Potrezebie

Great Films by the Decades:

THE GENERAL  - 1926  B. KEATON

GRANDE ILLUSION -  1937  J. RENOIR
     (Best Foreign Film Ever!!!!)

GONE WITH THE WIND - 1939  V. FLEMING
WIZARD OF  OZ    -  1939  V. FLEMING, et al.
CASABLANCA -1939

THIEF OF BAGDAD - 1940
   Fave Fantasy Film Ever
PINOCCHIO -  1941
   Fave Animated Film
CHILDREN OF PARADISE -1945
  Fave French film of 40's
THE RED SHOES -1948
  Fave Ballet Film

LA STRADA - 1954 FELLINI
  Fave Italian Film
BLACKBOARD JUNGLE - 1955
  Fave High School Film
IT'S A DOG'S LIFE - 1955
  2nd Fave Dog Film
THE SEARCHERS - 1956
  Fave  Western
OLD YELLER - 1957
  Fave Dog Film

THE VIRGIN SPRING - 1960
  FAVE Bergman  Film
SUNDAYS & CYBELE - 1962
  Fave French Film in 60's
MY FAIR LADY - 1964
  Fave Musical Story

ALIEN  -  1979
  Scariest Film in 70's

EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 1980
RAGING BULL   - 1980
RAIDERS OF THE
   LOST ARK - 1981
RAINMAN   - 1988

UNFORGIVEN - 1992
SHAWSHANK
   REDEMPTION - 1994
FORREST GUMP - 1994
PULP FICTION  -    1994

   MORE TO COME...   Ken    

   

     To me, the Greatest Cowboy Films Ever Made:

THE SEARCHERS  - 1956   J. FORD
S H A N E          -  1953   G. STEVENS
UNFORGIVEN - 1992   C. EASTWOOD
HIGH  NOON   - 1952    F. ZINNEMAN
RIO BRAVO  - 1959       H.  HAWKS

MAN WHO SHOT
LIBERTY VALANCE - 1962  J. FORD
McCABE & MRS. MILLER - 1971  R. ALTMAN
THE GOOD,  THE BAD,
  THE UGLY        - 1966  S. LEONE
ONCE UPON A TIME
   IN THE WEST -  1968  S. LEONE
3:10 TO  YUMA -             D. DAVES

ALL THE WAY TILL 2018

 A LUGUBRIOUS LOOK AT DECADES OF GREAT FILMS:

BIRTH OF A NATION - 1915
SAFETY LAST  -  1923
THE GENERAL - 1926  KEATON
NAPOLEON  -  1927  ABEL GANCE
   (5 1/2 HR. CLASSIC)
METROPOLIS -1927

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT - 1930

"M"  -   1931
CITY LIGHTS - 1931  CHAPLIN
FRANKENSTEIN - 1931
TARZAN, THE APE MAN -1932
I WAS A FUGITIVE
  FROM A CHAIN GANG - 1932
SCARFACE -  1932
RED  DUST  - 1932
KING KONG -  1933
TARZAN AND HIS MATE - 1934
IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT - 1934
39 STEPS  - 1935
GRANDE ILLUSION - 1937
LOST HORIZON  -  1937
THE GOOD EARTH - 1937
SNOW WHITE  - 1937
ROBIN HOOD - 1938
ALEXANDER NEVSKY - 1938
BRINGING UP BABY - 1938
GONE WITH THE WIND -  1939
GUNGA DIN -1939
GOODBYE, MR CHIPS - 1939
A CHUMP AT OXFORD - 1939
   Fave Laurel and Hardy Film
WIZARD OF OZ  - 1939
DARK VICTORY - 1939
WUTHERING HEIGHTS - 1939
MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON - 1939
STAGECOACH - 1939
NINOTCHKA - 1939
BEAU GESTE  1939
LOVE AFFAIR - 1939
INTERMEZZO - 1939
OF MICE AND MEN - 1939
WE ARE NOT ALONE -1939

THIEF OF BAGDAD - 1940
HIS GIRL FRIDAY - 1940
FANTASIA  - 1940
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY - 1940
PINOCCHIO  -   1940
CITIZEN KANE - 1941
HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY - 1941
DEVIL & DANIEL
   WEBSTER  -  1941
BAMBI    -  1942
CASABLANCA - 1942
I MARRIED A WITCH -1942
RANDOM HARVEST - 1942
LASSIE COME HOME - 1943
CHILDREN OF PARADISE - 1945
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE -  1946
ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER - 1946
DARK PASSAGE -  1947
BICYCLE THIEF - 1948
THE RED SHOES - 1948
SO DEAR TO MY HEART - 1948
SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON - 1949
THE THIRD MAN  - 1949
WHITE HEAT -  1949

ALL ABOUT EVE - 1950
RASHOMON  -  1950
ORPHEUS    -     1950
SHOWBOAT - 1951
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - 1951
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS - 1951
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN -1952
WAGES OF FEAR - 1952
HIGH  NOON  -  1952
THE QUIET MAN -1952
THE CRIMSON PIRATE - 1952
SHANE  -  1953
WAGES OF FEAR - 1953
LA STRADA - 1954
7 SAMURAI  - 1954
ON THE WATERFRONT - 1954
BLACKBOARD JUNGLE - 1955
DIABOLIQUE -  1955
IT'S A DOG'S LIFE aka
  THE BAR SINISTER - 1955
RIFIFI   -   1955
THE SEARCHERS - 1956
LUST FOR LIFE - 1956
WILD STRAWBERRIES - 1957
PATHS OF GLORY - 1957
3:10 TO YUMA -  1957
BRIDGE ON THE
   RIVER KWAI -  1957
OLD YELLER  - 1957
VERTIGO  - 1958
SOME LIKE IT HOT - 1959
NORTH BY NORTHWEST - 1959
400  BLOWS -  1959
BLACK ORPHEUS - 1959
BALLAD OF A SOLDIER - 1959

THE VIRGIN SPRING -  1960
PSYCHO  -    1960
YOJIMBO -  1961
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA - 1962
SUNDAYS & CYBELE -   1962
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - 1962
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE - 1963
HIGH AND LOW  -  1963
A HARD DAY'S NIGHT - 1964
UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG - 1964
MY FAIR LADY  -  1964
DR. STRANGELOVE - 1964
DR.  ZHIVAGO  - 1965
THE GOOD, BAD AND
   THE  UGLY -  1966
BONNIE & CLYDE - 1967
BULLITT - 1968
THE GRADUATE - 1967
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY - 1968
IF  -  1969
EASY RIDER - 1969
ONCE UPON A TIME
   IN THE WEST -  1969
THEY SHOOT HORSES,
    DON'T THEY? -1969

M A S H  -  1970
FIVE EASY PIECES - 1970
LITTLE BIG MAN  - 1970
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE - 1971
BANANAS  -    1971
DIRTY HARRY - 1971
LAST PICTURE SHOW -1971
THE FRENCH CONNECTION - 1971
THE GODFATHER -  1972
DELIVERANCE  - 1972
THE EXORCIST - 1973
MEAN STREETS - 1973
PAPILLON   -       1973
LAST DETAIL - 1973
THE STING  -    1973
GODFATHER II - 1974
CHINATOWN  - 1974
JAWS  -  1975
ONE FLEW OVER THE
   CUCKOO'S NEST - 1975
ROCKY HORROR
   PICTURE SHOW - 1975
DERZU UZALA - 1975
TAXI  DRIVER  - 1976
ROCKY   -  1976
CARRIE  - 1976
ANNIE HALL - 1977
STAR  WARS - 1977
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF
  THE 3RD KIND - 1977
THE DEER HUNTER - 1978
ALIEN  -  1979
APOCALYPSE NOW - 1979
KRAMER VS. KRAMER - 1979

EMPIRE STRIKES BACK - 1980
RAGING BULL  -1980
MOSCOW DOES NOT BELIEVE
   IN TEARS -1980
RAIDERS OF THE
   LOST  ARK -  1981
BLADERUNNER - 1982
E.T.    -     1982
SCARFACE -  1983
AMADEUS - 1984
ONCE UPON A TIME
   IN AMERICA  -  1984
PLATOON  - 1986
CINEMA PARADISO - 1988
RAINMAN  -  1988
FIELD OF DREAMS -1989

GOODFELLAS  - 1990
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - 1991
UNFORGIVEN  - 1992
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT - 1992
SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION - 1994
PULP FICTION  - 1994
FORREST GUMP - 1994
THE USUAL SUSPECTS - 1995
TITANIC  - 1997
SAVING PVT. RYAN -1998
THE BIG LEBOWSKY - 1998

AMORES PERROS - 2000
GLADIATOR  -  2000
CROUCHING TIGER,
   HIDDEN DRAGON - 2000
LORD OF RINGS - 2001-'03 Trilogy
AMELIE - 2001
Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN - 2001
SPIRITED AWAY - 2001
CITY OF GOD - 2002
HERO - 2002
THE PIANIST - 2002
HOWL'S MAGIC CASTLE -2002
LORD OF THE RINGS - 2003
SHAUN OF THE DEAD - 2004
MILLION DOLLAR BABY - 2004
KILL BILL - 2003 & 2004
MYSTERIOUS SKIN 2005
BABEL - 2006
APOCALYPTO - 2006
LIVES OF OTHERS - 2006
PAN'S LABYRINTH - 2006
NO COUNTRY FOR
   OLD MEN  -  2007
RATATOUILLE - 2007
ONCE  -  2007
WALL-E - 2008
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE - 2008
IN BRUGES - 2008
UP  -      2009
THE HURT LOCKER - 2009
INGLORIOUS BASTERDS -  2009
AVATAR  - 2009
GIRL WHO KICKED THE
   HORNET'S NEST - 2009

TOY STORY 3 -  2010
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON - 2010
GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO - 2011
LIFE OF PI -  2012
AMOUR  -     2012
END OF WATCH - 2012
RUST & BONE - 2012
FLIGHT  -  2012
FROZEN  - 2013
SHORT TERM 12 - 2013
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN - 2013
WHIPLASH  - 2014
AMERICAN SNIPER - 2014
UNDER THE SKIN -2014
THE REVENANT - 2015
SICARIO  -  2015
HATEFUL 8 - 2015
HELL OR HIGH WATER - 2016
THE SALESMAN - 2016
DARKEST HOUR - 2017
SHAPE OF WATER -2017
ROMAN J. ISRAEL - 2017
COCO  -  2017

GREEN BOOK - 2018
NEVER LOOK AWAY - 2018
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY - 2018
A STAR IS BORN (4) -  2018
SPIDERMAN   -  2018
 in the SpiderVerse

A Must-See German Epic !!!!

  Okay.  Now we have the second GREAT Film of this year 2018.  The first was
GREEN BOOK, with its humor which changes to a serious statement in its
second half.
   When I first heard about this film, a friend said, "It is three hours long, but
you will never forget it when you see it.  Go!"
   My friend was right.  My eyes were glued to the screen from the first flicker
of film.  The title:  NEVER LOOK AWAY.  The German Title was
WERK OHNE AUTOR (basically, a story without an author).
   This work of Art cover three decades of German History.  It follows a
boy from Youth to Manhood.
   Spoiler Alert: IF you do not wish to know how I categorized this
film,  stop reading right now and run to a Laemmle Theater to see it.
   It begins in Hitler's time where the boy's nanny (a beautiful Sashia
Rosendahl) is executed.
  Next, the older boy goes to school and falls in love.  Lots of lovely
Nudity.  Great Acting.  The gorgeous girl is played by  Paula Beer.
   Last, the Paintings by the young protagonist (played by Tom
Schilling)... where the girl's father (a ferocious Sebastian Koch)
tries to sabotage the love of his daughter for this "artist."
   It was beautifully shot by Caleb Deschanel (out of "our"
University of Southern California).
   The Director of this incredible film:  Florian H. Von Donnersmarck.
A few years back, he won an Oscar for his film THE LIVES OF
OTHERS.
    He will never have to make another film (but of course he will).
Treat yourself to a great Feature film:  NEVER LOOK AWAY.

  CREED II:  Best 'Rocky' film in a long time.  Well-cut and Directed.
Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson have a baby.  He  boxes.
Super boxing matches.  Great denouement.  No one better than
Stallone.  Felicia Rashad (mother) comes close.
   Definitely worth seeing.
   Forgot to write...   Dolph Lundgren is great as father of
killer-boxer.  Father and Son antagonists were scary.

ROMA (a small town in Mexico)

  ROMA is directed by Alfonso Cuaron, a well-established Director.  Basically, the maid
in charge of  3 boys and 1 girl  is the focal point of this picture.  There is a pregnancy, then
a dead baby amidst the slowness of the story.  There are great crowd scenes as the film
picks up its pace gradually.  There is a Super Long "take" at the beach... one shot where
the maid saves two kids... and she does not know how to swim.  That one long take
saves the picture.  Incredible.  It will be nominated for an Oscar; it may win, but
don't count on it.  Flip a coin.  50-50 chance of winning.
   By the way, if this is part of Cuaron's "young life,"  which one is he?

November 14, 2018.
  Review of the Play  VALLEY OF THE HEART, playing at the Mark Taper
Forum in the Tri-Play Center, downtown L.A.
   No offense to Luis Valdez...  the play is good... but not Great!  If you remember
what he did with Zoot Suit.  It had pizzazz; it had songs.
   There are only two "songs" in  VALLEY.  The Play should be changed to
a Musical.  The Opening:  Man in the wheelchair---storyteller  song.
Family Differences:  Mexican-Japanese (could be a quintet).  Then the
marriage (song with Dancing).   Birth of the son (Happy Uptempo song).
War-Death of the brother (sad song).   Last:  an Ending song of Hope.
It could incorporate the Mexican guitar alternating with the Japanese
Koto and drums.
   Remember, it is only my opinion, and who am I?  Don Quixote, Man of
La Mancha !!!!   I am a serious theatre goer since the Sixties with
unbelievable memories from Ballet (saw ROMEO AND JULIET
"live" with Rudolf Nureyev at the Shrine Auditorium...  to
Simon and Garfunkel at U.C.L.A. ---  to  a ton of foreign films
from SUNDAYS AND CYBELE,  THE GRAND ILLUSION,
LA STRADA,  SEVEN SAMURAI).  YOU  get the idea.
   Most recently we saw  GREEN BOOK.  MY PREDICTION:
Six  Oscars minimum:  Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor,
Best Screenplay (for sure),  Best Director, Best Picture, Best
Editing.
    All for now.   Hold the popcorn.
   Ken

YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE ME WHEN I'M DEAD:  A lucid documentary on the
filmmaking perils of Orson Welles.  A genius as a child, he never changed.  He
remained a Genius.  Every story had his personal stamp.
   He died with about six Features unfinished.  Tonight, we are scheduled to see
the very last film he did before he died.  Hmmm.  Going to find out  WHO
edited it all together.  Should be interesting.
   Back to you in a day or so.
   Ken

KENNY D.'S FILM REVIEWs

  The first Feature I wish to bring you is the Best Thing I have seen in years.
Ready?  GREEN BOOK with an unforgettable  Viggo Mortensen in the
Lead Role.  Viggo gained quite a bit of weight for this role (Method Actor?),
and he plays an Italian, with all the New Yawk expressions that my family
used (plus all the dirty ones).
   He begins as a waiter with all the panache of a Hustler.  But within the
first few minutes, he is laid off while the company remodels its restaurant.
   Linda Cardellini is wonderful as the understanding wife as Viggo broods
about his job.
   Luckily, he is sent to meet a doctor for a special job.  The doctor turns out
to be a Doctor of Music, a concert pianist unparalleled  (here it comes)
because he is Black.  Mershala  Ali fits the role to a tee.  His diction is
perfect, his demeanor, like a King.  Class, all the way.
   To further the confusion, Viggo is hired to drive this brilliant pianist
through various cities in the South, and we wonder  HOW a Black Man
will handle the South!?
    Now...  I do not wish to give much more away as far as plot.  But I
will state that GREEN BOOK will be up for  Best Actor, Best Supporting
Actor, Best Director ( Bob Farrelly),  Best Picture and will win  Best
Screenplay.  And my Prediction is unequivocal.

   Enough for now.  Until that time,  I shall remain
Respectfully yours,
 Ken   DelConte
p.s.   Keep the popcorn warm.

   

WITHIN MY KEN: Sept 2018

ALPHA ---  If you like dog stories, you will love this Feature.  Pre-historic times.
    All subtitles!  The boy speaks in a caveman language.  He is the chief's son
   and bonds with a wolf-dog.  Simple story but touching.  The Cinematography
   is excellent, the dog is incredible, and the young boy look as if he could be
   your best friend.  This film could be a real sleeper; it's that good.  Highly
   recommended.

THE WIFE ---  Two married writers (Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce) quarrel,
   even though he wins the Nobel Prize for Literature.  Or did he?  Best dialogue
   scenes in a Love-Hate Relationship.  N.B.  There is a Twist at the end with
   the reporter (Christian Slater).  I predict Oscars for  Ms. Close,  Picture,
   Director, Actor and especially Screenplay.  Jeremy's son Max Irons plays
   the son.  Very solid as a first-time big role.

KIN --- White old brother (Jack Reynor) and Black adopted younger brother
   (Myles Truitt) team up with a lovely Dancer (Zoe Kravitz) to escape the
   sixty thousand gambling debt owed to Capo gangster (James Franco).
   Surprisingly good with Sci Fi Twist at End with Producer  Michael
   B. Jordan.  Dennis Quaid is excellent as tough but fair father.
   A film worth seeing.

    All for today.  More soon.
    Fight on!  
    Ken   DelConte

  EYE ON ENTERTAINMENT

  LATEST Film Reviews:

YA VERMOS (NOW, WE WILL SEE):  Young boy going blind,
    Mom and Dad split up... near perfect Rom Com from Mexico.
    Highest grossing film in years!!  Fernanda Castillo and Mauricio
    Ochmann are wonderful.  One of a kind movie.

JULIET, NAKED... is the title of a song that Ethan Hawke
   made a hit in this story.  Chris O'Dowd idolizes him;
   Rose Byrne (the wife) is not sure why.  A cool, funny,
   quirky film that will eventually grab you.  We loved it.
   Dialogue is clear and intelligible (unlike many films today).

COOL SKIN:  Spanish.  A lighthouse.  A new, young man
   joins the Old Pro (a gruff Ray Stevenson) who screws a
   young fish-girl (a great Aura Garrido).  Every night, a
   slew of fish-people attack the lighthouse.  The newbie
   David Oakes tries to befriend them.  The Old Pro will not
   allow it.  Emulates  SHAPE OF WATER (but filmed
   Before that great film).

ALPHA:  All subtitles.  Pre-historic.  Young boy (a Chief's
   son) falls down mountain.  He bonds slowly with a wolf-dog.
   Excellent cinematography.  The boy and the dog were great.
   If you like dogs, you will like this movie.

PICK OF THE LITTER: A documentary.   Five dogs are
   trained to aid HP-Blind People.  Two pass this rigorous
   test.  Very touching.  I loved the dog named PATRIOT. 
   Let me know which dog YOU like.

    Hope you enjoy my thumbnail sketches of recent films.
   Fight on!
   Ken   DelConte
 

RACER AND THE JAILBIRD
   Matthias Schoenaerts and
Adele Exarchapoulos fall in love.
She drives fast; he robs banks.  She
does not know.  Terrific acting, but
the last 30 minutes, it becomes hokey.
Needs trimming in the Editing.
   Yet there is a strong love connection
between the two wonderful actors.
  Ken

WITHIN MY KEN: A look at THOR

THOR: RAGNAROK ---  Fun film.  The protagonist  Chris Hemsworth is always good, and here
he is more subtle and humorous.  But the women in this film were totally awesome.
Cate Blanchett is impressive as the Antagonist, with or without those long antlers.  Every line
she delivers is concise:  great acting.
   The other wonderful actress is a new one for me.  Tessa Thompson as the fiery Valkyrie
was wonderful.  Every gesture was dead on.
   Anthony Hopkins was solid; Keith Urban, human; Jeff Goldblum was kookie, bringing
a ton of humor to his performance.
   Of the larger budget films, this is one to see.
Ken    DelConte

   Okay.  Let's get started.  Saw a fine feature film the other night:
THE GRAND SEDUCTION  with that incredible character actor
Brendan Gleeson.  It reminded me of the old Classics, such as TIGHT
LITTLE ISLAND  or  WHISKEY GALORE.  The Seduction's story
is ... a little "spit" of a cove is hard-up for work.  If the townspeople
can convince a  Doctor to move in, a Big Company will build a
factory for the people to work.
   How they get the doctor and how they keep him is hilarious.
A lovely film, shot in New Foundland with many odd, familiar
characters.  A Must-See for cinephiles.
  Ken

Rush

   Here goes my "personal picks" for  Awards (often called Oscars).

RUSH--- Ron Howard's masterwork of two men, vying for the top spot in their field.

   The subplot revolves around auto racing on the large scale, but the story of the two

men is totally engrossing.  My favorite scene was when two hitchhikers pick up the

Austrian hero and his girl.  It was hilarious... a perfect place to put a comic gem

before a disastrous crash.  A very underracted film.

SAVING MR. BANKS---  

Let's see... saw a couple of  Goodies recently:  documentary  MILIUS, a brilliant inspection of the
demented  genius writer that I went to school with.  He wrote and/or directed  RED DAWN,
ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS,  LIFE AND TIMES OF JUDGE ROY BEAN,
THE WIND AND THE LION,  CONAN THE BARBARIAN and  his Masterwork
APOCALYPSE NOW.  WOW!  What was the first Feature he directed?  Warren Oates and
Richard Dreyfus were in it.  DILLINGER,  I believe.  Correct me if I'm wrong.
   Saw a neat play titled  A CAT NAMED MERCY.  It covered a lot of ground with humor,
heart and good acting.  Mercy killing,  Racism,  our Health Program.  It plays at Teatro 101
on 1st Street opposite the Hollenbeck Police Station.  The image of a lady in black tights
holding a cat puppet and meowing as the Angel of Death. . .  hard to forget.
   Enough for now.  Save me a seat and hold the popcorn.
   Ken      DelConte

29 Jan 2014 Legit Gripe

   Okay.  I have a few personal gripes about the Oscar nominations.
No Robert Redford?  C'mon.  I have never seen a Feature film where
one person commands the screen without any other person.  Even
GRAVITY had two people.
   I have seen theatrical plays where one person plays various parts
and holds one's attention for an hour and a half (Witness  Christopher
Plummer in his one-man play, which is excellent).   Perhaps you have
to be a sailor or even a deck-hand on a boat or ship to appreciate all
that Robert Redford did.  He was incredible.
   And then  RUSH, Ron Howard's latest masterwork.  It should've been
Best Picture, Best Director, Best Music, Best Sound.  It concerned two
men vying for the top spot in their field.  Auto racing was the subplot.
To me, it topped  APOLLO  that Director Howard did years ago.
     More later.  Computer is giving me trouble.
   Ken

    Okay, here is another EYE ON ENTERTAINMENT for you filmophiles.
Saw  THE EAST for the second time, and it's even better!  All the acting is
excellent; the message is knock-out interesting, too.  Written by the startling
actress  BRITT MARLING and the Director, it shows that the two of them
are bursting with Talent.  Super screenplay.
    THE HUNT.  Mads Mikkelsen gives another of his stoic, uncanny
performances as a man wrongly accused of a crime.  The whole town
turns against him.  It reminded me of  TERM OF TRIAL, an English film
starring Sir Laurence Olivier, Sarah Miles and "introducing" Terence
Stamp in his first big film role.
     There are two wonderful comedies coming out (if they are not already):
THE WAY WAY BACK and  STUCK IN LOVE.  Steve Carell takes a
chance and plays an unlikable character---he is perfect.  His son is much
like Dustin Hoffman in THE GRADUATE,  a blank tablet for others to
write on.  Allison Janney steals the first part of the movie until  Sam Rockwell
enters the scene.  He works at a water park, and his patter changes the
young man in ways humorous, touching and brilliant.
    STUCK IN LOVE is the best thing Greg Kinnear has ever done.  He is
a famous writer with a daughter and son who are also writers.  It is funny,
odd, serious, deep---an almost-perfect comedy.  The original title was
WRITERS, and it is very very well-written.  Perfect casting, acting, music...
a true American movie-movie.
    As for theatrical plays, we have seen three good ones recently:
   REBECCA'S GAMBLE, well-directed by Rick Walters at his Theatrical
Showcase Theatre. The plot: an interesting  Court case.  A
Lady doctor is accused of murder when she freezes a rich guy into a
cryogenic state.  Ten witnesses speak their piece.  I loved the Japanese
guy and the Rabbi with his humor.  But all acting is first class.
    TRIO LOS MACHOS at Theatre 101.  Three Old Guitarists sing and re-live
their young lives and how they got started.  The second act had more songs,
a girl joins the group, and she has a great voice.  The three olds actors are a blast,
and the audience went home delighted.
   WRAP YOUR HEART AROUND IT at Garry Marshall's Falcon Theatre.
An actress plays the accordion and  sings like Dolly Parton... with the aid
of drums, violin, bass and guitar.  Her life story is touching, funny, shocking, sad---
all the things that make live theatre so exciting.  She reacts beautifully with the
audience and brings to life an  AHA Moment that will make believers of us all.
    Enough for now.  Keep the popcorn warm; we'll see you at a theater/theatre.
    Ken

Hello, everyone!
  Any doubts about my qualifications should be extinguished in a very few sentences.
In my loooong lifetime, I have seen many films.  LA GRANDE ILLUSION (France),
SEVEN SAMURAI (Japan),  VIRGIN SPRING (Sweden),  CASABLANCA (U.S.A.),
LA STRADA (Italy)... you get the picture (pun intended).
   Years ago, I wrote for a periodical which covered 60,000 readers.  It was titled
EYE ON ENTERTAINMENT, and it covered everything from Films,  Plays, and
even a good college football game or two.
   So, here we go:  RESURRECTION.  Last year, I saw two medium-low budget films
that I personally loved:   ROBOT AND FRANK (with Frank Langella) and   END OF
WATCH (with Jake Gyllenhall).s
    The former concerned a curmudgeon who is given a robot to take care of him (He
lives in an isolated forest home).  Julianne Moore is the local librarian who realizes
that Langella has touches of Alzheimer's.
    The latter is one of the best cop films in years.  A few cop friends of mine saw it,
applauded in the first few minutes and wept at the end.   Me, too.  It was cool.
     This year, we have seen several Big Budget films.  The best:  STAR TREK  and
IRON MAN III.
     The worst...  I'll cause a few naysayers  to squeal...   GATSBY  and  MAN OF STEEL.
Tomorrow, I'll tell you way.  More later.