Die unendliche Geschichte

 The NeverEnding Story (1984)

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

Screenplay by Wolfgang Petersen & Herman Weigel 

Based on the novel by Michael Ende 

Stars: Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Thomas Hill, Deep Roy, Tilo Prückner, Moses Gunn, Sydney Bromley, Patricia Hayes, Alan Oppenheimer, and Tami Stronach

I cannot tell you how it has been since I have seen this movie. At least 25 years. This was a part of my childhood growing up. This is not the happiest movie ever. This movie is depressing, but it has heart to it.

There is a bookworm named Bastien (Oliver) who is not well liked in his school or at home. The only place that he could escape to is in the world of books. One day, he goes into a bookshop and picks up "The NeverEnding Story." Bastien reads the story about the people of Fantasia like Atreyu, Falkor and The Nothing.

Seeing the movie this time around I thought that the Child Empress and G'mork had bigger parts in the movie. The movie is bleak in its outlook. Some of the characters gave into sadness, despair and the inevitability of death. These are heavy topics for the children's movie.

I love this journey the movie took me on. I would go back to this wondrous world again.

Rating: 9/10

The Naked Kiss

 The Naked Kiss (1964)

Written and directed by Samuel Fuller

Stars: Constance Towers, Anthony Eisley, Michael Dante, Virginia Grey, Betty Bronson, Patsy Kelly, and Marie Devereux

 A YouTube channel that I follow called MovieBitches recommended this movie recently. I saw the name Constance Towers. She looked familiar. I knew her from General Hospital as the fabulous Helena Cassidine. I knew that I was going to have a good time with this movie.

A former prostitute, Kelly (Towers) is trying to start a new life in a small town. She befriends a detective, Griff (Eisley) that tries to help her integrate in the neighborhood. Slowly but surely secrets begin to bubble to the surface. The town shows its true colors.

I am not familiar with Sam Fuller movies. I heard that they were B movies that got away with subjects that would be taboo at the time to be discussed.

I was blown away by this movie. I thought that Towers were phenomenal as Kelly. She chewed up the scenery. The opening sequence of the movie took me by surprise. The ending of the movie was a gag.

I would highly recommend this movie if you love pulpy B movies that have something to say.

 

Rating: 10/10

Top Gun

Top Gun (1986)

Directed by Tony Scott

Screenplay by Jim Cash & Jack Epps Jr & Warren Skaaren 

Based on the article, "Top Guns" by Ehud Yonay 

Stars: Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer, Tom Skerritt, Michael Ironside, Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan 

With the sequel coming out in theaters, I knew that I had to see the movie that started it all. This movie is two hour dick measuring contest.

Set in the world of fighter pilots, the story is centered around Maverick (Cruise), a cocky reckless pilot that tries to go aginst the rules to be the best pilot that he could be. You have the sausage fest around with Goose (Edwards), Iceman (Kilmer), Merlin (Robbins) and others at Top Gun, an elite flight school for the top 1% of pilots. There is the token love interest of the story, Charlie (McGinnis) that has to fall for the main guy for some reason.

In my personal opinion, I do not like the archetype of Maverick, a young brash guy that is stubborn, acts like a petulant child when things don go his way. I'm not saying that Maverick is the villain of the movie. I was not rooting for him as a character. This hyper-masculine man that gets the girl, does away with authority and gets away with his antics.

Iceman was portrayed as the "villain" of the movie. I don't think he is. He saw what I saw. Maverick was on the verge of self-destruction if he doesn't get his act together. He was the voice of reason.

Hearing "Take My Breath Away" and "Danger Zone" takes you back to the 80s. I love that aspect of it. I did not get the suddenness of the romance between Maverick and Charlie. Who were the pilots fighting? The Russians? I don't know.

It's a guy movie. Cool. It's not my thing.

Rating: 6.5/10

The Godfather

The Godfather (1972)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Screenplay by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola

Based on the novel by Mario Puzo

Stars: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Abe Vigoda, Richard Castellano, Talia Shire, Diane Keaton, Al Lettieri, Sterling Hayden, Gianni Russo, and John Cazale

Please, don't hate me. I have never seen the movie in its entirety. I caught bits and pieces of it throughout the years. My expectations were high. Maybe they were too high.

Taking place after World War II, we follow the Corleone family as they try to take hold of the New York criminal underworld. I'm sure you all know the story by now, except me.

I had some gripes with the movie. I cannot believe that the wedding between Carlo and Connie (Russo, Shire) lasted for almost thirty minutes. Understandable to try to establish the characters. Cool. It felt stagnant to me.

The line delivery with the actors was like they had peanut butter stuck in their mouths. I could not understand what they were saying. The motivations of some characters were strange and jarring. Michael in Sicily, for example.

The time was not clear. I had to look up when the events of the movie took place. I wish Coppola put title cards or something make the audience better understand what was happening.

I know that there were some controversies with this movie with the score by Nino Rota was stolen from another composer. Al Pacino skipping the Oscars because of category fraud. I agree. Pacino had more screen time than Brando. Weird. There is also the endless slurs against almost every ethnic group. Oh, boy. I cringed.

I wanted to shout endlessly praises to the movie, but I felt that the hype of the movie made it slightly overrated to me.

Rating: 7/10 

To Have and Have Not

To Have and Have Not (1944)

Directed by Howard Hawkes

Screenplay by Jules Furthman and William Faulkner & Cleve F. Adams and Whitman Chambers

Based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway

Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Walter Brennan, Marcel Dalio, Hoagy Carmichael, Walter Szurovy, Dolores Moran and Dan Seymour

Everyone knows the iconic that Bacall delivers about whistling. I thought I would have loved this as it was Bacall's big screen debut, but it left me adrift.

Martinique is the setting of the story during the early years of World War II. A fisherman, Harry Morgan (Bogart) is trying to make a living but with the war brewing times get hard. He is recruited by his buddy, Frenchy (Dalio) to help transport two French resistance fighters.

I did not know what to expect with this movie. The beginning of the movie is strange. Was it a comedy? No. You have Eddie (Brennan) as the drunk guy being the levity in the movie? I don't know. The movie is not that deep or depressing. It feels shallow. It's an intrigue movie that have a strange relationship between 22-year-old and a guy in his mid 40s. 

Rating: 5/10

 

B.A.D. Movie of the Week - Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)

Directed by Russ Meyer

Story by Russ Meyer and Roger Ebert

Screenplay by Roger Ebert

Stars: Dolly Read, Cynthia Meyers, Marcia McBroom, David Gurian, John Lazar, Michael Blodgett, Harrison Page, Erica Gavin, Phyllis Davis, Edy Williams, and Duncan McLeod

When I was preparing to do this month of watching classic movies, I saw that the noted film critic, Roger Ebert's lone screenplay credit was this movie. Holy shit! Was he on acid or something when he wrote this?

Director Russ Meyer wanted to make it clear that this movie is not a sequel to Valley of the Dolls. I don't know whose idea was to slap together this movie and give it it's title. This movie makes VotD as fucking masterpiece.

Displaying the free love movement after Woodstock, this movie tries to tell the tale of a band trying to make a name for themselves in Los Angeles. There is the lead singer, Kelly (Read) who has an on/off relationship with the band's manager, Harris (Gurian), but booze and sex get them pulled into different directions. The drummer, Petronella-- that name is terrible by the way-- (McBroom), who tried to do wright by her beau, Emerson (Page), but temptations get the better of her. Lastly there is the bassist, Casey (Myers) who is the shy one of the group that has a secret that she has not disclosed to the girls.

I did not know what to expect with this movie. I thought it was gonna be tits and ass and nothing else. It was that, but so much more. 

Women objectified. The women having their tits out for no good reason just for the director to do it. 

The "plot" was nonsensical. I did not know what the hell was happening from one minute to the next. The choppy editing did not help matters. The drastic tonal shifts were nauseating. It was musical then a drama than a comedy than a melodrama then a horror movie all of a sudden.

I know all of the celluloid closet. I knew that when their were homosexual characters in this movie that they would be of three things: a blatant fey lisping stereotype, a sexual deviant predator or a villain that dies at the end.

This movie was nonsense in every sense of the word. Just awful. I think Ebert made the right call in not writing another script.

Rating: 2/10

 

Valley of the Dolls

Valley of the Dolls (1967)

Directed by Mark Robson

Screenplay by Helen Deutsch & Dorothy Kingsley 

Based on the novel by Jacqueline Susann

Stars: Barbara Parkins, Patty Duke, Paul Burke, Sharon Tate, Tony Scotti, Alexander Davio, Lee Grant and Susan Hayward

I have never read a Jacqueline Susann novel, but I have heard of this movie for the longest time. This movie left me hollow like an empty pill bottle.

The story is about three women tries to navigate show business in different ways. There is Anne (Parkins) that leaves her small town for the Big Apple. She falls for the playboy agent, Lyon (Burke). There is Jennifer (Tate), a chorus girl that falls for a teen idol, Tony (Scotti) who has a secret. Lastly, there is the extremely talented, Neely (Duke) who squander her talents with a daily dose of booze and pills.

The movie is not for the faint of heat. I was surprised that this movie had a PG-13 rating. You can see Sharon Tate's tits, full nipple shown. Okay, sure. I was taken back by the homophobic slurs here directed toward the character of Ted Casablanca (Davio).

The thing I did not get was, What was the timeline from when Anne left home to the end of the movie in that alley? I had sense of what was happening. I felt that the screenwriters butchered chunks of book. There were weird jumps in the story that left me confused.

The movie is campy, but it is not a good movie.

Rating: 6/10

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Directed by Howard Hawks

Screenplay by Charles Lederer 

Based on the stage musical comedy by Joseph Fields and Anita Loos

Stars: Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe, Elliott Reid, Charles Coburn, Norma Varden, Tommy Noonan, and George Winslow

Everybody knows about the famous "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" sequence in this movie. I saw a clip where Monroe and Russell walk into the room and everything stops. I want that power.

Two showgirls; the boy crazy, Dorothy (Russell) and the diamond obsessed, Lorelei (Monroe) are going on a transatlantic cruise from America to France. Lorelei is engaged to Gus (Noonan), a man that is not the most debonair man, but he can provide the bright shinnies for Lorelei. Gus' father hires a private investigator, Ernie Malone (Reid) to spy on Lorelei to see if she is remaining to true to Gus. Ernie falls head over heels in love with Dorothy.

For a movie that came out almost seventy years ago, I was pleasantly surprised that I laughed with this movie. I enjoyed the interaction with the characters for the most part. I was humming along with the musical numbers.

I had two big problems with this movie. One of them was Malone. I did not get the sense that he was a good love interest to Dorothy. It felt like he was there to a be love interest. He was not charismatic or endearing to make me believe that he character is worthy of Dorothy's affection. The other reason is the courtroom scene. That's all I will say without spoiling it.

Rating: 8.5/10
 

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Directed by Richard Brooks

Screenplay by Richard Brooks and James Poe

Based on the play by Tennessee Williams

Stars: Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Burl Ives, Judith Iverson, Jack Carson, Madeleine Sherwood, Larry Gates and Vaughn Taylor

Everyone knows that the movie is a watered down version of the stage play. The story is gay. The movie is very undercover gay.

Brick (Newman) is an ex-football player who spends his days and nights drinking. His wife, Maggie (Taylor) is frustrated with Brick being cold to her. Brick's family gathers together to celebrate Big Daddy's (Ives) birthday.

In the opening moments of the film, I was thinking, "Is this it? Brick's gonna take multiple sips of whiskey. Maggie opining about not getting any affection from Brick. Big Daddy being a curmudgeon. The kids are going to be annoying the hell of me." I did not like the beginning of the movie.

The movie picks up when nature of Brick's drinking and Big Daddy's plight is revealed. Newman, Taylor and Ives gave great performances here. I could not stand Mae (Sherwood). It felt as the women were shrilling harpies, the men telling them to shut up, the children being annoying, but I guess the annoyances build up the tension.

Rating: 8/10

Gilda

Gilda (1946)

Directed by Charles Vidor

Story by E.A. Ellington

Screenplay by Jo Eisinger and Marion Parsonnet & Ben Hecht 

Stars: Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, George Macready, Steven Geray, Joe Sawyer, Joseph Calleia, and Gerald Mohr

I saw a reel on Instagram showing Rita Hayworth's memorable entrance this movie. I knew I had to see it. Hayworth gives great face, but it wasn't enough to save the movie.

A small time gambler, Johnny Farrell (Ford) arrives in Argentina from the States. He knows the ins and outs of hustling people. He catches the attention of casino owner, Ballin Mundson (Macready) that hires him to work his casino and keep an eye on his new wife, Gilda (Hayworth), who happens to be Johnny's ex.

I was enjoying the movie. I thought the dynamic between the three leads were good. I was in it with them. There is a major problem with the third act that sunk the movie for me. I understand that Gilda and Johnny would have a icy reception to each other, but when that changes; I did not like the way it was going. I guess the ending of the movie mostly.

I was left disappointed.

Rating: 6/10

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971)

Directed by John Schlesinger

Screenplay by Penelope Gilliatt & Ken Levison & John Schlesinger & David Sherwin 

Stars: Glenda Jackson, Peter Finch, Murray Head, Vivian Pickles, Frank Windsor, Tony Britton, and Bessie Love 

I was scrolling Glenda Jackson's filmography when I saw her Tony win back in 2018. I found her fascinating. The synopsis of this movie spoke to me.

A newly divorced officer worker, Alex (Jackson) and a private medical doctor, Daniel (Finch) lead completely separate lives except for their shared young artist lover, Bob (Head).

There were not many portrayals of gay life, especially in the 1970s. I was surprised about the subject matter of this movie. A gay man, a bisexual man and a straight woman in a polyamorous relationship. Bob would be a considered a hippie. Free love and all that. I got the sense that Bob was not in it for love. I think that Alex loved Bob. Daniel wanted a companion.

The first forty five minutes of the movie was a bit of slog, but it does pick up.

Rating: 8/10

B.A.D Movie of the Week: Plan 9 from Outer Space

Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957)

Written and directed by Edward D. Wood Jr.

Stars:  Gregory Walcott, Tom Keene, Mona McKinnon, Duke Moore, Carl Anthony, Tor Johnson, Dudley Manlove, Joanna Lee, Vampira and Bela Lugosi

I have heard of the B movie director, Ed Wood for a number of years. I have never seen any of his movies. I knew that they were not good. Oh, boy. This movie was a lot of digest.

An airplane pilot (Walcott) sees a flying saucer out of the window of the cockpit. A chain of events happens when the "aliens?" try to stop mankind for making a bomb more destructive that the hydrogen bomb.

I saw the color version of the movie. The movie confused with the intentions of the "aliens." They say that they are advanced beings, because of the "aliens," Eros (Manlove) wanted to resurrect the newly dead. For what purpose?

I did not get what was happening. Having Vampira and Bela Lugosi there seemed out of place. I thought that the resurrected were vampires. Nope. They were supposed to be zombies.

I understand that Wood did not have the biggest budgets in the world, but some sets were literally made of cardboard. 

Overall the movie was boring to me. I didn't hate the movie. I was whelmed.

Rating: 3/10

Metropolis

Metropolis (1927)

Directed by Fritz Lang

Screenplay by Thea von Harbou & Fritz Lang

Based on the novel by Thea von Harbou

Stars: Gustav Fröhlich, Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Fritz Rasp, Theodor Loos, Erwin Biswanger, and Heinrich George

This movie has been referenced in pop culture for the longest time. It is the first time I saw this movie. I enjoyed it, but the third act kind of falls apart.

There are two different societies withing this city. There is the upper crust that is being controlled by Joh (Abel) and the Depths were working classes are worked to exhaustion to help with the facade of this city to function. Freder (Fröhlich) is the person that bridges the divide between them with the help of Maria (Helm).

I was taken aback with the visuals of this movie. I was stunned what could have been done almost a century ago. The production design was very impressive. I loved the score. I believe the score is the 2000 version by  Kevin Saunders Hayes. I love it. Sometimes the score would be telegraphed, specifically in the third act.

I was into the movie for the 2/3rds of it. It's the third act that made me take pause. The climax of  the movie didn't make that make sense to me. If this character would have done this, then the conclusion on screen should not happen.

Rating: 9/10

The Wild One

The Wild One (1953)

Directed by László Benedek

Screenplay by John Paxton and Ben Maddow

Based on the story "The Cyclists' Raid" by Frank Rooney

Stars: Marlon Brando, Mary Murphy, Robert Keith, Lee Marvin, Jay C. Flippen, Hugh Sanders, Ray Teal. Will Wright, Robert Osterloh, and William Vedder

You have seen the iconic picture of Marlon Brando on the motorcycle. It came from this movie. I don't know what I was expecting from this movie. It was fine.

Johnny Strabler (Brando) leads his gang, Black Rebels Motorcycle Club rides into a small town, Wrightsville. The town is in upheavel when BRMC and a rival motorcycle club called The Beetles, led by Chino (Marvin) took over the this town for a couple of days.

My thoughts were that the movie was going to be a clash between the motorcycle gangs. It was actually a clash between Johnny and the entire town of Wrightsville. Turns into a witch-hunt. 

My biggest problem with this movie is the "Will they? Won't they?" subplot with Johnny and Katie (Murphy). Johnny is attracted to her, but doesn't want to be with her because she is a square. He peruses her endlessly. Katie runs a lot in this film. They kiss. She slaps him. She runs away again. It was weird. I didn't believe it.

Rating: 6/10

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

Directed by Tom Gormican

Screenplay by Tom Gormican & Kevin Etten

Stars: Nicolas Cage, Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish, Sharon Horgan, Neil Patrick Harris, Ike Barinholtz, Lily Mo Sheen, and Alessandra Mastronardi

People were singing the praises of the movie since it came out. I wanted to see what the fuss was about. I don't get it. Did we see the same movie?

This is fictionalized version of Nick Cage who is caught up with a crazed super fan, Javi (Pascal). Two agents, Vivan and Martin (Haddish, Barinholtz) recruit Nick Cage to help them, because they think that Javi is a dangerous arms dealer that might have kidnapped a president's daughter.

I went into this movie blind. I was surprised that this movie was supposed to be a comedy. I do not laugh once at this movie. I was bored. I was drifting off to sleep watching it. I did not care to pay attention to the movie.

Am I missing something? This movie irritated me. Was it Nicolas Cage and his Nick Cage-isms? Probably. Was it the being a secret agent plot that was okay? Maybe. The movie did not feel authentic to me.

The only saving grace with the movie was a couple of scenes with Nick Cage and Javi vibing.

Rating: 5/10