I don't really care how much the latest superhero film took at the box office, although I'd probably know if you asked me. When I watch a film the main thing I am looking for is a good story. I like it when I look up at the big screen and can see a part of me staring back at me. More than anything, I am still looking for Jimmy Stewart and Jack Lemmon and Billy Wilder in every film I see.
As most of you will know, Sunday is an important day for billions of people all around the world. That's right, Sunday is traditionally known through many cultures as the day of the movies. Whenever possible, it is important to rest on a Sunday and watch as many films as possible. This will make sure that you are adequately rested, refreshed and inspired for the week ahead.
Today I managed to watch four films. I have provided a screenshot of each film. If you think you can identify each film then email me your answers ASAP. On Monday morning I will be selecting a correct entrant at random - who will be sent SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION on DVD.
Please send your answers to the email address below. Even if you only recognize two or three of the films, feel free to enter; as people don't always get these things right.
Angie, did l ever tell you about the time l got a gun from John Wayne?
No.
Pat and I wrote a picture for him called Luck Runs Out.
Oh.
Yeah, he was a very nice guy. They say that he had a very small pecker.... but that didn't keep him from being a real He-Man.
The trailer for 'Hanging Up' would have you believe that the film is a lightweight chick-flick; something for the girl's to sit around watching and laughing as Meg Ryan runs around comically whilst phoning her sisters. This is certainly an element of the movie, but it's only one element, and there is actually a lot more that the film has to offer.
I always think of 'Hanging Up' as a Nora Ephron film, but in fact; it was directed by Diane Keaton. Let's first begin by figuring out who did what:
Originally, it was a book, by Delia Ephron.
The screenplay is by Delia Ephron and Nora Ephron.
It's directed by Diane Keaton, who is also a star of the film.
It's produced by Nora Ephron.
And Executive Produced by Delia Ephron.
So who did what, exactly, and how? We'll never know. Anyway:
Eve (Meg Ryan) has to deal with her Father, Lou (Walter Matthau) who is in hospital, and dying. Her sister's Maddie (Lisa Kudrow) and Georgia (Diane Keaton) are too busy with their self-absorbed lives to deal with the fact their Father is coming to the end of his life. Everything is left to Eve to cope with.
Despite Meg Ryan's character taking the brunt of the responsibility, Lou is always asking after his other daughters; painfully unaware of how they are not there for him. To make things even more complex, Eve's husband is constantly insisting that she should have nothing to do with her Dad because he is a selfish drunk who's caused her a lot of pain.
The film is sad, yet hopeful, complex, yet simple, funny, yet sad again -- in fact; it's very real. It's something that a lot of people will relate to. Meg Ryan shines in the film in one of her best performances-- mixing the adorable comedic style she has made her own, along with some subtle, moving moments.
But the real magic comes from Walter Matthau. This film was released in 2000, the year he died-- which made and makes this film even more poignant. Matthau is absolutely delightful in the film --- playing a role that is hilariously funny, as he obsesses constantly over "John Wayne's pecker;" but is also tinged with sadness as it's clear the character is losing his memory. There are also some very emotional and dramatic scenes that show how capable Matthau was as an actor.
If you've ever had to take on a lot of responsibility when those around you won't take accountability for everything that's going on, then you'll relate to this film. Her sisters don't hear her, her Father keeps forgetting who she is, and her Mother doesn't want anything to do with the situation. This isn't a typical Meg Ryan film, and it isn't a typical Ephron film. It's something personal, a truthful roller-coaster about life, death, and siblings.
I strongly recommend it. There are not enough films like this.
HUKKLE (HICCUP in English) is a Hungarian movie, directed by György Pálfi that made virtually no sense to me - but I loved it. It's artistic, without being artsy-arthouse-bullshit, it's confusing without being pretentious or condescending, and it's simple and minimal without being.. well, without being pretentious artsy bullshit.
It was just extremely fascinating to watch. There is virtually no dialogue in the film, and no main character. The film follows the lives of a bunch of interesting looking people and a bunch of different animals in a small Hungarian village. The various animals and insects play as big a role as the human characters. HUKKLE is very short for a feature film, at only 78 minutes - and it flies by. Visually, it's extremely compelling. As a cinematic experience (well, DVDmatic) it was unique, exciting and um, unique again. I don't know how to explain it.
This film is definitely original, hugely captivating, oddly humorous and, ultimately, a real delight. Just don't ask me to explain what it was about. I recommend it, without being able to say exactly why.
The competition was to create a scene, no longer than one minute in length, on the theme of 'leaving,' in only one shot. They were the rules; and it was down to actors to come together to create something original.
The winner is 'GET OUT' by Eric Geynes and Laura Evelyn. Please watch it before reading on:
Originally I had planned to get an established industry actor to judge which film is best -- but we only had a very very small amount of entries, far less than expected -- so I took on the judging responsibilities myself.
This film stood out far ahead of the rest. Here's why I think it was great:
First of all - doing anything in one single take is hard. A minute is a long time. Most of the films we watch barely go four seconds without cutting to another angle. These actors were able to hold my attention for the full minute. And although I'm judging based on acting, and not direction - it's worth mentioning how the scene was set-up because it aided the scene greatly. The way we're shoved into the corner of the room with only the door to look at really adds an element of humor.
There are two clear characters in this film. We really get to know them. This is hard to get right even when you're creating a ten minute short film. But here we clearly have a struggling actress who's annoying, desperate for a role, perhaps lightly insane - and we have a busy casting director who has no time for bad actresses/weird people. The scene is made interesting by two opposing character types who are both desperate to get something done: i.e. - she's desperate to keep getting back into the room, and he's desperate to get her the hell out of there.
Laura is hilarious in this: I love the smile she does eleven seconds into the film; and the physical humor of practically being crammed out of the door on the twenty three second mark.
The fact that Eric is so interesting on screen is actually quite surprising considering he has his back to camera for most of it. What I like about his performance is that he is always moving; always trying to get to the end of the meeting/scene/day -- it adds a real pace to the proceedings. He also moves swiftly, and naturally, between the subtle, small moments - like when he calls her a 'fucking nutter' and the bigger, crazier moments, when he is matching Laura's energy levels as he tries to kick her out of the room.
It's also worth mentioning the great writing. Well, I say writing but I imagine they improvised most of this. What I am getting at, is the structure. As a short scene, it raises the bar another level by the surprise at the end. First, he kicks her out for her terrible acting, secondly, he kicks her out after she comes back for her bag-- but it's the third moment that makes it hilarious; the hilarity of the fact she's left her shoes in there. Her shoes!? Even though this was down to a great concept, rather than the acting (although the acting was great throughout) it goes to show how actors look better when the time is taken to get good material.
ERIC GEYNES relocated from Toulouse to London in 2003 after a career in professional swimming. Eric has been busy; with roles in films such as CLASH OF THE TITANS and HEREAFTER. He is also a writer-director (which isn't surprising, given the elements that made up the film in this competition) and is currently in post-production on his second short film. You can view his spotlighthere
LAURA EVELYN's recent theatre credits include A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and STIFFED!. Laura appeared in the feature films SCRATCH and POPULAR UNREST --- and she plays the lead role in the upcoming film WILBY PARK, which is a psychological-thriller due out later this year. You can view here spotlight detailshere
I recommend you visit their page's and watch their showreels. They are very talented and destined for great things. Exciting!
Please send your answers to the email address below. Even if you only recognize two or three of the films, feel free to enter; as people don't always get these things right.
