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.
Tag Archives: Musical
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.
The Bootleg Files: Sammy Stops the World
BOOTLEG FILES 865: “Sammy Stops the World” (1979 filmed record of Sammy Davis Jr.’s stage production of “Stop the World – I Want to Get Off”).
LAST SEEN: On YouTube.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: Back in the early VHS and Betamax days.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: An obscure film that fell through the cinematic cracks.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Not likely.
One of the most unusual figures in the movie world was Bill Sargent, who commanded a unique niche – he would videotape prominent stage productions, transfer the video to 35mm film, and release the work into cinemas. Sargent reckoned that moviegoers would pay to see recordings of shows that theatrical and concert audiences paid to see – and he was right, when he had the vehicle that demanded attention. Beginning in 1964 with the gimmicky banner “Electronovision,” Sargent packaged video-to-film presentations that included Richard Burton’s Broadway turn in “Hamlet,” the all-star music concert “The T.A.M.I. Show,” the Truman tribute “Give ‘Em Hell, Harry!” with James Whitmore in his Oscar-nominated role, and the definitive comedy concert presentation “Richard Pryor: Live in Concert.”
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The Bootleg Files: Our Town
BOOTLEG FILES 862: “Our Town” (1955 television musical production starring Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint).
LAST SEEN: On YouTube.
AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.
REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: It’s complicated.
CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Not likely.
One of the most prestigious and ambitious series in the history of American television was “Producers’ Showcase,” which ran from 1954 to 1957 and offered live 90-minute plays starring A-list talent. The series aired every fourth Monday of the month and a total of 37 episodes were created.
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Wonka (2023) [4K UHD/Digital]
Now Streaming on Digital and Available on Physical Media.
What made the 1971 screen version of Willy Wonka so entertaining was that while he was an idealist, he was also a well-worn cynic who hated people as much as he loved them. While he made candy for people, he also understood how ravenous and cut throat they could be. He approached everyone entering his factory with a sense of caution and quiet observation. Even with Charlie he saw something special in the boy but was quick to write him off at a moment’s notice. What’s missing from Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka is that sense of misanthropy; that sense that deep down while he likes people, he understands how nasty that they can be.
Mean Girls: The Musical (2024)
Now Available on Digital Streaming.
Despite the flack that it received this year from a lot of anti-musical individuals that transformed “Mean Girls: The Musical” in to a tik tok meme, at the end of it all Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr’s film ended up being much ado about nothing. It can’t be that narratives can’t translate in to musicals since “Hairspray” was excellent. But when all was said and done “Mean Girls: The Musical” ended up being an okay movie. It wasn’t what I’d call awful, but it’s by no means in the upper echelons of musicals like “Grease” or even “Teen Beach Movie.”
It’s a just fine, pretty okay movie that just made me want to rewatch the original classic.