Clockwise

I am a huge fan of John Cleese. Just check out the autographed 'Fawlty Towers' stuff on my office wall. From television to the movies, his manic energy is hilarious. This is one of his lesser-known films. Enjoy!


I love British comedies. Especially 'Monty Python'. One of the greatest gifts I ever received is the '16 ton Megaset' of DVDs which I got for my birthday. (My birthday is September 4th just in case you want to send gifts!) And of all the cast of 'Python' John Cleese is my favorite. His manic energy and always "ready-to-explode" personality are hilarious. From 'Monty Python' to 'Fawlty Towers' to 'A Fish Called Wanda' Cleese delivers laughs. Which is why I was so excited to go see Clockwise when it first arrived in Los Angeles in 1986. I never understood why it received so little attention in the U.S. It was a big hit in England, but never caught on here. It should have!

This film tells the story of one ill-fated day for a British school headmaster that is obsessed with punctuality. Headmaster Stimpson, played by Cleese, is to travel 150 miles to become the chairman of the national headmaster organization. He, and his students and family, are most proud. Of course, the journey is filled with nothing but problems. Everything that can go wrong does. Travel problems, luggage issues, a visit to a monastery and many other roadblocks stand between Headmaster Stimpson and his moment of glory. You can see the pressure building within Cleese every step of the way. His fans know that you can only hold John Cleese in for so long. How and when that massive pressure gets released is the question.

Clockwise is one of the few times that Cleese neither writes nor directs his appearance. Writer Michael Frayn does a wonderful, if at times painful, job of destroying each new chance at success for our beleaguered Headmaster. Each obstacle is small and can be overcome, but the succession of events builds throughout. Director Christopher Morahan does a terrific job at the helm. He allows Cleese to be Cleese, but insists he stay within reasonable bounds. At least most of the time.

Clockwise is manic, pressure-filled laughs as only John Cleese can deliver. If you are a fan of John Cleese, this is must see. If not, you should probably avoid this movie. It might not work for you.

Trivia Note: The school in this film is named Thomas Thompion. He was a pioneer of clock and watchmaking in the 17th Century. Quite fitting for a movie about being on time.

Filmed in 1986, directed by Christopher Morahan, written by Michael Frayn, starring John Cleese, Penelope Wilton, Sharon Maiden and Stephen Moore.

Robin and the 7 Hoods

Let me preface my review by saying that this isn't a great movie. But it is a movie with great moments and a unique history. I believe that those moments and the film's unique history make it worth a viewing. Plus, as a youngster, this was the only musical that I would watch. It holds a special place in my cinema heart.

Robin and the 7 Hoods tells the story of Robin Hood, but moves the setting to prohibition-era Chicago. Frank Sinatra plays Robbo, the leader of one of the "criminal" gangs. With Dean Martin as Little John and Sammy Davis, Jr. as Will at his side, Sinatra is attempting to keep his criminal enterprises going in the face of pressures from the Sheriff, played by Victor Buono, and opposing gang leader Guy Gisborne. Gisborne is portrayed with very over-the-top glee by Peter Falk. Soon Bing Crosby shows up as a pedantic orphan who has benefited from Robbo's charity. He spreads the word of this "munificent perspicacity" of giving to the press and all of Chicago loves the new Robin Hood.


As I said, the film isn't great, but some of the moments are fantastic. This is the film in which Sinatra debuts 'My Kind of Town'. This homage to the city of Chicago is now legendary, but many think it is from the musical 'Chicago'. No, it is from Robin and the 7 Hoods. Also wonderful is a tap/song number from Sammy Davis, Jr. entitled 'Bang! Bang!'. He sings and tap dances his way through the shooting up of a rivals illegal casino. Is there anything more entertaining than a great tap number combined with pistols and a tommy gun? I didn't think so. Most impressive is Bing Crosby. His portrayal of a depression revival minister singing about the evils of alcohol is the show stopper. I challenge anyone to watch this film and not come away singing about the evils of 'Mr. Booze'.

The film's history is also a key part to my interest in Robin and the 7 Hoods. This is the last musical made by Bing Crosby. It is also the last time that the lead elements of the "Rat Pack" get together for a film. Those two facts make it necessary viewing from a cinema history perspective. The fact that you get a couple of great song and dance numbers just adds to the fun. The film also has a darker side to its history. This film was plagued by issues outside of the studio. They filmed a scene involving a kidnapping, but when Frank Sinatra's child was actually kidnapped the producers cut that scene from the film. Also, there is a scene, early in the movie, where the principals attend a funeral. This was being filmed at the same time as the assassination of President Kennedy. Sinatra and Kennedy had been close and this cast a large pall over the cast and crew. Things were so bad that, later, actor Victor Buono said that it was a "minor miracle" that the film was finished at all.


So keep in mind the history while you watch this movie. Feel free to enjoy the songs while you wince at some of the dialogue. But most of all have fun. I know I do whenever I watch Robin and the 7 Hoods.

Filmed in 1963, directed by Gordon Douglas, written by David R. Schwartz, songs by Sammy Cahn and James van Heusen, starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bing Crosby and Peter Falk.

Dirty War

Interesting film about the lead-up and aftermath of the explosion of a "dirty bomb" in London. This film shows the terrorist event from many different angles. It reminded me of the British 'Traffik'. While that was about the drug war and this is about terrorism, the films are similar in their scope. Dirty War shows the bombing from many different perspectives. This film focuses upon the terrorists as they prepare to carry out their attack, the first responders training and dealing with the event, politicians dealing with the pressures of such a disaster and investigators trying to apprehend the terrorists and stop the explosion. The film also deals with the aftermath of such a tragedy. Showing how unprepared we may be for such dealings is an important part of Dirty War.





The cast is made up of unknowns and none of them get major screen time. This movie is primarily a "procedural" where we are included in the workings of many types of professionals. It attempts to be informative and not fear-mongering. The fact that most cities are under-prepared for a radiation-filled explosion should come as a surprise to no one. The devastating effects of radiation makes it almost impossible for anyone to be fully prepared. There is a quick debate in this movie about that very fact. I also appreciated the films dispassionate look at all the involved parties. From fire fighters to politicians to police investigators to terrorists Dirty War tries to show us the motivation and tactics used by all the parties.

The film is a little disturbing. The idea of being trapped in a major city, with hundreds of thousands of people, while a radiation-laced bomb is exploded should disturb anyone. However, the film makers did a fine job of showing us some of the realities of just such a disaster. The script is compact, most of the characters seem real and the story moves at an excellent pace.

Filmed in 2004, directed by Daniel Percival, written by Percival and Lizzie Mickery, starring Gavin Abbot, Joanne Adams, Shamshad Akhtar and Fuman Dar.

Seven Days in May

This is a political thriller starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. Lancaster portrays an Air Force General who is organizing a military coup against the U.S. Government. Douglas portrays his aide who discovers the plot. Can he stop the plot before the takeover by the military? Who can he trust?

Seven Days in May was directed by John Frankenheimer. Frankenheimer is best known for his disturbing masterpiece 'The Manchurian Candidate'. Seven Days in May is taut and compelling. The story builds to a very satisfying finish. The script was written by Rod Serling, based upon the excellent book by Fletcher Knebel and Charles Bailey. I remember, as a teen, reading this book and not wanting to put it down. I wondered if it was possible, in our great democracy, for the military to take over? That question has been repeated, in novels and the media, for the almost 40 years since this film debuted. The Serling script treats the viewer as intelligent and worthy of respect. No cheap tricks, just a well-honed plot and tension that builds throughout.


While this movie was being filmed the production staff asked for governmental assistance with locations and background information. The Kennedy White House was most helpful. The Kennedy brothers had both read and enjoyed the book and were looking forward to the movie. Not so with the Pentagon. The military demanded "approval" of the script before they would help. Frankenheimer felt that this was "covert censorship" and refused to provide them with a script.

The cast is loaded. Besides Douglas and Lancaster, Fredric March plays the President of the United States. He is superb. Just snooty enough to be a President while still seeming somewhat human. Edmund O'Brien portrays a U.S. Senator helping to stop the plot. He won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award for this film. Ava Gardner, Richard Anderson, Martin Balsam and John Houseman, in his screen debut, all add depth to this fine suspense film.


This is an intelligent political drama. Seven Days in May has a deep cast, fine direction and an intriguing script. Enjoy! One interesting note:This film was banned in Brazil upon its release. The military coup that had just taken place there was too similar to the one portrayed in the movie.

Filmed in 1964, directed by John Frankenheimer, written by Rod Serling, starring Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Edmund O'Brien, Fredric March and Ava Gardner.

Note: I reviewed another John Frankenheimer film, 'Seconds', in my first blog. You can read it here.

Soylent Green

I wore my new Soylent Green T-shirt today. This is the second time that I have worn this shirt and the response is amazing. Every where I stopped someone came up to me to ask about the shirt or to comment about the movie. As my family and friends know, I am a bit of a T-shirt collector. I have about 80 in my closet right now. All have logos of interesting places I've been, things I've seen or movies I love. But of all the hundreds of specialty shirts I've worn over the years, this one has garnered the most interest by far. I find it surprising that a nearly 40-year old film, and a cheesy sci-fi one at that, is the thing that encourages people to talk about their experience of cinema. Obviously, something struck a chord within the viewers of Soylent Green.

Soylent Green stars Charleton Heston as police detective Thorn in New York City in 2022. The city is the home to more than 40 million people. The entire planet is overcrowded, underfed and out-of-resources. People are sleeping in the streets, rioting for food and desperate for any and all of life's necessities. He is charged with investigating the murder of a high-ranking executive in the Soylent Corporation. Soylent has recently introduced a line of amazing food products, of which Soylent Green is one. The nearly starving planet eagerly stuffs their faces with the new items. The Soylent Corporation has told the world of a new source for food in the oceans and they are making huge fortunes selling the foodstuffs.


Dt. Thorn shares an apartment with a researcher named Sol, aptly portrayed by Edward G. Robinson. This is the last film in Robinson's illustrious career. Sol and Thorn are lucky to have a place to live. Most people are sleeping on the street, in stairwells or worse. Sol's research leads him to find important clues in the death of the executive. But Sol longs for the days when food was real, it tasted like something and could be obtained simply by going to the store. There is a touching moment when Thorn shares some strawberry preserves with Sol. Sol is so happy to enjoy something so wonderful and yet even more depressed at the thought of what Earth has become.

No spoilers here. I am sure that almost everyone has seen the film, or one of the many references to it with modern pop culture. But, just in case, I won't give any details. If you have not seen Soylent Green, do yourself a favor and get it. There is a collective experience with which you are not connected.

The release of this film was only a few months after the initial report 'The Limits to Growth' from the Club of Rome. Issued in 1972, this report foretold of the coming apocalypse for the planet. The Club of Rome insisted that there were too many people using too many resources and that Earth was headed for destruction. Almost every "fact" that the report used was distorted and every one of their predictions has yet to happen. Yet millions of people still believe that we, as a species, are destined to hunger, disease, overpopulation and over consumption of all resources. It is almost 40 years since their report and the only places on Earth where people are starving are where citizen's own governments prevent the movement of foods. There is enough food on Earth to feed every human being. The Club of Rome continues to issue reports predicting our imminent demise. They have been doing so for 40 years and will continue to do so for 40 more. You must choose between despair and malaise or a belief in the basic goodness of people and our ability to adapt. I choose hope over despair.


Filmed in 1973, directed by Richard Fleischer, written by Stanley R. Greenberg, starring Charleton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, Leigh Taylor-Young, Joseph Cotton and Chuck Connors.

The film is based upon the novel 'Make Room! Make Room!' by Harry Harrison. While the setting is the same, the film is very different from the novel.

Deliverance

This is one of the most intense and terrifying films ever made. You can keep your chainsaws, hockey masks and clown faces. Deliverance will curdle your blood. Not with gore or fake blood, but with intense fear. "He's got a real pretty mouth" will never be spoken again without millions of people cringing. I get a sinking feeling in my stomach just thinking about this film.

Deliverance tells the story of four businessmen who decide to raft down an Appalachian river before it is dammed. After the construction of the dam is finished there will be no more rapids. But, for now, the river is a force of nature. Along the way they meet some of the local mountain people. There is a clash of cultures that is amazing. In just a few hundred miles within America the differences between the city businessmen and the mountain people is astonishing. Director John Boorman's decision to hire almost all locals for the secondary parts adds to the realism. Some incredibly dangerous river rapids are feared by the men from the city. But they should fear two of the locals they will meet much more. For those who have yet to see Deliverance I will not spoil the shock, but be prepared for a major plot-twist.


Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox and Jon Voight portray the canoers. Each play their persona very well. But it is the menacing villains, played by Bill McKinney and Herbert "Cowboy" Coward, who fill me with fear. They are two of the finest movie bad guys ever! I still get nervous, apprehensive and a little disgusted when they appear on screen. Director Boorman and screenwriter James Dickey, who adapted the screenplay from his novel, do a fantastic job. They allow the beautiful and powerful wilderness to be a major part of the movie. The mountains, countryside and especially the river should be given acting credits. Nature is a major player in this movie.

Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond deserves rave reviews. It is not easy to capture the raw energy and excitement of roaring rapids while still keeping the film personal. His work on Deliverance is top-notch. He also deserves kudos for 'The Deer Hunter', 'Close Encounters' and 'Heaven's Gate'. The year after the release and success of this film hundreds of people attempted to recreate the film and shoot the rapids shown here. 31 people drowned attempting to canoe this extremely dangerous river!


Many people exit Deliverance humming the Dueling Banjos music. The scene with Ronny Cox and Billy Redden "dueling" is a classic. The single went on to be a big seller and the footage of the "bluegrass battle" is a popular item on youtube. Use this link to see just the banjo sequence. I am not sure why it is called 'Dueling Banjos' when one of them is playing a guitar?

Filmed in 1972, Directed by John Boorman, written by James Dickey, starring Burt Reynolds, Ronny Cox, Jon Voight and Ned Beatty.

The Silent Partner

This film has everything. A tight and tense script from the early career of Oscar winning writer/director Curtis Hanson ('L.A. Confidential'). A terrific, understated performance from Elliott Gould. Christopher Plummer as the villain/criminal mastermind. The type of crime against their employer that almost everyone has wished for at some point in their working career. It was filmed in the 70s so everyone is sleeping around and bras are no longer worn. John Candy, in a very small part, gets the beautiful girl. Just enough violence to keep you wondering about the fate of our anti-hero. Verisimilitude abounds. It seemed entirely an entirely plausible crime to me. The Silent Partner has plenty of tension, plot-twists, solid acting, taut direction, Christopher Plummer in drag and no bras to be seen. What more could you want in a crime thriller?






Elliott Gould portrays Miles Cullen. He is the senior teller at a large bank in Toronto. He notices some suspicious behavior and believes the bank is about to be robbed. But instead of notifying the police he decides to keep some of the bank's cash for himself. The robbery takes place, the bank robber gets a little money and Gould gets a lot of money. Gould is elated. His life has been very sedate, almost boring, and the excitement of being a thief, along with the cash, has brought him a new interest in life. A few nights later his phone rings. The bank robber has figured out that Gould kept most of the proceeds of his robbery and he wants the money. Now! And so the game of cat and mouse begins. Plummer, playing the bank robber, is his most menacing self. Can Gould outsmart Plummer and keep the money without being caught or killed?




Both the writer and the director deserve lots of credit for making this a good film. Writer Curtis Hanson adapted the Anders Bodelson novel 'Think of a Number' into a nice, tight package. You can see the beginnings of the career that would later lead to the film noir masterpiece 'L.A. Confidential'. Director Daryl Duke takes the script and films a wonderfully compact movie. There are few extraneous happenings. Just plot and character development that moves the story along. Duke also gets a top-notch performance out of both Elliott Gould and Christopher Plummer. Gould plays the bank teller with an understated ease. You are never sure of his motives or plans. Plummer is the embodiment of quiet evil. He is menacing from the first time you hear his voice.

Writer Hanson and Director Duke have made a nice thriller. If you like a good suspense movie pick-up The Silent Partner.

Filmed in 1978, directed by Daryl Duke, written by Curtis Hanson, starring Elliott Gould, Christopher Plummer, Susannah York and Celine Lomez. Warning:There is one scene, towards the end of the film, that is slightly gruesome. Just in case you want to close your eyes.