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The North Star (1943)
A Reflection of its Time - A Morale Booster for the US and its newest WWII Ally
Production on this film started in 1943. The world had been battling the Nazi menace for 4 years. It is set in June 1941, not long after America entered the war. Operation Barbarossa represented Hitler's betrayal of his formal alliance with Stalin. The Russian dictator was said to have been stunned for weeks afterward. At the time, Ukraine was not independent of Russia. In fact, during the period 1930-33 it was forced to collectivize all farms while almost all of its food was shipped to Russia proper. Current historians view it as punishment for their resistance to Soviet rule. At least 4 million Ukrainians starved to death.
With that as background, it is not only absurd - but insulting - to open the film with an idyllic portrayal of life on a Ukrainian farm commune. Well fed, happy peasants were not the norm in 1941. Peasants singing songs with lyrics by Gershwin and music by Copeland are equally ridiculous. In fact, the House Unamerican Activities Committee ordered them cut in 1957 as communist propaganda. They weren't restored until 1976. I watched for a while, but must confess I had to fast forward through at least half of it. Once the Germans strafe a convoy of horse drawn carts returning from an aborted trip to Kyiv, the film picks up. These scenes of Ukrainian resistance are fictional but almost certainly have roots in reality. Because of the superb cast of actors, they pull it off fairly well, Just as contemporary reviewers did (see the 1943 New York Times piece), I found it uplifting to see the heroics of these peasants trod upon by Nazi jackboots. Setting their own village alight to deny the Germans any resources is also a historically accurate depiction of the "scorched earth" policy practiced by the Soviets.
So why is the film such a mess? The screenwriter laboured over it for 7 months. Halfway through she was incensed that Goldwyn himself and the director had changed the plot, dialog, characters and sequence she had written. After a famous shouting match with the studio head, she resigned and bought out her contract. Basically, the producer and director winged it. Keep in mind that Russia was our new ally against the Nazi menace and we needed to show our gratitude for the massive commitment of blood and treasure they were about to make.
Another IMDb reviewer questioned whether the Nazis ever used children for transfusing its wounded soldiers as shown in the film. Absolutely. The practice had just started as filming began. If you search the archives of the Nuremburg War Crimes Trials, you will see that the initial "research" for this practice was headed by none other than Dr. Josef Mengele at Auschwitz. Thousands of children died after being emptied of all their blood. A horrible truth I'm afraid.
If you are genuinely interested in learning what resistance against the Nazis was like, the Daniel Craig vehicle "Defiance" is a much better film in this regard. It is a meticulously researched tale of peasants in Belarus who successfully battled the invaders from lairs in the forests and mountains. I happened to attend the premiere of this feature and had a chance to hear grateful descendants of these fighters attest to its veracity.
The evil German doctor (von Stroheim) foreshadows the true end of this invasion when he talks about the populace being "difficult" foes. Millions of Soviet citizens died, but so did millions of Nazis. Hitler's obsession with taking St. Petersburg in the dead of winter allowed the weather to defeat the German army just as it had done with Napoleon.
The Fire Within: A Requiem for Katia and Maurice Krafft (2022)
A Stunningly Beautiful Tribute to Two Volcanologists who were also Filmmakers
Last night I watched the most recent Werner Herzog film, "The Fire Within: A Requiem for Katia and Maurice Krafft." It was on TVO, Ontario's version of PBS. A beautiful, unique tribute to a husband and wife pair of volcanologists who perished in 1991 pursuing their passion. As he explains in the opening scenes, it's not a traditional documentary. Remarkably, it's his tribute to them as filmmakers.
Herzog was given unrestricted access to over 200 hours of their raw footage all over the world and Katia's 400,000+ photos. From that he has crafted both a quasi-biography and a story of their evolution as filmmakers. He pairs it with mostly classical choral works in an almost seamless way. I was able to pick out Bach's Kyrie from his Mass in B Minor as well as several movements from Verdi's Requiem. His narration is sparse but insightful. For the most part, the images do the talking. And what images they are! Not many are able to see both the beauty and horror of the Earth renewing itself, but the Kraffts clearly did.
Something to watch for. I'm not sure where you can see this in the States presently, but I suspect Amazon's Prime Video will pick it up. It has already won a 2022 Best Picture award in LA and at least 5 other nominations across the country. A link to the trailer can be found at the DOC LA website.
Battle for the Western Front (2022)
An Award Winning WWI Indie film by a true Cinematic Virtuoso
What better way to commemorate Remembrance Day than to attend a preview screening about an important WWI battle? Author, Director and Cinematographer Aaron Huggett brought his film, "The Ace and The Scout" to nearby London, Ontario for a final peek before its eventual release.
Its focus is the 3 day 1918 battle of Orix Trench in Northern France. Canadian Ace Billy Bishop (72 victories) goes on a recruiting tour and convinces a pair of lifelong friends to enlist. They, in turn, end up in the same unit as legendary Anishinaabe sniper Francis Pegahmagabow (300+ confirmed kills). Vastly outnumbered by their German foes, the Canadians have to survive the onslaught for 3 days without food, ammo or reinforcements. An illuminating closeup look at trench warfare.
Afterward, the Director and some cast members took questions from the audience. The history behind the film was meticulously researched. Huggett even traveled to France so he could precisely recreate the site of the battle here in Ontario. Telling stories that otherwise might be lost is a major driver for him. He spent considerable time interviewing the Pegahmagabow family and obtaining their input on the script. In Canada, as in the US, wartime contributions of its indigenous warriors are too often forgotten. The author views "Peggy" as the heart of the film.
I really enjoyed this film. From my perspective, altering just a few aspects of it might have resulted in even better storytelling. Although interwoven throughout, I think the snippets about Billy Bishop are a distraction. As Huggett said, "The Scout" is really the heart of this film. I personally would have liked to have seen more about Pegahmagabow as opposed to Bishop. Additionally, many of the actors appeared to have come from stage rather than cinematic acting backgrounds. Directing them toward more subtle, natural action would have improved the film. An exception is Adam Mezei, who was simply stunning in his portrayal of the sadistic German officer Klaus von Lettow-Vorbeck.
Filmakers who write, direct, produce and act as cinematographer are rare. The aerial sequences and landscape shots were spectacular. Aaron Huggett deserves enormous credit for bringing his vision to the screen on a shoestring budget. Although he declined to be specific, The Ace and The Scout cost just over $1M CAD to make.
The Ace and the Scout has already travelled to film festivals all around the world. Clearly, there's a universality to this film that resonates beyond Canada. It has pulled in a warehouse full of awards from as far away as the UK, Italy, India and Australia. Distribution particulars are being worked out presently. Watch for a public release in 2023.
Thirteen Lives (2022)
A thrilling, suspenseful and heartfelt film that restores your faith in humanity
Roger Ebert once said that it wasn't the sad parts in movies that made him cry, it was seeing people doing selfless, kind acts. I watched the new Ron Howard Prime Video film, "Thirteen Lives" and I must confess I got misty. You'll probably recall the 2018 incident in Thailand when 12 boys and their soccer coach got trapped in a huge cave that flooded. Help came from all over the world - more than 5000 pitched in to this difficult rescue effort.
For this movie, the cave's interiors and miles of flooded passageways were recreated on a set. Could have fooled me though. As someone who has been spelunking, I can say that Howard captured the claustrophobic atmosphere perfectly. After taking basic scuba training during role prep, Viggo Mortensen advocated for his fellow actors and won the "privilege" of doing all their own diving scenes. Very impressive.
In an interesting script choice, the viewer is largely given the perspective of the rescuers. After we see the kids and their coach disappear into the cave, the point of view switches to the parents who first sound the alarm to authorities. Unexpected pre-monsoon rains make the situation critical. The kids came straight from soccer practice and are not equipped to survive such an ordeal.
Then the focus shifts to the rescuers as the agonized parents look on. Watching the rescue team grow and come up with a plan, then execute it is the heart of the film. This is largely because of the kindness of countless strangers - many of whom simply showed up at the site and asked to help. I believe the movie accurately portrays the mental and physical perils involved. The diving scenes are harrowing and not for the claustrophobic. Although the actors were OK, two of the real life rescuers died as a result of their efforts.
I found Thirteen Lives a thrilling, suspenseful, and heartwarming film. I'd like to think that we still live in a world where such kindness is still possible. Highly recommended.
Predestination (2014)
Jaw droppingly modern film brings a 60+ year old classic to life
I don't often do this, but I'm going to recommend that you make some time to watch Predestination before it disappears from a major streaming service June 30. It's a time travel story that takes place between 1945 and 2217 with very modern sensibilities. Of course there are some jaw dropping paradoxes, and along the way thoughtful musings about the nature of life, love and identity.
It stars Ethan Hawke and newcomer Sarah Snook. They are Temporal Agents on the trail of a terrorist bomber. Both give outstanding performances. The clever use of alternate camera angles at different points in time keeps the story mysterious and suspenseful. It's a film that demands your full attention. The Australian Spierig brothers have planted just enough clues to solve this temporal mystery before leaving you gobsmacked in the final frames.
The 2014 film is based on the 1958 short story, "All You Zombies" by sci-fi legend Robert Heinlein. The Spierigs - known previously for a zombie movie - also co-wrote the screenplay. It has nothing whatsoever to do with zombies by the way. Some of the set decoration and dialog were lifted directly from the 9 page story. Watch for Heinlein books and quotes sprinkled in the backgrounds too. Initially, I thought that the original story had been tampered with to make it more modern and topical. After reading it, I found the author conceived these very futuristic twists to our existence over 60 years ago.
Well worth watching while it's still available. Highly recommended.
Run Woman Run (2021)
A first rate Indigenous Comedy/Drama with Universal Appeal
Last night I attended a preview screening of "Run Woman Run" in a huge Brantford, Ontario theatre. Beforehand, two of the indigenous musical artists on the soundtrack performed songs from the score. Wow! The movie was shot in 2019 on Six Nations territory less than 10 minutes from here.
The best films take you to places you've never been. Although it is set in their lands and acted by indigenous people, the story is universal. Still, its foundation is in a culture that is new for many, including me. It centers on a 30 something woman and her journey to improve from the inside out. The relationships felt real and the film was filled with equal measures of laughter and tears. A well-acted, highly polished film from its writer/director Zoe Leigh Hopkins. Its Canadian theatrical premiere is March 25, 2022 in London, Toronto and Hamilton. After that, the rest of North America could well follow. Will also be available as a streaming offering on Crave in the not too distant future. Catch it if you can. Highly recommended.
Don't Look Up (2021)
A Dark but Wickedly Funny Sendup of Modern Society
A pleasant surprise. Hard to imagine how they corralled so many Oscar winners for a single film during the Pandemic. Reinforced for me that it takes great acting to do comedy well. Very few films have made me laugh so much recently. Only afterward did I discover that Director Adam McKay intended it to be an allegory about mankind's response to the Climate Change crisis. Even so, I think it's a clever commentary about the dysfunction of our society in general. It's a very dark, but wickedly funny sendup of Washington politics, Infotainment shows, and Social Media.
DeCaprio was mostly spot on as a nerdy astronomer, but I especially liked Mark Rylance as an amalgam of Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. The first half was unabashedly hilarious. There's a slightly darker tone in the second half and I'd suggest a bit of overacting on Leo's part. Be sure to stay through the end of the credits. There's a postscript that's a hoot featuring Jonah Hill. Recommended.
Hyena Road (2015)
A 2015 Film with Some Relevant Lessons about the Afghan War & Canadian Warriors
With all the recent coverage of the U. S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, it's easy to forget that there were 43 countries that fought there after 9/11. Over 40,000 Canadian Forces personnel served there until the last training outpost closed in 2014. With painful regularity, Canadians solemnly lined the Highway of Heroes between Trenton CFB and Toronto to welcome their fallen back home. There were over 2100 casualties, 158 of those died. 17% returned disabled by PTSD.
I write this review as an American living in Canada. Hyena Road is a small budget Canadian film that tries to capture the essence of that struggle for a country that is not readily identified as a warrior nation today. I'm persuaded by Military Historian Norm Christie's argument that this stems from a national reaction to the horrific losses of WWI. Although they have bravely fought in WWI and virtually every major armed conflict since then, they have denied their own warrior heritage. Without being at all jingoistic, Writer/Director/Actor Paul Gross has attempted to rectify that in this film.
For me there was a sense that I was seeing a slice of real life on deployment. It is not a literal retelling of actual events, although Hyena Road was real and the screenplay was based on anecdotes gathered from Canadian Veterans of Afghanistan. The military vehicles were largely shot in theatre before Canada withdrew in 2014. Gross captured a rhythm and truthfulness in his script that rang true throughout.
The combat sequences were frenetic and horrifying. Its producers did an amazing job of using the meager $12.5M budget to create spectacular battle scenes. Those expecting huge explosions in their war films won't be disappointed. Still, the focus on a sniper platoon in Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry allowed for long stretches of contemplative dialogue as they lay in wait for their targets. When engaging the enemy in a farmer's field or a frightening forest of urban structures, the pace picked up accordingly. I'd classify these scenes as some of the best modern ground combat sequences I've seen.
The script also touched on the historical, cultural and political aspects of the "Forever War." That Alexander the Great was ground down by his invasion of this region in ancient times takes center stage at several points. Shifting alliances, political corruption and outright lawlessness all made their appearance in this story. Not knowing who the "good guys" were from scene to scene added real tension. It also provided context to understand how important the cooperation of native Afghans was in prosecuting this war.
In an After Action debriefing between Pete and Ryan, there's some dialog that in 2015 captured some wisdom about this war that is hauntingly true today:
Pete - These people here, they have no use for what we have on offer. They don't want Justin Bieber, Tom Jefferson or our f*n pornography. They just want our money and a little bit of stability.
Ryan - So how do we win?
Pete - There is no winning. There's just an end state and that's gonna get laid down by foreign policy, not by us.
If you're looking for a different perspective on the Afghan War and Canadians as members of a warrior nation, this film is well worth a look. Highly recommended.
A Hidden Life (2019)
An Inspirational Starting Point for Understanding a Saintly Human Being
Every day you learn something new is a good day. Yesterday I learned about a saintly Austrian conscientious objector Franz Jägerstätter, who refused to serve in Hitler's WWII army. Terrence Malick's film, "A Hidden Life" got lost in the midst of COVID. It premiered in Dec 2019 and by February 2020 was starting to open in theatres. We all know what happened next. Found it on a streaming service. Lush photography, a beautiful soundtrack of classical pieces, and outstanding performances.
Such a profound and inspiring story that I dug further into it. Turns out the famous monk Thomas Merton was also inspired by him and included his story in the 1968 book Faith and Violence. Although writer/director Malick is known for his impressionistic style (Thin Red Line, Days of Heaven), it strikes me that he deliberately secularized the life of the deeply devout Jägerstätter. No mention of his having sought a Papal blessing after his marriage, his membership in the Franciscan Third Order, or his beatification as a Catholic martyr in 2007 by Pope Benedict. My guess is that it was an effort to make the film more commercial.
By doing this, Malick obscured the true motivation of the protagonist and denied his audience access to the real meaning of his sacrifice. I do understand that he was not doing a documentary in the traditional sense, but believe he was obligated to be more expository in depicting the life story of such a heroic figure. Hinting at significant aspects of Jägerstätter's life or portraying them without providing context robbed the film of a fair amount of its power. In particular, the meeting with his local bishop about his crisis of conscience has much more meaning if you understand that he was doing so as a Franciscan. While the scenery of the Alpine village and the bucolic farmwork scenes had some relevance, there was far too much of it. I agree with another reviewer that Malick could have trimmed 30 minutes of this material without compromising it as a work of art.
The film's title comes from a passage by George Eliot in which he notes that the world becomes a better place through the accumulated grace from many "hidden" lives. While the film was a grueling and difficult march through one such life, it was a worthwhile introduction to one of humanity's best.
The Wolverine (2013)
An unconventional, thoughtful superhero film - a fine addition to the franchise
Saw a preview of "The Wolverine" before it was released in 2013. Here's my review the next day.
A true character-driven entry in the X-Men movie franchise, it refuses to follow the traditional Hollywood comic book movie conventions. What special effects there were ended up being pretty low-key except in the last 20 minutes. Hugh Jackman was terrific. Entirely convincing and powerfully physical in the many fight scenes that punctuated the movie. The story closely parallels original comic book lines about Wolverine's hermitlike withdrawal in the wilds of Canada (Yukon) and his introspection about his place in the world. The majority of the film takes place in Japan and takes care to highlight traditional cultural values there.
To fully appreciate this entry, I'd suggest viewing the 2006 film, X-Men: The Last Stand beforehand. A hint: you'll want to stay for the end credits. There's an embedded sequence there you won't want to miss. P. S.- Saw the film in 3D, but the end credits indicated this effect was added afterward. My sense was that it added nothing to the experience. Save your money and see it in 2D. HIGHLY recommended.
Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
Decades before Queen's Gambit: The Inspiring True Story of A Child Chess Prodigy
This is the true story of Josh Waitzkin, a New York chess prodigy at age 7. Based on the book by the same name and authored by his father. Covering his early years, it is a thoughtful and sensitive introduction to the transformative nature of being one of the world's best. The life of Chess phenom Bobby Fischer is interwoven with Josh's progress throughout. Are opponents only worthy of your contempt? Should you choose to win at all costs? What does the life of an adult chess master hold? Fortunately, Josh's parents have a sense of balance about his development as both a chess player and decent human being. The film's postscript tells us he continued to play baseball and go fishing even after his rise to the heights of US Junior Chess.
An adult Josh makes a cameo appearance in one of the final scenes. He's the one in the black hoodie with curly hair and glasses. Oscar winner Ben Kingsley plays real life Chess Master and teacher Bruce Pandolfini. He was the principal chess advisor for Queen's Gambit. Rounding out the stellar cast are Joe Montagna, Laura Linney, Laurence Fishburne and James H. Macy. A stunning set of absolutely believable performances.
Ironically, this 1993 film's ending at perhaps age 9 prefigures the actual arc of Josh's life. He attained International Master status and twice won the US Junior Chess Championships. By his account, he simply lost his love for the game due to the press to always win and has not played competitive chess since 1999. He is a published author on life strategies and a Martial Arts expert.
There are some good family values embedded in this film and some life lessons that are suitable for viewers of any age. Highly Recommended.
Intouchables (2011)
Hilarious Comedy about a Serious Subject - Deftly Dodges Formulaic Pitfalls for the Genre
My Friday Night Netflix Treat. Needed a dose of joy and got it with the 2011 French film The Intouchables. Thought it might be too formulaic but it wasn't. The lead actor was hilarious and appeared to improvise at will. Dozens of worldwide awards & a box office hit in France. Stay for the end titles for a peek at the people on which it's based. 5% of the film's profits went to the Simon of Cyrene Society to help handicapped adults. Worth watching IMHO.
Lucy (2014)
A Nonstop Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Action Flick from Luc Besson
When this movie first came out, I shied away from it because the previews telegraphed that it might be derivative and predictable. It was neither.
Author/Director Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets) has once again used his command of imagery to literally show us an entire universe full of profound meanings normally hidden from us. The title character ingests a drug that allows her to fully utilize the brain that we ordinarily use only 10% of. Scarlett Johansson transforms from a directionless ne'er-do-well victimized by life into a focused, unstoppable woman on a mission.
It's a wild, nonstop ride. To enjoy the film, you really have to suspend belief for its runtime and accept the basic premises of his story. After lots of bloody gunplay, some borderline preposterous pseudoscience courtesy of Morgan Freeman, and one of the best car chase scenes ever, we arrive at a totally surprising conclusion. Besson's provocative ideas about what humans might do with maximum brainpower are fun to watch even if they are sometimes absurd. Visual effects from ILM and major Québec firm Rodeo FX ensure that the mind-bending finale takes you to places you've never seen before.
No major award nominations or wins for this one. Although I deeply admire Besson's style, this is more a summer action flick than truly great cinema. Recommended nonetheless.
Holmes & Watson (2018)
It's All About the Script, Stupid: A well made but mostly unfunny Sherlock Holmes comedy
Friday Night at the (Netflix) Movies: Holmes & Watson. It's been on my list for a while mainly because of Will Ferrell and John C. Riley. Not the worst comedy I've ever seen, but more smiles than laughs for me. As the years go by, there are fewer and fewer truly new yarns to be told about Sherlock Holmes and his companion, Dr. John Watson.
The production values were very high. Top notch cinematography, set design, costumes and acting talent. They even had former Akron Devo band member Mark Mothersbaugh write the musical score. I fault the film's Writer/Director Etan Cohen for providing a mostly predictable and unfunny script as well as the 10 Producers - which include Ferrell - for not insisting on better. Marginally recommended.
First Man (2018)
Oscar Winning First Person Perspective on one of Mankind's Greatest Feats
First, I must confess that I'm a longtime astronaut wannabe who grew up in the times portrayed in this film. I have never seen a more personal portrayal of the race to the moon in anything else I've read or watched to date. This movie offers a totally unique perspective on one of the greatest feats in Mankind's history.
While there are at least 6 Oscar winners who helped realize this film, the key to its success is the namesake 700+ page book on which Josh Singer's screenplay is based. James Hansen was a university professor who pursued Neil Armstrong and his family for years after the first moonwalk in 1969. The reclusive astronaut finally relented, and the author spent many additional years gathering personal details from him, his sisters, wife and children. Instead of the stoic, almost superhuman Astronaut with a capital A, we get to know Armstrong as a loving family man and frustrated professional. Oscar winning director Damien Chazelle (La La Land) has done a superb job of bringing Armstrong's humanity to the screen.
First Man certainly deserved the Oscar it won for Visual Effects. In addition to 2 others, the film's sound and music were also nominated. When the film depicts spaceflight it does so in a totally immersive way. The cabin environments are meticulously accurate and gorgeously filmed. Some of the replicas even broke into lego-like segments to allow the cameras to focus on what the crew actually saw. You really get the sense that you're inside that X-15 cockpit or Gemini capsule spinning out of control. Creaking metal, puffs of retro rockets and that first person perspective make it as real as it gets outside of a NASA simulator.
Hanson was obsessive about details and the film is too. Especially painful to watch is the horrific Apollo 204A fire (the correct designation for Apollo I) in which Grissom, White & Chaffee died. The dialog is an absolutely exact transcription of the communication tapes of the tragedy. Ryan Gosling is totally convincing as he shows us that Armstrong clearly understood he could lose his life in the race to beat the Russians to the moon. The Apollo 11 preflight scene with his two sons and wife Janet (Claire Foy) is a heartbreaker.
Big spoiler: the wistful closing scene with Neil and Janet in the Quarantine Trailer never happened. This may have been artistic license on the Director's part to prefigure the collapse of that relationship. In real life, Amstrong divorced her not long after his return from the moon.
My highest recommendation.
Boy (2010)
Hidden Gem: An Oscar Winning Storyteller Proves the Power of Family is Strong
Before there was Thor: Ragnarok or Jojo Rabbit, Taika Waititi crafted this hidden gem. Virtually unknown outside New Zealand, it remains among that country's top grossing films ever. It was his second feature film and is remarkably polished. As writer, director and actor in Boy he has succeeded in showing us that the Power of Family is strong. This is the beautifully paced, episodic story of a ne'er do well Father's return home to his family. Despite his long absence, he remains a godlike figure to his children who are being raised by his mother. Their journey together is a delight to watch.
The story is set in 1980's rural New Zealand with a predominantly Maori cast. They eloquently show us that our humanity is universal. Animations bring childhood fantasies all of us have had vividly to life in crayon. Waititi began as a stand up comic, so he has an eye for absurdity. The title character's younger brother Rocky uses secret "superpowers" to control the world around him to hilarious effect. His 11 year old brother, Boy, imagines himself so rich he and his father have twin dolphins they ride for leisure. James Rolleston, who plays him, is natural and believable. At no time do you get the sense that anyone is "acting." The scenes where they re-enact famous Michael Jackson videos are a total hoot. Ever see a Maori Haka version of the Thriller group dance? Be sure to watch the end titles to catch them all.
There's a lot of heart in this story. By its end, we catch a glimmer of what Boy himself will become and how families can shape us for good or ill. There's quite a bit of foul language, drug/alcohol use and criminal behaviour in it, but there are a lot of important family values too. I highly recommend this film for anyone 13+.
The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003)
An Oscar Winning Documentary full of Startling Historical Revelations
What an extraordinary life McNamara had. In this film an 86 year old Robert McNamara recounts his personal experience as Secretary of Defense under Presidents Johnson and Kennedy as well as his experiences advising General Curtis LeMay in WWII. He actually remembers the 1918 Pandemic and the Armistice Day for WWI. I had no idea he was the President of Ford Motor Company, but he made his mark there too.
He was the analyst that supported the Army Air Force's horrific campaign of firebombing in Japan. McNamara was also at the table during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and of course was Johnson's designee to prosecute the Vietnam war. Some of his revelations were absolutely startling. The whole film is divided into 11 life lessons from McNamara about both war and life in general. Fascinating and 2004 Oscar winner for best documentary. Highly recommended.
The Bells of St. Mary's (1945)
A Flawed but Sincere Sequel from a Famous Storyteller
Leo McCarey just came off an 11 Oscar win with Going My Way when he tried for the hat trick with Bells of St. Mary's one year later. Once again, he wrote the story, directed and produced. It was commercially very successful, but the Academy saw fit to acknowledge only its achievement in sound recording out of 8 nominations. I think they got it right. In my view, this is a sincere, but flawed sequel that is not in the same stratum as the original film at all.
Just toting up the ingredients, you'd think it would be a fabulous movie: Oscar winners Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman (Gaslight), famous storyteller McCarey, a financially precarious parish, all topped off with a cast of endearing Catholic School students. Surely Father O'Malley (Crosby) can work his magic in an entertaining & tuneful way again. It wasn't to be. I lay the blame squarely on McCarey who provided patched together vignettes instead of a real story. It was almost as if he had drawn heartstring-tugging plot points out of a hat and laid them end to end. Not a surprise or true plot twist anywhere to be seen. No memorable tunes for Bing to croon in this one either.
Which isn't to say there aren't some fine scenes. The first graders improvising their Nativity play for Christmas under the critical eye of Sister Benedict are absolutely adorable. Henry Travers (remember Clarence the Angel?) does a fine job as Mr. Bogardus who undergoes a Scroogelike transformation. The scene where Father reveals the true reason for a school staffing change to Sister Benedict is a genuinely affecting moment too. But there are too few of them and even the best actors need a good story to start with.
There are certainly worse ways to spend 2 hours than this patchwork quilt of wholesome scenes. Without any cynical intent it pays homage to a bygone era and could be comforting to those who enjoy such things for that reason alone. Personally, I think you ought to watch Going My Way instead. Somewhat recommended.
Going My Way (1944)
Swept the Oscars: A Simple, Goodhearted film Brimming with Tuneful Optimism
Tonight's film was Going My Way with Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald (both got Oscars). They were surrounded by a host of superb supporting actors including Gene Lockhart (June's dad) and William Frawley (My 3 Sons). It swept the 1945 Academy Awards with 11 wins and 14 nominations. Got Best Picture and Director Golden Globes too. Leo McCarey wrote the story and directed, garnering Oscars and multiple international awards for his work.
This film is the source of one of my favourite sayings:
"When I was 18, I thought my father was pretty dumb. At 21 I was amazed at how much he had learned in just 3 years."
Such a simple, goodhearted story that embodies the best instincts of humankind. It's brimming with kindness, respect and forbearance. While it could have become a cliché, the age old conflict of the crusty senior with the upstart newcomer was deftly handled. Watching replacement Crosby gently help the Pastor (Fitzgerald) retire was at the center of the story. The latter is the only actor ever to get Oscar nominations for both Leading & Supporting Actor for the same film. He was just that good. The Academy changed the rules afterward so it wouldn't happen again.
The music is wonderful too. It's easy to forget what a beautiful voice Crosby had. The Robert Mitchell Boys Choir and real Met Soprano Risë Stevens did a heavenly rendition of the title song. She was a fixture on early television and appeared in multiple films in addition to her day job. What a voice! Swinging on a Star premiered in this film too (...or would you rather be a fish?).
I have one or two quibbles about other supporting actor performances, but this is a nearly perfect film for its genre. If you are in the mood for a tuneful boost of optimism, I highly recommend it.
Santa's Magic Kingdom (1966)
A Family Tradition: Unintentionally Hilarious Christmas Classic
Santa's Magic Kingdom is a 13 minute short film from 1964 that my family and I have been watching every Christmas since 1987. VHS tape was fairly new technology back then and my Mom gave us one for the kids to enjoy. We watched it with Grandma and tears were rolling down cheeks we laughed so hard! Still cracks me up to this day and each new generation seems to enjoy it as we premiere this classic for them. Not intended as a comedy, this is the most ambitious of K. Gordon Murray's famously awful Christmas trilogy. An expanded cast including Merlin, a menacing guy in a wolf suit, the Easter Bunny and of course Santa and his elves make this the pinnacle of his film career. There are even musical interludes with sincere elves singing their hearts out. He had some tax troubles in the 1970's and lost the copyright, so it's in the public domain. Go to the Internet Archive and you can legally download it if you wish. Enjoy!
Casablanca (1942)
A Celebrated Wartime Romance Classic with some Serious Flaws
I realize it's swimming against the cinematic tide to avoid gushing over this classic film. After all, its dialog, music and warehouse of awards, including 8 Oscar nominations and 3 wins (Best Picture, Director & Screenplay) single it out as one of the best films of all time. While it is certainly still enjoyable and contains a heart-rending love story, there are some aspects of Casablanca that relegate it to a less lofty pedestal in my opinion.
Before considering my specific criticisms, bear with me while I go over some historical context. America had avoided entry into World War II in 1939 while Europe was overrun by the Nazi menace. By June 1940, Hitler had occupied Paris. In December 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the US declared war on them as well as their German allies. The day after the Japanese attack, production began on Casablanca. It was intended to be a patriotic gesture at its release in 1942. No surprise then that the Academy so enthusiastically handed out its top Oscars to this film. It was the right film at the right time.
The first third of the movie is the most problematic from my perspective. These are mostly the establishing shots that are intended to give the moviegoer a feel for Casablanca and Rick's Café Americain. I found the dialog, acting and photography below par in this segment. Presented as a series of brief tableaux, the dialog is stilted and unrealistic, betraying its origins as an unproduced stage play. The photography in this portion and in some other segments (e.g., the Marseillaise vs. Nazi song battle) were clearly posed to capture a "perfect" moment. I found it jarring - other films of the era had abandoned this sort of interlude decades earlier. The model airplane used in several scenes instead of a real one was laughably bad.
After the introduction, Casablanca picks up steam and moves to a satisfying conclusion. Odd because neither of them really wanted to be in it, the extraordinary onscreen chemistry between Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart is undeniable. So much so that Bogart's wife accused him of having an on set affair with his co-star. There are also many brilliant performances by other classic actors. But the unrequited love story is of course the true heart of the film. If you don't at least mist up in the final scene, you'd better see a cardiologist. Recommended.
Gambit (1966)
Keeps You Guessing to the bitter End: As Good as it Gets for a Caper
I can't think of any heist/caper movie in the last 25 years that can best this one. What an amazingly clever story by author Sidney Carroll! Just when you think you know what's going on, you find you had it completely wrong. It keeps you guessing literally until the last frame of the movie. Nominated for 3 Oscars and multiple Golden Globes (including Best Picture/Actress), it's a beautifully crafted wild ride. The Coen Brothers admired it so much they rewrote it for a 2012 film of the same name.
Seeing Herbert Lom in a serious role as an Arabian Oil Magnate instead of Peter Sellers' comic foil was quite a surprise for me. Shirley MacLaine was equally surprising for the first 25 minutes or so. Her cold, aloof and absolutely silent oriental goddess role was totally unlike her usual portrayals. Watching her evolve into an independent, talkative, and sometimes irritating partner in crime was a delight. Michael Caine's chemistry with his female lead was palpable and believable. His character morphed from a supercilious English dandy into a clever, but humbled Master Thief wannabe.
This is one of those times where it could seriously ruin your enjoyment of Gambit if I were to reveal too much of the plot. Suffice it to say that there's a priceless artwork involved and Caine wants it badly. He's planned the perfect heist but things go wrong in ways that are sure to make you smile. There are plenty of tense scenes and the obligatory "how's he going to get past that security system" moments, but it is full of twists and turns. It should keep most viewers fully engrossed right to the end. Highly Recommended.
Gojira (1954)
OK Film that Exposes Japan's Post Hiroshima Psyche
Frankly, I was disappointed. I have heard this described as the second greatest Japanese film after Kurasawa's Seven Samurai. Not even close.
Godzilla (Gojira) is a sincere drama with well done traditional photography and competent direction. Except for the cheesy special effects and reliance on night photography to hide their obvious imperfections, the production values were high. Cultural differences may have been at play here, but I did not find much of the acting believable. I know very little Japanese, but did notice the English subtitles at times didn't adequately convey what the characters were actually saying or doing. I'd like to watch this again with a native speaker to get his take on it.
This film was made 9 years after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. As a snapshot of the Japanese psyche at that time, I found it quite interesting. The fear of nuclear annihilation was palpable. In one of Godzilla's first attacks, there's a brief exchange between 2 train passengers where a woman says she narrowly missed being killed in the Nagasaki bombing. Her travel companion basically says he's done running from random annihilation.
Unlike many later "stomp and burn" sequels, this one made the human cost of lost cities crystal clear. There were several affecting scenes showing the aftermath in emergency shelters In much the same way as the US Army documented women and children following the Hiroshima bombing. There was also an auditorium full of schoolgirls singing out a poetic plea for peace.
In a not too subtle role reversal, heroic scientist Dr. Serizawa agonizes over whether he should unleash the terrible elemental force of nature he has discovered. His fear is that after the evil monster is destroyed by it, equally evil men will find a way to weaponize it. Pretty thinly veiled reference to the difficult moral dilemma faced by Allied nuclear weapon scientists in WWII.
Was it great cinema? In my opinion, no. Was it an interesting snapshot of the post-Hiroshima Japanese mindset? For me, it was. Not recommended unless you have a fascination with the particular place and time in which it is set.
The Dark Horse (2014)
An Uplifting True Story about a Faded Chess Master Giving Back to his Community
Almost sounds trite: a down on his luck pro inspires skid row kids who go on to be champions. We have all seen films containing elements of The Dark Horse, but I guarantee that you've not seen a film quite like this one. This is an unpretentious work of art that tells a real story with genuine emotion and humanity.
It is set in the grittiest side of New Zealand's indigenous Maori culture but its universality rings true. Real life Chess Master Genesis Potini (aka Dark Horse) had to leave championship competitions behind because the stress worsened his bipolar affective disorder. To keep himself focused and positive, he became the Chess Instructor for the Eastern Knights, a predominantly indigenous community group for at risk kids. What he did shaped the lives and futures of many children, both on and off the chess board. This film covers the start of his odyssey. It won 25 major awards worldwide, including Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actor, etc. but incredibly no Oscar or Golden Globe nods.
"Gen" was actually featured in two Mid-2000's documentaires by Kiwi Film Prof Jim Marbrook. One had the same name as this feature film, the other was titled "Mental Notes." His battle with mental illness is front and center. That he found the courage to move forward in his squalid, hopeless surroundings is nothing short of astonishing. Cliff Curtis gives a powerful and affecting performance in the title role. In fact, every single one of his fellow actors do. There are certainly many inspirational, feel good moments embedded here, but this is also a true life drama about society's darkest recesses and the struggle of its denizens to break free. These youngsters were lucky enough to have a visionary chess master as their guide.
Highly Recommended for viewers 14+.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Still One of My Top 10 Christmas Movies of All Time
So many choices. On the Hallmark Channel there are at least a dozen "new" Christmas movies every year. Why not choose a classic, award winning film as part of your celebrations this holiday season? The American Film Institute listed it as the number 5 film in its all time Fantasy Top Ten. It won 3 of the 4 Oscars it was nominated for and won 2 Golden Globes besides. There are very few films with those chops.
If you're squeamish about 1947 black and white films, there is a 1986 colourized version. Personally, I'm fine with the original. It's a simple, heartfelt Christmas story that's all about believing in good things even when they don't make sense at first. One of the few holiday specials guaranteed to make me mist up. You might be confused by the 3 remakes ('59, '73, '94). Don't bother - this one is as good as it gets.
Edmund Gwenn won an Oscar for his performance as Kris Kringle. Eight year old Natalie Wood actually thought he was Santa until she saw him at the wrap party. Even at that age she was a brilliant, affecting actress. Maureen O'Hara is perfect as her disillusioned, driven mother. Lots of terrific uncredited actors too. Jack Albertson in the Post Office sorting room, Thelma Ritter as a mother chagrined that Santa told her son he could have a fire engine, and Alvin Greenman as young Alfred, Kris' protegé.
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you will consider adding Miracle on 34th Street to your annual Christmas film viewings. It's a true cinematic treasure that is sure to give your holiday spirit a boost. My highest Recommendation.