Stuff

There were several films we considered for our list, but some just missed out. Here are two:

“Ed Wood” is Tim Burton’s 1994 biopic on the director of “Plan 9 From Outer Space”, the so-called worst movie of all time (it really isn’t). Johnny Depp is OK as the title character.

The script takes many liberties with the truth (don’t they all), and some of the characters are rather different from reality, especially Bela Lugosi, who was a cultured man who never swore. But Martin Landau’s portrayal is wonderful, Oscar winning stuff, of course.

And the photography is stunning.

Sadly, the presence of Bill Murray ultimately keeps it off our list of things to see.

“The Artist” caused a big stir when it came out, This French film from 2011 was hailed as a silent film with synchronised score, something of a novelty. Well, like Mel Brooks’ “Silent Movie”, it isn’t silent. As we know, up until the late 1920s silent films always had a live musical score, then a recorded synchronised score. There is nothing novel here.

It’s quite an entertaining film, a bit slow in the middle but worth a watch.

When it was released to the cinemas, in 1988, this film had queues literally around the block. It was, as they say, a genuine block buster.

The plot is quite simple. It’s a period private eye story, with Eddie Valiant employed by the motion picture company Maroon Cartoons to keep an eye on big star Roger Rabbit and to investigate Roger’s wife Jessica.

There’s a strong cast. Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy, Kathleen Turner. Oh yes, and a cast of animated stars from all eras.

“Roger Rabbit” was hailed for its mix of live and animated charaters who interact. As we know, it had been done before. “Mary Poppins” had done it, but of course it was being done one hundred years ago. What made this film better than the rest was partly the quality of the animation, produced by the Richard Williams studios in London. The animated characters interact with real objects, not like “Mary Poppins” where all the props are animated. All hand drawn animation too.

The film starts with a Roger Rabbit short which parodies so many of the mainly 1940s shorts, especially ones produced by Warners, and is hilariously funny.

Hoskins plays it straight. Many great animated stars make an appearance, including Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, various ducks and even Betty Boop.

It may have animation but it’s not a story for children.

It seems to be somewhat forgotten these days, and is rarely shown on tv, in the UK at least. But there is a newish 4K edition that shows it is still entertaining and funny. You forget just how good this film is. You have to be impressed with the skill and effort that went into the making of this film.

And the original book by Gary K. Wolf is good too.

I want to include a film that is well-known, not because I think it’s a great film, or even good particulary, but for another, special reason, which we will come to, 1984’s “Amadeus”, directed by Miloš Forman and starring Tom Hulce and F Murray Abraham.

As a plot summary, Mozart and Salieri are composers in the 18th century. Mozart is clearly talented, and jealous Salieri plans to kill him.

It’s based on the stage play by Peter Schaffer, who also wrote the screenplay.

As you would expect, there are many snippets of music by both composers, the best bits. Mozart is portrayed as a rather vulgar, almost punkish character, offensive to the court and immature. But talented.

Both lead actors are exceptional, and the photography is mostly stunning.

So, what is my problem with this film?

Well, Mozart, Salieri and the others in this story are real people. But the story is a made up story purporting to be true in some way. By all accounts, Salieri recognised Mozart’s talent, was not resentful, never plotted to kill him, only helped him. Salieri is portrayed as a loner and pious, not true as he was married with multiple children and mistresses. The story that he hated Mozart is just that, a story, put around long after they were dead.