Criticker MOM, May 2010

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Bojangles
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Criticker MOM, May 2010

Post by Bojangles »

Class, your homework assignment is to watch these two movies.

Rancho Deluxe (1975)

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Director: Frank Perry
Writer: Thomas McGuane
Starring: Harry Dean Stanton, Jeff Bridges, Sam Waterston, Slim Pickens, Warren Oates, Elizabeth Ashley, Joe Spinell, Richard Bright, Jimmy Buffett

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Criticker: 10 ratings
Collections: 1. Westerns set in Montana (public: moderated by Moribunny)

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Synopsis: True romantics seek the Wild West in Montana. With a pickup truck and an antique buffalo rifle, Jack (Jeff Bridges) and Cecil (Sam Waterston) rustle their way into the hearts of the native Montanans, who seem to have a bit of a grudge going against the New West, Nouveau Riche ranch owner (Clifton James). (sydde-1, imdb)
Awards: none, presumably.

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IMDB Comments:

Thomas McGuane, 25 years ahead of the commercial marketplace, invented the [post]modern dialogue SNAP now central to the filmfop vogue. Anyone who enjoyed Jeff Bridges as Dude Lebowski MUST see this movie. Also recommended for those interested in the final disposition of the American West, those who thought Sam Waterston might be an actor, those who can't believe Slim Pickens could improve on his "Dr. Strangelove" role, etc. - Randy Lane (imdb)

Where to obtain: Netflix, amazon, torrentage
Last edited by Bojangles on Mon May 17, 2010 4:36 am, edited 2 times in total.

Bojangles
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Re: Criticker MOM, May 2010

Post by Bojangles »

Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)

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Director: Leo McCarey
Writer: Humphrey Pearson, Harry Leon Wilson
Starring: Charles Laughton, Charles Ruggles, Roland Young, Leila Hyams, Zasu Pitts, Mary Boland

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Criticker: 20 ratings
Collections: 1. Jonathan Rosenbaum's Top 1000 Movies (public: moderated by PeaceAnarchy - 15 stars)
2. New York Times' The Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made (public: moderated by theficionado - 9 stars)
3. Doubling The Canon (public: moderated by mandarkzilla - 7 stars)
4. Academy Award - Oscar - Best Picture and Nominees (public: moderated by smviper00 - 2 stars)

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Synopsis:The story of a meek English butler named Ruggles, who is "lost" in a poker game by his boss, an English earl. Living out west, in Washington state, he is gradually assimilated into American life, makes himself somewhat of a local celebrity, and falls in love along the way. (telegonus, imdb)
Awards:
Best Picture Nomination, Academy Awards (1936)
Best Actor Winner: Charles Laughton, New York Film Critics Circle Awards (1935)

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IMDB Comments:

This movie is a classic, if a quiet one, and used to be far better known than it is today, which is a pity. Capra's films are shown all the time, while McCarey', aside from his two "Catholic" films of the mid-forties, Going My Way and Bells Of St. Mary's, tend by be neglected. There are no "big scenes" in this one, but an awful lot of brilliant little ones ... -telegonus, imdb

Where to obtain: Amazon, iTunes, torrents
Last edited by Bojangles on Wed May 19, 2010 4:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

jeff_v
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Re: Criticker MOM, May 2010

Post by jeff_v »

There are no "big scenes" in this one...


Surely Laughton's recitation of The Gettysburg Address qualifies.

Bojangles
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Re: Criticker MOM, May 2010

Post by Bojangles »

jeff_v wrote:
There are no "big scenes" in this one...


Surely Laughton's recitation of The Gettysburg Address qualifies.

I shall pass down judgement on this controversy once I watch it in the next few days. 8-)

ShogunRua
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Re: Criticker MOM, May 2010

Post by ShogunRua »

Well, I just watched "Ruggles of Red Gap", and it surprised me.

It's still enjoyable to this very day thanks to the outstanding acting, sharp dialogue, and fast pacing, and must have been damn good for its time. The first hour is especially good, and while the last thirty minutes are largely unnecessary, they're decent enough.

76/100, T9

prowler
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Re: Criticker MOM, May 2010

Post by prowler »

the first image in the ruggles post isn't working

ShogunRua
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Re: Criticker MOM, May 2010

Post by ShogunRua »

prowler wrote:the first image in the ruggles post isn't working


Appears perfectly for me.

Bojangles
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Re: Criticker MOM, May 2010

Post by Bojangles »

prowler wrote:the first image in the ruggles post isn't working

I couldn't see it either so I reuploaded it.

ShogunRua
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Re: Criticker MOM, May 2010

Post by ShogunRua »

Anyone else watched Ruggles yet?

Bojangles
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Re: Criticker MOM, May 2010

Post by Bojangles »

Yeah I watched Ruggles. Thought it was glorious.

jeff_v, the Gettysburg recitation is clearly a big scene. I hereby affirm you. I would call the finale big as well. A very empowering wrap-up and film. Profound almost.

The biggest thing that keeps you interested is the humor. The actor curiously named Charles Ruggles, who plays Egbert not the title's Ruggles, absolutely crushes. Sooo many snappy lines, you just hang on his every word. I completely lost it at this exchange:

- There was a Chinaman tryin to run a chop suey joint there and they shot him.
- He couldn't cook ham and eggs. He was always doin' something Chinese to'em.


I recommend that people watch this, in May or otherwise.

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