TiVoPlex
By John Seal
July 31, 2007
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Tuesday 07/31/07
2:00 AM Turner Classic Movies
The Spanish Earth (1937 USA): Since time immemorial, the rich and famous have used various causes celebres to assuage the guilt of — well, being rich and famous. Today the cause is Darfur, ten years ago it was Tibet, and during the 1930s it was the Spanish Civil War, in which that nation's elected left-wing government was threatened by a German-backed fascist insurrection led by Generalissimo Francisco Franco. The out-gunned Republican government appealed for international support, and received it in the form of volunteers representing many countries and a wide range of political viewpoints, from anarchists and doctrinaire communists to liberals of various stripes. In 1937, a group of American intellectuals — including Ernest Hemingway, John Dos Passos, and Lillian Hellman — formed a production company to produce this salute to the Republican forces, and by extension the fortitude of the Spanish people. Consisting of crudely shot handheld footage woven together by narration supplied by Hemingway and Orson Welles, The Spanish Earth was directed by Dutch documentarian Joris Ivens, and remains one of the primary cinematic documents of both the Civil War and the flowering of air power, a tool of terror which would play an increasingly important role in wars from Vietnam to Iraq. It's not on a par with Hearts and Minds, Fahrenheit 9/11, or any of the other classic anti-war docs, but The Spanish Earth is a unique film about a critically important if now almost forgotten piece of 20th century history.
10:00 AM Cinemax
Psycho II (1983 USA): Tony Perkins returns as troubled Mama's boy Norman Bates in Psycho II, the first and best sequel to Alfred Hitchcock's classic proto-slasher from 1960. Convicted of the murder of Marion Crane, Norman has spent the preceding decades confined in a mental institution, but — apparently cured — has earned his release and returned to live at the Bates Motel. Of course, the motel is no longer a going concern, so Norman is forced to take a job washing dishes at a local beanery, where he meets waitress Mary (Meg Tilly), a trusting sort who decides to share expenses by moving into the motel with her new friend. Can Norman's fresh start help him find peace and contentment — or will a new series of grizzly murders commence, with our hero instantly becoming suspect number one? I don't want to spoil things too much for you, but let's just say that Norman and his mother still have some quality time to spend together. Also airs at 1:00 PM.
8:00 PM IFC
Reel Paradise (2005 USA): Ever had the urge to chuck it all in and relocate to a remote tropical island? Movie producer John Pierson did just that, handing in his keys to the executive washroom in favor of running a movie theater for a year in the South Pacific nation of Fiji. His adventure is depicted in this excellent documentary from the estimable Steve James, earlier responsible for such first rate features as Hoop Dreams and Stevie. Pierson moved his family to the Fijian island of Taveuni, where the 180 Meridian Cinema was in need of a new manager to help bring film culture to the natives. From Buster Keaton to Jackass, Pierson screens ‘em all, but must contend with an inadequate power supply, a drunken projectionist, and a nasty case of dengue fever. Trouble in paradise, indeed. Also airs 8/1 at midnight.
Wednesday 08/01/07
12:10 AM More Max
El Habitante Incierto (2004 ESP): Fans of all things suspenseful will want to make time for this Spanish thriller, which failed to get an Anglophone theatrical release but is now available on DVD as The Uninvited Guest. The film stars Andoni Garcia as Felix, a young architect who has split up with gal pal Vera (Monica Lopez), leaving him in sole possession of the huge house they had once shared. When a stranger shows up one night begging to make an emergency phone call (what, no mobile?), Felix admits him to the house - and never sees him again. When strange noises start to unnerve him, he convinces himself that the stranger is hiding somewhere in the building, and even the return of Vera can't put a stop to the eerie goings on. An obsessed Felix is determined to discover the identity of his unseen roommate, ultimately leading to some hide and seek hijinks at a neighbor's house. Writer-director Guillem Morales does a nice job of ratcheting up the tension and his screenplay doesn't tip its hand too early, though it does get a bit confusing during the final reel.
7:05 PM Showtime Extreme
Alice Sweet Alice (1976 USA): Originally released as Communion, this creepy thriller features Paula Sheppard as Alice, a teenager suspected of murdering her younger sister (Brooke Shields, in her film debut) after attending the aforementioned Catholic ritual. These days, of course, the parish priest would be the primary suspect, but young Alice and her Don't Look Now-style raincoat attract the attention of Detective Spina (Michael Hardstack) and the rest of the Paterson, New Jersey Police Department. Shot on location by director Alfred Sole, Alice Sweet Alice is a surprisingly effective low budget meller, and makes its widescreen television debut this evening.
Thursday 08/02/07
5:45 AM The Movie Channel
Honky Tonk Freeway (1981 USA): John Schlesinger directed this Nashville knockoff about a backwoods town anxious to get its own highway off-ramp. Led by Mayor Kirby Calo (William Devane), the residents of Ticlaw, Florida will try anything to get access to the freeway — including offering tourist temptations such as a water-skiing elephant at the local safari park. A cornucopia of oddball characters are introduced on the freeway, including children's book author Ricky (Beau Bridges), trying to recover from the rejection of his manuscript Ricky the Carnivorous Pony; couple Sherman and Carol (Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy), heading south in an effort to put a drinking problem behind them; and disco dancing nun Sister Magdalena (Deborah Rush), uncertain of her chosen vocation as a Bride of Christ. The film is an uncomfortable blend of screwball comedy and outdated social observation, but the cast — which also includes Howard Hesseman, Geraldine Page, Teri Garr, and George Dzundza — makes it all worthwhile. Honky Tonk Freeway airs in letterboxed format and repeats at 8:45 AM and on 8/3 at 2:35 AM and 5:35 AM.
10:30 PM Turner Classic Movies
Rosebud (1975 USA): It's poorly regarded by most critics, and certainly doesn't compare well with director Otto Preminger's best efforts, but there's something oddly appealing about this overlong and thoroughly racist intriguer. Perhaps it's the presence of the always excellent Peter O'Toole as a secret agent hired to solve the mystery of five (white) heiresses held for ransom by a group of swarthy Palestinian revolutionaries, or perhaps it's the jaw-dropping, one of a kind performance of former New York City Mayor John Lindsay as a United States Senator. There's definitely a hint of Eurotrash layered atop this very strange film, which also features Adrienne Corri, Isabelle Huppert, Peter Lawford, Raf Vallone, and the film debut of Kim Cattrall. Whatever it is, however, Rosebud is never boring, even at a generous 128 minutes. Unavailable on home video, it makes a very rare widescreen television appearance tonight.
Friday 08/03/07
1:00 AM Turner Classic Movies
Brotherly Love (1970 GB): Another Peter O'Toole obscurity arrives this morning in the shape of Brotherly Love, a not entirely successful dramatic diversion from action director J. Lee Thompson. This time, O'Toole gets to play to type: he's Sir Charles Ferguson, an alcoholic, gone-to-seed, country gentleman. Sir Charles, known as Pink to his friends, lives on a dairy farm, where he plots to keep his beloved sister (Susannah York) apart from her estranged husband (Michael Craig). The couple are still strongly attracted to each other, however, and Pink's efforts soon lead to terrible consequences that threaten to tear the Ferguson family asunder for good. A less than delicate blend of character study and pointed humor, Brotherly Love was based on a novel and play by James Kennaway, and co-stars Harry Andrews, Cyril Cusack, and a young Brian Blessed.
5:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
Harriet Craig (1950 USA): TCM has a passel of Joan Crawford features today, most of which either aren't worth your time (Berserk, anyone?) or are too familiar to earn a mention in TiVoPlex. The standout offering is Harriet Craig, a feature cut from the same manipulative cloth as Crawford's great Mildred Pierce. It's certainly not the equal of that remarkable film, but it offers enough rewards to warrant a recommendation, including an over the top performance by Mommie Dearest as the titular harridan, a woman whose obsessive penchant for homemaking trumps any affection she may have for her long suffering husband (Wendell Corey). Harriet also has tremendous disregard for the feelings of her niece (K.T. Stevens), whose blossoming romance she attempts to derail in the name of female solidarity. Harriet is definitely a less nuanced character than Mildred, and marked the beginning of a transitional period for La Crawford, who would soon be portraying ice-cold monsters in films like Queen Bee.
Saturday 08/04/07
6:00 PM Starz
The Prestige (2006 USA): Mirroring last summer's release pattern, The Prestige follows its cinematic doppelganger The Illusionist onto the small screen after a suitably brief (and magic-free) interlude. As I mentioned in an earlier column, The Prestige is for my money the lesser of the pair, featuring a plotline that defies logic and credulity and, at times, insults the intelligence of its audience. That said, there are some moments here — including David Bowie's performance as Nikola Tesla, and the top hats that foreshadow his on-screen arrival — that make The Prestige worthwhile if often maddening viewing. Also airs at 9:00 PM and throughout the month.
7:00 PM Sundance
Half Nelson (2006 USA): Ryan Gosling earned a well-deserved Academy Award nomination for his performance as Dan Dunne, a teacher trying to make a difference in a suitably troubled inner city middle school. Dunne is well loved by his students, who pick up on his enthusiasm for history, but has a problem he's desperate to keep secret: an addiction to crack cocaine. When star pupil Drey (Shareeka Epps) catches him smoking in the school bathroom, it's time for Dan to come to terms with his problem — and for Drey to get some of the parenting her fatherless home hasn't provided. Superbly and delicately acted, Half Nelson is a brilliant exposition on human relationships and redemption.
Sunday 08/05/07
10:30 PM Sundance
The Rock & Roll Kid (2006 CAN): So you wanna be a rock 'n' roll star? Check out this cautionary documentary about adolescent guitar prodigy Danny Sveinson, who trod the boards of Harlem's Apollo Theatre at the tender age of 11 and earned comparisons to such guitar heroes as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. The film picks up as Danny enters his teenage years — and as his worried parents prepare him for a career of axe-wielding rock and roll excess. If you're keen on virtuosic playing with lots of finger twiddling, you'll enjoy the music — but if it isn't to your taste, you'll still get a kick out of watching young Danny grasping for the brass guitar pick.
Monday 08/06/07
8:10 AM Encore Dramatic Stories
Dadah Is Death (1988 USA-AUS): A made for television take on the Midnight Express meme, Dadah Is Dead stars Julie Christie as Barbara Barlow, the mother of Kevin, a foolish young Australian (John Polson) caught smuggling heroin through Malaysia with his equally dim chum Geoff (Hugo Weaving). Kevin and Geoff are facing the death penalty for their crime, and it's up to Mum to appeal to President Reagan, Prime Minister Thatcher, and the Pope to intercede with the Malaysian government and save the lives of the two losers. Whether they're worth saving isn't a question that gets asked, but Dadah Is Dead is head and shoulders above most straight to the boob tube fare, and co-stars a pre-Sex and the City Sarah Jessica Parker.
4:30 PM HBO
White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (2007 USA): I haven't seen this HBO original documentary yet, but this promises to be one of the most important non-fiction films of 2007. Director Steven Okazaki (Living On Tokyo Time) explores the horrors of the atomic bomb via interviews with 14 survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, most of whom have, before now, never spoken publicly of their experiences. With the inexorable passage of time, these people are probably getting their last chance to air their opinions about the shock and awe tactics embraced by President Harry S Truman and his be-knighted Secretary of State, James Byrnes, both of whom, I am advised, are still smoldering nicely in a particularly dank corner of Hell. Also airs at 7:30 PM.