Quiz Show

Quiz Show (Robert Redford, 1994)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Based on True Events, 1950s, Television, Law, Courtroom, Crime, Philosophical

I'm not sure how this one slipped my radar, but Quiz Show is a great film that I really enjoyed. I didn't live during the early days of television, but I know a little bit about the absolute hold shows had on people. This time gave birth to celebrity-ism and brought scandal to a whole new level.

I think I liked this film more for the philosophical/ethical issues it raised than the actual story line. It was interesting to see how people wrestle with truth vs. fact vs. fiction/entertainment. And the issues of race and class were also fascinating and disappointing. We are a strange species.

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Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (Rian Johnson, 2017)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Science Fantasy, Saga, Action

Compared to Episode VII, I was thoroughly impressed (see my previous post here). This Star Wars installment might be my favorite and the most "complete" story. The visuals were beautiful, awe-inspiring, and epic. Almost all the narrative questions I had in all the previous episodes were answered--finally! This was a perfect balance of nostalgia, character development, and potential. I think watching both Episode VII and VII together will be fantastic.

This story seems to be a beginning as much as an ending, which is a personal favorite kind of narrative strategy. Excited for more!

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My Life as a Zucchini

My Life as a Zucchini (Claude Barras, 2016)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Claymation, Coming of Age, Adoption, Complex Relationships

What a lovely story about coping, grief, friendship, and family. Love comes in many shapes and forms and we all encounter hardship at some point in our childhood. This is a refreshingly simple and honest film about the importance of sharing and finding comfort in relationships.

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Death Comes to Pemberley

Death Comes to Pemberley (2013)

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Rating: DSQ=9, SP=4 / Average Snack

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=2, Scale E=2

Miniseries, BBC, Mystery, Crime, Romance, Based on Book

A fun adaptation of the P.D. James novel which continues the story of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Set in 1803 Britain, a unsolved murder brings out scandals and intrigue and secrets galore. Of course, all the reputation "tainting" that murder and scandal  brings to elite families must be dealt with. An excellent cast and script. Enjoyable.

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FAVORITES: American Graffiti, Radio Days, and Rio Bravo

FAVORITES for November & December:

American Graffiti (George Lucas, 1973)

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Rating: Q=8, P=8 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4

Coming of Age, 1960s, Romance, Complex Relationships

Why is it a Favorite?
Early rock 'n' roll? High school? Radio? What's not to love about this? I truly fell in love with American Graffiti as a new graduate student teaching a History of Rock 'n' Roll course. One day I asked the professor if he'd let me teach a unit on music in film, specifically watching clips from American Graffiti to illustrate the concepts. It was also a perfect way to talk about how music and technology changes our culture and is still constantly changing and shaping it. He, of course, said "yes" and I had a blast sharing this great film three years in a row.

It's a thoughtful, nostalgic look at growing up in a very specific time (in this case, 1962). The music on the radio is, arguably, the best character.

Radio Days (Woody Allen, 1987)

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Rating: Q=7, P=8 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4

Coming of Age, Family, Autobiographical/Memoir, 1940s, Comedy

Why is it a Favorite?
Woody Allen is one of my favorite directors, mostly because of his silliness and fearlessness in writing what he wants. While I don't love all of his films, I do really gravitate toward the stories that are about the past. Radio Days is Woody Allen's memoir, so to speak--a glorious collection of stories from his childhood. They are funny and thoughtful stories that run parallel to another story about a society revolved around the radio. Much like in American Graffiti, the radio is a character and certain songs bring to mind very specific moments.

Plus Radio Days just has so hilarious scenes and great acting. A warm, fuzzy movie.

Rio Bravo (Howard Hawkes, 1959)

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Rating: Q=7, P=8 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4

Neo-Western, Witty, Comedy

Why is it a Favorite?
Another favorite writer, Howard Hawkes, was introduced to me as a film student. One of my courses was completely devoted to the director and was also comparative. We watching Rio Bravo and I fell in love. It's my favorite Western, though it's quite different from most other films of that genre. I love that the main characters feel like a family and somehow seem more real than usual good guys and bad guys. There is depth in the witty dialogue, a completeness to the plot, and surprises in the acting. Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson? And Walter Brennan? :)

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Interstellar

Interstellar (Christopher Nolan, 2014)

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Rating: Q=8, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Future, Science Fiction, Exploration, Philosophical, Thriller, Psychological

I knew before watching Interstellar about the praise that much of the scientific community gave the film. So, I had high hopes that I'd enjoy the story and the concepts. Well, I certainly did. I loved every minute of the story, was mesmerized by the cinematography and art direction, and sat on the edge of my seat for most of the amazing sequences. Thinking about what lies beyond our galaxy is fascinating, but even more fascinating is seeing an interpretation of phenomena we haven't experienced. Black holes, worm holes, the event horizon, etc. Wow. Probably the most mind-bending part, for me anyway, was tackling relativity and time. Not many films really portray this part well (or accurately) but Christopher Nolan definitely did. And knowing that many physicists agree the film's story is plausible makes it all the more exciting.

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