Sky High

Sky High (1922)

Runtime: Only 59 minutes

Directed by: Lynn Reynolds

Starring: Tom Mix, Eva Novak, J. Farrell MacDonald, Sid Jordan, William Buckley

From: The company that would later become 20^th Century Fox

Now I can say I've seen one movie from the first Western star, Tom Mix. Of course, I did not see anything that would inspire me to try and track down a filmography I presume is mostly either lost or the prints available are of poor quality. At least I found a decent print of this on YouTube, which was a main reason why this was watched. Sure, unlike some of Mix's films he did not have his costar Tony the Wonder Horse but alas... at least I can give Mix props for doing many of his own stunts & becoming pals with legendary cowboy Wyatt Earp in real life during the twilight of the latter's life.

It's a simple plot where the protagonist Grant Newbury goes undercover to investigate the smuggling of Chinese immigrants into the United States via Mexico. Turns out, they are hiding them out in... the Grand Canyon! Most of this is filmed there so at least there's lovely scenery to look at. The “ward” of the main villain shows up-she doesn't know her guardian is a criminal SOB. Newbury and the young blonde lady meet up, his cover is blown, things happen, the hero wins, the end.

On the face of it, saying that the movie was average could have been what I determined the rating to be. However, I do appreciate how this has a Western flavor where many people still ride on horseback yet as it's set in 1922, there are Model T vehicles and even a biplane used. Said biplane was the apparatus behind the most impressive stunt in the picture. As this was only 59 minutes long it was an easy hour watch & even if the story wasn't revolutionary by any means, there are no regrets in finally seeing something from Tom Mix.

Quai Des Orfevres

Quai des Orfevres (1947)

Runtime: 106 minutes

Directed by: Henri-Georges Clouzot

Starring: Louis Jouvet, Suzy Delair, Bernard Blier, Simone Renant, Pierre Larquey

From: Majestic Films

At least this movie has an excuse for straying far from the source material: the people that adapted it only read it years beforehand and writing from hazy memories resulted in something only loosely connected to a novel (title translates in English to Self Defense) by Belgian author Stanislas-Andre Steeman. The differences are unknown to me but from scuttlebutt, the French-speaking Steeman was apparently a great mystery author who'd have many more English-speaking fans if more of his work was translated.

As I can discuss this movie, it's from Henri-Georges Clouzot, which is one of the reasons I had even heard of this (the initial time was years ago) and finally-via TCM-it was seen. As the movie was named after the French equivalent of Scotland Yard, it does follow a dour yet amusing detective named Antoine, although it concurrently covers the main suspects who are connected to the death of “an old geezer with influence”, i.e. a dirty old man who happens to be rich. A balding schlub of a middle-aged guy batted way out of his league and landed an attractive young budding singer as a wife. The old man promises to help out her career “for favors”, hubby gets jealous and due to circumstances on the night of his murder-not shown on camera-Antoine has several suspects. They try to establish alibis but Antoine is shown to be good at his job...

It was an interesting version of a police procedural-it was also very good. The main performers all delivered, including Suzy Delair as Jenny Lamour (her name was the title used for the American release; she was also Clouzot's “companion” at the time) and famed actor/theater star Louis Jouvet as Antoine. It has fascinating characters, acres of memorable dialogue, gorgeous B&W cinematography, and even some nice music from the various performers that also work at the variety show Jenny's involved with. To reveal much more would be a crime that Antoine should investigate...

The Asphalt Jungle

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

Runtime: 112 minutes

Directed by: John Huston

Starring: Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Sam Jaffe, James Whitmore, Jean Hagen

From: MGM

Yep, I've happened to see three films in a row from either MGM or United Artists; that's just how it turned out. That'll change w/ my next review...

One way or another, we all work for our vice. While film noirs and heist pictures aren't exactly my one movie vice they are things I tend to enjoy on average. Thus, it is a surprise then that I haven't given this a shot until just last night on the Criterion Channel. At least there's always classics still out there for me to experience for the first time as a mature film-watcher.

The movie is more about the personalities involved than the heist itself, but when those personalities are so fascinating and so full of life, that formula worked for me. It involves such shady characters as bookies, safecrackers, a corrupt lawyer and “hooligans” as a criminal mastermind just out of prison decides to steal a common target in in this genre: jewels. Things don't go exactly as planned and each character's downfall is shown in exacting detail. I don't want to spoil much of this journey so I'll just say a few words.

The dialogue, the situations, the gorgeous black and white cinematography, the cast, the music... all of it is of high quality so it was never a dull experience as I was always fascinated in the machinations of how this scheme was planned then the aftermath of there being some snafus in the scheme. The heist itself was at least interesting, not to mention presented rather well and a long tense scene in of itself. The tall striking Sterling Hayden was unforgettable as the thugish lead but all the other main players were also solid... even the molls of the main players were intriguing, including Marilyn Monroe in a role smaller than later advertising of the movie-or even the images used for Letterboxd-would lead you to believe. Still, it was an unforgettable small role and as the police commissioner (part of The Asphalt Jungle also focuses on law enforcement attempting to curb crime then later on catching the thieves) notes, it is rather gross that she's going out with someone old enough to be her grandfather. Of course, in modern parlance, perhaps it's just a Sugar Daddy relationship...

All that said, this is a movie which humanizes the crooks to the point that you know one wishes to return home to his old Kentucky farm and another is captivated by a random cute young lady dancing to swing music. If you dig film noir and/or heist films, Asphalt is a must-watch.

Wargames

Wargames (1983)

Runtime: 114 minutes

Directed by: John Badham... mostly. Martin Brest was the original director and a tiny bit of his work was still there

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy, John Wood, Dabney Coleman, Barry Corbin

From: United Artists

As someone about to turn 41 soon, I object to the lead characters stating that 41 year olds are “old”.

For reasons I'll explain at the end, this was selected for viewing last night as it was available for viewing on Prime. Despite being 40 right now, it was a movie I had only seen once before, back around '09 or so. It was a movie I enjoyed so why not see it a second time and this time be able to discuss it here? Admittedly, watching a movie about World War III almost happening is at least a tiny bit uncomfortable with the drama going on now concerning Russia possibly invading the Ukraine... but WWIII won't start because of that... right?

Anyway, this screams early 1980's... the clothing, the hair, the old technology, the paranoia over “new” tech”, a Galaga arcade machine, the fact that the modems of the time required coupling the receiver on the modem itself so the distinctive tone can be heard that way & that's how the connection is made-ahhh, the memories. Matthew Broderick is a computer nerd, more concerned w/ that than actually doing well in high school, and he has a budding romance w/ Ally Sheedy. He accidentally hacks NORAD & interacts w/ the hilariously named WOPR computer that handles the launch codes. Not hilariously, the title event happens & WOPR thinks it's legit. It's now a race against time...

Admittedly the movie is a little silly; how the movie resolves its big issue does have one aspect that is lol-worthy. Yet overall it was a pretty good time. For almost two hours it feels quick as the plot progresses. The protagonist is a typical teenager who has hacking skills (this was apparently the first Hollywood picture to show a computer hacker) yet does not want to use it for monetary gain... instead it's to play a computer game early or to change his grade in Science class. It's a movie that looks nice, has a pleasant score, a capable cast, and some actors that I associate w/ the 1980's: Dabney Coleman in a role that you suspect is a typical “A-hole boss” part that he typically played, James Tolkan, and Eddie Deezen... the latter playing what an early 80's computer nerd actually probably looked/sounded like; that includes an implied notion that he was “on the spectrum.”

Thankfully the movie still works today and does not feel embarrassingly outdated or naive.. not to mention, it is not childish despite having teens as protagonists. I won't criticize how blunt the message is concerning the futility & danger of nuclear war, as a worldwide apocalypse could very well have happened “in the real world” had tensions escalated high enough. At least I can laugh about what will close out this review. The main reason this was watched last night: noticing the genres that this was listed under on its Prime Video page-that goes for either online or the smart TV app. One of the genres this is listed under: EROTIC. What an amazing F-up... unless you are incredibly turned on by retro modems or enjoy the raw animal magnetism of Dabney Coleman...

The Good Earth

The Good Earth (1937)

Runtime: 138 minutes

Directed by: Sidney Franklin

Starring: Paul Muni, Luise Rainer, Walter Connolly, Tilly Losch, Charley Grapewin

From: MGM

When the yellowface isn't the aspect I object to the most... this was a random watch for me, viewing via a DVR recording a drama based off of a Pearl S. Buck novel about dirt-poor Chinese farmers. But, it won two Academy Awards and I've seen some contemporary praise so why not? Of course this has most of the actors as white people doing a yellowface routine but that's how things were then. Now, seeing obviously Caucasians trying to act/appear Chinese when they are sharing scenes w/ actual Chinese people like Keye Luke—it is laughable now. Of course I am white myself instead of Pacific Rim Asian... the author being Caucasian isn't as bad; Ms. Buck spent most of the first four decades of her life in China as the daughter of missionaries. The fact that she advocated for such things as womens' & Asian rights, and her humanitarian causes will likely be seen as appealing to many.

Personally, the story she wrote was not something I loved due to my early 2022 tastes. After all, it has Muni as poor farmer Wang Lung (everybody Wang Lung tonight!) who via arranged marriage has the greatly named O-Lan as a spouse. Unfortunately for me, not only are there some wet blanket supporting characters, eventually even Lung starts acting poorly to his subservient wife. That wasn't great when this was a downer story anyhow and the lead family experiences plenty of strife. As the past two years have been a real downer for me, my desire to see depressing tales full of misery has lessened-one day that'll change but that has not occurred yet.

That said, this wasn't a movie I hated and fairly, it can't receive a poor or even mediocre score. I can't fault the performers, especially leads Muni and Luise Rainer. In fact, Rainer won an Oscar for her performance, the second in a row she won. The reason why she did not have a long career? Problems with the company she was under contract to, MGM. She left Hollywood and her subsequent performances were mainly in the pioneer days of television back in the 50's. It also won an Academy Award for Karl Freund's cinematography-it does look rather pleasant. In addition, the natural disasters (a flood early, a swarm of locusts late) look rather swell for the mid-30's time period those effects were done in. Thus, a movie you might enjoy more than me as long as the yellowface thing isn't a deal-breaker for you.

 

All The Colors Of Giallo

Last night I saw a 2019 documentary about the giallo field: 

At least this will inspire me to make a Blu-ray purchase in the future... via Shudder I saw this documentary about a genre I enjoy and should watch more of. It was made by Severin as a few years ago they released a 2 disc and 1 CD set of the same name which has this, over 100 giallo trailers (which has to be an awesome experience), krimi trailers (those German thrillers that were an inspiration to this genre is something I've seen precious little of but that's something I need to do a deep dive on) and the CD is of tracks from various films. That should be a purchase worthwhile for me.

For now, I'll discuss how this was pretty good, yet something that was more for casual fans or those like me that know a few things about it, not hardcore genre buffs. The presentation was straightforward: various talking heads explain the details of giallo while some people involved in the production of same (actors, directors, and screenwriters) provide details either specific or in general. It doesn't go into granular details; instead the basics are mentioned... such as Mario Bava's The Girl Who Knew Too Much being the first giallo, or Argento's The Bird with the Crystal Plumage changing the genre. Just note that the documentary ends rather abruptly; someone tying a bow on it and delivering a logical conclusion would've been more ideal, but alas...

The highlight for me was hearing & seeing the different people interviewed. This includes Argento, Lamberto Bava, George Hilton, Edwige Fenech, Lenzi, Sergio Martino, Daria Nicolodi and an audio archival interview w/ Fulci; personally, I need to look into why Fulci and Argento did not get along w/ each other... the former trashed the latter. It was nice to hear the various stories new to me, at least, and in general it was nice for the important figures to be spotlighted. For those that are novices in the genre & wish to learn more, this would be a fine place to start even if-as the opening of this noted-some films had their plot spoiled. From hearsay I understand that there's never been a definite giallo documentary made. With any luck that will happen one day; for the sake of input from those that made them, hopefully such a project would start soon.

Breakout

Breakout (1975)

Runtime: 96 minutes

Directed by: Tom Gries

Starring: Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, Randy Quaid, Robert Duvall, John Huston

From: Columbia

If you ever wanted to see Randy Quaid in drag... I mention that to express the tone of this movie. Randy dressed as a woman is done in one scene as part of a failed scheme to break Robert Duvall out of prison; not only is the movie lighter in tone than the typical Charles Bronson picture, Bronson is jovial to the point that he smiles a few times. This is a movie I could have watched at any time over the past several years plus but it being available for free to me as a Prime member gave me that final push-as I pay for Prime each month and don't always order a package from Amazon each month...

It's a simple tale: John Huston (whose role is a glorified cameo) schemes to have his grandsom Duvall jailed as otherwise Duvall is a threat to expose his illegal acts. His wife Jill Ireland hires bush pilot Bronson to do the title act. Of course there are complications, such as our heroes not knowing Huston's role in the affair. There are some other familiar faces seen along the way, such as a young Quaid long before he lost his mind, Sheree North, Emilio Fernandez, and Alejandro Rey. A famous face not on camera was the score from Jerry Goldsmith, which wasn't one of his must-listens yet still was pleasant to hear & fit the setting.

Even with a few “hey, wait a minute” moments and a few bits that haven't aged too well (such as some racist terms I won't repeat here or what Duvall does in one scene to show his mental deterioration) overall this was a pretty good time and a fun way to spend 96 minutes. Much of the action is reserved for the final act but at least that delivered; there's even a shocking moment at the end which actually made me hit rewind to see it again. And would you believe this is loosely based on a true story? The story of Joel David Kaplan is one hell of a tale, something far too complex to explain in full here. He was an American businessman jailed in Mexico on alleged trumped-up charges and a helicopter was used for the breakout. No wonder someone had the idea to use the bare bones of that wild true life tale & modify it into a Hollywood production starring familiar faces.