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Post by wmcclain on Apr 16, 2022 13:45:02 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 stryker on Apr 16, 2022 15:41:31 GMT
RIVER'S END: CALIFORNIA'S LATEST WATER WAR (2021). My Rating: 10 out of 10. Essential viewing, this sobering, scary documentary has universal significance and is Highly Recommended.
    X (2022). 7,5 out of 10. A richly atmospheric new horror film set in rural Texas in 1979 and directed by Ti West. Recommended to genre fans.
 
HOUSE OF THE DEVIL (2009). 6,5 out of 10. Striking eighties style indie horror from Ti West will appeal to discerning horror fans who won't mind the slow pace.      SHUT IN (2021). 6 out of 10.  GOOD LIFE (2022). 5,5 OUT OF 10. Although set mostly in Greece, this was shot in Cape Town, South Africa and its surrounds, and the scenery alone is worth the price of admission.      JOURNEY TO SHILOH (1968). 6 out of 10. Not uninteresting, and the cast - miscast as most of the leads (who include Harrison Ford and Jan Michael Vincent) are, is a fascinating one.     UKRAINE ON FIRE (2016). 7 out of 10. Documentary, cautiously recommended.
    HIDER IN THE HOUSE (1989). 6 out of 10. Gary Busey's strangely sympathetic performance as the deranged and damaged titular character lights up this eighties B-movie.      
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Post by politicidal on Apr 16, 2022 15:45:49 GMT
First Viewings:
Killer Party (1986) 3/10
The Lost City (2022) 7/10
Cruella (2021) 6/10
Love and Bullets (1979) 4/10
Robinson Crusoe (1997) 6/10
Old Henry (2021) 5/10
Repeat Viewings:
The Time Machine (1960) 7/10
Timeline (2003) 6/10
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Post by wmcclain on Apr 16, 2022 16:17:16 GMT
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Post by lostinlimbo on Apr 16, 2022 16:37:03 GMT
 The Lady From Shanghai (1947) - 8/10  Firepower (1979) - 5/10  No Retreat No Surrender (1985) - 6/10 repeat |
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Post by mikef6 on Apr 16, 2022 17:42:00 GMT
The Matrix / Andy and Larry Wachowski (1999). THE blockbuster cyberpunk film, maybe of all time. It seems that all of humanity is living in a dream world created by machines. The actual humans are imprisoned in pods, their life-force used as energy. But a resistance of awakened (woke?) people believe they have found a savior, the One who can enter this dream world, this matrix, and control its actions. Resistance leaders Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss) believe they have found him in Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), a slacker office worker and drug dealer. Anderson is awakened and (now called Neo) starts training regardless of his own doubts (and the doubts of others) about his true identity. It is this uncertainty and groping toward his potential that grounds this film and elevates far above its immediate sequels. In all Bad Actors discussions, Keanu Reeves’ name always comes up. He is an easy target and this always brings chuckles. However, even though his range may be limited, he is very good in this, is perfect for John Wick, and he even has good comic timing (the Bill and Ted movies, “Destination Wedding” e.g.). Recommended if you are one of the small handful of souls who have never seen it.    The Matrix Reloaded / Andy and Larry Wachowski (2003). “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” – Thumper’s mother. Well, I’m not going to take Mother’s advice. Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus are back four years after the monster hit that introduced them. This sequel features even more and longer CGI wire-fu fights, more and longer CGI chases, and more and longer repetition of CGI visuals giving proof positive that more certainly is less. While Neo was a reluctant hero in the original, in the sequels he is for all intents a superhero with no internal conflicts. “Reloaded” got generally positive reviews; Roger Ebert gave it a rave. But Entertainment Weekly (which picked the movie as one of “The 25 Worst Sequels Ever Made”) and I agree on its quality. I didn’t dislike the third in the trilogy, “The Matrix Revolutions,” quite as much but still thought it was poor. Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Laurence Fishburne return as the leading trio. New to the cast are Jada Pinkett Smith as Niobe, the captain of a Zion ship, and Harold Perrineau as Link, a ship’s pilot. There are a few high spots. In small parts, essentially cameos, are two really knockout performances. First, by Nona Gaye as Link’s worried stay-at-home wife and by Monica Bellucci as the bored, unhappy wife of an arrogant Matrix insider (“a pretentious prick” is her description). So, a few moments of happiness in the midst of two hours of dull mayhem.    Moon / Duncan Jones (2009). I fear that this excellent, essentially one-man show, which should be a classic, has been generally forgotten. The one-man is Sam Rockwell who plays Sam Bell, a man who signed a 3-year contract with a mining company to oversee a facility on Earth’s moon. Sam, suffering from severe loneliness, has only two weeks to go on his contract. His only companion has been a R2-D2 type robot called GERTIE (voiced by Kevin Spacey). Gertie takes care of the general housekeeping. Although a short-timer, Sam takes a rover out on the moon’s surface to check on a piece of machinery but an accident causes a collision that buries him and his vehicle under moon dust. When he awakes, he is back at his main building in the infirmary being cared for by Gertie. But he can’t help but notice that there is someone else standing just outside the door. I’m afraid I can’t go on past this point with a plot description. Way too many spoilers ahead. I had seen Sam Rockwell is a few films before this (Ridley Scott’s “Matchstick Men,” “The Green Mile” and the Chuck Barris bio-pic “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”) but hadn’t made up my mind about him. His virtuoso performance in “Moon” settled the issue for me. He was an authentic talent to be watched and followed. I was correct in my prediction. Based on an original script by Nathan Parker. Both Parker and director Duncan Jones come from creative families and are carrying on the tradition. Parker is the son of director Alan Parker (“Mississippi Burning” “Angel Heart” “Midnight Express” many others) while Duncan Jones was born to rock superstar and actor David Bowie, born David Jones, and actress Angela Jones.   
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Post by teleadm on Apr 16, 2022 18:20:54 GMT
Thanks for Vincent! could be Dragonwyck. Not good at guessing! Here are the movies Tele have seen lately:  Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald 2018 directed by David Yates and written by J.K. Rowling. After the first movie I thought I had some idea what these stories was gonna be about, but after watching this movie I'm utterly confused, I genuinely have no idea what to think about it.  Kidnap Syndicate aka La città sconvolta: caccia spietata ai rapitori 1975 directed by Fernando Di Leo and based on some facts. The Italian mobs made good money kidnapping rich peoples kids, so profitable it became a side business. Rich parents (played by James Mason and Valentina Cortese) send their kid to school in a Rolls-Royce, while a Speedway motorbike Mechanic (french actor Luc Merenda) go to same school, Rich kid is kidnapped, mechanic kid happened to be in the way. Sending kids to school in a Rolls-Royce isn't that more or less inviting trouble? One of the kidnapped kids are killed, and one of the parents goes on a crusade killing all mobs following the money. Rather decent Italian crime movie, worth a look and a must for Mason Fans.  Wonder if an angry little Fiat car could do those narrow places. (locations from the movie above)  Deadlier Than the Male 1967 directed by Ralph Thomas and based on a character by "Sapper" Dusting off "Bulldog Drummond" for the Spy craze generation isn't a bad idea in itself, as he is an insurance investigator unlike the other spies who works for government. Searching about Oil Industry oil fields takeovers. One of the better Bond-like movies I've seen so far. It do have dry British humor, but it didn't go for camp, like Matt Hem and Flint. Richard Johnson has the right flair, but the best part is female assassins (Elke Sommer and Sylva Koscina) effective when killing, bitchy when they are not killing. Better than I thought it would be.  A Town Like Alice aka The Rape of Malaya 1956 directed by Jack Lee and based on a novel by Nevil Shute. Let me just shout "Damn, this was a good movie!" During WW2 in Malaya women prisoners are sent on endless walks that never ends all over the Malayan peninsula, while the men are sent to camps, hoping that in the end they would die. It's hard hitting in the way that some dies and and kids too. I've read a few Nevil Shute novels but not this one that's called "Five Black Hens" in Swedish, and watching this movie I know why, It's a minor but important incident. Childhood mystery revealed at last. Virginia McKenzie (who is still with us) and Peter Finch got their big breaks.  Hollywood Story 1951 directed by William Castle (!) It came recommended from posters here, and it's a good story about a "cold Case" murder in an abandoned old movie studio, and I enjoyed watching it. Joel McCrea made a cameo, Francis X Bushman, Betty Blythe, William Farnum and Helen Gibson stars of the Silent era makes cameos as themselves. Better than I thought it would be.  Under the Red Robe 1937 directed by Victor Seastrom (Victor Sjöström) and based on a novel by Stanley J. Weyman and a play by Edward E. Rose. The Red robe was those working dirty deads under the rule of Cardinal Richeleau (Raymond Massey), keeping France protestant free, normal rules didn't apply. at a uprising the cardinal searches the services of a Gil de Berault (Conrad Veidt) who he was just about to hang, to search out those horrible protestants before they go to Spain. Gil offcorse also falls in love (French actress Annabella), so will Gil follow his heart or kill all protestants.... Wish it was available in a better copy than I watched. Entertaining and humorous swashbuckler, far from the best, with some historical value.  The Count of Monte Cristo 1934 directed by Rowland V. Lee and based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas. I've seen other versions of his story, but never this version, think it was the thickest book in my parents book shelf. Though some parts differs these 110 minutes went by very fast before Edmund and Mercedes can be a couple again. Robert Donat who was always sickly, made this only movie in Hollywood, chronic asthma could probably have been cured better nowdays. Louis Calhern, Sidney Blackmer and Raymond Walburn play the ones revenged on, while O.P. Heggie (blind Hermit in Bride of Frankenstein) played the old tunneler on island of If, who reviels where the treasure is. Glad to have finally seen this version and I enjoyed it.  The real Montecristo Island, nearly inhabited, but is a nature reserve,  These cute goats lives there though. Well that was all from me Wars never cares about ecology, some animals once common in Ukraine  This little chap changes fur during winter but ears are still red.   SLAVA UKRANI! |
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Post by Doghouse6 on Apr 16, 2022 18:45:23 GMT
Thanks for Vincent! could be Dragonwyck. Not good at guessing! The clothes look too modern for Dragonwyck.I'm guessing The Web (1947).
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Post by wmcclain on Apr 16, 2022 19:26:08 GMT
Thanks for Vincent! could be Dragonwyck. Not good at guessing! The clothes look too modern for Dragonwyck.I'm guessing The Web (1947). I would have thought that a hard one to guess, but correct! It was unavailable on home video until Kino put it on Blu-ray: 
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Post by Doghouse6 on Apr 17, 2022 1:57:34 GMT
The clothes look too modern for Dragonwyck.I'm guessing The Web (1947). I would have thought that a hard one to guess, but correct! It was unavailable on home video until Kino put it on Blu-ray: It was half process of elimination and half mental coin-toss. Price had done relatively few modern-dress pictures among those of his first decade or so, and after eliminating those I was sure it wasn't, only Shock and The Web were left, hence the coin-toss.
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Apr 17, 2022 2:27:40 GMT
No Time to Die (2021). No time for mediocrity...yet here we are. When Daniel Craig was first cast as Bond, he had his doubters, but proved them wrong with his debut in Casino Royale (which remains my favourite Bond film and the best of the Craig era). QoS was not well-received and certainly had its flaws, but I’ve come to appreciate it more over time as a ‘Part 2’ of sorts to CR’s ‘Part 1’. Unlike most, I kind of hated Skyfall, which I know is an ‘unpopular’ opinion…as is me actually *liking* Spectre (which most others seemed to dislike). Despite being pushed back numerous times, I can’t say I was super-excited for this final movie of Craig’s, as the trailers didn’t really ‘wow’ me. After a bloodless (wtf was THAT about?) gun barrel at the beginning, we get backstory on Madeleine Swann from Spectre. As a child she had a drunk mother and then the Phantom of the Opera killed her (again, no blood. Very strange), but young Madeleine was able to handle herself (too bad the Phantom wasn’t so easy to kill, apparently). She fled, fell through ice and was rescued by the guy she just tried to kill. Cut to Bond living a seemingly happy life with adult Madeleine, though she wants to know about Vesper, which leads Bond to visiting her grave that is suddenly desecrated via explosion (no, this isn’t the wrath of Vesper’s ghost being p.o.’d at him for moving on). His memory of her ‘betrayal’ makes him paranoid that perhaps Madeleine’s the same, which leads to him having a long hard think about whether he wants to protect her as their bulletproof car gets shot up. Luckily, Madeleine fares better than Tracy did in OHMSS (which was a surprise to me) and one car chase later he sticks her on a train with no intention of ever seeing her again. We’re then treated to Billie Eilish’s title song for the movie which mightn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I didn’t mind it (at least it was less generic than the overrated ‘Skyfall’ and didn’t feature writhing naked inky octopus ladies à la Spectre’s opening credits). Things slow down a bit as we jump five years ahead and Bond is introduced to his replacement, Nomi, who’s taken over the ‘007’ mantle since Bond retired. Lashana Lynch does what she can with the role, but it’s a pretty generic ‘tough female agent’ type who shares some back-and-forth with Bond and there doesn’t really seem to be that much complexity to her character (though she does come to respect Bond eventually and at least she's less one-dimensional than Billy Magnussen's butt-monkey character, Logan Ash). Things eventually pick up when Jeffrey Wright’s Felix Leiter sets Bond up to meet Paloma, who at first I thought was going to unfortunately go the way of Gemma Arterton’s Agent Fields from QoS, but thankfully that wasn’t the case and she proves herself a valuable asset to Bond. Ana de Armas makes the most of her screentime and you’re left wanting more of her fun, but seriously underutilized, character. Madeleine’s eventually brought back into the story and I wondered why everything in between the beginning and her reintroduction was needed since the story seems to be about her and her connection with this film’s villain, whose name is Lyutsifer Safin. Yes, really (with a name like THAT, what career could he have possibly had besides villain?). While some dismissed the character of Madeleine and Léa Seydoux’s performance in Spectre, I thought she did a good job, and although nobody could EVER top Eva Green’s Vesper, thanks to this film fleshing out Madeleine’s character, Seydoux’s able to bring depth/pathos to the role that has now joined the ranks of Vesper and M as one of the most important women in Bond’s life. If the film had concentrated more on her instead of taking a detour to other things, maybe it wouldn’t have felt so 'scattered'. As for Safin...well, he’s not Dominic Greene levels of forgettable, but he’s not that great either. Rami Malek’s interesting to watch; though I expected a bit more from Bond’s final foe (his lair leaves more of an impression than he does, since it’s classic Bond villain-style). Of course, there’s also the return of Blofeld (who has a more elaborate holding cell than Hannibal Lecter gets), but sadly he’s not much better. The villains’ evil plot for this film is about as farfetched as classic Bond villain plots, the much-talked-about climax of the film may get some noses out of joint, and it did feel a bit contrived how they arrived there, but obviously ‘Bond will return’ in some shape or form, so people losing it over what happens seems rather premature. As for the man himself, Daniel Craig impressed in his debut with CR (a performance, like the film itself, which I feel has never been topped by the ones that followed), and although some people criticized his performance in Spectre as seeming like he was ‘over it’, I felt he seemed more worn-out here (though he does continue to show that he wasn't just the most physical Bond, but was also capable of giving genuinely emotional performances). Characters such as M, Q and Moneypenny don’t get that much to do in this film, and personally I wouldn’t be opposed to all three being recast/rebooted with whatever comes next. I didn’t find any of the action in this movie particularly memorable and definitely ‘felt’ the runtime. For the Craig’s final film, it does feel surprisingly underwhelming. It’s not that anything’s particularly ‘bad’; just more a bit ‘boring’...which is NOT something a Bond film should be, especially when it’s the last one for the Bond actor. While others weren’t happy with how Spectre ended, I didn’t have a problem with it/would’ve been fine with that being Craig's last. This movie provides a more ‘definitive’ end to the story of Craig’s Bond, and I did appreciate the ‘bookends’ of where the film starts with him and where the film ends.                        (2018). Hotel Artemis (2018). Ingrid Goes West (2017). Avengers: Infinity War (2018). Give this man a shave!... I took a break from seeing MCU movies at the theatre, since 2017's offerings didn't appeal to me, but having enjoyed some of the previous solo movies/half-enjoying the previous two Avengers movies, I checked out A:IW for the characters I cared about, knowing full-well time would also be spent on those I didn't care about. We begin with Thor, Loki and the film's big bad, Thanos. It feels like Thor got more screentime here than he did in the two previous Avengers movies. Most surprisingly, his main interaction's with Rocket from the GotG movies, who he calls "Rabbit". Like in A:AoU, Thor is absent for long periods of time/shows up towards the end, seemingly with a means to defeating the villain...that doesn't quite work out this time. I enjoyed his first movie, but am disappointed with what they've reduced him/his movies to since. Tony is...Tony. If you're a fan, chances are you're never going to dislike him (no matter what he says/does), whereas I'm someone who's never been a fan of RDJ's mumbled-speed-talking a-hole of a character, so I just tune out when he's eating up screentime/cracking "jokes". RDJ's/Paltrow's scene just made me wish the screentime was spent on something/anything else. His relationship with Tom Holland's Spider-Kid may tug at some people's heartstrings (especially near the end, where Holland/Peter ripped-off the Tenth Doctor's exit from Doctor Who), but I personally find his whole shtick tiresome. Mark Ruffalo does some questionable acting early on when he's describing the severity of the situation to everyone else, Bruce is also made to look the fool on more than one occasion, and the Hulk doesn't show his green face again after losing a fight to Thanos in the opening scene . There's an all-too-brief acknowledgment of his past 'relationship' he developed with ScarJo's Natasha/Black Widow (who sports a new short blonde 'do and is sadly underutilised) that I personally appreciated. Disappointingly, a bearded Steve Rogers/Cap has suffered a similar fate to Thor (for me). His screentime's been reduced significantly (despite his third solo film having already been hijacked by Tony & co...which should've meant he was owed more screentime, not LESS) and what I enjoyed about him/his first solo film has been stripped away. He's much less fun to watch now...though I still choose his side over Tony's. Steve/Cap has some brief exchanges...and that's about it. I was super-disappointed that the 'brother-like' relationship he'd developed with Wanda was dropped here (as was her one with Hawkeye, who's entirely absent). That other Steve, Doctor Strange, has become Tony's new verbal sparring partner, as they immediately clash thanks to Tony's inability to go without snarking at/insulting others for even a minute (how I wish Strange's Cloak of Levitation would've slapped the snot out of Tony instead of just giving him a light slapping when he was disrespecting an ancient artifact). Thankfully, the cloak remains awesome. Not-so-awesome? The GotG. I'm not a fan of them/their movies (John C. Reilly's character summed them up best in their first film: "What a bunch of a-holes."), and their brand of 'humour' doesn't work for me. The only one I half-like (Karen Gillan's Nebula) is sadly wasted here. She's tortured, then awesome, then gives Star-Lord some upsetting information which causes him to muck up everybody's ONE REAL CHANCE at defeating Thanos. Not fun when someone lets their PERSONAL FEELINGS get the better of them IS IT, TONY? While others don't appreciate the characters of Wanda/Scarlet Witch and Vision, or the actors' performances, I thought Elizabeth Olsen/Paul Bettany made the most of their screentime. I've always liked them/their characters' relationship. The actors make the most of what they're given and I enjoyed what little time we got with them (especially when Wanda started kicking major butt. And despite her feelings for Vision, she makes the ultimate sacrifice/does what needs to be done). As I expected, they're given short-shrift/tossed aside near the end without anyone mourning/caring about them. Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa/Black Panther hasn't much to do. Danai Gurira's Okoye makes more of an impression (particularly in the scene where she/Natasha help Wanda. Too bad there wasn't more of this trio). There are other characters who're given moments here and there (and even some cameos), but a large percentage of the film is taken up by Thanos. Josh Brolin's certainly given more material to work with than the last few Marvel villains prior to this film, but I personally would've rather spent more time with the good guys, as I don't feel for Thanos no matter HOW much the movie wants me to. Why should I care if he looks sad/cries, when he'll kill half the universe's population without a second thought? Some of the action is hard to follow, the film cuts back and forth between many different characters/plots (thus making things feel 'scattered'/all-over-the-place) and the cliff-hanger ending elicited a "WTF?" reaction from the audience I saw it with (while my main reaction was finding Bruce looking sad in the 'Hulkbuster' armour unintentionally comical). This film was never going to please everyone, and while there are those who're unfairly critical towards it, there's also those who overpraise it too. I might sound like I didn't enjoy the film, but that's not entirely true. Parts of it worked. Other parts? Not so much. The problem with trying to cram so much together is that everyone 'loses' in some way (except Tony, of course!). Also, I think the film overdid the 'deaths' throughout, which just felt like they were there for 'shock value'. There's such a large number of 'casualties' that you just know most, if not all, are going to be undone in the following film. The end credits haven't anything interesting/special to look at, which is disappointing. The after-credits scene doesn't offer much except the promise of hopefully something better yet to come with Captain Marvel.                                              
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Post by Rufus-T on Apr 17, 2022 5:38:27 GMT
The Sound of Music Live! (2013)  A Perfect World (1993)  Three Coins in the Fountain (1954)  |
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Post by timshelboy on Apr 17, 2022 7:03:42 GMT
REWATCHES
 Lush romantic melodrama. A married woman on a cruise chances upon a Rajah beating his servant.... cue hot adulterous romance climaxing in a tiger hunt.
 Third look at controversial adaptation of Huxley book about outbreak of religious hysteria in convent in 17th century France. Not for all tastes - but you won't be bored... Nice BFI release dvd.
 Sleazy and violent Mickey Spillane adaptation - which is really the way to do Spillane. Not very coherent but the action never lets up.  Odd choice for the late Marvin J Chomsky to follow up HOLOCAUST with - a sordid tale of a sexually repressed teacher from William Inge novel. Anne Heywood does what she can in the lead - doubt the film would be made now and the protagonist seemingly enjoying the rape/degradation unlikely to fly today.
FIRST VIEWINGS
"RECOMMENDED"
 Perky Warner Bros comedy from 1934 has Pat O'Brien & Allen Jenkins as telephone repair men getting into scrapes and assisting Joan Blondell, set up in a fraud. Highlight is Glenda Farrell and Louise Beavers running fake spiritualist racket.
Charming and funny silent short. 1961.
WATCHABLE/OF INTEREST/IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO
In order to claim her inheritance Loretta Young has to marry - a man approved by a gaggle of aunts. Sprightly romcom
 . Plush melodrama strains plausibility but keeps you watching. As if chance meaning Prosecutors wife Loretta Young is the unknown witness who can save the man her husbnd is trying to convict for murder wasn't enough.. the husband becomes a suspect himself in another murder. Roland Young adds considerable value.
 Unmarried Loretta Young is a DOWN WITH LOVE girl who has written a smash hit book called SPINSTERS ARENT SPINACH.... circumstances mean she has to feign marriage to Ray Milland whilst writing the sequel... MARRIAGE ISNT MEASLES. Keeps up the fun most of the way. _01.jpg) Lavish romantic drama
 Amnesiac Garbo reunited with long lost hubbie - she is dazzlingly blonde in some of this one.  More Godard gangsters
 Rather disturbing look at an extreme "executive training programme". Tru if you believe the publicity.
All the rest are MEDIOCRE to TERRIBLE ie FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO DO
STINKER OF THE WEEK
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Post by claudius on Apr 17, 2022 7:16:49 GMT
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SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (1987) “John Lithgow/ Anita Baker” 35TH ANNIVERSARY this week. Internet Archive of NBC Repeat Broadcast.
ONCE AND AGAIN (2002) “Losing You” 20TH ANNIVERSARY this week. The penultimate episode focuses on a visit from Lily and Judy’s mother (Bonnie Bartlett), who is forgetting things…YouTube presentation of Recording of Lifetime Broadcast
SPY SMASHER (1942) “Chapter 2 Human Target” 80TH ANNIVERSARY this year. YouTube.
ER (1997) “Tribes” 25TH ANNIVERSARY A shot African American patient causes Mark to make some possiblly racist actions. Meanwhile Jeanie meets Benton’s baby mama Carla. Warner DVD.
MONSUIER VERDOUX (1947) 75TH ANNIVERSARY this week. Chaplin’s Controversial Black Comedy about a Black Widower. Read about from books (especially Chaplin’s MY LIFE IN PICTURES with an image of a bound Verdoux walking to his execution. Finally saw the film on American Movie Classics in 1991. Last time I saw it was during the United Artists Centennial in 2019. YouTube.
CHAPLIN TODAY THE CIRCUS (2003) Docu on Chaplin’s 1928 film. YouTube.
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SAILOR MOON (1992) “Chanela Steals Love” 30TH ANNIVERSARY Usagi’s kid brother Shugo has a fear of cats, making things complicated for Luna. The episode makes the first reference of a figure known as the Moon Princess. Japanese with English Subtitles ADV DVD.
THE SLAYERS TRY (1997) “A Letter From Home!” 25TH ANNIVERSARY Starving for food after a seven-day Ocean voyage, the gang finally reach land, intercepting demon bandits who are in search of the Sword of Light. They also get acquainted with Filia the Golden Dragon Priestess of the Shrine of the Golden Dragon King. She needs Lina’s help due to a dark prophecy that requires the interference of mortals. Lina accepts (after getting a veiled threat from her feared sister via a letter). Although the Opening and Closing spoil it, Filia becomes this season’s Fifth Member. Japanese with English Subtitles. Software Sculptor DVD.
UNKNOWN CHAPLIN (1983) “Episode 1: My Happiest Years” Includes an introduction by Geraldine Chaplin. Thames/HBO Video VHS.
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GRAND HOTEL (1932) 90TH ANNIVERSARY The first plot-oriented All-Star film, starring Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone, and Jean Hersholt. I first saw parts of this on Showtime in the spring of 1991. I remember seeing Joan Crawford’s intro thinking that’s Mommie Dearest (I could argue this was my intro to the real Joan). I skipped some parts, ending up watching the aftermath of a certain character’s demise. I would watch a little more on another broadcast shortly after. Then I gave it a full watch next Spring. Warner DVD.
30TH ANNIVERSARY:
-GOOF TROOP (1992) “Max-imum Insecurity” A thief forces Max and PJ to hold a stolen item. Again, uncertain if this actually aired on April 12, but I do remember it was among the episodes that aired as a Sneak Preview run on the Disney Channel. I do remember it as my introduction to Peg, Pete’s wife. Amazon Prime.
-RUGRATS (1992) “Spike Vs Fluffy/ Reptar’s Revenge” Amazon Prime.
-THE LEGEND OF PRINCE VALIANT (1992) “The Defeat of Greystone” Val accompanies Gawain to retake a castle conquered by Dylan. When Gawain is injured, Val takes over and succeeds in saving the castle. This begins the final arc of the season, as Val sets out to save his conquered homeland. I first saw this on Holy Week 1992, juggling viewing the episode while watching Arts & Entertainment’s airing of APPOINTMENT WITH DESTINY’S “The Crucifixion of Jesus” BCI Eclipse DVD.
ESCAPE FROM SOBIBOR (1987) 35TH ANNIVERSARY TV-drama on the mass escape from the Sobibor Concentration Camp in 1943. Starring Alan Arkin, Joanna Pacula, Rutger Hauer, and Jack Shepherd. First saw this on the History Channel in 1997 whose MOVIES IN TIME presentation had Sander Vanocour interview several prisoners who endured the horror and escaped. Live Entertainment VHS.
THE CURE (1917) Chaplin’s tenth film with Mutual Studios. It was the twelfth (and last Mutual) I saw (December 1991). The last time I viewed it was on its Centennial in 2017. Carl Davis scored-version. Image DVD.
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CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1992) 30TH ANNIVERSARY Remake of the Barbara Stanwyck film and the only film directed by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Starring Dyan Cannon, Kris Kristoffersen, Tony Curtis, and Richard Roundtree. My recording of the TNT March 30 1992 Broadcast of BEN-HUR A TALE OF THE CHRIST featured promos during every commercial time and a featurette with Arnold talking about directing and everyone complementing him. So it is about time I watched this film. Amazon Prime.
CECIL B. DEMILLE AMERICAN EPIC (2004) Kevin Brownlow’s documentary on the film showman. The first part deals with his early career to his silent hits (using dialogue from Brownlow’s HOLLYWOOD) to his brief setback in the early 1930s. Interviews by family (his adopted son and granddaughter), and historians, surviving actors (Junior Coughlin and Mickey Moore), fans like Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, as well as archival bits from Jesse Lasky Jr, Agnes DeMille from Brownlow’s HOLLYWOOD and the 1981 docu READY WHEN YOU ARE MR DEMILLE. Elmer Bernstein, who scored DeMille’s THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956) does the orchestrations (including scenes from the 1923 version). VHS Recording of Turner Classic Movies Premiere Broadcast 2004.
CHARLIE CHAPLIN THE LITTLE TRAMP (1980) Special narrated by Joel Grey about Chaplin’s early career from Keystone to Mutual. One of HBO’s first productions. Bootleg DVD.
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THE FORSYTE SAGA (2002) “Episode Two” 20TH ANNIVERSARY Begins with the adaptation of THE MAN OF PROPERTY, with Soames’ marriage to Irene coming apart, with Soames attempting to save it by building a house via an architect, Cousin June’s suitor Bossiney, who falls for Irene. Also, Winifred realizes flaws in her husband Dartie (raising debts that lead to repossession of property), and Old Jolylon reconciles with his disowned son Young Jolylon. Amazon Prime.
CECIL B DEMILLE AMERICAN EPIC (2004) “Episode Two” Covers DeMille’s Sound career with interviews by Angela Lansbury, Spielberg, Scorsese, and archival bits. Interestingly even though they show parts of the Red Sea sequence (and how it was done) the docu never specifically shows the actual parting scene. The docu has been an Annual Easter viewing.
THE DAY CHRIST DIED (1980) TV drama focusing on the political maneuvering on Jesus’ final hours. Starring Chris Sarandon, Colin Blakely, Keith Michell, Hope Lange, Tim Piggott Smith, and Jonathan Pryce (Tony Vogel, who played Andrew in JESUS OF NAZARETH, plays a Pharisee guard). First saw this on the USA Network very early Christmas morning. Saw it again in December 2003 and taped it later. VHS Recording of Fox Movies Channel Broadcast. An annual Easter viewing.
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HOMEFRONT (1992) “Songs Unsung Are The Sweetest” 30TH ANNIVERSARY The season finale finds Mrs Metcalf becoming Mrs Cohn, the Davises opening their restaurant (with their son going back to France to reclaim his white wife), Jeff and Ginger dealing with six months of abstinence before their wedding, Charlie realizing the truth about Caroline, putting an end to their marriage & making Gina a possible interest. Meanwhile the depressed Hank Metcalf considers putting an end to it all. Fortunately that does not happen, but this marks his last appearance in the series. VHS Recording of TV Land Broadcast Spring 2000.
A DOGS LIFE (1918) Charles Chaplin’s first First National Film, partnering the Tramp with a Dog named Scraps. I first learned of this film from a quick spot on David Robinson’s book CHAPLIN HIS LIFE AND ART. Shortly after in 1990 I saw the film as a VHS Rental. A reading of the film from another book CHAPLINS FILMS had me learn the natural wording of “Bitch” (describing Scraps). The last time I saw it was on its Centennial in 2018. All viewing sources come from the 1959 compilation THE CHAPLIN REVUE, in this case KeyVideo VHS.
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RUROUNI KENSHIN (1997) “As if to Fly: Stop the Launch of ship Purgatory!” 25TH ANNIVERSARY So I return to the series, with Kenshin and his Allies (reunited with Sanosuke) fight Shishio’s Kyoto Grand Inferno (attack all administrations in Kyoto and set the whole city aflame). Turns out the plan is a decoy so Shishio can send his massive war ship the Purgatory to attack Tokyo (or more truthfully scare the population into a mass hysteria, breaking the trust of the present government). Japanese with English Subtitles.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956) Cecil B DeMille’s epic on the Exodus. Nuff said. I first saw the film (or honestly most of the first part) on ABC in Palm Sunday 1991. For my Birthday I got it on VHS; it was the first double Cassette I ever got. Unfortunately it was also two Part 1s, so my parents returned & exchanged it and enabled me to see the awesome Part 2. I usually managed to watch it every year mostly on ABC. This year I missed its broadcast April 9, so I am viewing it on Paramount DVD.
Saw Parts Of:
CHARLIE THE LIFE AND ART OF CHARLES CHAPLIN (2005) Richard Schickel’s Documentary. Watched the majority but the source (Dailymotion) was missing a part.
This week marks the 50Th Anniversary of the 44th Annual Academy Awards. It is best known for Charles Chaplin’s first appearance in Hollywood since his 1952 exile, appearing to the Ceremony to receive a special Oscar. I can’t seem to find a full version of the event (and besides my last day of Lent prevents me from using the Internet anyway) so I am relying on sources in my possession.
-OSCAR’S GREATEST MOMENTS 1970-1991 (1992). The scene is the climax of the compilation, beginning with Ceremony-broadcast scenes from THE GOLD RUSH, CITY LIGHTS, and THE CIRCUS before presenting Chaplin giving his thanks.
-THE GENTLEMAN TRAMP (1975) This one skips the clips, going to Chaplin making his speech with Jack Lemmon giving him a bamboo cane and bowler (which he pops off his head) while receiving a mass singing of “Smile” by celebrities like Joel Grey, Cloris Leachman (who won Best Supporting Actress for THE LAST PICTURE SHOW), Petula Clark, Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda (who won Best Actress in KLUTE) and Johnny Mathis.
-CHAPLIN (1992) Recreates Chaplin (played by Robert Downey Jr) escorted Backstage and to the Podium (with actual images and voices of Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, and ) with actual clips from CITY LIGHTS, THE CIRCUS, THE GOLD RUSH, MODERN TIMES, THE GREAT DICTATOR, and THE KID. The film ends with Chaplin readying himself for the presentation amid the ending of THE CIRCUS (the clip was also the finale for OSCAR’S and THE REAL CHARLIE CHAPLIN).
Does anyone know what we’re the actual clips used at the Oscars?
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