“The Shootist”

I’m not a huge fan of westerns, but “The Shootist” is one I popped to the top of my queue because of its star, John Wayne. This was the last film he made before finally succumbing to lung cancer. I haven’t seen a lot of Wayne’s work, so I don’t know if it’s one of his best. But it’s certainly a good film. As my tweet says, The Shootist-In an unfortunate case of typecasting, an aging John Wayne dying of cancer plays an aging gunslinger dying of cancer. 8 (out of 10), Wayne’s character, J.B. Books, is dying of cancer. He returns to Carson City, has his doctor, E.W. Hostetler (James Stewart) confirm the diagnosis then takes a room in a boarding house owned by the widow Rogers (Lauren Bacall). While it’s Books’ intention to live out his final days quietly, Dr. Hostetler, the Carson City Marshal (Harry Morgan) and the widow’s son, (Ron Howard) who is fascinated by Books’ life as a gunfighter, coax him into going out in the proper fashion. Fans of the John Woo school of shoot-outs with their atmospheric lighting, slow-motion photography of unloading ammo magazines and an aviary-load of flying doves – may be a little disappointed by the simplicity of this film’s climatic scene. But it’s a fitting ending for a man of action and few words, just as “The Shootist” is for the career of John Wayne.

“The Shootist”

Released: 1976

Rating: PG

Length: 99 minutes

Cast: John Wayne, James Stewart, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard

Director: Don Siegel

Genre(s): Drama, Western

“The Twelve Chairs”

My tweet: The Twelve Chairs-Mel Brooks made a movie between “The Producers” and “Blazing Saddles” that no one ever talks about. This is it. 5.5 (out of 10) I never heard of this movie before. But even Brooks’ less successful films are usually a good time. “The Twelve Chairs” certainly opens on a good note. It’s post-revolutionary Russia and an old lady, a one-time member of the aristocracy, makes a death-bed confession to hiding a fortune in jewelry inside an old dining room chair (one of 12) that has since been lost. That sends orthodox priest Father Fyodor (Dom Deluise) and her son-in-law, Ippolit Vorobyaninov, (Ron Moody) on a race to find the chairs and ultimately the jewels. I was expecting a madcap treasure hunt akin to “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” But “The Twelve Chairs” never rises to that film’s level of slapstick and certainly not to the inspired lunacy of “The Producers” or Blazing Saddles.” It’s not all bad though. Frank Langella, as a larcenous beggar who teams up with Vorobyaninov, is a dashing presence. And both Dom Deluise and Ron Moody have their moments. But unless you’re a hardcore Mel Brooks fan who wants to see everything in his catalog, I think you can better than “The Twelve Chairs.” Brooks certainly did.

“The Twelve Chairs”

Released: 1970

Rating: NR

Length: 94 minutes

Cast: Ron Moody, Frank Langella, Dom DeLuise, Mel Brooks

Director: Mel Brooks

Genre(s): Comedy

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966)

I know this isn’t a movie. But it is available on Netflix, so it’s worth a word. I have to admit, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is my must-see Christmas cartoon. Chuck Jones of Warner Brothers/Bugs Bunny/“What’s Opera, Doc?” fame lends his hand at bringing Dr. Seuss’s story about the fall and rise of the green grouch to life. And frankly, this animated TV show manages to pack more entertainment into a half hour than Ron Howard and Jim Carrey had in their bloated, live-action version. Partly because the story hews closely to the book – the only major addition are the musical numbers (including, “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch,” sung by Thurl Ravenscroft, a.k.a. Tony the Tiger in the Frosted Flakes commercials) – and Boris Karloff’s pitch-perfect narration. Seuss manages to teach a Dickens-worthy lesson about the spirit of Christmas without being preachy or syrupy, while Jones manages to add his special touch without getting in the way. The result of their collaboration is a cure for even the biggest holiday grump. My tweet: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)-Dr Seuss & Chuck Jones believe even hardened cynics can be redeemed. Dick Cheney, are you watching? 10 (out of 10) Unfortunately, I couldn’t get my hands on a trailer or promo for the show, so here is one of my favorite scenes:

Other holiday movies worth watching: “A Christmas Story” and “Elf”

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

Released: 1966

Rating: NR

Length: 26 minutes

Cast: Boris Karloff, Thurl Ravenscroft, June Foray

Director: Chuck Jones

Genre(s): Children's Fantasy, Fantasy Comedy, Holiday

The Graduate: Here's to you, Dustin Hoffman

“The Graduate” is one of my all-time favorite movies and I've seen if more times than I can count. This time I made note of how brilliantly miscast Dustin Hoffman is as Benjamin Braddock. He’s a California native, but sounds like he was raised in New York. He doesn’t look like either one of his parents, William Daniels or Elizabeth Wilson. And he’s supposed to be a track star and “ladies man?” Director Mike Nichols took a tremendous leap of faith, because Dustin Hoffman is a disaster on paper. But on-screen he’s perfect. His fumbling responses to Mrs. Robinson’s (Anne Bancroft) seduction, the awkwardness of their first “meeting.” The way he tries to disgust daughter Elaine Robinson (Katharine Ross) on their first date only to apologize for his boorish behavior. His frenzied drive up and down the California coast as he tries to track her down and that final smile on the bus. The point is, there were a lot of actors in Hollywood who looked the part. (In fact, Robert Redford was originally considered.) But I can’t imagine anyone occupying it as well. My Tweet: The Graduate-Dustin Hoffman beds his father’s business partner’s wife and falls in love with their daughter. Then things get complicated. 10 (out of 10)

“The Graduate”

Released: 1967

Rating: PG

Length: 106 minutes

Cast: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, William Daniels

Director: Mike Nichols

Genre(s): Drama, Adaptation, Comedy

A Face in the Crowd: The Glenn Beck Story?

There were a couple of comments posted on the TweeterFlix YouTube Channel comparing this movie’s main character to Glenn Beck. Now I’ve never seen or heard his show, but I can’t imagine it’s a compliment. In Elia Kazan’s “A Face in the Crowd,” Andy Griffith plays Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes, a drifter discovered in the drunk tank by a roving reporter from the local radio show (Patricia Neal). Impressed by his natural wit and charm on the air, the station offers Rhodes his own show. He builds a loyal following with friendly conversation and homespun advice and pretty soon big city promoters are knocking on hls door. Eventually Rhodes moves from radio to the new medium of television with products and politicians seeking his “everyman” touch. And as his audience and influence grows, so does his ego. But there are skeptics, like TV writer Mel Miller (Walter Matthau), who believe it’s only a matter of time before Rhodes reveals the boorish, narcassistic hypocrite he really is. So if you believe that’s Glenn Beck or his fate, (or maybe if you're Glenn Beck himself) then “A Face in the Crowd” may be worth adding to your queue. My Tweet (for those familiar with “The Andy Griffith Show”): Small-town drunk becomes a national celebrity and self-destructs before settling down in Mayberry with his son Opie. 7 (out of 10)

Another film by Elia Kazan you might enjoy: “Splendor in the Grass"

“A Face in the Crowd”

Released: 1957

Rating: NR

Length: 126 minutes

Cast: Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, Anthony Franciosa, Walter Matthau

Director: Elia Kazan

Genre(s): Drama, Adaptation

The Top 8 DVD Reviews (so far): “Fail Safe”

Article 8 of 8

To celebrate the first 100 TweeterFlix DVD reviews, I was going to do a Top 10 List. But the field got a little crowded after the first eight. Besides, everyone does Top 10 lists. I’ve already written, and hopefully you’ve already read, about the other seven. So here’s number 1 (so far):

Fail-Safe (1964)

This gripping cold-war drama revolves around the same circumstances as Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove.” A nuke is on its way to Moscow and can’t be called back. But while Kubrick played the doomsday scenario for laughs, director Sidney Lumet plays it straight and wrings an incredible amount of suspense from it. As the clock ticks, you’ll wonder how our mutually assured destruction can possibly be avoided. Cautionary tales like this have been sold a lot since then. But this one is still the best. My review from Twitter: When a nuke is accidentally launched at Moscow, President Henry Fonda has a novel way to keep peace. 10 (out of 10)

Number 2: "What's Up, Doc?"

Number 3: "An Inconvenient Truth"

Number 4: "The Fog of War"

Number 5: “Splendor in the Grass”

Number 6: “Thirteen”

Number 7: “The King of Kong”

Number 8: “The Dark Knight”

“Fail Safe”

Released: 1964

Rating: NR

Length: 112 minutes

Cast: Henry Fonda, Dan O'Herlihy, Walter Matthau, Frank Overton

Director: Sidney Lumet

Genre(s): Drama, Adaptation, Thriller

The Top 8 DVD Reviews (so far): “What's Up, Doc?”

Article 7 of 8

Here’s the number 2 DVD (so far) in the Top 8 countdown of the first 100 TweeterFlix DVD reviews:

What’s Up, Doc?

What I wrote on Twitter: Peter Bogdanovich’s screwball comedy is a reminder that Barbra Streisand used to be funny. I recommend she see it. 10 (out of 10) Ryan O'Neal used to be funny, too. And Madeline Kahn always was. “What’s Up, Doc?” is a throwback to the comedies of the 1940s and centers around at a hotel in San Francisco, when four identical red plaid overnight bags containing rocks, diamonds, top-secret papers and Streisand’s clothing get mixed up. There’s a great supporting cast and funny bits throughout the picture. But the chase scene alone is worth the price of admission.

Number 3: "An Inconvenient Truth"

Number 4: "The Fog of War"

Number 5: “Splendor in the Grass”

Number 6: “Thirteen”

Number 7: “The King of Kong”

Number 8: “The Dark Knight”

Coming up next: “Fail Safe”

“What's Up, Doc?”

Released: 1972

Rating: G

Length: 94 minutes

Cast: Barbra Streisand, Ryan O'Neal, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, Austin Pendleton

Director: Peter Bogdanovich

Genre(s): Comedy, Family

The Top 8 DVD Reviews (so far): “Splendor in the Grass”

Article 4 of 8

Of the first 100 TweeterFlix DVD reviews, here’s number 5 (so far):

Splendor in the Grass

I’d pretty much recommend anything from Elia Kazan. And “Splendor” is no different. This features a very young Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty as high school students in love. Her desire not to give in, leads to their breakup and ultimately to her breakdown. While it doesn’t have the grittiness of “A Streetcar Named Desire” or “On the Waterfront,” the story is just as powerful. My review from Twitter: Natalie Wood tries to keep her virtue and ends up in a straight jacket. Not exactly a strong case for abstinence. 9 (out of 10)

Number 6: “Thirteen”

Number 7: “The King of Kong”

Number 8: “The Dark Knight”

Coming up next: “The Fog of War”

“Splendor in the Grass"

Released: 1961

Rating: NR

Length: 124 minutes

Cast: Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty, Pat Hingle, Audrey Christie

Director: Elia Kazan

Genre(s): Drama

I'll Cry Tomorrow: Catch a Fallen Star

I usually pan for Netflix gold by searching the actors, directors or writers I’ve liked in other movies. By that measure I have no idea how “I’ll Cry Tomorrow” ended up in my queue. I knew so little about the movie that at first I thought it was a thinly veiled biopic about Judy Garland. But the synopsis on the DVD envelope (always worth reading) informed me that it’s the true story of Lillian Roth, another talented singer/actress. But the plot is familiar. Lillian's mother pushes her along from audition to audition. She controls every aspect of her life, keeping her from developing any real relationships outside this show business bubble. As Lillian grows up, she begins to realize what her mother has been doing and decides to take control of her own life. One of her first emancipating steps, marrying her childhood sweetheart, goes horribly wrong when he suddenly dies before the wedding. To ease the pain, she turns to alcohol, followed by a couple of bad relationships which leads to more alcohol, until she ends up on the street. The movie can get a little melodramatic in parts, which is probably just its age showing. Regardless, Susan Hayward's portrayal of Roth, which earned an Oscar nomination, is quite good. And that makes “I’ll Cry Tomorrow” worth putting in your queue today. My review from Twitter: An ambitious stage mother pushes Susan Hayward to the top where a bottle of booze waits to pull her back down. 7.5 (out of 10)

"I'll Cry Tomorrow"

Released: 1955

Rating: NR

Length: 117 minutes

Cast: Susan Hayward, Richard Conte, Eddie Albert, Jo Van Fleet

Director: Daniel Mann

Genre(s): Drama, Adaptation, Biopic

Orson Welles, Big Shot: "Touch of Evil"

“Touch of Evil” opens with something you don’t see every day – especially from directors who’ve been weaned on TV commercials and music videos – a 3-1/2 minute opening shot. And it’s not just the length of the shot that makes it unusual. It’s that the camera moves continuously during those 3-1/2 minutes. It starts with a close-up, pulls out for a wide shot, dollies down the street, cranes over the buildings, floats back down, moves along with the traffic and pedestrians. The action and camera work are so perfectly choreographed that this scene alone is worth the price of admission. And it’s a great opening for this Orson Welles noir about corruption on the U.S./Mexican border. My Twitter review was more about the odd casting of Charlton Heston a Mexican. Here’s what I wrote: Crooked cop Orson Welles tangles with Mexican prosecutor Charlton Heston. His casting is among its many mysteries. 8 (out of 10)

The opening scene:

The trailer:

"Touch of Evil"

Released: 1958

Rating: NR

Length: 111 minutes

Cast: Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Orson Welles, Joseph Calleia

Director: Orson Welles

Genre(s): Adaptation, Thriller

The Dam Busters: What goes down...

My review of “The Dam Busters” on Twitter, Follow the bouncing bomb as it helps the Brits defeat the Germans in WWII. A little over earnest but no less fascinating. 8 (out of 10)

“The Dam Busters” was one of those movies that just showed up in my mailbox. I didn’t know what to expect. It was a pleasant surprise. Sure it’s got that earnest “let’s-win-it-for-the-allies” attitude. But unlike many WWII movies that celebrate the camaraderie and heroism, “The Dam Busters” is about the brains. In this case, Dr. Barnes Wallis, a determined inventor who insisted that he had a way to get bombs past the nets and mines protecting Germany’s dams. He would skip them across the surface of the water just like a rock skips across a pond. It was just crazy enough to work. And it did. Even still, it sounded so unbelievable I did some investigating and found this footage on YouTube.

Actual dam busters footage:

“The Dam Busters” movie trailer:

“The Dam Busters”

Released: 1955

Rating: NR

Length: 120 minutes

Cast: Richard Todd, Michael Redgrave, Ursula Jeans, Basil Sydney

Director: Michael Anderson

Genre(s): Drama, Adaption, Historical