Comments on: Film on TV: November 23-29

By: Andrew James

Andrew James — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:02:55 +0000

http://www.rowthree.com/2009/11/19/there-is-a-reason-to-watch-snl-this-weekend/

By: Jandy Stone

Jandy Stone — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:57:41 +0000

Oh, wow, they even built the set and everything! And you’re right, I was expecting it to be on hulu (not that helps you Canadians much) but it says the monologue isn’t available due to music clearance issues. BOO.

Also, The Ruling Class is on Netflix Instant Watch! *added* I’ve seriously not heard of this film. It’s ’70s, that’s why – my ’70s knowledge is woefully lacking.

By: Leeny

Leeny — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:56:25 +0000

@Kurt No I have not seen ROMANCE & CIGARETTES, but its now on the disturbingly long list of films I must hunt down. Row Three…you are responsible for way too many films on the list.

By: Kurt Halfyard

Kurt Halfyard — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:31:52 +0000

...Speaking of Donald O'Connor, I was just informed that JGL did his make 'em laugh bit from Singing in the Rain on SNL. Sweet. watch it before it disappears into the copyrighted music ether on Youtube.

By: rot

rot — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:15:08 +0000

Once again I agree with Jandy, Bonnie & Clyde is a perfect film, the great discovery for me from the last marathon. Tarantino dialogue, particularly True Romance, feels highly influenced by Bonnie & Clyde.

My shameful list:

My Fair Lady, MASH, All About Eve, most David Mamet and Billy Wilder films

everyone should see The Ruling Class.

By: Jandy

Jandy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:44:07 +0000

OMFG, you haven't seen Bonnie & Clyde, either? Heh, I'm going to stop now, because my List of Shame is pretty...shameful. We should all air our lists of shame and make a resolution to see them all next year. (Mine includes The Godfather, Part 2, The Exorcist, Raging Bull, and Apocalypse Now - all things that I really need to remedy now that I'm becoming more and more fascinated with New Hollywood.) Kurt, I think pretty much every second of Bonnie & Clyde is perfect - I can't think of one thing I'd change about it that would make it any better. On my latest rewatch of it, it surpassed Rear Window as my favorite film of all time (Rear Window's been in that spot for a decade, probably). Hmm, I haven't seen The Ruling Class. I'll have to check it out. I'm a fan, generally, of films that defy categorization. And Kurt, I'm DYING to see Hipsters. I read about it in the TIFF guide, and was immediately jealous of you for getting to see it. And Romance & Cigarettes has been on my low-level radar for a while; maybe I'll have to move it up.

By: Kurt Halfyard

Kurt Halfyard — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:11:54 +0000

Bonnie and Clyde is an interesting one to see for the first time in the 21st century. Because the film was really the beginning of a (now very well worn) formula, it will seem quite clunky and bloated at first.

But boy, oh, boy, the ending of the film has not aged a day. It still retains incredible impact for me, no matter how many times I watch the film.

By: Andrew James

Andrew James — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:55:47 +0000

I think Kurt and I once did a top 5 movies we're most embarrassed we haven't seen. Along with Space Balls and It's a Wonderful Life (which I've remedied) I think Singin' was in that list. Now on to Bonnie and Clyde. :O

By: Kurt Halfyard

Kurt Halfyard — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:40:24 +0000

And it it ever becomes widely available (and it should, daminit!) the Russian Musical “HIPSTERS” is pretty awesome.

By: Kurt Halfyard

Kurt Halfyard — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:39:35 +0000

I think it is the whole ‘film history in miniature’ silent-to-talky element that makes Singing In The Rain trump the usual other musicals.

Leeny, have you seen John Turturro’s ROMANCE & CIGARETTES, it is a more vintage feeling musical than the modern stuff (Moulin Rouge! Chicago, Nine, etc.)

By: rot

rot — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:39:31 +0000

Ruling Class, a musical? huh, I guess so, there are a couple songs in it, but that film defies categorization.

By: howard green

howard green — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:37:26 +0000

I much prefer the ’56 version of “The Man Who Knew Too Much’ with Doris Day and James Stewart. It’s a fast-paced, suspense-filled mystery that, to me, is on a par with Hitchcock’s finest. The performances are great, and the scene at Royal Albert Hall (I think that’s what it’s called) is one of the most suspenseful in movie history … no dialogue, and absolutely gripping. Don’t miss it!

By: Leeny

Leeny — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:35:15 +0000

I’ll join the chorus on praising Singing in the Rain. Its #3 on my Top 5 musical movies list. I still think Ruling class, and My Fair Lady are better.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:27:05 +0000

Singing in the Rain is still my favourite Musical. Long live Donald O’Connor!

By: rot

rot — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:31:05 +0000

I second Jandy’s WTF, Singin’ In The Rain is one of the most enjoyable films you will ever see. Its also very funny, which is unusual for a film from 1952, the comedy is usually dated, but Singin’ sidesteps that problem.

“I’ve had one motto I’ve always lived by: Dignity. Always dignity.” classic.

By: Jandy

Jandy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:43:58 +0000

YOU HAVE NOT SEEN SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN? I disown you. Right here. Right now. At least until Saturday, when you have a chance to rectify this grievous oversight.

Be sure to let us know what you thought if you watch it…I literally can’t remember the first time I saw it, so it’d be fun to hear your perspective.

By: Andrew James

Andrew James — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:10:51 +0000

One Verhoeven’s best films that I still have only seen the one time. Got my DVR already set. Thanks!

And I still have not seen “Singin in the Rain.” Now’s my chance.

And two of the best films of the oughts: Squid and the Whale and Volver. Nice!