Mum's The Word

Max Von Sydow

After the events of Boston this past week, I was inspired to do this Cimilar Cinema post about people who can't talk. Mainly because of the bomber in the hospital not being able to speak. It was reported that he was writing his answers, but later it was said that he was just shaking his head yes or no.

So here are some films with characters that can't or won't talk.

The best example would be Holly Hunter in Jane Campion's The Piano. Didn't Holly do a great job in that film? It must be difficult to act without dialogue. I kind of wish she hadn't talked in "Top of the Lake". That was really inane dialogue. But it sure was a great show. If you haven't seen The Piano, you really should. It's a great film (in my opinion, anyway).

Alan Arkin was just as convincing in his role of Singer in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I loved this book by Carson McCullers. The film, as usual, isn't as good as the book, but still is a very intense, engrossing movie. (this isn't the official
trailer, just a scene from the film).
 

Then there's Max Von Sydow, the mute grandfather in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Von Sydow doesn't have to act in a film to be appreciated - he just needs to be. What a presence he is. I hope he lives to be 115 and keeps on "being" in lots more films. I've loved him ever since The Seventh Seal and continue to love him as he ages like a very good wine.

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So there you have it. Three really good films where one of the characters doesn't talk. Can you think of any others?

Speaking of really good films, how about joining The North County Film Club. Click here for info

North County Film Club.

Ode to Photography

I've been thinking a lot about photography lately. About how easy it is these days to get such good shots with digital cameras, Iphone and Ipads. Wow, how times have changed. This led me to think about movies about photography.

I recently saw an interesting documentary about a New York photographer. You're going to love this one. It's called "Bill Cunningham New York":




Then go back to 1966 for the iconic photography film "Blow Up". This is Atonioni's first film in English. Starring David Hemmings as a hip London photographer, this is a mystery film which is solved in the dark room. It's worth a peak just to see the 1960s fashions.


The third film is not particularly about photography but the title itself fits with this theme. It's the 1955 film "I Am a Camera". Christopher Isherwood is played by Laurence Harvey in this film based on the Berlin Stories. Julie Harris is miscast as Sally Bowles, but it's interesting to see her really inadequate lip synching. You can watch the whole movie through You Tube.

Hope you enjoy the April selections.

If you're interested in seeing really good films and you live in the Oceanside area, check out the North County Film Club. 

Films that Start with the Ending

I really like films that start with the ending. Then you don't have to guess what's going to happen. This is especially nice when a film is really complicated. All you want to know is how the plot got from point A to point B, who cares if the ending is revealed? Well, that really depends on the film.

There are lots of movies that start this way. I've picked three favorites.

Sunset Boulevard
That beginning scene of William Holden lying flat in the swimming pool is such a stunner. Who wouldn't want to see what that's all about? Billy Wilder, the writer director was such a genius. And what a great role for Gloria Swanson. That was her life. I always wondered why she agreed to do this very unflattering role.





Double Indemnity
What a "fun" movie this is. It also starts with the ending - Fred McMurray spilling the beans to Edward G. Robinson. If you haven't seen this perfect example of film noir, you should definitely put this one on your list. Just to see Barbara Stanwyk's wardrobe is worth the price of admission.


American Beauty
The best thing about this movie is Annette Bening. How she didn't win the academy award for this is beyond me. And Kevin Spacey - wow. I think he's the most underrated actor. He can play just about any part and is always great. (did you see him in Shipping News? I rest my case).  This film isn't fun to watch, it's mighty depressing, but all of the acting is first rate. And it starts with a hint of things to come.


 

Enjoy the beginning of the year with these films that begin with endings.  

And if you haven't heard enough about backwards movies - check out this website:
http://www.classicfilmpreview.com/backwards-movies/

If you live anywhere in the Oceanside area, be sure to join us for the 2013 season of the North County Film Club. The first film of this season is "The Way" starring Martin Sheen, Jan. 13, 3:00 at the Digiplex Market Place Theater, Mission and College.

The Agony of Da Feet - Painful Dance Films

Don't you just love films with lots of dancing? There's Fred and Ginger, there's Ann Miller, Gene Kelly. But those are happy dancers. How about tortured dancers in film? Here are three films that will just make your bunions and blisters ache.

The Red Shoes
This gorgeous film from 1948 is about a young ballet dancer (Moira Shearer) torn between the man she loves and her pursuit to become a prima ballerina. Once she puts on those red shoes, watch out!!


 They Shoot Horses, Don't They

This 1969 film starring Jane Fonda and Michael Sarrazin illustrates just what people will do for a little money during the great depression. The lives of these dance contestants intertwine in this tortuous film about dance marathons.




The Turning Point
You just have to see this film for the scene of Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft duking it out in front of the fountain at Lincoln Center. Wow, what a fight scene!  But the movie is more about ballet and the different choices a ballerina must make and how those choices affect their lives. And a special bonus - great dance scenes with Baryshnikov.


All of these films are available from Netflix. But you might also find them at your local library. Check them and then soak your sore feet.

Welcome to Cimilar Cinema

Why Cimilar Cinema, you might ask. Let me explain. This blog is a film club that views three movies a month which are similar for various reasons. You'll get the idea once we get started. It's going to be fun. 

Wouldn't you love to be a member of a film club where you don't have to go to someone's house and bring some food and have to be sociable? That's what Cimilar Cinema is all about. You can join and enjoy the films in the comfort of your own home with or without other people.

This club is for film buffs who would like to watch and comment about films and be a part of a community of like-minded film snobs.

We'll get together once a month and I'll assign three films (at the first of each month) for you to watch. Then you can order the films from your usual place of ordering films - Netflix, local library or video store. Or you can purchase films if you're really rich or if you want to add a film to your collection, from Amazon (see below), Movies Unlimited, or wherever you purchase films. You can sometimes find real bargains at half.com.  You'll have a whole entire month to watch them. When you feel ready, you can make your comments. You might want to wait to read the comments until you've seen all three films. We don't want any plots spoiled, do we?

Calendar from Meggy Moos Gifts

Since this is just a blog and not a college class - you can join whenever you'd like. To join just become a follower of this blog (see sidebar). You don't have to attend meetings, you're not graded and you don't have to watch a set of films you're not interested in. There's no roll call and no rules.

Just try to be kind to other members in the comments section. No swearing, judging or name calling.

O.K. Are you ready? Here is the theme for October

FILMS THAT GIVE YOU A REALLY BAD CASE OF CLAUSTROPHOBIA 

(Why this theme - it's in honor of the film that came out last month called "Buried" which was entirely filmed inside a coffin/box.) And also because it's the month of Halloween and these films are all a little creepy, scary and very claustrophobic.

You'll have all this month to watch and then comment whenever you feel the need. In the meantime I will add posts that may or may not have anything to do with claustrophobia, but will have something to do with film. So you can check in anytime to see what's happening on Cimilar Cinema.




1. The Exterminating Angel by Luis Bunuel 

2. Woman in the Dunes by Hiroshi Teshigahara

3. Das Boot by Wolfgang Petersen

You can order these films from Amazon if you want to own them.












































Have fun watching these and be sure to comment. I'd love to know: 
1. Which film gave you the worst case of claustrophobia?
2. Which film did you like the most and which the least?  
3. Compare the Japanese style vs. the Mexican/Spanish style. 
Or anything else you'd like to talk about.  Can't wait to hear what you think of these choices.