I have watched this movie countless times. It is the best movie for many reasons ever made in my opinion. The story, its values, acting, sets are marvelous. I rated it a 9 but I could be persuaded to give it a 9.5.
After all these viewings I have two questions for Frank Capra or anyone who loves this movie.
The first question is when George rescues his brother Harry. We are told by the second angel educating Clarence about George that he saved Harry's life - (George, Marty, Sammy and other friends were sliding down a snow covered hill on coal shovels onto ice and sliding across the ice covering a small pond open at the far end to the pond's water. Harry slid too far and fell in. George jumps in to save Harry), but he caught a bad cold and his left ear became infected and he lost his hearing in that ear. It was "weeks" before he was able to return to his after school job at Old Man Gower's drug store. The scene of the boys sliding was snow and ice - the next scene was George and his friends walking after school to George's after school job. The key word for me that raises my question is the word "weeks" because leaves were on the trees a very fast transition from the snow covered pond. I think a better word would be months. Another clue is that on the telegram the date is May. Any ice and snow would have melted back in March.
The second question is if Potter spends his time in a wheelchair, how does he get around with only the help of his large assistant? How would he AND the wheelchair get up the steep stairs at the Bailey Bros. Building and Loan? Does the assistant take the chair up first then returns and carries Potter. The chair looks like it's made of solid wood and is very heavy by itself. Are there duplicate chairs placed in Potter's office and places he does business so the chair does not have to be considered? And how does he get up into his horse drawn carriage? It seems so easy for Potter to be anywhere. Perhaps Capra is counting on our imagination? Any answers out there?
Reviews
4 Reviews
Cool Hand Luke
(1967)
one of Newmans best
13 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This film can't help in a way draw subliminal comparisons to the life of Jesus Christ for me. I love the film without this comparison but also because of it. There are so many examples Luke makes juxtaposed to what both experienced as teachers, miracle makers, and risk takers. Those who doubted lived vicariously through them.
Luke is, because of is character, doomed to die from the beginning, never giving up trying to be free from the rural prison and it's brutal guardians. It is as if it was time he was put there for those who needed someone to taunt and scorn but trying to show others opportunities they could take if they chose.
We get, in the initial scenes of the movie, how loved he is by his mother and an unspoken feeling by Luke of his feeling for her which is the same. He is searching for something and someone to believe in him. He has that in her but as the movie moves forward also in the inmates who follow him and his earthly exploits.
He shows a miracle to his peers by eating 50 hard boiled eggs in an hour letting those who thought him a fool and those he impressed or thought he was just running on dumb luck and borrowed time increase their wealth by betting on whether he could perform this feat, especially Dragline, George Kennedy, his protector and ultimately Luke's Judas. It is not without forethought that this brilliant screenplay by Donn Pearce has him placed on his back in a crucified position after accomplishing his mission of eating all the eggs.
When word gets to the prison that his mother is dead, Luke immediately mourns her with a song sung tenderly and quietly from his bunk about the "plastic Jesus" on the dashboard of is car. He is never the same after losing the one person who loved and his rock escaping from the road gang and prison at every opportunity. The risks he takes to remove himself from the rural prison and life itself are almost careless yet brilliant, the last successful attempt at escape driving away in one of the bosses trucks after taking the keys to the other two so they could not immediately chase him.
A total failure to communicate his need to educate the men in the prison to "stop feeding off of me" and take their own risks with their consequences in this life which is an everyday risk is the message I am left with ringing in my ears after Luke is shot and carried away bloodied from the shot entering is body.
The director, Stuart Rosenberg, and Pearce have given a clear message to all who view this classic. "Down Here on the Ground", (the main title song), live your life for yourself not through the beliefs, success or pain and loss of another.
Luke is, because of is character, doomed to die from the beginning, never giving up trying to be free from the rural prison and it's brutal guardians. It is as if it was time he was put there for those who needed someone to taunt and scorn but trying to show others opportunities they could take if they chose.
We get, in the initial scenes of the movie, how loved he is by his mother and an unspoken feeling by Luke of his feeling for her which is the same. He is searching for something and someone to believe in him. He has that in her but as the movie moves forward also in the inmates who follow him and his earthly exploits.
He shows a miracle to his peers by eating 50 hard boiled eggs in an hour letting those who thought him a fool and those he impressed or thought he was just running on dumb luck and borrowed time increase their wealth by betting on whether he could perform this feat, especially Dragline, George Kennedy, his protector and ultimately Luke's Judas. It is not without forethought that this brilliant screenplay by Donn Pearce has him placed on his back in a crucified position after accomplishing his mission of eating all the eggs.
When word gets to the prison that his mother is dead, Luke immediately mourns her with a song sung tenderly and quietly from his bunk about the "plastic Jesus" on the dashboard of is car. He is never the same after losing the one person who loved and his rock escaping from the road gang and prison at every opportunity. The risks he takes to remove himself from the rural prison and life itself are almost careless yet brilliant, the last successful attempt at escape driving away in one of the bosses trucks after taking the keys to the other two so they could not immediately chase him.
A total failure to communicate his need to educate the men in the prison to "stop feeding off of me" and take their own risks with their consequences in this life which is an everyday risk is the message I am left with ringing in my ears after Luke is shot and carried away bloodied from the shot entering is body.
The director, Stuart Rosenberg, and Pearce have given a clear message to all who view this classic. "Down Here on the Ground", (the main title song), live your life for yourself not through the beliefs, success or pain and loss of another.
The Verdict
(1982)
Excellent
25 October 2006
Paul Newman,(Frank Galvin), supported by a very strong cast with performances that make this movie a classic courtroom case win. James Mason as the defendant's lawyer, (Ed Concannon), Charlotte Rampling as (Laura), the mole for Concannon who becomes a Galvin believer and the rest of the cast were excellent. Why Newman did not receive the Oscar for his performance must have been a Hollywood political decision among those who voted. His work in this movie outshines "The Color of Money" where the voters gave him the Oscar to make up for a bad call in "The Verdict". Engaging and cerebral, this movie is to viewed over and over again.
Swimming Pool
(2003)
Excellent
23 July 2006
I first saw this film on HBO in 2005 and now own it. HBO and others continue to run it. It is a very mature, engrossing film with a metaphorical plot. From the opening credits it immediately begs for your attention and once it has you in its grasp, you will find you cannot escape. A successful author of a series of mystery novels but bored with her work, Charlotte Rampling goes to the south of France for looking for fresh ideas for a new book, begins down one avenue and then changes direction. The location, photography and performances are exceptional as is the set design, replete with elegant simplicity that flows past your eyes. You are drawn in so well you can taste the wine and feel the pool's water flowing around you. The actors, especially Rampling and the actress who plays Julie, are impeccable. The Swimming Pool is a totally wonderful experience. Dive in!
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