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 Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Haldane of the Secret Service
Posted by tom
 Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
Haldane of the Secret Service
This week I am recommending a film with some trepidation. Haldane of the Secret Service has several marks against it, as well a number of interesting curiosities. First and foremost, it is one a a handful of films starring magician, psychic skeptic and world famous escape artist Harry Houdini. That's what drew me towards this film and it may be what you would come looking for also.
Now here's some of the drawbacks. Haldane of the Secret Service is a silent film and is relatively difficult to locate. The best and maybe only available copy is on a complete set of Houdini films packaged from Kino. They're on DVD and you may be able to find them to rent in your library system, as I did.
Another drawback; this film is extra melodramatic, as are many silent films. Lot's of dialogue, a bit of action, moves a bit slowly. Also, being filmed in 1923, with much of the plot taking place in the Far East, you will note some bad news stereotyping of the oriental characters.
Now here are some of the bright spots, which have me recommending this odd duck. Hey, it's Harry Houdini, live! Houdini does an interesting escape scene! There is a reasonably good mystery, with a few twists and a neat ending. Plus, for my numismatic readers, the plot revolves around a banknote counterfeiting ring, with scenes about clandestine distribution and such. Haldane himself must follow this trail of counterfiet notes back to their source, while rescuing the heroine from her own naivete. What more could you ask for?
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
11/19/2008 3:40:01 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) 
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Friday, November 14, 2008
Rory O'Shea Was Here or Inside I'm Dancing
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
Inside I'm Dancing or Rory O'Shea Was Here
An outstanding film about life and life in wheelchairs. While physical handicaps are the central element of this film, I also found it had much to offer about understanding friendship, love and mutual respect between people.
Above all, this is a passionate film, highlighted and propelled by a great sense of humor, which is a key element in living any life to the fullest, as well as a useful factor in making an entertaining film about human handicaps.
Steven Robertson and James McAvoy turn in great performances alongside Romola Garai, Brenda Fricker and Tom Hickey.
Shot on location in Dublin, by director Damien O'Donnell, with support from the Irish Film Board, and disctributed in the U.S. by Focus Features, Rory O'shea Was Here or Inside I'm Dancing has a very authentic sensibility, both for Irish culture and for the vast array of personal approaches to life with physical handicaps.
Winner of several British and Irish film awards, Rory O'Shea Was Here is both a funny and touching film and I enjoyed it immensely.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
11/14/2008 9:54:13 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Friday, October 24, 2008
Walkout
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
Walkout
We don't get HBO with our satellite package, but this week I hand the opportunity to watch an HBO original film titled Walkout. Keep an eye open and you'll notice that many HBO films are availalble on DVD at Walmart, Target, Best Buy and such, as well as through your local public library. The copy I watched came from the Outagamie Waupaca Library System, from whom I get many of the DVD's I watch each week.
Walkout is based on a true story of protest in the East Los Angeles High School system in 1968. At that time the student population for the five East LA schools was primarily Mexican-American, while most of the administration and teachers were Anglo-American. Prejudice was a big problem and bad educational standards were the norm.
One Mexican-American teacher, Sal Castro and several students and activists, including a very brave Paula Crisostomo, helped energize and organize a walkout to bring pressure to the School Board to right the situation.
It's an excellent story, with good acting from Alexa Vega, Michael Pena, Efren Ramirez and Bodie Olmos in key roles.
I'm always interested in learning more about that watermark year in American history - 1968 - where much of what we are as a nation began it's fermentation. Walkout sheds some light on an issue I had formerly known little about. Good to know that so many people, coast to coast were fighting for the rights and respect we all need to continue to hold dear to this day.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
10/24/2008 10:57:44 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Saturday, October 18, 2008
The Bank Job
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
The Bank Job
Jason Statham films are usually a fun hour and a half, lots of action, plenty of guns and cars blazing around, maybe a good plot twist or two. Normally I enjoy the films he stars in, but then forget them a day after viewing. The Bank Job takes a large step up from that.
Don't get too excited, The Bank Job is no Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or Snatch, but then again it doesn't have Guy Ritchie writing and directing.
Never-the-less The Bank Job offers a good story line, actually based on a true story, which may have helped. There are strong performances with a bit more depth, more charcater developement and a more developed plot. Weeks after watching The Bank Job for the first time, I wanted to watch it again and did this week.
It's fun, fast paced, offers a nice combination of action and plot, plus some interesting twists and turns. Give this unusual Statham heist film a try this weekend and see what you think.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
10/18/2008 6:27:46 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Friday, October 10, 2008
Persepolis
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
Persepolis
Marjane Satrapi does a wonderful job of translating her excellent graphic novel into an outstanding animated film. Satrapi spent her youth in Iran during the cultural Revolution and the over-throwing of the Shah, invasion by Iraq, higher schooling in France and eventual return to her homeland. Satrapi's inquisitive nature coupled with a childs tendency to look towards their parents and older relatives for direction, give this film a base that rings very true through all countries, cultures and time periods.
Political, culture, class, gender and religious factors weighed heavily on Satrapi and her approaches to these changing factors ruling her life are what give Persepolis it's wide breadth and deep perspective. Just about everyone will find something to relate to in this touchingly beautiful animated film.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
10/10/2008 12:19:37 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Friday, October 03, 2008
State of Play
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
State of Play
Even though I do watch a lot of films, I do not have the budget to buy large numbers of DVD's. My method? I use our local library lending system. It's free and they have a great selection of both new and classic titles. Patience is a plus though, as others have discovered the public library gold mine as well and I often have to wait weeks or even months to get a popular film.
Our library system has a very nice search engine, which I often use to discover interesting films. Another way I locate potential DVD's for viewing is by always viewing the trailers on each DVD I watch. You can often find unusual, off-beat films in the trailer section of a film you enjoyed, give it atry and let me know how it works for you.
That trailer watching system is how I discovered State of Play, this weeks recommendation. When I watched the trailer, it looked good, so I located the DVD in my public library system and placed it on hold. A month or so later the DVD arrived and last Sunday I opened it up to watch. It was only then that I discovered that what I had was not a two hour film, but a six hour series! State of Play turned out to be a 350 minute, six part BBC series, so I watched three hours, then a football game, another three hours and the another football game and though I do like football, I must admit, State of Play was better.
The script by Paul Abbott was good, the acting outstanding and production qualtiy and direction by David Yates was just what you would expect from the BBC.
I have heard that a film company in the U.S. is working on a movie version of the miniseries, but it is hard to see how the BBC series could be bettered. The cast listing for the movie is stellar though, with Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams among others.
The six parter I watched also had a basket full of excellent screen performers such as James McAvoy, John Simm, Kelly Macdonald, Polly Walker, David Morrissey and Bill Nighy.
State of Play gives you a combination of murder mystery, political thriller and investigative detective work all in a journalism package. Hard to ask for more than that, but do leave yourself enough time. At 350 minutes it might be best to spread it out over more than the one day I squeezed it into!
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
10/3/2008 3:50:48 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Friday, September 26, 2008
King of California
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
King of California
It's been a while since I wrote a film recommendation, so please, loyal readers, accept my apologies. Know however that I've been watching films, and making notes and hope to get back on track right now, with a recommendation for a quirky and endearing little film titled King of California.
The story is simple, yet classic, the acting has flair, the plot holds a viewers attention, plus there is a significant coin related element in the mix. Mike Cahill has done very well in his directorial debut. King of California is both encouraging and uplifting and yet it offers that odd humor which many of us love so well. Evan Rachel Wood is marvelous in her confusion over, love for and frustration with Michael Douglas whose energy runs wild in this film. The package combines for a fun little life journey story which I think everone will enjoy.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
9/26/2008 12:53:03 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Thursday, August 07, 2008
Rendition
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
Rendition
I really enjoy a good bit of suspense and action in a film. I also like the interweaving of stories that has become so popular of late. But I don't like films that tell you what to think, or preach to the viewer. I like for a film to bring up questions and allow the viewers to struggle with drawing concusions for themselves.
For the above stated reasons I cannot heartily recommend Lions for Lambs, even though it was a brisk, fast moving drama, it was too iron clad in its point of view for my liking. Lions for Lambs was an enjoyable film, but Rendition is oh so much better.
The is great suspense in Rendition, but mostly experienced through the characters, while the viewer pretty much knows where all of this is going. Never-the-less, Rendition is so well crafted and acted with such emotion and conviction that the viewer is compeled to watch as the story unfolds for better or worse.
Great performances are turned in by Jake Gyllenhaal, Alan Arkin, Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon , Omar Metwally, Rosie Malek-Yonan, Yigal Naor, J.K. Simmons and Peter Sarsgaard. The film leaves a bit of room for debate on the behind closed doors story it airs, even though the slant is moraly clear. The eternal question of sinking to ones own enemies level and what that does to the soul of a person or a country is well worth bringing up again and again in a free society.
Rendition does this with compassion for several sides of the arguement. It's an entertaining two hours, which should provide the thoughtful viewer with a multitude of perspectives to ponder.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
8/7/2008 9:31:01 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Friday, August 01, 2008
Guys and Dolls
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
Guys and Dolls
First off, I have got to say, I am not a big fan of musicals. Generally speaking it needs to be as comic as it will surely be romantic, if a musical is going to get to me. Given that preamble, I can clearly say that The Music Man is by far my favorite musical. I know every lyric and melody and most of the dialogue as well. Coming in second on my short list is West Side Story, primarily because of the Officer Krupke song. Third is Brigadoon, which I feel has a mystical off-beat quality. And finally, Guys and Dolls, which is this weeks Recommended Film.
I cannot resist the language, the lack of contractions, the flambouyant characters, the gental mix of obsessions for Gambling and Romance. Damon Runyon's stories strike a wonderful balance in elements of humanity. The stage play slipped into film with grace and elegance at the hands of behind the sceens guys like Samuel Goldwyn, Frank Loesser, Joseph L. Mankiewicz and Michael Kidd. In front of the camera you have Frank Sinatra, Stubby Kaye, Vivian Blaine, Jean Simmons, Marlon Brando and cast of the greatest character actors ever assembled.
Who can resist a comedy of Gamblers, Soul Savers, Show Girls, Gangsters, Cops and High Rollers. It's a dream come true.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
8/1/2008 8:56:43 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Triple Feature - Employee, Vinny & In-Laws
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film's of the Week
Employee of the Month - My Cousin Vinny & The In-Laws
The Summer months are usually a very busy time for me, what with regular stuff, like lawn mowing and laundry, blog posting and market research, plus the addition of special projects like garage painting and kids camps, infrequently produced catalogs and car show book sales. This particular summer has proven a challenge, both at home and work. Needless to say, I have less time in the summer for movie watching and my weekly Film of the Week postings suffer because of this.
In fact, you may have noticed that I have gotten pretty lax in recommending films each week. I've missed several and for this I apologize and offer this consolation prize.
For whatever reason I find that when I am pressured for time, I tend to watch quick comedies. Maybe it's good for reducing my stress levels and letting my mind relax. At any rate, it's what I do, so as consolation for having missed some weeks of recommendations and to help you all relieve your own summer stress, this week I am recommending three recently viewed, light and entertaining comedies.
First up is Employee of the Month, the Dane Cook vehicle which pokes a little fun at the big super stores, like Sam's Club and Walmart. I like Cook's comedies, but some are way to vulgar to recommend to my broad spectrum of readers without multiple caviates. Employee of the Month, however, is much more light hearted and mainstream, with basic themes of personal developement, corporate goofyness and loyalties to friendships. The cast, featuring Andy Dick, Tim Bagley, Efren Ramirez (of Vote For Pedro fame) and Marc Mouchet among many others, is wonderful and the writing is great.
Next in line is My Cousin Vinny, which pits North vs. South, City vs. Country and authority vs. youth, in a most pleasantly unique film. Joe Pesci enjoys the funniest role of his career outside of the Home Alone films and is supported by a stellar cast including Marisa Tomei and Fred Gwynne. Pick it up, put it in the player and let the story unfold naturally. It's sure to get you laughing.
Last is The In-Laws, the Michael Douglas - Albert Brooks remake of a classic story of pre-wedding day jitters and mishaps. I like the original, but this one gets even more extreme in a Meet the Parents kind of way. It's a great ride and full of action and savy comedy. Brooks is wonderful and Douglas displays great comic timing, but Ryan Reynolds is the pro in the background who cracks me up with just a look, like the KC and the Sunshine Band happy face just before his finacee drops the bomb.
So lighten-up, watch one or all of these movies and have some fun this summer between your own special projects and commitments. You deserve a break!
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
7/9/2008 9:58:47 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Thursday, June 19, 2008
I'm Not There
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
I'm Not There
Most folks will either dislike or be confused by I'm Not There. Even fans of Bob Dylan may find it anoying and disjointed. It is a unique vision of the direct Todd Haynes and as such, it takes some getting used to.
I'm Not There presents segments of Bob Dylan's life, with no particular adhearance to historical accuracy. It mixes Haynes life perceptions with Dylan's larger than life characters. It offers the reasonable outlook that some people, such as Dylan, create many different personnas within one lifetime.
Most significantly however, if puts forth some excellent acting, with six people all playing different eras of the Dylan mystique. Marcus Carl Franklin is the child Dylan, Christian Bale is the folk/religious Dylan, Cate Blanchett is the electric rocking Dylan, Heath Ledger is the pop-icon Dylan, Richard Gere is the reclusive older Dylan and Ben Whishaw is the unique thinking Dylan under the harsh light of public fame. Together they present a single perspective of a driven man, whose own fame and subsequent public-perceived responsibility so shocked and disturbed him that he spent years trying to reinvent what he had so successfuly invented. It's a grand portrat of an artist trying to create in the shadow of a man propelled into unwanted leadership.
If that all sounds confusing then I think you have an idea of Haynes creation in I'm Not There. It's not a simple stright forward film, it's not light entertainment, but it may keep you thinking for a while if you give it a chance.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
6/19/2008 1:36:48 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Thursday, June 05, 2008
Across The Universe
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
Across The Universe
A Beatles based musical of a different sort than Help! or Magical Mystery Tour, Across The Universe creates something new from some beloved songs of olde. If you are a Beatles fan, you will probably enjoy this film. If you have heard and liked Beatles songs from any era, you will probably enjoy this film. If you are a child of the 60's you will appreciate this film.
Across The Universe
was not a film that I expected so much from. I am not a big fan of musicals, but I though it would be interesting, maybe fun. Now, having viewed it, I am really impressed. You can tell that there was a great deal of love, energy, imagination and devotion invested in the production of this unique piece. From behind the scenes to in front of the camera, everyone was on the same page and putting in their best work.
Hat's off to director Julie Taymor for putting Across The Universe together in such fine operatic fashion and for filming live vocal/acting segments rather than taping the songs seperate. Taymor brought great artists together and provided them a vehilce in the form of a story created from various classic Beatles song lyrics, thereby making something entirely fresh and new from something wholely beloved by several generations.
Note as you watch that the entire cast and crew, under direction from Taymor, made an effort to differential rather than imitate. A smart move and one that pays off in a wonderful blend of creativity and homage. I especially enjoyed the Joe Cocker performance of Come Together, though I am sure others may appreciate seeing Bono as Dr. Robert, a kind of Ken Kesey character or Eddie Izzard as Mr. Kite. You can't help but love the purity brought to their roles by Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood or the emotional drive in the performances of Dana Fuchs and Martin Luther Mcoy.
Across The Universe
is both a visual and auditory experience well worth your time. Pick up a copy, open your heart and mind and enjoy.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
6/5/2008 12:32:31 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Friday, May 30, 2008
Dan in Real Life
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
Dan in Real Life
Dan in Real Life
is a film that I think most anyone can enjoy. My wife and I watched it together and that's no small trick. Normally our tastes differ so much that finding a film we both want to see is next to impossible, but each of us had decided independently that we wanted to see Dan in Real Life. So we watched it - I loved it, she like it, we both enjoyed the evening.
It wasn't until the credits got going that I realized Dan in Real Life was directed by Peter Hedges, the author of What's Eating Gilbert Grape. I used to sell books to Carole Hedges, Peter's mother, a good number of years ago. A year or so before the film version of What's Eating Gilbert Grape, staring Leonard Di Caprio and Johnny Depp, was released, Carole and I met in New York for cheese cake. When she mentioned that her son was an author, I said I would have to read his book. She said I might have trouble finding a copy before the film release and offered to try and get me a copy. A few weeks later a lovely dust jacketed first edition of What's Eating Gilbert Grape arrived with a warm inscription from Peter Hedges. It's an excellent novel from an outstanding author and a cherished volume in my personal library.
For Dan in Real Life, Peter both wrote and directed and his gental humorous touch is present in every frame. Casting is near perfection in this film, with Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney all in central roles. The story offers the humor of discomfort, but is set in the warm and sensitive environment of family. The kitchen scene with Dianne Wiest, John Mahoney and Steve Carell just cracked me up! The DVD also offers a number of excellent and highly recommended extras. I enjoyed hearing some of Peters perspectives on directing, as well as many of the actors perspectives on Peter as a director.
The dialogue is wonderful and delivered at a streaming yet natural pace and the situational comedy is both touching and outrageous in turns. Peter did a great job with this film and I will be looking forward to more unique stories from him in the future.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
5/30/2008 4:48:26 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Friday, May 16, 2008
The Road Home
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
Wo de fu qin mu qin or The Road Home
A Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 2000 and an Audience Award at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival are good endorsements for this pleasant little chinese film - The Road Home - but it was the story line which first attracted me. A marriage born from love in a time and culture where arranged marriages were the accepted method and class distinction was a powerful tool to keep people in their place.
A sentimental story, with minimal chinese dialogue with english subtitles, The Road Home succeeds in holding the viewers attention, primarily because of the fine acting of Zhang Ziyi. Her characters story is one that most people can understand and relate to on a base emotional level. Most of us have experienced it to some degree in our own lives and this holds us intent on her pursuit.
Technically, I enjoyed the use of b/w filming for the opening and closing, with color reserved for the extensive flashback which makes up the largest potion of this film. The sharp and vibrant color is a good reflection of the hightened emotion experienced in that period in the main characters lives.
Don't let the language barriers deter you, give The Road Home a try.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
5/16/2008 12:09:27 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
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Friday, May 02, 2008
Paradise Road
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
Paradise Road
After I recommended No Country For Old Men a few weeks ago, I found that friend and fellow Market Update writer Maggie Pahl is also a Coen brother’s fan. This led to some DVD lending and a little local Coen revival. I rewatched Miller's Crossing and Blood Simple and then got to thinking. What other films has Frances McDormand done without the Coens?
A little checking turned up a healthy number of interesting sounding movies, two of which I was able to watch this week. City by the Sea is a well-acted action thriller, with Frances McDormand, Robert De Niro and James Franco (of the Spiderman franchise). Director, Michael Caton-Jones, keeps your attention with a simple, yet compelling plot that pulls the viewer in its emotional directions. Honor, character and personal choices are the driving themes, but this film maintains high entertainment levels as well. Extras on this disc include a six point film making school by Michael Caton-Jones which is well worth watching if you enjoy the behind the scenes stuff.
The second film, my recommended film of the week, was Paradise Road, starring Glenn Close, Pauline Collins, Frances McDormand and Cate Blanchett. Set during WWII, this film tells the story of a group of woman who end up detained by the Japanese military in an internment camp in Sumatra for the duration of the war. The lyric flow of class, cast, race and nationality distinction being broken down and rebuilt as comradery and fellowship through hardship and common threads makes for an outstanding piece. It’s hard to recognize the British ladies you saw dinning in | |