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Author	Topic: What Have You Seen In DECEMBER?

Gae Standard Userer	Graham, I dont particularly like McGregor as an actor anyway in the few films I've seen him in! He was totally miscast in Phantom Menace also and personally I did'nt think he was worthy of appearing in any Star Wars movie, even if the film was a poor addition to a Trilogy of great movies. NORTH BY NORTHWEST(1959) movie *** score*** DIRECTOR Alfred Hitchcock SCREENPLAY Ernest Lehman MUSIC Bernard Herrmann starring Cary Grant, James Mason, Eve Marie Saint, Martin Landau Need I say more? I've lost count of how many times I have seen this movie and its amazing ability to still delight/enthrall and keep me hooked even after so many viewings. I wont even attempt to explain the storyline,its so complex, and I'm sure everyone loves this film as much as I do. Today's directors could do no better than to learn from this movie in this day and age of mediocrity where anyone who can hold a camera seems to be allowed to make a movie. The "pacing" of this film is how I wish films were still edited. Every scene is meticulously crafted and even if the pace seems a little slow compared to todays mind-numbingly subliminally-edited films, there is never a dull moment. The script is just so witty and complex there is absolutely no chance of getting bored. Everything in this film is perfect. Cary Grant's screen persona is wonderfully entertaining,as ever, and all the acting is top-notch, particularly James Mason as a greasy spy. O.K. so there are a few tell-tale back projection screens evident, but they never get in the way of the narrative or spoil the viewing pleasure. As a graduate in Art, what I love about Hitchcock's movies are his visual-style as a director. His scenes are so lovingly framed and set up, he has a real artists eye and almost every scene is a work of art in their own right...esp. the crop dusting/Mt. Rushmore scene. I love his use of low and high horizon shots in the desert for the most dramatic effects. Of course, Hermann's score is superb and compliments Hitchcock's visuals (and Grants movements) to a tee! Thats a classic in its own right. I suppose it would be expecting too much to ask that there should be more movies like North By Northwest. The very fact that there are'nt many movies like it just goes to show how great a movie it is. Gae [Message edited by Gae on 12-27-2000] [Message edited by Gae on 12-27-2000]
posted 12-27-2000 02:30 PM PT (US)

DANIEL2 unregistered	December 27 2000 DIAL M FOR MURDER (US 1954) movie *1/2 score 1/2 Despite betraying its stage origins, Hitchcock’s DIAL M FOR MURDER remains a very classy thriller. Ray Milland is perfect as the husband who plots his unfaithful wife’s murder, only to find that things don’t go according to plan. Grace Kelly is the unknowing wife and Robert Cummings her lover, but it is Anthony Dawson as the ‘hired assassin’, John Williams as one of Scotland Yard’s finest, and Milland himself who take the acting honours. Okay, so the movie is a little talky from time to time, but it’s quite engrossing. THE FACULTY* (US 1998) movie * score * Very entertaining children’s fantasy about aliens taking over the teachers at an Ohio high school. Only the kids can save the school….and the world, from the alien threat. Not as bad as it sounds, partly because the moviemakers opt for parody by making it clear from where the story’s inspiration is derived. An excellent cast helps too…..the possessed teachers are particularly well played, and the kids are really likeable. THE FACULTY is really SCREAM with aliens, and it’s not quite as slick, but there is plenty of action, amusing situations and the script is interesting. A simple pleasure.
posted 12-27-2000 03:16 PM PT (US)

DANIEL2 unregistered	Graham Watt Yes, I felt quite embarrassed for McGregor. He was putting on a ridiculously dated and outmoded act by trying to come across as unconventional….it put me in mind of some of Richard Burton’s early interviews where he poured scorn on his profession and on his audience….but that was forty years ago….society has grown up since then, and McGregor just came across as a naļve clown. Most actors are best heard speaking the lines written for them in their movies….on the evidence of this interview, Ewan McGregor is one such actor.
posted 12-27-2000 05:08 PM PT (US)

Observer Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by DANIEL2: December 23 2000 [b]THE MATRIX (US 1999) movie * score ….zzzz….zzzz….zzzz….. [/B] Hey Daniel2, have you seen Dark City? I felt it was a much better film than the Matrix was. Quick Review: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 4 of 4 I can only add to mounting heaps of praise endowed on this film. The fight scenes are wonderfully choreographed. Considering Ang Lee's past films, I would have never guessed this was his first film in the martial arts genre. NP: The Essential Michael Nyman Band - /**
posted 12-27-2000 06:49 PM PT (US)

DANIEL2 unregistered	Observer Yes, I have seen DARK CITY, and I agree, it was infinitely more interesting and imaginative than THE MATRIX. [Message edited by DANIEL2 on 12-28-2000]
posted 12-28-2000 03:50 AM PT (US)

DANIEL2 unregistered	December 28 2000 FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (GB 1967) movie ** score *1/2 Thomas Hardy’s tale of life in the English West Country is beautifully brought to life by director John Schlesinger. Living in Somerset, this movie is very special to me, for it depicts life in my part of the world during Victorian times. There are no plummy ‘what-ho’ English accents here, this is England as it really was for the majority….a tough existence farming the land, a constant battle against the elements and hunger, and a real sense of community. FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD has it all, there’s some magnificent on-location photography, the farming, barn dance and market scenes are lovingly recreated….and there’s a healthy dose of English folk music, with fiddles and voice combining to evoke a heady and romantic memory of a bygone age….indeed, here you can see how American ‘country’ music was derived primarily from English folk music (along with Scottish and Welsh folk music of course). Richard Rodney Bennett’s Oscar-nominated score perfectly reflects the alternating moods of brooding intensity, passion and human nature in its rawest state. The entire cast is simply superb – Julie Christie plays the young woman desired by every West Countryman who sets eyes on her, and Peter Finch, Terence Stamp and Alan Bates are all brilliant as the men in her life. This movie is strangely underrated….ignore the critics and see for yourself.
posted 12-28-2000 10:10 AM PT (US)

DANIEL2 unregistered	December 28 2000 THE INVISIBLE MAN (US 1999) tv-movie * score * A convicted burglar has to decide whether to serve time or allow himself to be made invisible by a research team. Give it a miss. WITHOUT MALICE (US 2000) tv-movie * score * Surprisingly well made (though implausible) wilderness thriller involving an American doctor and his brother-in-law venturing out into the Canadian wilderness to hunt bear, but ending up shooting a park warden by mistake….instead of owning up to the crime, they attempt to cover their tracks. Okay, so this isn’t Hitchcock, but it’s a solidly crafted and consistently interesting movie.
posted 12-28-2000 02:51 PM PT (US)

Graham Watt Standard Userer	Poor old Ewan! Never mind, I hope he has a good New Year anyway. Westward The Women (USA 1951) Directed by William Wellman Screenplay by Charles Schnee, from a story by Frank Capra Photography by William Mellor Main Cast: Robert Taylor, Denise Darcel, John McIntyre, Marilyn Erskine In the 1850s a large group of women are led on a harrowing journey from Chicago to California, all for the sake of marriage. What seems at face value to be a mere gimmick of a story, the film has a fairly uncompromising hard edge to it. Rape, murder and tough-as-nails son of a gun Robert Taylor ensure that it's a meatier affair than the plot outline would suggest, although there are many moments of cockeyed humour. An uncertainty of tone is highlighted by the lack of music, curious in a big Hollywood film of this type and era: anyone know the story behind this? Anyway, the lack of score, whilst not helping the tone or the pace of the film, does give it an unusually gritty feel.
posted 12-29-2000 09:53 AM PT (US)

DANIEL2 unregistered	December 29 2000 MR MAGOO (US 1997) movie ½ score Lamentable. THE NAKED MAN** (US 1998) movie * score 1/2 A chiropractor and part-time wrestler takes on the pharmaceutical mafia. Any movie that describes itself as an ‘oddball comedy’ is quite likely to be about as funny as ramming a pool cue up your nose….NAKED MAN is no exception to this rule. SOLDIER* (US 1998) movie score 1/2 SOLDIER has everything that money can buy, and yet it remains unimaginative, derivative and spiritless. Kurt Russell stars as an ‘obsolete’ soldier who is dumped on a ‘waste disposal’ planet and is befriended by some illegal colonists. Huge amounts of money were squandered on dull special effects, listless scripting and poorly choreographed action sequences. British actor Jason Isaacs plays the movie’s chief villain who is responsible for the sadistic murder of dozens of his soldiers, and also innocent bystanders….so he’s not quite as nasty as his British Colonel Tavington in Mel Gibson’s laughably historically-innacurate THE PATRIOT. Having said all of that, SOLDIER is entertaining enough, but rarely has such an expensive movie added up to so little.
posted 12-30-2000 08:43 AM PT (US)

DANIEL2 unregistered	December 30 2000 THE BLACK CAT (US 1934) movie *1/2 score Karloff and Lugosi can be seen at their best in this atmospheric chiller. Mesmerizing use of Schubert, Tchaikovsky and Beethoven adds to the movie’s impact. Interestingly, this is one of the only movies where I have noticed the prolific British bit-part player Harry Cording credited at the start of the movie. Here he’s onscreen for roughly one third of the movie, but doesn’t utter a word. For once, Lugosi plays the good-guy, and rarely has he been so animated and ‘human’ – it was nice to see. Karloff is his usual imposing self, here playing a sadistic mass-murderer and devil worshipper. The movie has some extraordinary sets, and combined with the music and performances, THE BLACK CAT adds up to scintillating cinema. ENTRAPMENT (US/UK 1999) movie 1/2 score **1/2 Okay light-thriller that benefits tremendously from the natural charm of its two stars, Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The plot twists and turns unconvincingly, but the stars’ chemistry and some nice locations help to keep the movie afloat.
posted 12-30-2000 02:59 PM PT (US)

Gae Standard Userer	I saw "The Black Cat" last night also. I love those old Universal flicks with Karloff and Lugosi. There's just something about the atmosphere of those old movies...a deathliness/ghostliness that cant be captured in movies today. Is it just the age of the films that gives them this "from the grave" atmosphere or just the brilliance of the actors/sets/music etc and all the associations we have with them?? Interesting eh? Daniel 2..I have a question for you concerning the music. You mentioned the use of the classical music in the movie(which was a recurring event in those early talkies) but I was surprised that you didn't mention the one composer and piece of music, which appeared in the most dramatic scenes and was also a piece that seemed to crop up in loads of other early talkies and serials like "Flash Gordon". It was one of those pieces of music I used to hear as a child that got me into film and classical music. Any ideas Daniel 2, or anybody?? I'll post the answer sometime!! Gae [Message edited by Gae on 12-30-2000] [Message edited by Gae on 12-30-2000]
posted 12-30-2000 03:58 PM PT (US)

DANIEL2 unregistered	Gae Heinz Roemheld’s score to THE BLACK CAT (1934) was almost exclusively derived from existing classical music, most notably the famous love theme from Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, the equally famous slow movement from Beethoven’s 7th Symphony, Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B minor, and Schubert’s Symphony no. 9. The score to THE BLACK CAT also incorporates a few snippets of, perhaps, the most famous music used in the Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers series, Liszt’s symphonic poem Les Preludes. Much of the classical music used in THE BLACK CAT (1934) was also used in previous Universal pictures, such as BOMBAY MAIL and THE INVISIBLE MAN, and became stock music for many subsequent Universal movies and series, along with some originally composed film music, such as Waxman’s BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and Skinner’s SON OF FRANKENSTEIN. Therefore Gae, I believe the composer and piece in question is Franz Liszt’s Les Preludes. By the way Gae, here's a question for you. THE BLACK CAT's dashing young hero was played by the Canadian actor David Manners. Which important figure in British history did he claim to be descended from?
posted 12-31-2000 03:22 AM PT (US)

Gae Standard Userer	Daniel 2, excellent, I'm impressed. The piece I'm refferring to, as you pointed out so well, was indeed the Liszt Sonata in B Minor, arranged for orchestra. I've never actually been able to find this orchestral version of the music, although I had a go at playing the piano version years ago, but at the time found it way too hard. Things are a bit different know though, I'm a better player and I'm currently working on sections of his Dante Sonata- Apres Une Lecture du Dante. What a piece that is also! Its very devilish in places (like the Mephisto Waltz) but also has moments of great beauty and spirituality. Liszt struggled with this conflict between purgatory and spiritual transcendence in a lot of his compositions and this is what I believe is so powerful about his greatest works. As regards David Manners, I have no idea as to the answer. You'll have to tell me that one. Many thanks. Gae
posted 12-31-2000 05:43 AM PT (US)

Graham Watt Standard Userer	Mind if I step in? I think David Manners claimed to be descended from William The Conqueror. Any one know if he's still alive? He'd be 100 years old, and last I heard (a year or two ago) he was still breathing.
posted 12-31-2000 07:40 AM PT (US)

Graham Watt Standard Userer	Yes I KNOW William the Conquerer is dead. I was talking about David Manners.
posted 12-31-2000 07:43 AM PT (US)

DANIEL2 unregistered	Graham Watt Yes, David Manners did claim to be descended from William the Conqueror, and this assertion does appear to be substantiated by documentary evidence. What is certain, Manners’ family, on his mother’s side, was related to English nobility. I am afraid that David died in 1998. [Message edited by DANIEL2 on 12-31-2000]
posted 12-31-2000 10:53 AM PT (US)

DANIEL2 unregistered	December 31 2000 EMPIRE OF THE SUN (US 1987) movie score * The life of an English boy in British China is turned upside down when the Japanese invade Shanghai. Following a superb opening forty minutes, EMPIRE OF THE SUN is ruined by overlength and John Malkovich’s dull performance. GANDHI (UK 1982) movie * score * Straightforward and even-handed account of Gandhi’s lifelong efforts to gain India’s independence from Great Britain. Ben Kingsley is simply brilliant in the title role. LOOKING FOR RICHARD (US 1996) movie * music * Fascinating account of Al Pacino’s staging of RICHARD III, and the impact Shakespeare has had on the world around us.
posted 01-01-2001 04:31 AM PT (US)

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