SansFin

Saturday, September 03, 2016 Zardoz (1974) I love this movie! I believe it is the best stream-of-consciousness surreal allegory ever committed to film. It is shameless, counterculture absurdity complete with hot British chicks topless while riding horses. The title is itself absurd as those who fashioned the society in-movie knew that it was a joke. It was written and directed by John Boorman whose work includes: Point Blank (1967), Deliverance (1972), Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) and Excalibur (1981). Robert Ebert stated: "Boorman seems fascinated by stories which are disconnected from the ordinary realist assumptions of most movies" I believe that this is most definitely a love-it-or-hate-it movie. I can say only that it requires an appreciation of art-for-art's-sake and understanding the reductio ad absurdum presentation of the auxesis and meiosis of social divides. It is not within my province to prescribe but I will state that it has been my observation that appreciation of this movie is heightened when viewed through a light veil of herbal smoke.

Monday, September 1, 2016 Murder By An Aristocrat (1936) What makes this movie special to me is that I feel it is a wonderful example of its genre. I find it very workmanlike and concise.

The cable channel: Disney XD is having a multi-day marathon of: Phineas and Ferb. I have had it playing continuously for several hours and I am recording much of it for eventual transfer to DVD. I feel this is an excellent program and that it should not be shunned because it is 'cartoon.' Much of the humour is subtle and it works on many levels. I feel it touches the "I wish I could do something like that" within each of us. It is also that the music is exceptionally varied. It embraces all forms from crooners to acid rock. I find the long-legged chorus girl routines which highlight the evil scientist's backstory are hilarious in context of what is marketed as a children's program. The remembrance of the episode choreographed as a Bollywood production is causing me to laugh. It is at times a challenge to try to determine how the evil scientist's scheme is going to cause the boy's latest creation to disappear before their mother can see it. Some of the humor is meta as they pull riffs on running gags. I urge all to tune in for at least a short time to enjoy this wonderful and varied entertainment.

I like: Murder by an Aristocrat (1936) which is airing on: September First. I feel it is an excellent example of its genre. I would recommend recording it if you have particular interest in 1930s murder mysteries. I am sorry to say that I can not with good heart recommend any other movie on those days. Those which I have seen mostly all fall into category of: 'acceptable if in the mood for such a thing' and those which I have not seen all seem to have an aspect which leads me to believe I would not love them.

I am partial to: James Garner and I believe still that the movie stinks on ice.

My lack of enthusiasm for this movie is unbounded. I believe that your time would be better served by reading: Nietzsche or: the poetry of: Paula Nancy Millstone Jennings. I find this to be a nice little movie. I do hope that you enjoy it.

I love very much Myrna Loy in this movie! She is so very deliciously amoral.

I feel very strongly that Monday, August 22, 2016 is one of the best single days ever on TCM! The Divorcee (1930) and Faithless (1932) are quite serviceable dramas. The Man in Possession (1931) and When Ladies Meet (1933) are quite nice little comedies. The Mystery of Mr. X (1934) is one of my favorite comedy-crime-romance movies. Robert Montgomery is at his charming "innocent little boy" best. I believe that the scene with him, Elizabeth Allan and the butter is one of the most romantic ever filmed. Hide-Out (1934) is a nice little comedy which is unusually touching. I find it quite precious. Piccadilly Jim (1936) is a manic little comedy. The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937) is quite very wonderful! It would be exceptionally difficult for me to decide of William Powell or Robert Montgomery which is more charming. Frank Morgan, Jessie Ralph and Nigel Bruce are perfect in their roles. Lady in the Lake (1947) has an interesting viewpoint and is a decent little mystery. Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941) is a unique little comedy. It is at times playful and at other times manic and at all times charming. Night must Fall (1937) allows Robert Montgomery to show just how charming and endearing a maniac murderer can be. I could wish that Haunted Honeymoon (1940) had been included on this day but it is airing on August 24, 2016.

I would never call you mundane! There are many words which I might use but that is not one of them.

I believe that has become the watchword for this forum. I have just now noticed that a post of mine in a thread in Off Topics was deleted. I believe that it must be because I used the word 'mundane.' I meant to imply that I do not consider most people here to be that. I do not understand why a word which is not asterisked-out by Mr. Otto Censor would trigger deletion of a post but there are many things concerning current moderation of this forum which make no sense to me. I am happy to say that procrastination saved me from an awkward situation. I had delayed examining November Schedule and so had not posted comments prior to the November thread being merged with inappropriate thread on other board. I would have had to have asked TCM Moderator to delete any post which I made in that thread so as to not to give appearance that I was participating in that other thread.

The schedule for a complete month seems to first appear on a temporary page. This temporary page is denoted by the name of the month being abbreviated in url. That was the url I originally posted. The permanent page has the name of the month spelled properly in url. I have edited my post so as to present url for permanent page. I do not understand the procedures followed at TCM for posting schedules. It is common that complete-month-schedule appears a few days after week-schedules. It often happens for a considerable time that the complete-month-schedule will be populated or empty depending on time of day. It may be that they take the schedule down each time they wish to change/refine it. I am sad to say that I have not had adequate time to study October and November schedules. My quick scans of each month did not result in any titles jumping out at me. I was slightly disheartened when scanning November schedule when I saw a title begin with the word "Brass" and then found it was not followed by "Bottle".

For reference purposes: September Schedule: http://www.tcm.com/schedule/September2016.html October Schedule: http://www.tcm.com/schedule/October2016.html November Schedule: http://www.tcm.com/schedule/November2016.html Edit: I had to change the url for November Schedule because of a site change.

The classic enemies appear in the current incarnation of the series. I am undecided whether the Weeping Angels or the Vashta Nerada are the best of the new evils. Each is quite special in their own way.

The classic answer is to begin with: Rose (2005) which introduces Christopher Eccleston as The Ninth Doctor. I personally suggest watching first:The Eleventh Hour (2010) which introduces Matt Smith as The Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond as new companion. It is much more of a romp than many episodes and it shows great character development. It is one of the few episodes which require absolutely no prior knowledge of the Doctor Who universe as televised. I would caution you to read no reviews or explanations of this episode prior to watching because they spoil some of the charm of watching the story develop. There is one major aspect which all reviews and explanations spoil. My next choice would be to watch first the two-part episode comprised of: Silence in the Library (2008) and Forest of the Dead (2008). It is The Tenth Doctor with one of my least-favorite companions but it introduces Dr. River Song which is a wonderfully twisty plotline. It is quite fun even although I would not classify it as much of a romp as my previous suggestion. I am sure that you would enjoy the series very much whether you begin with The Ninth Doctor or The Eleventh Doctor. I am sorry to say that I feel that the episode which introduces The Tenth Doctor is very weak and excessively cheesy.

I'm not familiar with the other one you mention. edit: I see that it's a Doctor Who episode. I find a little sorrow in the fact that you did not recognize one of the best episodes of an iconic television program. I feel very strongly that a person who does not count science fiction among their favorite genres will enjoy the series very much because of its humour and adventure and romance. It is both very silly and deeply thought-provoking. I will go so far as to say that I believe that any person who does not have a little Doctor Who in his heart is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils.

I have just watched: V for Vendetta (2005). I find the cinematography quite amazing in that it makes darkness seem alive. I like Natalie Portman's performance very much. I will watch next: The Pandorica Opens (2010) because it is so wonderfully twisty and thought-provoking.

I will be very presumptuously early by suggesting: The Shape of Water. I had thought it was scheduled for release in: 2016 but: imdb.com lists it now for release in: 2017. It is directed by: Guillermo del Toro who co-wrote it also. I feel that this bodes quite well as its genesis and certain thematic elements parallel: Pan's Labyrinth (2006) which won: Oscars and was nominated for many other awards.

It is my understanding that the cause of most problems was the electrical system. They used Lucas wiring. Lucas is an acronym for Loose Unsoldered Connections and Splices.

1960 Moskvitch 407 in: Farsighted for Two Diopters (1976) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349387/

That explains much. They are kindred spirits. I thank you for that information.

I am taking a break in watching a self-selected triple-feature prior to a late supper. I realized while writing of the movies in a post on a different board that they all contain certain measures of violence and profanity. Zombieland (2009) depicts zombies tearing the flesh from non-zombies and some gunshot wounds which are quite graphic. There is a smattering of profanity. Killing Zoe (1993) depicts many gunshot wounds and personal violence. Profanity is present throughout the movie. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) depicts gunshots very graphically and some cutting of flesh and other minor incidents of violence. I have read that the f-word is used one-hundred-and-thirty times in the movie. It may be that that count is low. There are other profanities which I will not mention. I like all of these movies very much. I feel that the violence and profanity are intrinsic to their story and that bowdlerized versions would be inane. It is that in all of these movies that violence and profanity are part of the world being depicted. Nice people are kind and speak politely. Bad people hurt other people and swear profusely. I must wonder if my consideration of these factors is tainted by the fact that I may be relatively immune to the 'shock value' of such things. I often hunted as a youth and could field-dress hares before I could use a shotgun. I trained as a nurse and so find blood and death to be simple facts of life. The city where I grew up is a great port and so language heard on the streets can be quite colorful. How are other people here affected by such violence and profanity? Does it become invisible to you because it is an intrinsic part of the world being depicted? I realize that this issue concerns post-code movies because even the most vile people in movies made during enforcement of the code speak as if they are choirboys and blood from wounds is a stain on clothes or drops on the floor only.

I am sorry to say that none of the movies on TCM this afternoon and this evening are to my taste. I feel that this can not be condemnation of TCM because no other channel has any programs which are to my taste. I am two-thirds through a triple-feature of my own chosing. Zombieland (2009) I am not a fan of zombie movies or juvenile humor but I find this movie quite precious. It is the tale of an unlikely survivor of the zombie apocalypse and his attempts to find normalcy and order in his life. I find it much more thoughtful and complex than others in the genre. I feel there is a true touch of innocence. Killing Zoe (1993) This is of a bank robbery. The basic plan needs a slight alteration mid-heist because of an unforeseen circumstance. I like this movie very much but I wish I had the equipment to edit it because there is a large section depicting a drug-fueled revel which does not interest me and which I feel does not add to the story. I find the set of characters quite believable. I do not know if certain features of the movie reflect the touch of Executive Producer Quentin Tarantino or if he became attached to the project because it would contain those features. Next to go into the DVD Player will be Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) I like this movie very much! It is humourous and intense and quite very twisty. The basic plot is they must rob from robbers to pay a hoodlum who cheated them. Other stories weave in and out of this framework. There are several scenes which I feel could be made into complete movies of their own. Watching these has been interspersed with seeing bits and pieces of Season Five and Season Seven of Doctor Who which is playing on the DVD player in the workroom.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 04, 2016 The Unholy Garden (1931) I find: Ronald Colman particularly charming in this. The Mystery Of The Wax Museum (1933) House of Wax (1953) is a remake of this movie.

"Little girls, like butterflies, need no excuse." — Robert A. Heinlein

I believe that I may have watched: Alwin Neuß as: Sherlock Holmes. I say this because I watched as many of his movies as were available at one time and the plot for: The Stolen Legacy (1911) seems vaguely familiar. I like very much: Clive Brook, Arthur Wontner and: Reginald Owen as: Sherlock Holmes. I like: Raymond Massey very much but his portrayal did not excite me. Peter Cushing and: Christopher Lee are among my favorite actors but I am sorry to say that their portrayals seemed to me to be workmanlike rather than inspired. I found: Ronald Howard very interesting as: Sherlock Holmes in 1954 television series. He carries the role well and there are at moments traces of his father. I found it odd to watch: Tom Baker in the role in a BBC mini-series because at all times I half-expected him to step into his: Tardis. I feel that: Jeremy Brett was perfectly superb in the role. He seemed to me to capture an essence which most other performances lack. I found: Robert Downey Jr. very precious in the role. It is so very sad that writing and direction of his movies were so very abysmal. I am not so much a purist that I object to modernizations. I find: Jonny Lee Miller in: Elementary very captivating. I feel that: Bandicoot Cabbagepatch Bandersnatch Cumberflash Butterscotch Frumblesnatch Benedict Cumberbatch is exquisite and has brought much to the role