Friday, December 31, 2010

Review | Once Upon a Time in The West: Love Poem to American Westerns

Cover of "Once Upon a Time in the West"Cover of Once Upon a Time in the West  Once Upon a Time in The West is my all time favorite film as well as my favorite movie score. Bernardo Bertolucci, the co-writer of Once Upon a Time in The West, later directs The Last Emperor, which is my second all time favorite film as well as my second favorite movie score. Beware this is not your usual western. It is epic poetry. It is opera. It is a perfectly crafted art film that expresses Sergio Leone's true love for the great American Westerns. Leone doesn't necessarily romanticize the American West, he romanticizes American Western films. He makes references to High Noon, 3:10 to Yuma, The Comancheros, Shane, The Searchers, My Darling Clementine and many other great American Westerns very much the way Quentin Tarrantino has made films that pay homage to the gangster film genre.

The McBain Ranch, Sweetwater - Western Leone, ...Image by howzey via FlickrAlthough most of the film was shot in Spain & Italy like most spaghetti westerns, Leone traveled to John Ford's Monument Valley to capture the authentic Western United States panorama. Like Nicholas Ray's Johnny Guitar, it has a poetic quality that uses strong symbolism; but instead of symbolic words and lyrical phrases in the dialogue, Leone relies on the alliteration of sights and sounds to formulate poetic stanzas out of every scene. The length of the film is a result of Leone's choice to direct in a sometimes painstakingly slow pace that builds up incredible tension before key action scenes. He allows us time to imbibe the majestic landscapes, and appreciate the details of the authentic sets and costume design documenting this pivotal period in American history. Instead of cluttering the beauty of his carefully photographed frames with dialogue, close shots of these actor's iconic faces express all that needs to be said.


Ennio Morricone at the 66th Venice Film Festiv...Image via WikipediaEnnio Morricone, also my favorite movie composer, scored five distinct musical themes that embody each of the main characters: widowed new bride Jill (Claudia Cardinale), mysterious harmonica-playing gunman (Charles Bronson), bandit Cheyenne (Jason Robards), hired gun Frank (Henry Fonda) and  railroad tycoon Morton (Gabriele Ferzetti). Instead of a musical prelude, the movie opens with a symphony of natural sounds using a screeching windmill, a buzzing fly, dropping water and a ticking telegraph. Meticulous sound editors maintain continuity throughout this mostly visual narrative, composing a perfect harmony between each of the main character's musical motifs along side the multitude of natural sounds mostly inspired by the two major symbols, the railroad and the water. An impressive lengthy tracking shot introduces the "anti-heroine" Jill as well as the beginnings of a bustling railroad town. Don't miss the first few minutes of this movie. Without music nor dialogue, Leone creates one of the most suspenseful thrilling first few minutes of a movie whilst still rolling the opening credits. For all 168 minutes I was captivated by each and every frame! Once Upon a Time in the West is the finest example of Sergio Leone's creativity and perfectionism as a director, but most of all it is his greatest testament of love for the American Western.

Inglourious BasterdsImage via WikipediBTW Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds pays tribute to this film with an opening sequence entitled Once Upon a Time in Nazi-Occupied France.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

1955 Ealing comedy The Ladykillers remade 2004 by the Coen brothers

Cover of "The Ladykillers [Blu-ray]"Cover of The Ladykillers [Blu-ray]
The Ladykillers is a 1955 British black comedy film made by Ealing Studios. Directed by Alexander Mackendrick, it stars Alec Guinness, Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers, Danny Green, Jack Warner and Katie Johnson. American William Rose wrote the screenplay, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay and won the BAFTA Award for Best British Screenplay. He claimed to have dreamt the entire film and merely had to remember the details when he awoke.
Cover of "The Ladykillers (Widescreen Edi...Cover of The Ladykillers (Widescreen Edition)
In 2004, the Coen Brothers directed a Hollywood remake of the film, starring Tom Hanks, with J. K. Simmons, Marlon Wayans, Tzi Ma, Ryan Hurst, and Irma P. Hall. For the remake, the setting of the film is moved from London to Saucier, Mississippi, home of a riverboat casino.  The gang pretends to play,"Minuet" (3rd movement) from "String Quintet in E, Op. 13 No. 5", composed by Luigi Boccherini; echoing the original 1955 film.

Friday, December 10, 2010

TCManiacs 2010 Holiday Picks!

TCManiac's has picked favorite films that celebrate faith, family and festivity of the December holiday season.







TCManiacs December Holiday Picks!

3 Friday
8:00 PM Fitzwilly (1967)
When an aging philanthropist goes broke, her butler robs from the rich so she can give to the poor. Cast: Dick Van Dyke, Edith Evans, Barbara Feldon. Dir: Delbert Mann. C-103 mins, TV-PG, CC, Letterbox Format
10:00 PM It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
Two homeless men move into a mansion while its owners are wintering in the South. Cast: Don DeFore, Victor Moore, Gale Storm. Dir: Roy Del Ruth. BW-115 mins, TV-G, CC
12:00 AM Susan Slept Here (1954)
A Hollywood screenwriter takes in a runaway girl who's more woman than he can handle. Cast: Dick Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Anne Francis. Dir: Frank Tashlin. C-98 mins, TV-PG, CC

4 Saturday
9:00 AM Christmas Carol, A (1938)
In this adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, an elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve. Cast: Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart. Dir: Edwin L. Marin. BW-69 mins, TV-G, CC
 5 Sunday
12:30 PM Holiday Affair (1950)
A young widow is torn between a boring businessman and a romantic ne'er-do-well. Cast: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey. Dir: Don Hartman. BW-87 mins, TV-G, CC
10 Friday
8:00 PM Christmas Carol, A (1938)
In this adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, an elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve. Cast: Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart. Dir: Edwin L. Marin. BW-69 mins, TV-G, CC
9:30 PM Scrooge (1970)
A miser faces the ghosts of his past on Christmas Eve. Cast: Albert Finney, Edith Evans, Kenneth More. Dir: Ronald Neame. C-113 mins, TV-PG, Letterbox Format
11:30 PM Man Who Came to Dinner, The (1942)
An acerbic critic wreaks havoc when a hip injury forces him to move in with a midwestern family. Cast: Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, Monty Woolley. Dir: William Keighley. BW-113 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS
3:30 AM Santa Claus (1959)
Santa Claus enlists Merlin to help him save Christmas from the devil. Cast: Jose Elias Moreno, Cesareo Quezadas 'Pulgarcito', Jose Luis Aguirre 'Trotsky'. Dir: pRene Cardona. C-95 mins,
5:15 AM Short Film: Visit to Santa (1963)
Two children dreaming of Christmas visit Santa at the North Pole. Dir: Clem Williams. BW-12 mins,
11 Saturday

8:00 PM Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
Young love and childish fears highlight a year in the life of a turn-of-the-century family. Cast: Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor. Dir: Vincente Minnelli. C-113 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS

12 Sunday
 
10:15 AM Shop Around The Corner, The (1940)
Feuding co-workers don't realize they're secret romantic pen pals. Cast: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan. Dir: Ernst Lubitsch. BW-99 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS
12:00 PM Bishop's Wife, The (1947)
An angel helps set an ambitious bishop on the right track. Cast: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven. Dir: Henry Koster. BW-109 mins, TV-G, CC

17 Friday

8:00 PM Holiday Affair (1950)
A young widow is torn between a boring businessman and a romantic ne'er-do-well. Cast: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey. Dir: Don Hartman. BW-87 mins, TV-G, CC
9:30 PM In The Good Old Summertime (1949)
In this musical remake of The Shop Around the Corner, feuding co-workers in a small music shop do not realize they are secret romantic pen pals. Cast: Judy Garland, Van Johnson, S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall. Dir: Robert Z. Leonard. C-103 mins, TV-PG, CC, DVS
11:30 PM Little Women (1949)
The four daughters of a New England family fight for happiness during and after the Civil War. Cast: June Allyson, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Lawford. Dir: Mervyn LeRoy. C-122 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS
2:00 AM Black Christmas (1974)
A deranged killer terrorizes the women staying in a sorority house over Christmas. Cast: Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder. Dir: Bob Clark. C-98 mins,
3:45 AM Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)
Martians kidnap Santa Claus to cheer up their children. Cast: John Call, Bill McCutcheon, Pia Zadora. Dir: Nicholas Webster. C-81 mins, TV-PG
5:15 AM Short Film: Visit to Santa (1963)
Two children dreaming of Christmas visit Santa at the North Pole. Dir: Clem Williams. BW-12 mins,
19 Sunday
10:00 AM It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
Two homeless men move into a mansion while its owners are wintering in the South. Cast: Don DeFore, Victor Moore, Gale Storm. Dir: Roy Del Ruth. BW-115 mins, TV-G, CC
12:00 PM Scrooge (1970)
A miser faces the ghosts of his past on Christmas Eve. Cast: Albert Finney, Edith Evans, Kenneth More. Dir: Ronald Neame. C-113 mins, TV-PG, Letterbox Format
12:15 AM King of Kings, The (1927)
In this silent film, Cecil B. DeMille directs an epic retelling of the life of Christ. Cast: H.B. Warner, Dorothy Cumming, Ernest Torrence. Dir: Cecil B. DeMille. BW-157 mins, TV-G
 20 Monday
10:00 PM Shop Around The Corner, The (1940)
Feuding co-workers don't realize they're secret romantic pen pals. Cast: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan. Dir: Ernst Lubitsch. BW-99 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS
24 Friday

9:15 AM Tenth Avenue Angel (1948)
A child of the tenements helps an ex-con find a new life. Cast: Margaret O'Brien, Angela Lansbury, George Murphy. Dir: Roy Rowland. BW-74 mins, TV-G, CC
10:30 AM Holiday Affair (1950)
A young widow is torn between a boring businessman and a romantic ne'er-do-well. Cast: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey. Dir: Don Hartman. BW-87 mins, TV-G, CC
12:00 PM It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
Two homeless men move into a mansion while its owners are wintering in the South. Cast: Don DeFore, Victor Moore, Gale Storm. Dir: Roy Del Ruth. BW-115 mins, TV-G, CC
2:00 PM Man Who Came to Dinner, The (1942)
An acerbic critic wreaks havoc when a hip injury forces him to move in with a midwestern family. Cast: Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, Monty Woolley. Dir: William Keighley. BW-113 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS
4:00 PM In The Good Old Summertime (1949)
In this musical remake of The Shop Around the Corner, feuding co-workers in a small music shop do not realize they are secret romantic pen pals. Cast: Judy Garland, Van Johnson, S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall. Dir: Robert Z. Leonard. C-103 mins, TV-PG, CC, DVS
6:00 PM Scrooge (1970)
A miser faces the ghosts of his past on Christmas Eve. Cast: Albert Finney, Edith Evans, Kenneth More. Dir: Ronald Neame. C-113 mins, TV-PG, Letterbox Format
8:00 PM Bishop's Wife, The (1947)
An angel helps set an ambitious bishop on the right track. Cast: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven. Dir: Henry Koster. BW-109 mins, TV-G, CC
10:00 PM Make Way For Tomorrow (1937)
A devoted couple faces the harsh economic realities of growing older. Cast: Victor Moore, Beulah Bondi, Fay Bainter. Dir: Leo McCarey. BW-92 mins, TV-G
12:00 AM Remember the Night (1940)
An assistant D.A. takes a shoplifter home with him for Christmas. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, Beulah Bondi. Dir: Mitchell Leisen. BW-94 mins, TV-G
2:00 AM Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
Young love and childish fears highlight a year in the life of a turn-of-the-century family. Cast: Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor. Dir: Vincente Minnelli. C-113 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS
25 Saturday
6:00 AM Little Women (1933)
The four March sisters fight to keep their family together and find love while their father is off fighting the Civil War. Cast: Katharine Hepburn, Joan Bennett, Paul Lukas. Dir: George Cukor. BW-116 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS
8:00 AM Shop Around The Corner, The (1940)
Feuding co-workers don't realize they're secret romantic pen pals. Cast: Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan. Dir: Ernst Lubitsch. BW-99 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS
10:00 AM Susan Slept Here (1954)
A Hollywood screenwriter takes in a runaway girl who's more woman than he can handle. Cast: Dick Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Anne Francis. Dir: Frank Tashlin. C-98 mins, TV-PG, CC
11:45 AM Christmas Carol, A (1938)
In this adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, an elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve. Cast: Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart. Dir: Edwin L. Marin. BW-69 mins, TV-G, CC
1:00 PM Ben-Hur (1959)
While seeking revenge, a rebellious Israelite prince crosses paths with Jesus Christ. Cast: Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins. Dir: William Wyler. C-222 mins, TV-PG, CC, Letterbox Format, DVS
5:00 PM King of Kings, The (1961)
Epic retelling of Christ's life and the effects of his teachings on those around him. Cast: Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Robert Ryan. Dir: Nicholas Ray. C-171 mins, TV-PG, CC, Letterbox Format
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