Straw Dogs (1971)
Runtime: 118 minutes
Directed by: Sam Peckinpah
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Susan George, Peter Vaughan, T.P. McKenna, David Warner
From: ABC Pictures
Last night I viewed what has commonly been called the unrated version of Straw Dogs-five minutes longer than the R-rated cut-a film that is still challenging and provocative almost half a century later. It is not for all tastes as a bad thing happens to a cat-I know that is important to some-there are a few moments of strong violence, some horrible things happen to the leading lady (Amy, played by Susan George), there is a smattering of real uncomfortable bits, and Dustin Hoffman's David character is far from sympathetic... an academic type, he alternates between being obtuse and a real jerk. David's marriage to Amy is usually not a happy one, full of disagreement and boorish behavior.
Those that live in the UK, I will not assume that all your pastoral towns are filled with angry drunks, groups of guys that commit sexual assault & sing bawdy songs concerning sheep, and 15 year girls that overtly flirt w/ adult males. No matter your opinion of David, those villagers are far worse. The film takes its time setting up the story; the first half leads to the back half that is (of course) expertly edited, is intense, & does portray Amy's trauma very well. While not the easiest movie to watch for a variety of reasons, it was quite the journey and full of unforgettable characters, directed with style. As this is decidedly not in Hoffman's wheelhouse-this was a paycheck for him-it is an experience seeing him wreck dudes either via gun or various creative methods.
I imagine shooting the movie was quite the experience; T. P. McKenna's Major character has a broken life as it was a real life injury... due to something that happened at a soiree involving “ladies of the night”... furnished by Peckinpah! David Warner is unbilled as he couldn't be insured due to a broken leg... thankfully having nothing to do with any parties hosted by Old Sam. I imagine some have forgotten that this was actually remade in 2011; it has a nice cast and in fact, Google tells me this is of course not provocative like the original-which some even on Letterboxd will think is more palpable for their tastes-but I'll be judgmental and assume it's weak compared to what was released 49 years ago.
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Friday, May 8, 2020
Tiger Shark
Tiger Shark (1932)
Runtime: 77 minutes
Directed by: Howard Hawks
Starring: Edward G. Robinson, Richard Arlen, Zita Johann, Leila Bennett, Vince Barnett
From: Warner Bros.
You had me at “Mustached Edward G. Robinson plays a Portuguese tuna fisherman w/ a hook for a left hand and a single earring.”
Another theme for this month on Turner Classic Movies is that each Thursday night they will play a few Robinson pictures. As his role just sounded incredible on the surface and it's from Howard Hawks, it was not a difficult choice for me. G sports an accent I'll describe as “generically foreign” but that's alright as he was a delight in the role. Then again, the other two in the love triangle he's in (Richard Arlen and Zita Johann) also delivered solid performances.
Robinson was not a Tiger Shark King as they were a constant source of trouble while off the coast of California; this was how he lost his appendage and it killed various crewmen. On the shore, there's the drama of him in a marriage of Johann where she only married him due to his kindness rather than love. There was never a dull moment with all the colorful characters and Robinson always a charmer despite his occasional gruffness. It was also appreciated by me the segment where a few minutes is spent seeing the crew catch a big load of fish. Tiger Shark was a nice look at a blue collar community and that moment helped establish the difficulty and strife in the commercial fisherman field.
From hearsay I understand that Robinson's 1941 movie Manpower has pretty much the exact same plot except for a difference in profession. At least my opinion of Tiger Shark can be offered: it is pretty good.
Runtime: 77 minutes
Directed by: Howard Hawks
Starring: Edward G. Robinson, Richard Arlen, Zita Johann, Leila Bennett, Vince Barnett
From: Warner Bros.
You had me at “Mustached Edward G. Robinson plays a Portuguese tuna fisherman w/ a hook for a left hand and a single earring.”
Another theme for this month on Turner Classic Movies is that each Thursday night they will play a few Robinson pictures. As his role just sounded incredible on the surface and it's from Howard Hawks, it was not a difficult choice for me. G sports an accent I'll describe as “generically foreign” but that's alright as he was a delight in the role. Then again, the other two in the love triangle he's in (Richard Arlen and Zita Johann) also delivered solid performances.
Robinson was not a Tiger Shark King as they were a constant source of trouble while off the coast of California; this was how he lost his appendage and it killed various crewmen. On the shore, there's the drama of him in a marriage of Johann where she only married him due to his kindness rather than love. There was never a dull moment with all the colorful characters and Robinson always a charmer despite his occasional gruffness. It was also appreciated by me the segment where a few minutes is spent seeing the crew catch a big load of fish. Tiger Shark was a nice look at a blue collar community and that moment helped establish the difficulty and strife in the commercial fisherman field.
From hearsay I understand that Robinson's 1941 movie Manpower has pretty much the exact same plot except for a difference in profession. At least my opinion of Tiger Shark can be offered: it is pretty good.
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Piccadilly
Piccadilly (1929)
Runtime: 92 minutes
Directed by: Ewald Andre Dupront
Starring: Gilda Gray, Anna May Wong, Jameson Thomas, Cyril Ritchard, King Hou Chang
From: British International Pictures
In the admittance of a rare feat, I do not have too much to say about a movie. This was on TCM last night; each Wednesday in May Turner Classic Movies will show a few films featuring Asian-American actors in the classic Hollywood time period. This has plenty of fans on Letterboxd so why not give this British silent a try?
I don't exactly share the love. Sure, there is nice dancing in this tale revolving around the picadillos of those that work and attend the Piccadilly club in London... but Anna May Wong is clearly the highlight as the dishwasher who suddenly catapults to fame, much to the chagrin of the former star lady. Of course there is jealousy as her man is now Anna's dance partner; Wong's charisma is a big help to the movie... shame that for long stretches she isn't around.
Admittedly, it was filmed rather nicely and there are some cool sets; at least I can rate this as being fine, although the main thing I took away from this is that I need to see more Anna May Wong.
Runtime: 92 minutes
Directed by: Ewald Andre Dupront
Starring: Gilda Gray, Anna May Wong, Jameson Thomas, Cyril Ritchard, King Hou Chang
From: British International Pictures
In the admittance of a rare feat, I do not have too much to say about a movie. This was on TCM last night; each Wednesday in May Turner Classic Movies will show a few films featuring Asian-American actors in the classic Hollywood time period. This has plenty of fans on Letterboxd so why not give this British silent a try?
I don't exactly share the love. Sure, there is nice dancing in this tale revolving around the picadillos of those that work and attend the Piccadilly club in London... but Anna May Wong is clearly the highlight as the dishwasher who suddenly catapults to fame, much to the chagrin of the former star lady. Of course there is jealousy as her man is now Anna's dance partner; Wong's charisma is a big help to the movie... shame that for long stretches she isn't around.
Admittedly, it was filmed rather nicely and there are some cool sets; at least I can rate this as being fine, although the main thing I took away from this is that I need to see more Anna May Wong.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
F/X
F/X (1986)
Runtime: 108 minutes
Directed by: Robert Mandel
Starring: Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Cliff DeYoung, Mason Adams, Diane Venora
From: Orion
This May has not brought me much in the way of flowers so far; perhaps in the future I'll go into details but note that it's nothing for anyone here to be concerned about. As I've said earlier in the year, who knows if I'll have a consistent schedule going forward, although I hope to. One fortunate move on my part was realizing a few nights ago that I was supposed to see this soon after Brian Dennehy passed away... blame how nutrageous 2020 has been for that. At least the mistake was fixed last night and despite some implausible moments, this was a pretty good time.
Rollie Tyler is an Aussie who is a great special effects man in the movie industry. The “Witness Relocation Committee” asks him to fake the assassination of mobster Jerry Orbach; as it's the federal government, as it's the federal government, he is double-crossed. He has to use his wits and skills while on the run... and also looking for revenge. Especially in this day and age it was nice to see practical special effects be celebrated and naturally, F/X has plenty of nice f/x. However, Dennehy was naturally the highlight of the movie.
He received a great introduction; his apartment is shown and it is quite disheveled, old Chinese takeout containers all over the place. As typical, he played a member of law enforcement. Much to my relief his cop character wasn't a cliché obstacle in our hero's path. Rather, he was something else and his role was-to me, at least-an amusing one as he was gruff to the officers that needed to be taken down a few pegs and had a great relationship with a mousy lady that works the computer. That was a delight, although there were plenty of enjoyable moments in this: several characters sleazing it up as first-class heels, including Mason Adams and Cliff DeYoung... Tom Noonan being memorable without saying a word, excitement such as a car chase and Rollie using his skills against the villains, the New York City setting & Tyler having movie posters for Fade to Black and Zombie in his loft. While identified as something else, there was also a photo of the It's Alive mutant.
Possibly one day the sequel will be seen; it seems like the law of diminishing returns, from hearsay. At least this was a fine slice of entertainment despite the wacky premise.
Runtime: 108 minutes
Directed by: Robert Mandel
Starring: Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Cliff DeYoung, Mason Adams, Diane Venora
From: Orion
This May has not brought me much in the way of flowers so far; perhaps in the future I'll go into details but note that it's nothing for anyone here to be concerned about. As I've said earlier in the year, who knows if I'll have a consistent schedule going forward, although I hope to. One fortunate move on my part was realizing a few nights ago that I was supposed to see this soon after Brian Dennehy passed away... blame how nutrageous 2020 has been for that. At least the mistake was fixed last night and despite some implausible moments, this was a pretty good time.
Rollie Tyler is an Aussie who is a great special effects man in the movie industry. The “Witness Relocation Committee” asks him to fake the assassination of mobster Jerry Orbach; as it's the federal government, as it's the federal government, he is double-crossed. He has to use his wits and skills while on the run... and also looking for revenge. Especially in this day and age it was nice to see practical special effects be celebrated and naturally, F/X has plenty of nice f/x. However, Dennehy was naturally the highlight of the movie.
He received a great introduction; his apartment is shown and it is quite disheveled, old Chinese takeout containers all over the place. As typical, he played a member of law enforcement. Much to my relief his cop character wasn't a cliché obstacle in our hero's path. Rather, he was something else and his role was-to me, at least-an amusing one as he was gruff to the officers that needed to be taken down a few pegs and had a great relationship with a mousy lady that works the computer. That was a delight, although there were plenty of enjoyable moments in this: several characters sleazing it up as first-class heels, including Mason Adams and Cliff DeYoung... Tom Noonan being memorable without saying a word, excitement such as a car chase and Rollie using his skills against the villains, the New York City setting & Tyler having movie posters for Fade to Black and Zombie in his loft. While identified as something else, there was also a photo of the It's Alive mutant.
Possibly one day the sequel will be seen; it seems like the law of diminishing returns, from hearsay. At least this was a fine slice of entertainment despite the wacky premise.
Monday, May 4, 2020
Human Lanterns
Human Lanterns (Ren Pi Deng Long) (1982)
Runtime: 94 minutes
Directed by: Chung Sun
Starring: Tony Liu, Kuan Tai Chen, Lo Lieh, Ni Tien, Linda Chu
From: Shaw Brothers
The only time I can utter the phrases Ed Gein, Yojimbo, Sergeant Poon, wuxia, Kung-Fu Bigfoot, and Mario Bava in the same sentence.
A messageboard conversation (naturally) inspired me to see a Shaw Brothers film-it's been awhile. While the discussion revolved around early Shaw movies, I will see several of the studio's pictures, including at least one that was inferred. Infamy was the reason why this was chosen. It is a period drama which as expected from the studio has great uses of color, a nice score, quality action beats and strong themes.
In addition, this has horror elements, as the title is literal. Two rich jerks feud with each other, as the feelings of enmity are rather powerful. One of them goes to someone to make a lantern for the Lantern Festival. Among the feud between two, there is someone who is dressed up in an outfit best described as Kung-Fu Bigfoot-which also has a skull mask-and kidnaps women so they can be skinned alive. Skin for a lantern or lamp... now there's some Ed Gein material right there. Many motion pictures have been inspired by him, so why not another one?
It was a real gas watching this motion picture which successfully blended the typical wuxia elements with scenes of horror and bloody visceral moments; as I saw another reviewer here on Letterboxd mention, this has bits which will remind you of Mario Bava and Tobe Hooper. Thankfully it was also an interesting story which wasn't a bore or cliché. I won't explain how Yojimbo (or its plot) factors into this movie, but there is a character named Sergeant Poon and the name makes me snicker, sorry to say.
Runtime: 94 minutes
Directed by: Chung Sun
Starring: Tony Liu, Kuan Tai Chen, Lo Lieh, Ni Tien, Linda Chu
From: Shaw Brothers
The only time I can utter the phrases Ed Gein, Yojimbo, Sergeant Poon, wuxia, Kung-Fu Bigfoot, and Mario Bava in the same sentence.
A messageboard conversation (naturally) inspired me to see a Shaw Brothers film-it's been awhile. While the discussion revolved around early Shaw movies, I will see several of the studio's pictures, including at least one that was inferred. Infamy was the reason why this was chosen. It is a period drama which as expected from the studio has great uses of color, a nice score, quality action beats and strong themes.
In addition, this has horror elements, as the title is literal. Two rich jerks feud with each other, as the feelings of enmity are rather powerful. One of them goes to someone to make a lantern for the Lantern Festival. Among the feud between two, there is someone who is dressed up in an outfit best described as Kung-Fu Bigfoot-which also has a skull mask-and kidnaps women so they can be skinned alive. Skin for a lantern or lamp... now there's some Ed Gein material right there. Many motion pictures have been inspired by him, so why not another one?
It was a real gas watching this motion picture which successfully blended the typical wuxia elements with scenes of horror and bloody visceral moments; as I saw another reviewer here on Letterboxd mention, this has bits which will remind you of Mario Bava and Tobe Hooper. Thankfully it was also an interesting story which wasn't a bore or cliché. I won't explain how Yojimbo (or its plot) factors into this movie, but there is a character named Sergeant Poon and the name makes me snicker, sorry to say.
Sunday, May 3, 2020
I Saw The Extended Cut Of Rambo: Last Blood
That is, the version of the movie that most of the world saw but not the United States or a few other countries. That was streamed via Amazon Prime. It's like 10 minutes longer and has a completely new opening with Rambo assisting on a search for missing hikers in the woods during a bad storm. That along with other scenes that add character development (to the heroes and the villains) was appreciated by me, although I do dig both versions... a lot of people don't care for any cut of Last Blood, which I do sympathize with. That exploitation silliness happens to work for me.
Friday, May 1, 2020
The VI Olympic Winter Games, Oslo 1952
As mentioned in the past, I will randomly watch these Olympic films in no particular order. There was no specific reason this was selected; turns out, this was a rather clinical, newsreel-like examination of the Oslo games, directed by the grandson of playwright Henrik Ibsen.
Turns out, I do not have that much to say about this. It won't appeal to everyone as there isn't much in the way of artistic flair, but for my tastes... that was fine as it was interesting seeing how all those sports (not all that happened were shown, yet many were) along with the scenery and several moments where they tried to humanize the competitors, or show what life was like in the Olympic Village, then a new-fangled concept. As at this time the host country typically produced these films, there is some Norwegian bias in this case; that was fine. I can't exactly excuse the casual sexism that appears a few times from the Norwegian narrator, but I understand that is a sign of how things were back then.
At least this was competently shot and had plenty of exciting clips of winter sports action for those that dig such things; furthermore, at times there is slow motion used to explain a technique or spotlight someone's performance, good and bad. I understand there are more worthwhile Winter Olympic documentaries... with the caveat that this is only the second one of those I have viewed, this was functional and was a fine way to spend 103 minutes.
Turns out, I do not have that much to say about this. It won't appeal to everyone as there isn't much in the way of artistic flair, but for my tastes... that was fine as it was interesting seeing how all those sports (not all that happened were shown, yet many were) along with the scenery and several moments where they tried to humanize the competitors, or show what life was like in the Olympic Village, then a new-fangled concept. As at this time the host country typically produced these films, there is some Norwegian bias in this case; that was fine. I can't exactly excuse the casual sexism that appears a few times from the Norwegian narrator, but I understand that is a sign of how things were back then.
At least this was competently shot and had plenty of exciting clips of winter sports action for those that dig such things; furthermore, at times there is slow motion used to explain a technique or spotlight someone's performance, good and bad. I understand there are more worthwhile Winter Olympic documentaries... with the caveat that this is only the second one of those I have viewed, this was functional and was a fine way to spend 103 minutes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)