The Killing
Directed by Stanley Kubrick, 1956
Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing was his first major Hollywood film. His first two films, Fear and Desire and Killer’s Kiss, were small, independent movies. This was the first time he had a major budget ($330,000), major actors (Sterling Hayden, Jay C. Flippen, and Elisha Cook) and a major studio (United Artists). It was based on Lionel White’s novel Clean Break, and the screenplay was co-written by Jim Thompson who wrote crime novels The Grifters and The Killer Inside Me.
The story deals with a heist of a race track. Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden) is the ring leader and has come up with a plan that requires spilt second timing. What makes The Killing different from other heist films are the many perspectives the story is told from. You see each story of the gang as they perform their part of the robbery. For example, you see Nikki Arane (Timothy Carey) the sharp shooter of the gang hired to assassinate a race horse to cause a distraction. In this particular episode there is an interesting exchange between Arane and a black car park attendant (James Edwards). Not only is it part of the plot but it makes an interesting comment on racism.
Another interesting aspect of The Killing is how each gang member comes undone. It comes in the form of a horseshoe, a little dog, and of course the femme fatale played to perfection by Marie Windsor.
Tragically, after Dr. Strangelove, Stanley Kubrick never made a film in black and white again. Kubrick was one of the last directors who fully exploited the process to its full advantage. Interesting note: Lucien Ballard, the director of photography, was mainly known for working in color and mainly in westerns. The Killing has a documentary-feel to it.
In conclusion, The Killing introduced to the world a great filmmaking talent. The film is still complex and compelling today.
- Bill
The Thin Blue Line
By Morris, Errol
“If there was ever hell on earth, it’s Dallas County.”—Randall Adams Hands down, my favorite documentary. It tells the story of Randall Adams, who has been convicted and put on death row for killing a police officer in Dallas County, Texas. This documentary unfolds like a great detective novel. Philip Glass’s haunting score adds to the atmosphere. It is totally engrossing.
Of Unknown Origin
By Cosmatos, George Pan
Bart Hughes played by Peter Weller is a man who has everything going for him. He has a job that has put him of the fast track for success, a beautiful trophy wife, and an upscale townhouse. He is a master of the rat race, then a real rat moves in and a war ensues. This clever cat and mouse (or man and rat) story is an off beat thriller that really works. It also has the scariest scene in the history of motion pictures.
Ace in the Hole
By Billy Wilder
Ace in the Hole is Billy Wilder’s deeply cynical movie about the vicious world of journalism. The movie was released in 1951 and it’s still relevant today. Kirk Douglas portrays Chuck Tatum, a ruthless reporter who manipulates the events surrounding a man trapped in a mine after a cave in. This movie has some of the best dialogue ever written. It’s also one of the most uncompromising films ever made.
- Bill
Big Love: Complete Seasons 1 & 2
5 Stars
I never thought I would enjoy a show about polygamists, but Big Love has captured my attention. The acting is great, the characters are complex and the storyline could not be more complicated. This show has made me really appreciate Chloe Sevigny as an actress, but it’s Grace Zabriskie, who plays the crazy grandmother, that steals every scene she’s in.
- Kyle
Jekyll
Jekyll is a recent BBC television drama that takes the novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and reinvents the tale in modern day England. This cutting edge horror show has a complicated structure that takes you on a wickedly funny thrill ride. The show is filled with fresh original characters. But it’s Jekyll and Hyde, both played by the brilliant James Nesbitt, that hold the show together. Nesbitt’s portrayal of Hyde is astonishing because he creates the character using no prosthetics. So grab yourself a bag of popcorn, sit back with your favorite beverage, and enjoy!
- Bill
Six Feet Under: The Complete Series
5 stars
I think this show is even better than The Sopranos. Not for the squeamish or prudish, this show explores love and death of all types. Excellent writing, characters, and acting.
- Jessica
SCTV: Disc 1
SCTV is a television series that aired in the early 1980’s. Its cast was formed with comedians out of the original Second City comedy troupe of Chicago, as well as Toronto Second City troupe members. Many comedy greats of the 70’s and 80’s came through the Second City organization, some going to the SCTV series and others graduating on to Saturday Night Live. SCTV cast members included Dave Thomas, Catherine O’Hara, John Candy, and Andrea Martin, John Belushi and Dan Akroyd. The many sketches in this collection hold up rather well despite their early 80’s time frame. Many politicians, TV stars, TV shows, and various celebrities were spoofed, which is what sketch comedy is all about. Some skits were truly inspired, such as a takeoff on Chariots of Fire which they renamed “Chariots of Eggs” and starred the pop duo Hall and Oates.
- Ric
Overnight
By Montana, Tony
Director Smith, Mark Brian
4 stars
There have been great actors who have played memorable movie monsters.
Boris Karloff played the Frankenstein monster. Bela Lugosi became Bram Stoker’s Dracula. And now Troy Duffy is Troy Duffy in Overnight. Never heard of the monster Troy Duffy? Well, let me explain. Mr. Duffy was a bartender and struggling screenwriter who suddenly hit the big time when he sold his script The Boondock Saints to Harvey Weinstein of Miramax Films (when Miramax was still considered the hottest production company in Hollywood.) Documentary filmmakers Mark Brian Smith and Tony Montana decide to film the rise of this new young filmmaker. Not so fast… What Smith and Montana document is the fall of Troy Duffy, who turns out to be an arrogant bully who but all destroys the gift handed to him on a silver platter. Granted his head doesn’t spin around and he doesn’t spit pea soup, but he does just about everything else in the repertoire of a movie monster. Check Overnight out and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
- Bill
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?
Have you been as disappointed as I have by the rash of mediocre comedies coming out of Hollywood? If so, allow me to recommend this sadly neglected gem from 1966. What Did You Do In The War, Daddy? is a superb piece of World War II anarchy directed by Blake Edwards of Pink Panther fame. The movie is extremely well written by William Peter Blatty (better known for The Exorcist) and the casting is perfect pitch. Harry Morgan steals the show as Major Pott, who gets trapped in catacombs and slowly goes crazy. Trust me, its funny. What Did You Do In The War, Daddy? is one of the funniest war comedies ever made. Enjoy and that’s an order!
- Bill
Z Channel: a Magnificent Obsession
Directed by Xan Cassavetes, 2005
The “Z Channel: a Magnificent Obsession” is a fascinating documentary that explores the rise and tragic fall of Jerry Harvey, the maverick chief programmer of the Z Channel.
What was the Z Channel you ask? Before Blockbuster or HBO there was Z Channel. If you lived in the Los Angeles area in the 1980’s, you literally had a film festival on your TV every night. You could watch domestic films, foreign films and obscure movies you would have otherwise not been exposed to. Z Channel creator Jerry Harvey also introduced innovative programming ideas such as screening letterboxed versions and director’s cuts, as well as the “Night Owl Show.” (You’ll have to watch the movie to find out what this is…)
This documentary features several interviews with people that knew Harvey, including ex-wives, filmmakers (Robert Altman, Penelope Spheeris, Paul Verhoeven, and Quentin Tarantino), movie critics, and associates. Also interviewed is UCLA’s English Professor C. L. Batten. Mr. Batten was Jerry Harvey’s teacher while he was at UCLA. I was able to contact him for a brief interview.
What classes did Jerry Harvey take with you?
(Batten) He took two classes with me. Literary criticism and Eighteenth Century English.
In the movie you stated,” I think this student is probably smarter than I am.” Could you elaborate on this statement?
(Batten) I’ve only seen the movie once. I don’t like to watch myself or to hear my own voice. I don’t even like to hear my voice on the answering machine. What I wanted to say about Jerry was that he was a very bright man with a great mental agility. I hope I taught him to be more intellectual. He was extraordinary.
Did you ever talk about film?
(Batten) Every conversation I had with him was about film. Film was his way of connecting with the world.
Did he ever introduce a film to you that you had never heard of before?
(Batten) While he was programming films at the Beverly Canon (an art theatre in California) he called me up and insisted I come and see Marcel Carne’s “Les Enfants Du Paradis” or “The Children of Paradise”. I took my wife to the film and he was right I really enjoyed it.
The Z Channel a Magnificent Obsession is not just for cinephiles. It’s a fascinating look at one man who tried to introduce something new and daring to his audience. For the most part, Harvey succeeded. I think it important to note the Nashville Public Library has several of the films mentioned in “Z CHANNEL A MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION” either on video or DVD. Instead of checking out your usual movies, try one of Harvey’s favorite films. You may discover your new favorite film!
-Bill
Last of the Jewish Cowboys: The Best of Kinky Friedman
By Kinky Friedman, 2006
Novelist Kinky Friedman is also a salsa maker, animal lover, humorist, independent candidate for the office of Governor of Texas, and, the reason for this review, a singer-songwriter. Last of the Jewish Cowboys: The Best of Kinky Friedman, includes a wonderful array of tunes from this entertaining Renaissance man. The songs are a mixture that includes soulfulness (Sold American), sometimes in bad taste (The Ballad of Charles Whitman), a dash of politically incorrectness (Get Your Biscuits In The Oven And Your Buns In The Bed), and downright gross (Ol’ Ben Lucas). Granted he ain’t Gershwin but, Kinky Friedman is an American original. Be a fine American and give this one a listen!
- Bill
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