The Whole Shootin' Match was a great film! This regional film earned a lot of attention when it was first released in the late 70's and I can completely understand why. It was shot in Austin, TX and tells the story of a couple of guys living in central Texas trying to find their place in this world. Even with a low budget the film was able to catch the attention of the audience with the chemistry of the two main characters Frank played by Sonny Carl Davis and Lloyd played by Lou Perryman. They play best friends in the film and are constantly finding themselves down on their luck. I didn't expect much when I knew that this film was a regional low budget film but the outcome really impressed me. After learning about a little bit of the background of the director Eagle Pennell and the making of the film I felt that the crew did an amazing job with the little resources they had. This film captures the simplicity of the life in rural Texas. The film mainly focuses on the life of Frank and the everyday problems he encounters with his wife and son along with trying to find something he can be successful at. When the burden becomes too much he turns to Lloyd and the two best friends go out for a night on the town to relieve themselves of the pressures they face. These characters have something that I feel many people can relate to. They obviously don't live perfect lives and are in search of making something more of themselves. I couldn't help but love these characters, although many may find faults in them. I wouldn't refer to them as losers but instead more as the average person. That is really why I enjoyed this film.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Days of Heaven
(1978)
love triangle drama
7 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Days of Heaven is a movie filled with drama and follows the lies and love of a young couple and their search for a happy life. I felt that the overall theme of the film was the generic "do anything for love" that is portrayed by the actions of the main female character, Abby, because of the strong love (or attachment) she has with Bill. Even though Bill might have good intentions when making decisions looking at the life he wants for the both of them, it is hard to sympathize with his character when he consistently shows qualities that are
not so great. He has a bad temper, jealous, and overall selfish. And yet, Abby continues to stay by his side and proves to be loyal to him even in the worst of circumstances perhaps in the name of love. It's hard to judge her character when it comes to the love triangle involving the wealthy farmer who owns the land they work on especially because Bill convinces her to make those actions. However, as the ending proves, the couple will do anything for love. The film had its moments and kept me entertained but one thing that is worth pointing out is the frequent landscape shots used. The setting of the movie took place in the central Panhandle of Texas and the film has a lot of beautiful imagery in the many times it shows the audience the landscapes on the farm. I feel that the average movie goers would find themselves enjoying what the film has to offer. It is a drama that has love, jealousy, murder, suspense and passion. Who wouldn't be interested in the love triangle that sparks all of these elements? Days of Heaven is a film that can be enjoyed by anyone who takes interest in watching dramas unfold.
It's Always Fair Weather
(1955)
enjoyable musical
7 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
It's Always Fair Weather is an enjoyable musical that tells the story of three young men who arrive back in the United States after fighting across the seas together. At the beginning of the film, the three men share a great bond and "know" that they will stay close in the years to come. The bartender on the other hand believes life will lead them to drift apart. And so they make a bet (between the three soldiers and the bartender) that in ten years they will meet at that same bar on that same date to prove that they will be friends forever. They split a dollar bill and each goes their own separate way. The film flashes forward ten years and shows that the three veterans have indeed taken very different paths in life. So the rest of film focuses on this reunion and also depicts a bit of romance that takes place between the characters Ted Riley and Jackie Leighton. Although musicals usually take place within a happy environment, It's Always Fair Weather has its moments in which there is a bit of a dark feel to it. Because it's a film about friendship, it's odd that for the majority of the film they don't get along after the three friends don't exactly see eye to eye when they first reunite. However, the film still uses a lot comedy to get past this and make the film less of a downer. The film was released in 1955, but when I was watching it I felt like it was much more recent. Compared to other musicals and other films during this time, It's Always Fair Weather was the type of film that kept the audience very entertained. Even if you are not the greatest fan of musicals this film does the job in being an entertaining piece of work. I found it to be funny and overall a pleasant film from the 1950's that I would definitely recommend.
Godzilla
(1954)
interesting background to film
7 May 2011
Gojiro, the original Godzilla film of the 1950's, is a creative film for its time and has an interesting background that contributed to the storyline and appeal of the film. Being someone who was unfamiliar with the original version, the only knowledge I had before seeing this film was of the later remakes of the film (made in America). Gojira is definitely not what I expected and that is a good thing. It is more serious than the American version and after learning a little bit about the films historical context, I found that I was able to appreciate it more. The film was released in 1954 which was less than a decade after World War II. The United States ended the war after dropping the atomic bomb over Hiroshima. Throughout that time the United States also spent a lot of time and energy on hydrogen bomb testing. Japan was greatly affected by both of these events and the film really captures a lot about it. Gojira is a monster that lived in the ocean and is awakened because of radiation due to hydrogen bomb testing and brings horror to the cities of Japan. The monster first terrorizes people who are on boats in the ocean but then it finally reveals itself emerging from the ocean. Gojira attacks the cities with radioactive/fire breathing powers and basically destroys everything it comes in contact with. However, Gojira is not just about a monster that destroys cities, but also focuses on the characters of the film and the relationships they hold with one another. This original film gives the audience a real message and analogies that tie to the historical context which is something that the film analysis Gojira vs. Godzilla – Catastrophic Allegories by Aaron Kerner goes into more detail with. Gojira really gives the audience something that cannot be matched with any later versions that attempt to remake this film.
Tsotsi
(2005)
Type of film that can be enjoyed around the world!
7 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed this film! When I found out that it was a movie filmed in South Africa I thought I was going to see one that showed the typical small villages and tribes that are always portrayed in Africa but this was so different. It is a film that that takes place in the outskirts of a big city and follows the main character Tsotsi, a teenager that is shaped by a hard life on the streets. I felt that a big part of what made the movie more interesting was the music used. The soundtrack used songs performed by Zola, who also played the part of Fela, a gangster that is involved in the many criminal activities that occur throughout the film (except Tsotsi's major robbery that is the inciting incident of the film). The film is in a different language but a lot of it can still be understood in English. Regardless, subtitles are used in the film. The budget the film used allowed for the Hollywood-like shots and techniques that were seen as a result. Because of this I feel that the audience is not distracted with the film's look and the quality and can focus more on the storyline. Another unique thing about this movie is the way it portrays and highlights poverty in Johannesburg. To see life outside the big glamorous city and what these people are left to work with
nothing, and that it why they turn to this life of crime. Tsotsi is most appealing to me because of the storyline. In this film, we are able to see the transition of David (Tsotsi) from a teen who has lost feeling thanks to a life of poverty, into a young man who finds that he is worth more and by the end has morals.
True Heart Susie
(1919)
Cute romance
7 May 2011
True Heart Susie is an absolutely adorable film! This 1919 film is a cute love story that follows the lives of Susie and William. Lillian Gish does a great job playing the sweet and innocent character of Susie who is secretly in love with Robert Harron's character William Jenkins. This film starts when the two are still in school and in their adolescent years and follows their story into adulthood. Susie proves to be anything other than just the "plain" girl when she goes above and beyond to make William, her true love, reach his happiness. This movie is very entertaining, combining romance and drama so that the audience is left in suspense and eager to find out if and when Susie and William will somehow end up together in the end. From the eyes of someone who has grown up with the latest technology and special effect films, True Heart Susie is a film that was able to capture my attention and hold onto it until the very end of this 87 minute long film. Despite it being a silent film, the cast of True Heart Susie was able to convey true emotions through their actions and facial expressions so that the audience can easily understand and interpret what the characters are thinking and filming. True Heart Susie is not a color film, however, because of tinting is not black and white. Tinted print is used to show the time, place, and mood in this film. Orange tint is used whenever the setting is indoors or to show that it is daytime. Blue tint is used to express that it is nighttime. The art direction and editing are great. The famous D.W. Griffith shows just how talented he is with the camera and his art direction in True Heart Susie.
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