MCM Resolve Celluloid- John Goodman in The Gambler (2014)

“To go all in one last time or else…”

The Gambler revolves around Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a Literature professor.  However, Jim has a secret:  he is a compulsive gambler in the hole for $2.5  million.  He owes Roberta (Jessica Lange), his mother, an apology for his vice and endangering his family.  However, he owes a total of $2.5 million to Mr. Lee, Neville Baraka, and Henry.  Mr. Lee (Alvin Ing) is a Korean mob boss and is intimidating.  Baraka (Michael Kenneth Williams) is a bookie but is always about fixing the numbers.  Yet, Henry (John Goodman) trumps Lee and Baraka.  How you ask?  Henry holds the F**K You Card! He allows debtors one last chance after finite chance of repayment.

Bennett has seven days and a potential good luck charm.  The charm is named Amy Phillips (Brie Larson).  She is a promising lit major with the most potential of his students.  Will she be his saving grace?  Will Henry inflict his card on Jim?  Will Jim come to his senses?  One thing is for sure: life is a game of chance.

The Gambler is a remake of the 1974 film starring James Caan (yes, Sonny Corleone).  One thing is certain Mark Wahlberg is not Caan.  However, his saving grace comes to a great supporting ensemble.  Lange illuminates as Roberta and holds us with her dramatic charm.  Ing and Williams bring a great flare as diverse crime bosses.  Larson is a subtle, smoldering presence as Phillips.  She has the right balance to Wahlberg’s grit.  However, John Goodman gives the film’s darkest performance.  He makes viewers ask the following:  “Who was Dan Conner?”

The film has several snafus in regards of gambling etiquette.  In the first, Bennett curses and disgraces the Asian card dealer in an Asian casino.  Then, he has the stones to borrow more money from there after losing.  In real life, he would have been barred, arrested, and/or roughed up for such misbehavior.

The other situation involves a California Indian Casino.  Jim talks rudely to a blackjack dealer.  Also, he mocks a fellow gambler at the table.  Again, the real life consequences would be being barred and a potential ass kicking by the other gambler.

Overall, the film is average but is bolstered by Jessica Lange, Brie Larson, and John Goodman.  The underworld casino sequences are well conceived but Wahlberg’s character behavior discounts them.

John Goodman is a St. Louis, Missouri native.  He attended Missouri State University, played football, and earned a B.F.A. in Drama in 1975.  During his tenure there, he studied with actresses Kathleen Turner and Tess Harper.  After a football injury, he decided to leave Missouri for New York City.  He struggled with menial work as a bartender and waiter.  However, he broke through with voice-overs, commercials, and plays.  His national breakthrough commercial was for Skin Bracer by Mennen.  However, his most notable role was Papa Finn in Big River.  It earned him a Drama Desk nod and a spot on the Original Cast Recording.

He has appeared in numerous films including Revenge of the Nerds, Arachnophobia, and Monsters, Inc.  However, his best known role is Dan Conner from Roseanne.  He earned a Golden Globe Award and Seven Emmy Nominations for this role.  Finally, he won an Emmy for Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2007 for Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

He is a regular collaborator with the Coen Brothers.  He has appeared including Raising Arizona, The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou, & Inside Llewyn Davis.  He has hosted Saturday Night Live a total of 14 times.  He made notable appearances as Linda Tripp during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Recently, he has been seen on T.V in shows such as Damages and Treme.  He has appeared in the Oscar winning Argo and more recently in the Oscar nominated Trumbo.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Goodman

 

MCM Ensemble Celluloid- Foxcatcher (2014)

Foxcatcher is the true story of Olympic wrestlers, Dave and Mark Schultz. Dave and Mark’s relationship was strained in the mid-1980s following their Gold Medal wins. However, Mark (Channing Tatum) received a random call from an assistant of John Du Pont. Mr. du Pont expressed interest in hiring Mark and Dave as wrestling coaches. Mark accepted but Dave (Mark Ruffalo) had prior commitments. Upon arrival, John (Steve Carell) accepted Mark with open arms. This is the beginning of a beautifully, estranged arrangement.

Bennett Miller has directed a potboiler of a sports film. Steve Carell’s portrayal of du Pont is a sinister revelation. His askew appearance is courtesy of Oscar nominated makeup artists, Bill Corso and Dennis Liddiard. Channing Tatum shows us a great, dramatic side as Mark. Mark Ruffalo subtly shines as Dave Schultz.  The film earned 5 Oscar nominations including Best Actor for Steve Carell and Best Supporting Actor for Mark Ruffalo.  Viewers familiar/unfamiliar with wrestling will be drawn into this tangled relationship between The Schultz brothers and John du Pont.

Viewers may notice some parallels with John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”.  Dave Schultz and Mark Schultz are equal parts George Milton and Lennie Small.  Both men are smart but limited in their own business ventures like George Milton.  However, John Du Pont’s temptation made both brothers as gullible as Lennie Small.  Yet, John Du Pont is a strong businessman but mentally perplexed. He is possessed with jealousy and rage similar to Curley,  the Boss’ son.  In Foxcatcher, Jean du Pont, John’s mother, is parallel to the Boss. I have attached Wikipedia links on du Pont, The Schultz brothers, and “Of Mice and Men”for further reading.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_Mice_and_Men#Cinema

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Schultz_(wrestling)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Schultz_(wrestler)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Eleuth%C3%A8re_du_Pont

(This review contains some material written on June 3, 2015)

MCM Smart Ass Celluloid- Val Kilmer in Real Genius (1985)

Real Genius follows teen prodigy Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret) as he enters Pacific Tech.  Taylor is hand selected by Prof. Jerry Hathaway (William Atherton) to join Chris Knight (no, not Peter from The Brady Bunch but Val Kilmer) on a special project.  However, a guy in the closet (Jon Gries) and a cute girl named Jordan (Michelle Meyrink) are the least of his worries.  Kent (Robert Prescott), Hathaway’s kiss ass assistant, is a bigger worry along with finding a true calling.  Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?

Real Genius succeeded thanks to the witty script by Neal Israel (Bachelor Party), the late Pat Proft (Police Academy), and the late P.J. Torokvei (WKRP in Cincinnati).  Val Kilmer stole the film with slick wit and charm.  William Atherton provided a smug turn as Hathaway (yes, the same buzzkill from Bio Dome that didn’t know the difference between “Iron Man” and “Spiderman”).  Jarret was the perfect nerd to Kilmer’s cool.  The ending is still one of the most iconic of 1980’s comedies (Hint:  This film is probably a good reason that Jiffy-Pop is still manufactured).

Val Kilmer is best known for playing Iceman (no, not in X-Men) in Top Gun and Doc Holliday in Tombstone.  Real Genius was his follow-up to Top Secret!   Fans would be surprised to know that he passed up roles (listed in the link below) in films such as Dune, Blue Velvet, and Point Break.  Also, he turned down the role of Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing (not sure if would have been the same but most likely memorable).  Kilmer’s most recent film and T.V. roles have included The Spoils of Babylon, Psych, and MacGruber.  However, he succeeds best in playing atypical roles including a meth-addicted informant (The Salton Sea), Jim Morrison (The Doors), and Mentor aka Elvis Presley (True Romance).  Kilmer’s fans will be excited to find out he’s announced to reprise his role as Iceman in Top Gun 2.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000174/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t1

Man Crush Monday Sports Celluloid- Nick Nolte in North Dallas Forty (1979)

North Dallas Forty is based on Peter Gent’s novel about two aging NFL players, Phillip Elliott (Nick Nolte) and Seth Maxwell (Mac Davis).  Elliott is an accomplished wide receiver and Maxwell is the star quarterback for the North Dallas Bulls.  They enjoy playing hard on the field and partying even harder than that off the field.  However, the game is always changing and every week could be their last.  Conrad Butler Industries owns the team and is always looking towards the future.  Elliott has found someone with values that are atypical from his own.  Her name is Charlotte Caulder (Dayle Haddon) and she trains horses.  So, does Elliott play until the cows come home or field another option?

North Dallas Forty still scores on and off the screen.  The unfiltered point of view still rings true.  Players don’t smoke or drink in the locker rooms now. However, the pressure to stay in the game remains strong as ever.  Nick Nolte was phenomenal as Elliott. He brought a physicality and emotional strength that rung true.  Mac Davis went against his country/western persona to bring Maxwell to life.  His portrayal captured the unknown, locker room humor and brought it to the masses.  They were joined by a future Sloth (John Matuszak), a chauvinistic boss (Dabney Coleman), and a Texas Governor (Charles Durning). Ted Kotcheff (Law and Order:  Special Victims Unit) directed and co-wrote this revolutionary film.  His effort spawned such hits to come as Major League, Bull Durham, and Any Given Sunday.

Nick Nolte got his start with TV roles in such series as Emergency, Gunsmoke, and The Streets of San Francisco.  However, his big break came in the 1976 mini-series, Rich Man, Poor Man.  The role earned him an Emmy nomination for Best Actor in a Miniseries.  This would parlay into film roles including The Deep (with Jacqueline Bissett) and Who’ll Stop The Rain (with Michael Moriarty).  North Dallas Forty would continue the trend.  However, he’s best known for his roles in 48 Hours and Down and Out in Beverly Hills.  He has been nominated three times for an Oscar:  Best Actor for The Prince of Tides and Affliction and Best Supporting Actor for Warrior.  Nolte exhibits the range, class, and vulnerability that all actors yearn for.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Nolte

Man Crush Monday Mystery Celluloid- Ian McKellan in Mr. Holmes (2015)

What happens when the greatest detective begins to lose his memory?

Mr. Holmes is based on the novel A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin. Sherlock Holmes spends his days beekeeping and occasionally writing near the English seaside. Mrs. Munro and her son Roger take care of Holmes daily. Roger and Mr. Holmes share a mutual admiration for intellect and learning. Roger inquires about a woman’s picture that he has in his study. Holmes informs Roger that the woman is an unsolved case. Who was she? Will Mr. Holmes remember? Prepare to learn this and much more.

Director Bill Condon and Ian McKellan recapture the magic from 1998’s Gods and Monsters. McKellan is outstanding as Mr. Holmes and should receive a long overdue Oscar. Laura Linney is wonderful as Mrs. Munro and should win alongside McKellan. Milo Parker shines as Roger and acts beyond his years.

Mr. Holmes is one of 2015’s top ten films. Holmes will be remembered and mentioned at Oscar time. Viewers longing for artistry and storytelling will be thankful for this hidden gem.

Ian McKellan is best known as a renowned, Shakespearean actor.  However, he’s been twice nominated for an Oscar (Gods and Monsters (1998), Best Actor; Lord of the Rings:  The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Best Supporting Actor).  He is best known to most cinema goers as Magneto in the X-Men series and Gandolf in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

He’s also an openly, gay actor.  He was prompted to come out in 1988 after Margaret Thatcher proposed “Section 28” legislation.  The bill would have made “the public promotion of homosexuality illegal”.  He has been a huge supporter of gay rights ever since.

His performance in Gods and Monsters as James Whale was a strong statement in this favor.  Mr. Whale was himself a homosexual during a time when such behavior was deplorable.  McKellan’s Oscar nomination was significant because of his own orientation.  However, he brought his own style to this subtly, tragic role.

Viewers will always be drawn to great performances on the screen and the stage.  We also root for those who have overcame a great struggle and used their experience to inspire countless others.  Cheers, Ian for fighting and standing up for the LGBT community.

(Portions of this review were written on July 25, 2015)

MCM Timeless Celluloid- Harrison Ford in The Age of Adaline (2015)

The Age of Adaline is the tale of a woman born in 1906.  However, she undergoes a genetic alteration at age 29. The genetic alteration is the result of a freak car accident. Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) doesn’t age for the next 80 years. Her life is chronicled in flashbacks and in modern time.

She has spent her time since the accident fleeing for her life. If found by the authorities, Adaline fears that she’ll be captured and treated as an oddity.  The only woman who knows her secret is her daughter, Flemming (Ellen Burstyn). On New’s Year Eve 2014, Adaline meets someone new named Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman). Ellis is about to change her life in an unexpected way.

Adaline has great beauty and a pseudo docudrama style.  The great beauty is thanks to Angus Strathie’s costume design, Martina Javorova’s art direction, and David Lanzenberg’s cinematography.  Burstyn and Lively have great chemistry as daughter and mother.  This film radiates due to the diverse ensemble including Kathy Baker (Picket Fences), Michiel Huisman (Game of Thrones) and a heartfelt performance from Harrison Ford.

Whether viewers have been to San Francisco or reside there, Adaline shines a gleaming light on unseen treasures. The Age of Adaline does for San Francisco what The Curious Case of Benjamin Button did for New Orleans.  Also, Age is a great film for those fans of Turner Classic Movies seeking a taste of old Hollywood.

Harrison Ford began his career as a contract player in Hollywood on T.V. shows such as Ironsides and The Mod Squad.  However, he tired of secondary roles and was a master carpenter between parts.  His big break came in 1973’s American Graffiti directed by George Lucas.  Viewers will be surprised to learn that Lucas wrote Han Solo in Star Wars:  Episode IV- A New Hope (1977) for another actor.

However, Ford was screen testing other actors for Lucas.  He didn’t want Harrison (because he was already known) but eventually decided to let him be Solo.  The success of Star Wars led him to appear in Episode V:  The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Episode VI:  Return of the Jedi (1983).  In Episode V of Star Wars,  Han’s original line to Princess Leia before being placed in carbonite was “I love you, too.”  However, Ford suggested to change the line to “I Know.”  Millions of film fans are thankful for this improv and made Solo that much more alluring than before.

Indiana Jones wasn’t promised to Harrison Ford but instead to Tom Selleck.  However,  Selleck was committed to a new T.V. series entitled Magnum, P.I..  Lucas was reluctant to cast Ford because he didn’t want every film of his to be a Harrison Ford movie.  However, Selleck’s departure led to Steven Spielberg to suggest him to Lucas again.  Lucas gave in and the rest is cinematic history.  He portrayed Indiana Jones in four films:  Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).

Han Solo and Indiana Jones aren’t his only claims to fame.  Also, he won acclaim for his role as Jack Ryan in Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994).  He replaced Alec Baldwin who portrayed Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October (1990), a role that Ford declined.

However, he will reprise Han Solo once again in The Force Awakens (2015).  Whether he’s a intergalactic smuggler, an archaeologist, a C.I.A. agent, fans will continue to appreciate this man for generations to come.

MCM Role Reversal Celluloid- Antonio Banderas in The Skin I Live In (2011)

Remember hearing about doctors that do revolutionary surgery.  He is one and even more.

Le Piel Que Habito or The Skin That I Live In revolves around Dr. Robert Ledgard (Antonio Banderas), a gifted, plastic surgeon.  His work is renowned along with the humanitarian work that he performs.  However, he’s revolutionized a process called transgenesis transferring pig cells to human cells.  It is nicknamed Gal after his late wife who was tragically burned.  He lives in a beautiful mansion with a maid named Marilia (Marisa Paredes) and an alluring woman named Vera Cruz (Elena Anaya).  The alluring woman is being held captive as an amoral test subject for transgenesis.

Everything seems okay until one day a man named Zeca shows up.  He is the son of Marilia and is in need of refuge because of a jewelry heist.  Also, Zeca is seeking to have his face reconstructed to avoid prosecution and escape.  He decides to hold the maid hostage but is obsessed by the beautiful Vera on the television monitors.  Then, he begins to proceed through the house in search of her.  When she’s found, he begins to sexually assault her.  The maid is unable to stop him until Dr. Ledgard returns home.  Ledgard goes into the room and kills Zeca much to the dismay of Marilia, who wanted them both killed.

Dr. Ledgard’s life wasn’t always this complicated.  It was once simpler than it is now.  He once had a loving wife named Gal and a daughter named Norma (Blanca Suarez).  However, nothing is as it seems here. Who is Vera really?  What happened to Norma?

The Skin I Live In is a thrilling departure for Pedro Almodovar.  The film is a based on the novel Tarantula by Thierry Jonquet.  Pedro’s films are usually lighter fare but Agustin Almodovar collaborated on this darker script.  His lighter films include Bad Education, Volver, and Talk to Her.  He has earned two Oscars, one for All About My Mother (1999 Oscar for Best Foreign Film) and the other for Talk to Her (2002 Oscar for Best Original Screenplay).  He knows how to take a decade or more long tela novela and make it into an enjoyable film.  Oh, he’s openly gay and his characters have neurotic tendencies similar to Woody Allen’s scripts.

Skin crawls creepily in thanks to Antonio Banderas.  Banderas steps out of his usual romantic persona and shines in this atypical thriller.  His breakthrough Spanish role was in Almodovar’s Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down as a mentally challenged man holding a woman hostage.  However, American audiences met him in this film and his first English language film, The Mambo Kings.  He didn’t breakout in American cinema until his role in Desperado as El Mariachi.  Then, he drew bigger acclaim as Che in Evita and Zorro in The Mask of Zorro.  His largest claim to fame is as Puss in Boots in the Shrek films.  However, he has found time to appear on Broadway in Nine (2003) as Guido Contini and Zorba (2012) as the title character.

Fans should yearn to see more villainous roles from Banderas in the future.