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I only saw this film once in the theatre and enjoyed it. I recall it being quite violent. Meyer was good (she was the jealous one, right?) but Richards totally owned it. This and Wild Things were her best work imho.
I'm a big Marilyn man myself, a minor historian in her life, so I'd love to direct you to some of her films when you're ready so that you can appreciate her body of work. You'll find out very fast how ludicrous and stupid the "sex symbol" labels she always gets are. She was first and foremost a performer with great grace and diverse talent, and I wish she got more appreciated for the intellectual person and kind soul she was. Out of all the actresses in history, I'd pick to spend a few hours just picking her brain if I could. Such a fascinating woman.
Bogart is probably my favorite actor, as well, so I can help you seek out some of his greatest films too, in addition to people like @Birdleson and @ToTheRight who really know his catalogue well.
And then there's Mitch. @MajorDSmythe has domain over his films, and even has a running ranking of all the man's films. An absolute legend with one of the greatest, most humble and down to earth personalities in the entire business.
I've got a big list already thanks to recommendations from you guys, and now it's a question of deciding whether to fork out for the blu ray or go for the much cheaper dvd option.
I'm not just a novice when it comes to great actors, but also great directors as well, so lots to learn & experience. Better late than never!
No matter how many I have seen I always discover there is more from all the decades. It's a beautiful thing!
Just imagine the day would come when you have seen it all. Now wouldn't that just be sad.
There was a fair amount of violence in Starship Troopers—most of it bug-on-man—but I don't find it quite as violent as Robocop, perhaps because there's an intentional silliness to much of the violence; you grin more than you cringe.
Yes, Meyer was the jealous one, and Richards was great too. I thought everyone was spot on for what the film was trying to achieve. As patb says, it's one of the most deeply misunderstood films, perhaps ever, with many writing it off as some kind of proto-Bay, disposable action yarn. It's as fine a candidate as any for Criterion with their predilection for films that lie at the intersection of pulp and art (and they previously released Robocop, mind you).
I wouldn't want to watch every film in existence. I consider myself awfully openminded when it comes to cinema, but there are films I've shut off after 20-30 minutes because I know what I'm watching is garbage. For the devoted cinemaniac though it should be possible to watch most every truly great and enjoyable film over a lifetime (at least those pertaining to your tastes, whether you lean toward spaghetti westerns, French new wave, B-movie wonders, Japanese arthouse, what have you).
Other ones off the top of my head you'll like are Billy Wilder (Marilyn in his Some Like it Hot is necessary viewing), Orson Welles (The Third Man is a noir film he starred in that I think you'd dig and he directed another himself called The Lady From Shanghai that is interesting), Howard Hawks (The Big Sleep with Bogie as a noir detective is one of his best as is the comedy/musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes with Marilyn and Jane Russell; he had range) and Fred Zinnemann (his High Noon is the ultimate nihilistic western that is so insanely hard-hitting for its day, and still holds up).
As for stars:
Lauren Bacall (the ultimate femme fatale and my 2nd favorite actress of the day)
Katharine Hepburn (the adjectives "badass" and "maverick" do her injustice)
Gregory Peck (everyone's favorite dad in To Kill a Mockingbird)
Cary Grant (I'm sure you have seen something of his already)
John Wayne (nothing more needs to be said)
Jimmy Stewart (as famous as they come and a Hitchcock darling)
Frank Sinatra (the original "triple threat" of performance talent)
Richard Burton (seldom has an actor captured exhausted weariness better)
Gary Cooper (from the aforemetioned High Noon)
Grace Kelly (never has a woman had a more fitting first name)
Audrey Hepburn (one of the timeless and innocent beauties)
Jack Lemmon (probably the person the term "smart comedy" originated with)
Sydney Greenstreet (my favorite "heel" actor with such exquisite character; his performance in The Maltese Falcon is genius)
Peter Lorre (one of the unforgettable faces)
Fred Astaire (no man has ever danced better)
Gene Kelly (same with him)
Errol Flynn (his 1938 film The Adventures of Robin Hood is legendary; add that to your list!)
Joseph Cotten (often seen with Orson Welles)
That's all I'll add for now, so as not to overwhelm you! ;) Happy viewing!
=D>
@Birdleson, that's an outstanding performance clip. Another one of those famous movie 'lines' that I've heard somewhere before, & now I know where it comes from.
The reason I've missed out on most of these films and eras is because I've intentionally avoided black and white movies in the past. Silly me.
Especially in the 70s and Film Noir department I had a lot to catch up. I remember saying something utterly stupid early on like the 70s were a bad decade for films.
Sometimes you have to be patient with me, I am willing to learn.
One of the most impressive films I have ever seen is ALL ABOUT EVE that I watched last year. Unimaginable I had left this world without seeing it!
In just that decade you saw the height of gangster films, the birth of the comic book film, of modern horror, a continuation/re-imagining of noir post-40s/50s, the iconic age of Bruce Lee's action films, the creation of the term "blockbuster" (Jaws) and the start of what is probably the greatest/most loved franchise of all time (Star Wars), amongst other accomplishments. So many movies that pushed the limit without the Hays Code holding them back, making for some of the all-time most powerful cinematic statements you'll ever see presented to audiences. Films like these wouldn't-couldn't-be made today.
You are the best film guru I know. What are your favorite 30s and 40s films? Also, if you've seen it, how is The Lost Weekend (1945)?
Great list! ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES is my favorite of the Bogie/Cagney team ups as well. Great movie with Cagney in top form, Ann Sheridan, Pat O Brien andThe Dead End Kids. I love Cagney's "whadya hear whadya say!". Great gangster story that has some genuinely moving moments.
I'd also add IN A LONELY PLACE (1950) to that list as well. Bogie as a Hollywood writer with a temper and reputation for violence. A true film noir and Gloria Graham is amazing!
I always thought THE DESPERATE HOURS (1955) was a fun gritty little thriller in the "Petrified Forest" mold. Utilizing the " Leave It to Beaver" house on the Universal backl ot. Very cool.
Both Cat People and Curse of the Cat People are excellent films, and as you say, entirely different stories. I'm not sure if I read this somewhere or if I simply surmised this myself, but I believe Val Lewton wanted to tell a more personal story with anecdotes relating to his own childhood while the studio was pressing for a sequel to the popular Cat People, and so this peculiar non-sequel sequel was born—a story completely unrelated in content, themes, and tone, but bearing the entirely unfitting title The Curse of the Cat People. As you say, both excellent films nonetheless. (I actually think not being prepared for what the sequel really is, as was the case for me when I saw it, almost makes your first viewing that much more magical.)
Bogie's a pretty mean character in THE DESPERATE HOURS and plays off Frederic March well. Apparently the March role at one point was going to go to Spencer Tracy, but that didn't pan out.
Another I like is KNOCK ON ANY DOOR where he's a lawyer defending a young John Derek on a murder charge.
I knew you liked that particular one. Glad to hear you also like most classic Disney films! I'm a big fan myself and have collected almost all the Classic Disney Animated Features, along with most Pixar moives (all the ones I like).
There's no way to describe this film. You will travel to a different universe and at the end of the journey you will feel love, happiness and hope.
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I hope it wins best picture, and many other awards. Such a great movie, especially for this decade
I picked up the blu ray of this real estate sales drama a few days back. It boasts an all-star cast which includes Alec Baldwin, Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, Kevin Spacey and TND's Jonathan Pryce. Based on a play by a David Mamet and directed by James Foley, the film is set primarily in two locations: an office and a restaurant. The settings are almost noir-like, dreary (it's almost constantly raining outside) and dark. The film is very talky, but there are some really outstanding performances from the leads. It's probably best known for Alec Baldwin's now classic monologue at the start, when he rips into the other sales associates for not being up to the job at hand & threatens the lowest performers with the sack if they don't buck up. While he steals it with that performance, the others are also in top form, with Harris, Pacino & Lemmon as a 'down on his luck' older salesman all having some tremendous individual scenes. It's a fascinating character study into the lives of those who must constantly sell for a living in order to put food on the table. The remainder of the film focuses on each member's attempts to avoid being fired by Baldwin's character. The prevailing mood throughout is one of sheer desperation mixed with self serving euphoria when they actually get a sale.
Superb ensemble piece with excellent acting all round, I was a big fan of Jack Lemmon in my teens so happily stumbled on this excellent film, I need to revisit the film i think.