Marie Antoinette (1938 & 2006)

Marie Antoinette (1938)

B&W – 149m (General Release Cut) / 157m (Road Show Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 – Fullscreen
Writers: F. Scott Fitzgerald (Uncredited), Talbot Jennings (dialogue – uncredited) and Robert E. Sherwood (Uncredited)
Dir.: W.S. Van Dyke and Julien Duvivier
Pro.: Irving Thalberg (Uncredited)
Starring:  Norma Shearer, Tyrone Power, John Barrymore, Robert Morley, Anita Louise, Gladys George, Reginald Gardiner, Henry Daniell, Albert Dekker, Joseph Calleia, George Meeker, Scotty Beckett, Harry Cording, Cecil Cunningham, Howard Da Silva, Harry Davenport, Harold Entwistle, Ann Evers, Barry Fitzgerald, Neil Fitzgerald, Holmes Herbert, Mary Howard, Ruth Hussey, Edward Keane, Ian Wolfe and George Zucco.

The story of the ill–fated Queen of France, Marie–Antoinette. A pleasant if somewhat long but masterful telling of the tale. Far superior to the Sophia Coppola 2006 film.

Trivia: Peter Lorre was originally announced for the part that Robert Morley plays in his film debut.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy though: The Warner Archive Collection

Marie Antoinette (2006)

C – 123m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Writer – Pro. – Dir.: Sophia Coppola
Exec. Pro.: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Kristen Dunst, Jason Schwartzman, Judy Davis, Rip Torn, Rose Byrne, Molly Shannon, Shirley Henderson, Danny Huston, Tom Hardy and Steve Coogan.

Retelling of France’s iconic but ill–fated queen, Marie Antoinette. Slow, boring and dismal telling of the bio of the ill–fated French queen. Saving grace is the cast and Sophia Coppola’s eye for visuals. Very little else is worth noting in this dud.

Trivia: The French government granted special permission for the crew to film in The Palace Of Versailles. The film crews were allowed to store their equipment in the real Marie–Antoinette’s bedroom. Although the title is not hyphenated, the real woman’s name was.

Rated: [PG–13] – Sexual Content, Partial Nudity & Innuendo
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Jake LaMotta Double Feature

Jake LaMotta was a boxer. He wrote a few books as he got older. Below are the reviews of the two films made from a couple of his books.

Raging Bull (1980)

C – 129m (Theatrical Cut) / 121m (Television Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Raging Bull
Based On The Book By: Jake La Motta (as Jake LaMotta)
With: Joseph Carter and Peter Savage
Screenplay By: Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin
Producers: Irving Winkler, Robert Cartoff and Peter Savage
Dir.: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, Nicholas Colasanto, Theresa Saldana, Mario Gallo, Charles Scorsese, Bernie Allen, Jack Lotz, Peter Savage, Martin Scorsese, John Turturro, McKenzie Westmore and Jimmy Williams.
Cinematography By: Michael Chapman
Editing By: Thelma Schoonmaker

The emotional self–destructive journey of Jake La Motta from his highs in the ring and his lows outside of it. Gripping and yet repulsive character study of boxer Jake LaMotta is tops! Wonderful cinematography, editing, acting and sound. A MUST WATCH! De Niro certainly earned his Oscar®.

Trivia: When Jake LaMotta first saw the film he realized how nasty he was. He asked the real person who Cathy Moriarty played, “Was I really like that?” She replied, “You were worse.” This is Cathy Moriarty’s film debut. In 1978 Scorsese was near death in a hospital due to a Cocaine addiction. Robert De Niro visited him and told him to clean up so he could do this film. Scorsese refused because he didn’t like sports film but gave in because De Niro persisted. Scorsese has since said that De Niro saved his life by getting him back into work. Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci really punch each other in the, “Hit me” scene. Robert De Niro accidentally broke Joe Pesci’s rib in a sparring scene. Years later Pesci would have the same rib broken making: Casino (1995), with De Niro and Scorsese. Robert De Niro gained 60 pounds for play an older LaMotta, while Joe Pesci lost weight to play the older version of his character. Finally, the editing of the film lasted almost up to the last minute that the film was set to be released. 

Oscar® winner for: Best Actor – Robert De Niro and Best Editing – Thelma Schoonmaker. Additionally nominations for Oscars® were: Best Picture – Irving Winkler and Robert Cartoff, Best Director – Martin Scorsese, Best Supporting Actor – Joe Pesci, Best Supporting Actress Cathy Moriarty, Best Cinematography – Michael Chapman and Best Sound. Golden Globe winner for: Best Actor – Motion Picture – Drama – Robert De Niro. Additionally Golden Globe nominated for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture – Martin Scorsese, Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture – Cathy Moriarty, Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Joe Pesci, New Star Of The Year In A Motion Picture – Female – Cathy Moriarty and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture – Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin.

Rated: [R]

Out Of Print on VHS and Laserdisc but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Bronx Bull (2016 / 2017)

C – 94m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Raging Bull II
Raging Bull 2
Based On The Book By: Jake LaMotta, Chris Anderson and Sharon McGehee
Screenplay By: Rustam Branaman and Martin Guigui
Exec. Pro. – Dir.: Martin Guigui
Starring: William Forsythe, Joe Mantegna, Tom Sizemore, Paul Sorvino, Penelope Ann Miller, Ray Wise, Natasha Henstridge, James Russo, Robert Davi, Cloris Leachman, Mike Starr, Joe Cortese, Dom Irrera, Rebecca Forsythe and Joey Diaz.

Another take on the LaMotta drama in and out of the boxing ring. A sorry excuse for a remake / sequel features a great cast but nothing else. The talents of the cast can’t even save the less than sub–par material.

Rated: [R] – Brutal Fights, Pervasive Language & Some Sexual Content / Nudity
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

A Tale Of Love And Darkness (2015 / 2016)

A Tale Of Love And Darkness (2015 / 2016)

C / B&W – 95m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Based On The Book By: Amos Oz
Screenplay By: Natalie Portman
Dir.: Natalie Portman
Starring: Natalie Portman

The story of Amos Oz’s youth, set against the backdrop of the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and the early years of the state of Israel. How a young man become a writer – in short. While it is impressively acted, the pacing is the big hindrance for this film. Portman had a strong start to directing feature films with this one.

Trivia: The producers wanted the film to be in English but Natalie Portman fought them and made it in Hebrew, like the book. Portman optioned the rights to the book after having tea with the author and his wife. This is Natalie Portman’s directorial feature film debut. She previously directed a short film titled: Eve (2008) and a short segment of the film: New York, I Love You (2008).  

Rated: [PG–13] – Thematic Content & Some Disturbing Violent Images
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Rebel In The Rye (2017)

Rebel In The Rye (2017)

C – 109m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Book: J.D. Salinger: A Life by Kenneth Slawenski
Co–Writer – Dir.: Danny Strong
Starring: Zoey Deutch, Kevin Spacey, Sarah Paulson, Nicholas Hoult, Lucy Boynton, Victor Garber, Hope Davis, Brian d’Arcy James, Eric Bogosian, Adam Busch, Jalina Mercado, Sydney Hargrove and Kellan McCann.

How the life of author J.D. Salinger changes after the publication of his novel, The Catcher In The Rye.  A couple of trivia notes: This is the directorial debut of Danny Strong and Nicholas Hoult wore brown contact lenses for his role. Another interesting PTSD–ish story with good acting and a decent script. Only complaint is that some of the scenes could have been shortened a tad.

Rated: [PG–13] – Thematic Elements, Language Including Sexual References, Some Violence, & Smoking Throughout
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Battle Of The Sexes (2017)

Battle Of The Sexes (2017)

C – 121m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Battle Of The Sexes}
Starring: Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Sarah Silverman, Bill Pullman, Alan Cumming, Howard Cosell and Mary Tyler Moore.

The true story of the 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King and ex–champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs. Well done dramatization of the true story has great acting and enough laughs in it to keep audiences entertained for the just over two hour duration. The actors are in top form. It starts a little slow though, so stick with it. Be forewarned that modern feminists will go nuts over much of the dialogue that Carell and Pullman spew. Remember though: this is a capture of a moment in time. Some people thought that way. So don’t take offense and ruin the rest of the film for yourself, view it as the set up that it is to the payoff of the match.

Trivia: Emma Stone was originally cast as Billie Jean King but had to pass due to scheduling conflicts. Brie Larson looked to be replacing her until she too had to drop out. Then Emma Stone freed up and the film was made with her in the role. Emma Stone put on 15 pounds of muscle for this film. Stone’s middle name is also Jean – like the woman she portrays here.

Rated: [PG–13] – Some Sexual Content & Partial Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017)

Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017)

C – 107m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Starring: Margot Robbie, Domhall Gleeson, Stephen Campbell Moore, Richard McCabe and Geraldine Somerville.

The story of the life of A.A. Milne, the author of the Winnie The Pooh stories. Sad but interesting biopic offers an interesting but vary polarizing look at PTSD and how it effects a family. One feels bad for both the author in question and his son who had to fight to have an identity other than “Christopher Robin”.

Rated: [PG] – Thematic Elements, Some Bullying, War Images & Brief Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Hitchcock (2012) & The Girl (2012)

Hitchcock (2012)

C – 98m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen (Original) / 2.40.1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray)
A.K.A.: Alfred Hitchcock And The Making Of ‘Psycho’
Hitchcock And The Making Of Psycho
Book: Alfred Hitchcock And The Making Of Psycho by Stephen Rebello
Screenplay By: John J. McLaughlin
Dir.: Sacha Gercasi
Starring: Sir Anthony Hopkins, Dame Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, Danny Huston, Jessica Biel, James D’Arcy, Richard Portnow, Kurtwood Smith and Ralph Macchio.

Oscar® nominated for Best Makeup And Hair Styling. Golden Globe nominated for Best Actress – Motion Picture – Drama – Helen Mirren.

The story of love between Sir Alfred Hitchcock and his wife Alma during the making of the classic film: Psycho (1960).  The touching, funny and somewhat dramatic story of love between Sir Hitch and his wife while making Psycho (1960) came off well. Perfect casting for Mirren as Hitch’s wife. Hopkins is still recognizable under his makeup. This was done on purpose. This reviewer preferred the heavy makeup where Sir Anthony Hopkins was not recognizable as Sir Alfred Hitchcock but the effect of the existing makeup is satisfactory. The actors as usual do nothing but the best with the material.

Trivia: Sir Anthony Hopkins met Sir Alfred Hitchcock when he was young, in a restaurant, accompanied by his agent. The real–life murderer Ed Gein, who inspired the character of Norman Bates, also inspired James Gumb / “Buffalo Bill” in the Thomas Harris novel and subsequent film, The Silence Of The Lambs.  And: This film was shot in 36 days.

Rated: [PG–13] – Some Violent Images, Sexual Content & Thematic Material
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy  

The Girl (2012)

C – 91m
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Alfred Hitchcock & Tippi Hedren
Book: Donald Spoto
Screenplay: Gwyneth Hughes
Dir.: Julian Jarrold
Starring: Sienna Miller and Toby Jones.

The story of the obsession that Alfred Hitchcock had with Tippi Hedren during their making of the films: The Birds (1963) and Marnie (1964). A disturbing but never less than interesting account of the making of two Alfred Hitchcock classics features superb acting and a lured tale that will keep the viewers watching. The only issue is pacing.

Available on DVD & Digital Copy