Review: Film: Zorba the Greek, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5, Thumps of 4.5

“Zorba the Greek” film is based on a novel written by Nikos Kazantzakis. It is the 1964 winner of Academy Awards for Best Cinematography by Walter Lassally, Supporting Actress, played by Lila Kedrova, and Art Direction and Set Decoration. “Zorba the Greek” was also nominated for Best Picture, Actor, Anthony Quinn, Director and adapted screenplay by Michael Cacoyannis.

Walter Lassally, who was the Cinematographer for the film now lives near Chania in Crete, where he shot Zorba the Greek in 1963. Walter Lassally’s Oscar is shown in Tavern Christiana in Stavros, Greece. The name of the village Stavros, which means cross in Greek may as well act as a metaphor for the growth and transformation of the character Basil. Stavros beach is a famous location because Quinn's character, Zorba and Basil, dance the Sirtaki.

Basil, a timid English writer, played by Alan Bates, inherits a mine on Crete. Basil is half-English and half Greek, but was born and raised in England. Basil is book smart, and life dumb. When Basil hires an eccentric stranger, Zorba, to work in his mine, he finds himself drawn into a world fare more exciting and dangerous than any he has ever known. Zorba courts too many women, endures catastrophic perils in the mine that scares off other workers, and defies a group of village men seeking vengeance on a beautiful young window for thwarting their sexual advances.

Eventually, Zorba’s undying exuberance to create more and more chaos leaves Basil in a vulnerable position. Thanks to Zorba, in order to survive Basil undergoes a personality transformation into a more active participant in life. The mine on Crete … who cares about the mine … embrace the transformation of Basil and a life fulfilling story of living life to its fullest.

This film is swelling with inspiration from the story writing, acting, direction, and artful picturesque cinematography. Before you travel to Greece, watch this film. This film is a passionate introspective inspirational vision of transformation of personalities due to adverse situations and friendship. This film is a case study regarding life’s adventures and the reason each life is so precious and wonderful. Similar to a piece of art, life in the end is not always, what is important in the beginning. This film brings that message to the sand, and every now and again, we may all learn a new dance, perhaps the Sirtaki.

Review: Film: Harvey, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5: Thumps of 4.5

The film “Harvey” was released in 1950. The film is based on Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize Winning play, directed by Henry Koster, starring James Stewart and Josephine Hull. The story is about a man whose best friend is a "pooka" named Harvey—in the form of a six-foot, three-and-one-half-inch tall rabbit which happens to be the same height as Jimmy Stewart, but Jimmy always looked up when speaking to the imaginary rabbit. A better estimate of the rabbit’s height would be six feet six inches.

Elwood P. Dowd, played by Jimmy Stewart, is a middle age, amiable but eccentric man whose best friend is this invisible rabbit, who is referred to as Harvey. Elwood Dowd described Harvey as a “pooka,” a benign yet somewhat mischievous creature from Celtic mythology, fond of outcasts. Elwood lives with his sister, Veta Louis Simmons, played by Josephine Hull and niece, Myrtle Mae Simmons, played by Victoria Horne, by formerly introducing house-callers to Harvey. Elwood’s sister and niece are reluctantly unsure as to the cause of this obsession and compulsion regarding the existence of Harvey. They wonder if Harvey is a product of Elwood’s propensity to consume alcohol, mental illness, or an effort towards irritation and driving them out of their wits.

Vita, Elwood’s sister, tries to have him committed to a mental institution for Harvey is now affecting her. In exasperation, she admits to the psychiatrist, Dr. Lyman Sanderson, played by Charles Drake, that after so many years of his invisible rabbit, she now sees him occasionally too. Dr. Lyman becomes alarmed, and institutionalizes Vita rather than Elwood. Elwood and Harvey obliviously happy take a cab back to town. The cab driver, played by Wallace Ford, politely listens to the purported conversation between Elwood and Harvey. The head of the institution, Dr. Chumley, played by Cecil Kellaway, sorts out the mistake.

After the psychiatrist find Elwood and Harvey propped up by a stool at the local pub, Elwood tells an incredible story of exactly how he came to meet and know Harvey. Elwood explains the unusual manner in which people react upon meeting Harvey, and provides the psychiatrist with valuable insight into his philosophy of life.

Years ago my mother used to say to me, she’d say, “In this world, Elwood you must be”—she always called me Elwood—“In this world, Elwood you must be oh so smart or of so pleasant.” Well for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.

This delightful film received two Academy Award nominations. James Stewart received a nomination for Best Actor while Josephine Hull received an Academy Award, Oscar, for Best Supporting Actress. Is Harvey coming to your next party?

Review: Film: Gigi, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5: Thumps of 5

The film “Gigi” was release in 1958. This American musical is based on a novella by Colette, screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner, music by Frederick Loewe, music conducted by Andre Previn, and directed by Vincente Minnelli. This film is considered to be the last great MGM musical, and the final great achievement of the Freed Unit, headed by producer Arthur Freed. I am proud to report this is an American musical with all the class and sophistication that can be eked out of those Parisians.

The tale is set at the turn of the 20th Century in Paris. The musical commences with Honore Lachaille, played by Maurice Chevalier, explaining the facts of life to his nephew Gaston Lachaille, played by Louis Jourdan. Gaston is bored with life, but enjoys spending time with Madame Alvares, played by Hermione Gingold and especially her granddaughter, Gigi, played by Leslie Caron.

According to family tradition, Madame Alvarez sends Gigi to her Aunt Alicia, played by Isabel Jeans to be groomed as a courtesan. As a courtesan, Gigi must have etiquette, poise, charm and sophistication. Gigi is difficult, she cheats in cards, but is disarming. Gaston soon discovers Gigi's wily ways while on vacation with her at the seashore. At the shore, there is a rendez vous amongst old lovers Madame Alvarez and Honore Lachaille, and new lovers Gigi and Gaston Lachaille.

Gaston is a notorious lover with women trying to commit suicide due to his insolence and precarious disposition. Regardless of Gaston’s deplorable behavior, Aunt Alicia insist that Gigi must increase her etiquette lessons if she want to potentially catch a prize, such as Gaston. Gaston drops by for a visit, and Gigi is dressed not in a French girl school uniform, but rather in a beautiful dress for a lady. Gaston becomes angry, but fails to realize why. Gaston was angry in fear of losing Gigi to another man. Without Gaston realizing it, he was in love with Gigi.

This is one of the most wonderful movies of all time. The film is exuberant, bright and witty, and the stars invite you into a different world, a world in which we should all be a part. Enjoy this adoring musical with such songs like The Night They Invented Champagne and I Remember It Well. Watch this musical when you feel as though you need to be a part of another world, France 1900.

Gigi was nominated for nine Academy Awards. Gigi won all nine Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Scoring of Musical Picture and Best Original Song.

Review: Film: Everest, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5: Thumps of 3.5      

The movie released, Everest is in 3D, and provides some unique cinematography that ordinarily we would never be able to see in our lifetime. For that purpose, the movie is an important viewing experience. It is partially filmed in Nepal, making some of the shots memorable, but unfortunately they only had permission for two weeks of filming at that location.

            The film is about the human disaster that occurred on Mount Everest in 1996 due to an all too familiar storyline of humans thinking that they are more omnipotent than nature, nature took them for a ride of their lives, and most of them failed to survive. The movie unfortunately delivers the story without the emotional impact that it should have had, an error in the editing and writing rooms. The performances by Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson, and Jake Gyllenhaal were solid, but there was too much film time spent on certain events, and not enough time spent on other events. There were gaps in the writing, coupled with a lack of writing imagination for what was really going on in the minds of those characters on left on the mountains overnight. There are some moments that are moving, but the overall experience was not as memorable as it should have been.

Review: Film: A Man for All Seasons, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5: Thump of 4.

            The film “A Man for All Seasons” was released in 1966. The movie is based upon a play written by Robert Bolte. The film is directed by Fred Zinnemann, starring Paul Scofield, playing Sir Thomas More, Orson Welles, playing Cardinal Wolsey, Wendy Hiller, playing Alice More, Leo McKern, playing Thomas Cromwell, Robert Shaw, playing Henry the VIII Susannah York, playing Margaret More, Nigel Davenport, playing The Duke of Norfolk , John Hurt, playing Richard Rich , Corin Redgrave, playing William Roper, Colin Blakely, playing Matthew, Cyril Luckham, playing Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, Jack Gwillim, playing Chief Justice, and Vanessa Redgrave, playing Anne Boleyn.

Robert Bolte portrays Sir Thomas More, the ultimate man of conscience. Thomas More remains true to his principles and religion under all circumstances and at all times. For Thomas More, human dignity provides the right to be right, not the right to be wrong. However, the government begs to differ. Thomas More learns that humans in lesser power do not have the right to be right, but governments with more power have the right to be wrong. If a person chooses the right to their own conscience and human dignity, they may loose their head in the form of a beheading on behalf of the state. Bolte borrowed the title for the movie from Robert Whittington, a contemporary of More, who wrote him in 1520:

More is a man of an angel's wit and singular learning. I know not his fellow. For where is the man of that gentleness, lowliness and affability? And, as time requires, a man of marvelous mirth and pastimes, and sometimes of sad gravity. A man for all seasons. [1]"The film revolves around a crucial 16th Century political and religious controversy. The controversy was the power struggles over King Henry the VIII’s insistence on divorcing Catherine of Aragon and marrying his mistress, Anne Boleyn. The Pope of the Catholic Church had the power to grant Henry the VIII’s divorce. However, the Pope was not so inclined. As a result of the Pope’s refusal, King Henry the VIII declared himself head of the Church of England. Henry dissolved the monasteries, prohibited and persecuted Roman Catholic clergy and parishioners in England.

Sir Thomas More was the 16th-century Lord Chancellor of England who refused to sign a letter asking the Pope to annul the King's marriage and resigned rather than take an “Oath of Supremacy” declaring the King the Supreme Head of the Church of England. The King is Henry VIII of England and his wife is Catherine of Aragon. The film portrays Thomas More as a man of principle, motivated by his devout Roman Catholic faith and envied by rivals such as Thomas Cromwell for his ethics and discipline to truth both within himself and outside towards others.

Richard Rich was a social climber, who was responsible the demise and death of Sir Thomas More. Richard Rich in a Faustian Bargain, sold his soul to the devil for the accumulation of wealth and power. Rich was a former acquaintance of Sir Thomas Moore, who told a lie regarding Thomas More’s attitude toward Henry the VIII’s divorce. Rich's lie condemned More to death through beheading. Richand Rich later became Chancellor of England.

In the film, More was portrayed as a Renaissance Humanist. The main emphasis of Renaissance Humanism is on human dignity and potential, and an elevated status of mankind in nature. Despite Sir Thomas More’s silence, the British government did not treat him with dignity, and circumvented their own laws in order to grant King Henry the VIII a divorce. More’s refusal to speak or sign the oath was not a denouncement of Henry, but rather as a matter of law, his silence represents acquiescence. Thomas More was devoted to his love of books and education including his own daughter’s impressive learning.

“A Man for All Seasons” was nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Supporting Actor for Robert Shaw, and Best Supporting Actress for Wendy Hiller. The film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Paul Scofield. The film won Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screenplay by Robert Bolte, Cinematography by Ted Moore, Costume Design, and Best Director for Fred Zinneman. Although this film was nominated and won many academy awards, it is not to be viewed solely for entertainment purposes. This film is best when viewed in the interest of the historical subject matter of Sir Thomas More.

Work Cited

Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. 28 November 2009 at 22:25. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Man_for_All_Seasons_(1966_film)

Catholic Education Resources: http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/politics/pg0078.html

          [1] Marvin O'Connell. "A Man for all Seasons: an Historian's Demur." Catholic Dossier 8 no. 2 (March-April, 2002): 16-19.

Review: Film: Laura, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5: Thump of 4.5.
           This film “Laura” was released in 1944, and is a classic example of a film noir. The film is based on a novel by Vera Caspary. The screenplay is by Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, and Elizabeth Reinhardt. The film is directed by Otto Preminger. It is culturally, historically and aesthetically significant in the development of films within the film noir genre. Besides being a film noir, it one of the best mystery films of all time.

New York police detective Mark McPherson, played by Dana Andrews, investigates the murder of a beautiful and successful executive Laura Hunt, played by Gene Tierney. Mark McPherson interviews a newspaper columnist Waldo Lydecker, played by Clifton Webb. Waldo Lydecker is a delusional writer full of himself. Lydecker is self absorbed as to his position in the world, and pontificates the importance of his mentorship in the success achieved by Laura. Lydecker enjoys socking in the bathtub surrounded by bubbles while he pecks away at his vintage typewriter.

McPherson questions Laura’s fiancé, Shelby Carpenter, played by none other than Vincent Price. Shelby Carpenter is a trust fund baby, who lost his trust and subsequently, his identity. Next, McPherson question Laura’s aunt, Ann Treadwell, played by Judith Anderson. Ms. Treadwell has too much money, and lacks the ability to ascertain appropriate behavior for her age. Lastly, McPherson questions Laura’s protective, loyal and lovely housekeeper Bessie Clary, played by Dorothy Adams.

During the investigation, McPherson enjoys the luxury of rubbing elbow with the wealthy, infamous and well-heeled. He also enjoys the pampered paradise of Laura’s apartment. McPherson falls in love with Laura’s portrait, hanging above the cozy fireplace, while he reads her personal love letters. McPherson finds a suspicious bottle of scotch in her apartment that is lesser than her normally consumed quality of liquor.

“Laura” was nominated for five Academy Awards, Best Director for Otto Preminger, Best Supporting Actor for Clifton Webb, Best Adapted Screenplay by Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, and Elizabeth Reinhardt, Best Black and White Art Direction, and Interior Design by Lyle R. Wheeler, Leland Fuller, and Thomas Little, and won the Academy Award for Best Black and White Cinematography by Joseph LaShelle.

The film’s tension comes to a crescendo when high art meets the low motivation for murder. Throughout the movie, the suspect changes, just as the viewer thinks they know, the suspect elusively slips away. The closing lines of this film will live in infamy in the film industries historical archives, “Goodbye, Laura. Goodbye, my love.”

Review: Film: THEM, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5: Thump of 5.
            The film “Them “was released in 1954. This cult classic terror science fiction flick is shot in black and white. The film is based on a story written by George Worthing Yates, developed into a screenplay by Ted Sherdeman and Russell Hughes, produced by David Weisbart and directed by Gordon Douglas, starring James Whitmore, playing Sergeant Ben Peterson, Edmund Gwenn, playing Doctor Harold Medford, Joan Weldon, playing Doctor Pat Medford, James Arness, playing FBI Agent Robert Graham, and Fess Parker, playing Alan Crotty. This film was nominated for an Academy Award for Special Effects.

This is a landmark nuclear blast creature feature about gigantic, nine feet long, radioactive mutated ants. In 1945, the U.S. military tested an atomic bomb in New Mexico. Unknown to the government, when the bomb mushroomed and released radiation, it changed the genetic composition of living ants. Now there are hordes of horrific gigantic size ants in mile deep catacombs. These remarkable ants are larger than automobiles. The ants are guided by their antennas as they claw towards the earth’s surface to encounter and conquer mankind.

The film begins with New Mexico State’s finest, Police Sergeant Ben Peterson, investigating the discovery of a little girl wandering around in the hot arid desert near Alamogordo, New Mexico. Sergeant Peterson ascertains the girls’ inability to communicate, she is mute. Peterson commences an investigation. Peterson becomes privy to more mysterious deaths and disappearances in the area. The detective discovers trailer wreckage, damaged by some unknown powerful force, and an unidentifiable twelve inch claw print in the desert sand.

The investigation expands to include a FBI Special Agent, Doctors Harold Medford and Pat Medford, a father/daughter team of entomologists from the Department of Agriculture. The scientific team is more secretive than the detectives comfort. Doctor Harold Medford uses a vial of formic acid to release the little girl from her near catatonic state. The little girl comes to grips with the world of consciousness, and screams “Them! Them!”

Upon encountering ants, law officers try revolvers, but opt for sub-machine guns after finding they have no affect on these monster ants. The US Air Force joins the mission, led by General O'Brien, to locate the nest and exterminates the ants with poison gas. Covertly, the government monitors and investigates any reports of unusual activities, such as "flying saucers," disappearance of a load of sugar in an ocean-going freighter, and ranting of an alcoholic in a psych-ward. One of the queens is tracked to the Los Angeles storm sewer system, forcing the Army to openly declare martial law and launch a major assault.

Notes of Interest: When Walt Disney was casting for the Davy Crockett television show, Disney viewed “Them,” and was so impressed by a brief but brilliant scene by Fess Parker, who plays the ranting alcoholic in the mental ward, he cast Fess Parker as Davy Crockett. Another Note: The entrance to the ants' final nest was along the concrete spillways of the Los Angeles River between the First and Seventh Street Bridges, east of downtown.

Work Cited:

Warner Bros. Inter-office memo from Steve Trilling, dated September 24, 1953.

"Them." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 20 Nov. 2009, 8:29. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 30 Nov. 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Plagiarism&oldid=5139350.

“Them.” Internet Movie Database. 30 Nov. 2009, 4:25 PM