Archive for 'Movies/DVDs' Category
Stagecoach
30 June 2006A classic western directed by John Ford starring John Wayne, what more can I say.
With rumors buzzing about a potential Indian raid, a mélange of troubled passengers climbs aboard the Overland Stage headed for Lordsburg. En route they run into the Ringo Kid (John Wayne), a notorious outlaw who’s bolted from jail seeking vengeance on the men who framed him for murder. But the true threat looms down the road, where marauding Apaches could strike without warning. Will the travelers band together — or unravel under the pressure?
Here is the wikipedia link and a list of external reviews.
Rockford files: Season 4
30 June 2006Season 4 of one of the best detective series on TV.
Mr. Moto collection, volume 2
30 June 2006DVD collection containing the final 4 Mr. Moto movies directed by Norman Foster starring Peter Lorre.
Lady in the lake
11 June 2006An entertaining Philip Marlowe movie based on Raymond Chandler’s novel, starring and directed by Robert Montgomery. The directing has an interesting take in that that the entire film is seen from the viewpoint of Philip Marlowe so that the audience would see only what Marlowe sees.
In this inventively filmed detective story, Robert Montgomery (who also directs) plays Philip Marlowe and solves an entire mystery from the camera’s point of view; when Marlowe takes a punch, the audience feels the hit. Based on Raymond Chandler’s novel, the story follows Marlowe as he tries to track down the missing wife of a publisher. Audrey Totter plays the femme fatale who slinks into his office to hire him for the job.
Here is a list of external reviews for the movie.
The lady vanishes
9 June 2006One of the best, if not the best, Alfred Hitchcock movies starring Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave:
Traveling aboard a transcontinental train, young Iris Henderson (Margaret Lockwood) becomes alarmed when an acquaintance, elderly governess Miss Froy (Dame May Whitty), suddenly vanishes. Inexplicably, all the other passengers deny having seen the woman. So Iris turns to her lone ally — handsome music scholar Gilbert Redman (Michael Redgrave) — for help. As the two search for clues to Froy’s disappearance, they uncloak a sinister plot.
Here is the wikipedia link, list of external reviews, and entry at filmreference.
The last waltz
19 May 2006Directed by Martin Scorcese featuring the last concert of The Band, this is one of the best concert films:
On Thanksgiving Day 1976, more than 5,000 cheering fans gathered for the historic farewell concert of The Band, a Canadian country-soul-R&B group formed in 1960. Director Martin Scorsese was present at the big event and later edited the concert footage to create this documentary, interspersing band interviews with performances by legends such as Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Emmylou Harris. [Hmm.., netflix doesn’t consider Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield, Dr. John as legends!]
Here is the wikipedia link and link to list of reviews.
John Lee Hooker: Come and see about me
19 May 2006Must see DVD containing some great performances by John Lee Hooker.
- Baby Please Don’t Go - 1992 - with Van Morrison
- Maudie - 1960 (1965 Newport jazz festival)
- Hobo Blues - 1965 (American folk blues festival)
- It Serves Me Right To Suffer - 1969
- Crawlin’ Kingsnake - 1978 - with Foghat
- The Boogie - 1980
- Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive - 1981
- Worried Life Blues - 1981
- Too Many Women - 1984
- Boom Boom - 1984
- I’m Bad Like Jesse James - 1986
- I’m In the Mood - 1990 - with Bonnie Raitt
- Bottle Up And Go - 1991 - with John Hammond
- Tupelo Blues - 1993
- Hobo Blues - 1990 - with Ry Cooder
- The Healer - 1990 - with Carlos Santana
- Boogie Chillen’ - 1989 - with Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones
- I Need Love So Bad - 1994
The back cover promises “complete archival performances of [John Lee Hooker’s] most popular songs,” all courtesy of the Hooker estate. That’s good news for anyone used to music programs containing only frustratingly brief clips of their subjects at work, and it’s exactly what Come and See About Me delivers–in spades–in this superb, two-hour compilation featuring the late bluesman in live performance by himself, with various bands, and in collaborations with a host of famous partners. Hooker’s blues was a dark, menacing, sexy sound, and some of the best moments here come when he is playing solo, with only his guitar, his stomping foot, and what guitarist Ry Cooder (who joins him for “Hobo Blues”) calls his “deep, well-like” voice accompanying songs like “It Serves Me Right to Suffer” (from 1969) and “Bad Like Jesse James” (1986). But the collaborations are swell too, including those with Van Morrison, Cooder, Bonnie Raitt, John Hammond, and the Rolling Stones (”Boogie Chillen’” comes from the Stones’ Steel Wheels tour, with Eric Clapton on hand as well); there’s even an appearance with Brit blues rockers Foghat from 1978, with the great Paul Butterfield adding harmonica. The bonus features (a couple of interviews, discography, another “Boogie Chillen’” take) aren’t much, but little matter–for blues fans, this is the motherlode. –Sam Graham
Operation petticoat
6 May 2006A funny movie directed by Blake Edwards starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. This movie is no way as funny as other Blake Edwards flicks and I think its missing the Peter Sellers touch. Here is the
Cary Grant, captain of the Sea Tiger submarine, faces a multitude of hurdles to World War II battle – severe damage to his vessel, countless supply problems and a conniving supply officer (Tony Curtis) whose combat inexperience is apparent. The plot dives deeper when five Army nurses board the all-male ship and further rock the boat in this lively comedy, which was nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar. Dina Merrill co-stars.
Here is the wikipedia link and a list of external reviews for the movie.
In a lonely place
6 May 2006A good film noir starring Humphrey Bogart— in probably one of his finest roles—and Gloria Grahame.
Just when Hollywood screenwriter Dixon Steele (Humphrey Bogart) sparks up a romance with his neighbor Laurel (Gloria Grahame), the police begin to suspect him of murdering a former lover. Laurel believes Dixon’s innocent, but his alibi doesn’t wash with the police. As they continue to pressure Dixon, the lovebirds’ relationship suffers — and after witnessing Dixon’s increasing hot-tempered behavior, Laurel suspects the police may be right. …
Here is the wikipedia link and a list of external reviews.
Inherit the wind
15 April 2006This is a must see movie about a fictionalized account of the 1925 Scopes monkey trial directed by Stanley Kramer starring Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, and Gene Kelly. Even though this is considered one of Spencer Tracy’s best role, I would rate his role in Bad Day at Black Rock as his best.
Here is the outline of the movie from netflix:
Spencer Tracy (in one of his best roles) as lawyer Henry Drummond and Frederic March as Matthew Harrison Brady square off as opposing attorneys in this blistering courtroom drama about the famed 1930s “Scopes Monkey Trial,” where a Tennessee teacher was taken to task for teaching Darwinism in the schoolroom. Song-and-dance man Gene Kelly co-stars as newspaper reporter H.L. Mencken.
Here is comprehensive analysis of the play and the movie by Lyndsey McCabe at University of Virginia, SparkNote: drama study guide from Christian Lorentzen, wikipedia link to the movie, review by filmsite, and a list of other reviews.