Take 4: Viewer's Choice #3
This review was a long time in the making, but finally we have it...our third installment of Viewer's Choice. Stay tuned next time when we delve into the second season of one of television's most popular crime dramas.
Curt's Take: "Not a Priority" - While there were some genuinely funny moments, the music and cheese kept this from being a strong "Worth Considering" in my book. And I like cheese...just not in the form of an 80's pop-synth soundtrack (alternated with tidbits of Gilbert and Sullivan).
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Recommended By: Bill Duch, Analytics guru where I work, who can make any 30-page deck of numerical data seem interesting
In the Beginning: Judge Haywood, a former district court judge from Maine, travels to Germany to sit on a post-WWII tribunal that is trying German leaders for war crimes.
The Plot Thickens: With all the bigwigs having already had their day in court, Haywood finds himself trying cases against people not much unlike himself...German judges, lawyers and doctors. External pressures subtly close in from all sides, as Haywood tries to maintain impartiality and fairness, in order to do what's right.
Who to Look Out For: Several big names, most of whom I'd heard of, but had never actually seen on film: Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancester, Montgomery Clift, Marlene Dietrich. Also, keep your eyes peeled for an older Judy Garland (post Wizard of Oz) and a much younger William Shatner (pre Star Trek).
And I Quote...: Ernst Janning: Those people, those millions of people... I never knew it would come to that. YOU must believe it, YOU MUST believe it. Judge Dan Haywood: Herr Janning, it came to that the first time you sentenced a man to death you knew to be innocent.
Random Trivia: Montgomery Clift had a habit of cutting his hair very short when he was between films and would not work until it had grown back. In fact, his scene in this film was shot right after getting one of those haircuts. He also had so much trouble remembering his lines, the scene had to be re-shot many times.
And What Did We Learn, Class?: 1) Don't go into this film sleepy at 11pm...you may, like I did, doze off a couple times. 2) Doing what's popular doesn't mean you're doing what's right. 3) Same goes with doing what's logical.
Curt's Take: "Worth Considering" - Largely because of many of the heavy-hitters in it, definitely consider checking this film out. Be warned, though...it's over three hours long, so is not to be approached lightly.
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Recommended By: Okay, this is embarrassing. I don't remember her name, but she was a freelance creative at the office last Spring. Long hair. We used to talk about The Apprentice all the time. Anyway, yeah...it was her idea.
In the Beginning: Fin, a dwarf, inherits an abandoned train depot from his business partner, so he packs up his stuff and moves to Newfoundland, New Jersey, site of his new home.
The Plot Thickens: As Fin settles into life in the small town, he meets several well-meaning strangers who wish to befriend him...when all he is seeking is solitude.
Who's In It That Matters?: The three main actors (Peter Dinklage, as Fin; Bobby Canavale, as Joe; Patricia Clarkson, as Olivia) were all just fantastic. And the little girl who played Cleo...look out for her.
And I Quote...: Fin: I'm retired, actually. Emily: Aren't you a little young to be retired? Fin: No, dwarves retire early. Common fact. Emily: Yeah, lazy dwarves.
Random Trivia: Tom McCarthy (director and writer) wrote the three main roles directly for the actors who ended up playing them. McCarthy has stated in interviews that at the time of writing he was friends with Peter Dinklage, an acquaintance and a colleague of Bobby Cannavale and almost a complete stranger to Patricia Clarkson.
And What Did We Learn, Class?: 1) Just because some folks judge you based on appearances doesn't mean everyone will. 2) Trains are cool. 3) Dwarves getting stoned is kinda cool, too.
Curt's Take: "Must See" - There is little action. The humor is subtle. But the story and the characters are just so damn charming and entrancing, I couldn't help but get sucked in. Check it out.
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Recommended By: Steve Devore, top-notch IT guy and health guru
In the Beginning: A group of confederate soldiers rob a bank and hide out at an abandoned plantation.
The Plot Thickens: It's a horror movie. Do I need to spell it out for you? Strange things begin to happen.
Who's In It That Matters?: Well, almost said "nobody," but the main character is played by Henry Thomas, who played Eliot in E.T.. Also, there is a brief appearance by the guy who plays the DB Cooper character in TV's Prison Break.
And I Quote...: Actually, I don't...nothing eminently quotable in this film.
Random Trivia: There's also a 1965 Dutch ethnographic documentary called Dead Birds. Don't get the two confused. Or do. Could be amusing.
And What Did We Learn, Class?: 1) When a strange, skinned, deformed creature attacks you outside an abandoned plantation surrounded by dead birds...look for another hideout. 2) Dividing the gold "once we get to Mexico" isn't a top-notch plan when you rob a bank in Alabama and are on horseback. 3) When you see a ghost-demon girl in your room, don't make your first priority "dividing up the gold." Make your first priority "getting the hell out of the haunted plantation."
Curt's Take: "Not A Priority" - I don't blame Steve here...he didn't think it was a great movie either. Would have likely gotten a "Don't Bother," if not for the fact I was actually freaked out at several points while watching.
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Recommended By: Abby Hilliard of North Carolina, serving wench and hostess of the best-est Halloween party ever
In the Beginning: After a boating accident, Mabel is knocked unconscious and dreams she is in a modified version of The Pirates of Penzance. With singing. Lots of it.
The Plot Thickens: In her dream, she falls in love with a former pirate, Frederic, and must work with (and, at times, against) him to protect her father (a modern major-general) and sisters from the raping and pillaging of the Pirate King and his crew.
Who to Look Out For: Kristy McNichol, of the late 80's/early 90's TV series Empty Nest. She is surprisingly dead-on with her comedic timing. Pretty damn funny at times, actually.
And I Quote...: Mabel: "You'll be hung!" The Pirate King: "Oh, I am. I am...and very well, thank you."
Random Trivia: Ted Hamilton, who played The Pirate King, was also the executive producer. I think that means a lot of things slipped past that probably shouldn't have...
And What Did We Learn, Class?: 1) An, at times, laugh-out-loud comedy can be dragged down by spontaneous musical numbers that are cheesy by today's standards. 2) Not all pirates are your Pirates of the Caribbean pirates. Some pirates sing and dance with other men. Not that there's anything wrong with that. 3) Even in 1982, filmmakers recognized that ninjas are the mortal enemies of pirates, and appropriately placed several of them into the opening battle sequence.
The Pirate Movie (1982)
Recommended By: Abby Hilliard of North Carolina, serving wench and hostess of the best-est Halloween party ever
In the Beginning: After a boating accident, Mabel is knocked unconscious and dreams she is in a modified version of The Pirates of Penzance. With singing. Lots of it.
The Plot Thickens: In her dream, she falls in love with a former pirate, Frederic, and must work with (and, at times, against) him to protect her father (a modern major-general) and sisters from the raping and pillaging of the Pirate King and his crew.
Who to Look Out For: Kristy McNichol, of the late 80's/early 90's TV series Empty Nest. She is surprisingly dead-on with her comedic timing. Pretty damn funny at times, actually.
And I Quote...: Mabel: "You'll be hung!" The Pirate King: "Oh, I am. I am...and very well, thank you."
Random Trivia: Ted Hamilton, who played The Pirate King, was also the executive producer. I think that means a lot of things slipped past that probably shouldn't have...
And What Did We Learn, Class?: 1) An, at times, laugh-out-loud comedy can be dragged down by spontaneous musical numbers that are cheesy by today's standards. 2) Not all pirates are your Pirates of the Caribbean pirates. Some pirates sing and dance with other men. Not that there's anything wrong with that. 3) Even in 1982, filmmakers recognized that ninjas are the mortal enemies of pirates, and appropriately placed several of them into the opening battle sequence.
Curt's Take: "Not a Priority" - While there were some genuinely funny moments, the music and cheese kept this from being a strong "Worth Considering" in my book. And I like cheese...just not in the form of an 80's pop-synth soundtrack (alternated with tidbits of Gilbert and Sullivan).
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Judgment at Nuremburg (1961)
Recommended By: Bill Duch, Analytics guru where I work, who can make any 30-page deck of numerical data seem interesting
In the Beginning: Judge Haywood, a former district court judge from Maine, travels to Germany to sit on a post-WWII tribunal that is trying German leaders for war crimes.
The Plot Thickens: With all the bigwigs having already had their day in court, Haywood finds himself trying cases against people not much unlike himself...German judges, lawyers and doctors. External pressures subtly close in from all sides, as Haywood tries to maintain impartiality and fairness, in order to do what's right.
Who to Look Out For: Several big names, most of whom I'd heard of, but had never actually seen on film: Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancester, Montgomery Clift, Marlene Dietrich. Also, keep your eyes peeled for an older Judy Garland (post Wizard of Oz) and a much younger William Shatner (pre Star Trek).
And I Quote...: Ernst Janning: Those people, those millions of people... I never knew it would come to that. YOU must believe it, YOU MUST believe it. Judge Dan Haywood: Herr Janning, it came to that the first time you sentenced a man to death you knew to be innocent.
Random Trivia: Montgomery Clift had a habit of cutting his hair very short when he was between films and would not work until it had grown back. In fact, his scene in this film was shot right after getting one of those haircuts. He also had so much trouble remembering his lines, the scene had to be re-shot many times.
And What Did We Learn, Class?: 1) Don't go into this film sleepy at 11pm...you may, like I did, doze off a couple times. 2) Doing what's popular doesn't mean you're doing what's right. 3) Same goes with doing what's logical.
Curt's Take: "Worth Considering" - Largely because of many of the heavy-hitters in it, definitely consider checking this film out. Be warned, though...it's over three hours long, so is not to be approached lightly.
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The Station Agent (2003)
Recommended By: Okay, this is embarrassing. I don't remember her name, but she was a freelance creative at the office last Spring. Long hair. We used to talk about The Apprentice all the time. Anyway, yeah...it was her idea.
In the Beginning: Fin, a dwarf, inherits an abandoned train depot from his business partner, so he packs up his stuff and moves to Newfoundland, New Jersey, site of his new home.
The Plot Thickens: As Fin settles into life in the small town, he meets several well-meaning strangers who wish to befriend him...when all he is seeking is solitude.
Who's In It That Matters?: The three main actors (Peter Dinklage, as Fin; Bobby Canavale, as Joe; Patricia Clarkson, as Olivia) were all just fantastic. And the little girl who played Cleo...look out for her.
And I Quote...: Fin: I'm retired, actually. Emily: Aren't you a little young to be retired? Fin: No, dwarves retire early. Common fact. Emily: Yeah, lazy dwarves.
Random Trivia: Tom McCarthy (director and writer) wrote the three main roles directly for the actors who ended up playing them. McCarthy has stated in interviews that at the time of writing he was friends with Peter Dinklage, an acquaintance and a colleague of Bobby Cannavale and almost a complete stranger to Patricia Clarkson.
And What Did We Learn, Class?: 1) Just because some folks judge you based on appearances doesn't mean everyone will. 2) Trains are cool. 3) Dwarves getting stoned is kinda cool, too.
Curt's Take: "Must See" - There is little action. The humor is subtle. But the story and the characters are just so damn charming and entrancing, I couldn't help but get sucked in. Check it out.
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Dead Birds (2004)
Recommended By: Steve Devore, top-notch IT guy and health guru
In the Beginning: A group of confederate soldiers rob a bank and hide out at an abandoned plantation.
The Plot Thickens: It's a horror movie. Do I need to spell it out for you? Strange things begin to happen.
Who's In It That Matters?: Well, almost said "nobody," but the main character is played by Henry Thomas, who played Eliot in E.T.. Also, there is a brief appearance by the guy who plays the DB Cooper character in TV's Prison Break.
And I Quote...: Actually, I don't...nothing eminently quotable in this film.
Random Trivia: There's also a 1965 Dutch ethnographic documentary called Dead Birds. Don't get the two confused. Or do. Could be amusing.
And What Did We Learn, Class?: 1) When a strange, skinned, deformed creature attacks you outside an abandoned plantation surrounded by dead birds...look for another hideout. 2) Dividing the gold "once we get to Mexico" isn't a top-notch plan when you rob a bank in Alabama and are on horseback. 3) When you see a ghost-demon girl in your room, don't make your first priority "dividing up the gold." Make your first priority "getting the hell out of the haunted plantation."
Curt's Take: "Not A Priority" - I don't blame Steve here...he didn't think it was a great movie either. Would have likely gotten a "Don't Bother," if not for the fact I was actually freaked out at several points while watching.
posted by Curt at 10:12 PM
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