A recent question on Jeopardy reminded me 1939 was a banner year for the release of the greatest number of quality films ever in a single year. Most were the product of the studio system. I will briefly discuss some of my favorites, starting with my favorite film genre, the Western. Jesse James ( “He […]
It Happened One Night
June 10, 2014 by
I think this characteristic relates to is an explanation of why Capra’s body of work has evolved into being a touch-stone for political and social conservatives. They think that they are latching onto George Bailey, and Mr. Smith; in fact, they are really nostalgic for the dynamics of a patriarchal society that revolves around a big man, be it Mr. Potter or Jim Taylor. The longing is for the world at the beginning, not the end, of Capra’s movies. Or to put it another way, the conservatives are disregarding the economic sub-text, as unsubtle as it is, and honing in instead upon the sexual dynamics of Capra’s films.
Midnight Cowboy
April 25, 2014 by
Film Title
Midnight CowboySynopsis
A love story wrapped around a ground-breaking film
Director
John SchlesingerCast
Dustin Hoffman
Jon Voight
Sylvia Miles
John McGiver
Brenda Vaccaro
Barnard Hughes
Ruth White
Jennifer Salt
MIDNIGHT COWBOY MOVIE REVIEW Movies have been often characterized as innovative, ground-breaking, trend-setting or wildly original, and these terms can be overused, but I cannot emphasize enough what a bold and courageous experiment in cinema was Midnight Cowboy. It is hard to comprehend that it has been 50 years since this Oscar-winning film was released, […]
The Lost Weekend
January 30, 2020 by
Film Title
The Lost WeekendSynopsis
An Alcoholic alone for a harrowing weekend.
Director
Billy WilderCast
Ray Milland
Jane Wyman
Phillip Terry
Howard DaSilva
Frank Faylen
Doris Dowling
The Wet House provides a judgment-free atmosphere for drunks, but there was no such thing in the world of this ground-breaking movie that was made in 1945. Don Birnam is a part time writer and a full time, 24-carat alcoholic. For someone like Don Birnam, the judgment was EVERYWHERE, his supporting brother, to a lesser […]
Forgotten Classics: The Swimmer (1968)
May 6, 2020 by
Film Title
The SwimmerSynopsis
Burt dips his wicks in multiple suburban swimming pools on a warm summer’s day
Director
Frank Perry -Sydney PollackCast
Burt Lancaster
Janet Languard
Janice Rule
Charles Drake
Marge Champion
Burt Lancaster, John Cheever, suburban ennui, and one extremely tight pair of swim trunks.
KISS ME DEADLY
April 18, 2020 by
Film Title
Kiss Me DeadlySynopsis
Mike Hammer picks up a desperate woman hitchhiker who is subsequently murdered
Director
Robert AldrichCast
Ralph Meeker
Cloris Leachman
Albert Dekker
Paul Stewart
Mort Marshal
Strather Morton
A malicious bit of fun.
