Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea and Karl Hardman in the George A. Romero movie ‘Night of the Living Dead’

With autumn brings the month of October. With October brings our looking into the slightly darker side of cinema with the George A. Romero movie Night of the Living Dead (1968). This feature length film was Romero‘s first as writer and director, with the horror and thriller concept reputation sticking with him throughout his career.

(From left, Russell Streiner as Johnny and Judith O’Dea as Barbra in the George A. Romero movie Night of the Living Dead).

Night of the Living Dead begins in rural Pennsylvania as siblings Barbra and Johnny, as portrayed by Judith O’Dea and Russell Streiner, drive to a cemetery to visit their father’s grave. The pair engage in rather pedestrian conversation that eventually lends itself to a bit of teasing. The teasing quickly changes tone when an unseemly, unkempt man in a suit changes the introduces himself into the relationship. The living dead are now introduced, with S. William Hinzman portraying the manifestation, to zombies.

(S. William Hinzman as Zombie in the George A. Romero movie Night of the Living Dead).

The fortunate soul to escape the zombie is Barbra, who flees the cemetery and her attacker. Seeking protection in a farmhouse that she stumbles upon, Barbra meets Ben, as portrayed by Duane Jones. Evidence that more than one zombie exists becomes immediately apparent, yet the immediate efforts to prevent the zombies from entering the main floor of the farmhouse reveal not the full situation.

(From left, Duane Jones as Ben and Keith Wayne as Tom in the George A. Romero movie Night of the Living Dead).

With the farmhouse secured and a rifle in hand, Barbra shows herself to be overwhelmed by how out-of-her-senses she is following her brother’s fate, the attack she experienced, and then the sudden appearance in the home of Harry Cooper and Tom from the cellar of the farmhouse. Cooper, along with his wife Helen, had been nursing their daughter Karen in the basement. The notion of emergency news reports about a series of brutal killings led Tom and his girlfriend Judy to the farmhouse. Harry Cooper and Tom were portrayed by Karl Hardman and Keith Wayne, respectively.

(From left, Karl Hardman as Harry Cooper, Marilyn Eastman (sitting) as Helen Cooper and Kyra Schon as Karen Cooper in the George A. Romero movie Night of the Living Dead).

Helen Cooper, Karen Cooper and Judy were portrayed by Marilyn Eastman, Kyra Schon and Judith Ridley, respectively. The story takes off from here in a sequence of debates about acting individually or collaboratively, with the impact of individual strategies offering increasingly harsh realities to address. The concepts of thriller definitely give way to the notion that Night of the Living Dead truly is a horror film. That notion of the planet Venus coming into the storyline honestly made me laugh.

(Judith Ridley as Judy in the George A. Romero movie Night of the Living Dead).

The night that has proven to be for the benefit of the living dead eventually does lend itself to morning. Local police appear in an attempt to bring normalcy back to the community. That the outcome for those who’ve managed to survive the night is not guaranteed is brutal yet emotionally impacting for the film’s end. I give Night of the Living Dead as written and directed by George A. Romero 3.75-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, October 8, 2022

Montgomery Clift, Anne Baxter and Karl Malden in the Alfred Hitchcock movie ‘I Confess’

The Alfred Hitchcock movie I Confess (1953) offers a rare glimpse into the world of religious responsibility and obligation placed besides the subject matter of murder. The 1902 play Nos deux consciences (Our Two Consciences) by French author and journalist Paul Bourde (pseudonym Paul Anthelme) inspired the movie. The movie was filmed in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

(From left, Anne Baxter as Ruth Grandfort and Montgomery Clift as Fr. Michael Logan in the Alfred Hitchcock movie I Confess).

The movie begins by introducing us to a priest named Father Michael Logan from St. Marie’s Church in Quebec City, Quebec in eastern Canada. Logan, as portrayed by Montgomery Clift, Otto and Alma Keller, German immigrants, as caretaker and housekeeper on the church grounds. Otto Keller works as a part time gardener for lawyer Monsieur Villette. O.E. Hasse, Dolly Haas and Ovila Légaré portray Otto Keller, Alma Keller and Monsieur Villette, respectively.

(From left, O.E. Hasse as Otto Keller and Dolly Haas as Alma Keller in the Alfred Hitchcock movie I Confess).

The movie opens with a man wearing an ankle length black coat worn by Roman Catholic priests at the time I Confess was filmed; that man is shown walking away from the home of Monsieur Villette, who was dead. Otto Keller confesses to Father Logan that he, Keller, killed Villette during the course of a robbery. Otto tells his wife, Alma, of his crime and his confession, along with the oath a priest has to keep confessions confidential.

(From left, Montgomery Clift as Fr. Michael Logan and Karl Malden as Inspector Larrue in the Alfred Hitchcock movie I Confess).

The wrong man motif kicks in when Otto heads to the Villette’s home the next day, reporting the discovery of his dead boss to the police. Inspector Larrue, as portrayed by Karl Malden, interviews Logan as a suspect in the crime after the priest is seen at Villette’s home. The situation looks worse for Father Logan when witnesses report having seen a priest at the Villette home the day before the murder was brought to the attention of the police.

From left, Brian Aherne as Prosecutor Willy Robertson and Montgomery Clift as Fr. Michael Logan in the Alfred Hitchcock movie I Confess).

With an awareness that Father Logan having spoken with Ruth Grandfort at the Villette house, Larrue contacted Prosecutor Willie Robertson at a party being hosted by Grandfort and her Quebec politician husband, Pierre Grandfort. This turn of events tends to cast further suspicion upon the priest, leading to a trial wherein Father Logan cannot candidly defend himself of the crime. The movie does a solid job of adding further, credible intrigue to the case against the priest, which adds credibility and thrilling elements to the nature for how the story will work out. Anne Baxter, Roger Dann and Brian Aherne portrayed Ruth Grandfort, Pierre Grandfort and Prosecutor Robertson, respectively.

(Director Alfred Hitchcock in cameo for the Alfred Hitchcock movie I Confess).

The building tension and the individual motives in play throughout the movie are outstanding, as is the central aspect of the priest wrestling with the religious doctrine of keeping the contents of confession confidential. The movie offers compelling circumstances wherein a spiritual mandate causes clear challenges to the personal freedom of the priest, with bad actors all around. The way that the film resolves this is immensely interesting; thus, I grant the movie I Confess as directed by Alfred Hitchcock 4-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson and Peter Ostrum in the Mel Stuart movie ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’

Turning our attention today to a family comedy mixed with adventure, we look to the Mel Stuart directed movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). Based on the 1964 book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by British writer Roald Dahl, this movie predated the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), which Matt Lynn Digital reviewed in November of 2021. Dahl received screenwriting credit for the 1971 film, though not the 2005 film.

(From left, Aubrey Woods as Bill and David Battley as Mr. Turkentine in the Mel Stuart movie Willy Wonka & the Charlie Factory).

The Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory movie opens with an extended pair of themes to begin the story. The first theme is to introduce a clear fascination with and fondness for chocolate. The aim with this theme is to offer a clear sense of mystery and magic for the man, Willy Wonka, and the chocolate factory that he runs. Building an eagerness to tour the factory and see the magic, and thus the man, foreshadows much of the movies second and main movement of action within the factory. The introduction of the candy store with Bill singing, as portrayed by Aubrey Woods, plays a substantial part in this. The role of teacher Mr. Turkentine, as portrayed by David Battley, furthers this theme while reinforcing the second introductory movie theme.

(From left, Diana Sowle as Mrs. Bucket, Peter Ostrum as Charlie Bucket, Jack Albertson as Grandpa Joe, Franziska Liebing as Grandma Josephine and Ernst Ziegler as Grandpa George in the Mel Stuart movie Willy Wonka & the Charlie Factory).

The second theme is that the Charlie Bucket and his family have been experiencing difficult financial times. Mrs. Bucket, as portrayed by Diana Sowle, works long hours working to keep the family of four grandparents, herself and young Charlie Bucket afloat. Peter Ostrum portrays the young Charlie Bucket, a dreamer dedicated to his family through work, sacrifice and the family’s dinners of cabbage water. Meanwhile, the four grandparents are bedridden as Charlie dreams of getting the golden ticket into touring Willy Wonka’s factory. The four grandparents were portrayed by Franziska Liebing as Grandma Josephine, Dora Altmann as Grandma Georgina, Ernst Ziegler as Grandpa George and Jack Albertson as Grandpa Joe.

(Günter Meisner as Arthur Slugworth, also known as Mr. Wilkinson in the Mel Stuart movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory).

The two themes comingle together as some recognize and aim to gently encourage Charlie’s dreaming while recognizing the difficulties. The song Mrs. Bucket sings of Charlie’s dreaming is touching. The introduction of Arthur Slugworth, as portrayed by Günter Meisner, into the anticipation leading into the larger messaging of the movie, is cleverly sweet when considering the prominence of chocolate and a chocolate factory in the movie’s worldview.

(In the back row from the left include Michael Bollner as Augustus Gloop, Ursula Reit as Mrs. Gloop and Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. In the middle row from the left are Leonard Stone as Sam Beauregarde, Roy Kinnear as Henry Salt, Nora Denney as Mrs. Teevee and Jack Albertson as Grandpa Joe). In the front row from the left are Denise Nickerson as Violet Beauregarde, Julie Dawn Cole as Veruca Salt, Paris Themmen as Mike Teevee and Peter Ostrum as Charlie Bucket. All are posed for the Mel Stuart movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory).

The magic of the movie’s unfolding, honestly, commences with the arrival at the chocolate factory. The introductory scene with Willy Wonka establishes a tone for what is to come. The additional touch of building such anticipation for the role of Wonka, as portrayed by Gene Wilder, did credit to the role while also amplifying the emphasis of the philosophical messaging the movie would offer. Introducing the helpers known as the Oompa Loompas, that we knew were aids for Wonka from the point we met them, was a nice touch. The artistry of the sets, the story, the messaging within the factory and, ultimately, the testing and life lessons as delivered were magic. Whether Wilder successfully nailed the delivery of the song Pure Imagination is perhaps the biggest question that I have for the movie given the degree to which I enjoyed both.

(Gene Wilder pictured on set with actors who portrayed Oompa Loompas of the Mel Stuart movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The actors who portrayed Oompa Loompas included Rudy Borgstaller, George Claydon, Malcolm Dixon, Rusty Goffe, Ismed Hassan, Norman McGlen, Angelo Muscat, Pepi Poupee, Marcus Powell, and Albert Wilkinson).

The sequence of introducing the magic within the chocolate factory was presented as a sign of love that Willy Wonka hoped to bestow. This object was hinted at throughout the movie, though to discern this early within a person’s first viewing of the movie is truly a too much to ask of a viewer. That the subtlety of the message, delivered not until the movie’s conclusion and among at least four other life lessons for parents and children, is part of the strength many see with this film.

(From left, actor Peter Ostrum, actor Gene Wilder and director Mel Stuart in the Mel Stuart movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory).

There is a charm to the way that Mel Stuart interpreted the Roald Dahl book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The movie spoke to a different audience than the movie that followed 34-years later; thus, it feels appropriate to judge the films with an awareness that each film meant to do different things for the actors and the means through which the director meant to connect with the audience. Each film struck me differently for its own merits, with the comments for young families feeling appropriate to each. That I still enjoy the Mel Stuart directed Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory should be inferred by my granting the experience 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys and Chris Cooper in the Marielle Heller movie ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’

As the calendar says that we enter fall for another year, the feeling of warmth and glow that I gather from movies that mirror a similar warm sentiment brings me to today’s movie. Directed by Marielle Heller, the movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) brings nostalgia and warmth to biographical drama, while done in a way that honors the Fred Rogers sensibilities that Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (1968-2001) brought to television many years ago.

(From left, the historical Fred Rogers and Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers in support of the Marielle Heller movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood).

The movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood opens with the traditional setting of a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood episode by introducing Fred Rogers, as portrayed by Tom Hanks, returning home to change his shoes, put on a new sweater and introduce the audience to the central lesson on coping with feelings that will be the central story that helps share the essence of what the Mister Rogers program was. This approach would introduce us to Lloyd Vogel, an Esquire magazine writer known for cynicism in what he writes.

(From left, Christine Lahti as Ellen and Matthew Rhys as Lloyd Vogel in the Marielle Heller movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood).

Matthew Rhys portrayed Lloyd Vogel, who is married to his attorney and the mother of his son. Susan Kelechi Watson portrayed Andrea Lloyd, with three babies portraying Gavin Vogel, the couple’s son. Lloyd’s editor for Esquire magazine, Ellen as portrayed by Christine Lahti, assigns him to write a piece on Fred Rogers. Thus, we are introduced to the emotional lessons that will sustain the biographical drama unfolding with the movie.

(From left, Chris Cooper as Jerry Vogel and Enrico Colantoni as Bill Isler in the Marielle Heller movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood).

We learn with a little backstory that Lloyd has experienced hard feelings with his father ever since the death of Lloyd’s mother, who was the first wife to Jerry Vogel. Jerry Vogel, as portrayed by Chris Cooper, didn’t particularly cope with the illness, death and aftermath of his wife’s death particularly well. The residual hard feelings boiled over at the wedding of Lorraine Vogel to her husband, Todd. Tammy Blanchard and Noah Harpster portrayed Lorraine and Todd, respectively.

(From left, Susan Kelechi Watson as Andrea Vogel and Maryann Plunkett as Joanne Rogers in the Marielle Heller movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood).

Jerry’s presence at the wedding, along with much history before and after the events that occurred there, led Andrea to intervene with her husband and father-in-law for the well-being of the family. The unresolved feelings that lingered introduced some of the magic of storytelling that revealed the strength of the example that Fred Rogers, with the assistance of his wife, Joanne Rogers and his producer, Bill Isler. A reconciliation and resolution to past pain was the order of the day, with an article by Lloyd without cynicism landing in Esquire magazine. Enrico Colantoni and Maryann Plunkett portrayed Bill Isler and Joanne Rogers, respectively.

(From left, Susan Kelechi Watson as Andrea Vogel, Matthew Rhys as Lloyd Vogel, Jordan Harsh, Naomi Harsh or Zoey Harsh as Gavin Vogel, Wendy Makkena as Dorothy Vogel, Tammy Blanchard as Lorraine Vogel and Noah Harpster as Todd in the Marielle Heller movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood).

The story told in the movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood felt like a warm, comfortable blanket. The nostalgia of the experience combined with the emotional healing underneath the message dramatized the better nature of what the franchise of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood had to offer. The creativity of this approach in helping land the special place that the movie has for people landed well. I give A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood as directed by Marielle Heller 3.75-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Penelope Ann Miller and Pamela Reed in the Ivan Reitman movie ‘Kindergarten Cop’

The mood for a bit of crime fighting comedy brought me to the Ivan Reitman directed movie Kindergartarten Cop (1990) recently. The movie’s lightness mixes in a bit of a love interest with the central character cast in the role of undercover policeman seeking love, a criminal and a potential love interest as well. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Penelope Ann Miller and Pamela Reed, today we look into Reitman‘s foray into childhood comedy with a side of cuteness.

(From left, Pamela Reed as Detective Phoebe O’Hara and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Detective John Kimble in the Ivan Reitman movie Kindergarten Cop).

Based on a tip that involves a drug dealer getting information regarding the whereabouts of his former wife, Kindergarten Cop begins with Los Angeles Police Department detective John Kimble arresting a drug dealer for murder. The drug dealer, Cullen Crisp, suspects his former wife of absconding with the couples child; a fair amount of money supposedly was taken as well. This leads Kimble, portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, to Astoria, Oregon with former teacher-turned-detective Phoebe O’Hara, as portrayed by Pamela Reed. The idea was for O’Hara to become a substitute teacher in a kindergarten class at the local elementary school to contact Crisp’s wife and get her to testify against her former husband.

(From left, Richard Tyson as Cullen Crisp and Linda Hunt as Miss Schlowski in the Ivan Reitman movie Kindergarten Cop).

Richard Tyson portrayed Cullen Crisp, the drug dealer. By the time Kimble and O’Hara get to the local school to meet with Miss Schlowski, the school principal as portrayed by Linda Hunt, a stomach bug keeps O’Hara from walking into her undercover teaching position. Needing to proceed with their undercover work, Kimble becomes the undercover kindergarten teacher with no previous classroom experience.

(From left, Sarah Rose Karr as Emma, Penelope Ann Miller as Joyce Palmieri and Rachel Myatt Crisp and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Detective John Kimble in the Ivan Reitman movie Kindergarten Cop).

The absurdity of this scenario drives much of the movie’s comedy. Kids running amok in multiple ways, and seeing Kimble experience the frustration of embarrassment and feeling overwhelmed are used to great effect. Teacher Rachel Myatt Crisp, as portrayed by Penelope Ann Miller, calms some of that initial chaos and, along with her son Dominic Palmieri, also known as Cullen Crisp, Jr., ultimately brings in some important story elements for the movie. Unraveling some history about Palmieri’s father being in France was part of the movie’s charm.

(Brothers Christian Cousins and Joseph Cousins portrayed the character alternatively known as Dominic Palmieri and Cullen Crisp, Jr. in the Ivan Reitman movie Kindergarten Cop).

Twin brothers Joseph Cousins and Christian Cousins portrayed Dominic Palmieri / Cullen Crisp, Jr. The relationship that Cullen Crisp Jr’s father has with him, the boy’s mother, and the boy’s paternal grandmother, informs much of the how the movie resolves itself. The role of Eleanor Crisp, the grandmother to Pamieri / Crisp, was filled by Carroll Baker. Prior to this, the father would gain his release following his arrest. A case of child and spousal abuse, separate from the core storyline, raises an important question of credibility for John Kimble as a teacher at the grade school.

(Carroll Baker as Eleanor Crisp in the Ivan Reitman movie Kindergarten Cop).

Kindergarten Cop achieves a wholesome level of storytelling with compelling conflict and differentiated yet appropriate likability among the characters. The writing credits for Murray Salem, Herschel Weingrod and Timothy Harris are solid and satisfying, as is the movie. Lynn, one half of the name Matt Lynn Digital for this blog, enjoys this movie. I give Kindergarten Cop as directed by Ivan Reitman 4.0-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, September 17, 2022

John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer and Jane Lynch in the Rich Moore movie ‘Wreck-It Ralph’

Computer animation mixing video games, motorsports and strong familial messages around friendship, loyalty and figuring out your own feelings brings us to some of the better magic of the Walt Disney Company. We look today at the drama, adventure and beauty of friendship with the directorial debut of Rich Moore in the movie Wreck-It Ralph (2012).

(From left, Sarah Silverman as Vanellope von Schweetz and John C. Reilly as Wreck-It Ralph in the Rich Moore movie Wreck-It Ralph).

The movie itself is set in Litwak’s Family Fun Center & Arcade, owned by Mr. Stan Litwick as portrayed by Ed O’Neill. When the arcade closes for the night, the video game characters leave their individual game and socialize through a power strip called Game Central Station. The social life of the video game characters comes alive when we learn that the 30th anniversary of Fix-it Felix, Jr. specifically will exclude bad guy Wreck-It Ralph, portrayed by John C. Reilly.

(From left, Jack McBrayer as Fix-It Felix Jr. and Jane Lynch as Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun in the Rich Moore movie Wreck-It Ralph).

Given the interaction between characters from different arcade games in Game Central Station, garnering respect by getting a medal from the arcade game Hero’s Duty becomes a goal for Ralph. Ralph steals a medal from Hero’s Duty, mounting an escape into the kart racing game Sugar Rush, where he deposits a Cy-Bug from Hero’s Duty and, while stuck in Sugar Rush has made landed Fix-It Felix, Jr. temporarily out-of-order. With his game not functioning, Felix leaves his game and allies with Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun, whose goal is to track the Cy-Bug on track to become a virus. Jack McBrayer and Jane Lynch portray Felix and Calhoun, respectively.

(From left, Rich Moore as Sour Bill and Alan Tudyk as King Candy, aka Turbo in the Rich Moore movie Wreck-It Ralph).

Meanwhile, Vanellope von Schweetz steals the medal from Ralph to buy her entrance into the Sugar Rush qualification race that will, if she performs well enough, will let her race in daily games in Sugar Rush the next day. Since Venellope has a glitch that causes her to move and teleport erratically, King Candy rules that Venellope cannot race. While Ralph agrees to build Von Schweetz a new car and work with her to improve her racing skills, King Candy hacks the source code for Sugar Rush, gives Ralph the medal back, and does other deceitful things to turn Ralph against Venellope. With a storyline developing for Calhoun and Felix during this time, King Candy’s assistant, Sour Bill, imprisons Ralph. Venellope von Schweetz, King Candy and Sour Bill were portrayed by Sarah Silverman, Alan Tudyk and director Rich Moore, respectively.

(From left, Joe Lo Truglio as Markowski, Dennis Haysbert as General Hologram and Ed O’Neill as Mr. Stan Litwak in the Rich Moore movie Wreck-It Ralph).

There are further moments of discovery built into the storyline at that follows, granting a satisfying telling for kids and adults alike. We are introduced to the fictional game TurboTime a bit later into the story. We are offered references to legitimate games, including Altered Beast, Dig Dug, Frogger, Pac-Man, Paperboy, Pong, Q*bert, Sonic the Hedgehog, Street Fighter, and others. The onward and upward thrust of the storyline from this place in the story ties the multiple strings of storyline together in a cute, emotionally satisfying storyline that rewards kids and adults alike to a story that reinforces friendships while offering comeuppance in appropriate ways.

(From left, Katie Lowes as Candlehead, Mindy Kaling as Taffyta Muttonfudge and Jamie Elman as Rancis Fluggerbutter in the Rich Moore movie Wreck-It Ralph).

The movie concludes with characters having the best versions of themselves revealed. The animation was detailed, vivid and visually dynamic in drawing an imaginary world that felt legitimate. A subsequent movie followed the original, which tells you the audience was there with the first pass. Story credit for the movie goes to Rich Moore, Phil Johnston and Jim Reardon. The screenplay was written by Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee. I grant Wreck-It Ralph as directed by Rich Moore 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, September 10, 2022

Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine and George Sanders in the Alfred Hitchcock movie ‘Rebecca’

The presentation of the movie Rebecca (1940) by director Alfred Hitchcock offers an interesting and smart premise to the ways psychological pressure can be expressed. The film begins the story from the middle of the larger tale, though details unexpectedly revealing and revealed so as to make the experience one that I enjoyed more than I thought I would. Hitchcock‘s first movie made in the United States with producer David O. Selznick is based on the 1938 Daphne du Maurier novel Rebecca.

(Laurence Olivier as ‘Maxim’ de Winter in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rebecca).

The movie begins with a glimpse of ‘Maxim’ de Winter, as portrayed by Laurence Olivier, considering taking of his life at the edge of a cliff. A woman yells to him in an attempt to change his mind. The scenario ends with rudeness on behalf of de Winter, though the plot for the movie is cleverly planted with this simple yet strong interaction.

(From left, Florence Bates as Mrs. Edythe Van Hopper and Joan Fontaine as the second Mrs. de Winter in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rebecca).

It would be in Monte-Carlo, Monaco where de Winter and the young lady unexpectedly meet again, with the young lady as a paid companion to the intentionally demonstrative and extravagant Mrs. Edythe Van Hopper. It is owing to Van Hopper that we, along with the young lady, learn that de Winter was recently widowed. Through a warmth the belied a distinctly different station in life, de Winter is taken with the young lady in this setting and proposes marriage. Florence Bates portrayed Mrs. Edythe Van Hopper to Joan Fontaine portraying the woman who would become the second Mrs. de Winter.

(From left, Judith Anderson as Mrs. Danvers and Reginald Denny as Frank Crawley in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rebecca).

It would be at Maxim de Winter’s sprawling southwestern England estate, named Manderley, that we learn of the fondness that many serving the mansion and grounds were devoted to the first Mrs. de Winter. Rebecca would be the former lady of the house. The Manderley staff included Mrs. Danvers as housekeeper, Frank Crawley as Maxim’s estate manager, Frith, as a butler, and so forth. Judith Anderson, Reginald Denny and Edward Fielding portrayed Danvers, Crawley and Frith, respectively. Precisely how the staff worked to make the young Mrs. de Winter uncomfortable. That these truths rolled into our getting to know Jack Favell, Mrs. Rebecca de Winter’s cousin, ultimately makes the story one of greater depth than simple devotion to a prior lady of the house.

(From left, Billy Bevan as a policeman, director Alfred Hitchcock in cameo, and George Sanders as Jack Favell in the Alfred Hitchcock move Rebecca).

The story of Rebecca stands out among the earlier work offered by Alfred Hitchcock in that the psychological tension takes on distinct tones of loyalty, romance and questions of well-being at levels that intermingled so smartly that true motivations among the characters were, at times, less than straightforward. That the truth of who had done what and why becomes clear, my appreciation for the artistry presented makes me satisfied with the experience. I rate Rebecca as directed by Alfred Hitchcock 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Judge Reinhold in the Amy Heckerling movie ‘Fast Times at Ridgmont High’

With school back in session across much of North America by now, let’s look at a favorite of Daycare Friend, a fan and friend of the blog. The Amy Heckerling feature-length directorial debut Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) featured Cameron Crowe as movie screenwriter and author of the 1981 book Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

(From left, Amanda Wyss as Lisa and Judge Reinhold as Brad Hamilton in the Amy Heckerling movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High).

Ridgemont High School is a fictional high school based in San Fernando Valley in the County of Los Angeles, California. We are introduced to senior Brad Hamilton with his plans for the school year. Portrayed by Judge Reinhold, we learn that Hamilton hopes to pay off his used car based on work at All-American Burger on his way to breaking up with Lisa, his girlfriend as portrayed by Amanda Wyss. Things don’t exactly go as planned, with the paths the stories of these two taking a point of the movie.

(From left, Phoebe Cates as Linda Barrett and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stacy Hamilton in the Amy Heckerling movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High).

While we are learning about Brad and Lisa, we meet Brad’s freshman sister Stacy, a 15-year-old virgin. Stacy Hamilton’s older friend, Linda Barrett, works alongside Stacy at a pizza restaurant in Ridgemont Mall. Based on exaggeration of her own intimate exploits, Linda leads Stacy into an intimate relationship with a stereo salesman named Ron Johnson. Johnson is more than a decade older than Stacy, with this plot point setting up much of the movie’s storylines that follow. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Phoebe Cates and D.W. Brown portray Stacy Hamilton, Linda Barrett and Ron Johnson, respectively.

(From left, Brian Backer as Mark ‘Rat’ Ratner and Robert Romanus as Mike Damone in the Amy Heckerling movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High).

We then meet smooth-talking Mike Damone and his shy yet friendly pal Mark ‘Rat’ Ratner, as portrayed by Robert Romanus and Brian Backer, respectively. Ratner works in the mall across the walkway as a ticket taker in the movie theater, while Damone proves more at ease with communicating with others. Their relationships to the two ladies, along with Brad Hamilton’s fate later in the movie, also become points to engage with through the course of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. That the emotional costs of intimacy are raised in the mixture of contexts are, ultimately, addressed in a compelling manner for the target audience of this movie.

(From left, Sean Penn as Jeff Spicoli and Ray Walston as Mr. Hand in the Amy Heckerling movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High).

Sean Penn as Jeff Spicoli provides a particularly enthusiastic example of comic relief for what proves to be a fair mixture of cinematic comedy and drama. Spicoli is an epically carefree surfer that runs afoul of history teacher Mr. Hand, with Mr. Hand being portrayed by Ray Walston. Beyond reinforcing the notion that events are happening at school, Spicoli’s interactions with Charles Jefferson’s little brother while damaging Charles’ car, along with the aftermath for the Lincoln High School football team, is humorous. Forest Whitaker and Stanley Davis Jr. portrayed Charles Jefferson and his brother, respectively.

(From left, Scott Thomson as Arnold and Forest Whitaker as Charles Jefferson in the Amy Heckerling movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High).

The primary relationship questions for the movie are addressed by the movie’s end. Some measure of humor is offered in small biographies given to a handful of main characters at the end of the movie. That Brooke Shields, Ozzy Osbourne and Van Halen are invoked only adds to the relevance of the movie to its place in time.

(Director Amy Heckerling and actor Sean Penn on site of the Amy Heckerling movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High).

Overall, I found Fast Times at Ridgemont High to be entertaining and on point with the message and sensibilities for the time it was made. The coming-of-age viewpoints for multiple personality types were less stereotypical than I’ve seen in movies from this era, which added to my enjoyment. I give Fast Times at Ridgemont High as directed by Amy Heckerling 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Wil Weaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell in the Rob Reiner movie ‘Stand by Me’

The notions, both, of end-of-summer and bildungsroman were explored with impressive feeling and sensitivity in the Rob Reiner movie Stand by Me (1986). Based on Stephen King‘s 1982 novella The Body, the story takes place over the weekend of Labor Day in September of 1959. Four boys from the fictional town of Castle Rock, Oregon take a prolonged journey to find the body of a missing boy.

(Richard Dreyfuss as Gordon ‘Gordie’ Lachance, as an adult, in the Rob Reiner movie Stand by Me).

The story of Stand by Me, whose title is derived from the Ben E. King song Stand by Me, began in the modern day of 1986 with writer Gordie Lachance, portrayed by Richard Dreyfuss, learning of a stabbing in a restaurant. This led to Lachance thinking back to that Labor Day in 1959, when he journeyed with three friends enroute to see a dead body.

(From left, Wil Wheaton as Gordon ‘Gordie’ Lachance (aged 12), John Cusack as Dennis ‘Denny’ LaChance, Marshall Bell as Mr. LaChance and Frances Lee McCain as Mrs. LaChance in the Rob Reiner movie Stand by Me).

The trip to that body begins earlier with an introduction to Gordie’s family. Gordie’s parents grieve the death of Gordie’s older brother, Denny, as portrayed by John Cusack. The grieving isolates Gordie, as the loss of one brother leaves little if any room for his parents to address the emotional needs of Gordie, Denny’s surviving younger brother. Marshall Bell and Frances Lee McCain portrayed Mr. and Mrs. LaChance, the parents of Gordie and Denny, respectively.

(From left, River Phoenix as Chris Chambers, Corey Feldman as Teddy Duchamp, Jerry O’Connell as Vern Tessio and Wil Wheaton as Gordon ‘Gordie’ Lachance (aged 12) in the Rob Reiner movie Stand by Me).

The seeds of the adventure to follow are planted below the deck of Vern Tessio, the friend of Gordie LaChance, Teddy Duchamp and Chris Chambers. The really random acts of Vern leads to his suggesting to Gordie, Teddy and Chris that the four of them go looking for Ray Brower, a boy missing outside of town. Tessio, LaChance, Duchamp and Chambers were portrayed by Jerry O’Connell, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman and River Phoenix, respectively.

(Front seat from left, Kiefer Sutherland as John ‘Ace’ Merrill and Bradley Gregg as Richard ‘Eyeball’ Chambers. Back seat from left, Casey Siemaszko as Billy Tessio and Gary Riley as Charlie Hogan in the Rob Reiner movie Stand by Me).

The adventure represents what the four boys expect the coming journey will offer to them. That each boy brings different yet emotionally similar baggage with them will become part of another similar tale that begins playing out alongside this main tale. A group of teenage boys with clearly deviant behaviors, led by John ‘Ace’ Merrill, holds sway over Billy Tessio, Charlie Hogan, Richard ‘Eyeball’ Chambers and Vince Desjardins. Bent on intimidation and peer pressure, Vern’s relationship with Billy and Chris’ relationship with Richard, their elder brothers, are not easy. Merrill, Billy Tessio, Hogan, Richard Chambers and Desjardins were portrayed by Kiefer Sutherland, Casey Siemaszko, Gary Riley, Bradley Gregg and Jason Oliver Lipsett, respectively.

(Bruce Kirby as Mr. Quidacioluo in the Rob Reiner movie Stand by Me).

‘Ace’ Merrill and ‘Eyeball’ Chambers threaten Chris and Gordie before their formal journey begins, with the internal baggage this reflects gaining its fullest significance only at later points in the movie. The individual relationships that the four youngest boys have with their fathers, in part defined through the relationships the older brothers also have with their fathers, becomes a focal point through the story. The expressions of these moments of pain, and the way that the boys respond, becomes worth your time and effort for engaging with the Stand by Me movie.

(From left, director Rob Reiner and actor River Phoenix on set of the Rob Reiner movie Stand by Me).

The screenplay for the movie Stand by Me was written by Raynold Gideon and Bruce A. Evans. The movie produced perhaps the first experience I had with seeing a movie prompting me to go back to the novella and read the material that inspired the movie. The parting drama, the histories of the boys shared at the end of the film, and the reflection upon what friendship was when twelve-years-old, becomes a parting gift. Popeye in his role as Chopper also was a gift. I rate Stand by Me as directed by Rob Reiner 4-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, August 27, 2022

Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves and Gary Busy in the Kathryn Bigelow movie ‘Point Break’

When it comes to summer movies, especially movies that suggest end of summer feelings to me, the cult classic movie Point Break (1991) comes to mind. A crime story featuring theft, surfing and two federal agencies of the United States government in pursuit. The movie directed by Kathryn Bigelow loudly and proudly proclaims summer for me.

(From left, Gary Busey as FBI Agent Angelo Pappas, Keanu Reeves as FBI Agent Johnny Utah and John C. McGinley as FBI Director Ben Harp in the Kathryn Bigelow movie Point Break).

The story of Point Break begins the theory of FBI agent Angelo Pappas that a series of quick hitting bank robberies across the coast of the Pacific Ocean in the United States are being performed by surfers. Pappas brings rookie agent Johnny Utah, a former quarterback for the Ohio State University football team, to infiltrate the surfing scene to reveal and arrest the criminals. Gary Busey portrayed Pappas as Keanu Reeves portrayed Utah.

(From left, Patrick Swayze as Bodhi ‘Bodhisattva’ and Lori Petty as Tyler Ann Endicott in the Kathryn Bigelow movie Point Break).

The first task for Johnny Utah was to introduce a believable story to gain acceptance within the surfing scene. Using information available to the FBI, Utah introduces himself to Tyler Endicott. Endicott, as portrayed by Lori Petty, has no living parents, works as a waitress and agrees to teach him to surf following an instance where Utah nearly drowns in learning how.

(From left, Bojesse Christopher as Grommet, James Le Gros as Roach and John Philbin as Nathanial in the Kathryn Bigelow movie Point Break).

Through Endicott, Johnny Utah meets Bodhi, the charismatic leader of a gang of surfers consisting of Roach, Grommet, and Nathanial. Utah finds the gaining of acceptance within this group initially difficult, at least until Bodhi recognizes him as the former college football star who quit the sport due to a knee injury. It is through the mastering of surfing that Utah finds is drawn to Tyler, Bodhi’s philosophies, and the adrenaline-based lifestyle of this community. Patrick Swayze, James Le Gros, Bojesse Christopher and John Philbin portray Bodhi, Roach, Grommet and Nathaniel, respectively.

(From left, Tom Sizemore as DEA Agent Deets, Keanu Reeves as FBI Agent Johnny Utah, John C. McGinley as FBI Director Ben Harp and Gary Busey as FBI Agent Angelo Pappas in the Kathryn Bigelow movie Point Break).

With one of bank robberies that occur regularly during Utah’s infiltration period, diagnosis of some hair from one of the robberies points to a different set of surfers as the criminals perpetrating the crimes. A raid of those surfers leads to some really nasty consequences that puts the FBI along with director Ben Harp, as portrayed by John C. McGinley, into conflict with Drug Enforcement Administration and DEA agent Deets, as portrayed by Tom Sizemore.

(Actors in the Kathryn Bigelow movie Point Break wear masks of former United States presidents, which were worn while committing bank robberies. From left are actors wearing masks of Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Lyndon Johnson).

A significant degree of consequential story grows from this point. Trust, love and loyalty to people, work and many of life itself are raised. How these are developed with the information already shared, and furthered with the pressures of how to choose within these spaces take many escalating turns through the story that remains.

(From left, Patrick Swayze as Bodhi and Keanu Reeves as FBI Agent Johnny Utah in the Kathryn Bigelow movie Point Break).

Distinctly quality storytelling with satisfying accomplishments for deciding where you, as an audience member, should land with regards to the questions raised lead to valid reasons for a cult appreciation for the movie Point Break. It is with this resonance in mind that I offer the Kathryn Bigelow movie Point Break 4-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, August 24, 2022