Alison’s Labor Day Rental Picks

UNOFFICIALLY THE END OF SUMMER….AND OFFICIALLY A DAY OFF FOR THE WORKERS, LABOR DAY IS NOW A FEDERAL HOLIDAY. DOES ANYONE REALLY CELEBRATE THE ‘STRENGTH OF THE TRADE AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS ANYMORE? OR DO MOST PEOPLE LAZE ON A BEACH WITH A GOOD BOOK?

HERE ARE A FEW FILMS WHICH EMBODY THE TRUE SPIRIT OF LABOR DAY: WORKERS FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS.

1. “BREAD AND ROSES”: BRITISH FILMMAKER KEN LOACH, WHO IS KNOWN TO TAKE ON POLITICAL CAUSES IN HIS FILMS, THROWS LIGHT ON IMMIGRANT LABOR IN LOS ANGELES. ADRIEN BRODY PLAYS AN ACTIVIST FIGHTING TO UNIONIZE A GROUP OF JANITORS, INCLUDING A MEXICAN IMMIGRANT WITH WHOM HE FALLS IN LOVE. AS DIDACTIC AS ALL OF LOACH’S FILMS….BUT THOUGHTFUL AND CHALLENGING.

2. “NORTH COUNTRY”: CHARLIZE THERON PLAYS A MINNESOTA WORKING CLASS MOTHER WHO TAKES A JOB AS A MINER BECAUSE IT PAYS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE SHE CAN DO. SHE IS PICKED ON AND HARASSED BECAUSE OF HER GENDER AND DECIDES TO FIGHT BACK. FRANCES MCDORMAND PLAYS A UNION REPRESENTATIVE IN A STORY BASED ON A LANDMARK TRUE CLASS ACTION SUIT.

3. “MATEWAN”: DIRECTOR JOHN SAYLES RELIES ON HIS REGULAR STANDOUT ACTORS, DAVID STRATHAIRN AND CHRIS COOPER TO TELL THIS TRUE LIFE STORY OF STRIKING COAL MINERS IN 1920’S WEST VIRGINIA. JAMES EARL JONES PLAYS AN IMMIGRANT WORKER BROUGHT IN BY THE BOSSES TO BREAK THE STRIKE…BUT WHO ULTIMATELY SIDES WITH THE UNION. IT’S PASSIONATE AND HEARTFELT.

OTHER FILMS SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF MINERS’ STRIKES IN BRITAIN INCLUDE: “HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY”, “BILLY ELLIOT” AND “BRASSED OFF”….ALL WORTH RENTING THIS LABOR DAY.

Alison Goes the Extra Mile for the Tour de France

THE GREATEST RACE ON EARTH, THE TOUR DE FRANCE IS ABOUT TO START ON SATURDAY, FOLLOWED BY THREE GRUELING WEEKS OF TIME TRIALS, TREACHEROUS, TWISTY ROADS AND MONSTER MOUNTAINS.

SO IT SET ME MULLING OVER THE ONLY CYCLING MOVIES…THAT I KNOW OF AT LEAST!

3. “AMERICAN FLYERS” FROM 1985. KEVIN COSTNER STARS AS A FIERCE BIKE COMPETITOR WITH A YOUNGER BROTHER WHO ALSO RIDES. AFTER SOME DISTURBING MEDICAL NEWS THEY SET OUT TO COLORADO FOR “THE HELL OF THE WEST”…A FICTIONAL BIKE RACE IN THE ROCKIES. THE STORY IS PREDICTABLE AND SILLY AT TIMES, BUT DIRECTOR JOHN BADHAM CAPTURES THE TRUE EXHILARATION OF RIDING AND RACING.

2. “BREAKING AWAY” FROM 1979 WAS WRITTEN BY STEVE TESICH, WHO ALSO WROTE “AMERICAN FLYERS”. HE WON A SCREENPLAY OSCAR FOR “BREAKING AWAY”. HERE DENNIS CHRISTOPHER PLAYS A KID OBSESSED WITH CYCLING, SPECIFICALLY ITALIAN CYCLING, AND DREAMS OF COMPETING AT A HIGH INTERNATIONAL LEVEL. A FEUD WITH THE COLLEGE KIDS SETS HIM AND HIS TOWNIE MATES UP FOR A FIERCELY CONTESTED FACE-OFF, WHERE THEY ALL SHARE ONE RATTLEY OLD BIKE IN A CIRCUIT RELAY RACE.

1. BUT THE FILM THAT BEST CAPTURES THE TRUE SPIRIT OF FRENCH CYCLING HAS TO BE “THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE”…AN ANIMATED TALE FROM 2003. HERE, AN OLD BIDDY GRANDMOTHER TRAINS HER GRANDSON TO BE A TOUR RIDER, FOLLOWING HIM AS HE HUFFS UP HILLS BLOWING HER WHISTLE ALL THE WHILE. HE GROWS BULGING CALF MUSCLES AND EATS HER OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME….AND ENDS UP COMPETING IN THE TOUR. THIS IS THE ONLY FILM I KNOW OF WHICH SHOWS THE TOUR AS IT REALLY IS. THE SPECTATORS, THE PELOTON AND THE BROOM WAGON ‘SWEEPING UP’ THE LAGGERS.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER A DEFINITIVE CYCLING MOVIE WILL EVER BE MADE. OBVIOUSLY IT’S A SPORT THAT HAS A SMALL BUT DEVOTED FOLLOWING IN THE STATES. BUT I’VE HEARD THAT THERE’S A FILM IN THE WORKS BASED ON THE LIFE OF LANCE ARMSTRONG. I’VE ALSO HEARD THAT JAKE GYLLENHAAL IS TIPPED TO PLAY THE SEVEN TIME TOUR WINNER. I’D LIKE TO SUGGEST KATE HUDSON AS THE FEMALE LEAD. AFTER ALL, SHE SHOULD KNOW A THING OR TOO ABOUT THE MAN!

Jeffrey’s ‘Natural’ Pick for Fourth of July Viewing

They say that something’s “as American as baseball and apple pie.” July 4th used to be a significant day in baseball, the day when the leaders of the then-two leagues (this is back in the days of no divisions), would surely win their respective pennants. No longer. But baseball movies are a significant part of our culture.

One of my favorites is “The Natural,” with former University of Colorado player Robert Redford in the title role, based on the Bernard Malamud novel. (Redford’s high school teammate, known then as “Porky,” obviously grew out of his nickname; he was future Dodgers great Don Drysdale). Redford’s character embodies the American spirit; anything is possible, anyone can become a winner, a champion. But it also personifies a never-say-die attitude.

After being shot in a hotel room by a mysterious, deranged woman, played by Barbara Hershey (and based on the real-life shooting of the Phillies’ Eddie Waitkus), he returned for another shot at major league baseball years later, presumably past his prime. Redford’s ability as a batter was crucial to credibility and he hit it out of the park in that regard; literally and figuratively. Glenn Close, a huge NY Mets fan in real life who has sung the national anthem at Shea Stadium, is the “good girl” and Kim Basinger the evil seductress. Wilfred Brimley as the manager, the late Darren McGavin, the late Richard Farnsworth, Joe Don Baker as a Ruthian character, and Robert Duvall as a sports writer complete the wonderful supporting cast.

Oh and if like me, you’re a real baseball nut, look for one of the more colorful players of the ‘Forties in a cameo at the old Buffalo stadium. He plays an opposing manager and his name was Sibbi Sisti. Go out and rent “The Natural.” You’ll be glad you did. Enjoy the holiday!

Alison’s Flick Picks for the Fourth

BECAUSE I SPENT THE FIRST 21 YEARS OF MY LIFE IN ENGLAND, INDEPENDENCE DAY HAS NEVER HAD MUCH MEANING FOR ME. IN FACT, WE BRITS JOKE THAT WE LIKE TO CELEBRATE JULY 3^RD…..THE LAST DAY OF BRITISH RULE! WE DON’T EVEN CALL THE WAR “THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.” WE CALL IT ‘THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE’…SO STUNNED WERE WE THAT AMERICA COULD REBEL AGAINST US!!

SO NOWADAYS, WHEN JULY 4^TH ROLLS AROUND I TEND TO EQUATE IT MORE WITH GIANT PICNICS, LAKES, FIREWORKS AND LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER. SO HERE ARE MY PICKS FOR A COUPLE OF MOVIES THAT EVOKE THOSE THINGS.

1. “PICNIC” FROM 1955. OK, SO IT WAS A LABOUR DAY PICNIC, BUT THIS SEXUALLY-CHARGED ROMANCE FROM A PLAY BY WILLIAM INGE HAS THE GREATEST DANCE DUET BETWEEN WILLIAM HOLDEN AND KIM NOVAK. WITH “MOONGLOW” PLAYING, IT NOW SEEMS CHARMINGLY DATED, BUT WHO WOULDN’T WANT TO SPEND A SUMMER’S DAY AT A PICNIC AND END UP BEING ROMANCED BY LANTERN LIGHT BY THE WATER’S EDGE.

1. “THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH” ALSO FROM 1955 BY BILLY WILDER. TOM EWELL’S WIFE HAS LEFT FOR MAINE WITH THEIR YOUNG SON. HE’S ALONE IN A SWELTERING HOT CITY, WITH A SIZZLING HOT MARILYN MONROE AS HIS NEIGHBOUR. WITH A VIVID IMAGINATION, AND THE PASSIONATE MUSIC OF RACHMANINOFF, EWELL MUST RESIST ALL TEMPTATION AND MAKE IT TO THAT LAKESIDE TO JOIN HIS FAMILY.

1. “A WALK ON THE MOON” FROM 1999 DIRECTED BY TONY GOLDWYN. DIANE LANE PLAYS THE DUTIFUL WIFE OF DULL LIEV SCHREIBER. UP IN THEIR CATSKILLS BUNGALOW DURING A HEATWAVE SUMMER, SHE SHEDS HER INHIBITIONS WHEN SHE MEETS THE CARE-FREE VIGGO MORTENSEN AND PASSION EXPLODES.

Tennis Anyone? Alison Says Box Office Still Awaits ‘Advantage In’ When It Comes to Authentic Films

AS I DRAG MYSELF AWAY FROM THE TELEVISION AND THE ALL DAY MARATHON OF THE FRENCH OPEN….I FIND MYSELF WONDERING WHERE THE DEFINITIVE TENNIS MOVIE IS? SURE, WE HAD “WIMBLEDON” WITH KIRSTEN DUNST AND PAUL BETTANY. BUT, CORRECT ME IF I’M WRONG….I DON’T REMEMBER IT ACTUALLY BEING ABOUT TENNIS. ANY ON COURT ACTION IS ECLIPSED BY THE DOPEY LOVE STORY THAT ACCOMPANIED IT.

JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS PLAYED A TENNIS PRO IN “MATCH POINT”…BUT AGAIN, THAT WAS ANYTHING BUT A FILM ABOUT TENNIS. AND “STRANGERS ON A TRAIN” CERTAINLY WASN’T ABOUT THE SPORT EITHER, EVEN THOUGH FARLEY GRANGER PLAYED A TENNIS PLAYER.

I’M TALKING ABOUT A FILM THAT CAPTURES THE DISCIPLINE OF TRAINING, THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AND THE THRILL OF COMPETITION. SO MANY OTHER SPORTS HAVE THEIR CINEMATIC COUNTERPOINTS…WHY NOT TENNIS? IN THE MEANTIME, IT’S JUST TWO WEEKS TIL MY NEXT FIX. WIMBLEDON.

Jeffrey’s Top Five Films For Sons To Watch With Their Fathers

With Father’s Day upon us, I wanted to recommend my Top 5 movies for sons to enjoy with their dads:

BACK TO SCHOOL (1986) stars the late Rodney Dangerfield as a millionaire who decides to attend college alongside his son, played by Keith Gordon. You can imagine the hijinks and clumsy situations which ensue, but nice supporting performances by Sally Kellerman and Paxton Whitehead give this some semblance of substance. (Remember, don’t try the triple lindy. It’s too dangerous). (Amazon.com)

WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER? (Currently in theaters) is going to be on my best films of the year list. We closed the 28th annual breckenridge festival of film with it last week. Colin Firth, a recent guest on “Reel Talk,” plays a writer in this true story who’s returning to the small english village where his country doctor father, portrayed by oscar winner Jim Broadbent, is dying of cancer. The movie effectively uses flashbacks to show their strained relationship, and how family secrets begin to unfold. It’s bittersweet and deeply touching.

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS (2006) garnered an oscar nomination for Will Smith in another ‘based on a true story’ movie about a devoted father desperately in need of work to support his young son. Smith’s real-life son Jaden has that role in this story set in san francisco. It is one of the most tender, compelling father-son movies in years. (Amazon.com)

GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL (1957) doesn’t have a particular father/son theme — it just happens to be a classic western. It’s also one of the half dozen times Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas teamed, and this is my favorite. The best of the retelling of the shootout between the Earp brothers, helped by Doc. Holliday, the tubercular dentist/gambler/gunfighter face off against the Clantons and the McLowreys. The Frankie Lane theme song and the Dimitri Tiompkin music are thrilling. And Douglas was never better. (Amazon.com)

The final movie on my list is FIELD OF DREAMS (1989), the best movie of the ’80’s. Kevin Costner is an iowa farmer who responds to unseen voices and clears a cornfield to build a baseball field. Suddenly the ghost of “Shoeless Joe” Jackson appears (Babe Ruth patterned his swing after Jackson). Soon other baseball immortals come out from the cornfield. Amy Madigan is the farmer’s wife in this ode to father/son and father/daughter relationships. James Earl Jones portrays a J.D. Salinger type author, and yes, Burt Lancaster appears as “moonlight” Graham, a real player who only got into one half of one inning of a game (on june 29, 1905, if you’re curious.). I sat next to James Earl Jones at the screening of the movie back in 1989. He’s not a baseball fan but told me baseball is zen. I had no idea what he meant, until I was teary-eyed at the end of watching this wonderful film. Amazon.com

Jeffrey Reflects on Films and Father’s Day…

My father is a huge movie buff….And thinks that I have the best job in the world. But it is because of him that I share a love of films, as I grew up in a household where “they don’t make ‘em like that anymore” was a weekly response to the Sunday matinee. Mostly we watched MGM musicals together or Bob Hope/Bing Crosby films, or Laurel and Hardy shorts….Or B movie westerns. He taught me about film noir, about Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, told me that Ann Miller had the best legs in the business and that there was a fifth Marx brother called Gummo.

As I got older we used to go to the National Film Theatre on the South Bank in London. That’s where I saw my first film in 3D on the big screen: “Kiss Me Kate” with Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson. It was the first time I saw Bob Fosse dance and it introduced me to a lifetime of his work. We also went to see “Sunrise”…a 1927 silent cinema classic by F.W. Murnau.

When I lived in France and my parents came to visit, I mistakenly took them to see “Betty Blue”…a passionate amour fou story with beatrice dalle. Anyone who has seen this film, will understand my squirming embarassment during the opening scene….An explicit, uncut, long lovemaking scene with no subtle candlelight, or dissolves to the ocean outside. True horror for this English girl.

When we first watched a film together in New York it was “The Fugitive” in an upper west side multi-plex. I think my dad was more amused by the loud, participatory crowd than the actual film, but he talked about the experience for ages.

So this Sunday, when I sit down to watch “The Little Mermaid” with my daughter, for about the millionth time…I will think of my dad and say to myself: “they don’t make ‘em like that anymore”.

Happy father’s day!
- Jeffrey Lyons