TCMFF Day #2

After getting maybe five hours of sleep after the first night of the festival, I was up and running for the first full day of the event.

A few years ago when I attended for the first time, I missed Floyd Norman as the screening of The Jungle Book conflicted with other plans on my agenda. This year I made it a point to attend his introduction for 101Dalmatians. His anecdotes about Walt Disney Studios were enlightening and entertaining. Just one of the most wonderful festival guests to listen to.

Floyd Norman (left) and Mario Cantone (right) introducing *101 Dalmatians.*

I ducked out of 101 Dalmatians a tad early to get in line for Them!. As a huge fan of B-movies, especially creature features from the 50s, this was a must. What made it extra special was the presenters: visual effects artist Craig Barron and sound designer Ben Burtt. A very fun and insightful look at the film’s production and insights into the nuts and bolts of sound design and visual effects. A great one to see in a packed theatre.

Ben Burtt (left) and Craig Barron (right) introducing *Them!*.

Next was a stop at Club TCM for A Conversation With Billy Dee Williams. It was a great presentation led by Professor Stewart. I look forward to seeing one of Williams’ films on Sunday.

Professor Stewart (left) and Billy Dee Williams (right) speaking at Club TCM.

I took a break after that for an early dinner. Then it was over to the IMAX Theatre for Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I was really torn between seeing that and Rear Window. But Steven Spielberg introducing one of his masterpieces? Couldn’t pass that up. And what a great discussion. My favorite part was learning about why Spielberg takes a more optimistic view of what making contact with extraterrestrial life might be like. And we were treated to the director’s cut in the best possible venue. Thrilling!

Steven Spielberg (left) and Ben Mankiewicz (right) presenting *Close Encounters*.

My last film of the day was the complete opposite of the one I started with: Se7en. Fittingly Czar of Noir Eddie Muller was on hand to introduce it with director David Fincher. I was surprised how many in attendance were seeing it for the first time. It’s dark, gritty, twisted, and blends very well the genres of noir and horror. It’s not for the faint of heart. But it is an undeniably powerful film. The IMAX restoration was the cherry on top.

David Fincher (left) and Eddie Muller (right) introducing *Se7en*.

That’s it for the first full day! Stay tuned for my day 3 recap.

TCMFF Day #1

Well, it’s that time of the year again. It’s time to live and breathe movies for four glorious days in Hollywood. Today was day 1 of the TCM Classic Film Festival. Here’s my recap.

First on the agenda was So You Want To Plan A Classic Film Festival. It was a great insight into all the hard work the festival organizers put in. It’s not just planning the films themselves. It’s the logistics of the venues and coordinating the talent. It was a fun tour down memory lane. And we got some great stories from past festivals.

After that I went to the bleachers to watch the red carpet arrivals. Always fun to get on some people watching.

I was originally going to pass on Pulp Fiction because I have seen it on the big screen. But I decided to at least go for the cast reunion. And it did not disappoint.

Dave Karger and Lesley Ann Warren introducing *Clue*.

My first full film of the festival was Clue. The poolside screenings are a completely different vibe from the others. I try to do one a festival. Clue was a movie I rented at the video store all the time as a kid. That’s how I got introduced to the great Tim Curry. Dave Karger and. Lesley Ann Warren introduced it. There were also fun photo ops, my favorite being one where you could take your own mugshot. The screening was a hoot!

Once Clue was over, I booked it over to the TCL Multiplex for The Small Back Room. It was completely new to me. What a treat! Another great film from the dynamic duo of Powell and Pressburger. This one follows the adventures of a troubled research scientist and military bomb-disposal expert who is tasked by the government to devise a plan to deal with a new German weapon. The last 15 minutes are packed with excruciating suspense! Alfred Hitchcock eat your heart out.

Ken Jennings introducing *The Small Back Room*.

Well, that’s it for day one. It was quite a start to the festivities.

5 Reasons Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Is The Perfect Father’s Day Movie

Happy Father’s Day! There are a lot of great movies you can watch for the occasion. Breaking Away and Life With Father come to mind. But the best one for my money is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Not only is it one of the most underrated entries in the franchise, it’s a great character study delving into the background of our beloved archaeologist. Here are my top five reasons this is the movie to watch on Father’s Day.

1. Indiana Jones’ father is James Bond.

The whole Indiana Jones franchise started when George Lucas and Steven Spielberg were talking about what projects they were doing next. Spielberg wanted to direct a Bond pictures. Lucas said he had that beat, told him the concept for Raiders of the Lost Ark and the rest is history. So it’s fitting that when Last Crusade was being made they cast Sean Connery as Indy’s father. And Connery’s chemistry with Ford is flawless.

2. Indy’s father is a badass in his own right.

A lesser movie would have made Indy’s father some helpless, doddering old fool. While he might not be as physically imposing as Indy, he holds his own throughout the adventure. There’s the scene where he gets the seagulls to fly up and crash an enemy plane. He then proceeds to quote Charlemagne. My other favorite scene is when he is being held in the Nazi tank with Marcus Brody and delivers an epic monologue against book burning.

3. The father-son interactions feel very realistic.

All too often in movies when we see parent-child relationships portrayed, they feel like Hollywood versions of real relationships. The script for Last Crusade is smarter than that. For me the best example of this is when Indy and his father are on the zeppelin after escaping Nazi capture. The whole dialogue in that scene is some of the most realistic father-son dialogue ever written for a movie.

Indiana Jones: It was just the two of us, Dad. That was a lonely way to grow up, lonely for both of us. I can remember the last time we had a drink together; I had a milkshake. But we didn’t talk; we’ve never talked. If you’d been an average and regular father, like all of my friends’ dads, you would’ve understood.

Professor Henry Jones: I was a wonderful father.

Indiana Jones: Yeah, how?

Professor Henry Jones: Did I ever tell you to eat up, go to bed, wash your ears, or do your homework? No. I respected your privacy, and I taught you self-reliance.

Indiana Jones: What you taught me is that I was less important to you than people who’ve been dead for 500 years in another country. And I learned it so well, that we’ve hardly spoken for 20 years.

Professor Henry Jones: You left just as you were becoming interesting. Okay, I’m here now. So what do you want to talk about?

Indiana Jones: I… I can’t think of… anything.

Professor Henry Jones: Then what are you complaining about? We have work to do.

4. It’s a more character-driven story that still delivers great action scenes.

One of the criticism of the movie by many is that it doesn’t have enough action. Last Crusade is certainly more of a character study than the previous entries in the franchise. But it does have enough great action scenes to make it unmistakably an Indiana Jones pictures. There’s the opening scene where we see Indy’s first adventure, the boat chase in Venice, the motorcycle chase and the badass tank scene. While it might have a few less action sequences overall, the ones it has deliver. And in the tank chase it’s fun watching Indy and his dad working together to outwit the Nazis.

5. They reconcile in a very moving way.

When Indy was young, part of the reason for his rift with his father is that Indy felt his father was more interested in Holy Grail lore than his own family. Ironically the search for the Holy Grail is what brings them together and helps them mend their relationship. The key moment isn’t a showy one. But it’s poignant. All through the movie Indy’s father has been referring to him as Junior, which irks Indy no end. As Indy is desperately reaching for the Holy Grail in danger of falling to his death, his father says, “Indiana. Let it go.” That small gesture of respect is when you see the relationship slowly coming back together. His father does care more about him than the Holy Grail. And they ride off into the sunset with Sallah and Marcus.

5 Movies To Get You Ready For Summer

Now that we’ve made it through a seeming long endless winter and a hit and Miss spring, it’s time to start thinking summer. Here are five movies to put you in the summer mood.

1. Speed

For most people The Matrix is Keanu Reeves’ best performance. For me it’s Speed. It’s the kind of action-packed thrill right that just hits different when the temperature starts to rise. The premise is simple: a bus is armed with a bomb when the speedometer reaches 50. If it goes below 50, the bus explodes. Out of that simplicity comes some first rate stunt work and inventive action scenes. All of this works because of the wonderful performances of Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Daniels and Dennis Hopper. No one does crazy villains quite like Hopper.

2. Jaws

Thinking about going to the beach? Think again! A pool might be a better option, especially after seeing Jaws. The original summer blockbuster, Jaws still holds up. This isn’t just a gory horror movie. Part of its genius is how it manages to deliver so much tension by the suggestion of the shark. So maybe in retrospect the mechanical shark constantly malfunctioning was a blessing. Instead of cheap jump scares we get excruciating suspense which has even more weight because we’re so invested in the lead characters. Jaws has top notch performances from Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Lorraine Gary…Not a bad bit of casting to be found.

3. The Parent Trap

One of the staples of summer is kids going to summer camp. And no movie captures that experience better than The Parent Trap. While I did enjoy the remake with Lindsay Lohan, the original with Hayley Mills is special. There’s a charm and innocence to the story that makes it timeless. Mills is brilliant playing both of the twin sisters scheming to reunite their divorced parents. Mills gives each a distinct personality and sells the whole thing. My other favorite performance is Maureen O’ Hara as the divorced mom. The whole vibe of the movie is delightful.

4. Mama Mia!

I know I’m going to lose some people with this choice. But here me out. It’s actually an underrated movie. The locations will make you want to book a trip to Greece immediately. The ABBA songs are fun as is the choreography of the numbers. Even if the actors aren’t first rate singers (save for Meryl Streep, especially when she slays The Winner Takes It All), you can see the effort being made. Mama Mia! has a quirky charm to me that’s irresistible.

5. The Endless Summer

To round out your summer viewing, I suggest the surfing documentary The Endless Summer. It’s both a fun travelogue and fascinating look at surfer culture. The photography, locations and capturing of the whole surfer world is absolutely fascinating. It’s no surprise that audiences lined up to see it in droves in 1965. The Endless Summer works as a documentary and a great piece of cultural nostalgia.

TCMFF Day #4

Sadly, all things must come to an end. That includes film festivals. I kicked off the last day of the TCM Classic Film Festival with Jason and the Argonauts. Yes, I did make a 9 AM screening after a midnight screening of Xanadu. I was running on roughly four hours of sleep. After getting my queue card for Jason and the Argonauts I ran across the street to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf to get coffee so I could power thorough the final day. Director John Landis introduced Jason and the Argonauts. It’s always cool when a modern director you’re a fan of appreciates the classics. It was great seeing Ray Harryhausen’s groundbreaking effects on the big screen, especially the iconic skeleton fight.

I went from a costume/special effects Picture to what for me is the greatest movie ever made: Casablanca. Now, I have seen that movie probably 500 times. But seeing it in a with classic film fans in the Grauman’s Chinese Theater on that IMAX screen was a transcendent experience. The whole theater erupted in applause during La Marseillaise. That anthem scene gets my vote for best movie scene ever. The whole experience was just incredible. Ben Mankiewicz and Eddie Muller’s intro was superb as well. Highlight of the festival for me.

Eddie Muller and Ben Mankiewicz introducing *Casablanca*.

The next block on the festival schedule was a tough choice. Shirley Jones was introducing The Music Man, there was an encore of The Killers and Stand and Deliver was playing with an introduction by Edward James Olmos and Lou Diamond Phillips. I chose Stand and Deliver and was glad I did. Edward James Olmos’ passion for the film was beautiful to see. It was refreshing to hear someone recognize the importance of good teachers.

Luis Reyes, Edward James Olmos and Lou Diamond Phillips introducing *Stand and Deliver*.

The last film of the festival for me was The Old Maid. I had missed it the first time around. Festival attendees said Mario Cantone’s introduction was a hoot. Boy were they right! I had seen the movie maybe once or twice on TCM. It is such a soap opera that you cannot look away. The animosity that Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins had offscreen translated perfectly to the movie. It was almost at the level of hatred Davis and Joan Crawford had for each other. A fun end to the screenings.

Mario Cantone introducing *The Old Maid*.

I went right from my last movie to the closing night party, which was a madhouse. Took a while, but I get to meet and take pictures with most of the TCM hosts. It was tough saying goodbye to everybody, just like last year. The festival is like a class reunion that happens every year with cooler people. The experience was a whirlwind. But I had a lot of fun along the way. Before all was said and done I had seen 16 movies. Not bad! Definitely plan on coming again in 2024.

TCMFF Day #3

Day three of the film festival was certainly one of the most eclectic for me. It started bright and early with The Muppets Take Manhattan. Originally I planned on going to The Wiser Sex. But it was playing at the Legion. That wouldn’t give me enough time to catch the shuttle back to the multiplex for my next movie. Plus director Brian Henson was there to introduce it. It was a light, breezy start to the day.

From that I pivoted to Amadeus. I absolutely couldn’t miss it. Not only is it a favorite of mine. It was a favorite of my aunt, who passed recently. I had never seen it in a theater. Production designer Patrizia von Brandenstein’s pre-screening talk was fascinating! I recommend the movie even if classical music isn’t your thing. It’s the kind of ambitious filmmaking you rarely see anymore.

*Amadeus* production designer Patrizia von Brandenstein being interviewed before the film’s screening.

Next was A Conversation With Russ Tamblyn at Club TCM. I wasn’t able to make either of his movies being screened. So I had to go to this. Tamblyn was so engaging and real. He had so many great stories about life in show business. Apparently he is writing his memoirs. That promises to be a great read!

Last year it hurt that I wasn’t able to see Baby Face, the definitive pre-Code movie. I also just adore Barbara Stanwyck. This year I made a point to go to a movie of hers. So I got in the crazy, long line for Sorry, Wrong Number. Czar of noir Eddie Muller introduced it with Lawrence Hilton Jacobs. The screening had many first time viewers. It was good to see it get such a great turnout.

From there I ventured to the Legion for Enter The Dragon. It was my first time seeing it. One of the fun parts of the festival is branching out and trying movies you might not normally see. I’ve dabbled in martial arts movies here and there. But this was an essential. The introduction by Professor Jacqueline Stewart, RZA and Michael Allin was superb! Enter The Dragon was a definitely the kind of movie to see with an audience at a festival like this.

Michael Allin, RZA and Professor Jacqueline Stewart introducing *Enter The Dragon*.

Last, but certainly not least, was the midnight screening of Xanadu. Midnight with an audience is the best way to see this. It’s campy as all get out. But it has a lit soundtrack by ELO, Gene Kelly, Olivia Newton-John and a really charming innocence to it. The movie is part homage to MGM musicals and part 80s dance movie. It’s not the greatest movie by any means. But it’s a fun romp.

That’s a wrap for day 3! Tomorrow is the grand finale already. I can’t believe it.

TCMFF Day #3

That’s a wrap for day 3! Tomorrow is the grand finale already. I can’t believe it.

TCMFF Day #2

Day two of the festival did not disappoint. It began with Harvey introduced by Joe Dante. It was a surprisingly well-attended screening. That speaks to the film’s quality and the enduring popularity of its star: James Stewart. No one but Stewart could have pulled off the role of Elwood P. Dowd.

After that came Footlight Parade. I really was worried I wouldn’t get in because pre-Codes are always so popular. But, miraculously I got in! Probably helped that this pre-Code played in a larger capacity theater. Seeing all those Busby Berkeley numbers on the big screen was such a treat! Bruce Goldstein’s intro was also excellent.

I then pivoted from pre-Code musical to western noir with Blood On The Moon. It was a tight turnaround and I ended up in the front row. But Robert Mitchum in 35mm was worth it! Alan K. Rode gave it a great intro too.

My night ended with back to back movies at the TCL IMAX theater. And they both featured great introductions. First Dave Karger introduced American Graffiti with Candy Clark and Richard Dreyfus. I will never tire of that movie. It’s a great time capsule, especially because it launched the careers of future stars like Richard Dreyfus, Harrison Ford and Ron Howard.

Richard Dreyfus, Candy Clark and Dave Karger discussing *American Graffiti*.

Originally my Friday was to end with House of Wax. I do adore Vincent Price. But having George Clooney at the festival to introduce Ocean’s Eleven with director Steven Soderbergh was a festively experience I couldn’t pass up. And it was the best intro of the festival I have seen so far. I could have listened to that discussion for days. I hadn’t seen the movie for ages. The original Ocean’s Eleven is iconic with the Rat Pack headlining the cast. But I actually prefer the remake because the characters feel more believable and the heist is more elaborate and involving for the audience. But that’s just me.

Steven Soderbergh, George Clooney and Ben Mankiewicz introducing *Ocean’s Eleven*.

That’s a wrap for day 2!

TCMFF Day #1

Today was the official kickoff of the TCM Classic Film Festival. It was a whirlwind to say the least. A little hectic. But still fun.

It began for me with the Meet TCM panel at Club TCM. I missed it last year as I was doing the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. Got to hear a lot about what’s coming in terms of programming to TCM. There’s a lot to look forward to.

Also a treat in Club TCM were props, costumes and other Hollywood memorabilia. The highlight for me? The last remaining functioning violins from Gold Diggers of 1933 used during the Shadow Waltz sequence.

After Meet TCM and catching up with old friends I headed over to the TCL Chinese Theater to watch the red carpet arrivals for the festival. It was a little soggy and chilly. But it was great people watching.

Dave Karger stopping to talk with red carpet emcee Scott McGee.

Last year I was heartbroken because I wasn’t able to see Steven Spielberg and see E.T. . So this year I made it a point to at least the intro of Rio Bravo. He and fellow director Paul Thomas Anderson were there to talk about the importance of film preservation. Raiders was my gateway to classic films with its references to so many great movies of the past. So going to that part of the festival meant the world to me.

Oh, did I mention Angie Dickinson? She was also part of the intro to Rio Bravo. She was a hoot! Could have listened to her all day.

After the intro to Rio Bravo it was on to the first film of the festival for me: Hairspray. Now, this was originally supposed to be poolside. But the weather gods did not cooperate. So it was moved to Club TCM. While losing the pool setting hurt, it was still a great time! The company and wonderful intro by Mario Cantone and Ricki Lake made it worthwhile. Absolutely delightful! Mario Cantone is going to be doing more for the network. I’m onboard.

Mario Cantone and Ricki Lake introducing *Hairspray*.

I wanted to see Genevieve to end my night. But Hairspray started a little late and I was sure I’d get shutout because I wouldn’t get there until right before it started. To my surprise after hoofing it to get there I got in! Ended up in the front row. But I made it! Genevieve isn’t a movie I would go out of my way to see again. But it was an intriguing quirky little curiosity of a film. Definitely something to see in this setting. And Diane Baker’s intro was excellent.

That’s all for day one! Off to get some shuteye. I have a packed schedule tomorrow.

5 Reasons To See Hoop Dreams

There are a few films I’ve seen over the years that are treasures I just can’t wait to tell other people about. One of those special films is a documentary called Hoop Dreams. This was my introduction to documentaries after Siskel & Ebert tirelessly advocated for it on their show. At first I was drawn to it because I was a basketball player myself at the time. While basketball is the backdrop of the story, you don’t have to be a hoops fan to appreciate Steve James’ ambitious documentary. Here are five reasons to see it.

1. It runs nearly three hours and every second is worth your time.

No good movie is ever long enough. And no bad movie is ever short enough. If the nearly three hour running time of Hoop Dreams gives you pause, let me reassure you that watching it is time well spent. The filmmakers spent five years with William Gates, Arthur Agee and their families. What started out as a 30-minute project for PBS about multiple players on one court evolved into a riveting human odyssey. During those five years, 250 hours of footage was shot. The three hours we get is a riveting portrait of two young men, their families, inner city life and the struggles of pursuing a professional sports career.

2. Its empathetic tone is refreshing.

Hoop Dreams is a shining example of what movies can be, not just documentaries. Far too often in the movies, African Americans are portrayed in broad stereotypes. The filmmakers behind Hoop Dreams received complete access to the families. That access allows viewers to see beyond the headlines and see a far too often marginalized segment of society as complete human beings. In the social media age we spend so much time tearing each other down and dehumanize one another. Hoop Dreams has a deeply empathetic tone that’s even more refreshing than it was back in 1994. By the time the credits role you want to known where Gates and Agee are now. That’s how emotionally invested you get.

3. It’s about so much more than basketball.

Hoops Dreams follows inner city kids William Gates and Arthur Agee as they pursue NBA careers. But to say it’s just a documentary about basketball does Hoop Dreams a huge disservice. It’s a complete portrait of Gates, Agee and their families. We see first hand how the families struggle to put food on the table, the struggles of Gates and Agee in the classroom and on the court and the struggles of inner city life. There’s a scene where one of the protagonists is shooting free throws. One of the most mundane of things becomes riveting. We know not just what those free throws mean to the outcome of the game, but on a much deeper level what the free throws will mean to the player and his family.

4. You can watch it with the whole family.

Another reading Hoop Dreams is special is that is has something for the whole family. There aren’t too many movies, let alone documentaries, I can say that about. Parents will relate to the parenting struggles and wonder what they would do in the various situations. Kids will relate to wanting a dream so bad you would invest in pursuing it to the bitter end. There’s plenty for everyone to discuss afterwards.

5. It transcends the documentary genre.

Many no doubt hear the term documentary and back off, assuming it will be dry statistics and talking heads. That is not the case with Hoop Dreams. It’s a documentary packed with human drama that you can’t turn away from. There are so many twists and turns in this story you don’t see coming. It’s a riveting drama about American life and brings societal issues to the forefront that we’re still dealing with in 2023. Hoop Dreams transcends its genre on so many levels. It’s a treasure. There simply aren’t enough superlatives in the dictionary to describe it.

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Film Perspective

This blog is here to give people perspective on film and film history.

TCMFF Day #2

TCMFF Day #1

5 Reasons Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Is The Perfect Father’s Day Movie

5 Movies To Get You Ready For Summer

TCMFF Day #4

TCMFF Day #3

TCMFF Day #3

TCMFF Day #2

TCMFF Day #1

5 Reasons To See Hoop Dreams