Worth another viewing
There are a number of movies that I watched years ago that I would like to see again, but my local video store doesn't have them. Some are available through retailers like Amazon.ca, but I don't purchase many movie DVDs.
● Coming Home (1978, directed by Hal Ashby) is a powerful Vietnam War-era drama set in the US. You're probably familiar with this one, since Jane Fonda and Jon Voight both won Oscars for their moving performances.
Voight plays Luke, a paraplegic vet who's fighting the demons, physical and psychological, from his time in action. Fonda portrays Sally, an officer's wife who has her own problems, not the least of which is her relationship with her emotionally distant husband, played by Bruce Dern. Sally and Luke become romantically involved, but their happiness is overshadowed by their frailties.
Coming Home is available on DVD at Amazon.ca.
● Vanishing Point (1971, directed by Richard C. Sarafian) has Barry Newman as Kowalski, a car delivery service worker who has to drive a 1970 Dodge Challenger from Denver to San Francisco - in 15 hours. Cleavon Little plays a DJ who helps Kowalski outwit the cops in his frantic cross-country ride.
I haven't seen the film in years, and I don't know how it would stand up today. At the time, Kowalski came across as an anti-establishment anti-hero. Would we see him today as merely a drugged-out criminal who endangers his life and others? Not sure.
Note: There was a made-for-TV remake from about 1997. The DVD of the original, available at Amazon.ca, features the US and UK versions. The latter is somewhat longer as it contains scenes not included in the US prints.
● Sylvia (1984, directed by Michael Firth) is a biopic from New Zealand that explores the life of Sylvia Ashton Warner (played by Eleanor David), who worked to promote literacy among Maori children.
I caught the flick on the big screen in the UK more than 20 years ago, so my memories of it are somewhat fuzzy, though I remember being impressed with Eleanor David's performance. The Time Out film guide review says that the film's dramatic impact was limited because it focuses too much on Sylvia's romance with another teacher, when it "could have been something altogether more inspirational and fascinating." The film has yet to see release on DVD.
● The Quiet Earth (1985, directed by Geoff Murphy) is a small New Zealand science fiction movie in which a man awakes to find himself completely alone in the world. As far as he knows, he is alone, which causes him to become very lonely, and he veers towards madness. But then he meets two other survivors. The film is available on DVD in Europe, but not in North America.
● Clambake (1967, directed by Arthur H. Nadel)is not the greatest Elvis movie, but it certainly isn't the worst. The King plays a wealthy heir who switches places with a lookalike waterskiing instructor.
This variation of The Prince And The Pauper is amusing, and there are the usual silly songs (eg the title song), but it's an enjoyable enough experience. And of course Elvis gets the girl (played by Shelley Fabares). You can get it on DVD at Amazon.ca.
● Vampires in Havana (¡Vampiros en La Habana!)(1985, directed by Juan Padrón)is a Cuban cartoon about Vampire gangsters battling for control of a potion that allows vampires to go out and about in the daytime.
This is not a Disney cartoon, that's for sure. It has an interesting and funny storyline, and it's well presented. It is available on DVD at Amazon.ca.
● Dream Life (La Vie rêvée) (1972, directed by Mireille Dansereau) was the first Canadian feature directed by a woman. It's a feminist film about two young women who are obsessed by sexual fantasies about a married man they know. The plotline is not strong, but I remember finding the ideas of the film intriguing. It's been more than 20 years since I saw it, though. Time Out says of Dream Life that, "filmed as a punctuated story - with narrative, fantasy, flashback and slow-motion - it's a superbly rounded and sensual presentation of ideas." The film is not available on DVD.
● Coming Home (1978, directed by Hal Ashby) is a powerful Vietnam War-era drama set in the US. You're probably familiar with this one, since Jane Fonda and Jon Voight both won Oscars for their moving performances.
Voight plays Luke, a paraplegic vet who's fighting the demons, physical and psychological, from his time in action. Fonda portrays Sally, an officer's wife who has her own problems, not the least of which is her relationship with her emotionally distant husband, played by Bruce Dern. Sally and Luke become romantically involved, but their happiness is overshadowed by their frailties.
Coming Home is available on DVD at Amazon.ca.
● Vanishing Point (1971, directed by Richard C. Sarafian) has Barry Newman as Kowalski, a car delivery service worker who has to drive a 1970 Dodge Challenger from Denver to San Francisco - in 15 hours. Cleavon Little plays a DJ who helps Kowalski outwit the cops in his frantic cross-country ride.
I haven't seen the film in years, and I don't know how it would stand up today. At the time, Kowalski came across as an anti-establishment anti-hero. Would we see him today as merely a drugged-out criminal who endangers his life and others? Not sure.
Note: There was a made-for-TV remake from about 1997. The DVD of the original, available at Amazon.ca, features the US and UK versions. The latter is somewhat longer as it contains scenes not included in the US prints.
● Sylvia (1984, directed by Michael Firth) is a biopic from New Zealand that explores the life of Sylvia Ashton Warner (played by Eleanor David), who worked to promote literacy among Maori children.
I caught the flick on the big screen in the UK more than 20 years ago, so my memories of it are somewhat fuzzy, though I remember being impressed with Eleanor David's performance. The Time Out film guide review says that the film's dramatic impact was limited because it focuses too much on Sylvia's romance with another teacher, when it "could have been something altogether more inspirational and fascinating." The film has yet to see release on DVD.
● The Quiet Earth (1985, directed by Geoff Murphy) is a small New Zealand science fiction movie in which a man awakes to find himself completely alone in the world. As far as he knows, he is alone, which causes him to become very lonely, and he veers towards madness. But then he meets two other survivors. The film is available on DVD in Europe, but not in North America.
● Clambake (1967, directed by Arthur H. Nadel)is not the greatest Elvis movie, but it certainly isn't the worst. The King plays a wealthy heir who switches places with a lookalike waterskiing instructor.
This variation of The Prince And The Pauper is amusing, and there are the usual silly songs (eg the title song), but it's an enjoyable enough experience. And of course Elvis gets the girl (played by Shelley Fabares). You can get it on DVD at Amazon.ca.
● Vampires in Havana (¡Vampiros en La Habana!)(1985, directed by Juan Padrón)is a Cuban cartoon about Vampire gangsters battling for control of a potion that allows vampires to go out and about in the daytime.
This is not a Disney cartoon, that's for sure. It has an interesting and funny storyline, and it's well presented. It is available on DVD at Amazon.ca.
● Dream Life (La Vie rêvée) (1972, directed by Mireille Dansereau) was the first Canadian feature directed by a woman. It's a feminist film about two young women who are obsessed by sexual fantasies about a married man they know. The plotline is not strong, but I remember finding the ideas of the film intriguing. It's been more than 20 years since I saw it, though. Time Out says of Dream Life that, "filmed as a punctuated story - with narrative, fantasy, flashback and slow-motion - it's a superbly rounded and sensual presentation of ideas." The film is not available on DVD.
posted by droppingpin at 7:14 PM
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