“Magical Mystery Tour” could arguably be considered as both The Beatles’ worst and best film.
Continue reading
Tag Archives: Musical
The Bootleg Files: The Wonderful Land of Oz
BOOTLEG FILES 886: “The Wonderful Land of Oz” (1969 kiddie matinee feature).
LAST SEEN: On YouTube.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: On public domain-friendly platforms.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: A lapsed copyright.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: This is just what The Criterion Collection needs!
On this particular day – November 22, 2024, to be precise – most moviegoers are fixated on the release of the big-budget musical “Wicked.” But since I prefer the rat-a-tat-tat from a different drum, I am venturing to a lower rent corner of the Yellow Brick Road to celebrate the no-budget 1969 feature “The Wonderful Land of Oz.”
Continue reading
The Hobbit (1977)
Although not as good or edgy as Ralph Bakshi’s more adult interpretations of the “Lord of the Rings” novels, Rankin Bass’s “The Hobbit” is a very good animated movie that gets about as dark and edgy as possible. The movie is a nice and swiftly paced seventy seven minutes, allowing for this single adventure to go from point A to point B without ever missing a step. Unlike the bloated trilogy we saw from Peter Jackson, “The Hobbit” gets the job done significantly better, even if the pacing is particularly rushed.
Singapore Sue (1932)
This 1932 short film from Paramount was designed to highlight the musical comedy talents of Anna Chang and Joe Wong, vaudeville performers in search of a movie niche. Instead, the film unexpectedly launched the career of an unbilled actor who stole the show from the two stars.
Continue reading
The Mexico Trilogy: El Mariachi, Desperado & Once Upon a Time in Mexico Limited Edition [4K UHD/Blu-ray]
The best way to approach Robert Rodriguez’s series of action films are as more avante garde independent films. They’re much more obsessed with the mysticism and the lore of the mariachi than pursuing traditional action films. In the process he loses himself in a trio of imperfect often incoherent action films that, while fun, are hard to follow. “El Marciahi” for instance cost Rodriguez everything to make where he couldn’t even afford to film two takes for a lot of his shots. In spite of the troubles, the film made him an indie legend, inspiring many to go their own gold. “Desperado” is the partial remake and sequel now following Antonio Banderas as El Mariachi. The vengeful and vicious music player travels across Mexico with the aide of a gorgeous local nurse—played by then unknown Salma Hayek–as he sets out to put and end to their reign.
Tiki Tiki (1971) [Fantasia Film Festival 2024]
Fantasia Retro 2024
Animation buffs might end up appreciating and loving this oddity by Canadian filmmaker and animator Gerald Potterton based mainly on how it was conceived. On its own, “Tiki Tiki” is a gigantic mess of a movie that tries to fit a square peg in to a circle hole. At seventy minutes, Potterton’s film is packed with about forty minutes of filler. Most of the filler is comprised of random scenes of people dressed as monkeys, and nigh endless musical numbers. And what kind of musical numbers per se? It’s mostly funk and soul music, which when viewed in context, is absolutely awkward.
Most times Potterton almost seems to forget that this is kind of an animated movie pitting his characters as back drops for an incredibly dull story about pirates and Monchhichis.
Five Animated Features that Deserve a Place in the National Film Registry
Established in 1988, the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress works to ensure the survival, conservation, and increased public availability of America’s film heritage. Every year since 1989, the National Film Preservation Board has inducted 25 films showcasing the range and diversity of American film heritage as a way to increase awareness for its preservation.
As of 2023, there have only been fifteen animated movies included on the list, with the oldest being Disney’s “Snow White the Seven Dwarfs.” The newest: Pixar’s “WALL-E.” Disney is highly represented in this list, and I’d even argue absolutely over represented. Disney has absolutely created some of the biggest animated movies of all time, influencing so many, but while they dominate other amazing animated movies have waited in the wings deserving of a spot on the list. The Registry’s deadline is on August 15th, and I’m listing five (among so many) animated movies that deserve a spot in the National Film Registry to ensure curating and immortality.
These five films have not only proven to be influential and innovative, but they also deliver on statements and social commentary. They’re works of art begging to be re-assessed. The deadline for Public Voting ends on August 15th.