It has arrived at last, as we all knew it would. Still, later is better than sooner when it comes to winter weather. We had two snowfalls during the past week. The first one was just a few inches, and it melted before the big one hit us. The big one came Wednesday. It snowed all day, adding up to about 6" of brick heavy snow. The temperature hovered around 32 F all day, meaning the snow that fell was as heavy with water content as it is possible to be. I finally got the driveway completely cleared by Friday afternoon. Friday night it was snowing again. But snow isn't the worst thing winter brings with it. When the temperatures drop next week (and I mean drop), we will be glad to have the snow, as it will protect the water pipes. Here are the temperatures for later next week.
Though not the coldest temps we ever get, when things last longer than a week it gets tiresome very quickly. Next Wednesday is the day we get two windows put in. Go figure. It will indoor winter coat day, and then try to convince the age old boiler to reheat the house afterwards. I can hardly wait.
There are four movies to report on this time, as we gear up for Deb's 3-film festival choices starting tomorrow. My two picks for last week were Family Romance LLC, a Japanese film from 2019 directed by Werner Herzog, and This Gun For Hire, a 1942 Noir thriller that is leaving Criterion January 31st. First the Herzog film. This is a real gem, on a topic that will undoubtedly become more and more mainstream. It tells the story of a man who runs a company that lends out actors to families who need a stand-in for a relative for weddings, funerals, and the like. The man is hired (among other jobs) to be the father for a 12 year old girl. They hit it off, but his efforts to keep things at a professional distance hit a snag when the mother falls for him and asks him to move in with them. This is a very touching drama with some wonderful scenes between the girl and her "father," who have several outdoor adventures and experiences. It is also very funny in places, and very scary in others. Herzog talks about the film before it is shown on Mubi, then does a question and answer afterwards with a Mubi employee. Fascinating and worth seeking out. The robot hotel is creepy, but the robot fish in the lobby are pretty damn cool.
This Gun For Hire, from 1942, was the first film to pair Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake. Her acting style is simple and natural, and thus quite effective. Ladd is the quintessential tough guy who falls for a soft dame. Not required viewing, and uncomplicated in plot, it is still a fun film to watch.
We enter an entirely different world of cinema with the 2001 film Shaolin Soccer. This is a very funny film that pokes fun at the kung fu genre, at soccer, and at itself. A rising young soccer star is led to purposely miss his big goal attempt. Thugs beat him up and cripple him, ruining his soccer career. Late in life he decides to coach a team in the world finals, for a prize of 1 million dollars and a huge gold cup. He befriends a Shaolin enthusiast with a powerful kick. They next go after his brothers, trying to convince them to join and make a team. This is the funniest part of the film. There is also a girl who makes sweet buns using her Shaolin technique. The first half of the film is wacky and great fun. However, once the final soccer match begins the film ties itself into a corner, and has to go with the sports movie tropes. It becomes less funny and much less original. Still, much of the movie is as good as the best of the Marx Brothers,and is definitely worth looking out for. Watch for the Bruce Lee lookalike.
The Glass Key is also from 1942, and again stars Ladd and Lake. It is a more complex film, and in many ways more enjoyable, than This Gun, above. Ladd gets the plum role, and does a decent job of it as the friend of a powerful man who is accused of murder. He goes out on his own to find the killer. The scene where he escapes the heavies who are beating on him and keeping him out of the way is a classic, landing himself in the hospital for a few days afterwards. Brian Donlevy also has a great lead role, and plays it perfectly. A classic Noir film, and worth watching. Miss Lake is again dressed by costumer Edith Head, and wears a few stunning outfits. She underplays again, and it is effective.
Where is the art from the DIA you might ask? This popular feature has been on hold ever since the DIA redid their website. They now have a horrid search engine which is all but useless for art lovers and browsers. Now you must name a specific artist or picture, rather than search through "Portraits," "Landscapes", or even by country. It is a hopeless mess at the moment. Someone should lose their job over it.
Mapman Mike
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