I Just Watched...

[LornaHansonForbes]

56 minutes ago, rayban said:

"Star 80" - Bob Fosse - 1983

This true-to-life, but extremely ugly film is based on the lives of Dorothy Stratten and her husband, Paul Snider.

It is essentially the portrait of a young hustler (Eric Roberts) who discovered a great beauty (Mariel Hemingway) whose fame and fortune left him out in the cold.

Eventually, sinking slowly into despair and hatred, Paul kills his wife and himself.

The magnificence of this film rests on the talented shoulders of Eric Roberts and Mariel Hemingway, who convince you that you are watching cinema verite.

This film, as directed by Bob Fosse, is that good.

But, as I said, it is an "ugly film" - one you probably would not want to see again.

Neverthess, the film should have established Eric Roberts and Mariel Hemingway as genuine stars.

But, somehow, it did not.

The film has a superb supporting cast, which adds greatly to the cinema verite feeling.

It included Carroll Baker, as Dorothy's mother, a woman who did look kindly on her daughter's "opportunity".

   

Great review! 

Mine is somewhere a couple pages back (?) I watched it that morning. 

We are simpatico on this one, RIGHT DOWN TO OUR TASTE IN IMAGES!

(check it out)

[MaryGH]

National Lampoon's Vacation 1983

This comedy classic holds up so well - Chevy Chase as the well meaning but bumbling father of two children who takes his wife on a vacation cross-country.

[LsDoorMat]

Mrs. Parkington (1944) 4/10

 

I really like Walter Pidgeon and Greer Garson in most of their films. I don't feel that the failure of this film lies in their acting, but the blame instead lies with whoever wrote the script and the director. Mrs. Parkington (Garson) is an 84 year old widow living in a big mansion, and her adult children and grandchildren are visiting her on Christmas Eve, and we soon learn they are all leading disappointing unhappy lives. An author visits and leaves Mrs. Parkington a copy of a book he wrote about her "great American family". This gives opportunity for a tiresome cliched flashback in several parts.

So as a girl, Mrs. Parkington (Susie) meets Augustus Parkington in a Nevada mining town where he owns the mine. Pidgeon as Parkington is trying to do Rhett Butler with an English accent. Susie is doing a cross between Cinderella and Scarlett O'Hara, so she goes between having a Southern accent and an English one as the confused westerners look on.

Later on, the mine explodes, killing Susie's mother, and Parkington asks Susie to marry him. Actually, I think all of that vibration is Irving Thalberg turning over in his grave, appalled at what Louis B. Mayer is turning out as product at MGM since his death. But I digress. Marry in haste, repent at leisure, and even in his leisure Augustus Parkington is a petty vindictive man who seems like a sexist even by 19th century standards. He's not the usual adorable socially clueless fellow that graceful Garson's character ordinarily falls in love with. And the clichés just go on from there.

A tip - Do not play a drinking game with this film where you take a shot every time you hear or see a tired movie cliché or you will be dead in twenty minutes. Watch something else. You have better things to do with your life. I give it four points for the production values, because MGM always did get that right, and also for Agnes Moorehead as Augustus Parkington's French aristocrat (????) mistress. He fires her as mistress after the wedding, then employs Moorehead's character as Henry Higgins to Garson's Eliza Doolittle of the Rockies. A novel way out of a sticky situation for Augustus and the only thing in the film that made me smile.

 

Source: TCM last night

[LawrenceA]

Miracles of Thursday (1957) - Spanish comedy from Filmayer and director Luis Garcia Berlanga. The small town of Fuenticilla has hit hard times ever since people stopped coming to the local health spa and it's "healing" mineral water springs. Several of the town's leading figures get together and decide to stage a fake miracle, an appearance by the local Saint Dimas, in order to once again attract tourists. They find some success, but their plan gets out of control when fugitive crook Martino (Richard Basehart) shows up and takes control of their operation. Also featuring Jose Isbert, Paolo Stoppa, Juan Calvo, Alberto Romea, Felix Fernandez, Manuel de Juan, and Guadalupe Munoz Sampedro.

I thought this was an entertaining and amusing farce, with interesting, off-beat characters, and an unusual storyline. It was odd seeing Basehart dubbed in Spanish, but I adjusted quickly enough. This was the first movie from noted Spanish director Berlanga that I've seen, and I look forward to more after this one.    (7/10)

Source: FilmStruck

[rayban]

2 hours ago, LornaHansonForbes said:

Great review! 

Mine is somewhere a couple pages back (?) I watched it that morning. 

We are simpatico on this one, RIGHT DOWN TO OUR TASTE IN IMAGES!

(check it out)

Yes, I enjoyed your review, too.

[LornaHansonForbes]

12 hours ago, rayban said:

"Star 80" - Bob Fosse - 1983

...This film, as directed by Bob Fosse, is that good.

But, as I said, it is an "ugly film" - one you probably would not want to see again.

Neverthess, the film should have established Eric Roberts and Mariel Hemingway as genuine stars.

But, somehow, it did not.

 

You know what? I'm bummed STAR 80 hasn't shown up on TCM ON DEMAND because I would watch it again in a heartbeat; i found it that visually compelling. i think, in fact, it requires a second viewing just so you can catch stuff you might've missed early on.

(I've been on a real quest to see as many sick 70s and 80s flicks as possible since the spring, and i think i have hardened myself to where- GOD FORGIVE ME- I wasn't even all that disturbed by the final scenes in STAR 80- this is in large part due to the fact that FOSSE had me in his hands completely by this time and again, i got no issues with the way he executes the last moments, icky as they are.)

in re: Eric Roberts, I have a whole new respect for him after this, AND HE DID GET AN oSCAR NOMInation a couple of years after STAR 80 that was probably due in part to his work in this film...

BUT while i don't know him, i have read he is, um, "a little kooky"- the same way that I have read that Sean Penn, Nic Cage and Johnny Depp especially of late are all , um, "a little kooky."

don't leave ANY ONE OF THEM ALONE IN THE ROOM WITH THE CAT is alls I am saying.

unless you really don't like your cat...

 

[rayban]

9 hours ago, LawrenceA said:

Miracles of Thursday (1957) - Spanish comedy from Filmayer and director Luis Garcia Berlanga. The small town of Fuenticilla has hit hard times ever since people stopped coming to the local health spa and it's "healing" mineral water springs. Several of the town's leading figures get together and decide to stage a fake miracle, an appearance by the local Saint Dimas, in order to once again attract tourists. They find some success, but their plan gets out of control when fugitive crook Martino (Richard Basehart) shows up and takes control of their operation. Also featuring Jose Isbert, Paolo Stoppa, Juan Calvo, Alberto Romea, Felix Fernandez, Manuel de Juan, and Guadalupe Munoz Sampedro.

I thought this was an entertaining and amusing farce, with interesting, off-beat characters, and an unusual storyline. It was odd seeing Basehart dubbed in Spanish, but I adjusted quickly enough. This was the first movie from noted Spanish director Berlanga that I've seen, and I look forward to more after this one.    (7/10)

Source: FilmStruck

Richard Basehart seems to have acted all over the world.

[LornaHansonForbes]

oh, also also, according to WIKIPEDIA, STAR 80 cost TWELVE MILLION DOLLARS** TO MAKE and made  six million back, which is actually a pretty good gross for a film with this subject matter (and again, a film where we know hot it's gonna end.)

that TWELVE MILLION BUDGET THO! That is a lot of money for a film without a lot of huge stars or explosions or car chases or a Temple of Doom...I'm not saying it wasn't worth it, I bet FOSSE was a MANIAC about shooting reams of footage and getting the light just right, but i'm not surprised it was the last film he got the chance to direct.

 

**I'm not good at math nor do i know inflation rates, but that was a lot of money in 1983.

[rayban]

6 minutes ago, LornaHansonForbes said:

You know what? I'm bummed STAR 80 hasn't shown up on TCM ON DEMAND because I would watch it again in a heartbeat; i found it that visually compelling. i think, in fact, it requires a second viewing just so you can catch stuff you might've missed early on.

(I've been on a real quest to see as many sick 70s and 80s flicks as possible since the spring, and i think i have hardened myself to where- GOD FORGIVE ME- I wasn't even all that disturbed by the final scenes in STAR 80- this is in large part due to the fact that FOSSE has the viewer in his hands completely by this time and again,i got no issues with the way he presents it. )

in re: Eric Roberts, I have a whole new respect for him after this, AND HE DID GET AN oSCAR NOMInation a couple of years after STAR 80 that was probably due in part to his work in this film...

BUT while i don't know him, i have read he is, um, "a little kooky"- the same way that I have read that Sean Penn, Nic Cage and Johnny Depp especially of late are all , um, "a little kooky."

don't leave ANY ONE OF THEM ALONE IN THE ROOM WITH THE CAT is alls I am saying.

unless you really don't like your cat...

 

I can watch his performance in "The Pope of Greenwich Village" over and over again.

It is one of the screen's greatest performances.

[LornaHansonForbes]

1 minute ago, rayban said:

I can watch his performance in "The Pope of Greenwich Village" over and over again.

It is one of the screen's greatest performances.

I have never scene that one, will check it out if i get the chance.

(i like GERALDINE PAGE)

[rayban]

6 minutes ago, LornaHansonForbes said:

I have never scene that one, will check it out if i get the chance.

(i like GERALDINE PAGE)

You won't be sorry!

[LornaHansonForbes]

6 minutes ago, rayban said:

You won't be sorry!

Oh my, Ogilve Home Perm Eric Roberts and Mickey Rourke before the face went over to The Dark Side?

I'm checking Amazon Prime when I get home...

[midwestan]

I enjoyed watching Lew Ayres' Summer Under The Stars day.  I particularly liked "The Unfaithful" which had a good cast and presented the story in a mature way about an affair between a woman and another man while her husband is off in the Pacific during World War 2.  The husband finds out about the affair years after it happened, and it nearly destroys the marriage between he and his wife (played by Zachary Scott and Ann Sheridan).  Lew Ayres is a friend of the couple and an attorney who tries to pry the truth out of each of them about their feelings surrounding all that's happened to them and whether or not their marriage can be saved.  Eve Arden, who plays Zachary Scott's cousin who really isn't fond of Sheridan, plays a good role in support.

Until Tuesday night, I'd never seen "The Last Train From Madrid".  Seeing that the film is under the Universal/Paramount umbrella, it's easy to see why!  What a cool film!  Released in 1937, the story is set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War.  Local authorities are preparing for a supposedly decisive battle in the conflict around Madrid and order anyone wishing to leave the expected carnage to get special Transport Passes for the final train from Madrid to Valencia.  This story pre-dates "Casablanca" by about 5 years, and many of the scenes are familiar...a mob of people desperately trying to get out of the city with a limited number allowed to go to safety.  There's intrigue amongst the passengers as well as the authorities who are trying to make sure people fighting on 'the other side' don't make a break for it, either by sneaking aboard the train or using forged passes.  By now, people like Lew Ayres, Karen Morley, Gilbert Roland, and Lionel Atwill were veterans of 'talkies', but you got to see early performances from relative newcomers like Robert Cummings, Dorothy Lamour, Lee Bowman, and Anthony Quinn who plays the most pivotal part of the movie.  All in all, a very good cast and a pretty good story.   As a side note, this is only about the 4th movie I can think of where I've seen Gilbert Roland, who had a pretty long career, and the more I watch him, the more impressed I am with his acting...he always seems to bring his 'A' game to the table.

 

[Swithin]

On 8/27/2018 at 1:27 PM, LawrenceA said:

B - The single bulk post that has multiple, very short reviews, posted once daily.

Since you asked, I prefer this one. 

[Hibi]

33 minutes ago, midwestan said:

I enjoyed watching Lew Ayres' Summer Under The Stars day.  I particularly liked "The Unfaithful" which had a good cast and presented the story in a mature way about an affair between a woman and another man while her husband is off in the Pacific during World War 2.  The husband finds out about the affair years after it happened, and it nearly destroys the marriage between he and his wife (played by Zachary Scott and Ann Sheridan).  Lew Ayres is a friend of the couple and an attorney who tries to pry the truth out of each of them about their feelings surrounding all that's happened to them and whether or not their marriage can be saved.  Eve Arden, who plays Zachary Scott's cousin who really isn't fond of Sheridan, plays a good role in support.

Until Tuesday night, I'd never seen "The Last Train From Madrid".  Seeing that the film is under the Universal/Paramount umbrella, it's easy to see why!  What a cool film!  Released in 1937, the story is set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War.  Local authorities are preparing for a supposedly decisive battle in the conflict around Madrid and order anyone wishing to leave the expected carnage to get special Transport Passes for the final train from Madrid to Valencia.  This story pre-dates "Casablanca" by about 5 years, and many of the scenes are familiar...a mob of people desperately trying to get out of the city with a limited number allowed to go to safety.  There's intrigue amongst the passengers as well as the authorities who are trying to make sure people fighting on 'the other side' don't make a break for it, either by sneaking aboard the train or using forged passes.  By now, people like Lew Ayres, Karen Morley, Gilbert Roland, and Lionel Atwill were veterans of 'talkies', but you got to see early performances from relative newcomers like Robert Cummings, Dorothy Lamour, Lee Bowman, and Anthony Quinn who plays the most pivotal part of the movie.  All in all, a very good cast and a pretty good story.   As a side note, this is only about the 4th movie I can think of where I've seen Gilbert Roland, who had a pretty long career, and the more I watch him, the more impressed I am with his acting...he always seems to bring his 'A' game to the table.

 

 

I recorded the one overnight about an axe murderer. That sounded interesting. (with Laraine Day).

[Sukhov]

1 hour ago, rayban said:

Richard Basehart seems to have acted all over the world.

He was certainly good in La Strada.

[midwestan]

1 hour ago, LornaHansonForbes said:

You know what? I'm bummed STAR 80 hasn't shown up on TCM ON DEMAND because I would watch it again in a heartbeat;

 

I just checked out TCM ON DEMAND, and "Star 80" is on the roster.  Why does this happen?  I don't know, but if I had to guess, I'd say ON DEMAND can probably show anything that's aired on TCM if it's from Warner Brothers, MGM, and RKO.  Most of the time, these re-aired streams are available for about 8 or even 10 days.  If the picture in question is from 20th Century Fox, Paramount, and Universal, it may only be available for say, 3 or 4 days and maybe even not at all.  Of course, I could be way off base on that assertion, but it's the only thing I can surmise.

[LornaHansonForbes]

1 minute ago, midwestan said:

I just checked out TCM ON DEMAND, and "Star 80" is on the roster.  Why does this happen?  I don't know, but if I had to guess, I'd say ON DEMAND can probably show anything that's aired on TCM if it's from Warner Brothers, MGM, and RKO.  Most of the time, these re-aired streams are available for about 8 or even 10 days.  If the picture in question is from 20th Century Fox, Paramount, and Universal, it may only be available for say, 3 or 4 days and maybe even not at all.  Of course, I could be way off base on that assertion, but it's the only thing I can surmise.

it's weird, and it appears to be a regional thing as well- or at least depending on who your cable provider is...

there's also the chance that it showed up since last i checked...(which was last night.)

generally, they're good about offering the more provocative/late night TCM showings on ON DEMAND.

[Det Jim McLeod]

Big Brown Eyes (1936)

I had seen this many years ago on a old black and white TV with bad reception. I don't recall much about this and it was on my Cary Grant Vault Collection DVD. Joan Bennett plays a manicurist who becomes a newspaper reporter and is in love with a cop (Grant).

It starts off as a formula romantic comedy but things suddenly get serious. There is a great supporting cast with Walter Pidgeon as a shady private eye, Henry Kleinbach (later known as Henry Brandon and played Chief Scar in "The Searchers") as a henchman and Lloyd Nolan as a cold blooded hired killer. In a shocking scene Nolan shoots and kills a baby in a carriage, by accident but he has no remorse about it. 

Well worth checking out for Grant and Bennett fans.

[NickAndNora34]

WAIT UNTIL DARK (1967)

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin, Jack Weston, Richard Crenna. 

This was my first time watching this one, and I actually was able to sit through it. A nice change of pace from all those dull live action Disney films I've been watching. I haven't been watching older films lately so I thought I'd give this one a try, and I'm glad I did. 

Audrey did a great job as the terrified blind housewife, and I was surprised to see Alan Arkin before the gray hair (I've only seen him in stuff from more recent years, and those were comedies, so it was slightly terrifying seeing him pull off a killer as well as he did). There were a few scenes in which I very visibly jumped, but the film as a whole didn't frighten me nearly as much as I thought it would (this is a good thing). 

I also really liked Julie Herrod as Gloria, the little girl who helps Hepburn's character out during the day sometimes. Her acting was quite natural; it didn't seem to be forced like a lot of other child actors then (and now). 

Score: 3/5 

[rayban]

"Wait Until Dark" has a genuinely scary ending.

[Hibi]

1 hour ago, Det Jim McLeod said:

Big Brown Eyes (1936)

I had seen this many years ago on a old black and white TV with bad reception. I don't recall much about this and it was on my Cary Grant Vault Collection DVD. Joan Bennett plays a manicurist who becomes a newspaper reporter and is in love with a cop (Grant).

It starts off as a formula romantic comedy but things suddenly get serious. There is a great supporting cast with Walter Pidgeon as a shady private eye, Henry Kleinbach (later known as Henry Brandon and played Chief Scar in "The Searchers") as a henchman and Lloyd Nolan as a cold blooded hired killer. In a shocking scene Nolan shoots and kills a baby in a carriage, by accident but he has no remorse about it. 

Well worth checking out for Grant and Bennett fans.

 

I wish TCM would run this. Bennett and Grant made 2 films together. Also wish TCM would make Bennett SOTM. SIGH. Maybe someday before I die???

[Hibi]

Herrod was also in the stage version of Wait Until Dark. I've never seen her in anything else. I wonder if she gave up acting as she got older or what. Seeing the film in a dark theater for that ending was great. People literally jumped out of their seats, screaming their heads off........

[LornaHansonForbes]

The third act of WAIT UNTIL DARK is sensational, I have no notes.

The second act is fine.

The first is extremely weak- just clunky with some overly expository dialogue- my biggest (and only) real problem with the movie.

[Hibi]

1 minute ago, LornaHansonForbes said:

The third act of WAIT UNTIL DARK is sensational, I have no notes.

The second act is fine.

The first is extremely weak- just clunky with some overly expository dialogue.

Yeah, it takes awhile to get going and its talky (being a stage play adaptation)........