It just can’t be right that I discuss what books I read each month without also mentioning the movies I watch, so here goes:
The Burnt Orange Heresy (2019) directed by Giuseppe Capotondi; Library DVD
Based on a novel of the same name by one of my favorite crime writers, Charles Willeford, The Burnt Orange Heresy finds art critic James Figueras (Claes Bang, right) hired by an eccentric art dealer (Mick Jagger) to steal a painting by a legendary but reclusive artist (Donald Sutherland). Figueras finds that his task isn’t so easy, especially when he’s unsure of the loyalties of the woman (Elizabeth Debicki) he’s attracted to. Although the film didn’t do well at the box office and received only middling reviews, I found it a fascinating and unique heist movie. Scott B. Smith (A Simple Plan, The Ruins) wrote the screenplay.
The Maltese Falcon (1941) John Huston - Warner Bros. Blu-ray (15x?)
Watched in preparation for my appearance on Robert Bellissimo At The Movies. Letterboxd tells me I’ve seen this film 15 times, but it’s probably double that. I hope you’ll check out my conversation with Robert!
Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939) Anatole Litvak - Warner Archive DVD
Say what you want about Warner Bros. during the classic Hollywood era, but they rarely backed down from important and controversial subjects. This movie was one of the first to attack the Nazis nearly two years before America entered into WWII. The film suffers today from being too self-centered, self-assured, and generally awkward at times, but Edward G. Robinson is excellent, even though you have to wait a long time for him to show up.
The World’s Greatest Sinner (1962) Timothy Carey - Criterion Channel
Character actor Timothy Carey fascinates me, clearly one of the strangest people to ever appear in movies. I always enjoy seeing him in several film noir titles (The Killing, Crime Wave, Ace in the Hole), but here he plays an insurance salesman who quits his job to preach his own unique brand of philosophy/theology, that man is much greater than he thinks he is, and eventually referring to himself as God. It’s wild, no doubt about it. All I can say is that I’ve wanted to see this movie for a long time, and now I have.
Islands in the Stream (1977) Franklin J. Schaffner - Paramount DVD
Based on Ernest Hemingway’s posthumously published novel, Islands in the Stream is rarely discussed, but should be. The film features one of George C. Scott’s finest performances as Thomas Hudson, a stoic painter who left it all (including his family) to live and work on an island in the Bahamas. When Hudson’s three sons arrive for a visit, we aren’t sure how he’s going to handle it, but the results are quietly amazing. The film falters in its final act, yet it’s worth seeking out.
The Steel Trap (1952) Andrew Stone - Warner Bros. DVD (2x)
I had some fun writing about this one recently.
Nero Wolfe: Season One (2001) Via Vision DVD (Australia, region free)
I’ve been a big fan of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe detective novels for decades, so when this series came to A&E several years ago, I gave it a couple of episodes and was mildly disappointed. Maury Chaykin’s portrayal of Wolfe seemed too emotional and inconsistent, and the scripts felt too light and comedic. Yet two years ago I decided to revisit the show and learned to embrace the differences between the books and the TV series. This TV version of Nero Wolfe (there are others) contains many charms if you give yourself over to them. I still think Chaykin is sometimes too emotional as Wolfe, but Timothy Hutton is perfect as Archie Goodwin. The rest of the cast is wonderful.
A Sunday in the Country (1984) Bertrand Tavernier - Kino Lorber Blu-ray
If you think a family drama depicting a Sunday afternoon in the countryside of pre-WWI France would be a snooze-fest, you might be surprised. Nearing the end of his life, Monsieur Ladmiral (Louis Ducremux), an elderly painter of moderate skill, is in the habit of inviting his son Gonzague (Michel Aumont), his wife Marie-Thérèse (Geneviève Mnich), and their three children for a visit. Ladmiral’s daughter Irène (Sabine Azéma) shows up to command everyone’s attention and takes pleasure in scorning and critiquing her father’s artwork. This is a comedy (as well as a drama and perhaps a tragedy) of manners that’s beautifully staged, shot, and acted. If you’re a Merchant Ivory fan, you’ll enjoy this one. In French with English subtitles.
The Mad Doctor of Market Street (1942) Joseph H. Lewis - Universal Cult Horror Collection DVD box set
Universal made several classic horror movies, but The Mad Doctor of Market Street is not one of them. Through a series of unbelievable circumstances, mad scientist Ralph Benson (Lionel Atwill) flees a shipwrecked ocean liner, makes for an island in the South Seas, and convinces the locals that he can bring the dead to life. Thus, he must be worshipped. When the rest of the survivors reach the island, Benson has already captured the natives’ loyalties. For a while… Atwill was always good at being entertainingly over-the-top, but even he can’t hold this turkey together.
Valdez is Coming (1971) Edwin Sherin - Library DVD
Based on the Elmore Leonard novel I read last month, Valdez is Coming lacks much of what makes the novel so compelling, the character development of its protagonist. The film rests largely on the star power of Burt Lancaster, an actor who usually plays someone who won’t take no for an answer. In the Leonard story, Valdez’s transformation from a puppet of a lawman into a determined force to be reckoned with is a far more compelling narrative. Edwin Sherman directed mostly theatre and television, and while he takes some advantage of a wider landscape here, many of his directorial choices seem uninspired. Still, the film is mildly entertaining.
Beasts Clawing at Straws (2020) Kim Yong-hoon - Kanopy
Korean movies are never boring. Take, for example, Beasts Clawing at Straws, a neo-noir black comedy crime suspense thriller telling three stories we know are all going to converge at some point: (1) A man working a dead-end job to support his ill mother discovers a huge bag of money in a sauna. (2) A customs officer in debt to a high-level criminal named Mr. Park teams up with one of Park’s associates to run a major scam which could lead to a big payoff. (3) A female escort married to an abusive husband discovers that one of her clients is willing to murder the husband for a price. Watching these stories play out is a lot of (dark and violent) fun.
The Long, Long Trailer (1954) Vincente Minnelli - Warner Archive DVD
The television show I Love Lucy (1951-1957) was such a hit on the small screen, MGM executives thought people would run to their local movie theater to see Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in a full-length motion picture in color. Audiences did just that, but the longer format doesn’t necessarily mean bigger and more frequent laughs. The plot is simple: Tacy Bolton-Collini (Ball) wants to buy a trailer (what we’d call an RV today) and see the country against the wishes of her husband Nicky (Arnaz). Many people love this movie, but it grew somewhat tiresome for me.
The Insider (1999) Michael Mann - The Criterion Channel
I was aware of this movie in 1999, but I never got around to seeing it until a few weeks ago. Based on the true story of Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), a tobacco research chemist who’s prepared to blow the whistle on what Big Tobacco doesn’t want you to know. Major TV producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) seeks to convince Wigand that appearing on 60 Minutes is the right thing to do, but Wigand and Bergman’s bosses fear the consequences. I’m amazed this film isn’t better remembered. It should be.
Wildcat (2023) directed by Ethan Hawke - AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
I recently reviewed this film.
Westward the Women (1951) William A. Wellman - Warner Archive DVD
I was not prepared for this. I wrongfully assumed that a movie with the title Westward the Women would be a comedy, but instead I got a powerful, moving story of wagon master Buck Wyatt (Robert Taylor) leading a wagon train with over 100 mail-order brides from Chicago to their soon-to-be husbands in California. This movie doesn’t pull any punches or sugar-coat the harsh conditions and tragedies that can occur on such a journey. I am amazed at how Wellman utilizes the camera and makes everything seem as if he’s filming a documentary. This may be my favorite first-time watch of the month. Highly recommended.
Okay, now let me know what you watched in May 2024: movies, TV, whatever.
Hi Andy! So, I'm doing much better this year when it comes to movie watching. Saturday night has turned into a default movie night for me and, ignoring the larger implications of what this says about my life or lack thereof, at least I'm getting in roughly a movie per week. Criterion has also had some good stories (is that what they call their movie groupings?) recently that have been motivating. I was excited about the Venice one, although I only ended up watching one of those films in May. (since then I've watched 2 more. The main thing I've gotten from them is- If you go to Venice, you will die)
Anyway, in May I believe I watched:
Don't Look Now: Good! I think I had some quibbles, but I can't recall what they were now. I'm sure I've seen the scene with the 3 women standing at the head of the boat before; perhaps it's one of those classic scenes that everyone just knows?
Room with a View: I was starting to watch another Venice film when I realized I really wanted to rewatch this one
Leto: Have you seen Leto? You must watch Leto. It's one of those films I've seen countless times and I see something new each time. If you haven't seen it, let me know and I'll tell you 2-3 spoiler-free things you should probably know going in. I watched it knowing a lot about the subject, and I'd be interested to know how someone reacts if they go in not knowing about it (depending on how up you are on the 1980's Leningrad music scene?)