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.
Monday, April 30, 2012
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.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Remembering the Titanic on film
by Lani
This weekend marks the 100th anniversary of the Titanic tragedy. The story of the Titanic's fateful maiden voyage has been portrayed on film many times over the past century, most notably of course in 1997's Titanic, written and directed by James Cameron. The epic scope of this story seems to invite filmmaking on a massive scale and Cameron's production was famously troubled. But unlike the ship of the same name, Titanic the film was a resounding success, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all-time and winning the Best Picture Academy Award. For those who were among the very small minority who did not see Titanic the first time, or perhaps were not yet alive in 1997, Titanic in 3D in now in theaters. This weekend ABC is also showing a new miniseries, coincidentally called Titanic, which was written by Julian Fellowes, lately of Downton Abbey fame. If you're interested in some "classic" film portrayals of the disaster, ."A Life at the Movies" blog has a nice round-up of the major Titanic films, and makes comparisons between older films and Cameron's film.
One of the most interesting Titanic-themed entertainments I've come across this weekend is Nazi Titanic on The History Channel's H2. During WWII, Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels became obsessed with creating a blockbuster film to rival those of Hollywood. He thought he had the perfect subject in the Titanic, and set out to make a film which blamed British capitalists for the disaster and loss of life. A fictional German officer was added to the story as a heroic voice of reason amidst the greedy ship owners and a captain concerned with speed records rather than safety. Unrivaled resources were put behind the production (it was then the most expensive German film ever made), German ship the Cap Arcona was taken out of active service to stand in for the Titanic and hundreds of German soldiers were brought in as extras. However, the production became a disaster of its own when the circumstances of being at war made filming nearly impossible. The crew shot for weeks on the Cap Arcona without getting any usable footage. Furthermore, after making inflammatory statements against the German army, director Herbert Selpin was denounced and sent to prison where he died of an apparent suicide. Nazi Titanic also discusses the topic of propaganda movies of the 1940s from both sides of the war. Before now I had never thought of 1942's Casablanca as a propaganda film. It does fit the bill for effective pro-Allies propaganda; however, Casablanca also transcends that label due to smart writing, memorable performances, and a great sense of atmosphere--qualities which many propaganda pieces lack. When Goebbels' Titanic film was finally finished in 1943, he feared that the sinking ship would be seen as a metaphor for the Third Reich. Though the film was shown in Nazi-occupied Europe, it was never released in Germany.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Classic Movie Picks: April
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.)
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.)
Doris Day has had no shortage of love on TCM, so if you are regular viewer, you've probably seen most of the films featured this month. This time the Star of the Month films are being shown in a semi-marathon, every night in primetime April 2 through April 6; and each night is themed to a different genre of film or period in Day's career. While she's probably most closely associated with light comedy, Day also made several impressive dramatic films and, of course plenty of musicals to highlight her lovely voice. Did you know that Doris Day is still holds the box-office record for top female star of all-time? Her continued popularity is a bit surprising, but then I can't think of a female star today who could fit into Day's shoes. Maybe Reese Witherspoon? I happen to find Ms. Day delightful in all her films, but I'm especially fond of her musical comedies co-starring Gordon McRae. If you are a fan of Meet Me in St. Louis (and why wouldn't you be?), you may like On Moonlight Bay (1951) and it's sequel By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953) which follows the ups and downs of a family in early 20th century small-town America.
4/2, 9:45 PM - By the Light of the Silvery Moon
4/2, 1:15 AM - On Moonlight Bay
4/13, 6 AM-5:45 PM - Directed by Stanley Donen
Friday the 13th is a lucky day this month, bringing a full day of films directed by former dancer/choreographer Stanley Donen. Donen has directed some of my favorite movies of all-time with Singin' in the Rain dancing to the top of the list. He's rightly known for his musicals which always have vibrant energy, exuberant dancing, and unexpected surprises. Stand-outs in today's line-up include On the Town (6 AM), Royal Wedding (7:45 AM), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (2:15 PM), and It's Always Fair Weather (4 PM). In the non-musical camp, there's also a jarringly beautiful 19-year-old Elizabeth Taylor in Love is Better Than Ever (11 AM) and Fearless Fagan (9:30 AM) which offers a rare starring role for goofy supporting player Carleton Carpenter.
4/15: Silent Sunday with Harold Lloyd
12 AM, Ask Father (1919)
12:20 AM, Among These Present (1921)
1 AM, Haunted Spooks (1920)
1:30 AM, Get Out and Get Under (1920)
Like most movie fans, I recognized Harold Lloyd as the bespectacled silent comic hanging from the hand of a giant clock in Safety Last!, but until recently I wasn't too aware of his work beyond that. Well, sometimes you just need to be told that something is good for you, that it is essential, to give you that push to seek it out. For me, that push finally came from a TCM short about Lloyd presented by Bill Irwin. The clips of Lloyd made me laugh and gasp out loud, and I was truly impressed by his agile, inventive stunts. Those snippets gave me more genuine surprise and delight than most of the feature films I saw last year. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Harold Lloyd!
4/20: Spring Break Ski Bums
8 PM - Ski Party (1965)
10 PM - Winter A-Go-Go (1965)
12 AM - Get Yourself a College Girl (1964)
TCM is celebrating Spring Break with several night of films hosted by Ben Mankiewicz and Tom Lisanti, author of Hollywood Surf and Beach Movies: The First Wave 1959-1969. I'm not feeling "swimsuit-ready" just yet, so I'll be clinging to winter with 3 films about snowy ski retreats.
4/22: Robert Bresson Double-Feature
2 AM - Diary of a Country Priest (1951)
4:15 AM - A Man Escaped (1956)
One of my favorite film podcasts is Filmspotting based out of Chicago. I often seek out films which they mention on the show, especially their "marathons" of movies by one director or of a singular genre. For the past few weeks, the fellas at Filmspotting have been discussing the work of French director Robert Bresson, including the two films showing tonight. On the surface, the subjects couldn't be more different -- a young priest in ailing health and a prisoner intent on escape -- however, both are stories of one man's internal struggles. Bresson's films are unique for their extreme minimalist style, nearly expressionless performances by non-actors, and use of natural sound rather than music. Usually that description wouldn't have me racing to the TV, but based on the high degree of respect Bresson has received from the film community, I am intrigued.
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