D world of film, Act 6 scene 23

I've watched almost a dozen films since my last entry. Let's see, there was The Long Kiss Goodnight, Hercules, Tokyo Godfathers, Wicker Park, A Dirty Shame, King Kong, and School Daze. I'm sure I missed a few. I didn't make note of them all. Oops!. School Daze is one of my favorite Spike Lee films. While watching the film this time I noticed just how much screen presence Jasmine Guy had back then. No matter who was in the scene your eyes, well, my eyes were drawn to her. There were several things that played against Jasmine working more in films. One was everyone only saw her as Whitley Gilbert, the spoiled southern girl on the hit TV series, A Different World. Secondly was that she was so attractive everyone wanted to see her with her clothes off. She finally gave in to the pressure in the not to good film, Klash playing a Jamaican dancer. Giancarlo Espisito also starred in that film and SD. The Long Kiss Goodnight is an action film with Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson. It's really a good film. Hercules has become a favorite animated film. I did not see the film in the theater, but it is a great piece of art. It's different from most Disney films. The musical numbers are done as part of the story telling and the lead characters only sing one song instead of every song. Tokyo Godfathers is an animated film from Japan. The story line is different. A homeless man, drag queen and runaway, find a baby on Christmas eve. Each character longing for something tells a tale of their life as they get battered, chased and ridiculed in the process of trying to return the child. It's a funny film with a message. Wicker Park is a good film that stars Josh Harnet and Mathew Lilliard. It's a film about love, loving the right person, settling and then going after the right person. It's a boy gets girl, loses girl, betrays friend unknowingly, ditches girl, gets girl. I know, it sounds confusing. You have to check it out. King Kong I've seen three times now. I'm not going to count the time that I fell asleep. A Dirty Shame is a wacky film by John Waters. John Waters has been taking his sick film making and bringing it into main stream cinema. It all started with Cry Baby and Hairspray. Pecker was very edgey as is this film about releasing all sexual inhibitions to find a sex act that hasn't been done yet. Hmmmm, is there such a thing? Check out the film to find out. The film stars Selma Blair, Tracy Ulman, Johnny Knoxville, Mink Stole, and Patty Hearst. John Waters also makes an appearance as a sex addict. It's sick, it's twisted and it's fun. If you don't have anything to do, check out the films listed. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. I'll be watching Capote soon and the television remake of the classic, The Posiedon Adventure.

A day of film

It's been a while since I've watched more than two movies in a day. Today I watched four movies. It began with breakfast, I watched the film Lock Up which stars Sylvester Stallone. It was a good movie, very entertaining. The film also stars Tom Sizemore, John Amos and Donal Sutherland. If you like prison pictures, you're sure to like this one.

I then watched the film The Immortals. I wasn't expecting this film to turn out the way it did. I picked up the film because of the cast, Eric Roberts, Chris Rock, Joe Pantaloni, and Clarence Williams, III, Tia Carrere and Tony Curtis. I've seen Chris Rock do serious roles and as for the other stars, that's usually what they do. Not in this case. It's a heist movie, and things go wrong big time with a comedic effect. Not since The Way of the Gun have I laughed so much. It was just what the doctor ordered on this particular day. If you're in the mood for laughter, I recommend this film or Way of the Gun.

Next up was a film called Redeemer. This film starred Mathew Modine as a writer who goes to work for a prison to teach his craft and perhaps get a story. It's funny what people will do for their art. The film also takes a look at how people never get over their pasts. It's a good film. Seems I had a theme of prison and crime going on.

The last film for today was Lakawanna Blues. I had seen this film on the shelves at Best Buy, but I didn't pick it up because of the price. A month ago it went on sale and I bought it. I decided today I'd watch these films I've had in my collection, but haven't made the time to watch them. Lakawanna is the name of a city in New York. The film is based on a true story, directed by George C. Wolfe, the creator of The Colored Museum. One of my favorite stage plays. This film has an incredible cast which plays like a stage play which is where is was adapted from. The film stars, Terrence Dashon Howard, Macy Gray, Mos Def, Rosie Perez, Leiv Schrieber, Jimmy Smits, Hill Harper, Lou Gossett, Jr., and Delroy Lindo to name a few. It's quite entertaining with its many colorful characters. Everyone shines in this one. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

13 Conversations about one thing

I decided to take it easy yesterday. Put some DVDs in order and watch a few movies. 13 Conversations about one thing stands out. The film stars Clea DuVall, Matthew McConaughey, Alan Arkin, Amy Irving and John Tuturro. The other film I watched was Stander with Thomas Jane. It's an okay film set against the backdrop of South Africa and Apartheid. It's a film about a cop gone bad, but with good intentions. The film has an interesting ending. There was also Reversible Errors which stars Tom Selleck, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, Glen Plummer and Shamir Moore. It was one of those made for TV or cable mini series. Lots of twists that make it all interesting. I love piecing things together. Some of it is predictable, but its entertaining none the less. Today I'll try to squeeze in three more films that I have, that I haven't viewed. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

The wonderful world of film

I've watched several films since my last entry. Shaka Zulu, an okay film, sort of a rip off of Amistad, but I'm sure it was made for TV. It stars David Hasselhoff, James Fox, Karen Allen and Grace Jones. The imagery is interesting and although the film is based on a true story it falls weakly. Making it a fairy tale ending. Shaka Zulu was ruthless when it came to taking over, but showed compassion to those on his side.

I also watched the Young Americans. I first saw this film at the Seattle Film festival many, many years ago. The film stars Harvey Keitel. I was taken by this film because of the music and the night club scenes. At the time everyone in the film was virtually unknown, except for Harvey Keitel. The film stars Thandie Newton who had to be a teenager. She's gone on to do some great work including her role in the Oscar winning film Crash. She's worked with Tom Cruiseand David Thewlis along with Terence Howard. The Young Americans is relevant as to what is happening in todays world. The young drug dealers are fearless and they are putting out the old guys. The more the world changes, the more it stays the same. People are going to be people no matter what.

Jarhead was an interesting film as well as Foxfire. I watched both of these films on a whim because my brah mentioned them. Of course I do like Angelina Jolie. Jarhead is a war movie that centers on a group of Marines sent out to guard oil in the desert. The opening reminded me of Full Metal Jacket which has become one of my favorite war movies. At the top of my list are Lawrence of Arabia, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket and Apocalypse Now. I've also enjoyed Three Kings which I am hoping is still in NOLA. Jarhead stars Oscar winner Jamie Fox, along with Jake Gyllenhaal who gives a great performance. I will have to watch this film again because I had the option of viewing it with deleted scenes and didn't take advantage of that.

Foxfire I wasn't sure what to expect. Angelina Jolie plays a young lesbian drifter who stumbles across a group of girls in need of guidance. She heightens their awareness and brings a group of opposites together to form a friendship. I thought the performances were good by all of the actresses, but it is only Angelina Jolie who goes on to take Hollywood by surprise. Give it a look see, there are some familiar faces that pop up.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

The Seattle film festival

The Seattle film festival is currently underway. The festival began May 25, 2006 to the theme, Play Along. The film ends on June 18, 2006. I'm still trying to catch up on films from last years festival among regular theatrical releases. I purchased a used copy of 13 conversation about one thing. I hope to watch that soon. I've been doing the school related films throwing in a few unsuspecting surprises. Street of Dreams, stars Ben Masters and Morgan Fairchild. Basket Ball Diaries which is Leonardo's best role since What's eating Gilbert Grape. Fast times at Ridgemont High still holds up. No one plays a surfer dude better than Sean Penn. And my favorite actress who performs the best felatio on screen is Jennifer Jason Leigh. She shows a good example in the cafeteria scene with a carrot. The film brought us some incredible talents. I bought a DVD recorder so I'm trying to figure out how it is supposed to work. I want to put Listen to me, Mahogany, Torch Song Trilogy and Time Slip on disc. I'll devote tomorrow into getting it together. Tonight I'll create some other type of art. The film for tonight is A Thing Called Love which stars River Phoenix, another great talent. I want to watch The Mosquito Coast again. I really like that film. Some of the other films I've watched since my last entry are, Thrashin', K-2, The Boys Next Door and Dazed and Confused. Matthew McConauhey utters those famous words, "Keep on living." Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. Go and watch a movie, any movie.

I've been watching movies

In the film Just One of the Guys, we get a teen version of Yentl, Tootsie,  and Victor, Victoria. The film is set in the 80's which focused on hair and fashion. Dressing up was cool again. Although it was filled with color, the polyester look of the 70's was history. So long double knit, hello cotton and rayon, LOL. Hello Punk Rock and New Wave. Dancing to the music of Prince, Flock of Seagulls, Andre Seymone, Sheila E., The Sex Pistols and Billy Idol. The innovation of MTV and music videos. The world was changing, but some things stayed the same. People still weren't being treated fairly so a young woman feels she needs to become a young man to succeed. The film has moments. Give it a look see.

Four Brothers - This film stars Mark Whalberg and Singer turned actor, Andre 2000 Benjamin of Outkast fame. It's an interesting film with lots of surprises. Terrence Howard appears in the film as a police officer. Quite a switch for him. If you have some free time, give both films a look see. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Porky's

As if being in school isn't hard enough, it's even harder when your harmones are raging out of control. The games of life. LOL. The film Porky's went a step further than films like, The Last American Virgin or Spring Break. It was one of the first main stream films to ever show an erection. From the opening sequence, you knew this film was going to be fun. It just escalated from one scene to the next. It's classic comedy. Long before the American Pies, Porky's paved the way for these films to be made. I'm still leading up to Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I'm not sure what's on tonights agenda, but it'll be something fun. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

High School U S A

Keeping with my theme of films that take place in high school, last night I watched the film High School U S A. It's a fun film that stars Michael Fox, Anthony Edwards as a rich kid, when he had lots of hair. Nancy McKeon, Crystal Bernard of Wings fame, along with Dana Plato, Todd Bridges, Bob Denver and Crispin Glover just to name a few. Remember some of those silly things you did in high school? Were you one of the popular kids, the geeks or the cool kids? What ever you were, you're sure to see yourself in this film. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. Tonights feature will either be Footloose or Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

It must be my laptop.

I write these great entries and then my computer freezes and it vanishes. Back to the drawing board. Time for a rewrite. I'll do a review of the film Class of 1984. The year is 1982 and Mark Lester has come out with a film to warn the school system what is surfacing. Mark got his inspiration from the newspaper headlines and such films as The Blackboard Jungle, Rebel without a cause and I was a teenage werewolf. The film stars Perry King, Roddy McDowell, Timothy Van Patten, and Michael Fox before he added the J. Michael was a Canadian actor before the series Family Ties. Class of 1984 was controversial, it was ahead of it's time. It pushed buttons and brought out something in the actors. The performances were real. You loved and hated the characters at the same time. This film holds up quite well. If you haven't seen Class of 1984, I highly recommend it. If you remembered seeing it, see it again. It's a shame it took so long for this film to reach DVD, but it's sure to inspire another generation of thugs. We have to stop the madness. The future belongs to us all. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.