Thanks for Watching!

I just wanted to say thanks to all those people who stopped by my blog to take a look and read some of my film reviews. I watched a lot of different movies, some of which I'd had on my "to watch" list forever. This way, I managed to kill two birds with one stone.

I've organized the forty-plus films that I reviewed and their themes as best as I can, which you can find in the right hand column of the screen. I don't imagine I'll be taking this blog down any time soon, so don't worry about losing them. I'll be sure to leave it up in case they can be of any help to anyone some time down the road.

I wish there were more hours in a day so that I could get some more movies in, but sadly that's not the way it works. So thank you very much for reading, and if my blog can be of any help, please don't hesitate to use it. :)

Cheers!

The Film Geek

Fail-Safe (1964)

Fail-Safe

Call No: TEMP 2223

Last week, Sidney Lumet died. I don’t expect you to know who that is, so I’ll catch you up by telling you that he was a director, and who directed my favourite film 12 Angry Men. Since there are few things in the world that make us more reflective than death, and because I knew no other films of his outside of my favourite, I decided to write my final film review about one of Sidney Lumet’s other great and critically acclaimed films, Fail-Safe.

Fail-Safe takes place in the sixties, when the Cold War is anything but cool and tensions are running high between the Americans and the Soviets. When a computer malfunction sends a squadron of fighter planes on an unauthorized and irretrievable bombing mission towards Moscow, the President and his team of officers must find a way to convince the Soviet leader that it is an accident and not to return fire. But for the Americans, this means helping their enemies to shoot down their own planes. Can the Soviets successfully stop the planes from reaching Moscow? Can the President convince the leader that it was a mistake? And what is he prepared to do if the planes reach their target? The answer isn’t what you might think.

Tokyo Godfathers (2003)

Tokyo Godfathers

Call No: TEMP 1333

I thought that I might as well review one more anime film before the end. And since my previous two anime reviews (Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away) were Miyazaki films, I decided to review one that wasn’t. The premise of the film is similar to that of an old Western called Three Godfathers, in which three gunslingers come across an abandoned baby and decide to try and raise it between the three of them. I was expecting something similar from Tokyo Godfathers. I was expecting more of a quiet and thought-provoking drama. While there is a great deal of drama, it’s not all subtle. There’s a shooting, a car chase, and more than one pursuit on foot. The film is a unique concoction of drama, action, suspense and silly fun, all told in a beautifully animated film.

When three homeless people find an abandoned baby while rummaging through the trash, they each have a different opinion of what to do. Miss Hana, the transvestite, has always wanted to raise a baby and wants to keep it. The cantankerous Gin wants to hand it over to the police. And the young runaway Miyuki doesn’t care what they do, so long as they can make the baby stop crying. Hana finally comes up with a compromise – let her find the baby’s mother to ask and understand why she abandoned her baby, and then she’ll turn it over to the police. The trio set out to find the mother, and find a lot more than they bargained for in the process.

Central Station (1998)

Central Station

Call No: PN1997 .C3857 1998

Every once and a while, I come across a film that uses the quest motif. This is typically a film in which the main characters must go on a journey or quest, and undergo an emotional transformation during the physical movement of travelling. I first learned about this kind of story and film motif in elementary school, where the example used was the classic The Lion King and The Lord of the Rings. While I have seen other films and read other stories that employ this technique, those two examples have always been the ones that I’ve found embody the conventions best. I’m now happy to include Central Station into that list.

When a tragic accident kills his mother, Josue is left without any family in Rio. Familiar with the boy because of a chance encounter, the unmarried and embittered Isadora offers to find somewhere for him to stay. But the stubborn Josue has plans of his own – he’s going to travel to find the father he’s never known. With a combination of guilt and anger, Isadora comes along. This is the trip that will change two complete strangers into friends, and transform their trip into a journey that will stay with them forever.

The Seventh Sign (1988)

The Seventh Sign

Call No: TEMP 1652

Last week I reviewed a film called The Seventh Seal, which is in no way to be confused with this movie. The only similarity that can be drawn is that both make allusions to the Book of Revelation in the title. While The Seventh Seal deals more with the idea of death, the plague and human mortality, The Seventh Sign deals with recognizing signs of the Apocalypse from the Book of Revelation, and trying to find a way to stop it. It’s a little less “Philosophical Debate on Biblical Symbols” and a little more “Hitchcock does Bible Study”.

Despite a previous miscarriage, Abby is confident that the baby boy she’s carrying will be healthy and happy (and more importantly, a successful delivery). Soon after renting the garage apartment to a wandering stranger named David, Abby begins to notice strange things happening, things that seem to tie in all to nicely with the prophecies found in the Book of Revelation. When she realizes that her unborn baby holds the key to the final sign of the apocalypse, Abby must make a terrible decision: one that could determine the fate of all mankind.

Shadows and Fog (1991)

Shadows and Fog

Call No: TEMP 1706

Many consider Woody Allen to be one of the great filmmakers of our time. This makes me wonder why I haven’t seen very much of his work, considering how much I enjoy watching the styles and direction of any number of filmmakers. The first and only movie that I’d seen of his (until now) was The Purple Rose of Cairo, and the only reason for that was because (a) it was about the love of movies and (b) I needed a fifth movie for a blowout sale at the CNE. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, so when one of my housemates told me that she would be watching Shadows and Fog, I tagged along for the visual ride.

Somewhere in the mist and fog of the night hides a killer, and timid bookkeeper Kleinman has been dragged out by a team of vigilantes to help in the hunt. On the other side of town, Irmy leaves her cheating boyfriend Paul and the circus she calls home to find something better. Soon these two strangers will meet in the shadows and hopefully find a way to help each other with their problems. But they had better hurry, because when you spend any time in the fog, the killer can’t be far behind.

The Seventh Seal (1957)

The Seventh Seal

Call No: TEMP 880

Note: Swedish Film, English subtitles

The last time I saw Max von Sydow, one of the main characters of The Seventh Seal, was when he was playing the legendary demon expeller Father Merrin in a little film called The Exorcist. At the time I thought he was a talented actor, simply based on that role. Now that I’ve seen him in his younger days, my original impression of him was right. His quiet, unassuming but passionate presence makes him an interesting character study in terms of the roles he plays. His role as knight Antonius Block is another exceptional performance.

After spending the last ten years fighting a crusade in the Holy Land, Antonius Block and his squire Jons have returned to find their home ravaged by the plague. Block has felt Death following him for a long time, and finally meets him. In an effort to buy himself some time, he challenges Death to a game of chess. As Block and Jons travel along the road, Block begins to question the existence of God, the meaning of life and the existence of the Devil. As they encounter friends and allies along the way, Death’s game of chess becomes shorter and shorter, and it’s only a matter of time until the game is finished, one way or another.

The Winslow Boy (1999)

The Winslow Boy

Call No: TEMP 1130

I seem to be on a British movies kick lately. I’m not sure what it is exactly that I love so much about them. Maybe it’s the quiet charm and elegance. Maybe it’s the simplicity of the period movies. Or maybe I’m cleansing my film palette with some quiet, subtle films before I get swept away in the inevitable tide of busy, action-packed summer blockbusters. In any rate, the subtlety of some of the films that the Brits produce manage to satisfy my craving for a good story, intriguing characters and a charming setting.

Based on a play of the same name by Terence Rattigan, The Winslow Boy is a movie about pursuing the truth, no matter what the risk and the sacrifices made. When Ronnie, the youngest Winslow, is expelled from a prominent academy on accusations of stealing, the family is determined to seek out justice. Their best chance of achieving it is in the hopes of recruiting Sir Robert Morton, an exceptional lawyer, charismatic orator and member of the House of Commons. Through the determination of Morton, Ronnie’s father and his sister Katherine, the Winslow boy’s reputation might be saved... but at what cost?

Vera Drake (2004)

Vera Drake

Call No: PN1997.2 .V47 2005

When I first came to the university three years ago, I remember looking through the DVDs and picking up this film. The description on the back sounded interesting enough and I’ve enjoyed Imelda Staunton in the smaller roles that I’ve seen her in. Somehow, I never got around to it. Finally, I pulled it from the library this week, cut some time out of my schedule, and watched it. Its heartfelt narrative combined with its content makes it a film to watch (but may impact women more strongly than men).

Vera Drake is a loving and devoted wife, mother and friend. She will do anything for anybody without thanks or praise. She is completely selfless and spends every waking moment either working her job cleaning houses or doing something for someone else out of the goodness of her heart. Sometimes these selfless acts include secretly helping unfortunate women who have gotten “into trouble” and are now pregnant. Vera Drake calmly helps them find the way out. But when a police investigation brings Vera’s world crashing down and her secrets are revealed, will she have anywhere to turn? Or have her secrets destroyed all of the good she’s ever done?

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

The Da Vinci Code

Call No: PN1995.9.S87 D3 2006

Every once and a while, a bandwagon full of people comes along with some new book or show that everybody absolutely loves and everyone else must see. That was how I was unfortunately introduced to The Da Vinci Code. The fastest way to turn me off of a book or movie is to tell me that it’s the greatest thing ever written/filmed/watched, etc (my only exception is top 100 film lists, collaborated from dozens of people). I like to have a reason to sit down and watch a movie, be it the actors, writers, directors, plot or just general interest. If you’re one of my closest friends, you learn that the best way to get me to read a book or watch a movie is to give me a bit of the plot and let curiosity gnaw away at me until I finally track it down. That was how my housemate and close friend got me to watch The Da Vinci Code.

“It’s not bad,” she’d said, “You know, huge religious conspiracy that could threaten Christianity.” Then she said the magic words: “Also, it’s got Tom Hanks and Paul Bettany.”

I haven’t been disappointed by them yet, so needless to say, I gave it a shot.

Almost everyone knows the premise: For thousands of years, an underground society has protected a great secret, one that would throw into question the entire foundation of Christianity. Caught in the middle of a war over the vital information are Robert Langdon (Hanks) and his newfound ally Sophie Neveu. The two must work together to stay alive and decode the clues to lead them to the truth, before someone gets to them first.

I Know Where I'm Going! (1945)

I Know Where I’m Going!

Call No: PN1995.9.M27 I3 2001

One of the reasons that I wanted to watch this movie was for the premise. When I see films that are part of the Criterion Collection, they’re usually of a certain calibre of quality. Rarely are they straightforward or simple. They often strike me as the equivalent of literature – not excessively popular, usually exceptional, but of a particularly acquired taste. Imagine my surprise when I found I Know Where I’m Going as part of the collection – a film which, in its simplest description, reads like a romantic dramedy (comedy/drama). Now that I’ve watched the film, I can understand why the Criterion Collection has adopted it under its name and released it. It can be considered a romantic dramedy, but at its heart it is a film meant for the people of Scotland.

Joan Webster has never had a problem chasing down what she wants in life. So when she decides that she wants to marry a rich Scottish lord on his private island in the Scottish Hebrides, nobody doubts her determination. Unfortunately the weather has other plans, and Joan is forced to wait out the storm with Torquil, a naval officer who has taken leave to come home for a week. Suddenly Joan’s plans aren’t as clear as she thought, and the person she’ll have to convince the most that she still knows where she’s going is herself.

Double Indemnity (1944)

Double Indemnity

Call No: PS3505.A3113 D6 1997

I enjoy Billy Wilder’s films. There’s something about their openness and ability to capture human emotion at its finest that I love watching. I was talking about Billy Wilder to my uncle over the break. When he asked what I thought of Double Indemnity, he was shocked to find out that a self-proclaimed fan like me hadn’t seen it. It was one of Wilder’s masterpieces. Having watched the film, I see what he means.

When insurance salesman Walter Neff becomes entangled with the married Phyllis Dietrichson, the two plan to kill off her husband and walk away with $100,000, the payoff on Mr. Dietrichson’s insurance policy courtesy of the double indemnity clause, a special kind of clause that rewards double what the policy is worth. But when Walter’s mentor and brilliant boss Barton Keyes suspects the death was foul play, Walter must play both sides against the middle in an effort to try and stay ahead.

Psycho (1960)

Psycho

Call No: TEMP 1959

When Psycho was first released to theatres, it was sent with a cardboard cutout of Alfred Hitchcock to put in a lobby, along with this warning:

“The manager of this theatre has been instructed at the risk of his life, not to admit to the theatre any persons after the picture starts. Any spurious attempts to enter by side doors, fire escapes or ventilating shafts will be met by force. The entire objective of this extraordinary policy, of course, is to help you enjoy Psycho more. -- Alfred Hitchcock”. 

When Hitchcock bought the rights to the book, he also attempted to buy as many copies as possible so that nobody could give away the ending. Seeing the movie, it’s easy to understand why he was so determined not to spoil it for anyone. As a result (and to stop Hitchcock’s ghost from finding me), I won’t spoil it for you either.

Marion Crane loves her boyfriend Sam but, because of both of them being strapped for money, they can’t get married. When Marion is given $40,000 dollars to deposit for her employer (at a job she doesn’t enjoy), she gets an idea. Taking the money with the intention of heading to California to surprise Sam, Marion’s trip is threatened by bad weather. Pulling into the Bates Motel on a side road, Marion meets the kind and quiet Norman Bates. But life isn’t what it seems like for Norman, when his dominating mother seems to have him in an iron grip.

Far From Heaven (2002)

Far From Heaven

Call No: PN1997.F296 2003

I knew little to nothing about what the film Far from Heaven was going to be about, though from the trailer I could gather enough of a plot together in my own head. The plot I conjured up was fairly straightforward and very common. Having now seen the film, I was pleasantly surprised that this film does not convey your typical story. It is far more complicated, more moving, and more thought provoking than that. Though this isn’t a film for everyone, it is a good example of a film moving past typical expectations while still not wanting to risk everything and become too controversial. It is a compliment to and enhancement of All That Heaven Allows, the film it is inspired by.

Cathy Whitaker is a perfect wife, mother and friend. She supports her husband, helps her children in every way possible, and is often cited as an inspiration to others in the society pages. But her perfect life is shattered without warning by the actions of her husband Frank. Trying to keep some semblance of a life intact and fighting to keep both her secrets and her sanity, she finds comfort in her friendship with her gardener Raymond Deagan. Tensions rise and women begin to gossip, and it’s only a matter of time before Cathy faces decisions that could jeopardize the lives of everyone she cares about.

Vampires Week: Blade Trilogy (1998, 2002, 2004)

This whole week of reviews was inadvertently started by my housemate. We were reading over my list of possible films to review when she said, “We should watch Blade.” She hadn’t seen it in years and I’d never seen any of them. Always up for a new movie experience and being a big fan of both action films and comic books (on which Blade is based), I named this week “Vampire Week” and we checked out all three Blade movies with which to marathon. I have to say, I was not disappointed. I’ll comment on all three movies here as simply and succinctly as possible.

Blade

Call No: PN1997 .B5738 2001

The movie that starts it all. Basic rundown? Blade is the half mortal, half vampire protector of the human race. Known as the “Daywalker” because of his ability to walk during the day while having the healing and strength of a vampire, Blade must take down vampire baddie Deacon Frost with the help of his mentor Whistler.

First of all, props to Kris Kristofferson for not only managing to appear threatening at his age, but to do it in a leg brace. The storyline is tight and suspenseful, easily driven by the equal combination of action and drama (and by drama, I mean scenes where Blade doesn’t look like he’s going to kill someone and the other characters share memories and emotions). While the manner by which some mild gore was executed turned my timid stomach while eating (my own fault), I’d watch this film again in a heartbeat.

Vampires Week: Nosferatu (1922)

Nosferatu

Call No: PN1997 .N663 2002

Note: This is a silent film. Written dialogue and story is in English.

You can’t very well have a proper vampire week without watching Nosferatu. Made in 1922, this silent film is the first film based on Bram Stroker’s classic novel, Dracula. And what vampire week would be complete without the grandfather of all vampires?

Hutter is a pleasant and happy man who works in a real estate office. When his boss tells him that the wealthy Count Orlok wants to move into their quiet village, Hutter must travel to Transylvania to try and sell him a house – one that happens to be right across from Hutter’s. It isn’t long before Hutter discovers that something isn’t quite right about the Count, but it’s too late. It becomes a race of who can get back to the town first, especially when the Count owns the house across the street and has his sights set on Hutter’s wife, Ellen.

Vampires Week: The Lost Boys (1987)

The Lost Boys

Call No: PN1995.9.S26 L881 2004

The Lost Boys seems to be one of those movies that straddle both the worlds of obscurity and nostalgia. Those who grew up with the movie have a sort of fond affection for the offbeat and campy film, while those who haven’t seen it might not even know of its existence. It’s not a groundbreaking film or something you absolutely must see. It’s not even that fantastic. It is an entertaining watch, if for nothing more than to see how comfortable Kiefer Sutherland is in his role of being the badass (a little less Jack Bauer and a little more pre-Twilight vampire).

The story is about two brothers and their single mom to live with their grandfather in a small town in California, a town that is rumoured to be overrun with vampires. Soon after arriving, the boys find themselves immediately pulled into opposite directions: the older brother becomes attracted to a mysterious girl and drawn into her circle of suspicious friends, while the younger brother meets two boys who claim to be vampire hunters. When the older brother’s personality and behaviours begin to change rapidly, the two must work together to find a way to stop it.

The Visitor (2007)

The Visitor

Call No: PC 3081

Up until a few years ago, I only ever watched the typical Hollywood type movies. It was both by choice and by interest – I was only ever exposed to Hollywood trailers, and they were more easily accessible. Over the last few years, I’ve been watching more independent, foreign and little known films. When I get tired of the typical clichés that are so frequently used in popular films, I find these types of films to be a breath of fresh air. Watching The Visitor was very much like that. It was something akin to enjoying a cup of hot tea after a busy day – calm, soothing and reflective.

The Visitor is the story of Walter Vale, a Connecticut professor whose life is a product of routines and disinterests. When he’s forced to return to New York for a conference, his quiet and boring life is shaken by the two illegal immigrants he finds living in his apartment. Feeling bad for Tarek and Zainab, that have been conned into renting the occupied but rarely used apartment, Walter invites them to stay. The three become friends, but it isn’t long before Walter’s newfound friendships are threatened when Tarek is wrongfully arrested, bringing his status to light.

The Usual Suspects (1995)

The Usual Suspects

Call No: TEMP 1420

There are a number of movies that I enjoy watching more than once. I don’t mean coming across them on television and watching them. I mean taking time out of my day to sit down and give my complete attention to a film that I’ve already seen. The Great Escape and anything by Billy Wilder usually fall into that category. So does The Usual Suspects. Even though I’ve seen it a few times before, I enjoyed sitting down again to watch it. I get caught up in it every time.

Here’s the basic set-up of the film: When an explosion on a boat kills a number of people, the cops must turn to the only man who can help: witness and cripple, Verbal Kint. But before Verbal can begin to talk about the explosion and the events leading up to it he has to go back to where it all started, with five criminals meeting in a police line-up.

I knew that when I wrote this review, I would have trouble. This is because that the majority of things I want to comment on have to do with the plot, which if you haven’t seen the movie, can contain serious spoilers. I first saw the film about four years ago and at the insistence of my younger sister, who had seen it in senior film class. I asked her what it was about. “It’s about five guys in a police line-up” is the answer I received. Once I saw the film, I understood. If you haven’t seen the film, you should. But I will try my best to be very careful at not giving anything away in this review.

12 Angry Men (1957)

12 Angry Men

Call No: PN1997 .T82 2001

I need to start this review by saying that 12 Angry Men is my favourite film of all time, so I have a bit of a bias. I’ve lost count of the number of times I have seen it. I promise that this isn’t going to become a “Drop everything and see it now!” kind of review. Nor do I guarantee that this movie will change your life. It won’t. You’ll be the same person when you finish it. It won’t rattle your worldview or shake your ideologies or make you want to run out and save the planet. But if some of you see it, and I hope you will, you will be, at the very least, enjoying a good film.

The premise of 12 Angry Men, based on the play of the same name by Reginald Rose, is fairly simple. A boy is being tried for murder for stabbing his father. In order to pass a verdict of guilty, everyone must vote the same. Except that one man votes not guilty. As the eleven try to change his mind, evidence is reviewed, prejudices come to light, and it soon becomes evident that the verdict isn’t as simple as everyone thought.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Dead Poets Society

Call No: TEMP 1091

The first time I saw Dead Poets Society was in my grade twelve English class (which, in a vague attempt not to date myself, was a number of years ago). This seems to be a recurring theme, as most of the people who I’ve met and have seen the film saw it in the same way: in a classroom. At first viewing I can understand the hype. It’s easy to get caught up in the film. But the reason you watch the film can definitely have an impact on what you get out of it.

The film opens at Welton Academy, an all boys private school. Neil and his friends Knox, Charlie and others are ready for whatever the new school year brings, including new arrival and roommate Todd and charismatic and inspiring new English teacher Mr. Keating. Though considered unorthodox by the school’s standards, Mr. Keating captures the attention of the boys and begins to help them appreciate the world around them by taking risks and living life to the fullest. Between the stresses of life and the influences of Mr. Keating, the lives of the boys in this English class are about to be changed forever.

Mrs. Brown (1997)

Mrs. Brown

Call No: PN1995.9.H5 M77 1990z

I realize that this is the second Judi Dench film that I’ve reviewed this week, but in my defense I’ve wanted to watch Mrs. Brown for some time now, and had no idea that she would be in Chocolat. Of course, watching too much Judi Dench is never a problem – the woman is a powerhouse of talent that often leaves you nothing short of impressed. It’s no wonder that she’s been knighted. If anything, I’m surprised it took them so long to do it.

Mrs. Brown tells the story of Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) and her years of friendship with John Brown (Billy Connolly). After years of mourning the death of her husband Prince Albert, Queen Victoria is surprised by the request and arrival of John Brown, a Scottish stable attendant and gardener whom her husband was fond of. Determined to do something about the Queen’s misery, the headstrong Brown slowly begins to make a difference, pulling the Queen back to joys of life. Unfortunately her servants and politicians become concerned with Brown’s unquestionable influence over the Queen, calling her “Mrs. Brown”, and determine to do something about it. As a result, the friendship between Queen Victoria and John Brown is put to the test. But when two worlds are pulling apart, is it really strong enough to survive?

Chocolat (2000)

Chocolat

Call No: PN1997 .C445 2000b

Chocolat has always been one of those movies that I’m familiar with, but I’ve never seen. I knew it was based on a book that I’d never read. I knew it was nominated for a few Oscars that it didn’t win. And, because I have a sister and a mother who are both die-hard fans, I knew it had Johnny Depp. I watched the film and expected some kind of romantic storyline, maybe even of the rom-com variety. What I saw was something deeper than what the general summary suggested there would be.

Make no mistake, there is some romance, but it is hardly the center of the film. Juliette Binoche plays Vianne, a single mother who moves on with her daughter to a new life every time the north wind blows. Unfortunately for her, the new town she moves into is very traditional and religious, hardly a promising place to open her new chocolate shop, especially in the middle of Lent. Despite the scorn of the mayor (Alfred Molina) and townspeople, Vianne stirs up changes and manages to befriend a cynical old woman (Judi Dench), a frightened wife (Lena Olin), and a river drifter (Johnny Depp) in the process. But the troubles of Vianne and her friends are far from simple, and it is only a matter of time before the north wind blows again.

Musicals Week: Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Singin’ in the Rain

Call No: PN1997 .S523 1997

Musicals week just wouldn’t be fitting without reviewing Singin’ in the Rain, the film many consider to be not only the greatest musical of all time, but one of the best films ever made. The film captured the hearts of many with its incredible music, entertaining characters and simplistic storyline. I have to admit that the first time I watched it, I had no idea what I was in for. I knew nothing about it and had no idea what the premise was. It wasn’t long before I was swept up in the magic of the film.

Here’s the story: It’s the golden age of silent film, and Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lena Lamont (Jean Hagen) are stars of their studio, Monumental Pictures. Don is on top of the world with his best friend Cosmo (Donald O’Connor) and newfound love Kathy (Debbie Reynolds) by his side. Unfortunately, talking pictures are becoming popular. Unless the studio and the duo can come up with a successful talking picture, their careers are finished. There’s just one problem: Lena, though beautiful, doesn’t exactly have the voice to match.

Musicals Week: My Fair Lady (1964)

My Fair Lady

Call No: PN1997.2 .M9 2004

Last week I reviewed a film called Pygmalion, based on George Bernard Shaw’s play of the same name. This week I thought it would be fair and look at the other popular musical adaptation, My Fair Lady. Incidentally, My Fair Lady and my previous reviewed film Mary Poppins both came out in 1964, and competed against each other for many of the top awards. They went on to win thirteen awards between them, with Mary Poppins getting five (including Best Actress and Best Song) while My Fair Lady received eight (including Best Picture).

The premise is the same as last time. Linguist Professor Henry Higgins makes a wager that, in six months, he can present cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle as a duchess an embassy ball. But Henry may get more than he bargained for in this musical and entertaining battle of the sexes wages. Problems arise. Potential love interests interfere. And so begins the music, laughter, hijinks and love as the two work and fight together to try and win his bet.

Musicals Week: Mary Poppins (1964)

Mary Poppins

Call No: PN1997 .M364 1964

When Julie Andrews presented David Tennant with his BAFTA award for playing the title character on Doctor Who, he opened his acceptance by saying “If nothing else ever happens to me in my life, I just met Julie Andrews!” Fans across the world could relate to his excitement. The multi-talented Julie Andrews has been a darling of film and theatre for years, and for good reason. The woman brings an open honesty and charm to her roles that has not often been duplicated, and never as successfully. Her role of the title character in Mary Poppins is an excellent example of this.

Almost everyone recognizes the umbrella-flying nanny (or even her counterpart from The Simpsons, Sherry Bobbins), but here’s a refresher for the story: Jane and Michael Banks, two loveable kids who have a knack for losing their nannies in the park and causing mischief typical of children, have recently driven their last nanny to leave. This upsets their strict and workaholic father, who insists on hiring the new nanny rather than his suffragette wife. Enter (with some hilarity) Mary Poppins, “practically perfect in every way” and able to effortlessly conjure magic wherever she goes. With a little help, magic and showtunes from Mary Poppins, the four Banks members might find a way to be a family again.

Pygmalion (1938)

Pygmalion

Call No: TEMP 875

Before Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison made history with the musical smash My Fair Lady, Wendy Hiller and Leslie Howard played the perfect opposites of Eliza Doolittle and Rex Harrison. Based on the play of the same name, Pygmalion is an example of a film that remains as entertaining today as it was when it was released. Fans of My Fair Lady will have an unusual experience with the absence of characters breaking into song. Readers of the original work by George Bernard Shaw may be surprised by the change in the ending (which Shaw, writing the screenplay for this film, changed himself). That having been said, this film adaptation of Pygmalion is much more enjoyable as one might think.

Eliza Doolittle is a flower girl with a cockney accent that Professor Henry Higgins finds insulting during their first accidental meeting, calling her speech an “incarnate insult to the English language”. Having incredible confidence in himself as a professor of speech and phonetics, he makes a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can pass Eliza off as a duchess. That is, if Eliza and the Professor don’t kill each other first.

Toy Story (1995)

Toy Story

Call No: PN1997 .T69 2010

When the Oscar nominees for Best Picture came out last week, most of the names that I had expected to see were there. One name that I found (pleasantly) surprising was the summer blockbuster Toy Story 3, the final film in the famous toy trilogy. I remember reading about the studio’s determination to get a Best Picture nod, even going so far as to launch a series of posters, comparing scenes from the film to famous Oscar winners of the past. (You can find a collection of the posters HERE). The only other animated films to make the esteemed ballot was Beauty and the Beast in 1993 and Up in 2009. Being a fan of the Pixar and especially the series, I decided to go back and watch the first one again.

We all know the story. Andy is the boy who loves his toys, which all come to life when he’s not around. There’s Hamm the piggy bank, the cowardly dinosaur Rex, the often abrasive Mr. Potato Head, the loyal Slinky, and the pretty Bo Peep. The natural leader of the group, and favourite toy of Andy, is Sheriff Woody, a cowboy doll with a heart of gold. However, his patience and compassion for others is tested when Andy receives a new toy: a Buzz Lightyear action figure. Suddenly the toy room isn’t big enough for two favourite toys, and a fight results in both toys being separated from their owner with only days away from a house move. Buzz and Woody will have to learn to work together if they want to survive and get back to Andy, especially when the toy-destroying boy next door, Sid, gets his hands on them.

M (1931)

M

Call No: TEMP 869

Note: German film, English subtitles.

I took M out of the library three times before I finally made time to sit down and watch it. I have the terrible habit of doing that with movies. I’ll find a movie that interests me, I’ll get it, and I’ll find other things to do instead of watching it. Yesterday I finally decided to sit down and watch it, and I was very glad that I did. It wasn’t for lack of interest – the plot was intriguing enough for me to keep going back for it. It was the fact that I was finally presented with a Sunday afternoon where I didn’t have an assignment pressing on me or something that needed to be done. Once it finished, I nearly started it over again.

M is the story about a child-murderer that is tormenting a German city. Parents are terrified for their children. The police are cracking down on every bit of crime in the city. And the criminals in the city trying to conduct their business are getting annoyed with the constant interruptions from the law. The top five criminals meet, each representing their area of expertise, and decide to team up and find the child-murderer. With how angry they are, the child-murderer better hope the police find him first.

The Towering Inferno (1974)

The Towering Inferno

Call No: TEMP 1615

Disaster movies have been around as long as there have been people to watch them. In the early seventies, there was a market for big death-defying blockbusters like Airport and The Poseidon Adventure. One of these was The Towering Inferno, one of the first films ever to be produced as a joint effort by two major studios. The story is based on two separate novels: “The Tower”, which was bought by Warner Brothers, and “The Glass Inferno”, which was bought by Twentieth Century Fox. The two studios decided to work together and combine the two novels. This film was the result.

Nominated for eight academy awards, The Towering Inferno is about a ravaging fire that rips through the tallest building in the world, trapping over three hundred guests on its top floor. Architect Doug Roberts (Paul Newman) discovers during the unveiling of his masterpiece, the tallest tower in the world made of glass, that all of the wiring in the building is potentially faulty. When a fire breaks out on one of the upper floors and begins to spread, it is going to take Doug, fire chief Michael O’Halleran (Steve McQueen) and all of the help they can get to stop what will soon become the most dangerous fire ever seen.

Spirited Away (2001)

Spirited Away

Call No: TEMP 1317

Back in November, I reviewed Hayao Miyazaki’s film Howl’s Moving Castle. This time, I’ll be reviewing his film Spirited Away. It was the first foreign film to win in the Best Animated Feature category at the 2003 Oscars and as a result, it gained a great deal of publicity, both for the film and the Japanese filmmaker. Many have considered it to be his masterpiece. After seeing the beauty and magic of this film, it’s hard to disagree.

The film centers around Chihiro, a young girl who wanders into a magical world inhabited by spirits, ghosts, demons and witches. When her parents are turned into pigs by Yubaba, the owner of the bathhouse where the spirits come to replenish themselves, Chihiro is forced to stay in this world until she can find a way to save them. With the help of a mysterious boy named Haku, Kamaji the boiler man, and Lin, a fellow bathhouse worker, Chihiro sets off on the adventure of a lifetime full of wonder, excitement, and enchantment.

Ikiru (1952)

Ikiru

Call No: TEMP 859
Note: Japanese film, English subtitles

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I put Ikiru into my DVD player. I’m not overly familiar with Akira Kurosawa’s work, but I did enjoy his film noir Stray Dog when I saw it a few years ago. I’m also no stranger to subtitles. I sat back and prepared myself to enjoy the movie. Believe me when I say that I was not at all disappointed.

The film is about Kanji Watanabe, an older man who has spent the last thirty years working for the city office. When he finds out that he has stomach cancer, he reflects on his life and feels that he hasn’t done anything worthwhile in his life. Though he has a few false starts, he soon finds something to drive him through the last months of his life. The film is poignant, moving, and thought-provoking.

The film is divided into two parts. The first part of the film shows us the everyday life of Watanabe and what happens when he receives the news. A little over halfway through the movie, the story shifts. The second part of the film takes place after he has passed away, while his family and co-workers talk about the wondrous change that has come over their friend and father. I felt as though the story picked up after the shift, as the co-workers try to untangle their own ideas behind Watanabe’s transformation by sharing their own experiences through flashbacks.

The Lady Vanishes (1938)

The Lady Vanishes
Call No: TEMP 866

There’s no question that Alfred Hitchcock made his mark in the cinema. During his life he directed fifty-four feature length films from 1925 to 1976. He was known for being meticulous in storyboarding and setting up every single shot months before filming began. He expected only the best from his actors and was known for his determination and no-nonsense attitude. An actor once approached him and asked what his motivation was in the scene. Hitchcock replied without delay, “Your salary”. He was a perfectionist of the highest order, and even remade his own movie The Man Who Knew Too Much (the original was in 1934, the remake in 1956). His most popular films seem to be those made after WWII, such as Strangers on a Train, Rear Window, North By Northwest, and his most famous Psycho. Fewer people have seen his earlier works. The Lady Vanishes is one of these.

The premise is very simple: As a group of people wait out a storm for their train the next day, a young woman named Iris befriends an elderly lady named Miss Froy. The two board the train together but within hours of doing so, Miss Froy disappears. What is even stranger is that no one seems to remember who Miss Froy is. Add in a dash of romance with a flirtatious stranger, a pinch of unusual situations, and a teaspoon of passenger secrets, and you’ve got a mystery so entertaining that it could have been written by Dame Agatha Christie herself. (If the premise of the film sounds familiar, it’s because the Jodie Foster film Flightplan also follows the same plot.)

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Hotel Rwanda
Call No: PN1997.2 .H66 2005

My viewing of Hotel Rwanda was a complete accident. After an afternoon of channel surfing, one of my housemates pulled up a list of free movies that our cable box provides. Hotel Rwanda was on that list. She’d always wanted to see it. Not knowing anything about it except for the fact that it was available at the library. I said sure. I could watch the movie and take notes or do some homework on my laptop at the same time. Within the first half hour, my laptop was completely forgotten.

The year is 1994, and a civil war is brewing between the Tutsi and Hutu people of Rwanda. Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle) is a hotel manager who has a climbed his way to the top, always willing to do anything for anybody. But when civil war breaks out the hotel becomes a place of refuge, Paul finds himself alone. He tries his best to manage the chaos, all the while wondering why help isn’t coming. He soon begins to realize that they are alone in this fight and that someone will have to make a stand. That someone will have to be him.

Cocoon (1985)

Cocoon
Call No: PN1997 .C662 2004

Cocoon is like no movie I’ve ever seen before. For the longest time I had it in my mind that it was a sci-fi horror film, along the same lines as Alien or its sequel, which came out the following year. Watching the trailer answered my question about its thrill level, but raised more questions than it answered. What was the real premise? Where could the story go from there?

The premise of the film, without giving too much away, is this: A group of people have arrived to St. Petersburg, FL and have rented a boat and a house to help recover some items from underwater. These items, which look like giant rocks, are being stored in the pool of the house they’ve rented. More of them are being brought up and added every day. 

Unbeknownst to them, a trio of senior citizens have been sneaking over from the community living area next door to use the pool every day. When they arrive to the pool to find it full of these supposed rocks, they swim around them, determined not to break their routine. Suddenly these three old men feel young again, cured of whatever ailed them, and ready to enjoy life. The problem? It’s not permanent, and sooner or later, they’ll want to get back in the water.

News from the Vault

Hi everyone! I thought I'd just let everyone know that, because of this term's scheduling, I'll be able to update the blog three times a week. A film review will be posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I'm hoping to include more foreign films this term, since the majority of the films I've reviewed are Hollywood mainstream. I'd like to watch some less recognizeable films that might be useful or interesting to some people.

I hope you're enjoying the blog so far. If you have any recommendations for films (inside the library or out), please let me know!

Sincerely,

Laura The Film Geek.