It's a miracle! Dennis Cozallo has revived the long dormant blog Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule. And there's a Film Quiz! Since it came out in June, I'm a little late with my homework, but here it is.
1) Movie that best reflects, describes or embodies the tenor of our times
The Great Dictator.
2) Favorite Don Siegel movie not starring Clint Eastwood
I haver a soft spot for The Big Steal, mostly for Jane Greer.
3) Your favorite movie theater, now or then
The Coolidge Corner in Brookline MA. It wasn't that the theater wasn't great, especially after they made the balcony into a separate screen. But they had an amazing samurai film series for several years in the early 80s - two double bills a week. We saw so many movies, before and after we spent a wanderjahr in Japan. We also had a trick to get a good parking space, but it probably doesn't work anymore.
4) You’re booking this Friday and Saturday night at that theater—What are the double features for each night?
Ooh, fun! Let's go with Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo and Gosha's Hunter in the Dark for Friday (a little bit of fun). Then Throne of Blood and Kill! with Tetsuya Nakadai for something a little more serious. I saw all these first at the Coolidge Corner.
5) Wendy Hiller or Deborah Kerr?
I've seen a bit of Hiller, but not enough to judge. Debora Kerr has made much more of an impression, in The Grass is Greener and The Innocents, to mention two very different roles.
6) Last movie seen in a theater/on physical media/by streaming
Last time in a theater was 2022. See #31. Physical media was Monkey Man, a library DVD. Streaming, the Richard Widmark Hammer horror To the Devil ... A Daughter (see #11).
7) Name a young actor in modern films who, either physically or by personality, reminds you of an actor from the age of classic movies
It isn't a good answer, but in the first Fantastic Beasts movie, Dan Fogler managed a very classic period look and style. He reminds me of Jack Oakey or Jack Haley, or maybe Lee Tracy.
8) Favorite film of 2014
Probably The Grand Budapest Hotel, or maybe Under the Skin.
9) Second-favorite Louis Malle film
Tough one. I loved Murmurs of the Heart when I saw it in college - so transgressive. I wonder if I could stand it now. I'm going to say Viva Maria, just as a goof, without chosing a first favorite.
10) The Ladykillers (2004 Coen Bros. version)—yes or no?
Haven't seen, due to bad reviews. Lately, I've heard better things, so I may try it.
11) Andy Robinson (Scorpio) or Richard Widmark (Tommy Udo)?
Widmark is unbeatable, especially as the lady killer Tommy Udo.
12) Best horror movie from the past ten years
The Witch? Is that almost 10 years old?!?
13) Upcoming movie release you have the highest hopes for in 2024
2024 is almost over, but there's a lot we haven't seen yet. How did everyone like Alien: Romulus?
14) Movie you’re looking forward to this year that would surprise people or make them consider that you might have finally cracked up.
Can't say I'm looking forward to anything particularly this year (which is almost up). And what I was looking forward to (like Dune 2) were pretty conventional. I was looking forward to Madame Web, even after the reviews came back. But people who know me expect that kind of bad taste.
15) Favorite AIP one-sheet
Pass.
16) Catherine Spaak or Daniela Giordano?
Pretty sure I've never seen either in anything. But I recognize Spaak as a Euro-sexpot, so her.
17) Favorite film of 1994
I may not have seen as many as I should have, but I'm going to go with In the Mouth of Madness. Was tempted to say The Shadow, which I recently re-watched and liked better than I expected. But no.
18) Second-favorite Wim Wenders film
Bueno Vista Social Club, edging out Wings of Desire. Sorry, #44, I didn't change my choices.
19) Best performance by an athlete in a non-sports-oriented movie
Surfer Gerry Lopez as Subotai in Conan.
20) The cinema’s Best Appearance by A Piece of Fruit
The apple in The Apple (haven't seen it, really)? How about the apple in Daddy-O? Fans of Mystery Science 3000 will recognize it from the "Want some" scene.
21) Favorite film of 1974
Lots of good choices - how about Blazing Saddles?
22) Most would probably agree we are not currently living in a golden age of film criticism. Given that, who, among currently active writers, do you think best carries the torch for the form?
Why our host, Dennis Cozallo, of course! Just kidding, sorry. I don't read much, but Rod Heath of This Island Rod and Film Freedonia (two blogs!) writes extensive and comprehensive film reviews, often about very silly movies. His taste suits mine as well.
23) Favorite movie theater snack(s)
We don't go to theaters, like ever. Like, once a decade, and then only for Fathom events or oldies at the Stanford. And then we don't usually get snacks. I tried the frozen cocktails at a modern cinema, but I had to pee during the show.
24) Marion Lorne or Patricia Collinge?
Pass.
25) Recent release you wish you’d seen on a big screen
I suppose Dune 2. I still refuse to go to theaters. I had a chance to go to one of the Lord of the Rings movies for free on IMAX, and passed.
26) Favorite supporting performance in a Sam Peckinpah film
Did anyone answer anything other than Bob Dylan as Alias in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid?
27) Strother Martin or L.Q. Jones?
They're both great character actors with great faces and great names. I guess I'll pick L.Q. because he took the name of his first big role. (I just checked and his birthname, Justus McQueen, is even better.)
28) Current actor whose star status you find partially or completely mystifying
Nic Cage. I can see enjoying him as camp ("Not the bees!"). But people seem to consider him a good actor, and I can't see it. I don't think I've ever seen him give a focused, nuanced performance. Of course, I haven't seen Raising Arizona yet.
29) Reese Witherspoon – Election or Freeway?
Haven't seen Freeway, but I find Election rather repellent (as I suppose I should). Pass.
30) Second-favorite Michael Ritchie film
Haven't seen much, actually. Let's put Golden Child first, Fletch second.
31) Favorite theatrical moviegoing experience of the last three years (2021-2024)
Probably the Grateful Dead Meet-Up at the Movies from 2022. This is a yearly (more or less) Fathom event with a Grateful Dead archive concert on the big screen. The 2022 one was the Tivoli Concert Hall show from Europe '72.
32) Favorite Southern-fried movie sheriff
Jackie Gleason as Smokey.
33) Favorite film of 1954
Lots of choices, but I nominate Ugetsu. A great Japanese ghost story with some interesting pottery making.
I did just see Secret of the Incas recently. Not really a favorite, but lots of Yma Sumac.
34) A 90-foot wall of water or the world tallest building on fire?
This refers to Dwayne Johnson's recent disaster films San Andreas and Skyscraper, right? How about a giant irradiated gorilla?
35) Second-favorite Agnes Varda movie
Haven't seen a single one. Should I?
36) Favorite WWII movie made between 1950 and 1975
Kelly's Heroes. Want to hear my dog imitation?
37) After the disappointing (against predictions) box-office weekend for The Fall Guy, writer Matt Singer, perplexed by the relative indifference from ticket-buyers toward a film most expected to be a big hit, asked in his piece for Screengrab, “What the hell do people want from movies?” To focus the question slightly more narrowly, what the hell do you want out of movies?
If I could tell you that, I'd be rich. Personally, I liked Fall Guy a lot, but Netflix makes a lot of movies that look like this on paper, but aren't good. Like Red Notice, or The Grey Man. I can see why people would be reluctant. Also, this movie may be just as bad as those, but I was in a better mood.
38) Ned Sparks or Guy Kibbee?
I do a wicked Ned Sparks drawl, so him.
39) Favorite opening line in a movie
"A screaming comes across the sky"? No? "Call me Ishmael"? Honestly can't think of one, unless Scaramouche starts with a voice over "He was born with the gift of laughter and the sense that the world was mad."
40) Best movie involving radio or a radio broadcast
Pontypool, the language-is-a-virus horror movie. Or maybe The Vast of Night. Both had nice small scales, limited characters and locales - radio movies can be very easy on the budget.
41) Buddy Buddy—yes or no??
OK, it isn't Wilder's best, and not what he wanted to go out on. Also, I'm not a big fan of the Matthau/Lemmon style. But it is Billy Wilder, and I actually like it better than The Fortube Cookie.
42) Favorite film of 1934
Another year full of promise, but I have to choose The Thin Man, one of my favorites of any year.
43) Kay Francis or Miriam Hopkins?
Neither is a favorite (although Trouble in Paradise, which stars both is). I feel that Francis is a bit more mannered, or the roles she got were. I might like Hopkins more as a comedian, which is important to me.
44) What’s the oddest thing a movie theater employee has ever said to you?
I don't think one has ever said anything odd to me at all. I overheard someone trying to buy a ticket to Hamlet at a showing of Wenders' Hammet, but the ticket seller corrected him in a very normal way.
I think I just found an answer to #14.
45) Is there such a thing as an ideal running time for a movie?
Since I watch at home and can pause for toilet or snack breaks, I don't mind long ones. But sometimes we prefer something shorter if it's late or we need to get up early. We put off watching Dune 2 for three weeks until we had time for it.
46) Favorite Roger Corman movie(s)
Strictly as a director, so many! Bucket of Blood, maybe. But we have a deep love of The Undead, the MST3K version of course. Sleep!
As a distributor, he brought Fellini and Kurosawa to American audiences. What a giant among movie men. I hope someday Joe Dante's script about the making of The Trip will be produced.