Salesman, 1968. Directed by Albert Maysles, David Maysles, and Charlotte Zwerin. With Paul “The Badger” Brennan, Charles “The Gipper” McDevitt, James “The Rabbit” Baker, Raymond “The Bull” Martos, Dr. Melbourn I. Feltman, Kennie Turner, and scores of potential customers. The … Continue reading
“This is my happening and it freaks me out.”–Roger Ebert, in a line from his movie Beyond the Valley of the Dolls There he was on television again after all this time: Roger Ebert, the movie critic, on the Oprah … Continue reading
Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, 2009. Directed by Lee Daniels, written by Geoffrey Fletcher. Starring Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, and Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey, for Christ’s sake. Precious is the story of a young … Continue reading
Yessir, I’ve missed posting on a ton of movies this year. So here’s a few microreviews, in case you’re wondering what’s good to see (and use my opinion to make your decision… probably not a good idea.) And no, I’m … Continue reading
The Night of the Hunter, 1955. Directed by Charles Laughton, written by James Agee (and an uncredited Laughton.) Starring Billy Chapin, Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason, Evelyn Varden (so I annoying I want to take Preacher’s switchblade … Continue reading
Chinatown, 1974. Directed by Roman Polanski, written by Robert Towne (with significant changes by the director.) Starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez, John Hillerman, Diane Ladd, Roy Jensen, James Hong, and, with his stiletto, Mr. Polanski himself. … Continue reading
That’s right: Monty Python. A television show? And why not? Is television not a part of the medium? And did not the madness of this troupe of six perhaps over-educated actors, writing their own material, change the face of television… … Continue reading
The Friends of Eddie Coyle, 1973. Directed by Peter Yates, written by Paul Monash. Starring Robert Mitchum, Peter Boyle, Steven Keats, Richard Jordan, and Alex Rocco. Weary. That’s how I would describe Robert Mitchum. Even when he was a maniacal … Continue reading
Yes, there’s Peter Lorre. Bernard Herrimann and Sam Peckinpah, Warren Oates. The great cinematographer Gregg Toland, Elisha Cook Jr., Thelma Ritter, John Huston and his dad, Walter. I can talk about the stars in Hollywood’s firmament, and the ones who … Continue reading
Apollo 13, 1995. Directed by Ron Howard, written by William Broyles Jr. and Al Reinert (Astronaut names). Starring Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinese, Ed Harris, and Kathleen Quinlan. In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo … Continue reading