As a moviegoer for more than 70 years, I’ve seen some great movies, some not so great, some really bad ones, some trying but failing to be deep and meaningful, some reveling in their shallowness. I was born the year The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind were released. My mother started taking me to the movies shortly after that. I saw some movies that were definitely not PG rated. I can still remember being afraid of The Thing and delighting in An American in Paris.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
It’s time to get Sirius. A big applause for the dog stars.
I’ve loved dogs my entire life, so I think it is time I honor them with a blog. My first memories of a movie dog were of Rin Tin Tin. His was a heroic story. Rescued in France at the end of World War I, he was brought to live in Los Angeles by Lee Duncan. He went on to star in 23 adventure films, and after he died a series of German Shepherd Dogs continued his legacy. He may not have been the first dog to be in movies, but he is remembered as the first “great” dog actor. There was a film, Finding Rin Tin Tin, made about him in 2007.
I think Hollywood should create a new rating called ET for extremely traumatical (sic). Some movies are just too sad for tender, young souls.
There is a list of movies about dogs that is so long I could never include them all. But let’s see what we can do.
Lassie: Here was a beautiful, well-trained, heroic star. Although a number of Collies were used in the films, they all looked and acted the same. I remember Lassie Come Home (1943) with humans Roddy McDowall and Elizabeth Taylor. I still recollect crying and crying.
Asta: My all-time favorite movie dog was Asta from the Thin Man series in the 30s. He was a true Terrier, full of fun and mischief. He fit in perfectly with co-stars William Powell and Myrna Loy.
Old Yeller (1957): Many critics write that this is a film that demonstrates real life to a young boy. I think it should have an ET rating. This story about the tragic life of a yellow Lab is too harsh for young children and too sad for adults. I hated this film and wish I could erase it from my memory.
Greyfriars Bobby (1961): Another sad film, but in a bittersweet way. It is based on a true story, although there is speculation that it was just a publicity stunt. I prefer it to be true. I have seen the statue of this Skye Terrier in Edinburgh. This is the story of a dog who refused to leave his owner’s side, even after death. Bobby guarded his owner’s grave in Greyfriar’s church cemetery for 14 years until his own death in 1872. He has become a symbol of loyalty.
My Dog Skip (2000): Here’s another film based on a true story. The boy is shy and awkward, has no friends and does not do well in sports. He desperately wants a dog. His mother gets him one on his 9th birthday, although his father has repeatedly said no. The smart little Jack Russell Terrier (is there any other kind?) helps transform the boy’s life and teaches him the meaning of loyalty. This is a lovely film co-starring Kevin Bacon, Diana Lane and Frankie Muniz (as the boy).
Call of the Wild (1935): Based on a novella by Jack London written in 1903, this film is a testament to the cruelty of human beings. Buck, a St. Bernard/sheepdog mix, is taken from his pleasant home in Santa Rosa and sold as a sled dog in the Yukon. The Klondike gold rush is going on and sled dogs are in great demand. Buck is treated horribly until his rescue by Thornton, an outdoorsman. Buck does amazing things for Thornton, even saving his life. After Thornton dies, Buck hears the call of the wild and joins a wolf pack. Whew. This movie is a workout. It has been made into several versions, but the one I like is the original made with Clark Gable and Loretta Young.
Cujo (1983): This film based on the Stephen King novel of the same name is truly scary. A St. Bernard gets the call of the wild and sticks his nose in a bat cave. Rabies is the result. He traps his loving family, Dee Wallace and Danny Pintauro, in a car. Will they ever get out?
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993): Here is a fairly safe and sweet road trip by a Golden Retriever, an American Bulldog and a Himalayan cat. Thinking they have been abandoned when their families leave them at a ranch to go on vacation, they decide to make the trip home. Thus begins the incredible journey.
It seems to me that many movies that featured dogs made in the last several years focused on misbehaving, obnoxious, unpleasant dogs. Gone are the dignified and heroic animals of early filmdom. Think of the Beethoven series, Turner and Hooch, Marley and Me.
Cartoon dogs can be just as loveable as real ones: 101 Dalmations, Scooby-Doo, Bolt, Doogal and Lady and Tramp.
This year’s Oscar winner for best film, The Artist, was a black-and-white silent that featured Uggie, a Jack Russell Terrier. He was onstage for the acceptance speech, I believe he barked his delight.
A terrific film about dog shows is Best in Show. It is funny and irrevent and the dogs come off looking better than their owners.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
As a moviegoer for more than 70 years, I’ve seen some great movies, some not so great, some really bad ones, some trying but failing to be deep and meaningful, some reveling in their shallowness. I was born the year The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind were released. My mother started taking me to the movies shortly after that. I saw some movies that were definitely not PG rated. I can still remember being afraid of The Thing and delighting in An American in Paris.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
“Twinkle, twinkle little star…”
For several years, my husband and I have had a running conversation about a phenomenon we call “The Twinkle.” This is one of those concepts that is utterly subjective. It requires a smart-ass attitude, a bit of the con, and loads of charm. Questions: Who has it; who doesn’t; who can turn it off; who can’t; who has it more often, actors or actresses?
For some reason, actors seem to have the twinkle far more often than actresses. The only actress that had it without question was Mae West. An argument can be made that Goldie Hawn has it.
More actors with blue eyes seem to have it than those with brown eyes. But there are plenty of actors with brown eyes that twinkle.
The actor who displayed the twinkle most obviously was Paul Newman. Think of him in such movies as Rally ‘Round the Flag, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Redford does not have the twinkle), and The Sting. Newman could also turn it off. Remember him in Mr. and Mrs. Bridge with Joanne Woodward, The Verdict, From the Terrace, and The Hustler? He’s the twinkle champion.
Then there is Robert Wagner. His twinkle was permanent and very engaging. Unfortunately, this limited his acting roles. His performances in war movies, such as What Price Glory, The War Lovers,and The Frogmen, were particularly good. His work with Paul Newman in Winning and Harper was fine. Now, he is selling mattresses on television and that sparkling twinkle is diminished.
Jack Nicholson is another actor who can turn it on and off. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Terms of Endearment, he displays this ability. The twinkle was quite evident in Five Easy Pieces and Chinatown. He toned it down in About Schmidt and Ironweed, and the dreadful The Departed.
Kevin Kline is a great actor who can twinkle on cue. In A Fish Called Wanda (for which he earned an Oscar), Soapdish, and Dave you could see the twinkle. In Emperor’s Club, Ice Storm and Cry Freedom, you could not.
With his great charm, one would think that Cary Grant had it, but he didn’t. Beneath that slick exterior, I believe there was darkness. He could have played a great villain, given the chance. Watch his eyes closely in such films as Charade, North by Northwest and Destination Tokyo and you will see a noticeable lack of twinkle. Even in his madcap comedies those dark eyes stayed dark.
Among the current crop of actors, I think George Clooney comes the closest to having a twinkle. His performances in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Ocean’s Twelve, and Batman and Robin demonstrate a glimmer of a twinkle. It’s gone in Up in the Air, Michael Clayton and The Good German. He has enormous charm but little smart ass and no con.
British actors who spring to mind are Hugh Grant, Ian McShane, Ian Richardson and Sir Alec Guiness.
Hugh Grant, that bumbling, blue-eyed, charming actor from such films as Four Weddings and a Funeral, About a Boy, and Mickey Blue Eyes is the Brit who defines the twinkle.
Although Ian McShane made several movies, his twinkle was most evident in his long-running television series Lovejoy. However, in another television series, Deadwood, there is little evidence of a twinkle. He was in the campy Pirates of the Caribbean: Stranger Tides which required a twinkle.
Ian Richardson’s most blatant display of the twinkle was in television’s House Cards, one of the most deliciously wicked series ever. Hints of the twinkle can be found in the movie Canterville Ghost.
Sir Alec Guiness, known for his serious roles, could produce a twinkle if the role called for it. Remember him in Murder by Death, The Horse’s Mouth, and The Lavender Hill Mob?
I see hints in James Garner, Denzel Washington and Christopher Walken. Who else do you think has the twinkle? Please post your comments and I will discuss them in a future blog.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
“Twinkle, twinkle little star…”
For several years, my husband and I have had a running conversation about a phenomenon we call “The Twinkle.” This is one of those concepts that is utterly subjective. It requires a smart-ass attitude, a bit of the con, and loads of charm. Questions: Who has it; who doesn’t; who can turn it off; who can’t; who has it more often, actors or actresses?
For some reason, actors seem to have the twinkle far more often than actresses. The only actress that had it without question was Mae West. An argument can be made that Goldie Hawn has it.
More actors with blue eyes seem to have it than those with brown eyes. But there are plenty of actors with brown eyes that twinkle.
The actor who displayed the twinkle most obviously was Paul Newman. Think of him in such movies as Rally ‘Round the Flag, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Redford does not have the twinkle), and The Sting. Newman could also turn it off. Remember him in Mr. and Mrs. Bridge with Joanne Woodward, The Verdict, From the Terrace, and The Hustler? He’s the twinkle champion.
Then there is Robert Wagner. His twinkle was permanent and very engaging. Unfortunately, this limited his acting roles. His performances in war movies, such as What Price Glory, The War Lovers,and The Frogmen, were particularly good. His work with Paul Newman in Winning and Harper was fine. Now, he is selling mattresses on television and that sparkling twinkle is diminished.
Jack Nicholson is another actor who can turn it on and off. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Terms of Endearment, he displays this ability. The twinkle was quite evident in Five Easy Pieces and Chinatown. He toned it down in About Schmidt and Ironweed, and the dreadful The Departed.
Kevin Kline is a great actor who can twinkle on cue. In A Fish Called Wanda (for which he earned an Oscar), Soapdish, and Dave you could see the twinkle. In Emperor’s Club, Ice Storm and Cry Freedom, you could not.
With his great charm, one would think that Cary Grant had it, but he didn’t. Beneath that slick exterior, I believe there was darkness. He could have played a great villain, given the chance. Watch his eyes closely in such films as Charade, North by Northwest and Destination Tokyo and you will see a noticeable lack of twinkle. Even in his madcap comedies those dark eyes stayed dark.
Among the current crop of actors, I think George Clooney comes the closest to having a twinkle. His performances in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Ocean’s Twelve, and Batman and Robin demonstrate a glimmer of a twinkle. It’s gone in Up in the Air, Michael Clayton and The Good German. He has enormous charm but little smart ass and no con.
British actors who spring to mind are Hugh Grant, Ian McShane, Ian Richardson and Sir Alec Guiness.
Hugh Grant, that bumbling, blue-eyed, charming actor from such films as Four Weddings and a Funeral, About a Boy, and Mickey Blue Eyes is the Brit who defines the twinkle.
Although Ian McShane made several movies, his twinkle was most evident in his long-running television series Lovejoy. However, in another television series, Deadwood, there is little evidence of a twinkle. He was in the campy Pirates of the Caribbean: Stranger Tides which required a twinkle.
Ian Richardson’s most blatant display of the twinkle was in television’s House Cards, one of the most deliciously wicked series ever. Hints of the twinkle can be found in the movie Canterville Ghost.
Sir Alec Guiness, known for his serious roles, could produce a twinkle if the role called for it. Remember him in Murder by Death, The Horse’s Mouth, and The Lavender Hill Mob?
I see hints in James Garner, Denzel Washington and Christopher Walken. Who else do you think has the twinkle? Please post your comments and I will discuss them in a future blog.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
As a moviegoer for more than 70 years, I’ve seen some great movies, some not so great, some really bad ones, some trying but failing to be deep and meaningful, some reveling in their shallowness. I was born the year The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind were released. My mother started taking me to the movies shortly after that. I saw some movies that were definitely not PG rated. I can still remember being afraid of The Thing and delighting in An American in Paris.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
Movies that relate to school experiences resonate with us all. We all were there in that chalk-smelling room—although some later generations may have missed that particular aspect of the school room. I remember my school days with affection. I loved going to school, even high school.
The movies below range from the sweet to the horrific. Sounds like real life to me.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969): Dame Maggie Smith won an Oscar for portraying a teacher in 1930’s Scotland. This is a bittersweet story of a teacher whose nontraditional methods lead to tragedy. Beyond that, this is a movie with humor, pathos, humiliation, and several other human emotions. It is a wonderful film well worth seeing for the first or second time.
To Sir With Love (1966): An unruly bunch of high school students confront Sidney Poitier. He is an engineer who is pulled into teaching at a working class school in England. Even though you know he will prevail, the trip is an interesting one.
Blackboard Jungle (1955): Take unruly to the next level and you have another high school. This one is in New York and the teacher is Glenn Ford. This time Sidney Poitier is a student who engages in a vicious fight with Vic Morrow. This movie was the first to use rock-and-roll music for the soundtrack. Remember “Rock Around the Clock?”
Good Will Hunting (1997): Math genius Matt Damon works as a janitor at MIT. When his talents are discovered, a therapist, Robin Williams, begins working with him. It seems Damon has issues. Damon and Ben Affleck won an Oscar for original screenplay. This is an engaging film that introduces us to the very talented Damon and a yet-to-be-proved Affleck.
Good Bye, Mr. Chips (1939): This is a sentimental, somewhat maudlin film of a professor’s life. Robert Donat stars as the beloved professor. A later version (1969) starring Peter O’Toole is a bit more watchable.
Lean on Me (1989): Morgan Freeman is the tough principal of—guess what—an inner city high school. He vows to turn things around. Been there, saw that.
Stand and Deliver (1988): Edward James Olmos stars as an East Los Angeles math teacher who vows to turn things around. Sound familiar? He teaches his mostly Latino students calculus. They show their gratitude by acing the big test.
Splendor in the Grass (1961): Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty (in his screen debut) shine as high school students in 1920s rural Kansas. Elia Kazan directs this look at teenagers trying to curb their hormones. This way lies madness. The film won an Oscar for best screenplay.
The Paper Chase (1973): I loved this film. It is smart and funny. John Houseman stars as a crusty, demanding law professor at Harvard. Timothy Bottoms, as a first-year law student, tries to win Houseman’s respect and Lindsay Wagner, his daughter.
Dead Poets Society (1989): Robin Williams, in an Oscar-nominated role, stars as a teacher who inspires by quoting poetry. He is the male version of Miss Jean Brodie. You can guess what happens.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982): Now this film is more like a real high school. It is indeed fast and sometimes funny. Sean Penn stars—before he became anguished.
Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995): A sweet and predictable film about a musician who is so obsessed with writing a grand opus he fails to realize that the students he inspires are his real work of art. Richard Dreyfuss won an Oscar nomination for his portrayal.
Breakfast Club (1985): John Hughes wrote and directed this first brat-pack film. A group of high schoolers (e.g., athlete, brain, princess, bad boy, nervous wreck) bonds while serving detention. Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy star.
Carrie (1976): Sissy Spacek and John Travolta star in Stephen King’s version of high school. The in-crowd plays a dirty trick on mousy Spacek at the prom. But, in true King style, Carrie has a mobile mind and returns the joke ten-fold.
Rebel Without a Cause (1955): James Dean plays the role that was made for Sean Penn. Oh, the anguish of the new kid in town. He quickly falls for Natalie Wood and befriends Sal Mineo. Dennis Hopper costars.
There many other school-related films, some good and some bad: American Graffiti (1973), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986 ), Election (1999), Grease (1978 ), Bye, Bye Birdie (1963), Bad Teacher (2011), How to Eat Fried Worms (2006), My Bodyguard (1980), and the Harry Potter films.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
Movies that relate to school experiences resonate with us all. We all were there in that chalk-smelling room—although some later generations may have missed that particular aspect of the school room. I remember my school days with affection. I loved going to school, even high school.
The movies below range from the sweet to the horrific. Sounds like real life to me.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969): Dame Maggie Smith won an Oscar for portraying a teacher in 1930’s Scotland. This is a bittersweet story of a teacher whose nontraditional methods lead to tragedy. Beyond that, this is a movie with humor, pathos, humiliation, and several other human emotions. It is a wonderful film well worth seeing for the first or second time.
To Sir With Love (1966): An unruly bunch of high school students confront Sidney Poitier. He is an engineer who is pulled into teaching at a working class school in England. Even though you know he will prevail, the trip is an interesting one.
Blackboard Jungle (1955): Take unruly to the next level and you have another high school. This one is in New York and the teacher is Glenn Ford. This time Sidney Poitier is a student who engages in a vicious fight with Vic Morrow. This movie was the first to use rock-and-roll music for the soundtrack. Remember “Rock Around the Clock?”
Good Will Hunting (1997): Math genius Matt Damon works as a janitor at MIT. When his talents are discovered, a therapist, Robin Williams, begins working with him. It seems Damon has issues. Damon and Ben Affleck won an Oscar for original screenplay. This is an engaging film that introduces us to the very talented Damon and a yet-to-be-proved Affleck.
Good Bye, Mr. Chips (1939): This is a sentimental, somewhat maudlin film of a professor’s life. Robert Donat stars as the beloved professor. A later version (1969) starring Peter O’Toole is a bit more watchable.
Lean on Me (1989): Morgan Freeman is the tough principal of—guess what—an inner city high school. He vows to turn things around. Been there, saw that.
Stand and Deliver (1988): Edward James Olmos stars as an East Los Angeles math teacher who vows to turn things around. Sound familiar? He teaches his mostly Latino students calculus. They show their gratitude by acing the big test.
Splendor in the Grass (1961): Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty (in his screen debut) shine as high school students in 1920s rural Kansas. Elia Kazan directs this look at teenagers trying to curb their hormones. This way lies madness. The film won an Oscar for best screenplay.
The Paper Chase (1973): I loved this film. It is smart and funny. John Houseman stars as a crusty, demanding law professor at Harvard. Timothy Bottoms, as a first-year law student, tries to win Houseman’s respect and Lindsay Wagner, his daughter.
Dead Poets Society (1989): Robin Williams, in an Oscar-nominated role, stars as a teacher who inspires by quoting poetry. He is the male version of Miss Jean Brodie. You can guess what happens.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982): Now this film is more like a real high school. It is indeed fast and sometimes funny. Sean Penn stars—before he became anguished.
Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995): A sweet and predictable film about a musician who is so obsessed with writing a grand opus he fails to realize that the students he inspires are his real work of art. Richard Dreyfuss won an Oscar nomination for his portrayal.
Breakfast Club (1985): John Hughes wrote and directed this first brat-pack film. A group of high schoolers (e.g., athlete, brain, princess, bad boy, nervous wreck) bonds while serving detention. Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy star.
Carrie (1976): Sissy Spacek and John Travolta star in Stephen King’s version of high school. The in-crowd plays a dirty trick on mousy Spacek at the prom. But, in true King style, Carrie has a mobile mind and returns the joke ten-fold.
Rebel Without a Cause (1955): James Dean plays the role that was made for Sean Penn. Oh, the anguish of the new kid in town. He quickly falls for Natalie Wood and befriends Sal Mineo. Dennis Hopper costars.
There many other school-related films, some good and some bad: American Graffiti (1973), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986 ), Election (1999), Grease (1978 ), Bye, Bye Birdie (1963), Bad Teacher (2011), How to Eat Fried Worms (2006), My Bodyguard (1980), and the Harry Potter films.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
As a moviegoer for more than 70 years, I’ve seen some great movies, some not so great, some really bad ones, some trying but failing to be deep and meaningful, some reveling in their shallowness. I was born the year The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind were released. My mother started taking me to the movies shortly after that. I saw some movies that were definitely not PG rated. I can still remember being afraid of The Thing and delighting in An American in Paris.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s that time of year again. Unfortunately, there have been more bad movies made about the holiday season than any other subject. There been some decent ones too, but they are in the minority. How many times can you watch It’s a Wonderful Life without throwing up? In this case, it’s probably familiarity breeds contempt. After five or more versions of The Christmas Carol, I’m sorry but “I can’t stands no more.” Bad Santa is just bad. All three Santa Clause movies should have been revoked. The people who made Elf must have been 12-year old boys. Trading Places shouldn’t have. What kind of message does Home Alone send? Pretty scary. And, Santa’s Slay—I’m wordless.
I enjoyed watching the following:
Miracle on 34th Street (1947): Edmund Gwen stars as the loveable Santa who must stand trial to prove his existence—the nerve. John Payne and Margaret O’Brien are his loyal supporters.
White Christmas (1954): Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are war buddies who help out their former commanding officer to save his inn. They find time to court sisters Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.
We’re No Angels (1955): Three escaped convicts, Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Rey and Peter Ustinov, end up trying to save their intended victim. The shopkeeper and his family are so endearing these hardened criminals cook-up a convoluted plan to raise money. While they’re at it, they also help romance by helping the daughter find love. My personal favorite.
The Dead (1987): John Houston directs daughter, Anjelica, in this adaption of James Joyce’s The Dubliners. The story centers around a Christmas dinner in the early 1900s. After dinner a husband and wife must come to terms with their issue-filled marriage. Isn’t that always the way?
The Bishop’s Wife (1947): An angelic Cary Grant becomes an unwitting rival between David Niven and Loretta Young. Niven, the bishop, is trying to raise money to build a new cathedral. This obsession causes a strain on his marriage. Will the angel save the day? You can always bet on Grant.
March of the Wooden Soldiers: Babes in Toyland (1934): Who better than Laurel and Hardy to get it right? This delightful film has them trying to rescue the widow Mrs. Peep and her daughter Bo-Peep. There are at least three versions of this story. Start with the first and best.
Christmas in Connecticut (1945): Barbara Stanwyck stars as the Martha Stewart of her era. Unfortunately, it’s all a sham to promote her job as a columnist for a woman’s magazine. Her publisher, Sydney Greenstreet, comes up with another scheme: Invite war veteran, Dennis Morgan, to Christmas dinner. You can guess what’s going to happen, but it’s enjoyable all the same.
Holiday Inn (1942): Der Bingle, Bing Crosby, and Fred Astaire team up in this Irving Berlin story of a three-way romance. Marjorie Reynolds is the love interest. The story centers around Crosby as owner of a country inn only open on holidays.
I’ll Be Seeing You (1944): Prison inmate Ginger Rogers on a furlough for the holidays meets Joseph Cotton on a train. They are attracted to each other, but Rogers is afraid of what he would think if he knew her secret. It turns out that Cotton has a few secrets of his own. What will become of them? Oh my. Shirley Temple co-stars. Now you know. What could possibly go wrong in a Shirley Temple film?
The Lemon Drop Kid (1951): Bob Hope is at his best in this Runyon-like tale of a small-time crook who cheats a big-time crook. Forced to come up with $10,000 before Christmas, Hope engages the talents of his girlfriend, Marilyn Maxwell, and his gang to devise a plan. They do and it involves Santa suits. The song, “Silver Bells,” came from this delightful movie.
A Midnight Clear (1992): It’s France 1944. An American Intelligence unit meets a German platoon. The Germans prefer surrendering to the Americans rather than facing possible death in the waning days of the war. The two groups spend Christmas together.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s that time of year again. Unfortunately, there have been more bad movies made about the holiday season than any other subject. There been some decent ones too, but they are in the minority. How many times can you watch It’s a Wonderful Life without throwing up? In this case, it’s probably familiarity breeds contempt. After five or more versions of The Christmas Carol, I’m sorry but “I can’t stands no more.” Bad Santa is just bad. All three Santa Clause movies should have been revoked. The people who made Elf must have been 12-year old boys. Trading Places shouldn’t have. What kind of message does Home Alone send? Pretty scary. And, Santa’s Slay—I’m wordless.
I enjoyed watching the following:
Miracle on 34th Street (1947): Edmund Gwen stars as the loveable Santa who must stand trial to prove his existence—the nerve. John Payne and Margaret O’Brien are his loyal supporters.
White Christmas (1954): Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are war buddies who help out their former commanding officer to save his inn. They find time to court sisters Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen.
We’re No Angels (1955): Three escaped convicts, Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Rey and Peter Ustinov, end up trying to save their intended victim. The shopkeeper and his family are so endearing these hardened criminals cook-up a convoluted plan to raise money. While they’re at it, they also help romance by helping the daughter find love. My personal favorite.
The Dead (1987): John Houston directs daughter, Anjelica, in this adaption of James Joyce’s The Dubliners. The story centers around a Christmas dinner in the early 1900s. After dinner a husband and wife must come to terms with their issue-filled marriage. Isn’t that always the way?
The Bishop’s Wife (1947): An angelic Cary Grant becomes an unwitting rival between David Niven and Loretta Young. Niven, the bishop, is trying to raise money to build a new cathedral. This obsession causes a strain on his marriage. Will the angel save the day? You can always bet on Grant.
March of the Wooden Soldiers: Babes in Toyland (1934): Who better than Laurel and Hardy to get it right? This delightful film has them trying to rescue the widow Mrs. Peep and her daughter Bo-Peep. There are at least three versions of this story. Start with the first and best.
Christmas in Connecticut (1945): Barbara Stanwyck stars as the Martha Stewart of her era. Unfortunately, it’s all a sham to promote her job as a columnist for a woman’s magazine. Her publisher, Sydney Greenstreet, comes up with another scheme: Invite war veteran, Dennis Morgan, to Christmas dinner. You can guess what’s going to happen, but it’s enjoyable all the same.
Holiday Inn (1942): Der Bingle, Bing Crosby, and Fred Astaire team up in this Irving Berlin story of a three-way romance. Marjorie Reynolds is the love interest. The story centers around Crosby as owner of a country inn only open on holidays.
I’ll Be Seeing You (1944): Prison inmate Ginger Rogers on a furlough for the holidays meets Joseph Cotton on a train. They are attracted to each other, but Rogers is afraid of what he would think if he knew her secret. It turns out that Cotton has a few secrets of his own. What will become of them? Oh my. Shirley Temple co-stars. Now you know. What could possibly go wrong in a Shirley Temple film?
The Lemon Drop Kid (1951): Bob Hope is at his best in this Runyon-like tale of a small-time crook who cheats a big-time crook. Forced to come up with $10,000 before Christmas, Hope engages the talents of his girlfriend, Marilyn Maxwell, and his gang to devise a plan. They do and it involves Santa suits. The song, “Silver Bells,” came from this delightful movie.
A Midnight Clear (1992): It’s France 1944. An American Intelligence unit meets a German platoon. The Germans prefer surrendering to the Americans rather than facing possible death in the waning days of the war. The two groups spend Christmas together.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
As a moviegoer for more than 70 years, I’ve seen some great movies, some not so great, some really bad ones, some trying but failing to be deep and meaningful, some reveling in their shallowness. I was born the year The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind were released. My mother started taking me to the movies shortly after that. I saw some movies that were definitely not PG rated. I can still remember being afraid of The Thing and delighting in An American in Paris.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
“Murder is always a mistake. One should never do anything that one cannot talk about after dinner.” —Oscar Wilde
Crime and Punishment. This classic 19th Century novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky has inspired 25 films. Its theme has probably inspired many more. The cat-and-mouse game between the culprit and the detective is standard fare for today’s movies. The act of murder and the psychology surrounding it continue to fascinate film goers. Here are some films that fascinated me:
Murder Most Foul (1964): In this Agatha Christie story, Dame Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple stars as a holdout on a jury. Her probing questions and exquisite eye will set the record straight.
Murder, My Sweet (1944): Dick Powell stars as Phillip Marlowe in this Raymond Chandler adaption. Powell is hired to find a gangster’s moll who may know where some money might be. Claire Trevor also stars.
Dial M for Murder (1954): Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings are the mélange a trois in this Hitchcock offering. Milland plans the perfect murder, or does he? If you must watch the later version, please watch this one first.
Murder, Inc. (1960): During Prohibition a group of gangsters in Brooklyn formed the organization Murder, Inc. What chance does a lonely police officer have? Henry Morgan certainly tries. Watch for a young Peter Falk.
Murder in the First (1995): Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman and Christian Slater star in this prison film set at Alcatraz in the 30s. The question: Does prolonged solitary confinement promote extreme violence?
Little Murders (1971): Alan Arkin directs this very dark comedy starring Elliott Gould, Marcia Rodd, and Donald Sutherland. The movie is set in New York. The quirky story is by Jules Feiffer.
Murder by Death (1976): I told you about this one last month. It’s worth mentioning again. The funniest movie about murder there is.
Murder by Decree (1979): Christopher Plummer stars as super sleuth Sherlock Holmes. He’s supported by a great cast consisting of Donald Sutherland, John Gielgud and James Mason. Plummer is trying to find Jack the Ripper. Will the great man fail?
Witness to Murder (1954): How would you feel if you witnessed a murder and no one believed you? Barbara Stanwyck finds herself in this position. George Sanders and Gary Merrill costar.
Anatomy of a Murder (1959): This is a tour de force for James Stewart as an attorney defending Ben Gazzara. Lee Remick is Gazzara’s wife. A great movie.
A Murder of Crows (1999): I admit that I chose this film because I love the title. The movie’s not bad. Cuba Gooding, Jr., Tom Berenger and Eric Stoltz make up the cast. Plagiarism is the game.
Murder on the Orient Express (1974): Albert Finney as Poirot has his work cut out for him as a slew of characters are suspects in the murder of Richard Widmark. Widmark has a true knack for making enemies. The all-star cast includes Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, and Vanessa Redgrave. Sidney Lumet directed.
Murder by Numbers (2002): A light-weight murder mystery starring Sandra Bullock as a police detective. Ben Chaplin is her partner in this cat-and- mouse-themed tale. Hard to believe Bullock in a serious profession.
Sunset Murder Case (1938): The famous stripper Sally Rand stars as, guess what, an exotic dancer. She wants to find her father’s murderer. This film was originally titled Sunset Strip Case, but the censors forced the change. Pretty tame title, I think.
Slight Case of Murder (1999): William H. Macy plays a movie critic of questionable morals afraid of consequences of his lover’s accidental death. Enter sleazy private eye James Cromwell with thoughts of blackmail. Poor Adam Arkin, as the law, has to deal with this web of deceit.
Murder Cruise (1940): Crafty Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) follows a murderer aboard a cruise ship. No question the culprit will be caught.
(It has come to my attention that a crime is being committed: Tom Cruise is being considered to play Jack Reacher. Reacher is a recurring character in the popular Lee Child books. He has gravitas and height, 6feet 5 inches. Cruise has neither. Cruise can barely play Cruise. I am outraged at this casting. Anyone else?)
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
“Murder is always a mistake. One should never do anything that one cannot talk about after dinner.” —Oscar Wilde
Crime and Punishment. This classic 19th Century novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky has inspired 25 films. Its theme has probably inspired many more. The cat-and-mouse game between the culprit and the detective is standard fare for today’s movies. The act of murder and the psychology surrounding it continue to fascinate film goers. Here are some films that fascinated me:
Murder Most Foul (1964): In this Agatha Christie story, Dame Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple stars as a holdout on a jury. Her probing questions and exquisite eye will set the record straight.
Murder, My Sweet (1944): Dick Powell stars as Phillip Marlowe in this Raymond Chandler adaption. Powell is hired to find a gangster’s moll who may know where some money might be. Claire Trevor also stars.
Dial M for Murder (1954): Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings are the mélange a trois in this Hitchcock offering. Milland plans the perfect murder, or does he? If you must watch the later version, please watch this one first.
Murder, Inc. (1960): During Prohibition a group of gangsters in Brooklyn formed the organization Murder, Inc. What chance does a lonely police officer have? Henry Morgan certainly tries. Watch for a young Peter Falk.
Murder in the First (1995): Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman and Christian Slater star in this prison film set at Alcatraz in the 30s. The question: Does prolonged solitary confinement promote extreme violence?
Little Murders (1971): Alan Arkin directs this very dark comedy starring Elliott Gould, Marcia Rodd, and Donald Sutherland. The movie is set in New York. The quirky story is by Jules Feiffer.
Murder by Death (1976): I told you about this one last month. It’s worth mentioning again. The funniest movie about murder there is.
Murder by Decree (1979): Christopher Plummer stars as super sleuth Sherlock Holmes. He’s supported by a great cast consisting of Donald Sutherland, John Gielgud and James Mason. Plummer is trying to find Jack the Ripper. Will the great man fail?
Witness to Murder (1954): How would you feel if you witnessed a murder and no one believed you? Barbara Stanwyck finds herself in this position. George Sanders and Gary Merrill costar.
Anatomy of a Murder (1959): This is a tour de force for James Stewart as an attorney defending Ben Gazzara. Lee Remick is Gazzara’s wife. A great movie.
A Murder of Crows (1999): I admit that I chose this film because I love the title. The movie’s not bad. Cuba Gooding, Jr., Tom Berenger and Eric Stoltz make up the cast. Plagiarism is the game.
Murder on the Orient Express (1974): Albert Finney as Poirot has his work cut out for him as a slew of characters are suspects in the murder of Richard Widmark. Widmark has a true knack for making enemies. The all-star cast includes Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, and Vanessa Redgrave. Sidney Lumet directed.
Murder by Numbers (2002): A light-weight murder mystery starring Sandra Bullock as a police detective. Ben Chaplin is her partner in this cat-and- mouse-themed tale. Hard to believe Bullock in a serious profession.
Sunset Murder Case (1938): The famous stripper Sally Rand stars as, guess what, an exotic dancer. She wants to find her father’s murderer. This film was originally titled Sunset Strip Case, but the censors forced the change. Pretty tame title, I think.
Slight Case of Murder (1999): William H. Macy plays a movie critic of questionable morals afraid of consequences of his lover’s accidental death. Enter sleazy private eye James Cromwell with thoughts of blackmail. Poor Adam Arkin, as the law, has to deal with this web of deceit.
Murder Cruise (1940): Crafty Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) follows a murderer aboard a cruise ship. No question the culprit will be caught.
(It has come to my attention that a crime is being committed: Tom Cruise is being considered to play Jack Reacher. Reacher is a recurring character in the popular Lee Child books. He has gravitas and height, 6feet 5 inches. Cruise has neither. Cruise can barely play Cruise. I am outraged at this casting. Anyone else?)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
As a moviegoer for more than 70 years, I’ve seen some great movies, some not so great, some really bad ones, some trying but failing to be deep and meaningful, some reveling in their shallowness. I was born the year The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind were released. My mother started taking me to the movies shortly after that. I saw some movies that were definitely not PG rated. I can still remember being afraid of The Thing and delighting in An American in Paris.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
Heist (2001): Gene Hackman as the man-with-the-ultimate-back-up-plan stars in this cleverly plotted film. Buddies Delroy Lindo, Ricky Jay and Rebecca Pidgeon (his wife) must do one last job for villain Danny DeVito and his nephew Sam Rockwell. David Mamet wrote and directed this entertaining romp.
Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973): What’s a man to do? Robert Mitchum finds himself between a jail sentence and his bank robbing friends. He decides to become an informant for the police to stay out of jail. This classic also stars Peter Boyle.
The Bank Job (2008): This London bank heist film contains murder, scandal and corruption. Jason Statham has a lot on his hands.
The Usual Suspects (1995): Ah, this is possibly my favorite in this genre—great plot, good acting and a big surprise. It’s no wonder it won an Oscar for screenplay. Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Pete Postelwaite and several good actors keep you guessing. Who is KEYSER SöZE anyway?
The Killing (1956): That great non-actor Sterling Hayden masterminds this one-last-heist of a race track. This early Stanley Kubrick film also stars Vince Edwards and Elisha Cook.
Inside Man (2006): Clive Owen pulls off the perfect bank heist, much to the consternation of Denzel Washington. This Spike Lee film is a joy to watch.
The Asphalt Jungle (1950): This John Huston film garnered 4 Oscar nominations. Sterling Hayden, Sam Jaffe and cohorts rob a jewelry store, then greed causes a falling out. Watch for a young Marilyn Monroe.
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968): Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway play a cat-and-mouse game. McQueen as a bored wealthy man steals for the fun of it. Dunaway is the insurance agent trying to catch him out. Great music, chic clothes and little twists make this a good watch. The 1999 remake with Pierce Brosnan is okay but much softer.
Take the Money and Run (1969): And now for something completely different. As a failed crook, Woody Allen is hilarious. Focusing on a series of misfortunes, this mockumentary chronicles Allen making his way through life.
The Italian Job (1969): Michael Caine and Noel Coward are out for Chinese gold but get stuck in traffic. The result is a magnificent display of precision driving. The 2003 remake was a pale imitation.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975): Al Pacino needs money for partner John Cazale’s sex-change operation. A bank offers a solution, so on a hot day Pacino sets out to rob it. The pesky press stick their noses in. Confusion galore.
The Town (2010): Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Jeremy Renner spearhead a bank heist. They get away, but only Affleck really wins, or does he? Good mood, acting and locations make this a better than average film.
The Anderson Tapes (1971): On a holiday weekend, Sean Connery, Christopher Walken, Martin Balsam and friends rob a posh apartment house in New York. In an era before ubiquitous surveillance cameras, the gang doesn’t realize that they are being filmed. Dyan Cannon provides the love interest.
Ocean’s Eleven (1960): Frank Sinatra and his rat pack rob a Las Vegas casino. Not a very good movie, but kind of fun.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001): The pretty-boy pack led by George Clooney rob a Los Vegas casino. Better than the original, but Julia Roberts was totally unnecessary.
Ocean’s Twelve (2004): The pack goes to Europe for a series of heists.
Ocean’s Thirteen (2007): The pack returns to Los Vegas for another robbery. They should learn to spend their money more wisely.
Oceans Fourteen (?): Whatever.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
One last job and I’m out.How many times have you heard this? And groaned because you knew something really bad was going to happen. The really good heist movie fools you along the way. The plots in the heist movie are more important than the actors. All you need are competent actors to tell the story. I love heist movies for their complex plots, dastardly betrayals, and clever twists and turns. Listed below are some of my favorites:
Heist (2001): Gene Hackman as the man-with-the-ultimate-back-up-plan stars in this cleverly plotted film. Buddies Delroy Lindo, Ricky Jay and Rebecca Pidgeon (his wife) must do one last job for villain Danny DeVito and his nephew Sam Rockwell. David Mamet wrote and directed this entertaining romp.
Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973): What’s a man to do? Robert Mitchum finds himself between a jail sentence and his bank robbing friends. He decides to become an informant for the police to stay out of jail. This classic also stars Peter Boyle.
The Bank Job (2008): This London bank heist film contains murder, scandal and corruption. Jason Statham has a lot on his hands.
The Usual Suspects (1995): Ah, this is possibly my favorite in this genre—great plot, good acting and a big surprise. It’s no wonder it won an Oscar for screenplay. Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Pete Postelwaite and several good actors keep you guessing. Who is KEYSER SöZE anyway?
The Killing (1956): That great non-actor Sterling Hayden masterminds this one-last-heist of a race track. This early Stanley Kubrick film also stars Vince Edwards and Elisha Cook.
Inside Man (2006): Clive Owen pulls off the perfect bank heist, much to the consternation of Denzel Washington. This Spike Lee film is a joy to watch.
The Asphalt Jungle (1950): This John Huston film garnered 4 Oscar nominations. Sterling Hayden, Sam Jaffe and cohorts rob a jewelry store, then greed causes a falling out. Watch for a young Marilyn Monroe.
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968): Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway play a cat-and-mouse game. McQueen as a bored wealthy man steals for the fun of it. Dunaway is the insurance agent trying to catch him out. Great music, chic clothes and little twists make this a good watch. The 1999 remake with Pierce Brosnan is okay but much softer.
Take the Money and Run (1969): And now for something completely different. As a failed crook, Woody Allen is hilarious. Focusing on a series of misfortunes, this mockumentary chronicles Allen making his way through life.
The Italian Job (1969): Michael Caine and Noel Coward are out for Chinese gold but get stuck in traffic. The result is a magnificent display of precision driving. The 2003 remake was a pale imitation.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975): Al Pacino needs money for partner John Cazale’s sex-change operation. A bank offers a solution, so on a hot day Pacino sets out to rob it. The pesky press stick their noses in. Confusion galore.
The Town (2010): Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Jeremy Renner spearhead a bank heist. They get away, but only Affleck really wins, or does he? Good mood, acting and locations make this a better than average film.
The Anderson Tapes (1971): On a holiday weekend, Sean Connery, Christopher Walken, Martin Balsam and friends rob a posh apartment house in New York. In an era before ubiquitous surveillance cameras, the gang doesn’t realize that they are being filmed. Dyan Cannon provides the love interest.
Ocean’s Eleven (1960): Frank Sinatra and his rat pack rob a Las Vegas casino. Not a very good movie, but kind of fun.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001): The pretty-boy pack led by George Clooney rob a Los Vegas casino. Better than the original, but Julia Roberts was totally unnecessary.
Ocean’s Twelve (2004): The pack goes to Europe for a series of heists.
Ocean’s Thirteen (2007): The pack returns to Los Vegas for another robbery. They should learn to spend their money more wisely.
Oceans Fourteen (?): Whatever.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
As a moviegoer for more than 70 years, I’ve seen some great movies, some not so great, some really bad ones, some trying but failing to be deep and meaningful, some reveling in their shallowness. I was born the year The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind were released. My mother started taking me to the movies shortly after that. I saw some movies that were definitely not PG rated. I can still remember being afraid of The Thing and delighting in An American in Paris.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
A horse walks into a bar and sits down. The bartender looks over and asks, “Why the long face?” Now, some of you will smile indulgently, some of you might chuckle, some of you might laugh, and some of you might say, “What?” This is my elaborate way of illustrating that humor is, like beauty, in the mind of the beholder. In writing about comedy in film, I will try to incorporate various types of humor. Please feel free to send your comments about your favorite comedy.
In addition, almost any movie starring the Marx Brothers, Abbott and Costello, Martin and Lewis, Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Billy Crystal and Cary Grant will be entertaining.
I’m splitting comedy into five categories: witty, amusing, laugh-out-loud, just-plain-crude and foreign.
Witty
The Thin Man (1930s) series. To me, this is the most witty, charming, entertaining series ever. The banter between William Powell and Myrna Loy is the height of sophistication. I used to dream about being able to come up with lines like those. I know Hollywood is flirting with making new ones, but I will never see them. How do you improve on perfection?
Next in line is Mae West. Her movie with W.C.Fields, My Little Chickadee (1940), is famous for the pairing of two great comedic actors. It’s a wonder the studio could contain them both. Although I used to think this duo starred in many films, this was their only one together (maybe the studio couldn’t). Mae West and Cary Grant made two memorable films together. She Done Him Wrong (1933) is famous for the one-liner: “Why don’t you come up and see me sometime?” delivered with obvious innuendo. In I’m No Angel (1933), she drawls out, “When I’m good, I’m very good. But when I’m bad, I’m better.”
Cary Grant stars again, this time with Rosalind Russell, in His Girl Friday (1940), about the fast-paced world of newspapers. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the banter, but this is a film worth watching again and again.
In an unlikely pairing, Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort in Harold and Maude display bittersweet wit. This cult classic strays into the laugh-out-loud category and should not be missed.
Amusing
The amusing film displays a broader humor but is shy of laugh-out-loud status. It usually provokes a smile.
No Time for Sergeants (1958): Andy Griffith as a more-than-just-naïve army recruit hooks up with Nick Adams and Bruno Kirby to drive the brass crazy.
When Harry Met Sally (1989): “I’ll have what she’s having” —a great line delivered by none other than Carl Reiner’s wife lifts this romantic comedy above most others. Add Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan (before her disastrous face enhancements) and you’ve got amusing.
Some Like it Hot (1959): “Nobody’s perfect,” chimes Joe E. Brown to an alluring Jack Lemmon at the end of the film. Billy Wilder’s romp brings some very good comedic acting to the screen. The movie also stars Marilyn Monroe (which never hurts) and Tony Curtis.
Love and Death (1975): Woody Allen’s version of War and Peace is delightful. Great writing and Woody as Napoleon with Diane Keaton as the reluctant maiden earns a spot on this list.
Laugh Out Loud
The Odd Couple (1968): This Neil Simon movie starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau is hilarious. I remember laughing so hard my stomach hurt. It has aged well (or I have) and can still be watched with great enjoyment.
Murder by Death (1976): Another Neil Simon has a cast of Hollywood all-stars: David Niven, Maggie Smith, Peter Falk, Alec Guiness, Peter Sellers, James Coco, Elsa Lanchester, Eileen Brennan and author Truman Capote. “Tacky, really tacky,” responds Maggie Smith after learning what necrophilia means. And no one delivers a line like Maggie.
Mel Brooks’ films History of the World, Part I (1981), Young Frankenstein ((1974), The Producers (1968), Get Smart (1965) are among his best but the list goes on and on for 2000 years.
Leslie Neilson left behind his ingénue roles to become one of the wackiest actors of his time. Movies such as Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995), Airplane ((1988), and The Naked Gun series are all LOL films. And “don’t call me Shirley.”
Just Plain Crude
Most of the films in this category I couldn’t watch in their entirety. But I saw enough to realize they weren’t my kind of humor. Since they’re so prevalent nowadays, I must be in the minority.
Borat (2006): All the hype indicated that this was a funny film. I rented it and was so bored by what I saw, I stopped it before I fell asleep.
Pecker ((1998): This film hosted so much gratuitous nonsense it got sent back to Netflix immediately.
Hangovers I and II: I don’t understand why II should have been made. Didn’t the first one go far enough in crudity?
Dumb and Dumber((1994): Jim Carrey (who should be banned from making any movies) and Jeff Daniels (who can actually act) are together in dreck. Shrek would have been a better vehicle.
Foreign
It’s always fun to see what the rest of the world thinks funny. In these cases, I totally agree.
Johnny Stecchino (1991, Italy): Roberto Benigni in a very funny case of mistaken identity.
The Castle (1997, Australia): Australian actor Michael Caton stars in a funny, sweet and uplifting movie about a man’s home and property rights. Please see this movie.
My New Partner (1984, France): Phillippe Noiret plays an old-fashioned Parisian cop who is saddled with a fresh-from-the-provinces partner Thierry Lhermitte—and the corrupting begins. This is a funny and perfect little movie (it actually has an ending, which is a novelty in French films).
Kitchen Stories (2004, Norway): A funny and sweet film about a government worker sent to the farm of a Norwegian bachelor to follow his movements.
The Monty Python group (England) consisting of John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, and Graham Chapman) is an institution. Their movies such as Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979), and The Meaning of Life (1983) display a deep understanding of what it means to be funny. For some reason, which I completely fail to understand, they are not universally appreciated.
Many times I disagree with the critics. I don’t call them and tell him what I think of their reviews, so now that there is an internet for anyone to babble on, I add my voice. I’m sure there are many of you who will disagree with my assessments. Some of you will agree. I hope to hear from all of you.
A horse walks into a bar and sits down. The bartender looks over and asks, “Why the long face?” Now, some of you will smile indulgently, some of you might chuckle, some of you might laugh, and some of you might say, “What?” This is my elaborate way of illustrating that humor is, like beauty, in the mind of the beholder. In writing about comedy in film, I will try to incorporate various types of humor. Please feel free to send your comments about your favorite comedy.
In addition, almost any movie starring the Marx Brothers, Abbott and Costello, Martin and Lewis, Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Billy Crystal and Cary Grant will be entertaining.
I’m splitting comedy into five categories: witty, amusing, laugh-out-loud, just-plain-crude and foreign.
Witty
The Thin Man (1930s) series. To me, this is the most witty, charming, entertaining series ever. The banter between William Powell and Myrna Loy is the height of sophistication. I used to dream about being able to come up with lines like those. I know Hollywood is flirting with making new ones, but I will never see them. How do you improve on perfection?
Next in line is Mae West. Her movie with W.C.Fields, My Little Chickadee (1940), is famous for the pairing of two great comedic actors. It’s a wonder the studio could contain them both. Although I used to think this duo starred in many films, this was their only one together (maybe the studio couldn’t). Mae West and Cary Grant made two memorable films together. She Done Him Wrong (1933) is famous for the one-liner: “Why don’t you come up and see me sometime?” delivered with obvious innuendo. In I’m No Angel (1933), she drawls out, “When I’m good, I’m very good. But when I’m bad, I’m better.”
Cary Grant stars again, this time with Rosalind Russell, in His Girl Friday (1940), about the fast-paced world of newspapers. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the banter, but this is a film worth watching again and again.
In an unlikely pairing, Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort in Harold and Maude display bittersweet wit. This cult classic strays into the laugh-out-loud category and should not be missed.
Amusing
The amusing film displays a broader humor but is shy of laugh-out-loud status. It usually provokes a smile.
No Time for Sergeants (1958): Andy Griffith as a more-than-just-naïve army recruit hooks up with Nick Adams and Bruno Kirby to drive the brass crazy.
When Harry Met Sally (1989): “I’ll have what she’s having” —a great line delivered by none other than Carl Reiner’s wife lifts this romantic comedy above most others. Add Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan (before her disastrous face enhancements) and you’ve got amusing.
Some Like it Hot (1959): “Nobody’s perfect,” chimes Joe E. Brown to an alluring Jack Lemmon at the end of the film. Billy Wilder’s romp brings some very good comedic acting to the screen. The movie also stars Marilyn Monroe (which never hurts) and Tony Curtis.
Love and Death (1975): Woody Allen’s version of War and Peace is delightful. Great writing and Woody as Napoleon with Diane Keaton as the reluctant maiden earns a spot on this list.
Laugh Out Loud
The Odd Couple (1968): This Neil Simon movie starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau is hilarious. I remember laughing so hard my stomach hurt. It has aged well (or I have) and can still be watched with great enjoyment.
Murder by Death (1976): Another Neil Simon has a cast of Hollywood all-stars: David Niven, Maggie Smith, Peter Falk, Alec Guiness, Peter Sellers, James Coco, Elsa Lanchester, Eileen Brennan and author Truman Capote. “Tacky, really tacky,” responds Maggie Smith after learning what necrophilia means. And no one delivers a line like Maggie.
Mel Brooks’ films History of the World, Part I (1981), Young Frankenstein ((1974), The Producers (1968), Get Smart (1965) are among his best but the list goes on and on for 2000 years.
Leslie Neilson left behind his ingénue roles to become one of the wackiest actors of his time. Movies such as Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995), Airplane ((1988), and The Naked Gun series are all LOL films. And “don’t call me Shirley.”
Just Plain Crude
Most of the films in this category I couldn’t watch in their entirety. But I saw enough to realize they weren’t my kind of humor. Since they’re so prevalent nowadays, I must be in the minority.
Borat (2006): All the hype indicated that this was a funny film. I rented it and was so bored by what I saw, I stopped it before I fell asleep.
Pecker ((1998): This film hosted so much gratuitous nonsense it got sent back to Netflix immediately.
Hangovers I and II: I don’t understand why II should have been made. Didn’t the first one go far enough in crudity?
Dumb and Dumber((1994): Jim Carrey (who should be banned from making any movies) and Jeff Daniels (who can actually act) are together in dreck. Shrek would have been a better vehicle.
Foreign
It’s always fun to see what the rest of the world thinks funny. In these cases, I totally agree.
Johnny Stecchino (1991, Italy): Roberto Benigni in a very funny case of mistaken identity.
The Castle (1997, Australia): Australian actor Michael Caton stars in a funny, sweet and uplifting movie about a man’s home and property rights. Please see this movie.
My New Partner (1984, France): Phillippe Noiret plays an old-fashioned Parisian cop who is saddled with a fresh-from-the-provinces partner Thierry Lhermitte—and the corrupting begins. This is a funny and perfect little movie (it actually has an ending, which is a novelty in French films).
Kitchen Stories (2004, Norway): A funny and sweet film about a government worker sent to the farm of a Norwegian bachelor to follow his movements.
The Monty Python group (England) consisting of John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, and Graham Chapman) is an institution. Their movies such as Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979), and The Meaning of Life (1983) display a deep understanding of what it means to be funny. For some reason, which I completely fail to understand, they are not universally appreciated.
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