redkamp-2 Reviews

Something for the Boys (1944)

Fox Movie Channel has scenes scrambled

[5/10 · 28 May 2008]

I saw this film in 2001 on American Movie Classics (when that channel was still showing commercial-free classic films). The middle section of the film as shown had three ten minute sections which were scrambled and not shown in the proper order. It was confusing to watch the film as a result. With the aid of two VCRs, I painstakingly copied the film and edited the sections into correct order so that I could view the film properly.

Fox Movie Channel showed the film on Monday (Memorial Day) and I was surprised to see that the same scrambled version that was shown on AMC was shown on the Fox Channel. I would have thought that they would have corrected it by now, seven years later!

The film is being released on DVD next month as part of the Carmen Miranda Collection. I'm wondering whether the DVD will have a correct version or whether it will still be the messed up version.

Into the Wild (2007)

A splendid example of film-making

[10/10 · 8 October 2007]

I've read through the User Comments and have found a variety of opinions about the film, Chris McCandless and the book from which Sean Penn adapted his film. McCandless was certainly no hero and the Forest Service in Alaska has been quite blunt in their feelings about a young man going into the wilderness without ample preparation. I can only offer my own opinion, which is of the film itself.

As a stellar example of film-making, I loved this movie and found it to be beautiful in every respect as well as immensely touching. The acting was excellent without exception. Emile Hirsch (according to an interview with Penn) put everything he had into the role and I believe that this young man will have a bright future as an actor. To me, the other standout was Hal Holbrook. I've already posted my thoughts in the Forum about the heart breaking farewell scene between Ron (Holbrook) and Chris (Hirsch). I'm in my mid 70s and I really felt Ron's aching pain at having to say goodbye to someone who brought joy to his lonely life. This film and especially that scene have stayed with me ever since I saw it several days ago.

I expect that "Into the Wild" will garner some Oscar nominations (actor, supporting actor, director, cinematography, score) and will most likely win a few. It's one of the best movies that I've seen this year.

Turnabout (1940)

Terrific restoration of a very funny film.

[8/10 · 23 April 2006]

"Turnabout" has been included in this year's San Francisco International Film Festival as a prime example of UCLA's Film Preservation work. I saw it yesterday at San Francisco's Castro Cinema and was quite impressed with the quality of the image as well as the sound. It looked as though it had been filmed last week. I didn't know what to expect of the film itself, especially after reading Leonard Maltin's negative review in his annual film guide. I was very pleasantly surprised at how delightfully zany and hilarious it proved to be.

The cast couldn't be better and their ensemble work was spot-on. Even the minor roles by Donald Meek, Franklin Pangborn and Marjorie Main, among others, contributed to the fun. I was not familiar with John Hubbard's work, but he was very funny in his gender switching role and played it to the hilt. Carole Landis, Adolphe Menjou, Mary Astor, Veree Teasdale, William Gargan - all of them were splendid. The situations and the dialog were rather risqué for a 1940 film and I'm surprised that it got past the censors. In fact, the Catholic Legion Of Decency rated it "objectionable in part." Seeing it in these these times, however, one can only smile at what was deemed objectionable 66 years ago.

One of my favorite scenes involved the destruction of a radio by Menjou and Gargan who were trying to shut out the sounds of a program that was sponsored by a client whose account they'd lost. They tore it apart and then began stomping on the assorted parts that were scattered on the floor but the sound continued unabated. Finally, Menjou jumped on the one remaining tube and the sound abruptly came to a stop. The scene was classic Hal Roach and was totally hilarious.

I hope that "Turnabout" is issued on DVD utilizing the beautifully restored print that I witnessed yesterday. This film is definitely one that should be available for people to see and enjoy.

The House of Rothschild (1934)

The Fox Movie Channel ran it with the ending in black and white.

[31 December 2005]

I also watched it the other day on the Fox Movie Channel and the final sequence was indeed not in color. That surprised me because I thought that surely their vault would have contained a print with the Technicolor finale.

About 15 years ago, the Castro Cinema here in San Francisco showed a series of 20th Century Fox classic films, all with 35 mm prints. The House Of Rothschild was shown with the beautiful Technicolor final sequence. The fact that it was not shown that way on the FMC was disappointing, but it was still great to see the film again, as it's so rarely shown.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

This film has haunted me ever since I saw it last night.

[10/10 · 8 December 2005]

I was fortunate to see it at an invitational preview in a full auditorium. Everyone I was with sat spellbound throughout its entire 134 minute running time. We did not find the film to be too long at all. It would be pretty hard to condense twenty years into a shorter 90 minute film. It could have been even longer than 134 minutes so far as I'm concerned.

The acting was perfection. Much has been said about Heath Ledger and his superb performance. I can't imagine anyone portraying Ennis with more subtlety or feeling. Jake Gyllenhaal has a flashier part which could have been a travesty in lesser hands, but Jake could not have been better as the soulful Jack. Both Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway are great as the wives who never achieve true love from these two conflicted men. All of the lesser parts are in good hands and Randy Quaid, in a small role, stands out as the gruff ranch boss.

Not to be overlooked is the gorgeous cinematography, the sweeping vistas of the plains and mountains and the beautiful music score. And, of course, Ang Lee's masterful direction.

Finally (a possible spoiler), the sad finale, where Ennis visits Jack's parents, contains the most poignant and achingly romantic scene I've witnessed on screen in a longtime. It's when Ennis finds their old shirts in Jack's boyhood bedroom closet and hugs them through his tears. I think that scene has haunted me today more than any other part of that magnificent film.

Without hesitation, I give it a 10/10.

Beefcake (1998)

A rather nicely done docudrama.

[11 November 1999]

I saw this film with some misgivings and enjoyed it a lot

more than I'd expected. It's the story of Bob Mizer and

his Athletic Model Guild and the unfortunate court trial

that took place in the '60's because of pornography charges. Mizer's physique magazines filled with "artistic" photos of nude and nearly nude males seem quite

innocent by today's standards but were looked upon rather

differently back in those less enlightened times. "Beefcake" mixes lots of vintage photos of AMG models with

contemporary footage and actors giving credible performances (Josh Peace as model Neil O'Hara is especially good). There are a number of "talking head"

interviews with people connected with Mizer's outfit in

one way or another. Two of them are Joe Dallesandro (who

went on to Andy Warhol fame) and Jack LaLanne. I was especially amused by the very macho LaLanne's comments.

Especially when the interviewer asks a question that prompts LaLanne to say "are you asking me for a date?"

That remark brought some guffaws from the audience! For

anyone looking for something different in the way of entertainment, I would recommend this film.

American Beauty (1999)

American Beauty is a beaut!

[21 October 1999]

Sam Mendes, the 34 year old director of this movie, is noted for his stage work but had never directed a film until American Beauty. He has gotten some terrific acting out of his talented cast. If there are not a few Oscars handed out next year, then the Academy should pack up and go home (I suppose there are some who already believe they should). Like Blue Velvet and a few other similarly themed movies, American Beauty exposes the facade behind the American dream. I have a feeling that many who will see this film will doubt that such "goings on" could occur in such "nice" suburban homes. Well, I have just seen a special on Frontline on PBS about a large group of teenagers in an affluent suburb of Atlanta. Their foray into group sex and drugs makes the events of American Beauty look like Mary Poppins by comparison! Don't let those beautiful houses with their neat lawns and outwardly smiling occupants fool you. To quote the famous line from Cold Comfort Farm; "there's something nasty in the woodshed!"

The familiar actors in the movie, which include Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Peter Gallagher and Chris Cooper, are augmented by some very talented unknowns. I was especially impressed with Thora Birch, who plays the teenaged daughter of the Spacey and Bening characters. But then, Mr. Mendes has gotten excellent performances out of everyone. If I have any reservation at all about any of the actors, it would be that he has gotten too much performance out of Ms. Bening. I found her histrionics to be a bit over-the-top. I am a Bening fan and have loved her in her other films, but I thought she went "above and beyond" here.

I have seen this film twice. The first time was with relatives during a recent trip to Connecticut. The second time was with a good friend who thought it was one of the best he'd seen in a long while. I thought long and hard about American Beauty before submitting this review and concluded that I was incorrect about a few initial reservations that I had, which I changed my mind about as a result of the second viewing. This darkly comic movie, which hits home on several levels, is one that you should see. It will make you laugh, it will make you cringe and it will make you think!

Twin Falls Idaho (1999)

A fascinating and haunting film.

[10/10 · 31 August 1999]

It's understandable that this movie would not be for all tastes. It has gotten generally good but decidedly mixed reviews. Mark and Michael Polish, the real life twins who portray the conjoined brothers, wrote the story and the screenplay. Michael directed the film. This is their debut film and I was quite impressed with the results. People attending a showing of Twin Falls Idaho expecting to find something similar to the work of Cronenberg or Lynch will be disappointed. Unlike the works of the two Davids, this film is sensitive and quite touching (although Lynch's The Elephant Man probably comes closest in its portrayal of a mistake of nature). Mark and Michael could not have been better in their portrayal. Their expressions and gestures, their manner of speech where they virtually spoke as one, their whispers to each other as if to make sure they were in agreement, all of these things added up to beautifully realized and richly shaded performances. Some have criticized the performance of Michelle Hicks as Penny, the call girl who befriends and helps them. I do not agree. I thought she was fine in the role (her first film acting job) although she did have a bit of difficulty here and there with a few of the most demanding scenes. Lesley Ann Warren had a small and not fully fleshed out role and was nearly unrecognizable, but I have always found her presence in a film most welcome. Yes, Twin Peaks Idaho has flaws, but I saw this film yesterday and it has stayed with me ever since. I can't say the same for most movies that I see.

The Spanish Prisoner (1997)

One of Mamet's best films.

[10 August 1999]

Ever since House of Games, I have been a fan of David Mamet's films. His latest, The Spanish Prisoner, is one of his best. Steve Martin reveals an acting ability superior to anything I've seen him do before. Once again, Campbell Scott proves that he is in a league with David Strathairn as one of our most underrated actors. Rebecca Pidgeon (Mamet's wife) is not in the same league but merely adequate, and Ed O'Neill shows up as an FBI agent in a cameo role. As is always the case in Mamet's films, nothing is as it appears to be and I was kept guessing right up to the end. His work is not for everyone. It is not for those who need lots of car crashes and special effects in order to be satisfied. It is not for people who do not wish to think. The Spanish Prisoner is David Mamet at his finest.

Edge of Seventeen (1998)

A true gem of a gay coming-of-age movie.

[28 July 1999]

I loved this film. I thought it was the finest of the current barrage of movies about gay coming-of-age angst. The acting was natural and realistic and I could feel Eric's pain over his confusion and anxiety. The scenes of his despair and feelings of hopelessness actually had me choked up! The explicit sexual scenes were not gratuitous but were both realistic and erotic. It shows how fine a low budget movie can be. And it was refreshing to see a gay-themed film that does not take place in New York!

The Spanish Prisoner (1997)

One of Mamet's best!

[2 March 1999]

I am a David Mamet fan and have been since House of Games. I expected not to be disappointed by his latest, The Spanish Prisoner, and indeed, my expectations were met! The biggest surprise was Steve Martin, who revealed an acting ability superior to anything I've seen him do in the past. Campbell Scott once again revealed his talents as an actor (underrated and deserving of greater recognition). Rebecca Pidgeon (Mamet's wife) was adequate but not in the same league. Ben Gazarra was fine, as usual, and even Ed O'Neill has a cameo as an FBI agent. The cool and twisting plot, where nothing is what it appears to be, had me guessing right up to the end. Mamet is not for all tastes. His films are not for people who don't want to think and who are not happy unless there are multiple car crashes and special effects. He is at his finest here in this splendid example of his best work.

Bride of Killer Nerd (1992)

Harold takes a bride!

[8 December 1998]

Bride Of Killer Nerd is to Killer Nerd as Bride Of Frankenstein is to Frankenstein: a sequel that improves on the original. Harold meets Thelma, the ultimate female nerd, and they fall in love. After being thoroughly humiliated, they embark on a killing rampage even more over-the-top than Harold's spree in the first film. As an added treat, there is a party sequence with a really rocking band plus a nicely done homage to Alfred Hitchcock. A dandy of a low budget black comedy/horror flick. Filmed in the Cleveland area with a wonderful abundance of bad taste. I loved it!

Killer Nerd (1991)

A nerd runs amok!

[8 December 1998]

A prime example of how entertaining a low budget horror comedy can be, Killer Nerd packs quite a punch throughout its ninety minute running time. Howard Kunkle, played to perfection by Toby Radloff, is the ultimate nerd who snaps and goes on a killing rampage to get revenge against those that have ridiculed him. It's an over-the-top black comedy that will delight those who like films by such auteurs as David Lynch and John Waters. Thumbs up on this one!