The Greatest Film I’ve Never Seen…

Rephrase that…”I’d never seen”. “Greatest”, that I might need some convincing of but hey, I’ll get back to that later.

Who doesn’t at some point or another say, in a deep, creepy Schwarzeneggerian/Terminatorian voice…”I’ll be back”? Come on, admit it. And if you aren’t going to, then at least just come out with it that you’ve heard that line used many a time. I’m just going to come straight out and admit it. Together with…I’d never seen The Terminator (1984) until today. Yep. It’s true. Although, funny enough, because it is deemed such a, dare I say, classic, I have had the DVD for a number of years now. Cellophane still on. And I finally watched it.

What was I expecting? Actually, I don’t really know. I’d obviously picked up from pop culture musings that there was a terminator (yes, yes, cyborg, I know) who wrecks some havoc on earth. Why and where and how everything unfolds, well, there I had no clue. Like most of us, I think, all I had was this:

Right?

And then maybe this…

..which I have since learnt is a cyborg. A cybernetic organism covered with living human tissue. In this case, a Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger). It has been sent to earth to terminate Sarah Connor. Sent to protect her is Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn). That’s pretty much the jist of the story. But there’s a catch to it…a really good one. One I didn’t see coming and one that I’ve been mulling over the whole day. Or rather, trying to get my mind around the whole day…almost a chicken and egg situation. I won’t ruin it for anyone who hasn’t seen this movie. Besides, I need to ponder the situation a bit more.

Anyway, all-in-all, not a bad movie. One I’m enjoying more and more as I rewind it in my mind and as I re-watch snippets of it. Knowing the end (a very tender one for me), the events leading up to it take on a new dynamic which wasn’t there on first watching.

Is it one of the greatest movies I’d never seen? Well, I’m not sure yet. It definitely wasn’t bad. And definitely deserves its status. I’ve been told I need to see the next two in order to better appreciate it. But whatever it is (or isn’t), I did actually enjoy it (80s feel and all) and must thank Moon in Gemini for hosting this Blogathon without which I probably still wouldn’t have gotten around to watching this one.

For more revelations on movies that hadn’t been seen, head on over to Moon in Gemini. You’ll be amazed that you are not alone with some of them. Whew. But one thing is for sure, I need to catch up with more of these “greatest” movies I’ve never seen.

 

 

An excellent evening with Dada (Ante Portas)…

…ah, wow…that was so awesome! Such a fabulous concert. Don’t you just love those small, cosy venues? Those where you feel a band is playing just for you and a select few?

Oh man…it took forever for Sunday night to arrive (and funnily enough, it went past way to fast)…my tickets for “An evening with Dada” were fiiiiiiiinally valid. Whew…what a wait. For a band that I’d only recently discovered but who have been around for 22 years. How do I know this (aside from Googling)? Well…they told us…

…in this very unique evening. The band chatted and played us through their timeline. How they met (school sandpits are wonderfully social), how they thought they’d never get far at a band competition where everyone but them had “soundchecks” (along with lots of important looking pre-performance checks), the confusion between “Holland” and “Roland” (yes, a voucher for (to) Holland would have been awesome), personal space on stage in other countries and so much more. I had a big grin on my face from start to finish – it was sheer fun listening to their stories and music (acoustic). Gosh, did we all have a good laugh. And it all came across so natural. Perfect. No other words needed.

We were about 180 people (those few empty seats missed out big time) and had a vibe and atmosphere like no other. I’d say it will be a long time until I experience another concert (is this really a concert?) on this “niveau”. If at all, actually. There was something so special and so unique that repeated by someone else just won’t be the same.

If you get the chance to watch these guys – don’t hesitate, just go for it!

Der Rote Baron (2008)…on this 100 Year Anniversary…

I’m totally, emotionally drained. My mood is sombre. I’m quite angry…at the futility of war. It is just disgusting.

I tend to avoid watching war movies, not because I want to ignore that fact that these things happen but because I struggle to watch the atrocities, the lives being wastefully taken, the horror of it all…and the list goes on. But, as World War I ended 100 years ago today and Maddy from Maddy over at Maddy Loves Her Classic Films is hosting the World War 1 Blogathon, I decided to watch a movie I’ve long wanted to see…Der rote Baron (The Red Baron). I’ve just finished…hence my tender emotional state…but…it is an excellent movie.

The Red Baron is about the ace fighter pilot Manfred von Richthofen (superbly played by Matthias Schweighöfer) who, as a child dreams of the freedom he might find up in the air. Born into aristocracy, he has the opportunity to follow this dream and so, during The Great War, finds himself using his skills for his country. We find ourselves following his ascent to the skies in his red plane but also in his status. He is known as the Red Baron not only because of his skills and abilities but just as importantly, because of his camaraderie with those around him. Initially, this is more a game for him…a means to live out his passion for flying, he even mentions that the objective is “..to bring down aeroplanes, not men”. At the beginning of the movie the atmosphere is lighter, with our young pilots having quite a number of cocky one-liners. As our story and therefore the war progresses, von Richthofen‘s eyes are opened to reality. This largely initiated by Käte (Lena Headey), a nurse desperately helping those less fortunate on a daily basis. As more and more of his pilot friends fall from the skies it all starts hitting home.

Excellent acting from all involved…so much so that you’ll find yourself sitting there feeling the losses, the decisions, the horrors of war. Der rote Baron doesn’t give many gruesome battlefield scenes but I think the emotional ones, the conscious decisions given and orders taken, those scenes are as powerful as any. It also tends to stay away from taking any sides but rather focuses on what would have been experienced by anyone, regardless of which side they were on.

 

Matthias Schweighöfer

Manfred von Richthofen

Written and directed by Nikolai Müllerschön, it also stars Til Schweiger, Joseph Fiennes, Maxim Mehmet, Hanno Kofler and Volker Bruch amongst others.

When watching these things, I mourn the general destruction and loss of life…not only the human ones but also that of the environment, the fauna and flora. It makes me hope like crazy that at some point someone will learn from the past so that nobody ever needs to experience something like this again.

It is only fair that we honour the real man behind the movie too (along with everyone else fallen in battle).

For more entries to Maddy’s Blogathon head on over here.

In a Nutshell: The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017)

Lefty Brown (Bill Pullman), “a man who never got anything right”, happens to be alone with his friend and partner Edward Johnson (Peter Fonda) when Edward is shot down. Lefty swears to bring the murderer/s to justice but, on returning to the Johnson ranch is accused of the heinous crime. With the help of his friends, Lefty proves that some people are not who they seem and more importantly, that he does, actually, get some things right.

Having a few shootouts, this isn’t a wild, raucous western but rather a wonderfully paced character study showing how outward appearance/behaviour is not what we should judge on and that circumstances will drive people do to anything…be it good or bad.

Bill Pullman is absolutely superb as Lefty who is by no means as incompetent as people think he is. What a brilliant piece of acting he does. Tommy Flanagan as Tom, Jim Caviezel as Jimmy and Diego Josef as Jeremiah are all Lefty’s friends, while Kathy Baker is Laura Johnson. Excellent acting all round. What a pity these type of movies don’t get a bigger audience.

Thoroughly enjoyable. Well worth the watch. And watch out for that haunting but beautiful ending song “The Ballad of Lefty Brown” by Maiah Wynne.

In a Nutshell: Hostiles (2017)

Wow…Excellent…what more can I say? I’ve just finished watching Hostiles (2017) and I really am speechless…well, almost I guess. It has been absolute ages since I’ve finished watching a movie and the only thought I have is “that was brilliant”.

The story, on the surface, is rather simple: a brilliant captain is asked, no, instructed, to escort his arch nemesis home safely. That is, Christian Bale’s Captain Joseph Blocker must deal with his extreme hatred of Wes Studi’s Chief Yellow Hawk (who likewise has issues with Blocker) in order to get the ailing Chief and his family back to the Cheyenne ancestral lands. They encounter Rosalee Quad (Rosamund Pike) who has narrowly survived the massacre of her family by Comanche warriors. Naturally this adds a further dynamic to the situation. As do some other circumstances.

All masterpiece-fully (is that a word? But you know what I mean) done. The inner turmoil, the external actions, and a whole lot more (but if I mention them I’ll spoil it) are superbly portrayed by the entire cast. Oh how each and every actor/actress is absolutely perfect for their role. I’ve always enjoyed director Scott Cooper’s works…he never disappoints (well, of those I’ve seen).

This is definitely one for my collection. And will need a few more watches once I’ve had enough time to mull over my first viewing.

 

Non-english Language Blogathon…Snabba Cash (Easy Money) (2010)

Well, the big Blogathon day is here but I face the usual dilemma as the host…which movie do I write about? The problem is this…the reason I picked this Blogathon was because I had so many movies in mind…should be easy to single out one to write about then, shouldn’t it? But no, I just can’t decide. Especially with this particular topic…

…I have so many to pick from because I absolutely love watching movies from different countries where I’m exposed to different trains of thought, opinions, approaches, cultures, stories…and the list goes on…

The best solution I could come up with was this:

I’ll write about a few non-English language movies. In that way, I’m not showing any favouritism, hee, hee.

To start off, I’m going with one of the first movies that come to mind – Snabba Cash. And, I’m going to cheat (sooorrrryyyyy 🙂 ) and reuse most of a post I published in 2017 – I still feel the same about this powerful movie. (I promise my other posts will be first-time published ones)

During the course of last year, while randomly watching a “mainstream” movie, I came across Joel Kinnaman (I’d never heard of him before) and therefore “found” Snabba Cash (Easy Money) a Swedish movie

Well, well, well…what a wonderful visual experience. You won’t get a wild action movie but instead, an introduction to the characters, their hopes, their motives, their relationships and then, a build up of the story. But don’t be fooled…it definitely isn’t boring. You’ll be intrigued as to how this will all come together and then unfold. If you’re like me, you’ll start feeling for the players. Sympathising with them. Hoping they’ll make it out so they can realise their dreams. Even though they are criminals and they should be behind bars.

Every scene is perfectly set up and captured. I really appreciate the reflections, backgrounds or the various interesting composition of shots supplementing character decisions and states of mind. Accompanied by an atmospheric musical score where needed. In my opinion, not just a movie but a well thought out work of art.

Oh…I forgot to tell you the very, very high level story. Based on the novel by Jens Lapidus and directed by Daniél Espinosa it is set in Stockholm and has three main characters: JW (Joel Kinnaman), an economics student,  works as a taxi driver to keep up with the lifestyle of his rich friends. When he meets Sophie (Lisa Henni), whom he wishes to impress, he becomes involved in cocaine dealings in the hope of earning easy and substantial amounts of money. Jorge (Matias Varela), a prison escapee, knows the cocaine business but also has one last score to settle with the mafia boss who put him behind bars, Radovan (Dejan Cukic). And finally, Mrado (Dragomir Mrsic), the man sent by Radovan to take out Jorge, whose job is complicated when social services leave him with custody of his young daughter.

Superb, thought provoking movie that isn’t just action scene after action scene. Well worth watching.

Of course, because this is the “non-English” language Blogathon, you’ll need to watch this one with English subtitles (unless of course you understand Swedish). Reading those subtitles is worth every moment.

For more wonderful entries into this Blogathon by hosted by moi…head on over here: The “non-English” Language Blogathon.

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Simply Splendid…Serendipity

To start…I apologise for poor layout or incorrect spelling…you have no idea how hard it is writing a post on a phone. Anyway…

You know you’re in for a treat when the opening scene of last minute Christmas shopping is accompanied with Louis Armstrong’s Cool Yule. And that can only mean something light but special is heading your way. Serendipity is just that. Besides, how could a movie with such a title not be special?

It all starts during that last minute shopping rush…over a single pair of gloves. She wants them (for herself) and he wants them (for his girlfriend). They spend a wonderful evening together and leave the rest up to fate – a dollar bill with his name and number on it. A book sold to an used book store with her name and number. Life unfolds for both of them but somehow neither can forget the other.

The way this light romantic movie unfolds is simply magical. As the viewer it is such a pleasure (and often frustrating, in a good way) watching them, and fate, miss each other by seconds yet in doing so, working their way to each other. They just don’t make them like this anymore.

Set in New York, mainly during the Christmas period, it has some beautiful sights to show with my favourite being the snowy evening (two of them in fact) on the ice rink of Central Park.

Ah, I simply adore this one. Oh..“them“ is Sara and Jonathan…Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. They work so well as a couple.

For more wonderful Winter in July posts, head on over to Moon in Gemini.

Retirees in full force…

That’s exactly what we have in R.E.D. That is Retired, Extremely Dangerous. So dangerous that they need to be knocked off. Oh yes…you read right…

Former Black-Ops Agent Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) is going about his much slowed down life. The regular highlight being him tearing up his pension cheques so he has an excuse to chat to pension office administrator Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker). In the early hours of one morning all that changes when he is targeted by some assassination team. Needing no further excuse to actually meet Sarah (he believes whoever is trying to kill him is a threat to her because of their phone calls) he surprises her one evening in her apartment. She naturally thinks he’s totally crazy and won’t go with him…but he has his means.

Together they round up Frank‘s former team in order to get to the bottom of the assassination attempt…Joe Matheson who’s supposedly dead for about the umpteenth time but very much alive (Morgan Freeman), cellphone-sattelite-technology-of-any-sort-phobe-conspiracy-theorist Marvin Boggs (John Malkovich) and femme fatale Victoria (Helen Mirren). The retirees.

They make for one feisty foursome. And their respective personalities and idiosyncrasies make for an entertaining team. Frank is trying to deal with his new-found “broad” that he quite likes (and has to convince Marvin not to knock her off – Marvin believes everyone is out to get him). Marvin, well, need I say more with John Malkovich in this role??? He’s absolutely nuts but often right with his hunches. Joe is the perfect balance to this team and I like his calm, intelligent reasoning – figures that he was the former mentor of Frank…but he’s perfectly mischievous in his retirement home too. And Victoria…she’s a woman to be scared of despite the posh appearances…”I kill people, dear” she explains to Sarah.

Add Sarah, who actually quite enjoys the whole “secretive” thing, William Cooper (Karl Urban), the CIA Agent instructed to track and kill Frank, ex–Russian Agent Ivan Simonov (Brian Cox), Henry, the Records Keeper (Ernest Borgnine) and you’ve got a movie that is a joy to watch.

I always find myself grinning in the two scenes where William Cooper tells Frank…”Grandpa”.

So, if you’re up for something fun and light but still in the action direction, give this one a watch. I think you’ll enjoy it.

For some more Foursomes, head on over to MovieMovieBlogBlog and The Favorite Foursome Blogathon.

Lust in the Dust…oops, I mean Duel in the Sun…

..is my entry into The 4th Annual Sex! (Now that I have your attention) Blogathon. I’ve been at a bit of a loss as to what movie to write about for MovieMovieBlogBlog‘s Blogathon (whom I’m sure had given up hope on receiving an entry from me despite my promise to submit 😉 ). I’d picked a movie, yet wasn’t quite convinced…and then it hit me…how could this Blogathon not have a post on Duel in the Sun (1946)? It is suggestive from the very beginning…and never really lets up…

Just look at the very first image we see…

Come on…it gives such a clear indication of what is yet to come…before it has even started.

So, while many don’t like it (even I have a love-hate relationship with it), it did receive two Oscar nominations (for Jennifer Jones (Best Actress in a Leading Role) and Lillian Gish (Best Actress in a Supporting Role)). But it’s quite the story…loaded with sexual innuendo throughout. The introduction of the movie (during the Overture section), gives us hints…”Duel in the Sun, 2 years in the making, is a saga of Texas in the 1880s. When primitive passions rode the raw frontier of an expanding nation.” Maybe I’m looking too deeply into it (and things were interpreted on a more innocent level way back then) but the words “primitive passion” and “raw frontier”, for me, are as provocative as anything.

Once the movie starts we see Pearl (Jennifer Jones), who the narrator describes as “quick to blossom” (need I elaborate?) dancing, supposedly innocently, but we soon see the sultry side to it (after seeing the actions of her mother as well as the comment made by an acquaintance “Like mother like daughter….I like the daughter better”). At this stage, and often throughout the movie, I think she is sometimes ignorant of what her subconscious really wants. Or…she knows.

 

Maybe she is still naive at the early stages of the movie (the unstated undertones are definitely there though)…she’s quite happy to change into a green dress for the “good son” Jesse (Joseph Cotton) right there and then on the wagon as they ride home from town. And she’s only known him for a few hours, if that.

But of course, it all gets steamy when we meet (for me, the ultimate bad boy), Lewton/Lewt (Gregory Peck). First thing he does, before his mother even has a chance to introduce him properly, is look Pearl up and down. And boy is this a looking up and down. No words can explain. Things are already heated up and he hasn’t even said anything. As for their simple phrases “Pleased to meet you Lewton.”

and “Pleased to meet you (pause)…Pearl.” – never have introductions been so steamy. Totally confirmed as she drops her eyes to the floor. And we know he’s just desperate to get to know her when mother Laura Belle (Lillian Gish) shows Pearl to her room telling her that she and Lewt will have plenty of time to get to know each other later. “I’m sure we will” utters Lewt out of the ladies’ earshot. Yes Lewt, I’m also sure you will.

Oh my…the screen is sizzling.

And I don’t think it is only Lewt who has some ideas about Pearl. Nice boy Jesse just doesn’t make it as obvious. He’s the lawyer after all. There are expectations in society. Read between the lines when he tells her “I think you’d better go to bed. Like a good little girl.” moments after this:

But fear not…he might send her off to preserve their dignity but Lewt has no problem with showing his desires. He just doesn’t give a damn. He’s waiting for her:

And as she closes her bedroom door after telling him “good night” (while he’s still outside), her gaze to the door tells us she probably does want him coming to visit. She’s intrigued.

Duel in the Sun if filled with such scenes. Nothing romantic (well, not for me), they are purely about lust. Even Lewt “innocently” showing off his horse is simply a different approach to his one goal. One that is visually confirmed in the scene where he chases after her on horseback. Never have two horses galloping had more sexual meaning.

But make no mistake. Pearl isn’t so innocent in all of this. Those swaying hips and fluttering eyelashes don’t help the situation. It doesn’t even go unnoticed by the other cowboys working on the ranch. There’s bound to be trouble at some point. And yes, plenty there is.

I could go on and on about the endless scenes, but by now I think it is very clear what this one is about. Possibly this it isn’t the best movie out there but it is undeniably sensual. And you thought no western could be that, didn’t you? No wonder it was nicknamed “Lust in the Dust”. And if you don’t believe it…once you’re done watching the final dusty and sweaty scene, there won’t be much doubt in your mind.

For my entries into this Blogathon for 2016 and 2017 (and a lighter more romantic movie), head on over here (for Subtly Sexy Pride & Prejudice) and…oh no!!!! I’ve just realised I covered the same movie here last year…well, I honestly hadn’t checked what I’d covered before…promise. Right this minute, as I was finalising and about to publish (while adding the links) I see my entry from last year…gosh, should have stuck with my original choice for this year. Oh well, so, totally new material today, just the same movie as last year (Heated Lust with Duel in the Sun). MovieMovieBlogBlog, I’ll make it up to you in The 5th Annual version of this Blogathon (too late to write a new post now). I guess it pays to know what you’ve written about in the past. Spreadsheet, here we come…

 

You learn something every day…

Yep, there’s always something new. I mean, can you believe that only recently (I’d say late last year, early this one) I discovered that there was actually a Broadway production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? The movie I’ve been watching ever since I can remember (it comes tie with the number of times I’ve watched The War Wagon, also ever since I can remember). I absolutely adored this musical when I was young (and still have a very soft spot for it now), especially Milly (Jane Powell) and her wonderful dresses. Not to forget her fluttering eyelashes and that wonderful voice.

So, one evening, fairly recently as I’ve mentioned, I was wondering what else Jane Powell and Howard Keel starred in together (and was also curious about all the other brothers and sisters of said movie) while surfing (or rather, trawling) the web, as is bound to happen,  along came a webpage with characters that didn’t look familiar. Huh? What’s this? Ah, not a remake or such but a stage production. Broadway in 1982. And various others too.

When the Broadway Bound Blogathon came along I got all excited to enter this movie but, alas, looking at it in a bit more detail, I read that it wasn’t really successful on Broadway or subsequently in London. Well, I guess the “original” was (is) special so, while I’m sorry that the live performances didn’t make it, in a way I’m also relieved that my precious childhood movie treasure stays exactly that…special. Although, not all is bad – the Broadway version did receive a Tony nomination for best musical score.

I’m not going to go into the story…I’m sure you all know it by now. So, at risk of warbling on and on, I’ll keep this one short and sweet. Rather head on over to Taking Up Room  over here to read up some more Broadway entries…or read my second entry in this Blogathon, a personal little gem called Proof, over here.

 

Proof…a little gem..

…in my humble opinion. If I remember correctly, it didn’t get too many positive reviews (but then, I don’t really care about reviews anyway…it’s all about personal preference, isn’t it?).

Having watched this one when it first came out on the “big screen”, I’d only realised afterwards that it was based on a play by David Auburn which won both a Pulitzer Prize as well as a Tony Award in 2001. As to who wrote the screenplay, I’m a little hazy…one source says David Auburn, another Rebecca Miller (I love her works) and yet a third credits them as co-writers. Anyway, the play that this movie is based on was originally staged Off-Broadway (I’m learning new things from this Broadway Bound Blogathon hosted by Taking Up Room) and was later moved to Broadway.

What’s the story? Often told in flashbacks immediately after brilliant mathematician Robert’s (Anthony Hopkins) death, this is about Catherine (Gwyneth Paltrow), also a mathematician struggling to deal with her father’s death, her potential brilliance and at the same time, the fear that she, like her father, may be mentally ill. To complicate matters, Robert’s former student Hal (Jake Gyllenhaal) spends many hours at Catherine’s (and formerly Robert’s) house sifting through endless notebooks believing that something noteworthy is to be found. Add Catherine’s prim and proper (or is that uptight?) sister Claire (Hope Davis) to the mix and you have some sums working and others not (ok, sorry, that wasn’t a good line)…let me retry that…you have quite a mix of characters which make for some interesting dynamics.

The cast, for me, works well. Gwyneth Paltrow and Hope Davis are the contradicting sisters…one not worried what she looks like, the other totally obsessed with appearances. In the flashbacks, Anthony Hopkins and Gwyneth Paltrow have a believable father-daughter relationship. Jake Gyllenhaal rounds off the equation as academic/hobby-musician.

And it’s not only the play that received accolades, but the movie too. Gwyneth Paltrow was nominated for a Golden Globe in this role. Well deserving. She’s excellent…just enough balance of normal and loopy. You’ll find yourself wondering about her sanity long after the credits roll. I’m still not sure what to make of her after multiple viewings…hmmmm.

 

Retired…no chance in Tombstone…

I’ve written about this particular movie before…but before you go “argh, not again”, I promise, this time I’ll steer away from Doc Holliday (read that post here) and have a chat about his close friend Wyatt Earp. Naturally, as this is the Kurt Russell Blogathon, I’m taking on the Wyatt as played by ta da…surprise, surprise….Kurt Russell in Tombstone (1993).

The story is roughly this: retired (and “famous”) lawman Wyatt Earp heads to Tombstone for a change in pace together with his two brothers and all their respective wives. En route to his new home, he has his first encounter and we already know that retirement is not going to happen.  And that’s exactly what happens…Wyatt just can’t stand by and watch as laws are broken, people hurt and the town is generally scared by some bullying outlaws, The Cowboys. So he cleans up the town. With loads of conflict along the way.

Kurt Russell is just perfect as Wyatt, well, in this movie i.e. as how he comes across (I did some reading on Mr Earp and boy is there a lot of material about him and his life that I lost track). We feel a genuine friendship between him and Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) as well as with his brothers. This, I believe, is only managed by actors who feel some sort of amicable working environment. But, we’re also totally convinced of that underlying toughness required for his former job as a lawman as well as dishing out justice in Tombstone. And, while trying to tell everyone what’s ethical and not, he’s not such an upstanding citizen himself. I guess there’s a lot going on underneath all that ruggedness. But all this won’t come across to the audience unless the right actor is cast. Here, Kurt Russell is absolutely spot on. Handsome, tough, caring, loyal (to certain people), hard as nails, loving, with and without flaws…oh, and he even has a resemblance to the “real” Wyatt Earp from what I could see online. All-in-all, great acting from Kurt Russell in a great movie (but all that would be meaningless if there wasn’t the right cast to support him. One that he wouldn’t overshadow). So, if you haven’t seen this one yet, you’re missing something…

Ah…just read that due to some firing of directors or something like that, Kurt Russell actually directed a portion of this film. Whatever the case is, it all turned out pretty darn good in my opinion.

Now head on over to Realweegiemidget Reviews here and Return to the 80s here for the other Kurt Russell posts in this Blogathon. Thanks for hosting you two!

First Impressions of…Breakfast at Tiffany’s…were…

…not at all what I expected. That’s for sure. A tad wacky. In a good way. What was I expecting? Well, actually, I can’t really say. Not sure myself. A romance. Yes. But that it had Audrey Hepburn so exceptionally off-beat…now that I didn’t expect. To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what this classic was about or what to expect.

The only thing I “knew” was this:

oh…and this:

Yep, that and the song by Deep Blue Something (you’re humming it now, aren’t you?) is all I had to go on.

Then MovieMovieBlogBlog announced the 1961 Blogathon. I’ll give it a miss…but hmmm…in the mood to join up…ooh look…Breakfast at Tifanny’s  (I’m humming the song) is a 1961 movie and what do you know…nobody has claimed it yet. Yes…that’s how it went and so I had the perfect excuse to finally get around to watching one that has been on my To Watch list for ages.

For those of you, who, like me didn’t don’t know the story – it is about Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn), a socialite (or is that gold-digger?) with some interesting habits who is trying to find a rich husband. She lives in the same apartment block as writer Paul Varjak (that is Vee Ay Ar Jay Ay Kay – you’ll understand once you’ve watched). And so their paths cross…or should I say, Holly more often crosses into his apartment through the window. We watch them navigate around each other but ultimately towards each other. And Holly living up to her surname (hee hee) on the surface, but there’s actually much more going on. Not everything passes so golightly in this romance. In fact, there were times I wondered why Paul (George Peppard) didn’t walk away.

Thoroughly enjoyable, the Oscar nominations and wins are absolutely deserved. Audrey Hepburn is superb and shines in her role. Never contrived, she brings Holly to life in a natural and believable manner. But it’s more than that…there’s the story too. It had me thinking – about how we live our lives, the values, the people we impact and the rash decisions we make to prove a point (think Cat here). But, above all, it’s to be enjoyed. A great watch. Why did I wait so long??? And the title was put into perspective right from the beginning…didn’t see that coming.

So, MovieMovieBlogBlog…Happy Birthday for today…enjoy all your 1961 posts…I’ve linked to them here for all to see.

 

A Wild Bunch…

Wow…the third time that I’m having a chat about William Holden. But the weird thing is that I’ve only ever seen him in westerns (I’ll try change that for next year’s Blogathon). To me, he’s always that aging mature cowboy or outlaw (even father).**

Seriously, all three of his roles he’s been thoughtful, mostly level headed, even while on the run. He’s calm and collected. And in The Wild Bunch (1969), he’s no different. Yes, he’s an outlaw who’s pulled off some mighty big jobs and is planning one last big one…but, there is always a controlled air to him. And that approach of a planner.

What a movie this is. The opening was quite hefty…wow. And visually…it is something else. The imagery is so well done. I mean really…just think about those poor scorpions being eaten alive by ants…to be burnt to a crisp. It sets the scene for what is to come more than any other scene ever could. What also struck me is the use of laughter…have you noticed how many scenes have big loud, overstated laughter…

Oh…I forgot to tell you…William Holden plays Pike Bishop, the gang leader who, with his men is fleeing from a group of bounty hunters led by his former partner Deke Thornton (played by Robert Ryan). Across the Rio Grande, they steal some weapons (that must be the best executed railway robbery I’ve ever seen) for a Mexican officer (he’s a nasty piece of work) and a whole lot of double-crossing and shooting ensues. That’s roughly the story.

Holden is the perfect fit for his role – a  leader who is firm and fair, believable yet has enough meanness in him to be a successful (?) outlaw.

While I “enjoyed” (not sure “enjoy” is the right word for this one) this movie, I found the violence extremely brutal and I was struck by how much torture was presented in this one (be it animal or human torture). Add all the “massacre” scenes and it makes for viewing that you really need to be in the mood for. (I believe it was/is quite controversial because of all this violence) But don’t get me wrong…it is an excellent movie.

Directed by Sam Peckinpah, it also stars Ernest Borgnine (I always enjoy watching him especially in The Revengers which also starred William Holden),  Edmond O’Brien, Warren Oates, Jaime Sánchez, Ben Johnson, Emilio Fernández amongst others. The musical score is fantastic and deserves the Oscar nomination. Likewise the Oscar nomination for screenplay is well deserved.

To change the topic…I really want to know which movie this banner comes from because darn, I want to watch that one…clearly not the aging cowboy:

Head on over to The Flapper Dame, Love Letters to Old Hollywood or The Wonderful World of Cinema to read some more about William Holden.

And for my past entries into this blogathon, click here for The Revengers and here for Wild Rovers.

**Ooh…I lie…I did see him in The Bridge on the River Kwai…aeons ago.

Westerns and more Westerns…

So, by now you probably know that I’m a big Western fan. Have been so since I was a little girl. I can’t really say what triggered my love for the genre but I suspect that a combination of the first western I recall seeing and the way it was presented have a great deal to do with it.

As many of you might know, my parents managed to “save” a whole stack of Super 8 movies from the junk yard back when the video store came up. Ah, the treasures I found there (so many classics but that’s a post for another day). BUT…The War Wagon was one of them (on 4 reels). And this is the first one I recall seeing. And somewhere during these early years of movies, John Wayne became my first movie star hero (even though my school friends had no idea who he was). And my love for Westerns was born.

Being the host of the Great Western Blogathon I was wondering which one I should write about but I just couldn’t decide. So, here are a few of the Westerns that are my favourites (* indicates additional post so feel free to click the title) or that hold a special sentiment for me (and even getting this down to just a few was really difficult):

The War Wagon (1967)*: it goes without saying that this one started not only my passion for the genre but for movie watching in general. John Wayne is Taw Jackson who, on his release from prison, wants his ranch back from the man who put him behind bars. With some additional help, he also plans to rob the same man of some gold he is transporting in a heavily armoured wagon…the War Wagon. To this day I pretty much know the dialogue word for word. Back as a little girl I watched this so often and had my parents beg me to see what else they had in their reel collection. Not a chance…well, when I eventually did watch something else I found…

Big Jake (1971)*: and wondered why I’d never given it a go before. I even loved it more than The War Wagon. Yes, I’d say when I was way younger, this became my favourite Western. And….as you can guess, I know a large portion of the dialogue too, although being a little older then and having discovered other movies too, I didn’t watch it until the film had almost burnt through. This one is a family affair having John Wayne, Patrick Wayne and Ethan Wayne all playing family. John Wayne is Jacob McCandles, who’s grandson is kidnapped and a ransom requested. Being a “harsh and unpleasant person” as his estranged wife (Maureen O’Hara) puts it, he is the perfect fit to bring the poor child back.  This one is worth watching just for this line by Jacob McCandles when his adult son calls him daddy…”You can call me father, you can call me Jacob, you can call me Jake. You can call me a dirty son-of-a-bitch, but if you ever call me daddy again, I’ll finish this fight.”

The Five Man Army (Un esercito di 5 uomini) (1969): A western with a different feel and back-story to those I was used to. Different, because it was a spaghetti western. There was something I always enjoyed about this one even though it might not necessarily be the best movie out there. I can’t say what it was about this one – maybe back then it was just refreshing to have a different feel. We have a group of bandits, led by Peter Graves who carefully plan a train robbery (gold of course)  on behalf of some Mexican rebels with the goal of having the gold fund the Mexican Revolution. And…I must tell you that this is the only role I’ve ever seen Bud Spencer in.

Other notable Western mentions from my parents’ Super 8 stash (oh I consider myself so lucky to have experienced them in this form): The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing*, Vera Cruz*, The Scalphunters*, Duel in the Sun* and The Revengers*.

Then came the time of DVDs (and by this time I had a student job). We never had a television (and no video cassettes) by choice so other than the movies on Super 8, I didn’t see many new films. The odd one at the cinema but nothing much notable. Well, not in the western genre.

The Magnificent Seven (1960)*: How awesome that I now had the means to buy my own movies and due to having heard so much about this one, it became one of the first in my collection (The Cowboys being my first ever DVD I purchased). And I fell even more in love with the Western genre. How could you not after having watched 7 men give their everything to save a small Mexican village from oppressive bandits? On first viewing though I had to chuckle as I clearly remember trying to figure out who the 7 were with my dad purely from having heard of the movie. Neither of us had seen it. Back then there was no internet and “all” I had was Quinlan’s Movie Stars book….well, I looked and looked to eventually piece them together…I got Eli Wallach totally wrong through…he was the villain not one of the 7. That got cleared up very quickly when I finally got to watch what is now one of my favourites.

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)*: Wow…not much more I can say to this one. Absolutely brilliant. The acting, the soundtrack, the visuals…what a movie. And dare I admit that I only saw it for the first time in 2010? It has the man with the harmonica (Charles Bronson) team up with Cheyenne (Jason Robards) to protect the beautiful widow Jill McBain (Claudia Cardinale) from one of the biggest villains I’ve come across. And I’m sure you all know the theme tune to this one. And that opening sequence…that’s got to be some of the best movie making…the sounds, the textures…just everything. If there’s one western you watch, this is it!

Yellow Sky (1948)*: now for my all-time favourite Western. I only managed to get hold of this one in 2012. And…for shallow reasons at the time…you see, I had this love-hate relationship with Lewt in Duel in the Sun. Well, maybe not Lewt but Gregory Peck and naturally I wanted to see some other westerns with him in. Thanks to the internet and online shopping, Yellow Sky came my way.  It has Gregory Peck playing “Stretch” the leader of a gang who are on the run after having robbed a bank. They land up in a ghost town where “Mike” and her (yes, her) grandpa are the only inhabitants. They suspect that these two are secretly mining gold and try to get to it too. I won’t give away too much here as it really is worth watching. And for those of you who don’t like “black and white” movies…trust me, this one is so colourful.

Notable mentions from my DVD collection (well, the super 8 ones are also on DVD now but I won’t re-mention them 🙂 ): Open Range*, The Cowboys, High Noon*, The Quick and the Dead, Broken Trail*, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, True Grit* (both versions) and Slow West.

Well, that’s about it for now. So many westerns, so little time. But hey, we all find those we are meant to watch.

The Great Western Blogathon has ridden into town…

…that big day has finally arrived. As the tumbleweeds roll through the dusty landscape and the lonely cowboy whistles a melancholy tune by his campfire, the honky tonk piano from the nearby town provides the backdrop for this blogathon.

The western movie has been very dear to my since I was a little girl. Don’t ask my why that genre in particular – I don’t know myself. It just had the power to draw me in and whisk me away into that romanticised notion/dreams of being a cowgirl. Maybe it came down to the way I was introduced to movies in the first place (through the “rescued” Super 8 movies) or something about John Wayne in the first western I can remember seeing (more to that in my own post for the blogathon). But whatever it was, this genre holds something that raises it a little higher above the other genres I love. But, enough of me and let me hand you over to the wonderful bloggers who have joined in (a great big thank you for your time and efforts). And don’t forget to ride into town during the course of the day to see what else has landed up in the saloon roster:

 

	Cinematic Scribblings brings us The New Land (1972), a movie I’d never heard of before now. It tells the story of settling the West from a different perspective – that of a Swedish family and their coming to America. It’s about the realities of acting on those dreams. The hardships and joys faced. The perfect theme to start us off in this blogathon. Here is the post: A Dream Made Flesh: The New Land (1972)
	MovieMovieBlogBlog, self-admittedly not a big Western fan still joined my Blogathon (thank you, really appreciated) and wrote about his exception to the genre: Django Unchained (2012). And, as to be expected with Quentin Tarantino, this one is brutal and well…Tarantino…from the story to the political incorrectness. Here is the post: DJANGO UNCHAINED (2012) – Quentin Tarantino’s answer to GONE WITH THE WIND
	The Midnite Drive-In brings you two wonderful movies. The first, The Train Robbers (1973), is one I’ve (ashamedly) not seen before but am going to rectify that as a matter of urgency. How could I not have seen John Wayne robbing a train and at the same time trying to do good? But, at least I had seen The War Wagon (1967), the second movie in the post. Here we have John Wayne robbing a wagon of gold but for totally different reasons. Here is the post: There’s Gold in Them Thar Trains
	Realweegiemidget Reviews has me laughing as she reminds us of the antics, cliches and comedy that is A Milling Ways to Die in the West (2014). She also has me wanting to watch this again…as in immediately…as she mentions a host of cameos but won’t say who or when. Here is the post: A Million Ways to Die in the West
	Christina Wehner brings us the tragic struggle between settlers and Apaches in Broken Arrow (1950). Here, individuals across cultures can see beyond and overcome mass hatred in a story based loosely on facts. Here is the post: Broken Arrow (1950)
	What Blogathon would be complete without John Ford’s The Searchers (1956) starring John Wayne? Maddy Loves Her Classic Films gives us some thoughts to ponder that give this classic film more depth than one realises on first viewing. Here is the post: The Searchers (1956)
	Hondo (1953) a thoughtful John Wayne western that I was coincidentally pondering to watch just the other day is confirmed as one to definitely seek out by portraitsbyjenni. It brings together half-breed Hondo, Angie, her young son and Apache Chief Vittorio to make for some great viewing. Here is the post: For the Great Western Blogathon, 1953’s Hondo
	Moon in Gemini brings her all-time favourite western to the Blogathon – Winchester ’73. It is about a Winchester gun and the “owners” it has as well as a shooting contest in which this gun is the highly coveted prize. Here is the post: The Great Western Blogathon: Winchester ’73 (1950)
	Have you ever wondered who shot Liberty Valance? Taking up Room writes about a young lawyer, an infamous outlaw, a sheriff who doesn’t enforce the law and an “unofficial” lawman who does. We even have a love triangle in this one. All in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). Here is the post: Who Really Shot Liberty Valance?
	Cracked Rear Viewer brings us Spaghetti Western Death Rides a Horse with Lee van Cleef and John Phillip Law playing a game of cat and mouse. Revenge of a little boy, now grown up, having witnessed his family’s brutal murder. Here is the post: Best Served Cold: DEATH RIDES A HORSE (United Artists 1967; US release 1969)
	Shadow & Substance discusses some great dialogue, amongst other things of course, in Saddle the Wind (1958). And, the decisions made when brothers need to face each other, when there are conflicts of opinion, when one’s conscience goes against what direct family believes… Here is the post: Saddling Up With Serling: A Pre-TZ Wild West Detour
	MovieRob tells us about what he thinks is Paul Newman’s best role. Hombre (1967) deals with prejudice and the fight for survival as we see the story of a white man, raised by Apaches, who is the last hope for some stagecoach drivers. Here is the post: The Great Western Blogathon – Hombre (1967)
	The Flapper Dame counts five reasons as to why Big Jake (1971) is a worthy John Wayne movie. Never mind the fact that is has John Wayne, Patrick Wayne and Ethan Wayne all taking on roles as family. Michael Wayne even produces with John Wayne. Here is the post: Great Westerns Blogathon – Big Jake (1971)
	You want to see a good saloon brawl? Dodge City (1939) has just that and more. LA Explorer presents on of her favourites where a cattleman experiences the lawlessness of Dodge City and decides to step in. Here is the post: Spotlight on Dodge City
	I bring you some of my favourite and other special westerns, purely because I couldn’t decide on just one. Here is the post: Westerns and more Westerns

The suspense…

How could you do this to me ZM? Yes, you…you know who you are. That suspense you made me sit through…whew…after close on three hours I finally got to breathe out. Wow. Interstellar (2014) was  (is?) quite something. Something I never expected. Something I hadn’t considered watching until it was recommended to me two weeks ago. My reasons for “avoiding” it…well, I’m generally wary of Sci-Fi movies, especially those around which a big hype is made (and that hype-avoidance isn’t restricted to the Sci-Fi genre I must tell you). But slowly these “realistic” Sci-Fi movies are growing on me…Arrival being another one I enjoyed.

So…what had me glued to the screen and oblivious to much going on around me? The story of a near to totally destroyed earth. One where dust and corn are the only things thriving (corn…just, just…not sure how much longer). Nothing much more. And in this, a quest to find an alternative planet (or even planets) to populate and ensure the survival of our species. And…this planet isn’t in our solar system. Nope, the plan is to find one in another galaxy (or is that solar system?). By means of zooming through a wormhole. Naturally things like time, fuel, human issues all come to play and we feel like these brave characters are utterly helpless. But the plot is more than just this…there is something else to it…something quite thought provoking. As if the almost-reality of a ruined earth isn’t thought-provoking enough. But…so that you likewise need to sit through apprehension, I won’t disclose much more.

Christopher Nolan once again pulls it together so well (ok, ok, many more cast and crew members are involved) and the acting ensemble gels too. And what a interstellar (sorry…couldn’t resist) cast we have: Matthew McConaughey (who I’m liking more and more as an actor), Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Mackenzie Foy (wow, promising actress), David Gyasi, Matt Damon, Topher Grace, Jessica Chastain, Casey Affleck, Wes Bentley, John Lithgow and the list goes on….

What really struck me was the brilliant soundtrack (or lack thereof). Nothing could hit home that vastness of space as…silence. How utterly powerful a lack of sound could be. And the musical score where it was available was just as excellent. The appropriate balance of a “classical” score with a modern one. But then, having Hans Zimmer take care of this could only bring success.

At times heavy (because of the totally plausible state of things) but always intelligent and thought provoking, this movie is one I’ll have going through my mind for a while yet. The what ifs and hows will definitely be pondered upon when triggered in my day-to-day life.

Give it a watch. You won’t regret the time (in some far out stellar locations you’ll spend almost the equivalent of 21 earth years watching this one).

So…ZM, this one’s for you. And also for the Outer Space on Film Blogathon hosted by Moon in Gemini…go through this wormhole to read some others: Wormhole.

80s Fantasy…what else but…

…The Neverending Story? Oh my, I fondly remember that movie. It was back in the day before DVD. Yes, Video Cassettes were out but my parents had decided against TV and Video. So, The Neverending Story (1984) was reserved for the days we went to visit our family friends. And, without fail, I’d beg and plead to watch it…beg and plead because they had become sick of it (the last few times I ended up watching on my own while they did their own thing). Naturally, with the limited viewing chances, I couldn’t get enough of it. And I bet you have the theme tune bouncing through your head right now, don’t you?

What’s it about? If you aren’t of “that” generation…well, it is about the land/world of Fantastia dying. And Bastian Balthazar Bux, our unlikely hero in the “real” world, going on a parallel adventure with Atreyu, a character in the book.

It all starts out with Bastian being bullied and taking refuge in the closest door he can find. This turns out to be a bookshop and the store owner is reading something that intrigues the young boy. Ending up with this book in the school attic he is absorbed into the story in such a way that he becomes a key part of it. There is a more serious message that I feel is more and more earnest in this day where the beauty of imagination and the ability to create one’s own fantastical world is becoming a rarity.

I have the DVD in my collection and recently re-watched it. Yes, it has a very 80s look to it but there is something special about it. Something magical. Something nostalgic. Many find it cheesy and silly, others love it but whatever you think, it is definitely one that can’t be ignored when looking at 80s movies. Specifically fantasy ones.

Based on the wonderful (yes, it really is wonderful) book my Michael Ende, it stars Barret Oliver as Bastian and Noah Hathaway as Atreyu.

Is it 80s Fantasy Film Genre Grandeur worthy? Yes, yes, definitely.

Just…whatever you do…do not watch the second one…

But do head on over to Movierob for more 80s Fantasy Genre Grandeur entries here.

 

 

It’s the end of the world as we know it…Sunshine

So, yes….uhm, I’m presenting the end of the sun. Technically, I guess it is the end of the world…right? Oh well…whatever…here it is…my entry into the End of the Sun, woops, World Blogathon…

“Our sun is dying….mankind faces extinction”. Pretty serious opening lines. They come from a serious, yet excellent (and I think little known) movie. May I present…Sunshine (2007).

And yes, that’s the situation we find ourselves in. The sun really is dying and the world is in a permanent state of cold and dark. I get shivers just thinking about that possibility. Not so far-fetched. We never know, right?

The solution? “8 astronauts strapped to the back of a bomb…my bomb” (as explained by character Robert Capa) on a mission to detonate it. Inside the sun off course! And this stellar bomb is the size of Manhattan Island! Just so we are clear how dangerous this task really is. Gee, what a horrifying thought that must be for those responsible? Can you just imagine yourself on that journey? That’s the gist of the story…sending a bomb into the sun.

I think they all take strain as is clearly displayed by the tensions that run high. So, these 8 carefully selected team members are the second group to attempt this mission after the first one failed before the bomb was even detonated. The reasons will become clear but I can’t disclose them here. We watch these individuals deal with the task(s) at hand, as they face unexpected challenges and expected reality. Oh, they also have to deal with Icarus, the on-board computer/AI-being who has a mind of her own. And once you, dear viewer, realise the inevitable and the weight these characters carry on their shoulders, you will be as tense as them. It really had me thinking. How far would you go for the greater good of humankind? How far would you go when, as an individual, you are nobody in the greater scheme of things, yet, you are everything?

A superb cast of Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans, Michelle Yeoh, Benedict Wong, Hiroyuki Sanada, Cliff Curtis, Troy Garity heat up the screen, while, amongst others Mark Strong  and Chipo Chung have less screen time but just as important roles. Alex Garland has a knack for writing fantastic stories doing so once again in this case. And who better than to bring his stories to life than Danny Boyle? These two always seem to make a great combination (The Beach and 28 Days Later also had them team up). Add stunning, sweeping visuals and a soundtrack (by John Murphy) that heightens the atmosphere and you’ve got not only a movie but a piece of art. One that is definitely worth watching.

I wasn’t sure Sunshine would fit the bill for an End of the World Blogathon but…I’m convinced it does. No sun, no world, right?

For some more world shattering posts, head on over to MovieMovieBlogBlog or The Midnite Drive-In, the hosts of this Blogathon.

 

 

I’ve fallen in love…

….sigh, ah…where do I start? That, I shouldn’t have waited this long to discover my feelings? That, I’ve realised we shouldn’t judge people by their apparent looks? Or, is it sufficient to say…Mr Darcy? I suspect for most of you, that should sum it up perfectly…right?

So, now that it is all out in the open…I can’ believe it took me so long to “read” Pride and Prejudice. That is just soooo inexcusable…isn’t it? I say “read” because it wasn’t a book but the Audiobook in the car the last two weeks. And never before have I wanted to carry on driving purely to get in a few more minutes of listening. Thank goodness I have the book at home (have had so for years and years) so sneaked (or is it snuck?) in some proper reading when I had the moment. It is one of those books that I didn’t want to end (but did, because I needed to know how it ends – even though I already kind of knew…make sense?). And, when it did end (all too soon), I wanted nothing more than to start at the beginning again.

I’ve always loved the movie (the Matthew Macfadyen one) but now, seeing how much character and story development, dialogue and other is left out, it isn’t quite the same. The book absolutely tops it by miles. Not to say I don’t like the movie anymore. But I can’t get the full story, as intended by Jane Austen, out of my mind.

And make no mistake…it isn’t only about the gentleman mentioned above. It’s about all the wonderful characters and how they make for a story that is timeless. I’m sure we all know a Miss Bingley or a Mrs Bennet whose snotty or  ignorant comments are no different now as back then.

And how wonderful to visualise the movie Mr Darcy for an entire book! Yes, yes…sorry, but I just couldn’t resist…