Blogging Around for June 16th 2011

Capsule reviews: Cabin Fever, Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip

Shootout at High Noon: The Shootist

The Shootist (1976, Don Siegal)

Some things happen for a reason and others at random. Having not been around in 1979, one can only assume what the reactions were among film buffs and in particular great admirers of the western genre when the one and only John Wayne passed away. I wonder if on that day people considered that a piece of the western genre died along with him, for he was so iconic a figure for a number of decades. It seems eerily ironic that not only was the famous actor’s final performance in Don Siegal’s The Shootist only from a few years prior in 1976, but that in the film he portrayed an aging U.S. Marshall whose days of ambitious heroics are long behind once he learns that he is dying of cancer. It feels wrong to say that all these little puzzle pieces, both real and fictional, feel into place, and so let us merely come to agree that fate has a strange way of pulling the strings. 

Shaw Brothers marathon: Come Drink With Me

Come Drink With Me (1966, King Hu)

The Shaw Brothers marathon begins at long last. This 1966 entry was something of a revelation in how it kept on bringing a series of surprises as the narrative evolved. There is always something thrilling and fascinating about a movie that defies ones expectations and gives an audience something other than what was anticipated. Truth be told, there were not any legitimate expectations seeing as how Come Drink With Me was one of the very first Shaw Brothers films the author ever saw. Still, King Hu’s efforts in putting an interesting twist on specific characters and narrative elements did not go unnoticed. Not everything in movies which willingly choose to play things differently can fit together, and while Come Drink With Me does experience some slight turbulence at times, the end result made for a memorable 90 minutes. 

Shaw Brothers tomorrow: Promise!

Sorry guys. I really thought that on my day off I'd have more time to finish the review for Come Drink With Me, but duty called and, well....

The Reelists (2009-2011)

Hello again,

This time I bring less joyous news. Unfortunately, The Reelists, a website that featured written work from a great many talented bloggers including myself, will no longer exist. In a matter of days, thereelists.com will go offline. It is a shame because I felt that the site really was coming together nicely over the last year or so. The web site's former chief editor, Corey Atad, has created a wordpress blog where all the articles appear (coreyatad.wordpress.com). For those wanting to specifically read my work , I will be posting those articles here at Between the Seats over the few couple of days. I will also try to keep up with the 30 Day Movie Challenge which they people at the Reelists had begun last week and which I partook in.

Shaw Brothers marathon starts Saturday June 11th!

review: X-Men: First Class

X-Men: First Class (2011, Mathew Vaughn)

Of all the Marvel comics universes that exist and, more importantly, that have experienced translations to the silver screen, it is that belonging to the X-Men which interests this movie fan most. The thematic undertones of acceptance and rejection of what one truly is, the struggle involved in helping the humans despite the latter group’s hatred of mutants, and of course the wonderful imagination that goes into thinking up all the mutant superpowers that each individual character is blessed with. There is a ton of fun to be had with these films, even though not all of them are equal in quality. After two unmistakable hits, X-Men and X2: X-Men United, these series went on a bit of a creative snag for a short while with X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (till this day the latter is a guilty pleasure of mine but never would I attempt to argue that it is a well made film). Now, acclaimed British director Mathew Vaughn tries his hand at the franchise with...what exactly is still not entirely clear. Is it a reboot or a prequel? We are talking comic book stories, which seem to do both all the time, so in the end it might not matter much.

Parting Shot: Pale Rider

In order to fully appreciation what follows, please read Bill's Pale Rider review at his Movie Emporium.

Last Sunday afternoon I read your Pale Rider review. Throughout the week I read a second time, and then a third time. Today, in preparation for this rebuttal article, I read it for a fourth and fifth time. What you published last week reminded me of some of the work which appears here at Between the Seats, in that you dug deep into the thematic structure of the movie under review, focussing almost entirely on its ideas and possible meaning, leaving less space than usual for everything else. It was a different read, and I mean that as a compliment. Honest is the best policy, and therefore an admission of perplexity upon my initial reading is in order. Truthfully, I had no idea what you were talking about. The review kept returning again and again to its focal point: Pale Rider’s position as part of a dying genre of film. Nothing of the sort had crossed my mind while experiencing Clint’s picture. I doubt it was even a twinkle in my mind’s eye. Now, before you start raising your expectations, thinking that the above introduction is hinting at some sort of revelation in which I declare how accurate your assessment is after reading it multiple times, get over yourself. That won’t happen. I still disagree with almost everything you wrote, but, not as staunchly as last week. I believe there is some sense in what you spoke of. I’m just not ready to buy it yet.

Capsule reviews: Once Upon in the West, A Bear Named Winnie