Welcome to the 141st Edition of my blog. Last week I said I would have more mainstream films in this one but I was wrong, due to time and my rules, I came up with some unexpected picks. I have two more performances for OKLAHOMA outside at the Minnetrista Cultural Center. I won't know what to do when this show is over. I heard some bad news last week. The Muncie Civic Studio Theater was slated to do EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL but due to rights issues, it will not be a go. I was really looking forward to trying out for it so hopefully, I can do another show in October. Well, enough about me, here we go.

History of the World-Part 1 (1980): I got to learn about history the Mel Brooks way. We see the dawn of man in a hilarious segment with Sid Caesar. We then go into the Roman empire, the Spanish Inquisition and the French Revolution. Mel Brooks stars as many roles through the ages. Gregory Hines is funny is his film debut as Josephus. Dom Deluise is amusing as Caesar. Also look for Hugh Hefner and even John Hurt as Jesus during the Last Supper. Check out this wonderful show of history if you're not too serious. There was also a scene in the Spanish Inquisition that reminded me of a dance scene we do in OKLAHOMA. They must not have ever gotten around to a Part 2 like they said in the film.

Hairspray (2007): We now have the musical version of that sleasy 1988 film which I like. Nikki Blonsky stars as the pleasantly plump Tracy Turnblad who dreams of being a dancer on the Corny Collins Show but must first take a stand against segregation which is geared towards her and a group of black friends she makes. John Travolta stars as her mother Edna and Christopher Walken is her father Wilbur. They are very fun as her supportive parents and have a very amusing, maybe disturbing, duet song together. I must say, I never thought I would see Walken and Travolta as husband and wife. Christopher Walken also got to show that he can be a versatile actor. Zac Efron also was quite good after being in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL for so long. If you want a great musical and can't afford to see it on stage, this is the one to see. I hear there is a sequal though.

State of Grace (1990): I found this one on IFC and I could not pass up Gary Oldman. Sean Penn stars as Terry Noonan, who is a cop returning to his old town in an undercover role but finds it is hard after rekindling with old friends and must choose between his loyalty. Gary Oldman is awesome as a young gangster who while quite violent has a kind streak. Ed Harris stars as a local mob boss. Sean Penn's future wife Robin Wright also stars as an old flame. Also look for Burgess Meredith in a fun, small role. The performances here make this worth watching and must be followed closely.

Leap Year (1921): I decided to use this "Fatty" Arbuckle movie which was considered to be a feature film at the time due to being an hour long. Unfortunately, this was one of the last movies the legendary silent film comedian got to do before his rape scandal ruined his career even though he was acquitted of any wrong-doing. He is the only person to have worked with all three of the "Big Three" which include Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and the man who is featured in the next movie. Here, Fatty plays a man who wants to do good but gets in trouble when giving marriage advice to his female friends, leasing to some hilarious misunderstandings.

The Life of Harold Diddlecock (1947): I came across this one by chance and is the last film of "The Third Genius" Harold Lloyd which I suppose you can call a sequal to his 1925 classic THE FRESHMAN. This shows the title character 20 years after his triumph on the football field who is now a mild-mannered clerk who is fired from his job after 20 years and turns to alcohol which lead into some funny moments. Margaret Hamilton who is best known as The Wicked Witch of the West in THE WIZARD OF OZ has a good, small role. It is by no means Lloyd's best but it wasn't a bad one to go out on, some have had worse.

Halls of Montezuma (1950): This is my war movie for the week which was directed by Lewis Milestone. This was a great tribute to the Marines which stars Richard Widmark as a Lietenent who at times reflects on his times as a teacher and what that has done for him in the marines. He must lead an attack on a Japanese base. Jack Palance, Jack Webb, Robbert Wagner, and Karl Malden also star in this tribute to the Marines.

Our Time is Up (2005): This is my short film for my week which is on my 2005 Oscar-winning and nominated short films. Kevin Pollak stars as a psychiatrist who is very organized, mild-mannered and tells all his clients that things will happen in "due time" until he learns he only has six weeks to live and develops a more honest approach to get through to his clients. LOST star Jorge Garcia plays the gardener.

The Warrior (2001): This is my foreign-language film for the week which takes place in 1900s Feudal india. Irfan Khan stars as Lafcadia who is a ruthless enforcer to a local crime lord but experiences a moment of enlightenment and when this happens he must go on the run through the Himalayas and fight for redemption. This was definetly interesting to watch and quite moving.

Man From Planet X (1951): I was looking for something rather short and I found this sci-fi film. A crashed rocket ship is discovered and they see a visitor who looks like a strange alien lands and leaves people in fear over what his motives might be and a scientist takes quite a fit of interest in this person as well. This was a pretty decent sci-fi movie which sci-fi fans will love and it is worth a look.

Return of the Tiger (1979): This is my Grindhouse martial-arts film for the week. Bruce Li stars in this film and must stop a drug operation. This is something that will be of worth to martial arts films, and notice that it is Li, not Lee. Bruce Lee had died a few years before this one and this Bruce Lee look-a-like Chung Tao Ho was recruited to be his "replacement" and made quite a few movies but did not like being Bruce Lee and preferred to play himself.

Well, that is it for this week, stay tuned next week for the 142nd Edition

1 comments

  1. Anonymous // July 28, 2008 at 7:27 PM  

    I just watched History of the World: Part I yesterday, and really didn't care for it that much. One of Brook's bombs, IMO. It had it's funny moments, but the majority was pretty horrid.