The Humbling (2014) & Birdman (2014)

The Humbling (2014)

C – 112m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Last Act
Novel By: Philip Roth
Screenplay: Buck Henry & Michal Zebede
Dir.: Barry Levinson
Starring: Al Pacino, Greta Gerwig, Ninia Arianda, Charles Grodin, Mary Louise Wilson, Dan Hedaya, Dianne Wiest, Steve Rosen, Andrea Barnes and Dylan Baker.

A stage actor who is slowly losing his mind engages in a semi–relationship with a sexually confused younger woman. Funny, touching, and dramatic, but ultimately somewhat disturbing, is what would best describe this film. Pacino has great ideas as to who to write and direct this adaption of the book, and it pays off. Acting, direction and script are solid. Pacing for some may not be ideal, but this reviewer had no issues with the pace because everything else was working. Not for all tastes but it makes a good pairing with the similar film, Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014).

Trivia: It was Al Pacino’s idea to make the book into a film, to the point of convincing director Barry Levinson to do it and both of them getting Buck Henry to write the script. The film itself was shot on and off over the period of 20 non–consecutive days. And both this film and The Judge (2014) feature the same restaurant with the table by the window where “Simon”, Pacino, and “Pegeen”, Gerwig, have lunch.

Rated: [R] – Sexual Material, Language & Brief Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance (2014)

C – 119m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Birdman
Co–Writer – Dir.: Alejandro G. Inarritu
Starring: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Kenny Chin, Zach Galifinakis, Naomi Watts, Katherine O’Sullivan, Edward Norton, Amy Ryan, Lindsay Duncan, Janis Corsair, Bill Camp and Jackie Hoffman.

A washed–up actor, who once played an iconic superhero, attempts to revive his career by writing and starring in his very own Broadway play. Michael Keaton, Emma Stone and Edward Norton stand out in this otherwise routine story of an actor nearing the end of his rope. Very artistically done and for the most part it is done commendably so. Pacing and indifferent direction to other actors in the film aside from the aforementioned three bog it down a bit. Also, the film just ends rather than having a satisfactory conclusion… Jokes have been made about a Birdman 2. Draw your own conclusions.

This won Oscars® for Best Picture, Best Director – Alejandro G. Inarritu, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography. It was additionally nominated for the Oscars®: Best Actor – Michael Keaton, Best Supporting Actor – Edward Norton, Best Supporting Actress – Emma Stone, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing. It won Golden Globes for: Best Actor – Musical Or Comedy – Michael Keaton and Best Motion Picture Screenplay. It was additionally nominated for the Golden Globes: Best Director – Motion Picture – Alejandro G. Inarritu, Best Picture – Musical Or Comedy, Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture – Emma Stone, Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Edward Norton and Best Original Score – Motion Picture.

Trivia: This movie was so carefully rehearsed and shot in sequence during a two–month period that the editing on it only took two weeks. There are only 16 visible cuts in the film. Given the long takes, Michael Keaton and Edward Norton reportedly kept a tally of mistakes made by the actors. Emma Stone had the most and Zach Galifinakis had the least, though a few of his flubs actually made it into the film. And finally: This was the first film to be shot entirely on digital equipment and win Best Picture. Prior all Best Picture winners were shot entirely or partially on film.

Rated: [R] – Language Throughout, Some Sexual Content & Brief Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

John Cassavetes 1980’s

Gloria (1979 / 1980 / 1981)

C. – 123m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: One Summer Night
Writer – Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: Gena Rowlands, Buck Henry, Julie Carmen, Tom Noonan, Ray Baker, John Finnegan and Lawrence Tierney.

After the death of his father, a young boy is taken on the lam through New York City by a woman who is in possession of a book that the mob wants. While the film is hardly Cassavetes’ best work, it is still interesting to watch. Rowlands and the cast are in fine form. It is worth watching because of them, if for no other reason. Remade in 1999 by Sidney Lumet with Sharon Stone, Cathy Moriarty, George C. Scott, Mike Starr and Bobby Cannavale. 

Rated: [PG]
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Love Streams (1984)

C. – 141m. / 122m. (VHS)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen.
Dir.: John Cassavetes. Writers: Terry Allen & John Cassavetes
Starring: Gena Rowlands, John Cassavetes, Diahnne Abbott, Seymour Cassel, Margaret Abbott and John Finnegan.

Two estranged siblings who are wounded and emotionally connected reunite. This was originally a failed stage production. Cassavetes kept the original writer, Terry Allen, so busy with rewrites that he quit after a certain point. Cassavetes then mounted a stage production of it. After Cassavetes outlived his, “six months to live,” diagnosis, he mounted this film version of the play he had put on. Rather than a play that ran all day, it became this shortened version. A masterfully done film that should be viewed at it’s 141 minute full running length rather than the 122 minute heavily edited VHS copy in the USA. For those who love seeing Cassavetes’ work, this will not disappoint. Do note however that it is not a fast moving film and therefore takes a while to develop the characters and plot. Once it gets going though, it is strong and rich in performances and cinematography. Sadly the final Masterful film made by Cassavetes. He only made one more film after this as a director before his death at age 59 on February 3, 1989. 

Trivia: John Voight was originally slated to play Robert Harmon as he did in the play, but left the film due to scheduling conflicts and, “creative differences,” with John Cassavetes. This was the final film teaming of real life husband and wife John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands while Cassavetes was alive. A film he had written, She’s So Lovely (She’s De-Lovely (1997)) was made with Rowlands after Cassavetes’ death. And finally: Due to John Cassavetes’ poor health Peter Bogdanovich directed a few scenes.   

Rated: [PG–13]
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy through The Criterion Collection.

Big Trouble (1986)

C. – 93m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Dir.: John Cassavetes
Starring: Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Beverly D’Angelo, Charles Durning, Paul Dooley, Richard Libertini and John Finnegan.

Insurance agents plot with their client to kill her nutty husband. Semi–amusing comedy has much of the same talent from The In–Laws (1979) but lacks the spunk of that film until near the end of the picture. Largely however this is another remake of the Billy Wilder classic, Double Indemnity (1944). Double Indemnity was remade for the first time in 1973 under the same title, then there was this version in 1986, and it was remade again as Double Jeopardy (1999), with Tommy Lee Jones and Ashley Judd. Your mileage for this film may vary, depending on your acceptance of the characters as portrayed by the actors and Cassavetes work as a director.  

Trivia: When Universal sold the rights for a Double Indemnity (1944) remake to Columbia Pictures, they in turn got the rights to Back To The Future (1985). John Cassavetes replaced Andrew Bergman as director of this film. And this film turned out to be Cassavetes’ final picture before his death at age 59 on February 3, 1989.

Rated: [R]
Available on DVD & Digital Copy.