Serendipity Cinema

"The Night They Raided Minsky's" Movie Review

2009-05-24T20:27:00.003-06:00

126. The Night They Raided Minsky's

This tribute to the birth of burlesque was to be Bert Lahr's final starring role, but he died in the midst of filming forcing major rewrites. The completed William Friedkin directed Norman Lear written film is a favorite of a great portion of the few who have ever seen it.

Also called "The Night They Invented the Striptease" the film tells of an Amish girl who comes to New York to dance stories from the bible. She falls in with a troop of folks who are in the lowest of professions, but all (but one) have hearts of gold.

That one is the people-using womanizing Straight Man played by Jason Robarts. His polar opposite is the low comic played by Norman Wisdom (Wisdom is very well known in England). The girl, of course, falls for Robarts, while Wisdom pines for her. Minsky's is about to go out of business and also about to be raided. This is the night that, by accident, the girl performs the first striptease.

With good songs, a bittersweet love story and a bunch of interesting characters you may very well fall for this unassuming story.

Here is some of the cast:
Jason Robards . . . Raymond Paine
Britt Ekland . . . Rachel Elizabeth Schpitendavel
Norman Wisdom . . . Chick Williams
Forrest Tucker . . . Trim Houlihan
Harry Andrews . . . Jacob Schpitendavel
Joseph Wiseman . . . Louis Minsky
Denholm Elliott . . . Vance Fowler,
Secretary of the Society for the Supression of Vice
Elliott Gould . . . Billy Minsky
Jack Burns . . . Candy Butcher
Bert Lahr . . . Professor Spats

Will you hurt yourself laughing? Doubtful. Will you find yourself unable to stop dancing to the songs? Don't think so. Will you find a story and characters that will stay with you for a long time and give you good memories? I think you just might.

If you have an idea for a Serendipity Cinema, or want to comment email here.The Archive of the old pages are here.

"Last Man Standing" Movie Review

2009-04-12T11:30:00.006-06:00

125. Last Man Standing

First off: two things. If you can enjoy a hard boiled detective pulp, done without flaw, then you will enjoy this film. Second the story about this film is worth the entire trip. To begin with there was a book.

It is called "Red Harvest" and is by the father of the hard boiled detective par excellance Sam Spade, Dashiell Hammett. It tells the story of a gunman who comes into a town with a war mob war going on. He sells his services . . . to both sides. You can see the potential for drama, right. The problem was that the folks who came to make this story never heard of the book. They knew about a film called
"A Fistful of Dollars" by Sergio Leone.

A great western about a gunman who comes into a town to find that it is in the midst of a war, and he sells his services to both sides. Sound familiar? Well, the producers went to Leone's people to get rights to remake it, but they thought it would make a great gangster film. Leone's crew told them that, actually, they had based their film on an Akira Kurasawa film entitled "Yojimbo,"

about a samurai who enters a town in the midst of a war and, yeah, you get it, and that's who they would have to contact. It was well into filming that Kurasawa's family contacted them and let them know that their film was based on the American Gangster novel. Talk about finding the root of a story without really knowing it.

Luckily the film sticks to the heart and soul of what made the tale such a classic. The hero arrives, doesn't like what's going on, sees his opportunity, gets shot, gets beaten up, shoots a hell of a lot of bad guys, get beaten up worse (it's part of the anti-hero mystique), does some good deeds and kills the bad guys.

It is Greek tragedy, without the Greeks (the bad guys are Irish and Italian, mostly - - as was the stereotype of the Hammett period). If there is a "Hero Cycle" as typified by "Star Wars," then this is the perfect "Anit-Hero Cycle." (And no jokes about banana seats and big wheels, please!)

Here is some of the cast:
Bruce Willis . . . John Smith
Bruce Dern . . . Sheriff Ed Galt
William Sanderson . . . Joe Monday
Christopher Walken . . . Hickey
David Patrick Kelly . . . Doyle
Karina Lombard . . . Felina
Alexandra Powers . . . Lucy Kolinski
Leslie Mann . . . Wanda

There is not a week performance here, the film is visually powerful and the music is by Ry Cooder. If the violence doesn't exclude you (and yes, there is a lot of graphic violence, make no mistake about that) then there is nothing that should keep you from having a great time watching this one.

If you have an idea for a Serendipity Cinema, or want to comment email here.The Archive of the old pages are here.

"Home for the Holidays" Movie review

2009-03-08T09:53:00.002-06:00

124. Home for the Holidays

One of the things we can all agree on is that our families are screwed up, and no time is that more obvious that when we gather them all together for a celebration. Weddings, funerals or holiday groupings are prime time to show us just what works and what doesn't work about our familial gatherings.This version of that idea is charming, appalling, hysterical, horrific and painful. All the things that coming home for the holidays has meant to all of us at one time or another.The alliances, the long running feuds, the oddities and the secrets tend to come out when we get together. Who hates who, whose life is falling apart, who is gay? All of these things await as assuredly as the turkey.

Here is some of the cast:
Holly Hunter . . . Claudia Larson
Robert Downey Jr. . . . Tommy Larson
Anne Bancroft . . . Adele Larson
Charles Durning . . . Henry Larson
Dylan McDermott . . . Leo Fish
Geraldine Chaplin . . . Aunt Gladys
Steve Guttenberg . . . Walter Wedman
Cynthia Stevenson . . . Joanne Larson Wedman

The performances are universally brilliant, the direction is likewise. To tell you any more about the story would be a crime. You must discover this one as you go. Just like the people involved you have to enter this 20 soul pile up just as those who drove into the traffic. Hey, if nothing else, you may end up feeling better about your little family!

If you have an idea for a Serendipity Cinema, or want to comment email here.The Archive of the old pages are here.

"Midnight Run" Movie Review

2009-01-18T09:59:00.014-06:00

123. Midnight Run

I tend to show a lot of movies to people, introducing them to great films is one of my joys. When I run into a truly wonderful film that far too many people have never heard of, well that is the genesis of this page. When my wife confessed that she had never seen this film because she thought it was "Midnight Express," I was amused. When others started telling me the same thing, I was baffled.
This "buddy film"/"road movie"/"crime dramedy" is a joy that people should know about. From Yaphet Cotto's slow-burn FBI agent to John Ashtin's underhanded second banana bounty hunter to Joe Pantoliano's slimy bail bondsman to Dennis Farina's scary crime boss there is not a weak performance in the piece.

But the cream of the crop are the leads. As unlikely a pairing as anyone ever put together, Charles Grodin and Robert DeNiro. If you have seen "Stardust" you know that DeNiro can handle comedy, but this was our first glimpse of just how magnificently the man can do the job.

But this pair's "Odd Couple" credentials are brilliant. Grodin is a whiny accountant who has embezzled 15 million dollars from the mob, and when he jumps bail DeNiro is the ex-cop (run out of Chicago by the same mobster) who is sent to get him. Both men play the comedy and the pathos flawlessly.

I could tell you more about the plot, but it would be a sin to spoil a minute of this dandy little picture that should have been a hundred times more successful than it was.

Here is some of the cast:
Robert De Niro . . . Jack Walsh
Charles Grodin . . . Jonathan Mardukas
Yaphet Kotto . . . Alonzo Mosely, FBI
John Ashton . . . Marvin Dorfler
Dennis arina . . . Jimmy Serrano
Joe Pantoliano . . . Eddie Moscone
Richard Foronjy . . . Tony Darvo
Robert Miranda . . . Joey
Jack Kehoe . . . Jerry Geisler
Wendy Phillips . . . Gail
Danielle DuClos . . . Denise Walsh

One of the way you can tell a true Serendipity Cinema is by the reaction you will get from others who cherish one of these films as I do. They are likely to want to hog tie you and drag you to the nearest DVD player and show you this thing that gave them such joy. Let them! (Well, not the hog tying part, but, well, you know!)

If you have an idea for a Serendipity Cinema, or want to comment email here.The Archive of the old pages are here.

"Beyond Tomorrow" Movie Review

2008-12-14T09:47:00.005-06:00

122. Beyond Tomorrow

Sometimes it amazes me what becomes a Christmas Classic and what goes unknown. Not that any of the greats don't deserve to be there, "The Bishop's Wife" and "It's a Wonderful Life" have sparked the holiday cheer in my heart many years I can remember. But I have only recently discovered this one and am stunned that it doesn't play endlessly on television (it is in public domain, after all)

This wonderful little story tells of three older, successful men who have missed much in life while gaining in worldly wealth. One year they reach out to a random young woman and a singing cowboy from the rodeo and invite them for a holiday celebration. Over time they become mentors and chosen family to the two young people who are, not surprisingly, falling in love.

Then the three men pass away, but they just cannot let the young people's lives careen into bad things, as they seem to be doing. What happens is unapologetically sentimental and if that bothers you look away. If it doesn't, well, Merry Christmas!

Here is some of the cast:
Harry Carey . . . George Melton
C. Aubrey Smith . . . Allan 'Chad' Chadwick
Charles Winninger . . . Michael O'Brien
Alex Melesh . . . Josef - the butler
Maria Ouspenskaya . . . Madame Tanya
Helen Vinson . . . Arlene Terry
Rod La Rocque . . . Phil Hubert
Richard Carlson . . . James Houston
Jean Parker . . . Jean Lawrence

It is a rare thing to find something under the tree that both pleases and surprises. We usually have a pretty good idea what we are getting. But here is something you can give each other that will become a classic for all involved and no one had even heard of it before. It's a nice package to open!

If you have an idea for a Serendipity Cinema, or want to comment email here.The Archive of the old pages are here.

"Dan in Real Life" Movie Review

2008-11-19T12:07:00.002-06:00

121. Dan in Real Life

No one doubts that Steve Carell can do comedy, and "40 Year Old Virgin" gave us glimpse of his ability to work pathos. With this film, however, he begins to move into an area of performance that has been the homeland of great actors like Jack Lemmon.

This film bristles with comedy that will warm your heart, just as it makes a 180 degree turn into heart wrenching drama. The story of an advice columnist who seems to find all the world at odds with what it is supposed to be is one that everyone can find themselves in. When Dan goes to a family reunion he finds the love of his life, only to find she is taken. By his beloved brother. The two of them fight their natural urges while everyone around them has their own notions about what is going on.

All of this is going on while Dan consistantly makes all the wrong choices in dealing with his own three daughters. His life is falling apart at his family reunion just as represatives from a syndicate come to talk to him about putting his column in newspapers across the country.

Here is some of the cast:
Steve Carell . . . Dan Burns
Juliette Binoche . . . Marie
Dane Cook . . . Mitch Burns
Alison Pill . . . Jane Burns
Brittany Robertson . . . Cara Burns
Marlene Lawston . . . Lilly Burns
Dianne Wiest . . . Nana
John Mahoney . . . Poppy
Norbert Leo Butz . . . Clay
Amy Ryan . . . Eileen
Jessica Hecht . . . Amy

This film went unnoticed by the public on its initial release, but thanks to DVD and cable it may become a secondary hit. It is certainly worth giving a couple of your hours of time to find. Give it a chance!

If you have an idea for a Serendipity Cinema, or want to comment email here.The Archive of the old pages are here.

"The Boy & The Pirates" Movie Review

2008-10-17T07:27:00.004-06:00

120. The Boy and the Pirates

There are those who think the pirate phenomenon is a new thing. Remember that Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer played pirates, and there were still real pirates active at that time. So it should come as a surpise to no one that back in 1960 they made a kid's movie about a 12 year old boy who thinks it would be great to be a pirate. He then comes into contact with real pirates and quickly changes his mind about that.

When the boy finds a genie in a bottle his first wish is to be "Free like a pirate." and he is transported to the world of Blackbeard and his not to kid friendly crew.

More over the genie has plans of his own. If the boy cannot get the pirates to take him back to the same shore where the boy found the bottle, so that he can throw it back in the waves . . . then the boy and the genie will change places and the boy will live for the next thousand years or so in the bottle. (Maybe he gets picked up by Sinbad on his seventh voyage?) He is a smart kid, but this seems like to much. How can he battle the pirates and the mystic lamp occupant who both seem determined to mess up every thing he wants.

Here is the cast:
Charles Herbert . . . Jimmy Warren
Susan Gordon . . . Katrina Van Keif / Kathy
Murvyn Vye . . . Blackbeard
Paul Guilfoyle . . . Snipe
Joe Turkel . . . Abu the Genie
Archie Duncan . . . Scoggins
Than Wyenn . . . Hunter
Albert Cavens . . . Dutch Captain
Mickey Finn . . . Peake
Morgan Jones . . . Mr. Warren
Timothy Carey . . . Morgan

The inescapable fact is that this is a kid's movie. Leave your jaded adult sensitivities at the door. If you can do this you will find this to be a cracking good adventure and silly fun. It could make you feel like a kid again for a little while. Fountain of youth in a movie? Not bad. Enjoy!

If you have an idea for a Serendipity Cinema, or want to comment email here.The Archive of the old pages are here.

"When Willie Comes Marching Home" Movie Review

2008-09-16T18:23:00.002-06:00

119. When Willie Comes Marching Home

We know John Ford's work, he is, after all, a legend. When moving to Hollywood to make "Citizen Kane," young Orson Welles was asked the names of the three greatest film directors of all time. Without hesitation Welles said: "John Ford, John Ford and John Ford." Why then is there a great Ford film that many folks cannot name? It was made made in 1950 when so many other directors were coming to the fore, and was not an epic. That does not stop the film from being a fun little comedy.

What might, in other hands, have been a trifling little service comedy is in reality a look at what the reality of heroism and the social phenomenon of celebrity.

Here we find William Klugg (Dan Daily) being the first to enlist in his little town after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He is treated as a hero and goes off to train, but when he is posted it is in a new air field in his own home town. Now he is seen as a goldbrick and slacker. He will do anything to go overseas, but he is the best trainer they have and will not let him go. When a opportunity presents itself he is put into a tailspin that will result in his being a hero, but not in anyway that he or anyone else would have expected.

Here is the cast:
Dan Dailey . . . William 'Bill' Kluggs
Corinne Calvet . . . Yvonne Le Tete
Colleen Townsend . . . Marjorie 'Marge' Fettles
William Demarest . . . Herman Kluggs
Jimmy Lydon . . . Charles 'Charlie' Fettles
Lloyd Corrigan . . . Maj. Adams
Evelyn Varden . . . Mrs. Gertrude Kluggs
This is one that you will remember, and perhaps, see a lot more to than the original viewing audience could percieve.

If you have an idea for a Serendipity Cinema, or want to comment email here.The Archive of the old pages are here.

The "The Incident" Trilogy Movie Review

2008-08-17T22:54:00.001-06:00

118. The "The Incident" Trilogy

In 1990 there was a quiet little film called "The Incident." It starred Walter Mathau as small town lawyer Harmon Cobb. The big point in Cobb's year was when he related his World War I experiences in the Fourth of July Picnic speech. It was even more important to him now that his son was off fighting this new World War and the boy's wife and daughter were living with him. Totally against his will an out of town Federal Judge (Played by Harry Morgan) enlists him to be the defense counsil for a German POW who is charged with murdering the beloved town doctor. During the trial Harmon must deal with the telegram from the Army that tells him his son has been killed by Germans too. But the small town lawyer is devoted to one thing, and that is the truth. Cobb finds that there is a lot more going on here than anyone suspected and unravels a web of lies and murder. It is a cracker jack little film. Two years later Cobb and the Judge are now law partners and Cobb is bored because the Judge doesn't let him do anything. This begins the second film in the series
"Against Her Will: An Incident in Baltimore"

This time Harmon sues the state over the mistreatment of patients in state mental institutions, and, once again, there is more than meets the eye. And it is worse than any of them had imagined. When that has been taken care of it looks like all is safe in the firm. But just two years after that Cobb finds himself defending the Judge himself against a charge of murder. The case covers many things, but the most important one is abuse. And again no one could handle the courtroom like Harmon Cobb does in
"Incident in a Small Town"

You will be drawn in, if by nothing else but Mathau's performance. It is such that you wish there had more in the series, or even a television series. But just be grateful for what we got.

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"C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America" Movie Review

2008-07-16T12:21:00.002-06:00

117. "C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America"

This is another case of my having a personal stake in a film I'm reviewing, but that can't stop mentioning it. Kevin Wilmott is another graduate of the Kansas City indie film community and one of the good ones.

What if the South had won the Civil War? On that simple keystone Kevin creates a Ken Burns-ish mockumentary that takes the audience through about 120 years of American history as seen by a BBC like film crew.

Is the film perfect? Of course not, few films that land up on this site are, but this one has so many wonderful pluses that it should not be ignored. Will it make you angry? Yes, that is the purpose! It shows, among other things, that racism is still around in this country, and was not wiped out by the Civil War or the Civil Rights movement.

Is it funny? Inescapeably, darkly and insistantly funny. There are commercial breaks between the "documentary" segments that will make just about anybody squirm, even more when you realize the "secret" behind the products promoted. This is the kind of film that indie cinema was meant to produce. Something that would never make a lot of money, but always make us stand up and take notice. When it is over we should all say a bit of thanks to those who made this picture.

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"Living in Oblivion" Movie Review

2008-06-17T13:45:00.002-06:00

116. "Living in Oblivion"

It goes without saying that I am a Steve Buscemi fan. I have followed his career for a long time, and have rarely been disappointed.

This is a dream role for him or any of us who have worked in Indie film, or film in general. Or those who are interested in just what it takes to put together movies without giant name stars and/or huge budgets. I can promise you the troubles that crash in to Nick Reve and company are just the tip of the independent iceberg.

Everyone here starts out with only one thing in common, they love movies. Then the project grows to include a small time "Name" meant to give the picture a possible distributer. That is when the politics and back stabbing really start to take over everything.

We cannot help but find ourselves pulling for Nick as he tries to climb the growing mountain of obstacles that may scuttle the ship of art. The performances are universally wonderful and the characters are, while not deep, believable.

Here is the cast:
Steve Buscemi . . . Nick Reve
Catherine Keener . . . Nicole Springer
Dermot Mulroney . . . Wolf
Danielle von Zerneck . . . Wanda
James LeGros . . . Chad Palomino
Rica Martens . . . Cora
Peter Dinklage . . . Tito
Kevin Corrigan . . . Camera Assistant
Hilary Gilford . . . Script
Robert Wightman . . . Gaffer
Tom Jarmusch . . . Driver / Intern
Michael Griffiths . . . Sound Mixer
Matthew Grace . . . Boom
Ryan Bowker . . . Food Service / Clapper
Francesca DiMauro . . . Production Assistant

This is a very funny film, but if you are interested in independent cinema it is so much more. It will put you right in the center of the action.

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"Mystery Men" Movie Review

2008-05-20T11:20:00.002-06:00

115. "Mystery Men"

Back before there was a Superman there were no superheroes. But there were masked crimefighters, and they called them Mystery Men. There was even a comic book that carried that name.

Bob Burden at Dark Horse Comics (Creator of the wildly popular Flaming Carrot) decided it was time to bring the superhero into a more realistic world. So he brought forth Mysterymen Comics (which featured many characters where were not in the movie). The transition to film was not always satisifying, but it is more fun than the critics would have you believe.

In the film Champion City's resident superhero Captain Amazing is so phenominally successfull that there are no great villains left to catch. That is a problem because advertisers don't want their endorsor only bringing in small timers. (You can tell the importance of the advertisers because the superhero has patches all over his costume that make him look like he is a Nascar racer.)

When the Captain arranges for his greatest enemy to be released, things turn bad for him. And only a rag tag bunch of the most unlikely superhero wannabes are left with the daughting task of saving the world. Can Mr. Furious, the Blue Raja, the Shoveller, the Bowler, the Slpeen and their team overcome Casanova Frankenstein and his minions?

Here is some of the cast:
Hank Azaria . . . The Blue Raja
Ben Stiller . . . Mr. Furious
William H. Macy . . . The Shoveller
Geoffrey Rush . . . Casanova Frankenstein
Janeane Garofalo . . . The Bowler
Greg Kinnear . . . Captain Amazing / Lance Hunt
Tom Waits . . . Dr. A. Heller
Paul Reubens . . . The Spleen
Claire Forlani . . . Monica the Waitress
Eddie Izzard . . . Tony P.
Kel Mitchell . . . The Invisible Boy
Wes Studi . . . The Sphinx
Lena Olin . . . Dr. Annabel Leek
Ricky Jay . . . Victor Weems
Louise Lasser . . . Violet, The Blue Raja's Mom

Here is the original theatrical trailer

Much of this goes way over the top, but, like "The Tick," it is, at heart, a loving take on the idea of comic book wrold of Mystery Men.

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"The Frisco Kid" Movie Review

2008-04-15T15:15:00.002-06:00

114. The Frisco Kid

There have been plenty of buddy movies to come out of Hollywood. There have also been hundreds of cowboy movies. There have even been westerns that could be called buddy pictures. But there has never been a western or a buddy picture like this one.

Imagine a Polish Rabbi (and not a very good one) who is sent to the uncivilized America to marry a girl he has never seen and being his own temple. That would be enough story for most films. But that is only the start.

Gene Wilder plays the hard luck man of peace, who gets into trouble as soon as he arrives. Before you know it he has been set upon by bandits and stripped of almost everything of importance. He finally gathers up his clothes and his torah from the dusty ground where the theives have thrown them away. But, he is on a mission, he will continue whatever happens. Then he meets a man.

That man is bank robber Harrison Ford, and the two form an quirky and uneasy alliance. They do not understand anything about each other, but that, somehow, they like each other. What follows are harrowing and hilarious adventures that span the continent, and will make you believe that the greatest religion is friendship.

Here is the cast:
Gene Wilder . . . Avram Belinski
Harrison Ford . . . Tommy Lillard
Ramon Bieri . . . Mr. Jones
Val Bisoglio . . . Chief Gray Cloud
George DiCenzo . . . Darryl Diggs
Penny Peyser . . . Rosalie Bender
William Smith . . . Matt Diggs
Jack Somack . . . Samuel Bender
Beege Barkette . . . Sarah Mindl Bender

As long as you try not to ride a horse on Saturday I primise you will have a good time riding along with the Frisco Kid!

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"After Life" Movie Review

2008-03-17T11:15:00.002-06:00

113. After Life

Imagine walking into any drab office building to go to work for you government job. One day melts into another and everything seems the same, week after week. It doesn't matter what the work is, it is all the same.

Until you realize that your job is determining how people will spend eternity. This is the clearinghouse people go to to decide what "defining moment" they will spend all time reliving. (For teen age girls it seems to overwhelmingly be Splash Moutain in Disney)

The film is touching, thought provoking and, just great film making. It is a Canadian production with an all Japanese cast (how often would you see that happen in Hollywood?)

The film has been so great a cult hit that it has become an opera.

The movie has a slower pace than you may be used to, but stick it out, this one is worth it! We have seen a lot of movies about Heaven and Hell, but nothing quite so human as this one.

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"The Notebook" Movie Review

2008-02-24T11:25:00.002-06:00

112. The Notebook

When the time comes to list the most romantic movies of all time, the list will include films like "Somewhere in Time," "Beauty and the Beast (1946)," "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" and even (darn it) "Titanic." But this film must be high on that list because it has all the aspects a truly romanic film must absolutely have.

There is love and loss, joy and tragedy and so much smoldering passion that it threatens to bubble over and consume the audience.

We follow these star crossed lovers through decades of finding and losing and relocating each other and their hearts. We even find them near the end of life, with the final heart wrenching loss threatening to forever tear them apart. And we see love pull them through.

Here is some of the cast:
Tim Ivey . . . Rower
Gena Rowlands . . . Allie Calhoun
Starletta DuPois . . . Nurse Esther
James Garner . . . Duke
Anthony-Michael Q. Thomas . . . Nurse Keith
Ed Grady . . . Harry
Jennifer Echols . . . Nurse Selma
Geoffrey Knight . . . Barker
Kevin Connolly . . . Fin
Ryan Gosling . . . Noah Calhoun
Heather Wahlquist . . . Sara Tuffington
Rachel McAdams . . . Allie Hamilton
Andrew Schaff . . . Matthew Jamison III

I am not kidding when I say that you should buy a new box of kleenex before you watch this film, but it will be worth it. This film is magnificently life affirming and romantic and heart breaking and heart warming. Just see it, okay?

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"The Fastest Gun Alive" Movie Review

2008-01-14T12:24:00.000-06:00

111. The Fastest Gun Alive

There is no more lasting or powerful myth of the old west than the "Fast gun" and the main street shootout. We know that these things rarely, if ever, happened. Most gunmen got their reputations by killing unarmed or unaware opponents. But with the advent of the "Dime Novel" and later the motion picture, the shoot out became an undying part of western lore.

Many a good film has focused on the gunfighters, and a smaller portion of them have dealt with the burned out gunman who doesn't want to face the endless line of punks who want to prove themselves the "Fastest Gun Alive" by killing the biggest name in the country.

Few films, however have dealt with the idea with the humanity and heart that this film does. Glenn Ford is the fast gun who has come to the small town to hide himself away and run a store. He and his wife are happy there, if you don't count how hard it is for him to hide his light under the bushel. Then the word gets out, and everyone decides let him stay in anonymity. Until the gunsligers come to town. Criminals on the run, who find out about the local celebrity. The leader of the group, ablily acted by Broderick Crawford, cannot allow this to go unchallenged. He threattens to burn the town to the ground unless Ford draws down on him. What happens next is what makes this one of the 25 or 30 best westerns ever made.

Here is some of the cast:
Glenn Ford . . . George Temple / George Kelby, Jr.
Jeanne Crain . . . Dora Temple
Broderick Crawford . . . Vinnie Harold
Russ Tamblyn . . . Eric Doolittle
Allyn Joslyn . . . Harvey Maxwell
Leif Erickson . . . Lou Glover
John Dehner . . . Taylor Swope
Noah Beery Jr. . . . Dink Wells

Not only is the film good, but every scene is populated with enough, "Hey, I know that face" actors that trivia nuts will have a blast with it too! (They even give Russ Tamblyn a dance number!)

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"The Fearless Vampire Killers" Movie Review

2007-11-19T14:47:00.000-06:00

110. The Fearless Vampire Killers

(AKA "The Fearless Vampire Killers or: Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in My Neck," "Dance of the Vampires,"
"The Vampire Killers" and "Vampire Ball")

Decades before Buffy began Slaying them, this brilliant comedy turned the point of view away from the Vampire and onto someone devoted to doing away with them. But, this time, it was done for comedy. Any time you have a woman trying to fend off a vampire with a cross, but not knowing that this creature of the night is Jewish, and the Vampire says: "Oy vey, have you got the wrong vampire," here we have a gem.

Here's the plot: Professor Abronsius and his bumbling assistant Alfred come to a small remote village in hopes they'll prove their theory that vampires really exist. Alfred falls in love with the inn keeper's daughter, Sarah, who gets kidnapped by the vampire Count von Krolock. Professor and Alfred arrive at the castle and are received by the Count, who doesn't mention the ball next night, where blood drinking and vampire creation are on the bill.

They try the next day to find and kill Krolock, but don't. They lose their weapons and learn about the ball. The ball is the climax of the film, with surprises that last all the way to the end.

Here is the cast:
Jack MacGowran . . . Professor Abronsius
Roman Polanski . . . Alfred
Alfie Bass . . . Shagal, the Inn-Keeper
Jessie Robins . . . Rebecca Shagal
Sharon Tate . . . Sarah Shagal
Ferdy Mayne . . . Count von Krolock
Iain Quarrier . . . Herbert von Krolock
Terry Downes . . . Koukol, the Servant
Fiona Lewis . . . Magda, the Maid

This is a perfect film for people who don't take their vampires too seriously, but can enjoy the genre having a good time with itself.

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"All That Jazz" Movie Review

2007-10-18T15:30:00.000-06:00

109. All That Jazz

How is it that a Bob Fosse movie could be on this list? The director of "Lenny" and "Cabaret" did to film what he had done to dance, he reinvented a great deal of the way it could be presented.

So why would there be a film that people would have to be directed to? How about a film that is incredibly hard to watch? A Musical about death, in the first person.

It is far to much to an autobiography to be ignored, the film tells of a man who has done terrible things to the people he loved, and the only reason he can keep going it to create a "show."

The lead character is at one time a rascal and at others a truly ugly man. It is self portrait done in the most brutal honesty most of us have ever seen. There a moments that you will never forget, there are moments you will always want to remember. Despite the difficulty of experiencing the depths of the humanity seen here, you will ultimately be glad you saw it.

Here is the cast:
Roy Scheider . . . Joe Gideon
Jessica Lange . . . Angelique
Leland Palmer . . . Audrey Paris
Ann Reinking . . . Kate Jagger
Cliff Gorman . . . Davis Newman
Ben Vereen . . . O'Connor Flood
Erzsebet Foldi . . . Michelle Gideon
Michael Tolan . . . Dr. Ballinger
Max Wright . . . Joshua Penn
William LeMassena . . . Jonesy Hecht
Life and Death set to music and dance. What more could you ask of a movie?

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"The War Between Men & Women" Movie Review

2007-09-19T11:09:00.000-06:00

108. The War Between Men and Women

This is a tour de force for a man who had so many, Jack Lemmon.

Herein he plays a James Thurber (who is rapidly losing his sight) in the midst of romantic intanglements that are at moments histerically funny, and then touching.

It takes a step up from the two dimensional comedies it is often lumped with, plus there is the inclusion of Thurber animations to move the plot along, in a way that can only be called charming. It is hard to find a film that more perfectly samples its time.

Here is the cast:
Jack Lemmon . . . Peter Edward Wilson
Barbara Harris . . . Theresa Alice Kozlenko
Jason Robards . . . Stephen Kozlenko
Herb Edelman . . . Howard Mann
Lisa Gerritsen . . . Linda Kozlenko
Moosie Drier . . . David Kozlenko
Severn Darden . . . Dr. Harris

It could easily be called a "Chick Flick from a Man's Point of View" and everyone comes out better for having seen it.

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"RKO 281+ Movie Review

2007-08-15T20:37:00.001-06:00

107. RKO 281

(AKA: RKO 281- The Battle Over Citizen Kane)
There are few films so universally considered thte best movie ever made than is "Citizen Kane"

But the story behind the film is as melodramatic as a daily soap, and as entertaining as it gets. If you don't know, Kane was based on real life newspaper czar William Randlolph Hearst. The man was nothing if not paranoid, and vengeful as the old testament God he espired to be. Welles was as he himself said (speaking of being a film director): "A kid with the best model train set ever made." Was there an agenda on Welles part? Probably.

Was there the devil of a man who hated above all any kind of hipocrasy. This film was his swipe at that, and what follows is what happens when you expose the lives of people who can buy and sell all of us, and have no compunction about doing just that. It is an ode to indepenent thought and the trouble it always causes.

Here is some of the cast:
Liev Schreiber . . . Orson Welles
James Cromwell . . . William Randolph Hearst
Melanie Griffith . . . Marion Davies
John Malkovich . . . Herman J. Mankiewicz
Brenda Blethyn . . . Louella Parsons
Roy Scheider . . . George Schaefer
Liam Cunningham . . . Gregg Toland
Fiona Shaw . . . Hedda Hopper
Anastasia Hille . . . Carole Lombard
Roger Allam . . . Walt Disney
Simeon Andrews . . . John Houseman
William Armstrong . . . Mr. Lewis
Jay Benedict . . . Darryl Zanuck
Ron Berglas . . . David O. Selznick

Will it live forever? Hard to tell. But if you love "Kane," you will love this tale. If you aspire to pull the rug out from under the rich and powerful, then you need to see this film.

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"Stowaway to the Moon"

2007-07-15T19:03:00.000-06:00

106. Stowaway to the Moon

This is mostly just a delightful memory. It has never been released either on VHS or DVD, and is rarely shown on TV since its 1975 debut. But, as a kid in love with the space program, I was right there with the young man who slipped aboard a shape shot. Sure it was unlikely. There were few places more impossible to sneak into, especially for a kid, than NASA. But this one (based on the book by William R. Shelton) made it seem plausible.

Here is the cast:
Lloyd Bridges . . . Charlie Englehardt
Jeremy Slate . . . Astronaut Captain Rick Lawrence
Jim McMullan . . . Astronaut Ben Pelham
Morgan Paull . . . Astronaut Dave Anderson
Michael Link . . . Eli 'E.J.' Mackernutt
John Carradine . . . Jacob Avril
Jack Callahan . . . Dr. Jack Smathers
Walter Brooke . . . Whitehead
Keene Curtis . . . Tom Estes

So, if you get a chance to view this adventure, do not pass it up. There is a journey for any aspiring young astronaut, on in the heart of one who ever was one.

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"The Incredible Mr. Limpet" Movie Review

2007-06-19T21:27:00.000-06:00

105. The Incredible Mr. Limpet

When Don Knotts died a while back there were a lot of things people said they would remember him for, in his long career. Most mentioned the brilliant character of Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show." Some, who will not be mentioned, remembered him on "Two's Company!" These people should not show their faces in public. Sadly nearly no one remembered him on his years
as "The Nervous Guy" on Steve Allen's "Man on the Street" segment. But, if you had asked my daughter this film would have been the first thing she spoke of, along with some other fans.

The film is one of those wonderful movies that can work for kids and adults. It is not terribly sophisticated, and it doesn't apologize for that.

This tale of a timid man who connects with his fish more readily than with the humanity around him, is easy for most kids to identify with, along with most adults who remember what it is like to be a kid.

Set during World War II, the story of the unhappily married 4-F Henry Limpet and his transformation into a fish is a decent mix of animation and live action. The adventure begins when Henry finds out that this new form of fish that he has become can become a secret weapon in the war against the German submarine fleet.

Here is the cast:
Don Knotts . . . Henry Limpet
Carole Cook . . . Bessie Limpet
Jack Weston . . . George Stickel
Andrew Duggan . . . Harlock
Larry Keating . . . Adm. P.P. Spewter
Oscar Beregi Jr. . . . Nazi Admiral
Charles Meredith . . . Fleet Admiral
Elizabeth MacRae . . . Ladyfish (voice)
Paul Frees . . . Crusty (voice)

This is another "Bargain Basement" production that is populated with fine performers giving above and beyond the script. It could have been a throw-away. Thank goodness it was not.

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"Brother Orchid" Movie Review

2007-05-18T10:14:00.000-06:00

104. Brother Orchid

Edward G. Robinson is regretably nearly forgotten today. Younger viewers only connect him as the voice of Chief Wiggim on "The Simpsons." Cinephiles, of course, know him as "Little Caesar"

and other tough guys of the early sound era. He was a brilliant and under-rated actor, which he showed in later years of his life. This film came at a time when he couldn't have been hotter.

Of and on he was playing against the type he had become famous for portraying. In this film he did a bit of both sides of that coin. Playing Gangster Johhny Sarto he is ambushed by upcoming mobster John Buck (Humphrey Bogart), who has used his love (Ann Southern) to draw him out in the open.

The determinded little guy just barely survives the assassination attempt and stumbles into the hands of the "Little Brothers of the Flowers" monastary. After being nursed back to health by the selfless monks Sarto joins the order ("A perfect hide out") and uses his crooked mindset to bilk the trusting brothers into seeing him as an outstanding addition. But their humble ways and honesty start to change the little mobster. Even when he jumps ship to "settle some scores" he cannot forget the humanity the men have brought out in him.

Here is the cast:
Edward G. Robinson . . . Little John T. 'Johnny' Sarto
Ann Sothern . . . Florence 'Flo' Addams
Humphrey Bogart . . . Jack Buck
Donald Crisp . . . Brother Superior
Ralph Bellamy . . . Clarence P. Fletcher
Allen Jenkins . . . Willie 'The Knife' Corson
Charles D. Brown . . . Brother Wren
Cecil Kellaway . . . Brother Goodwin
Morgan Conway . . . Philadelphia Powell
Richard Lane . . . Mugsy O'Day
Paul Guilfoyle . . . Red Martin
John Ridgely . . . Texas Pearson
Joseph Crehan . . . Brother MacEwen
Wilfred Lucas . . . Brother MacDonald
Tom Tyler . . . Curley Matthews

It is a charming and delightful turn on the Warner's Gangster film.
It is a wonderful way to spend 90 minutes.

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"Bubba-Ho-Tep" Movie Review

2007-04-14T09:44:00.000-06:00

103. Bubba Ho Tep

From the outset this sounds as insubstantial and throw-away-able as a good Saturday Night Live sketch. "Elderly Elvis vs. a mummy. (Haha) Okay, what else you got?"
And if that was all there was to it, we would be done here. But this film is actually about a whole lot more.

First let's begin with the performances. We've got Bruce Campbell (who should have done more and been taken more seriously. Damn, he should have played the Spirit when he was younger) totally committing, not to an impression but a performance. Then there is Ossie Davis, giving it all in what may have been his last performance, as John F. Kennedy. The explanation about what either of these two is doing in a southern old age home is something I will leave to the excellent script to tell you, but it is not long before
we want to believe they are both who they say they are.

Then, there is the Mummy, and what he represents. The comsuming monster that lurkes for us all, old age. That he is threatening two figures who represent the hopes and dreams of all our youths is even more frightening.

Here is the cast:
Bruce Campbell . . . Elvis
Ossie Davis . . . Jack
Ella Joyce . . . The Nurse
Heidi Marnhout . . . Callie
Bob Ivy . . . Bubba Ho-tep
Edith Jefferson . . . Elderly Woman
Larry Pennell . . . Kemosabe
Reggie Bannister . . . Rest Home Administrator
Daniel Roebuck . . . Hearse Driver
Daniel Schweiger . . . Hearse Driver

There is supposed to be a sequel, and I'll go see it, but I doubt it can be as good. It may be as funny (and this one is, first, last and always funny) but there is something more in this one if you are willing to let yourself see it. If you haven't seen this one, do yourself a favor and do so. You won't even have to do any Elvis jokes to like it.

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"Atomic Cafe" Movie Review

2007-03-17T13:11:00.000-06:00

102. Atomic Cafe.

Many of us grew up in the shadow of the Nuclear bomb, and those who have come since don't understand just how much that molded our world view. The biggest part was the fear that we would be the last generation.

The Government obviously feared that we would be so terrified by the prospect that we would cease to be productive and, therefore let the "Commies" take over. This film is a collection of the films they put out to make us know that "If we did as we were told, we could survive!" Even if that was patently untrue. (You know, that old buggaboo, the "Winable Atomic War?") So the kids were given Bert the Turtle and "Duck and Cover,"

adults were told how to build a fallout shelter
(something like using duct tape was echoed in recent days)
This one will make you not only think, but make you aware of what to watch for as those Government folks show up to "Help us."

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