Movies At Random: The Bad Seed

For the last random movie of May, we have the classic horror film The Bad Seed (HU DVD 4910). The plot summary on Wikipedia is too spoiler-y for my taste. But there’s a ton of interesting facts on the IMDB page, including one that is probably of interest only to me: Paul Henreid tried to buy … Continue reading “Movies At Random: The Bad Seed”

For the last random movie of May, we have the classic horror film The Bad Seed (HU DVD 4910). The plot summary on Wikipedia is too spoiler-y for my taste. But there’s a ton of interesting facts on the IMDB page, including one that is probably of interest only to me:

Paul Henreid tried to buy the rights to the play. He wanted to direct and was planning to cast Bette Davis in the role of the mother. (see IMDB)

Also intriguing, this film is what inspired the band name Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.

If you somehow don’t know what this movie is about, here’s our summary:

A mother makes the tortuous discovery that her cherubic eight year old daughter harbors an innate desire to kill.

And here’s the trailer:
Happy viewing!

Movies At Random: The War Lover

Today’s random movie is The War Lover (HU DVD 10437) starring Steve McQueen. This black and white 1962 war film got kind of meh reviews, according to Wikipedia. Based on the trailer below, it’s…uh…”of its time,” shall we say. (Check out that font though.) This film was also at some point subjected to the bizarre process … Continue reading “Movies At Random: The War Lover”

Today’s random movie is The War Lover (HU DVD 10437) starring Steve McQueen. This black and white 1962 war film got kind of meh reviews, according to Wikipedia. Based on the trailer below, it’s…uh…”of its time,” shall we say. (Check out that font though.) This film was also at some point subjected to the bizarre process of colorizing old movies, though our version is black and white. But, hey, Steve McQueen playing a daredevil pilot so maybe it’s ok.

Here’s our summary:

Stationed in England during World War II, Buzz Rickson is the bravest air force pilot in his squadron. His maniacal quest for aerial thrills prompts his many daredevil heroics. His rebellious attitude, however, threatens to alienate him from everyone around him.

And here’s the absolutely amazing trailer:
Happy viewing!

Movies At Random: Taxi

Today’s random movie is Jafar Panahi’s Taxi (HU DVD 13144). This movie looks so good based on the trailer below. The plot summary on Wikipedia kind of gives too much away, but it’s really interesting to read about the production of this film. Panahi himself is a major part of this story, as it came … Continue reading “Movies At Random: Taxi”

Today’s random movie is Jafar Panahi’s Taxi (HU DVD 13144). This movie looks so good based on the trailer below. The plot summary on Wikipedia kind of gives too much away, but it’s really interesting to read about the production of this film. Panahi himself is a major part of this story, as it came about due to a travel ban preventing him from leaving Iran. Taxi won the Golden Bear at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival, but the award was accepted by his niece because the director was not permitted to travel.

Here’s our summary:

Jafar Panahi drives a yellow cab through the vibrant streets of Tehran, picking up a diverse group of passengers in a single day. Each man, woman, and child candidly expresses his or her own view of the world while being interviewed by the curious and gracious driver.

And here’s the trailer:

Happy viewing!

Movies At Random: Wild Tigers I Have Known

Wild Tigers I Have Known (HU DVD 3048) by Cam Archer is our random DVD of the day. It was produced by Gus Van Sant, according to the cover, and has what appears to be the hippest of soundtracks by bands I’ve never heard of. Intriguingly, according to Wikipedia a recut version was released after … Continue reading “Movies At Random: Wild Tigers I Have Known”

Wild Tigers I Have Known (HU DVD 3048) by Cam Archer is our random DVD of the day. It was produced by Gus Van Sant, according to the cover, and has what appears to be the hippest of soundtracks by bands I’ve never heard of.

Intriguingly, according to Wikipedia a recut version was released after the film’s premiere that rather changes the story. Points docked for this movie being shot in my least favorite place on the planet, Santa Cruz, California.

Here’s our summary:

A young boy with a crush on the cool boy at school, pretends to be a girl on the phone so he can meet and win the affections of his crush.

And here’s a trailer-ish clip:

Happy viewing!

Movies At Random: Jupiter’s Wife

Jupiter’s Wife (HU DVD 4016) is a documentary about Maggie Cogan, a homeless woman living in Central Park with her pack of dogs who attracted the curiosity of filmmaker Michel Negroponte. From googling around, it’s unclear if this film really deals with the seriousness of homeless and mental illness. Maggie is described as beguiling and … Continue reading “Movies At Random: Jupiter’s Wife”

Jupiter’s Wife (HU DVD 4016) is a documentary about Maggie Cogan, a homeless woman living in Central Park with her pack of dogs who attracted the curiosity of filmmaker Michel Negroponte. From googling around, it’s unclear if this film really deals with the seriousness of homeless and mental illness. Maggie is described as beguiling and witty, but some reviewers question whether this film was enabling and exploitative. After the film was released, she briefly had her own apartment, but it sounds as though she eventually returned to Central Park.

Jupiter’s Wife won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance among other awards. Here’s our summary:

This is the story of Maggie, a beguiling homeless woman living in New York City’s Central Park. In her forties, Maggie’s vibrant personality and unconventional persona attract attention since she has 6 dogs and carries a huge backpack full of her personal belongings. A captivating jumble of cryptic stories, Maggie’s conversations are laced with intriguing claims – including the claim that she is the daughter of actor Robert Ryan and that she is married to the Roman god Jupiter.

No trailer this time, so here’s the DVD cover:

Happy viewing!

Movies At Random: The Magic Christian

Today’s random DVD is The Magic Christian (HU DVD 7940) starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr. This black comedy is completely littered with celebrity cameos (see Wikipedia), and looks fully ridiculous. But supposedly it’s terribly madcap! So I suppose that’s fine. Also, I mean, Peter Sellers in anything, really. How can you resist? Here’s our summary: … Continue reading “Movies At Random: The Magic Christian”

Today’s random DVD is The Magic Christian (HU DVD 7940) starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr. This black comedy is completely littered with celebrity cameos (see Wikipedia), and looks fully ridiculous. But supposedly it’s terribly madcap! So I suppose that’s fine. Also, I mean, Peter Sellers in anything, really. How can you resist?

Here’s our summary:

Sir Guy Grand, the richest man in the world, happens upon a young orphan in the park and, on a whim, decides to adopt him. Together they set off on a series of madcap escapades.

And the original trailer:

Happy viewing!

Democracy on Film: The American Woman

Module 4 of Democracy on Film covers The American Woman, both through her eyes and through the eyes of others. Module 4: The American Woman Introductory Lesson: Ways of Seeing WomenChapter 1: Suspense. 1913. — Check out YouTube, as it’s out of print. Where Are My Children on Treasures III: social issues in American film, 1900-1934. … Continue reading “Democracy on Film: The American Woman”

Module 4 of Democracy on Film covers The American Woman, both through her eyes and through the eyes of others.

Module 4: The American Woman

Introductory Lesson: Ways of Seeing Women
Chapter 1:

  • Suspense. 1913. — Check out YouTube, as it’s out of print.
  • Where Are My Children on Treasures III: social issues in American film, 1900-1934. Program 2, New women. 1916. d. Lois Weber. — DVD 5439
  • Dance, Girl, Dance. 1940. — DVD 5487

Chapter 2
Imitation of Life. 1934. — DVD 1061

Chapter 3
Woman of the Year. 1942. — DVD 8511

Chapter 4
Alien. 1979. — Streaming video

Chapter 5
The Age of Innocence. 1993. — DVD 1371

We also recommend Waiting to Exhale (DVD 2276), His Girl Friday (DVD 1341), Thelma and Louise (DVD 1169), Tiny Furniture (DVD 9713), and Hidden Figures (DVD 13951). I was curious, so I googled “Films with no women,” and–I admit this should have been obvious–they’re mostly big prison, ship, and army films. I wasn’t able to find any without men, though.

There are so many interesting American female characters that it’s hard to isolate just a few. Let us know if you have a particularly interesting example!

You can now find the full list of Democracy on Film in our LibGuide. Check back for additional recommendations.

Democracy on Film: Civil Rights

Welcome to Module 3 of Democracy on Film, which covers Civil Rights! This small selection does attempt to expand the concept of civil rights outside the African American Civil Rights Movement with the inclusion of Harvey Milk and Smoke Signals, but the struggle for rights and equality in our diverse country is so multifaceted that … Continue reading “Democracy on Film: Civil Rights”

Welcome to Module 3 of Democracy on Film, which covers Civil Rights! This small selection does attempt to expand the concept of civil rights outside the African American Civil Rights Movement with the inclusion of Harvey Milk and Smoke Signals, but the struggle for rights and equality in our diverse country is so multifaceted that no cinematic introduction could do it justice.

Module 3: Civil Rights

Introductory Lesson: The Camera as Witness

Chapter 1: King: A Filmed Record…Montgomery to Memphis. 1970. Streaming video
http://proxyau.wrlc.org/login?url=http://american.kanopystreaming.com/node/114212
Chapter 2: Intruder in the Dust. 1949. DVD 8854
Chapter 3: The Times of Harvey Milk. 1984.  DVD 1267
Chapter 4: Smoke Signals. 1998. DVD 1657

We also suggest Eyes on the Prize (DVD 2301 – 2307), a 14 part documentary series about the African American civil rights movement. Spike Lee’s Malcolm X (DVD 165) is worth seeing, as is Selma (DVD 12221). We do have a campus use only copy of American Revolutionary : The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs, but I wasn’t able to find very many great movies about Asian American or Hawaiian American civil rights issues. Any suggestions out there?

You can now find the full list of Democracy on Film in our LibGuide. Check back for additional recommendations.

Movies At Random: New Jack City

Today’s random DVD is Mario Van Peebles’ New Jack City (HU DVD 1097). A 1991 action gangster film, Wikipedia makes it sound like there’s some disagreement about just how anti-gangster this film is, and Time Out London called it “a superior example of what used to be called blaxploitation.” The IMDB trivia page on this … Continue reading “Movies At Random: New Jack City”

Today’s random DVD is Mario Van Peebles’ New Jack City (HU DVD 1097). A 1991 action gangster film, Wikipedia makes it sound like there’s some disagreement about just how anti-gangster this film is, and Time Out London called it “a superior example of what used to be called blaxploitation.” The IMDB trivia page on this one is pretty epic too, my favorite example being:

On Inside the Actors Studio (1994), Chris Rock claimed that for several years following his acclaimed performance as a crack addict, drug dealers would approach him and put crack and cocaine in his pocket; joking that “they thought it was a documentary.” He stated that, although he knew people who used crack at the time, he never did and, in his 1997 memoir “Rock This” had only smoked marijuana twice. (from imdb)

Here’s our summary:

Gangster film about a young, rich, smart drug baron who thinks he’s untouchable, and the tough, street-smart cops determined to bring him down.

And here’s the trailer, with some epic trailer-voice:

Happy viewing!