The Great March HTF Historical Drama/Epic Challenge (2 Viewers)

[Lew Crippen]

I’ll jump start the discussion, as Pat and I have different views of The Fall of the Roman Empire. Here is my short comment on this movie in the AFI thread:

“How could Sophia Loren, Alec Guinness, James Mason Anthony Quale, Mel Ferrer, Eric Porter, Omar Sharif and Christopher Plummer be boring and all in the same movie? (OK I’ll concede the last two). For those who are curious and have over three hours to spend, you can find out by watching The Fall of the Roman Empire.

“For sure director Anthony Mann proves that his replacement as director of Spartacus was a correct decision as he seems completely unable to invest any life or spirit in this overblown production.”

One of the movies I missed the first time around—and the main reason I caught up, was to complete the AFI series.

 

[Lew Crippen]

What is it you that you want from me?

A question asked aloud by one of the four principle characters in The Golden Bowl (new), but one that is repeatedly and silently asked by all four of each other throughout the course of this Ivory/Merchant adaptation of the Henry James masterpiece. The Ivory/Merchant duo (the most stylish filmmakers around) in choosing America’s most stylish (and British/European) writer give themselves a perfect vehicle as a base.

As usual in their movies, the period detail is exacting and exquisite, the pace leisurely and the dialogue subtle and complex. For those who don’t care for James (or the novel)—well, they won’t care for the movie (or Ivory/Merchant) either.

With any luck, John as seen this movie and can comment (I’m interested as we had very different views of In the Bedroom).

 

[JohnRice]

I haven't seen The Golden Bowl, so I guess I'll add it to the list.

I don't recall our differing views of In the Bedroom.

 

[Malcolm R]

The Portrait of a Lady (1996) :star::star:

Nicole Kidman in a fright wig stars in this adaptation of Henry James' novel directed by Jane Campion. It's been a few years since I read the novel, but I recall being much more engrossed by the written word I was by this adapatation. The all-star cast includes John Malkovich, Barbara Hershey, Shelley Winters, Richard E. Grant, Viggo Mortensen, Christian Bale, Shelley Duvall, and Mary-Louise Parker. All were adequate, none seemed special. Not a great beginning to my challenge, IMO.

 

[Lew Crippen]

Two Henry James in a row.

 

[JohnRice]

2) American Gangster: The Unnecessarily Long version (2007) - :star::star::star:
Steve already said it. I don't see what all the fuss is about. Sure, it's a decent movie, interesting story, good acting all around, but, you know, that's about it.


3) Silk (2007) - :star::star::star::star:
Sentimental, ponderous and lushly filmed story of a mid 19th century European who treks to Japan in order to bring back healthy silkworm eggs. For various reasons, he finds himself obsessed with the trip and is somewhat absent to his new wife. Story was a bit too meandering, but managed to pull together better than I expected in the end. Like I say, it is a rather sentimental film, so probably not to all tastes. I never thought I'd see Michael Pitt in a historic period piece, and he's a less than ideal choice, but he does a decent enough job.

My vision of the future: It is February 2043 and after 127 feature films, 17 Oscar nominations and no wins (an all-time record), one of the most prolific and valued actresses of the 21st century is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The award is presented by Dame Kate Winslett (the only actress in history with more nominations, plus 4 wins) to an ageless Keira Knightley, who still needs to eat a hamburger.

 

[PatW]

Mountains of the Moon (1990) :star: :star: :star: :star: 1/2

Interesting adventure about two explorers, Richard Burton and John Speke's search for the source of the nile. Along the way, they are met with famine, disease and hostile natives and after the journey, betrayal.

The acting was superb here, both from Patrick Bergin as Burton and Iain Glen as Speke but the real heart of this movie was the African scenery and protrait of the various people that inhabit that continent. The photography was excellent and along with the story makes for an engrossing movie. I understand this didn't do well when it came out years ago and that's too bad because they are missing a fascinating story.

 

[SteveGon]

Yowza, I'm behind already! I do have a trio of films coming from Netflix that others might wanna check out: Eric Rohmer's The Lady and the Duke, Behind the Lines, and Sharpe's Rifles.

 

[Brad Porter]

The Painted Veil (2006) :star: :star: 1/2

Basic Plot: In 1925 China, a bland British doctor (an infectious diseases specialist) and his superficial wife tend to a village suffering through a cholera outbreak, as they also struggle with their own marital problems.

My stupid opinion: I tried rather hard to maintain my attention on this film throughout the entire length, because I really respect the actors that are prominently involved - I failed. My attention drifted in the middle portion of the film just as the primary conflict between the two leads began to develop. The whole film is carried by Edward Norton and Naomi Watts as the aforementioned couple with only a few other supporting roles. His character is largely a blank slate, with only a few chances to show any real depth... but that's OK, since it is really her story from beginning to end. And that's ultimately the problem. Naomi Watts is an attractive and talented woman but I never could feel anything but contempt for her character. The production design, the cinematography, the score, and even the costume design were all quite well executed, but I always felt one step removed from the film due to the simple focus on the wife and her story arc. Unfortunately the Chinese villagers, soldiers, and cholera victims were little more than props. There was a more interesting story that was probably happening right alongside the events of this film, or at least one that is more in tune with my viewing desires.

Summary: I needed more interesting or perhaps less contemptible characters to enjoy this film more. Toby Jones is an odd looking guy. Diana Rigg isn't as hot as she used to be. And Norton can do better.

As an aside, Cinemax screwed me on this film by cropping the 2.35:1 aspect ratio down to 16x9. I had already tried to watch Cleopatra earlier in the day but quit immediately after the opening credits when it dropped down to 4x3. Fuck you twice, Cinemax. Show me the film. All of it. Please.

Brad

 

[PatW]

Green Dolphin Street (1947) :star: :star: :star: 1/2

Interesting enough melodrama about two sisters in love with the same man. Marianne Patourel (Lana Turner) is attracted to William Ozanne (Richard Hart) and feels that by joining the royal navy, he will become more acceptable to her father. Marguerite Patourel (Donna Reed) is also in love with William and he with her. When William sets into port in China he is drugged and robbed and fails to report back to his ship. Deemed a deserter he flees to New Zealand to make a life for himself in the lumber business. While drunk, William pens a letter to Mr. Patourel requesting the hand of his daughter in marriage. Unfortunately he writes down the name of the wrong sister and when she arrives in New Zealand he goes through with the marriage dispite loving the other one.

If this sounds a bit overwrought, it is and even more so. The story was interesting enough to keep me watching plus the desire to find out how it all turned out. The acting was good especially from the veteran performers Edmund Gwenn and Gladys Cooper as the girls parents. The visual effects were pretty good, especially the flood scene in New Zealand. There are some very memorable scenes in this movie, one being Marguerite's climb up inside the mountain to the convent above. Another great scene was Mrs. Patourel's bedside confession to her husband and daughter Marguerite. This was a worthwhile movie if a bit overlong and predicable.

 

[Lew Crippen]

This is 1806 for Heaven's sake!

But in this film adaptation of Jane Austin’s Mansfield Park (new), much of the sense and some of the sensibilities are closer to our time than anything that she intended. For example, Austin’s heroine, Fanny Brice is (even for Austin) an unassuming, quiet girl filled with modesty. But in this movie she very much a modern, liberated feminist, who not only does not bow to the wishes and commands of others, but defies them forthrightly and openly (in a manner not at all in the Austin protagonist style).

Even so, the movie and screenplay retain much of Austin’s wit and style. Well worth seeing.

 

[JohnRice]

Hey Lew, which Mansfield Park is that?

 

[Lew Crippen]

1999 directed by Patricia Rozema.

 

[Lew Crippen]

I'd kiss you, but I'm not sure it'd come out right.

So it goes with Dorothy Parker in Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (new) an unsatisfying view of the wits and wastrels who gathered daily for lunch, booze and bon mots at the Algonquin. Satisfyingly, if one does not know the luminaries of the 20s (George S. Kaufman, Robert Sherwod, Robert Benchly, Edna Ferber, et. al.) there is no time wasted in explanation.

On the flip side, even Parker’s wit, affairs and huge alcohol consumption don’t sustain the 2+ hours run time.

 

[JohnRice]

Lew, are you saying Austen is known for quiet, unassuming heroines?

 

[Lew Crippen]

In their style, not in their substance—perhaps I did not phrase this correctly, but the portrayal of Fanny in the movie is very modern American, in-your-face feminism (something I’m OK with). Of all of Austin’s heroines, I find Fanny Brice to be the most unassuming.

 

[JohnRice]

Well, I plan on watching that adaptation myself. Of course, all of Austen's heroines are feminist, at least in their 200 year old culture. Still, I have found I like the more bold representations such as Joe Wright's Lizzy as well as the more polite ones like the Emma Thompson/Ang Lee Dashwood sisters

 

[Mario Gauci]

I had decided to dedicate this March to Epic film viewing long ago but have only just now stumbled across this official HTF thread. So here is my list:


03/01/08:HERR ARNES PENGAR aka SIR ARNE'S TREASURE(Mauritz Stiller, 1919):star::star::star:1/2 -DVD{First Viewing}
03/01/08:DUE NOTTI CON CLEOPATRA aka TWO NIGHTS WITH CLEOPATRA(Mario Mattoli, 1953):star::star: -TV{First Viewing}
03/01/08:MIO FIGLIO NERONE aka NERO'S MISTRESS and O.K. NERO and NERO'S WEEKEND(Steno, 1956):star::star:1/2 -TV{First Viewing}

03/02/08:FRATELLO HOMO, SORELLA BONA (NEL BOCCACCIO SUPERPROIBITO) aka ROMAN SCANDALS '73 and GET THEE TO A NUNNERY(Mario Sequi, 1972):star::star: -TV{First Viewing}
03/02/08:ETTORE LO FUSTO aka HECTOR THE MIGHTY(Enzo G. Castellari, 1972):star::star:1/2 -VHS{First Viewing}
03/02/08:MONDO CANDIDO(Gualtiero Jacopetti And Franco Propseri, 1975):star::star:1/2 -VHS{First Viewing}

03/03/08:THE CRUSADES(Cecil B. De Mille, 1935):star::star::star:1/2 -DVD-R{First Viewing}

03/04/08:KING RICHARD AND THE CRUSADERS(David Butler, 1954):star::star:1/2 -TV [Dubbed In Italian]{Second Viewing}
03/04/08:LE SETTE FOLGORI DI ASSUR aka WAR GODS OF BABYLON and SEVENTH THUNDERBOLT(Silvio Amadio, 1962):star::star: -TV{First Viewing}

03/05/08:IL MASSACRO DELLA FORESTA NERA [Italian-Language Version Of HERMANN DER CHERUSKER - DIE SCHLACHT IM TEUTOBURGER WALD] aka MASSACRE IN THE BLACK FOREST and ARMINIUS THE TERRIBLE(Ferdinando Baldi and, uncredited, Rudolf Nussgruberg, 1967):star::star:1/2 -TV{First Viewing}
03/05/08:GLI ULTIMI GIORNI DI POMPEII [Edited U.S. Version] aka THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII(Carmine Gallone and Amleto Palermi, 1926):star::star: -DVD-R [English Narration]{First Viewing}

03/06/08:BLUEBEARD(Edward Dmytryk and Luciano Sacripanti, 1972):star::star:1/2 -DVD-R{First Viewing}

03/08/08:FAMILY THEATER: HILL NUMBER ONE (TV)(Arthur Pierson, 1951):star::star:1/2 -DVD Rental{First Viewing}
03/08/08:FAMILY THEATER: I BEHELD HIS GLORY (TV)(John T. Coyle, 1953):star::star: -DVD Rental{First Viewing}
03/08/08:THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION aka THE PASSION AND THE POWER OF THE CHRIST(Harold D. Schuster, 1958):star::star:1/2 -DVD Rental{First Viewing}
03/08/08:MARKETA LAZAROVA(Frantisek Vlacil, 1967):star::star::star:1/2 -DVD{First Viewing}
03/08/08:THE GREAT COMMANDMENT(Irving Pichel, 1939):star::star:1/2 -DVD Rental{First Viewing}

03/10/08:MARTIN LUTHER(Irving Pichel, 1953):star::star::star: -DVD Rental{First Viewing}

03/11/08:BITKA NA NERETVI aka THE BATTLE OF NERETVA and THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER NERETVA(Veljko Bulajic, 1969):star::star::star: -TV [Dubbed In Italian]{First Viewing}

03/13/08:GIUSEPPE VENDUTO DAI FRATELLI aka JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN and THE STORY OF JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN and SOLD INTO EGYPT(Irving Rapper and Luciano Ricci, 1960):star::star:-DVD Rental [Dubbed In English]{First Viewing}

03/15/08:SAUL E DAVID aka SAUL AND DAVID and SIBLING RIVALRY(Marcello Baldi, 1964):star::star:1/2 -DVD Rental [Dubbed In English]{First Viewing}

03/17/08:ATTI DEGLI APOSTOLI aka ACTS OF THE APOSTLES [Episode 1] (TV) (Roberto Rossellini, 1969)N/A -VHS{First Viewing}

03/18/08:ATTI DEGLI APOSTOLI aka ACTS OF THE APOSTLES [Episode 2] (TV) (Roberto Rossellini, 1969)N/A -VHS{First Viewing}

03/19/08:CALIGOLA aka CALIGULA [Unrated Edition](Tinto Brass, Giancarlo Lui and Bob Guccione, 1979):star:1/2 -DVD Rental{Second Viewing; First In This Guise}
03/19/08:ATTI DEGLI APOSTOLI aka ACTS OF THE APOSTLES [Episode 3] (TV) (Roberto Rossellini, 1969)N/A -VHS{First Viewing}
03/19/08:JOHANNA(Kornel Mundruczo`, 2005):star::star: -DVD Rental{First Viewing}

03/20/08:ATTI DEGLI APOSTOLI aka ACTS OF THE APOSTLES [Episode 4] (TV) (Roberto Rossellini, 1969)N/A -VHS{First Viewing}

03/21/08:ATTI DEGLI APOSTOLI aka ACTS OF THE APOSTLES [Episode 5] (TV) (Roberto Rossellini, 1969):star::star::star: -VHS{First Viewing}
03/21/08:SZEGENYLEGENYEK aka THE ROUND-UP(Miklos Jancso`, 1965):star::star::star::star: -DVD{First Viewing}
03/21/08:LE FATICHE DI ERCOLE aka HERCULES(Pietro Francisci, 1958):star::star:1/2 -DVD Rental [Dubbed In English]{Second Viewing}
03/21/08:ERCOLE E LA REGINA DI LIDIA aka HERCULES UNCHAINED(Pietro Francisci, 1959):star::star:1/2 -DVD Rental [Dubbed In English]{Second Viewing}

03/22/08:FRINE, CORTIGIANA D' ORIENTE(Mario Bonnard, 1953):star::star:1/2 -TV{First Viewing}
03/22/08:LA TECNICA E IL RITO aka TECHNIQUE AND RITE (TV)(Miklos Jancso`, 1971):star::star:1/2 -VHS{First Viewing}
03/22/08:SECONDO PONZIO PILATO(Luigi Magni, 1987) :star::star:1/2 -TV{First Viewing}

03/23/08:ROMA RIVUOLE CESARE aka ROME WANTS ANOTHER CAESAR(Miklos Jancso`, 1974):star::star:1/2 -VHS{First Viewing}
03/23/08:IL MESSIA aka THE MESSIAH(Roberto Rossellini, 1975):star::star::star: - VHS{First Viewing}

03/25/08:FIRE OVER ENGLAND(William K. Howard, 1937):star::star::star:1/2 -DivX{First Viewing}
03/25/08:LE GRAND JEU aka FLESH AND THE WOMAN and CARD OF FATE(Robert Siodmak, 1954):star::star:1/2 -TV [Dubbed In Italian]{First Viewing}

03/26/08:VENUS IMPERIALE aka VENERE IMPERIALE and IMPERIAL VENUS(Jean Delannoy, 1963):star::star:1/2 -TV [Dubbed In Italian]{First Viewing}

03/27/08:L' AVVENTURIERO aka THE ROVER(Terence Young, 1967):star::star: -TV{First Viewing}
03/27/08:LA CINTURA DI CASTITA` aka THE CHASTITY BELT and ON MY WAY TO THE CRUSADES, I MET A GIRL WHO…(Pasquale Festa Campanile, 1967):star::star: -TV{First Viewing}

03/28/08:THE BLACK KNIGHT(Tay Garnett, 1954):star::star:1/2 -DivX{First Viewing}

03/29/08:THE BLACK SHIELD OF FALWORTH(Rudolph Mate`, 1954):star::star::star: -DivX{Second Viewing}
03/29/08:AGAINST ALL FLAGS(George Sherman, 1952):star::star::star: -DivX{Third Viewing}

03/30/08:ROYAL FLASH(Richard Lester, 1975):star::star::star: -DVD{First Viewing}
03/30/08:THE SPANISH MAIN(Frank Borzage, 1945):star::star::star: -DivX{First Viewing}

03/31/08:FRENCHMAN'S CREEK(Mitchell Leisen, 1944):star::star::star: -DivX{First Viewing}
03/31/08:SINBAD THE SAILOR(Richard Wallace, 1947):star::star::star: -DivX{Second Viewing}


Totals for March 2008: 44 Films Watched; 37 First Viewings

Best First Viewing: THE ROUND-UP
Best Revisit: THE BLACK SHIELD OF FALWORTH

 

[JohnRice]

Finished the weekend with a couple faves. I've actually also delved into some Jane Austen, but I'm going to post all those together.

4) A Fistful of Dollars (1964) - [/url]
My favorite Woody Allen is a remake of Fellini's La Strada, with the strongman replaced by an egotistical guitarist (Sean Penn) who is simultaneously based on and terrified by the legendary Django Reinhardt. Got that? Only Woody could pull off a feat like that. "I'm considered the greatest guitarist in the world. Well, there's this gypsy in France..." Samantha Morton is superb in the Masini character of Hattie. Never heard of it? SHAME ON YOU!!

 

[Brad Porter]

The New World (2005) :star: :star: :star: :star: 1/2

The Basic Plot: John Smith, Pocahontas, the settlement of Jamestown... you know the basics.

My stupid opinion: It's a Terrence Malick film, so you know going in that it'll be half National Geographic nature documentary and half ponderous, lingering scenes of people trying to emote through facial expressions. In the end, I thought it was an exceptional piece of work. I had avoided it during the theatrical release since I was still burned out on Colin Farrell and his three facial expressions (one more than Orlando Bloom possesses). Despite some aggressive editing in a few scenes that disorientingly compiled conversations separate by days or weeks (apparently there is a 20 minute longer cut of the film - I'd like to see it) and some mumbling Irish voiceovers, the whole of the film is a rewarding experience. Q'orianka Kilcher is amazing throughout.

Summary: Highly recommended. Visually stunning. Incredible craftsmanship. She was 15 when they filmed this? I feel dirty.

Sadly, this was another victim of pan and scan cropping from 2.35:1 down to 16x9 by Cinemax. It's a New Line release, so maybe it'll show up on Blu-Ray in a year or two so I can really enjoy the whole film.

Brad