IT CAME FROM TEXAS Film Festival (2024, 2nd annual)

September 15, 2024

Greetings again from the darkness. The second annual IT CAME FROM TEXAS FILM FESTIVAL was held September 13-15 at the Plaza Theatre in Garland, Texas. The festival salutes films made in Texas illustrating the Independent Texas spirit. This year’s showcase included three Oscar-winning films: TENDER MERCIES (1983), THE LAST PICTURE SHOW (1971), and GIANT (1956). Although I was out of town and unable to attend, the festival’s director, Kelly Kitchens, was kind enough to provide screeners for three documentaries scheduled for the festival. Al three speak to the pride of Texas.

A FAIR TO REMEMBER (2008)

Co-directors: Allen Mondell, Cynthia Salzman Mondell, and Phil Allen

For so many kids who grew up in Texas, and certainly for those in the Dallas-Ft Worth area, a trip to the Great State Fair of Texas was an annual event, and remains so today. This hour-long documentary serves up details on the rich history of the largest State Fair in the U.S., including the rough beginnings dating to 1886. Author Nancy Wiley, historian Steven Butler, and actress and local celebrity Rose-Mary Rumbley recount personal stories and historical facts related to the Fair.

Narrated by beloved character actor (and Texan) Barry Corbin, segments cover early horse racing that transitioned to auto racing that later morphed into the popular Auto Show. Also receiving time are the Livestock auction, and the games and rides of the infamous Midway (including ‘guess your weight’). The old Wild West Show featuring Native Americans is discussed, as is the 1936 Centennial Fair, and the use of the fairgrounds during WWI and WWII. A brief history of the architectural changes is provided.

I was aware that Elvis played the Cotton Bowl in 1956, yet as many times as I’ve attended, I never knew the first electrical lights in Dallas, as well as the first local airplane flight can be traced to the Fair … or that there was once a Klan Day (exactly what you think) or a Negro Achievement Day. And yes, details are provided for butter sculpture, Fletcher’s Corny Dogs and Big Tex, the world’s tallest cowboy – all popular Fair traditions. The clips and photos provide the visual history and nostalgia that makes this a must-see for Texans.

HORTON FOOTE: THE ROAD TO HOME (2020)

Director: Anne Rapp

Playwright and Screenwriter Horton Foote was born in Wharton, Texas in 1916. You likely don’t know where Wharton is, but the distinguished Mr. Foote won a Pulitzer Prize, two Oscars, an Emmy, was nominated for a Tony, and was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton.

We hear from those who worked with him, those who acted for him, and those who directed and respected his work … and even his daughter (an actor). Yet what sets this one apart is that we hear directly from 90-year-old Horton prior to his passing in 2009. His reflections on his process and his career are fascinating, even though he’s about the most humble man you’ll ever see interviewed.

His Oscars were won for his screenwriting on TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962) and TENDER MERCIES (1983), and he may be best known for his original script, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL (1985). Some writers are renowned for their creativity, and Horton certainly possessed that trait, but apparently his greatest gift was that of absorbing and observing those he spent time around. His work is known for being grounded by real characters. He wrote the truth about people and became known as “America’s Chekhov”.

CHILDREN OF GIANT (2015)

Director: Hector Galan

Director George Stevens’ 1956 feature film GIANT received ten Oscar nominations and was based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize winning novelist and playwright, Edna Ferber. Yet, after all these years, it’s still best known as James Dean’s final film (he received a posthumous Oscar nomination). The film also starred Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, Dennis Hopper, Mercedes McCambridge, Carroll Baker, Sal Mineo, Earl Holliman, Chill Wills, Paul Fix, and Elsa Cardenas. The focus of this documentary, however, is not on the all-star cast, but rather on the tiny west Texas town of Marfa, where the exterior shots of Reata were shot.

Living up to the film’s title, we hear from many of the locals who were mere tykes when the movie stars and film crew hit town sixty years prior. This allows us to better understand that Stevens was intent on exposing more than ego and greed from Texas ranchers of the day. Racism was still rampant at the time, and though there are many obvious moments in the film where this plays a role, the viewpoint here digs even deeper.

Narrated by former San Antonio mayor Henry Cisneros, we hear from Earl Holliman, Stevens’ son, the film’s dialect coach, and the fascinating German on-set caterer, who offers up her own backstory that includes Dachau. We also learn how author Ferber was influenced by meeting the Kleberg’s of King Ranch, and there is speculation that oil tycoon Glenn McCarthy inspired Dean’s Jett Rink character. There is a terrific sequence where actor Elsa Cardenas returns to Marfa, and is saddened that only a few two-by-fours remain from the frame of the mansion’s set. A documentary that captures this much emotion while also enlightening us to a filmmaker’s out-of-the-box commitment is truly something special.

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Posted by David Ferguson

Book Review- WITH LOVE, MOMMIE DEAREST (2024)

April 29, 2024

With Love, Mommie Dearest: The Making of an Unintentional Camp Classic

By A. Ashley Hoff

Published by Chicago Review Press

Available May 7, 2024 at https://www.amazon.com/Love-Mommie-Dearest-Unintentional-Classic/dp/1641607688

“No wire hangers ever!” Thanks to the internet and memes and gifs, that iconic line is familiar today to some people who haven’t even seen the 1981 movie, MOMMIE DEAREST. Author A. Ashley Hoff is a Hollywood historian, researcher, and writer, and he takes us on a deep dive behind the scenes of one of the most notorious cinematic camp classics of all time.  “How did they do that?” “Who decided that?” “What were the filmmakers thinking?” What was it like on set?” If you are the kind who asks these types of questions about the movies you watch, Ashley’s book will deliver all the answers you could possibly desire, while also cluing us in a bit on the industry itself – including who holds the power.

Author Hoff does an excellent job distinguishing Christina Crawford’s best-selling 1978 memoir, “Mommie Dearest”, from the adapted screen version, MOMMIE DEAREST (1981). It’s likely many will be surprised at just how uninvolved Christina (Joan Crawford’s adopted daughter) was with the making of the movie. On the other hand, what’s not surprising is the amount of information and detail provided on lead actress, Faye Dunaway. By 1981, Ms. Dunaway was a true movie star. She exploded onto the screen with Warren Beatty in Arthur Penn’s BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967), and again with Jack Nicholson in Roman Polanski’s brilliant CHINATOWN (1974). It’s fair to say her career peaked from a prestige level with her Oscar winning performance in Sidney Lumet’s NETWORK (1977), and that MOMMIE DEAREST was integral to a change in the types of roles she was offered.

 Personal interviews with key players, as well as previously published comments, paint the mosaic of the many moving parts beginning in pre-production, and progressing through casting (Anne Bancroft!), set design, costuming, hair, and make-up, all while balancing the first ever child’s view of abuse, and the conflicts between producer, director, and diva star. ‘The Franks’ (Producer Yablans and Director Perry) were respected industry professionals, yet we are left with the impression that neither was able to exert much control over Faye Dunaway, infamous for both her preparation and inflexible views. Two of the more interesting perspectives are sprinkled throughout with observations from actress Ratanya Alda (who plays Joan Crawford’s assistant Carol Ann) and Tracy Hotchner, who wrote the original screenplay.

Remembered as Hollywood royalty, Joan Crawford passed away in 1977, before Christina’s memoir was published and obviously prior to the film’s release. She won an Oscar for her outstanding performance in MILDRED PIERCE (1945), and later appeared alongside her big screen rival, Bette Davis, in WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962). These days, more people associate her with the infamous wire hangers and Dunaway’s portrayal of her in the film. It’s fascinating to read how those involved were absolutely convinced they were making a serious drama featuring an ultra-serious topic and a Hollywood legend. When the reviews became progressively more scathing and audiences began to laugh at the over-the-top moments, a camp classic was born. Since then, the comparisons to THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975) are inescapable. Midnight showings found audiences dressed in costumes, waving wire hangers, and shouting lines of dialogue at the screen.

As we make our way through Hoff’s book, we find ourselves feeling empathy towards the filmmakers, the cast, the crew, Joan Crawford, and Christine Crawford. No one received the acclaim they expected (instead, the film racked up some Razzies that year). Some viewed it as a missed opportunity to drive serious conversation on child abuse, yet ‘serious’ just seemed to be the one thing never associated with the film. Hoff has provided an extraordinary amount of information for those interested in the mysterious ways of Hollywood, or for those who simply can’t get enough of “Mommie Dearest” in any format.

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Posted by David Ferguson

BLOGATHON: MISMATCHED COUPLES (2024)

March 29, 2024

THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN (2022)

Former BFF’s Colm and Padraig

Greetings again from the darkness. It’s always an honor to be invited to participate in the movie blogathons hosted by Gill and Barry. So many fine writers participate, and it’s a chance to really hone in on a particular topic, while learning what tickles the fancy of others taking part. Maintaining the pace of new movie reviews that I’ve committed to often prevents me from joining in, but this time, it worked out well.

The title of the blogathon makes the mission crystal clear. We are to select a mismatched couple/pair from a film and write about why it was interesting and/or entertaining. Mismatched couples have been a staple of cinema since the early days, and the trope is certainly not tied to any particular genre. Maybe “Cop” movies are most commonly recognized for this, as they often use the “good cop vs bad cop” approach, but it’s also prevalent in domestic dramas (THE ODD COUPLE), action movies (TANGO & CASH), mysteries (Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson), classic films (Rhett and Scarlet in GONE WITH THE WIND) and even romantic-comedies (WHEN HARRY MET SALLY). For my entry, I chose former BFF’s Colm and Padraig from THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, which also happens to be my favorite movie of 2022.

Wickedly talented writer-director Martin McDonagh is the creative force behind this movie, as well as the instant classic, IN BRUGES (2008). In a brilliant move, McDonagh re-paired the lead actors from the earlier film in hopes of re-capturing their onscreen magic. The move definitely worked, as Colin Farrell as Padraic and Brendan Gleeson as Colm are both terrific in this film as they personify “Mismatched Couples.”

It’s 2:00 in the afternoon and Padraic does what he does every day. He knocks on the door of his lifelong friend, Colm, so they can head to the pub for a pint. Only this isn’t every other day. It’s a new day. Colm doesn’t answer. Padraig is a simple man who thrives on his routine and his friendship with Colm. Now for this to qualify as a ‘mismatched couple’, there must be conflict and tension. Initially we are as confused as Padraig, but soon enough Colm bluntly informs him that they are no longer friends, and that not even pleasantries will be exchanged – despite their history, and the forced proximity of living in the same village on an island. Colm has visions of a brighter future without Padraig, and Padraig is bewildered as he tries to figure out what he did wrong.

Part of the brilliance of the film and this relationship stems from the fact that these two gents are not the only mismatched couple, yet it’s their abrupt fallout that has an impact on so many others in the close-knit community. As Colm pursues his fiddle music and builds a new network, Padraig plunges into a funk, and finds the troubled town oddball (an excellent Barry Keoghan) buddying up to him in hopes of befriending Padraig’s sister (a terrific Kerry Condon). All of this creates choppy waters and dark comedic elements (just as McDonagh designed it), yet the driving force here is the broken relationship between Padraig and Colm. Both actors are so good. The turns of violence are shocking, and because of it, fiddle playing becomes more challenging … and things don’t go so well for Jenny the miniature donkey either (yet another victim of the broken relationship).

Watching these two actors at the top of their game (Farrell received an Oscar nomination) allows us to buy into this unfortunate break in what had been a long friendship. Some of the situations come across as outlandish, yet the actors bring a nuance to the characters that draws in as we anxiously hope for reconciliation, rather than a war to match what’s occurring across the bay. The idea of a couple of buddies becoming ‘mismatched’ after years of friendship makes this one of the more unusual … and interesting … and tragic … ‘mismatched’ couples in cinema.

Here is my original review of THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN from November 2022

https://moviereviewsfromthedark.com/2022/11/03/the-banshees-of-inisherin-2022/

To read more entries in this blogathon and to access sites for Gill and Barry:

https://weegiemidget.wordpress.com

https://cinematiccatharsis.blogspot.com

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Posted by David Ferguson

OSCARS 2024 recap

March 13, 2024

OSCARS 2024 recap

The year of “Barbenheimer” concluded with one of the best and best-paced Oscars ceremonies in recent history. Of course, there were ups and downs … even an awkward Best Picture finale (which isn’t far off from becoming a tradition). Despite the bumps, the show served up plenty of entertainment for movie lovers and very few surprises for followers of the awards circuit.

Talk show host (and overall nasty comedian) Jimmy Kimmel returned as emcee, and his opening monologue set the tone with very little political commentary (other than his support of industry unions) – an approach that most presenters and winners maintained throughout, with only a couple of exceptions. The ceremony was what it should be: a celebration of the year in movies. And as my “Best of 2023” showed, it was an excellent year for a wide variety of film genres.

My favorite movie of the year, OPPENHEIMER, was the night’s big winner with 7 Oscars, including Best Picture. Christopher Nolan’s film is quite an achievement, juggling history, a deep roster of actors, and an era that now seems foreign to most people under 40. However, this film is only half of the “Barbenheimer” label, and the BARBIE faction delivered the showstopper thanks to sparkly pink suit attired Ryan Gosling and his rousing “I’m Just Ken”. It was the kind of spectacle and audience participation moment that will go down in Oscars lore.

There were plenty of other moments worth mentioning. How about Robert DeNiro and Jodie Foster both being nominated again – just like in 1976 (48 years ago for TAXI DRIVER)? Best actress nominee Sandra Huller starred in two foreign language films that were both nominated for Best Features this year. The Academy made the absolutely brilliant decision to replace clips of each acting nominee with a short tribute given live by a previous winner in the category. Let’s hope this tradition is back to stay as it lends an air of intimacy and professionalism. The evening’s first announced winner, Da’Vine Joy Randolph (THE HOLDOVERS), had one of the most heartfelt and emotional responses one will ever witness at an awards show. Hands down, my two favorite scripts of the year won both writing categories, Original (ANATOMY OF A FALL) and Adapted (AMERICAN FICTION). Billie Eilish and her brother and co-writer Finneas O’Connell gave a nice performance (with Barbie pink backlighting) of their nominated and ultimately winning song, “What was I Made For?”.

Comedy kicked in when nominees Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling offered a tribute to Stunt performers in the form of a competitive rivalry between OPPENHEIMER and BARBIE (their two movies). Two other comedy bits also stood out, one for falling so flat. Presenters Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer pushed an unfunny gag based on Chippendale/Chip ‘n Dale, while John Cena nailed it in his faux-streaker bit. In a touching moment with a comedy background, Robert Downey Jr became the first former “Saturday Night Live” cast member to win an acting Oscar, and his long-overdue recognition reinforced his real-life comeback (thus overshadowing Jimmy Kimmel’s went-too-far monologue attack). The show ended with three of the final four “big” awards going to OPPENHEIMER (Actor, the humble Cillian Murphy; Director, the brilliant Christopher Nolan; and Best Picture). The extraordinary performance Emma Stone gave in POOR THINGS was justly rewarded with the Best Actress award.

As for surprises, I missed out on two winners in my predictions. In the Special Effects category, GODZILLA MINUS ONE bested my pick MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE, and for Cinematography, Hoyte Van Hoytema (OPPENHEIMER) edged out my choice, Rodrigo Prieto (KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON).  The latter film, directed by Martin Scorsese, was shut out despite ten nominations, (remarkably) making it the esteemed filmmaker’s third film to go O-for-10 at Oscar. Many expected Lily Gladstone to take home the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and as important has her performance was to the film, I remain solid in my belief that Emma Stone’s Oscar-winning performance was transformative and will stand the test of time. 

Overall, I would rate the presentation as pretty darn good, and fitting for a year that featured so many fine films (and, perhaps not coincidentally, so few superhero movies). TV ratings were up, and we hope the Academy can actually stimulate some box office action, rather than exist for the sole purpose of critical bashing. And yes, acting legend Al Pacino gave us a near-MOONLIGHTING disaster as he skipped the listing of nominees and just blurted out “Oppenheimer” to end things. This is one trending tradition that could be skipped and no one outside of the media would mind.

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Posted by David Ferguson

Best of 2023

December 29, 2023

This may be the first time I’ve beaten the calendar in a race towards year end! All that means is my BEST OF 2023 … the Top 10 list plus many other bonus categories … has posted. Feel free to check it out and share it, and let me know how it compares to yours. 2023 was such an interesting year for movies!

David’s BEST OF 2023

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Posted by David Ferguson

DFW Film Critics – Best of 2023

December 18, 2023

As a voting member of the Dallas-Ft Worth Film Critics Association, I want to share the final results of the Best of 2023 for the group. Soon I will be posting my personal Best of 2023 and (as always) you can expect some differences of opinion!

DFW FILM CRITICS NAME “THE HOLDOVERS” BEST PICTURE OF 2023

   

The Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association voted the comedy-drama THE HOLDOVERS as the best film of 2023, according to the results of its 30th annual critics’ poll. Following is a complete list of award winners, with choices listed in order of votes received.

BEST PICTURE

Winner: THE HOLDOVERS

Runners-up: OPPENHEIMER (2); KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (3); POOR THINGS (4); AMERICAN FICTION (5); PAST LIVES (6); MAESTRO (7); ANATOMY OF A FALL (8); BARBIE (9); MAY DECEMBER (10)

BEST ACTOR

Winner: Cillian Murphy, OPPENHEIMER

Runners-up: Paul Giamatti, THE HOLDOVERS (2); Bradley Cooper, MAESTRO (3); Jeffrey Wright, AMERICAN FICTION (4); Leonardo DiCaprio, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (5, tie); Colman Domingo, RUSTIN (5, tie)

BEST ACTRESS

Winner: Lily Gladstone, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

Runners-up: Emma Stone, POOR THINGS (2); Carey Mulligan, MAESTRO (3); Greta Lee, PAST LIVES (4); Sandra Huller, ANATOMY OF A FALL (5)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Winner: Robert Downey Jr., OPPENHEIMER

Runners-up: Charles Melton, MAY DECEMBER (2); Robert De Niro, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (3); Mark Ruffalo, POOR THINGS (4); Dominic Sessa, THE HOLDOVERS (5)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Winner: Da’Vine Joy Randolph, THE HOLDOVERS

Runners-up: Danielle Brooks, THE COLOR PURPLE (2); Emily Blunt, OPPENHEIMER (3); Jodie Foster, NYAD (4); Julianne Moore, MAY DECEMBER (5)

BEST DIRECTOR

Winner: Christopher Nolan, OPPENHEIMER

Runners-up: Martin Scorsese, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON (2); Alexander Payne, THE HOLDOVERS (3); Yorgos Lanthimos, POOR THINGS (4); Celine Song, PAST LIVES (5)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Winner: ANATOMY OF A FALL

Runners-up: THE ZONE OF INTEREST (2); THE TASTE OF THINGS (3); SOCIETY OF THE SNOW (4); FALLEN LEAVES (5)

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Winner: AMERICAN SYMPHONY

Runners-up: 20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL (2); STILL: A MICHAEL J. FOX MOVIE (3); THE DEEPEST BREATH (4); THE PIGEON TUNNEL (5)

BEST ANIMATED FILM

Winner: THE BOY AND THE HERON

Runner-up: SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE

BEST SCREENPLAY

Winner: David Hemingson, THE HOLDOVERS

Runner-up: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, ANATOMY OF A FALL

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Winner: Hoyte van Hoytema, OPPENHEIMER

Runner-up: Rodrigo Prieto, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

BEST MUSICAL SCORE

Winner: Robbie Robertson, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

Runner-up: Ludwig Goransson, OPPENHEIMER

RUSSELL SMITH AWARD (best low-budget or cutting-edge independent film)

Winner: THE ZONE OF INTEREST

The Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association consists of 24 broadcast, print and online journalists from throughout North Texas. For more information, visit dfwcritics.com or follow us on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) @dfwfilmcritics.

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Posted by David Ferguson

Texas Rangers WORLD SERIES 2023

November 2, 2023

***NOTE: a rare diversion from movies

“Finally.” That word is being used in most every report on the 2023 World Series championship of the Texas Rangers. Oxford offers a definition of the word as ‘after a long time, typically involving difficulty’. My question is, what constitutes a long time and who found this difficult? Jose LeClerc is the only player who has been on the team for the past 7 years. Most on the roster have only worn “Rangers” on their jersey for one of two years, so that doesn’t seem to qualify as a long time. Of course, the real answers to my questions are … since 1972 and the fans.

As sports fans we understand that the score of a game or a trophy held high matters little when compared to the suffering of those in Ukraine and other areas where innocent citizens are being mercilessly attacked, injured, and killed. But to argue that sports don’t matter would be an oversimplification and, well, incorrect. Just ask those fans who have loyally followed the Texas Rangers since 1972. There is a bond that forms around a hometown team. It’s a bond of shared emotions, both high and low. Over those 50+ seasons for the Rangers fans, the lows have been plenty, while the highs have been all too brief. Until now. Has it been a long time? Yes. Has it been difficult? Yes.

Since 1972, I have attended many games, crossing the three Arlington ballparks (assuming that first one actually qualifies as a ballpark) the Rangers have called home. I’ve seen Ted Williams and Billy Martin manage the team. I’ve seen Nolan Ryan throw a no-hitter and Juan Gonzalez hit three dingers in a game. I’ve seen Buddy Bell make gold glove plays at the hot corner and Charlie Hough light a cigarette in the dugout. I’ve watched Benji Gil airborne yet another throw into the stands, and Pudge Rodriguez shoot down many would-be base stealers. I’ve watched as Will Clark delivered a stream of warning track fly balls, and Adrian Beltre barehanded another dribbler from third base. I’ve also seen Michael Young rip countless line drives in the gap, Rusty Greer hustling to turn a single into a double, and Josh Hamilton destroy so many baseballs (and his career). I’ve watched Neftali Feliz buckle A-Rod’s knees with a curve and cringed as Nelson Cruz leapt to no avail at a David Freese fly ball in the World Series. And while all of those games and moments are important, what really matters to me is that bond with other fans.

I’ve shared the stands – some good seats, some not so great – with so many over the years. My uncle took me to the David Clyde game and made sure I had many other game tickets through the years (he was a big fan of Buddy Bell and Toby Harrah and Charlie Hough, and because of that, so was I). I’ve sat in the left field bleachers with parents and players from the youth baseball team I coached as the blazing Texas summer sun beat down and sapped the grown-ups of energy (our players didn’t seem to mind). I’ve dragged my beloved wife to a few games, and she never once complained. I have a good friend who was gracious enough to front me tickets during times when money was a bit tight. We even managed to attend multiple playoff games over the years – one being very special, as that’s where I first met my future daughter-in-law, one of those surprises only a son can deliver. Other games have allowed time with friends (even a future boycotter), family, co-workers, and business associates. It’s the shared experiences that matter most.

As I reflected on the World Series victory and the many years of Rangers baseball, a sense of melancholy hit. My brother-in-law passed away earlier this year. He was a huge Rangers fan. Our relationship wouldn’t be considered close, but the two best conversations we ever had were about Rangers baseball. He loved the game and he loved the team. It was a love he had previously shared with his father and many others since. Although he didn’t live long enough to ‘finally’ enjoy the championship, he certainly followed the team for a long time and experienced the difficulty. A passion for the Rangers and for baseball was also shared with many others who have since moved away. Friends and fellow Rangers fans now populate other places like California, Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, and then there is my own son, who now lives in The Netherlands with his family – including that same daughter-in-law I met at a playoff game.

As for “finally”, these are just a fraction of the folks who have experienced both a long time and difficulty. Yet there is nothing final about this, as the banner will fly indefinitely at the latest ballpark (one with a roof and air conditioning), and the Texas Rangers fans will begin the next long and difficult journey when Spring Training rolls around in 2024.

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Posted by David Ferguson

Book Review- OPPOSABLE THUMBS: HOW SISKEL & EBERT CHANGED MOVIES FOREVER (2023)

October 23, 2023

By Matt Singer

Published by Penguin Random House, 2023

Ah yes, the memories of spending so much time glued to that portable 13 inch black and white TV perched on a folding chair in my dorm room watching and listening intently as film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert discussed, debated, and dissected the latest movie releases. Of course, by then I had watched hundreds of movies and fully subscribed to the magic of cinema. However, we all knew there was something different with this weekly PBS show featuring these two men who were so opinionated, yet so knowledgeable about film. As a bonus, we were never sure if they were friends or not… this despite their weekly lessons on how we should discuss movies with our own friends.  

This background and the following years until Gene Siskel’s death in 1999 are the reason Matt Singer’s new book was a must read for me. Nostalgia can be a comforting thing, and Singer’s work perfectly captures the history and memories of what made the show so special. Singer is a passionate film critic, and that passion shines through in his admiration and respect for the two men who inspired folks like him (and me) to better understand the art form and ultimately write about our own feelings and observations driven by the movies we watch.

Structurally, the book outlines the chronological order of the Siskel and Ebert partnership, while specific examples, quotes, or other input is frequently used to reinforce the progression. The awkward beginnings that led to the 1975 pilot are detailed, as are behind-the-scenes challenges such as contract disputes, rehearsals, lunch menus, seating positions, number of words spoken, seats on talk shows, and the order of the names. Yes, these two men who argued about movies also argued about most everything associated with the show. Singer makes the point that the two men were direct competitors in the Chicago newspaper world and were constantly looking for ways to ‘win’ or one up the other.  What also becomes crystal clear as we read the book is that both men cared very much for the show and the integrity of their work.

Pitting rivals against each other in such a debate format was a new thing at the time, although as author Singer points out, it has become quite common in TV news, sports, politics, and entertainment … most of these owing a debt to Siskel and Ebert. Singer walks us through the evolution of the show and its many producers, titles, and distributors. From “Sneak Previews” to “At the Movies” to “Siskel & Ebert” (amongst others), and from PBS to the Disney Corporation, the show itself remained true to the two stars, regardless of what was happening off screen. Gene and Roger never wavered from their commitment to honesty with the viewers.

Their show ran in one form or another, and on one channel or hundreds, from 1975 to 1999. The book details how their chemistry changed (and how it didn’t) over the many years. While the memories come racing back through some of the stories, the real gems here are the behind-the-scenes tales of how these two men perfected the presentation, while earning the respect of the rival/partner seated across the aisle.

The first ten chapters make for fascinating and entertaining reading, but just as occurred in real life, the book shifts suddenly. Siskel’s passing meant the show lost its spark. Ebert remained a stellar film critic, of course, but the relentless pursuit of a new partner or format was as painful to read about as it was to experience at the time. By this time, other film critic duos had been given a shot at replicating the success, yet none created the magic of Siskel & Ebert – and that included Ebert and anyone else who joined him in the balcony. Why none of these other attempts clicked is understandable when Singer provides perspective: Siskel & Ebert were a team for as many years as Abbott & Costello. These final two chapters chronicle Ebert’s own health struggles, as well as his excellent memoir and subsequent documentary, both entitled “Life Itself”.

Should anyone doubt the unique accomplishments of the show, consider that the Siskel & Ebert audience was composed of not just cinephiles and movie lovers, but also those who had little interest in movies and tuned in solely for the entertainment value of watching two articulate and knowledgeable experts go at each other verbally. Most were either Team Gene or Team Roger. As for me, I found myself more often in agreement with Siskel on movies, while probably learning more from Ebert. These two men, along with Louis Black (co-founder of both “The Austin Chronicle” and the SXSW festival), taught me how to watch movies, how to think about what is on screen, while inspiring me to put my own observations in writing. Matt Singer’s book will be a cruise through nostalgia for many, yet the structure will make it just as easy for those who are just learning about the origin of those almighty thumbs.

Available October 24, 2023

Review by David Ferguson

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Posted by David Ferguson

OSCARS 2023 recap

March 13, 2023

OSCARS 2023 recap

For movie lovers, the Academy Awards ceremony is usually a fun night designed as a celebration of the art form, with recognition for some of the best work released the previous year. This year’s presentation marked the 95th ceremony, and as always, provided cynics ample opportunity to cast aspersions, while for the rest of us, there were many moments to treasure – some even falling into the category of ‘history-making.’

An opening faux trailer, with a superimposed Jimmy Kimmel sharing the cockpit in a fighter jet with Tom Cruise in TOP GUN: MAVERICK, concluded with the show’s host ‘parachuting’ onto the stage. Kimmel’s opening monologue was entertaining and didn’t shy away from last year’s stunning moment known as “the slap.” Noted in the monologue was a tip of the cap to composer John Williams, who at age 91, received his 53rd Oscar nomination, second all-time to Walt Disney’s 59. It’s also of interest to note that Mr. Williams has scored 25 of director Steven Spielberg’s 27 films.

The only things I’ll mention from the pre-show are that the carpet was “champagne” colored instead of the traditional red, Hugh Grant was an immense jerk during his arrival interview, and the odds-on favorite to have a huge night of awards was EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE (EEAAO), a film with co-directors and featuring many Asian actors in a bizarre story that breaks the mold for traditional Oscar-type films. If you’ve read my “Best of 2022” post, you know that my personal favorite was THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, which garnered nine nominations, the same as ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (AQOTWF), with both just behind the eleven nominations of EEAAO. Yes, this year lends itself to abbreviated initials for two long-titled films!

Although I’m not one to buy into the idea of “snubs” since I believe such a label is an insult to others that are honored with a nomination and/or win, it is always fun to see which categories produce surprise winners. Kimmel pointed out that there were 16 first-time nominees and 5 Irish actors nominated – setting up a pretty good punchline. He also noted the absence of James Cameron and Tom Cruise … both A-listers rumored to have had their feathers ruffled due to a lack of nomination for directing (Cameron) and acting (Cruise), although both were producers on films up for Best Picture.

The first award went to the creative genius behind GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO (the actual title to differentiate it from other versions). This award was presented by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who was sporting a form-fitting pink silk sports coat. Not to be outdressed, Troy Kotsur sported a purple velvet suit as he and joined Ariana DeBose in presenting the awards for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Both were highlights and an early indication of the success that lay in store for EEAAO. Ke Huy Quan was emotional and inspirational as he reminded us of what the American Dream really means to those who value it, and Jamie Lee Curtis’ win is a testament to perseverance and support, as she thanked her many collaborators over the years, including her famous parents, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.

Each of the five nominated songs were performed live throughout the evening. 14-time nominee Diane Warren was first, soon to be followed by David Byrne and Stephanie Hsu (EEAAO). One of the evening’s true highlights was a rousing song and dance performance of the song, “Naatu, Naatu” from India’s RRR, the eventual winner. Also impressive were a no-make-up and torn-jeans performance from Lady Gaga (TOP GUN: MAVERICK), for some reason filmed almost entirely in extreme close-up; and a pregnant Rhianna (fresh off the Super Bowl) singing “Lift Me Up” from BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER.

Best Documentary Feature was awarded to NAVALNY, and Alexei Navalny’s wife sent a message from the stage. This powerful moment was followed by an audience participation version of “Happy Birthday” during the speech for Best Live Action Short film (AN IRISH GOODBYE). Although I found that moment a bit odd, it was the follow-up that hit me as truly bizarre … a no-holds barred, live from the stage promo for Disney’s upcoming live action, THE LITTLE MERMAID, followed by the first full trailer. I don’t recall such unadulterated marketing schemes every being a part of the ceremony in previous year. Later we did receive a tribute to Warner Brothers for their 100th anniversary of motion pictures – much different than a promo for an upcoming film.

James Friend winning for Best Cinematography for AQOTWF became the first of enough wins that some began to question if the film might pull off a Best Picture surprise to end the night. Best Make-up and Hairstyling went to THE WHALE, the first film to use digital prosthetics in order to allow an actors’ true features to flow through. All the donkey lovers were thrilled to see ‘Jenny the donkey’ led on stage by Kimmel. Unfortunately, this became one of the few nods to my favorite film, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN. Best Costume went to BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER, and AQOTWF won Best International Feature Film (Germany). Next up were awards for Documentary Short (THE ELEPHANT WHISPERER) and Animated Short (THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX, AND THE HORSE). What was notable was that the first winner was cut off from their acceptance speech, while the second was allowed to babble on.

The award for Production Design became my first “miss” of the night, as AQOTWF took the award over the visually stunning BABYLON. This was quickly followed by another AQOTWF win for Best Score – a straight-to-the-gut musical punch composed by Volker Bertelmann. Best Visual Effects went to AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, an award presented by Elizabeth Banks and a ‘fake’ Cocaine Bear (her recent movie) as she explained the importance of visual effects. Another odd moment occurred as amazing actress Florence Pugh purposefully held her slit dress open as she presented awards for Original Screenplay (EEAAO) and Adapted Screenplay (WOMEN TALKING). As strange as the spandex undergarment sighting was, I was so excited for Sarah Polley’s win … hopefully this talented writer and filmmaker will be inspired to share more of her work.

Best Sound went to TOP GUN: MAVERICK, and it was the speech given by the RRR winners for Best Song, MM Keeravani and Chandrabose that stole the moment, as Keeravani sang his speech, adapted to “Top of the World” by The Carpenters, a pop group he says influenced him as he grew up. Lenny Kravitz performed during the “In Memoriam” segment … a segment that the Academy seems to botch with omissions every year (this year being no exception). EEAAO won for Best Editing, though it wasn’t until ‘Daniels’, co-directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, won for Best Director that we sensed EEAAO would hold off AQOTWF for the big prize.

A humble and grateful Brendan Fraser (THE WHALE) was nearly overcome with emotions during his speech for Best Actor, and making history as the first Asian actress to win was Michelle Yeoh for EEAAO, an award presented to her by Halle Barry, the first woman of color to win Best Actress. At this point, we felt pretty certain of the film title Harrison Ford would read for the final award of the evening, and sure enough it became a night of history for EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE as it was named Best Picture. The film totaled 7 wins out of 11 nominations, and only two other films took home more than one award: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (4) and THE WHALE (2). EEAAO also joined A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951) and NETWORK (1976) with winners in three of the four acting categories. It was also a record-breaking night for cutting edge studio A24 as it won 6 of the 7 ‘above-the-line’ awards (Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress).

Leaving empty-handed were ELVIS, THE FABELMANS, and THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, each coming in with multiple nominations. And though we got a bit tired of Kimmel’s running jabs at Matt Damon (who wasn’t attending), it was very cool to see him point out the legendary 94 year old James Hong, who has nearly 500 credits on IMDb dating back to the mid-1950’s … his latest, of course, being the night’s big winner, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE. And I’m certain Mr. Hong was relieved to not be seated behind actress and presenter Danai Gurira, whose unique hairstyle stood up about 2 feet from the top of her head. Imagine being seated behind that for 3.5 hours! TV viewership for the ceremony was up 12% over last year’s program, though we can’t help but wonder if some tuned in to see if the Hollywood tradition included a sequel to “The Slap.”

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Posted by David Ferguson

OSCAR Nominated Shorts – Documentary (2022 releases)

March 3, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. Every year this is one of my favorite categories. Typically, these filmmakers are committed to a subject and have very little money to work with, making their work easily categorized as passion projects. This year is no exception, and once again we are amazed at the wide range of topics and subjects covered: the transformation of an angry war veteran, true love at an elephant sanctuary in India, a profile of a key player during the Watergate era, the effects of climate change on walruses in the Arctic, and a father-daughter video project covering 16 years. Below is my breakdown of this year’s nominees:

THE ELEPHANT WHISPERERS

Director Kartiki Gonsalves introduces us to Bomman and Bellie, indigenous Kattunauakans working together to care for Raghu, an elephant rescued as an injured orphan in Tamil Nadu, India in 2019. The elephant preserve where they live and work is run by the Forest Department, and Bomman’s hut is right next to the stall where Raghu sleeps.

The love they share for Raghu soon develops into a romance between Bomman and Bellie. They talk to Raghu, train him, feed him, bathe him, play with him, and even tuck him in bed at night. Later when they also become caregivers for 5-month-old Baby Ammu, we can see the similarities to raising human children. Both elephants make it into the wedding day pictures of Bomman and Bellie, but when Raghu is re-assigned to other caregivers, we witness the grieving of the couple, as well as that of Ammu, who has lost a friend and role model. The 41-minute film serves to show how animals and people can live off the same forest and share a love.

HAULOUT (UK, Russia) 25 min

For the first few minutes, we aren’t sure what we are watching. Maxim is huddled in a rustic cabin on the shore of the Russian Arctic. He eats canned good (from the can), boils his water, and recycles his cigarettes. One morning he awakens to the grunting and groaning noises occurring outside. What follows is a stunning and spectacular shot of tens of thousands of walruses huddled on the beach by his hut.

It turns out Maxim is a Marine Biologist, and he spends 43 days observing this annual ritual of walruses as part of a 10 year study. Although the walruses show up every year, the effects of climate change are obvious. There is no longer ice for them to rest on during the trek. This exhausts the creatures, causing the death toll to increase each year. Co-directors (and brother and sister) Maxim Arbugaev and Evgenia Arbugaeva deliver a beautiful (considering the harsh conditions) 25-minute film, and a stark reminder of how animals are being forced to adapt to the changes.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE A YEAR

We must admire Jay Rosenblatt’s foresight as a father. It’s a simple idea, yet brilliant in it’s lasting impact. Beginning on his daughter Ella’s second birthday, Mr. Rosenblatt maintained a tradition of videotaping an “interview” with her each year. This tradition, or ritual, continued through her 18th birthday. The result bounces between predictable, stunning, sad, joyful, and touching … all in a condensed 29-minute run time.

To watch the progression of a precocious two-year old and three-year old toddler obsessing over a lollypop and make-up to a poised eighteen-year old on the brink of independence is fascinating. As a parent, we recognize the many stages … some so cute, others so challenging … each to be treasured.

Dad’s questions include: What do you want to do when you grow up? What are you afraid of? What is power? What are dreams? What is most important to you? You get the idea. He wants to document her progression as a person and as a thinker. In addition to the lollypop and desire to wear make-up, Ella’s singing voice develops beautifully as she grows into a 12-year-old who has learned sign language, and a 13-year-old fresh off her Bat Mitzvah. We see her with braces on her teeth, and as a 14-year-old toting the burden of her age. It’s those last couple of years that really give us hope for Ella’s future, and an insight into what the project has meant.

As a teenager, what would you have told your 25-year-old self?

THE MARTHA MITCHELL EFFECT

Fifty years have passed, yet the Watergate scandal continues to provide us with stories. Co-directors Anne Alvergue and Debra McClutchy turn their attention to one of the fascinating figures of the era in this 40 minute short. Martha Mitchell was the wife of Richard Nixon’s campaign manager and subsequent Attorney General, John Mitchell. Outspoken Martha was a colorful personality and characterized as “a menace” by Nixon himself.

The directors utilize archival footage and news reels to show how Martha became a media darling during one of the most closed-off administrations in recent history. Reporters such as Helen Thomas and Connie Chung bring a media perspective, as do the numerous newscast clips shown. However, things took a pretty dark turn for this charming lady, and her story provides a stark reminder of just how corrupt and extreme the Nixon administration became.

Once news of the Watergate break-in hit the news, Martha seemed to vanish from the public eye. Her story is that she was held captive, basically kidnapped, as the administration advanced a public character assassination on her. When the secret tapes were revealed, and Martha discovered her husband had conspired with Nixon on the break-in, she became a high-profile whistleblower, After Nixon’s resignation, Martha became a celebrity, frequently seen on talk shows. Cast by many as a ‘crazy’ lady, the “Martha Mitchell effect” became the description for those whose ‘delusions’ turned out to be true. The recent TV miniseries “Gaslit” also focused on Martha Mitchell, who died in 1976 from a blood disease.

STRANGER AT THE GATE

Should you ever doubt that kindness and understanding can make a difference, please watch this film from director Joshua Seftel (WAR, INC, 2008). The 29 minute run time may just rejuvenate your faith in human beings to change their attitude and be accepting of those they once distrusted.

As a Marine, Richard “Mac” McKinney was trained to hate and kill Muslims. He was informed that they were terrorists out to destroy his country, and September 11, 2001 was all the proof he needed. A simple question from his young daughter Emily convinced him he needed to act, so he plotted to bomb the Islamic Culture Center of Muncie (Indiana). So this former Marine, a trained killer and hater, headed to the mosque to obtain the “proof” he needed to convince his daughter that his actions were righteous.

A funny thing happened. Mac was treated kindly by the folks there. They asked him questions and guided him to a better understanding. Now this didn’t happen overnight. A shift in beliefs never occurs quickly. However, their treatment of Mac not only (unknowingly) saved their own lives, it saved his as well. He may have been trained to not think of his war targets as human beings, but he found them to show him more humanity than he’d ever known. It’s chilling to see Emily ponder what it would have been like to have a mass murderer as a father, and mostly we are inspired to see good people work so diligently at accepting someone who initially showed them nothing but hatred. Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai is one of the producers of the film.

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Posted by David Ferguson

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