THE WILD BUNCH (1969)- Sat Aug 13 at 2- Museum of the Moving Image- Part of the Museum of the Moving Image's See It Big 70mm retrospective. The last time I posted this film at the Museum was last December. They promised to show a 70mm screening of this weeks, and then switched to a 35mm print at the last moment, because of the alleged poor condition of the print. I hope they found a better 70mm print this time arrives, because this film deserves to be seen in as fine a manner as possible.
The Wild Bunch, the film that John Wayne complained destroyed the myth of the Old West. Follows a group of older outlaws, still robbing and shooting to make a living. The times have changed, they've gotten a lot older and their foes are seemingly younger and stronger. They want to rob to retire, but that only gets a group of bounty hunters after them, led by a former member of the group. They escape to Mexico for one last go. But dealing with the corrupt forces there and the bounty hunters on their tail, the old group of outlaws basically to go out on their own terms. Violent, bloody, and taking hundreds of the enemy with them. Holden is the leader of the Bunch, Ernest Borgnine is his best friend, and Robert Ryan is their former friend; a bounty hunter forced to pursue them without relent. Plus Western stalwarts like Edmond O'Brien, Warren Oates, Ben Johnson, Strother Martin and future director Alfonso Arau (A Walk In The Clouds) in the cast as well.
Sam Peckinpah's film was approved mainly to compete with what they thought was the similar Buthch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Similar, Warner Bros.? Oops. He wanted to show a certain macho code that was not holding up in the start of the 20th Century. But no matter what code you live by, betrayal is unacceptable. From others and especially from yourself. Another thing Peckinpah wanted to show was the violent world of this time. Not sanitized like in most Westerns, nor in TV Westerns of the time like Gunsmoke, but closer to what was shown on the news in Vietnam. He wanted to horrify his audience with its brutality. The climatic shootout was supposed to convey this. With 6 different cameras all shooting at different speeds, its an amazing combination of choreography, cinematography and editing. Despite about 20 minutes cut before its release to avoid an X rating, the violence was still considered controversial. But what shocked Peckinpah was how much of his audience was thrilled by the violence as opposed to being repulsed by it. Oops for Sam. When Warner Bros tried to re-release the film back in 1994 with 10 extra minutes, the MPAA gave it an NC-17 rating, complaining about the violence! It took a year of resubmission before an R rating was finally granted.
2 Oscar nominations, including Screenplay, but NOT for Editing. On both AFI Top 100 lists. May or may not be on my Top 100 list, but very close. If you don't know it, this is a great chance to change that.
MY BEST FIEND (1999)- Sat Aug 13 at 9:15- IFC Center- From IFC's retrospective of Werner Herzog documentaries. One of the more explosive actor director collaborations, was between director Werner Herzog, and actor Klaus Kinski. To call this a love/hate relationship, might be an insult to the terms love and hate. We see behind the scenes footage from all 5 films, and none of it quiet. To give you an idea, the natives of Aguirre, The Wrath of God, offered to kill Kinski for Herzog. You see the offer! Should be very interesting to watch:
JAWS (1975)- Sat Aug 13 at 12:05AM- IFC Center- A DCP projection. I don't care if I've posted this before and done it before. Jaws is one of my all time faves, the big screen is a great place to catch it, and summertime is the perfect time period to do it. If you've heard of it, then i don't need to go into it. If you've never seen it on the big screen, this is as good a time as any. And if you've never seen on the big screen and can stay up late, why won't you? Maybe because on this date, you'll have to choose between My Best Fiend or Jaws. But aside from that very good reason, why wouldn't you?
COLD TURKEY (1971)- Mon Aug 15 at 7- BAM- Part of BAM's Joe Dante retrospective. Not only films that Dante made, but also of films he is a big fan of. Sorry to say, the only film I will post on this list, is one he didn't make. Cold Turkey, the only film Norman Lear (All in the Family, The Jeffersons) ever directed. A tobacco company (headed by 30s and 40s character actor Edward Everett Horton, in his last film) is so desperate for good publicity, they offer $25,000 (about $161 mil today), to any town that quit smoking, go cold turkey, for 30 days. The only town that takes up the challenge is a small one in Iowa, pushed into it by community leaders, including their influential Reverend (Dick Van Dyke). When the company realizes there's a slight chance the town might succeed, they send the P.R. man (Bob Newhart) who came up with the idea, to sabotage the town's efforts. Any way he can. Featuring Tom Poston, Bob and Ray (in multiple roles, spoofing various media people of the day), and actors that Lear would use during the 70s on his own shows (Jean Stapleton, Vincent Gardenia, Paul Benedict, and Barnard Hughes).
The score from Randy Newman was his first for films, and it works. But back in 1969/70, United Artists had no faith in the film, and had it sitting on the shelf for over a year. Cold Turkey was dumped into theaters in February 1971, where it received good reviews and surprising box office success. Whenever it aired on CBS from the mid70s-early80s, the recognizable faces and director Lear's connection to All in the Family and The Jeffersons (among others), almost insured good ratings. But by the late 1980s, the film had essentially disappeared. A slapped together VHS/Laserdisc release in 1993, and a slapped together DVD release in 2010 has done nothing to change that. But this little gem of a black satire deserves better. It might seem like a time capsule these days, but it still carries enough satirical bite to make any viewing worthwhile:
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE (1975)- Wed Aug 17 at 2 and 7- AMC Empire and Regal Union Square- A DCP screening. Sponsored by TCM, with an introduction from the network's own Ben Mankiewicz.
The comedy classic that dominated the summer of 1978 and gave us the gross-out genre, based on the college fraternity experiences of writers Ramis, Douglas Kennedy and Chris Miller, and producer Ivan Reitman. Snobs versus Slobs, as we follow the adventures over the course of a semester of Delta House. Episodic in structure (from stories from the National Lampoon magazine), we follow as the Deltas try their best to avoid studying, while drinking, partying (TOGA! TOGA! TOGA!), having sex, and basically having fun. Especially if it's at the expense of rival Omega House and school head Dean Wormer (seriously Dean, Double Secret Probation?!?).
With Food Fights, a Horse that doesn't like the sound of gunfire, a song that makes you want to JUMP!, nudity, and the knowledge that we will forever know that the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor (used as a rallying cry when the Mets and Pirates are behind in a game.). With just enough satire about the fraternity system and the differences in class in an Ivy League school to keep the film notable, kept at a steady pace by director John Landis, until the outlandish and elaborate parade/revenge sequence at the end.
Yes, even more notable than the casting. With one exception. No, not the young women; all attractive, though only Karen Allen sustained a lengthy career for a variety of reasons I won't detail here. No, not the veterans, like Donald Sutherland and John Vernon as Dean Wormer. No, not most of the young men though some, like Tom Hulce, Peter Riegert, Kevin Bacon and character actor extraordinaire Bruce McGill are among the men who have enjoyed lengthy careers.
No, the one exception is John Belushi, as Bluto Blutarsky. The head slob/ force of nature of Delta House, Belushi didn't need dialogue to pull off the film's biggest laughs. Sometimes it was with a prop, like food, a jar of mustard, or someone else's guitar. And sometimes with a look, like whenever he's near a female (bleachers, the parade, outside their window). Even the dialogue can be brief, like "Sorry" and FOOD FIGHT!". But when he is given something long to say, like the Nazis bomb Pearl Harbor monologue . . .ah yes, we miss him still . . . .
WAR GAMES (1983)- Wed Aug 17 at 7:30- Metrograph- From the Metrograph's Shall We Play A Game series of films that were heavily influenced (subject matter or otherwise), by the video games of the 1980s, and its culture. The only film from the series I can do. Sorry I didn't have the time for say, Tron, or the burning desire for say, The Wizard, Resident Evil, or Super Mario Brothers. Never mind that I've seen Wreck It Ralph once, and I don't need to make it twice anytime soon. No, the film I could do (assuming Animal House isn't the choice instead), is the film where the title of this series comes from, War Games.
From 1983, where the Pentagon is concerned how many soldiers didn't turn their nuclear missile keys during a surprise drill. Smarmy civilian expert Dabney Coleman (when didn't he play smarmy in the 80s?) suggests they take most of the human element out of it, and have most of the nuclear missiles, under the control of computers. Specifically, the WOPR (whopper) computer. Despite the objections of NORAD General Barry Corbin (Northern Exposure), the switch is implemented.
But things stop working smoothly, thanks to high school delinquent/ teen hacker Matthew Broderick. Looking for a new computer game to play, he thinks he hacks into a game company and decides to play the newest game, Global Thermonuclear War. But whoops, he actually hacked into WOPR, who immediately starts a real life simulation, causing chaos in the process. Broderick realizes some of what happened and stops playing. But does WOPR? Why would it? The idea is to Win The Game. Aw Jeez . . .
One of the big hits from the summer of 1983. Pure popcorn movie these days, treated slightly more seriously in its day. Winning cast, including Ally Sheedy (perfect as the crush next door), and a fun script from the creators of Sneakers. Oscar nominations for Original Screenplay, Cinematography and Sound. Cmon, it's fun:
LITTLE DIETER NEEDS TO FLY (1997)- Thurs Aug 18 at 9:20- IFC Center- Part of the Werner Herzog documentary series. Ever see Rescue Dawn? The Herzog film where Christian Bale plays a German ex-pat-turned American fighter pilot, who was shot down in Laos, held as a POW, and made an amazing escape. Meet the real-life man who accomplished all this and more, Dieter Dengle. Watch him pleasantly chat about everything, both at home in San Francisco, and back in Southeast Asia, to help re-enact some of what he went thru, for Herzog's camera. And take note of the occasional pain Dieter seems to desperately try to hide from Herzog's camera as well. A little slight, but worth seeing:
VERTIGO (1958) and REAR WINDOW (1954)- Fri Aug 19 at 12:30 (Vertigo), 3 (Rear), 5:10 (Vertigo), and 7:40 (Rear)- Film Forum- The start of Film forum's Double Feature series. Where you pay for one film and stay for the other. Specifically, films that are connected by either star, director, or type of story. And so we have DCP screenings of Alfred Hitchcock's best films. Vertigo and Rear Window.
First, Vertigo. Screened in probably the highest quality digital presentation we're ever gonna get. A tragic romance with poor guy Jimmy Stewart, going down the emotional Rabbit Hole of Doom as he falls for Kim Novack, and tries not to literally fall due to his vertigo. The story of obsessive love that has never been done better than this. Not on the big screen anyway. A film that was ignored at best and derided at worst in its initial release, but attained instant classic status upon its 1984 re-release. a near permanent fixture on most AFI Top 100 lists. In some recent film articles listing best movies, Vertigo has made the leap to 1st or 2nd. Not quite sure about that, but on my own Top 40 for sure.
Now again, note that I haven't written much at all about the story itself. To paraphrase Martin Scorsese when he wrote about Vertigo, not only is Vertigo required viewing, it also requires a Personal Response. Your life experiences will determine how you will take it. I'm guessing anyone who looks at my lists has seen Vertigo before. Therefore, you jumped past following the plot and can get to the heart (figuratively and literally) of the story and how it connects with you.
Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner was also influenced by Vertigo, to quote Mr. Weiner:
Released to negative reviews, it now ranks for many as the greatest film ever made. I had not seen it before the show began, but finally caught it on a break after the first season. I was overwhelmed with its beauty, mystery, and obsessive detail. I remember watching the camera dolly-in on Kim Novak’s hair and thinking, “this is exactly what we are trying to do.” Vertigo feels like you are watching someone else’s dream. −Matthew Weiner
Next, Rear Window. My all time favorite Hitchcock, and in my top 25 overall. Also the best film in Jimmy Stewart's career, with a knockout entrance from Grace Kelly that matches or tops anything done today. Possibly the best screenplay Hitch has ever worked with. Even better than anything Ernest Lehman has written. On both AFI Top 100 lists:
HOOP DREAMS (1994) with post film discussion with director Steve James- Sun Aug 21 at 2- Museum of the Moving Image- A DCP screening, from the Museum's Kartemquin at 50 retrospective. Celebrating 50 years of the work of the Chicago-based, documentary film company. I've seen, liked, and recommend both The Interrupters and The Trials of Muhammad Lewis. But the only film I have both the time and inclination to include is Hoop Dreams; almost in arguably, the best of the bunch. For almost 3 hours and over the course of about 5 years, director Steve James covered 2 the lives of 2 teenagers, Arthur Agee and William Gates. They have basketball skills that could get them out of the inner city. But this ain't Rocky, people: the road is paved with metaphorical land mines, and questions about the kids troubles, the unfairness of their varying situations, and their own immaturity, are not unfair to ask. But they are not Supermen, just kids trying.
I don't want to say this launched a love affair or newfound respect for documentaries. But Hoop Dreams is one of the landmarks of the genre, almost doing in its way, what Pulp Fiction did that same year for crime films (and films in general). Oscar nominated, but for its Editing, NOT for Best Documentary. I won't even bother to mention what was nominated instead. Worthy subjects, but not worthy films. Director Steve James will participate in a post-film discussion:
THE KILLING (1956) and PATHS OF GLORY (1957)- Sun Aug 21 at 5:45 (Killing), 7:30 (Paths) and 9:15 (Killing), and Mon Aug 22 at 2:15 (Killing) and 4 (Paths)- Film Forum- A double feature of two black and white, ninety something minute Stanley Kubrick films from the 1950s. Pay for one and stay for the other. Do it either late Sunday afternoon and evening of the 21st, or do it Monday afternoon of the 22nd.
First, The Killing, from 1956. Before Tarantino was making crime films that twisted the timeline back and forth, Stanley Kubrick made this film noir very early in his career. A film that made his reputation forever more. Kubrick adapted the novel "Clean Break", with additional dialogue from pulp author Jim Thompson. Sterling Hayden is the leader of a group robbing a race track. Of course, things go wrong, with a memorable ending. Among the standout performances, take note of Elisha Cook Jr. as Sap Incarnate, and Marie Windsor as his scheming wife.
United Artists had no faith in The Killing, and threw it out there as part of a B movie double feature. But critics took notice, and so did Kirk Douglas, who desperately needed a director for Paths of Glory. A classic of the Film Noir genre, with one of the most memorable endings of all of Kubrick's films. And don't worry, its only 83 minutes long.
And speaking of Paths of Glory, here's the other film in this double feature, from 1957. Adapted from a novel, loosely based on a true incident in 1915. During WW I, a pompous French general, more annoyed by the stagnation of trench warfare and in love with his own hubris, orders an attack on a German position that borders on suicide. When the mission obviously fails, the General, attempting to save face, orders the execution of a few from the attacking regiment, for cowardice. Not any 4 soliders in particular, but picked at random, as a "lesson" to the rest of the regiment. And it falls upon Kirk Douglas, the Colonel forced to lead the assault on the ground and now tries to defend the four accused, in a hearing that more resembles a kangaroo court.
The first great film in Kubrick's career, and the first of his three anti-war films. Someone I know tried to rephrase/ re-categorize it as anti-stupidity, as opposed to anti-war. While I might appreciate the reasoning, no, sorry, you can't. Anti-war is what Humphrey Cobb strived for when he wrote the original book, and it's what Kubrick strove for when he made this. Just like he did with Dr Strangelove and Full Metal Jacket later on.
A great colorful cast, lead by Kirk, in what I think is his career performance. He and Stanley got along so well on Paths of Glory, when Kirk's film Spartacus was in trouble, he brought Stanley in to direct. Much to his regret, which filmgoers have benefited from ever since:
SUNRISE (1927) and NOSFERATU (1922/29, with live piano accompaniment)- Mon Aug 22 at 5:45 (Sunrise) and 7:40 (Nosferatu)- Film Forum- Part of the Forum's Double Feature series, where you pay for one and stay for the other. A double feature of silent film classics from director F.W. Murnau.
First, Sunrise, from 1927. A restored DCP with its original soundtrack. Its views of love, adultery, and temptation might be subtle as a brick, and at times a little on the hammy side in terms of some its performances, but it's still considered a classic (despite its disappointing box office), and hasn't been screened often until the film's recent restoration. George O'Brien plays a farmer who loves his wife. Until he goes into the city and falls for some sort of tramp. She convinces him to kill his wife. But can he?
Winners of the first Oscars for Janet Gaynor for Actress (who also won for two other films she starred in, something that would never happen again) and for Cinematography. It also won for Best Picture, Unique and Artistic Production, as opposed to Best Picture as we know it, which Wings had won. The Unique and Artistic Production category was discontinued afterwards by the way.
Sunrise was not on the first AFI Top 100 list, but made it to the second list. I wonder if it should be on that second list, as opposed to films I enjoyed that were dropped, like Fargo, Dr. Zhivago, The Third Man and Fantasia. I'd like to find out.
Next, Nosferatu. Originally released in Germany in 1922, you could call this the first rip-off. Bram Stoker's estate certainly though so, as they successfully sued for copyright infringement, with regards to Dracula. Luckily for us, despite the court order to destroy all copies, at least one print got out. That's what was released i the U.S. back in 1929, and what restorations could be done have come from. As for the film, you have an idea of the story basics, but it's the mood and the visuals that have elevated it from unknown, to cult status, to classic status. The nature shots used more often for mood, and of course, the visuals and performance of Max Schrek as Dracu, er, I mean Count Orlok, has stayed with us to this day. Even in Spongebob Square Pants.
Played with live piano accompaniment, which is the reason why this will probably sell out. So planning will be needed to be done:
STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (1982) for free- Mon Aug 22 at sundown- Bryant Park- A free screening of the 1982 classic, and yes, I do mean classic. Starts at sundown, probably with a Looney Tunes or Merrie Melodies cartoon preceding it. The best of the admittedly inconsistent Star Trek series, as William Shatner's Admiral James T. Kirk and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, must deal with obsessed-for-revenge Khan Noonien Singh. I know I've done this revival before, but I enjoy it too much and after 30 years, it still works. Good effects and score, decent mix of Star Trek, On Golden Pond and Moby Dick (among other influences), good use of Spock if you know what I mean, and a Shatner performance you can respect. But Ricardo Montalban's performance is worth the price of admission; scenery chewing, bug eyed, but passionate, and obviously an actor in the midst of having a fun time being very very bad. I know it's been done before, but I enjoy it too much. Don't want to hear from the haters, time is on my side with this one; besides most of the haters haven't even seen it. And hey, you can compare Kirk's first entrance with Trump's first appearance at the RNC. Left unmentioned was how similar they were, but you can decide for yourself:
DJANGO (1966/67/72) and YOJIMBO (1961)- Tues Aug 23 at 6:30 (Django), 8:20 (Yojimbo), and 10:25 (Django)- Film Forum- Part of the Forum's series of double features. 2 films from the 1960s, featuring loner anti-heroes, trying to clean up a corrupt hell hole of a town.
First, Django. Released in Europe in 1966, played for a very brief time in the U.S. in 1967, but not receiving an official American release (thanks to Jack Nicholson) until 1972. A DCP of the Spaghetti Western classic, not the same as Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. The film that inspired many copies and inspirations (including Tarantino's), had one official sequel, and made Franco Nero a star everywhere (except here I guess). Somewhat similar to A Fistful of Dollars(and a certain Japanese film), where you have two sides fighting with each other and our (anti)hero in the middle, and said (anti)hero is trying to financially profit off of this. A little more romantic in the sense that Django has a woman by his side. But this was considered one of the more violent Westerns pre-Wild Bunch, a reputation it has taken decades to put aside. Fits as a late night screening.
Next, speaking of a film that looks VERY similar to Django and A Fistful of Dollars, is the superior Yojimbo, from 1961. A Toshiro Mifune- Akira Kurosawa team-up. Here, Mifune plays arguably his most famous character, a wandering ronin, who plays both sides of warring clans in a small town against each other to maximize profit, until it goes too far. Toshiro plays a man with a gruff, almost belligerent exterior, that hides a code of honor. With another frequent Kurosawa collaborator, Tatsuya Nakadai, as a formidable villain. Yojimbo is in my personal top 100 and is better than its 2 official remakes: the quite good A Fistful of Dollars, and the lousy Last Man Standing. Overall, a very good drama, with just enough dark comedy and action to keep things. 7 Samurai is my favorite Kurosawa, but Yojimbo is a film I can see over and over again, and if you've never seen it, now is a great time:
