TiVoPlex
TiVoPlex for Tuesday through Monday
By John Seal
April 30, 2012
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Tuesday 5/1/12
4:00 AM Starz in Black
Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story (2007 USA): Originally aired on PBS as part of the network’s Great Performances series, Respect Yourself is as good as music documentaries get, especially for admirers of the Memphis Sound (and if you’re not an admirer, what the heck is wrong with you?). Stax Records, of course, was the home of such legends of soul as Otis Redding, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Booker T. and the MGs, and many, many others, and the film tells the label’s entire story from humble start to tragic finish. There’s tons of great archival footage (including a superb take on You Don’t Miss Your Water by William Bell and Rufus T.’s astonishing Schlitz commercial) and lots of interviews. If you’re a fan of sixties soul, Respect Yourself is essential viewing.
Wednesday 5/2/12
1:00 AM Fox Movie Channel
The Sicilian (1987 USA): Based on a Mario Puzo novel, this Michael Cimino joint is a sequel in all but name to The Godfather, but forgoes all reference to the Corleone family. Set in the days following World War II, the film tells the extremely convoluted tale of Salvatore Guiliano, a fighter against Mafia corruption and for Sicilian independence. The fact that the film is overburdened by plotting might be overlooked if the acting were better, but sadly, Giuliano is portrayed by Christopher Lambert, so you know that thin straw of redemption is not available for grasping. Like most Cimino films, a sense of humor is entirely lacking, and Steve Shagan’s screenplay is predictably portentous. So why am I mentioning it in this week’s TiVoPlex? Well, I think this marks the film’s widescreen television debut, and Terence Stamp is excellent as baddy Prince Borsa. Proceed, however, with appropriate caution.
1:00 AM The Movie Channel
Allan Quatermain & the Temple of Skulls (2008 USA): A personal note to discriminating filmgoers from director Mark Atkins and the good folks at Asylum Home Entertainment: please do not be confused by our feature length adventure, Allan Quatermain & the Temple of Skulls. Despite our promotional artwork depicting a whip-cracking hero in a cowboy hat, this unique and original feature (based on H. Rider Haggard’s beloved classic novel King Solomon’s Mines) should not be confused with films with titles such as Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skill. Those films pale in comparison to ours, which stars Sean Cameron Michael as Allan Quatermain! Yowza! Bite me, Harrison Ford! Also airs at 4:00 AM.
10:45 AM Turner Classic Movies
The Vintage (1957 USA): Are there any good movies about vintners? I’m not talking about wine enthusiasts—Sideways is excellent—but people on the production side of the coin. Off hand, I can’t think of any classics, but The Vintage isn’t bad. Shot in the south of France, the film stars Mel Ferrer and John Kerr as Giancarlo and Ernesto, two Italian migrant workers picking grapes near Marseilles. On the run from the law for a murder Ernesto committed, they hope to keep a low profile amongst the vineyards—but the hot-blooded Ernesto gets up close and personal with the boss’s wife (Michele Morgan), which is about the worst possible way to keep a low profile. Directed by Mr. Eva Marie Saint, Jeffrey Hayden, and shot in Cinemascope, The Vintage also features Pier Angeli, Theodore Bikel, and Leif Erickson.
Thursday 5/3/12
3:00 AM Fox Movie Channel
The Challenge (1970 USA): Here’s a pretty strange made-for-TV movie that hasn’t been seen for a while. Darren McGavin and Mako star as two soldiers sent to a remote Pacific island to fight a proxy war on behalf of their homelands (the United States, and, er, an unnamed ‘fifth rate People’s Republic’—wonder who that could be?). James Whitmore plays the wise President eager to avoid pushing the nuclear button, whilst Broderick Crawford portrays the Army general eager to bomb the enemy back to the stone age (if not further). Written by Marc ‘Shakespeare in Love’ Norman, this was also one of the first films to be credited to director Allen Smithee—which is rather strange, as The Challenge is pretty darn good.
12:40 PM HBO Signature
Hot Coffee (2011 USA): Mmm, torte reform. I would love to eat some torte right now, hot or cold. What’s that? This is an HBO original documentary about tort reform? Specifically about the infamous McDonald's coffee case, in which a woman named Stella Liebeck scalded herself with a hot drink and sued the bright yellow pants off Ronald McDonald? You’ll get a completely new perspective on class action lawsuits and fast food beverages from this outstanding feature.
3:30 PM Showtime
Womb (2010 GER-HUN-FRA): I haven’t seen this film yet, but the presence of handsome former Bond girl Eva Green and preternaturally geeky Matt ‘Dr. Who #12’ Smith makes it an attractive option. Apparently it’s got something to do with cloning and incest, an irresistible combination that surely contributed to the film’s inability to get a theatrical run in the US. Released in Britain as (wait for it) Clone, Womb airs again at 6:30 PM.
8:00 PM Showtime 3
Fire of Conscience (2010 HK): Hong Kong has long since seen its cinematic mojo snatched from it by other Asian countries, but every now and then it proves it can still deliver the goods. Case in point: Fire of Conscience, a slambang cop drama starring Leon Lai as a police sergeant whose off-kilter behavior attracts the attention of Internal Affairs. He’s Sgt. Manfred, who has an excuse for being a bit nuts: his wife has been murdered, and the crime never solved. Naturally, the chip on his shoulder leads to plenty of gun battles, beatdowns, and other examples of ultraviolence, all beautifully captured by director Dante Lam, who—somewhat surprisingly—doesn’t appear to be related to elder HK cinema statesman Ringo Lam.
Friday 5/4/12
12:15 PM HBO Signature
La Isla Interior (2009 ESP): A worthwhile Spanish drama about family and genetics, La Isla Interior provides a powerful and sobering look at the crippling effects of mental illness. Cristina Marks stars as Gracia, one of three siblings re-united by the imminent death of their father. Also on hand are brother Miguel (Alberto San Juan) and sister Coral (Candela Pena), as well as dear old mum (Geraldine Chaplin). Dad has long suffered from schizophrenia and the family have long avoided dealing with its legacy, but his passing forces them to come to terms with his—and perhaps their—illness. Though deadly serious in intent, there’s an underlying current of dark humor that works in the film’s favor, and San Juan delivers a particularly strong performance.
8:30 PM Turner Classic Movies
They Came to Rob Las Vegas (1968 ESP-BRD-FRA-ITA): Here’s one of those international co-productions that clogged television schedules during the mid-70s but have since been seen but infrequently. I loved this film back in the day, and expect to love it again tonight—commercial free and in its original aspect ratio!. The title says it all, as a gang of hoods descend on Sin City with their eyes on an armored car laden with casino takings. Problem: the armored car has machine guns and is generally considered invulnerable. Solution: lead baddy Tony’s (Gary Lockwood, soon to be seen in 2001: A Space Odyssey) girlfriend (Elke Sommer) is also secretary to the armored car company’s boss! Attractively shot on location and in the deserts of southern Spain, They Came to Rob Las Vegas features a terrific Georges Garvarentz score and an excellent supporting cast, including Jean Servais, Jack Palance and Lee J. Cobb.
Saturday 5/5/12
9:00 AM Turner Classic Movies
Perils of Pauline (1933 USA): Chapters 4, 5, and 6 of this Universal serial, in which our feisty heroine is first trapped by the enemy and then pursued by savages, screen this morning.
5:00 PM Showtime
Source Code (2011 USA): This Inception-flavored thriller directed by Moon man Duncan Jones makes its American television debut this evening. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Colter Stevens, a man who wakes up on a commuter train and discovers himself engaged in conversation with a woman (Michele Monaghan) he doesn’t know but who seems to know him, and with a face he doesn’t recognize. And then it happens again...and again. Without giving too much away, Colter has been sent on a special mission by scientist Colleen Goodwin (Vera Farmiga), and as the film continues the layers of mystery are slowly peeled away. It’s not quite as good as Moon, but I did find Source Code more satisfying than the overrated Inception. Added bonus: you don’t have to listen to Edith Piaf warble Non, Je Ne Regret Rien over and over again. I like that song, but enough is enough. Also airs at 8:00 PM.
Sunday 5/6/12
10:40 AM Fox Movie Channel
Legions of the Nile (1959 ITA): Good news: this sword and sandal epic hasn’t been seen on TV in many years. Bad news: this is the dubbed, pan and scan print we all grew up watching on the late, late show. Which for nostalgics like me, of course, isn’t entirely bad news. Even more interestingly, the only reason Fox ended up distributing this picture was because they bought the US rights in order to prevent it from competing with their own epic of ancient Egypt, 1963’s Cleopatra. How’s the film? In two words, historically inaccurate—but Linda Cristal is easy on the eyes as the legendary lady pharaoh.
11:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
Rocco and His Brothers (1960 ITA): Alain Delon, hair nary out of place, headlines this classic example of Italian neo-realism directed by Luchino Visconti. Delon plays Rocco Parondi, one of five brothers who move to Milan with their newly widowed mother and have trouble adjusting to big city life. For Rocco’s part, the trouble begins when he starts canoodling with Nadia (Annie Girardot), a sex worker who also has a relationship with brother Simone (Renato Salvatori). There’s much, much more to this three hour long film, including a superb performance by Katina Paxinou as the boys’ long-suffering mama.
Monday 5/7/12
12:00 PM Flix
Blue in the Face (1995 USA): This improvisational Wayne Wang confection isn’t for everyone, but it probably wasn’t intended to be. Shot in only six days, the film portrays the episodic misadventures of a Brooklyn cigar store manager played by Harvey Keitel. Amongst his customers are Mira Sorvino, Michael J. Fox, Lou Reed, and Roseanne Barr, whilst Madonna pops up as a singing telegram and Victor Argo portrays the shop’s owner. Some of it works, some of it doesn’t, but you’ll want to tune in for Ru Paul’s song and dance number.