TiVoPlex
By John Seal
January 17, 2011
2:30 PM HBO Signature
Threshold (1982 CAN): Here’s an impressively cast scienti-fiction oddity we’ve all forgotten about. Jeff Goldblum, cast as usual as a goofy savant, is Aldo Gehring, a brilliant scientist who’s developed an artificial heart, whilst Donald Sutherland plays Thomas Vrain, the doctor who first attaches said heart to a patient against the advice of medical ethicists and his hospital board. Within a year, the development of the Jarvik heart moved this presciently-titled feature from the realm of fiction into that of reality, which perhaps explains why it has lain dormant in film vaults ever since. Viewed in isolation, however, it’s a perfectly decent drama featuring fine performances by both leads.
Sunday 1/23/11
5:00 PM Sundance
White Lightnin’ (2009 GB): Though I haven’t seen White Lightnin’ yet, I’ve read enough about it to make me eager to give it a look. Inspired by an Appalachian folk dancer named Jesco White, this is mooted to be a highly fictionalized take on his life and a film which makes the mountain men in Deliverance look like a buncha candy asses. I’m a little worried it may turn out to be no better than your average Harmony Korine flick, but reviews have generally been glowing, with particular praise poured on Tim Maurice-Jones’ cinematography. Also airs 1/24 at 1:45 AM.
9:30 PM Turner Classic Movies
Tide of Empire (1929 USA): Was there ever a female movie star with a more "movie star" name than Renée Adorée? Blanche Sweet comes close, but other than her, I think not. A very late silent indeed, Tide of Empire stars Ms. Adorée — who did not make the transition to sound and succumbed to T.B. in 1933 — as Josephina Guerrero, the daughter of a wealthy California rancher during the years of the Gold Rush. With the Gold Rush, however, come hangers-on and criminals, and Rancho Guerrero finds itself overrun by undesirables—including D’Arcy (George Duryea), a penniless prospector who lucks into some money and subsequently tries to win snooty Josephina’s hand. Helmed by Allan Dwan, the film does feature a special effects and musical soundtrack, but no dialogue, whilst the director also made use of a very early zoom lens during some scenes. Interesting footnote: Joan Crawford was originally cast as Josephina, but was removed from the project after her breakthrough success in Our Dancing Daughters.
11:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
Il Posto (1961 ITA): A young and eager Italian finds that life in the big city is not all it’s cracked up to be in this cheeky Ermanno Olmi comedy-drama. Sandro Panseri plays Domenico, fresh out of high school and eager to become a working adult. Moving to Milan, the lad passes his job exam with flying colors, meets cute with an attractive woman (Loredana Detto, who would later marry Olmi), and starts his new position — only to find the reality of employment a deadening, disappointing, and depressing experience. We know how you feel, kid.
Monday 1/24/11
12:05 AM Encore Action
Nemesis (1993 USA): An intriguing cast is the main reason to watch this otherwise routine and not terribly original sci-fier. Olivier Gruner plays Alex, a "supercop" assigned the task of tracking down the Red Army Hammerheads, a group of self-styled "information terrorists" plotting political assassinations. Though I don’t remember the bad guys in Nemesis looking much like Julian Assange, it’s been a while since I’ve seen it, so I could be wrong. Amongst the film’s supporting cast: Brion James, Tim Thomerson, Cary Hiroyuki-Tagawa, Thomas Jane, and Jackie Earle Haley as Einstein (no, not the real one).
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