I Just Watched...

[LornaHansonForbes]

I read a biography of Laurence Olivier in the past couple of years, and in that, it was stated that Finch was discovered by Olivier and Leigh when they were touring Australia and saw him performing on stage there. They brought him back with them to England, where he was a protege to Olivier. He was also Olivier's sometime lover, as Olivier "enjoyed both snails and oysters". Leigh was hopelessly devoted to Olivier, and was always hurt when Larry strayed with one of his many dalliances. She went after Finch in a retaliatory gesture, a circumstance that occurred with increasing frequency for the rest of their marriage. 

 

Delish!

[LornaHansonForbes]

Yes, I

 

 

Yes, I remember her. Didnt know about the producer objecting. WHY? Because she was black??

ALLEGEDLY, it was because he didn't want "some widow boo-hooing all over the place"- he also vetoed Loretta Young giving a tribute to Roz Russell who had died that year.

 

I want to say the producer was William Friedkin, who was not known for being a real warm huggy guy.

 

 

[LornaHansonForbes]

YES ALTHEA!

You WORK that MINK like YOU KILLED IT YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LawrenceA]

Interesting. I'd forgotten the part about discovering him. Amazing the marriage lasted as long as it did with all the goings on and problems....not sure I buy that about Olivier's lover though, but could be true....

 

Yeah, in the biography, the author stated that Finch wasn't really keen on the affair with Olivier, but went along with it to a degree because of the career boost it would give him. He also exited the situation as quickly as possible, once he started getting roles on stage and in films without Olivier's "guidance". His affairs with Leigh lasted much longer, and there was no question that Finch was a much more enthusiastic participant in those.

[Hibi]

Well, I hope Viv got some fun R&R out of it, at least............

[Hibi]

ALLEGEDLY, it was because he didn't want "some widow boo-hooing all over the place"- he also vetoed Loretta Young giving a tribute to Roz Russell who had died that year.

 

I want to say the producer was William Friedkin, who was not known for being a real warm huggy guy.

 

 

 

Interesting. Hadnt known that about Loretta. I do remember Liv announcing Peter's name and her reaction (they had co-starred in The Abdication a few years earlier).

[Tikisoo]

Lawrence said: Yeah, in the biography, the author stated that Finch wasn't really keen on the affair with Olivier, but went along with it to a degree because of the career boost it would give him.

 

Wow I didn't know ANY of that story. Sad realization men were subject to the "casting couch" as much as wimmen. Finch was gorgeous & a powerhouse actor, I was immediately struck the first time ever seeing him.

 

And poor Vivian seemed like she had everything in the world but self confidence. Her life was such an unnecessary  tragedy because of it.

 

For whatever reason, I love ELEPHANT WALK and never saw it as a remake of RED DUST, even though there is somewhat a similar situation. Liz brings an entirely different feel to the charactor of "wife dragged along" because of her personal vivaciousness. And boy, did I love that ending!

[Kid Dabb]

I didn't know elephant urine was flammable.

 

 

 

 

Lord, I apologize for that one there, and please be with all
the starving Pygmies down there in New Guinea! Amen!

[RipMurdock]

Lawrence said: Yeah, in the biography, the author stated that Finch wasn't really keen on the affair with Olivier, but went along with it to a degree because of the career boost it would give him.

 

Wow I didn't know ANY of that story. Sad realization men were subject to the "casting couch" as much as wimmen. Finch was gorgeous & a powerhouse actor, I was immediately struck the first time ever seeing him.

 

And poor Vivian seemed like she had everything in the world but self confidence. Her life was such an unnecessary  tragedy because of it.

 

For whatever reason, I love ELEPHANT WALK and never saw it as a remake of RED DUST, even though there is somewhat a similar situation. Liz brings an entirely different feel to the charactor of "wife dragged along" because of her personal vivaciousness. And boy, did I love that ending!

my wife thinks jes like U Tiki bout film.

[film lover 293]

"Corvette Summer" (1978)--Starring Mark Hamill, and Annie Potts.

 

Film was Hamill's followup to "Star Wars" (1977).  Hamill plays Ken Dantley,a high school senior who falls in love with an old wreck of a car that happens to be a Corvette.  He and his Auto Shop class restore the car to its' former glory--and the car's stolen.  Dantley hears the car is in Las Vegas, and hitchhikes his way there.  On the way he meets Vanessa (Potts) who is going to Vegas to find a "career". The plot goes from there.

 

Hamill is very good as a kid who's an expert on cars and is naive about everything else.  Annie Potts is very funny as Vanessa, who goes through at least five jobs in one summer, and hides her brains and feelings behind an ever changing mask.

 

Film's soundtrack captures the disco era perfectly, senior prom and all.  "Give Me The Night" is the film's theme, and is sung by Dusty Springfield.

 

Corvette Summer didn't find its' audience when it was released in 1978.  The movie is powered by Annie Potts' and Mark Hamills' charm.  Director Matthew Robbins seems to be in love with the characters and lets his stars develop them at a leisurely pace. Annie Potts was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance.  Film is a fun watch--I saw it on archivedotorg.  3.3/4.

[LornaHansonForbes]

Dang.

 

That was one great write-up of CORVETTE SuMMER... kinda makes me want to see it now.

 

While I find him rather callow and annoying as Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill will forever have my admiration and respect for being the Best Joker EVER**.

 

(He voiced the character on The Animated Batman series and continues to do so, even appearing in the controversial theatrical slash video release of THE KILLING JOKE which came out this summer.)

 

 

 

**: all apologies to Cesar Romero.

[EricJ]

(He voiced the character on The Animated Batman series and continues to do so, even appearing in the controversial theatrical slash video release of THE KILLING JOKE which came out this summer.)

 

 

Actually, theatrical-slash-video releases are now common for Warner animated titles--

If Warner's going to be the one going around singlehandedly telling the world "Disks are dying!" (which they still have a bit of work to do in persuading us:  http://www.gfk.com/fileadmin/user_upload/dyna_content/US/documents/GfK_Physical-Digital_Video_Report_2016_Infographic.pdf ), the tradeoff is that they've just shot their own foot for the Direct-to-Video Kids/Animated Title industry.

Used to be they hoped they'd sell a Batman or Scooby-Doo direct-video on big splashy Target shelves, but now that they've convinced Target to reduce its disk shelves, something has to sell the title even on digital.

 

We remember "oo, the R-rated Batman!" playing Fathom, but not so much "Barbie's Starlight Adventure" playing the same week.

And wasn't there some Scooby title last week whose title escapes me?

[LornaHansonForbes]

Actually, theatrical-slash-video releases [ a la BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE] are now common for Warner animated titles--

If Warner's going to be the one going around singlehandedly telling the world "Disks are dying!" (which they still have a bit of work to do in persuading us:  http://www.gfk.com/fileadmin/user_upload/dyna_content/US/documents/GfK_Physical-Digital_Video_Report_2016_Infographic.pdf ), the tradeoff is that they've just shot their own foot for the Direct-to-Video Kids/Animated Title industry.

Used to be they hoped they'd sell a Batman or Scooby-Doo direct-video on big splashy Target shelves, but now that they've convinced Target to reduce its disk shelves, something has to sell the title even on digital.

 

 

I'm waaaay more offended by the content of THE KILLING JOKE than I am about how it was released.

 

in recent years, there has been this movement to deem The Miller books, the (awful) Nolan films and THE KILLING JOKE as the three best interpretations of Batman, and if you don't like any of those or prefer the animated series, the golden age comics, or (gasp!) the Burton films, then there is something sorely missing in your understanding of all things BATMAN.

 

THE KILLING JOKE comic is GARBAGE- nothing more than torture porn with some really lazy backstory for how The Joker came to be. I detest it- not just for how is disrespects Batgirl with her crippling, victimization and sexual assault at the hands of the Joker but for THE ENDING, wherein we see Batman and The Joker SHARING A LAUGH over a LAME joke tHE Joker has told.

 

Seriously, that MORE THAN ANYTHING bothers me, why are you laughing BATMAN? Even if this dude had just told a genuinely funny joke, he has paralyzed and sexually assaulted your protegeee, stripped her father naked and tortured him with photos of the deed- and you're cracking up at him like he's Shecky EFFIN' Green killing it at The Catskills.

 

NO.

 

Furthermore- the movie of THE KILLING JOKE went even further- making Batman and Batgirl LOVERS, which is just hell-to-the-NO on all fronts.

 

i'm very disappointed, because it came from the people who did the 1990's animated series, which to me, is the best interpretation of Batman that there is.

[film lover 293]

"Nightwing" (1979)--Starring Nick Mancuso, David Warner, and Kathryn Harrold.

 

Fantastic central idea, to mix American Indian mythology and science, is unevenly executed.

 

On an Indian reservation in the Southwest, something is killing animals and draining them of blood, baffling reservation cop Duran (Mancuso) and his girlfriend (Harrold).  A biologist (Warner) figures the cause out and determines to get rid of the problem.

 

Mancuso is ok as the cop,but his looks are more impressive than his acting.  Harrold is fair in the "damsel in distress' role.  Warner gives the films' best performance; there is more than a hint of Van Helsing in his knowing the history of the species and his determination to eradicate them.

 

The beautiful cinematography is by Charles Rosher Jr. The understated, vaguely menacing score is by Henry Mancini.  Four people were responsible for the script.  Director Arthur Hiller only intermittently gets the needed dreamlike atmosphere.

 

Nightwing is not the bomb 1979 critics said it was.  It's definitely worth a watch.  I found the film on archivedotorg.  2.4/4.

[Tikisoo]

film lover 293 said: On an Indian reservation in the Southwest, something is killing animals and draining them of blood, baffling reservation cop Duran and his girlfriend.

 

Geez, all they had to do is watch every other movie with this plot to KNOW it's a resurrected First Nation vampire/werewolf/evil spirit. Amazing how often this theme is rehashed in a Native American setting.

 

Well written & interesting synopsis here lately 293....THANKS!

[Swithin]

I watched two movies with Indian themes:

 

The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014) is about a family who suffers great tragedy in India -- their restaurant is burned by a mob and their mother (the chef) killed. Papa (Om Puri) takes the family, including the young son whom Mama was training to be a chef, to Europe. After a disappointing attempt to run a restaurant in London, the family move to France, where they accidentally come upon an abandoned restaurant, in the middle of nowhere, apart from being across the road from a Michelin-starred restaurant run by Helen Mirren. They buy and fix up the place, but a cold war erupts between the two restaurants. After some violence and a lot of ill will, harmony emerges, with the young son becoming a famous chef who is wooed to Paris but yearns, for a number of reasons, to return to the French village.

 

The movie, produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, deals with thorny issues. Although it does drift from social realism to sweet, feel-good, fantasy, I enjoyed it.

 

The Second Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015) is certainly not as good as the first. It could have been a contender, but they opted for cheap, badly written soap opera instead. Still, Jaipur is a beautiful, colorful city; and the cast includes a bunch of old pros.

[EricJ]

film lover 293 said: On an Indian reservation in the Southwest, something is killing animals and draining them of blood, baffling reservation cop Duran and his girlfriend.

 

Geez, all they had to do is watch every other movie with this plot to KNOW it's a resurrected First Nation vampire/werewolf/evil spirit. Amazing how often this theme is rehashed in a Native American setting.

 

Well written & interesting synopsis here lately 293....THANKS!

 

First Nation is Canadian (don't want to be called Native A******n, after all...), pretty sure they don't have those in Arizona.

They have First National Banks, though.  

[NickAndNora34]

Northanger Abbey (2007): starring Felicity Jones as protagonist Catherine Morland and Carey Mulligan as her friend Isabella Thorpe. 

As far as historical fiction/based-on-books films go, I enjoyed this movie. I have never read the book of the same name upon which this film is based, but it has sparked my interest, so perhaps I will give it a try. Both Felicity and Carey are simply adorable in this; I don't know any of the other people in the cast, but I did like this film. 

 

Source: YouTube 

[MCannady1]

 

I like this version of Northanger Abbey too. A few years ago I taped an early 80's version which I enjoyed as well. I have never read the book but am planning on it. Jane's Pride and Prejudice is so superb and makes you want to read more.

[cmovieviewer]

Northanger Abbey (2007): starring Felicity Jones as protagonist Catherine Morland and Carey Mulligan as her friend Isabella Thorpe. 

As far as historical fiction/based-on-books films go, I enjoyed this movie. I have never read the book of the same name upon which this film is based, but it has sparked my interest, so perhaps I will give it a try. Both Felicity and Carey are simply adorable in this; I don't know any of the other people in the cast, but I did like this film. 

 

Source: YouTube 

Thank you for recommending this movie, as I am a fan of all things Jane Austen.  In researching the film, I discovered a Blu-Ray set with NA together with 2 other similar British productions - a 1996 version of Emma starring Kate Beckinsale, and a 2007 production of Mansfield Park with Billie Piper, so I will have to check those out as well.

[TomJH]

Topkapi (1964), a "perfect" crime comedy-drama helmed by director Jules Dassin about a collection of rogues who set out to steal a fabulous jewel encrusted dagger from an Istanbul museum, not knowing they are being watched by Turkish undercover agents mistakenly believing them to be terrorists.

 

Filmed on location in Turkey and Paris, this film is a droll sparkling delight, a skillful blending of humour and suspense, with a touch of the exotic, making, at times, magnificent use of Istanbul for its scenic backdrop. Unlike the same director's most famous heist film, the legendary Rififi, Topkapi is light hearted in tone, but its big heist sequence is genuinely ingenious and suspenseful.

 

Aside from the film's physical attractiveness with its colour photography, much of its appeal lies with its cast of players, headed by Maximilian Schell as the mastermind behind the robbery, Melina Mercouri, Robert Morley, a spectacularly bizarre and slovenly Akim Tamiroff and, above all, Peter Ustinov as a small time hustler who becomes involved in the scheme. Ustinov's delightfully bumbling everyman (called a "schmo" by Schell when first spotting him) won him his second Academy Award as best supporting actor.

 

Topkapi is available on DVD. It's well worth the investment.

 

 

3 stars out of 4.

[film lover 293]

"Wolfen" (1981)--Starring Albert Finney, Diane Venora, and Gregory Hines.

 

This horror/thriller has striking cinematography and sound, fine direction, and a good script, and very good Special Effects.

 

A series of seemingly unrelated murders are being committed in New York City, from the penthouses of the super-rich, to the bombed out appearing South Bronx.  Burned out detective Dewey Wilson (Finney) and terrorism expert Rebecca Neff (Venora) are brought in to solve the case.  Coroner Whittington (Hines) finds a common thread.

 

Wolfen is one of the rare cases where lots of people working on one element improved the film, instead of hurting it.  Four people are credited with the photography, six for the script, and eleven people worked on the Visual Effects.  James Horner did the score for the film; a theme heard in another film he scored can be heard here, in an understated form.

 

Finney is good as the burned out detective.  Venora isn't believable as a terrorism expert, but very believable as someone who doesn't have the sense to stay away from odd noises in the South Bronx.  Hines is cynically funny as the coroner.

 

"Wolfen"is strong on technique, fair on acting.  This is one to watch in the dark.  I saw it on archivedotorg.  2.9/4

[EricJ]

I saw it on archivedotorg.  2.9/4

 

Where are you seeing all these real films on "archivedotorg"?  The only one I know has all the cheap Public Domain films, and then I go and watch them on Amazon Prime instead.

[film lover 293]

EricJ--One method--In the search box on archivedotorg, enter a studio of your choice--you will get a list of between 20-100 films per studio, depending on the studio you search.  Happy hunting for Real films .

[LawrenceA]

Where are you seeing all these real films on "archivedotorg"?  The only one I know has all the cheap Public Domain films, and then I go and watch them on Amazon Prime instead.

 

After reading this, I went to archivedotorg, a website I have never visited before, and typed in "Wolfen". The movie was the second or third choice. It wasn't that difficult. And the print was fine.

 

Maybe they spruced up the joint since your last visit.