E:
The last of the Bogey & Bacall onscreen pairings, Dark Passage is an interesting entry into the film noir canon. Bogey plays Vincent Parry, a man escaped from San Quentin to find the real person behind the crime for which he was committed - murder. Bacall plays a woman who helps him along the way.
The first third of the film is shot in first person point of view. A novel new method in the 40s. Now it looks like a gimmick. Once the camera shifts to a narrative function, the film gets better. Overall it isn't Bogey's best, but there are a few twists that surprised me, especially that window - whoa! But really...you can't go wrong with a Bogey moobie.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Way Home
E:
G had seen this years ago and wanted me to check it out, so I netflixed it. It's about a young boy from the city forced to spend some time with his grandma out in the country. He brings his gameboy and robot toys - she lives out on a farm in the middle of nowhere with no running water and no electricity.
First of all, this kid is a major brat. Unforgivably ungrateful, self-centered and full of false pride. If G hadn't been the one to suggest I watch this, I would have turned it off half-way through. Second, the grandmother is far too passive, letting the boy talk smack to her, steal her few possessions, and allowing him to continue his ungrateful ways.
In the end, he does learn some gratitude and love but I don't feel like there was enough redemption to make the moobie worthwhile.
G had seen this years ago and wanted me to check it out, so I netflixed it. It's about a young boy from the city forced to spend some time with his grandma out in the country. He brings his gameboy and robot toys - she lives out on a farm in the middle of nowhere with no running water and no electricity.
First of all, this kid is a major brat. Unforgivably ungrateful, self-centered and full of false pride. If G hadn't been the one to suggest I watch this, I would have turned it off half-way through. Second, the grandmother is far too passive, letting the boy talk smack to her, steal her few possessions, and allowing him to continue his ungrateful ways.
In the end, he does learn some gratitude and love but I don't feel like there was enough redemption to make the moobie worthwhile.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Laura
E:
Starring Gene Tierney, this Oscar winning (for best cinematography) film noir classic is credited to Otto Preminger. Apparently somebody named Rouben Mamoulien started the picture, but some behind the scenes shenanigans nipped him in the bud. And watching the special features about Gene's life...man! She led a tragic existence.
The film starts with police detective Mark McPherson investigating Laura's murder. Through flashbacks we get to know her, and through the memory lenses of her various beaus we see that she was very deeply loved.
The more McPherson learns about her, the more he too becomes enamored with her.
Then she turns up.
It's a good twist for this moobie.
Together, McPherson and Laura piece together who was actually murdered and who committed the crime.
I've been on a film noir kick lately (it rears its head periodically for me) and this one didn't disappoint. The femme fatale, the chiarascurro lighting, the cop, the fedoras, the dialogue...it takes me back to a time to which I have no real experience - I wasn't born until the '70s. But the distinct lines of masculinity and femininity are very appealing. The conviction with which these characters conduct themsleves is such a far cry from the ambiguity of the '00s.
Murder is a line that shouldn't be crossed but sometimes someone oversteps that boundary in the name of love. The reasons behind crimes of passion always run deeper, and sorting out the intriguing mess can be absolutely riveting.
Starring Gene Tierney, this Oscar winning (for best cinematography) film noir classic is credited to Otto Preminger. Apparently somebody named Rouben Mamoulien started the picture, but some behind the scenes shenanigans nipped him in the bud. And watching the special features about Gene's life...man! She led a tragic existence.
The film starts with police detective Mark McPherson investigating Laura's murder. Through flashbacks we get to know her, and through the memory lenses of her various beaus we see that she was very deeply loved.
The more McPherson learns about her, the more he too becomes enamored with her.
Then she turns up.
It's a good twist for this moobie.
Together, McPherson and Laura piece together who was actually murdered and who committed the crime.
I've been on a film noir kick lately (it rears its head periodically for me) and this one didn't disappoint. The femme fatale, the chiarascurro lighting, the cop, the fedoras, the dialogue...it takes me back to a time to which I have no real experience - I wasn't born until the '70s. But the distinct lines of masculinity and femininity are very appealing. The conviction with which these characters conduct themsleves is such a far cry from the ambiguity of the '00s.
Murder is a line that shouldn't be crossed but sometimes someone oversteps that boundary in the name of love. The reasons behind crimes of passion always run deeper, and sorting out the intriguing mess can be absolutely riveting.
Monday, June 1, 2009
This Gun For Hire
E:
A film noir classic. We Netflixed this one to watch more Veronica Lake and she delivers. This picture has two main plots that intersect. Alan Ladd plays Raven, a hitman. After being double-crossed by the man who hired him - he hunts him and his boss down. Meanwhile, Lake plays Ellen, a girl hired by the double-crosser to entertain the boss. Ellen and Raven meet on a train. He takes her hostage to aid in his escape from the police (one of which happens to be Ellen's boyfriend).
I love the hard-boiled attitude. Alan Ladd plays it straight and cool the entire time. And Veronica Lake is no slacker. She plays it just cool.
I think the big boss rolled over too quickly near the end, but all in all it makes for a great popcorn picture.
A film noir classic. We Netflixed this one to watch more Veronica Lake and she delivers. This picture has two main plots that intersect. Alan Ladd plays Raven, a hitman. After being double-crossed by the man who hired him - he hunts him and his boss down. Meanwhile, Lake plays Ellen, a girl hired by the double-crosser to entertain the boss. Ellen and Raven meet on a train. He takes her hostage to aid in his escape from the police (one of which happens to be Ellen's boyfriend).
I love the hard-boiled attitude. Alan Ladd plays it straight and cool the entire time. And Veronica Lake is no slacker. She plays it just cool.
I think the big boss rolled over too quickly near the end, but all in all it makes for a great popcorn picture.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Role Models
I'm not sure what to say about this moobie. It definitely had its funny moments. That kid Bobb'e was definitely the highlight - he's hilarious. But overall it's somewhat formulaic.
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Big Sleep
E:
This picture was Bogey and Bacall's second of five films together. I'm a big fan of the film-noir genre what with all the double entendre, all the plot-twisting and all the hard-boiled attitude and this is considered one of the all time classics.
It's about a private detective hired by a rich family to find a solution to a problem. Following the trail of the case, he crosses paths with murder, blackmail, some big players and some small ones, some sexiness, some craziness and some unexpected answers. It's tough to follow (G kept asking me 'who's that? what happened to so-and-so?'), but it's fun to try and that rat-a-tat-tat dialogue keeps you on your toes.
Filmed in 1944 it wasn't released until 1946 (if you add this one to your Netflix queue, which you should, be sure to watch the extras!) to parlay the success of Bacall's newfound fame. By that time - she and Bogey were married. He had his new young bride, he was at the height of his powers and fame and delivered yet another great performance for the ages.
Be sure to watch this moobie!
G:
I recommend you watch this in *one* sitting (not like me, in 4 separate sittings after 11pm); that is why I kept asking E so many questions...ok? The plot is a bit convoluted...but listen to the witty dialogue, current moobies don't have that anymore.
This picture was Bogey and Bacall's second of five films together. I'm a big fan of the film-noir genre what with all the double entendre, all the plot-twisting and all the hard-boiled attitude and this is considered one of the all time classics.
It's about a private detective hired by a rich family to find a solution to a problem. Following the trail of the case, he crosses paths with murder, blackmail, some big players and some small ones, some sexiness, some craziness and some unexpected answers. It's tough to follow (G kept asking me 'who's that? what happened to so-and-so?'), but it's fun to try and that rat-a-tat-tat dialogue keeps you on your toes.
Filmed in 1944 it wasn't released until 1946 (if you add this one to your Netflix queue, which you should, be sure to watch the extras!) to parlay the success of Bacall's newfound fame. By that time - she and Bogey were married. He had his new young bride, he was at the height of his powers and fame and delivered yet another great performance for the ages.
Be sure to watch this moobie!
G:
I recommend you watch this in *one* sitting (not like me, in 4 separate sittings after 11pm); that is why I kept asking E so many questions...ok? The plot is a bit convoluted...but listen to the witty dialogue, current moobies don't have that anymore.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Pineapple Express
Starring Seth Rogen and James Franco as a pothead and his dealer on the run after witnessing a murder, this Judd Apatow produced moobie got some good rebiews.
It had some funny moments and some funny lines and the characters were likeable enough. Rogen doing his usual schlubby everyman schtick. Alright. Rosie Perez miscast as a policewoman. eh. Gary Cole miscast as the bad guy (wasn't bad enough). I kept thinking he'd ask Rosie Perez to come in on Saturday. James Franco was good as the sensitive drug dealer, and Danny McBride steals his scenes as a drug middleman with 9 lives. Maybe the fact that I'm not a pot smoker made this moobie just alright. Although I think the fact that the moobie was just alright made me feel that way.
It had some funny moments and some funny lines and the characters were likeable enough. Rogen doing his usual schlubby everyman schtick. Alright. Rosie Perez miscast as a policewoman. eh. Gary Cole miscast as the bad guy (wasn't bad enough). I kept thinking he'd ask Rosie Perez to come in on Saturday. James Franco was good as the sensitive drug dealer, and Danny McBride steals his scenes as a drug middleman with 9 lives. Maybe the fact that I'm not a pot smoker made this moobie just alright. Although I think the fact that the moobie was just alright made me feel that way.
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