So I recently caught two solid films, a classic and a soon to be classic.
First up we have
The School of Rock. Now the combination of director Richard Linklater and comedic virtuoso Jack Black means cinema gold in my book. But, I must admit, going into the film I was expecting a dressed up after-school special. And while the uplifting plot won't surprise anyone, the film works deftly in its own feel good, charming way. Anyway, if this sounds hokey and sentimental to you don't worry because the film is still absolutely hilarious and the music (all the child actors are also trained musicians) is quite good. Seriously, you should see the film just for the Jack Black, Joan Cusack scenes.
The classic I was referring to is
In the Heat of the Night. This 1967 film stars Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger with Norman Jewison at the helm. This film is definitely a favorite of mine and I like to point at it as proof H-wood made decent films at one time. And this is not to say H-wood simply makes crappola nowadays but how many Lindsay Lohan or Tom Cruise films must the world really need. The major studios no longer care about art, even in the sense of telling a good story. They're mainly interested in bankable stars and their target audience (15 year-olds from Orange County). Anyway, this classic film (based on the John Ball novel) follows the trials of a black, Philly homicide detective (Poitier) who thanks to the racist charms of Mississippi gets stuck helping the local police in a murder investigation. Steiger plays the local police chief who needs Poitier's help but finds himself in trouble navigating the town's racial overtones as this black detective tries to solve the murder. The film is well crafted in every aspect and while it may not be as gritty as a modern telling, the Poitier, Steiger interplay has a lot to say even in the new millennium. Highly recommended.
First up we have The School of Rock. Now the combination of director Richard Linklater and comedic virtuoso Jack Black means cinema gold in my book. But, I must admit, going into the film I was expecting a dressed up after-school special. And while the uplifting plot won't surprise anyone, the film works deftly in its own feel good, charming way. Anyway, if this sounds hokey and sentimental to you don't worry because the film is still absolutely hilarious and the music (all the child actors are also trained musicians) is quite good. Seriously, you should see the film just for the Jack Black, Joan Cusack scenes.
The classic I was referring to is In the Heat of the Night. This 1967 film stars Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger with Norman Jewison at the helm. This film is definitely a favorite of mine and I like to point at it as proof H-wood made decent films at one time. And this is not to say H-wood simply makes crappola nowadays but how many Lindsay Lohan or Tom Cruise films must the world really need. The major studios no longer care about art, even in the sense of telling a good story. They're mainly interested in bankable stars and their target audience (15 year-olds from Orange County). Anyway, this classic film (based on the John Ball novel) follows the trials of a black, Philly homicide detective (Poitier) who thanks to the racist charms of Mississippi gets stuck helping the local police in a murder investigation. Steiger plays the local police chief who needs Poitier's help but finds himself in trouble navigating the town's racial overtones as this black detective tries to solve the murder. The film is well crafted in every aspect and while it may not be as gritty as a modern telling, the Poitier, Steiger interplay has a lot to say even in the new millennium. Highly recommended.
1 comment:
I agree with you about Heat of the Night--a classic film. ANd back in the days when you could still get around on a train!
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