“Nothing that happens to another human being is alien to us: there, but for the grace of God, go I.”
Synopsis:
During WWII, a group of shipwrecked Japanese sailors land on the rocky island of Anatahan, where they encounter a man (Tadashi Suganuma) and his common-law wife (Akemi Negishi) living in a shack. Over the next seven [...]
Posted on May 21st, 2009 by admin
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“There’s life beyond birth…”
Synopsis:
A twice-married woman (Anne Bancroft) with many children marries a screenwriter (Peter Finch), but their happiness is short-lived due to his chronic infidelity.
Genres:
Flashback Films
Infidelity
Jack Clayton Films
Marital Problems
Mental Breakdown
Pregnancy
Review:
Harold Pinter’s adaptation of Penelope Mortimer’s semi-autobiographical novel about infidelity and childbearing is relentlessly bleak but oddly mesmerizing despite its gloomy trajectory. Pinter’s lean [...]
Posted on May 21st, 2009 by admin
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“I may not know a winner when I see one, but I sure know a loser.”
Synopsis:
During the Depression, a group of down-on-their-luck contestants — including Jane Fonda, Michael Sarrazin, Red Buttons, Susannah York, Bruce Dern, and Bonnie Bedelia — compete in a brutal dance marathon hosted by Gig Young.
Genres:
Depression Era
Flashback Films
Literature Adaptations
Living Nightmare
Review:
Although Peary [...]
Posted on May 21st, 2009 by admin
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“You know, weddings are the happiest events I could possibly dream of — and yet somehow, when they’re over, it’s always so sad.”
Synopsis:
Intrigue and chaos abound at the society wedding of a working-class redhead (Amy Stryker) and her half-Italian fiance (Desi Arnaz Jr.).
Genres:
Class Relations
Comedy
Ensemble Cast
Family Problems
Robert Altman Films
Weddings
Review:
A Wedding came about as the result [...]
Posted on May 20th, 2009 by admin
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“There must be someplace where them songs are for real…”
Synopsis:
During the Depression, a philandering salesman (Steve Martin) cheats on his wife (Jessica Harper) with a naive schoolteacher (Bernadette Peters) who becomes a prostitute when Martin fails to return.
Genres:
Depression Era
Infidelity
Musicals
Salesmen
Response to Peary’s Review:
As Peary notes, this “grimmest of all movie musicals” — based on a [...]
Posted on May 20th, 2009 by admin
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“I know that you cannot live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living.”
Synopsis:
Openly-gay politician Harvey Milk finally achieves a seat on San Francisco’s city council, only to be assassinated shortly thereafter by his bitter colleague, Dan White.
Genres:
Biopics
Documentary
Homosexuality
Review:
Rob Epstein’s Oscar-winning documentary about the tragic assassination of California’s first openly-gay politician has [...]
Posted on May 20th, 2009 by admin
Filed under: Original Reviews | 1 Comment »
“I got two rules when I go out visiting: keep away from couches and stay on your feet.”
Synopsis:
Two con-artists (Clark Gable and Jean Harlow) fall in love, but are separated when pregnant Ruby (Harlow) takes the rap for Eddie (Gable) and is sent to a reform school.
Genres:
Con-Artists
Morality Police
Star-Crossed Lovers
Review:
After the success of their pairing [...]
Posted on May 20th, 2009 by admin
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“In our business you’ve got to be immune from shocks — especially from birds!”
Synopsis:
A clumsy young window cleaner (Robin Askwith) working for his brother-in-law (Anthony Booth) finds it easy to bed his scantily-clad female clients, but really wants to date a sexy female cop (Linda Hayden).
Genres:
Comedy
Sexuality
Review:
Confessions of a Window Cleaner was the highest grossing [...]
Posted on May 20th, 2009 by admin
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“I only care about three things: the Catholic church, swimming, and dancing.”
Synopsis:
Edith Beale and her daughter, “Little” Edie (Jacqueline Kennedy’s cousin), live together in a decaying East Hampton mansion known as Grey Gardens.
Genres:
Documentary
Grown Children
Nonconformists
Review:
After the success of their documentary chronicling the Rolling Stones’ tragic Altamont Speedway concert (1970’s Gimme Shelter), the Maysles brothers set out [...]
Posted on May 19th, 2009 by admin
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“Do you know that some people actually die of fright?”
Synopsis:
A man (Richard Dix) despondent over the death of his wife puts out a contract on his own life; when he discovers his wife is still alive, however, he tries to reverse the contract, only to find that the man he originally contacted (Don Costello) has [...]
Posted on May 18th, 2009 by admin
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