George Carlin passed away on Sunday. Carlin was a groundbreaking and envelope pushing comedian and actor. Some highlights from his career on DVD include his hosting of the first ever episode of Saturday Night Live, more recently a nice turn in Kevin Smith's Jersey Girl.
OK, been a week since my last update and I've seen quite a few things so just a brief word on eacc
The Lady Vanishes: This was from the Criterion disc, part of my Father's Day gift. I love this late British era Hitchcock film, along with the 39 Steps it's truly his best pre American film, full of great oddball supporting characters and a nice dose of humor and wit. Charming yet thrilling A-
The Third Man: Also Criterion disc, also part of Father's Day present. Great post WWII thriller, with Orson Welles at his Orsoniest. Glorious Black and White photography, wonderful sets and spectacular use of vienna locations. One of the gretest entrances by a character ever, about an hour into the film the man everyone is talking about finally appears. Beautifully shot and edited, both visually and audiolly climax in the sewers of Vienna. A-
Terror of the Tongs: Throwback to a Saturday afternoon in my childhood, early 60's Hammer Studio film about Red Dragon Tongs in Hong Kong, If not for the nostalgia, would probably not be worth watching. I've always remembered the Tongs torture of the main character by using a very fine needle inserted at the chest to scratch the bone of his breast plate. Tame by any days standards but atmospherically shot, that always being stronger in Hammer films than the actual story or acting. C
The Wind That Shakes the Barley: Very powerful film from last year about the start of the troubles in Ireland. Brutal, and beautiful, strong performances all around particularly from Cillian Murphy. Films makes you feel the frustration and in justice that led to the violence, so tragic and yet so inevitable from this perspective. A-
Year of the Dog: No idea what I think of this film, it wasn't boring but I'm also not sure what it was. If you love animals and are socially retarded, it may be your favorite film. C
A Room With a View: This was the next film in Ali and I's veiwing scheme, her pick, the link to Dangerous Beauty being Italy. Nice film, really funny for a period film about acting proper. Another gorgous looking film, and well acted by all, though Julian Sands is not quite up to the standards of everyone else. B+
Emma: OK I just finished the novel, Andrea at work wanted to have a book club so four of us were going to read Emma, they have set October as the date to have it read by I finished it last week. The book club if it happens will also include a screening of the film, I figure A. it will likely never happen, and B. if it does I'll watch it again I like the film. I liked it better before I read the book. As so frequently happens they have to leave so much out to fit the story to two hours that you lose a lot of what made the book so great. That said Gwenyth Paltrow was perfect casting, the scene where she is being scolded by Knightly for her cruel remarks to Miss Bate's is amazing. B
North By Northwest: We are going on a road trip begining July 4th to among other places Mount Rushmore, need I saw more to explain why we watched this? This is one of Hitchcock's most entertaining films, many are deeper and darker, but few compare for sheer excitement and delight. Cary Grant brings the perfect wit and charm to the role of a man mistaken for a spy who has to chase the vilians South by Southwest ( or was it North by.....Holy cow I just got the title!!) in order to prove his innocence. Full of Double Entredres and double crosses, so much fun!!! Brings me right back to winter night in our cul de sac playing on the snow plow piles in the front yard like they were the face of the presidents on Mount Rushmore. A+
The Onion Movie: OK this is very politically incorrect, very vulgar at times, and full of profanity, it's also very funny. I laughed out loud many many times. it's basically just a bunch of skits many masquarading as fake news stories on the Onion News Network. The less said the better from that description, you'll know if it's for you or not. B+
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