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This topic comprises 8 pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
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Topic: MOVIE OF THE DAY
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Kristin Wahlund
Film Handler
Posts: 92
From: Eagan, MN
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 02-24-2003 12:48 AM
Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)
Written and Directed by Todd Solondz
Tagline: Not all girls want to play with dolls.
Plot Outline: Insightful look at an unattractive 7th grader as she struggles to cope with un-attentive parents, snobbish classmates, a smart older brother, an attractive younger sister, and her own insecurities. Seventh-grade is no fun. Especially for Dawn Weiner when everyone at school calls you 'Dog-Face' or 'Wiener-Dog.' Not to mention if your older brother is 'King of the Nerds' and your younger sister is a cutesy ballerina who gets you in trouble but is your parents' favorite. And that's just the beginning--her life seems to be falling apart when she faces rejection from the older guy in her brother's band that she has a crush on, her parents want to tear down her 'Special People's Club' clubhouse, and her sister is abducted....
This is one of my most favorite movies, I can't even begin to describe how much I like this movie. It's awful, depressing, and funny. You need to have the right kind of "mind set" to watch this. Trust me its weird, and you'll love it!
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-26-2003 09:12 AM
The Secret of NIMH (1982, Don Bluth, MGM)
I know that the phrase has fallen into overuse, but "The Secret of NIMH" is a genuine animated classic. Directed (and co-produced) by ex-Disney animator Don Bluth has proven itself by continuing to please viewers of all ages.
"NIMH" tells the story of a recently-widowed field mouse whose son has pneumonia. The illness makes it very dangerous for her to move little Timmy and, yet, somehow she must find a way to evacuate him because "it's moving day" which, as we learn, is the day that the farmer starts the tractor and begins clearing the field where so many animals have taken up temporary residence.
With this film, and a totally different kind of mouse, Bluth succeeded in 'out-Disneying' the folks over at Disney who, it seemed, were still adrift so many years after Walt's passing. Bluth would go on to collaborate with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg to produce "The Land Before Time."
"The Secret of NIMH" is touching and suspenseful, featuring full animation and a great score by Jerry Goldsmith (and exactly one song, written by Paul Williams).
Voice artists include Hermione Baddeley, John Carradine, Dom DeLuise (stealing every scene he's in) and Peter Strauss.
The script was based on the popular children's book "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien.
[ 02-27-2003, 10:42 PM: Message edited by: Manny Knowles ]
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-27-2003 11:55 AM
Yentl (1983, Barbra Streisand, MGM)
A young Jewish girl disguises herself as a man in order to attend school. While there, she falls in love with one of the other boys. Trouble is, he thinks she's a boy, too....and, anyway, he's already in love. To complicate matters further, his girlfriend falls in love with Yentl (the imposter). And that's not all! You'd really have to check this movie out for yourself if you want to get the full effect.
Barbra Streisand stars and directs; she does some terrific work with the material. There are a number of very well-written musical numbers, all of which are presented as internal monologues or commentary on the narrative.
Streisand's co-stars are Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving.
Songs include: "Where Is It Written?" "Papa Can You Hear Me?" "Tomorrow Night," "A Piece of Sky" and others.
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-28-2003 12:01 PM
Do you want to play a game?
WarGames (1983, John Badham, MGM)
Ah, the eighties!
Remember when 8" floppy disks, dot-matrix printers and monochrome monitors were state-of-the-art computer technology? What about those modems that required you to put your telephone handset onto the little rubber thingies? Oh! Do you remember Gallaga, the video game? What about Ally Sheedy?
Well, they're all right here in this amazing little low-budget thriller starring Matthew Broderick as David Lightman, a teenage computer hacker who unwittingly hooks up with one the U.S. government's new supercomputer but mistakes it for a server belonging to a game manufacturer. At first, 'Global Thermonuclear War' appears to be just another harmless computer game. That is, until government agents start following David around. It becomes apparent that the game has tricked the government's war systems into thinking that the Russians are launching a full-scale attack...and it's up to David to convince the U.S. military that it was only a game before they launch a real 'counterattack' on the real Russians.
"WarGames" still holds up after almost two decades. The pacing is flawless, thanks to a solid script and an efficient production team. The production values are so high that it is difficult to imagine that this was actually a low-budget film. The opening and closing sequences should be counted among the most suspenseful scenes ever filmed.
As for acting, there is genuine chemistry between Sheedy and Broderick. Both are believable as high-school slackers and they do a credible job of developing an almost-transparent romantic subplot. It is also a joy to watch Dabney Coleman and Barry Corbin as the bickering military officials: The former is in favor of using computers to replace soldiers, the latter doesn't trust the big computer "any further than I could throw it."
Whether or not you're old enough to remember the eighties -- whether you loved or hated that era -- it doesn't matter. This film and its message are timeless.
[ 02-28-2003, 04:23 PM: Message edited by: Manny Knowles ]
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Gracia L. Babbidge
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 709
From: Bowdoin, Maine
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 03-01-2003 02:19 PM
Night of the Day of the Dawn of the Son of the Bride of the Return of the Revenge of the Terror of the Attack of the Evil, Mutant, Alien, Flesh Eating, Hellbound, Zombified Living Dead Part 2: In Shocking 2-D
Written and directed by Lowell Mason.
Formula: take the original Night of the Living Dead, erase the entire soundtrack, and overdub with riduculous dialog, and be sure to insert some very random scenes that do not in any way connect with a zombie movie.
Result: bizarre, potentially offensive, and downright amusing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Right around Halloween, one of my roommates, and one of her co-workers rented this incredibly strange flick, and kept it out for a significant amount of time, watching it incessantly. If your sense of humor is warped, you'll probably get a kick out of it. (Although, I would recommend fast-forwarding past the randomly inserted scenes, as the overdubbed parts are what makes it so entertaining!)
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-02-2003 01:01 PM
The Trigger Effect (1999, David Koepp, Universal)
"When Nothing Works, Anything Goes."
If you can make it past that weak tag-line, there's a good chance you'll be thrilled by this morality play by first-time director David Koepp, who also wrote the script.
Elisabeth Shue and Kyle MacLachlan star as a happily-married suburban couple whose lives are forever altered by a mysterious power failure. The story elaborates on a frightening notion that man-made utilities such as electricity are largely responsible for maintaining civilization. Beyond that, "The Trigger Effect" may even be arguing that civilization itself is artificial and, perhaps most importantly, that it is an incredibly fragile construct.
One of the great American auteurs of the horror genre (Wes Craven?) once said that there are only two types of horror stories: The monster is either "out there" or else he's "right here," within us or amongst us. "The Trigger Effect" falls easily into the latter category. Fans of Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone" may recognize this premise from the brilliant episode, entitled "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street," in which a total power failure turns a lazy afternoon in suburbia into a night of terror. While the premises are indeed similar, the plots eventually follow somewhat divergent paths.
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-03-2003 12:39 PM
The Outsiders (1983, Francis Ford Coppola, Zoetrope/WB)
"The Ousiders" belongs to many subgenres: It is a slice-of-life/coming-of-age/male-melodrama that deals with class relations. Specifically, it focuses on a group of so-called "greasers" who are a close-knit group of adolescents from "the wrong side of the tracks." The constant thorn in their side is the gang of wealthy socialite teenagers, the so-called "soc's."
When one of the younger greasers kills one of the rich kids, he and his best friend are urged to leave town and go into hiding. It is during this period of hiding that a great deal of character development occurs. The boys are ultimately redeemed -- at least in our eyes -- when they rescue a group of Sunday School children from a fire.
I remember loving "The Outsiders" as a teenager and going to see it several times at the theatre. Sadly, recent viewings always come up short of my initial experience. The good news is that "The Outsiders" amounts to at least the sum total of its parts. I suppose I should be grateful that there are numerous instances of on-screen chemistry. The trouble is that this kind of movie strives for alchemy. In that arena, it does not succeed.
Still, there is much to appreciate here:
Francis Ford Coppola is one of my favorite directors. I don't mean that to suggest that I'm a big fan of his movies. On the contrary, there are a number of his movies that are not to my taste. Instead, I am a fan of his craftsmanship -- Not what he makes but, rather, how he creates. In the case of "The Outsiders," this was the first movie to be completely shot and edited using consumer video equipment during rehearsals, a process that would stick with him. (The process can be observed in "The Making of 'Bram Stoker's Dracula.'")
Take a look at the ensemble cast assembled by Coppola for this film:
C. Thomas Howell
Ralph Macchio
Matt Dillon
Emilio Estevez
Tom Cruise
Patrick Swayze
Rob Lowe
Diane Lane
And, for any fans of Stevie Wonder, this movie gives us a great performance of a touching ballad.
As mentioned earlier: Despite its imperfections, there is much to like about "The Outsiders."
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-04-2003 11:51 AM
Paper Moon (1973, Peter Bogdanovich, Paramount)
I get a great kick out of watching this movie. Ryan O' Neal stars as a travelling con man named -- of all things -- Moses Pray. Co-starring with her dad is Tatum O' Neal (in her first big-screen role).
"Paper Moon" opens with the funeral of Addie's mother. Addie never knew her father and so, to all intents and purposes, she is now an orphan. Moses reluctantly agrees to deliver Addie to her out-of-state aunt and uncle. Along the way, Moses decides to pull off a few scams and Addie -- streetwise beyond her years -- soon joins the act.
Tatum and Ryan take turns stealing scenes from one another and they are truly a joy to behold here. One of my favorite scenes is the "eat your Coney Island" exchange between these two. The scam routines are funny and the supporting players are terrific to watch.
Enter Madeline Khan as "Miss Trixie Delight."
Khan's very presence adds to the giggle factor and, in all truth, this segment must be seen to be fully appreciated. Equally hard-working are a pair of supporting cast members -- a hotel clerk and Miss Trixie's maid.
Music from the prohibition era and Bogdanovich's decision to film in black-and-white add to the timeless charm.
[ 03-05-2003, 04:59 PM: Message edited by: Manny Knowles ]
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-05-2003 05:38 PM
Nice guys finish last. Meet the winners.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988, Frank Oz, Orion Pictures)
The year 1988 gave us (at least) three very effective comedies and this movie is one of them. The first two were "A Fish Called Wanda" and "The Naked Gun," both summertime releases whereas "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" was a Thanksgiving release.
I just knew this movie was going to be something special the first time I saw the deceptively placid trailer which featured its stars Steve Martin and Michael Caine enjoying a leisurely stroll along the French Riviera. Both are dressed in matching white linen suits and Panama hats. The local flavor is accentuated by delightful background music. Then the narrator speaks:
"This holiday season, you and your family will want to see a movie that is uplifting. A movie that will restore your faith in the human spirit and warm the cockles of your heart..."
(or words to similar effect)
"...Well, if that is the kind of movie you will be looking for, then you won't want to see...Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."
Steve Martin gently nudges an old lady, pushing her into the water. The two men continue walking without missing a beat.
Fade out.
The plot of "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" revolves around two con men played by Martin and Caine. Martin is a two-bit hustler, whereas Caine's scams are more polished and elaborate. The town is simply not big enough for the two of them, so they make a bet that whichever of them can succeed in relieving a certain young lady of her recent inheritance can have the town to himself; the loser agrees to leave town quietly. Glenne Headly is perfectly cast here as the vacationing American soap queen.
The shenanigans escalate scene after scene, as each tries to short-circuit and surpass the other's efforts to swindle their naive target. Watch for my favorite scenes involving a character named 'Ruprecht' and another involving a wheelchair and a riding crop.
For those who are interested in this sort of trivia: "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" is a remake of the 1964 movie called "Bedtime Story," in which the leads are played by David Niven and Marlon Brando.
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Manny Knowles
"What are these things and WHY are they BLUE???"
Posts: 4247
From: Bloomington, IN, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-06-2003 05:02 PM
Red Dawn (1984, John Milius, MGM)
John Milius never became as well-known as he could have become. He shares writing credit on "Apocalypse Now" and he wrote (uncredited) the hypnotic 'Indianapolis' monologue in "Jaws." He seems drawn to war stories or themes of extreme masculinity. After directing "Big Wednesday" and "Conan The Barbarian," he co-wrote and directed "Red Dawn."
This is another instance of solid ensemble casting. Patrick Swayze and C. Thomas Howell (both alumni of "The Outsiders") star in this gripping drama set against the backdrop of World War III. Charlie Sheen co-stars as Swayze's younger brother. This is a decidedly "boysy" flick but female co-stars Lea Thompson and Jennifer Grey manage to get in on a lot of the action, holding their own amidst all the flowing testosterone while injecting the occasional welcome dose of femininity. (Swayze and Grey would re-team to make "Dirty Dancing.")
We can add the first moments of this movie to the list of unforgettable opening scenes (we started with "WarGames" a few days ago). You will have to either trust me on this or see the movie for yourself; I won't spoil it for you by going into detail here.
Suffice it to say that this movie hits the ground running and rarely lets up. That isn't to say that "Red Dawn" is an action movie. That would be a mere half-truth. Sure, there are gun battles and explosions aplenty, but there is also a human-interest element here in the form of a coming-of-age subplot. The characters are well drawn and, as I recall, there is at least the illusion of great emotional depth and verisimilitude.
"Red Dawn" is one of those stories that could have gotten out of control very easily. Its shocking premise notwithstanding, the characters and situations are nonetheless archetypal. Thankfully, Milius maintains a strong sense of sincerity, plausibility and realism throughout.
If there is a complaint, it would be that there isn't more footage. There were two points in the movie where I got the feeling that a scene had been deleted. The ending also seems a bit abrupt.
[ 03-06-2003, 11:30 PM: Message edited by: Manny Knowles ]
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