More movie journal 2009

They Came to Cordura (1959) – Sent to us from Tiffany’s dad…who’s due in a few weeks…he pitched this as an art movie, and it’s more interesting than your usual run-of-the-mill war flick. First, it’s WWI-era and second, it’s more of a hiking through Mexican desert survival and argue than typical war action. Gary Cooper is the man with the shameful past and the little notebook that can make men heroes. Rita Hayworth is the lady along for the ride, with Van Heflin, Richard Conte, Tab Hunter, and Dick York (this is the movie he injured his back on, leading to the pill addiction that got him fired from “Bewitched.”) Interesting ideas crop here and there, but it’s talky as hell, with nothing much accomplished by the end. Grade: C+

Chocolate (2009) – Asskicking action flick from Thailand, this time introducing a female lead to rival Tony Jaa. As always, the storyline is alternately confusing and dull, but the action scenes are incredible, building to a jaw-dropping finale. Grade: B+

The Big Bus (1976) – This Universal parody of disaster movies runs out of gas before the end but it starts with a ZAZ-like pace and benefits from splendid lead performances from Joseph Bologna (as the stud driver with a haunted past) and Stockard Channing. Ned Beatty does the George Kennedy guy on the ground, with silly highlights including Murray Hamilton as the on-bus pianist, Larry Hagman as a doctor and Sally Kellerman + Richard Mulligan as a married couple who can’t stay apart. It does seriously flag toward the finale though, 88 minutes shouldn’t feel this long. Grade: B-

Doubt (2008) – Solid adaptation of the John Patrick Shanley chamber drama, with an impeccable cast and fairly intriguing storyline. It’s familiar territory, but well-filmed and the perfect Oscar nominee but not quite a winner. Shanley himself adapted his Tony Award-winning play and directed too. Grade: B

The Wrestler (2008) – Disappointed in this Mickey Rourke comeback tale, the Mick just isn’t

the same guy to me these days. Literally, I look at him and wonder, “Who the fuck is that guy?” – he’s fine here, but I really didn’t buy this tale of redemption from the Onion guy and Darren Aronfosky. The daughter stuff especially rang false to me, but Marisa Tomei’s tits look incredible. Grade: C+

Coraline (2009) – Disappointing adaptation of the excellent Neil Gaiman book, defanging it a bit (the best friend character mainly) and overall losing the book’s point. Visually stunning, in 3-D out of faddish necessity. Grade: B-

Charley Varrick (1973) – Awesome tale when leading men could look like Walter Matthau and be complete badasses, courtesy director Don Siegel. Sheree North, Joe Don Baker and Felicia Farr are along for the ride. Great finale, some hilarious dialogue from Walter, especially his bedroom patter. Grade: A

Also watched a chunk of the original Out of Towners and wow, it’s certainly not funny.

What an unpleasant flick…I’m guessing movies like this are what equaled the “big cities are hell” wisdom that I grew up with in Arkansas. Billy Dee Williams makes an impression as a baggage clerk.

Gomorrah (2008) – Long, involving tale of the Italian island where murder and corruption rule the day. Confusing at times, its bursts of violence seem expertly timed to keep you as on edge as the many characters. Grade: B

Quick Let’s Get Married (1964) – After watching this piece of shit, I came away with newfound admiration for the professionalism of Ray Milland. As he proves here, acting in a super cheap cheapie, he gives off a vibe of old Hollywood glamour that’s weird to watch here. Weird because everything else is so terrible, including Ginger Rogers as a madam, Barbara Eden as a simple peasant girl, Michael Ansara and Elliott Gould in his film debut as a mute. Released in 1971. Grade: F

The Great Buck Howard (2008) – Old pal Marvin Acuna produced this script in some co- capacity, and it’s a mild character piece with a hammy enough performance by John Malkovich in a role that Vincent Price would have won an Oscar for. The script is too writerly, peaking several times and saddling us with a wimpy protagonist who only wants to be a scribe. Colin Hanks doesn’t do much, but Ricky Jay has some nice moments. Tom Hanks shows up in a couple of scenes to awkward effect. Grade: C+

The Guns of Navarone (1961) – A kickass action flick that seems to me to herald the modern-day action film as it still stands today. Directed by J. Lee Thompson, produced and written by Carl Foreman, this Alastair MacLean adaptation is a men on a mission classic and deservedly so. The effects still hold up (Oscar-winning), and the cast is loads of fun, from the loosest, coolest Gregory Peck ever, Anthony Quinn, and even James Darren (with his singing even cleverly integrated into the story). Top-notch fun all the way. Watched it, then made T do the same. Grade: A

Duplicity (2009) – Loved the Michael Clayton but did not feel the same for his writer/director debut. Cold-blooded con people Julia Roberts and Clive Owen scam and go at each other and moguls Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkenson, but I really didn’t give a shit. Lots of style and elegant surroundings, but the most interesting twists are in the cocktails. Grade: C-

Alien Raiders (2008) - Pretty great B-movie, this is the movie that Stephen King’s The Mist was not. Cramped location in a supermarket, no name actors and a clever screenplay that keeps the twists coming. Completely unheralded but it deserves to be seen. Grade: B+

Death Race (2008) – Awful remake of a drive-in classic has no balls and very little under the hood. Jason Statham continues to crank out shitty movies, with Joan Allen here for some reason. Loud and stupid and never exciting. Grade: F

Monkey Business (1931) - Behind Duck Soup, this tale of the four Marx Brothers taking to the High Seas on board a kuxury ship might be my favorite of their movies. All the brothers are in fine form, and the fast pace will leave you breathless from laughing. Grade: A+

A Matter of Life and Death (1944) – I still remember my Easter weekend screening of this at the Nuart, and it holds up perfectly well on the big TV. The team of Powell and Pressburger are in classic form, with a tale that’s equal parts fantasy, romance, courtroom drama, mystery and special effects bonanza. David Niven and Kim Hunter are the lovers, with Raymond Massey, Richard Attenborough and Marius Goring. Grade: A+

The Executioner (1970) – George Peppard and Joan Collins stumble through this muddled spy thriller and the viewer is as bored as they look. Overall good cast helps, with Oscar Homolka, Judy Geeson and it’s always funny to see Charles Gray from Rocky Horror not doing the Time Warp. Grade: C-

Cisco Pike

Movie journal 2009

After a roaring second day of the 39th Yahtzee Cup, it’s time for some more movies from the list.

Starting 2009’s crop here:

Wild Bill (1995) – Walter Hill’s strangely laconic take on the legend is not quite a precursor to his Deadwood work, but it’s enjoyable enough. Jeff Bridges stars, solid as always, with Ellen Barkin a surprisingly effective Calamity Jane. Grade: C+

Valkyrie (2008) – A History Channel TV-special (“The Germans Who Tried to Kill Hitler But Didn’t”) dressed up in faded Hollywood A-list colors. Tom Cruise, grimly determined (isn’t he always?), leads the ragtag group of Nazis, with sterling British support from Tom Wilkinson and Ken Branagh (they do make the best Germans). Director Bryan Singer and writer Chris McQuarrie can’t generate much suspense, though they try. Grade: C-

Mirrors (2008) – Funny funny stuff, with Kiefer Sutherland as an ex-cop turned department store security guard who battles his own…reflection? Muddled horror is stylish as hell, courtesy director Alexandre Aja, but silly and unconvincing, with Kiefer turning in a Shatner-esque performance of incredible awfulness. You will not believe this is Donald Sutherland’s kid, he’s that bad here. Grade: D

The Chairman (1969) – Gregory Peck sleepwalks his way through this tired spy thriller without many thrills. Red China is the place and Greg’s got the secrets in his head, but there’s not much to recommend except some interesting for the time location filming. This is no Torn Curtain and that’s not saying much. Grade: C

The Prisoner of Zenda (1952) – I dunno, but something about that Technicolor dandy Stewart Granger always worked for me. Maybe it was Dad making a joke about him goosing Deborah Kerr in the remake of King Solomon’s Mines, but this and his other early 50s swashbucklers hold up really well. Grade: A

Max Payne (2008) – Awful video-game adaptation casts Marky Mark Wahlberg as a detective who broods and mumbles around this Sin City wannabe. I know the game Max kicks ass, but this is a piece of shit unaided by Marky’s negative charisma. Grade: WFT?

The Train (1965) – Didn’t really love this one until the second time around, but man, it certainly strengthens the case for Burt Lancaster as one of cinema’s greatest action heroes. In fact, I think this showing was me screening it for T and she agreed on its goodness. A good decade past his swashbuckling days, Burt’s still got the moves, trying to outwit nasty Nazi Paul Scofield and save a trainload of art treasures. John Frankenheimer directs and what a job he does. Maybe, as Seitz argues, the first modern action movie. Grade: A

The Girl Most Likely To… (1973) – Lacerating TV-movie from the poison pen of Joan Rivers, aided by an outstanding starring performance from Stockard Channing. Black comedy that has the strength of its convictions, even the final coda works. Ed Asner, Jim Backus and Fred Grandy co-star. Grade: A

Taken (2009) – Our first flick of 2009 was solid action goodness, although some of the advertised tough stuff was apparently left on the cutting room floor (or for the “Unrated DVD versions I mean). The set-up is simple and effective: professional badass Liam Neeson’s daughter goes missing overseas. He does everything he can to find and save her. Awesome trailer for this, and the movie keeps the pace up. Neeson’s solid, with crisp action from Luc Besson (who co-wrote and produced) and director Pierre Morel. Grade: A-


CP

Yahtzee Cup #38 wraps up in two

With a 3-1 lead and a long layoff between games, Killer Pimp J. John Johnny John (KPJ) wanted to keep the pressure on as he went for his 14^th Yahtzee Cup.

Roman Castevet (RC), current Cup champion and the holder of 14 titles of his own, didn’t want that to happen, and neither did The Yahtzee Show (TYS), looking for her 11^th Cup.

With the first game, it looked like TYS might have a shot. She powered through a massive double asskicking of her opponents, with a TRIPLE Yahtzee score. Damn, the Pimp was getting nervous.

Game #5
TYS 490/RC 252/KPJ 204
Yahtzees: TYS (3)

Game #6 was close, too close for comfort…but in the end, a mere three points handed the Pimp his 14^th Cup. The Yahtzee Show barely missed pushing the Cup play onto a second card, her missing four-of-a-kind was the difference.

Game #6
KPJ 249/TYS 246/RC 215

After a tense two games, the Cup was back at Berendo. Until the next time Yahtzee Cup action breaks out…

CP

Yahtzee Cup #38 opens with a lead

Dateline: June-ish

Yahtzee Cup time again and this time, it’s the 38^th Cup at stake. Current champ Roman Castevet (RC) came in with confidence, but it was Killer Pimp J. John Johnny John (KPJ) who took an early lead. He was looking to even up the all-time Yahtzee Cup standings at 14 Cups each. The Yahtzee Show (YS) looked for her 11^th Cup.

Game #1 was closer than the score indicated, with the Pimp taking the win in uninspired but solid fashion. A large straight and full house proved enough to give him the win in this low-scoring start.

Game #1

KPJ 237/ RC 174/ YS 146

Game #2 saw the Pimp making his move, rolling a solid game that topped 300, complete with the first Yahtzee of the Cup. A 2-0 lead is a good thing to have, right Pimp?

Game #2

KPJ 305/ RC 247/ TYS 192

Yahtzee: KPJ (1)

Now, Game #3 is on and the Pimp is thinking a sweep would be nice…but the noted champ Roman Castevet won’t let that stand, and neither will The Yahtzee Show. RC squeaks past The Yahtzee Show by a mere 4 points, with the Pimp standing only 18 points behind that. Now, the sweep is spoiled and the Pimp remembers all those Cups with only the first two wins to show for his efforts.

Game #3

RC 263/ TYS 259/ KPJ 245

The fourth game, the game where Cups are won and lost. Here, the Pimp made his move, aided by a double Yahtzee and the extra 100 points that comes with it. Oh, and dishing out the pair of asskickings put him right on the edge of his 14^th Cup.

Game #4

KPJ 372/ TYS 250/ RC 210

Yahtzees: KPJ (2)

But the hour grew late, so Cup play was paused, and the Pimp would have to wait a little longer for his chance at Cup #14.

CP