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Pictured Above: 1931 Academy Awards November 5th, 1930
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Top10 Film Lists is a collection of movies, personalities & lists from my viewing. Everything here is subjective, so I'm always open to suggestions, comments on omissions or just plain new ideas.
Click the boxes for more information, history and reviews....
Click the boxes for more information, history and reviews....
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This Week's Top 10:
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New & Recent Reviews:
As part of the weekly Beyond the Bay Virtual Film Series we're featuring American Graffiti (1973, Lucas)
George Lucas' ode to teenage cruising in the 1960's offers wall to wall music, a stellar young cast & some of the coolest cars ever produced in Detroit! Here is a link to my Youtube introduction to the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtMX_ES7SEc&t
Quick Hits: Short Bursts on Recently Viewed Movies
The Postman Always Rings Twice ('81)
Bob Rafelson directed, David Mamet wrote the script & the film starred Jack Nicholson & Jessica Lange, so what's not to like about the remake of James M. Cain's classic pulp novel The Postman Always Rings Twice? Well, even with the removal of the production code that held back the 1946 version that starred Lana Turner & John Garfield, the remake feels cold. The sex scenes are more violent, the story is more logical (and closer to the book), but it just doesn't feel right. Nicholson seems too smart to be duped by the cop & Lange seems too nice to actually suggest the killing. I never saw the hatred in Lange's eyes; it always seemed like it was just sad resignation. Turner & Garfield were just the right amount of stupid & conniving. If you really want to see the best version of Cain's novel check out Luchino Visconti's 1943 Italian version called Ossessione! While it wasn't authorized by Cain, Visconti's version has all the dirty, sexual & base emotions that would drive one man to kill another.
Bob Rafelson directed, David Mamet wrote the script & the film starred Jack Nicholson & Jessica Lange, so what's not to like about the remake of James M. Cain's classic pulp novel The Postman Always Rings Twice? Well, even with the removal of the production code that held back the 1946 version that starred Lana Turner & John Garfield, the remake feels cold. The sex scenes are more violent, the story is more logical (and closer to the book), but it just doesn't feel right. Nicholson seems too smart to be duped by the cop & Lange seems too nice to actually suggest the killing. I never saw the hatred in Lange's eyes; it always seemed like it was just sad resignation. Turner & Garfield were just the right amount of stupid & conniving. If you really want to see the best version of Cain's novel check out Luchino Visconti's 1943 Italian version called Ossessione! While it wasn't authorized by Cain, Visconti's version has all the dirty, sexual & base emotions that would drive one man to kill another.
My Top 10 Favorite Films
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2018 Blogathons:
I will be writing about a selection of Ernst Lubitsch silents, made in Germany in the late teens for The Unexpected Blogothan which start on December 7th.
I wrote about Red Dust ('32), which starred Clark Gable, Jean Harlow & Mary Astor & compared it to the remake, Mogambo ('53) which also starred Gable, but with Ava Gardner & Grace Kelly. Link to blogathon: https://bit.ly/2PnKtwk
I will be wrote about My Gal Sal (1942), starring Rita Hayworth & Victor Mature for the 100 Years of Rita Hayworth Blogathon on October 17th. Here is the link to he event: https://bit.ly/2O0OX87
I will be writing about Billy Wilder's classic Some Like it Hot for the Gender Bending the Rules Blogathon on September 21st. Here is the link: https://bit.ly/2JyHOIy
I will be blogging about Preston Sturges' Remember the Night for the Fred MacMurray Blogathon on August 30th. Here is the link: https://bit.ly/2NXSrbo
I will be writing a piece about John Ford's The Searchers for the Natalie Wood Blogathon on July 17th. Link to hosting website here: https://bit.ly/2L6gX89
I will be Blogging about Jean Vigo's masterpiece L'Atalante ('34) for the Free For All Blogathon on 3/3.
I will be reviewing Mogambo ('53), starring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner & Grace Kelly for The Clark Gable Blogathon on Feb 1st.
I will be reviewing Criss Cross (1949, Robert Siodmak) for the It Takes a Thief Blogothon on 11/17/17
I will be blogging about Wild Orchids for the Greta Garbo Blogathon on 11/22
I'll be blogging about Blood Simple in the 'Till Death Us Do Part Blogathon on 7/24
I'll be blogging about The Red Shoes in the En Pointe: The Ballet Blogathon on 8/4 & 8/5.
Featured Actor/Actress
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Burt Lancaster (Coming Soon)
Featured Director
Top 10 Ernst Lubitsch Films
Unfortunately Ernst Lubistch is often forgotten about when the greatest directors from the classic era are mentioned. His combination of visual gags & verbal wit made his films, first made in Germany during the teens & then in the US for the next 20 years, unmistakably unique. "The Lubitsch Touch" had as much to do with the sexual innuendo sprinkled throughout his films as it did for the visual panache of his settings & characters. He was a maestro behind the camera, directing brilliant performances & capturing stunningly beautiful images in front of it. His best 10 films had far reaching influence on how musicals were shot and constructed & how comedy was presented in both the silent & the sound era. Ernst Lubitsch was a giant who should be celebrated for his greatness!
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About Me:
I've loved movies for as long as I can remember. For the past 20 years, I've worked for several of the major studios, including MGM, Warner Bros. & 20th Century Fox in their Home Entertainment divisions. I'm really partial to pre-code & Film Noir.
I've loved movies for as long as I can remember. For the past 20 years, I've worked for several of the major studios, including MGM, Warner Bros. & 20th Century Fox in their Home Entertainment divisions. I'm really partial to pre-code & Film Noir.
2020 Blogathons:
Later this month I'll be writing a piece for The Queen of Sass: Barbara Stanwyck Blogathon, hosted by Pale writer (https://palewriter2.home.blog/). My piece will focus on the working relationship & films made by Frank Capra, starring Ms. Stanwyck. Together, they made 5 films between 1930 & 1941. Ladies of Leisure, The Miracle Woman, The Bitter Tea of General Yen, forbidden, & Meet John Doe all bring out different elements of Stanny's dynamic personality & acting style. If you want a sneak preview, check the Top 10 List below!
2019 Blogathons:
I will be writing about The Film Noir Villainy of Dan Duryea for The Great Villain Blogathon on 5/24
Picture Credits: Dr Macro
