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Post by wmcclain on Sept 3, 2022 13:31:46 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. ![](http://watershade.net/public/tmp-mystery-street-01.jpg)
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Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 3, 2022 13:37:59 GMT
Trial by Jury (1994) 6/10![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQSdg28lw81otwRFBTuOP2HSnoNATSiHgm_fg&usqp=CAU) The Killers (1964) 8/10![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSyt4Nwkhn2rjhulAm2L8pJGG-xH5RuyA4P8w&usqp=CAU) Action in the North Atlantic (1943) 6/10![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS20ZQpPa-R4KBztI8a1TLP04EtjXEXFf-66A&usqp=CAU) Illegal (1955) 7/10![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT3A1hhczn2H5GrdSoPlFC6w3O9nS5bAInkGg&usqp=CAU) Fat Albert (2004) 4/10![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTrbJFbOaBN6j9GfUGZtKPeRmFBPUYrZ8LMIw&usqp=CAU) Centurion (2010) 6/10 repeat![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRZv-AV5Ep2Gomq8notekNhsLfls3hc6OtU6g&usqp=CAU) Abandoned (2010) 4/10![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUhszZcz0CK52t2ufSXooMnBsZ1v4m3puE_g&usqp=CAU) Stealing Candy (2003) 4/10![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT91r2E4YNmPzfNJ7em7a4T9vsi8Bp9sKaW6w&usqp=CAU) The Spirit (2008) 5/10![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRAS9h2QwwSPMeY8K5hwCRIwKjx7MnHrRrWMQ&usqp=CAU) Dead in Tombstone (2013) 5/10![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTTzPO8pOtntDVRNcPbDSY3HEs2ZFALjwKhrw&usqp=CAU)
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Post by wmcclain on Sept 3, 2022 13:47:26 GMT
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Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Sept 3, 2022 13:56:34 GMT
Mr. Jones (2019). The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018). Are you not Lisbeth Salander, the righter of wrongs? The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? The original book trilogy (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest) were written by Stieg Larsson. There were movie versions of each released in 2009 starring Noomi Rapace. In 2010 there was the Millennium TV mini-series, which was a compilation of the three Swedish films with extended scenes/more stuff added back in. The three movies were re-released on DVD with the extra stuff added back in and these became the 'Extended Versions' of the films. In 2011 came the US remake of the first film. Since then, another author (David Lagercrantz) started writing a new series of books continuing the story on from the third book (as the original author, Stieg Larsson, had passed away). This new movie starring Claire Foy is the first film adaptation of the new series of books. The only 'remake' so far has been the 2011 version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Sadly, not enough people were first introduced to the character of Lisbeth Salander through Noomi Rapace's unparalleled performance, setting the standard by which all other portrayals should be compared. She did all the hard work/heavy lifting, bringing this character to life onscreen for the first time. Quite unfairly, she never scored an Oscar nomination (which I think she should have), nor did these original films receive all the praise that the US remake got. Whether it was the fact that the original film trilogy had subtitles, which people simply couldn't be bothered reading, I don't know, but it's a shame that the big flashy US remake got all the glory the original films/actress to play Salander should have. Those who told fans of the original Swedish films to 'Give the US remake a chance!' and dismissed the recasting of the Lisbeth role now know what it feels like. All the people whose first introduction to the characters of Lisbeth, Mikael, etc was the Fincher version clearly couldn't take their own advice, as a large percentage of them seem to be damning this new film, despite the fact that at least it's based on a book that hasn't been filmed previously. I've seen complaints about Claire Foy as Lisbeth not looking vastly different to how she normally looks, and this is a result of Fincher going overboard with Lisbeth's look in his version, where she was downright alienesque in appearance. No, it *isn't* normal for Lisbeth to walk around with panda eyes/bizarre make-up. If you watched the second film in the original trilogy, you'd see she reserved the theatrical makeup for special occasions. That's what we get here in the opening scene, with Foy's Lisbeth sporting a swath of white paint over her eyes as she helps out a wife with an abusive husband. And the mohawk only appears here and briefly towards the end of the film. Fincher decided to go all 'comic book' with Lisbeth's look and created a 'heightened/hyper-reality', whereas this film is a bit more 'restrained'. No elaborate fights on escalators this time. When Lisbeth fights a guy hand-to-hand here, it's in a small enclosed area, brutal (not flashy), and she doesn't magically win. We're now seeing the reaction from those who dismissed the part Noomi Rapace played in making the character of Lisbeth Salander as widely recognised as she is (or who simply don't wish to accept that the role originated with her), because they fell in love with the remake version, when the shoe is on the other foot. The outcry over 'their' version of Lisbeth being replaced is no different to those who didn't wish to see Noomi replaced. Yet they're acting like the US version is the ONLY version. Sorry to break it to you...she's not. Claire Foy gives us a more 'grounded' performance as Lisbeth, as she conveys the character's weaknesses/vulnerabilities, making her feel like more of a 'real' character as opposed to the comic book-like US version. To those complaining about this film's 'action'...so what if there's action? It's not like the remake was devoid of elaborate action scenes. Plus, here she uses her brains for getting out of sticky situations more often than her fists. Sverrir Gudnason might not be as recogniseable as Daniel Craig...but that actually works in his favour. Rather than watching a non-action version of James Bond onscreen, we're getting to see a Mikael as he comes across in the books. He's more or less just a regular guy, and I think the actor portrays him believably. We only get short scenes between him and Foy's Salander, but their 'relationship'/friendship feels like it's already established. The remake seemed to put them together in no time and I didn't feel that was 'earned' like in the original. Sylvia Hoeks does a lot with limited screentime also. We don't really meet her Camilla until late into the film (though we're introduced to the sisters as children at the beginning), but she plays the 'coldness' well, showing just hints of vulnerability. I read the book this movie's based on/adapted from when it was first released and didn't think much of it. The author just wasn't able to capture what made the original three books (which I've read each of multiple times) so great. However, I decided to give the book another try in preparation for seeing this movie. Maybe it's that this movie's such a 'loose' interpretation of the book, with it being quite a bit different, but I found the film version much more interesting. The problem is some people who only know the US remake are ignorant of what came before. They think that version is the ONLY one that exists. This is no doubt what has contributed to the IMDB rating being so (quite unjustly) low. Claire Foy *is* the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo...whether you like it/wish to accept it or not. Hopefully we get to see more of her in the role. Until then, do yourself a favour and watch the original trilogy. ![](https://i.imgur.com/Z491zr4.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/kfxBb16.jpg) ![](https://i.giphy.com/28nTQk7j87ODcw6yj3.gif) ![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/8b32d6cdebef9b7af61d853858594344/tumblr_p9yuve3ojL1vnc8b0o1_500.gif) ![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/94903f40e78ac8d5552113948d63a1ee/tumblr_p9yuve3ojL1vnc8b0o2_500.gif) ![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/120992709b5345a8d2b5617507a95185/tumblr_p9yuve3ojL1vnc8b0o3_500.gif) ![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/ac9117661e75ccfe4dab3c66529ced30/tumblr_p9yuve3ojL1vnc8b0o5_500.gif) ![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/c34cb7aebc3a2428c39f1fc394b1b8f8/tumblr_p9yuve3ojL1vnc8b0o4_500.gif) ![](https://i.giphy.com/media/ZcbPI9RwgHXeZN8WG3/giphy.webp) ![](https://assets.vogue.com/photos/5bbd20755bea482ded7e7885/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/00-story-claire-foy-transformation.gif) ![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/d80d0b60b7054049b6822b70992a990f/tumblr_pa63o4Ks4Y1wq69e3o2_540.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/ktKT2g5.jpg) ![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/2b1ca1cca05e51f9a93b63c20477f287/tumblr_p9zwna1y6k1up42jgo7_540.gif) ![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/15152320cbf62b5441cd498d51f163bd/tumblr_p9yuve3ojL1vnc8b0o6_500.gif) ![](https://i.imgur.com/5Rn0dj2.jpg) ![](https://78.media.tumblr.com/1b14bd25ee6cd6e0455256cc54357654/tumblr_p9yz0v7ODB1wmwbi7o4_540.gif) ![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/8ced078865963ce722b41b1fe4f64a73/tumblr_p9yz0v7ODB1wmwbi7o3_540.gif) ![](https://i.imgur.com/ttyoWmf.jpg) ![](https://i.imgur.com/E7jNxZx.jpg) ![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e7/9b/21/e79b217e4c55d091ade744b1caa90e9b.jpg) ![](https://i.makeagif.com/media/6-08-2018/RJwtWQ.gif) ![](https://78.media.tumblr.com/36938e92d3f9be59c19caacc4b297c69/tumblr_p9z5916rVm1waqc6jo5_540.gif) ![](https://78.media.tumblr.com/cb7d93a4077507abd9f3cdafd9e9ae12/tumblr_p9zvugLTL91up42jgo8_540.gif) ![](https://78.media.tumblr.com/e11a42207311d06c727765328363708d/tumblr_pelub7vNyw1s3tn06o5_540.png) Belfast (2021).
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spiderwort
Junior Member
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@spiderwort
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Post by spiderwort on Sept 3, 2022 14:00:48 GMT
First viewings:Tokyo Story (1953):The final film in Yasujiro Ozu’s “Noriko” trilogy, it’s my third Ozu film, and it’s a great one. Some consider it his masterpiece. After I see more, I will probably agree. Highly recommended. Ugetsu (1953):My first Kenji Mizoguchi film, and it’s a disturbing beauty. Highly recommended. The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927):The first true Hitchcock suspense thriller that foreshadows all to come from the master of suspense. Recommended for its historical significance. Zero for Conduct (Zéro de conduite) (1933):Young director (age 27) Jean Vigo’s 45 minute film, made before his feature film masterpiece, L’Atlante (1934), is a must-see for its unique cinematic qualities and historical significance, particularly to the French New Wave. Great cinematography by Boris Kaufman, who later shot On the Waterfront. Falling Leaves (1912): An 11 minute short based upon an O. Henry story. Directed by Alice Guy aka Guy-Blache, the first female filmmaker, who directed her first film in 1896! She wrote, produced, and directed hundreds of films (now mostly lost) until around 1920. Available on Netflix: Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers. A House Divided (1913):Another Alice Guy short (13 min.) which showcases her use of humor. It's filled with gags that would become prevalent in comedies to come. Also available on Netflix: Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers. Rewatches:Broadcast News (1987):Director James L. Brooks’ very smart, entertaining film. Nominated for 7 Oscars — Best Picture, Actor (William Hurt), Actress (Holly Hunter), Supporting Actor (Albert Brooks), Screenplay (James L. Brooks), Editing, and Cinematography. Highly recommended. The Blob (1958):I saw this early Steve McQueen film as a kid and loved it then, and I really enjoyed seeing it again. Not a very good film, but it’s worth a look for McQueen fans and for those who enjoy the genre. I Love You Again (1940):One of the Powell/Loy pairings that’s an absolute delight. A must see for all their fans. State Fair (1945):An old-fashioned, entertaining film with wonderful Rogers and Hammerstein music. Worth a look for that alone. ![“](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cMtuq3xX6eY/maxresdefault.jpg)
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Post by timshelboy on Sept 3, 2022 14:46:03 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. ![](http://watershade.net/public/tmp-mystery-street-01.jpg) Looks like Jan Sterling but not sure in what - ACE IN THE HOLE?
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Post by wmcclain on Sept 3, 2022 14:48:04 GMT
William, I'm not at all familiar with Charley Chase, and I see that both of these are directed by Leo McCarey, so I would like to see them. I found "Mighty Like a Moose" on youtube, but so far have had no luck with "Looking for Sally." Do you know where I might find it? And thanks for the introduction.
I had never heard of him either. The two comedy shorts are included as extras on Criterion's Love Affair Blu-ray, also by McCarey. I see the Internet Archive has "Looking for Sally": archive.org/details/BillSpragueCollectionLookingForSally-CharleyChase1925PUBLICDOMAINChase is more of a Harold Lloyd character, vs Chaplin or Keaton. Ordinary guy always getting into jams.
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Post by wmcclain on Sept 3, 2022 14:50:35 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. ![](http://watershade.net/public/tmp-mystery-street-01.jpg) Looks like Jan Sterling but not sure in what - ACE IN THE HOLE? Yes. No.
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Post by Doghouse6 on Sept 3, 2022 14:54:36 GMT
Looks like Jan Sterling but not sure in what - ACE IN THE HOLE? Yes. No. How 'bout Mystery Street?
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Post by wmcclain on Sept 3, 2022 14:55:57 GMT
How 'bout Mystery Street? That's it!
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Post by politicidal on Sept 3, 2022 15:04:46 GMT
First Viewings:
Kimi (2022) 7/10
A Call to Spy (2019) 5/10
Last Looks (2021) 6/10
Whipsaw (1935) 4/10
Coogan's Bluff (1968) 5/10
The New Centurions (1972) 7/10
Scream 3 (2000) 6/10
Confidence (2003) 7/10
Repeat Viewings:
The Mummy (1999) 10/10
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Post by Doghouse6 on Sept 3, 2022 16:06:00 GMT
How 'bout Mystery Street? That's it! I loved the kitschiness of that lamp. For those who haven't seen the film (which I highly recommend), the grass skirt moves as thought the figure is swaying her hips.
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Post by wmcclain on Sept 3, 2022 16:21:17 GMT
I loved the kitschiness of that lamp. For those who haven't seen the film (which I highly recommend), the grass skirt moves as thought the figure is swaying her hips. And perhaps a little self-reflection by the character. Mystery Street (1950), directed by John Sturges. Murder, skeletal remains, an innocent man arrested, and dangerous attempts at blackmailing the real killer. Detective Morales is on the case with the scientific assistance of Harvard's Department of Legal Medicine. This is a fun, exciting police procedural which introduces the forensic genre which has become so popular since. Among it's strong features: - Ricardo Montalban, age 30, is lethally suave as a tough but precise police detective, hispanic and not taking any crap from the Boston blue-bloods. In this sort of picture the detective is often bitter and hardened, but he plays the character as dapper and enthusiastic. And yet: he's solved the case by arresting the wrong man. Can he recover before it is too late?
- Elsa Lanchester is delightfully creepy as a calculating landlady trying her hand at blackmailing a murderer. We know how that goes.
- John Alton's noirish cinematography gives this B picture a wonderfully ominous look.
- The forensic science was new at the time. They use combined slide projectors to fit a skull to photos, like the Angelator used on a popular TV series.
- The studio and location shots are well integrated.
Jan Sterling, the first victim, was last seen in Ace in the Hole (1951). I always have to note Walter Burke, the leprechaun-like character actor. Here he's a birdwatcher who discovers a skeleton buried on the beach. Appreciative, chatty commentary track by two film noir scholars. I always like having a man and a woman together on these tracks: it adds perspective. ![](http://watershade.net/public/mystery-street.jpg)
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Post by stryker on Sept 3, 2022 20:30:47 GMT
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Post by teleadm on Sept 4, 2022 0:04:32 GMT
Here is what Tele have seen lately, some olde some can't remember and some new.... ![](https://dannwoellertthefoodetymologist.files.wordpress.com/2021/07/61550109_3602958469727759_9090164047076130816_n.jpg) Thought Hollywood consisted of Studios and office buildings, but apparently once there was a candy bar factory. most likely defunct by now, and I have never heard of Mr Zero. Over to the movies: Whip it! 2009 directed by Drew Barrymore There is no reason a movie about a young girl fed up with beauty pageants finds a thrill joining Roller Derby's, could be interesting or even entertaining, but strangely it was. Maybe I should have taken this sport more seriously and I might have understood Rollerball 1975 better. Not great, but I liked that it had a satirical edge against conventions. Five Minutes of Heaven 2009 directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. Belfast 1970's an eye for an eye, tit for tat was the rule and it's time for a catholic to kill a protestant, and do just that, but there was a witness. 25 years later the killer and the witness is supposed to appear on a "Forgive Me"-like TV show, but one of them bails out since he can't face the other. Not bad little drama, before Liam do anything for a paycheck, it might not be so, but feels like it. The Five minutes of heaven is what the witness wants, but can's face it. Cry, The Beloved Country 1995 directed by Darrell Roodt and based on a novel by Alan Paton. The beloved country is South Africa and the time was 1946, when a poor priest's son murders/kills a rich landowner's son. They live near each others, but the killing takes place in far away Johannesburg, and they are both estranged from their sons, and they might have more in common than meets the eye.' Neither bad or good, but could have been better. Thanks to stryker I got a little insight! The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie 1969 directed by Ronald Neame, and based on a play by Jay Presson Allen based on a novel by Muriel Spark. Probably one of the top ten I've seen this year. I've seen it before but I must have been too immature to get it. An all girls school 1932 Edinburgh, a teacher, in her prime according to herself, teaches young girls about life, but what she teaches is doubtful, though with good intentions, embracing Il Duce in Italy and the emerging Franco in Spain. On the surface this is a rather thin story, but scratching the surface, it has many layers. Maggie Smith won an Oscar as the titular Jean and Rod McKuen was Oscar nominated for the song "Jean". Maggie is just great as the teacher who in her own mind teaches what is good, but will turn out to be very wrong and at least in once case very dangerous. Great too is Pamela Franklin as a dependable pupil, that dared having her own mind, and Celia Johnson as the Headmistress of the School. Read some complaints that the non-Scottish actors talked too theatrical Scottish, I say Thank you very much or I wouldn't have understood a word. Il cappotto aka The Overcoat 1952 directed by Alberto Lattuada and based on a story by Nicolai Gogol. Northern cold Italy, a small mousy city hall clerk in a town run by a corrupt Mayor, has one dream, to be able to buy a fancy overcoat, and if he wear that overcot he thinks he would finally be treated differently. Using his life saving to get that overcoat (and it really looks smashing) he is treated differently, suddenly he is someone, but this short happiness soon turns sore when the coat is stolen. Social satire, neo-realism and a bit surrealism. Renato Rascel certainly has the right look to play a mousy city clerk that has been pushed around all his life, but his Chaplinesque acting style got on my nerves. Not bad but could have needed a firmer hand. Rascel besides acting was also a songwriter and his most famous song is still the third best known Italian song worldwide, here sung by himself, a bit different than when opera singers do it. Lovely to Look At 1952 directed by Mervyn LeRoy based on a Broadway play with Jerome Kern Songs called Roberta, that was based on a novel by Alice Duer Miller. It's like opening a box of fancy chocolates, they all looks intimidating but only a few tasted good, that's a bit like this felt after watching it. It doesn't have that moment or moments to make it memorable. Though the melodies are great, after all they were written by Jerome Kern for heavens sake. It's the old warhorse let's put on a show story, here moved to a French fashion house that someone of the lead characters have inherited and must save from bankruptcy. There is a constant joke about a malfunctioning private elevator that wasn't even fun in the first scene but returns many times. Apparently MGM who made this movie, bought all rights to the earlier version called Roberta 1935 from RKO starring Irene Dunne and Astaire Rogers, to keep it out of circulation, until the-mid 1970's. Sitting Pretty 1948 directed by Walter Land and based on the novel "Belvedere" by Gwen Davenport. Married couple (Robert Young and Maureen O'Hara) are in constant need of someone to take care of their three obstinate kids, by mistake hires a male nanny (Clifton Webb) who seems to know everything, and indeed can take care of the kids. Very amusing take on post-WWII suburbs and a bit of satire against nosy neighbours mentality. The male nanny might have another reason or agenda than just being a nanny, we will find out near the end. ![](https://ge.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/165/08-24-22-Ukraine-fighting-6mos-v5-1536x804-1.png) Слава Україні!! Until next week!
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Post by mikef6 on Sept 4, 2022 0:56:31 GMT
Miyamoto Musashi (Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto) / Hiroshi Inagaki (1954). Immediately after finishing “The Seven Samurai” for Kurosawa, Toshirô Mifune went into this project with Inagaki. The historical person of Miyamoto Musashi was a popular film subject in Japan. Perhaps hundreds of films about his life had already been made. Mifune biographer Stuart Galbraith IV says that a film about Musashi was sort of like one of Robin Hood or Wyatt Earp in the western world. Inagaki, himself, had directed a trilogy in black and white during the war years. Those films were confiscated by the U.S. Occupying Force and presumably destroyed because they have not been heard of since. This new beginning by Inagaki, in color with Japan’s number one star, is a remake the lost trilogy. Although this script takes many liberties (as I understand it) with both the historical record and the novel on which it is based. This first chapter of three tells of Musashi’s young manhood and his desire to become a Samurai. But to the people of his village he is just a troublemaker. A brawler. This puts him on the run throughout the second half. For the first nine years of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the award was not competitive. An Academy committee chose the winner(s). During that time, three Japanese films got the Honorary Award. “Rashomon,” “Gate Of Hell,” and “Miyamoto Musashi.” That makes “Samurai I” one of the main films that put Japan on the Western world map as a major film industry in the early 1950s. ![](https://tamfilmizle.com/img/samuray-miyamoto-musashi-1954.jpg) ![](https://www.cultfilminreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/sam_1-768x480.png) Zoku Miyamoto Musashi: Ichijôji No Kettô (Samurai II: Duel At Ichijoji Temple / Hiroshi Inagaki (1955). The second in the Samurai Trilogy takes place five years after the close of chapter one. Takeso (Toshirô Mifune), now known as Musashi Miyamoto, is still traveling the countryside in training and trying to learn how to be a Samurai. After fighting a duel with an experienced martial artist and killing the man, Takeso meets an elderly man on the road who compliments him on his swordsmanship. “You are a strong man,” he says, “But to be a Samurai, sometimes you have to be not so strong.” Meanwhile, his true love, Otsu (Kaoru Yachigusa) is selling fans on a busy bridge leading into Kiyoto, hoping to see Takeso. In Kiyoto, Takeso gets involved with trainees at a school for sword training which causes a feud. Also, he meets Kojiro Sasaki (Kôji Tsuruta), an ambitious but skillful and full-of-himself young Samurai like Takeso was not so long ago. ![](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/hewAAOSwm9tZvcCq/s-l300.jpg) ![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/c5xBdWsLCtthuUtfoiYtlLGKBOw.jpg) Miyamoto Musashi Kanketsuhen: Kettô Ganryûjima (Samurai III: Duel At Ganryu Island) / Hiroshi Inagaki (1956). A few years have passed since the battle that ended the previous episode. Takeso is more settled in his mind, having learned to be “not so strong.” He decides to turn his back on a wandering life and settle in a rural village where, shades of “The Seven Samurai”, the peasants are victims of continual raids by bandits. There is more of an emphasis on Takeso’s love life as Otsu and another woman who has been pursuing him, show up at the village. Before leaving Kyoto, he had promised Kojiro Sasaki ((Kôji Tsuruta), the gifted but over-confident young Samurai from Part II, that they would duel in a year. The trilogy ends with that duel. These three films are a very worthwhile experience for those interested in Japanese films and their growth of popularity in the Western World. ![](https://i.mydramalist.com/q8VjDf.jpg) ![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/bvJTbDcDDCuGlyNcZp2IbTWK36x.jpg) The Northman / Robert Eggers (2022). In the late 9th century, a Viking King is dethroned and killed by his brother who then marries the Queen (Nicole Kidman). The deposed King’s young son and heir, Amleth, manages to escape, vowing revenge and the rescue of his mother. Years later, Amleth, now grown and played by Alexander Skarsgård, is a warrior with a Slavic band of raiders and appears to be a mindless killing machine. But when he learns that some recent captives will be sold as slaves to his uncle, he becomes part of enslaved group. At a farm in Iceland, he does, indeed find his uncle and can see his mother. He meets a spirited and rebellious young woman, Olga Of The Birch Forest (Anya Taylor-Joy), who he plots with to escape with after taking his revenge. The film occasionally parts from historical reality into sword and sorcery fantasies and mysticism, sometimes making it difficult to distinguish between the two. The cinematography is outstanding, Anya Taylor-Joy is astonishing as usual as is Nicole Kidman. So much to admire yet I am still not sure about how I feel about this film overall. Maybe I just wanted a little more, I don’t know, softness, give, from the hero instead of just a killing rage. But Amleth’s drive for revenge is surely pure. From what I have learned from interviews, the shoot was a particularly grueling one for the cast and production crew who had to work in mud and grime under some harsh and cold conditions. The two leads I saw interviewed, however, came out of it laughing about the experience. Kudos, then, for their professionalism. ![](https://www.newdvdreleasedates.com/images/movies/the-northman-2022.jpg) ![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E4XqPuWvkx2wcCfquX4G6H.png) ![](https://www.indiewire.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Anya-Taylor-Joy.png)
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Post by claudius on Sept 4, 2022 10:42:14 GMT
28 THE FROZEN NORTH (1922) 100TH ANNIVERSARY Buster Keaton lampoons William S Hart as an antihero in the North with a little of Stroheim (Hart wasn’t too pleased; Stroheim was). Like the majority of Keaton’s films I was introduced to the short during American Movie Classics’ Marathon during the Keaton Centennial in October 1995. Kino DVD.
THE REN & STIMPY SHOW (1992) “In The Army,” “Ren’s Toothache,” “Powdered Toast Man” 30TH ANNIVERSARY this month. The second season of R & S premiered away from the other Nicktoons and scheduled as part of a Saturday Night program called SNICK alongside CLARISSA EXPLAINS IT ALL, the Improv ROUNDHOUSE, and ARE YOU AFRAID IF THE DARK? Among the highlight was Gary Owens’ Powdered Toast Man telling the Pope (Frank Zappa mugging) to “Cling Tenaciously to my buttocks!” I was hoping for more episodes, but I should have known better. For this viewing I had originally intended to do a 30TH Anniversary of the Snick foursome, but didn’t have access to several of the episodes short of buying the discs. Paramount DVD.
THE 300 SPARTANS (1962) 60TH ANNIVERSARY Historical epic on the Thermopylae standoff between Sparta and the Persians. Starring Richard Egan, Diane Baker, David Farrar and Ralph Richardson. First saw this on American Movie Classics in July 1992. I recall the ending was source material to a scene in WHOLLY MOSES! Amazon Prime.
29 30TH ANNIVERSARY of -MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 (1992) “The Magic Sword” Joel and the Bots handle Bert I. Gordon's Middle Ages Fantasy. Based on the Legend of St. George and the Dragon, with the exception of a few instances of religious power, the film is rather secular; raised by a witch (Estelle Winwood, whom Crow takes a liking to), romantic George (Gary Lockwood) sets out to prevent Sorcerer Lodac (Basil Rathbone) from fulfilling his revenge promise to feed the Princess Elaine to his dragon. Another MST3K classic- although they admit on screen and text that this is a better film then they imagined being written, special-effected, and directed by Bert. I Gordon (I admit being inspired to make a sword out of a wooden fence bar, and making a tunic out of paper bags, crayon-drawn in the purple with Red Cross design of this film in 1992-93). Highlights include a medieval pageant ruined by Tom Servo’s historically cynical lectures of the period, and Crow’s Ode to Estelle Winwood (I wonder what Basil would have thought about the sketch where his name is used as a doggie snack). I couldn’t find a YouTube VHS presentation of the original broadcast, so I viewed one from its repeat performance in November 14 1992. I recall watching that repeat, which was followed by my intro to Episode 11 of MONTY PYTHONS FLYING CIRCUS (“The Royal Philharmonic Goes to the Bathroom”).
-PRETTY SOLDIER SAILOR MOON (1992) “Naru’s Tears! Nephrite Dies for Love!“ Nephrite uses Naru to draw out Usagi exposing her identity as Sailor Moon. However, Zoisite kidnaps Naru, causing Nephrite to realize he does care about her, leading to the entitled fate. Thus ends the Nephrite Arc. Japanese with English Subtitles. ADV DVD.
-THE REN & STIMPY SHOW (1992) “Go West/ Rubber Nipple Salesman” The last episode broadcast during the John Kricfalusi era. This would follow a string of repeats. Paramount DVD.
THE SLAYERS TRY (1997) “Eternal Death, Final Farewells! A Cry to the Fallen” 25TH ANNIVERSARY The battle for the final Dark Star Weapon begins with massive casualties. The otherworldly Eurologus and Sirius annihilate pretty much the entire Golden Dragon force, leaving only the Supreme Elder and Filia (who sees her sensei as a liar and hypocrite). Almayce gets killed. Lina gets the final weapon Valgayra, shaped like a bow. Xellos steals it. Japanese with English Subtitles. Software Sculptors DVD.
30 TERROR IN THE MIDWAY (1942) 80TH ANNIVERSARY The ninth Fliescher SUPERMAN Cartoon (and the last by the Flieschers) deals with a giant gorilla terrorizing a Circus. Like the others, I first saw this on the Disney Channel in 1988. Warner DVD DVD
MARTIN AND LEWIS: THEIR GOLDEN AGE OF COMEDY (1992) “The Kings of Comedy” 30TH ANNIVERSARY this year. The second part focuses on THE COMEDY HOUR Sketches from 1950-1953.
31 THE WONDERFUL WUZARD OF OZ (1987) “Growlywog Goes on a Rampage” 35TH ANNIVERSARY The Growlywog has attacked Winkie Land, motivating the Tin Woodman to fight him. He loses his axe, and bear hugging the creature leads to water and rust, rendering him neutralized. Meanwhile, the Nomes have reached the outskirts of the Emerald City! Japanese with English Subtitles. Diskotek BluRay.
1 EXTREME GHOSTBUSTERS (1997) “Darkness at Noon Part 1” 25TH ANNIVERSARY Next Generation sequel series of the DiC series. Set a decade after REAL, Egon leads four college students- crippled-but-athletic Garrett, African American Roland, Goth girl Kylie, and Latino Eduardo- into Ghost-busting (with help from Janine- still bearing a torch- and Slimer). Bootleg DVD.
2 GHOSTBUSTERS EXTREME (1997) “Darkness at Noon Part 2” 25TH ANNIVERSARY Ghosts are back and Egon has to get the assistance of his students and updated technology. Bootleg DVD.
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (2016) “The No 1 Most Unpredictable Ninja” English Dubbed. Viz Media DVD.
3 25TH ANNIVERSARY -GHOSTBUSTERS EXTREME (1997) “True Face of a Monster” Wheelchair-bound Ghostbuster Garrett hangs with old friends until he realizes their racists who have been attacking a Synagogue…which happens to have a Golem. Bootleg DVD.
-RUROUNI KENSHIN (1997) “The Man Who Is Chosen for Victory! Shishio Vs Kenshin Finale” The final battle. Yumi, Shishio’s concubine gets killed by him to attack Kenshin (an act that pleases her). Shishio is at full power. However, lacking sweat glands, his body temperature rises to the point of spontaneous combustion! For all his power, he lacked the strength to control it, sending him to a fiery doom. Japanese with English Subtitles. Media Blasters AnimeWorks DVD
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (1967) Roaring Twenties Musical (set 100 years ago, if the title lyrics have anything to say) starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore, James Fox, Beatrice Lillie, and Carol Channing (as well as an early part for Pat Morita). Seeing Andrews and Channing as flappers, one can probably imagine what Andrews’ THE BOY FRIEND and Channing’s GENTLEMAN PREFER BLONDES would have been like. First saw this on the Disney Channel on late Holy Thursday 1995, at least the beginning with the kidnapping intro. Rented the VHS that Sunmer, ended up sleeping through most of Act I, watched Act II, and then saw what I missed a day later. Watching it now is based on the knowledge that Lillie was suffering from early Alzheimers during filiming. She does fine, although the scene where her drugged cup of punch (for Mary's character) gets mixed up with other cups, I wonder if her look of confusion was acting or real. Kino Lorber Film Classics BluRay.
Earliest film seen in August BLOOD AND SAND (1922) Latest film seen in August HOUSE OF DRAGONS (2022)
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Post by Doghouse6 on Sept 4, 2022 19:06:46 GMT
I loved the kitschiness of that lamp. For those who haven't seen the film (which I highly recommend), the grass skirt moves as thought the figure is swaying her hips. And perhaps a little self-reflection by the character. Mystery Street (1950), directed by John Sturges. Murder, skeletal remains, an innocent man arrested, and dangerous attempts at blackmailing the real killer. Detective Morales is on the case with the scientific assistance of Harvard's Department of Legal Medicine. This is a fun, exciting police procedural which introduces the forensic genre which has become so popular since. Among it's strong features: - Ricardo Montalban, age 30, is lethally suave as a tough but precise police detective, hispanic and not taking any crap from the Boston blue-bloods. In this sort of picture the detective is often bitter and hardened, but he plays the character as dapper and enthusiastic. And yet: he's solved the case by arresting the wrong man. Can he recover before it is too late?
- Elsa Lanchester is delightfully creepy as a calculating landlady trying her hand at blackmailing a murderer. We know how that goes.
- John Alton's noirish cinematography gives this B picture a wonderfully ominous look.
- The forensic science was new at the time. They use combined slide projectors to fit a skull to photos, like the Angelator used on a popular TV series.
- The studio and location shots are well integrated.
Jan Sterling, the first victim, was last seen in Ace in the Hole (1951). I always have to note Walter Burke, the leprechaun-like character actor. Here he's a birdwatcher who discovers a skeleton buried on the beach. Appreciative, chatty commentary track by two film noir scholars. I always like having a man and a woman together on these tracks: it adds perspective. Very nice summary of Mystery Street's attributes, to which I'd add the intelligent direction of John Sturges, who establishes a rhythm allowing the well-focused narrative to unfold as methodically as Morales's investigation while maintaining tightness and pace.
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