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.