On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: In Defense of Female Hysteria and Cinematic Foreplay
Final girls have it rough in general. Running from chainsaws is exhausting. Hanging on meat hooks is no fun. And if you get possessed by a demon, your boyfriend just will not see you the same way. Still, there’s a special sadism to the torture inflicted on scream queens sacrificed to horror movies about female hysteria.
It’s a subgenre best summed up by the dramatic question “Is this bitch haunted or just crazy?” — a cataclysmic collision of society’s sexist...
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: In Defense of Female Hysteria and Cinematic Foreplay
Final girls have it rough in general. Running from chainsaws is exhausting. Hanging on meat hooks is no fun. And if you get possessed by a demon, your boyfriend just will not see you the same way. Still, there’s a special sadism to the torture inflicted on scream queens sacrificed to horror movies about female hysteria.
It’s a subgenre best summed up by the dramatic question “Is this bitch haunted or just crazy?” — a cataclysmic collision of society’s sexist...
- 2/24/2024
- by Alison Foreman and Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Oscar Isaac and Rachel Brosnahan will star in the first major New York revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window this February at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Bam announced today.
The production, running Feb. 4-23, 2023, at the Bam Harvey Theater, will be directed by Obie Award winner Anne Kauffman.
Described by Bam as a “sweeping drama of identity, idealism, and love,” The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window is set in 1960s Greenwich Village and focuses on a diverse group of friends “whose loudly proclaimed progressive dreams can’t quite match up with reality. At the center are Sidney and Iris Brustein, fighting to see if their marriage – with all its crackling wit, passion, and petty cruelty – will be the final sacrifice to Sidney’s ideals.”
The play debuted on Broadway in 1964, five years after Hansberry’s masterpiece A Raisin in the Sun and...
The production, running Feb. 4-23, 2023, at the Bam Harvey Theater, will be directed by Obie Award winner Anne Kauffman.
Described by Bam as a “sweeping drama of identity, idealism, and love,” The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window is set in 1960s Greenwich Village and focuses on a diverse group of friends “whose loudly proclaimed progressive dreams can’t quite match up with reality. At the center are Sidney and Iris Brustein, fighting to see if their marriage – with all its crackling wit, passion, and petty cruelty – will be the final sacrifice to Sidney’s ideals.”
The play debuted on Broadway in 1964, five years after Hansberry’s masterpiece A Raisin in the Sun and...
- 10/6/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Sharon Stone won the Best Drama Guest Actress Emmy for “The Practice” in 2004 and if her guest appearance on “The Flight Attendant” takes flight with voters this year, she could join a select group of stars who’ve won both comedy and drama guest actress categories.
Since the current guest categories were stablished in 1989, only two women have managed to conquer both genres: Cloris Leachman and Elaine Stritch. Leachman nabbed two comedy guest actress statuettes in 2002 and 2006 for “Malcolm in the Middle” and a drama guest actress trophy in 1998 for “Promised Land” (she also won the very first guest actress award — when the category was known as Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series — in 1975 for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in a tie with “Kojak’s” Zohra Lampert). Stritch has one win in each category for “30 Rock” in 2007 and “Law & Order...
Since the current guest categories were stablished in 1989, only two women have managed to conquer both genres: Cloris Leachman and Elaine Stritch. Leachman nabbed two comedy guest actress statuettes in 2002 and 2006 for “Malcolm in the Middle” and a drama guest actress trophy in 1998 for “Promised Land” (she also won the very first guest actress award — when the category was known as Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Drama Series — in 1975 for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in a tie with “Kojak’s” Zohra Lampert). Stritch has one win in each category for “30 Rock” in 2007 and “Law & Order...
- 7/2/2022
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
The appealingly atmospheric crime thriller Alphabet City (1984) debuts on Blu-ray this fall courtesy of Fun City Editions. Directed by Amos Poe, with a script by Poe, Gregory K. Heller (additional dialogue is credited to Robert Seidman), Alphabet City belongs in the company of After Hours and Into The Night (both 1985) as one of the ultimate ’80s nightmare nocturnes, and it is downright, well, criminal that Alphabet City is not better remembered today. Hopefully this Blu-ray will work towards amending that.
Alphabet City
Blu-ray
Fun City Editions
1984 / Color / 1.85:1 widescreen / 85 min. / Street Date September 29, 2020 / available through Vinegar Syndrome / 24.99
Starring: Vincent Spano, Michael Winslow, Kate Vernon, Jami Gertz, Zohra Lampert, Raymond Serra.
Cinematography: Oliver Wood
Film Editor: Grahame Weinbren
Composer: Nile Rodgers
Written by Amos Poe, Gregory K. Heller, Robert Siedman (additional dialogue).
Produced by Andrew Braunsberg
Directed by Amos Poe
As things kick off, our temperamental hero Johnny, a street hustler for the mob,...
Alphabet City
Blu-ray
Fun City Editions
1984 / Color / 1.85:1 widescreen / 85 min. / Street Date September 29, 2020 / available through Vinegar Syndrome / 24.99
Starring: Vincent Spano, Michael Winslow, Kate Vernon, Jami Gertz, Zohra Lampert, Raymond Serra.
Cinematography: Oliver Wood
Film Editor: Grahame Weinbren
Composer: Nile Rodgers
Written by Amos Poe, Gregory K. Heller, Robert Siedman (additional dialogue).
Produced by Andrew Braunsberg
Directed by Amos Poe
As things kick off, our temperamental hero Johnny, a street hustler for the mob,...
- 10/22/2020
- by Alex Kirschenbaum
- Trailers from Hell
Normal 0 false false false En-us X-none X-none
By Todd Garbarini
In the history of cinema, it is a known fact that the producers and director of a film all have their own opinions about what a finished film should be titled. Movies generally use a working title which rarely ends up being used upon release. Even the film’s own writer invariably believes that it is his/her title that should be used with consideration given to no one else. One can only wonder how Steven Spielberg’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) would have fared at the box office had it been marketed under its original title, A Boy’s Life. Ridley Scott’s initially panned and now revered science fiction masterpiece Blade Runner (1982), its title taken from a 1979 novella by William S. Burroughs, would have found difficulty being displayed on movie marquees had it gone by the jaw-breaking title of...
By Todd Garbarini
In the history of cinema, it is a known fact that the producers and director of a film all have their own opinions about what a finished film should be titled. Movies generally use a working title which rarely ends up being used upon release. Even the film’s own writer invariably believes that it is his/her title that should be used with consideration given to no one else. One can only wonder how Steven Spielberg’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) would have fared at the box office had it been marketed under its original title, A Boy’s Life. Ridley Scott’s initially panned and now revered science fiction masterpiece Blade Runner (1982), its title taken from a 1979 novella by William S. Burroughs, would have found difficulty being displayed on movie marquees had it gone by the jaw-breaking title of...
- 9/30/2020
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
At the 2015 Emmys, host Andy Samberg joked that he always knew Uzo Aduba would be the new Ed Asner. His theory was confirmed later that evening when she joined him as the only two actors to win Emmys in comedy and drama for the same role. And now she’s continuing to follow in not only his footsteps but that of his “Mary Tyler Moore Show” co-star Cloris Leachman as well, becoming the third performer to win Emmys for acting in comedy, drama and limited series/TV movie.
Last week, Aduba nabbed the Best Movie/Limited Supporting Actress statuette for her performance as Shirley Chisholm in the FX miniseries “Mrs. America.” She took home her first Emmy in Best Comedy Guest Actress for her turn as Crazy Eyes on “Orange Is the New Black” in 2014. The following year, after the Netflix series was moved to drama, she won for the...
Last week, Aduba nabbed the Best Movie/Limited Supporting Actress statuette for her performance as Shirley Chisholm in the FX miniseries “Mrs. America.” She took home her first Emmy in Best Comedy Guest Actress for her turn as Crazy Eyes on “Orange Is the New Black” in 2014. The following year, after the Netflix series was moved to drama, she won for the...
- 9/29/2020
- by Jeffrey Kare and Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
If you like nightmare fuel, you could do worse than to watch Let's Scare Jessica To Death, a very strange film from 1971. This strange film was directed by John D. Hancock, who also aptly directed a few episodes of the 1980s iteration of The Twilight Zone TV series. This is one of those "women on the verge of a nervous breakdown" films, except that in this case, the story begins after said breakdown has already happened. Jessica, played by the lovely Zohra Lampert, has recently returned to society after going away for a bit. But hey, the Summer of Love was over, Roe Vs. Wade was in progress, the Vietnam War was still taking lives, and Nixon was president. That's more...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/14/2020
- Screen Anarchy
Wow — a good Audie Murphy movie. Clair Huffaker’s screenplay should take credit, as well as the workmanlike direction of former Hitchcock assistant Herbert Coleman. Even John Saxon comes off well, plus the film can boast good work from favorites Zohra Lampert and Vic Morrow, and fine support from Rodolfo Acosta, Royal Dano and Lee Van Cleef.
Posse from Hell
(Die Gnadenlosen Vier)
Blu-ray
Explosive Media GmbH
1961 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 89 min. / Street Date June 21, 2018 / Eur 14,84
Starring: Audie Murphy, John Saxon, Zohra Lampert, Vic Morrow, Robert Keith, Rodolfo Acosta, Royal Dano, Frank Overton, James Bell, Ward Ramsey, Lee Van Cleef, Ray Teal, Charles Horvath, Harry Lauter.
Cinematography: Clifford Stine
Film Editor: Frederic Knudtson
Written by Clair Huffaker from his novel
Produced by Gordon Kay
Directed by Herbert Coleman
Yes, I have to admit that I’ve seen more bad Audie Murphy movies than good ones, including a few outright losers. But...
Posse from Hell
(Die Gnadenlosen Vier)
Blu-ray
Explosive Media GmbH
1961 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 89 min. / Street Date June 21, 2018 / Eur 14,84
Starring: Audie Murphy, John Saxon, Zohra Lampert, Vic Morrow, Robert Keith, Rodolfo Acosta, Royal Dano, Frank Overton, James Bell, Ward Ramsey, Lee Van Cleef, Ray Teal, Charles Horvath, Harry Lauter.
Cinematography: Clifford Stine
Film Editor: Frederic Knudtson
Written by Clair Huffaker from his novel
Produced by Gordon Kay
Directed by Herbert Coleman
Yes, I have to admit that I’ve seen more bad Audie Murphy movies than good ones, including a few outright losers. But...
- 1/29/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
“Racial Tolerance: It’s Good for America And good for Criminals!” Harry Belafonte’s second production is a noir keeper, thanks to a top-flight cast and sharp direction by Robert Wise. The big heist is on, but Robert Ryan’s anger management problem all but assures doom and disaster. It’s Wise’s last gritty action picture before moving up to big-scale audience pleasers; he pulls off some slick images with film sensitive to infra-red light.
Odds Against Tomorrow
Blu-ray
Olive Films
1959 / B&W / 1:77 widescreen / 96 min. / Street Date May 29, 2018 / available through the Olive Films website / 24.95
Starring: Harry Belafonte, Robert Ryan, Shelley Winters, Ed Begley, Gloria Grahame, Will Kuluva, Kim Hamilton, Mae Barnes, Richard Bright, Carmen De Lavallade, Lew Gallo, Lois Thorne, Wayne Rogers, Zohra Lampert, Mel Stewart, Cicely Tyson.
Cinematography: Joseph C. Brun
Film Editor: Dede Allen
Original Music: John Lewis
Written by John O. Killens (fronting for Abraham Polonsky), Nelson Gidding,...
Odds Against Tomorrow
Blu-ray
Olive Films
1959 / B&W / 1:77 widescreen / 96 min. / Street Date May 29, 2018 / available through the Olive Films website / 24.95
Starring: Harry Belafonte, Robert Ryan, Shelley Winters, Ed Begley, Gloria Grahame, Will Kuluva, Kim Hamilton, Mae Barnes, Richard Bright, Carmen De Lavallade, Lew Gallo, Lois Thorne, Wayne Rogers, Zohra Lampert, Mel Stewart, Cicely Tyson.
Cinematography: Joseph C. Brun
Film Editor: Dede Allen
Original Music: John Lewis
Written by John O. Killens (fronting for Abraham Polonsky), Nelson Gidding,...
- 5/29/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Unsung actress Beverly Garland becomes TV’s first lady cop, in what’s claimed to be the first TV show filmed on the streets of New York City. This one-season wonder from 1957 has vintage locations, fairly tough-minded storylines and solid performances, from Bev and a vast gallery of stage and TV actors on the way up.
Decoy
(Policewoman Decoy)
TV Series
DVD
Film Chest Media
1957-’58 / B&W / 1:33 flat full frame (TV) / 39 x 30 min. / Street Date May 30, 2017 / 19.98
Starring: Beverly Garland
Art Direction (some episodes): Mel Bourne
Original Music: Wladimir Selinsky
Written by Lillian Andrews, Nicholas E. Baehr, Cy Chermak, Jerome Coopersmith, Don Ettlinger, Frances Frankel, Steven Gardner, Abram S. Ginnes, Mel Goldberg, Saul Levitt, Leon Tokatyan
Produced by Arthur H. Singer, David Alexander, Stuart Rosenberg, Everett Rosenthal
Directed by Teddy Sills, Stuart Rosenberg, David Alexander, Michael Gordon, Don Medford, Arthur H. Singer, Marc Daniels
How did I experience...
Decoy
(Policewoman Decoy)
TV Series
DVD
Film Chest Media
1957-’58 / B&W / 1:33 flat full frame (TV) / 39 x 30 min. / Street Date May 30, 2017 / 19.98
Starring: Beverly Garland
Art Direction (some episodes): Mel Bourne
Original Music: Wladimir Selinsky
Written by Lillian Andrews, Nicholas E. Baehr, Cy Chermak, Jerome Coopersmith, Don Ettlinger, Frances Frankel, Steven Gardner, Abram S. Ginnes, Mel Goldberg, Saul Levitt, Leon Tokatyan
Produced by Arthur H. Singer, David Alexander, Stuart Rosenberg, Everett Rosenthal
Directed by Teddy Sills, Stuart Rosenberg, David Alexander, Michael Gordon, Don Medford, Arthur H. Singer, Marc Daniels
How did I experience...
- 5/16/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
GetTV is getting you a little something extra to ring in the New Year. The first and only season of The Girl with Something Extra TV show is coming to getTV, Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 7:20am Et. NBC premiered the series in 1973 and cancelled it after only one season of 22 episodes.The Girl with Something Extra starred Sally Field as Sally Burton, a newlywed with Esp. John Davidson played her husband John Burton. When he learns about his wife's abilities, wackiness ensues. Zohra Lampert and Jack Sheldon also starred. Guest stars included: Henry Jones, Teri Garr, Farrah Fawcett, Pat Harrington Jr., Don Knotts, Dick Van Patten, and Merv Griffin. Read More…...
- 12/29/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' 2015: Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer. 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' movie is a domestic box office bomb: Will it be saved by international filmgoers? Directed by Sherlock Holmes' Guy Ritchie and toplining Man of Steel star Henry Cavill and The Lone Ranger costar Armie Hammer, the Warner Bros. release The Man from U.N.C.L.E. has been a domestic box office disaster, performing about 25 percent below – already quite modest – expectations. (See also: “'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' Movie: Bigger Box Office Flop Than Expected.”) This past weekend, the $80 million-budget The Man from U.N.C.L.E. collected a meager $13.42 million from 3,638 North American theaters, averaging $3,689 per site. After five days out, the big-screen reboot of the popular 1960s television series starring Robert Vaughn and David McCallum has taken in a mere $16.77 million. For comparison's sake:...
- 8/19/2015
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
Top 100 horror movies of all time: Chicago Film Critics' choices (photo: Sigourney Weaver and Alien creature show us that life is less horrific if you don't hold grudges) See previous post: A look at the Chicago Film Critics Association's Scariest Movies Ever Made. Below is the list of the Chicago Film Critics's Top 100 Horror Movies of All Time, including their directors and key cast members. Note: this list was first published in October 2006. (See also: Fay Wray, Lee Patrick, and Mary Philbin among the "Top Ten Scream Queens.") 1. Psycho (1960) Alfred Hitchcock; with Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam. 2. The Exorcist (1973) William Friedkin; with Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Jason Miller, Max von Sydow (and the voice of Mercedes McCambridge). 3. Halloween (1978) John Carpenter; with Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Tony Moran. 4. Alien (1979) Ridley Scott; with Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt. 5. Night of the Living Dead (1968) George A. Romero; with Marilyn Eastman,...
- 10/31/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Beginning on Halloween night and running through November 7th, New York's Lincoln Center is once again playing host to a horror film festival called Scary Movies, which will see both world premieres of new horror films as well as screenings of genre faves from the past.
With oodles of filmmakers in attendance, and tons of movies being shown, it looks to be another can't miss event. Read on for all the details!
From the Press Release
The Film Society of Lincoln Center’s annual horror fest Scary Movies returns for its 7th edition featuring several U.S. and New York City premieres among its lineup of highly anticipated horror films and thrillers, genre rarities and fan favorites. Appearances include filmmakers Eli Roth, Andrew van den Houten, Cliff Prowse and Derek Lee.
Among the nine U.S. or NYC premieres are; Lucky McKee and Chris Sivertson’s high school horror-revenge film...
With oodles of filmmakers in attendance, and tons of movies being shown, it looks to be another can't miss event. Read on for all the details!
From the Press Release
The Film Society of Lincoln Center’s annual horror fest Scary Movies returns for its 7th edition featuring several U.S. and New York City premieres among its lineup of highly anticipated horror films and thrillers, genre rarities and fan favorites. Appearances include filmmakers Eli Roth, Andrew van den Houten, Cliff Prowse and Derek Lee.
Among the nine U.S. or NYC premieres are; Lucky McKee and Chris Sivertson’s high school horror-revenge film...
- 10/16/2013
- by John Squires
- DreadCentral.com
Natalie Wood: Hot Hollywood star in the ’60s - TCM schedule on August 18, 2013 See previous post: “Natalie Wood Movies: From loving Warren Beatty to stripping like Gypsy Rose Lee.” 3:00 Am The Star (1952). Director: Stuart Heisler. Cast: Bette Davis, Sterling Hayden, Natalie Wood, Warner Anderson, Minor Watson, June Travis, Paul Frees, Robert Warrick, Barbara Lawrence, Fay Baker, Herb Vigran, Marie Blake, Sam Harris, Marcia Mae Jones. Bw-90 mins. 4:30 Am A Cry In The Night (1956). Director: Frank Tuttle. Cast: Edmond O’Brien, Brian Donlevy, Natalie Wood. Bw-75 mins. 6:00 Am West Side Story (1961). Director: Robert Wise. Cast: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, Simon Oakland, Ned Glass, William Bramley, Tucker Smith, Tony Mordente, David Winters, Eliot Feld, John Bert Michaels, David Bean, Robert Banas, Anthony ‘Scooter’ Teague, Harvey Evans aka Harvey Hohnecker, Tommy Abbott, Susan Oakes, Gina Trikonis, Carole D’Andrea, Jose De Vega, Jay Norman,...
- 8/18/2013
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Tfh Fan Week with Steve Senski! concludes at Trailers from Hell, with Kickstarter backer Senski introducing John Hancock's "Let's Scare Jessica to Death," starring the mercurial Zohra Lampert as a former medical patient terrified she's losing her mind when she sees apparitions at a Connecticut farmhouse -- or does she? Hancock's debut is scary comfort food for hordes of horror fans who first encountered it on Creature Features, and enjoys a fan following larger than its so-so critical reception would indicate.
- 8/16/2013
- by Trailers From Hell
- Thompson on Hollywood
Directed by: Pat Tremblay
Written by: Pat Tremblay
Starring: Navin Pratap, Jamie Abrams
I’ve never been a fan of online reviews in which the writer eviscerates a film with unbridled nastiness.
These are often first-person tirades about how difficult the film was to endure and how they would rather "put an arm in a meat grinder, poke an eye out with a stick" or some other such intolerable action rather than watch the film again. I don’t believe that these kinds of “reviews” are productive or very fair to the people involved. But about 20 minutes into Hellacious Acres: The Case of John Glass, my mind began composing the very kind of snarky, mean-spirited essay I hold in such contempt. Quite frankly, my time may have been better spent with that meat grinder…
I watch a lot of really terrible independent films, many of them of the horror and science fiction variety.
Written by: Pat Tremblay
Starring: Navin Pratap, Jamie Abrams
I’ve never been a fan of online reviews in which the writer eviscerates a film with unbridled nastiness.
These are often first-person tirades about how difficult the film was to endure and how they would rather "put an arm in a meat grinder, poke an eye out with a stick" or some other such intolerable action rather than watch the film again. I don’t believe that these kinds of “reviews” are productive or very fair to the people involved. But about 20 minutes into Hellacious Acres: The Case of John Glass, my mind began composing the very kind of snarky, mean-spirited essay I hold in such contempt. Quite frankly, my time may have been better spent with that meat grinder…
I watch a lot of really terrible independent films, many of them of the horror and science fiction variety.
- 5/11/2012
- by Bradley Harding
- Planet Fury
by Colleen Wanglund, MoreHorror.com
Based on the short story “Carmilla” by Irish writer Sheridan Le Fanu, Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971) is a low-budget horror film directed by John D. Hancock (Bang the Drum Slowly {1973}). It stars Zohra Lampert as Jessica, a woman who was recently released from a mental institution. Jessica, her husband Duncan (Barton Heyman) and family friend Woody (Kevin O’Connor) move to a country farmhouse on an island in Connecticut. Their reception by the residents of the small town is a cool and strange one, but doesn’t put them off. Upon their arrival at the farmhouse, the trio meets a squatting hippie named Emily (Mariclare Costello), whom they allow to stay the night. Emily suggests they have a séance and as a result, Jessica begins to hear voices.
Ultimately Emily is asked to stay indefinitely and Jessica begins to experience more strange happenings. The...
Based on the short story “Carmilla” by Irish writer Sheridan Le Fanu, Let's Scare Jessica to Death (1971) is a low-budget horror film directed by John D. Hancock (Bang the Drum Slowly {1973}). It stars Zohra Lampert as Jessica, a woman who was recently released from a mental institution. Jessica, her husband Duncan (Barton Heyman) and family friend Woody (Kevin O’Connor) move to a country farmhouse on an island in Connecticut. Their reception by the residents of the small town is a cool and strange one, but doesn’t put them off. Upon their arrival at the farmhouse, the trio meets a squatting hippie named Emily (Mariclare Costello), whom they allow to stay the night. Emily suggests they have a séance and as a result, Jessica begins to hear voices.
Ultimately Emily is asked to stay indefinitely and Jessica begins to experience more strange happenings. The...
- 11/19/2011
- by admin
- MoreHorror
[Above pic from Alucarda; see below]
Horror remakes are like those annoying, Jack-Daniels-filled uncles who get off on pushing other folks’ buttons—you shouldn’t encourage them. Superlative examples (1982’s The Thing, 2004’s Dawn of the Dead, 2006’s The Hills Have Eyes and last year’s The Last House on the Left) bless local AMC venues few and far between, and must wade through the muddy tracks left by atrocities such as The Fog, Friday the 13th, The Hitcher and Friday the 13th. And, no, the fact that those last two come from Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes factory is not lost here. As more second-tries are greenlit throughout Hollywood and the majority premiere to scathing reviews overshadowed by profitable opening weekend grosses, horror heads will continually be subjected to soul-crushing decimations of nostalgic favorites.
It’s a downward spiral that shows no signs of concluding. The hypnotic, twirling white lines seen during the opening credits of The Twilight Zone,...
Horror remakes are like those annoying, Jack-Daniels-filled uncles who get off on pushing other folks’ buttons—you shouldn’t encourage them. Superlative examples (1982’s The Thing, 2004’s Dawn of the Dead, 2006’s The Hills Have Eyes and last year’s The Last House on the Left) bless local AMC venues few and far between, and must wade through the muddy tracks left by atrocities such as The Fog, Friday the 13th, The Hitcher and Friday the 13th. And, no, the fact that those last two come from Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes factory is not lost here. As more second-tries are greenlit throughout Hollywood and the majority premiere to scathing reviews overshadowed by profitable opening weekend grosses, horror heads will continually be subjected to soul-crushing decimations of nostalgic favorites.
It’s a downward spiral that shows no signs of concluding. The hypnotic, twirling white lines seen during the opening credits of The Twilight Zone,...
- 2/23/2010
- by Matt Barone
- ReelLoop.com
NEW YORK -- The most tragic thing about this wonderful film is that it reinforces the loss of one of our most gifted, insightful filmmakers. John Cassavetes was unique in his visions and his films. His probing imagination and vast talents are boldly displayed in ''Opening Night,'' a 1978 film that is finally making its long overdue New York premiere.
Certain to be a hit among the art-house crowd, ''Opening Night'' is a quirky, funny and absurd tragedy that boasts an incredible cast and an equally incredible array of memorable characters.
The film is about a play and its impact on all involved. Gena Rowlands is splendid as Myrtle Gordon, a famed actress who is not dealing well with the prospect of growing old. This personal dilemma has reached cataclysmic proportions, bringing the fate of the play as well as the sanity of everyone around Myrtle into question.
The film starts out in New Haven, Conn., just prior to the play's Broadway opening. One night, after an obviously draining performance, Myrtle exits the theater and is practically attacked by an adoring fan. This young girl claws at Myrtle and tells her how much she loves her. With surprising compassion, Myrtle hugs the young girl, then is guided into her limo, leaving the young fan crying in the rain. As the limo pulls off we witness through the rear window the girl being struck and killed by a car.
It is a potent scene, leaving its mark on the startled viewer and also on Myrtle. She is worried about the girl, but her entourage whisks her away. This event turns out to be the catalyst for a series of emotional breakdowns and breakthroughs that affect Myrtle's ability to perform on stage. This elicits a curious mixed bag of compassion and hate from her co-stars, director, producer and writer.
Taking on most of the burden is Manny (Ben Gazzara), Myrtle's director, confidante and shrink. He tries to balance this unbalanced actress and placate his jealous wife, Dorothy (Zohra Lampert), who vies for just some of the attention Manny showers on Myrtle. Gazzara, as always, turns in a powerful, credible performance.
Also on the sidelines are the play's author, Sarah (Joan Blondell), and the producer, David (Paul Stewart), who hate and love Myrtle, respectively. These two experienced actors add a nice touch of much needed stability.
Last, but by no means least, is Cassavetes himself. He plays Maurice, Myrtle's cocky, sleazy co-star, who spurns her affections then wonders why she despises him so. Cassavetes' trademark laugh and smirk are a joy to behold as is his understated intensity. It's always good to see him in front of the camera as well as behind it.
But it is Rowlands who dominates this film. As in ''A Woman Under the Influence, '' she again reveals an uncanny ability to lay bare her character's tortured soul, only this time she (and Cassavetes) blends it with a nice mix of humor and pathos.
A believer in realism, Cassavetes occasionally infuses his material with tedious and uncomfortable, hard-to-watch situations that effectively draw the viewer into the action. He refreshingly shows us the ugly side of things along with the beautiful. ''Opening Night'' definitely gets weird in parts, but so does life. Ultimately, it is an engrossing, important film that should have opened a long time ago.
OPENING NIGHT
Castle Hill Prods.
Director-writer John Cassavetes
Director of photography Al Ruban
Editor Tom Cornwell
Music Bo Harwood
Color
Cast:
Myrtle Gena Rowlands
Manny Ben Gazzara
Maurice John Cassavetes
Sarah Joan Blondell
David Paul Stewart
Dorothy Zohra Lampert
Running time -- 144 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
Certain to be a hit among the art-house crowd, ''Opening Night'' is a quirky, funny and absurd tragedy that boasts an incredible cast and an equally incredible array of memorable characters.
The film is about a play and its impact on all involved. Gena Rowlands is splendid as Myrtle Gordon, a famed actress who is not dealing well with the prospect of growing old. This personal dilemma has reached cataclysmic proportions, bringing the fate of the play as well as the sanity of everyone around Myrtle into question.
The film starts out in New Haven, Conn., just prior to the play's Broadway opening. One night, after an obviously draining performance, Myrtle exits the theater and is practically attacked by an adoring fan. This young girl claws at Myrtle and tells her how much she loves her. With surprising compassion, Myrtle hugs the young girl, then is guided into her limo, leaving the young fan crying in the rain. As the limo pulls off we witness through the rear window the girl being struck and killed by a car.
It is a potent scene, leaving its mark on the startled viewer and also on Myrtle. She is worried about the girl, but her entourage whisks her away. This event turns out to be the catalyst for a series of emotional breakdowns and breakthroughs that affect Myrtle's ability to perform on stage. This elicits a curious mixed bag of compassion and hate from her co-stars, director, producer and writer.
Taking on most of the burden is Manny (Ben Gazzara), Myrtle's director, confidante and shrink. He tries to balance this unbalanced actress and placate his jealous wife, Dorothy (Zohra Lampert), who vies for just some of the attention Manny showers on Myrtle. Gazzara, as always, turns in a powerful, credible performance.
Also on the sidelines are the play's author, Sarah (Joan Blondell), and the producer, David (Paul Stewart), who hate and love Myrtle, respectively. These two experienced actors add a nice touch of much needed stability.
Last, but by no means least, is Cassavetes himself. He plays Maurice, Myrtle's cocky, sleazy co-star, who spurns her affections then wonders why she despises him so. Cassavetes' trademark laugh and smirk are a joy to behold as is his understated intensity. It's always good to see him in front of the camera as well as behind it.
But it is Rowlands who dominates this film. As in ''A Woman Under the Influence, '' she again reveals an uncanny ability to lay bare her character's tortured soul, only this time she (and Cassavetes) blends it with a nice mix of humor and pathos.
A believer in realism, Cassavetes occasionally infuses his material with tedious and uncomfortable, hard-to-watch situations that effectively draw the viewer into the action. He refreshingly shows us the ugly side of things along with the beautiful. ''Opening Night'' definitely gets weird in parts, but so does life. Ultimately, it is an engrossing, important film that should have opened a long time ago.
OPENING NIGHT
Castle Hill Prods.
Director-writer John Cassavetes
Director of photography Al Ruban
Editor Tom Cornwell
Music Bo Harwood
Color
Cast:
Myrtle Gena Rowlands
Manny Ben Gazzara
Maurice John Cassavetes
Sarah Joan Blondell
David Paul Stewart
Dorothy Zohra Lampert
Running time -- 144 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
- 5/21/1991
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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