Earth (2009)

aka Disney’s Earth

I’d never seen a nature film on the big screen before, and felt this would give me a new kind of cinematic experience, and it did. From the same production effort that produced the Discovery Channels Planet Earth series, the visuals here are fantastic, to see them on a big screen is at times breathtaking, and the seemingly simple animal drama can be often quite engrossing (I’m thinking particularly of one slow motion chase between a cheetah and a young gazelle). Also I learned neat facts, like how there are more trees in the northern boreal region then in all the worlds rain forests combined! James Earl Jones's narration is sometimes a little schticky for the kiddies, and some conservatives might resent the global warming theme, but I don’t see how anybody could not enjoy this film at least a little bit. Be sure to stay through the credits for clips showing how the films camera men got such incredible footage. 4 out of 5. I think this is the first non animated G rated film I’ve seen in a theater since The Rookie (2002).

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)

Considered by many to be the greatest silent film ever made, William Fox brought German director F. W. Murnau to Hollywood to make this expressionistic but sincere melodrama. Story takes place over the course of roughly a day and a half, and tells how the rekindling of love saves the marriage of county couple George O’Brien and Janet Gaynor, after the formers indiscretion with a devious flapper women from the city (Margaret Livingston). I won’t lie, it was hard for me to get into this film at first, and I was grateful for the expert audio commentary of cinematographer John Bailey, without which I’d have had a hard time making it through the first half hour. After that however the film really opens up, and becomes both visually and emotionally beguiling. While King Vidor's The Crowd remains my favorite silent drama, this is probably now my number two (with the 1925 version of Ben Hur coming in a close 3rd). Janet Gaynor gives what is defiantly now my favorite female performance in any silent film, she’ll just break your heart in this, and was very much deserving of the singular honor of being the first best actress Oscar winner (not to slight the male lead, George O’Brien is also quite good). Film is technically impressive as well, both in the daring camera work (which also won an Oscar), and the shear scope of the sets, including more then a mile of functional trolley line laid for the movie. Also the original 1927 score includes the music later used as the theme to Alfred Hitchcock Presents! Essential to your film literacy. 4 ½ out of 5.

What a Way to Go! (1964)

Small town girl Shirley MacLaine marries a string of men for love and the simple life, but each ends up wealthy, successful, and dead. Comedy by Singing in the Rain screen writers Betty Comdin and Adolph Green, has a few songs by Jule Styne, a half million dollars worth of dresses by Edith Head (this point is emphasized in the movies publicity material), and a top flight cast including Dick van Dyke, Paul Newman, Robert Mitchum and Gene Kelly as four of the five husbands (the fifth one being something of a surprise at the end). The best thing about the film are the creatively stagged flash back sequences which send-up various movie styles (silent, French romantic, Hollywood musical). Look for Marx Brothers leading lady Margaret Dumant in a restaurant scene. MacLaine quite sexy. A good film with enjoyably offbeat sensibilities. 3 out of 5.

DC 9/11: Time of Crisis (2003)

Written by conservative English/Canadian film maker Lionel Chetwynd, this film is a propaganda-type curio from a time when George W. Bush was still mostly admired by the American public. Chetwynd interviewed the actual Bush administration participants about their handling of the immediate aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, so not surprisingly all the Republicans come off as supremely competent (especially Don Rumsfeld), though not so much with the Democrats (a heel-dragging Tom Daschle). Here the Bush team are very much the Olympian Gods we wanted them to be after 9/11. Suffice it to say, this Showtime movie will not be the definitive account of the governments handling of 9/11. Timothy Bottoms, who played a buffoonish George W. on Comedy Central’s short-lived That’s My Bush (2001), here plays the President as a kind of savoir figure. Also amusingly two performers who played corrupt political figures on the series 24 show up as part of Bush’s inner-circle. Fair.

And so ends our 2006 reviews.

Lady for a Day (1933)

At one time there were only two copies of this Oscar nominated depiction of the Damon Runyon story left in existence. Story is about an old street beggar women whose mob friends help her to put on the airs of a society lady, so as not to disappoint the visiting daughter she hasn’t seen since childhood. Emblematic of Capra’s transitional period, shortly before he reached true auteur statues. Director later re-made this movie as his last film, Pocket Full of Miracles in 1961. Fair to Good.

Superman Returns (2006)

Extremely loyal to the original film series from the 70’s and 80’s, this Superman outing is not that memorable, save a few nice touches for film geeks (casting of Eva Marie Saint as Ma Kent, actor Glenn Fords picture on her mantel), and Parker Posey and Kevin Spacey hamming it up. Brandon Routh spends whole time trying to channel the late Christopher Reeve, though Kate Bosworth not bad as Lois Lane like I expected (however part should have gone to Keri Russell). Fair to Poor.

Billy Wilder Speaks (2006)

Essentially a protracted series of interviews (partly in German, partly in English) of the great director/screen writer Billy Wilder. The interviews were filmed in 1988, released in Europe in 1992, and re-cut for American release to co-inside with the centennial anniversary of the late film greats birth. I was surprisingly disappointed, didn’t feel as if I learned much new, though I had fairly recently read the directors authorized biography, which of course would cover basicly the same ground. Fair.

The Tramp and the Dictator (2002)

Documentary on Charlie Chaplin’s famed anti-Nazi satire The Great Dictator (1940). Film discusses, among other things, similarities between Chaplin and Hitler’s upbringing (they were both born in the same week in 1889, were poor, had Jewish relatives), and Hitler’s reaction to the film (unsurprisingly negative, though apparently he saw it twice). Narrated by Kenneth Branagh. Fair to Good.

Just Like Heaven (2005)

Romantic comedy is kind of a variation on Ghost Dad, with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo as likable as always, but pulling no acting muscles. Early post Napoline Dynamite supporting part for Jon Heder. Also features underused actress Dina Waters. Fair.

William Shakespears The Merchant of Venice (2004)

Solid, amazing looking (those sets) adaptation of one of Shakespears more difficult plays. Al Pacino takes a risk and excels as Shylock, a figure of both great pity and (historically) anti-Semitic imagery. Protected rouse at the end of the film seems in many ways out of place tonally. Good.

The Thin Man (1934)

A brilliant film, complicated, fun, and witty. William Powell and Myrna Loy have great chemistry, and the clever rata-tat dialogue must have been a major influence on later writers, like Aaron Sorkin and Amy Sherman-Palladino. I even got my sister to watch this one with me. From the novel by Dashiell Hammett. First in a series. Excellent.

The Battle of Algiers (1966)

Cinéma vérité, almost documentary-like Italin/French film about the Algerian war for independence in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Fictionalized and condensed, but also a largely accurate depiction of guerilla warfare (it was screened at the pentagon during the buildup to the Iraq war as a primer on urban guerilla combat). Film largely follows the revolutionaries, whose activates are often terrorist in nature, but seems sympathetic to both sides. The recently deceased Jean Martin (1922-2009) gives a memorable performance as the French Col. Mathieu, who fights bravely and smartly, despite knowing that his side is destined to lose. Excellent.

X-Men 3 (2006)

Disappointing conclusion to the trilogy, and after X-Men 2 showed such promise. This film confuses doing a lot of stuff, killing off characters, getting ride of their powers, drastically changing the political condition of the mutants, with logical character development and emotional power. The whole plot, giving the mutant characters a chance to give up their powers and become “normal” is an interesting philosophical conundrum (would you give up a vital part of your identity to fit in?), but is also cope-out to all that came before. The only real good thing to come out of this film is my first expose to the intriguing looking (and now rather successful) actress Ellen Page. Poor.

Old Audio Blogs

In June of 2006 I briefly experimented with audio blogging on The Dredge Report, but that didn’t last long. Anyway the only movies that I have seen for the first time since late November of 2005 that have not been transcribed to this blog, are those few that I audio blogged about nearly 3 years ago. So I’ve decided to write short reviews of those and post them here, because I’m a completist So here it goes:

Twilight (2008)

So I finally saw this first film adaptation from the astoundingly popular book series about chaste vampires, ironically it was at the insistence of my brother, who I find to be a rather unlikely Twilight fan. It was good, certainly better then I thought it would be, author Stephenie Meyer’s has a mildly interesting revisionist take on the vampire legend (which I understand will get much more fleshed out in later installments of the story), and actress Kristin Stewart has a certain quality that I can’t quite identify but that servers her well as a young star (which is good because the industry is certainly pushing her on us). However I suspect the movie wouldn’t hold much interest for me on repeat viewing. Fair to Good.

Homicide: Life on the Street: Season 3 (1994-1995)

It was good to finally see this excellent show get a full season, the extremely abbreviated first two season’s were very good, but having more time to play things out was a great benefit to the series. Particularly memorable arc’s include the beginning of Bayliss’s decent, the shooting of the three detectives, and for comic relief the opening of Bayliss, Lewis, and Munch’s bar. Also appreciated are the small one or two episode stories that often feel much like a play, especially the symmetry of "Every Mother's Son" and "Colors". I’m really getting into this, once you get in the shows grove, it can carry you away. Excellent.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)

You come for the Amy Adams, but you stay for the Frances McDormand in this pleasant though uneven film based on the period novel by Winifred Watson. McDormand is Guinevere Pettigrew, a down-on-her-luck nanny in London on the eve of World War Two. A series of only partially intentional events leads Miss Pettigrew to take the position of ‘social secretary’ to Adams, an aspiring American singer/actress caught in a self made love quadrangle. The two help each other, though mostly things just seem to happen in this story that feels like its missing pieces of both plot and character development. More low key then I anticipated, it’s a likable film, but doesn’t feel fully realized, which at times causes you to almost lose interest. Ciarán Hinds has a certain presence as Miss Pettigrew’s love interest. 2 ½ out 5.

The Pride of the Yankees (1942)

What a thoroughly lovable movie, the story of a man who radiated decency (Lou Gehrig), here portrayed by a man who always embodied virtue on screen (Gary Cooper). Surely the prototype for all inspiring sports figure movies, and have any even come close to replicating its purity. Excellent support provided chiefly by Teresa Wright (at the height of her loveliness) and Walter Brennan, in typically excellent forum. Few trio’s of stars could I look upon with such fondness. I don’t know why it took me so long to see this one, a true classic. 5 out of 5.

Dead Like Me: Life After Death (2009)

Direct to DVD follow-up movie to Showtimes short-lived cult favorite about Seattle area grim reapers, provides a surprising amount of closure (nice but not over-the-top symmetry). I was impressed, it retained what I like about the show, offered up a few things new, and most of all gave us believable character development, especially among the shows ‘living’ characters, but also some of the dead ones. I mean it’s been three years since the show, so a lot would have happened in these peoples lives or existanceses and I think it was very well handled and felt quite natural. The movie made me miss the show, which was pulled too soon, but at least gave the story a satisfying conclusion that the series never fully had. 4 out of 5 for Dead Like Me fans, probably a confused 2 ½ for those who’ve never seen the program.

Fun Fact: The character of Daisy, on the series played by actress Laura Harris, is here performed by Australian thespian Sarah Wynter, who had played Harris’s sister on the 2nd season of 24.

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season 2 (2004)

This funny/awkward series is something I seem to only be able to take about once a presidential term. Very funny, makes me physically laugh, which very few shows do, but about every other episode you just have to hid your head its so awkward (The Doll). Brilliant but difficult, like Larry David himself. 4 out of 5.

God on Trial (2008)

Masterpiece Theater tela-play inspired by the possibly apocryphal story of a group of Auschwitz prisoners who hold a symbolic trial of God for breaking the Abrahamic Covenant. Perfect and poignant story vehicle for exploring all kinds of questions relating to God, mercy & justice, atheism & belief, hope & despair, faith & reason. The tela-play is really a lost art, they should do more of them, its such a capable forum for exploring issues like these. An hour and a half, with a lot to say. 4 out of 5.

Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter (2009)

While the Watchmen movie is certainly crowded with story and layers, now that I’m reading the original graphic novel I have even greater appreciation for the volumeus complexity and nuance of the world created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter, is a companion piece to the movie, that takes slightly or unused elements from the novel, and gives them movement. Forefront among these is the Tales of the Black Freighter, a comic book, within the original comic book, that serves as an extended metaphor for one of the Watchmen’s story arc’s. This is a bloody, roughly 25 minute anima about an 18th century ship wreaked sea captains attempt to get home to his family, and what he’ll sacrifice to get there. Secondly there is Under the Hood, presented as a 60 Minutes like new piece from 1975, chronicling the story of the original Minute Men of the 1940's and 50's, forerunners of the Watchmen that the comic and movie primarily chronicle. Also included is the first volume of the Watchmen ‘motion comic’, and behind the scenes stuff on the making of Black Freighter and Under the Hood. This DVD afforded me the opportunity to poke around some of the side streets of the Watchmen universe, something I’ve wanted to do since first seeing the film, and prompting a satisfied 3 1/2 out of 5 rating.

Age of Consent (1969)

Last film directed by Michael Powell, once of Powell & Pressburger fame. James Mason is Bradley Morahan, a world famous painter who returns to his native Australia for much needed inspiration. Renting a bungalow on a small, sparsely populated island off of Queensland, Morahan rediscovers the joys of life through his friendship with Cora (Helen Mirren, in her first major screen role) a poor, slightly naive girl not yet 18. Certainly a product of its time, the film is meant to be a celebration of discovery, but comes off rather muted and often slow. I kept feeling this was more of a book then a movie, and it just didn’t do it for me, though it was neat to see Helen Mirren that young. 2 out of 5

Some Recent Deaths

Ron Silver (1946-2009)

Talented character actor best known to me as campaign strategist Bruno Gianelli on The West Wing. Silver, along with the likes of Dennis Miller, was one of a number of perceived liberal entertainers who moved to the right following the terrorist attacks of September 2001. West Wing writers incorporated this shift somewhat into the Gianelli character, who went to work for a Republican presidential candidate in the shows last 2 seasons.

Interesting Ron Silver fact: He had a masters degree in Chinese history (who knew?).

Betsy Blair (1923-2009)

Blair paid Ernest Borgnine’s plan Jane love interest in 1955’s Oscar winning Marty. That was an emotionally important movie to me for a time, and the idea of ending up with a Blair-like characters left mixed emotions. She warrants mention here.

Natasha Richardson (1963-2009)

I haven’t really followed her work, I didn’t even know that she was married to Liam Neeson until she died. I happened to catch the scene in Batman Begins where the Nesson's character talks about his wife’s death, just a week or so after Richardson died, watching it felt weird and haunting.

Maurice Jarre (1924-2009)

The composer for the memorable scores for such David Lean films as Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago, and A Passage to India. Even with all Lean;s talents, could those films have been the same without Jarre’s iconic compositions, I think not.

Boston Legal: Season 4 (2007-2008)

Reviews of Boston Legal by me are mostly superfluous, you know I love it. I sensed a brief slowdown in enthusiasm midway through the season, things dipped in quality a bit, but post writers strike were again going in the right direction. Season 3 was better, but still, it’s quite a show. 4 ½ out of 5.

Madam X (1966)

Some friends of mine have been writing a musical based on this story, which is what occasioned me to view said movie. While taking a fair number of liberties with the original French play, you do get the basic story, which while a good one, is here rendered rather mediorically. It’s a Douglas Sirk movie without the benefit of Douglas Sirk, and made after the cycle of such melodramas had largely run its course. Forgettable, when it shouldn’t have been. 2 out of 5.

Duplicity (2009)

Clive Owen and a still sexy Julia Roberts star in this playful caper film about two lovers and ex-intelligence agents trying exploit a corporate feud. Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkinson play the feuding exec.’s, theur over the top tarmac fight at the beginning of the film set a wonderful tone for what is to follow. Sleek, witty, nicely crafted, reminiscent of the first Oceans Eleven remake, only instead of casinos, it’s the soap industry that’s the intended target. Good escapism, 3 out of 5.

Life Without People (2008)

History channel ‘special’ inspired by the 2009 book ‘The World Without Us’. Expert commentary and basic cable quality computer effects combine to explore what would happen to the plants, animals, and all our stuff should humankind just disappear some day (which it just might). I’d seen part of this before and wanted to finish it, ironically the early stuff, what would happen in just the first few years of our absence, I found the most fascinating, but that may be because I’d already seen much of the far future stuff, the 75 to 10,000 years after man range. Anyway I enjoyed it, though now I probably won’t read the book. 3 out of 5.

Interesting fact: Mt. Rushmore might well be the last real evidence of man left standing, experts predict it could last in something of recognizable forum for up to 200,000 years or more. Of course plastic milk jugs might last an additional 800,000 years.