Larry McMurtry
Larry McMurtry is alive and well at 83 years old at this writing. He was involved in the making of some of the greatest movies of all time. Some were taken from his novels and he wrote the screenplay for others. These are the best of those films.
Hud (1963) is based on McMurtry’s fine novel Horseman Pass By. It is a terrific film featuring Paul Newman as a thoroughly bad guy. He was nominated for an Oscar, but lost to Sidney Poitier for Lillies Of The Field, in which Poitier’s character is as nice as Newman’s character was nasty. Patricia Neal and Melvyn Douglas did win Oscars, as did James Wong Howe for cinematography. On a cattle ranch threatened by bovine disease, patriarch Douglas tries to steer his errant son Hud in the right direction with very doubtful results.
The Last Picture Show (1971) is an absolutely splendid film about the denizens of a small, dusty Texas town. Their lives and loves range from desperate to hectic. Larry McMurtry co-wrote the screenplay with director Peter Bogdanovich. They were nominated for an Oscar but lost to Ernest Tidyman for The French Connection. Ben Johnson and Cloris Leachman won statues for their performances. The film got six more nominations. Well, Airport was nominated for best film but not Last Picture Show. Good grief!
Terms Of Endearment (1983) won just about everything on Oscar night. It was based on Larry McMurtry’s fine novel of the same name. James L. Brooks won an Oscar for his screen adaptation. Other winners included best movie, best director (Brooks), Shirley MacLaine for best actress and Jack Nicholson for best supporting actor. This is a real tear-jerker with MacLaine at the bedside of dying daughter Debra Winger. Nicholson has a fine time as MacLaine’s romantic interest and reluctant family member.
Brokeback Mountain (2005) featured a screenplay which won the Oscar by McMurtry and producer Diana Ossanna. This is a daring, taboo breaking movie that will either outrage you or break your heart. Maybe both. Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger are hired to protect their boss’ sheep in a cold, lonely locale. Their proximity leads to romance, though both go on to “normal” lives after the job is over.
And finally, what I think is the best mini-series ever made, the marvelous Lonesome Dove (1989). McMurtry and director Peter Bogdonavich wrote the screenplay about retired Texas rangers hired to drive cattle from Texas to Montana. Gus, played by Robert Duvall, and Call, played by Tommy Lee Jones, are perfectly paired. Gus is the garrulous fun-loving rascal and Call is the silent, brooding don’t-mess-with-me partner. Also appearing along the way are Diane Lane, Robert Urich, Danny Glover, and a host of others. Their adventures include a flood, a stampede, an Indian attack, and a snake encounter. It is Duvall’s constant chatter that carries this four-episode film, though he has plenty of help. This very successful series sired a bunch of follow-ups, including Return To Lonesome Dove, Streets Of Laredo and Dead Man’s Walk. As is usually the case, these “offspring” are just OK.
All of the films in this article are available on DVD. All are for adults
Sunday, November 24, 2019
Sunday, November 17, 2019
THE WAR OF THE WORDS
Words, as such, don’t at first blush seem to be a good source for movies. But it turns out that there are at least five very good movies based on words. For no reason I can think of, all of these films came out in the 2000's.
Akeelah and the Bee (2006) is about a studious girl from south LA who becomes a spelling whiz. Veterans Lawrence Fishburne (as a stern taskmaster) and Angela Basset (as a sort of hit-and-miss mom) provide solid support, but the movie (and our heart) is stolen by young Keke Palmer. Largely because of her, it becomes super cool to be a good student.
Spellbound (2002) is a documentary about the National Spelling Bee. It was nominated for an Academy Award. It follows eight teenage contestants from their local bees to the big one. It’s uncanny how much suspense is built up by the movie’s story and pace. And check out the words these kids can spell!
Bee Season (2005) tries to do more with the spelling bee format, and largely succeeds. Father Richard Gere and mother Juliette Binoche find their marriage is slowly sinking. He finds an outlet coaching their precocious daughter Eliza (Flora Cross) in spelling contests. There’s a trick to how she does it- you’ll have to find out for yourself. Large lessons are learned about winning, losing, trying and giving.
Do you like crossword puzzles? I am a big fan. Whether you like them or not, you will like Wordplay (2006). The film centers around New York Times puzzle editor Will Shortz and his merry band of fans and followers. Former president Bill Clinton and The Daily Show host Jon Stewart are counted among the group, and appear in the movie with delightful insights into puzzling as a hobby or habit. There is, of course, a contest
and the tension builds nicely. There are also some dandy revelations about how puzzles are constructed and how different people go about trying to solve them.
Last, and perhaps least, is another documentary, Word Wars (2004) which is about an international Scrabble competition and those who participate. The world of Scrabble, like any sport, has its superheroes and its also-rans and villains. These people are very strange! But interesting!
All of the movies in this article are available on DVD. All are suitable for all ages, but the boredom factor will come into play for most 8 and under.
Words, as such, don’t at first blush seem to be a good source for movies. But it turns out that there are at least five very good movies based on words. For no reason I can think of, all of these films came out in the 2000's.
Akeelah and the Bee (2006) is about a studious girl from south LA who becomes a spelling whiz. Veterans Lawrence Fishburne (as a stern taskmaster) and Angela Basset (as a sort of hit-and-miss mom) provide solid support, but the movie (and our heart) is stolen by young Keke Palmer. Largely because of her, it becomes super cool to be a good student.
Spellbound (2002) is a documentary about the National Spelling Bee. It was nominated for an Academy Award. It follows eight teenage contestants from their local bees to the big one. It’s uncanny how much suspense is built up by the movie’s story and pace. And check out the words these kids can spell!
Bee Season (2005) tries to do more with the spelling bee format, and largely succeeds. Father Richard Gere and mother Juliette Binoche find their marriage is slowly sinking. He finds an outlet coaching their precocious daughter Eliza (Flora Cross) in spelling contests. There’s a trick to how she does it- you’ll have to find out for yourself. Large lessons are learned about winning, losing, trying and giving.
Do you like crossword puzzles? I am a big fan. Whether you like them or not, you will like Wordplay (2006). The film centers around New York Times puzzle editor Will Shortz and his merry band of fans and followers. Former president Bill Clinton and The Daily Show host Jon Stewart are counted among the group, and appear in the movie with delightful insights into puzzling as a hobby or habit. There is, of course, a contest
and the tension builds nicely. There are also some dandy revelations about how puzzles are constructed and how different people go about trying to solve them.
Last, and perhaps least, is another documentary, Word Wars (2004) which is about an international Scrabble competition and those who participate. The world of Scrabble, like any sport, has its superheroes and its also-rans and villains. These people are very strange! But interesting!
All of the movies in this article are available on DVD. All are suitable for all ages, but the boredom factor will come into play for most 8 and under.
Sunday, November 10, 2019
THE FORGOTTEN WAR- 70 YEARS LATER
Unbelievably (to me, anyway) next year marks seventy years since the Korean War began in 1950. While nowhere near the fertile movie ground of WWII or Viet Nam, Korea did spawn a handful of excellent films.
M*A*S*H (1970) has a much darker, manic tone than the popular TV series it sired. Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Sally Kellerman, Tom Skeritt, Gary Burghoff and Bud Cort were virtual unknowns. M*A*S*H is director Robert Altman’s breakthrough film. Its bloody O.R. and irreverent wisecracks are a microcosm of the war.
The Manchurian Candidate (1962) is a good political thriller that features heart-pounding suspense and some neat plot twists. Frank Sinatra is good as a government agent as is Angela Lansbury, uncharacteristically venomous . Some wag has said Lawrence Harvey was typecast as an automaton, but he makes a good one. Harvey was a POW of the North Koreans, and they have tried to program him into the perfect killing machine. Can Sinatra reprogram him?
A James Michener story is the basis for Men Of The Fighting Lady (1954) with Van Johnson and Walter Pigeon. The Lady of the title is the aircraft carrier from which dangerous raids are launched into North Korea. The battle footage and special effects are so good that the Pentagon called Film Editor Gene Ruggiero on the carpet to explain how he got this footage. The answer was, standard war footage and painted backdrops, skillfully edited. It was good enough for the Pentagon and good enough for an Oscar, too.
Another Michener tale is the backbone of Sayonara (1957) which garnered Supporting Actor Oscars for Red Buttons and Miyoshi Umeki. Marlon Brando, James Garner and Martha Scott complete the cast of this tale of interracial love during the Korean War. Frankly, it's a little dated, but has its moments.
The Steel Helmet (1951) was actually made during the Korean War. It is directed by a virtual unknown, Samuel Fuller, and the best known cast member is Steve Brodie. And yet, it probably comes about as close as any movie to showing what it was really like in Korea. This is a very good sleeper.
Pork Chop Hill (1959) was an actual place in Korea, and this fine movie portrays an American unit's order to hold the hill against the advancing Chinese hordes at all cost. Gregory Peck heads a stellar cast that also features Rip Torn, George Peppard and Harry Guardino. Hard-hitting and authentic, it has a decidedly dark tone like most movies about the Korean War.
All of the movies in this column are available on DVD. None are suitable for children under 12.
Unbelievably (to me, anyway) next year marks seventy years since the Korean War began in 1950. While nowhere near the fertile movie ground of WWII or Viet Nam, Korea did spawn a handful of excellent films.
M*A*S*H (1970) has a much darker, manic tone than the popular TV series it sired. Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Sally Kellerman, Tom Skeritt, Gary Burghoff and Bud Cort were virtual unknowns. M*A*S*H is director Robert Altman’s breakthrough film. Its bloody O.R. and irreverent wisecracks are a microcosm of the war.
The Manchurian Candidate (1962) is a good political thriller that features heart-pounding suspense and some neat plot twists. Frank Sinatra is good as a government agent as is Angela Lansbury, uncharacteristically venomous . Some wag has said Lawrence Harvey was typecast as an automaton, but he makes a good one. Harvey was a POW of the North Koreans, and they have tried to program him into the perfect killing machine. Can Sinatra reprogram him?
A James Michener story is the basis for Men Of The Fighting Lady (1954) with Van Johnson and Walter Pigeon. The Lady of the title is the aircraft carrier from which dangerous raids are launched into North Korea. The battle footage and special effects are so good that the Pentagon called Film Editor Gene Ruggiero on the carpet to explain how he got this footage. The answer was, standard war footage and painted backdrops, skillfully edited. It was good enough for the Pentagon and good enough for an Oscar, too.
Another Michener tale is the backbone of Sayonara (1957) which garnered Supporting Actor Oscars for Red Buttons and Miyoshi Umeki. Marlon Brando, James Garner and Martha Scott complete the cast of this tale of interracial love during the Korean War. Frankly, it's a little dated, but has its moments.
The Steel Helmet (1951) was actually made during the Korean War. It is directed by a virtual unknown, Samuel Fuller, and the best known cast member is Steve Brodie. And yet, it probably comes about as close as any movie to showing what it was really like in Korea. This is a very good sleeper.
Pork Chop Hill (1959) was an actual place in Korea, and this fine movie portrays an American unit's order to hold the hill against the advancing Chinese hordes at all cost. Gregory Peck heads a stellar cast that also features Rip Torn, George Peppard and Harry Guardino. Hard-hitting and authentic, it has a decidedly dark tone like most movies about the Korean War.
All of the movies in this column are available on DVD. None are suitable for children under 12.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
FLIM FLAM FILMS
We all like to be fooled (if it doesn’t cost too much) and to see others take the bait. Herewith are the best flicks about scams, flim-flam movies.
Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) is based on Lee Israel’s book of the same name. In this film we’re in on the scam from the start, only wondering if they’ll get caught. Melissa McCarthy portrays the woman who gets really good at forging the signature of authors and creating valuable editions. Richard Grant plays her abetter, often taking their forgeries to dealers for cash. This is a fascinating story well played. Both actors were nominated for Oscars, but lost to Olivia Colman for The Favourite and Mahershala Ali for Green Book.
The Sting (1973), which won the Oscar for best movie, has both Paul Newman and Robert Redford, and Scott Joplin’s wonderful ragtime music. The story lets you in on the scam but still manages to fool the ill-tempered victim (Robert Shaw) and most of the audience (me included). So, at the end, you get this wonderful jaw-dropping jolt of understanding and it all falls into place. Loads of fun.
George C.Scott stretched a bit as The Flim Flam Man (1967) but you eventually buy into his character and enjoy yourself as he charms and cheats his way across the South. Michael Sarazin is his too-honest apostle. We’re in on most of the scams; the fun is in watching him work them.
House of Games (1987) is director-writer David Mamet's successful venture into Alfred Hitchcock territory. Nothing is as it seems and you are kept guessing to the end. Joe Mantegna is the con man and Lindsay Crouse the psychologist who is in over her head. Mamet's dialogue is always slightly stagy, but you get over that in 10 minutes and are trying to figure out who is doing what to whom.
Under Suspicion (1992) is a snappy, surprising little con game of a movie with Liam Neeson (before he was anybody) as a down-at-the-heels PI and Laura San Giacomo as his employer. Her late husband was a famous painter and some of his canvasses are missing. Neeson is on board to recover them and thinks he knows how
to come out with more than his salary. Neat turns in the plot right to the end.
Paper Moon (1973) features the irresistible father-daughter team of Ryan and Tatum O’Neal (Oscar, Best Actress). Tough con-man Ryan finds orphan Tatum is a fast learner and soon she is better at their various scams than he is. Funny, touching without too much schmaltz, and a lot of fun.
All of the movies in this column are available on DVD. All but House of Games and Under Suspicion are fine for kids eight and up.
We all like to be fooled (if it doesn’t cost too much) and to see others take the bait. Herewith are the best flicks about scams, flim-flam movies.
Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) is based on Lee Israel’s book of the same name. In this film we’re in on the scam from the start, only wondering if they’ll get caught. Melissa McCarthy portrays the woman who gets really good at forging the signature of authors and creating valuable editions. Richard Grant plays her abetter, often taking their forgeries to dealers for cash. This is a fascinating story well played. Both actors were nominated for Oscars, but lost to Olivia Colman for The Favourite and Mahershala Ali for Green Book.
The Sting (1973), which won the Oscar for best movie, has both Paul Newman and Robert Redford, and Scott Joplin’s wonderful ragtime music. The story lets you in on the scam but still manages to fool the ill-tempered victim (Robert Shaw) and most of the audience (me included). So, at the end, you get this wonderful jaw-dropping jolt of understanding and it all falls into place. Loads of fun.
George C.Scott stretched a bit as The Flim Flam Man (1967) but you eventually buy into his character and enjoy yourself as he charms and cheats his way across the South. Michael Sarazin is his too-honest apostle. We’re in on most of the scams; the fun is in watching him work them.
House of Games (1987) is director-writer David Mamet's successful venture into Alfred Hitchcock territory. Nothing is as it seems and you are kept guessing to the end. Joe Mantegna is the con man and Lindsay Crouse the psychologist who is in over her head. Mamet's dialogue is always slightly stagy, but you get over that in 10 minutes and are trying to figure out who is doing what to whom.
Under Suspicion (1992) is a snappy, surprising little con game of a movie with Liam Neeson (before he was anybody) as a down-at-the-heels PI and Laura San Giacomo as his employer. Her late husband was a famous painter and some of his canvasses are missing. Neeson is on board to recover them and thinks he knows how
to come out with more than his salary. Neat turns in the plot right to the end.
Paper Moon (1973) features the irresistible father-daughter team of Ryan and Tatum O’Neal (Oscar, Best Actress). Tough con-man Ryan finds orphan Tatum is a fast learner and soon she is better at their various scams than he is. Funny, touching without too much schmaltz, and a lot of fun.
All of the movies in this column are available on DVD. All but House of Games and Under Suspicion are fine for kids eight and up.
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