Great Cinema - Short Clips

[lactictac]

Did they predict the future?

Terry Gilliam's "Brazil" (1985) has a serious side to its Pythonesque humor. In this scene, a governmental security forces abduct the wrong man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSQ5EsbT4cE

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

Again … Bond. James Bond. “Casino Royale” (2006), by Martin Campbell, with Daniel Craig as 007. I like Craig because he plays Bond as what Bond really is … a thug. An educated, stylish, good-angel thug, but a thug nonetheless. He fights and kills and comes out with bruises and bandages. He’s human, with a touch of super-uber man too.

Here is the early parkour chase scene that I think is great – athletic, smart and thrilling. It seals Craig as the new Bond:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJubOZLpp4A&feature=fvwrel

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

Another female warrior, this time from “Sin City” (2005) by Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino.

Miho is a bodyguard for the prostitutes. Here we see a few very short examples of her work and then, from about 1:10 on, she deals with a bad Benecio Del Toro. Her samurai/ninja skills are fine and deadly … and creative. A Pez dispenser??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33bM0PbOgGc

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

007 again. "Goldfinger" (1964) by Guy Hamilton.

Here, Bond fights Oddjob, one tough cookie, in this classic scene where Bond tries to prevent a nuclear bomb from destroying the gold in Ft. Knox:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDDjxa7RsKg

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

"The Gunfighter," (1950) by Henry King. Here, Gregory Peck shows a young punk how to do it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVfBTE9erwg

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

"Stalag 17" (1953), by Billy Wilder, is a WWII POW drama but has some humor and spawned TV's "Hogan's Heroes." Here, Nazi indoctrination is s****ed - "Dropppen Sie dead":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEi5PAFkiNI


Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

WWII again – this time Chinese in Europe vs. Nazis … “Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen” (2010) by Wai-keng Lau. In this scene, Donny Yen yet again displays his great cinematic prowess in the martial arts, with some great editing, as he single-handedly takes on the Nazis and rallies his compatriots to fight. Great stunts and stunning camera work capture Yen’s talents. Just watch the athleticism and creative use of the Wing Chun style (Ip Man, Bruce Lee) against armed opponents. WOW:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09QIH4uCyPs


Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

The stuff of nightmares … “Nosferatu the Vampyre” (1979) by Werner Herzog debunks the Hollywood stereotype of the vampire as a glamorous leading man with slicked hair and a tuxedo. Nor is Nosferatu a young rebel-without-a-cause twilighter. No, this Nosferatu, played by Klaus Kinski, is a dead and decaying blasphemy of nature, surrounded by rot, rodents and disgust.

Here we have the opening credits that, as someone comments, give Satan nightmares:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxE4yITfRLo

ENJOY ... ?

 

[lactictac]

OK, back to the not-so-old West with...

“The Grey Fox” (1982) Phillip Borsos. Two great stories here.

First, the movie is stunningly filmed and so interesting a story – in 1901, stagecoach robber Bill Miner is released from over 30 years in prison. Cars, movies, a new century have him at odds with reality and going north to Canada to rob trains. Great story. He was known as the “gentleman bandit” and to have created the term “Hands up!”

Second, Miner is played by Richard Farnsworth, a veteran of decades of Hollywood stunts and doubling for big stars in action scenes. This is his break-out role for me – WOW! So natural and at ease, so calm, so non-threatening, so polite. Until … haha … until ....

This scene has a newly released Miner enjoying a classic Western scenario - bar, whiskey, tobacco . He is hassled by a young punk. Poor punk learns his lesson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihG8vpfz1Yc

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

Off to Japan! To visit ... Zatoichi.

Zatoichi is an icon in Japan and to those who admire Japanese cinema and swordplay. He is blind and wanders around, working as a masseur, a gambler and protector of the down-trodden. His cane is really a sword, which he wields with accomplished backhanded virtuosity. He is wanted with bounties on his head by gangsters and corrupt officials.

Here is a compilation clip of Z’s fight scenes. No subtitles - none needed. Warning - somewhat gory, but also well-choreographed and sometimes comic. You may need a second viewing. The scenes get better and better. I like at about 4:53 when Z cuts a candle and displays the remaining flame on the end of his sword. And about 5:21 when he cuts his way out of a coffin to confront a gang, immediately taking a head. Great choreography. This Zatoichi is the original … Katsu Shintaro. Later versions follow:

http://wn.com/zatoichi_the_best_fight_scenes

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

OK, somethimg less violent, more romantic:

“Ladyhawke” (1985) by Richard Donner is a nicely made film about two lovers, Michelle Pfeiffer and a knight, Rutger Hauer, who have been cursed by a jealous bishop/wizard: during the day, she is a hawk and he a human; during the night, she is a human and he a wolf. In both human and animal form they still share a bond of love and are of great help to one another, despite the sadness of never ever being able to unite as lovers.

This clip is exceptionally sad: Mathew Broderick looks on at dawn as Rutger Hauer turns back into a man and Michelle Pfeiffer turns into a hawk … and they are both human for the briefest of moments, not even having time to embrace and kiss. What a terrible fate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl-8npL-vUA

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

“Wings of Desire” (1987) by Wim Wenders is about angels in Berlin, one in particular, played by Bruno Ganz.

Angels are around us and can hear our deepest concerns and can ease a troubled soul with a simple touch. Only little children can see angels. And angels see the world in black & white.

The story is about how Ganz’s character falls in love with Solveig Dommartin's character and wishes to become a mortal human, to see in color and to love another human. Peter Falk is cast as himself – and is a former angel. The film is romantic, surreal and tinged with some joyous melancholy. And the visuals are stunning. This is the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ineOZYEJfgY&feature=player_embedded

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

“Ulzana’s Raid” (1972) by Robert Aldrich, is about an Apache leader who leaves his reservation and strikes at the encroaching settlers and army. The film, which stars Burt Lancaster, is real in its depiction of the nasty violence on both sides and in portraying the Indians as smart and effective – if brutal – fighters. They are NOT ignorant savages.

In this short scene, a mother and her son, accompanied by a US cavalry member, are attacked. The soldier’s actions are cowardly, then … shockingly realistic. DO NOT BE CAPTURED ALIVE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I88IFL7TnrQ

Enjoy?

 

[lactictac]

OK, more violence, but this time from the wild, wild east: New York City and “A Bronx Tale” (1993) by Robert De Niro.

In this scene, a motorcycle contingent known for breaking up bars, is asked to leave a bar but then allowed to stay when bikers' leader promises the “owner” that they only want some beer. They receive permission to stay … and proceed to start a ruckus. WRONG BAR! Chazz Palminteri does a small but really scary thing – at about 1:20. “Now yous can’t leave.” And then Armageddon follows for the riders. Great scene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQe0lw1ZWdc

Enjoy!

 

[trompe le monde]

I decided to check it out after looking at Sight and Sounds poll for the 50 greatest films of all time. The film I'm speaking of is Chris Marker's La Jetée which came in it at 50.

It is only 27 minutes long and you can probably find the whole thing online, but it is a fascinating exercise on what you can do with still images - the film is 99.9 percent made up of still images - and some narration. The film 12 Monkeys was heavily influenced by this.

In sum, it is a science fiction film wrapped around a philosophical meditation on memory. The ending is, in a word, excellent. Strike that, the entire film is excellent.

edit: here are you tube links to the entire film. English narration.

La Jetée part 1 on you tube

La Jetée part 2 on you tube

 

[lactictac]

“Seven Beauties” (“Pasqualino Settebellezze"), Lina Wertmuller (1975).

Wertmuller was a hit with a few films in the 1970s. She underscored sexual and political themes. In this film, Giancarlo Giannini plays a flirty jailbird who tries to desert the WW II Italian army and winds up in a concentration camp. He survives by being the female commandant’s plaything.

Here is the opening of the film, a surreal dreamy collage of war and its produce, with a sardonic voice over (”Oh yeah.”) accompanied by a jazz sondtrack. Slick, intelligent and cool cinema:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXHn7Fn97Ss

Enjoy! Oh yeah!

 

[lactictac]

Let's jump to some comedy.

"Airplane!" (1980) by Abrams/Zucker/Zucker, is hilarious in its inventive but simple and crude humor. Here, Lloyd Bridges' character reacts to growing plot intricacies in the air traffic control room. Classic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmW-ScmGRMA

Enjoy!



OK, OK ... one more from the film:

The cockpit, with characters named Clarence, Roger and Victor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVq4_HhBK8Y&feature=related

Enjoy, again!

 

[lactictac]

Let’s stick with Abrams/Zucker/Zucker and tap some short scenes from …

… “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad” (1988). The humor is sophomoric and even rude … but funny.

In this scene, Leslie Nielsen’s character forgets he is wearing a wireless microphone at conference with the Queen of England. He goes to the men’s room! You can imagine what is heard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdE83FX-Mto


Next. OJ Simpson (Yes, it’s OJ.) is a police officer who bursts into a cabin of bad guys and gets shot … and gets … well, watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2_tJIgfnDA


And, a really short scene about Pricilla Presley’s beaver:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvWfbIe4X_4


Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

"Roxanne" (1987) by Fred Schepisi, has Steve Martin adapting the roll of Cyrano de Bergerac and wearing a big nose.

In a bar, a guy calls Martin "big nose." This aggravates Martin but he keeps cool and belittles his detractor for lack of imagination. After some dart throws, Martin must come up with 20 pejorative remarks about his own big nose. And here we go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWNLhptltBg

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

One more funny one ... from "Beetlejuice" (1988) by Tim Burton. Home owners die and haunt their old house and its new owners. In this scene, the new owners (led by Catherine O'Hara) are forced to sing and act out the Harry Belafonte's version of the song "Dayo":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQXVHITd1N4


Now, a turn towards the dark: "Apocalypto" (2006) by Mel Gibson. The film is pretty good if derivative. However, this is the jaguar scene. A character is captured by a vicious rival tribe but escapes, wounded. He climbs a tree to aid his escape, only to come across a baby "balam," Mayan for jaguar - and the baby's mom! Ohhh NOOOO! The chase is riveting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MbMbJp3vNU

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

A battle scene from "Spartacus" (1960) by Stanley Kubrick.

No CGI or animation here. Just 1,000s of extras and some great directing as the slaves meet the Roman army. The legions are frightening in their size and training:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgywD3XJaWU&feature=related

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

Some psychological terror in “Street Smart” (1987) by Jerry Schatzberg, an OK film with a standout performance by Morgan Freeman.

Two years before he appears in “Driving Miss Daisy,” Freeman here plays a gangster/pimp who in this scene must chastise an underling – Kathy Baker. She “sees” too many things … so … Freeman decides to take one of her eyes. She must pick which one. The pair of them, with a pair of scissors, make for a frightening scene of anticipated terror:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ8OJp0X2y4

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

I'm laughing already ... "Beetlejuice" (1988) by Tim Burton.

Before Burton began "collaborating" with Johnny Deep, he did this film, about a deceased couple trying to frighten the new owners of their former home. Here, the ghosts resort to ... music, "Dayo (The Banana Boat Song)" sung by Harry Belafonte. Start laughing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQXVHITd1N4

Enjoy!

PS -Sorry for the double post. It must be all the banquets/dinners I've had recently and this clip strikes a chord.

 

[lactictac]

Seminal movie history in “The Battleship Potemkin” (1925) by Sergei M. Eisenstein: the Odessa Steps scene.

Here you can see the seeds of modern/contemporary cinema involving the moving image. Black and white, no dialogue and no FX; just detailed shots edited into heartfelt and intelligent film. Montage, the edit, rules here, as the battleship nears Odessa (1905), returning from the Russo-Japanese War. There has been unrest on the battleship due to severe mistreatment of the sailors. The battleship attracts crowds on the steps overlooking the harbor. Behind the crowd, lines of military riflemen march on and randomly shoot the crowd, killing, men, women, children, elderly. As the crowd flees wildly down the steps, Cossacks on horseback attack with sabers drawn. A massacre. Note the mother and child, the pince-nez glasses and the iconic baby carriage (used by De Palma in “The Untouchables”). This is upper-echelon classic masterpiece film-making:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps-v-kZzfec

Enjoy!

 

[lactictac]

One for the ages - the opera scene from "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994) by Frank Darabont. This is enthrallingly filmed by Darabont and we must also look to Stephen King for writing it. Wow! Pure, unadulterated beauty - at a prison no less. Wow wow! "Duettino Sull'aria" from "Le nozze di Figaro" by Mozart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=718RlaIYBlo

Enjoy!