Welcome to the 962nd edition of my series. Right now, I'm busy with my play MUCH ADO ABOUT MURDER which is in Connersville, Indiana and goes from October 24-26 and October 31-November 2. I will have more details in the coming weeks. That does not stop me for getting the recommendations out.
Trance (2013): Danny Boyle directed this psychological thriller which was co-written by Joe Ahearne and John Hodge. James McAvoy stars as art auctioneer Simon who is part of a heist lead by Franck, played by Vincent Cassel, and ends up double-crossing Franck. Simon becomes unconscious and is forced by Franck to recover the lost painting, but he has amnesia. In turn, Simon hires hypnotherapist Elizabeth, played by Rosario Dawson, to help him remember. Danny Sapani, Matt Cross, and many others co-star in this thriller. I saw someone refer to this as Boyle's answer to INCEPTION and that is reasonable. It is hard to really describe this beyond the basic plot of the film. It is a pretty intriguing film that requires full attention and maybe make this a double feature to go along with the mentioned INCEPTION.
Company (2011): Lonny Price directed this live-filmed Broadway musical which was written by Stephen Sondheim. Neil Patrick Harris stars as the perpetual bachelor Robert who is exploring the meaning of being in a relationship through a series of vignettes which consist of his married couple friends. Patti Lupone, Martha Plimpton, Anika Noni Rose, Jon Cryer, Craig Bierko, Katie Finneran, Christina Hendricks, Aaron Lazar, Jill Paice, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Chryssie Whitehead, and Stephen Colbert co-star in Robert's friends in this popular musical. This is more of an experimental musical and does not have a linear or have the conventional musical approach. There are a lot of memorable music numbers including SIDE BY SIDE. The all-star cast works really well in this show and was apparently the only time they all performed on stage together.
Call Jane (2022): Phyllis Nagy directed this film which was co-written by Hayley Schore and Roshan Sethi. Elizabeth Banks co-stars as '60s single Joy who is pregnant and learns the pregnancy is life threatening. This was before Roe v Wade law and while her doctor tried to arrange a life-saving abortion, it was voted down by the board. This causes her to turn to a group of "Jane's" who were led by Virginia, played by Sigourney Weaver, and arranged for illegal abortions to be made. After this, Joy joins the group while also becoming an activist for abortion in the process. Chris Messina, Kate Mara, Wunmi Mosaku, Cory Michael Smith, Grace Edwards, Kristina Harrison, Rebecca Henderson, Aida Turturro, Evangeline Young, John Magaro, Geoffrey Cantor, Alison Jaye, Bianca D'Ambrosio, John Rothman, and many others co-star in this film based on true events. The group was based on a real-life group while the characters were fictional. This was Nagy's statement toward the overturned Roe v. Wade law and gives good perspective to the very touchy subject of abortion. This is available to watch on Moviesphere and Plex.
Love Exists (1961): This is my French short for the week which was written and directed by Maurice Pialat. This is a documentary short which takes a look at post-war France in 1950s. This shows the ups and downs of the area with more downs. This has some really good narration to go along with the powerful imagery. This is another one that is hard to really put into words. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel and is worth a look.
Listen, Darling (1938): Edwin L. Marin directed this musical comedy. A Pre-Oz Judy Garland stars as Pinkie Wingate, whose mother Dottie, played by Mary Astor, is about to remarry Mr. Drubbs, played by Gene Lockhart. Pinkie feels her mother is not happy in her engagement and that she is only doing it for money. Along with her friend Buzz, played by Freddie Barthomew, they go through some extreme measures by kidnapping their mother and taking her to go on the open road in hopes they will find someone better. Walter Pidgeon, Alan Hale, Scotty Beckett, Barnett Parker, and Charley Grapewin co-star in this movie. This is more of a musical vehicle for a young Judy Garland who at the time was getting ready for her big break in THE WIZARD OF OZ. This is harmless fun to watch on a Saturday afternoon.
The Bigamist (1953): Ida Lupino directed this Film Noir which as the title indicates is a bigamist. Edmond O'Brian stars as Harry Graham who is married to both Joan Fontaine and Lupino so a couple Noir queens. Edmund Gwenn co-stars as Mr. Jordan who becomes suspicious of Harry's travels when Harry is trying to adopt. Kenneth Tobey, and Jane Darwell co-star in this Film Noir. Much of this is told in flashback when Harry explains his situation to Mr. Jordan. This is a pretty compelling story with two performances and I'm sure O'Brian was the subject of envy at the time being married to both Fontaine and Lupino. This is available to watch on Prime, MGM +, Plex, and Fawesome.
Lollilove (2004): THE OFFICE alum Jenna Fischer directed this mockumentary comedy and she co-wrote along with James Gunn and Peter Alton. Fischer and Gunn were an actual married couple at the time and play one in this mocumentary. They believe that they can help the homeless by giving them lollipops with cheery slogans on the cover. Linda Cardellini, Jason Segal, Joan Blair, Michelle Gunn, Lloyd Kaufman, Judy Greer, Christo Garcia, and many others co-star in this mockumentary. This is a satire on celebrity life more than anything and is a bit of a dark comedy at times. This experimental film was worth a look and delivers some laughs including Kaufman in a rather amusing role as this Troma was a part of the filming. This is available to watch on Prime.
This Side of the Law (1950): Richard L. Bare directed this Film Noir which is based on the story THE DOCTOR DEALS IN DEATH by Richard Sale. Kent Smith stars as drifter David Cummins who was arrested and can pay a $50 fine or do 30 days. The crooked attorney Philip Cagle sees what is going on and pays the fine for him seeing that David resembles a missing millionaire. Cummins infiltrates the family posing as the missing millionaire and gets a little in over his head. Viveca Lindfors, Janis Paige, John Alvin, and Frances Morris co-star in this Film Noir. This was a pretty clever story and unfolds very well in my opinion. This is another one that is hard to really put in that many words. This is available to watch on Max.
The Getaway (1972): Sam Peckinpah directed this heist film which is based on the novel by Jim Thompson. Steve McQueen stars as the recently paroled Doc McCoy and must take on another heist including his loyal wife Carol, played by Ali MacGraw. Things go extremely wrong in the heist and Doc and Carol must go on the run while also fighting for their lives including the vengeful Rudy Butler, played by Al Lettieri. Ben Johnson, Sally Struthers, Al Lettieri, Slim Pickens, Richard Bright, Jack Dodson, Dub Taylor, Bo Hopkins, and many others co-star in this action heist film. McQueen and MacGraw were great together as the married couple and MacGraw as his very loyal wife. This also has some really good action to go along with a great music score by Quincy Jones.
War and Wrestling in Ukraine (2025): I end the week with this documentary short was edited by Lauren Ramon. This featured wrestler and trainer Jake Omen who has been a good friend of mine and have known each other through the wrestling world for many years now. His moniker is "Mr. International" and decided to make a very daring trip out to Kyiv, Ukraine to take part in the Ukraine Wrestling Federation. He also went to coach aspiring wrestlers out there and is a very good trainer. In the process, he spoke with everyday people trying to survive in such horrid times. This is a two-part series which is available to watch on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmLqV1ZegkI for part one and the other parts will be available. There is a part three coming soon.
Well, that is it for this week. Tell me what you like and dislike and next week, I will be going back to the weekly format as I start my six-week project "My Own Madness".
0 comments
Post a Comment