Last Movie You Watched

[Karl Henning]

Universal and Hitchcock attributed the failure of Marnie to its lack of a "hit song" * to attract teenagers.

Herrmann's view was that Torn Curtain would not be for teenagers anyway.

When Herrmann produced a score for Torn Curtain with 10 flutes and NO hit song, that ended their collaboration permanently.

Yes, Cato, that is correct about Marnie but above all Hitchcock under-appreciated the role of Herrmann's music in the success of his films.  Those comments he made were ridiculous and indicative of a man slowly losing the plot. Sadly.  Herrmann went on to create spectaculars score for "Fahrenheit 451" and "Taxi Driver", but died before the latter was released.  Herrmann was a man who made many enemies, probably because of his own insecurities - but he knew, loved and admired Charles Ives so he was an early exponent of that composer's work.  Bernard Herrmann knew what he was talking about!!  (See the book by Steven Smith).

May I say what a pleasure it is 'talking' to folks who love and appreciate good film!!!

I don't know why my reply ended up in this envelope!!

Hitchcock's underestimating of Herrmann's contribution to his success is one of the great ungrateful blindspots in cinema. 

[Belle]

Hitchcock's underestimating of Herrmann's contribution to his success is one of the great ungrateful blindspots in cinema.

How right you are, sir.  And Bernard Herrmann was forced to go to England where he scored for minor films.  He remains one of the all-time greats, in my book at least.  It remains enigmatic to me why Hitchcock was so blind-sided about Herrmann, but the latter's difficult temperament may have played some part.

Which of Herrmann's scores do you appreciate the most?  For me it's Psycho, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Vertigo and Marnie.  Off the top of my head he scored other films for Joseph Mankiewicz but a senior's moment has frozen my memory just now.

How easy to become side-tracked when talking about film and music;  Joseph L. Mankiewicz is a hero of mine. 

I know a lot of you are Americans and I only recently said to the spouse, "no matter how bad American politics becomes I can never remain cranky with them because of their magnificent film heritage"!!

[Belle]

Thanks, Cato, for those two exceptional YT clips of Herrmann's music for Brian de Palma.  It's good to know that he was recognized after his split with Hitchcock and from the image accompanying the music it made me misty-eyed to see him with that creative crew!!

The familiar traits of Herrmann are evident in those two scores:  heavy on the brass, repetitive motifs - particularly in the strings - very low tonal chords and cadences.

[Madiel]

The precise combination of words and punctuation and formatting that produces the Forbidden error is extremely arcane. Changes that look trivial to human eyes are considered a big deal by the computing system. There's been some testing of this in other threads.

[Madiel]

Kiki's Delivery Service



I "have" to keep watching these Studio Ghibli films to keep ahead of the expiry dates of the free streaming...

The Japanese title is more accurately translated as something like "Witch's Express Home Delivery", which shows up the one magical/supernatural element that I'd forgotten: Kiki is a 13-year-old witch setting out to learn her craft. And she figures out the thing she can do is parcel delivery on her broom.

Another lighter Miyazaki film, which I think I've seen before. It's quite fun. The credits actually end up being a highlight. They all lived happily ever after, and it feels good.

[Cato]

Alec Guinness, Sessue Hayakawa  (in his 70's at the time), Jack Hawkins, and William Holden in a classic from director David Lean.



I had forgotten that the score was composed by Malcolm Arnold !

I have never read the novel by Pierre Boulle: I should perhaps fill in that lacuna in my education!

[Karl Henning]

Alec Guinness, Sessue Hayakawa  (in his 70's at the time), Jack Hawkins, and William Holden in a classic from director David Lean.



I had forgotten that the score was composed by Malcolm Arnold !

I have never read the novel by Pierre Boulle: I should perhaps fill in that lacuna in my education!

Also author of Planet of the Apes.

[Cato]

Also author of Planet of the Apes.

Apparently Boulle was amazed by the popularity and success of the movie and its sequels.

Speaking of Frenchmen whose novels became excellent movies:




The books were written by Marcel Pagnol and I will say that they are on the level of Sophocles.  Most impressive books and movies!

[Karl Henning]

"The Sound of Music".  I just love Austria anyway so watch the film more than I otherwise would.  My problem with it is Julie Andrews who, although a talented singer, was a cold actress - even clinical at times.  On the other hand the wonderful, gorgeous and sexy Chris Plummer.  This scene is absolutely stunning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUFBOC6lQoo

You've prompted me to go ahead and fetch the blu-ray in. 

[Belle]

Oh, very nice Dr. Henning.

[Karl Henning]

TD: Another family favorite: Strictly Ballroom.

[Karl Henning]

A few days ago: the sentimental sort of Christmas movie boilerplate i would not normally watch, but exactly the sort of feel-good viewing my recuperating ladies needed:

[Belle]

TD: Another family favorite: Strictly Ballroom.

I taught this film for year 11 (Australia) many years ago!!  It came under the category of "Australian grunge"!

[Belle]

I've just enjoyed this 1947 film noir directed by Fritz Lang, "Secret Beyond the Door", photographed exquisitely by Stanley Cortez.  A lot of underscoring and main title by Miklos Rozsa.  You'll recognise all the familiar elements of Rozsa's music, if you're a fan;  dense orchestration, sequences, repetitive themes... Lovely restoration here.  It's the bluebeard story and a bit of a pot-boiler but it will keep you guessing.  Michael Redgrave has the leading part, strangely enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45SHohgrcIs

[Madiel]

I taught this film for year 11 (Australia) many years ago!!  It came under the category of "Australian grunge"!

LOL. How does it count as grunge?!?

[Madiel]

My Neighbo(u)r Totoro



The shortest Miyazaki film, centred on two sisters who move into a rickety old house with their father. First the younger and then the older sister meet spirits from the neighbouring forest.

The 'Totoro' ended up being the mascot for Studio Ghibli. It's probably simpler than some of the later Ghibli/Miyazaki films, but quite entertaining.

I'm still 6 days ahead of the expiry dates for these films, but there's another 7 to go if I do them all. Do I give Spirited Away another chance?...

[relm1]

Every now and then, I enjoy a stupid movie.  Yesterday I watched "A Very Brady Sequel" and it was quite funny.  This clip is probably the funniest bit, but anyone who remembers the equally stupid tv show will get they've completely nailed the show and its silly-isms.  I actually burst out a few times.

The shtick is the world has moved on from the 1970's but since they're in endless reruns, they're still in the 70's in their ways and mannerisms.  It was similar premise to the Barbie movie, the difference being there, the Barbie's realized the world had moved on.

[Cato]

A few days ago: the sentimental sort of Christmas movie boilerplate i would not normally watch, but exactly the sort of feel-good viewing my recuperating ladies needed:

Oh yes, completely predictable, Girl Meets Boy/Girl Gets Boy/Girl Loses Boy/Girl Gets Gets Boy Again Forever, with mildly amusing scenes now and then, cringe-worthy scenes more often than not, with mandatory Kitchen-Food-Fights or Snowball-Fights, all centered around saving the family farm, saving the restaurant, saving the book/toy/whatever store from corporate monsters!

My bachelor brother-in-law is hooked on them, as he enjoys making obscene comments about the actresses, somewhat like watching Mystery Science Theater 3000, but with a specific "edge," so to speak.   

[Belle]

LOL. How does it count as grunge?!?

Yes, good question.  It's because the film comprises caricature Australian ballroom dancers and they're of the working class variety very deliberately, speaking the argot of an Australia which largely doesn't exist now and which represents the past. Ballroom dancing was particularly liked by the working class in Australia, particularly competitions.  In fact, I wonder how the film could have appeal beyond Australia.  I never really liked it but Paul Mercurio is a fine dancer.  Above all, the film is by Baz Lurhmann; it looks good but, as ever with that director, is completely cartoonish and OTT.

[Madiel]

Well it's cartoonish on a low budget. Which works better. Though I'd say a better adjective is theatrical.

I still don't think grunge is the right adjective for the aesthetic.