3 things about W.S. Van Dyke’s THE THIN MAN

Posted on December 25, 2023 by robchristopher

The Thin Man [1934]

1. Frying pan juggler.
2. She discreetly adjusts her hot water bottle headpiece.
3. “Gosh, darling, I thought they’d never leave.”
Cut to a different bedroom.
“I thought you’d never leave.”

3 other things.

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3 things about Alfred L. Werker’s REPEAT PERFORMANCE

Posted on December 24, 2023 by robchristopher

Repeat Performance [1947]

1. “Dear William. You’ve had a bad year too, haven’t you? A terrible year.”
“It hasn’t been good.”
2. Giant rainshadows across the wall in the asylum’s visiting room.
3. Alone in bed in the dark, tensely awaiting the strike of midnight.

Where has this movie been all my life? I love its atmosphere. Can’t wait to rewatch it.

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3 things about Kon Satoshi’s TOKYO GODFATHERS

Posted on December 23, 2023 by robchristopher

Tokyo Godfathers [2003]

1. Memorializing select moments with haiku.
2. She salvages a book on parenting.
3. Trolling the cemetery for nourishment.

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3 things about Sam Esmail’s LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND

Posted on December 22, 2023 by robchristopher

Leave the World Behind [2023]

1. “No one is in control. No one is pulling the strings.”
2. Paper straws and free-range chicken.
3. Video images give the illusion of a world outside.

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3 things about Frank Capra’s MEET JOHN DOE

Posted on December 20, 2023 by robchristopher

Meet John Doe [1941]

1. Capra laying it on awfully thick: “You want to be honest, don’t you? Well, you don’t have to die to keep the John Doe idea alive! Someone already died for that once! The first John Doe. And He’s kept that idea alive for nearly two thousand years.”
2. The butler brings him a glass of sherry on a tray. He takes the drink and leaves a gratuity on the tray.
3. White-haired minister spattered with rain.

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3 things about Robert Montgomery’s LADY IN THE LAKE

Posted on December 18, 2023 by robchristopher

Lady in the Lake [1946]

1. “I wonder how it would be to discuss this over a couple of ice cubes. Would you care to try?”
2. Dragging himself along on his hands and knees.
3. “Kill him! Hello, honey. Won’t you speak to me, honey?”

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3 things about John Huston’s THE DEAD

Posted on December 17, 2023 by robchristopher

The Dead [1987]

1. She attempts to describe galoshes to her.
2. Flaming pudding.
3. Snow falling all over Ireland.

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3 things about Hayao Miyazaki’s THE BOY AND THE HERON

Posted on December 16, 2023 by robchristopher

The Boy and the Heron [2023]

1. His mother turns to goo.
2. Parakeet droppings.
3. Rushing towards the flames.

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3 things about A.V. Rockwell’s A THOUSAND AND ONE

Posted on December 11, 2023 by robchristopher

A Thousand and One [2023]

1. “She’s been in treatment a few times. She’ll come home when she’s ready.”
2. Asking her white neighbor if she’s seen the super.
3. Looking at his bedroom for the last time.

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3 things about Preston Sturges’ THE BEAUTIFUL BLONDE FROM BASHFUL BEND

Posted on December 10, 2023 by robchristopher

The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend [1949]

1. Repeating bullet splash.
2. Organ with foot pumps.
3. A ring from Paris.

Now that I’ve finally seen it, it pains me to say that this is indeed Preston Sturges’s worst film. His trademark wit, wordplay, and delightful absurdity are practically nonexistent. Instead it’s labored, thin, borderline racist, and … just not funny. Sad. A game cast gives it their all, to little effect. It *is* an exquisitely beautiful to look at though, especially in Kino’s Blu-ray release.

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