Desperate, Good Neighbor Sam, Sci Fi and More

DARK CITY — A futuristic Kafkaesque thriller where reality is altered and discovering the truth can be fatal for the central character in this Australian film noir sci fi thriller.  Misguided alien/Stranger (Richad O’Brien of Rocky Horror) tries to understand humans but the central character John (Rufus Sewell) concludes that the answer lies in the heart; not the mind.  Several dark alleys are traveled and brick walls demolished before John finds serenity at Shell Beach.  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118929/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

THE GIVER — In a dysfunctional futuristic utopia managed by the chief Elder (Meryl Streep) sameness is assumed to be equality.   The Giver (Jeff Bridges) informs the Receiver Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) of the truth which upsets the Elder.  A very grim look into the future. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435651/

MUNICH THE EDGE OF WAR (NETFLIX):  You know how this story ends but the drama leading to the ill advised Chamberlain/HItler Munich agreement gave the fascists the green light to invade Europe but also gave the UK time to get ready for war.  Two young buddies, one British and the other German, working in diplomacy in their respective countries conspire to derail the Munich talks and agreement.  Very well done drama with Jeremy Lyons as the hapless prime minister Chamberlain.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ7x8odi-OU

Casablanca is best scene with Munich.  Also the UK film “Darkest Hour” is instructive. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

ANNIE —  Peter Marshall, host of Hollywood Squares, is a reason to watch this unremarkable 1982 musical based on the stage play.  Marshall plays a singing NBC radio MC which is unrelated to Annie’s story.  Also catch Carol Burnett as the boozing guardian of small homeless children and Albert Finney as Daddy Warbucks who worships capitalism, power and money in that order.  A family favorite following the success of the British musical Oliver! and followed by “Newsies.”  Destitute street urchins were fun. https://www.imdb.com/find?s=nm&q=peter+marshall&ref_=nv_sr_sm

MY BEST FRIEND ANNE FRANK (Netherlands, 2021)  — Hannah survived the death camp because she was in a section where she would be “exchanged” for German POWs.  Kudos to The Netherlands for this disturbing film based on the true story of Hannah, who became a nurse in Palestine, and Anne Frank. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10360772/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_1

GOOD NEIGHBOR SAM (US) — Watch this romcom for Dorothy Provine who graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Theater Arts.  Sam (Jack Lemmon) is a captive sheep in sheep’s clothing as a Frisco advertising executive who creates a dreadful billboard campaign for a local dairy with a very pious owner (Edward G. Robinson).  It starts as a sendup on the sameness of white middle class suburban life with the requisite Dodge station wagon and veers off into a slapstick mess that’s 45 minutes too long.  Sad to say, Ms. Provine’s life ended in 2010 in Bremerton, Wash. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058153/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

JOHNNY MNEMONIC -- In a grim future where creatures are part robot and part human Johnny is a messenger who has 80 megabites of data drilled into a cranium with 40 megabite capacity — like putting a hemi V8 under the hood of a 2018 Dodge Dart. A drug company has hired Johnny to deliver data.  But then who hasn’t had similar in this world of invasive tech.  He bonds with a compassionate female. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113481/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

DESPERATE (1945) — A breakout RKO film noir for writer-director Anthony Mann where a sweet newly married couple (Audrey Long and Steve Brody) are pursued by the police and a very evil gangster (Raymond Burr.)  The couple head for St. Paul (where no one will find them) and nearby Mountain City (?) to blend into the simple rural Minnesota life.  The predators are partially hidden in closeup half shadow which heightens paranoia climaxing with a dizzying chase in a dark deep staircase resembling the swirling vortex.  “Desperate” is featured prominently in Eddie Muller’s book, “Dark City.” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039313/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_9