Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations

Welcome to the 170th Edition of my series. I used a few things from On-Demand at my Dad's house so it remained very random. I used one movie from the Random Myspace Profile selection process. I have also chosen 9 more and none of them will be revealed until at least the 172nd Edition.



The Two of Us (1967): I start this week with a tribute to the late Claude Berri who directed and co-wrote this French film which takes place in Nazi-occupied France. It centers around a young Jewish boy named Claude whose parents, fearing arrest from Nazis, send him to live with an elderly couple. The elderly couple are unaware of his religion and the husband is an anti-semite. The movie focuses on the growing relationship the boy and the elderly man named Pepe. This comes from the Criterion Collection and is a beautiful film depicting this relationship and overcoming tough times. I can't imagine what it would have been like looking over my shoulder wondering if I would get arrested by Nazis. I found this on Netflix and is something I am proud to have seen.


Bullet (1996): This is part 18 of the Random Myspace Selection and my selection for this week was Mickey Rourke Online. I continue my Mickey Rourke craze for the week where he starred and co-wrote under his writing name Sir Eddie Cook. Rourke stars as Butch "Bullet" Stein who is just paroled from prison. He is soon back to his old ways in the Brooklyn neighborhood doing drugs and such and is determined to get revenge on his old rival Tank, played by his friend and late rapper Tupac Shakur. I say late or is he still alive as some may speculate. If you believe he is still alive, by all means explain your theory in the comment section. This was one of those Rourke films for when he was trying to make a comeback. Adrian Brody plays Bullet's younger brother who just likes to paint wherever he pleases. I by no means consider this his best or anything great but he is worth watching especially for that white rat of his. He did seem to have put quite a bit of effort into this. I believe this is the first movie I have ever featured with Tupac Shakur who was a friend of by Rourke and Brody.

Something the Lord Made (2004): I found what I believe is an HBO film on On-Demand when I was at my dad's house. When I saw the name Alan Rickman, I was quite excited. He plays the real-life Dr. Alfred Blalock, a doctor most notably of the 30s and the 40s. Mos Def plays his assistant Vivien Thomas who never took any medical classes but learned from Blalock who saw the gift in him. These guys set out to do a successful heart surgery, something that many thought could never be done. It also shows how Thomas had a hard time making a living as Blalock's assistant even though he worked very hard. Rickman was great in his role in a nice change of pace from the villainous characters he is most known for. Mos Def also held his own against Rickman. Other people here include Kyra Sedgwick and Charles S. Dutton. This was probably my favorite of the ten I featured this week.

Hard Eight (1996): Paul Thomas Anderson wrote and directed this film marking his directorial debut. Phillip Baker Hall stars as Sydney, an older man, who meets someone down and out named John, played by John C. Reilly. Sydney takes him under his wing and to Reno to teach John gambling skills and a way to earn his money back. Things get complicated when John becomes involved with a waitress and hooker named Clementine, played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Samuel L. Jackson has a supporting role and look for a young Philip Seymour Hoffman as a cocky gambler. Anderson makes a good directing debut and this was also something I chose from On-Demand.

The Public Pays (1936): I found this early short film on TCM On-Demand which is quite a propaganda piece in the "Crime Doesn't Pay" series. This movie takes a look at racketeering towards the milk industry which forced many stores to raise the price of milk which put a lot of hardship to families. This was actually quite entertaining, if a bit laughable at times considering the subject.

Rancho Notorious (1952): This is the last of the On-Demand selections and this is a western directed by Fritz Lang. Arthur Kennedy stars as Vern Haskell, a rancher whose fiancee was murdered in a hold-up. He sets out to avenge her killing and is lead to the Chuck-a-Luck ranch. This was a ranch hiding outlaws which was lead by Marlene Dietrich. In his search for his fiancee's killer, he gets a little more than he bargained for. This is kind of considered Western Noir and very fascinating to see what can change a man. Mel Ferrer, Jack Elam and George Reeves co-star in this western.

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007): This one might get some mixed opinions but it was nice to see more of a live-action kids movie. Zach Helm wrote and directed this film which stars Dustin Hoffman in the title role who is the long-time owner of the unusual toy shop who seem to be able to communicate with him. He decides after 243 years that it is time to go and leaves the shop to his reluctant manager Molly Mahoney, played by Natalie Portman. However, the store gets darker with her and she must find the magic within herself to get it back. ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT alum Jason Bateman plays their accountant who is referred to as the Mutant who is very skeptical at first but takes a liking to the store and Mahoney. Zach Mills plays Eric, the most loyal customer of the emporium and someone who has a hard time making friends. The statue of Lincoln made from Lincoln logs is pretty cool and was really done. I thought this had a nice message and something great for the family but maybe not for everyone.

Holy Smoke (1999): I found this one on IFC and was quite strange. Jane Campion directed this film starring Kate Winslet as Ruth, an Australian fallen in with an Indian religious group. Her family is not crazy about this life style and hire P.J. Waters, played by Harvey Keitel, a cult de-programmer who apparently has a lot of experience. However, Ruth proves to be a much more difficult client than usual. I was not sure what to think of this. I won't be buying this movie but I'm glad I watched it. It was an interesting relationship between Keitel and Winslet. Also of worth to see Pam Grier in my opinion. Once again, not for everyone but still watchable if getting on Netflix or IFC.

The Greatest Gift (1974): This is my tv movie of the week that I found on the TBN network and needed a 70s movie so I thought I'd try this one out. Glenn Ford stars as Reverend Holvak, a preacher in a poor southern town. Lance Kerwin plays his son who narrates the story. Holvak must do what he can to keep his family together and to fight against the corrupt sheriff played by Harris Yulin. Glenn Ford was very good in this later role of his and pretty good for a tv movie.

The Valley of Decision (1945): I end this week with what I suppose is a tribute to the Super Bowl champs the Pittsburgh Steelers. This movie takes place in 19th Century Pittsburgh and looks at a wealthy family who owns the steel mill. It starts with Mary, played very well by Greer Garson, who is part of a poor family of people from the steel mill lead by a very bitter father, played by Lionel Barrymore, who was permanently injured from injuries. Mary gets a servant position with the Scott family who owns the steel mill much to the dismay of her father. She soon wins the affection of Paul Scott, played in a nice light performance from Gregory Peck. Things become complicated when Paul already has an engagement and a bitter strike comes from the plant. It is a pretty well-written love story and melodrama in some ways on forbidden love.

Well, that is it for this week. I can see I made some unusual selections this week which I'm sure will get mixed opinions so tell me what you like and hate. Keep reading if you want to see pointless facts and add on if you think of something.



FUN LITTLE FACTS


Mickey Rourke (Bullet) is rumored to be playing the villain Whiplash in the upcoming Marvel sequal of Iron Man. I really hope it happens. Gwyneth Paltrow(Hard Eight) will reprise her role as Tony Stark's assistant Pepper Parks. Samuel L. Jackson (Hard Eight) is rumored to be playing Nick Fury but I have heard that will likely not happen. I don't care so much about Jackson but I would love to see Rourke play the villain. If you have any information about Rourke's status, by all means put it in the comment section along with your theory of Tupac still being alive.

Adrian Brody (Bullet) investigated the death of George Reeves (Rancho Notorious) in the 2006 film HOLLYWOODLAND.

Kyra Sedgwick (Something the Lord Made) did the voice for Lois Lane in a straight to video movie JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE NEW FRONTIER. George Reeves (Rancho Notorious) was in the early Superman tv series.

Gwyneth Paltrow (Hard Eight) played the young Wendy in 1991 film HOOK. Dustin Hoffman played the title character in the movie.

Gwyneth Paltrow (Hard Eight) discussed possibly being the role of Rose in the 1997 film TITANIC which would ultimately go to Kate Winslet (Holy Smoke).

Samuel L. Jackson (Hard Eight) plays Mace Windu in Star Wars Episodes 1-3. Natalie Portman (Mr. Magorium) plays Padme Amidala in the same episodes.

Samuel L. Jackson (Hard Eight) plays Ordell Robbie in the 1997 film Jackie Brown and Pam Grier (Holy Smoke) who played the title character was one of Ordell's rivals.

Philip Seymour Hoffman (Hard Eight) auditioned for the role of Cubby Barnes in the 1996 film RANSOM which would ultimately go to New Kids on the Block alum Donnie Wahlberg (Bullet)

Mel Ferrer (Rancho Notorious) and Gregory Peck (Valley of Decision) founded the La Jolla Playhouse.

George Reeves (Rancho Notorious) played Clark Kent/Superman in the early tv series. Glenn Ford (Greatest Gift) plays Clark Kent's adopted father Jonathan in the 1978 film SUPERMAN.

Kate Winslet (Holy Smoke) does the voice for Belle in the animated 2001 film CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MOVIE. My facebook friend Kelsey played that role in a version at the Madison Park Church of God. Lionel Barrymore (Valley of Decision) did an annual radio broadcast of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Reginald Owen (Valley of Decision) played Scrooge in the 1938 film version. Belle was the girl the young Ebenezer Scrooge get away on account of his greed.

Kate Winslet (Holy Smoke) declined the role of Viola in the 1998 film SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE which ultimately went to Gwyneth Paltrow (Hard Eight) who won an Oscar for her performance.

Harvey Keitel (Holy Smoke) helped Samuel L. Jackson (Hard Eight) out of quite a jam in the 1994 film PULP FICTION.