Welcome to the 186th Edition of my series. Last week, I got a bit of heat for SPIDER-MAN 3 which I expected but as per my request, you commented on other things so I appreciate that. I had a tough time putting this one together. I usually don't but this week the rules prevented me from featuring some on this blog. I return with my Random Myspace Profile selection which only has one selection. Next week, I know of one but expect two but it is always subject to change. I am still awaiting the casting situation of BIG RIVER but will keep everyone posted and add to my Myspace name.
My Fair Lady (1964): I start this week off with this musical from George Bernard Shaw. Audrey Hepburn stars as Eliza Doolittle who is a homeless Cockney flower girl. Rex Harrison plays Professor Henry Higgins who takes a bet that he can turn her into a presentable lady with an aristocratic accent. This becomes an uneasy task for Higgins but he comes a long way and shows her. When he finally teaches her, he forgets to credit her and she believes she was just a bet and leaves for another man who is in love with her. This one has some great music and some funny moments. Other actors in this movie include Stanley Holloway, Wilfred Hyde-White, Gladys Cooper, and many others. Hepburn is good as Doolittle but her singing is dubbed by Marni Nixon. I really enjoyed Holloway as Eliza's father. Great movie looking at upper-class society.
Wizards (1977): This is a RANDOM MYSPACE PROFILE selection and for this one I chose Larry Longsteth. This is my animated film for the week and this is not for the whole family like some animated films are. This centers around a pint-sized wizard named Avatar. His brother is the evil Blackwolf who is scheming to bring a new race that no longer exists. This takes place in a post-apocalyptic future that has a lot of elves, fairies, and wizards. Avatar's allies include a scantily-clad fairy named Elinore and a robot named Peace. Voices include Bob Holt, SOPRANOS alum David Proval, and Mark Hamill. This is directed by Ralph Bakshi who directed the film adaptation of underground comic FRITZ THE CAT. If you want some bizarre animation, look no further than this one.
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951): I bring in the comedy duo this week where they play inept detectives who are investigating a murder of a boxing manager. Arthur Franz plays Tommy Nelson who was accused of killing his manager but is innocent and uses a visibility formula that scientists did not want to give him fearing the mental effects. A & C help Tommy to find the real killer in many funny ways. If you like Abbott and Costello and classic comedy, you should check this one out.
Chasing Amy (1997): This is one I have been waiting to include here but it just wasn't the "right time" to put it on here until now. Kevin Smith directed this one and this is my favorite of his. Ben Affleck, in a sort of breakthrough role here, stars as Holden McNeil and MY NAME IS EARL alum Jason Lee stars as Banky Edwards. This is really a breakthrough for both of them. They are both partners of the comic book BLUNTMAN and CHRONIC and are very successful. At a convention, Holden meets a girl named Alyssa Jones, played by Joey Lauren Adams, and falls in love with her even though she is a lesbian until he learns of her past. Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith reprise their roles of Jay and Silent Bob. There are a few references to CLERKS and MALLRATS in this. It is a very funny movie with lots of great discussions like the heated argument on the sexuality of Archie. While I cracked up, for the first time I see there there is a little message. I felt the message was that it might sometimes be good to leave the past alone since it cannot be changed and to let the other move on. Holden got so obsessed with Alyssa's past that it really clouded his judgement when he couldn't let her move on and enjoy what he has now. I think you get the drift so I'll shut up now. Other people in the movie incude Ethan Suplee, Dwight Ewell, Casey Affleck, Matt Damon and many others.
Carry on Sergeant (1958): This is one of the many "Carry On" movies in Britain and this is the first. Last week I did the one that took place in the hospital. This one takes place in the Army I believe. William Hartnell stars as Sergeant Grimshaw who wants to retire after the Star Squad prize but finds out he has his work cut out for him when he has some pretty inept people in his service he must turn around. This has the British humor so it might not be for everyone but it had some pretty funny moments in my opinion. Good satire on military life.
Innocent Husbands (1925): This is my silent short film for the week this time using the more unknown Charley Chase. In this one, his wife is suspicious of him because he does not seem to do any wrong. Things become a bit complicated when a woman passes out in his bedroom and must do what he can to keep her from his wife seeing since she would suspect more. Chase portrayed characters who were apparently very mild-mannered but turn out to be losers. He never did any feature films and did a lot of directing of Three Stooges shorts. He is now available on Kino Video.
Lars and the Real Girl (2007): I was very amazed by this one which was directed by Craig Gillespie. Ryan Gosling stars the title character who is a delusional young man who lives alone in the garage where his brother, played by Paul Schneider, and sister-in-law, played by Emily Mortimer, live. He then brings home a girl that turns out to be a life-size doll. First they want to get him all the help possible but the doctor advises to go along with him and his relationship with what he feels is real. The rest of the community begin to follow along when they understand how much of a good person Lars is and "Bianca" becomes a friend to many. This is very hard to explain. It just needs to be watched to be believed. It is interesting how they come up with the idea to support the mentally ill instead of "curing" him. This plot sounds absurd but it was done so well and so much that it did not come off as stupid like it could have. It is a very touching comedy and Gosling makes it very easy to care about Lars. It is unfortunate that movies like these do not receive much publicity. They don't have a bunch of CGI effects, there is no cool action scenes, all they have is a good script and good actors to fill it. Patricia Clarkson plays the doctor who advises everyone to go along with his delusions.
Lorenzo's Oil (1992): George Miller directed this true story where the title character has a very rare disease called ALD that no cure has been found or really explored. Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon star as his parents who will not give up on finding the cure for there son. Despite having no medical knowledge, they do everything they can to learn about it to find their own cure. They begin to alienate some of their friends who believe they should just give mercy and let Lorenzo die and just abotu anyone can say that but I don't really judge since I have never gone through this before. Seeing Lorenzo's pain was very hard to watch but the movie was done very well through the performances and cinematography. In real life, many children have been saved because of their efforts. The real-life Lorenzo actually recently died on May of last year. Look for Laura Linney in her film debut.
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951): I bring in the comedy duo this week where they play inept detectives who are investigating a murder of a boxing manager. Arthur Franz plays Tommy Nelson who was accused of killing his manager but is innocent and uses a visibility formula that scientists did not want to give him fearing the mental effects. A & C help Tommy to find the real killer in many funny ways. If you like Abbott and Costello and classic comedy, you should check this one out.
Chasing Amy (1997): This is one I have been waiting to include here but it just wasn't the "right time" to put it on here until now. Kevin Smith directed this one and this is my favorite of his. Ben Affleck, in a sort of breakthrough role here, stars as Holden McNeil and MY NAME IS EARL alum Jason Lee stars as Banky Edwards. This is really a breakthrough for both of them. They are both partners of the comic book BLUNTMAN and CHRONIC and are very successful. At a convention, Holden meets a girl named Alyssa Jones, played by Joey Lauren Adams, and falls in love with her even though she is a lesbian until he learns of her past. Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith reprise their roles of Jay and Silent Bob. There are a few references to CLERKS and MALLRATS in this. It is a very funny movie with lots of great discussions like the heated argument on the sexuality of Archie. While I cracked up, for the first time I see there there is a little message. I felt the message was that it might sometimes be good to leave the past alone since it cannot be changed and to let the other move on. Holden got so obsessed with Alyssa's past that it really clouded his judgement when he couldn't let her move on and enjoy what he has now. I think you get the drift so I'll shut up now. Other people in the movie incude Ethan Suplee, Dwight Ewell, Casey Affleck, Matt Damon and many others.
Carry on Sergeant (1958): This is one of the many "Carry On" movies in Britain and this is the first. Last week I did the one that took place in the hospital. This one takes place in the Army I believe. William Hartnell stars as Sergeant Grimshaw who wants to retire after the Star Squad prize but finds out he has his work cut out for him when he has some pretty inept people in his service he must turn around. This has the British humor so it might not be for everyone but it had some pretty funny moments in my opinion. Good satire on military life.
Innocent Husbands (1925): This is my silent short film for the week this time using the more unknown Charley Chase. In this one, his wife is suspicious of him because he does not seem to do any wrong. Things become a bit complicated when a woman passes out in his bedroom and must do what he can to keep her from his wife seeing since she would suspect more. Chase portrayed characters who were apparently very mild-mannered but turn out to be losers. He never did any feature films and did a lot of directing of Three Stooges shorts. He is now available on Kino Video.
Lars and the Real Girl (2007): I was very amazed by this one which was directed by Craig Gillespie. Ryan Gosling stars the title character who is a delusional young man who lives alone in the garage where his brother, played by Paul Schneider, and sister-in-law, played by Emily Mortimer, live. He then brings home a girl that turns out to be a life-size doll. First they want to get him all the help possible but the doctor advises to go along with him and his relationship with what he feels is real. The rest of the community begin to follow along when they understand how much of a good person Lars is and "Bianca" becomes a friend to many. This is very hard to explain. It just needs to be watched to be believed. It is interesting how they come up with the idea to support the mentally ill instead of "curing" him. This plot sounds absurd but it was done so well and so much that it did not come off as stupid like it could have. It is a very touching comedy and Gosling makes it very easy to care about Lars. It is unfortunate that movies like these do not receive much publicity. They don't have a bunch of CGI effects, there is no cool action scenes, all they have is a good script and good actors to fill it. Patricia Clarkson plays the doctor who advises everyone to go along with his delusions.
Lorenzo's Oil (1992): George Miller directed this true story where the title character has a very rare disease called ALD that no cure has been found or really explored. Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon star as his parents who will not give up on finding the cure for there son. Despite having no medical knowledge, they do everything they can to learn about it to find their own cure. They begin to alienate some of their friends who believe they should just give mercy and let Lorenzo die and just abotu anyone can say that but I don't really judge since I have never gone through this before. Seeing Lorenzo's pain was very hard to watch but the movie was done very well through the performances and cinematography. In real life, many children have been saved because of their efforts. The real-life Lorenzo actually recently died on May of last year. Look for Laura Linney in her film debut.
Longford (2006): This is my HBO movie for the week which was directed by Tom Hooper. This is another true story which stars Jim Broadbent as the controversial Lord Longford who visits a female inmate in prison doing a life sentence for a murder much do the dismay of his wife and family though his wife later becomes interested in the prisoner. Samantha Morton plays Myra Hindley who is in prison for murdering children. Lonford believes that he can rehabilitate her and that no one is beyond help. Broadbent was great as the title character and Morton held her own which carried the movie for me. This definetly moves and might force one to think of how far he should take his job and who decides that people should not be helped. Even his colleagues felt he should not do what he was doing but he continued. Andy Serkis is also good as Morton's accomplice at the murder where they both have a different side.
Major League (1989): I found this one on HBO On-Demand at my dad's house which was written and directed by David Ward. I end this week with this baseball comedy centering around the Cleveland Indians. They are in new ownership by the late owner's wife who decides to put together a really bad team so that the attendance reduces and they can move to Miami. James Gammon manages this team and Tom Berenger is the aging player who wants one last shot. She gets more than she bargained for when the team starts playing decent and when they learn of the plot decide to step it up more. It is a baseball comedy, there is not much to say on this one. Charlie Sheen is funny as an ex-convict brought to the team. Wesley Snipes has an early role as Willie Mays Hayes. Others include Corbin Bernson, Rene Russo, 24 alum Dennis Haysbert, and many others. There is not much to say on this one. It is a pretty well-done baseball comedy and fun to watch.
FUN LITTLE TRIVIA
Rex Harrison (My Fair Lady) plays Dr. Dolittle in the 1967 film of the same title. Bob Holt (Wizards) played the part in the brief 1970 tv show.
ROMAN franchise
-Rex Harrison (My Fair Lady) plays Julius Caesar in the 1963 film CLEOPATRA.
-Rex Harrison (My Fair Lady) plays Julius Caesar in the 1963 film CLEOPATRA.
-Theodore Bikel (My Fair Lady) played Caesar in a 1955 episode of STUDIO ONE titled JULIUS CAESAR
-Bob Holt (Wizards) plays Octavius aka Augustus, Caesar's stepson and later ruler, in the 1950 film JULIUS CAESAR.
Bob Holt (Wizards) did the voice for Homer Zuckerman in the 1973 film CHARLOTTE'S WEB. My facebook friend Connor played the part in a Muncie Civic Theater production
Jason Lee (Chasing Amy) and Ryan Gosling (Lars and the Real Girl) both live in the L.A. Neighborhood of Silverlake.
Casey Affleck (Chasing Amy) played Robert Ford in the 2007 film THE ASSASINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD which was one of the best performances I have seen in this era in my opinion. Paul Schneider (Lars and the Real Girl) plays Dick Liddil, one of the members of James Gang, in the same movie.
Susan Sarandon (Lorenzo's Oil) played Janet in the 1975 film THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. My facebook friend Kristen played the role in various versions at Muncie Civic Theater and will be pursuing her acting career in Chicago.
Peter Ustinov (Lorenzo's' Oil) played King William IV in the 2001 tv movie VICTORIA AND ALBERT. Jim Broadbent (Longford) plays the role in the 2009 film THE YOUNG VICTORIA.
Jason Lee (Chasing Amy) and Ryan Gosling (Lars and the Real Girl) both live in the L.A. Neighborhood of Silverlake.
Casey Affleck (Chasing Amy) played Robert Ford in the 2007 film THE ASSASINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD which was one of the best performances I have seen in this era in my opinion. Paul Schneider (Lars and the Real Girl) plays Dick Liddil, one of the members of James Gang, in the same movie.
Susan Sarandon (Lorenzo's Oil) played Janet in the 1975 film THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. My facebook friend Kristen played the role in various versions at Muncie Civic Theater and will be pursuing her acting career in Chicago.
Peter Ustinov (Lorenzo's' Oil) played King William IV in the 2001 tv movie VICTORIA AND ALBERT. Jim Broadbent (Longford) plays the role in the 2009 film THE YOUNG VICTORIA.
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