Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 210th Edition

Welcome to the 210th Edition of my long-running series. This week, I have three selections from the Random Myspace Profile selection process and next week will have none.

An American Werewolf in London (1981): This is a selection from the Random Myspace Profile selection process an for this one I chose horror group Graveyard Tales. John Landis wrote and directed this werewolf tale which stars David Naughton as David Kessler who along with his friend Jack, played by Griffin Dunne, are American tourists in Britain who get attacked by a werewolf which kills Jack but just maims David who then becomes a werewolf killing people against his will. It is very atmospheric, takes place in a strange town, scares pretty well but has a good sense of humor making an enjoyable werewolf tale which references some werewolf classics. There was also good use of music where each song had the word "moon" and apparently Landis had a hard time getting rights to a lot of music he wanted. Look for Frank Oz who has a part and there is a muppet scene with Miss Piggy and Kermit who are both creditted in the film.



Flags of Our Fathers (2006): This is another selection from the Random Myspace Profile selection process and for his one I chose Ash1138. Clint Eastwook directed this WW2 drama and I don't care what anyone says, Clint Eastwood deserves all the credit he gets. This movie shows the battle of Iwo Jima and show the lives of the six soldiers who raised the flag in the significant statue where there are three survivors and all become a publicity piece to sell war bonds where they claim the stories are false. They all must deal with the exploitation of what is happening and they do not like being labeled as "heroes" as they feel the real ones died. It is a very well done film that shows three different time periods of them in the war, after the war, and in their older age reflecting on the times. Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beach, Barry Pepper, Harve Presnell, and many others co-star in this great war piece.

Monsoon Wedding (2001): This is my Bollywood film for the week which centers on a family trying to put together an arranged marriage. The father is wanting this to be the best wedding in the world and is willing to put everything he has into it. His daughter is the one to be married and even she has quite a secret that could ruin her marriage but must consider what she really wants. There are also a few other intertwined stories that go along her but also work very well. This is a pretty well-done Bollywood film which manages to break out into a dance number but not really a musical one though but for the Bollywood lovers, you should check this out. Mira Nair did a great job directing this film. There is not much else I can explain but this is available on instant in Netflix and is pretty enjoyable.

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966): Last week I used Don Knotts in the western parody THE SHAKIEST GUN IN THE WEST and this week I continue the Don Knotts series which will probably be the last for now. This is Knotts' first big film after leaving THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW where this time he plays bumbling wannabe reporter Luther Heggs. He then gets an assignment o investigate a famous murder-suicide 20 years ago by staying in what is believed by many to be a haunted house. When going into this house, he sees many strange things but when publishing the story, he gets sued by the owner of the house for libel. Joan Staley plays his friend who tries to helps him prove that he is not crazy. BEWITCHED alum Dick Sargent plays Luther's attorney. This was not the greatest but had its funny moments and I can always watch Don Knotts. I got this and last week's Don Knotts film from the dvd set of Don Knotts: Reluctant Hero. What a "loophole" this would have been for the Horror Movie Madness contest.

Homeless Hare (1950): This is my short film for the week which I got off the dvd of WHITE HEAT which I featured last week. This is a Bugs Bunny short where Bugs' home is destroyed by a construction worker to put a building there. Bugs pleas to let him keep his home but the construction worker does not seem to care so Bugs must declare revenge against the construction worker. This is a great classic cartoon and even has some social commentary on this on how we want to expand buildings and business so much that we then steal land from other people. Is this meant to be satire?

Monty Pyton's The Meaning of Life (1983): This is a selection from the Myspace Profile Selection process and for this one I chose Andy Bond who is a filmmaker himself so check out his profile http://www.myspace.com/vpictures. This is the last Monty Python film and while it was not the best work, they still went out very well. This one is more of a sketch comedy which reflect the title. The opening sequence from Terry Gilliam called THE CRIMSON PERMANENT ASSURANCE where man elderly workers revolted against the corporate world of today was great. Terry Jones had a very memorable scene as Mr. Creosote in a rather gross-out scene. There are also some good music numbers like EVERY SPERM IS SACRED and THE PENIS SONG. This movie is not for everyone but if you have a good stomach and can accept that it might not be as good as Holy Grail or Life of Brian, this is a very fun film with some great sketches and made me laugh a lot. The scene with the Grim Reaper in the end would have probably qualified this for the Horror Movie Madness contest.

The Brain Eaters (1958): This is my b-movie for the week which I found on AMC. If you want some great plot, great acting, and so on this is not it. This movie takes place in Riverdale, Illinois where strange parasites, possibly aliens, are infiltrating the earth and taking over people's bodies making them do things they would not usually do. Locals in the town must band together to stop these parasites. Not much needs to be said here. This does have its audience and it was entertaining to view.

Two Days in April (2007): I found this on the documentary channel which takes a look at four football players out of college who are hoping to be drafted by the NFL. It takes a look at the process and the training they must go through in order to prove themselves to coaches. They also learn how to handle themselves in the NFL and be professional. We then see each one with their families watching in suspense hoping to get drafted. This was really nothing flashy, just a simple documentary of people hoping to have a big career and the difficult process to get your name in the pot. It also shows coaches and scouts being interviewed and talking about what they are looking for in players.

Piccadilly (1929): This is my silent film for the week which I found on TCM. This movie takes place in a night club called the Piccadilly club which stars Cyril Richard as Vic and Gilda Gray as Mabel. They are the star attraction there as Vic is infatuated with Mabel but she rejects his advances because she likes the owner Valentine. Val then starts to see talent in his dishwasher Shosho, played very well by Anna Mae Wong who was the first Asian-American actresses to become popular here and Britain, and decides she has what it takes while firing his current act which leads to a lot of tension and tragedy. I was amazed by the transfer and the picture on the tv and I was also amazed by the title cards with a really good score. This is a nice, dramatic story and silent film buffs should check this one out.

Don't Make Waves (1967): This is also something I found on TCM. Tony Curtis stars as New Yorker Carlo who is a tourist in southern California. When there he meets some really strange people like Claudia Cardinale, a fortun teller, and many other people including a skydiver named Malibu. Malibu is played by Sharon Tate in her first feature role and she becomes the love interest of Carlo. Alexander Mackendrick directed this movie which was not nearly as good as his other collaboration with Tony Curtis which was 10 years earlier in SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS. To say that I got this movie would be a lie but it was still rather entertaining and interesting.

Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and what you dislike. I know my dad will like that I have both classic animation short and a documentary featured here.