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Johnny Cool (1963)
Cameos of Your Favorite Childhood Stars
This noirish crime thriller in the vein of Johnny O'Clock (1947) is fairly typical for the genre but still a decent flick. If for no other reason than for the chance to see cameos of your favorite childhood stars (if you're 50+ like me)! I was drawn to see Elizabeth Montgomery my favorite blonde Wiccan housewife (Bewitched (1964-72)) as the dark haired love interest of a gangster! Henry Silva most known as the "commie" of Manchurian Candidate (1962) is typecast as usual but in this case he carries the film in the titular role as Johnny Cool.
The cast is full of nostalgic favorites. Telly Savalas the deep throated lieutenant of Kojak (1973-1978) plays the organized crime boss and main antagonist. Rat packers, Sammy Davis, Jr. And Joey Bishop play small time crooks. John Irwin McGiver Silva's fellow costar from the Manchurian Candidate who played ill-fated US senator has a brief role as a casino manager. Jim Backus of Gilligan's Island (1964-67) fame expertly plays the corrupt politician and even treats us to a hearty Thurston Howell III chuckle!
The production values are wanting and at times the plot is too convoluted. I certainly lost track of the bad guys. There were too many to care about any. The premise is kind of ridiculous but still I enjoyed it especially seeing all my childhood favorites!
The Courier (2020)
A human story about saving humanity!
I'm so glad I happened across this film on Amazon Prime! Unlike so many spy thrillers that are so convoluted you're peeking on Wikipedia to try to figure out who's who, this thriller was exciting yet easy to follow. You're engaged because the film focuses on the developing relationship between the two main characters: Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) the happy go-lucky British traveling salesman drawn into espionage and Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) a revered Soviet Russian patriot who betrays his country to save humanity from nuclear destruction. (Based on true story related to Cuban Missile Crisis) As the warm friendship between these two loving fathers grows, we begin to care about them as well. Because we care, the dangers they face make the film's suspense all the more intense. I won't spoil the plot, but I had to remind myself to breathe as the risks for these men ramped up. Before it was over I was in tears. That's the emotional roller coaster I wasn't expecting when I tuned into this movie I'd never heard of! I highly recommend this amazing true story of sacrifice by two remarkable men who changed history yet most of us have never heard of!
Atlantic Crossing (2020)
Expected an Epic but Got a Soap Opera
I gave 3 stars for the first few promising episodes which cover the extraordinary escape of the Norwegian Royal family after the German invasion. I recommend the award winning film, The King's Choice, for a better retelling of this event (this suspenseful film told in real time will have you feeling all the terror this family felt). Atlantic Crossing goes downhill after the Princess escapes to America. The last half devolves into a tired melodrama with the Crown Princess reduced to an object of obsession for FDR, and a source of jealousy for both Eleanor and FDRs secretary. Despite the film disclaiming its fictional script, these one dimensional characterization were insulting to these great historical figures. I don't imagine Eleanor being so Basic or FDR being so easily distracted from his responsibilities. If you removed the scenes of the princess nervously reacting to FDR gawking you could reduce the 8-episode series in half. As a WWII buff, I am intrigued with the story of Norway's resistance to the German aggression. I'd hoped the lengthy series would be a political thriller on how the royals and politicians involved navigated this crucial period to save Norway. But instead I got a soap opera.
Kinky Boots (2005)
Formulaic Plot but Heartwarming!
The movie plot follows a predictable formula. Male protagonist has insurmountable problem (save family shoe factory). Quirky antihero (Lola) facilitates his and others growth. Current girlfriend doesn't understand him but in the end he realizes he loves the supporting costar (his coworker). For a typical formula film I would give a 6, but I gave another point for the awesome kinky boots and costumes. Plus, another just for Lola! Before viewing I couldn't imagine Chiwetel Ejiofor playing this role...believably. But impressively he inhabited the character and I fell for her wholeheartedly! The music was great, too! Worth watching. Would love to see the award winning live production.
Catherine the Great (2019)
A-list actors B-list script
I was really looking forward to this series. Helen Mirren is a favorite actress of mine so I try to keep up with her filmography. She did a phenomenal job of inhabiting the characters of Queen Elizabeth I and ll. I couldn't wait to see her portrayal of Catherine the Great whose character and life is full of great material. Unfortunately this script gave little for Mirren to work with. There was too much exposition and not enough compelling dialogue that was befitting the shrewd intelligent historical figures of Catherine and Potemkin. The settings and costumes were breathtaking but during the early scenes the actors (all of them) appeared to be too old for the age of the characters. What a snoozefest! Literally, I dosed off on the second episode. I usually can endure any period drama even if it's not something critically acclaimed but the writing was lazy and cliche. The conversations could have easily been between characters from a Hallmark channel movie or soap opera. I have seen Helen despite her age pull off being a sex symbol but I wasn't buying it that these young hunks were enamored with Catherine. There just wasn't any chemistry or well written dialogue to sell it. I made it through all four episodes in hopes the series would redeem itself by the end. Not. So I'm generously giving 6 stars because I love Mirren and for the costumes, settings/production value, and some splendid cinematography for a few scenes. Otherwise I might give it 3 like a previous reviewer.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
A Moving Story of Humanity in an Hellish Situation
This a very intelligent war film. Despite the episodes of violence and brutality there are moments of tenderness and empathy. Set in Japanese POW camp during WWII the film tells a story of soldiers from two cultures so different they are like aliens from another planet. The English POW liaison, the eponymous Mr. Lawrence (Tom Conti) who speaks fluent Japanese tries to translate the perspectives of both sides without much success. Despite this in the end the POWs and the Japanese captors develop an inexplicable bond. There is a homoerotic tension between one English POW ( David Bowie) and the camp commander ( Ryuichi Sakamoto) throughout the movie that creates angst and suspense, I thought the film told a moving story of humanity in an hellish situation with impressive cinematography and an amazing soundtrack that really added something special to the experience. Actually I became interested in Ryuichi Sakamoto's music after falling in love with his score for the movie The Last Emperor (Sakomoto has small acting role in it too.). After his Forbidden Colours became a favorite on my playlist I discover it was used for the soundtrack for Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, So glad I discovered this film. I highly recommend it especially if you enjoy "thoughtful" war films.
3 Women (1977)
Pinky meets Thoroughly Modern Millie
The two main characters, both named Mildred have emigrated from Texas to a small dusty Californian town off the highway that could pass for Texas -- the younger Mildred remarks, "Sure does look like Texas". The attention- seeking, loquacious Mildred #1, alias "Millie" (Shelley Duvall) struts around like a yellow canary on stage reminding me of Norma Desmond from Sunset Blvd with the same lack of self awareness. Obviously imitating what she's sees in the glamor magazines she reads. The clumsy naive Mildred #2, alias "Pinky" (Sissy Spacek) who's even more clueless mistakes Millie's bravado as confidence immediately becoming her sycophant says she is "the most perfect person I've met" until an unexpected turn of events challenges their fan-idol relationship and their identities. It is a final crisis that resolves their "identity crisis" in the end involving a third women, Willie (Janice Rule), an artist that paints a mural with groupings of reptilian anthropomorphic beasts that include a pregnant female (like herself) and an alpha male standing erect with his huge "cock" (maybe blurred in some copies) which I presume represents her cock sure husband and possibly lover to the pair of Mildreds. This very surreal film some what of a black tragicomedy (if you can force it into a genre at all) evolved from a dream director, Robert Altman had, so don't expect a nice neat traditional Hollywood ending. I loved the film! One of his best IMO. It explores the female psyche so well, its hard for me to believe a male developed this from his own dream. The film is also a time capsule from the 70s. Millie loves the color yellow, drives a "French" mustard colored Pinto ( not to be confused with English mustard, she corrects the cops as they look for her stolen car) and has an apartment decorated in a combination of slick mod and lacy kitschy furnishing, all in yellow. Lots of double knit halters and peasant blouses fill her closet, all in yellow, of course. This cult classic is worth viewing just for the trip back to the groovy years. Would someone please comment about the reptilian art? Who was actual the artist?
Présentation ou Charlotte et son steak (1960)
Early Short Follows Roemers Theme
I won't add anymore to the short plot already well described by previous reviewers. I give this short experiment a positive review for its ability to captivate me. I happen to glimpse the snowy but inviting landscape and hear the mysterious opening soundtrack and without having any idea what film happen to be streaming on my monitor I stopped to watch. I found it very charming especially the young man scheming to get a kiss from Charlotte. I didn't find out until it was over that it was directed by Eric Roemer. Furthermore I didn't find out until just now on IMDb that the charming young man was Jean-Luc Godard. Having already seen all six Moral Tales, I'd like to point out that this film follow Roemers pattern of featuring a man choosing between two women. If for no other reason than getting a chance to see young Godard, I suggest looking it up. Its available on Hulu.
Pokój saren (1997)
Appreciate Majewskis work as a trans-genre libretto not as a movie
This review is primarily a rebuttal to the comment that this film looks to much like 'TV' and lacks plot. First of all, if you know anything about Majewski you know he has a love for Dutch Renaissance paintings and he has developed unique cinematography reminiscent of their style. Additionally, anyone making references to plot and realism, is completely missing the boat. This film is not a 'movie' in the traditional meaning, therefore you cannot make comparisons to any movie genre characteristics. The lack of dialogue except for singing should not be surprising from a film subtitled "An Autobiographical Opera" and in which he names himself as the "librettist" instead of director in the opening credits.
If you liked this "painterly" film as another review referred to this film, you will love Majewski's most well known film THE MILL AND THE CROSS Mill. He actually recreates the Dutch Renaissance painting THE PROCESSION TO CALVARY with incredible precision as a live action film using real actors and special effects.
For a more accessible feature film that follows most of the rules of the traditional drama movie genre, THE GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS tells a story of two lovers existential journey of Venice and exploration of the eponymous triptych by Bosch another Dutch painter.