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Things Get Heated Up In The Newsroom

Posted on June 29, 2015 by G Virdee for MovieBrando

“I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” are the famous words echoed by troubled Howard Beale throughout ‘Network’ (1976: AFI 1998, #66, 2007 #64) the movie I watched this weekend as part of my challenge to watch all films featured on the American Film Institute top 100 movies of all time. The quote is so iconic that after more than 40years it is still being used; most recently for an advert on UK television – I forgot what to promote (it must be one of those ‘wacky’ phone providers) but I remember asking my brother and sister; Sati and Nicky ”Do you know where this line is from?” Obviously they looked at me as if I was the insane Howard Beatle, but terrifically honest (“Life is bullshit!”) and said “What film?”

Iconic scene from ‘Network’

It a shame that a movie as great as ‘Network’ isn’t remembered as well as other iconic 1970s films like ‘The Godfather’ (1972: 1998 #3, 2007 #2), ‘Taxi Driver’(1976: 1998 #47, 2007 #52) or ‘The Deer Hunter’ (1978: 1998 #79, 2007 #53) but it is definitely just as good. It is probably the only movie on the list that deals that takes place in a newsroom and highlights how fickle the broadcasting industry is – I should know, I’ve done my fair share of volunteering and work experience in TV and radio newsrooms across the UK to know that no one really gives a rat’s ass about you, not even your mates (get the violins out). This what poor anchor man Howard Beale played by Peter Finch discovers when he is told he only has two-weeks left on air as he is being cut for low ratings. Rather than bow out gracefully he tells his audience he will commit suicide live in air- ironically this gives him a ratings boost and network executives exploit the broadcaster who is obviously mentally unstable by giving him his own show where he vents his anger to a cult following.

Icy Faye Dunaway and William Holden

The film stars the crème de la crème of 70s A-listers; legendary William Holden in his last memorable role plays Max Schumacher the Head Of News who faces a moral dilemma whether to help his friend who clearly needs medical attention or keep him on air to attract more viewers. Matters are made worse when he becomes involved with cold hearted Diana Christensen who is head of programming and is played by the top notch Faye Dunaway who was as big and perhaps more talented than Meryl Streep in the 70s (definitely better looking) but failed to maintain the legendary status of the three time Oscar winner. I hear that when she portrayed Joan Crawford in an unfavourable light in the camp cult favourite and winner of the Golden Raspberries ‘Worst film’ award ‘Mommie Dearest’ (1981), friends and colleagues of the 1940s star vowed to destroy her career. Nevertheless actress won a much deserved Academy award for Best Actress, but the real star of the movie was obviously Peter Finch who also nabbed the Best Actor award but unfortunately died of a heart attack before he was given the accolade.

Peter Finch was the only posthumous winner of an Oscar in an acting category until Heath Ledger won for Best Supporting Actor in 2009

From the moment the movie begins you are gripped in; the eerie narration reminded me of Wilder’s classic ‘Sunset Boulevard’(1950: 2007 #12, 2007 #16) which also starred Holden and the subject matter of the movie like ‘All about Eve’ (1950: 1998 #16, 2007 #28) is just as timeless and relevant today as it was four decades ago. One could say the movie is one of the first to touch on the idea of reality TV that has plagued our television over the last fifteen or so years – but obviously in a much more classy and thought provoking manner then ‘Big Brother’ or ‘Googlebox’. 5 out of 5 for me

How The Prototype For ‘White Chicks’ Became The Greatest Comedy Of All Time

Posted on June 22, 2015 by G Virdee for MovieBrando

I shouldn’t really be admitting this but ‘White Chicks’ (2004) is probably my biggest movie guilty pleasure – it’s predictable, crass and pretty offensive to caucasian people, but I can’t help but chuckle when clueless Terry Crews pursues Marlon Wayne’s character. Despite its massive cult following and box office success, the movie, unsurprisingly was a critical disaster and was nominated for five Razzies (the awards for the year’s worst films) which, is a far cry from the legacy ‘Some like it hot’ (1960, AFI 1998 # 14, 2007 #22), the movie it ‘borrowed heavily’ from has garnered over the years.

It was my second time watching the Billy Wilder classic which is featured in The American Film Institute’s 100 movies of all time this Sunday – I was actually geared up to view ‘The Searchers’ (1956 AFI #96, #12) which was the John Wayne western that has been in my Sky Player for the last three months but, I’ve been dreading to watch so I put off selecting the play button for as long as I can. This weekend I had no excuse so got up early before anyone at home was awake and before they had the chance to roll their eyes at me for ‘hogging the TV with ancient movies’. But when I finally got round to starting the film the TV box recorded only the title credits and stopped. Damn you Sky Player! I probably deserved that – nevertheless I was wide awake and didn’t quite fancy watching an ex-member of JLS plugging his new music to the disinterested presenters on ‘Sunday Brunch’ so I thought I’d again familiarise myself with Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic movie.

I was certain I saw ‘Some like it hot’ with my Dad when I was younger, but forgot some of the plot and the small details which made the film so memorable and iconic. The movie which is set during the prohibition era stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon who are musicians that go on the run from the mob after witnessing a murder – they disguise themselves as ladies and join an all-female band who are travelling to Florida. There they both meet and fall head over heels for the beautiful and flirtatious Sugar played by legendary Monroe who has no idea they are actually men.

Despite colour films becoming increasingly popular in the late 50s Wilder shot ‘Some like it hot’ in black and white

The plot is pretty straight forward and pretty tame by today’s standard, but the homosexual undertones throughout the movie along with Monroe’s blunt sex appeal makes it hard to believe it was certified a U in 1959. It was definitely a bold move by Wilder which paid off – I can imagine cinema goers raising their eyebrows during film’s initial screening when Sugar and Joe in drag share a passionate kiss. This is probably Monroe’s best performance (for which she won a Golden Globe, her only major acting accolade) and although she plays the same ditsy blonde – she displays a genuine talent for comedy and has perfect timing.

Monroe wins Golden Globe for her portrayal of Sugar in ‘Some like it hot’

Tony Curtis is impressive as Joe and “Josephine”, however he shows his true comedic flair when he plays ‘millionaire’ Shell Oil Junior to woo Sugar – His awkward British accent alone is genius and is much more likeable then Shawn Wayne’s Miami vice, LL Cool J ‘lick your lips’ like stud character he plays in ‘White Chicks’ to court Denise. But the real star for me is Jack Lemmon who I would say is perhaps the greatest comedian film star off all time. His ‘romance’ with Osgood Fielding played Joe E Brown (the equivalent to Terry Crews character in White Chicks) is pure comedy gold. It’s a shame that Lemmon was overlooked for an Oscar for his comedic roles such in this, the magnificent The Apartment (1960, AFI #93, #80)’ and ‘The Odd Couple’ (1968) where he shines rather than serious drama ‘Save the Tiger’ (1973). The two of the movies funniest characters are responsible for perhaps the most memorable ending in a film movie:

‘Some like it hot’ is perhaps one of the rare movies on the AFI’s top 100 movies of all-time list that you can watch over again and again without feeling the need to concentrate, it’s light hearted fun that is done well – I give this 5 out 5. The only thing that left a bad taste after watching it is that it gives a clear reminder how unoriginal and lazy Hollywood has become in recent years and that plots are recycled with gimmicks to make it appear new. My sister, Nicky asked how the movie was when she got up – I tried to tell her my frustration on how similar the Wayne brother’s movie was to the Wilder one, she replied: ‘Oh really that’s really cool they remade it – so what are we eating for breakfast?’

The Original Stylish Sci-Fi

Posted on June 15, 2015 by G Virdee for MovieBrando

I was lucky enough to hear that The Prince Theatre in Leicester Square was showing ‘Blade Runner’ (#97 on 2007 AFI top 100 list) this weekend so like a sci-fi movie buff I pre ordered tickets to ensure I was able to watch what is hailed as Ridley Scott’s best work (yes, even better than Alien apparently) on the big screen. Obviously I don’t qualify as much of a sci-fi enthusiast to go alone so I dragged my friend Cam who is also attempting to complete the list of the AFI’s top 100 movies of all time, but lacks the focus to get through it because unlike me she probably has more productive things to do with her time.

The Prince Charles Theatre in Leicester Square plays ‘Blade Runner’

It felt like we were in a 1982 time warp when I and Cam spotted the original movie poster outside the cinema – the time-travelling didn’t stop there: When we got into the retro theatre we sat on chairs that were made from the tough brown leather that look liked it was as old as the building, but still durable after all those years of wear and tear and the screen was covered by traditional thick red velvet curtains – the perfect setting for a classic movie. We had our popcorn, coke and seats and were ready to see the awesomeness that is ‘Blade Runner’. As the lights went down and the curtains drew back I looked over to Cam and said ‘Do you have any idea what this is about’ she looks back to me, smiled and replied ‘No’.

1982 cult classic ‘Blade Runner’ plays again in Central London

Sometimes it’s a good idea to go into the movie blind – it can avoid the disappointment of having high expectations that I have suffered a few times when going through the list. Cam’s friend gave her some good advice before she saw the movie with me which was; ‘You’ve seen it all before, but remember this film did it first – which is why it is considered so great!’ That pretty much applies to most of the films that made the AFI 100 movies cut.

I must admit I’m not much of a sci-fi man, I haven’t managed to see the original ‘Star Wars’ (#16 1998, #13 2007) yet, but the plot of ‘Blade Runner’ was pretty familiar: The film is set in Los Angeles 2019 which I guess seemed like a long way away in 1982 – where Rick Deckard played by Harrison Ford must track down and kill four evil genetically engineered Replicants who look like humans but possess superior strength. Obviously he falls in love with an additional one on the way played by icy Sean Young and things get complicated when he must decide whether to save or retire her.

Cult classic – ‘Blade Runner’

What sets this movie apart from the rest is the noir feel it has – ‘Blade Runner’ is very stylised and at times feels like a crime thriller rather than a straight forward science fiction film. I can see that films like ‘Watchman’ (2009), ‘Sin City’ (2005) and even ‘Kill Bill’ (2003) have been heavily influenced by Scott’s innovative piece. The special effects seem ahead of it time and are particularly impressive for an early 80s film although they anticipated evil robot like creatures and flying cars in the noughties, but they couldn’t have imagined a flatter TV screen or colour computer?

Ford who along with Bruce Willis is the epitome of an 80s action star is perfect as the reluctant hero and Sean Young who reminds me so much of Katy Perry in this plays the stiff and disconnected Rachael well – although I will forever associate her as the transsexual dolphin stealing ex-football player in ‘Ace Ventura’ (1994). Perhaps the big surprise for me was Daryl Hannah who I had no idea was in the movie – she is magnificent and terrifying as Pris and probably inspired Quentin Tarantino to cast her in his ‘Kill Bill’ masterpiece.

Ridley Scott speaks about Harrison Ford as Deckard in ‘Blade Runner’

My only issue with the movie is that at times the plot can be too thin – the protagonist seems to conveniently track down the enemy without much of a struggle and the dialogue is not as gripping or as slick as the cinematography and for that reason I’d give it a 3 out 5. Perhaps like Cam I need to see it again to fully see what I missed the first time round or I might view the Blade Runner Sequel instead which seems to be forever in the works.

Hitchcock’s Leading Men At Their Best

Posted on June 10, 2015 by G Virdee for MovieBrando

In the UK we have recently been treated to Saturday matinée showings on BBC2 from the master of suspense. I have made it clear from my previous blogs how much of a fan I am of Alfred Hitchcock’s so my expectations were once again high when watching ‘Rear Window’ and ‘North by Northwest’. Both films appeared on the 1998 and 2007 AFI top 100 movie list and starred perhaps my favourite leading men of the Golden Age period Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant.

Once again I made my brother Sati watch them with me, I’m trying to rope in my Dad but for some reason he doesn’t seem too bothered in going through the list. I think he is upset that none of the Dirty Harry movies or Westerns starring Clint Eastwood are featured in the ‘Hundred years, Hundred movies’ countdown so dismisses it as rubbish. To think of it the only Eastwood movie included is ‘Unforgiven’(#98, #68) which was made years after his prime – I’ll let Dad know when I get to it.

Before I played ‘Rear Window’ (1998 #42, 2007 #48) I told Sati ‘You’ll know the story’ – obviously I was referring to Simpson’s tribute in ‘Bart of Darkness’ when Bart breaks his leg, is confined to his room and suspects Flanders of killing his wife, which is pretty much the synopsis of the 1954 original. Although Stewart is a photographer and not a yellow 10-year-old cartoon character and rather than having Lisa as his sidekick he has the ever glamorous Grace Kelly who Sati refers to as ‘Boom’ which I think is a good thing. Perhaps my favourite character is Stella the maid played by Thelma Ritter who like the two main characters has her suspicions the whereabouts of the wife of neighbour played by Raymond Burr. So what if she is a carbon copy of her character in ‘All about Eve’ her sharp one liners brings humour to the screenplay which is much-needed in this rollercoaster of suspense.

The Simpsons pay homage to ‘Rear Window’ in ‘Bart of Darkness’

Kelly is as usual competent in her supporting role and despite the huge age gap between her and the protagonist their romance is believable. It doesn’t seem creepy – It just works. The film is a shot in a typical Hitchcock stylish manner – his love for panoramic wide shots is evident in this movie as wells as his fascination for voyeurism which is explored further in Psycho (1960). It is the epitome of a Hitchcock movie so if you have never been fortunate to see one of his movies then start with this. The pace of the movie is faster than ‘Vertigo’ (#61, #9) so you are at the edge of your seat throughout. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.

James Stewart gets nosey

Last night I finally managed to view ‘North by Northwest’ (#40, #55) which is dubbed as the blueprint for all the James Bond movies that followed suit. Rumour has it that Grant (who was a Bristolian) was first asked to play the iconic double agent, but turned it down because he only fancied playing it once and didn’t want to get bogged down in the franchise. I and Sati agree it was a right move; it would ruin his legacy if he was always associated with the famous Martini drinking English man – although it may save me from explaining to the youngins who he actually is when I mention him. Either way the role fits Cary like a glove – he is perfect as advertising executive mistaken for a double agent who is pursued across the country by an organisation hoping to prevent him from interfering with their plans to smuggle government secrets. Like Ritter his charisma and wit bring some light relief to the film.

Timeless Style Icon – Cary Grant’s photo in a barbershop in South West London

The plot is more complex than any Hitchcock movie I’ve seen but it makes even more exciting. Eva Marie Saint speaks about North by Northwest of ‘On the Waterfront’(#8, #19) fame and still going strong at 90 years old play his love interest. Perhaps she can be viewed as the prototype for the typical bond girl we have come to know and love in modern cinema – she possess as the qualities of one: extremely beautiful (Hitchcock sure loved his blondes) but with a dark secret and extremely untrustworthy. You never know if she is on the side of Grant or out to frame him until the end.

The budget for this was a whopping $4.2 million which seems like pennies today, but in 1959 it took you a long way. This movie is as close as Hitchcock got to a full-blown action blockbuster and he put the budget to good use in the famous plane chasing scene and the climax at Mount Rushmore where the two leads are chased by the perpetrators to the historic landmark. There are moments in final scenes when even I was feeling like Jimmy Stewart in Vertigo. My only complaint is that like most Hitchcock movies the ending seems abrupt – 4.5 out of 5 for this.

69 seen – 54 left to go

Fear of Heights, Assistants & Wolves

Posted on May 26, 2015 by G Virdee for MovieBrando

The second bank holiday just passed in the UK and you know what that means – more classic movies to catch up with. I managed to watch 3 films featured on The American Film Institute’s top 100 movies of all-time list over the long weekend. I’m trying to cut back on big nights out to get that toned abs look in time for the Summer – so pretty much stayed home all weekend and thought I’d make a dent on the list.

First up was a movie I have been anticipating since I staggered upon the countdown all those years ago and that was ‘Vertigo’. Considered Hitchcock’s finest work and starring one of the classic period’s biggest stars James Stewart – the movie had a lot to live up to and it climbed up an astounding 52 spots on the revised list from #62 to #9. I even convinced my sister Nicky who doesn’t think any movie made before 1985 is worthy of her time that “This is the one to watch”. I was expecting suspense, superb acting and a gripping plot – it had all that, but something was missing. Maybe the hype was too high that it could never live up to it, but I felt it was at times too slow and perhaps too long (it didn’t help that Nicky kept asking how long left). The movie though was shot beautifully and the chemistry between Kim Novak and Stewart was electric, but I’m not too sure how this could be Hitchcock’s highest place movie on the chart (don’t tell anyone, but I liked ‘Dial M for Murder’ more) I’d give it 3 out of 5 – perhaps like contemporary critics my appreciation for the ‘Vertigo’ will increase over time.

James Stewart & Kim Novak in ‘Vertigo’

Next up is perhaps my favourite picture of all time so five out of five even before I review. I’ve seen it before, but I again convinced Nicky to watch ‘All about Eve’ (1998 #16, 2007 #28) on Sunday night. I was slightly nervous because I love the film so much and would be so disappointed if she didn’t feel the same – thankfully she did. What I love about this picture apart from the witty screenplay, immense acting and all around awesomeness is how relevant the plot is today 65 years after it was released. Everyone wants to be famous and they will do anything to get there – we’ve seen it before, I can imagine one of the Kardashians relating to Eve so the film is timeless. Perhaps the dinner party is my favourite scene, Davies (who should have taken a joint Oscar with Gloria Swanson that year. Judy who?) is as catty and sharp as ever and Marilyn Monroe makes a pre-superstar appearance playing her ditsy self. The camera loves her and she is indeed a star, but I couldn’t help but share the same sentiments as Nicky when she said “She plays the same dumb blonde role all the time with the stupid voice”- Perhaps someone like Gloria Swanson, Shelly Winters or Natalie Wood deserved her place on the 50 Greatest Stars of all time.

Watch the gala premiere of ‘ All about Eve’ – Davies brings her mother as her plus one. How cute.

The final film I forced myself to watch was ‘Dances with Wolves’ which was on TV yesterday- actually my Brother Sati convinced me to see it – you see I’m pretty reluctant to see anything Western (I still haven’t seen ‘The Searchers’ yet) and especially if it has Kevin Costner in it, but it was featured at #75 on 1998 list, so it would be another one to cross off. I was pretty surprised to see the movie trending on Twitter when it aired and I even tweeted ‘Not bad for a Kevin Costner movie’. The plot was solid but what particularly impressed me was Costner’s directing which won an Academy award it was far better than his at times stiff acting and unbearable narration. The film is worth seeing even if just for the scene where they chase the buffalos – I really hope no animals were hurt during the filming of this epic movie that took five years to make and at times felt as long to watch. But what do you expect from a Western War film? I’d give it three stars.

See Kevin Costner winning Best Director at the 1991 Oscars

I’ve set my Sky Planner for ‘North by Northwest’ and ‘Rear Window’ – Come on Hitchcock, Grant and Stewart! Don’t disappoint!

Bank holiday movie mayhem!

Posted on May 6, 2015 by G Virdee for MovieBrando

In the U.K. over the past weekend we have been celebrating our first Bank Holiday weekend of the summer – and you know what that means? More classic movies on T.V. It seems like the perfect time for television stations to put on a matinee for people to reminisce about yesteryear, I’m an oldie at heart so I welcome a black and white noir over a Transformers/Avengers/Captain America (they are depressingly all the same to me) action nonsense any day.

Unfortunately I only managed to catch one film on ‘MORE 4’, but it is considered an absolute classic, starring two of cinema history’s most prolific actors, in fact they were both listed as the ultimate screen legends of by AFI – Humphry Bogart and Katherine Hepburn in ‘African Queen’ (#17 in 1998, #65 in 2007). The announcer even stated that “You don’t get more A-lister” than these two when introducing the movie directed by the equally iconic John Huston. So I was definitely hyped up, this is going to be great I thought. So I sat down just before midday on a lazy Sunday morning to watch two veterans act their heart out.

Screen legends Hepburn & Bogart

The thing that strikes me most about the movie is that it is a lot more vintage than it seems, maybe because it is shot in Technicolor or maybe because it was shot on location outside the States or Europe which was unusual for 1951. It was made only a year after ‘All about Eve’ and ‘Sunset Boulevard’ which seems like a lifetime ago when you watch it. Perhaps the modern feel is contributed to the fact that the black actors (or extras) where not playing domestic staff which is what they seemed to have done in most films pre-1960.

The movie is made well; I particularly like the opening scene where Hepburn and onscreen brother Robert Morley who are missionaries unsuccessfully attempt to get local villages to sing hymns with them. They are cramped in a hot and stuffy ‘church’ with traditional tribal wear on and it is evident they don’t know any English and are there against their own will. The noises they make whilst trying to ‘sing’ is pretty horrendous but the scene is striking as Huston’s close shot of the tribal people who are half naked is a complete contrast to the pristine English middle class demeanour of Hepburn and Morley. It is ironic that these people who are ‘trying’ to help attempt to shoot them later in the movie. The film must have opened audiences in 1950s America to a whole new culture they’d never experienced.

It nice to see Bogie in a colour film, one of the few he did before his untimely death a few years later and he thoroughly deserved his Oscar, surprisingly his only one – perhaps the Academy felt guilty about not giving him one for ‘The Maltese Falcon’ or ‘Casablanca’ so they felt obliged to give it this time. If they gave one to Sinatra it was only right that the founder of the Rat Pack got one too. Nevertheless the film has cemented it’s self as one of the most culturally significant movies of all time, beautifully shot with superb acting – it definitely deserves its place on the AFI 100 movie list.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that parts of the film were shot at Isleworth Studios, which is my home town in London and now sadly a block of flats. I told my family about this and my brother said Bogie and Hepburn “where probably chilling in a café somewhere down the road”. A thrilling thought!

Watch Bogart win his Best Actor Oscar

Missed Opportunity

Posted on April 14, 2015 by G Virdee for MovieBrando

So here is the list I have been desperately trying to complete last few years and it’s safe to say it has taken over my life a bit; every Sunday night I routinely search the Sky Planner schedule for the next few weeks in hope to record a film that I haven’t seen on my list. This week I haven’t been so vigilant – two films I have been looking forward to watch came on U.K. television this week and I missed them – ‘The Philadelphia story’ (#51 ’98, #44 ’07) and ‘North by Northwest’ (#40 ‘98, #55 ‘07) both staring my favourite classic Hollywood actor Cary Grant. I’m kicking myself!

Cary Grant

Last night just before I prepared myself for the day ahead and after hours of flicking in between forgettable television shows I saw the movie I have been anticipating to watch ever since I started this damn challenge, but I was 20 minutes too late and there was no later showing on BBC4 for one of Hitchcock’s greatest triumphs – it looked so good and had the thrill factor of a James Bond film but the sophistication only the master of suspense could bring, but I refused to carry on watching as I hadn’t seen it from the start – which is a criteria I try to adhere to when completing this task. So I reluctantly turned my TV off and complained to anyone who would listen to me before going to bed.

Well at least I still have ‘The Searchers’ (#96, #12) recorded on my Sky Box – although I’m not as excited about seeing a Western staring John Wayne – but then again it jumped a whopping 84 places on the 2007 list which means it might like fine wine – better the more times you watch it. I must sit down and have a go soon before someone at home deletes the recording.

In the meantime I’ll just watch the trailer for ‘North by Northwest’ and ‘The Philadelphia Story’ again. The aeroplane scene in ‘North by Northwest’ is perhaps the most iconic image in cinema history!

Do you agree? Or do you think the ‘I’m king of the world’ scene in Titanic is more memorable or maybe Monroe’s dress scene in ‘The Seven year Itch’?

Iconic Titanic ‘King Of The World’ scene

Legendary Marilyn Monroe