Lawrence of Arabia

One of my all time favorite films is Lawrence of Arabia. I had heard about this film and had seen bits and pieces of it, but I never really appreciated it until I was older and saw the film when it was re-released in the early 80’s. I saw the film at Lakeside on a large screen which is the way this film has to be seen. Once you see it on a large screen then you can appreciate it on a smaller screen. The film is 253 minutes long and visually stunning. Anyone interested in cinematography should watch this film and learn.

When I watched the film yesterday I wondered the pressure Peter O’Toole must have had to live with after the success of this film. This was his first film and it was one of those roles that most actors dream of getting. I don’t recall any other films in which he was in that had that magnitude. I remember him doing a comedy and then he was in Caligula, but he was an older actor by then. I’ll have to do some research and see what his filmography looks like.

If you have not seen this film I suggest you check it out when you have the time. The other classics I recommend are Spartacus, All About Eve, A place in the Sun, From Here to Eternity, Gone With the Wind and Carmen.

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Quantum of Solace

Quantum of Solace - I had planned to see this movie the first weekend that it opened, but I was directed in another direction. I had also planned to watch Casino Royale before I saw Quantum since the film picks up where the other ended. I was quite impressed with Casino Royale and there is something about Daniel Craig playing Bond. He actually gets beat up and the bruises last longer than just one take. This bond is much more realistic than previous bonds. His features are a lot more manly than previous bonds also. As action films go, the anti gets upped each time to figure out what great special effects can be introduced that we’ve not seen before. The action is what makes Bond who he is. The newest gadgets that we can’t wait to get our hands on in the near future.
Quantum of Solace is quite a thrill ride, but Casino Royale was a much better film in my opinion. Check it out and tell me what you think.

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Let's talk film

Priest - I watched Priest over the weekend. I’ve seen it many times and I still enjoy it. When the film was first released, the fact that the priest was gay was never a part of the previews. The trailer made us believe that the priest had secrets or possibly could have been abusing a young girl. The film challenges the bible and the oath that a priest takes dealing with parishioners in the confessional. If you’ve never seen this film and you’re a fan of Tom Wilkinson, Linus Roache or Robert Carlyle then you’ll enjoy the film.

Class of 1984 - This was a film that was over looked. The premise of the film works well in today’s society. Although the film takes a twist and becomes brutal, the talent in this film was extraordinary. Michael Fox who later became Michael J. Fox, Perry King, Roddy McDowell, Timothy Van Patten and Stephen Angram to name a few. This film is about what happens when the authorities can’t control the students in an urban high school. The film is set in the U.S., but was filmed in Canada using Canadian actors. The film is set in the 80’s with the punk rock movement and other trends of the period in the background. Give this cult classic a look see.

Primal Fear - This was the first time I had seen Edward Norton and he gave a flawless performance that was Oscar worthy. Richard Gere plays a lawyer out for fame who actually believes each person is innocent until proven guilty. When the broadcast of the crime is flashed on the screen he takes the opportunity to get in the lime light and represents Aaron Stemple pro bono. The tables begin to turn and the legal system gets dissected as we see good and bad from all sides. It’s one of my top 200 movies that stil holds up quite well. If you love court dramas, you are sure to like this one.
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I Love Movies

This is my first entry here and I thought I'd see if I can keep it up and perhaps it will generate interest to those who enjoy film. The purpose of my blogging is to create the art of conversation which seems to be one of those lost arts.
Let me begin by listing some of my favorite films. Then it would give you an idea of whether or not we have something in common. I also must make you aware of the fact that I do love movies so there are some films I have seen that others may never get the opportunity to see or even want to see. I always see a film all the way through no matter how bad it may seem. Some times an ending can make a film great. Sometimes you realize it was a waste of time, but if you're an aspiring film maker it gives you the incentive to want to do better. My favorite films are in no particular order, just as I think of them since this entry isn't prewritten.
Lawrence of Arabia, Coffy, Cruising, Dog Day Afternoon, Less Than Zero, The Ten Commandments, Priest, Making Love, Mahagony, Lady Sings the Blues, Idlewild, The Doomed Generation, Bad Boy Bubby, School Daze, The Professional, Get on the Bus, Summer of Sam, The Pianist, The Posiedon Adventure, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cool Hand Luke, Fort Apache the Bronx and Basketball Diairies to name a few. Have you seen any of these films? Share your thoughts and comments. Bare with me as I learn my way around blogspot.com.
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Inside Man

I had been wanting to see this film since it came out, but couldn't bring myself to go to the movie theater. All of the actors in the film are favs of mine. Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe and Clive Owen. Denzel has made some incredible films and has touched on everything from comedy to heavy drama. Jodie Foster is a terrific actress who crossed the line from child start to adult star. She opened doors for women in film. Willem Dafoe is always interesting to see on screen and has appeared in a range of roles from the good guy to the sleaze ball. Clive Owen is the new comer, but he is making his mark on Hollywood. The first time I saw Clive was in the film Bent. This film is directed by controversial director Spike Lee. His signature still shows up in the films writing even though he did not write the script. Spike doesn't let the race key fall very far. The film has several twists and the telling of the story is different. I don't recall a film telling a story in this manner. There were images of New Yorks Wall Street district that I had never seen used in film, particular the bull. I used it in a couple of photos back in the 90's. Spike usually keeps his characters in Harlem or Brooklyn, but this time he goes to Manhattan inside of a bank. The characters are diverse and there is action. Spike doesn't make an appearance in this film. This is the fourth time that Spike has teamed up with Denzel to make a film. If you haven't seen any of Spike Lee's films you must be an Amish. LOL. Perhaps you don't like Spike Lee. Check out the actors he's used and watch the film on that level and then you will come to appreciate Spike as I have. She's Gotta Have It, School Daze, Jungle Fever, Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X, Summer of Sam and Inside Man to name a few. I will be looking at Crooklyn and Clockers soon. I was not impressed with He Got Game and the 25th Hour.

Tags: Movies, Inside Man, Spike Lee, Denzel Washington

Movie update

I watched Poseidon tonight. This was not a remake and I'm glad it wasn't. The original is a classic which held Hollywood's great in the first of an all star cast disaster film. In the new version, the ship is much more elegant. The film was filmed on a sound stage as was most of the original. In this version we see modern technology. Of course if one character hadn't thrown their cell overboard they might have gotten rescued sooner.

The film stars Kurt Russell, Josh Lucas, Andre Braugher and Richard Dreyfuss who plays a gay character. That's a big switch from his earlier film roles. There is lots of action, no time for boring moments. I was surprised that I really enjoyed it so much. Of course Wolfgang Peterson was the director, but when you have a film that's been done before you have to wonder if even a geat like Wolfgang can give it new life. Check out Das Boot and The Perfect Storm if you're not familiar with the work of Wolfgang Peterson. Das Boot is an incredible piece of work. There is a longer version of the film if you have the time see it instead of the original theatrical release of Das Boot.

Tags: Film, Movies, Wolfgang Peterson, Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, Poseidon

Pam Grier, Johnny Depp and Mark Wahlberg

I've been trying to catch up on my movie watching. At least two films a day. I watched Women in Cages and Friday Foster, two of Pam Grier's interesting performances. In Women in Cages, Pam plays a sadistic prison guard in the Phillipines who had been rape as a kid. In Friday Foster she plays an investigative reporter/photographer who was once a model. This could have been a TV series. Sort of like Get Christie Love, which was a 70's TV series.

I watched a film called Piano II, A Man who Cried. The film stars Johnny Depp, John Tuturo, Cate Blanchet, and Christina Ricci. It was a Japanese Copy, but had little subtitles. Johnny Depp didn't have much dialogue in this film. Its the story of a young Russian Jewish girl who dreams of coming to America to find her father who left her many years ago to make a better life. Christina Ricci has very unsual features and almost appears to be born in the wrong time. She looks dazzling when she appears in films that are period pieces such as Sleepy Hollow, and this film. Its a story about being different and yet being the same. Everyone wants a better life for themselves, but not everyone seems lucky to get it. The other film I watched with Johnny Depp was Nick of Time. A try at action, but this was no Die Hard or Ransom even. Depp plays a father who's daughter is kidnapped and he is forced to kill a governor in order to get her back. The film stars, Christopher Walken, Charles S. Dutton and Peter Fonda. If you're a fan of Johnny's then you'll like this film.

Last night I watched Four Brothers. It's a John Singleton film about the murder of a woman that was mother to four boys of very different backgrounds. All of them were dealing with behavioral issues and as adults it transcends. They all come together and decide to avenge their mother's death. It's filled with fighting, car chases, explosions and a little bit of good acting. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese who has become John Singleton's alter ego. Andre Benjamin the other half of OutKast, and Terrence Howard.

Other films I've watched recently include, S.W.A.T., Island in the Sun, Young Adam, Titanic, Harlem Nights, and Up the Creek without a Paddle.

Tags: Movies, Johnny Depp, Pam Grier, Mark Wahlberg, Film, Cinema