Pete’s Dragon

Tags

1970's, Adventure, Disney, Don Chaffey, Fantasy, Helen Reddy, Jim Dale, Mickey Rooney, Musical, Pete's Dragon, Red Buttons, Sean Marshall, Shelley Winters

My second entry into the Shelley Winters blogathon is with the Disney fantasy adventure Pete’s Dragon, in which she plays a wicked supporting role. I must say thanks to both Erica and Gill for inviting me to take part

Charming and both bittersweet and funny in parts, Pete’s Dragon is undervalued as a film in my eyes. I think it should be reassessed and while some of it won’t hold up, you’ll definitely get some joy from it.

It’s the turn of the century and in Maine, young orphan Pete(Sean Marshall) runs away from his adoptive guardians. They are the vile Gogan’s, a hillbilly clan headed by the nasty Lena(Shelley Winters). They’ve treated him unfairly and made him a slave, prompting his escape. Aiding him is Elliott; a large, green dragon who can turn invisible and often is only seen by Pete. They venture into the town of Passamaquoddy hoping to start a new life. With Elliott being a clumsy creature, a string of mishaps occur. Eventually, Pete finds shelter with the kind-hearted Nora(Helen Reddy), who lives in a lighthouse with her often well meaning but drunk father Lampie(Mickey Rooney). This bliss is changed by the arrival of showy quack Dr. Terminus( Jim Dale) and his sidekick Hoagy(Red Buttons). Always on the lookout for money, when he gets wind of a dragon, he schemes to capture it. Though while both Pete and Elliott are wanted by nefarious forces, it seems that Nora and Lampie are there for them to face the evil that covers them.

Don Chaffey keeps events ticking over with humour and heart. You’re guaranteed to have a smile when watching a lot of this movie as Pete and experience thrills, adventure and danger. While Pete’s Dragon isn’t held in as high a rank as other Disney films, I think it’s unfairly overlooked. Sure it’s far from faultless and there are various issues with it, such as the length of the film, but the infectious energy and spirited heart can’t be ignored or resisted. Plus, it’s surprising how dark some parts of Pete’s Dragon are, like the singing of ‘The Happiest Home in these Hills”, in which the Gogan’s detail the horrible fate that Pete will meet if they get their hands on him. Though the overall tone is hopeful and cheery, the darkness and occasional bittersweet pang underneath in areas is a welcome addition as it doesn’t allow the film to overdose on sugary sentiment. Speaking of music, Pete’s Dragon has some lovely songs, with ‘Candle on the Water’ sung by Helen Reddy a great highlight and the sweet Boo Bop Bop Bop Bop a real gem. I’ve always liked this movie and may be a tad biased when reviewing it, but it really holds a certain place of nostalgia for me. I adore the blending of animation and live action, with Elliott being a wonderfully funny and endearing vision. Yes it’s not as slick as today’s effects, but damn if it isn’t darn effective at bringing to vivid life. The theme of wanting to belong resonates deeply with the viewer as it’s explored in numerous ways, not of least the eponymous orphan who is on his way to luck, if nothing bad befalls him first.

Sean Marshall takes the role of Pete and gives us a protagonist to root for, due to his honest face and general decency. He could have become annoying, but thankfully, Sean Marshall is a good child actor who doesn’t grate on the nerves. Helen Reddy is winsome and feisty when called for, plus using her gorgeous singing voice wonderfully. Mickey Rooney, all bluster and expressive eyes, is great as the initially terrified Lampie, who eventually comes around and takes Pete under his wing. Jim Dale is a hoot as the nasty but often hilarious showman Dr. Terminus, while Red Buttons is effective as his not above goodness sidekick. And now we come to the woman of the hour and her name is Shelley Winters. Dirtied up, spouting nastiness and generally being one evil villain, Winters is obviously having a blast playing such a vile character. Villains are in good order with the Gogan’s, but it’s Winters who stands out the most as the queen of mean. The villains are over the top and yet that’s what makes them good. They are just so nasty and often cartoonish that we want their plans to fail.

While flawed and a bit over long , Pete’s Dragon is very underrated and deserves a bit more love from people for its magic, music and story.

Jurassic Park

Tags

1990's, Adventure, Ariana Richards, Bob Peck, Jeff Goldblum, Joseph Mazzello, Jurassic Park, Laura Dern, Richard Attenborough, Sam Neill, Samuel L. Jackson, Steven Spielberg, Wayne Knight

The delightful duo of Gill and Emma invited me to take part in a tribute to the excellent Jeff Goldblum. I’ve always been a fan of his and enjoy whenever he graces the screen. I decided to review the adventure blockbuster that is Jurassic Park.

A full on thrill ride with eye popping effects and Steven Spielberg at some of his best, Jurassic Park is an ageless spectacle with the power to shock, scare and entrance from start to finish.

Dr Alan Grant( Sam Neill), who specialises in Paleontology and Dr Ellie Sattler(Laura Dern), whose field is Paleobotany are romantically linked and currently working on another dig of dinosaur fossils .One day to their Montana dog comes eccentric billionaire John Hammond( Richard Attenborough) who has a proposition for them. He has created a theme park off the coast of Costa Rica which is inhabited by cloned dinosaurs, which his team of scientists managed to create after extensive DNA testing and sampling. Hammond is worried because there have been doubts about the safety of the park and he wants Alan and Ellie to view it and give their opinions. Naturally, they accept the offer and are joined by mathematician and chaos theory nut Ian Malcolm( Jeff Goldblum). Also visiting are Hammond’s grandchildren, Lex( Ariana Richards) and Tim( Joseph Mazzello), who are more than curious about the park. Upon arrival, Alan, Ellie, Ian and the kids are bowled over by the cloned dinosaurs that have been brought to life and in the flesh. And though some of the group have their doubts about how ethical it all is, Hammond’s enthusiasm remains undimmed. Yet all of this will change as danger lurks right around the corner. A disgruntled worker by the name of Dennis(Wayne Knight) has accepted a shady offer to smuggle out dinosaur embryos to a competitor. To do this, he sneakily shuts down the security of the park in order to disguise his theft and leave undetected . The shutdown causes all power to go out but more dangerously, the electric fences that guard the dinosaurs open, setting the scene for chaos as the many carnivorous creatures go on the hunt with humans as their prized dinner. Alan ends up sheltering the terrified kids, while Ellie, Ian, Hammond, plus game warden Robert Muldoon( Bob Peck) and chief engineer Ray Arnold( Samuel L. Jackson) , attempt to restart the power and avert more horror. It’s up to the survivors to make it through the park and to safety before they end up on the menu.

Jurassic Park finds Steven Spielberg at some of his most fun and skilled. He displays sense of wonder at seeing these prehistoric beasts and then cranks the tension up when all hell breaks loose. He knows how to entertain and keep you on the edge of your seat throughout this adventure with sequences of immense excitement and haunting terror existing right after the other. Simply put, it’s one of his best movies which is saying something considering the excellence in his filmography over the years. Memorable scenes abound like the first glimpse of the towering , the terrifying encounter with a Tyrannosaurus Rex and the nasty Velociraptors menacing Ellie in the maintenance shed as she switches the circuit breakers on and the children in the kitchen narrowly escaping being attacked. Many of these moments hold that balance between scary and exhilarating. I like the look at how playing God never ends up well, but it sure can be extremely entertaining to watch. There’s the greedy Dennis getting his comeuppance when attacked by an initially friendly dinosaur reveals itself to be bloodthirsty, Hammond’s growing realisation of what he has created and the chaos that ensues once the prehistoric creatures are let loose. One can’t speak about this movie without mentioning the influential special effects in it. They make the dinosaurs feel so real as if you could reach out and touch them. I mean, we all remember the first time we, like an awe-struck Ellie, witnessed the Brachiosaurus in all its glory, right? Or the first attack of the enormous Tyrannosaurus Rex on the visitors at nighttime? The blend of the then new CGI and animatronics is seamless in execution and so thoroughly convincing at bringing these ancient creatures to jaw-dropping. John Williams is on hand with one of his most suspenseful and alive scores; charting the wonder of the park then plunging us into the terror of fighting for survival against hungry dinosaurs.

Sam Neill has the laconic attitude right for his role, while shading it with a winning curiosity and eventual mellowing of his character’s occasional dour and solemn nature. In fact, he’s  one of the main heroes of the piece as he’s entrusted with two young children to protect against creatures he knows a lot about. Laura Dern backs him up with intelligence and when it’s called for action; her run to the shed and ordeal inside leave you on the edge of your seat as you watch an ordinary woman fighting against a terrifying situation. And of course the man of the hour and resident scene stealer is here by the name of Jeff Goldblum. Portraying the know it all mathematician who drops sarcastic yet ethical  questions, Goldblum is a hoot. And considering for a big chunk of the film he’s incapacitated, he’s still dispensing entertaining one liners among the terror and excitement. It’s the definition of a star supporting turn. In a fine showcase, Richard Attenborough subtly shows the dreams of an eccentric man of money and his realisation that it isn’t the most ideal or safe thing to do. Although his actions are questionable, he just boasts a certain geniality that is hard to fault. Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzello are thankfully talented child actors who you feel for on this journey. Fine work also comes from Samuel L. Jackson, Bob Peck and Wayne Knight in this adventure, particularly from Jackson as the gruff chief engineer who is never seen without a cigarette.

A simply phenomenal adventure with stellar effects, fine cast, wonderful music and the masterful Spielberg at the helm, Jurassic Park is a film you can never grow tired of.

The Black Stallion

Tags

1970's, Adventure, Carroll Ballard, Hoyt Axton, Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr, The Black Stallion

A captivating story of a boy and his horse, The Black Stallion is a delight for the whole family. Blessed with a sublime cinematography, love for nature and understated performance, it’s simply irresistible to all the family.

It’s 1946 and young Alec Ramsey(Kelly Reno) is sailing with his father on a boat off the East Coast of Africa. While onboard, Alec discovers an black Arabian Stallion that he becomes intrigued by. Though warned to stay away by the fearsome owner, Alec refuses to. Later that night, a violent storm hits the ship, throwing Alec and the horse overboard. They are the only survivors from the storm as Alec manages to pull on the ropes around the horse. When he awakens, he is on a deserted island. Armed with the penknife his later father gave him and resourcefulness, he learns to survive. The horse also made it to the island at first, both keep a distance from each other. Over time, however Alec wins the horse over gives the horse the name The Black. They become inseparable from that moment on as a bond is solidified. Eventually, Alec is rescued and makes sure The Black comes with him. Back home, Alec’s mother( Teri Garr) is overjoyed to see him but doesn’t quite understand the bond between her son and his horse. Alec comes across old horse trainer Henry Dailey( Mickey Rooney) accidentally when The Black runs away. Henry hasn’t raced in years but you can sense he feels a bit of regret and nostalgia creeping his way once he finds The Black. Following a bit of hostility between them, Alec and Henry become friends and Henry rekindles his love of horses with a dream of racing The Black. After a few mishaps and hurdles,  Alec and Henry enter to the horse into the race and hope for success with what they truly believe is not just a horse, but a supremely special one.

Director Carroll Ballard is the perfect choice to direct this heartwarming adventure. His love for nature and the relationships humans share with the animal kingdom are splendidly evoked. Some could write the movie off as as sickly as too much sugar, yet Ballard knows how to keep us invested without resorting to overt sentimentality. Aided by the arresting cinematography of Caleb Deschanel and vivid camerawork, the friendship at the core of The Black Stallion comes to life. The main sections on the island are largely wordless and though that might sound boring to some viewers, it certainly isn’t the case. The unspoken bond between Alec and the horse is observed with nuance and eventual trust; much like a friendship between humans. We watch as Alec wins the horse over and the horse comes to respect him and it’s very beautifully portrayed. The childlike sense of wonder and excitement is imbued within the DNA of The Black Stallion and it definitely pleases the crowd with this touch. And though many may see where the story is heading when he returns to land, they will no doubt be impressed by the eventual outcome and how things play out to a rousing and joyous finale. It’s a movie with a heart that’s sole goal is to be inspiring and for the whole family, and on that score alone it’s a winner. Carmine Coppola contributes an eclectic score that mixes Middle Eastern percussion and a soaring orchestral feel that is truly a thing of beauty. It imprints itself on your mind and is just beautifully orchestrated with obvious craftsmanship and phenomenal skill at arousing emotion.

Young Kelly Reno is full of life and wonder as the freckle-faced Alec. He’s ideal casting for the role and a genuinely convincing child actor that isn’t cloying or prone to overly annoying child acting. Mickey Rooney has fun as the slightly grouchy but brought back to life horse trainer, discovering what he’s missed for so long. Rooney is subtle yet sparkling with revived energy; both are exactly the notes he needs to star here. Just like the horse, he splendidly compliments Reno as the two things that mean the most to him. Teri Garr makes the most of her small part as Alec’s mother who doesn’t quite understand his link to the horse but comes around to the idea in a way only a mother could. Hoyt Axton is here in a brief role of father and given that he’s not on screen for long, he nails the part of adventurous dad that we miss when he’s gone. The two biggest stars however are Kelly Reno and the horse; they form the beating heart of The Black Stallion.

An outstanding, life-affirming and gentle film that knows how to touch the heart with its story, acting and cinematography, The Black Stallion is a champion.

Watership Down

Tags

1970's, Adventure, Animated, Denholm Elliott, Drama, Harry Andrews, John Hurt, Martin Rosen, Michael Graham Cox, Richard Briers, Watership Down, Zero Mostel

Director

Martin Rosen

Voice Cast

• John Hurt
• Richard Briers
• Michael Graham Cox
• Harry Andrews
• Denholm Elliott
• Zero Mostel

An animated tale of survival in nature that is surprisingly mature( and many would say traumatising), Watership Down is often referred to as a film that terrified a generation of kids who thought they were seeing a film about cute bunnies. Yet while brutality is certainly not shied away from here, it’s the soul and message of Watership Down that shines the brightest.

In a warren in the English countryside, a group of rabbits live with their own beliefs on creation and how life is supposed to be. It seems so peaceful, but it is about to be shaken to the core. One rabbit by the name of Fiver has a strange vision of the destruction of their warren and warns everyone to get out. His brother Hazel believes him but they are shunned by the chief rabbit. Along with a small band of other rabbits, they stealthily leave the warren at night, joined by one of the Owsla( or in human terms, person of authority and order) Bigwig, who was originally skeptical of Fiver’s vision. They encounter all manner of danger in their search for a new home, including vicious predators, the human world and the only doe being picked off by a bird. Now without a woman among their number, they have to find some in order to continue their species. Aided by a crazed but helpful gull named Kehaar, they may just find it. It’s when the group encounters the tyrannical General Woundwort , who rules over his warren of rabbits with supreme brutality, that things turn very dark and tense for everyone. For Woundwort is a brute who will kill anything as soon as look at them, if they disobey his regime. With Hazel at the helm, he mounts an attempt to free the does from the harsh control of Woundwort. But it definitely isn’t going to be easy to create this dream paradise for them all to live in once everything is over.

Martin Rosen beautifully captures the poignant emotion and red and tooth in claw depiction of nature in the Richard Adams’s novel. Though a bit more on the running time might have been in order, Watership Down is really hard to find fault with. The animation, which boasts the feeling of landscape, watercolour painting and a naturalistic colour palette, is second to none and partnered with some unusual dreamlike sequences that stand out for their terror and vision. I mean, when we see what became of the original warren it is some skin crawling stuff. The claustrophobia of rabbits squashed on top of each other, their red eyes glowing as they are gassed is freaky and nightmare inducing. And people thought this was a movie simply for young kids? Now sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between certain rabbits, but this is a minor hitch in what is otherwise an immensely moving and startlingly honest look at how nature works. The morals of sticking together and the dangers of oppressive tyranny are well observed, with obvious parallels to the Second World War. The thematic value of Watership Down is what has made it endure for so long. It doesn’t pander to the audience or patronise, and while there are those who criticise the violence and horror, they should remember that the overall message of the film is one of finding peace, even though life is a hard journey. But as violence and shock are big parts of the movie, they can’t be ignored. I must admit to still being surprised how visceral many of the scenes are that are featured here, they still hold up on gruesome and unflinching score. The fighting, blood and bleakly brutal vision of nature is never far from view and many scenes have a lot of palpable tension. But in a way, featuring genuine violence( albeit involving anthropomorphic bunnies), it presents something different in an animated movie. Many times we go in expecting something squarely aimed at children, but I’m certain many were surprised when they discovered the bleak overtones and poignancy of Watership Down. I have massive amounts of respect for Watership Down in retaining the novel’s unflinching examination of survival and not dumbing it Down one ounce for audience satisfaction. Sometimes films try to be just a little bit too kid friendly, to the point that the film is ridiculously cheery. Believe me when I say, that is most definitely not the case when it comes to Watership Down. And I can’t review this movie without mentioning the haunting addition of ‘Bright Eyes’ sung with conviction by Art Garfunkel. It’s bound to bring a tear to the eyes.

The talented voice cast, featuring John Hurt, Richard Briers and Michael Graham Cox are exemplary at giving life to their characters and finding heart there. With such a wide breadth of voice work( also including Harry Andrews as the terrifying Woundwort, Denholm Elliott as a rabbit whose as enigmatic as he is creepy and the comedy stylings of Zero Mostel as a bird that helps the main rabbits out), it’s hard to not appreciate the ability and skill that each of them brings to the table.

Visceral yet beautifully rendered and vividly thematic, Watership Down is a film to treasure, no matter how graphic some of it is. After all, you’ll probably never forget this movie once you’ve viewed it.

Paddington

Tags

2010's, Adventure, Ben Whishaw, Comedy, Hugh Bonneville, Imelda Staunton, Jim Broadbent, Julie Walters, Madeleine Harris, Michael Gambon, Nicole Kidman, Paddington, Paul King, Peter Capaldi, Sally Hawkins, Samuel Joslin

Film Title

Paddington

Director

Paul King

Starring

• Ben Whishaw as Paddington Bear
• Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown
• Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown
• Julie Walters as Mrs. Bird
• Nicole Kidman as Millicent
• Madeleine Harris as Judy Brown
• Samuel Joslin as Jonathan Brown
• Peter Capaldi as Mr. Curry
• Jim Broadbent as Mr. Gruber
• Michael Gambon as Uncle Pastuzo
• Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy

A sprightly, adventure-filled and heartwarming take on the classic stories of Michael Bond’s marmalade loving, eponymous bear, Paddington is one of those movies that it’s hard to find fault with. Primarily, this stems from the fact it’s so much fun and an utter delight of comedy, heart and wonder.

We begin in the jungles of Darkest Peru, where we discover an English explorer happening upon two very intelligent bears with a love of marmalade. In time, he teaches them about modern life and even gets them to talk. Before heading back to civilisation he promises them a home in London if they should ever need it. The two bears, named Pastuzo and Lucy, have a nephew with them many years later; a curious and fun-loving bear who shares their taste for marmalade. But their harmony is shattered when an earthquake hits and kills Uncle Pastuzo. Aunt Lucy is getting older and can’t take care of Paddington as she once could. she remembers the explorer’s words of promise about there always being a home in London. Stowing her nephew into a cargo ship, she bids him farewell in the hope he will find a happy, new home. Upon arrival in London, he is met with hostility and all hope for a lovely, caring family to take care of him seems lost. That is until he encounters the Brown Family at Paddington Station. The mother, Mary, gives him the name Paddington and being a kind, considerate person, she offers to house him in her home. Her fussy and killjoy husband Henry, who is obsessed with keeping things risk-free, is completely against the idea of Paddington living with them. The children Judy and Jonathan, are thrilled to have Paddington with them, despite their father’s trepidation. Paddington is most curious to know more about the professor who visited Darkest Peru all those years ago and roping the family into things, he gets them into a whirl of unintentional mischief and laughs. But there is an evil taxidermist by the name of Millicent who has discovered Paddington and will stop at nothing to make him part of her sinister collection, now on his tail. Cue much mayhem, thrills and adventure for the bear and the Brown Family.

Paul King directs with an enormous amount of heart, humour and deeply felt love that explodes from almost every frame. It will take someone with a real damp view of life to not smile or have fun with a movie such as this. King just pushes all the right buttons of raucous humour, heartfelt sentiment and just plain adventure in a way that is spellbinding and an utter delight throughout. sense of magic and feel good factor it has going for it. It’s adventure of the highest level that proves totally sprightly and accessible to all ages. The blending of CGI in the title character and the real-life surroundings, that are continuously colourful, is seamlessly done. On a visual level, Paddington scores major points. The bright as a button colour scheme and adventurous ways of showcasing this zany fable are here in a glorious pot of love. And speaking of love, the film truly gets across the message of accepting people and loving one another beautifully and with clarity. The humour covers a wide spectrum from the mischievous and playful(Paddington accidentally flooding the Brown’s bathroom for starters) to nods and winks to older members of the audience, without missing a beat or getting overstuffed. It’s rare to come across a film such as Paddington that can be a ball for everyone watching. It has a style and care to it that many movies that aim for every age can sometimes miss in the long run. The high-reaching and upbeat score are on full duty; bringing out the simply amazing story and film that it accompanies. Put quite simply, you couldn’t ask for a more enchanting movie than Paddington.

Ben Whishaw beautifully voices the title bear with a childlike adventure and sense of mischief. His relaxing tones and enthusiasm can be heard so well that it’s really difficult to imagine another person voicing Paddington with the same skill as Whishaw has. Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins play well off one another as total opposite mum and dad. Bonneville is staid, careful and unwilling to entertain fancy notions, Hawkins is imaginative, lovely and slightly zany. Both consummate actors invest a lot into their respective roles(which also goes for pretty much the entire cast, who are finely assembled). The ever-dependable Julie Walters has a whole bundle of fun as the elderly relative of the Brown’s, whose quick wit and precision with cleaning ensures things are up to her tidy standards. Nicole Kidman is a dark delight as the villain of the piece; a Cruella like woman who wants to add Paddington to her collection. Kidman is both menacing and tongue in cheek funny, while also embodying something seductively devious too. It’s obvious that she had a really fun time playing this type of character just from the looks on her face. Child actors Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin are ideal for the roles of the Brown children who take the bear under their wing. Peter Capaldi is very amusing and slimy as the local nosy neighbour getting in trouble with the evil taxidermist, while Jim Broadbent provides sage as a man who helps point Paddington in the direction of what he seeks. Briefly found voicing Paddington’s relatives in Darkest Peru are Michael Gambon and Imelda Staunton, whose pathos and warmth are felt from the get go, despite only being on the screen for a short duration.

Hilarious, riotously entertaining and aimed at all ages, Paddington takes its place as a firm favourite that will pull you in with its message of family and its massive beating centre that is the lovable bear.

The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad

Tags

1950's, Adventure, Alfred Brown, Fantasy, Kathryn Grant, Kerwin Mathews, Nathan Juran, Ray Harryhausen, Richard Eyer, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, Torin Thatcher

Film Title

The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad

Director

Nathan Juran

Starring

• Kerwin Mathews as Sinbad
• Kathryn Grant as Princess Parisa
• Torin Thatcher as Sokurah
• Richard Eyer as the Genie
• Alfred Brown as Harufa

Boasting a whole lot of excitement and the amazing stop motion skills of Ray, The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad is fun with a capital F that retains a magical quality to it that never dims. So sit down and be transported into a daring time of quests and magic that is hard to resist.

Legendary adventurer and captain Sinbad is travelling back to Baghdad when his ship is driven towards a strange island known as Colossa. Going ashore with his crew,  Sinbad encounters Sokurah, a magician fleeing from a Cyclops and grasping a magic lamp. Managing to escape the large beast through the use of the lamp and the genie inside, Sokurah comes aboard with Sinbad. He explains that he needs the lamp, which was lost when running away, but Sinbad is reluctant to return to the island. Sinbad is to be married to the beautiful Princess Parisa, who has journeyed with him on his voyage. Their marriage will unite two countries in peace and love, benefiting from the fact they are so very much in love with each other. On their return to Baghdad, things take a turn. Sokurah, angry that he’s been refused , secretly uses his magic powers to shrink Parisa to miniature height. This plays into his plans as Sinbad is desperate to regain his soon to be wife and potentially stop any violence between the two nations. Sokurah tells them that if they want to reverse her shortage of stature they must travel back to Colossa and acquire the egg of a giant bird to make a potion that will reverse the magic. What Sokurah really wants is to get his dirty hands on the magic lamp and use it for his own greed. Sailing back to Colossa with a doubtful crew, Sinbad knows that this journey isn’t going to be easy as he must battle against an array of marvellous creatures if he wants any chance of Parisa getting back to normal again and preventing any animosity between two kingdoms.

Nathan Juran contributes pleasing direction that allows events to be one entertaining adventure by being unobtrusive and letting the effects and magic take deep hold over the audience. The main thing that The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad is rightly remembered for is the quite wonderful stop motion animation of Ray Harryhausen. His personal stamp is there whenever any of the succession of beasts appears; his craftsmanship is something to be greatly admired and marveled at for the sheer dedication and thought gone into it. Harryhausen was a master of spectacle and extraordinary sights and it is for all to see in this excellent fantasy film. From the angry Cyclops to the two-headed bird known as the Roc, the mind of Harryhausen conjured up such greatness and a feeling of otherworldly possibility. At the time of release, his creations must have been revolutionary and met with amazement. The same can still be said now as without his guidance and talent, modern animation and visual advancements may not have been crafted in order to emulate some thing of his greatness. Swashbuckling adventure and fantasy are at the forefront of this flick, starting from the beginning and never letting up. This is a movie the whole family can enjoy as it has something for everyone. It provides pure escapism into a magical tale of heroic deeds and unusual creatures that is rollicking and bracing in almost every aspect. We never seem to see movies such as this anymore, but it’s probably for the best as modern movies may miss out on that special something these fantasy/adventures had. The exotic flourishes of the score from the majestic Bernard Herrmann only heighten this gloriously magical fantasy extravaganza.

Kerwin Mathews is handsome choice for Sinbad and while not the world’s greatest actor, his physicality and masculinity are extremely appropriate for the part of the legendary adventurer. Kathryn Grant is beautiful and sweet as the Princess whose plight is what brings the story into action. The two make a very attractive couple in this magical tale of heroism and danger. Torin Thatcher is made for playing villainy and he plays to that with relish. Just looking at his intense and often alarming eyes, he exudes a slimy sense of power and nastiness. In support there is the young Richard Eyer starring as the boy Genie who can grant any wish and Alfred Brown as Sinbad’s loyal friend Harufa.

The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad is good old-fashioned adventure at its height with imagination and thrills galore. For a movie that the whole family can love and for an adventurous time, you can’t go wrong with The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad.

Sea Wife

Tags

1950's, Adventure, Basil Sydney, Bob McNaught, Cy Grant, Drama, Joan Collins, Richard Burton, Sea Wife

The wonderful Gill and Cat invited me to take part in their Then and Now blogathon. I decided to review two movies, twenty years a part to fit in with the theme. As Joan Collins featured on one of the banners, it seemed only right to review two movies starring the great lady. The first up is Sea Wife.

Film Title

Sea Wife

Director

Bob McNaught

Starring

• Joan Collins as Sea Wife
• Richard Burton as Biscuit
• Basil Sydney as Bulldog
• Cy Grant as Number Four

An adventure drama from the 50’s that may not be high art and a tad disjointed, Sea Wife is nonetheless a worthwhile enough movie that holds the attention for its relatively short running time.

In 1942, a cargo ship in Singapore is boarding people before the Japanese Army arrives. They are however soon under attack, causing everyone to evacuate the boat. One a lifeboat, four disparate people end up escaping and separated from everyone else. None of them are really referred to by their real names, instead we get to know them through the nicknames they assign each other. There is military Officer Biscuit, beautiful Sea Wife( who is secretly a nun), bigoted businessman Bulldog and black purser Number Four. Frictions and tensions quickly rise as Bulldog and his prejudiced views belittle Number Four. Also, Biscuit begins to fall in love with Sea Wife, unaware that she is really a nun and is bound by her vows to God. Following being nearly thrown overboard in a storm, near starvation and desperation, they eventually end up washed onto an island. And while they all attempt to think of ways to make it back to civilisation, events take a tragic turn.

Bob McNaught and his direction are passable and do the job, yet can feel rather labored and in need of a fixer upper. The opening stretches of Sea Wife are the best areas of the film, with the attack of the ship and the subsequent introductions to the characters ending up quite fascinating. Sea Wife, while dated, is quite surprising since good doesn’t always triumph over bad here. In most old movies, good often prevails but in Sea Wife there is a definite melancholy to it that marks it out as something different. Plus, the topic of racism is approached with depth and a sensitivity rarely seen in a 50’s movie. Yet there are definitely some parts of the overall product that could have been improved. The sentimental nature is laid on a bit too thick in stretches and I think my biggest gripe was that events, especially when concerning the latter stages, feel rushed in comparison with the parts where we get to know the characters. A tad more expansion and some more back story for all of them would have been a blessing to this film. The flashback device is pretty nifty and well employed, while lending a bit more depth than what the script often gives us. Focusing on the attempts of Biscuit to find Sea Wife after the tumultuous events on the island, it gives more nuance to the film than it really should have. The music score for the film has a real sweeping quality to it, that I really enjoyed and found beautiful to listen to.

As the eponymous character, Joan Collins is the main focal point of the film. Although known primarily for playing super bitches and glamour goddesses, it’s somewhat refreshing to see a very young Joan Collins in a serene and sincere role. There’s a real sweetness to her here and her beautiful face often speaks volumes in terms of feeling. If you’ve only ever thought of Joan Collins as the aforementioned diva, please check out Sea Wife to see another side to her. You may be surprised to see her play a nun, but it actually works. The ever intense Richard Burton is on hand too, with his customary seriousness and brooding, ideal for his part of the pining man. Basil Sydney really gets into character as the horrible racist, whose prejudices and nastiness, are rendered in full villainous form. Finally, we have Cy Grant as the abused yet useful man, who suffers at the hands of Bulldog simply because of his skin colour. It is with the cast that Sea Wife rises above its many flaws. And while their roles are not what you’d call the best written, they all make them work.

No classic of adventure by means, but still owning enough moments and good acting to tide us over, Sea Wife is an interesting movie to be sure.

Mogambo

Tags

1950's, Adventure, Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Donald Sinden, Grace Kelly, John Ford, Mogambo, Romance

The effervescent Virginie asked me to join her blogathon on classic star Grace Kelly. With Kelly being an iconic movie star and a real life princess, how could I ever refuse? To honour the beauty and splendour of Grace Kelly, I decided to review the romantic adventure Mogambo.

Film Title

Mogambo

Director

John Ford

Starring

• Clark Gable as Victor Marswell
• Ava Gardner as Eloise ‘Honey Bear’ Kelly
• Grace Kelly as Linda Nordley
• Donald Sinden as Donald Nordley

A gorgeously photographed romance/adventure, Mogambo provides good entertainment and classic Hollywood stars to be dazzled by . And while it isn’t major league work from John Ford, its star quality and passion is still very much exciting to view.

Victor Marswell is a rugged, experienced big game hunter and safari businessman whose life is going smoothly in the wilds of Kenya. With his business booming, he can’t really ask for more. Events however take a turn with the arrival of Eloise ‘Honey Bear’ Kelly; a gorgeously outspoken and free-spirited showgirl who has been stood up by a suitor. Having to occupy the same space with Marswell until the next boat back to her planned journey, the two sparring individuals begin a sensual relationship. But Marswell is more concerned with his business and cools the relationship, much to Kelly’s consternation. Yet Kelly’s journey back is halted and run aground, meaning she has to return to Marswell. Around this time, anthropologist Donald Nordley and his posh wife Linda arrive, with wanting to observe the gorillas of the region for study. The prim Linda, who is all about manners and decorum, begins to take a liking to Marswell, seeing as her husband is more concerned with his studies. This of course arouses jealousy from Kelly, who takes it upon herself to stir things up for all involved. While Donald remains oblivious to his wife’s obvious attraction to the uncouth Marswell, a love triangle falls into place.The competition is on as both Kelly and Linda angle for the affections of Marswell amid the wild landscape.

John Ford takes us on safari with his gift for using visuals and settings to capture the attention and contribute beauty. Ford has often done this in his classic Westerns and here is no different. Mogambo may not be a masterpiece, but there’s no denying the sumptuous visual direction of the great John Ford and his keen way of making locations come to life. Animals and wide, vast sights are glimpsed in nearly every frame of this torrid take, accentuated by alive cinematography and luscious colour. Mogambo is very much a melodrama and one of feverish emotions as wild as the surroundings. This approach is well utilised for the torrid feelings that attempt to be kept under wraps, but spill over with delicious passion and fruitful events. Only later on foes the drama get a little too overwrought for its own good, thankfully the stars and scenery can make up for those cracks. Mogambo is also a very saucy movie, Granted, the sexual sizzle is mainly confined to innuendo given the time period the movie was in, Mogambo still steams things up in its own naughty way. It’s the verbal sparring of the three that brings fire and vibrancy to a sometimes sleepy film; one-liners and veiled seduction are checked off the list and explored frequently against picturesque backdrops.

The stars are the thing and you couldn’t have asked for three more glamorous people than Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly. Clark Gable, now in the later years of his career, still has the charm and panache to pull of his part. He is world-weary but immensely jaunty, especially in that grin that he employs. He wasn’t known as the King of Hollywood for no reason. The ravishing Ava Gardner is relaxed and appropriately sassy, cracking one liners with ease and wit. Her devilish appeal and devastating good looks are matched by her subtle shading of the character who is tough, sexy and unexpected. Gardner is suitably fetching and confident in her acting; obviously relishing the sizzling role given to her. Grace Kelly rounds out the central trio and at the point of major stardom, beautifully plays the repressed Linda who is not quite as innocent or lily-white as we first see her. Kelley has the right amount of ice and fire for the part( which would later lend itself well to roles in Hitchcock movies) and looks simply gorgeous throughout. Starting off prim and almost childlike, her desire emerges and her reserve thaws to show a passionate woman. It’s a nice part for Grace Kelly that compliments the work of Gable and Gardner. Donald Sinden is not given a whole lot to do, besides remain largely ignorant of what is transpiring around him.

So while overlong as a movie and often sometimes plodding, Mogambo is redeemed by the great cast and passionate approach. A glamorous adventure that is simple in story, but pretty excellent in execution with the best in the business being and in front of the camera.

The African Queen

Tags

1950's, Adventure, Humphrey Bogart, John Huston, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley

The sensational Crystal is hosting a blogathon dedicated to the talents of icons Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. I was more than happy to join in and celebrate the fineness of these two stars. For my celebration of Miss Hepburn, I decided to review the excellent adventure that is The African Queen. The next review for Spencer Tracy will be of Broken Lance.

Film Title

The African Queen

Director

John Huston

Starring

• Humphrey Bogart as Charlie Allnut
• Katharine Hepburn as Rose Sayer
• Robert Morley as Reverend Samuel Sayer

Filmed largely on location in well documented circumstances and benefiting from the direction John Huston and pairing of Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, The African Queen is high adventure that remains evergreen and always exciting.

It is 1914 in German East Africa and prim spinster Rose Sayer is along with her Reverend brother Samuel working as missionaries with a local village. With the First World War occurring at this point, uncertainty rises and escalates when the Germans set upon the village and burn it down. An injured Samuel submits to fever and quickly dies, leaving Rose devastated. Hope comes in the unlikely form of gin-swigging and uncouth tramp steamer owner Charlie Allnut; who delivers supplies to many villages and has met Rose before. Taking pity on her, he takes her aboard his steamer, known as The African Queen. Immediately, the two clash over a difference of opinion and anything they can. Rose is a well-bred, respectable lady who doesn’t take kindly to Charlie’s man about the world behaviour, while Charlie finds his lay about lifestyle challenged by a woman he considers prissy and obstinate. As they continue down the river, their bickering temporarily stops as Rose unusually suggests helping the War effort. Knowing that a German patrol ship blocks any path or form of attack later down the river, Rose suggests fashioning some of Charlie’s supplies into an array of combatants in order to sink the ship. Charlie thinks the idea is ridiculous at first, but getting to know Rose, agrees to her terms. Thus resumes the sniping and arguments as their journey to adventure is fraught with hot weather, dangerous tides and animals. Over this time of surviving the river, Charlie and Rose begin to fall in love, after much reluctance to acknowledge such feelings.

John Huston is the captain of this movie and his maverick spirit is never far from view. Choosing to shoot largely on location in Africa posed difficulties, but his sense of fun and blend of adventure, romance and humour is ideally pitched and depicted to such a loving degree. The initial set up is well done, but The African Queen truly gets going once both Rose and Charlie are on the eponymous boat and the oil-water dynamic sets in. Observing them clash due to different upbringings and divides is what gives The African Queen its playful spirit that no amount of time can diminish. Their impulsive plan to thwart the Germans is daring and the stuff of a Boy’s Own Adventure; ranking it for me as definite must see movie for anyone who hasn’t yet had the pleasure of viewing this classic. We have so many memorable moments to entertain here including riding through the rapids, Rose applying a multitude of salt to Charlie’s leech infested body and the overall journey down the river are just some of the highlights from this gloriously engaging adventure. There’s nary a dull moment as the script and energy keep things bubbling at a nice, exciting temperature. The African Queen is practically a roller coaster on water, with every turn bringing with it gorgeous views, multiple dangers and romance for our two principal characters. The location shooting, which has been extremely well documented for its tribulations, that ultimately added with the flavour of the film, make it adventure and fun of the highest denomination. A grand but always puckish score is the great accompaniment for Rose and Charlie down the river.

Humphrey Bogart collected an Oscar for his winning portrayal of a rough and ready but dissolutely charming captain. With his cheeky grin and gruffness being offset by the fact that he’s really a decent guy underneath it all, Bogart makes the role his own. Katharine Hepburn is equally as excellent with a blend of uptight primness and burgeoning spiritedness that is most accomplished. Hepburn is sharp, strong yet vulnerable and full of life, a mix that she inhabits with vigor. Watching as Rose emerges from her refined nature to becoming a lively heroine of resilience is a great thing and completely down to the greatness of Katharine Hepburn and her talent. And watching the chemistry between the two as they bristle and bicker, before coming to love the other is just another string in the movie’s impressive bow. It’s a shame these two stars didn’t make any other movies together as their chalk and cheese personalities would have been well served if given the chance. Robert Morley appears briefly as Rose’s brother, whose death fills her with a desire to help the War effort in her own way.

The African Queen is fine movie making and a deserved classic that has lost none of its original charm or fun factor. If you haven’t seen it, I implore you to do so for its adventure and pairing of Bogart and Hepburn.

White Squall

Tags

1990's, Adventure, Balthazar Getty, Based on a true story, Caroline Goodall, Coming-of-Age, Eric Michael Cole, Jeff Bridges, Jeremy Sisto, John Savage, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Ridley Scott, Ryan Phillippe, Scott Wolf

Film Title

White Squall

Director

Ridley Scott

Starring

• Jeff Bridges as Captain Christopher “Skipper” Sheldon
• Scott Wolf as Chuck Gieg
• Jeremy Sisto as Frank Beaumont
• Ryan Phillippe as Gil Martin
• Eric Michael Cole as Dean Preston
• Balthazar Getty as Tod Johnstone
• Caroline Goodall as Alice Sheldon
• John Savage as McCrea
• Julio Oscar Mechoso as Girard

Inspired by true events of a and the storm they ran into along the way, Ridley Scott’s White Squall is an underrated adventure/coming of age film that while a tad formulaic, is riveting entertainment and spectacle throughout.

It is the early 60’s and a group of teenagers sign up to sail on a ship known as the Albatross for several months. The curriculum is both a mixture of scholarly work and more importantly the practical seafaring variety. The ship is commanded by experienced and tough Captain Christopher Sheldon, who is referred to throughout as Skipper. He is a take no prisoners captain who doesn’t tolerate slacking or idleness. The ship also has Skipper’s wife and medic Alice, English teacher McCrea and cook Girard on board. The main boys comprise of personable and searching Chuck Gieg(who also functions as narrator), the much abused and insecure rich kid Frank Beaumont, timid and vulnerable Gil Martin, misbehaving show off Dean Preston and wise-cracking Tod Johnstone . Their voyage will take them through the South Pacific and the Caribbean, and be a rites of passage for all. At first, the ragtag group of recruits is at odds with Skipper’s methods and continually rebel. His rigorous training takes flight as he expects them to learn discipline, respect and teamwork while aboard. Not that this will be easy as the boys test him with all they’ve got in various ways. He however is not above this challenge and enforces his authority with his tests and  Gradually, a newfound respect and sense of teamwork is discovered among them all. They all manage to bond together to form a skilled set of young men, with Skipper growing quietly fond and protective of them. Experiencing misadventures and mishaps binds them as a group and the training from Skipper more than pays off. Yet just as everyone is coming together, disaster lurks in the distance. They find themselves coming into the view of a ferocious storm, which will test each and every one of them as danger approaches.

Within Ridley Scott at the helm, you know the direction isn’t going to disappoint. And Scott brings his trademark eye for visuals to this exciting story, while still getting to the human heart of the themes of survival and camaraderie. Scott has this tale under his command and allows us time to learn about the crew before disaster hits later on. Spectacle is something Ridley Scott does superbly, but his equally excellent building of emotion and heart is also worthy of praise, particularly in White Squall. Gorgeous vistas and sights are glimpsed, presenting life at sea as something ripping but just as easily challenging and not for the weak of heart. The coming of age aspects of White Squall are far from original but we’ll plated and envisioned. It helps that you buy into the initially green boys growing up and after scrapping and disagreements in the beginning, can be there for each other and pull their weight in times that it is needed. The movie isn’t perfect however, with some of it really going too slow. I believe that because you know imminent tragedy will come you are waiting for it to happen, and it can make you impatient. This presents both a slight flaw and a positive; the build up at least establishes quite a few of the characters to us and let’s us observe their changes under the tutelage of the Skipper, while it can get to be a chore when you’re anticipating the big set piece to flower. Any in pace is however made up when the storm hits and we are dealt an exciting and emotion driven wallop. Using fast cuts, slow motion and stirring yet tense music, the scene is an extended action piece that is mightily impressive in almost every aspect. This intense and ferocious scene where we see the boys go beyond everything they’ve learned can to survive and face danger head on is one of considerable impact and vision. I can’t wax lyrical enough about this scene and what it accomplishes, both on an action level and on emotional clarity. The ending chapter feels a tad tacked on, but can be forgiven for what has come before. A dramatic score is just the ticket for this movie, finding both beauty and danger in its rhythms.

Jeff Bridges exudes a tough, compelling yet fair persona as the captain, mostly referred to as Skipper. He’s the kind of man to keep you in line but reward you if you comply and be part of the team. Bridges boasts a dignity and wry wisdom that inspires both admiration and trepidation among the boys. For me, Jeff Bridges has always been a fine actor when he quietly and subtly gets into part, which is what he does in White Squall. A sea-captain often allows the opportunity to overact and be loud, but Bridges has a more disciplined and nuanced angle that is largely more effective than over dramatic antics. You believe him as this leader because if the commanding energy and the fact that he doesn’t care whether his crew likes him, as long as they pull together even needed. A finely tuned and thoughtfully played performance from the great Jeff Bridges is what we get. Scott Wolf is the main eyes and ears of the film, providing the narration and likable attitude of the movie. He has a certain wonder in his eyes as he observes the events on the ship and he makes a really great lead character. Jeremy Sisto is very impressive, digging into the troubled mind of a spoiled kid, constantly berated by his father and singled out. If this kid could only get a break, he might be able to flourish. Ryan Phillippe is appropriately scared and in a muddle, mainly down to the character feeling he is so weak in all of this, when he’s actually pretty smart. The classic bully comes in the form of Eric Michael Cole, who reveals that he’s really a shy person with no self-esteem that is complimented by Balthazar Getty as the know it all joker. Though these characters feel rather archetypal in the scope of things, they are acted with sincerity. While the previously mentioned actors get parts that they can work with, the rest are awash in a sea of white T-shirts and suntan. As the main woman in the film, Caroline Goodall isn’t given a whole lot to do, but still shows her mettle when the occasion calls for it. John Savage provides some comic relief as the ship’s sonnet quoting teacher along with Julio Oscar Mechoso.

While it’s nothing particularly new, White Squall succeeds in the strength of its story, acting and command under Scott’s stylish yet emotive and exciting direction. For my money, this is a pretty undervalued movie in Scott’s filmography that deserves a watch.