Films That Matter
Diabolical Danger
Transporting its Italian comic book roots to the big screen, Danger: Diabolik (1968), directed by Mario Bava (Blood and Black Lace) and produced by powerhouse Dino De Laurentiis (Barbarella), plays like a vivid three dimensional escapade that fuses elements of swinging sixties spy chic, an early take on the anti-hero, a greedy twist on the Robin Hood tales of yore, and splashes of kitschy Batman (that is, the television series), all coming together for plenty of frivolous fun. The titular Diabolik (John Phillip Law) is a sort of master thief, a black spandex wearing, Jaguar E-type driving genius who thrives on stealing money from an unnamed European government – which, at best, is incompetent, at worst, corrupt users of their taxpaying base. Though, unlike Robin Hood, he keeps the oodles of cash for himself and his helpful mini-skirt wearing girlfriend Eva Kant (Marisa Mell).
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A Whole New ‘West’World
WestworldMay 21, 2017Many of you have probably heard of, and may be watching, HBO’s stellar hit show, Westworld. An intriguing premise to say the least, quite a few people do not realize that it is actually based on a 1973 movie of the same name, written and directed by famed novelist Michael Crichton – his first foray into the world of film making. Set in the not so distant future, this sci fi flick is infused with a classic western twist, as guests head to an amusement park to live out their fantasies in one of three worlds (Roman World, Medieval World and of course, Westworld). With a hint of being a precursor to a dystopic world, we are introduced to our two leads, first time attendee Peter Martin (Richard Benjamin) and his more experienced friend – at least, in relation to the very realistic park, John Blane (James Brolin), in a spacious, futuristic plane on their way to the locale.
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Where the heART Is
MaudieMay 19, 2017An intimate character study, 2016's Maudie, written by Sherry White and directed by Aisling Walsh, fuses familial drama with Canadian East Coast humour. Beginning in the 1930's, the story is based on the real life of Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis – the titular character is brought to vivid life by the ultra-talented Sally Hawkins. Born with a bad case of juvenile arthritis, Lewis is a woman of strong will due to her affliction. With a bad limp, awkward disposition and secret from her past, she is seen by the community at large as being different. . . also, a stain upon their family according to her holier-than-thou Aunt Ida (Gabrielle Rose) and overly patriarchal brother, Charles Dowley (Zachary Bennett). One example of his ways – he sells off their parents’ home soon after their death without even telling his sister beforehand.
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Star Pick with Rod Blackhurst
Tow the LineThe Thin Red LineMay 16, 2017Pulling its title from the novel (written by James Jones) that it is based on, Terence Malick’s 1998 film, The Thin Red Line, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards, brings together a who’s who ensemble cast to tell the tale of an intense World War 2 story set in the Pacific Theatre, specifically, the Guadalcanal Campaign. Over the past several weeks you have read about the filmmakers behind the Tribeca Audience Award winning movie, Here Alone – first, producer Noah Lang, and secondly screenwriter David Ebeltoft. Today’s Star Pick will feature the motion picture’s director, Rod Blackhurst. An up and coming director in the business, he has had great success from the beginning. The first time I came across some of his work, funnily enough, was by accident.
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He’s Gotta Split
SplitMay 14, 2017After a multitude of lackluster features, M. Night Shyamalan has returned to form with his most recent, more independent style foray, 2016's Split – a horror/thriller with an unexpected. . . or should I say, an expected twist (could it be that there is no real twist?). Featuring a tour de force performance from James McAvoy, the talented actor takes on the role of a plethora of very different personas, as his character has more than twenty split personalities. Ranging from a lisping young boy and grand British dame, to a fashion designer and Christopher Walken-like New Yorker, one of his splits, Dennis, kidnaps three teenaged girls, Claire (Haley Lu Richardson), Marcia (Jessica Sula), and Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy) from a public parking lot. Claire and Marcia are, for all intents and purposes, the popular girls in school – the type of gals that most cling to and the rest hate, while Casey is a lone wolf and outsider, her unusual ways forcing her to the periphery of the mainstream.
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A Double Dose of Hilarity
Grips, Grunts and GroansDizzy DoctorsMay 12, 2017Gaining prominence during The Great Depression, it is no secret why the silly, farcical slapstick comedy of The Three Stooges was a hit with audiences – as their crazy antics onscreen were able to give those watching a short respite from their complicated, downtrodden lives. Signing on with Columbia in 1933, the trio of nyuksters we all now know (Larry, Curly and Moe) became ‘short film’ icons in 1934 (prior to this, it was Ted Healy and His Stooges), continuously developing new projects (sometimes with Shemp or others) until their last in 1970 (their stint at Columbia ended in 1959 with their 190th feature) – an impressive run to say the least. Their first short of 1937 (and twentieth overall), Grips, Grunts and Groans (a very Stoogey title) finds the impoverished triumvirate riding the rails. Fleeing after getting the better of a pair of railroad police, they find themselves in a wrestling and boxing club, somehow befriending a behemoth named Ivan Bustoff (Harrison Greene). Run by the mob, the gangsters have placed a whopping bet on their wrestler.
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I Like Trains. . . In General
The GeneralMay 9, 2017The General, often considered to be Buster Keaton’s magnum opus (and for good reason – thankfully it was re-evaluated after its initial release, which was not kind), also falls into the realm of being one of the most important train and Civil War films ever produced. To those who do not know the motion picture, they will likely believe that the title refers to the military designation, though it is actually the name of the train the story revolves around. Basically an intricately plotted, lengthy chase, Keaton co-wrote and co-directed the story along with Clyde Bruckman, it being based upon a famous, true Civil War happening, ‘The Great Locomotive Chase’ (also known as Andrews’ Raid). Keaton takes on the role of Johnnie Gray, a train engineer living in Georgia just as the bloody 1861 hostilities boil over. In love with only two things, his beloved locomotive and an angelic, brown haired woman, Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack), he is told by his love that he too must enlist (like her father and brother). The first in line, they reject him, seeing his present job as being of the utmost importance for the South.
