Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations

Welcome to the 122nd Edition of my blog. I know I'm a little later than usual but I just got back from Chicago where my mom was to audition for AMERICA'S GOT TALENT. She had done the pre-registration so I decided I would go with her only to find out in line that I could register as well so I decided to try my luck. We both decided to sing. We waited in some pretty cold weather for about two hours and when getting inside there were still many auditionees to go but eventually we were called. We did not have an act together and we got separated into different groups. The first part consisted of ten people in a room and each would sing a song. I had noticed other groups of ten got fully rejected but now it was my turn and I was last. I had no idea what to expect after hearing so many talented singers and then I decided to do Chris Isaak's WICKED GAME. We were then all sent outside to hear the results and strangely enough I was the only one chosen to go to the next round which was judged by the executive producers. Well, I finally got in there, did my thing, this time I was told no but it was quite an experience. I didn't even think I would go any further but I went further than many. My mom did not get to the next round and in her group, none went any further. I was quite surprised but I may decide to do it again next year. I have always been confident in my acting ability and even my ability in musicals but I never really could tell my singing ability but apparently I have something to offer. Okay, I know many of you by now are at the movie section of this blog, I just wanted to announce my experience here, so here we go...

Beyond JFK: The Question of Conspiracy (1992): Last week I featured the controversial JFK so I decided to give this documentary that is with the DVD a shot. Barbara Kopple and Danny Schechter directed this documentary picking up where JFK left off. Oliver Stone, Kevin Costner, among many others in the film lend commentary to all the conspiracy theories of the JFK murder or was there a conspiracy? That is something we will never know. It does flow very well and even looks at both sides so if you are a loyalist of Kennedy and firmly believe the conspiracy to his assassination, you would like this one.

Snatch (2000): My facebook friend for this week is Stephanie who was in my Spanish class and group when I went to Ball State. Guy Ritchie wrote and directed this crime comedy. I'm not even going to bother going into the complex plot. It basically centers around a jewel heist gone quite wrong bringing in hilarious results. Benicio Del Toro plays Frankie Four Fingers, who leads the heist and not very well. The standout of the movie is Brad Pitt as the fast-talking boxer Mickey. This movie also stars Dennis Farina, Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones and many others.

La Bete Humaine (1938): I found this French film on Netflix. Jean Renoir directed this adaptation of a novel by Emile Zola. This movie centers around some train employees. One engineer lusts over the wife of a co-worker. Simone Simon plays the wife. Many may remember her from CAT PEOPLE. When Severine commits adultry with her husband's boss, he kills his own boss. Lantier, the worker who lusts over Severine, witnesses the murder and vows to keep it a secret for a price setting off a lot of events and an interesting ending. Definetly something to check out.

The Gang's All Here (1943): My mom recorded this movie to DVR so I thought I would give it a chance. Busby Berkeley directed this musical extravaganza directed by Nancy Wintner and George Root Jr. This is the story of a GI and a showgirl but most of the movie is elaborate song and dance numbers which if you love musicals and dancing, this is for you. If you don't like musicals, then you'll want to stay away from this one.

One Minute Racist (1995?): I found this short film on IFC. This is an interesting claymation short of a man talking about an encounter with a Japanese person. There is not a whole lot to tell here but it entertains.

Confessions of a Police Captain (1971): This is my Grindhouse pick for the week. This is actually one of the more quality Grindhouse films I have seen which looks at police corruption and organized crime. This is actually an Italian film with a very bad VHS transfer. This is told from the eyes of a police officer played by Martin Balsam and the things he was driven to do.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Irvin Kershner directed the continuation of the George Lucas space opera where we rejoin our friends and we meet some new ones. Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2 must evade capture from an intergalactic bounty hunter named Boba Fett and from the surviving Darth Vader. Luke Skywalker must seek Yoda the Jedi Master for his Jedi training. We this time introduce Yoda and Lando Calrissian, played by Billy Dee Williams. Voices Yoda, Frank Oz does. Get it? This is an unintentional Frank Oz two-part series, last week, I used THE MUPPET MOVIE. There is not much more that can be said for this one.

300 (2006): Zach Snyder wrote and directed this take on the 300 Spartans' fight against the Persians which is based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller. Gerard Butler plays Leonidas who leads the invasion. THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES Lena Headey plays his understanding and assertive wife. There is a lot of action in this film as well as blood. This is based on a true story.

The Pit and the Pendulum (1961): Roger Corman directed this adaptation to the Edgar Allen Poe classic. Vincent Price stars Nicholas Medina whose wife dies. John Kerr plays Francis, Nicholas' brother-in-law who finds his sister's death hard to believe which sets of some erie happenings in the house. I got to watch this with commentary from Corman which gives some good insights.

Honorable Theater Mention: Wicked: Not only did I audition for AMERICA'S GOT TALENT. I got to see this wonderful musical last night. This is a backstory on the Wicked Witch of the West and Glenda from THE WIZARD OF OZ which takes place long before their encounter with Dorothy. This musical has some great musical numbers, a great set, and many other things. I got to sit in the second row and I could not believe what I saw. This is a great spin towards the classic story based on the book by Gregory Maguire.

Well, that is it for this week, forgive my sub-par writing for this week. It's late and I want to get to bed. As far as my March Movie Madness goes, just take the movies featured this week, minus the short film and a commentary for THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM and it comes to 10 movies with 12 points, my worst week so far but that is okay.