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