the movies are always groovy
Couple of films worth noting.
Mikey & Nicky (1976) is something I came across via the beastie boys’ website.
When watching it I thought there’s something a little odd about the scenes. Kind of reminded me of the way Lynch directs. Afterward I read on weeklepedia that the director, Elaine May, was basically insane and used more film in the shooting than was used in Gone wid da Wind. I guess she cajoled the two main actors into doing the same scenes 20 times over, with each take getting looser with the acting. That scuffle in the yootoob clip where Cassavetes slips over—you can’t act accidents like that.
Suspiria (1977) is a film by an Italian director I only just heard of, Dario Argento.
Visually it was extremely rich and I love that. I’m guessing it was shot in some oldish buidings somewhere in northern Italy that look amazing; the detailing in the wood of the doors is one tiny example. It’s not a film set, it’s a real, bizarre place. And many of the actors were flat out weird looking. The audio had a strange quality because the (Italian) actors performed in English, but then in post-production, they dubbed native English (English and American) actors voices over it. The lip-syncing is okay but there’s no ambient noise in the shots.
The plot is actually pretty lame and follows the standard slasher-flick structure. Still interesting to look at.
I love Elaine May for ‘A New Leaf’ where she monsters Walter Matthau.
She is known for working with Mike Nichols, but not known for her many collaborations with Warren Beatty. bet there’s a story or two there. I loved Heaven Can Wait, and Reds, and Hank Azaria’s lines in The Birdcage, and you are so right – the movies are groovy …
The April Fools with Deneuve and Lemmon, anything with Charles Grodin, all the old Thin Man movies with Nick Nora and Asta the wonder dog, all the Richard Widmark B-movies, and the Noirs, anything by Robert Towne, especially Elliot Gould’s Marlowe, anything with Strother Martin …
One of the good things about living here is being able to find plenty (but not all) movies on the internet for download. When I’m back in Melb. I notice the poor, poor selection in the DVD shop, and/or just having to take what is given in the late-night slots on ABC.
Although, I do remember that ACMI have some kind of film archive library that you can pay to join and they have a fantastic range.
I’ll definitely check out some of the things you’ve mentioned.