The Movie Log: A Journey Through Cinema

Hear ye! Hear ye!

This week, it's David's pick. The TML duo are discussing the 1985 Japanese film, Ran (a loose adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear), in the second of the Shakespeare themed episodes. This week David and Izzi discuss how this adaptation, set in warring medieval Japan, differs and improves upon the source material and the director's, Akira Kurosawa, 10 year planning of this movie.

Materials about Akira Kurosawa:
Something Like An Autobiography (Book)

Kurosawa directed by Adam Low (documentary)
Kurosawa: The Last Emperor directed by Alex Cox (documentary)

Materials about King Lear:
The Year of Lear: Shakespeare in 1606 (Book)
Year of the Mad King: The Lear Diaries (Book)

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Here ye! Here ye!

In this week's episode, David and Izzi do things a little differently as the TML duo go to the Renaissance era for their next movie, The Tempest.  This Shakespeare adaptation starring an all-star cast including Helen Mirren, Djimon Hounsou, Ben Whishaw and Felicity Jones, sparks a conversation between the two about the modernization of Shakespeare, what makes a good Shakespearian adaptation and women's roles in Shakespeare.

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Our first Mystery!

This week it is David's turn to pick the movie. As Izzi is a fan of Mystery TV shows and movies, David picked Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a 2005 Neo-noir film starring Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr.  In this episode Izzi and Davis discuss elements of mystery, and how they work within director Shane Black's debut film. As fans of Black's later works such as The Nice Guys (2016), The TML duo compare the flawed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang to a more mature directing style.

Izzi and David also talk about how important this movie is in the career of RDJ.
 
TW: Movie plots discussed that deal with serial child abuse

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Izzi's Pick! Our first Disney movie!

In this week's episode, The TML duo dive back into their childhood's and discuss how Disney influenced them through it. Listen to Izzi and David's take on the 2013 Disney Original Movie Alex vs. Alex, a movie based on one of Izzi's favorite kids TV shows, Wizards of Waverly Place. David talks about how the VCR changed how he viewed movies as a child, while Izzi makes her loyalties known in the famed Nickelodeon/ Disney Channel debate.

"People should appreciate you for who you are."- Harper

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How much narration is too much narration?

Izzi and David debate this topic in this weeks episode discussing Ealing  Studio's  1949 dark comedy, Kind Hearts and Coronets starring Dennis Price and everyone's favorite Jedi, Alec Guinness. The TML duo talk briefly about the Ealing Studio History and the antics that happened behind the camera.  Will Izzi understand the 1930's dark humor or will she get distracted by the Black and White setting of this movie? listen to find out.

"Even my lamented master, the great Mr Benny himself, never had the privilege of hanging a duke. What a finale to a lifetime in the public service!"- Mr Elliot
 
Comment: In the British version of this movie there is some strong racist language used by the main character. We here at TML condemn hate speech and racist behavior and believe that even though this movie was made in the 40's, it does not exclude it from its poor choice of words.   

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Our first animated movie!

In this week's episode the TML duo discuss the Studio Ghibli film, Grave of the Fireflies.  For those of you that love Studio Ghibli, this episode might be a fun divertion as Izzi and David discuss Isao Takahata's influence and involvement with the Anime studio.

This movie is unique being a animation movie and a war movie. David debates on what makes a good war movie and how this movie, while not being an anti-war film, commits to that theme.   

"Why do fireflies have to die so soon?" - Setsuko

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DAVID'S PICK!

As Izzi starts into finals prep, TML turns to the lighthearted spy thriller, Hopscotch, starring Walter Matthau. The TML duo discuss spy thrillers and what they like and dislike about the genre.  As this movie was made in the late 70's- early 80's, Izzi and David discuss political references, jokes and filmmaking of Hopscotch. 

There is also a Law & Order cameo.

“Oh, do stop following me around. You're making my dog very nervous. He detests the smell of stupidity.” -Isobel von Schmidt

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Izzi's Pick!

In this episode, The Movie Log team passionately discuss the 2018 horror, action film, Mandy. Izzi loves horror films and is an avid watcher while David is not. Did Izzi pick this movie to torture her father or to show that even the horror genre can produce great cinema. Through a feisty debate David and Izzi talk about the inciting incident and women's history in film, the directors vision for the flick and the great camera work that went into the making of Mandy.

Izzi also gushes about one of her favorite actors, Nicolas Cage.

"I come for the Reaper."- Red Miller

Comment: We will like to remind our listeners that this is a horror film so we will be talking about blood, gore and murder along with heavy drug and religious references that are through out the movie.

TW: Death, Drugs and Murder

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Our first Hong Kong cinema film!

This week's episode centers around Once Upon a Time in China, the first installment of the famous trilogy of the same name, starring Jet Li (David's pick). The TML crew discussed the connection between American western folk heroes and characters in Chinese kung fu movies. They also talk about the Chinese and Hong Kong film industries  and the birth of the Wuxia and Martial Arts hero's.  David and Izzi chronicle the influence choreographer Yuen Woo Ping has on movies such as recent Marvel movies with his fast paste , smoothed edited fights.

Comment: We briefly touch on topics that discuss the systemic issues and everyday racism that Asian American's face everyday. We at TML believe everyone should have the right to live freely and without prejudice and stand with the AAPI community. Here is a link to some places where one can donate. Your support is needed even now. Thank You. (https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-to-help-asian-communities-2021.html)   

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What's it all about, Alfie?

This week the TML Duo travel to 1966 London for Izzi's pick, Alfie. As Alfie is one of the centerpieces of British 60's cinema, Izzi and David discuss the history behind Swinging London and how it influenced the movie of the time. They also debate on how audiences would react to a gritty story like Alfie in today's world.

Also Micheal Caine fan-girling.

"What I loved once and what I love now are two different things." -Alfie

TW: Mention of Abortion as a plot point, predatory sexual behavior discussed as a character trait

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