769. Moonstruck

Moonstruck

1987

Directed by Norman Jewison

Man, do I hate this movie.  I might be the only one on Earth who feels this way as I have never met anyone who did not like this film.  Usually I can understand what people see in things if there is talent behind it, but I just can't figure out this movie's appeal.

Loretta Castorini is an accountant in Brooklyn living with her parents and grandfather.  She accepts her boyfriend's proposal and he leaves her to plan the wedding as he visits his mother in Sicily.  He asks her to invite his estranged brother Ronny to the wedding but Loretta has trouble making contact with him.  When she finally tracks him down, the two find themselves instantly attracted to each other.  Who will she choose?  I was honestly curious, as both men are so unappealing.

I know the characters are supposed to be slightly wooden and weird, but even that can't excuse the bad acting on display here.  I am in utter shock that Cher won Best Actress for this role, beating both Meryl Streep and Glenn Close.  It seems we are supposed to fall in love with these characters, but they were all too malicious for my taste.

The dialogue in this film was even stranger than the characters.  I just don't get it, but it doesn't feel like a big loss.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Cher threatened to quit if Nicolas Cage wasn't cast.

453. In the Heat of the Night

In the Heat of the Night
1967
Directed by Norman Jewison

I saw this film quite awhile ago, pre List and pre Best Picture winners, when I was watching AFi's top 100 movies (I have an unhealthy list addiction in case you haven't figured that out yet).  Anyway, while I can't say this film left the strongest impression, I do agree that it is a worthy addition to the List.

Virgil Tibbs, played by Sidney Poitier, is just passing through a Southern town so, of course, is taken to the police station.  When it is revealed that Tibbs is actually a homicide detective in Philadelphia (side note: why is the line not "They call me Detective Tibbs?"), he is urged by both the mayor and his own chief to stay and solve a recent murder.  The catch is, he has to work with a racist Southern police chief (was that too repetitive?).

I have never been that much of a fan of films or books dealing with race issues in the South.  They tend to just upset and disgust me, without ever bringing anything new to the table.  However, I do have to give credit to this film.  Of course, the acting was fantastic, but I was impressed most by the story.  Sure, it was a bit contrived, but it had me guessing the entire movie and was never boring.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Poitier refused to shoot in the South, having been attacked by the KKK before.

Rod Steiger was asked by the director to always be chewing gums during his scenes.  Is that where the "jerk police officer chews gum in your face" trope started?

#75 in AFI's top 100.

They Call Me...