Don't have the self-discipline to make note every movie we watch, and memory is a fleeting gossamer thread, yadda yadda.
Based on former Premiere Magazine feature writer Peter Biskind's best-seller about moviemaking during the tumultuous, golden era of the 1970s, this film offers insightful comments from many of the luminaries who did their best work during that decade. Included among the high points are the scandals that rocked so many careers. Narrated by William H. Macy, with comments from Martin Scorsese, Ellen Burstyn, Richard Dreyfuss and many others.
obviously a documentary with an agenda, namely that Hollywood was a waste land in the mid/late sixties, and lacking ideas. Subsequently, for a decade or so, directors were given free reign to indulge their ideas, for good (mostly) or bad (sometimes). The beginning of the summer blockbuster ended this brief period of Hollywood greenlights for art house fare (Godfather, and especially Jaws).
Quite interesting, if a little smug and self-congratulatory. Hollywood has always been a blend of crass and high-brow, the 70s no different. Even in the Aughts (is there an official term for the years 2001-2009 yet ?), though the blockbusters get the most press, and movie reviewers have hardly any influence upon success/failure of movies anymore, there are always interesting movies being made. The past is always golden, right?
Also, unless I blinked and missed it, I didn't hear anything from Scorsese himself. Sort of strange since he is one of the self-appointed historians of cinema, and in love with the sound of his own voice. Perhaps there were some lingering animosities, unexplored in this documentary. Plenty of mention of Scorsese and his seminal works, just not interviewed directly.
Highly recommended for film buffs, and several additions to my Netflix queue were made while watching it.
4 stars.
Uptight deejay David Staebler (Jack Nicholson) travels to Atlantic City, N.J., to learn more about an outlandish, get-rich-quick scheme cooked up by his manic brother, Jason (Bruce Dern). Despite David's suspicions, he plays along -- but when the plan's flaws become evident, neither Jason nor his beauty-queen girlfriend (Ellen Burstyn) heed David's protestations. Director Bob Rafelson's evocative drama costars Scatman Crothers.
mentioned in brief in Raging Bulls, but seem to have read a review elsewhere recently. Character driven movie, fairly low key, well-acted, though the climatic ending a bit predictable. A few indulgent scenes, but not to excess. Not sure of Scatman Crothers as a gangster, but only a bit part in any case.
3.5 stars.
“The Matrix” (Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski)
In this complex story that aspires to mythology, a computer hacker (Keanu Reeves) searches for the truth behind the mysterious force known as the Matrix. He finds his answer with a group of strangers led by the charismatic Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). What they encounter in confronting that truth makes for a lightning-paced, eye-popping thrill ride of a movie that cleverly combines sociopolitical commentary with cutting-edge special effects.
Finally watched this much-talked about movie. A good friend of ours knew Larry Wachowski and his wife Thea Bloom when they were Chicago pagans, before fame struck. Stylish film, yes, but riddled with cliche, and ultimately just cotton candy for the eyes.
2 stars.
Martin Scorsese paints a colorful portrait of Las Vegas in the early 1970s as the oasis of glamour and corruption that it was. Against this backdrop, the story chronicles the rise and fall of three central characters: a play-by-the-rules casino owner with mob connections (Robert De Niro), his childhood friend and Mafia underboss (Joe Pesci) and an ex-prostitute with expensive taste and a driving will to get what she wants (Sharon Stone).
about an hour too long, and Sharon Stone began to really, really annoy me before long. I didn't like this much 10 years ago, and still don't.
2.5 stars.
Helmed by Richard Lester, this affecting drama stars George C. Scott as a San Francisco doctor who begins a schizophrenic romance with socialite Petulia Danner (Julie Christie). At a charity affair, lovely Petulia sets her cap for newly divorced Archie Bollen (Scott) -- trouble is, she's already married ... to the handsome but physically abusive David (Richard Chamberlain). The excellent supporting cast includes Joseph Cotten and Shirley Knight.
Whoa. George C. Scott was an excellent actor. Umm, this movie was sort of fun, in a retro way. In fact, I liked it a lot, but can't quite put my finger on why. Could be the uncredited appearance of Janis Joplin and members of the Grateful Dead, or the interesting cinematography of Nicolas Roeg, or just the strange mood of the entire film.
Roger Ebert's 1968 review called it the
'coldest, cruelest film I can remember, and one of the most intellectual.“
3.5 stars, because some of the film is just too hokey for the Aughts.
Shock-jock Jack Lucas (Jeff Bridges) becomes racked with guilt after a listener takes Jack's tirades to heart, resulting in a bloodbath at a New York City hot spot. Jack sinks into a depression, drinking himself nearly to death and sponging off his girlfriend (Oscar-winner Mercedes Ruehl). When Jack hits bottom, he's ready to end it all. Could a dotty homeless man (Robin Williams) whose wife died in the carnage be Jack's chance for redemption?
not Terry Gilliam's best work. Meh.
2.5 stars.
Tags: Netflix
