Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Shipping Up To Boston


Cinema Nerds is taking a week off and heading to Beantown for a friend's wedding. Hope you don't miss us too much. To help you get through the week, you might want to check out the documentary Conan O'Brien Can't Stop. Though it's not weighty enough to win, it stands a fair chance of at least getting a Best Documentary Feature nod come awards season. And it's on Netflix streaming!

So until next week...au revoir les enfants.

MST3K: Tormented (1982)



Tormented (1960) is a fun campy "horror" film by itself, but I highly recommend watching it with commentary by the MST3K robots! In case you don't know about Mystery Science Theatre 3000, it's a program in which two robots and a man watch films of questionable quality and add their own hilarious comments. It's a good way to spend nights with friends when nobody can decide on what to watch.

Tormented is about a jazz musician named Tom, who is being blackmailed by his ex-girlfriend Vi, as he's about to get married to his fiancee Meg. Vi confronts Tom in a lighthouse, and she falls to her death after Tom fails to help save her. So, naturally, as any self-respecting crazy ex would, she haunts him, and his fiancee, and everyone he knows.

As far as B-movies go, this one is actually not too shabby. The fiancee's little sister is really cute, and there's a bit part played by Joe Turkel (AKA Lloyd the bartender from The Shining) as another blackmailer. The frequent appearances by Ghost Vi, looking like a poor man's Marilyn Monroe, are hilarious. Even more hilarious, of course, are the robots watching the film in the MST3K version.

If you've never seen a MST3K movie presentation, this is a good one to start with. It's streamable on Netflix, so get into the fall spirit with some good campy entertainment! You can't go wrong with disembodied heads and hands and craaaazy jazz music!
Here's a "best-of" clip, enjoy!




Tuesday, September 27, 2011

There Will Be Blood (2007)


Follow Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) a silver miner turned oil tycoon, on his ruthless and unending quest for wealth.

*      *      *

A few months before production began, director Paul Thomas Anderson was asked if this film would make any sort of "statement" about the politics of the oil industry. Paul's reply was that, "...if we can just sort of focus on the small things, the big things might accidentally end up taking care of themselves hopefully."(1) Looking at the completed film, this was absolutely the right plan of attack. This film could easily have become yet another preachy hack/slash critique of the Bush Era. Instead it became a fascinating examination of a man rapidly descending into sociopathic madness...that also happens to have sociopolitical resonance.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Who Is Pablo Ferro?

Hey there cats and kittens!

Looking for something to do tomorrow night? I highly recommend you swing over to The Silent Movie Theatre for an amazing tribute to/Q&A with the legendary Pablo Ferro! Don't know who Pablo Ferro is? Check out this video!


Tickets are only $12!

Double Bill: Sexual Warfare

Carnal Knowledge and Closer

Misery (1990)




Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is a writer who has just finished his latest manuscript at a lodge in Colorado, where he writes all of his novels. Driving back home in a snow storm, he gets in a major car accident. Luckily he is rescued by his number one fan, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who happens to be a nurse and promises to take good care of him. Things go terribly wrong when it turns out that Annie is, well, crazy. REALLY crazy. She never told anyone where she was taking him, and he can't leave.

Kathy Bates is amazing in this. She seems all sweet at first, but then flips out when she learns that Sheldon has killed off her favorite character from his novels. She alternates between goofiness and violence, and screaming...I can't describe it. You just have to watch it. But she is SO good. Other favorite characters are Buster and Virginia, the sheriff who thinks Sheldon is still alive somewhere and his wife/deputy. They are so cute together. But, back to Kathy Bates. She is seriously fantastic. She won Best Actress for this role and she deserved it 100%.

This film has a lot of suspense and some good laughs here and there, but mostly it leaves you feeling creeped out. Oh, and one word: Hobbling. Holy crap. This is the perfect film to ease us into the October horror film season (everybody has October horror movie marathons, right? Or is it just me?). Misery is streamable on Netflix, so give it a go!




Friday, September 23, 2011

No Country For Old Men (2007)


After stumbling upon a drug deal gone bad, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) finds himself in possession of a LOT of money. Hot on his trail is the ruthless and unstoppable Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem).

*      *      *

SPOILER ALERT! Pretty much every Coen Brothers film can be boiled down to a simple statement: Much ado about nothing. People do terrible horrible things to each other and in the end it is all for naught. The money is buried in the middle of nowhere, Bunny wasn't kidnapped, the flood washes away the roll top desk, the secret CIA shit was just a lunatic's memoirs, etc. 

In 2003 the US went to war with Iraq over Weapons of Mass Destruction that didn't exist. Thousands of people died and continue to die as a result. Several "important" films have attempted to address the futility of the War on Terror and our post 9/11 world, this film succeeded. And it's set in 1980.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

The Departed (2006)


Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) is a gangster undercover in the Massachusetts State Police, Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a cop undercover in the mob. Shit gets intense. 

*      *      *

I know a fair amount of people out there think of this film as "lesser" Scorsese. I also know that there are some people who take issue with him winning an Oscar for such a "lesser" film. To them I say, "Fuck You". Yes he should have won for Raging Bull, yes he should have won for Goodfellas. So what? He won for this one and it's amazing. I've watched this film countless times in the 5 years since it's release, and it just gets better. I honestly can't believe that the Academy saw fit to honor a film this nihilistic. It makes me smile. On the soundtrack The Rolling Stones cry out with "Gimme Shelter", but there is none to be found. Everyone dies. This is no country for old men. Good thing Marty is still making films twice as good as men half his age.

Seven Up! (The Up Series) (1964)





Seven Up! is the first film in an ambitious documentary series that follows 14 children from the UK and then plays catch-up every seven years. The children speak freely about the opposite sex, money, what they want to be when they grow up, where they plan on continuing their education. Some of the kids are very wealthy, some not so much. One kid claims that he reads The Financial Times so he can check his shares...haha, I'm pretty sure his dad told him to say that!

I've only watched Seven Up!, Seven Plus Seven (the kids at fourteen), and 21 Up so far, so I was hesitant about doing any kind of write-up on the films. But being that 28, 35, 42, and 49 are available as well, it might be a while before I finish them all! And even though I've barely glimpsed the kids in adulthood, I've found it to be very compelling anyway. Many of them are where they thought they'd be. Some work crappy jobs. Some seem content with life, others seem so sad. At seven, they all seem to be presented with limitless possibilities. Then real life grabbed a hold of them.

I'm very interested in seeing the twists and turns that their lives take in the upcoming films, and seeing how much their lives are affected by the fact that we've been watching them grow up, wondering how much is manipulated. Watching these films made me reflect on my own life. I wish somebody had interviewed me so I could see how different I am from the person I thought I might be. We all grow and change, and it's so amazing that this documentary series was able to capture that for the most part.

21 Up, 28 Up, 42 Up and 49 Up are streamable on Netflix, and the others are DVD only...definitely worth checking out!




Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Wrestler (2008)


Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is a pro-wrestler past his prime. Watch him as he tries to get his life together.

*      *      *

With such stellar acting on display, some directors might opt to stand back and just let things run on autopilot. Fortunately Darren Aronofsky is not that type of director. If it seems as though he has ditched all of the stylish flourishes he’s famous for in favor of a documentary approach, you aren’t looking close enough. No documentarian could ever be this lucky. Whether it’s following behind Ram as he enters the ring or zeroing in on Cassidy while she has a personal revelation, the camera is always in precisely the right spot for maximum effect. Aronofsky is able to make the intensely planned look effortless.

Double Bill: Media Matters

Friday, September 16, 2011

The Girl Can't Help It (1956)



Oh Jaynie. Some think of her only as a Marilyn Monroe wannabe. The similarities are there...blonde, breathy speaking voice, curves that are out of this world. But where Marilyn had a vulnerability in her, a realness, Jayne is like a superhero goofball cartoon. Everything is exaggerated. I adore her!

The Girl Can't Help It stars Tom Ewell as Tom Miller, a press agent, and Jayne Mansfield as Jerri Jordan, a gangster's girlfriend who Tom is supposed to turn into the next singing sensation. Except...she can't sing. Glasses literally break when she tries. But the gangster still thinks she could be a star, Tom and Jerri start spending a lot of time together, and I'd imagine you could figure out the rest.

This is a really fun film. It's silly, it's over-the-top, Jayne teeters around like a blonde Jessica Rabbit while things explode and react all around her. But besides being a celebration of Jayne Mansfield's anatomy, this film is a BIG celebration of rock & roll. It features performances by Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, and Gene Vincent among others, and even has Julie London performing "Cry Me A River" as her ghostly image haunts Tom Miller (she's supposed to be his ex). Great music all around! Yes it's campy and ridiculous, but we all need that every once in a while, don't you think?




Thursday, September 15, 2011

Where The Wild Things Are (2009)


After an argument with his mom, Max (Max Records) sails off through night and day, and in and out of weeks, and almost over a year, to where the Wild Things are!

*      *      *

It makes me sad that this movie didn't do better when in theaters. And in the two years since it feels like it has been nearly forgotten. This movie deserves to be a classic. It's funny, scary, beautiful and heartbreaking. The plot is so simple that it allows the emotions to really take front and center. It makes adults remember what it was like to be a kid and it lets kids know that someone out there understands them and what they're going through. I want to eat this movie up I love it so.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Best In Show (2000)



If you dislike Christopher Guest's work, there's a good chance we aren't friends. Sorry! I wrote about his film A Mighty Wind back in April, but his dog show mockumentary Best In Show is definitely up there on my list of favorite comedies.

This film takes a look at the crazy world of national dog shows. The dogs are all very well-behaved and perfectly groomed, but their owners are absolutely crazy. There's Gerry and Cookie Fleck; Gerry has two left feet (literally) and Cookie's been around the block a few times. Meg and Hamilton Swan met when they saw each other at two different Starbucks locations across the street from the other. Sheri Ann and her ancient husband both love soup. Harlan Pepper can name every kind of nut there ever was. Scott and Stefan, well, they packed seven kimonos for one weekend away.

This movie is SO funny; it's really an ensemble performance. If you've seen more than one Guest film, you'll know who to look for and every single actor plays their part so well. Fred Willard as the dog show announcer is so hysterical and oblivious, and every single scene has great laughs. I'm especially fond of Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara as the Flecks...they played Mitch and Mickey in A Mighty Wind and their chemistry is wonderful.

This movie is currently streamable on Netflix! What are you waiting for?




Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Game of Death (1972)


Hai Tien (Bruce Lee) must battle several martial arts masters to reach the top of a Pagoda where something important is being kept.

*      *      *

Bruce Lee died before this film was complete. It was finished using doubles. A hilarious film called Finishing the Game was made about the fictional search for an actor to double Bruce. But honestly there is nobody on earth who could possibly substitute for Bruce Lee. The man was a machine and capable of things no mere mortal could ever even think of attempting. Thankfully Warner Brothers saw fit to take all of the original Bruce footage, and assemble it as Bruce intended for inclusion on the Enter the Dragon DVD. I highly recommend you do the footwork necessary to see these scenes - they're worth it.

And before you ask: Yes, this is where Tarantino got the idea of having Uma wear a yellow track suit in Kill Bill Vol. 1.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Pride and Prejudice (2005)



Aw, who doesn't love a romantic period film? Okay, I realize that there are many of you who might not, but this movie is oh-so-special. I made Craig watch this when I had my wisdom teeth out and he was being my nurse, haha!

Elizabeth Bennett (Keira Knightley) is a spirited young woman who lives with her parents and four sisters. In a time when the name of the game was husband-snagging, Lizzie seems to be holding out for love. She meets Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) and at first sight he appears to be arrogant and uptight. And yet...they are drawn to each other. And so it goes.

I love this movie. The dialogue has a great rhythm to it, the locations are beautiful and the score is lovely (I actually tracked down sheet music so I could duplicate the wonderful music on my little piano)! The chemistry between Macfadyen and Knightley is great too. It's all about the little moments between them...Mr. Darcy looking up with interest when he hears Elizabeth's name, Elizabeth breathing as though the wind has been knocked out of her after an emotional confrontation, his stammering during declarations of love. Aww! I want to watch it again right now!

This film gets a zillion stars on the Becca Scale that I just made up. :P

Double Bill: Double Dutch

Lots of films have been made from books by Elmore "Dutch" Leonard, most of them have been crap.Touch? The Big Bounce? Be Cool? The list goes on. But the adaptations that are good, are REALLY good.

TRIVIA: Though the films came out 6 months apart and from different studios, Michael Keaton appears in both films as Ray Nicolette just for the heck of it!


Friday, September 9, 2011

The Mist (2007)


Suddenly and without warning, a thick mist engulfs a small town. Is it in any way connected to the nearby military base? Several local residents take shelter inside the local grocery store and gradually human nature kicks in.

*      *      *

It's hard to believe that this film was made by the same guy who did The Shawshank Redemption. Disregard the Stephen King connection and these two films could not be more different. While Shawshank is a brilliant testament to the human spirit being able to survive through the worst of the worst, this film examines how the right situation can bring out the basest emotions in even the "nicest" person. Forget the evil tentacle creatures out there in the mist, your neighbors are capable of much more frightening things.

BE WARNED! This film is not light viewing at all. It can and will ruin your day. In spite of this, I still highly recommend it. I also recommend that you watch it in black and white as director Frank Darabont intended. This helps make some of the effects more believable AND ads a great Twilight Zone feeling to the whole proceedings. Most copies of the should film come with a choice between color and black and white before you play it. Push come shove, screw around with your TV's settings. It's well worth it.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Rear Window (1954)




The past few days have been hot as hell over at Cinema Nerds HQ (aka our charming little apartment) so it seems appropriate that I review Rear Window, which takes place during a very hot summer. It's one of my favorite Hitchcock films ever!

James Stewart plays L.B. Jeffries, a photographer who's stuck in his apartment with a broken leg. Despite visits from his stunning gal-pal Lisa (Grace Kelly, looking absolutely divine in every second of screen time), he's bored, so he takes to peering in on the neighbors. The scenes of everyday life viewed from his window take a strange turn when he thinks he witnesses a murder, and his idle pastime becomes an obsession.

This movie is so good! It builds up slowly, and we think we really know the people in all the apartments even though we haven't heard them speak. The audience feels the heat, the tension, we're not sure of what we see either. Is there a murder or not? Is Jeffries overreacting? The cast is great...James Stewart, naturally, is always ace, Grace Kelly sizzles, and Thelma Ritter as Jeffries' nurse Stella is fantastic (she cooly remarks "Must've splattered a lot" when discussing murder...eww). I can't get enough of this film!

I'll leave you with some words of wisdom from Stella: "We've become a race of Peeping Toms. What people ought to do is get outside their own house and look in for a change. Yes sir. How's that for a bit of homespun philosophy?"

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The Dreamers (2003)


An American in 1968 Paris (Michael Pitt) befriends a cinephilic brother and sister (Louis Garrel and Eva Green) who have a rather...complicated relationship.

*      *      *

I love how this film feels like it could exist right among the Nouvelle Vague films that were being made during the time which this film is set. This film could absolutely be included in a double feature with Jules et Jim (files that one away for the future). The energy is there, the cinephilia is there, the desire to smash taboos, the politics, the sexuality, etc. I think if you are in your 20s you are hardwired to connect with this film. You can relate to the idea of trying to build your own paradise far away from everything and everyone else. You can also relate to the heartbreak that accompanies the pesky incursion of the real world which ALWAYS seems to come a-knockin'. C'est la vie. At least there are naked pretty people to help ease the pain.

Double Bill: Evil Music Producers

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls and Phantom of the Paradise

The Questionnaire


Having lived through the era of Myspace we all have at least a passing familiarity with questionnaires. Most are simply an amusing pastime/an opportunity to write about ourselves. But some, like the legendary Proust Questionnaire (if taken seriously) can give a real insight into the person being quizzed.

It is with this in mind that we at Cinema Nerds have developed the ultimate in pretentious film surveys...

The Cineaste Questionnaire

All faux-pretension aside, have fun with this. Please feel free to take this quiz and submit your answers as comments to this post. Feel free to include images, videos and links. We can't wait to get a greater insight into the movie mania of our readership. Now without further ado...
  1. What was the first R-rated film you ever saw?
  2. What is you favorite "F-bomb" in a PG/PG-13 film?
  3. What was the first film you ever saw at midnight in a theater?
  4. What is your favorite use of non-score music in a film?
  5. What is your favorite movie theater?
  6. What film can you not wait to show your child?
  7. What is your favorite silent film?
  8. What is your favorite movie poster?
  9. What is your least favorite digital effect in a specific film?
  10. What is your favorite Film Noir?
  11. What is your favorite mention of a film's title in dialogue?
  12. What would be your ideal double feature?
  13. What is your favorite director cameo?
  14. What film would you like to watch on your deathbed?
  15. What is your favorite film score?
  16. What film would you want your life to look like?
  17. What film's costumes would you wear everyday if you could?
  18. What is your favorite movie sequel?
  19. What is your favorite animated film?
  20. What is your favorite beginning or end credits sequence?
Have fun! 

Monday, September 5, 2011

STRIKE!

In solidarity with the workers of the world we are taking today off. Bloggers of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your...ok you don't have anything to lose. If you are searching for a cinematic fix, try something  by Eisenstein or Godard.

¡Viva la RevoluciĆ³n! 

Friday, September 2, 2011

100 Years At The Movies

I woke up early to write today's review. It's too early. There's no way I'm going to be awake enough before I leave for work to write anything worth reading. It's Friday. You understand. So I share with you one of my favorite videos by TCM, celebrating 100 Years at the Movies. It makes me teary-eyed. I'm a sap.




It's amazing how far we've come...and yet there are still Madea movies. *sigh*

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Youth of the Beast (1963)


A wild and crazy gangster (Joe Shishido) blows into town and ruffles feathers playing opposing Yakuza bosses against each other.

*      *      *

Watching a film directed by Seijun Suzuki is an experience. It's loud, it's violent, it's beautiful, it's psychotic.  As the film unspools you find yourself wondering how a film like this was ever able to be made! But then you stop and just appreciate the fact that it was made at all. Nobody makes films like Suzuki-san. Sure his films don't always make sense, but they ARE consistently engaging. There's always something beautiful or insane to look at. This man really knew where to put his camera. Though of course I recommend actually watching his films, I wouldn't hold it against you if you just let them play on the TV at a party.