The Sea (2002, dir. Baltasar Kormákur)

The Sea (2002, dir. Baltasar Kormákur)

What Is It?: It's a superb, standard-issue family melodrama of the sort that's told over the course of a single weekend where everything blows up.

What About It?: Set in Iceland, at a remote fishing village controlled by a benevolent patriarch, he calls his children home for reasons unknown. The film subverts expectations of the characters and their situations and makes the audience care about the narrative even as we're driven away by most of the repellent protagonists. In the prologue, we're given some sort of idea of where the film is going, but it gets there in its own sweet time, engaging and entertaining.

Why Should I See It?: Primarily if you're fond of family dramas, this is a high watermark for that genre. Kormákur, who made the acclaimed 101 Reykjavík two years previous to this, has a deft, blackly humorous touch with bleak subject matter, and it does get pretty bleak. Strong performances and impressive direction make this easily recommendable.

What Else Is It Like?: Mifune, Home for the Holidays, The Celebration.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 2/20/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: 3:10 to Yuma, Alice, "Amazing Stories", Legend of Custer, Night and the City, Nói Albínói, Notorious, Tom Dowd & The Language of Music, Young Bess, Zardoz.

Dune (1984, dir. David Lynch)

Dune (1984, dir. David Lynch) [Special Edition]

What Is It?: The notorious adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi classic novel by beloved quirky genius David Lynch.

What About It?: This is the special edition of the film that Lynch was none too pleased with (so much so that it's an Alan Smithee film, officially), but it's not all that different from the original. Not being a particular Herbert fan, many of the voluminous complaints against this film fall on deaf ears here at the Lost Classic HQ, though there are plenty of things here to complain about outside of fealty to Herbert's geek vision. First among them is the dazzling density of the film. Passions are inflamed, families are embattled, lines are crossed, none of which are made particularly clear to the non-Herbertified viewer. Imagine an entire film made up of the dull parts of the “new” Star Wars trilogy – that's kinda Dune.

Why Should I See It?: That said, there's much to love here – firstly, the visual design of the film is literally stunning. The sets alone are worth the price of admission (the 187 minutes of your life, in this case) and the special effects, though uneven, are inventive and, frankly kinda cool. Lynch was given something like $40 million for this – a huge amount at the time – and, like the cliché says, you can see the dollars on the screen. The acting is very Lynchian – big and mildly silly – but the film is worth watching (if not too closely) if you want to see a high point in epic sci-fi before the age of CGI.

What Else Is It Like?: Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith, Flash Gordon, Excalibur.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 1/11/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

Directed by John Ford (2006, dir. Peter Bogdanovich) [Not Available on Video]

Directed by John Ford [expanded version] (2006, dir. Peter Bogdanovich)

What Is It?: A richly deserved mash note of a documentary about the late, great director, John Ford.

What About It?: Initially made for an AFI tribute to the director in 1971, this never received wide release due to difficulties with rights for the numerous clips of Ford's films. Last year, Bogdanovich approached Turner Movie Classics to get clearance for many of the scenes he needed and the idea was hatched for a revisiting of this -- literally -- lost classic. Both share the original's candid interviews with John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Jimmy Stewart and the lucid and engaging narration by Orson Welles. The newer version has remarkably concise interviews with some living greats who were greatly influenced by Ford: Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Walter Hill and Clint Eastwood. Their love of film is as infectious as the film's. This is a rare treat that should be savored.

Why Should I See It?: Because you love great films and what's better than watching a documentary to remind you what you loved and tell you what you've missed all these years. This movie is huge fun and should not be missed by any lover of film.

What Else Is It Like?: George Stevens: A Filmmakers Journey, A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese through American Movies, Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 12/22/06

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: 40 Guns to Apache Pass, 84 Charing Cross Road, The Big Street, The Deep, Joe Kidd, The Fisher King, Mean Guns, Nightwatch, Quicksilver, Sense and Sensibility, Take the Money and Run.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002, dir. Chan-wook Park)

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002, dir. Chan-wook Park)

What Is It?: A revenge thriller, of sorts, about a young deaf-mute man trying to find a kidney for his dying sister and a manager at a industrial plant just living and the terrible acts brought upon them by themselves and others.

What About It?: This is the first in Park's "Vengeance Trilogy" (the others being the phenomenal Oldboy and Lady Vengeance) and it's an impressive piece of work, though difficult to describe its ways. It's a slow-moving film, with beautifully drawn characters and the craft that Park brings to the affair is stunning. We can't think of another recent filmmaker who has appeared so assured and is so gifted on so many different levels. That said, this is not for the weak-hearted. Though nothing as gory as many of its Asia Extreme brethren, it still is punctuated with a brutality that could be hard to take for some viewers.

Why Should I See It?: Because you want to see a movie from the most vibrant and alive film scene in the world. South Korea is at the vanguard of East Asian cinema, and Park is one of their shining stars. A must-see.

What Else Is It Like?: Fireworks, Bad Guy, Fallen Angels.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 11/28/06

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: Cattle Empire, Dune (Special Edition), Encino Man, Mischief, Mystic Pizza, Taps, Ulee's Gold.

So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993, dir. Thomas Schlamme)

So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993, dir. Thomas Schlamme)

What Is It?: Mike Myers' first post-Wayne's World romantic comedy about a poet who suspects his fiancee might be a serial killer.

What About It?: One supposes that, if you're a Mike Myers fan, you've already seen this one, but even if you aren't it does have its moments. Myers always seemed an unlikely candidate for a romantic lead to the Lost Classic, though we have to admit that he does have the charisma for the part. He's more of a sketch comedian than an actor, however, so his performance here is uneven, as in all of his films. He's a charmer, but he's only truly laugh-out-loud funny when he's playing his Scottish father. The bad poetry is pretty amusing, too.

Why Should I See It?: It's a cute little movie that makes the most out of its beautiful San Francisco location and it offers more laughs than most romantic comedies of its ilk. Fine supporting performances from early 90's star-hopeful Nancy Travis and many, many amusing cameos from Steven Wright to Amanda Plummer, Charles Grodin to the dearly departed Phil Hartman.

What Else Is It Like?: Married to the Mob, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Hexed.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 1/25/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

The Long Riders (1980, dir. Walter Hill)

The Long Riders (1980, dir. Walter Hill)

What Is It?: The tale of the James-Younger Gang (better known as the Jesse James gang) drawn in broad, moving mythic strokes.

What About It?: The central conceit of the film --– that the siblings are played by siblings -- works far better than it should. Stacy and James Keach play Frank and Jesse James, respectively, the Younger brothers are played by David, Keith and Robert Carradine and Dennis and Randy Quaid play the Miller brothers. Heck, even Bob and Charlie Ford are played by Christopher and Nicholas Guest. And though this could be gimmicky, it comes off as we're sure Hill meant it to --– that the actors would have an ease and, well, familiarity with one another that would be both literally and cinematically genuine. The film has a classic Western feel to it, and, though the violence is balletic and Peckinpah-esque, it is most decidedly not a revisionist take on the genre, as Hill's later, Wild Bill, is. Hill is here to lament the passing of Jesse James and the mythical West, not to show us some larger truth. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Why Should I See It?: The chemistry among all the actors is infectious. The scenes between David Carradine and veteran character actress Pamela Reed (before she was a veteran, natch) are alive with sexual tension and resentment. The editing by long-time Hill cutter Freeman Davies is truly character enriching, as weird as that may sound, and the score by Ry Cooder is folky and appealing. Highly recommended.

What Else Is It Like?: I Shot Jesse James, The Great Northfield, Minnesota Raid, Night Passage.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 11/30/06

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

Alien Nation (1988, dir. Graham Baker)

Alien Nation (1988, dir. Graham Baker)

What Is It?: A buddy cop/sci-fi hybrid about a new race of extraterrestrials (the "Newcomers") assimilating to life on Earth.

What About It?: Though this is, at the end, just another buddy cop movie, there is interesting stuff going on with regards to immigration and race. Casting questions about fear of the "Other" and of being usurped by someone from outside one's experience certainly wins it some respect for trying. The story is standard 80's cop movie, some good chase scenes, partners bonding, and lots of hammy goodness from James Caan, with the alien skeleton-in-closet stuff coming at the end. Terence Stamp is great as the creepy William Harcourt, an up-and-coming Newcomer who has nefarious plans in store for his fellow immigrants.

Why Should I See It?: Because you like sci-fi movies and sci-fi hybrid flicks (Event Horizon=sci-fi/horror, Serenity=sci-fi/Western, etc). The movie itself moves along and a brisk little pace, winning it some Lost Classic love, and we loved that all of the new alien race seem to settle in LA, fittingly. Gale Anne Hurd produced this one, and she always has a knack for making science fiction films that, while imperfect, are always interesting. Like this one.

What Else Is It Like?: Enemy Mine, V, The Hidden.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 11/30/06

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?:
Born on the Fourth of July, Boxcar Bertha, Carrie, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Dressed to Kill, Emma, Flatliners, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, Parenthood, A River Runs Through It, Silverado, Swamp Thing.