Change Your Image
mcgee4468
Reviews
The Great Texas Dynamite Chase (1976)
Locally Made
The real joy of watching this film (45 years later!) was the locations. I know it's supposed to be Texas but a lot of the spots are in the area of Southern California I've lived in the past 40 years. Though most of the area has been paved over with houses and businesses, it was great to pause certain scenes and say 'hey that's ___!'
The Harder They Fall (1956)
Boxer's Tale
When I read that this was Bogart's last film, I was intrigued. When I saw that it was adapted from a work by Budd Schulberg (author of 'What Makes Sammy Run?'), I was sold.
This film does not disappoint on any front. Rod Steiger is at his best as the menace to society, Bogart showing only some late lines of wear and still delivering a solid show, but the film's finest aspect is in it's writing. Schulberg made sure that the real story didn't escape when Hollywood took hold of the tale - that boxers are disposable commodities, discarded when they're worn out and replaced with the latest model. The scene of Art the reporter interviewing a punchy ex-boxer living in his car on the street is an amazing characterization even by today's standards. I suspect this wasn't an actor but a local someone drew in for the film.
'The Harder They Fall' might remind some of the best Frank Capra work; Schulberg delivers this tale with a strong moral backbone. We see clearly Bogart's choice to either look the other way and profit from the blood sport - or retain a sense of humanity. An excellent tale delivered by all the right people.
I found myself wondering - why wasn't this same treatment given to 'What Makes Sammy Run?' while Bill Holden was still alive....
Keeping Up with the Steins (2006)
Interesting Things...
Interesting thing about having seen 'Keeping Up with the Steins' on a Sunday at Fallbrook in the Valley - there was a fieldtrip of some school that had seen fit to come see the film as a group, then hold a sort of Q&A in the lobby. Ages of the folks in attendance ranged from 12 to about 60 and over. I love being in a full theatre when going to a film, particularly a comedy as you'll get laughs out of people that become infectious and actually make seeing the film that much better of an experience.
Another interesting thing about the 'Steins' film: while Jeremy Piven and the young hero of the film are the driving characters, the lasting memories of a film-goer actually belong to Gary Marshall & Doris Roberts. The backstory of their relationship, how it affected Piven, and how they've let by-gones be by-gones while Piven clutches to his old grudges is beautifully and deftly handled by the director. Marshall delivers the father figure as likable to an audience as the characters he created on network television back in the 70's.
One more interesting thing about the 'Steins': you don't have to be Jewish to appreciate the humor, you just have to recognize the strengths and failings of every human being represented in these characters.
Forbidden (1932)
Well-Written & Worth the Watch
I kept in mind the technology available to the filmmakers in 1932, and was thoroughly impressed by the tale Capra manages to tell here. Stanwyck's character just needed a little thrill and found it on a boat trip to Havana, beginning a love affair that will test her discretion and tact throughout her life. Like a responsive car, the script follows each turn precisely and truthfully, our heroine responding to each new crisis the way we would hope she does. This is what makes the film so impressive; for such an early picture the characters all ring true and there are undeniable moments of early brilliance - my favorite being Stanwyck gunning down her husband to protect her lover's secret. A lot of Capra's favorite character actors he would use again and again in films to come show up here, making it a nice watch for fans of his work. Despite it's age, 'Forbidden' is still an impressive piece of work.
Don't Come Knocking (2005)
Stick to Writing, Sam
I first became familiar with Sam Shepard's writing through "Crusing Paradise," a good pre-requisite to 'Don't Come Knockin' particularly since the book also contains a number of self-indulgent, narcissistic tales of a faded cowboy in the 20th century American west, a tone that rears its ugly head throughout this film. About an hour in, it dawned on me why I didn't like it - this is a movie executed by people who make films for themselves with the audience as an afterthought, a face or two who might drop by, maybe even call them brilliant. Jessica Lange is the film's bright spot - her speech affront the gym that puts ol' Sam in his place is well-crafted and believable. The kid who plays his lost son... I'll just say this: imagine Chris Cornell over-coming the inability to act by shouting everything he says rather than finding a range. Not what I expect of my Pulitzer Prize winners, but it is what I've come to expect of Sam Shepard.
Serving Sara (2002)
Pale Rip-Off
Let's take the framework of "Midnight Run," turn DeNiro's character into a process server played by, oh, I don't know, anyone that fills the leather jacket and rewrite Charles Grodin's fine character into, oh, I don't know, some hot chick whose butt we all want to stare at for 90 minutes since there is very little else of interest here. Rewrite the classic mannerisms of Marvin Doerfeller as a bumbling co-worker to be more Italiano and make Joe Pantolinano's well-acted, sleazy bail bondsman character into a black guy with a penchant for clever one-liners when the story begins to sag and the money shots of that butt begin to lose their luster.
This story was better the first time around, when it was, oh, I don't know, worthy of the screen.
Tarnation (2003)
Tarnation
Jonathan Caouette's editing masterpiece might have been called "Children of the Razorblade Apple" - a chronicle of blunt childhood trauma we all heard from one or two high school friends but rarely saw first-hand. 'Tarnation' weaves the story of Caouette's youth through three decades of home movies and assorted bric-a-brac (Caouette incorporates a 1975 cassette recording of his mothers found behind their dryer), and invites us to witness a child raised in the company of adults suffering from mental illness. 'Tarnation' goes beyond the likes of better-known films such as 'My Private Idaho' and 'Leaving Las Vegas' ; Declan Quinn's editing of that latter film brought powerful suggestion through brief images to a fairly straight-forward tale. Caouette's whole story could easily have collapsed under it's own sheer weight, but with the magic of iMovie and the filmmaker's strict discipline, Caouette reigns in an 85 minute masterpiece not easily forgotten by those wise enough to pay attention.
About Schmidt (2002)
Favorite Schmidt Moment
My favorite moment in 'About Schmidt' happens when Schmidt has pulled into a gas station and is on the phone calling his daughter to announce his impending arrival. The RV is parked at the gas island behind him, and a wide expanse surrounds it. His daughter tells him she doesn't want him there, not yet. Now he's left without his wife, his job, his daughter, leaving him abandoned on the road. I love this particular moment for it's (probably unintentional) kinship it shares with the final scene of 'Five Easy Pieces' - only this time it's Jack, not a young woman, who's been abandoned. If only they could have got Karen Black to play the station attendant...
Private Benjamin (1980)
A Quarter Century Later
Now having been tested by time, 'Private Benjamin' appears 25 years later as little more than an extended-play of a late 70's sitcom (which is exactly what it became). Only Eileen Brennan's subtle touches in her Cpt. Lewis character make the film worth watching. It seems the writers are mostly responsible as the film moves over so many different plot and setting changes that it seems like a television pilot with three or four consecutive episodes tacked on until our heroine reaches a seemingly meaningful end. Beginning with this film, Goldie made a career feeding in to the 'men suck' crowd, again recently with 'The Banger Sisters.' Little wonder why it was passed up by 'Ordinary People' as Best Picture.
Surviving Christmas (2004)
Surviving Just Fine, Thank You
I went to 'Surviving' after the L.A. Times ran a lengthy column about the downfall of Affleck's career. I've always liked his work and thought I'd help a brother out with my $9. Ben didn't let me down. James Gandolfini was perfectly intimidating. Christina Applegate was perfectly cast and maintained wonderful comedic timing. Though the script suffers an occasional stop-gap in logic, one clearly sees the same energy Affleck has pumped on-screen since his Kevin Smith days. The film has a John Hughes quality, not just because of the Chicago locations. It has the same simple appeal Hughes cashed in on for all his 80's films. Or is it Catherine O'Hara's 'Home Alone' Chicago-appearance? Scrooge Alert! Don't let bitc*y reviewers and post J-Lo nobodies ruin your enjoyment of a nice little film!
Radio Inside (1994)
Listen to What's Inside
With "Stealing Home," this is William McNamara's best work. He subtly and effectively delivers the conflict and angst of Matthew Anderson, who has recently moved to Florida and taken a job as a Life Guard after the drowning death of his father. Cinematography and supporting cast (pre-'Vegas' Elisabeth Shue) are excellent as well. The story never strays from Matthew's dilemma, complicated by a sudden crush on his brother's girlfriend. If only we all had a direct phone line to Jesus.
Road to Perdition (2002)
A Film That's Really No Movie
Weekend newsprint called "Road to Perdition" an antidote to the summer popcorn movie. Ambivalent about spending $9.50 in anything not resembling an art house, I decided to see "Road" and found that most comments I'd heard or read were right on - this is an actual film, allowed to be sparse in dialogue the way the directors of "Five Easy Pieces" and "Leaving Las Vegas" knew - not everything needs to be verbalized to achieve maximum impact. The 100-strong audience that joked and laughed before the lights went down sat quietly, I noticed, through every scene - and when it was over, traded intelligent comments toward the exits, effected by what they'd seen. Honestly, this is the first widely-released film in a long while I would go see again, even at $9.50.
Tourfilm: R.E.M. (1990)
Some Credit Where it's Due
Tourfilm is perhaps Declan Quinn's best piece of work, capturing a band at their artistic peak and loaning his vision to a film that preserves them there. The techniques used here would transfer into his latter work in "Leaving Las Vegas."
Praise (1998)
A Real Couple
Like the previous reviewer I read about "Praise's" appearance in our local art theatre (may have been the same showing) and came down to check it out. Like great writing, great film-making successfully journals the trials of everyday human conditions, rather than stringing together cinematic cliches. "Praise" accomplishes this as we immediately believe there are no actors, only we the audience feeling rather voyueristic and nodding with every move Gordon & Cynthia make as if we would have done the same. Unlike many directors, John Curran leaves much to his audience's judgement. I knew I'd watched the great telling of a great story, but also had a sincere appreciation for Curran's respect of our integrity as viewers. I'm left wondering why it took two years for "Praise" to reach Hollywood. Did someone in Australia put it in a bottle and throw it in the ocean toward the United States, drifting toward North America while we were plagued with "Gone in 60 Seconds" and "Mission Impossible 2"? Thank you!
Do the Right Thing (1989)
An Artists Masterpiece
Along with "Grand Canyon" and "Boyz in the Hood," it always amazed me how prophetic "Do the Right Thing" became in real life. The film captures the social discontent of the time while maintaining a timeless cinematic storyline. I studied "Do the Right Thing" for it's visual textures and ability to gather powerful emotion, dropping down like a finely timed wave. While not intended to discard any other piece of Lee's work, this is a filmmakers masterpiece. Passion is a rare and wonderful language one rarely speaks with such fluency.
A Polish Vampire in Burbank (1983)
Comedy for the Ageless
Some friends & I found "Polish Vampire" on the video shelves one night over ten years ago, and it's tribute to simplistic humor and silly sound effects inspired us to create a series of films ourselves - which, should any of us ever decide to run for congress, you'll no doubt see. I found a copy of "Polish Vampire" on E-Bay, got some of the old gang together and we laughed at the same jokes and silly sounds of Dupah's stomach growling. We abstained this time from making more films, but all decided that "Polish Vampire" is, like, comedy for the ageless, for sure.
Stealing Home (1988)
Be My Friend!
Kampmann's decision to tell "Stealing Home's" story via flashbacks is a tricky one to pull off but this film does it beautifully. The emotional rollercoaster that pulls us in is done without the director pandering to the obvious. Mark Harmon's performance as the disaffected, angst-ridden adult that young dreamer Billy Wyatt has become is unusually well-done, as are Jonathan Silverman and Harold Ramis' lovable versions of Appleby. "BE MY FRIEND!" Ah, memories.
Hurlyburly (1998)
An Addicting Ride Built on an Award-Winning Play
"Hurly Burly" is an excellent example of how established film actors can stay true to their theatrical roots with a modern and compelling big-screen adaptation of a successful stage play. The real star of the show is Sean Penn's presentation of Eddie, who often finds himself lost in space, coke, and humorous paranoia that comes out in the form of endless talking jags. Penn played the role on stage in 1988 and brings his experience to the film. Also a veteran of theatrical adaptations, Kevin Spacey is right at home in the role of Mickey, playing Penn's more stable and sensible roommate & business partner. Together the two play host to a colorful pageant of characters passing through their home in the Hollywood Hills, showing the experiences that bond men together, and the competition that often threatens to pull them apart.
American Buffalo (1996)
Excellent Adaptation of an Award-winning Play
"American Buffalo" is an excellent example of how a director with a breadth of vision can take an established, award-winning play and expand it to mesmerize big-screen and VHS audiences. All the action takes place in an inner-city junkshop, where Donnie (Dennis Franz) and Teach (Dustin Hoffman) plot to steal a valuable coin collection. From the movie's opening lines to the closing scene where one of the characters is being wheeled to the hospital, "American Buffalo" makes plain that, in America, people's business interests often turn them on one another, and sometimes turn them violent. The real star of the show is Dustin Hoffman's flawless and addicting interpretation of the character "Teach," once again showing Hoffman's dedication not just to the craft of interesting filmmaking - but to presenting the minute details an actor can reflect when given such a well-written character.
Kansas (1988)
Subtleties of Things to Come
The settings and wide open photography that must have been ahead of it's time make "Kansas" a pleasure to watch, a picturesque drama through the mid-west. On his way to his best friend's wedding, Andrew McCarthy hops a freight car and meets drifter and recently-released ex-con Matt Dillon - who is on his way to rob the bank in his former hometown. McCarthy is part of the crime before he knows it, unfortunately linked to Dillon's violent & vindictive character. Looking to lay low until it all blows over, McCarthy finds refuge in anonymity on a family farm. This part of the story, evidenced by the unfolding of Generation X in years immediately following the films release, could act to the discerning viewer as a subtle outline of Gen X's reluctance to take a spotlight for fear of it's wrath. Still, for those of other generations, "Kansas" is fun to watch, a pleasure to look at, and another good vehicle for Matt Dillon's ability to create interesting characters.