I’ve seen over a dozen films since my last entry. Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(The Pam Grier collection on VHS.)
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)
Since there was nothing of interest on television the last few days, I decided to watch something in my collection of movies. I decided to watch Black Mama, White Mama (DDD) starring Pam Grier and Margaret Markov. The film is a females version of The Defiant Ones which starred Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier. Two prisoners of different races who escape and are chained together. I’ve come to like this film a lot as I see the acting potential of Miss Grier as opposed to some of the other prison movies she did. And although she does show a lot of skin her performance is pretty good. I decided to do a double feature Sunday night. I watched Lean on Me (DDD) and one of my top 200 films, Drumline (DDDD) which stars Nick Cannon, Zoe Zaldano, Orlando Jones, Leonard Roberts and GQ. It’s a fun film about the core of the college band, the drum section. The cinematography is great and so is the music.
Monday night I did another double feature, with two films from my top 400. Foxy Brown (DD) starring Pam Grier and Party Monster (DDDD)with Seth Green and Macauley Caulkin. Foxy Brown was Pam Grier’s follow up to Coffy. I don’t find it as great of a film as Coffy, but she does have moments. She is ravishing in this film. Her skin glows and you see where there might have been a problem placing her in films in Hollywood. Sometimes being too attractive can be a curse. Pam reunites with Sig Haig in this film which is also directed by Jack Hill who directed Coffy.
Party Monster is a part of the top 400 for many reasons. The story of Limelight, which I had a chance to dance there while in New York. Second, I just think the performances by Macauley Caulkin and Seth Green are outstanding. Unless you are an actor or have spent time around them its hard to understand what an actor goes through to prepare for a role. It’s also hard to understand what happens after the actor has completed a role. I remember when Robert Downey, Jr. did Less Than Zereo. It seems that’s when his drug problems escalated. Was it due to the role or was it inevitable that this was the path he was to take?
After Party Monster, which I think both actors should have been nominated for Oscars, Macauley Caulkin sort of went off the map. He resurfaced a few months ago looking like a druggie. Could this role have ruined his career? I doubt if he’ll ever top this performance. He probably won’t even get the chance. Up until this film I thought his best role was in The Good Son opposite Elijah Wood. I think its harder for child stars to try and leave that image behind that most people adored. For a lot of people he’ll always be the kid from Home Alone. I never saw the film and will only see it if it happens to come on television and nothing else is on.
Seth Green plays James St. James and Macauley plays Michael Alig the master mind behind the club Limelight which was a church converted into a night club. I remember the first time I stepped foot into Limelight it was weird since the altar was still there, but that’s another story for another time.
It was the rise of X and Special K and Club Kids were the in thing.
If you like Seth Green or Macauley Caulkin you’ll love this film. It’s fun and sad with a great sound track.
Thanks for stopping by and keep an open mind. Become a follower while you are here.
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 1993 - 1999.
