Welcome to the 986th Edition of my series. I hope everyone is making the most of these times and maybe enjoying this great weather. I don't have a lot happening so I will just get on with my selections for the week.
My Salinger Year (2020): Philippe Falardeau directed this film which is based on autobiography by Joanna Rakoff. Margaret Qualley stars as Joanna Rakoff who is an aspiring writer and takes a job in NYC at J.D. Salinger's literary agency. Her boss Margaret, played by Sigourney Weaver, tasks her to read Salinger's fan mail and then give a standard response which Joanna finds very difficult. Douglas Booth, Seana Kerslake, Brian F. O'Byrne, Colm Feore, Theodore Pellerin, Yanic Truesdale, Hamza Haq, Leni Parker, Ellen David, Romane Denis, Tim Post, Gavid Drea, Matt Holland, Xiao Sun, and many others co-star in this film which is based on true events. This is a pretty appealing film which depicts the reclusiveness of Salinger, played by Tim Post, who most know wrote the classic novel CATCHER IN THE RYE. It is also a good coming of age story of a college graduate trying to figure out how to get where they want to go in life. This is available to watch on AMC +, IFC Films Unlimited, and Sundance Now.
My Best Friend's Wedding (1997): P.J. Hogan directed this comedy which was written by Ron Bass. Julia Roberts stars as Julianne Potter who has a pact with her best friend Michael, played by Dermot Mulroney, to get married if they are not married by a certain age which is not far away. She learns that Michael has found someone in Kimberly, played by Cameron Diaz, and finds herself jealous to the point she tries to break them up so she can have him for herself. Rupert Everett co-stars as Julianne's gay best friend George who she enlists for help and was really the highlight of the movie. Philip Bosco, M. Emmet Walsh, Rachel Griffiths, Carrie Preston, Christoper Masterston, Paul Giamatti, and many others co-star in this comedy. This is an interesting look at a romantic comedy, and I thought the performances carry it very well. This is mostly predictable but that is to be expected with a good realization that happens in the end. The spontaneous music number might be the best part of the movie.
The Cable Guy (1996): Ben Stiller directed this psychological comedy which was written by Lou Holtz Jr. Matthew Broderick stars as Steven Kovak who is newly single and living in an apartment. Jim Carrey stars as Chip who is the unhinged cable guy and tries to become friends with Steven. When Steven eventually rejects Chip's friendship, Chip does what he can to make Steven's life a living hell. Ben Stiller also co-stars as a child star on trial for murdering his twin brother which is the backdrop the movie centers around. Leslie Mann, Jack Black, George Segal, Diane Baker, Eric Roberts, Janeane Garofalo, Andy Dick, David Cross, Amy Stiller, Joel Murray, Kathy Griffin, Sean Whalen, Cynthia LaMontagne, Charles Napier, Bob Odenkirk, Kyle Gass, and many others co-star in this comedy. This was a much darker turn at the time for Carrey. I also realized it is a very good parody to the psychological thriller and a bit of an homage to the cable system which still tries to survive today.
Dance in the Sun (1953): This is my short film for the week which was directed by Shirley Clarke. This takes a look at choreographer Daniel Nagrin. This is more of an early experimental film for Clarke who would become a great documentary filmmaker. This has a great dance scene and is worth about six minutes. This is available to watch on the Criterion Channel.
Stagecoach (1939): This is my western for the week which was directed by John Ford. This centers around what should just be a simple trip for a few people on the stagecoach trip. However, things get complicated with the threat of Geronimo and his Apachee warriors. Lots of very colorful characters including the Ringo Kid, played by John Wayne. Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Thomas Mitchell, Louise Platt, George Bancroft, Donald Meek, Berton Churchill, Tim Holt, Tom Tyler, and many others co-star in this western. This was a star-making role for John Wayne after a string of B-movies, and it was also a transition for Ford into the talkie era as he had struggled. The ensemble team as a whole really made this film in addition to the start of an icon in Wayne. This is available to watch on HBO Max, TUBI, Pluto TV, Plex, and the Roku Channel.
Carrie (1978): Brian De Palma directed this horror film which is based on the novel by Stephen King. Sissy Spacek stars as high school outcast Carrie White who gets bullied at school and must deal with her abusive and religious crazed mother Margaret, played by Piper Laurie. In the process of the humiliation, Carrie discovers she has some telekinetic powers and the bullies realize they messed with the wrong girl. Amy Irving, William Katt, John Travolta, Nancy Allen, Betty Buckley, P.J. Soles, Priscilla Pointer, Sydney Lassick, Stefan Gierasch, Michael Talbott, and many others co-star in this film. This has one of the most iconic scenes of all time with the senior prom prank gone wrong. I'm sure many outcasts love and envy Carrie White and don't worry if they all laugh at you for watching this movie. This is available to watch on MGM +, TUBI, Pluto TV, and the Roku Channel.
Marty Supreme (2025): Josh Safdie directed and co-wrote this film with Ronald Bronstein. Timothee Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser who has big dreams along with a very self-absorbed attitude. The main part of the film is with him learning and mastering table tennis and proving he is the best. Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Larry Sloman, Ralph Colucci, Tyler the Creator, George Gervin, Luke Manley, Fran Drescher, Sandra Bernhard, Emory Cohen, Geza Rohrig, Abel Ferrera, Hailey Gates, David Mamet, Penn Jillette, and many others co-star in this film. This is loosely based on the life of table tennis champion Marty Reisman. This is Paltrow's first movie since AVENGERS: ENDGAME in 2019 and makes a great return to film in this one. This is hard to describe further than what I did. It is a character study more than anything on a very flawed man who is determined to achieve his dream and unfortunately hurts a few people along the way. Through it all, it is a very compelling film and worth a look. This is available to watch on HBO Max.
Bonnie and Clyde (1967): Arthur Penn directed this biopic on the infamous outlaws Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. Faye Dunaway stars as the bored waitress Bonnie Parker who meets ex-con Clyde Barrow, played by Warren Beatty. They fall in love and start a life of crime of stealing cars and robbing banks. Along for the spree are car mechanic C.W. Moss, played by Michael J. Pollard, Clyde's brother Buck, played by Gene Hackman, and Buck's reluctant wife Blanche, played by Estelle Parsons. Lawman Frank Hamer, played by Denver Pyle, is on their trail though, and determined to bring them down. Dub Taylor, Gene Wilder, and many others co-star in this film. Wilder makes his film debut in this one. This comes from the era where the outlaws were portrayed as anti-heroes. Other examples of this are DILLINGER and BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. Either way, this was still very enjoyable with very good performances. Lots of iconic moments in this film and just remember, they rob banks.
Clash By Night (1952): Fritz Lang directed this film which is based on the play by Clifford Odets. Barbara Stanwyck stars as the bitter and cynical Mae Doyle who is just returning to her hometown after many years. Keith Andes co-stars as Mae's brother Joe who becomes concerned for his sister's demeanor. I feel the most mostly revolves around the relationships of the female stars. Mae and her love triangle with the well-intentioned Jerry, played by Paul Douglas and the more cynical Earl, played by Robert Ryan. Also, a lot goes into the relationship between Joe and his girlfriend Peggy, played by Marilyn Monroe in one of her first starring roles. Another film which centers around the characters more than anything. This is available to watch on HBO Max.
Legally Blonde (2001): Robert Luketic directed this film which is based on the novel by Amanda Brown. Reese Witherspoon stars as the very fashionable sorority queen Elle Woods who has been dumped by her boyfriend Warner, played by Matthew Davis. Warner is pursuing a career in law and says he needs to be taken more seriously so Elle, along with her beloved chihuahua Bruiser, decides to go to law school herself becoming a very unique law student. Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge, Holland Taylor, Ali Larter, Jessica Cauffiel, Alanna Ubach, Osgood Perkins, Linda Cardellini, Bruce Thomas, Meredith Scott Lynn, Raquel Welch, Samantha Lemole, and many others co-star in this comedy. I think this climbed to a list of my favorites after this watch. Maybe because in this world of hate, Elle represents love and standing up for others as annoying as she might be. Witherspoon was just absolutely perfect for the role, and the duo of Elle and Bruiser are a very underrated screen duo. This is available to watch on Prime, Pluto TV, TUBI, and the Roku Channel.
Well, that is all for this week but continue on for my series "Fun and Useless Facts". Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for the next couple of weeks which so far includes James Franco, Boris Karloff, Elle Fanning, Florence Pugh, and many others.
FUN AND USELESS FACTS
This focuses on interconnections within the movies features this week. I always limit this to 25 so if you see something, feel free to comments.
Sigourney Weaver (My Salinger Year) and Jack Black (The Cable Guy) were in the 2008 comedy BE KIND REWIND.
Margaret Qualley (My Salinger Year) and Ben Stiller (The Cable Guy) were in the 2025 comedy sequel HAPPY GILMORE 2.
Douglas Booth (My Salinger Year) and Paul Giamatti (My Best Friend's Wedding) were in the 2013 movie ROMEO AND JULIET.
Colm Feore (My Salinger Year) and John Travolta (Carrie) were in the 1997 action film FACE/OFF.
Colm Feore (My Salinger Year) and Paul Giamatti (My Best Friend's Wedding) were in the 2014 superhero movie THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2.
Julia Roberts (My Best Friend's Wedding) and Eric Roberts (The Cable Guy) are real-life sister and brother.
Julia Roberts (My Best Friend's Wedding) and Gwyneth Paltrow (Marty Supreme) were in the 1991 movie HOOK.
Cameron Diaz (My Best Friend's Wedding) and Jim Carrey (The Cable Guy) were love interests in the 1994 superhero comedy THE MASK.
Cameron Diaz (My Best Friend's Wedding) and Ben Stiller (The Cable Guy) were love interests in the 1998 comedy THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY.
Cameron Diaz (My Best Friend's Wedding) and Luke Wilson (Legally Blonde) are a couple in the 2000 action film CHARLIE'S ANGELS and the 2003 sequel CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE.
Paul Giamatti (My Best Friend's Wedding) and Jim Carrey (The Cable Guy) play comedy collaborators Bob Zmuda and Andy Kaufman in the 1999 film MAN ON THE MOON.
Rupert Everett (My Best Friend's Wedding) and Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde) were in the 2002 comedy THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST.
Jack Black (The Cable Guy) and Gwyneth Paltrow (Marty Supreme) were love interests in the 2001 comedy SHALLOW HAL.
Matthew Broderick (The Cable Guy) plays Leo Bloom in the 2005 musical THE PRODUCERS. Gene Wilder (Bonnie and Clyde) plays Leo Bloom in the 1967 comedy THE PRODUCERS. My Facebook friend John plays Leo Bloom in a 2012 version of THE PRODUCERS at the Guyer Opera House where I was in the chorus.
Matthew Broderick (The Cable Guy) and Victor Garber (Legally Blonde) are in 2003 musical THE MUSIC MAN.
Matthew Broderick (The Cable Guy) and Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde) are pitted against one another in the 1999 comedy ELECTION.
Owen Wilson (The Cable Guy) and Luke Wilson (Legally Blonde) are real-life brothers.
John Wayne (Stagecoach) and Barbara Stanwyck (Clash By Night) were in the 1933 pre-code film BABY FACE.
John Travolta (Carrie) and Fran Drescher (Marty Supreme) were in 1977 film SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER.
John Travolta (Carrie) and Gene Hackman (Bonnie and Clyde) were rival gangsters in the 1995 comedy GET SHORTY.
Gwyneth Paltrow (Marty Supreme) and Linda Cardellini (Legally Blonde) are the significant others to the Avengers including the 2019 Marvel film AVENGERS: ENDGAME.
Gwyneth Paltrow (Marty Supreme) was considered for the role of Elle Woods in this week's feature LEGALLY BLONDE which would ultimately go to Reese Witherspoon.
Timothy Chalamet (Marty Supreme) was in the 2023 prequel WONKA. Gene Wilder (Bonnie and Clyde) were in the 1971 musical WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.
Gene Hackman (Bonnie and Clyde) and Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde) are father and daughter in the 1998 movie TWILIGHT and no this is not the vampire movie.
Gene Hackman (Bonnie and Clyde) was the father of Ben Stiller (The Cable Guy), Gwyneth Paltrow (Marty Supreme) and Luke Wilson (Legally Blonde) in the 2001 comedy THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS. I must admit, I was rather mind blown when I managed this one.
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