Well, Corey has had enough of the limelight. Let's get as close to the source of this inspiration as possible and throw it back to the good ole days of Bridgeport Video, when dinosaurs roamed the earth and my mom used to type out film synopses on a typewriter and copy them at Kinkos to hand out to the customers. And when dad had the "WATCH OUT! Glen likes these" shelf. And ma is also throwing it back to the good ole days of videocassettes. I'd bet she still has that copy of One From the Heart that's sitting there on her shelf. ANYWAY, now that the NBA playoffs has slowed down a little, you should have some time this weekend to check out some of these classics.
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| Mom went back in time for her picks as well |
Sin City: Sin City is a unique and visually stunning film based on and rendered in the style of a graphic novel. The film stars an ensemble cast led by Jessica Alba, Benicio del Toro, Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, and Elijah Wood, and featuring Alexis Bledel, Michael Clarke Duncan, Rosario Dawson, Carla Gugino, Rutger Hauer, Jaime King, Michael Madsen, Nick Stahl, and Makenzie Vega among others. Action-packed with a good story and rich characters it's a must-see for any film aficionado.
Available on Paramount (which is CBS All Access rebranded, thankfully)
One From the Heart: The first film by Francis Ford Coppola after he made the Godfather. He recreated Las Vegas on the sound stage of Zoetrope Studios. It was a commercial flop but a critical success, garnering an Oscar for best soundtrack by Tom Waits. Stars Teri Garr, Raul Julia, Frederick Forrest, Nastassja Kinski, Harry Dean Stanton and Lanie Kazan. Basically a love story but very artistically rendered - the visuals and the music play a large part in its appeal.
Not available for free anywhere, but ma probably still has the videocassettes if you want to make the trip to southeastern PA.
Red Rock West: Another neo-noir thriller directed by John Dahl and starring Nicolas Cage, Lara Flynn Boyle, J. T. Walsh, and Dennis Hopper. It was written by Dahl and his brother Rick, and shot in Montana and Willcox, Arizona. An unemployed Marine veteran is mistaken for a hit man and offered half the money now. He takes it and tries to warn the victim. More backstabbing and double crossing ensue. The film was well received at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, but deemed a cable and direct-to-video product by Columbia TriStar Home Video, which owned the North American rights. When Bill Banning, the owner of a San Francisco movie theater and a huge fan of the film, arranged for a theatrical release, the film gained a "buzz" and toured the U.S. as an art-house hit.
Not available even to rent anywhere. You're gonna have to go rogue for this one.
U Turn: Very noir. Incest, backstabbing, murder, lots of twists and turns. Killer cast - Sean Penn, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix, Claire Danes, John Voight, Billy Bob Thornton, Powers Booth. Directed by Oliver Stone.
Available on whatever a Tubi TV, Crackle, or Plex are
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai: Directed by Jim Jarmusch and starring Forest Whitaker. Ghost Dog is a hit man for the Mafia but adheres to the code of the samurai. When he completes a hit but leaves a witness, he himself is targeted. He manages to out play the mafiosos who are portrayed very comically. Ghost Dog's best friend only speaks French and Ghost Dog only speaks English, but they manage to have lively conversations anyway.
Available on the Criterion Channel, which I know you all have
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