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Posted: |
May 9, 2024 - 5:50 AM
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By: |
Kentishsax
(Member)
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Our son was at camp, so on Saturday night, the missus wanted to watch the DVD of Fried Green Tomatoes. I've never seen it before. It was fair to middling, I wouldn't watch it again, though I was surprised by Thomas' Newman's score, whilst watching, it was more melodic that I usually hear from him but as soon as the film finished, like the rest of his stuff, I couldn't recall one jot. 4/10
Sunday night I persuaded the missus to watch A Patch of Blue on DVD. She's never seen it before. Can't go wrong with Poitier! Jerry's score worked fine of course and I always see this and Lilies of the Field as companion pieces, given Poitier's presence. He helps the nuns in Lilies and then helps Selina in Patch, extolling great virtues. 10/10
Next week, I'll take my son to see Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes!
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Posted: |
May 11, 2024 - 1:54 AM
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By: |
MusicMad
(Member)
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The Searchers (1956) ... 5/10
Another classic I've finally watched. Despite being a fan of the western and liking John Wayne, my father didn't like this film and I can recall seeing only the start during my early years.
it's a great performance from Wayne with excellent support from character actors (I particularly liked Hank Worden as Mose and Ken Curtis as Charlie) and Jeffrey Hunter was okay as the young sidekick who helps and hinders Ethan throughout.
Fabulous scenery in glorious colour (I think this TV broadcast must have been of an HD print) and sound was good throughout.
But ... sorry to say ... I can't add it to my list of favourite westerns. I found the script rather weak and meandering with a lack of internal logic. e,g, At the start when Martin/Hunter attempts to ride home against Ethan's advice to rest and feed his horse we next see Ethan ride past Martin to reach the ruins of the family home ... yet Martin walks up moments later. Also, having set himself the task of finding Debbie, what does Ethan try to do? Did I miss the suggestion that Ethan was seeking Debbie so he could kill her? The bought a bride sequence is stupid, not funny, and distasteful, as is Ethan shooting the eyes of the dead warrior. For such a dedicated greycoat Ethan seems happy to wear blue for much of the film.
My knowledge of US geography is very weak but I thought the iconic settings are in Arizona, somewhat west of Texas, Apache and Ute, not Comanche, territory. Perhaps I was looking for too much realism.
Max Steiner's score, with Stan Jones' melodic title song and few traditional tunes, add to the film but I'm not inclined to seek a recording.
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INFINITE
3/10
Forgettable.
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Companeros
Sergio corbucci 1970
Last time I saw this was on vhs in the 80s. I don't even think it has ever been on uk tv. Not as good as Il mercenario but watchable and the music is good. Franco Nero is cool and Tomas milian plays his part well
7.7 out of 10.
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Marsha played her part well.
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Marsha played her part well.
Never work with children ...or falcons.
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Posted: |
May 12, 2024 - 4:52 AM
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By: |
MusicMad
(Member)
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Man on Fire (2004) ... 7+/10
There's so much in the actioner (20 yrs old - yikes!) for me to dislike that I surprise myself by rating it this highly ... I'm tempted to go higher but the fast editing, out-of-focus imagery, and style-over-substance product has many faults.
And yet ... a superb cast with Denzel Washington's characterisation of John Creasey faultless, Christopher Walken wonderful in a sympathetic role, Radha Mitchell fully convincing as the distraught mother and Dakota Fanning excellent, plus lovely support from Rachel Ticotin and Giancarlo Giannini, acting out a compelling and moving story.
I disliked the film on first viewing (I gave the DVD away) but a second try proved worthwhile and this was probably my fourth time. As I know the story I find I'm emotionally involved. I'm not sure I'd like the score by Harry Gregson-Williams (and others) as a stand-alone listen but parts of it are very effective, more so in the emotional rather than action scenes.
I haven't seen the Scott Glenn 1987 adaption/version for many years and look out for a broadcast ... not nearly as glossy, from memory, but still compelling.
On Moonlight Bay (1951) ... 7+/10
Another film I've seen before but it's been a long time and I found story, action and dialogue fun and engaging. My better-half complained that it was too sugary but for me that's part of its charm ... you can't take any of it seriously. Wonderful performances throughout the cast and lots of lovely period music, it's a shame that Doris Day doesn't get chance to sing a show-stopping number.
The recreated (original 10") album features most of the songs, now performed by Doris Day (even if not in the film); apparently co-star Gordon MacRea's recordings were not available (licensing issue?) hence he is replaced by an unnamed vocalist ... I can't recall where I sourced the name James Emmons ... with choral support (the Norman Luboff Choir) arranged and conducted by Paul Weston (the film score is handled by Max Steiner and Ray Heindorf).
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