In the last week I’ve seen the following movies: Murphy’s Romance which stars Sally Fields and James Garner. It’s a cute film set in a small town. All of the characters are trying something different.
No Way To Treat A Lady stars George Segal, Lee Remmick, David Doyle and Rod Steiger star in this film about a serial killer that takes on several personas to kill beautiful women. It’s a game of cat and mouse as the killer creates a relationship with one of the investigators played by George Segal. Rod Steiger is the serial killer with mommy issues.
Cinderella Liberty stars James Caan and Marsha Mason. James Caan is a sailor whose papers are lost and he gradually falls in love with a woman with a reputation and her son.
Daisy Kenyon stars Joan Crawford, Henry Fonda and Dana Andrews. Other than Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, I don’t recall seeing a film with Joan Crawford before. Since I am working at the Zachery Scott theatre I am interested in seeing Mildred Pierce more than ever since it stars Zachery Scott. Daisy Kenyon is an interesting film with Joan Crawford as an ad illustrator who gets involved in a love triangle. She loves a married guy and another guy loves her. She settles and seems to find happiness until the guy she loves begins divorce proceedings.
Nevada Smith is a western that stars Steve McQueen and Karl Malden.
Irreconcilable Differences stars Ryan O’Neal, Shelly Long, Drew Barrymore and Sharon Stone. After E.T. Drew Barrymore was a hot property, but I didn’t see this film because it just didn’t appeal to me. Drew Barrymore is the film which there had to be a lot of pressure on her. It’s an okay movie about a kid growing up with parents who put their careers before their child.
The New Centurions stars George C. Scott, Stacy Keach, Rosalind Cash, Erik Estrada and Isabel Sanford. It’s a comedy drama about a police squad. It’s not a bad film. I had seen most of the actors before, but this was my first time seeing this film. Everyone may remember George C. Scott as MacArthur. Rosalind Cash made countless movies in the 70’s. Erik Estrada played Ponch in the 70’s show CHIPS and Isabel Sanford was Louise Jefferson on the show of the same name.
Road Games stars Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis. This was not the best film and I had seen it before only because I am a fan of Jamie Lee Curtis. I saw all of the horror flicks and this was supposed to be another, but it was really a bad thriller. I didn’t recall that it was filmed in Australia the first time I had seen it many, many years ago. Since having been to Australia I picked up on it instantly. It becomes a game of cat and mouse as Stacy Keach, who plays a trucker believes he sees a man burying dead bodies. Jamie Lee Curtis plays a hitchhiker along for the ride. This is no Hitcher, but I’m sure it was influenced by this film or vice versa. Either way its not the best. Unless you are a fan of Jamie Lee Curtis this one I would pass on.
Coming up:
The Seattle International Film Festival just celebrated its 39th year, I’ll review some of my favorite films that I saw. And talk about my experiences from 1994 - 1999.
Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again. Remember to keep an open mind.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Another fun filled week of movies
Since I have the time I’m just watching movies that seem interesting even if I’m not a big fan of the stars. Now that I’m older I see the films from a different perspective. I understand the nature of the film. The Hot Rock stars Robert Redford and George Segal as thieves who are hired to steal an African diamond from a museum and return it to its homeland. It’s an interesting film that also stars Moses Gunn.
The Sand Pebble stars Steve McQueen in what is considered his best performance. I’ve seen a few of his films, The Great Escape, of course The Towering Inferno which brings Steve McQueen and Paul Newman together for the first time. Supposedly the stars didn’t like each other, but it was fueled by the studios. Anyway, Steve McQueen is great as a sailor that seems to have a problem with authority. There’s lots of action in this one as the Chinese revolt against the American sailors.
There was a double feature of Cary Grant films, That Touch of Mink which starred Doris Day and Operation Petticoat which also starred Tony Curtis. Both films are quite enjoyable. I remembered seeing Operation Petticoat when I was younger, but I only remembered a few scenes from the film. The one where the girdle was used to activate one of the pumps and the pink submarine. It’s the story of five stranded female officers who are rescued and brought aboard the submarine to work long side the men.
The battle of the sexes begins almost immediately among the flirtations.
Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.
The Sand Pebble stars Steve McQueen in what is considered his best performance. I’ve seen a few of his films, The Great Escape, of course The Towering Inferno which brings Steve McQueen and Paul Newman together for the first time. Supposedly the stars didn’t like each other, but it was fueled by the studios. Anyway, Steve McQueen is great as a sailor that seems to have a problem with authority. There’s lots of action in this one as the Chinese revolt against the American sailors.
There was a double feature of Cary Grant films, That Touch of Mink which starred Doris Day and Operation Petticoat which also starred Tony Curtis. Both films are quite enjoyable. I remembered seeing Operation Petticoat when I was younger, but I only remembered a few scenes from the film. The one where the girdle was used to activate one of the pumps and the pink submarine. It’s the story of five stranded female officers who are rescued and brought aboard the submarine to work long side the men.
The battle of the sexes begins almost immediately among the flirtations.
Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
One Night with Janis Joplin
Since I’m working at the Zachery Scott Theatre, I’ve decided this blog will not only cover movies, but my entertainment experiences as well. Last night I had the pleasure of seeing One Night with Janis Joplin which runs from July 10, through August 18, 2013. It’s a play within a concert if there is such a thing. Most of us have been to at least one concert and there’s always that moment when the artist tries to connect with the audience. They give us a little personal history as to what was going on in their lives before they sing a particular song. There are a few moments like that in One Night with Janis as we discover the influences in her life that brought her to the world.
I had only heard of Janis Joplin, but never saw her in concert or even on television. I was six years old when she burst upon the scene.
A few weeks ago I watched Bette Midler in The Rose for the first time. Perhaps that was a mistake, but the actress who plays Janis, Kacee Clanton, gives a great performance based on what I saw Bette Midler do. The raspy voice, the mannerisms and the language.
Since this is a concert experience, the audience is encouraged at certain points to participate by clapping and feeling the spirit as Janice relays her inspiration for the blues from some of the greats such as Bessie Smith, Odetta, The Chantels, Etta James, Nina Simone and the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. All brought to life by the Blues Singer played by Tiffany Mann. In my opinion, Miss Mann steals the first half of the show with an original rendition of Summertime from the opera Porgy and Bess and her rousing get up on your feet, feel good performance as Aretha Franklin.
The set design is minimal in this performance as we are in a concert setting, but the background and scrim add a hallucinatory vibe. I was waiting for the drugs to be passed around.
As I mentioned earlier, not knowing much about Janis, I found out that before her music career took off, she was an artist. We get to see some art in the background as she talks about her experience working in a coffee house.
When Tiffy Mann came onto the stage as Bessie Smith, it made me think of a show Diana Ross did, called an Evening with Diana Ross. Diana Ross embodied her inspirations as they all sat down in a theater and critiqued her performance. She was Josephine Baker, Bessie Smith and Ethel Waters. I believe the makeup was done by Rick Baker. The scene was great. I wish I could get my hands on a copy of the show. I think I still have a cassette of the songs.
Anyway, back to One Night with Janis Joplin. The second act of the show Kacee Clanton really shines. Its funny how never having known who Janis Joplin was I had heard some of her songs. I had no idea she made Me and Bobby McGee and there was another song she sang that I had only heard Dolly Parton sing, Mercedez Benz.
When I see performances like this it makes me think of the people I was influenced by. Dabbling in all forms of art, there have been many.
No concert is complete without a band and the backup singers played by Felicia Dinwiddie, Tricky Jones 7 and Cari Hutson who is Kacee Clanton's understudy.
If you liked Janis Joplin you will certainly enjoy this show. It will take you back to a moment in time. If you are just curious and love the theater, this is a performance not to be missed. It’s original and you will definitely be clapping and stomping your feel. You might even be tempted to sing along.
One Night with Janis Joplin was created, written and directed by Randy Johnson. The show may be loud to some, but it is a concert experience after all. There's strobe lighting for that 70's era feel. The show runs two hours and 15 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.
I really am glad I stumbled onto a gig at Zach. I definitely plan to see the show again.
Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.
A few weeks ago I watched Bette Midler in The Rose for the first time. Perhaps that was a mistake, but the actress who plays Janis, Kacee Clanton, gives a great performance based on what I saw Bette Midler do. The raspy voice, the mannerisms and the language.
Since this is a concert experience, the audience is encouraged at certain points to participate by clapping and feeling the spirit as Janice relays her inspiration for the blues from some of the greats such as Bessie Smith, Odetta, The Chantels, Etta James, Nina Simone and the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. All brought to life by the Blues Singer played by Tiffany Mann. In my opinion, Miss Mann steals the first half of the show with an original rendition of Summertime from the opera Porgy and Bess and her rousing get up on your feet, feel good performance as Aretha Franklin.
The set design is minimal in this performance as we are in a concert setting, but the background and scrim add a hallucinatory vibe. I was waiting for the drugs to be passed around.
As I mentioned earlier, not knowing much about Janis, I found out that before her music career took off, she was an artist. We get to see some art in the background as she talks about her experience working in a coffee house.
When Tiffy Mann came onto the stage as Bessie Smith, it made me think of a show Diana Ross did, called an Evening with Diana Ross. Diana Ross embodied her inspirations as they all sat down in a theater and critiqued her performance. She was Josephine Baker, Bessie Smith and Ethel Waters. I believe the makeup was done by Rick Baker. The scene was great. I wish I could get my hands on a copy of the show. I think I still have a cassette of the songs.
Anyway, back to One Night with Janis Joplin. The second act of the show Kacee Clanton really shines. Its funny how never having known who Janis Joplin was I had heard some of her songs. I had no idea she made Me and Bobby McGee and there was another song she sang that I had only heard Dolly Parton sing, Mercedez Benz.
When I see performances like this it makes me think of the people I was influenced by. Dabbling in all forms of art, there have been many.
No concert is complete without a band and the backup singers played by Felicia Dinwiddie, Tricky Jones 7 and Cari Hutson who is Kacee Clanton's understudy.
If you liked Janis Joplin you will certainly enjoy this show. It will take you back to a moment in time. If you are just curious and love the theater, this is a performance not to be missed. It’s original and you will definitely be clapping and stomping your feel. You might even be tempted to sing along.
One Night with Janis Joplin was created, written and directed by Randy Johnson. The show may be loud to some, but it is a concert experience after all. There's strobe lighting for that 70's era feel. The show runs two hours and 15 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.
I really am glad I stumbled onto a gig at Zach. I definitely plan to see the show again.
Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Movies TV Network
Since discovering this channel I’ve watched a number of movies I’ve never seen before or I was so young that I didn’t really understand the film. I remember some westerns as a child and playing cowboys and Indians, but during my teenage years I was no longer fond of westerns.
It wasn’t until Young Guns that I remember going to the theater to see a western. I was still very selective in which films I saw. I think it had a lot to do with the stars in the film. I watched Cowboy with John Ford and Jack Lemmon.
Barbarella with Jane Fonda and John Phillip Law. I remembered the opening sequence of the film and finding out later that one of my favorite groups got their name from the film. That group would be Duran, Duran. Cat Balou was a western that starred Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin. Tom Boy is the newest edition to my collection. It’s an 80’s film that stars Betsy Russell as a mechanic who wants to race cars. It’s quirky 80’s fun. I’ve always liked movies, but when I started going to the theater by myself, I saw almost everything that came out. Some of them are considered bad movies, but mostly I went because of who was in the film. I’m still trying to get my hands on some films that haven’t made it to DVD. If it is on DVD its not in big demand. I’d love to get my hands on The Doberman Gang.
I’ve seen Rio Grande with John Wayne. I do remember watching a few films with John Wayne as a kid with my uncle. Once Upon a Time in the West is a very artsy western directed by Sergio Calione and stars Claudia Cardinale, Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, Lee Marvin and Woody Strode. This film comes together in the last few minutes. This is what I love about film. Sometimes as story doesn’t come together until the end. The attention span of most theater audiences today might not be able to sit through a film like Once Upon a Time in The West. There is a lot of unexpected killing. The cinematography is awesome.
Posse starred Kirk Douglas, Bruce Dern and Bo Hopkins. I would like to see this one again as I didn’t catch it from the beginning. It’s an interesting story as the sheriffs men turn on him.
Pal Joey - stars Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novac. It’s an interesting film about a hustler caught in an unusual love triangle, trying to fulfill his dream.
I also watched Set it Off which is a part of my collection. I really like this film from director F. Gary Gray. It stars Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivaca Fox, Blair Underwood and introduces us to Kimberly Elise. It’s about four women who become bank robbers as they try to make better lives for themselves after it seems as if they have been dealt the wrong hand. The performances are really great by all of the women in the film. I’ve seen this film countless times. It’s definitely worth a look see.
If I repeat any films from previous entries I’m sorry, but they are probably worth mentioning again. Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Enjoy the movies.
It wasn’t until Young Guns that I remember going to the theater to see a western. I was still very selective in which films I saw. I think it had a lot to do with the stars in the film. I watched Cowboy with John Ford and Jack Lemmon.
Barbarella with Jane Fonda and John Phillip Law. I remembered the opening sequence of the film and finding out later that one of my favorite groups got their name from the film. That group would be Duran, Duran. Cat Balou was a western that starred Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin. Tom Boy is the newest edition to my collection. It’s an 80’s film that stars Betsy Russell as a mechanic who wants to race cars. It’s quirky 80’s fun. I’ve always liked movies, but when I started going to the theater by myself, I saw almost everything that came out. Some of them are considered bad movies, but mostly I went because of who was in the film. I’m still trying to get my hands on some films that haven’t made it to DVD. If it is on DVD its not in big demand. I’d love to get my hands on The Doberman Gang.
I’ve seen Rio Grande with John Wayne. I do remember watching a few films with John Wayne as a kid with my uncle. Once Upon a Time in the West is a very artsy western directed by Sergio Calione and stars Claudia Cardinale, Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, Lee Marvin and Woody Strode. This film comes together in the last few minutes. This is what I love about film. Sometimes as story doesn’t come together until the end. The attention span of most theater audiences today might not be able to sit through a film like Once Upon a Time in The West. There is a lot of unexpected killing. The cinematography is awesome.
Posse starred Kirk Douglas, Bruce Dern and Bo Hopkins. I would like to see this one again as I didn’t catch it from the beginning. It’s an interesting story as the sheriffs men turn on him.
Pal Joey - stars Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novac. It’s an interesting film about a hustler caught in an unusual love triangle, trying to fulfill his dream.
I also watched Set it Off which is a part of my collection. I really like this film from director F. Gary Gray. It stars Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivaca Fox, Blair Underwood and introduces us to Kimberly Elise. It’s about four women who become bank robbers as they try to make better lives for themselves after it seems as if they have been dealt the wrong hand. The performances are really great by all of the women in the film. I’ve seen this film countless times. It’s definitely worth a look see.
If I repeat any films from previous entries I’m sorry, but they are probably worth mentioning again. Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Enjoy the movies.
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