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The Dish (2000)
A delightful comedy/drama
This film hooked me the first time I saw it. I have watched it many times since and never tire of it. My reaction is why don't we get more films from Australia here? The humor that comes across during this tense time is what holds this film together. The acting is first rate from Sam Neil all the way down the line. The town of Parkes is proud to be part of the moon landing, but all in all takes it in stride.
Tayler Kane as Rudy was a delight. When he thought that Neil Armstrong was actually on his walkie-talkie, I really laughed. The scene was priceless. Likewise Tom Long as Glenn, the computer expert played his role to perfection. When he jumps to take off his glasses whenever Janine comes into the facility is too much for words. The final bit of hilarity came when Mayor Bob asks everyone at the dance to remain "upstanding" for the American anthem, and the band breaks into the theme for "Hawaii Five-O." The looks on the faces of the American ambassador and Patrick Warbourton are priceless. It doesn't get any better than that.
Yet, the seriousness of the mission still comes across and the pride felt by the crew of the dish is readily visible. When it looks like the wind storm might take them out of the mission, you really feel for Cliff Buxton and his guys. You know he's going to go for it because he earlier said that "This is science's chance to be daring." This is one movie I will never get tired of viewing. It is funny, it is serious, it is poignant, all without being mawkish or overly sentimental. Having lived through the entire U.S. space program (I was 21 when Apollo 11 landed), I know the excitement shown by the characters in the film as Apollo 11 first lifted off, and then when Armstrong came off the LEM and stepped onto the lunar surface. It was an exciting time and the final point of the movie that I enjoyed, was that this event affected many people outside the U.S. This is something that is often overlooked and it was great to see how the people of Parkes and in particular, the crew of the dish, helped bring the pictures from the moon to the rest of the world. Well Done!!!
The Caine Mutiny (1954)
A Great Sea Story
Herman Wouk's novel of naval warfare won a Pulitzer Prize. The movie of the same name, "The Caine Mutiny" followed the book up to a point. The movie ends with Willie Keith returning to a ship under the command of his first skipper, Captain DeVriess. The book goes on for a long time after the court-martial. In fact it ends with Willie in command of the old Caine after the war ends.
Nevertheless, this should not detract from what a truly great movie "The Caine Mutiny" is. It can stand on its own, and bear comparisons with the book, as inevitably happens in situations of this kind. Bogart, as Queeg is almost frightening in his portrayal of the paranoid skipper. His fear of combat and mistrust of his crew comes right off the screen. The fact is, we are uncomfortable and squeamish because we all secretly fear that there is a bit of Queeg in all of us.
The supporting cast is solid. Van Johnson as the stolid and at first, loyal executive office, Fred MacMurray as Keefer (in another great performance), Jerry Paris as Ensign Harding, and all the rest give the crew and wide and varied viewpoint. Very typical of real life naval vessels and the men who sail in them.
The typhoon scene and the way Queeg and the rest of the crew appear is in stark contrast as to how Queeg appears, at first, in the court-martial. Dapper, well-rested, in his best dress blues, one wonders how Barney Greenwald (Jose Ferrer) is going to convince the court that this is the same man who froze during the typhoon, screamed at Stillwell the helmsman (another great subplot in the book, but left out of the movie), refused to alter course, and forgot basic seamanship. Only Maryk could save the ship. Greenwald's tactics, rather than defending Maryk, were in going after Queeg. His best line in the court was "It is not the defense's contention that Commander Queeg is a coward. Quite the contrary. The defense assumes that any man who rises to command a United States naval ship cannot possibly be a coward and that if he commits questionable acts, the reasons must lie elsewhere." Greenwald proved this brilliantly.
The Caine Mutiny stands up as great drama, great writing, great acting, and great cinematography. I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants a great sea story. I would also strongly suggest that anyone interested in the movie take the time to read the book. You will enjoy both tremendously.