Yearly Archives: 2014

5 Phenomenally Memorable Movie Ministers

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Movies have portrayed ministers and/or preachers in a variety of ways. Some have been impressive while others…well, not so much. But looking through the history of cinema it’s easy to recognize a number of great characters who serve as ministers. That’s what I’m looking at today. Now it should be said that this isn’t a list of the greatest movie ministers. These are the most memorable meaning they may not fit the proper role of a minister. In fact, some may be down right evil. Either way, with so many great choices I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But there is no denying that these five movie ministers were phenomenally memorable.

#5 – Jacob Fuller (“From Dusk Till Dawn”)

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We first meet Jacob Fuller (Harvey Keitel) at a motor inn with his two kids. Jacob has stepped away from his role as a pastor after the tragic death of his wife leads him to question his faith. Little does he know that in the same motor inn are the Gecko brothers – two killers who kidnap Jacob and his family. Danger, death, and vampires alter the courses of all of their lives. For Jacob these events provide him the opportunity to find his faith and use it against the unholiest of creatures. Keitel is perfectly cast and watching his portrayal of a struggling minister in the middle of such craziness is a treat.

#4 – Reverend Oliver (“The Patriot”)

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Roland Emmerich’s historical drama finds its way back on a Phenomenal 5 list this time due to its character Reverend Oliver. While he is the shepherd of a small community church, Rev. Oliver still joins the local militia to help fight the British but also offer spiritual advice to his fellow soldiers. Rev. Oliver has several great scenes and he is brought to life by actor Rene Auberjonis. Star Trek fans will remember him as Otto from “Deep Space Nine” but he was also one of my favorite movie ministers.

#3 – Reverend Harry Powell (“Night of the Hunter”)

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As I hinted at above, not everyone on this list is the ideal minister. Reverend Harry Powell from the 1955 classic “Night of the Hunter” is a shining example. Robert Mitchum gives one of his best performances as a self-ordained preacher who is really a wanted serial killer. Mitchum is chilling as he unfolds this evil and manipulative character to a gullible small town. There are so many memorable moments sprinkled throughout this intense thriller. Director Charles Laughton’s style would influence a number of top tier modern directors. But it’s Mitchum and his despicable character that is the most memorable for me.

#2 – Preacher (“Pale Rider”)

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Clint Eastwood, western, preacher. Put those things together and I am instantly intrigued. In 1985’s “Pale Rider” Eastwood plays a mysterious stranger who appears to a group of persecuted minors seemingly as a result of an answered prayer. The character is known only as Preacher and very little else is ever known of him. He comes between a villainous corporate miner and a small group of families who mine a small portion of land to survive. And you know Clint, six-shooters pop and bullets fly as Preacher makes things right and protects the innocent families by any means necessary.

#1 – Father Barry (“On the Waterfront”)

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One of Marlon Brando’s very best performances came in 1954’s “On the Waterfront”. But the movie wasn’t just about Brando. It was filled with great performances. One of those came from Karl Malden who played a burdened minister named Father Barry. He finds himself in the middle of a mob-controlled waterfront and the workers who are the victims. He struggles with balancing his clerical duties with pushing the bounds to end the mob’s violent grip on the docks. Malden is spectacular and he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. In fact, three of the five nominations in that category were from “On the Waterfront”. But for me Malden is right there with Brando in offering a pivotal performance that serves the classic well.

So there are my five phenomenal movie ministers. So many more are swirling in my mind including ministers from films like “Signs”, “Sleepers”, “Dead Alive” etc. etc. How about you? Agree or disagree with my picks? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

REVIEW: “My Favorite Wife”

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How can any true movie fan not love the screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s? The once popular genre was recognized for its witty rapid-fire dialogue, wacky situations, bold and brash female leads, occasional slapstick humor, and a feverish battle of the sexes. During this wonderful time for comedies many actors and actresses saw their careers flourish including Cary Grant. In “My Favorite Wife” Grant matches wits with Irene Dunne in what is a shining portrait of this great genre.

The movie starts with arguably the funniest courtroom scene ever filmed. Nick Arden (Grant) is before a judge seeking to have his wife Ellen (Dunne) declared legally dead after being missing at sea for seven years. He’s there with Bianca (Gail Patrick) who he plans to marry after the judge’s ruling. Everything goes as planned but as with all screwball comedies the harmony doesn’t last long. You see, Ellen isn’t dead and she shows up after being rescued from a deserted island.

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When Ellen reveals herself to Nick things get pretty complicated. He’s crazy about her yet he doesn’t know how to end it with Bianca. It also doesn’t help that he’s a bit spineless and cowardly. He drags things out leading to one comedic complication after another. And that’s what makes this movie so great. The nutty situations, the back-and-forth banter, and the hilarious head-butting between the two leads.

One of the biggest strengths of “My Favorite Wife” lies in its screenplay. It’s sharp, funny, and void of any of the trappings that befall many of today’s “comedies”. You’re always running across a great scene or hilarious line. For instance take the opening courtroom scene. Veteran character actor Granville Bates plays the grumpy and cantankerous Judge Bryson. He steals the scene with his growls and impatience. It’s a perfect tablesetter for the fun and playful tone that carries through the entire picture.

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Of course a movie like this has to have good performances from capable talents who can pull it all off. I’ve already talked about Cary Grant and as expected he is fabulous. He has his usual charisma but he also shows off his impeccable comedic timing. But the real star just may be Irene Dunne. Dunne has been called the greatest actress to never bring home Oscar. Watch her here and you may understand why. She matches Grant line for line and gag for gag. She gives a great performance and steals one scene after another. Randolph Scott and Gail Patrick are also a lot of fun in solid supporting roles.

“My Favorite Wife” is a really good film. It features a sharp and sometimes corny wit and some really fun performances. Even though it was nominated for three Academy Awards, the film is rarely mentioned among the list of the great screwball comedies. And while I’ll admit that it may be missing that special ‘something’ which may hold it back, I still think it’s a great picture that any lover of comedy or movies should see.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

Your Voices: On the Best Bruce Willis Movie (other than Die Hard)

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Your Voices is a simple concept created to encourage conversation and opinions between movie lovers. It works like this: I throw out a certain topic and I’ll take time to make my case or share my opinions. Then it’s time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let fellow readers and moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day!

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I can say without hesitation that I have always liked Bruce Willis and many of his movies hold a spot in my movie-watching heart. But the actor also hit a stage of his career where he seemed to take any small supporting part thrown his way. Lately he has shown signs of making smarter choices as evident by his work in films like “Moonrise Kingdom” and “Looper”. But for every one of those there is a G.I. Joe appearance or a downright bad movie like “The Cold Light of Day”. But still he is an actor I do enjoy even outside of his hugely successful “Die Hard” franchise.

So that got me to thinking, what is Bruce’s best movie outside of the “Die Hard” films? I’ve mentioned roles I have liked above, but there were a couple that stood out more than others. At the top of my list is “The Sixth Sense”. His turn as Dr. Malcolm Crowe still stands out as one of his best performances and one of his best movies. He drives the film with a perfectly measured performance that flows with the film’s creepy mood. It’s an easy choice for me. But what about you? Now it’s time for you to share your thoughts.

YOUR VOICES: What is your favorite non-Die Hard Bruce Willis movie?

Now it’s time for Your Voices. With so many Bruce Willis movies to consider, which one, other than the Die Hard films, would you consider his best? Please share Your Voices on today’s question. I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

REVIEW: “Enough Said”

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“Enough Said” is an interesting romantic comedy/drama from writer and director Nicole Holofcener. It’s one of those films that has magically latched onto critics who were giving it rave reviews. It has one of the highest aggregate scores on Rotten Tomatoes and it has found its way on numerous Top 10 lists from well respected critics. But what is it about this movie that has earned such high praise? Here are a few things that come to mind: charm, wit, an intelligent script, and two very strong lead performances.

The true magic of “Enough Said” starts with two fine leads. Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Eva, a divorced single mother and self-employed masseuse. Her life is in a repetitive rut at least until she meets Albert played by James Galdolfini in the first of his final two roles before his death. He two is divorced with a young daughter. The two decide to go on a date which launches a very unlikely relationship. In some ways the two couldn’t be more different. She is a fit and attractive middle-aged woman while he is an overweight middle-aged regular Joe. The film points out these physical differences on numerous occasions and I feel it’s for a specific reason. At first Eva may be desperate to fill a void in her life but soon she sees beyond physical appearances to what really anchors a relationship.

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“Enough Said” develops one of the purest depictions of an adult relationship you’ll see on screen. For years Hollywood has been fixated on divorcees when it comes to depicting relationships. That has fascinated and at times frustrated me. But here it is very pertinent to the story and more importantly to the characters themselves. Dreyfus and Gandolfini are fantastic and have a remarkable chemistry. You do root for them to make it and overcome their faults and past mistakes. Dreyfus has always had this infectious wit that I’ve been attracted to, and Gandolfini shows a brilliant range that many of us didn’t realize he had.

Holofcener’s script is smart and authentic but I have a few quibbles with it. There are a handful of subplots that are vaguely introduced but never really explored. A couple of them do reflect on our two main characters but others feel tacked on and unnecessary. There is also a twist with a character named Marianne (played by Catherine Keener). She and Eva become friends and they have some good moments together, but I couldn’t really buy into the overall idea behind the twist. I can see where it would work in a film a little more focused on straight comedy. But here it felt like a stretch.

Still, “Enough Said” is an intelligent and refreshing alternative to the bulk of what passes for romantic comedies these days. It’s mature in the sense of its middle-aged focus and it’s grounded in its portrayal of fallible and believable characters. But the biggest treat is watching Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini effortlessly embody these two characters. Both are fantastic and they are the real heart of the film. And for me, it’s their performances that are the biggest draw.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

REVIEW: “The Spectacular Now”

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It’s rare to find a teen movie that actually treats teens like real people with real problems and real emotions. So often these films peddle juvenile humor and exaggerated stereotypes in place of stronger and meatier stories. That’s why it’s refreshing to find a movie like “The Spectacular Now”. This intelligent and nuanced coming-of-age story steers clear of cliches and gimmickry by respecting its characters and portraying their circumstances in a thoughtful and naturalistic way.

Miles Teller plays Sutter Keely, a popular and hard-partying high school senior. He has a hot girlfriend, a great personality, and no real ambition for the future. Sutter tells several people he lives in the now, not worrying about anything other than the moment. But that attitude proves to be destructive – something he can’t see through his fog of hedonism. His girlfriend Cassidy (Brie Larson) finally has enough and breaks up with him. He is warned by a concerned teacher that he may not have the grades to graduate. And his constant drinking becomes a growing concern. Sutter’s life “in the now” isn’t the happy, sunshiny place he projects. It’s just a facade to hide the truth of a troubled and conflicted life.

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Sutter’s life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Aimee (Shailene Woodley). She’s a shy and studious ‘good girl’ whose reserved lifestyle is in stark contrast to Sutter’s. The two opposites hit it off but it takes some time for their relationship to blossom. But several of Sutter’s issues get in the way – his ego, his ‘cool guy’ reputation, his fixation on old flame Cassidy, and his self-destructive behavior. We never really know how Sutter and Aimee’s relationship will turn out. The film doesn’t lay out a standard formulaic plot line and a big part of its success is the experience we have watching this authentic relationship play out.

The story is also helped by some nice performances by the two leads. Teller and Woodley have noticeably different acting styles yet they seem to gel nicely with these two characters. For Teller this film is wedged in between two run-of-the-mill raunchy comedies so I was pleasantly surprised at his work here. Woodley’s nice performance is no surprise. Her film debut in Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants” received rave reviews and here she delivers another eye-catching performance. The supporting work is also uniformly good. Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and especially Kyle Chandler each have some strong screen time.

One of the interesting things about “The Spectacular Now” is how it employs several familiar plot points, but it treats each of them with a fresh and prudent sincerity. There are moments where you can guess how certain things will play out, but the film also steadily surprised me by not going the conventional route. More importantly it is all grounded in a realistic portrayal of these two teenaged characters which separates this film from the bulk of teen pictures we get. That alone is something I welcomed with opened arms.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

5 Phenomenal Mel Gibson Movies

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I think it’s safe to say that very few movie stars have seen their careers decline like that of Mel Gibson. I also think it’s safe to say that some of his past actions, framed or not, have been terrible. Personally I think Mel Gibson became a target and he doused fuel to the fire with some horrible behavior brought on by his alcoholism. But personal past conduct aside, I still think Gibson is a great actor and I really miss seeing him on the big screen. Today’s Phenomenal 5 is looking at some of Gibson’s best movies. If you think about it Gibson put out a lot of good films so I wouldn’t call this the definitive list. But there is no denying that these five Mel Gibson movies are absolutely phenomenal.

#5 – “Lethal Weapon”

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I have heard 1987’s “Lethal Weapon” called the quintessential action buddy movie. I think a good argument could be made for that. “Lethal Weapon” encapsulated almost everything that was great about the 80s action movie genre. But while the action was great, the movie excelled thanks to the great chemistry between Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. The two played polar opposite characters but the actors played off of each other in perfect and sometimes chaotic harmony. “Lethal Weapon” had laughs, charisma, and some great action. Lots of fun.

#4 – “Braveheart”

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Mel Gibson made a lot great impressions both as an actor and director with his 1995 epic “Braveheart”. Huge in scope and ambition, “Braveheart” was a movie that was incredibly immersive. It was filled with beautiful landscapes and tremendous battle scenes. But it was also anchored by a fantastic personal story of William Wallace. Gibson would win the Oscar for Best Director but he also gave a tremendous lead performance. It’s definitely one of the actor’s best films.

#3 – “The Beaver”

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After his personal troubles many felt that Mel Gibson may never work again. But his close and dear friend Jodie Foster pushed for him to play the role of a mentally troubled husband and father in “The Beaver”. Gibson was absolutely amazing. He gives a genuine performance and it feels as if he’s pulling from real places in his life. “The Beaver” is a smaller movie but Gibson’s performance and great chemistry with his friend Foster is a joy to watch. Many people may have skipped or missed out on “The Beaver”. It’s a movie that deserves to be seen.

#2 – “The Road Warrior”

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It was Mel Gibson’s second stint as the post-apocalyptic rebel Mad Max that introduced me to the actor. Even with the host of great movies he has made since then, “The Road Warrior” continues to be one of my very favorites of his. He’s definitely not required to be the most emotionally layered character you’ll find. But there is such an undeniable toughness and charisma in his performance. Gibson has the snarl, the look, and the grit to sell the role. And then there is the great vehicular action sequences that are still awesome today.

#1 – “The Patriot”

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When you take “The Patriot” as a whole it may not be the most convincing movie. But in terms of cinematic storytelling I love it. Director Roland Emmerich has a very sketchy filmography, but this is far and away his best picture mainly because of Mel Gibson. Gibson is committed and charismatic and he gives us one of his most layered and emotionally complex characters. He also works so well with the assortment of great supporting characters. None are better than his spirited father/son relationship with Heath Ledger. Tons of drama, some great action, and a rich and sometimes heart-wrenching family story. I’m a big fan of this film.

So there are my Mel Gibson films. What say you? I would love to hear what you think I missed or what I got right. Just let me know in the comments section below.