Thoughts while watching Funny Games (1997)

IMDB
(1997, Michael Haneke)
Because I know a bit about the nature of this movie, as well as the director’s vision, I decided to give it the same treatment as I did with Once Upon a Time in the West. I thought it might be worthwhile to jot down notes as the story unfolded, rather than try [...]

The Boy with Green Hair

IMDB
(1948, Joseph Losey)
Sort of a silly anti-war premise featuring great acting from Pat O’Brien and a prepubescent Dean Stockwell. The conviction shown by director Losey and the actors prevent the story from C-movie status and promote it to a solid cult-level B-minus. If it were set in late-70s London, little Dean would’ve had to sport [...]

Primary

IMDB
(1960, Robert Drew)
Continuing on the Irish theme set forth by the viewing of The Quiet Man, a study of Irish-Catholic U.S. President John F. Kennedy during his campaign for the 1960 Democratic nomination on the days surrounding the Wisconsin primary. Having lived in Wisconsin (Go Pack!) and being taken with the Kennedy legacy, I was [...]

The Quiet Man

IMDB
(1952, John Ford)
All the Irish stereotypes are upheld in this Ford/Wayne collaboration. If I had a checklist of them, it would have been full within 45 minutes. About the only thing that didn’t appear was an actual leprechaun, although character actor Barry Fitzgerald as Michaeleen sure tried his damndest — pipe-smokin’, fightin’ and drinkin’ all [...]

Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood

IMDB
New documentary detailing the effect of the Hays Code on Hollywood, a precursor to the MPAA Ratings Board that exists today.
Enlightening for those not in the know, like me. It was amazing how directors like Busby Berkeley worked their way around the rules. Also, I’m surprised how respected actresses like Norma Shearer and Barbara Stanwyck [...]

The Public Enemy

IMDB
(1931, William Wellman)
The movie that made James Cagney a star. His dynamic performance makes up for the cookie-cutter characters left over in this film–only Leslie Fenton in a small role as “Nails” Nathan can compete with Cagney’s chops. I’m guessing if any other actor tried, they got breakfast squashed in their face (see above).
Violent and [...]