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Purple Rain is back in theaters, including our local one. Is this a tribute or simply exploitation?
I honestly didn't enjoy this flick back on 1984 and would be unlikely to appreciate it any more today. I guess I'll stay away.
Prince on an ego-trip. The film's a big promo for the titular song. It's kind of like Glitter but without the pleasure of hearing/seeing Mariah Carey.
Why this self-aggrandizing vanity project needs to be back on the big-screen is baffling. After all, you only need to watch the video at home.
Clarence Williams portrays Prince's abusive and self-destructive dad. His son endeavors to avoid his dad's behavior. That's about it for plot-lines in this flick
While we miss and respect Prince as an icon and musician, I fail to see any reason to see this recycled mishmash of a motion picture.
Just before she appeared as Phyllis on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cloris Leachman starred in this Roger Corman produced film directed by a young Jonathan Demme (Married to the Mob, Silence of the Lambs).
Sure, it was a long fall from her Oscar-winning dramatic performance in TheLast Picture Show but a girl needs to work.
In any event, this is a fun frolic for the star. Stuart Whitman is in this film as is Linda Purl, Ann Sothern, Jim Backus and Sally Kirkland. It's a great cast.
While based on the factual story of Ma Barker, whose gang robbed banks during the Great Depression, Dirty Mama is set in the affluent 1950s. It has plenty of kitschy 1950s atmosphere and a great 1950s soundtrack.
This made for very entertaining, campy viewing last night. I recommend this film, now on video. It's a whole lot of pistol-packin' fun!
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is a camp classic. It stars Rebecca DeMornay and Annabella Sciorra. Wow ~ What marquee could feature those two names, plus its long-winded title, together?
It's all very by-the-numbers as far as psycho-thrillers go. I remember seeing this at a theater in Park Slope with my friend Kevin Scott Hall and we howled throughout at the campy conceit of it all. That seemed to annoy some patrons who were taking this in dead earnestness so we tried to stifle it.
DeMornay plans on breaking up Annabella's home ~ especially by yielding a gigantic wrench. Throw that into the works. "Wrenching them apart" ~ get it? Oh, this film is sly.
To be fair, the movie contains an ample share of suspense and pure horror. But how did the cast keep straight faces through this. Maybe they didn't.
Mark McCoy is the hot husband Rebecca craves. And don't we all. after all? What a hunk!
Julianne Moore is a friend of Sciorra's... and you know what happens to them in fright fests.
The Hand is a great damsel-in-distress flick that's currently on video. Suggested viewing.
1950's Caged is always worth re-watching. It's an absolutely riveting drama and serious critique of the penal system in America.
Caged is the prototype for women's prison films that later devolved into sexual exploitation films. Caged is the real deal, however.
Eleanor Parker portrays Marie Allen, an innocent girl who goes into prison at age 19 and comes out, after her experiences there, a hardened criminal. She was Oscar nominated fro her role, deservedly. She won that award, however, at the Venice Film Festival.
Hope Emerson upstages everyone as the cruel matron, Evelyn Harper. Her portrayal has been oft imitated and even parodied, most conspicuously by Divine in 1970s' hit satire, Women Behind Bars.
Hope's nemesis is Agnes Moorehead as the prison warden who seeks to reforms a sexist and unjust system and protect her ladies. Betty Garde and Lee Patrick in Sapphic roles also shine. And I think Jan Sterling is just adorable as Smoochie. and Jane Darwell.
The screenplay, by a woman, Virginia Kellogg, who actually spent time in jail to research this film has a very evolved feminist point of view.
Stylishly directed by John Cromwell with great cinematic flair. The dialogue sizzles. It begins with the line, "Pile out you tramps! It's the end of the line!" and includes gems like "What shall we do with her file?"/"Keep it active. She'll be back!" and "After a while, you don't think about men. You don't think about men at all."
I used to watch this on tv when it would be on Million Dollar Movie in constant replay on our local channel 9. The Allied Artists release at one point lost its licensing but was revived in time for the LGBT Film Festival in NYC back in the 1990s.
Ken Russell, director of such films as Women in Love, The Music Lovers and The Devils showed his lighter touch in the 1971 British film musical, The Boy Friend.
This is a Technicolor extravaganza with a campy, over-the-top Busby Berkley panache. I never knew before seeing this film that Twiggy could sing and dance, I previously believed she could only strike a pose and give good face.
The dance numbers trip the light fantastic, especially when none other than Tommy Tune shows up to dance with our ingenue, Miss Twiggy!
Russell's muse, Glenda Jackson appears, uncredited, in a small but memorable role in this film. When I originally saw this with a friend in Boulder, Colorado (where I went to college), we found this a giddy delight.
See The Boy Friend! Twiggy and actor Christopher Gable make a charming pair. With this under his belt, Russell went on to direct Tommy. Suggested viewing.
Pee-wee Herman returns in Netflix's Pee-wee's Big Holiday.
Incredibly, it's been 32 years since Pee-wee's Big Adventure hit the big screens and became an international hit. I guess you could say Pee-wee's "got legs," though his cross-country trek across America in this tele-film has him traveling via various modes of transportation.
Although Big Adventure opened to tepid-to-mixed reviews, I knew, back in '85, that it was a future classic.
The big news is that Pee-wee seems to have found himself a boyfriend in the big, hunky Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike, Magic Mike XXL), playing himself. The scenes of them together are priceless. Pee-wee (Paul Ruebens) looks so puny in comparison to his hulking 6'6" co-star. Manganiello could be the leader of my pack any time!
Ruebens appears almost ageless in this movie that will be released theatrically overseas. Should be a big treat for kids and for gay audiences especially.
The supporting cast is wonderful. Loads of great character performances in this feature, which is smartly designed and produced.
I only wish it didn't have to end. Oh, well, I can always watch it again... and again... and again! Viva el Pee-wee!
Actually, the message of I Married a Monster from Outer Space is that you can't trust men. I think many of my readers can relate. It's a proto-feminist film, actually. Seriously.
Like Earth men, these aliens just want to get into your panties to do their dirty deed. I say: as long as they are big and stupid.
Of course, aliens only want to have fun ~ and bring their spawn to this planet, damn it!
The film stars B movie queen star of the '50s, Gloria Talbott, who started in cinema as a child. The late Tom Tryon plays her alien hubba-hubba-hubby. If you look at him in human form, face it, you could do a lot worse. The physically gorgeous and talented actor (Otto Preminger's fabulous The Cardinal) grew weary of Hollywood and went on to become a best-selling author. His novel, The Other, was turned into a hit motion picture.
In a variation on Invasion of the Body Snatchers, another '60s classic of its genre, the creatures take over human beings, assuming their identities. Both film reflect the paranoia of the time about Communism.
Officer, help! There's a monster in my bed!
Definitely watch this on video. Or you can watch the whole thing on YouTtube:
Mark Robson's screen version of Jackie Susann's Valley of the Dolls is a camp classic and a gay classic you can quote from forever. "They drummed you out of Hollywood, so you came runnin' back to Broadway. Well, Broadway doesn't go for booze and dope!"
Susan Hayward dominates the film as Broadway legend Helen Lawson. The younger leads are Barbara Parkins, Sharon Tate and Patty Duke as Neely. Patty was far afield of her Miracle Worker Oscar days, though she chews up the scenery in an obvious effort to win one.
In the 1980s, I saw a stage parody of this off-Broadway and it was hilarious. The Lawson role was assayed by a man in drag, appropriately.
There is of course the infamous cat fight in the ladies' powder room between Duke and Hayward. "I've got a man waitin' for me." "Not one of the fags you usually go out with?" "Well at least I didn't marry one, honey!" Meeoww!
Amazing how homophobic this film was. "You know how bitchy fags can be." Yet, today, it's all appreciated for its camp value. Classic theme song sung by Dionne Warwick.
So, relax, get ready for some laughs and thrills and enjoy The Valley of the Dolls!
ps: The script for this film does a great job of truncating Susann's novel. A more faithful-to-the-book tv version was made in '81 and it was a sprawling mess.
Far from Downton Abbey, Maggie Smith doffs her make-up and gowns to play an eccentric homeless woman who lives in her van. The UK film displays the star's amazing versatility and should have gotten her an Oscar nod. It's said to be based on a true story.
The British do films like The Lady in the Van so well. It's a charming, simple comedy with a great team of supporting players.
Smith was nominated for a BAFTRA and Golden Globe Awards though, unfortunately, won neither.
I remember going to London and seeing Dame Maggie in the West End production of Peter Shaffer's Lettice and Lovage. She would camp it up onstage with broad, bravado hand gestures. When she got thunderous applause, she'd do it again -- and again when she felt like it. She knows how to play to a crowd and how to milk things for laughs. She brings the same type of energy to her performance in Van.
There ain't nothin' like a Dame! Not Dame Maggie Smith, anyhow. I highly endorse this extraordinary film. Treat yourself to it!
This film should have been titled Lana Has Many Costume Changes. At this point, Lana Turner had become more of a fashion plate than an actress. Watch her vogue and give good face -- maybe many of them!
You may be surprised at how daring Love Has Many Faces was for its time (1965). And, interestingly enough, this sleaze with ease, trash with flash was written by a woman, Margaurite Roberts.
Lana is a rich bitch married to aging ex-gigolo Cliff Robertson. Hugh O'Brien looks quite hot in this, especially when shirtless. (Oh, Maverick!) Stefanie Powers is aboard as are Ruth Roman and Virginia Grey. And it all takes place in glamorous Acapulco. The color cinematography is sumptuous.
Beach boys galore provide plenty of eye candy. But nothing can compare to Lana's fabulous frocks! The story is some trifle about a murder, so there's a bit of a mystery here though, really, who cares!
By the way, I've heard some people refer to this film as Love Has Many Facelifts.
Crawford again co-stars with John Ireland in William Castle's I Saw What You Did (and I Know Who You Are). He also played her lover in Queen Bee. Whenever these two get it on, things don't end up so well for them in the end.
The plot involves two teenage girls who phone random people for kicks with crank calls. Thank Gd for caller i.d., huh? But they didn't have that in 1965, which is when this flick was made. So dial away for shits and giggles!
Leif Erickson, who co-starred with Joan in Castle's Strait-jacket, is also in this.
The film is indeed suspenseful and the acting is strong and convincing. This was Ms Crawford's last film for Castle before working with Herman Cohen in Berserk and -- gulp! -- Trog.
It's silly, its as campy as anything you'll ever see, but you'll certainly get a few scares as well.
Available on dvd from Universal Studio's Vault Series. I originally saw this, age 13, at the Clifton Theater on Main Ave., Clifton NJ.
Crazy fun when Carmen Miranda meets Groucho Marx at the Copacabana!
The pair had real comic chemistry in this film that is incredibly silly fun. It's directed with a sturdy hand by Alfred E. Green. And the eternally handsome Steve Cochran co-stars.
Complications ensue when agent Groucho books Carmen as two different acts at the Copa: as Carmen and French chanteuse Fifi.
Groucho gets in some great one-liners and works those eyebrows better than Joan Crawford. Miranda is also quite funny, displaying her comic talent.
It's all sit-comish but it's a lark. Recommended if you're looking just a little fun from the golden days of Hollywood. And a Tico Tico to you all!
Sisters are doing it it for themselves in the tacky but campy and sometimes scary film version of Pride & Prejudice & Zombies.
Based on the book by Jane Austen with a grafted-on zombie story line by Seth Grahame Smith. It's meant to be a parody, not to be taken seriously by any means.
I was surprised by the emotionally touching moments. It's just totally fun and buy yourself some popcorn and a soft drink for this.
Sturdy direction with a wonderful -- mostly good-looking cast, many of them newcomers to the silver screen. I went to the local cinema to see this. Lots of fun. I recommend it.
Zombies, before George Romero's Night of the Living Dead, were not cannibalistic. More like undead sleep-walkers. But now flesh-eating zombies are the rage, even on tv. This release definitely exploits the trend.
Austen purists will, of course, hate this.
Charles Dance is in this, lending class. Lily James stars. Not for everyone, but parody and camp and horror mavens should eat this up. Trash with class!
What a relief to discover Fifty Shades of Black is a spoof and not a sequel! Thank the Lord! And it's very funny.
The Wayens brought this on and it's lovable bologna at its best. I watched in on dvd promo and was mildly impressed. I got a few laughs from it, though I hesitate to call it hilarious.
John Waters has shown us that on-screen sex can be funny and this movie only confirms it. It helps if you've watched tv's In Living Color or have seen their previous screen comedies.
Marlon Wayen stars in this spoof of Grey's sado-masochistic theme. It even manages to spoof Magic Mike. Funny in fits but hardly a future classic.
Future generations may not even get the cultural reference or spoof. Still worthy of a few guffaws!
Raquel Welch gives her most wrenching performance as a roller derby queen and single mother of two kids in Kansas City Bomber. While meant to be a straightforward, serious film, it is probably best enjoyed as camp.
It was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Raquel's co-star Helena Kalliataniotes, which was a kind of a slap to Ms Welch, who I think is excellent in this. But nobody wanted to take this brunette beauty seriously. Perhaps her beauty eclipsed her talent.
Still, this is a riveting flick. Very 70s. The ever-handsome Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) is also in this as the team manager.
Kansas City Bomber is a film with loads of talent, drama and tension. Distinctly on Buddy B's highly recommended list.
The jazz background score by Don Ellis adds to the gritty quality of this film. Now on video from MGM.
While the snowstorm has grounded me for the day, I finally pulled out my copy of John Schlesinger's Day of the Locust (1975), starring Donald Sutherland and the late Karen Black.
Day of the Locust, along with West's Miss Lonelyhearts, were required in an English course I took entitled "Antiheroes in Literature."
I loved West's subtle sense of the bizarre. That quality is ver much evident in Schlesinger's film adaptation.
Sutherland gives a brilliant performance as a dangerously sexually repressed man Burgess Meredith was Oscar nominated in his supporting role, as was Conrad L. Hall for his lush Technicolor cinematography. William Atherton (Hindenburg, Ghost Busters) was a hot property at the time and I always enjoyed him as an actor and as eye candy. Bob Esty's late creative partner, Paul Jabara, performs "Hot Voodoo" in drag during a key sequence.
Still, Ms Black is riveting as the I'll-do-anything-to-be-famous actress. Great flick for a snowy night in NYC! I originally saw this in the theaters, on the upper eastside. I went back twice, wanting more.
What divine hokum this is! Now officially on dvd from Universal Classics. It's a camp classic for sure.
Maria Montez is reported to have said, "Sometimes I look in the mirror and think I am the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!"
This Dominican's beauty and ego took her far in Hollywood's exotic South Seas mini-epics.
Cobra Woman is, in my opinion, one of the all-time great camp classics. I love it when Montez declares, "I am the rrrrrightful rrrrrrruler of dees island paradise!" or "Geef me da cobra jewells!"
Montez's Cobra Dance is a must see! What a klutzy dance it is as she hilariously strikes a pose, vogues and points out peasant women to be sacrificed to the volcano. Ah, yes, the volcano figures largely into the climax.
Jon Hall and Sabu co-star. When you see Montez walking through the L.A. Botanical Gardens as part of her tropical island, you're assured this is top-notch tacky!
Favorite dialogue: Sabu: So you're the boss here? Queen: No, I'm only the queen.
Even my straight brother commented on the outrageousness of all the headpieces in this flick!
Must be seen to be believed. I first saw this on tv, then at St Marks Cinemas on the screen in the '80s. Brilliant Technicolor!
I've always admired actress Illeana Doulas at the movies. Some may not know she is Melvin Douglas' granddaughter, so she is from Hollywood royalty.
She was in my very home in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, at a New Year's Eve party to which I was invited but could not attend. This was well before I moved here from Manhattan. She was a guest of our friend, Marcus and the party was in my friend Kevin's apartment.
I was especially smitten with Ms Douglas, at the movies, in the 1996 film directed by Allison Anders, Grace of My Heart. So I was as pleased as punch to read her recent memoir, I Blame Dennis Hopper: and a Life I Lived in and out of the Movies, now in hardcover from Deckle Edge and -- of course -- on Kindle. Available at Barnes & Noble and other fine bookstores, and on Amazon.com and audio cd.
Douglas devotes an entire chapter, gratefully, to her starring role in Grace of My Heart. This Allison Anders film is one of my favorites from the 1990s. Douglas has only positive things to say about Ms Anders, though she speaks candidly throughout her book -- really a collection of personal essays -- about others, so there's no shortage of gossip in these pages.
I Blame Dennis Hopper was released in Novemberand takes its title from the fact that Illeana's parents were inspired to move to a hippie commune from their comfortable upper-middle class home, and that's where Illeana was raised. She talks about her longtime romantic relationship with Martin Scorsese and about working with Robert DeNiro. She is a wonderful name-dropper, discussing her meetings with other celebrities, like Marlon Brando and Peter Sellers.
I highly recommend this tell-all, probably the best book of its kind since Grace Jones' memoirs.
I saw The Gay Deceivers in 1969, the year I graduated high school and just prior to the Stonewall riots. Of course, the film was quickly reviled by the LGBT community for its depiction of gay men. I don't recall there being any age restrictions on this movie at the time that I saw it at Paterson, NJ's US theater when I was 17.
It was directed by Bruce Kessler who went on to do the campy action feature Get Christie Love.
The film is certainly no more offensive to me than 2007's I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry starring Adam Sandler and that King of Queens guy, and maybe even less so.
The color cinematography by Dick Gouner (ahem!) is absolutely fabulous. In fact, the entire production is steadfast and fun. The film, now on dvd, is just over 90 minutes and moves at a brisk, comedic pace.
After I graduated h.s. in 1969, I traveled to California. I got lost in L.A. and hitchhiked on the freeway. I got a lift from a group of gay men on their way to a party who asked if I were gay. At the time, I didn't understand my own sexuality and turned down the invite. I have to say the men in the car were not much less florid, during the time, than the Deceivers characters. And they were young and sexy.
The plot involves two guys pretending to be gay to avoid military recruitment at the time. You may be surprised by the outcome. It's very funny, tucking away political correctness, and deserves a new discovery on video.
Who can bring back the feel of Old Hollywood better than director Todd Haynes and actress Cate Blanchett? The movie Carol answers that rather rhetorical question.
Typically, Haynes' production lavishes great period detail on this film, much as he did in Far from Heaven (also set in the 1950s) and his epic HBO mini-series Mildred Pierce with Kate Winslet in the title role.
After seeing Cate in Disney's Cinderella -- as the evil stepmom -- and now in Carol, I think she is becoming our new Joan Crawford.
Carol is nominated for several Golden Globes (airing tomorrow night) and I expect it to get Oscar nominations soon as well. It has been a strong year for films, I'm happy to report, so the competition in 2016 will be very fierce.
Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo} co-stars with Blanchett and also shines in it. Again, Todd Haynes does a great job of showing how gay life was before Stonewall. Based on a novel by the author of The Talented Mr Ripley and Strangers on a Train, Patricia Highsmith, called The Price of Salt,. Riveting movie that I highly recommend to everyone, beautifully done all around!
