Human society has always struggled a bit with those defined as the “other.” How we draw the lines may have shifted from the tribe to religion, nation-state or ideological, but there always seems to be some category that is excluded and held beyond the limits of our empathy, as displayed in this video from the Royal Society for the encouragement of the Arts (and other stuff.) ]]>
(First, a word about this marathon. In conjunction with the great Filmspotting podcast, I will be following along with their marathon of films by the writer/director team, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Known by their production moniker, The Archers, Powell and Pressburger produced some of what are considered to be the greatest films ever made. Their efforts in Technicolor have been particularly hailed. Their film, The Red Shoes, which was recently the recipient of a majestic restoration and release, has been considered by none other than Martin Scorsese to be one of the two most beautiful colour films ever made. For reference, I have seen only two Powell-Pressburger films: the aforementioned The Red Shoes, and an earlier WWII film, The 49th Parallel. Both are fantastic, and so I look forward to tagging along with Adam and Matty over at Filmspotting as they wade through a selection of The Archers' filmography. Now I present you with the first film in the marathon: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp from 1943.)
I'll say this up front, after viewing the glory that is The Red Shoes restored and on the big screen, my expectations for another Powell-Pressburger film could only be described as "sky high." For the first half of The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp I felt left down. While the film was amusing, I found it difficult to connect to the film on any deeper level. It was not until the film shifted into its WWII setting that it all clicked into place and suddenly everything that came before seemed beautiful and everything that came after was nothing less than sublime.
Objective, Burma! (1945)
TCM Spotlight: Errol Flynn Adventures
5-Disc DVD Set
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Official Synopsis: An American platoon parachutes into Burma to take out a strategic Japanese outpost. Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Read on for the full review.
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I recently gave a listen to the bonus audio available for buyers of Filmspotting's iPhone app. I can't help it. I love me some Filmspotting, and extra audio is totally worth the $1.99 for the app. In the first of those extra recordings, Adam and Matty briefly discuss a very interesting question. Where are all the modern masterpieces? Now, obviously there are big, critically beloved films like No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood, but will they really be talked about in non-critical circles twenty or fifty years from now the way we talk about The Godfather or Casablanca today? Those films are a part of the cultural lexicon in a way that transcends even their quality. Not everyone adores The Godfather – I didn't care for it, really – but everyone seems to agree that it is a cornerstone film, with exemplary filmmaking and acting. Even people who have never seen it can tell you that Casablanca is a film for the ages. Why? What makes Casablanca or any other myriad "masterpieces" so enduring and culturally significant? And most importantly, where is our modern day Casablanca?]]>
Uncertain Glory (1944)
TCM Spotlight: Errol Flynn Adventures
5-Disc DVD Set
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Official Synopsis: A French playboy gets serious when his country is threatened during World War II. Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Read on for the full review.
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Yesterday, we learned that Jeremy Renner, star of The Hurt Locker, would join Tom Cruise in Brad Bird's Mission: Impossible IV. The story was that Paramount, worried about the longevity and box office potential of Tom Cruise, had decided to give him a sidekick who could also take over the reins should Cruise exit the series. Now, Variety is reporting that Paramount is looking to name the film somethign other than Mission: Impossible IV, and possibly even do away with the "Mission: Impossible" name completely. I've heard a lot of stupid things coming from Hollywood in recent years, but if they go through with removing the "Mission: Impossible" name from the Mission: Impossible franchise they will have hit a new low.]]>
Northern Pursuit (1943)
TCM Spotlight: Errol Flynn Adventures
5-Disc DVD Set
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Official Synopsis: Icebound wilds and ice-blooded Nazis! Canadian officer Flynn infiltrates a cadre of Nazi saboteurs, pretending to guide them toward their destination while unraveling their scheme. Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Read on for the full review.
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Edge of Darkness (1943)
TCM Spotlight: Errol Flynn Adventures
5-Disc DVD Set
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Official Synposis: Resistance fighters battle the Nazis in occupied Norway. Directed by Lewis Milestone.
Read on for the review.
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TCM Spotlight: Errol Flynn Adventures
5-Disc DVD Set
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Films: Desperate Journey, Edge of Darkness, Northern Pursuit, Uncertain Glory, Objective, Burma
Official Synopsis: WHV is giving fans the opportunity to experience the man Entertainment Weekly named one of the “100 Greatest Movie Stars of All Time” in an adrenaline charged collection of films starring the unforgettable legend, Errol Flynn. Each film will make its restored and remastered debut on DVD for the first time on August 3, 2010 in Turner Classic Movies Spotlight: Errol Flynn Adventures. Presented by Warner Home Video (WHV), the 5-disc set will include an arsenal of powerful films that celebrate the charismatic and legendary hero who became known to many as “The Baron.” Each disc boasts an impressive array of bonus content and rare footage, some never before available on DVD. The collection includes: Desperate Journey, also starring Ronald Reagan, Northern Pursuit, Edge of Darkness, Uncertain Glory, and Objective, Burma!
Read on for the review
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Desperate Journey (1942)
TCM Spotlight: Errol Flynn Adventures
5-Disc DVD Set
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Official Synposis: American pilots stranded in Germany during World War II fight their way to freedom. Also stars Ronald Reagan as Flying Officer Johnny Hammond. Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Read on for the review.
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