Video review: HIGH AND LOW

2 comments August 4th, 2008

This week’s DVD review is of the classic 1963 Akira Kurosawa film, HIGH AND LOW.

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And, if you want to read the text version of that review (which has more detail but fewer visuals — i.e., none), go here.

A long way from Mayberry

Add comment August 4th, 2008

There’s a solid write-up of one of my favorite movies, A FACE IN THE CROWD, over at the Bright Lights Film Journal. If you’ve never seen it, you’re in for a surprise. Andy Griffith — yes, Sheriff Taylor — plays a power-hungry bum who becomes a media sensation. It’s an amazing performance, very different from anything else Griffith ever did.

The cast also includes Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau, Lee Remick (in her movie debut) and, in a tiny bit near the end, Rip Torn. It’s on DVD, so give it a look. You won’t be sorry. (The Bright Lights article is full of spoilers, so if you do want to watch A FACE IN THE CROWD, you might want to wait until after to read the article.)

Ebert predicts an Oscar nod for DARK KNIGHT

Add comment August 4th, 2008

This exchange is from Sunday’s Roger Ebert Answer Man column:

 Q. If a fantasy film like “Lord of the Rings” can be nominated for the best picture Oscar, why not “The Dark Knight”? Surely, if there ever was a comic book blockbuster to be nominated, this would have to be it. It’s got an acclaimed director, music composers and a fantastic cast. The whole production was executed so well. I suspect that there may be some kind of comic-book stigma attached to the film that would hurt its chances.
Dallas Rabot, Auckland, New Zealand

A. I would be astonished were it not nominated.

Interesting. At first, some critics were saying Heath Ledger had a shot at a nomination, partly because he died before the film was released and, let’s be honest, the Academy always likes a little extra drama with their nominations. (Not that the guy doesn’t deserve it — it’s a truly amazing performance, and one Ledger completely disappears into.) But now, there’ve been more rumblings of a nomination for the movie itself. Heck, it’s the best movie I’ve seen all year. Lord only knows it would be better than 90 percent of the films that take home the best picture statue.

Director Christopher Nolan and Ledger have been nominated for Oscars, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman have won them, and Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal are the sort of respected actors who will probably get the nod sooner or later. Pretty strong pedigree, Oscar-wise, whether the movie features a guy in a leather bat suit or not.