A sad day for us movie lovers as the world loses the great David Warner. In tribute we present a lesser known but awesome performance as a feisty but loyal preacher and best friend to main character Cable Hogue. It's a neo-western from Sam Peckinpah before the term was even coined. Warner's part is big and he closes with a great monolouge in what is easily Peckinpah's most under-appreciated title. Available VOD on all the big outlets, currently on sale on Amazon and YT. 3.75 stars/5
Some say hit, some say miss, Lawrence Kasdan's Grand Canyon movie certainly doesn't get as much love as his other multi-character flicks The Big Chill and The Accidental Tourist. Set in LA during the turbulent Rodney King era, the script's undertones of black vs white are exemplified in the two main characters, Danny Glover's "Simon" and Kevin Kline's "Mack." Many other characters and subplots all revolve around those two who meet by chance after Mack gets lost driving home from a Lakers game at the Forum. Steve Martin also excels here in a highly dramatic role demonstrating once again his amazing diversity of genuine talent.
I happen to be of the opinion this is not only better than Big Chill or Accidental Tourist but in many ways Kasdan's masterpiece. Kline once again is incredible and Glover's performance is one of my favorites of his of all time. Their scenes together are to watch two masters at the top of their game and making it look easy. McDonnell's performance is literally Oscar-worthy, she shines in every scene. And look for a young Jeremy Sisto in his feature debut as Mack's teenage son who is coming of age. Grand Canyon also features a most unique and surreal dream sequence where both Mack and then his wife fly, yes fly, around Los Angeles.
So, obviously, this movie lover sees it as a hit. One of the best films of 1991? Absolutely.
Currently streaming only on Max Go or take the DVD route. 4.0 stars/5
Consider this the first in an open-ended continuing series I'll post every now and then. As far as Mr Allen's personal life is concerned I'm going to say this as plainly as I can - if you met half the entertainers you consider idols or inspirations you would recoil in horror when you see what their personal lives and real personalities are like. I've been following this man's art for decades and decades, he may have made a mistake back on the day in question and we'll probably never really know the truth of that day but a child molester he is not.
Now, for those that haven't heard, it was just announced that he will start shooting his 50th film soon and it will be shot in France and be shot in French (wow,) a murder-mystery kind of thing along the lines of Match Point. He has also alluded that this will he his last film while leaving that proverbial door open just in case. The man is 86 after all but I like what I'm hearing so far. I think he may redeem himself and go out with a bang on this next one.
So, while we're talking about Match Point I enthusiastically submit Cassandra's Dream, a wonderfully acted murder mystery thing. Like a lot of Allen's films it feels like you're watching a play and the meat is in the dialog not the action. But this is a good film that moves along at a nice brisk pace, it's also the only Allen film ever to be scored (Phillip Glass, excellent as always) instead of Woody using his album collection and McGregor is particularly good. On the other hand, Tom Wilkenson, if you know what the guys capable of then you know he phoned this one in big time. Cassandra's Dream is currently streaming free on Roku, Vudu, FreeVee and You Tube which I put below. 3.0 stars/5
We love movies that wholly create their own world and this neo-noir gem does just that including an entire hotel created from scratch. One side resides on the California side and the other Nevada and the hotel comes complete with a secret chamber to spy on rooms. Coffee is one cent more a cup on the California side but you can't gamble there.
Enter five characters that are all checking in - a singer, salesman, hippy girl (not the nice kind,) priest and bank robber. They all share deep dark secrets that will intersect on a certain night at the hotel.
Pretty cool stuff but the movie does have a serious pacing problem and is way overlong at 2:22 which somehow I get the feeling with a movie like this is intentional. The cast is awesome although I feel Jeff Bridges as the priest is a bit of a miscast. The third act and ending is also a problem as it fails to deliver the ending it was building towards. The performances and awesome production design is what carries the film to a mostly satisfactory experience. Which would be nicer cut to about an hour and 45 minutes. 3.0 stars/5
I learned a lot of cool things about Woodstock that I never knew watching this but something more profound dawned on me - half a million people coming together like this for three days and coexisting in peace and music will never happen again. Sorry, to quote Easy Rider, "we blew it." The announcement made on the first evening that "the man next to you is your brother and you damn well better treat it that way" just seems to be part of some ancient world that doesn't exist anymore.
Creating Woodstock uses a nice simple linear style to tell the whole story from conception and planning to all the performances to Jimi closing the festival (upon his insistence.) We hear of Ritchie Havens opening the festival and having to play six encores, literally exhausting his entire repertoire because no other acts could make it in. Rock music fans will love the plethora of trivial information on all the acts and what they experienced while performing, etc. A truthful, factual documentary that was way better than I expected it to be. Streams free on Tubi. 3.5 stars/5
