Down the homestretch

A little more than nine years ago, I enrolled in a course called American Cinema at the college I was attending at the time. The course covered a broad range of American films -- spanning from the silent era all the way into the present. 

One of the topics that I became infatuated during my college years was the American Film Institute's 100 films ... 100 years list which had the AFI rating what it thought were the 100 best films in the last 100 years (with 1997 being the cut-off date) in the then 100-year history of American Cinema.

This list is also one of the biggest reason why I wanted to start blogging about movies again.

I immediately immersed myself in several of the films on the list and made it my goal to watch all 100 movies. Unfortunately, I never set a time limit and the goal was just kind of there -- something I would cross a movie off here or there from time to time.

Life took over. I finished college. Got a job. Got married. Moved to Wyoming. Had a kid. But the last two really didn't hinder the list (they actually helped). When my wife and I moved to Wyoming, we got ourselves a Netflix account, which made it a lot easier to see these films than going to a video store or a library that only had a select number.

Now that I am blogging again, in addition to providing my musings about film -- which no one probably gives a shit about anyway -- I also want to catalog my progress in completing the AFI list, completing the AFI's 10th Anniversary list, the IMDB Top 250 and other lofty goals I can complete in my campaign to champion for my well-deserved title of "Super Nerd." (It's no wonder I never get laid. I'm like a 16-year-old "Star Trek" fan with acne constantly debating about how winnable the Kobayashi Maroon is... or assembling models of AT-ATs, Star Destroyers, Tie Fighters and the Millennium Falcon that will destroy the U.S.S. Enterprise and help the Star Wars franchise reign supreme over the Star Trek franchise once and for all. Well, uhhhhh...)

Anyways... 

As of last night, I did another count of what I have to see ... and here is what I have left:

• 19 films on the AFI 100 years ... 100 movies
• 21 films on the AFI 100 10th anniversary list (with a little overlap from the list above)
• 68 films on the IMDB Top 250 (although I refuse to watch the anime)

So, needless to say, I'm a little excited and giddy of the light at the end of the tunnel.

"Frankly, my dear, I DON'T give a damn..."

Gone With the Wind  (1939)

Adam’s rating: ★★★  (out of 5)

Director: Victor Fleming

Rated: none. 238 min.

No. 4 on AFI 100

No. 6 on AFI 100 reissue

No. 152 on IMDB Top 250

Starring: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh,
Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland

"Gone With the Wind": No. 4 on AFI 100;
No. 6 on AFI 100 (2008); No. 152 on IMDB Top 250

I absolutely love Vivien Leigh. She is seriously one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen on the screen. It’s the eyes. I’ve only seen a small number of her films, but she was absolutely gorgeous and delivered a true and convincing performance as Scarlett O’Hara; she was fabulous as Emma Lady Hamilton in “That Hamilton Woman,” and even though she was 12 years older than when she played Scarlett, she was still charming, convincing and a character you felt for as Blanche du Bois in “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

She’s a marvelous actress.

But “Gone With the Wind” has got to be the most over-rated film I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

Sure, Leigh delivers a fine performance – even though I hate the ignorance that her character portrays in the film’s beginning. And I’m quite sure that’s a point I hate about all of the characters in the film’s opening 30 to 60 minutes: the pure ignorance that the start of the Civil War is going to be a matter of a few weeks before the war is over.

While there is something to be said in the story plot about the learning that goes on as the war wages, as Atlanta burns, as they go from having everything as rich plantation owners to nothing and then back to riches during “Reconstruction,” the introduction of the characters puts a grandiose naïveté on display for all to see.

The other aspect I strongly dislike in this film – fuck it, I absolutely hate and abhor it – is the epic-ness of this film. Granted, I hate almost all epics, but I fail to understand why 1.) this is such a popular book and furthermore 2.) a popular movie.

Elaborate sets, fancy and elaborate costumes, lots of actors, lots of extras, big budgets ... these aren’t the basis for crowning a film one of the best movies ever made. There has to be some basis for making a movie great, other than ticket sales, which are gained by a huge marketing budget and the amount of publicity a film generates. This seems to be the issue with all epics. They make a big hubbub, get some ink, make some money and are considered AMAZING! GREAT! WONDERFUL! And that’s why I hate (most) epics.

Granted, some epics aren’t all that bad. “Spartacus,” “Lord of the Rings,” “Ben-Hur,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “The Longest Day,” “Rebecca,” “Schindler’s List,” “300,” “Gladiator,” even “Doctor Zhivago,” these are some fine examples of epic films that earn their mettle in big-budget epics that can cash a check their mouths wrote.

Really, the only thing I like in this film is about halfway through in the story when Scarlett O'Hara promises herself that she will never go hungry again. So, for about 45 minutes of this 3 hour behemoth, Scarlett picks herself up by her bootstraps and is her own woman. It sends a good message, one of empowerment. And I kind of like it. Too bad the rest of it is about being naive and helpless. (Of course, since it is based on a book, the film can't do much about the story.)

Sadly, I just feel that the powers-that-be slapped a sexy leading man into this film, which had a huge marketing budget and because it’s an old movie that received too much publicity and everyone went to see it and it made a lot of money and left an impression of grandeur among the people of a post-Depression/pre-war world, it’s been rubber-stamped for the last 70-some years as being worth a damn.

And frankly, I don’t.

I won't regret it for the rest of my life ...

Casablanca  (1942)

Adam’s rating: ★★★1/2  (out of 5)

Director: Michael Curtiz

Rated: none. 102 min.

No. 2 on AFI 100

No. 3 on AFI 100 reissue

No. 16 on IMDB Top 250

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman,
Paul Henreid, Claude Rains,
Conrad Veidt, Peter Lorre

"Casabalanca" No. 2 on AFI 100;
No. 3 on AFI 100 (2008); No. 16 on IMDB Top 250

I don’t hate “Casablanca,” I just don’t understand its appeal.

What is so special about this movie? It’s come to symbolize classics. It’s come to symbolize film noir. When you hear the casual movie-watcher talk about old films, this seems to be the end-all, be-all of their classic film knowledge.

But what’s special about it? Other than the fact that Curtiz employs some low-key lighting to shroud the mysterious tone of the film ... nothing.

The acting is OK. But it’s not even close to being Humphrey Bogart’s best role – despite the fact he plays the same type of role in almost every film and this one isn’t even close to his best stab at it. And it’s even further from being Ingrid Bergman’s best. I could go into more depth here, citing several examples, but don’t worry … there will be more reviews you can read of Bogart and Bergman’s films. Trust me.

There are no technical tricks with the camera, no effects, nothing special with the selection of shots that the likes of Alfred Hitchcock, John Huston and even John Ford -- who had used some very simplistic, but extremely powerful, techniques in his films -- would employ. They are Michael Curtiz' contemporaries and they were doing some amazing things in this period. 

Hitch and Huston were experimenting with lighting, intriguing plot lines, suspense and film noir (a term that describes low-key lighting in mystery, crime dramas). 

Hitch did it -- and did it well -- in "The Lady Vanishes (1938), "Rebecca" (1940), "Foreign Correspondent" (1940," "Suspicion" (1941), "Saboteur" (1941) and -- my personal favorite -- "Shadow of a Doubt" (1943). Huston did it -- with Humphrey Bogart as his leading man, I might add -- in 1941's adaptation of Daschell Hammet's "The Maltese Falcon." 

Then you have John Ford. Sure, you have "Stagecoach" (1939), "Young Mr. Lincoln" (1939) and "How Green was My Valley?" (1941) in this same period, but to find the coup de grace of any argument for "Casablanca's" superiority, you need look no further than “The Grapes of Wrath (1940),” which has arguably the most powerful scene in the history of American cinema when Tom Joad (Henry Fonda) is hiding in a shack and Ford’s use of key lighting distorts Fonda’s face in half bright light and half darkness. That one scene alone -- possibly the most powerful of its time and in the history of American cinema -- is more than anything Curtiz did in “Casablanca.”

So what makes this movie special?

I’ll give you the story. It is original. Expatriates fleeing Morocco before the Nazis take hold of North Africa.

But, that’s original for 1942 and intriguing in a time period when the world is at war – kind of like how epic films based on books written about the Civil War and feature elaborate set designs and expensive costumes or some film that becomes more of a children’s film as it is lost in translation from its book get rubber stamped as being some of the finest films ever made because they were two of the first movies that featured color film, had expensive budgets and everyone went to see them.

I understand and appreciate "Casablanca's" historical significance, which is why I’m giving it the rating I did at 3½ stars, but I fail to grasp why it is so highly rated on lists. I fail to understand what makes this movie better than more revolutionary films of the same time period.

For the sake of posting...

I was checking up on Martin Scorsese's filmography the other night while writing an as-of-yet unpublished film review, when I spotted two projects that are both in post-production for release in 2011 that were of interest:

1. "Living in a Material World: George Harrison" 

-- and --

2. "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt"

Maybe you already knew about these projects? Maybe you didn't? 

Fans of The Beatles will certainly be interested in the George Harrison documentary. I've seen Scorsese's documentary on Bob Dylan ("No Direction Home") and his live concert for the Rolling Stones ("Shine a Light") and I can honestly say that when this legendary filmmaker tackles musical subjects, the results are a really good film that is actually fun, informative and entertaining -- while also being set to some good tunes in the background.

As for "TR." Well, I'm a nerd. And even if I am the only one in the theater to see this movie and the entire film grosses $8.50 from my lone ticket, I'm still going to see this. The only disappointment is that the film is based on his formative years. While that means adventure on the American Frontier, it also means no exhibition of why he is considered one of the best presidents of the United States. We can only hope for a sequel.

On a related note for historical nerdery -- yet completely unrelated -- here's hoping for a feature length film on James Swanson's "Manhunt."

My favorite movies for when it's time to unwind

I realize I'm a film snob.

I watch a countless number of foreign films, classic films, films from the Criterion Collection, and more. The hobby has become a bit of an obsession and addiction -- although I don't plan on quitting anytime soon.

While this blog runs the risk of being high-brow given my interests in the overall art of filmmaking, I understand -- and appreciate -- the need to let loose every now and then and watch something that doesn't require too much thought, but is perfect for a night of relaxation. 

That said, here are my top movies for a night in just chillin'.

12. Grandma's Boy

I just found this movie within the last year, actually. And it made me laugh my ass off. It's from Adam Sandler's production company, but he's not in it. His friends are. And it's pure guy humor. With video games, weed and more the story makes you laugh, makes you feel for Alex and it's just an overall feel good story that will have you laughing.

 

 

11. The Sandlot

'Nuff said.

This is a classic film of boys being boys, playing baseball in a vacant lot behind someone's house. There is mischief, friendship and above all, baseball. The movie came out when I was about 11 or 12 and it's still funny.

 

10. Sleepy Hollow 

My favorite Tim Burton film, this is a winter favorite as the snowfall in the village is perfect for a late night. It also can scare you a bit before heading to bed.

9. The Big Lebowski 

Some of the funniest lines from the genius of the Coen Brothers and a funny and fucked up story about mistaken identity, a rug that gets pissed on, a missing toe, bribery, hostages and "fucking Nihilists." Just remember, the Dude abides.

8. Happy Gilmore/Billy Madison 

They're pretty much one in the same. One is about a failed hockey player turned golfer and the other is about a man who repeats the kindergarten through senior year in high school to try and get his dad's company. Adam Sandler and company's first two films offers up funny and memorable one-liners that pretty much anyone reading this has recited time and time again. And it never gets old. "Hey Grandma, you know that Mister-mister lady? I think I killed her."

 

7. Zoolander 

The first time I watched this movie, I sat with my mouth gaping at its sheer stupidity. Until the freak gasoline accident. Ever since then, this is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen and the use of male models and playing them up as being stupid -- along with some of the things they say throughout the movie (for example encouraging bulimia as a good way to lose pounds before a show or Derek Zoolander being concerned with kids who don't know how to read good but want to learn how to read good) is funny. Just don't let Derek read my eugoogoly.

  

 

6. Tommy Boy 

Chances are I -- and everyone I know -- can recite every line in this movie and yet it never gets old. It's kind of like the "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" of the 90s, only a lot funnier.

 

5. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby 

First, "Dear Lord baby Jesus, lyin' there in your ghost manger, just lookin' at your Baby Einstein developmental videos, learnin' 'bout shapes and colors. I would like to thank you for bringin' me and my mama together, and also that my kids no longer sound like retarded gang-bangers." 

And second, "Reese: Now, there's nothing like driving to avoid jail. Nothing hones your mind and your instincts like necessity. So I taped a kilo of cocaine underneath the car and called the boys in blue. Now the way I figure it, you got about two minutes before they show up, and you do five to ten. So, what's it gonna be? Fear or prison? Ricky: What the hell are you talking about? Reese: Real simple, son! Cops are coming! There's a kilo of Colombian bam-bam underneath the car! Time to be a man! You got hair on your peaches or what?"

Yeah, it's that funny.

4. Back to the Future Trilogy 

It doesn't matter which of the three movies it is, I watch one of them at least once a month -- much to the chagrin of my wife who teases me for my love affair with these movies.

3. The Royal Tenenbaums 

I watch this movie a lot. And every time I do, I find something new that I never noticed before. While it's a dark comedy and requires a little bit of thought, the movie is rather amusing and funny and no matter how many times I watch it, it's the little things that keep me laughing -- and coming back. Like Dudley, who has no depth perception, is colorblind, has an acute sense of hearing and has a host of other issues standing in front of the taxi and has a problem with the fact that there are dents all over the cab. "I'm not colorblind, am I?" "I'm afraid you are."

2. Napoleon Dynamite 

Best late-night comedy. The movie gets funnier and funnier every time I watch it. I thought it was stupid the first time I watched it, but the more I saw it the more I began to understand that the humor in it all. "Take a look at what I'm wearing, people. You think anybody wants a roundhouse kick to the face while I'm wearing these bad boys?"

1. Dumb and Dumber 

Possibly the stupidest characters in any movie I've ever seen. Yet this is a comedy classic. Like "Tommy Boy," it's kept me laughing since I saw it in the theater when I was in junior high. "I always expected the Rocky Mountains to be a little rockier than this. Man, that John Denver, he's full of shit."