by Lani
Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for upcoming films that I can't miss. The highlights are posted here for your reading and viewing pleasure! (All listed times are Eastern Standard, check your local listings or TCM.com for actual air times in your area. Each day's schedule begins at 6:00 a.m.; if a film airs between midnight and 6 a.m. it is listed on the previous day's programming schedule.)
It's the 10th anniversary of TCM's Summer Under the Stars when each day of the month is devoted to the films of one classic actor or actress. To celebrate 10 years of star power, I've chosen my top 10 stars of the month: 4 redheaded ladies and 6 unique gentlemen. And for each star I've selected one "top pick" plus two others for further viewing, because when you're given 24 hours with your favorite star why stop at just one?
8/5: Claude Rains
9:30 PM - Mr. Skeffington (1944)
8 PM - The Invisible Man (1933); 12:15 AM - The Unsuspected (1947)
Bette Davis plays a vain society beauty who marries Claude Rains' Skeffington for his money and only comes to love him much later in life. For his marvelously understated performance as Job Skeffington, aptly named as he is patience personified, Rains received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.
8/8: Rita Hayworth
2 AM - You Were Never Lovelier (1942)
4:45 PM - You'll Never Get Rich (1941); 12 AM - Gilda (1946)
Though she's known as one of the screen's great beauties (and deservedly so), Rita Hayworth was also one of classic cinema's best dancers. She's one of the most natural dancers I've ever seen - an opinion shared by none other than Fred Astaire. He starred with Rita in two films, You Were Never Lovelier and You'll Never Get Rich, and later named her as his favorite on screen dance partner.
8/9: Toshiro Mifune
2:45 PM - Yojimbo (1961)
9:15 AM - Seven Samurai (1954), 12:45 PM - Throne of Blood (1957)
Toshiro Mifune starred in many Hollywood films, but he was proudest of his work with director Akira Kurosawa in Japan. Their biggest hit, Yojimbo, is a samurai tale modeled on classic Westerns. Mifune plays a traveling samurai who saves a divided town by pitting its leaders against each other. You may recognize that plot from Sergio Leone's "spaghetti Western" A Fistful of Dollars, which was inspired by Yojimbo.
8/10: Lionel Barrymore
10:15 PM - Night Flight (1933)
3:15 PM - The Return of Peter Grimm (1936); 8 PM - You Can't Take It With You (1938)
Lionel Barrymore was known among his fellow actors as an inveterate scene-stealer; and none knew it better than his brother and co-star John Barrymore. You can see the sibling rivalry in action in Night Flight, which was consigned to the vaults until 2011 and is being shown for the first time on TCM. Based on a best-seller by former aviator Antoine de Sainte-Exupery, the film depicts the dangerous flights of an Argentinian air mail service. It also features Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Helen Hayes, and Robert Montgomery.
8/11: James Mason
8 PM - Lolita (1962)
5:30 PM - Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959); 3:30 AM - Mayerling (1968)
James Mason stands out in every one of his films, whether he's the lead or a supporting player. However, for better or worse, Mason's signature role will always be aging academic Humbert Humbert, brought to ruin by his obsession with the decidedly underage Lolita.
8/13: Deborah Kerr
6 AM - Vacation From Marriage (1945)
3:30 PM - The Sundowners (1960); 8 PM - Black Narcissus (1947)
I saw this film 12 years ago and have been waiting for it to appear on TCM again, so I was delighted to see this film on the schedule this month. Vacation From Marriage was directed by Alexander Korda, co-stars Deborah Kerr and Robert Donat, and boasts an Academy Award for Best Screenplay, but you'd be forgiven if you've never heard of it. It's a unique love story about a married couple separated by war, who find themselves reluctant to reunite. Donat and Kerr are both wonderful, delicately conveying the changes that have occurred in each spouse during their time apart.
8/15: Lillian Gish
8 PM - Intolerance (1916)
6 AM - Broken Blossoms (1919); 1 AM - The Night of the Hunter (1955)
One of cinema's treasures, Lillian Gish is one of the greatest actresses of any era. She is best known for her films with director D.W. Griffith during the silent era. Intolerance is an epic in every sense - grand themes of good and evil, gigantic sets depicting ancient Babylon, and an extra-long running time of 198 minutes - however, it's an essential for any film buff.
8/18: Freddie Bartholomew
10:15 PM - Kidnapped (1938)
8 AM - The Devil is a Sissy (1936); 8 PM - Captains Courageous (1937)
Freddie Bartholomew was simply one of the finest child actors in movie history and one of the few who could truly carry a film on his own strengths. (And somehow you don't totally hate him, even when he's playing spoiled brats.) In this adventure-filled film, Freddie's evil uncle arranges for him to be kidnapped and sent out to sea in order to steal his inheritance.
8/24: Irene Dunne
6:15 PM - My Favorite Wife (1940)
11 AM - The White Cliffs of Dover (1944); 8 PM - The Awful Truth (1937)
My Favorite Wife, co-starring Cary Grant, is quintessential Irene Dunne - witty, poised, confident, and able to carry off some truly ridiculous hats. She's the type of woman that any man would want to marry and any girl would like to grow up to be. In this film, lucky Cary is already married to Irene...until she is shipwrecked and presumed dead. Of course, she reappears just in time to disrupt Cary's plans for remarriage and prove why she's the superior mate.
8/25: Tyrone Power
8 PM - The Razor's Edge (1946)
12:45 AM - Witness for the Prosecution (1957); 2:30 AM - A Yank in the RAF (1941)
With a face and name (yes, that's his real name) tailor-made for the movies, Tyrone Power seemed destined to make an impression on screen. In The Razor's Edge Power showed dramatic depths that proved he was more than just a pretty face. The film (and novel by W. Somerset Maugham) popularized the idea of "finding" one's self. That's what the main character sets out to do by taking a trip to India, thus inspiring countless spiritual journeys which in turn gave us everything from the late 60s output of The Beatles to Eat Pray Love.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Classic Move Picks: July 2012
by Lani
Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for upcoming films that I can't miss. The highlights are posted here for your reading and viewing pleasure! (All listed times are Eastern Standard, check your local listings or TCM.com for actual air times in your area. Each day's schedule begins at 6:00 a.m.; if a film airs between midnight and 6 a.m. it is listed on the previous day's programming schedule.)
7/10: Leslie Howard + Bette Davis
8 PM - The Petrified Forest (1936)
9:30 PM - It's Love I'm After (1937)
11:15 PM - Of Human Bondage (1934)
Star of the Month Leslie Howard is featured every Tuesday in July, but I'm especially interested in tonight's line-up co-starring Bette Davis. The two actors reportedly did not get along well off-screen; however, their work together on-screen is in perfect harmony. Englishman Howard first held a grudge against American Davis for getting the lead in Of Human Bondage, a role he felt should have been played by a British actress. That was to be Davis's break-out role and two years later she would again star opposite Howard in The Petrified Forest. Davis was reluctant to do her third film opposite Howard, It's Love I'm After, since their relationship during Forest had run hot and cold. However, this time Davis was left alone; Howard's off-screen attentions were focused solely on beautiful co-star Olivia de Havilland.
7/12, 9:45 PM - Stormy Weather (1943)
This film is significant in history as one of the first big-ticket Hollywood films to feature an all-black cast; however, it is truly notable for its glittering musical numbers starring some of the top talents of the 40s. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson stars as an aspiring dancer in love with singer Lena Horne. The title song would become Horne's signature tune. The two stars are also joined by Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, and The Nicholas Brothers. (Personally, I hate to miss any opportunity to see the marvelous Nicholas Brothers perform.)
7/15, 12 AM - The Films of Georges Melies (1896)
Marvel at the ingenious special effects of early filmmaker Georges Melies in this collection of restored silent shorts, including A Trip to the Moon.
7/19: A Day in Prison
Spend a day behind bars with 9 films set in or around prisons. In the "classic" era, prison films were generally B-grade, but often ripe for campy fun. These are the three that caught my eye:
6 AM - Ladies They Talk About (1933) - A young Barbara Stanwyck stars as a bank robber who becomes boss of the cell block.
4 PM - House of Numbers (1957) - Jack Palance plays opposite himself as twins - one imprisoned, the other trying to break his brother out.
5:45 PM - Convicts 4 (1962) - In a rare leading role, Ben Gazzara stars as real-life convict John Resko, who discovers a talent for art while behind bars. Ray Walston, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Timothy Carey (also a prisoner in House of Numbers) play the three other convicts of the title.
7/20: More Vampires
2 AM - Near Dark (1987)
3:45 AM - The Fearless Vampire Killers; Or, Pardon Me But Your Teeth Are In My Neck (1967)
Since Dracula first stalked the screen, vampires have never really gone out of fashion. Right now you can see them on TV in True Blood and The Vampire Diaries. On the big screen, The Twilight Saga continues, Johnny Depp dons pointy teeth in Dark Shadows, and even Abraham Lincoln has been dubbed a vampire hunter. But if all those don't satisfy your hunger, TCM is showing these two very different vampire movies from directors Kathryn Bigelow and Roman Polanski. The blood suckers of Near Dark resemble a family of filthy drifters rather than the aristocratic Count Dracula or shiny, happy Cullens (in fact, the word "vampire" is not used in this film). This family, led by Lance Henriksen and a scene-stealing Bill Paxton, also draw far more blood than you're likely to find in Dracula and Twilight combined - you've been warned. In contrast, Fearless Vampire Killers is played for comedy, telling the story of a bumbling professor on the track of vampires in the wilds of Eastern Europe.
7/67: Dick Tracy
8 PM - Dick Tracy (1990)
9:55 PM - Dick Tracy Special (2009)
10:30 PM - Dick Tracy (1945)
11:45 PM - Dick Tracy vs. Cueball (1946)
1 AM - Dick Tracy's Dilemma (1947)
Some of you may remember The Great Dick Tracy Marketing Blitz of 1990. I was but a child, yet I remember it well. In anticipation of the release of Warren Beatty's big-budget movie based on a 1930's comic strip, Dick Tracy merchandise was everywhere you looked. I may have owned the most pathetic piece: a plain, pink zippered pouch, meant to be worn around your wrist, with plain, black iron-on letters spelling out "DICK TRACY." I'm not sure if it was even official merchandise, or the product of someone capitalizing on the Dick Tracy mania then sweeping the country. Well, the movie came and went; it won Oscars for its striking art direction, makeup, and Best Song. But the film itself hasn't had much of an afterlife. Except for the Dick Tracy Special, filmed 19 years later, in which Leonard Maltin interviews Beatty, in costume as Dick Tracy, about the history of the character on film. I'm not sure if anyone was asking for this to happen, but it did, so there you have it. Tonight TCM is showing it all - Beatty's film, the special, and three Dick Tracy movies from the 40s. Perhaps we can recapture the rush of Dick Tracy fever again, if only for one night.
Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for upcoming films that I can't miss. The highlights are posted here for your reading and viewing pleasure! (All listed times are Eastern Standard, check your local listings or TCM.com for actual air times in your area. Each day's schedule begins at 6:00 a.m.; if a film airs between midnight and 6 a.m. it is listed on the previous day's programming schedule.)
7/10: Leslie Howard + Bette Davis
8 PM - The Petrified Forest (1936)
9:30 PM - It's Love I'm After (1937)
11:15 PM - Of Human Bondage (1934)
Star of the Month Leslie Howard is featured every Tuesday in July, but I'm especially interested in tonight's line-up co-starring Bette Davis. The two actors reportedly did not get along well off-screen; however, their work together on-screen is in perfect harmony. Englishman Howard first held a grudge against American Davis for getting the lead in Of Human Bondage, a role he felt should have been played by a British actress. That was to be Davis's break-out role and two years later she would again star opposite Howard in The Petrified Forest. Davis was reluctant to do her third film opposite Howard, It's Love I'm After, since their relationship during Forest had run hot and cold. However, this time Davis was left alone; Howard's off-screen attentions were focused solely on beautiful co-star Olivia de Havilland.
7/12, 9:45 PM - Stormy Weather (1943)
This film is significant in history as one of the first big-ticket Hollywood films to feature an all-black cast; however, it is truly notable for its glittering musical numbers starring some of the top talents of the 40s. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson stars as an aspiring dancer in love with singer Lena Horne. The title song would become Horne's signature tune. The two stars are also joined by Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, and The Nicholas Brothers. (Personally, I hate to miss any opportunity to see the marvelous Nicholas Brothers perform.)
7/15, 12 AM - The Films of Georges Melies (1896)
Marvel at the ingenious special effects of early filmmaker Georges Melies in this collection of restored silent shorts, including A Trip to the Moon.
7/19: A Day in Prison
Spend a day behind bars with 9 films set in or around prisons. In the "classic" era, prison films were generally B-grade, but often ripe for campy fun. These are the three that caught my eye:
6 AM - Ladies They Talk About (1933) - A young Barbara Stanwyck stars as a bank robber who becomes boss of the cell block.
4 PM - House of Numbers (1957) - Jack Palance plays opposite himself as twins - one imprisoned, the other trying to break his brother out.
5:45 PM - Convicts 4 (1962) - In a rare leading role, Ben Gazzara stars as real-life convict John Resko, who discovers a talent for art while behind bars. Ray Walston, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Timothy Carey (also a prisoner in House of Numbers) play the three other convicts of the title.
7/20: More Vampires
2 AM - Near Dark (1987)
3:45 AM - The Fearless Vampire Killers; Or, Pardon Me But Your Teeth Are In My Neck (1967)
Since Dracula first stalked the screen, vampires have never really gone out of fashion. Right now you can see them on TV in True Blood and The Vampire Diaries. On the big screen, The Twilight Saga continues, Johnny Depp dons pointy teeth in Dark Shadows, and even Abraham Lincoln has been dubbed a vampire hunter. But if all those don't satisfy your hunger, TCM is showing these two very different vampire movies from directors Kathryn Bigelow and Roman Polanski. The blood suckers of Near Dark resemble a family of filthy drifters rather than the aristocratic Count Dracula or shiny, happy Cullens (in fact, the word "vampire" is not used in this film). This family, led by Lance Henriksen and a scene-stealing Bill Paxton, also draw far more blood than you're likely to find in Dracula and Twilight combined - you've been warned. In contrast, Fearless Vampire Killers is played for comedy, telling the story of a bumbling professor on the track of vampires in the wilds of Eastern Europe.
7/67: Dick Tracy
8 PM - Dick Tracy (1990)
9:55 PM - Dick Tracy Special (2009)
10:30 PM - Dick Tracy (1945)
11:45 PM - Dick Tracy vs. Cueball (1946)
1 AM - Dick Tracy's Dilemma (1947)
Some of you may remember The Great Dick Tracy Marketing Blitz of 1990. I was but a child, yet I remember it well. In anticipation of the release of Warren Beatty's big-budget movie based on a 1930's comic strip, Dick Tracy merchandise was everywhere you looked. I may have owned the most pathetic piece: a plain, pink zippered pouch, meant to be worn around your wrist, with plain, black iron-on letters spelling out "DICK TRACY." I'm not sure if it was even official merchandise, or the product of someone capitalizing on the Dick Tracy mania then sweeping the country. Well, the movie came and went; it won Oscars for its striking art direction, makeup, and Best Song. But the film itself hasn't had much of an afterlife. Except for the Dick Tracy Special, filmed 19 years later, in which Leonard Maltin interviews Beatty, in costume as Dick Tracy, about the history of the character on film. I'm not sure if anyone was asking for this to happen, but it did, so there you have it. Tonight TCM is showing it all - Beatty's film, the special, and three Dick Tracy movies from the 40s. Perhaps we can recapture the rush of Dick Tracy fever again, if only for one night.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Best of 2012, So Far
by A.J. and Lani
It's about halfway through the year, so a recap of the cinematic highlights so far feels appropriate. 2012 had a slow start, and though we haven't been to the movies as often as usual, there have still been some pretty good ones, such as:
A.J.: The previous film from writer-director Whit Stillman, The
Last Days of Disco, was released in 1998, and at last after 14 years his 4th
film, Damsels in Distress, made its way to theaters in April. I had been
eagerly awaiting this film for quite some time and even with all that built up
anticipation Damsels in Distress did not disappoint. It follows
a group of girls at a college in the Northeast that are trying to raise the
level of sophistication of the other students. It takes place in a world that reminds
me of movies from the 30's and 40's. Violet, played by Greta Gerwig, thinks
that best way for her to change society for the better is to create an
international dance craze. There's off-beat but substantial characters, Fred
Astaire references, smart comedy, and not one but two dance numbers at the end.
This is movie is simply a great time.
21 Jump Street
It's about halfway through the year, so a recap of the cinematic highlights so far feels appropriate. 2012 had a slow start, and though we haven't been to the movies as often as usual, there have still been some pretty good ones, such as:
21 Jump Street
A.J.: I went
to see 21 Jump Street in part because I had not been to the movies in so long
that I just needed to go, and this big screen comedy version of an 80s TV show
seemed like the best bet. I was expecting a dumb but funny movie, but what I saw
was a pretty solid comedy. I laughed out loud many, many times. Jonah Hill is
funny as you might expect, but Channing Tatum is the real comedic stand out
here. You might think that adults going back to high school in disguise has
been done a lot, and it has, but as the characters quickly learn a lot has
changed since the start of the millennium, like which clique is the popular one
and which ones are looked down on.
Lani: Richard Linklater's latest film uses a semi-documentary style to tell the story of Bernie Tiede, a funeral director in small-town Carthage, Texas, his friendship with a local widow, and her shocking murder at Bernie's hand. The film is based on true events; however, this is not The Thin Blue Line. Bernie is played by Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine plays the widow Mrs. Nugent; however, many of the characters are played by actual residents of Carthage. Their often hilariously candid thoughts are captured in talking-head segments which make up a good portion of the film. Linklater smartly realized that this is the kind of stuff you just can't make up and the town's genuine love of Bernie and dislike of Mrs. Nugent comes across loud and clear. Bernie, while dealing with a dark subject, maintains a light tone in keeping with the sunny personality of its title character.
A.J.: I was skeptical, but intrigued by the premise of Safety Not Guaranteed. A journalist takes two interns to investigate a classified ad seeking a partner for time travel. Aubrey Plaza is one of the interns and though her character doesn't stray too far from the moody-outsider she's played before, this role does let her play a more realized character. She finds and befriends the person that placed the ad, played by Mark Duplass, and as they train for a journey back in time she begins to wonder if his claims about time travel might be serious. Safety Not Guaranteed is a funny, offbeat character movie that doesn't fall into the traps that stunt so many other indie movies.
The Five-Year Engagement
Lani: When I heard the title of this film I groaned a bit. Great, another romantic comedy about people who can't "commit," perhaps my least favorite film cliche of recent years. However, this film surprised me by portraying a couple who were so comfortable in their commitment that they weren't afraid to cancel their wedding, often the mark of death for a movie couple. After their engagement is announced, Tom and Violet (played by Jason Segel and Emily Blunt) find that a cross-country move, the rigors of a post-doctorate program, and other family events prevent them from planning their perfect wedding. In our culture obsessed with elaborate weddings, the couple becomes completely overwhelmed by party planning and loses sight of what they really want--just to be together.
Lockout
Lani: As the resident action connoisseur around this blog, I have to give some love to Lockout, a fun and scruffy film which doesn't take itself seriously for a moment. Guy Pearce plays former CIA agent Snow, who is tapped to break in to a maximum security prison in space, rescue the President's daughter, and do all this in the middle of a massive prison riot. Pearce is delightfully wry, never missing an opportunity to crack a joke whether he's under interrogation, performing first aid, or beating up crazed killers. Among the overblown action films this year based on comic books & board games and pseudo-intellectual sci-fi bores, Lockout stands out for knowing exactly what it is (a fun 90 minutes at the movies) and getting the job done.
The Five-Year Engagement
Lani: When I heard the title of this film I groaned a bit. Great, another romantic comedy about people who can't "commit," perhaps my least favorite film cliche of recent years. However, this film surprised me by portraying a couple who were so comfortable in their commitment that they weren't afraid to cancel their wedding, often the mark of death for a movie couple. After their engagement is announced, Tom and Violet (played by Jason Segel and Emily Blunt) find that a cross-country move, the rigors of a post-doctorate program, and other family events prevent them from planning their perfect wedding. In our culture obsessed with elaborate weddings, the couple becomes completely overwhelmed by party planning and loses sight of what they really want--just to be together.
Lockout
Lani: As the resident action connoisseur around this blog, I have to give some love to Lockout, a fun and scruffy film which doesn't take itself seriously for a moment. Guy Pearce plays former CIA agent Snow, who is tapped to break in to a maximum security prison in space, rescue the President's daughter, and do all this in the middle of a massive prison riot. Pearce is delightfully wry, never missing an opportunity to crack a joke whether he's under interrogation, performing first aid, or beating up crazed killers. Among the overblown action films this year based on comic books & board games and pseudo-intellectual sci-fi bores, Lockout stands out for knowing exactly what it is (a fun 90 minutes at the movies) and getting the job done.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Classic Movie Picks: June 2012
Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for upcoming films that I can't miss. The highlights are posted here for your reading and viewing pleasure! (All listed times are Eastern Standard, check your local listings or TCM.com for actual air times in your area. Each day's schedule begins at 6:00 a.m.; if a film airs between midnight and 6 a.m. it is listed on the previous day's programming schedule.)
A few weeks ago, disaster struck. I spilled a full glass of iced tea on my copy of Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for June. How could I make my picks without the guide? It was surely an omen that this month's post would be a challenge. And sure enough, as Now Playing lay drying on the fireplace, my mind was diverted by work, houseguests, and attempts to knit one blasted sock (at this rate I should have a matched pair sometime next spring). Yesterday, when I received the July issue of Now Playing and realized that I still hadn't written my post for June, I considered taking the month off, but that felt too much like quitting. If I can't bring myself to finish typing up some movie suggestions, how will I ever finish that sock!
6/3, 2 AM - A Man and a Woman (1966)
An unprecedented hit with American audiences, this romantic drama from France won two Oscars, Best Screenplay and Best Foreign Film. This type of story was a staple of classic films - a glamorous romance between two mature adults (almost anything seemed more glamorous in a classic movie). Romances like Now, Voyager, An Affair to Remember, or A Man and a Woman which all deal with characters well past the blush of youth don't seem to get made as much anymore.
6/6, 3 AM - Eat a Bowl of Tea (1989)
Part of TCM's June spotlight on the immigrant experience, this comedy about Chinese families in New York is directed by Wayne Wang and based on a novel by Louis Chu. The story is set during the 1940s following the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act which prevented immigrants from bringing their families to the U.S. I really enjoyed Wang's film The Joy Luck Club, another literary adaptation which also deals with the experiences of Chinese immigrants in America. However, Eat a Bowl of Tea takes a more straightforwardly comedic approach to issues like arranged marriage and the politics of a Chinatown community.
6/7, 6:30 AM - The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957)
Speaking of romance...here we have the legendary love story of poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, an invalid held back by her overbearing father, and Robert Browning, the dashing fellow poet who gave Elizabeth the strength to break free from her family. This is the Metrocolor remake of MGM's 1934 black & white version starring Norma Shearer, Fredric March, and Charles Laughton. The 1957 version was shot on location in England with mostly British actors, including Bill Travers as Browning and John Gielgud as patriarch Edward Moulton-Barrett. Jennifer Jones leads the fine cast as Elizabeth Barrett.
Fans of Virginia Woolf's Flush: A Biography will be happy to know that Barrett Browning's cocker spaniel has also been well-cast. Flush even merited a mention by critic Bosley Crowther in his New York Times review: "played to perfection by a charming spaniel not named in the cast."
6/17, 8 PM - Rio Bravo (1959)
You know what's a pretty good little movie? Rio Bravo.While not officially part of this month's Teen Idols programming, this is probably the best film Ricky Nelson ever made. Rio Bravo is also part of TCM's Essentials, Jr. series this summer, so why not watch with the whole family.
6/30, 9:45 PM - Christmas in July (1940)
It was actually radio which made me a Dick Powell fan. Like many movie stars of the 40s and 50s, Dick Powell also appeared in radio dramas. I was born several decades too late to hear these shows on the radio; however, I'm grateful to the dedicated fans who have made old-time radio shows available via podcast. I especially enjoy the detective shows and Powell's apperances on Rogue's Gallery and Richard Diamond: Private Detective are some of my favorites. It doesn't hurt that he usually finds an excuse to sing at the end of each episode, either. I'm also on a bit of a Preston Sturges kick after watching Sullivan's Travels and The Palm Beach Story in May, so this film directed by Sturges and starring Powell sounds like a winning combination.
(Visit RelicRadio.com for lots of old-time radio goodness.)
A few weeks ago, disaster struck. I spilled a full glass of iced tea on my copy of Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for June. How could I make my picks without the guide? It was surely an omen that this month's post would be a challenge. And sure enough, as Now Playing lay drying on the fireplace, my mind was diverted by work, houseguests, and attempts to knit one blasted sock (at this rate I should have a matched pair sometime next spring). Yesterday, when I received the July issue of Now Playing and realized that I still hadn't written my post for June, I considered taking the month off, but that felt too much like quitting. If I can't bring myself to finish typing up some movie suggestions, how will I ever finish that sock!
6/3, 2 AM - A Man and a Woman (1966)
An unprecedented hit with American audiences, this romantic drama from France won two Oscars, Best Screenplay and Best Foreign Film. This type of story was a staple of classic films - a glamorous romance between two mature adults (almost anything seemed more glamorous in a classic movie). Romances like Now, Voyager, An Affair to Remember, or A Man and a Woman which all deal with characters well past the blush of youth don't seem to get made as much anymore.
6/6, 3 AM - Eat a Bowl of Tea (1989)
Part of TCM's June spotlight on the immigrant experience, this comedy about Chinese families in New York is directed by Wayne Wang and based on a novel by Louis Chu. The story is set during the 1940s following the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act which prevented immigrants from bringing their families to the U.S. I really enjoyed Wang's film The Joy Luck Club, another literary adaptation which also deals with the experiences of Chinese immigrants in America. However, Eat a Bowl of Tea takes a more straightforwardly comedic approach to issues like arranged marriage and the politics of a Chinatown community.
6/7, 6:30 AM - The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957)
Speaking of romance...here we have the legendary love story of poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, an invalid held back by her overbearing father, and Robert Browning, the dashing fellow poet who gave Elizabeth the strength to break free from her family. This is the Metrocolor remake of MGM's 1934 black & white version starring Norma Shearer, Fredric March, and Charles Laughton. The 1957 version was shot on location in England with mostly British actors, including Bill Travers as Browning and John Gielgud as patriarch Edward Moulton-Barrett. Jennifer Jones leads the fine cast as Elizabeth Barrett.
Fans of Virginia Woolf's Flush: A Biography will be happy to know that Barrett Browning's cocker spaniel has also been well-cast. Flush even merited a mention by critic Bosley Crowther in his New York Times review: "played to perfection by a charming spaniel not named in the cast."
6/17, 8 PM - Rio Bravo (1959)
You know what's a pretty good little movie? Rio Bravo.While not officially part of this month's Teen Idols programming, this is probably the best film Ricky Nelson ever made. Rio Bravo is also part of TCM's Essentials, Jr. series this summer, so why not watch with the whole family.
6/30, 9:45 PM - Christmas in July (1940)
It was actually radio which made me a Dick Powell fan. Like many movie stars of the 40s and 50s, Dick Powell also appeared in radio dramas. I was born several decades too late to hear these shows on the radio; however, I'm grateful to the dedicated fans who have made old-time radio shows available via podcast. I especially enjoy the detective shows and Powell's apperances on Rogue's Gallery and Richard Diamond: Private Detective are some of my favorites. It doesn't hurt that he usually finds an excuse to sing at the end of each episode, either. I'm also on a bit of a Preston Sturges kick after watching Sullivan's Travels and The Palm Beach Story in May, so this film directed by Sturges and starring Powell sounds like a winning combination.
(Visit RelicRadio.com for lots of old-time radio goodness.)
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Film Adaptations We'd Like to See
by A.J. and Lani
This weekend, Hasbro - the company which brought Transformers, Transformers 2, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon to the big screen - releases another film based on one of its classic toys, Battleship, a.k.a Transformers: Gone Fishin'. This summer we'll also get the G.I. Joe sequel no one asked for, followed by several more toy-based films over the next few years including Candy Land (possibly starring Adam Sandler), Ouija, Stretch Armstrong, and a Monopoly movie produced by Ridley Scott. But what about the tried and true source material for hundreds of great films - books? Here are our picks for books which we'd like to see adapted to the screen.
A.J.'s Picks
April 1865: The Month That Saved America by Jay Winik
Like most Americans, I thought that the Civil War ended with Lee surrendering to Grant at Appomattox. Then I saw a History Channel special called April 1865: The Month That Saved America, and learned that the War actually ended a few weeks later after continued fighting in the Carolinas and even a Confederate victory at Galveston. While it never fully escapes being a history lesson, the book on which the special was based tells a very interesting story full of key players, such as Cofederate General Joe Johnston, that I don’t think many people know about.
I’m not afraid to say that Gettysburg (based on the historical novel The Killer Angels by Michael Sharra) is the best made-for-TV movie out there. Gettysburg’s production values, casting, and dialogue far outdo its big screen prequel Gods and Generals and I would like to see April 1865 get at least the same treatment that TNT gave to Gettysburg. The most important role in April 1865 would be Confederate General Robert E. Lee. He was the son of a Revolutionary War hero, his wife was a descendent of George Washington, he was the first choice to command the Union army, and far more important to the Confederacy than its president, Jefferson Davis. The other lead roles would be Union generals U.S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman. Grant and Sherman had seemingly opposite personalities (Grant was shy, Sherman was volatile) and a complex friendship. I didn’t imagine actors when I read the book since the characters are oft-photographed historical figures. After seeing what British director Tom Hooper did with the John Adams mini-series on HBO it would make sense to hire him; or perhaps Christopher Nolan, who’s shown us he knows how to focus on character, but also handle a big production. Having a British director would give an objective distance to the story of how the United States went from being a union of states to a single nation.
Coldheart Canyon by Clive Barker
A.J.'s Picks
April 1865: The Month That Saved America by Jay Winik
Like most Americans, I thought that the Civil War ended with Lee surrendering to Grant at Appomattox. Then I saw a History Channel special called April 1865: The Month That Saved America, and learned that the War actually ended a few weeks later after continued fighting in the Carolinas and even a Confederate victory at Galveston. While it never fully escapes being a history lesson, the book on which the special was based tells a very interesting story full of key players, such as Cofederate General Joe Johnston, that I don’t think many people know about.
I’m not afraid to say that Gettysburg (based on the historical novel The Killer Angels by Michael Sharra) is the best made-for-TV movie out there. Gettysburg’s production values, casting, and dialogue far outdo its big screen prequel Gods and Generals and I would like to see April 1865 get at least the same treatment that TNT gave to Gettysburg. The most important role in April 1865 would be Confederate General Robert E. Lee. He was the son of a Revolutionary War hero, his wife was a descendent of George Washington, he was the first choice to command the Union army, and far more important to the Confederacy than its president, Jefferson Davis. The other lead roles would be Union generals U.S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman. Grant and Sherman had seemingly opposite personalities (Grant was shy, Sherman was volatile) and a complex friendship. I didn’t imagine actors when I read the book since the characters are oft-photographed historical figures. After seeing what British director Tom Hooper did with the John Adams mini-series on HBO it would make sense to hire him; or perhaps Christopher Nolan, who’s shown us he knows how to focus on character, but also handle a big production. Having a British director would give an objective distance to the story of how the United States went from being a union of states to a single nation.
Coldheart Canyon by Clive Barker
Known as a master of horror, Clive
Barker's work in print and on film is admittedly not for everyone. However, his near-700 page novel Coldheart
Canyon, which has the tagline “A Hollywood Ghost Story,” sets its fantastical elements in the familiar (to movie fans) world of Hollywood moviemakers, making it a very accessible story.
After a simple plastic surgery goes wrong, Todd Pickett, an action star whose best days and films are behind him, moves into a secluded mansion in a forgotten part of Hollywood called Coldheart Canyon. The mansion’s previous owner, silent film actress Katya Lupi, once held decadent parties there with other movie stars of the time. Todd discovers that Katya still lives in the mansion and has not aged. There is also a mysterious room where the walls, floor, and ceiling are a single-tiled painting that seems to come to life. It would be a very ambitious, and therefore unlikely, book to adapt to a movie given the real-life silent movie star names used; the debauched and perverted acts that Katya hosted at her mansion; and the monstrous, fantastical creatures still lurking there. While Barker has directed three movies adapted from his own work, the director that would be perfect to bring this phantasmagoric and highly sexual story to screen is David Cronenberg. Coldheart Canyon would be right in line with his films like Shivers (They Came From Within), The Brood, Videodrome, and Crash. He’s the one to hire if you want to effectively portray the repulsion and attraction of the body and sexuality.
Lani's Picks
Jennifer Government by Max Barry
In this satirical look at a world in which the free-market rules, American government has been privatized; employees take the last names of the companies they work for; and The Police and NRA are publicly-traded security firms. When the hapless merchandising underling Hack Nike unwittingly agrees to assassinate teenagers in order to build up street cred for a new sneaker line, he sets off a chain of events involving The Police, the NRA, and eventually the feared government agent of the title.
The film rights were originally bought by Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney's production company. However, a film adaptation has been "in development" for a decade, but doesn't seem to be getting any closer to being made. The casting of Jennifer could be a challenge; she is a tough, experienced investigator, but also a loving mother to her young daughter. Right now my choice might be Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, The Adjustment Bureau). She's never played a character like this before, but she has the face of a stone-cold killer. In light of the recent rise of the "Tea Party" in American politics and the ongoing debate over government programs vs. privatization, this story of capitalism in the extreme seems increasingly relevant.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susannah Clarke
I can't be the only person who'd like to see this unique story of magic during the Napoleonic Wars brought to the screen. The book follows two magicians (the only ones left practicing in England, if not the world), first as teacher and pupil, then as rivals. At the time of its publication, Clarke's novel received numerous accolades and the idea of a "Harry Potter for adults" seems too good for anyone in Hollywood to pass up. However, the story is also extremely complex with important characters numbering in the double digits and a large special effects budget would be required for many of the magical set-pieces. With such a large cast of characters, there are juicy roles for scores of actors. (One of the joys of reading the book was imagining which actors would be best suited for which character!) I always imagined the secretive, arrogant Mr Norrell as portrayed by Ian Holm and I could see Benedict Cumberbatch (TV's Sherlock) or Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class, Jane Eyre) as Strange, the younger magician who finds himself drawn towards ancient dark magic. My fantasy cast also includes Paul Bettany, Hayley Atwell, Tom Hollander, Richard E. Grant, and Rhys Ifans. Because Jonathan Strange is such a dense novel (this is a story which includes numerous footnotes after all), it seems almost better suited for a cable mini-series than for a conventional film.
So, which books would you like to see adapted for the screen?
After a simple plastic surgery goes wrong, Todd Pickett, an action star whose best days and films are behind him, moves into a secluded mansion in a forgotten part of Hollywood called Coldheart Canyon. The mansion’s previous owner, silent film actress Katya Lupi, once held decadent parties there with other movie stars of the time. Todd discovers that Katya still lives in the mansion and has not aged. There is also a mysterious room where the walls, floor, and ceiling are a single-tiled painting that seems to come to life. It would be a very ambitious, and therefore unlikely, book to adapt to a movie given the real-life silent movie star names used; the debauched and perverted acts that Katya hosted at her mansion; and the monstrous, fantastical creatures still lurking there. While Barker has directed three movies adapted from his own work, the director that would be perfect to bring this phantasmagoric and highly sexual story to screen is David Cronenberg. Coldheart Canyon would be right in line with his films like Shivers (They Came From Within), The Brood, Videodrome, and Crash. He’s the one to hire if you want to effectively portray the repulsion and attraction of the body and sexuality.
Lani's Picks
Jennifer Government by Max Barry
In this satirical look at a world in which the free-market rules, American government has been privatized; employees take the last names of the companies they work for; and The Police and NRA are publicly-traded security firms. When the hapless merchandising underling Hack Nike unwittingly agrees to assassinate teenagers in order to build up street cred for a new sneaker line, he sets off a chain of events involving The Police, the NRA, and eventually the feared government agent of the title.
The film rights were originally bought by Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney's production company. However, a film adaptation has been "in development" for a decade, but doesn't seem to be getting any closer to being made. The casting of Jennifer could be a challenge; she is a tough, experienced investigator, but also a loving mother to her young daughter. Right now my choice might be Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, The Adjustment Bureau). She's never played a character like this before, but she has the face of a stone-cold killer. In light of the recent rise of the "Tea Party" in American politics and the ongoing debate over government programs vs. privatization, this story of capitalism in the extreme seems increasingly relevant.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susannah Clarke
I can't be the only person who'd like to see this unique story of magic during the Napoleonic Wars brought to the screen. The book follows two magicians (the only ones left practicing in England, if not the world), first as teacher and pupil, then as rivals. At the time of its publication, Clarke's novel received numerous accolades and the idea of a "Harry Potter for adults" seems too good for anyone in Hollywood to pass up. However, the story is also extremely complex with important characters numbering in the double digits and a large special effects budget would be required for many of the magical set-pieces. With such a large cast of characters, there are juicy roles for scores of actors. (One of the joys of reading the book was imagining which actors would be best suited for which character!) I always imagined the secretive, arrogant Mr Norrell as portrayed by Ian Holm and I could see Benedict Cumberbatch (TV's Sherlock) or Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class, Jane Eyre) as Strange, the younger magician who finds himself drawn towards ancient dark magic. My fantasy cast also includes Paul Bettany, Hayley Atwell, Tom Hollander, Richard E. Grant, and Rhys Ifans. Because Jonathan Strange is such a dense novel (this is a story which includes numerous footnotes after all), it seems almost better suited for a cable mini-series than for a conventional film.
So, which books would you like to see adapted for the screen?
Monday, April 30, 2012
Classic Movie Picks: May
by Lani
Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for upcoming films that I can't miss. The highlights are posted here for your reading and viewing pleasure! (All listed times are Eastern Standard, check your local listings or TCM.com for actual air times in your area. Each day's schedule begins at 6:00 a.m.; if a film airs between midnight and 6 a.m. it is listed on the previous day's programming schedule.)
5/4: John Carpenter Double Feature
2 AM - They Live (1988)
3:45 AM - Escape From New York (1981)
Multi-talented filmmaker John Carpenter isn't often mentioned alongside the greats of cinema; however, the more I see of his work, the more I'm convinced that Carpenter is some kind of genius. He excels at setting atmosphere, creating memorable characters, and devising inventive solutions within low-budgets. It's no surprise that many of Carpenter's films have been remade (Halloween, The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13, The Thing, and coming soon - Escape From New York); however, despite bigger budgets, the remakes can't match the craftsmanship of the originals. And you can't beat lines like "I came to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubblegum."
5/8, 10 PM - AFI's Master Class-The Art of Collaboration: Russell-Wahlberg
This is the 2nd installment in a series by TCM and the American Film Institute in which well-known collaborators discuss their films. Director/producer/writer David O. Russell seems to bring out the best in actor Mark Wahlberg, and vice versa. Their three films together (Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees, The Fighter) all have a dark sense of humor despite falling into very different genres - war/crime caper, satire/detective story, family drama/underdog sports tale. I'm interested to hear how they came to be such successful collaborators.
BONUS: AFI's Master Class-The Art of Collaboration: Spielberg-Williams
After an encore of the Russell-Wahlberg episode at 1:15 AM, watch the first in the series featuring director Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams at 2:15 AM.
5/9: A Day of Robin Hoods
6:45 AM - Red River Robin Hood (1943)
8 AM - The Robin Hood of El Dorado (1936)
9:30 AM - Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964)
11:45 AM - A Challenge for Robin Hood (1968)
1:30 PM - The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
3:30 PM - The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946)
5:00 PM - Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950)
6:30 PM - Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960)
This seems like a fun day to stay home and watch movies. From dawn to dusk, you can watch tales of Robin Hood, Robin Hood-style heroes, and even a couple about Robin Hood's "son."
5/11, 3:30 AM - Zigzag (1970)
In January, I decided that I would try to watch a "new" classic film each month - one that I've never seen before. Late nights on TCM are a great resource for films that I've not only never seen, but ones that I've never heard of either. This film looks like an interesting little thriller and it comes with a great cast of character actors including George Kennedy, Anne Jackson, and Eli Wallach. Kennedy plays a dying man who frames himself for a murder so that his wife can collect the reward money; however, his plan goes awry when his illness is cured.
Star of the Month: Joel McCrea
TCM salutes the career of handsome leading man Joel McCrea each Wednesday this month. I'm drawn to the comedies on 5/2, including Sullivan's Travels (1941), The Palm Beach Story (1942), and The Richest Girl in the World (1934). However, he made some fun adventure films, too, like The Most Dangerous Game (1932) and Foreign Correspondent (1940), both airing on 5/9. Though for many people McCrea is indelibly associated with Westerns, I don't think I've ever seen him in one; so, I'll also be looking forward to the two nights of Westerns on 5/23 and 5/30. Ride the High Country (1962), co-starring Randolph Scott, is a classic of the genre that I definitely want to see.
Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for upcoming films that I can't miss. The highlights are posted here for your reading and viewing pleasure! (All listed times are Eastern Standard, check your local listings or TCM.com for actual air times in your area. Each day's schedule begins at 6:00 a.m.; if a film airs between midnight and 6 a.m. it is listed on the previous day's programming schedule.)
5/4: John Carpenter Double Feature
2 AM - They Live (1988)
3:45 AM - Escape From New York (1981)
Multi-talented filmmaker John Carpenter isn't often mentioned alongside the greats of cinema; however, the more I see of his work, the more I'm convinced that Carpenter is some kind of genius. He excels at setting atmosphere, creating memorable characters, and devising inventive solutions within low-budgets. It's no surprise that many of Carpenter's films have been remade (Halloween, The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13, The Thing, and coming soon - Escape From New York); however, despite bigger budgets, the remakes can't match the craftsmanship of the originals. And you can't beat lines like "I came to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubblegum."
5/8, 10 PM - AFI's Master Class-The Art of Collaboration: Russell-Wahlberg
This is the 2nd installment in a series by TCM and the American Film Institute in which well-known collaborators discuss their films. Director/producer/writer David O. Russell seems to bring out the best in actor Mark Wahlberg, and vice versa. Their three films together (Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees, The Fighter) all have a dark sense of humor despite falling into very different genres - war/crime caper, satire/detective story, family drama/underdog sports tale. I'm interested to hear how they came to be such successful collaborators.
BONUS: AFI's Master Class-The Art of Collaboration: Spielberg-Williams
After an encore of the Russell-Wahlberg episode at 1:15 AM, watch the first in the series featuring director Steven Spielberg and composer John Williams at 2:15 AM.
5/9: A Day of Robin Hoods
6:45 AM - Red River Robin Hood (1943)
8 AM - The Robin Hood of El Dorado (1936)
9:30 AM - Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964)
11:45 AM - A Challenge for Robin Hood (1968)
1:30 PM - The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
3:30 PM - The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946)
5:00 PM - Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950)
6:30 PM - Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960)
This seems like a fun day to stay home and watch movies. From dawn to dusk, you can watch tales of Robin Hood, Robin Hood-style heroes, and even a couple about Robin Hood's "son."
5/11, 3:30 AM - Zigzag (1970)
In January, I decided that I would try to watch a "new" classic film each month - one that I've never seen before. Late nights on TCM are a great resource for films that I've not only never seen, but ones that I've never heard of either. This film looks like an interesting little thriller and it comes with a great cast of character actors including George Kennedy, Anne Jackson, and Eli Wallach. Kennedy plays a dying man who frames himself for a murder so that his wife can collect the reward money; however, his plan goes awry when his illness is cured.
Star of the Month: Joel McCrea
TCM salutes the career of handsome leading man Joel McCrea each Wednesday this month. I'm drawn to the comedies on 5/2, including Sullivan's Travels (1941), The Palm Beach Story (1942), and The Richest Girl in the World (1934). However, he made some fun adventure films, too, like The Most Dangerous Game (1932) and Foreign Correspondent (1940), both airing on 5/9. Though for many people McCrea is indelibly associated with Westerns, I don't think I've ever seen him in one; so, I'll also be looking forward to the two nights of Westerns on 5/23 and 5/30. Ride the High Country (1962), co-starring Randolph Scott, is a classic of the genre that I definitely want to see.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Action's Top Dogs
by Lani
Safe starring Jason Statham opens in theaters this weekend. Statham is one of my favorite action stars, despite the fact that his films tend to vary wildly in quality. I like that Statham doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. He has a great comedic instincts, as well as convincing physical capabilities. Do I want to see his Hamlet? Not really. Do I want to see him crash a car through a production of Hamlet and proceed to kick everyone's ass? Yes, yes I do.
Judging from early reviews, Safe seems to be a middling entry in the Statham filmography--not quite reaching the heights of Crank, but not as dire as In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale. However, there is no question that Statham is currently one of cinema's top dogs when it comes to action films. But who are the other top dogs and underdogs, old and new? Here's a sampling based on the films currently in theaters.
Sam Worthington - Wrath of the Titans
Worthington should be a top dog, judging by his abundance of film roles over the past 2 years, including the highest grossing film of all time, Avatar. However, audiences don't seem to be very enthusiastic about him. (Anecdotal evidence has revealed that some people can't even remember what he looks like, even while staring at his photo.) He has the physicality for action roles, but his flat expression and delivery make him boring and forgettable. A native of Australia, Worthington has been cast as an American, Israeli, robot, and Greek demi-god; perhaps if he were allowed to play an Australian character for once he would not have the burden of keeping up a foreign accent and could then reallocate some megabytes toward facial expressions.
Guy Pearce - Lockout
Pearce is an old dog who has learned some new tricks, and been to the gym. His most recognizable roles so far (Memento, L.A. Confidential) are detectives who rely on intellect rather than physical prowess. However, as ex-CIA agent Snow in Lockout, Pearce plays a wry and resourceful action hero in the style of Escape From New York's Snake Plissken...and he pulls it off! Lockout is a lot of fun, so I would definitely be onboard for the further adventures of Snow. Snake got a sequel, so what's next for Snow? Breaking out of prison on Mars?
Liam Neeson - Wrath of the Titans
Though he's played men of action in the past (Darkman, Rob Roy), Liam Neeson has recently positioned himself as an elder statesman among action stars by taking the "wise mentor" role in numerous films (Batman Begins, The Phantom Menace, The A-Team) and successfully carrying several on his own (Taken, Unknown, The Grey). His character from Taken has become an iconic bad-ass of our time, perhaps even eclipsing Oskar Schindler as Neeson's most recognizable role. Neeson is a gifted actor who brings gravitas to whatever role he plays. Moreover, his characters are crafty and intelligent, approaching problems with strategy rather than relying on brute force. I think this is what sets his action films apart and what makes him an old dog, but still a top dog.
So are there any American action stars anymore? Not currently at multiplex, but there are surely more contenders to come this summer. Jennifer Lawrence racks up a modest body count in The Hunger Games. She's an underdog in the action world, though, as women are rarely cast as the leads in this genre. However, Lawrence has a convincing toughness and determination, so after the Hunger Games trilogy, who knows?
Last month, with the release of John Carter and Battleship on the horizon, Taylor "Riggins" Kitsch was looking like the new dog in Hollywood. Kitsch was one of the best things about Friday Night Lights, a TV show that had a lot of talent, but will his charisma transfer to the big screen? Unfortunately, John Carter kicked a puppy, implied that someone's mother was less than a saint, and otherwise committed crimes against humanity so reprehensible that that movie-going public staged a boycott. Oh, wait a minute, the movie didn't do any of those things! However, people still refused to see it and it is now being called the biggest flop of all time. But I'm not too worried about Kitsch just yet. Battleship looks completely ridiculous, but Liam Neeson is in it, so it can't be all bad.
Safe starring Jason Statham opens in theaters this weekend. Statham is one of my favorite action stars, despite the fact that his films tend to vary wildly in quality. I like that Statham doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. He has a great comedic instincts, as well as convincing physical capabilities. Do I want to see his Hamlet? Not really. Do I want to see him crash a car through a production of Hamlet and proceed to kick everyone's ass? Yes, yes I do.
Judging from early reviews, Safe seems to be a middling entry in the Statham filmography--not quite reaching the heights of Crank, but not as dire as In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale. However, there is no question that Statham is currently one of cinema's top dogs when it comes to action films. But who are the other top dogs and underdogs, old and new? Here's a sampling based on the films currently in theaters.
Sam Worthington - Wrath of the Titans
Worthington should be a top dog, judging by his abundance of film roles over the past 2 years, including the highest grossing film of all time, Avatar. However, audiences don't seem to be very enthusiastic about him. (Anecdotal evidence has revealed that some people can't even remember what he looks like, even while staring at his photo.) He has the physicality for action roles, but his flat expression and delivery make him boring and forgettable. A native of Australia, Worthington has been cast as an American, Israeli, robot, and Greek demi-god; perhaps if he were allowed to play an Australian character for once he would not have the burden of keeping up a foreign accent and could then reallocate some megabytes toward facial expressions.
Guy Pearce - Lockout
Pearce is an old dog who has learned some new tricks, and been to the gym. His most recognizable roles so far (Memento, L.A. Confidential) are detectives who rely on intellect rather than physical prowess. However, as ex-CIA agent Snow in Lockout, Pearce plays a wry and resourceful action hero in the style of Escape From New York's Snake Plissken...and he pulls it off! Lockout is a lot of fun, so I would definitely be onboard for the further adventures of Snow. Snake got a sequel, so what's next for Snow? Breaking out of prison on Mars?
Liam Neeson - Wrath of the Titans
Though he's played men of action in the past (Darkman, Rob Roy), Liam Neeson has recently positioned himself as an elder statesman among action stars by taking the "wise mentor" role in numerous films (Batman Begins, The Phantom Menace, The A-Team) and successfully carrying several on his own (Taken, Unknown, The Grey). His character from Taken has become an iconic bad-ass of our time, perhaps even eclipsing Oskar Schindler as Neeson's most recognizable role. Neeson is a gifted actor who brings gravitas to whatever role he plays. Moreover, his characters are crafty and intelligent, approaching problems with strategy rather than relying on brute force. I think this is what sets his action films apart and what makes him an old dog, but still a top dog.
So are there any American action stars anymore? Not currently at multiplex, but there are surely more contenders to come this summer. Jennifer Lawrence racks up a modest body count in The Hunger Games. She's an underdog in the action world, though, as women are rarely cast as the leads in this genre. However, Lawrence has a convincing toughness and determination, so after the Hunger Games trilogy, who knows?
Last month, with the release of John Carter and Battleship on the horizon, Taylor "Riggins" Kitsch was looking like the new dog in Hollywood. Kitsch was one of the best things about Friday Night Lights, a TV show that had a lot of talent, but will his charisma transfer to the big screen? Unfortunately, John Carter kicked a puppy, implied that someone's mother was less than a saint, and otherwise committed crimes against humanity so reprehensible that that movie-going public staged a boycott. Oh, wait a minute, the movie didn't do any of those things! However, people still refused to see it and it is now being called the biggest flop of all time. But I'm not too worried about Kitsch just yet. Battleship looks completely ridiculous, but Liam Neeson is in it, so it can't be all bad.
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