Change Your Image
busterkeaton11731
Reviews
Ace in the Hole (1951)
Aces High
One of Billy wilder's most overlooked films,and a critical and box office flop in it's time that looks better with every viewing! Re-released under the tittle "The Big Carnival",the name under which I first saw it on TV,it did little better. There are NO good guys in this one ,save perhaps the newspaper editor who hires Tatum in New Mexico. Everyone is out for themselves and they don't care who they step on to get what they want.Inspired by the story of a miner trapped in a tunnel in the late 1920's but it has little to do with that story beyond the general theme. Wilder's dialogue is as always crisp and well written,showing why he refused to allow his actors to improvise.("If I'd wanted you to say THAT,I would have written it that way!")It's a shame that this film is not yet available on video in any format.
The Treaty (1991)
A Free State
Brendan Gleason seems to come closer to the image of Michael Collins I got from reading Tim Pat Coogan's biography of the Irish leader then Liam Neeson's turn in Niel Jordan's biopic.While this film,an RTE/BBC co-production didn't have anywhere near the budget of Jordan's film it's producers did a first rate job none the less.The acting is quite good,and the resemblance of Ian Bannen to David Lloyd-George is remarkable!The discussion he has with DeValera about the translation of the Irish word "phoblacht" is interesting,as Lloyd-George was a Welshman,a Celtic group who've managed to keep THEIR Gaelic tongue alive and kicking.All in all while this film hasn't the big screen glamor of "Michael Collins",it is less about the legend of the "Big Fellow", and much closer to the real man.Anyone interested in how modern Ireland came to be should see this film.
Joe Gould's Secret (2000)
Dealing with our delusions
This is a well made and acted adaption of Joseph Mitchell's two pieces on Joseph Ferdinand Gould,a New York character from the 20's into the early 50's who claimed to be writing the "longest book in the English language,Joe Gould's Oral history." He haunted Village bars and coffee houses cadging drinks and handouts to sustain his existence.He says "We all suffer from delusions,his is the delusion that he is Joseph Ferdinand Gould.Tucci is excellent as Joseph Mitchell,but Ian Holm steals the show as Joe Gould,although he looks a little too well fed.Trivia:early in the film when Tucci is in the Minnetta Tavern,we see a painting of the REAL Joe Gould! What a shame this movie didn't get a wider audience,which it richly deserves.
The Cameraman (1928)
Keaton's last command
"The Cameraman" was Keaton's next to last silent film,and the last feature he had any real measure of creative control over,and it shows,especially in it's new restored DVD release.While still missing some of it's original footage,the existing material has been restored to near perfect condition,allowing the viewer to really see what's going on,and with a visual artist like BK this is essential! It's said that MGM's print of this was worn ragged because it was considered a perfect example of comedy writing and directing and was REQUIRED viewing for all their new comedians.Why then did those in control at MGM refuse to allow Keaton the freedom he needed to make his kind of picture? How would Keaton have integrated sound into his films had he been in the director's chair ? Might he have evolved something akin to Tati's use of the soundtrack or might he have gone in a completely different direction? We'll never know the answer and the world of cinema is certainly poorer for it!