Welcome to the 969th edition of my series. Yes, this is the 20 year anniversary of this blog. I know, I can't believe it either. This started on the days of Myspace and I guess I'm like the Energizer Bunny, I keep going and going. Thanks for the support of everyone through the years. I would also like to announce that I made my return last night to ring announcing for the debut wrestling show KNOW YOUR AFFILIATION. At the end of the night, it was announced that the name will be Guilty By Affiliation. The next show will likely be sometime in January so I will get the details out as they come. I will just shut up and get on with my selections for the week.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007): Brad Pitt is the wild card I chose for this selection. Andrew Dominik directed this film which is based on the novel by Ron Hansen. Casey Affleck stars as Robert Ford who has idolized outlaw Jesse James, played by Brad Pitt, all his life. The idolization comes from stories and dime novels that have been written about Jesse James. Ford finally gets to join the James Gang and is very excited but as time goes on, he becomes more resentful towards James. Sam Shepard, Mary-Louise Parker, Brooklynn Proulx, Dustin Bollinger, Sam Rockwell, Jeremy Renner, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Schneider, Alison Elliott, Zooey Deschanel, and many others co-star in this film. This has always been a favorite of mine. I loved seeing how they show the so-called heroism of Jesse James being surrounded more by the hype. I also feel like this has an underlying message of don't meet your idols. This works on so many levels for me starting with the acting and a phenomenal performance from Affleck. The cinematography is amazing and I though this had some of the best narration with it coming it at the right times. To top it off, I thought Nick Cave and Warren Ellis wrote the best music score of all time. I also find that it is rather misunderstood. Some are expecting more of a western, but it is really more a drama about the relationship between Jesse James and Robert Ford which from the title, we know what happens. I can't say enough about this movie.
The Burial (2023): Tommy Lee Jones is the wild card I chose for this selection. Maggie Betts directed this film which is based on a true story. Jones stars as funeral home owner Jeremiah O'Keefe whose business in danger with the corporate world. He enlists the smooth-talking and charismatic attorney Willie E. Gary, played by Jamie Foxx, whose specialty lies in injury law but is seen as more. They look to expose corporate corruption Gary's biggest case. Jurnee Smollett, Alan Ruck, Mamoudou Athie, Pamela Reed, Bill Camp, Amanda Warren, Dorian Missick, Tywayne Wheatt, Lance E. Nichols, and many others co-star in this legal drama. This is a very moving story with the forming of an unlikely friendship. This could also be a good double feature to go along with A FEW GOOD MEN on account of attorneys going out of their comfort zone for something much bigger.
King Kong (2005): Peter Jackson is the wild card I chose for this selection. Jackson directed this remake which is based on the 1933 film of the same name. Jack Black stars as film producer Carl Denham who is desperate for a successful project and is willing to do just about anything to make it happen. He manages to get a group of people for his film and the ship crew to go to the mysterious Skull Island. Carl also discovers struggling actress Ann Darrow, played by Naomi Watts, who is also desperate for work. When getting to the island, they encounter a group of cannibalistic natives, some dinosaur creatures, and King Kong, played by Andy Serkis, himself. Adrian Brody, Thomas Krestschman, Colin Hanks, Evan Parke, Jamie Bell, Lobo Chan, John Sumner, Craig Hall, Kyle Chandler, and many others co-star in this creature feature. Jackson did a great job of respecting the original while making into his own. I happen to favor this version, mostly due to the relationship between Darrow and Kong.
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935): Boris Karloff is the wild card I chose for this selection. James Whale directed this sequel to the 1931 film which is based on the story by Mary Shelley. The Creature, reprised by Boris Karloff, survives and finally finds himself a friend in the way of a blind hermit but his peace is ruined by the fearful townspeople. Colin Clive reprises his role of Henry Frankenstein who is dealing with an even madder scientist in Dr. Pretorius, played by Ernest Thesigner. Henry is goaded by Pretorius to make the Creature a mate. Elsa Lanchester, Valerie Hobson, Gavin Gordon, Douglas Walton, Una O'Connor, E.E. Clive, Lucien Prival, O.P. Heggie, Dwight Frye, Reginald Barlow, and many others co-star in this film. I find this one to be the best of the Universal Horror series. The big thing about this one is "The Monster Speaks" as he did not talk in the first one but learned to speak some in this film. I thought the scene between the Creature and the blind man was such a beautiful and moving scene. This has a lot of very iconic moments like the bride's hair.
The Blob (1958): Steve McQueen is the wild card I chose for this selection. Irvin S. Yeaworth directed this classic horror film. Steve McQueen stars as Steve Andrews who is part of a group of teens trying to convince a town that an alien lifeform is consuming others. Luckily, one of the members of the police force was fairly open-minded to listen to Steve. Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe, Olin Howland, Stephen Chase, John Benson, George Karas, Lee Payton, Elbert Smith, and many others co-star in thsi film. This was pretty early in McQueen's career and at this time they billed him at Steve McQueen. This is pretty good classic horror that holds up pretty well and the special effects were good enough.
The In-Laws (1979): Paul L. Smith is the wild cards I chose for this selection. Arthur Hiller directed this comedy which was written by Andrew Bergman. Alan Arkin stars as the mild-mannered dentist Dr. Sheldon Kornpett whose daughter is about to get married. Peter Falk co-stars as the groom's father Vince Ricardo who claims to be a government agent and takes Sheldon on a series of misadventures making Sheldon question his future in-laws. Richard Libertini, Nancy Dussault, Penny Peyser, Arlene Golonka, Michael Lembeck, Paul L. Smith, Carmine Caridi, Ed Begley Jr., James Hong, David Paymer, and many others co-star in this comedy. This is a very underrated comedy in my opinion. Falk and Arkin worked great together as the duo. There are a lot of laughs and fun misadvenutures.
Lolita (1997): Frank Langella is the wild card I chose for this selection. Adrian Lyne directed this remake to the 1962 film by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel by Vladimir Nabokov. Jeremy Irons stars as Professor Humbert Humbert, yes that is his name, who rents a room from Charlotte Haze, played by Melanie Griffith, and immediately takes notice and becomes very attracted to her 14 year old daughter Delores, played by Dominique Swain. He decides to marry Charlotte in order to get closer to Delores and when tragedy strikes, he has Delores to himself where they form a very unusual relationship. Frank Langella co-stars as Quilty who has his own ill intentions. This was a very controversial and provocative film that takes it to a new level in that regard from the original. I like both versions but in the end, I enjoy this one more. The part I like more on the older version is with Shelley Winters and Peter Sellers. I like that this movie goes briefly into a backstory with Humbert that explains his obsession some. Swain is great as the title character. An imdb reviewer made a very interesting remark saying how with the direction we are forced to see through the eyes of Humbert making us co-conspirators of his crime which is sadly rather accurate. Both versions hold their own and could make a really good double feature.
To Be or Not to Be (1942): Lionel Atwill is the wild card I chose for this selection. Ernst Lubitsch directed this classic comedy which was probably pretty daring and controversial for its time. Jack Benny and Carole Lombard star as Joseph and Maria Tura who own and operate their own theater in Warsaw. Things get complicated when the Germans invade Poland and have to shelve a comedy which was written about Hitler. Robert Stack, Felix Bressart, Lionel Atwill, Stanley Ridges, Sig Ruman, Tom Dugan, Charles Halton, George Lynn, Henry Victor, Maude Eburne, Halliwell Hobbes, and many others co-star in this comedy. This satire takes place during the rise of the Nazi regime. It is hard for me to describe any further than what I already did. This could be a really good double feature to go along with Chaplin's THE GREAT DICTATOR.
The Great Smokey Roadblock (1977): Robert Englund is the wild card I chose for this selection. John Leone directed and wrote this road movie. Henry Fonda stars as the aging trucker Elegant John Howard whose rig is repossessed but wants one more run. With the help of the hitchhiker Beebo, played by Robert Englund, and a group of prostitutes, he sets out for that last big run. Eileen Brennan, Austin Pendleton, Dub Taylor, John Byner, Susan Sarandon, Melanie Mayron, Leigh French, Mews Small, Daina House, Gary Sandy, Valerie Curtin, and many others co-star in this road comedy. This has always been a guilty pleasure of mine seeing later Henry Fonda and earlier Robert Englund. This is not going to win any awards, it is just a fun watch if not taken too seriously along with a few actors before they became big like Englund and Sarandon. This is available to watch on Prime.
Pulp Fiction (1994): I end the week with this film which includes my wild card Quentin Tarantino who directed, co-wrote, and has a cameo. John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson star as hitmen Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield who are out to retrieve a stolen briefcase for their employer Marcellus, played by Ving Rhames. Later, Marcellus asks Vincent to take care of his wife Mia, played by Uma Thurman, which made for an interesting night. Bruce Willis co-stars as the boxer Butch who is paid by Marcellus to take a fall and does not do it. All these stories weave together in stories of violence and redemption. Amanda Plummer, Phil Lamarr, Frank Whaley, Paul Calderon, Rosanna Arquette, Eric Stoltz, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Walken, Maria de Medeiros, Kathy Griffin, Duane Whitaker, Peter Greene, Harvey Keitel, Julia Sweeney, Lawrence Bender, and many others co-star in this stylish film. This movie made this style which I can't really describe popular. It does not have a real linear plot which has gotten some criticism along with the language. I enjoyed the stories being done along with the performances and the violence I suppose. It also has a really good soundtrack which is one of Tarantino's strengths. This is available to watch on Paramount Plus and Prime.
Well, that is it for this week but read on for the return of "Fun and Useless Facts". I am going back to the biweekly format. Thanks to all who have supported me through the years. I will be back in a couple weeks with Toni Collette, Liam Neeson, Charles Chaplin, Deborah Kerr, Burt Reynolds, and many others.
FUN AND USELESS FACTS
I like to bring this segment out every so often and thought this one called for it. I find interconnections so I don't use actors from the same movie. I also limit my facts to 25 so if you see others, feel free to comment.
Brad Pitt (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) and Bruce Willis (Pulp Fiction) were in the 1995 sci-fi film 12 MONKEYS.
Brad Pitt (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) was directed by Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction) in the 2009 film INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS and the 2019 film ONCE UPON A TIME... IN HOLLYWOOD. Both of these have a reverse history factor.
Brad Pitt (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), Susan Sarandon (The Great Smokey Roadblock) and Harvey Keitel (Pulp Fiction) were in the 1991 film THELMA AND LOUISE.
Sam Shepard plays legendary outlaw Frank James in this week's feature THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD. Henry Fonda (The Great Smokey Roadblock) played Frank James in 1939 film JESSE JAMES and 1940 sequel THE RETURN OF FRANK JAMES.
Sam Shepard (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) and John Travolta (Pulp Fiction) were in the 2001 movie SWORDFISH.
Sam Shepard (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) and Christopher Walken (Pulp Fiction) were in the 2012 comedy SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS.
Mary-Louise Parker (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), Tommy Lee Jones (The Burial) and Susan Sarandon (The Great Smokey Roadblock) are in the 1994 film THE CLIENT.
Sam Rockwell (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) and Frank Langella (Lolita) were in the 2008 film FROST/NIXON.
Sam Rockwell (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) and Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction) were in the 2015 comedy MR. RIGHT.
Jeremy Renner (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) and Ving Rhames (Pulp Fiction were in the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise as part of a spy team.
Garret Dillahunt (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) and Tommy Lee Jones (The Burial) were in the 2007 film NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN.
Tommy Lee Jones (The Burial) and Melanie Griffith (Lolita) were in the 1988 film STORMY MONDAY.
Naomi Watts (King Kong) and Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction) were a married couple being terrorized in the 2007 psychological thriller FUNNY GAMES.
Naomi Watts (King Kong) and Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction) were in the 2009 film MOTHER AND CHILD.
Adrien Brody (King Kong) and John Travolta (Pulp Fiction) were in the 1998 war film THE THIN RED LINE.
Adrien Brody (King Kong) and Harvey Keitel (Pulp Fiction) were in the 2014 comedy THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL.
Dwight Frye (Bride of Frankenstein) plays Renfield in the 1931 film DRACULA. I played Renfield in a 2018 version of DRACULA at the Richmond Civic Theater. Also, Frank Langella plays Dracula in the 1979 film DRACULA, and my Facebook friend Daniel played Dracula in the version of DRACULA at the Richmond Civic Theater that I was in.
Elsa Lanchester (Bride of Frankenstein), Peter Falk (The In-Laws) and Eileen Brennan (The Great Smokey Roadblock) were in the 1976 Whodunnit comedy MURDER BY DEATH.
Dominique Swain (Lolita) and John Travolta (Pulp Fiction) were daughter and father in the 1997 film FACE/OFF.
Henry Fonda (The Great Smokey Roadblock) plays Juror #8 in the 1957 film 12 ANGRY MEN. My Facebook friend Tyler played Juror #8 in a 2024 version titled 12 ANGRY JURORS where I had the honor of playing Juror #3.
Robert Englund (The Great Smokey Roadblock) and Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction) were in the 2008 movie RED.
Susan Sarandon (The Great Smokey Roadblock) and Eric Stoltz (Pulp Fiction) were in the 1994 film LITTLE WOMEN.
Susan Sarandon (The Great Smokey Roadblock) and Christopher Walken (Pulp Fiction) were in the 2005 movie ROMANCE AND CIGARETTES.
Bruce Willis (Pulp Fiction) was in the 2002 tv movie TRUE WEST which was written by Sam Shepard (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford).
Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction) was considered for the role of Maria in the 1990 movie THE BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES which would ultimately go to Melanie Griffith (Lolita).
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