Shaun Berk's 10 Movie Recommendations- 252nd Edition

Welcome to the 252nd Edition of my blog. We finally start week one of the NFL, I have my fantasy team ready to go. This week I pay tribute to Martin Short who recently lost his wife. This week, I am continuing my Robin Williams series, possibly starting one on Quentin Tarantino, and even got the second part to a Cloris Leachman series. I also got some classic Disney this week and the return of the FUN LITTLE FACTS section. I also focused a lot more on comedy that usual so get out your Netflix and Blockbuster Queues and read on.

Reservoir Dogs (1992): This is part one of at least two-part Quentin Tarantino series but likely a three-part series. This is actually Tarantino's first feature film and this one remains my favorite to this day. It is a bit of a reworking from John Woo's CITY ON FIRE which stars Chow Yun-Fat. This movie is about a very botched robbery. First we have Lawrence Tierney who plays Joe and puts together a robbery which involves criminals who do not know each other. He then gives them names of colors like Mr. White, Mr. Blue, and many others. It was the perfect jewel robbery until they find that there is an undercover cop in the house. Chris Penn co-stars as Nice Guy Eddie, Joe's son who helps put the team together. The people involved directly in the robbery include Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Quentin Tarantino, and Eddie Bunker. The opening scene is possibly one of the best dialogue scenes of all time when Quentin Tarantino describes what the song LIKE A VIRGIN is about. We also have a very amusing torture scene with Michael Madsen. Like Tarantino's next big hit PULP FICTION, this movie jumps around a lot so just stick with it and it will all make sense. It is a pretty violent film so watch at your own risk.

Marked Woman (1937): This is my mafia film for the week which stars Bette Davis as Mary who works for a night club run by a mobster Johnny Vanning, played by Eduardo Ciannelli. She along with many are mistreated on a constant basis but are afraid to talk. The Johnny Vanning character is based on real-life mobster "Lucky" Luciano whose prostitute employees got sick of the maltreatment and turned him into the police which was the only time Luciano got any big prison sentence. Humphrey Bogart plays the crusading district attorney who tries to get the girls to turn in the mobster and slowly talks Mary into telling all about Vanning. This was a much different part for Bogart at the time who in that era played a lot of mobsters. The district attorney character was possibly based on Thomas Dewey who was determined to bring down the mob. Davis is great as Mary and the movie is really centered around that character. This was a pretty violent film and Davis did not like the bandages on the set so she went to her doctor so that he could do a more believable job.

The World According to Garp (1982): This is part three of my Robin Williams series which will go to at least four but I look for five. George Roy Hill directed this adaptation of the John Irving novel. We first meet nurse Jenny Fields, played by Glenn Close, who wanted a child but not a husband so she got pregnant by a soldier on his deathbed. She then has Garp, played by Robin Williams when grown up, who has an unusual upbringing. When older he decides to become a short story writer which inspires his mother to do her own writing where her stuff is about her feminist viewpoints. He gets jealous when she becomes more successful even though he feels he worked very hard on his books but just can't get an audience besides the critics who love his books. THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN alum John Lithgow was very amusing as a transsexual who is good friends with the family, Swootzie Kurtz is also good as a prostitute, and we also have a group of women who make a strange statement towards their cause. This is a very unusual movie but very good. There are some comedic moments but also lots of dramatic moments with Garp and the family he has with his wife and two children.

The Hoaxters (1952): This is my short film for the week that I found on TCM On-Demand and is quite a propaganda piece. We start out at a carnival where a guy is trying to sell snake-oil that will apparently cure everything and then it branches off to the dangers of the communism way of life and other totalitarian societies. This was quite entertaining but probably more entertaining than expected when comparing these people to "snake-oil salesmen". Some of the narration comes from people like Robert Taylor, Howard Keel, and Walter Pidgeon.

Young Frankenstein (1974): This is part two of my two-part Cloris Leachman series. I watched this at my dad's house which was I believe on Showtime On-Demand. I jumped at this Mel Brooks film right away. I suppose you could call this a preview to Elizabeth's Horror Movie Madness coming in October since this is quite the horror comedy and quite possibly one of the greatest movie parodies of all time. Gene Wilder stars as the title character who is trying to escape the shadow of his grandfather Victor Frankenstein as he is determined to not follow in his footsteps, though I'm not sure what happened to his father. He then goes to claim an inheritance and starts to become more obsessed with his grandfather's work and after meeting hunchback Igor, beautiful lab assistant Inga, and an old housekeeper. Frankenstein then successfully brings to life a new man but Igor gets the abnormal brain which starts a lot of havoc. EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND alum Peter Boyle is pretty funny as the monster who just wants to be loved. Wilder is great in his part. Teri Garr is very good as Inga and Marty Feldman is funny as Igor. Gene Hackman's scene is possibly the best where he plays the blind old man who wants a friend. There is also a hilarious scene where Frankenstein and the Creature do their own version of PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ. There are lots of memorable moments and possibly Mel Brooks' best work which ranks very high among the comedy genre. There was also great use of black and white to pay homage to the Univeral monster classics. This was a parody that meant something.

Whip It (2009): I watched this at my dad's on Showtime on-demand. This is the directorial debut of Drew Barrymore who embraced the resurgence of women's Roller Derby. Ellen Page stars as Bliss Cavendar who lives in a small Texas town where she wants nothing more than to get out. Marcia Gay Harden stars as her mother who always enters her into beauty pageants but she does not really fit into this world but her younger sister does. She then learns about a roller derby game and decides to check it out. She then takes a liking to this rough sport and lies about her age to join because you must be 21 to join Roller Derby according to this film. She not only lies about her age but also lies to her parents knowing at least her mother would not accept her doing it. Daniel Stern, Jimmy Fallon, Kristen Wiig, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, and many others also co-star. Page was very good in her part as the teen trying to fit in and I even learned a little here since I don't know much about Roller Derby but now I will look into going to see one of these events. My own town of Muncie has a Roller Derby team called the Cornfed Derby Dames. This is a familiar coming of age story but one of the first feature films of this era to address Roller Derby. Barrymore makes a great directorial debut.

Elf (2003): The Facebook friend I selected for this one is Luke who is quite the chef and has been involved in the wrestling industry as a ring announcer, booker and possibly other things. I know this is probably too early to be featuring this film focused on Christmas but it is what presented itself to me so I'll go with it. I also know some who can't stand this film but others who love it. I really enjoyed this myself. Jon Favreau directed this movie which stars Will Ferrell who is raised at the North Pole as an elf but has a hard time adjusting to things there as he is very big. He soon learns that he is actually human and is sent to New York to find the father who gave him up for adoption. James Caan co-stars as his father Walter who is very business-minded and Santa told Buddy that he ended up on the naughty list. I really like Will Ferrell in this one where he must adjust to a totally new world after being raised for so long in the real-world of the north pole an now having to get used to the strange, magical world of New York City. Zooey Deschanel plays Jovie, a Christmas store worker who slowly takes a liking to Buddy, understanding he is a naive man and liking his innocence. Ed Asner plays the part of Santa Claus. Look for Peter Billingsley as one of the elves. I really enjoyed this comedy of a man's adjustment to a different world and doing everything he can to win over his real father.

Leave Her to Heaven (1945): I found this on TCM On-Demand. Gene Tierney stars as Ellen, a socialite who immediately falls in love with novelist Richard Harland, played by Cornel Wilde. Richard's life begins to fall apart as he starts to experience tragedy and starts to suspect his wife who seems to love a little too much. She gets very jealous of other people including Richard's crippled brother. This was a very good entry of the debatable film-noir genre. Some disagree on its genre due to the technicolor. No matter what one might think, this is a very good movie which flows very well and has good performances. Vincent Price co-stars in the film as a former flame of Ellen. Daryl Hickman co-stars as Richard's younger brother who is crippled. Hickman is the maiden name of my mom so maybe there is some relation there.

Three Amigos (1986): This is my tribute to Martin Short who recently lost his wife. John Landis directed this film which I thought to myself is the "Original Tropic Thunder". I say that because it is centered around actors who believe they are just going to do some movie and it ends up becoming more real than they want. Three of the best 80s funny-men Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Chevy Chase all star in this film as silent film stars who become unemployed after doing many westerns. They then get hired in a Mexican village where the villagers believe they are the real-deal and the actors just believing they got more work but then they learn that the ruthless gang is for real. Jon Lovitz, Joe Mantegna, and Phil Hartman co-star in this comedy written by SNL writer Lorne Michaels and Steve Martin. Randy Newman wrote some of the songs to the film. Not the best comedy I have seen but very enjoyable especially with the three stars. When researching this, I find this was a bit of a spoof to Kurasowa's SEVEN SAMARAI which I did not know.

Bambi (1942): I end this week with this animated Disney classic so I'm sure my dad might like this selection. This is an animated film which features the iconic deer of the title who we see first becoming born and learning about life. He meets friends along the way like the rabbit Thumper and the skunk Flower. He then learns about the horrors of the world when Man comes and kills Bambi's mother. We then see him grown up where he finds love and reunites with his friends but must be brave in another attack by what they call Man. I guess this is something that animal rights activists will love since it makes the hunters out to be the bad guys though we never really see their faces. It is rather disturbing at times and sad but it is great how it shows us we must move forward. Thumper was the show-stealer.

Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and what you hate. Stay tuned next week which so far includes more Robin Williams, more Tarantino and many others. Keep reading to get some very useless information unless of course you are on a quiz show like JEOPARDY and get asked something about this and you will remember what I wrote and get the question right so go ahead and read even if it is a little useless. You never know when you might need it.

FUN LITTLE FACTS

I return with this section. This is not something I do all the time but I'm glad to bring it back every once in a while. I doubt I'll do it next week but I'll try to do something. If I miss any facts, feel free to comment.

Harvey Keitel (Reservoir Dogs) plays Judas in the 1988 film THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST. My Facebook friend Stevie played the part in GODSPELL, a recent musical done by Muncie Civic Theater.

Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs) and Amanda Plummer (The World According to Garp) rob a restaurant in the 1994 film PULP FICTION. Other PF alums include Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs), Harvey Keitel (Reservoir Dogs), and Steve Buscemi (Reservoir Dogs).

Laurence Tierney (Reservoir Dogs) plays the legendary bank robber John Dillinger in the 1945 film Dillinger. Cloris Leachman plays "The Lady in Red" Anna Sage who betrays him at the Biograph Theater in the 1973 film.

Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs) plays Virgil Earp in the 1994 film WYATT EARP. Gene Hackman played his father Nicholas Earp in the same film.

Humphrey Bogart (Marked Woman) played private eye Philip Marlowe in the 1946 film THE BIG SLEEP. James Caan (Elf) played the part in the 1998 tv movie POODLE SPRINGS.

Bette Davis (Marked Woman) and Walter Pidgeon (The Hoaxsters) both played "substitute attorneys PERRY MASSON in a time when Raymond Burr was having medical issues

Robin Williams (The World According to Garp) plays Genie in the 1992 film ALADDIN. My Facebook friend Ben played the part in a recent version of ALADDIN at Fishers, Indiana.

Mary Beth Hurt (The World According to Garp) and Gene Wilder (Young Frankenstein) both attended the University of Iowa.

DAMAGES FRANCHISE
-Glenn Close (The World According to Garp) stars in Damages as Patty Hewes.
-Marcia Gay Harden (Whip It) has been in some episodes as Claire Maddox.
-Martin Short (Three Amigos) has been in some episodes as Leonard Winstone.

John Lithgow (The World According to Garp) plays Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1994 tv movie WORLD WAR II: WHEN LIONS ROARED. My Facebook friend Jim played FDR in an Anderson Mainstage Theatre version of ANNIE which I was in as his cabinet member Cordell Hull.

Jessica Tandy (The World According to Garp) plays Daisy Werthan in the 1989 film DRIVING MISS DAISY. My Facebook friend Judy played the part at Muncie Civic Theater in the 90s which went on to have its own success.

Gene Wilder (Young Frankenstein) plays the Mock Turtle in the 1999 tv movie ALICE IN WONDERLAND. My Facebook friend Neil played the part in a recent Muncie Civic Theater version.

Gene Wilder (Young Frankenstein) plays Willy Wonka in the 1971 classic WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. My Facebook Friend Sean played the part in a Muncie Civic Theater production.

Gene Wilder (Young Frankenstein) plays Leo Bloom in another Mel Brooks classic THE PRODUCERS. My Facebook friend Mark played the part in a production at the Belfry Theater in Noblesville.

Gene Hackman (Young Frankenstein) plays former president going for mayer in the 2004 film WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT. Marcia Gay Harden is his adviser in the film.

Daniel Stern (Whip It) plays Mike O'Hara in the 1996 film Celtic Pride. I have a Facebook friend of the same name who is a Ball State professor and directs some shows at Muncie Civic Theater.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE alums
-Kristen Wiig (Whip It)
-Jimmy Fallon (Whip It)
-Will Ferrell (Elf)
-Steve Martin (Three Amigos): Not a regular but hosted and had the great King Tut skit.
-Chevy Chase (Three Amigos)
-Martin Short (Three Amigos)
-John Lovitz (Three Amigos)
-Phil Hartman (Three Amigos)

Mary Steenburgen (Elf) used to live next-door to Steve Martin (Three Amigos)

Zooey Deschanel (Elf) plays Dorothy in the 2007 mini-series TIN MAN but goes by the name DG. My Facebook friends Kristen and Lindsey have played the part in various productions and Muncie Civic Theater.

Zooey Deschanel (Elf) plays Lady Larken in the 2005 tv movie ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. My Facebook friend Nickole played the part in a recent version at Muncie Civic Theater.

Steven Spielberg was originally going to direct this week's feature THREE AMIGOS but declined and has said his choice for Ned would be Robin Williams (The World According to Garp) but John Landis would ultimately cast Martin Short (Three Amigos)