2008, FilmReview, Western

Appaloosa (2008)

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From NetFlix:

    When a malicious, land-hungry rancher (Jeremy Irons) has
    the marshal and deputy of Appaloosa killed, two gunmen
    (Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris, who also directs) arrive
    and try to bring law and order back to the frontier town.
    But when a beautiful widow of uncertain convictions
    (Renée Zellweger) enters the picture, the stakes are
    raised and soon the lead flies. Lance Henriksen co-stars
    in this Western based on the novel by Robert B. Parker.

Second to “Law and Order” I guess I like westerns (with TRASH as a close third).

Today’s westerns don’t follow the models of the 1940s and 50s. In our list of westerns
only “Open Range” comes close to the model and even that admits of something
unheard of in older westerns, i.e. “sensitivity” (GASP! – what are these young’ns
thinking of).  “3:10” to Yuma had a great surprise ending. “Assassination of Jesse
James” was really a character study. And here “Appaloosa” features two law-men-
for-hire joined at the hip who might be divided by the new widow in town. Kathy and
I both initially jumped to the wrong conclusion.  Jeremy Irons does his usual
perfect imitation of slime.  There are good plot twists. Towards the end the film
seems to bog down in uncertainty, but it is that uncertainty that drives the film
to a very resonable conclusion.

Incidentally, Ed Harris wrote the screenplay.  I’m impressed.

Again, if you like westerns, you will love this film.

2007, Feel Good For All, FilmReview

Son Of Rambow (2007)

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From NetFlix:

    Forbidden to watch TV or go to the movies by his ultrareligious
    parents, young Will (Bill Milner) gets a hold of a camera, and his
    mind blossoms in this nostalgic comedy from the team behind The
    Hitchhiker‘s Guide to the Galaxy. Set in 1980s Britain, the film
    tells the tale of the friendship that blossoms between Will and
    class bully Lee (Will Poulter) when the latter recruits Will to
    help him make a home movie inspired by Rambo: First Blood

Thanks to Kate and Nigel for suggesting “Son of Rambow” which is the 320th film in our
collection.

 Finally a feel-good for everyone (such films are rare these days).  For some reason the film
got a PG-13  rating (parental guidance for kids under 13) due to violence. But the movie
is just about super-crazy kids making a movie. This is a sit, relax, and laugh movie.  For me
just the scene with the flying dog made the whole movie worthwhile.  There are other really
funny sight gags. By the way, wife Kathy also loved the film – which really says something.
For me the very last part of  the movie was just a tad maudlin. Still, the happy ending just
felt right.

2003, FilmReview, Western

Open Range (2003)

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From NetFlix:

    Kevin Costner directs and stars in this Western drama about
    four free-grazing ranchers — Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall),
    Charley Waite (Kevin Costner), Mose Harrison (Abraham Benrubi)
    and Button (Diego Luna) — whose cattle meander close to a
    small town ruled by a greedy sheriff and his cronies. Forced
    to defend their way of life, the cowboys take on the corrupt
    leaders, while Charley, a loner, is surprised by a newfound
    love (Annette Bening).

As a young boy I saw a western just about every Saturday. My weekly allowance was 30 cents:
20 cents for the movie, then go  next door to  the 5-and-dime and read every  comic book except
one (Captain Marvel Junior) and then  spend the remaining 10 cents for that comic book.

 The wonderful thing about westerns is that they are usually so black and white. It’s easy to spot
the villains (always wore black in the past movies). And Hopalong Cassidy (and possibly the Lone
Ranger)  wore white as I recall. By the way, Lone Ranger’s Indian sidekick was named “Tonto” which
is Spanish for “fool”. Could this have been racism ?

At any case “Open Range” is fairly black and white although Kevin Costner wrestles with his
violent  past. The very end of the film might be considered a tad maudlin. Costner and Duval
speak tersely throughout the film. But at the end Costner and Bening get to talk smoochy (that’s
where the maudlin starts).

Cheers and hisses to Michael Gambon (born in  Dublin and uses brogue in the film) for being such
a great villain.

And what fun seeing all the bad guys getting shot in a wonderful gun battle.

It took me awhile to recognize Annette Bening. Somehow her role  here was different than
any of  her past efforts.

“Open Range” is somewhat old-fashion (meant as praise) [except that the young sidekick is
a Latino. Could this be an attempt at being current ?]  There are no wonderful psychopaths
as in “3:10 to  Yuma”. There is no treachery as in “The Assassination of Jesse James”. Just
plan old shoot-em-up fun. And don’t forget to see Clive Owen in “Shoot  ‘Em  Up”.

If you like westerns, you will love this film,

2007, FilmReview, Suspense

Cassandra’s Dream (2007)

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From NetFlix:

When two brothers turn to crime to solve their money troubles,
they soon find themselves over their heads and pitted against
each other in this thriller from Oscar-winning writer-director
Woody Allen. Meanwhile, one brother (Ewan McGregor) becomes smitten
with a beautiful young actress (Hayley Atwell), while his sibling
(Colin Farrell) struggles with mounting gambling debts. Tom
Wilkinson and Sally Hawkins co-star.

Woody Allen’s “Cassandra’s Dream” is nothing special. The beginning of the film offers no
tension except Colin Farrell’s addiction to gambling. But when Colin loses big-time and his
uncle Tom Wilkinson arrives on scene, things begin to turn ugly. By then I was hooked and
had to see how the film ended. Colin Farrell portrays a distraught young man with a conscience.

Would not be my first choice,

2006, Feel Good Not For Children, FilmReview

Outsourced (2006)

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From NetFlix:

When his department is outsourced to India, customer call
center manager Todd Anderson (Josh Hamilton) heads to
Mumbai to train his successor (Asif Basra). Amusing culture
clashes soon ensue as Anderson tries to explain American
business practices to the befuddled new employees — and
in the process learns some important lessons about
globalization and life. Director John Jeffcoat’s delightful
comedy also stars Ayesha Dharker and Matt Smith.

Thanks to Lynn for suggesting “Outsourced”. This film is bound to bring a smile
to your face. It is an easy watch because there is really no tension. Relax and
enjoy as if you had traveled to India as Todd Anderson and really learned to accept
India.

Every detail seems to ring true except possibly for the following: Following his
being turned blue, red, and every other color in the feast of Holi, Todd notices that
the Indians clean themselves in the river. So Todd follows suit and submerges.
I suspect that if a germ susceptible American did that, he might die on the spot.
But correct me if I am wrong.

Possibly not for children due to sexual references. At one point the couple spend
a night in the “Kama-Sutra” room. Even that comes off innocently.

Just plain chill-out fun,

1996, DO NOT MISS, Feel Good Not For Children

Shine (1996)

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From NetFlix:

A riveting profile of Australian keyboard virtuoso David
Helfgott (Geoffrey Rush) and his ultimate triumph over a
domineering, abusive father (Armin Mueller-Stahl);
schizophrenia; and an obsession with the all but unplayable
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3. Sir John Gielgud,
superb as ever, plays Helfgott’s tutor. Richly deserved
Oscars went to Rush (Best Actor) and to Mueller-Stahl for
his supporting turn.

You should read about David Helfgott in Wikipedia. The movie is not exactly true,
but close enough. In the film Helfgott’s father is more of a monster than perhaps
he deserves to be. I was disappointed to learn that Helfgott’s performance of the
Rachmaninoff Third Piano Concerto was criticized quite negatively. Never mind,
just enjoy the film.

As with most “feel good” movies, you first have to “feel bad”.
When Lynn Redgrave enters the film, you just know the movie will get happier.

In several scenes Helfgott forgets to wear clothing. He gropes a woman several
times. Hence, perhaps not for children.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, especially for classical music fans,

1000NYTimes, 1001BeforeDie, 1961, Classic, FilmReview

The Hustler (1961)

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From NetFlix:

Paul Newman scores as tragic, flawed pool hustler ‘Fast Eddie Felson’
in a brooding drama that explores the synergies between good and evil,
love and desperation. Felson tours the country hustling games — even
challenging reigning champion Minnesota Fats (a fabulous Jackie Gleason).
Co-starring Piper Laurie and George C. Scott, The Hustler was followed
30 years later by the sequel The Color of Money, starring Newman and
Tom Cruise. Rack ’em up!

This Christmas visit Kate and Nigel requested “The Color of Money” which we enjoyed. In it Paul Newman is the older “teacher” for a new young hustler Tom Cruise. I just had to re-see “The Hustler” as a comparison. I felt I had to invent yet another film category “Classic”
because there is no other way to describe “The Hustler”.
It seems impossible that “The Hustler” was made 48 years ago. How many of us in the MovieFans list are even that old? In fact, I will occasionally revisit older “Classics” to see how they survive the passage of time. Not only does “The Hustler” survive, in my opinion it surpasses “The Color of Money”. Whereas Tom Cruise is his usual brat-like self, the young Paul Newman will be the warmly human ‘Fast Eddie Felson’ forever, a man who appreciates too late the love he lost.

Of the 4 principle actors Newman, Gleason, and Scott are dead. Piper Laurie still acts and has been in ‘Law and Order’ episodes. We should probably keep score on how many actors (young and old) in our movie list have also played in at least one ‘Law and Order’ episode.

Do you feel “The Hustler” is dated ?

2007, Could Be Sad, Feel Good For All

Grace Is Gone (2007)

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From NetFlix:

Director James C. Strouse’s indie drama stars John Cusack
as Stanley Phillips, an ex-military man trying to find the
courage to break some devastating news to his two daughters:
Their mother has died while serving in Iraq. As he works through
his complex feelings about his wife’s death and the war, Stanley
delays telling his girls the truth, instead taking them on an
excursion to a theme park. The film won the Dramatic Audience
Award at Sundance 2007.

I don’t remember ever seeing John Cusack in a bad film and this film is no exception.
Despite its sad theme the film is never maudlin. However, if by the end of the film you
don’t feel a bit teary, you might just be made of stone. The two girls are perfect, each
for their age. In fact the film is just about perfect.

I called this movie a “feel-good for all”. But you might want to prepare any children
viewers beforehand for some sadness.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED,

2007, Horror, Stephen King

The Mist (2007)

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From NetFlix:

After a brutal thunderstorm pounds a small town, the residents
discover a malevolent mist hangs over their homes, killing anyone
who remains outside. Trapped in a grocery store, a band of survivors
must make a stand against the deadly fog. Based on a story by horror
maestro Stephen King and directed by multiple Oscar nominee Frank
Darabont, this spine chiller stars Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden
and Andre Braugher

While watching this Stephen King horror story, daughter Kate and I recoiled in terror while Kate’s
boy friend Nigel yawned in boredom. I thought the story was quite an engrossing trip. And
the film influenced a dream I had that night.

Stephen King is too good to just present horror for horror’s sake. In this film he asks the question:
when put into a dangerous situation that may require bravery or sacrifice, how would most
people react ? Forget the silly monsters (which are really creepy). Marcia Gay Harden was
her usual well-acting self as a religious fanatic (read that “nuts”) who rabble-rouses to perfection.
I have never heard of Thomas Jane who put in a good performance as the lead (of course, since
he is from Baltimore).

There is no sex in the film. But this movie could scare the living daylights out of small children, as
well as adults named “Tony”.

Stephen King published a collection of his short stories called “Skeleton Crew”
in which the first story is the original “The Mist”. It is very similar to the film
plot. But to tell you the truth, I prefer the film plot over the novella.

Be afraid, be very afraid,

1986, FilmReview, Not Feel Good

The Color of Money (1986)

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From NetFlix:

The hustler isn’t what he used to be: ‘Fast’ Eddie Felson
(Oscar-winner Paul Newman) has given up pool for life as a
liquor salesman. But then he meets Vincent (Tom Cruise), a
cocky natural who makes a cue ball crack like a lightning
bolt. Eddie takes Vincent under his wing and on the road,
but are teacher and student destined to become competitors?

Because of our devotion to the game of pool, Kate and Nigel and I watched a very young
Tom Cruise do a perfect job as an arrogant kid refusing to take directions from an older
and wiser Paul Newman. Our NetFlix CD was in terrible shape but we enjoyed the film
so much that we will next order the precursor “The Hustler”.

I would be interested to know if you find the film confusing. Also, there is a lot of pool
playing in the film which might not interest everyone.