Mary Poppins (1964) Julie Andrews won an Oscar, and she’s been nominated two other times, but since the mid 1980s, her films have been almost exclusively children’s fare like the Shrek series and The Princess Diaries (2001). I wish she hadn’t been typecast in wholesome, family films because in Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), S.O.B. (1981), and Victor / Victoria… Continue reading Lucky Mary took a machine with her to the sun
Tag: Musical films
Three kings with fantastic hair
The King of Comedy (1983) Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) is an aspiring comedian looking for his big break. He idolizes talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) and dreams of one day performing on his program. When he meets his idol, Pupkin think he’s finally made it, but Langford is dismissive of his talent,… Continue reading Three kings with fantastic hair
Out of the south pacific, into the fifth estate
Out of the Furnace (2013) Russell Blaze (Christian Bale) goes to prison after he kills a little boy in a drunken accident. When he’s released, his dad has died, and his girlfriend, Lena Taylor (Zoe Saldana) is now in a relationship with the city police chief Wesley Barnes (Forest Whittaker). Russell’s brother, Rodney Blaze (Casey… Continue reading Out of the south pacific, into the fifth estate
The hot and stormy place
The Place Beyond the Pines (2013) Romina (Eva Mendes) visits her ex-lover, motorcycle stuntman Luke Glanton (Ryan Gosling) to casually tell him he’s the father of her child. She’s shocked and disappointed to find Luke wants to be a part of the child’s life. If movies have taught us nothing else, we know motorcycle drivers… Continue reading The hot and stormy place
Dumbledore sings!
The Singing Detective (1986) When mystery writer Philip Marlow (Michael Gambon) is hospitalized with debilitating psoriatic arthritis, a fever sends him into a delirium inspired by his novel The Singing Detective. As his condition deteriorates, he loses the ability to distinguish between his delirium, his memories, and his current life. Characters from his fictional mystery interact with characters… Continue reading Dumbledore sings!
The Muppets cleaned up and went to a party at Gummo’s house
Gummo (1997) Tummler and Solomon supply dead cats to a grocer who then sells them to a local restaurant. When a rival poaches their cats, they break into his house, discover his catatonic grandmother, and turn off her life support. This film about the people director Havey Korrine grew up with in Nashville is a… Continue reading The Muppets cleaned up and went to a party at Gummo’s house
Wagging the dog in the jungle
The Jungle Book (1967) Inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s novel, Bagheera, a black panther, takes an orphaned boy he finds in the jungle to live with a pack of wolves. Years later, the wolf tribe learns Shere Khan (George Saunders) has returned to the jungle and realize the young boy, Mowgli, is in danger. Despite his protests,… Continue reading Wagging the dog in the jungle
A little bit of drinking, a little bit of grass, and a tiny thumb
Drinking Buddies (2013) Kate (Olivia Wilde) and Luke (Jake Johnson) are coworkers at a Chicago brewery. Despite their obvious compatibility and attraction, they’re only friends because Kate is dating Chris (Ron Livingston), while Luke is in a relationship with Jill (Anna Kendrick). As Kate and Luke grow closer, their relationships are tested. Director Joe Swanberg… Continue reading A little bit of drinking, a little bit of grass, and a tiny thumb
Taxes, water, and fashion statements
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) During the middle of a severe drought, one 19th century Indian village asks the local British magistrate for relief from the annual land tax (lagaan). Somehow, this request turns into a wager: if the villagers defeat the magistrate’s cricket team, their land tax is cancelled for three… Continue reading Taxes, water, and fashion statements
Joyful and embarrasing
Swades: We, the People (2004) NASA engineer Mohan Bhargava goes to India to visit his grandmother after his parent’s death where he discovers a passion for his heritage and falls in love with an old childhood friend. Eventually, he must choose between his homeland and his work . India film culture is almost like an echo of classic Hollywood… Continue reading Joyful and embarrasing