whodunit, and Garner's deadly femme fatale certainly fits in the noir mold.
Garner's not bad at all here and one would have thought this film would prove a nice transition from child actress to grown up roles, but she only did 2 more movies in her lifetime (including Robert Altman's
A Wedding
) though she worked steadily in TV. This was director Johnson's second film in CinemaScope and apparently nobody ever told him he could do close ups in the format!
The star studded cast also includes Ginger Rogers, Gene Tierney, George Raft, Virginia Leith, Reginald Gardiner, Cathleen Nesbitt and Hilda Simms in a remarkably non-stereotypical role for a black actress in the 1950s.
The Bribe
(Robert Z. Leonard, 1949) 7/10
Ava isn't much of an actress but she was effective here. Charles Laughton as sleazy washed up briber was fantastic tho. Loved this wonderful straight-forward noir with a sparkling ending that was source of inspiration for Carl Reiner's noir parody movie
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
33 years later.
And a Glenda Jackson-mini-fest this week:
Stevie
(Robert Enders, 1978) 7/10
I have never heard of the British poet Stevie Smith before this film is dedicated to and whom Glenda Jackson portrays. It's a one-woman show more or less and most of the film is "just" a monologue by Glenda re-telling episodes in Stevie Smith's life. She's supported by Mona Washbourne (who has some really wonderful moments here), Trevor Howard and Alec McCowen but they really only have minor roles here. It's Glenda hour and her performance is in long periods simply mesmerising in an overall interesting but not very exciting biographical film.
The Music Lovers
(Ken Russell, 1971) 8/10
Glenda in one of her most demanding roles as Tchaikovsky's wife Nina, a complex, hypersexual, deeply broken character. It's obvious that Ken Russell is a music lover and this film is loaded with Tchaikovsky's music as its soundtrack which is really celebrated here. That and Glenda is the film's strength, and I was all for it. With Richard Chamberlain as Tchaikovsky.
The Maids
(Christopher Miles, 1975) 6/10
Two sisters chained together in a love-hate relationship, maids of a lady who is always absent, play out the relationship between mistress and servants in tormenting role-playing games. The film adaptation of Jean Genet's stage play focuses entirely on the three outstanding leading actresses (Glenda, Susannah York, Vivien Merchant) who celebrate Genet's ritual to the point of self-abandonment, in performances often leading into positively campy territory. The direction, on the other hand, hardly develops any imagination; the cinematic resolution remains wooden, stiff and template-like. Think Fassbinder's chamber drama
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant
, but much less evocative and demanding. 6 points for the actresses, though.
the sound of your racing heart -
spiderwort — 2 years ago(July 04, 2023 11:48 PM)
What a week you had, Sophie! A few of your titles I haven't seen, though I've seen most of them. And I'm so glad to see your mention of THE MUSIC LOVERS. I've only seen that once, when it was first released, but I loved it then, and I have a feeling I would probably still love it today. Good to see another fan.