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BRAD AT THE CINEMA

MOVIE AND ACTOR LISTS AND THOUGHTS…SCROLL FOR LISTS!

THE TWENTY GREATEST FAMILY DRAMAS

Maybe it’s because they have known us the longest, and so, therefore, can hurt
us the deepest, that the family drama can be one of the most painful of genres.
But if done wrong, it could also be one of the most cliched ones as well. So,
it is with these thoughts that I give you “The Twenty Greatest Family Dramas”.

In no particular order…

1.”Rebel Without a Cause” (1955) Nicholas Ray. Despite some awkward dramatic
moments, and of course, the passing of time, this popular film retains its power
for its sensitive handling of its subject matter. This film was truly on the
side of the kids.

2.”Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979) Robert Benton. Academy Award winning film about a
custody battle was never one of my favorites, but there is no denying the skill
of all the artists involved.

3.”Ordinary People” (1980) Robert Redford. Redford nabbed an Oscar for this
penetrating look at the effects of tragedy on a seemingly normal American
family.

4.”The Brood” (1974) David Cronenberg. Although technically a horror film,
Cronenberg mines more truths than several obvious forays in the genre. He once
called “The Brood” his “Kramer vs. Kramer”.

5.”Little Murders” (1971) Alan Arkin. Feiffer’s lacerating black comedy leaves
a bitter aftertaste as violence overtakes one American family.

6.”A History Of Violence” (2005) David Cronenberg. This film takes a look at
family secrets, and how we really don’t know the people we think we’re closest
to.

7.”Long Days Journey into Night” (1962) Sidney Lumet. O’Neill would not allow
this masterpiece to be produced while he was alive. And although this may not
be the definitive version, it contains one truly brilliant performance by Jason
Robards as the haunted Jamie, O’Neill’s tragic brother.

8.”HUD” (1963) Martin Ritt. Ritt received his only Oscar nomination for this
family drama set in Texas and features some of the best dialogue in cinema.

9.”Shoot the Moon” (1982) Alan Parker. Family as a war zone? Albert Finney and
Diane Keaton portray a couple going through a particularly savage separation
which leaves no winners.

10.”Little Miss Sunshine” (2006) Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris. Although it’s
considered to be more of a comedy, this deceptive little film shows us the true
need for family.

11.”Terms of Endearment” (1983) James L. Brooks. This film does a fine
balancing act between laughter and sorrow, avoiding cliches as it explores the
complicated emotions that come from the mother and daughter dynamic.

12.”The Homecoming” (1973) Peter Hall. Pinter looks at the family as a rather
dangerous institution.

13.”A Delicate Balance” (1973) Tony Richardson. Albee’s play takes a hard look
at a retired couple trying to take the complications out of their lives, but are
instead drawn into the hell that is other people.

14.”Crimes of the Heart” (1986) Bruce Beresford. This southern-fried charmer
features some winning performances, and also some surprising poignancy in
dealing with a family tragedy.

15.”Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1958) Richard Brooks. Despite throwing out all of
William’s homosexual themes, and most of the poetry, this Hollywood version is
still quite entertaining.

16.”A Streetcar Named Desire” (1951) Elia Kazan. This powerful film contains a
very disturbing family triangle. It shows both the attraction and repulsion of
desire.

17.”I Never Sang for My Father” (1970) Gilbert Gates. Hackman plays a son
attempting to make a relationship with his dying father, played powerfully by
the veteran actor Melvyn Douglas.

18.”East of Eden” (1955) Elia Kazan. John Steinbeck’s Cain and Abel tale
features the mythical James Dean and a supporting cast that cannot be faulted.

19.”In America” (2002) Jim Sheridan. Sheridan’s autobiographical account of a
family immigrating to America after dealing with the loss of a child.
Ultimately a triumph of renewal.

20.”The Ice Storm” (1997) Ang Lee. This suburban saga shows us the confusion
and anxiety that comes with the changing of times. Subtle and haunting.

Posted on December 3, 2018December 5, 2018 by bradlkahn Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged family drama 20 greatest Leave a comment

THE TWENTY GREATEST FILM HEROES (FEMALE)

Since this clown invaded our White House, women have been marching, running for
office, and just plain giving me hope for the future of this broken country. I
have been inspired to look back at cinema, and the positive role women have
played in it. So, with these lofty thoughts, I give you “The Twenty Greatest
Film Heroes (Female)”.

In no particular order…

1.Jane Fonda. “Julia” (1977) Fred Zimmerman. Unlikely heroes have always
appealed to me, and none more than the subtle work done here by Ms. Fonda.

2.Sally Field. “Norma Rae” (1979) Martin Ritt. The moment she stands on the
table with the union sign is among cinema’s strongest political statements.

3.Sandy Dennis. “Up the Down Staircase” (1967) Robert Mulligan. Though at
times she appears perplexed, Dennis embodies the spirit of what’s best about
teachers.

4.Meryl Streep. “Silkwood” (1983) Mike Nichols. The film is ambiguous due to
the lawsuits of the time, but it doesn’t take away from the power and poignancy
of Streep’s work.

5.Vivian Leigh. “Gone with the Wind” (1939) Victor Fleming. Despite some severe
character flaws, Leigh demonstrates tenacity and guile.

6.Katherine Hepburn. “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1967) Stanley Kramer.
This legendary actress brought an unexpected verve to her middle-class
character. The scene where she stands up to her bigoted neighbor is quite
memorable.

7.Barbara Streisand. “The Way We Were” (1973) Sydney Pollack. As a political
activist, Streisand brings a charm and sensitivity to what could be a
stereotypical character.

8.Ellen Burstyn. “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (1974) Martin Scorsese.
Though feminists at the time objected to the character’s compromises, you can’t
deny the skill that Burstyn brought to the role.

9.Cicely Tyson. “Sounder” (1972) Martin Ritt. Ms. Tyson’s subtle performance
projects an authenticity and grace.

10.Jill Clayburgh. “An Unmarried Woman” (1978) Paul Mazursky. A fearless
performance by this likable actress.

11.Pillar Padilla. “Bread and Roses” (2001) Ken Loaches. A winning
performance by newcomer Padilla who helps form a janitor union in Los Angeles.

12.Jodie Foster. “Silence of the Lambs” (1991) Jonathan Demme. Foster
deservedly won an Oscar for her unforgettable work.

13.Frances McDormand. “Fargo” (1996) Joel and Ethan Coen. Her pregnant sheriff
was not only the smartest person in the room, but she also knew where the best
buffets were. Iconic and brilliant work by McDormand.

14.Anne Bancroft. “The Miracle Worker” (1962) Arthur Penn. Reprising her
prize-winning work from Broadway, Bancroft brought a wit and a wisdom to the
amazing real life character.

15.Taraji P. Henson. “Hidden Figures” (2016) Theodore Meifi. Henson is a
stand-out in this ensemble film about African -American women in the early
aerospace industry.

16.Susan Sarandon. “Thelma and Louise” ( 1991) Ridley Scott. The more
complex figure of this famous duo, Sarandon brought a certain pain to this
character that made the ending even more poignant.

17.Patricia Neal. “Hud” (1963) Martin Ritt. The humor that Neal brought to
this salty character was a welcomed addition to this powerful film.

18.Diane Keaton. “Reds” (1981) Warren Beatty. Playing the real life journalist
Louise Bryant, Keaton brought an intelligence to a character trying to find her
place in a changing world.

19.Audrey Hepburn. “Wait Until Dark” (1967) Terence Young. This blind woman
thankfully outwits a trio of really nasty criminals- the last great performance
by this beguiling star.

20.Bette Davis. “All About Eve” (1950) Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Playing on both
Margo’s strength and vulnerability. Davis gave a volcanic performance.

Posted on July 10, 2018July 10, 2018 by bradlkahn Posted in Top 20 Tagged female
heroines, list of females in movies, sally field, sally field movies, top 20
female performances 1 Comment

THE TWENTY GREATEST BRIEF PERFORMANCES

It’s not the time the actors have on the screen, but what they do with the time
they have. Sometimes this is achieved by the sheer presence of the actor.
Whatever the reasons, these brief moments do much to signify these films. So,
with those thoughts, I give you “The Twenty Greatest Brief Performances”.

In no particular order…

1. John McGiver. “Midnight Cowboy” (1969) John Schlesinger. Playing a
religious pervert, this icon from television both horrified and delighted
many of us.
2. Bob Babalan. “Catch 22” (1970) Mike Nichols. In this powerful
appearance, Babalan personified the madness of Heller’s novel.
3. Dustin Hoffman. “Dick Tracy” (1990) Warren Beatty. Hysterical cameo by
Hoffman as Mumbles in this colorful adaptation.
4. Gary Oldman. “True Romance” (1993) Tony Scott. Strange cross between
hip hop and the Rasta culture creates this brazen creation.
5. Alec Baldwin. “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992) James Foley. Underrated
director from “At Close Range” allowed Baldwin to let loose in a
galvanizing opening.
6. Peter Boyle. “The Candidate” (1972) Michael Ritchie. Boyle’s harried
campaign manager is a delightful piece of work.
7. Dennis Hopper. “Apocalypse Now” (1979) Francis Ford Coppola. When you
finally get to the compound, guess who is there to greet you?
8. Bill Murray. “Tootsie” (1982) Sydney Pollack. Unbilled and hysterical.
9. Dean Stockwell. “Blue Velvet” (1986) David Lynch. His odd lip-syncing
to an Orbison classic ignites an already powerful milieu.
10. Jason Robards, Jr. “Melvin and Howard” (1980) Jonathan Demme. Haunting
performance should be thrown in a time capsule.
11. Richard Libertini. “The In-Laws” (1979) Arthur Hiller. Libertini as the
general Garcia is a source of much laughter.
12. Gene Hackman. “Young Frankenstein” (1974) Mel Brooks. Surprisingly
comical work from the unbilled star.
13. Jeff Corey. “Little Big Man” (1970) Arthur Penn. This performance
probably owes more to the astonishing presence of this veteran actor and
famed teacher.
14. Mark Rydell. “The Long Goodbye” (1973) Robert Altman. Shocking moment
supplied by noted director.
15. Strother Martin. “Cool Hand Luke” (1967) Stuart Rosenberg. Playing a
friendly sadist, Martin utters the most iconic line in the film.
16. Ed Neal. “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974) Tobe Hooper. Whatever your
feelings for this genre, Neal skillfully portrays what could be considered
the most bizarre of this unhinged group of relatives.
17. Keenan Wynn. “Dr. Strangelove” (1964) Stanley Kubrick. Playing Colonel
Bat Guano, Wynn brings a fierce comic energy to a brief, but shining
moment.
18. Cary Grant. “Alice in Wonderland” (1933) Norman Z. McCleod. Wearing the
famous turtle attire (mask and all), this romantic leading man provides a
particular whimsy.
19. Dennis Weaver. “Touch of Evil” (1958) Orson Welles. Eccentric doesn’t
begin to describe this wild eyed performance.
20. Harvey Keitel. “Alice Doesn’t Live here Anymore” (1974) Martin Scorsese.
his would be rural ladies man is every woman’s nightmare.

Posted on April 23, 2018April 24, 2018 by bradlkahn Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment

THE TWENTY GREATEST FILMS YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE SEEN

Perhaps these films were not widely circulated in their time, for lack of studio
support, or, maybe the timing of their releases were questionable. And, several
of these films have won awards and been listed on critics’ lists, but for some
reason, if I mentioned their names to you, you might not know them. So, with
those thoughts, I give you “The Twenty Greatest Films You Might Not Have Seen” .

In no particular order…

1. “The Sweet Hereafter” (1997) . Atom Egoyan. Based on the superb novel
by Russell Banks, Egoyan never strikes a false note in depicting this
tragedy that befalls a small town.
2. “Next Stop, Greenwich Village” (1976). Paul Mazursky. Despite its
moments of surprising misogyny, Mazursky’s autobiographical film is both
funny and honest.
3. “Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins” (1975). Dick Richards. Gentle road
comedy has the ability to move you in unexpected ways.
4. “In a Lonely Place” (1952). Nicolas Ray. One of Bogart’s more complex
characters; this stunner sneaks up on you.
5. “Seconds” (1966). John Frankenheimer. Neglected film looks at our
obsession with youth, containing what many consider to be Rock Hudson’s
greatest performance.
6. “Slap Shot” (1977). George Roy Hill. This is not only one of the best
sports films, but certainly one of the funniest.
7. “Near Dark” (1987). Kathy Bigelow. Poignant vampire tale breaks rules
but remains true to its genre.
8. “The Conversation” (1974). Francis Ford Coppola. Despite being an award
winning film, many people missed this unusual film.
9. “Loving” (1970). Irving Kershner. An early “Ice Storm”, Kershner’s
glance at middle class morals is subtle, yet powerful.
10. “Rachel Getting Married” (2008). Jonathan Demme. This highly unusual
family drama takes a look at what we as humans will forgive.
11. “Dreamchild” (1985). Gavin Miller. Dennis Potter’s fantasia on the
relationship between Lewis Carroll and the real Alice is both touching and
imaginative, and one of my mother’s favorites.
12. “Spirits of the Beehive” (1985). Victor Erice. This masterpiece
influenced many filmmakers, including Guillermo del Toro. The effects of
Whale’s “Frankenstein” (1931) on two small children in Franco’s Spain is
both intricate and subversive.
13. “Slaughterhouse Five (1972). George Roy Hill. This Universal release
somehow captured perfectly the tone of Vonnegut’s melancholy and irony.
14. “Fury” (1936). Fritz Lang. Angry mob film shows the brilliance of Lang
working within the studio system. One of his best American films.
15. “After Hours” (1985). Martin Scorsese. The ultimate bad date film,
drenched in a giddy irony.
16. “The Boston Strangler” (1968). Richard Fleisher. Highly influential
crime film uses many cinematic devices, such as split screen, to get to
this menace that overtook that city.
17. “The Devil Doll” (1936). Tod Browning. Made after the controversial
“Freaks” (1932), this strange little revenge yarn actually resonates with
pulp vitality.
18. “Shoot the Moon” (1981). Alan Parker. One of the more disturbing
entries into the family drama genre. Unlike its more conventional
predecessor “Kramer vs. Kramer”, this one slipped through the cracks.
19. “Naked Lunch” (1990). David Cronenberg. Not widely seen, this
amalgamation of two quite different artists, William Burroughs and David
Cronenberg, is both weird and strangely serene.
20. “Up the Down Staircase” (1967). Robert Mulligan. School as a war zone?
Mulligan skillfully shows the torment, and, ultimately, the triumph of a
first year teacher in a tough New York City high school.

Posted on March 11, 2018March 11, 2018 by bradlkahn Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 20 greatest movies not seen, george roy hill, Paul mazursky, slap shot
Leave a comment

THE TWENTY GREATEST FILM HEROES

The Twenty Greatest Film HeroesWhat makes a hero? A single act of bravery?
Standing up for something while others remain seated?Or, is it the unlikely
individual who rises to enormous heights in time of crisis? I don’t know…I do
know that we need them. They bring a sense of purpose to our unsteady world.
So, with those cheery thoughts, I give you “The Twenty Greatest Film Heroes”.

In no particular order…

1.Gregory Peck. “To Kill A Mockingbird”. 1962. This definitely was Peck’s
tour de force, bringing an amazing sensitivity and intelligence to this
wonderful character.

2.Denzel Washington. “Malcolm X”. 1990. A majestic and volcanic performance.

3.Peter O’Toole. “Lawrence of Arabia”. 1962. He explodes onto the screen in
this incredible debut.

4.Jack Nicholson. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. 1975. Nicholson brought
his own iconic charm to this legendary character. He also ushered in a bit of
the counterculture as well.

5.Al Pacino. “Serpico”. 1973. Pacino played a man who stood up for to the
NYPD and was shot for it! He brought many colors to this complex role.

6.Sidney Poitier. “In the Heat of the Night”. 1967. The scene when Mr. Tibbs
(Poitier) slaps back the racist white dude was called “the slap heard ’round the
world”.

7.Russell Crowe. “Gladiator”. 2000. He brought a sensitivity and a force to
an otherwise traditional film role.

8.Burt Lancaster. “From Here to Eternity”. 1953. His performance as Sgt.
Warden is commanding.

9.Paul Newman. “Cool Hand Luke”. 1967. Unlikely heroes are always appealing,
but Newman’s droll performance as Luke brought it to a new level.

10.Marlon Brando. “On the Waterfront”. 1954. Much has been written about
Brando’s award-winning performance as Terry Malloy. Transcending!

11.Montgomery Clift. “From Here to Eternity. 1953. He gives this sad soldier
(Robert E. Lee Prewitt) many nuances.

12.James Stewart. “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”. 1939. He played many
heroes, but none with quite the power that he brought to this Washington
innocent.

13.Henry Fonda. “Grapes of Wrath” 1940. His face captures a world of pain,
the definitive Tom Joad.

14.Ben Kingsley. “Gandhi”. 1982. This brilliant actor was unknown to many
when he took this demanding role and amazed the world.

15.Kirk Douglas. “Spartacus”. 1960. Intensity doesn’t begin to describe what
Douglas brings to this early revolutionary.

16.Edward James Olmos. “Stand and Deliver”. 1988. This titan math teacher
James Escalante created a movement in East L.A. Bravo! Olmos is sublime!

17.Dustin Hoffman. “Little Big Man”. 1970. Caught between two cultures, we
find comfort in Jack Crabb’s stoic and ironic life.

18.Alan Arkin. “Catch 22”. 1970. This iconic anti-hero was beautifully
embodied by Mr. Arkin.

19.Daniel Day Lewis. “Lincoln”. 2012. Our greatest actor played one of our
greatest presidents. The result was a triumph on about every thespian level.

20.Spencer Tracy. “Inherit the Wind”. 1960. Who but Spencer Tracy would you
want to play this great man (Clarence Darrow)? A perfect blending of actor and
material.

Posted on January 14, 2018January 15, 2018 by bradlkahn Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment

THE TWENTY GREATEST FILMS IN COLOR (CINEMATOGRAPHY)

Do we dream in color? The experts say 80% of the time we do. The artists who
worked in this medium not only enhanced the films they participated in but
elevated the art form itself. So, with these lofty words, I give you “The
Twenty Greatest Films in Color” (Cinematography).

In no particular order…

1. “2001” (1968) Geoffrey Unsworth. Visually, this landmark film cannot be
overestimated.
2. “Apocalypse Now” (1979) Vittorio Storaro. Filmed by the Italian maestro,
this surrealistic Jungian jungle journey is a stunner.
3. “The Godfather” (1972) Gordon Willis. Executives were alarmed when they
saw how dark Willis had lit the film. He changed cinema forever.
4. “Black Narcissus” (1947) Jack Cardiff. Made on a sound stage, Cardiff
convinces us they are in the Himalayas. Amazing…
5. “Wild at Heart” (1990) Frederick Elmes. Even more visually astonishing
than “Blue Velvet”, Lynch’s frequent collaborator creates a hellish road
comedy for the ages.
6. “The Last Emperor” (1987) Vittorio Storaro. Filming in the actual
forbidden city, Soraro paints a complex and illuminating portrait of China.
7. “The French Connection” (1971) Owen Roizman. The menace of the New York
streets pulsates thru Roizman’s lens.
8. “E.T.” (1982) Allen Daviau. Delicate and textured, the cinematography is
surprisingly underrated.
9. “Rear Window” (1954) Robert Burks. The camera is literally a character in
this precise, yet mesmerizing work.
10. “Taxi Driver” (1976) Michael Chapman. This Dostoevsky like-tale casts a
neon glow to the inferno in which the main character is engulfed.
11. “American Graffiti” (1973) Haskell Wexler. Filmed almost entirely at
nighttime, Wexler paints a vibrant world of cool cars and cool cats.
12. “The Day of the Locust” (1975) Conrad Hall. By desaturating the color
scheme, Hall creates images that suggest Goya.
13. “McCabe and Mrs. Miller” (1971) Vilmos Zsigmond. Like a beautiful
painting, Zsigmond’s camera captures the stunning beauty of nature,
contrasting with the monstrous actions of man.
14. “Days of Heaven” (1978) Nestor Almendros. Nature and man clash in this
pictorial masterpiece.
15. “Fanny and Alexander” (1983) Sven Nykvist. Bergman’s longtime
cinematographer creates some beautiful imagery in his final work.
16. “Catch 22” (1970) David Watkin. This famous English cinematographer
brought a surrealism to this failed Hollywood attempt at a literary
classic.
17. “Barry Lyndon” (1975) John Alcott. A watershed of cinematography using
candlelight, Alcott made a living painting come to life.
18. “Goodfellas” (1990) Michael Ballhaus. Red is the dominant color in this
brilliant film, signifying both their delicious meals and their countless
killings.
19. “Do the Right Thing” (1989) Ernest Dickerson. In this modern day urban
“Our Town”, Dickerson tones match the ambitions of the young director.
20. “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962) Freddie Francis. The desert was definitely a
collaborator under the poetic eye of Mr. Francis.

Posted on October 22, 2017October 23, 2017 by bradlkahn Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 20 greatest films in color kubrick, geoffrey unsworth gordon willis,
stanley kubrick cinematography 20 greatest cinematography color Leave a comment

THE TWENTY GREATEST CINEMATOGRAPHERS IN BLACK AND WHITE FILMS

Do we dream in color? Or in black and white? Orson Wells once said that black
and white was the actor’s friend. I think he was right, especially when you
look at how Ford turns Wayne’s image into something of mythic proportions with
“Stagecoach” (1939), or how film noir uses shadows to suggest its characters’
state of mind. Whatever the aesthetic reasons, black and white films should be
celebrated for the worlds that the artists create. So, with these thoughts in
mind, I give you “The Twenty Greatest Cinematographers in Black and White
Films”.

In no particular order…

1.”Stagecoach” (1939) Bert Glennon’s filming of Monument Valley helped turn
the Western into an art form.

2.”Raging Bull” (1980) Michael Chapman’s glistening black and white
cinematography contrasts with the ugliness of the main character.

3.”Citizen Kane” (1941) Gregg Toland’s influence on cinema itself cannot be
overestimated.

4.”Double Indemnity” (1944) John Addison’s look became the prototype for all
film noirs.

5.”Touch of Evil” (1958) Richard Metty’s opening crane shot has gone on to
cinema history.

6.”Grapes of Wrath” (1940) Gregg Toland’s touch gave the film an authenticity
and grace.

7.”Sunset Boulevard” (1950) John Addison’s lens captured a nightmarish world.

8.”Hud” (1963) James Wong Howe’s evocative work won an Oscar for this veteran
cinematographer.

9.”The Last Picture Show” (1971) Robert Surtee brought a beauty to the film’s
barren imagery.

10.”On the Waterfront” (1951) Boris Kaufman’s vision captures a
documentary-like style.

11.”Sunrise” (1927) Karl Struss and Charles Roshner received the first Oscar
ever given for cinematography.

12.”Midsummer Night Dream” (1935) Hal Mohr’s Oscar was bestowed by a write-in
ballot, the one and only time in the history of the Academy Awards.

13.”Night of the Hunter” (1955) Stanley Cortez, although influenced by German
Expressionism, created something new in film.

14.”Stranger on a Train” (1951) Robert Burk’s shot from the murdered girl’s
point of view is brilliant.

15.”The Informer” (1935) Joseph H. August convinces viewers that the film is
set in Dublin, although it was made entirely on a sound stage.

16.”Psycho” (1960) Alfred Hitchcock used John L. Russell, his television
show’s cinematographer, to great effect.

17.”The Scarlett Empress” (1934) Von Sternberg and his great cinematographer
Bert Glennon create their own world.

18.”Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1931) Karl Struss’ transformation scene is
still amazing after all these years.

19.”In Cold Blood” (1967) Conrad Hall’s sensitivity with the black and white
format earned him his first nomination.

20.”The Asphalt Jungle” (1950) Harold Rosson’s camera captures the nighttime
world of Huston’s characters with true melancholy.

Posted on June 27, 2017July 1, 2017 by bradlkahn Posted in Top 20, Uncategorized
Tagged black and white cinematographers, cinematographers black and white,
citizen kane raging bull john ford top 20, greatest Leave a comment

THE TWENTY GREATEST UNDERRATED DIRECTORS

March 20, 2017

These names are seldom above the title, so you might not know who they are.
But, you have probably been affected by their work, and I suppose, in the final
analysis, that is what’s most important. With that, I give you The Twenty
Greatest Underrated Directors.

In no particular order…

1. Hal Ashby. Former film editor had some big hits in the 1970’s, Shampoo
(1975) and Coming Home (1978), bringing his own special brand of
counterculture to all his best work.
2. Paul Mazursky. He brought an ethnic quality to his humanistic
landscapes, Harry and Tonto (1974) and Unmarried Woman (1978). He also had
a gift with dialog.
3. Robert Mulligan. Much of Mulligan’s work is from an observer’s distance,
yet the emotions are always full. His work with children in To Kill a
Mockingbird (1962) is among the finest ever elicited by a director.
4. Martin Ritt. Actors not only did their best work under his guidance but
also their most honest. Films include Hud (1963) and Norma Rae (1979).
5. Robert Aldrich. Independent director had a couple of big hits, Baby Jane
(1962) and Dirty Dozen (1967). However, his real originality was displayed
in Kiss Me Deadly (1955), one of the best of all film noirs.
6. Richard Fleisher. Son of animator Max Fleisher made two excellent crime
dramas, Compulsion (1958) and The Boston Strangler (1968), and possibly
Disney’s best live action feature 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954).
7. Alan Pakula. Once a producer only, To Kill A Mockingbird (1962), Pakula
made some fine films that have both an intelligence and a verve, Klute
(1971) and All The President’s Men (1976).
8. Bill Forsyth. This Scottish filmaker has a penchant for the eccentric and
made some beautiful films, Housekeeping (1987) and Local Hero (1983).
9. Bob Rafelson. Having made such a sensation with Five Easy Pieces (1970),
the rest of his filmography seems disappointing, but Stay Hungry (1975) is
quite interesting.
10. William Dieterle. He definitely brought a Germanic look to all of his best
films, Hunchback (1939) and The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941). He was
one of the many German ex-patriots that Hollywood embraced during the
1930’s.
11. Frank Perry. Most of his scripts were written by his wife Eleanor, but
Perry brought his own detached melancholy to the best of his works, David
and Lisa (1962) and Last Summer (1969).
12. George Pal. Former animator of Puppetoons (1932), Pal made some unique
entries into the fantasy genre , The Time Machine (1960) and 7 Faces of
Dr. Lao (1964).
13. Ralph Nelson. Former television director, he hit his stride in the 1960’s
with his Lilies of the Field (1963) and Charly (1968).
14. Michael Ritchie. Thematically, his best films are about America’s
obsession with competition, The Candidate (1972) and Bad News Bears (1976).
15. Robert Siodmak. Another German director with an expressionistic eye, he
made two gems from the noir world, The Killers (1946) and Criss Cross
(1947).
16. John Frankenheimer. His range as a director is quite remarkable. His best
work, The Manchurian Candidate (1962), shows a European influence.
17. John Sturges. He was primarily known for action films like The
Magnificent Seven (1964). However, he made an important film about racism,
Bad Day at Black Rock (1955), which showcased his capabilities.
18. Jules Dassin. Blacklisted director had one popular international hit,
Never on a Sunday (1960). His early noir efforts produced the classic
Night and the City (1950), but because of McCarthyism, he was not allowed
to work in his country.
19. Stanley Donen. His brilliant work with Gene Kelly overshadowed his fine
solo work which includes Charade (1963) and the unusual Two for the Road
(1967).
20. Dario Argento. Italian horror maestro has some set pieces that have to be
seen to be believed. Some key films are Deep Red (1975) and Suspira
(1977).

Posted on April 2, 2017May 21, 2017 by bradlkahn Posted in Top 20 Tagged being
there, directors, film, hal ashby, Kiss me deadly, martin ritt, peter jackson,
Robert aldrich, robert mulligan, underrated Leave a comment

THE TWENTY GREATEST POLITICAL FILMS

November 20, 2016

My, but this has been a most perverse election year. Just plain ugly. However,
it has made me reflect on a genre that is not easy to do by any standard-the
political film. I think these films work best when the personal becomes the
political. So, on that note, I give you “The Twenty Greatest Political Films”.

In no particular order…

1.”The Best Man” (1964) Franklin J. Schaffner. Based on a play by Gore Vidal,
this smart film shows the ugliness that goes into a political campaign.

2.”Dr. Strangelove” (1964) Stanley Kubrick. Cold war inspired masterpiece
that still makes my jaw drop.

3.”Missing” (1982) Costa Gavras. This powerful film, financed by Gulf and
Western, was about America’s cooperation with a deadly coup in Chile .

4.”Bullworth” (1998) Warren Beatty. This lively satire actually beats with a
leftist heart.

5.”Battle of Algiers” (1967) Gilo Pontecorvo. It feels like it’s happening in
real time, but this monumental piece is perhaps one of the most realistic of
political films.

6.”Nashville” (1975) Robert Altman. Critically-acclaimed Altman film looks at
the fabric of America, and how easily it can tear.

7.”Seven Days in May” (1964) John Frankenheimer. Rod Serling scripted this
intense film about a possible military takeover in government.

8.”The Candidate” (1972) Michael Ritchie. This film has a documentary feel to
it. Also, it’s one of the most incisive films about our electoral process.

9.”Norma Rae” (1979) Martin Ritt. One of the better films made about the
labor movement. This humanistic director always brought out the best in his
actors.

10.”A Face in the Crowd” (1957) Elia Kazan. This was way before its time.
Kazan and Shulberg put together a remarkable film about the building of a
demigod. An early reminder of the danger of the media (television). Timely,
eh?

11.”Gabriel Over the White House” (1933) Gregory La Cava. A really unique
film about a conservative who has a political conversion after a head injury.

12.”Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939) Frank Capra. Naive, but still
entertaining look at an innocent thrown into the madness that is Washington.

13.”The Great Dictator” (1940) Charles Chaplin. The moment he breaks
character and talks to the audience is one of the most moving moments in
cinematic history.

14.”Salvador” (1986). Oliver Stone. My favorite of Stone’s films; it is able
to convey its message without sacrificing its stylistic cool.

15.”The Year of Living Dangerously” (1983) Peter Weir. Weir is more spiritual
as a director than he is political, but the mysticism that surrounds this film
makes its point, potently.

16.”Under Fire” (1982) Roger Spottiswoode. It’s remarkable that any film as
progressive as this one was released during Reagan’s reign.

17.”All the President’s Men” (1976) Alan Pakula. Politics as a detective
story…that is what’s so great about this film.

18.””Wag the Dog” (1997) Barry Levinson. Clever satire of a political
cover-up dressed as a war. It’s funny and quite alarming.

19.”Cutter’s Way. (1982) Ivan Passer. This modern day Moby Dick is in it’s
own way political. This Ahab is going after the great white capitalist!

20.”The Last Emperor” (1987) Bernardo Bertolucci. People were so infatuated
by its visual opulence that they may have missed its sly Marxist message.

Posted on November 21, 2016May 21, 2017 by bradlkahn Posted in Top 20 Tagged
battle of algiers, costa gravas, gilo pontecorvo, missing, political films top
20 Leave a comment

THE TWENTY GREATEST MUSICALS

September 20, 2016

The musical gave a whole lot of folks employment-singers, dancers,
choreographers, etc. It also lifted people’s spirits during the Great
Depression. But, the film musical has all but disappeared. My brother rejected
the genre early on for its more fantastic elements. Where, I, on the other
hand, would love to break into a song at just about any moment. Perhaps we’ve
become too cynical for its simple charms. Whatever the reasons, when the
musicals were good, they were fabulous. So, with that, I give you “The twenty
Greatest Musicals”.

In no particular order…

1.”Cabaret” (1972) Bob Fosse. Fosse singlehandedly re-imagined the film
musical.

2.”Singing in the Rain” (1952) Gene Kelley and Stanley Donen. Pure joy
captured brilliantly on celluloid.

3.”42nd Street” (1933) Lloyd Bacon. The ultimate backstage musical.

4.”The Gold Diggers of 1933″ (1933) Busby Berkeley, Mervyn LeRoy. Depression
inspired musical with eye=popping kaleidoscope Busby Berkeley stuff- a milestone
of the genre.

5. “The Pajama Game” (1957) George Abbott and Stanley Donen. A pro-union
musical that also benefits from the contributions of a young choreographer named
Bob Fosse.

6.”Phantom of the Paradise” (1974) Brian De Palma. Faustian rock musical has
recently garnished the attention it always deserved. Great score by Paul
Williams.

7.”Swing Time” (1936) George Stevens. The plots weren’t particularly
important in these Astaire-Rogers films. But, the dancing and the songs were
amazing.

8.”Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944) Vincent Minnelli. This is lyrical Americana,,
put together by people who knew how to make things like this work.

9.”West Side Story” (1061) Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. Sure, the leads
suck, and the Jets come off as a poor man’s Bowery Boys, but the score is
magnificent as is the dancing.

10.”Wizard of Oz” (1939) Victor Fleming. Not only is this one of the great
children films, it is also one of the screen’s great film musicals. What a
score!

11.”Top Hat” (1935) Mark Sandrich. An Art Deco treasure served by that great
Astaire-Rogers team- maybe their best!

12.”Footlight Parade” (1933) Busby Berkeley, Lloyd Bacon. Exuberant Warner
Bros. extravaganza-with Cagney and Keeler hoofing it up big time.

13.”Oliver” (1968) Carol Reed. Child abuse as a musical? Dickens classic
gracefully mounted by Reed and Company.

14.”Bye Bye Birdie” (1963) George Sidney. This film is everything “Grease” was
supposed to be. Bright and colorful.

15.”An American in Paris”. (1951) Vincent Minnelli. The twenty minute ballet
scene is absolutely mesmerizing.

16.”All That Jazz”. (1979) Bob Fosse. It’s a semi-autobiographical
death-laden musical extravaganza-wow!

17.”The Music Man” (1962) Morton DaCosta. Reprising his Broadway role-Preston
created one of the screen’s great con man.

18.”Pennies From Heaven” (1981) Herbert Ross. The last, great film musical.

19.”Cabin in the Sky” (1943) Vincent Minnelli. Faustian folktale with an
inspirational group of wonderful African-American performers.

20.”King of Jazz” (1930) John Murray Anderson. An imaginative variety show?
Well, that’s what this film is. Look for a young Bing Crosby!

Posted on October 10, 2016April 29, 2017 by bradlkahn Posted in Top 20 Tagged
caberet, top 20 greatest musicals, west side story Leave a comment

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