1119. Russian Ark

Russian Ark
2002
Directed by Alexander 

So before we begin discussing the movie that I am sure is on everybody's mind, Russian Ark, here's some 1001-related news. According to the Forbidden Planet site, we are due for a new edition of the 1001 movie list on October 4. The cover features Joker (ugh), and the site says the new edition includes Parasite, Little Women, For Sama, and The Lighthouse. Anybody have any guesses about what else will be included, or what might be getting the boot? Personally, I think they will probably add Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Jojo Rabbit, and Midsommar.

Russian Ark fans, I thank you for your patience. An unnamed narrator wanders through the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, and encounters various characters in Russian history do things like look for the bathroom. The highlight of the film is definitely the ballroom sequence. The dance is modeled after the final ball held in Tsarist Russian in 1913 and the visuals are stunning. 

Much like the previous 1001 movie I watched on the List, The Adventures of Prince Achmed, this is more of an astounding technical achievement than a compelling piece of escapism. The entire film was shot in one take, and they apparently failed three times before getting it right. 

So that aspect was interesting, and it was fun recognizing historical characters. But the novelty of the concept didn't keep me enthralled for the entire runtime.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The production only had one day to shoot the entire film.

Shot at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. 

1118. The Adventures of Prince Achmed

The Adventures of Prince Achmed
1926
Directed by Lotte Reiniger

I had difficulty finding this one, and even ordered a DVD from a shady internet site that caused my DVD player to emit several interesting noises. I was finally able to stream this on a website that I am sure is, ahem, entirely reputable but may cease to existence at any moment. So I thought it was prudent to get while the getting was good.

A prince has many assorted adventures, including riding a flying horse and falling in love with a princess. The movie was animated using the silhouette technique. It's so beautifully done that it is hard to believe they were in fact limited by technology, and they didn't just use this technique for aesthetic purposes. 

Evidently, the Listmakers noticed they had seriously underrepresented women on this List. Apparently, they had to travel all the way back to 1926 in order to find one they liked. As a technical achievement this is incredible and watching it in color was a fascinating experience.

This isn't the easiest movie to track down, but it's worth watching if you do stumble across it, especially if you are into tracking the development of animation.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Lotte Reiniger cut the figures out of black cardboard with scissors, and joined the pieces with thread to animate them.

About 250,000 stills were made, with 96,000 used in the film.

1117. Sorry to Bother You

Sorry to Bother You
2018
Directed by Boots Riley

This is a movie that I tried and failed to like. I actually really love the actors in this movie, including the criminally underused Tessa Thompson, Terry Crews, Lakeith Stanfield, and Armie Hammer (even if he scares me). But I just couldn't get on board with this, I guess I only like my magic realism in books.

Cassius "Cash" Green lives in a garage with his girlfriend, Detroit, who is an artist/sign twirler. Desperate to pay his rent, Cash gets a job as a telemarketer at Regal View. Another coworker teaches him that he'll have more success on the phone if he uses his "white voice." This voice isn't so much what white people really sound like, as what they wish they sound like (which apparently isn't bangable in the slightest). Cash's coworkers want to go on strike for more pay and benefits, but Cash thinks he has a chance of making it as a power caller, which comes with its own, um, set of perks.

I liked the beginning of this movie and its premise. After all, any kind of sales office is a surreal place, where everybody transforms into these weird company-a-trons that say things like "Happy Friday Lite gang" on Thursdays. But they kind of lost me as the film progressed. I prefer movies that are a bit more subtle. That's a personal preference, of course, and I am sure the style of this film will appeal to many. 

I would have preferred a movie more firmly based in reality that explored Cash's and Detroit's relationship more, and the strain of working at a place like Regal View. Instead, I felt like I was on shrooms, which is not something my personality type enjoys.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Donald Glover was originally cast for the main role, but had to drop out due to a conflict with shooting Solo: A Star Wars Story.

1116. Sleeping Dogs

Sleeping Dogs
1977
Directed by Roger Donaldson

I have a confession to make, which I feel obliged to share since we have no secrets here. 

The other night I watched Jurassic Park III. 

It's not a moment I am proud of. All I can say is that this pandemic has been hard on everybody, and we shouldn't judge each other for our weaknesses. Anyway, today Sam Neill and I were able to meet under less shameful circumstances.

Smith is reeling from the dissolution of his marriage, so he arranges to live on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand, which is owned by a Maori tribe. He spends some happy days there with his dog, but his peaceful life takes a turn when a bomb explodes in a nearby town. Smith is arrested in connection with the bombing, and is pressured to make a false confession or face execution by firing squad. Despite his desire to be removed from the war, Smith is forced to choose sides and fight for his handsome life.

It's interesting to see a movie come out of New Zealand, which is pretty underrepresented as a country on this List. Of course, the police brutality scenes hit a little different in the current climate. I know it's an issue that (sadly) never goes out of style, but it was especially hard to watch right now.

On the negative side, I thought the pacing of this was kinda off, and found the characters to be pretty grating. The romantic subplots really didn't seem to fit in with the rest of the story. 

So worth watching if you want to dive deeper into New Zealand cinema, and see Sam Neill's breakout role. But I think this is one of those movies that didn't reach its full potential.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

First New Zealand produced movie to attain wide release in the United States.

Roger Donaldson originally wanted Jack Nicholson to play Warren Oates' role, but his agent turned it down because of the film's low budget.

1115. The Exiles

The Exiles
1961
Directed by Kent Mackenzie

Surprise! I don't usually get in here during the week but I saw this rather obscure movie pop up on YouTube and wanted to watch it before it disappeared. So while you typically hear from cool, laid back Weekend Amanda, today you get tightly wound Weekday Amanda, who jumps at small noises and obsesses over deadlines.

The Exiles follows a group of Native Americans who have left their reservations to move to Bunker Hill, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. There isn't much of a plot, and we watch them do everyday things, like drink, socialize, buy gas, and shop for groceries.

It's very unusual to see Native Americans featured in movies; even Native American characters are typically played by white actors. That doesn't necessarily make the film the most riveting experience, but it's nice to get more representation. Also, for such a low budget movie, the cinematography was excellent. 

Weekday Amanda is pretty succinct.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Bunker Hill was also featured in the writings of Raymond Chandler, John Fante, and Charles Bukowski.

1114. Some Came Running

Some Came Running
1958
Directed by Vincente Minnelli

The last time I watched a Vincente Minnelli movie, it was Gigi. I think we can agree that was creepy as all get out. While Some Came Running was mercifully devoid of elderly men singing about little girls, it didn't age particularly well either.

Dave Hirsch (Frank Sinatra) returns to his hometown in Indiana, with a dame, Ginny, in tow. He's only nice to said dame when he is drunk, so I guess he's the polar opposite of Sinatra's actual personality. Anyway, Dave is an army veteran and author of two novels. His presence in town is resented by his older brother Frank, who is embarrassed about Dave's behavior, and Frank's wife, Agnes, who is angry about Dave's unflattering novels. Frank and Agnes are eager to impress their wealthy socialite friends, Professor French and his daughter Gwen, both of whom are fans of Dave's books. Dave falls for Gwen, and he begins to court her, which in 1958 meant ignoring her as she repeatedly tells him she's not interested. 

I kept forgetting that this wasn't a musical. The fight scenes were actually kind of cute, and I am not certain that's what they were going for. Maybe they were. I obviously don't understand Vincente Minnelli's intentions. You could tell this was based on a longwinded novel written by a man. All the female characters were melodramatic to the point of being in hysterics, only motivated by their love for the terrible men in their lives. At one point Frank Sinatra's character tells Shirley Maclaine's character to clean his friend's house and she practically explodes with happiness.

But that's par for course, obviously, as it can't be anything other than a product of its time. Still, an entirely unnecessary addition that is only slightly elevated by its cast.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

According to Shirley MacLaine, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra really did not like Vincente Minnelli and thought he was a poor director.

Joanne Woodward turned down the role of Ginny so she wouldn't have to work with Frank Sinatra.