Occasionally, I'll be asked "hey, have you seen anything good lately?" Well, yeah probably. There's always stuff that I've watched or
rewatched and am willing to commit to the suggestion of someone checking it out if they hadn't seen it or even heard of it. If you have
a bias against reading subtitles, documentaries, older films or even watching <gasp> 'a black and white film!' you might not find much
here, but if you're a moviegoer with an open mind hopefully you'll find something here that peaks your interest if you already haven't seen it.
Daybreakers (2009)
If you’re a vampire fan you might be getting tired of all the seemingly endless teen/lovey dovey stories that are the popular thing nowadays. Whatever happened to the hard core, graphic, scary stories that there used to be? Well, Daybreakers is a good place to find it.
From the setup of a future in a world where vampires outnumber humans, it begins an interesting story involving two species who are trying to survive. The humans obviously want to avoid being food and the vampires who require human blood to live – so they can’t exactly kill all the humans or else they’ll be really screwed.
It’s a pretty cool B-movie with some nice performances by Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill and a fun story that takes some twists and turns. The transformed world that the vampires are now living is a upside down universe where day is reserved for staying indoors and not getting your required blood fix can turn you into a real mess. There’s plenty of blood and gore for fans too. I was pleasantly surprised by it. After feeling inundated with all the vampire films and tv shows lately this was a unique treat. I won’t be surprised if this story continues, it looks like like an ideal setup to an ongoing series.
The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980)
A completely silly and goofy little film that ever since I first saw had me laughing and I’ll occasionally revisit it. It’s a simple story of the Bushman of the Kalahari Desert. They are a people who are untouched by man and have their own beliefs about their world and God. Their way of life is suddenly shaken when an empty Coke bottle falls from the sky and throws a wrench in their peaceful way of life. Xixo takes it upon himself to rid this ‘evil thing’ and sets off to throw it off the end of the earth – and so his adventure begins.
This is a pretty outlandish, crazy movie. It was an unsuspected hit when first released and has held onto a cult status ever since. The quality of the production is dirt-cheap and many of the editing techniques employed by director Jamie Uys make it even wackier, but it’s still pretty funny. There is a lot of slapstick humor with the actors and vehicles and fun observations on civilized man as Xixo runs into a second story involving a scientist, a schoolteacher and a revolutionary. Some of the narrator’s lines not only help with the laughs, but it also makes you feel like your watching some surreal Discovery Channel documentary. It’s all pretty fun and adds up to a very funny unusual movie that if you’re in the right frame of mind should provide you laughs.
There were follow-ups to this film. The second one isn’t bad. The others (that I think are near impossible to find) I’ve never seen, but judging by the lack of information on them are probably not very good and we aren’t missing much.
Top Secret! (1984)
Once upon a time parody movies weren't the bottom of the cinema barrel. In fact, they were actually a great bet for some laughs! Yeah, it's hard to believe after witnessing what the genre has desolved into.
The Zucker/Abrams/Zucker team who created 1980's 'Airplane!' followed it up with this parody of spy movies. Along the way Elvis musicals, The Blue Lagoon, The Great Escape, Pintos and endless cliched movie conventions are targeted.
Val Kilmer (in his film debut) plays Nick Rivers - American Rock N' Roll star, who travels to Germany and meets Hillary Flammond (Lucy Gutteridege) and gets embroiled in the Resistance who are trying to rescue......ah the story isn't important. It's simply used as a framework to hang gags on. The important thing with these kind of films are to keep the jokes flying and if they're funny or not. In this case they are! Some jokes fall flat, but for every joke that doesn't work there's another one right behind it that does.
You know how everyone quotes that famous 'Shirley' line from Airplane? Well, there are plenty of goofy lines here to add to your repertoire.
- "In women's tennis, I always root against the heterosexual."
- "If they find out you've seen this, your life will be worth less than a truckload of dead rats in a tampoon factory."
- "Latrine!"
- "Souvenirs, novelties, party tricks."
- "How do we know he's NOT Mel Torme?"
Right from the opening sequence of teenagers partying at the beach enjoying Nick's latest hit 'Skeet Surfin'!', you know this movie is going to be a real wacky ride. I revisited it again recently on TCM (I wouldn't have expected to find it there) while they were dedicating a night to the ZAZ teams films. I planned on only watching the opening scene, but before I knew it I was there for the long haul. The film isn't as famous as 'Airplane!' or the 'Naked Gun' films, but it's still plenty of fun. For folks who are only familiar with recent parody films that have caused the genre to be on life support, it's a fun treat to see what it once was when it was made by creative, intelligent, inventive and FUNNY filmmakers.
Hearts of Darkness:
A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991)
One of the best behind the scenes/making of documetaries ever. The film recounts
the consistent obstacles director Francis Ford Coppola faced when he treked out to
the Phillipines to shoot his 1979 film 'Apocalypse Now'. When he arrived everything
that could go wrong did.
Coppola's wife Elenor accompanied him and along the way shot footage recounting
the production. Bad weather, heart attacks, confused actors, miscommunication with the Philipino government, an escalating budget, an endless schedule and an unfinished script helped create a swirl of bad fortune for the eventual revered film
and the stressed director. And all the while Hollywood was snickering at what
Coppola got himself into.
The behind the scenes footage is fascinating to see. While we've become accustomed to seeing endless hours of 'making of' clips, interviews with actors on set and botched takes today for every film, it's not very often audiences are offered much of that insight into an older film, especially one that has become considered a modern classic.
The revisited interviews with Coppola, the actors and other filmmakers offer honest, revealing stories about their time spent on the film and
they don't necessarily paint everyone in the best of light. Marlon Brando might be considered one of the greatest actors ever, but he sure does
come off as a big pain in the ass. The film does a great job throwing you into the time and place of the filmming when everyone wasn't sure
if the film would ever get finished and what exactly would it turn out to be if it did.
For anyone who's seen Apocalypse Now, this documentary should be required viewing. In fact any fan of cinema should see it.
The Anderson Tapes (1971)
I love a good heist flick and this one's pretty decent. Sean Connery stars as burglar John "Duke" Anderson, just released from a ten year stretch in prison and wouldn't you know it - all that time away doesn't deter him from planning a new caper.
Directed by Sidney Lumet the film co-stars Dyan Cannon, Martin Balsam, Alan King and Christopher Walken in his screen debut. It has a some nice New York locations and flavor, something Lumet is great at utilizing. I'd rather not go into too much detail over Anderson's plan, but let's just say there's some cool tough guy talk, modern surveillance equipment comes into play there's some flashback editing, Cannon is pretty hot and there are some snags in the execution to Anderson's plan. Check
it out before Hollywood gets its proposed remake rolling.
Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
Speaking of Coppola, along with the recent talk of Jeff Bridges getting his Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Crazy Heart, I thought it would be a nice time to give a shout out to one of Bridges little seen gems on his resume.
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film tells the story of Preston Tucker, who in the 1940's designed and tried to market his uniquely engineered automobile, that had such cutting edge stuff in it like seat belts. His dream of manufacturing and selling his automobile of course isn't embraced by all, including the Big Three Automakers who aren't too keen on having this guy taking a slice out of their business. I think you can guess where the story goes from there. It's a classic David Vs. Goliath story and with Bridges sincere and persistent performance you're rooting for him all the way. The sets, costumes, music and automobiles really throw you into the 1940's era the film is set in. Along with great supporting peformances by Joan Allen, Oscar nominated Martin Landau (who this film really helped resurrect his career), Dean Stockwell and Bridges father Lloyd, Tucker has become one of my favorite Bridges films and performances.
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (2008)
With Roman Polanski's case back in the headlines I went back and rewatched this comprehensive documentary detailing the events that resulted in the director fleeing to Paris in 1978. With interviews, file footage, along with the accompaniment of clips of Polanski's films, this documentary conveys the era of the 60's when Polanski was making a name for himself in the film industry, with a beautiful wife on his arm and a future that looked full of promise. By 1977 it was all undone. The newsfootage of the media covering the case is fascinating, especially with the perspective of today seeing every entertainment program devote countless hours to every Hollywood scandal they can get their hands on. It certainly shows their antics are nothing new. The supposed judicial misconduct is head shaking and the testimony is at times chilling. Since Polanski's arrest in Zurich in 2009, the DA recanted the interview he had given in the film. I don't view the film as a condemnation of Polanski or a defense for him, others might feel differently. I simply view it as a well told presentation as to what happened and leaves you to draw your own conclusions.
Gettysburg (1993)
Several years ago I visited the battlefield at Gettysburg, PA. You know acutally being there and seeing the layout of the landscape made the history of the battle come alive in a way you don't get from reading about it in history books. You did feel like you were standing on sacred ground and could almost envision the countless soldiers who fought there.
The second best way to experience it is by watching the four hour mammoth film based on that three day battle.
We don't see very many 'Television Event's' anymore (or at least ones that actually live up to the name) Ted Turner backed the production with intentions of it being a film shown on his cable channel TNT, but after seeing some of the footage decided to release it theatrically.
With a cast consisting of Martin Sheen, Jeff Daniels, Sam Elliott, C. Thomas Howell, Donal Logue, Stephen Lang, George Lazenby, Richard Jordan and Tom Berenger (who it's said it is his favorite film he's done), along with thousands of Civil War re-enactors, the film recounts the bloodiest battle fought on US soil. It not only restages the battles, but allows you to understand how seemingly a series of random events led up to the meeting between the Confederate and the Union armies in the small farm town.
The film is not perfect. At times the characters feel like they're speaking in soliloquies and speeches, rather than just talking. It's like award show sound bytes, but they're minor quibbles and don't really hurt the commendable intentions the film set out to achieve - documenting this historic event. The recreations with all the extras accompanied by Randy Edelman's rousing score succeeds as one of the best films about the Civil War. I especially love Jeff Daniels performance. As he tries to maintain a calm and optimistic command of his troops, even though he knows things are getting worse and worse and alternatives are disappearing - that scene is one of the best perfomances I've ever seen him give.
Unknown White Male (2005)
Chronicling the experiences of Doug Bruce, who while one day awoke at Coney Island with total and complete amnesia, the film recounts his journey of finding out about his life he doesn't remember having. His mind is a blank slate and he explores with innocence and wonder every little facet of the world around him that he's forgotten.
It's an intriguing beginning to a story where we start to follow Doug and see him try to piece together his life, along with all the tiny things that we take for granted. There is some speculation the film is a hoax, just an elaborate put on. Whether you want to believe the validity of the claims is up to you and you can read all about that. Whether fake or not, the film does present such an interesting premise it does get you thinking. How would you react to tasting chocolate for the first time, of seeing snow? Would your closest, oldest friends still be your friends if you had met them today? What would happen if all of a sudden you had the reset button pushed on everything that you ever knew and what you experienced in the past? Would you still be the same person you are today or someone completely different?
500 Days of Summer (2009)
Holy crap! Can it actually really be? A recent romantic comedy that is enjoyable, fun, smart, heartbreaking and worth watching??? Who would have thought?
The romantic comedy genre felt like it was near extinction with generic assembly line garbage that has been churned out in recent years. (what’s the most recent one….When In Rome or some junk), so that makes this film an even more enjoyable experience! Not in a long time have I sat down and smiled along with a budding relationship, sharing the characters highs and lows, laughing and crying along with them while all the time hoping things will work out for them. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are engaging and likable in their roles and the characters aren’t one-dimensional, caricatures thrown into contrived, exaggerated situations. The back and forward style the story is told in might sound cliché at first, but it works. Director Marc Webb has just been tapped for the Spider-Man reboot and after watching this film, has certainly lifted my interest to see what he will do for that franchise.
The Wrestler (2008)
I'm still surprised how few people I've talked with have seen this film. Maybe it's the title and the idea that you have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy it. Maybe it's the grittiness of how it looks or that it appears to be too depressing or that people aren't that interested in meeting this character. Whatever it is they're missing out. I had the same thoughts prior to watching it and by the end agreed with all the praise Mickey Rourke's performance had garnered, the direction of Darren Aronofsky and the supporting performances by Marisa Tomei and Rachel Evan Wood. The character of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson stayed with me for days after watching it and it was the best film I had seen for the year
Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008)
We’ve all seen This Is Spinal Tap and while watching this documentary you can’t help but make comparisons. But where Spinal Tap played the declining interest of a once popular heavy metal band for laughs, this shows a similar situation in a much more serious vain. The members of Anvil, most notably lead singer Steve “Lips” Kudlow, continue doing what they love to do and hope to recapture some of their past success, even though increasingly frustrating events make it seem more reasonable to hang it all up. I’m not a heavy metal fan by any stretch, but the tenacity and passion the band has to continue doing what they love and not willing to give up caught me up in their struggle and had me rooting for them in the end.
The Train (1964)
It's 1944, after having occupied Paris for the last four years the Nazis are pulling out of the city before the Allies arrive to liberate it. Colonel von Waldheim's (Paul Scofield) only priority is to get looted irreplacable masterpieces of art back to Germany. Railway inspector and French Reistance fighter Paul Labiche (Burt Lancaster) is given the risky assignment to delay the train unitl the Allies arrive. Questioning whether such a task is even worth a human life ("I won't waste lives on paintings") he reluctantly agrees. Directed by John Frankenheimer this taut, intelligent, suspenseful story keeps moving with large set pieces and terrific acting with Lancaster and Scofield engaging in a battle of wills. The black and white photography is beautiful to look at and the action scenes (having all been done for real) are just as impressive as ever.
Dead Snow (2009)
A group of medical students embark on a snowy weekend in the Øksfjord mountains and before they know it they're faced with having to deal with an army of WW II Nazi zombies who've made the scenic setting their home.
This sounds pretty strange huh? Well, it is but it's fun. Zombies seem to be the popular movie monster at the moment. So how could you possibly make them any meaner and evil? Make them Nazi's of course!
The setup to this Norwegian film is the usual to genre - group of young carefree kids, a remote cabin, tension begins to build, you shake your head at the stupidity of the characters and then they're running for their lives. There is plenty of gore, blood and creepy makeup that should satisfy any fan of the genre. The snow covered mountain setting gives the film a unique look (aren't we getting tired of seeing kids run around in the woods?).
Along the way there are some homages and references to some of the past classics in the genre. The characters are pretty thin, but that's really not what you would be watching it for anyway. This isn't for everyone, but if you want to experience some suspense followed by bloody, gory, gruesome dismemberment this is the ticket.
Some fans might be put off by the fact it's a film that requres you to read subtitles (oooooh I have to read???), but really it's no big thing. Just stick it out for awhile and before you know it there will be extended stalking sequences where the majority of the dialogue is screaming. And that's a universal language.
