THE IRON LADY

January 15, 2012

 Greetings again from the darkness. So many are up in arms about what this movie isn’t, that they have lost sight of what it is. If you are expecting a political drama and biography detailing the finer points of one of the most impactful and controversial world leaders in history, you will undoubtedly be disappointed. If instead, you accept this as a creative way to tell a story and glimpse at a once powerful person struggling with her place in history, while simultaneously fighting the daily battle against Alzheimer’s, then you too will be satisfied with more than the towering performance of Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher.

Lady Thatcher is one of most controversial political figures in modern history. Pundits fall to pro or con in regards to her 3 terms (11 years) as British Prime Minister. Writer Abi Morgan (Shame) and director Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia) don’t take a side in the argument. Instead they offer us the viewpoint of an elderly Lady Thatcher struggling to avoid “going mad”. Her daily battle includes numerous flashbacks to specific moments and events. Through these episodes, we take a quick trip through history … almost a Cliff’s Notes version. Additionally, we witness how she regularly “sees” and speaks with her husband Denis (Jim Broadbent). Yes, he died years ago. It seems she realizes this, but enjoys the comfort of having him nearby.

During the flashbacks, we get a feel for her early onset political ambition, which evidently came from her dad the grocer (and small town politician). He encouraged her to work hard, be different and think for herself, while never backing down from her beliefs. This seems hard-wired into her personality through the years as she fights the male establishment and climbs the “greasy pole” of British parliament.

The brief segments on the Falkland Islands, Parliamentary debates, and tough Labor Union stance will probably leave you wanting more details on how she negotiated her way through some very unpopular decisions. The best suggestion is to read some of the endless stream of documentation in print regarding her time in office. But don’t let that distract you from an unusual and interesting film. Plus, you certainly want to catch another world-class performance from, whom I consider, the greatest actress in film history.

SEE THIS MOVIE IF: you want to see an accurate and insightful personal look at a once powerful world leader who is stuggling with Dementia/Alzheimers and her place in history OR you want to see yet another stunning performance from the great Meryl Streep

SKIP THIS MOVIE IF: you are looking for a documentary style historical biography on Margaret Thatcher

watch the trailer:

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Posted by David Ferguson

TMI (1-15-12)

January 15, 2012

TMI (Today’s Movie Info)

OKLAHOMA! (1955) was adapted for the screen by Rodgers and Hammerstein from the original Broadway production of “Oklahoma!”, which opened at the St. James Theater in New York City on May 31, 1943 and ran for 2,212 performances, setting a record (at the time) for a musical.  Oklahoma! was the first of five extremely successful R&H film musicals: Carousel, (1956) South Pacific (1958), The King and I (1956), The Sound of Music (1965)
 
Most of it was filmed in Arizona for a more traditional rural look
 
This was the screen debut for Shirley Jones (age 20 while filming).  She would later go on to lay the foundation for high culture in America by taking the lead (along with her real life step-son David Cassidy) in “The Partridge Family”  (1970-74).  Yes, I am kidding about the high culture part.  Ms. Jones was in fact a very talented singer and actress, which she showed in this and other films such as Carousel (1956) and The Music Man (1962).
 
Rod Steiger (Jud Fry) couldn’t dance and Gloria Grahame (Ado Annie) couldn’t sing.  Mr. Steiger worked long hours with the choreographer and Ms. Grahame’s vocals were pieced together electronically from hours of recordings.
 
In addition to the title track, a couple of other songs were quite popular and worked their way into the musical fabric of the country:  “Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'” and “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top”
 
The film’s director Fred Zinneman was also responsible for some other classic films: High Noon (1952), From Here to Eternity (1953), A Man for All Seasons (1966), The Day of the Jackal (1973)

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Posted by David Ferguson

TMI (1-14-12)

January 14, 2012

TMI (Today’s Movie Info)

 NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) was the fourth and final movie director Alfred Hitchcock made with Cary Grant.  The other three were: Suspicion (1941), Notorious (1946), To Catch a Thief (1955).
 
This film contains two iconic Hollywood scenes: the chase across Mount Rushmore, and the Crop Duster (“where there ain’t no crops”) buzzing Grant.
 
Jimmy Stewart really wanted the role, but Hitchcock preferred Grant for this one.  
 
Sophia Loren was the first choice for the Eva Marie Saint role, but studio contractual obligations required her to turn it down
 
The film contains one of Hitchcock’s most memorable cameos: (during the opening credits) he arrives at a bus stop, but gets there just as the door is closed in his face.
 
Hitchcock couldn’t get permission to film inside the United Nations building or on the face of Mount Rushmore, so sets were built.
 
Ernest Lehman – wrote this script and also some of Hollywood’s most successful screenplays: The Sound of Music (1965), West Side Story (1961), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966)

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Posted by David Ferguson

PICKUP ON SOUTH STREET (1953) revisited

January 14, 2012

 Greetings again from the darkness. Thanks to The Dallas Film Society and movie critic Chris Vognar, we were lucky enough to watch this on the big screen from a 35mm print! If you enjoy the pulp thrillers from the 1950’s, this is one you must track down. For a little 80 minute B-movie, it packs a wallup for interesting discussion points.

Directed by Samuel Fuller (The Big Red One,1980), we get a real taste of his “man’s man” approach. Not only was Fuller a well-known war correspondent, he also served in WWII, including Omaha Beach on D-Day. This movie provided him with a stellar cast: Richard Widmark as Skip, Jean Peters as Candy, Thelma Ritter as Moe, and Richard Kiley as Joey. It is a story of the times and begins when a small-time pickpocket Skip, works his magic fingers on Candy’s purse while they are facing each other on the subway.

 The real fun begins as we watch the police, the feds and the communists all trying to hunt down Skip. The reason? He unknowingly stole top secret US information that was being passed to the commies. This film noir has some really tough elements. Heck, Skip even punches Candy right in the jaw! The lighting, score and fight scenes are all no-nonsense and direct. It’s really fun to watch the eye movements of the key players. It’s obvious none of the characters are comfortable in the situation, no matter how smooth they try to be.

The great Thelma Ritter runs off with each of her scenes. She plays Moe, the local stool pigeon who plays everyone for a buck. Ms. Ritter was nominated for an Oscar for her role (one of four in a row for her), but it was another in her long line of 6 nominations and no wins. This may be her best work. Another of my all time favorite character actors makes a brief appearance as one of the commies: Willis Bouchey. And don’t miss Milburn Stone as a detective. Mr. Stone would go on to star as Doc on “Gunsmoke” for twenty years.

 The film features some terrific lines. One of my favorites is “Everybody likes everybody when they’re kissing.” Another is “I would rather have a live pickpocket than a dead traitor.” Fun stuff. Should also mention that Jean Peters (pictured in a scene from this movie) went on to become the wife of Howard Hughes and her acting days abruptly ended. After their divorce, she made a couple of TV appearances, but was unable to recapture the magic of these early years. Should also note that this film was re-made (weakly) in 1969 as The Cape Town Affair.

*note – I couldn’t find the original trailer or a clip that didn’t give away the ending.

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Posted by David Ferguson

TMI (1-13-12)

January 13, 2012

TMI (Today’s Movie Info)

 MERYL STREEP has been nominated for a record 16 Academy  Awards for acting.  She has two wins: Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Best Actress for Sophie’s Choice (1982).  Katherine Hepburn, who was not a fan of Meryl, had 12 nominations (4 wins) and Bette Davis, who was a huge fan of Meryl, had 10 nominations.
 
Ms. Streep graduated from Vassar and studied at Yale School of Drama.  She is now 62 years old and has been married to sculptor Don Gummer for 33 years.  Three of their four kids are actors.
 
Streep’s first feature film role was with Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave in Julia (1977) and her first Oscar nomination came the following year for The Deer Hunter (1978).
 
She often plays real life characters such as: Julia Child, Ethel Rosenberg, Karen Silkwood, Karen Blixen, Roberta Guasppari, Lindy Chamberlain and Susan Orlean.  Once again, she is one of the leading contenders this year for another Oscar nomination for her performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady (2011)
 
Streep studied opera as a teenager and is a very talented singer
 
Her next film is Great Hope Springs, a ComDram where she and Tommy Lee Jones co-star as a married couple in counseling.  Their counselor?  Steve Carell.  The expected release date: December 12, 2012
 
And yes, I’m a proud “Streeper”!

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Posted by David Ferguson

TMI (1-12-11)

January 12, 2012

TMI (Today’s Movie Info)

“Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”

(Clemenza to Rocco who has just killed Paulie)

 from The Godfather (1972)
 
 
Here is the link to my recap of 2011 movies:
 
https://moviereviewsfromthedark.wordpress.com/annual-bests-2/best-of-2011/
 

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Posted by David Ferguson

IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY

January 12, 2012

 Greetings again from the darkness. Most of us are extremely under-informed on the details of the Bosnian War thanks to the cursory western media coverage, which was complimented by the mostly hands-off approach from the UN. This movie doesn’t shy away from exposing the atrocities of ethnic cleansing, genocide and crimes against women that occurred, but it does so through an intimate story rather than an epic tale of war.

This is no place for a history lesson, and I would certainly not be the one to supply it, but some basics are required to somewhat understand what’s going on. The reign of Yugoslavian President Tito lasted until his death in 1980. Although much criticism is directed his way, he was able to guide a society that allowed the co-existence of Bosniak Muslims and Orthodox Serbs. You might recall that in 1984, Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics. Not long after that, the republics began skirmishes that eventually escalated to a complicated civil war lasting from 1992-95 (The Bosnian War).

 The film focuses on two people: Danijel (Goran Kostic) and Ajla (Zana Marjanovic).  They are dancing cozily in a nightclub when a bomb shatters their date and their lives. Danijel goes on to become a mid-level military leader of the Serbs, while Ajla and her Muslim family and friends have their way of life ripped apart. Some are even executed. Ajla ends up as a prisoner at the camp Danijel commands. He manages to protect her from the brutal rapes (by soldiers) by staking a claim on her and putting the order out that she is not to be touched.

Ajla is an artist and Danijel is a soldier and their earlier dance evolves into their own personal war of wits, mistrust and psychological escape. Danijel is clearly not of the mindset to be a brutal killer within a war, yet Ajla constantly observes his every movement and interprets even the slightest change in his approach to her and the war. She does what she needs to survive and he uses her as an escape from the atrocities of his day job. The end result of this relationship is both shocking and inevitable.

 Danijel’s father, Nebojsa, is a senior level military leader who shows up in time to provide us with a brief history lesson dating back 600 years. He takes much pride in the Serbs ability to conquer and persevere. Nebojsa is played by Rade Serbedzija, whom many will recognize as the villain from The Saint (1997) and Boris the Blade in Snatch (2000). This is a powerful and frightening character, and we quickly understand why he doubts his son’s fortitude. The moment he finds out about Ajla, we are immediately hit with a feeling of dread for her.

After the screening, we were fortunate enough to have a discussion panel sponsored by the World Affairs Council. One of the panel members was a former officer in the Bosnian Army who spent time in two separate concentration camps. Viewing the film was very emotional for him and he said it captured the realities as well as a movie possibly could. Of course, we never lose sight of the fact that what we see on screen are not “real” bullets, not “real” rape, and not “real” blood.

 Most of us are aware of the humanitarian efforts of Angelina Jolie.  She brings that same caring perspective as a first time filmmaker (writer, director, producer), working diligently to tell a story that exposes the realities of war and how humanity can dissolve into horror. It’s not a perfect film (it runs a bit long), but it tells a powerful story that we may prefer to pretend never happened.   Just like the Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens, we can’t help but wonder what took NATO forces so long to get involved. Capped by an understated and haunting Gabriel Yared score, the film is a brutal reminder that war is the ultimate sacrifice and punishment for real people and real families.

note: don’t miss a quick cameo by Brad Pitt (I believe he knows the writer/director/producer pretty well)

note: The Turkish meaning of Balkans: “Bal” = Honey, “Kan” = Blood

SEE THIS MOVIE IF: you are interested in learning more about the atrocities of war from the vantage of two people with little choice in their situation OR you would like to see the first step of a fine new filmmaker, Angelina Jolie.

SKIP THIS MOVIE IF: you would just as soon avoid any more harsh realities of war and the subsequent loss of humanity

watch the trailer:

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Posted by David Ferguson

TMI (1-11-12)

January 11, 2012

TMI (Today’s Movie Info)

Kevin Costner —  has perhaps the most famous character to be left on the cutting room floor.  Costner’s Alex commits suicide before The Big Chill (1983) begins, but was supposed to appear in a series of flashbacks throughout the film after his friends from college reunite for his funeral. All of those scenes were cut from the final version, though that is actually Costner in the opening scenes being dressed for the funeral. Director  Lawrence Kasdan was very adamant about not including those “deleted scenes” for the 1998 video release by Columbia.  Director Kasdan and actor Costner would go on to collaborate in Silverado (1985) and Wyatt Earp (1995)

Costner has turned down two roles in Quentin Tarantino films … Bill in Kill Bill (2003) and Ace in Django Unchained (2012).  These roles subsequently went to David Carradine and Kurt Russell, respectively.  Costner upcoming projects are this year’s TV series “Hatfields and McCoys” where he will play the head of the Hatfield family in their feud against Bill Paxton‘s McCoys; and, next year he will play Superman’s earth dad in Man of Steel (2013)

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Posted by David Ferguson

TMI (1-10-12)

January 10, 2012

TMI (Today’s Movie Info)

 JOHN RATZENBERGER is the only person to voice a character in all of Pixar Animation’s feature films: as Hamm in Toy Story (1995); PT Flea in A Bug’s Life (1998); Hamm again in Toy Story 2 (1999); the Abominable Snowman in Monsters, Inc. (2001); Fish School in Finding Nemo (2003); Underminer in The Incredibles (2004); Mack in Cars (2006), Mustafa in Ratatouille (2007), John in WALL-E (2008), Construction Foreman Tom Up (2009), Hamm in Toy Story 3 (2010) and Mack in Cars 2 (2011).
 
He is best known for his role as Cliff Clavin on the long running TV series “Cheers” (1982-93)  
Clavin was a mailman and frequently entertained the bar patrons with his Little Known Facts.  The classic episode where Cliff appears on his favorite show “Jeopardy” has him with a huge lead heading into Final Jeopardy.  He wagers his entire $22,000 and is stumped by the clue of “Archibald Leach, Bernard Schwartz and Lucille LeSueru”. Cliff’s response of “Who are three people who’ve never been in my kitchen?” is deemed humorous, but incorrect. (The correct response was “What were the real names of Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, Joan Crawford?”)
 
Ratzenberger helped build the stage for Woodstock Festival in 1969 (he was 22 years old)
 
My “Best of 2011” is posted at:
https://moviereviewsfromthedark.wordpress.com/annual-bests-2/best-of-2011/

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Posted by David Ferguson

TMI (1-9-12)

January 9, 2012

TMI (Today’s Movie Info)

 “I SPY” was a TV series that ran from 1965-68, and was the first tv series that featured a black actor (Bill Cosby) in a lead role.  Cosby and Robert Culp starred as American agent partners.  When it first aired, many southern network affiliates would not show the series since it portrayed a black man and white man on equal level.  The 2002 movie I Spy starred Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson in the Cosby and Culp roles … as you might imagine, it was blasted by the critics and bombed at the box office.

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Posted by David Ferguson

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