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Post by wmcclain on Mar 13, 2021 15:42:56 GMT
Your comments/ratings/recommendations/film posters are welcome and much appreciated! The title says "classics" but we are always interested to know what classic film lovers have been watching, whatever the material.  |
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Post by wmcclain on Mar 13, 2021 17:47:03 GMT
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Post by politicidal on Mar 13, 2021 17:52:53 GMT
The Informer (2019) 6/10
Ten little Indians (1974) 7/10
Reptilicus (1963) 4/10
Fools’ Parade (1971) 5/10
Greenland (2020) 8/10
The Parallax View (1974) 6/10
Man Without a Star (1955) 4/10
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Post by teleadm on Mar 13, 2021 21:24:37 GMT
Here is what the Tele has seen lately...  Who Framed Roger Rabbit 1988 directed by Robert Zemeckis Still funny after all those years! We all need a Acme catalog of goods. Bob Hoskins and Stubby Kaye has sadly left us since it was made.  The Comeback aka Encore 1978 directed by Peter Walker. Strange British slasher movie, with even stranger cast, Jack Jones, a clean-cut 60's crooner stars, as a singer hoping for a comeback, staying at a mansion were someone trolls with his head, but who... Barely OK.  Maigret Sets a Trap aka Maigret tend in piege 1958 directed by Jean Delannoy and based on a novel by Georges Simenon. The older Jean Gabin looked more tired over the years, and that fits very well here, he see through all lies and cheats and breaks them down until they confess. We also get a young Anne Girardot as one of the suspects. Watched it in French with English subtitles As a big fan of Le Grand Gabin, I enjoyed it offcourse!  Lady Godiva of Coventry 1955 directed by Arthur Lubin and based on rumors and legends. It's a nice looking Technicolor production about an incident that most likely never happened. Just to make it clear, Maureen O'Hara doesn't ride around nude. Far from great but okey if one has nothing else to do, but not as a history lesson.  Double Crossbones 1951 directed by Charles Barton A pirate comedy that screams for Bob Hope or Danny Kaye, but instead we get Donald O'Connor, and it's not a bad substitute, physical dancing and comedy he knew well, and we also get gravel voiced Charles McGraw in pirate gear. I wished it was a little bit better, since the story ain't too bad for a pirate comedy/parody.  Confessions of a Nazi Spy 1939 directed by Anatole Litvak and based on articles by Leon G Turrou. A very bold movie and statement from Warner Bros, when America was neutral, and understandable in some points, why fight another war in the old countries again? It shows how easy propaganda can be spread in naive countries, and how misinformation can help to diversify (sounded too familiar), and help the Nazi's to invade to "save" countries. Thanks to a mistake early FBI prevented that in this fictional story based on a case from 1938. Many actors and actresses appeared under aliases and heavy make-up, in case they had relatives in old Germany. and it's a really good and interesting movie too.  The Trail of the Lonesome Pine 1936 directed by Henry Hathaway and based on a novel by John Fox Jr. There are at least three silent versions, but even if it's from 1936, seems to be the latest. A variation of the eternal fights between "hill people", that's been going on so long nobody remembers how it started, only the last reason for revenge. This story get's it's fuse when modern times comes around with railroads and mining, and making money. Historically interesting as the first outdoors Technicolor movie, and the Appalachians looks really beautiful, even if it's actually Big Bear Valley and Lake in California. Even so it's the actors that makes this interesting, from Sylvia Sidney, MacMurray (modernity and a threat), a young Henry Fonda, Beulah Bondi, Nigel Bruce (before Watson) and even little Spanky McFarland, Fussy Knight's walking around and singing doesn't seem to have no other function than singing "Twilight on the Trail" and the forgotten Oscar-nominated "A Melody from the Sky".  That was all from me! |
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Post by OldAussie on Mar 13, 2021 22:16:08 GMT
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Post by wmcclain on Mar 13, 2021 22:17:25 GMT
Confessions of a Nazi Spy 1939 directed by Anatole Litvak Some trivia: for such a prominent world character of the 1930s, Adolph Hitler did not often appear in films. According to the IMDB Archive footage entry, this film is only his 11th appearance. The Roaring Twenties (1939) by Raoul Walsh is his 15th, and Night Train to Munich (1940) by Carol Reed is his 19th.
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Mar 14, 2021 4:33:13 GMT
Men in Black: International (2019). Winter’s Tale (2014). Tag (2018). The Flintstones (1994). Constantine (2005). Face/Off (1997).
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Post by mikef6 on Mar 14, 2021 4:57:50 GMT
Rage And Honor / Terence H. Winkless (1992). One of several Direct-To-Video/Cable action movies starring Cynthia Rothrock, maybe America’s first female martial arts action star (the Hong Kong film industry was decades ahead of the U.S. in this regard). Rothrock held 7 Black Belts in 7 different styles and could put on a fine show if not asked to emote too hard. In this one she plays school teacher Kris Fairfield who also runs a martial arts school, but she has some history. The original sensei had taken her in along with her brother and trained them both. But five years before the story starts, the elderly sensei was killed, the brother is unaccounted for, and Kris now runs the school. She gets mixed up with a cop from Australia (Richard Norton) who is framed for murder by bent cops. As they try to find evidence against the real killer, Kris realizes that those events from her past are involved. Lots of, as we like to say, kick-ass martial arts action, which is really all this movie has to offer. A minimal script, yeoman acting, and unexciting direction and editing. Also with Terry Treas, Brian Thompson, and Catherine Bach (7 years out of “The Dukes Of Hazard.”   Tenet / Christopher Nolan (2020). Well, after reading a few reviews of “Tenet” I felt better about not being able to follow all the science that is brought to play during the second half, but I really did enjoy the action sequences and the script’s surprises. I liked it much better than Nolan’s other sci-fi sagas, “Inception” and “Interstellar,” neither of which I really cared for. After passing a life threatening test from his spy organization, a man just called the Protagonist (star making performance from John David Washington) is sent on a quest to stop a plot that threatens Reality itself. He has only the word “tenet” to guide him but he is led through a labyrinthian maze to a Russian billionaire (Kenneth Branagh) and his unhappy wife (Elizabeth Debicki). Robert Pattinson has a key role as the Protagonist’s mysterious guide and partner. Excellent. Highly recommended.   
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Post by claudius on Mar 14, 2021 8:48:09 GMT
And this week’s MASTERPIECE 50 is: The Second Season of UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS (1972). What about Series One? That season is going to be saved for October in view of its Golden Anniversary. So I’ll skip over to the successive season (covering the final years of Edward VII’s reign) of this LWT drama on an upper-middle-class family and their servants, which aired on MT’s Third Season. Episodes watched were “A New Man”, “Guest of Honour” (the ‘King Edward VII Visits’ episode), “Your Obedient Servant,” and “A Family Gathering.” Acorn Media DVD.
Sunday 7
THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS (1971) “Episode Eight” 50TH ANNIVERSARY The conclusion of the BBC-TV Serial adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper’s novel (Once thought lost, but recently recovered). The finale makes more use of the locational footage of Scotland. There’s an interesting link to OUTLANDER here. That series began in Scotland and ended up in North America. This Serial uses the Scottish woodlands for the American woods. Koch Video DVD.
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION (1996) “Rei III” 25TH ANNIVERSARY this month. Another Angel attack leads to the death of Rei, although it soon is revealed to Shinji and Misato how redundant it is. Japanese with English Subtitles. ADV Video DVD.
THE 62ND ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS (1990) Presentation of the Awards Ceremony. Hosted by Billy Crystal, extended geographically with award presentations given in London (Mel Gibson and Glenn Close), Sydney (Bryan Adams and Rachel Ward), Bueno Aires (Charlton Heston), Tokyo, etc. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg salute Akira Kurosawa. Musical numbers include Geoffrey Holder singing THE LITTLE MERMAID’S “Kiss the Girl” & “Under the Sea”, and Melissa Manchester and James Ingram singing CHANCES ARE “After All.” Diana Ross sings “Over the Rainbow”, perhaps in view of THE WIZARD OF OZ’s 50TH Anniversary. VHS Recording of an ABC Broadcast.
THE BLACK PIRATE (1926) 95TH ANNIVERSARY this week. Douglas Fairbanks Sr.’s Pirate adventure, made in two-strip Technicolor. Kino Lorber DVD.
Monday 8
DARK SHADOWS (1971) “Episode 1226” 50TH ANNIVERSARY MPI Video DVD.
DARK SHADOWS (1991) “Episode Eleven” 30TH ANNIVERSARY Victoria goes on Trial and Josette makes her fatal plunge off Widow’s Cliff. Watching this episode on SciFi channel back in the summer of 1996 was my intro to this tragic event, and I always liked the presentation of this story better- Barnabas summons Josette to his house. She walks to him in her wedding dress upon a path of mist and lighted candles, until the ghost of Angelique shows her images of Barnabas and herself in vampiric g(l)ory (via clips, some of them from the present day storyline!), changing her mind completely and leading to her death. MGM DVD.
THE BIRDCAGE (1996) 25TH ANNIVERSARY American remake of the French play LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (which had been previously adapted into a movie) about a homosexual couple (Robin Williams and Nathan Lane) trying to help their son’s courtship with the daughter of a conservative politician (Gene Hackman). I remember learning about this film back in the winter of 1996, interested in its pairing. I eventually saw the film when it came to TV later that year. MGM/UA VHS.
Tuesday 9
DARK SHADOWS (1971) “Episode 1227” 50TH ANNIVERSARY MPI Video DVD.
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM WING (1996) “Milliardo’s Decision” 25TH ANNIVERSARY this month. The two armies representing the Space Colonies (Milliardo and the White Fang) and Earth (Trieze and OZ) approach each other. Heero breaks into Libra. Lady Une breaks out of her coma to save Trieze. This is the last episode to have a recap. Japanese with English Subtitles. Bandai DVD.
THE 4 HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE (1962) In the late 1950s and 60s, the financially troubled MGM remade their older successes (or in this case, a success from pre-merging Metro). Some of them (MOGAMBO, SCARAMOUCHE, and of course BEN-HUR) were successful, while others (THE OPPOSITE SEX, MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY) were not. This remake of the 1921 Rudolph Valentino Silent was unfortunately in the latter. Directed by Vincente Minelli, and starring Glenn Ford, Charles Boyer, Lee J. Cobb, Paul Henried (who plays a Frenchmen here), Yvette Minnuex (in a rather atypical role as an aggressive female), and Ingrid Thulin with the voice of Angela Lansbury, the story updates to WWII with the German part of the family becoming Nazis and the French part joining the Resistance. Warner Archive DVD.
THE JACK BENNY SHOW (1957) “Jack Benny Falls into Canal in Venice” Betamax Recording of a Comedy Central Broadcast c. 1993.
THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW (1957) Betamax Recording of a Comedy Central Broadcast c. 1993.
GIVE ME A SAILOR (1938) Martha Raye vehicle with upcoming stars Bob Hope and Betty Grable. The plotline has an ironic twist about Raye’s character being famously recognized for her legs to the chagrin of Grable. Presented as a Comedy Central Film Presentation (a spoof on the hammer-stamp “Mark VII Limited” Logo). Betamax Recording of a Comedy Central Broadcast c. 1993. Commercials include a delightful music video about the Buttafucco/Amy Fisher scandal.
Wednesday 10
DARK SHADOWS (1971) “Episode 1228” 50TH ANNIVERSARY MPI Video DVD.
THE TRAPP FAMILY STORY (1991) “Baron Trapp’s Fiance?” 30TH ANNIVERSARY. Introduction of Baroness Ivonne, who is more interested in Georg than the children. Japanese with English Subtitles. Bootleg DVD.
THE FLINTSTONES (1961) “The Long, Long Weekend” 60TH ANNIVERSARY Warner DVD.
ELIZABETH R (1971) “Horrible Conspiracies” 50TH ANNIVERSARY This episode, written by Hugh Whitmore, covers the intrigue and execution of Mary Stuart, the Queen of Scots (Vivian Pickles, more in synch to Mary’s age than she was in her introductory episode). Unlike previous stories (MARY OF SCOTLAND), Elizabeth is not portrayed as a villainess nor Mary as the heroine. Also appearing is David Collings as Babbington (chief conspirator), Ralph Wilde’s Topcliffe (torturer), Malcolm Hayes’ Edward Kelley (occultist) and Hamilton Dyce’s Paulet (Mary’s jailer). Ronald Hines’ Cecil and Robert Hardy’s Robert are both absent in this episode (even though historically both persons were also involved in Mary’s execution). The final scene is probably Jackson’s best moment- she gives Walsingham a monologue of the fearsome process of dying and then breaks out into laughter, turning into a wail, and then a silent nod of despair. Warner/BBC Video DVD.
Thursday
DARK SHADOWS (1971) “Episode 1229” 50TH ANNIVERSARY MPI Video DVD.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (2014) “Madara and Obito” English Dubbed. Viz Media DVD.
THE GODFATHER SAGA (1977) “Part 1” Francis Ford Coppola recut THE GODFATHER and THE GODFATHER PART II into a TV Mini-Series in 1977. The first episode covers the story in chronological order, beginning with the Young Vito flashbacks from PART II (with Robert DeNiro) and concluding midway through the Wedding sequence of GODFATHER’S Introduction. I first saw parts of this on USA back in the turn of the century. I got a better look of the Recut on Bravo in 2002 (for THE GODFATHER’S 30th Anniversary). This is a VHS recording of an American Movie Classics Broadcast in 2012 (for the 40th Anniversary).
LEGACIES OF THE CIVIL WAR (1990) Interview with Ken Burns about his docu-series. This is a VHS recording of a PBS broadcast, airing shortly after the premiere broadcast of the series in September 1990.
LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (1990) “Dana Carvey and Douglas Adams.” VHS Recording of a NBC Broadcast September 1990.
Friday 12
DARK SHADOWS (1971) “Episode 1230” 50TH ANNIVERSARY David Selby (Quentin Collins) makes his final appearance in the series (he was being hospitalized for appendicitis and had not recovered enough to return before the series ended, although he would appear in NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS). MPI Video DVD.
WC FIELDS: STRAIGHT UP (1986) 35TH ANNIVERSARY this week. Narrated by Dudley Moore, this documentary special focuses on the comedian’s life and career with interviews by his grandson Ronald Fields (who also helped produce and write this special). I first saw parts of this on the Disney Channel in May 1996, and was especially interested in my first sustained clip of ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1933). Direct Cinema Limited DVD.
I LOVE THE 80S STRIKES BACK (2003) “1980, 1981, 1982” VHS Recording of a VH-1 Broadcast from October 2003.
Saturday 13
I LOVE THE 80S STRIKES BACK (2003) “1983, 1984” VHS Recording of a VH-1 Broadcast from October 2003.
THE RIFLEMAN (1961) “Sheer Terror” and “Long Gun at Tucson Ridge” Betamax Recording of CBN Broadcasts c. 1985.
LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN (1985) “Stevie Wonder & Andy Griffith” Betamax Recording of a NBC Broadcast May 14 1985.
THE LITTLE MERMAID (1989) Disney Plus.
Saw Parts of:
ERNIE KOVACS (1962) Edited compilation of the show presented on Comedy Central. Betamax Recording of the channel’s broadcast 1993.
THE BEST OF SATURDAY NIGHT (1978) Syndicated edit of the series second episode “Paul Simon/Art Garfunkel.” VHS Recording of a Broadcast (channel unknown) c. October 1985. Also saw a channel-surfing scene from the Sissy Spacek episode (1977) although I am uncertain if it was an actual episode or a BoSN Edit. May 1985.
A WORLD OF IDEAS (1990) PBS series with Bill Moyers. VHS Recording of a PBS Broadcast September 1990.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: CHRISTMAS PAST (1990) VHS Recording of NBC Broadcast, December 1990.
LIFE’S MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENTS (1985) Hosted by Steve Allen, this program highlights blooper moments on TV (YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS and THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW). Betamax Recording of a NBC Broadcast 1984.
THE TONIGHT SHOW (1985) “Johnny Mathis” Betamax Recording of NBC Broadcast May 14, 1985
SPORTS LOOK (1985) “Ted Giannoulas” (The Chicken Mascot) Betamax Recording ESPN Broadcast 1985
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Post by Bella on Mar 14, 2021 10:13:22 GMT
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) - 7/10
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Post by wickedkittiesmom on Mar 14, 2021 19:29:43 GMT
Wings of Desire
Mrs. Miniver
Sabrina (Humphrey Bogart & Audrey Hepburn)
Portrait of Jennie
Rear Window
Oceans 11 (the original with the Rat Pack)
Can Can
Von Ryan's Express
(I watch a lot of DVD's)
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Post by Lebowskidoo 🎄😷🎄 on Mar 15, 2021 15:09:20 GMT
Mostly this week I was visiting Albert Finney and soaking up his greatness. Wise Blood (1979)  Night Must Fall (1937)  Night Must Fall (1964)  Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960)  Looker (1981)  Loophole (1981)  Wolfen (1981)  Murder On The Orient Express (1974)  Miller's Crossing (1990)  Orphans (1987)  Gumshoe (1971)  A Man of No Importance (1994)  The Run of the Country (1995)  Amazing Grace (2006)  Tom Jones (1963)  The Gathering Storm (2002 TVM)  Big Fish (2003)  |
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Post by Lebowskidoo 🎄😷🎄 on Mar 15, 2021 15:15:40 GMT
Here is what the Tele has seen lately... Cool alternate poster! 
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