Quote:
Originally Posted by Gillianren
Oh, Soylentgreen, I've seen some turkeys. (Though not yet the one you've named yourself after.) And in another thread, I made the point that, in the end, you actually have to watch the movies you analyze. I've also confessed some fondnesses myself to movies that other people assure me they loathe.
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It's personal with turkeys. It always is and, of course, should be. I actually don't believe there is a film that didn't have some aspect or instance, no matter how miniscule, that didn't reward in some capacity. As for turkeys grade, I can guarantee I've seen(and probably own) flicks that would make your hair stand on end. Hows about
GUYANA:CULT OF THE DAMNED(or CRIME OF THE CENTURY, depending on just which grindhouse you saw it in)? A sleazy, exploitation spectacle based on, surprise, Jim Jones and his People's Temple. Boasting a cast of "oh, they're
still alive?" names like Gene Barry, Joseph Cotten and Yvonne De Carlo(a personal crush), the film probably has no redeeming merit other than being the sole proof that only the son of the director of SURVIVE!(the Chilean Andes rugby disaster) could indeed find another sad tragedy to cash in on in such a sincere manner. And until the incredibly well done Powers Boothe tv-mini gets it's long awaited release on dvd, there's no other competition.
As a history freak, even stinkers have a home in my collection(see REVOLUTION, FLYBOYS, even PEARL HARBOR-the trick with this one is watch TORA, TORA, TORA right up until the morning of the attack then throw in the Bay film, then right after stick in TORA again!). They are, after all just another social perspective. Demented and sad, but social.
On SOYLENT GREEN...some rainy afternoon with 97 minutes to spare, you should check it out at least once(yes, I know, you
will go into it knowing the 'gag') if for no other reason than for Edward G Robinson's last role. His chemistry with old friend Heston is very sweet and combined with his serious illness makes his performance much more moving than one would expect from a film in this genre. Keep your eyes peeled for a little appearance by soon to be octoliberially satisfied Dick Van Patten.
Film buffery, to me, is about balance. My friend and I get together every week and watch some flicks. Usually we balance a nice classic noir(most recently THIEVES HIGHWAY) with something lite and relaxing(most recently CONCORDE: AIRPORT 79!). An incredible Dassin film with the always excellent Richard Conte followed by the franchise-self-destructing final AIRPORT film with cinema's only pairing of my hero George Kennedy and the Anne Rice-pleasing Alain Delon. Delon even shells out the francs for a hooker for the Blue Knight! Movie GOLD!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gillianren
...Not as many as my boyfriend, a diehard fan of Waterworld, The Postman, and every Chevy Chase movie ever made; he never believes me when I tell him that most other people think his favourites are horrible.
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I like him already!
(sadly, the last Chase film I enjoyed was FOUL PLAY in it's endless run on HBO in the early 80s)
sidenote: both Harry Harrison(author of 'Make Room, Make Room', which became SOYLENT GREEN) and 'Postman' author David Brin have said that, despite vast differences between their work and the film versions, they both thought each film did honor the spirit of the source and appreciated their earnestness. Brin, even mentioned being envious of a few ideas the screenwriters came up with.
ps You're not alone concerning Waterston.
[SORRY...I'm derailing this thread big time.....please continue with 10,000 BC]