wsegen Reviews

The Way (I) (2010)

intelligence, passion, and neglect

[9/10 · 30 August 2016]

It always amazes me when a film that seems to have a commitment to quality and message, fails at something so important as subtitles for the hard of hearing. Albeit a supposedly small faction of the movie-going community, people who need captions are usually making an effort when they choose to watch a film.

There does not seem to be any way to contact The Way makers, so i hope this comment somehow reaches them.

Having said the above, it behooves me to add that the film definitely makes me want to go trekking in Spain. That's the great visual part. There are unbelievable vistas that add to the spiritual dimension, and give it a quality of mysticism that goes beyond a particular faith. It reaches for joy through the sadness of a story about loss, and puts the individual in a situation where being with others and respecting them is more important than just being an isolated individual.

Cat Chaser (1989)

Leonard's Cat Chaser

[10/10 · 26 November 2012]

Of all the Leonard stories put to film, this to me is the best. The voice-over along with the visuals carry the book's feel, both plot and dialogue. Peter Weller has a subtleness that breaks through his seeming deadpan, and Charles Durning couldn't be better at ambiguity. Kelly McGillis is more than a pretty and sexy figure. All the characters are mixtures of good and not so good, and as typical Leonard characters they work out the balances of their desires.

The direction is great. It keeps you moving, wondering, and figuring out the mystery. The story has several components that mix well as they are revealed. And there is the basis of reality to this film. It helps to recall the invasion of the Dominican Republic and the practices of torture attributed to the head of police at the time.

One of this films wonderful attributes is the score by jazz pianist/composer Chick Corea. It surprises me that no one has mentioned it.

And lastly, let me say that the film is exciting. Viewing after viewing it holds up well.

Late Bloomers (2006)

great film

[10/10 · 11 January 2008]

please, please, just release it in the USA with sub-titles. i saw it in Germany when it opened, and while i couldn't understand the dialogue very well, it was enough to enjoy the film.......immensely.And there is so much intonation and color in the language it adds to the feeling and the artistic quality. This film is so good it should not get a Hollywood remake for a long time , if ever.

too bad the swiss and deutschers don't offer English subs for their homegrown produce. but in the long run that's their problem. at this point it has my vote for the best foreign film Oscar.

I would put this in the category of small films that really pack a punch. harold and maude, la strada, delicatessen, and a couple of the bill forsyth films come to mind. The picture of swiss small time life is priceless and , from my own several visits there, seems to be on the money.

Steelyard Blues (1973)

two brothers in combat over their distinctly separate lifestyles.

[10/10 · 8 August 2006]

my favorite line(s), while eagle is climbing up the hangar wall.

"how does he do that?" "Have you ever worked in a circus?" "No." "I can't tell you."

The story is Cain and Abel. Abel, supported by his friends and Cain, supported by his societal structure are at odds when the Abel brother, Jesse, gets out of jail and tries to avoid thievery, which he had used to support his "habit" of driving demolition derby cars. Frank, the Cain character, happens to be running for public office and doesn't want to be embarrassed by Jesse.

Jesse and his friends meld into one wacky , seemingly improv group. Many of the support cast has Second City credit as well as the San Francisco Committee. Alan Myerson was the Committee's director. And Peter Boyle extends his talents beyond even those he later displayed on SNL opposite John Belushi. Jane Fonda unobtrusively adds the new woman movement of the 70's when asked what she could contribute to the group's project of rebuilding a plane for escape to freedom. "I could help with the welding," she says, totally out of the character she has become while Jesse was in jail

Howard Hesseman is the perfectly suave villain, Garry Goodrow the perfectly wacky techie.

There is so much to say about the music. Bloomfield, maria muldaur, nick gravenites, on and on. just a great uplifting soundtrack, very bluesy and toe tapping.

St. Louis Blues (1958)

The life of W. C. Handy , the growing up and finding success part.

[9 February 2002]

It's incredible to see all this talent in one place. It's too bad that afro-americans were not supported commercially in the 50's, this film then could have been easy to find. As it is, the big A doesn't carry (or even mention) it. The performances of eartha kitt and nat cole are pretty subdued, for the period of the piece. But ella fitzgerald swings nicely and pearl bailey has a good moment. As for over all film quality, it's a bit stiff ( e.g., nat cole dropping his cane and falling to his kness against the screen door mimics lou pinela tring to convince an umpire he touched home plate), probably a bit more from direction than lack of talent, and the plot , trite. Fortunately, it doesn't dwell very long on the angst between slices of musical venue. A collector's item and an historical document.