[u]charliechaplinfan[/u] wrote:You surprise me about the n word Theresa, I thought enough years had passed so that everyone would be in no doubt that it is an offensive word but then it hasn't stopped the f word and I think everyone knows it's offensive.
I'm afraid not Alison. The word is now used as just another colloquial part of the lexicon. I cringe when I hear it. And some folks "rationalize" that taking BACK that word removes it of its power. I totally disagree and know no other ethnic group who identifies themselves in such a disparaging way; many layers to self-hatred. A shame.
[u]JackFavell[/u] wrote:I'm REALLY excited about Ellen Barkin's choices tonight on TCM (Monday, June18, 2012)! First up is a movie I've been wanting to see forever, FAT CITY, starring Jeff Bridges, Stacy Keach and Susan Tyrell: directed by John Huston. This one is a POSITIVELY DO NOT MISS! I believe some SSO members will be pretty happy to see this one in the lineup. After that is NIGHTS OF CABIRIA...followed by WHO"S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF and finally, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, both of which are incredible ensemble acting pieces. If you haven't seen them yet, then you must not have been watching TCM.
I guess Barkin is a heavy duty drama fan. It may be rough watching these 4 films all in a row, but I am excited to see the showcase for some brilliant acting.
Well your excitement in the "Coming Up On TCM" thread Wendy was contagious so I took your recommendations to heart and attempted to watch Barkin's line-up last night. I recorded "...Cabiria" and "...Picture Show" for later viewing. But I did watch
"FAT CITY." Whoa!!! THAT was John Huston???!!! A director from the 1940's who has "The Maltese Falcon" "Key Largo" "...Sierra Madre" and "In This Our Life" under his belt? He's made such a hard-hitting uncompromising film in the 1970's? I was totally impressed. His story telling seemed so very modern. I thought I was watching Bob Rafelson or one of those 70's directors.
Two sides of the see-saw: we see a fighter on the downward side of his career...and a young, up & coming fighter try to work his way up. We see the seedy side of the fightworld, where managers and trainers pin their hopes on a broken down fighter. (Is it) Nick Colasanto (from "CHEERS" who) plays the trainer who tries to help these guys...but also is their biggest cheerleader and he is very very good. My baby's Jeff Bridges, so young fit and trim here in '71, who stood his ground with an accomplished actor like Stacey Keach. When I saw Bridges looking for a job as a migrant, I felt, he too is destined to get sucked down into the vortex of failed dreams.
But, of course, it's Susan Tyrell who tears up the screen. Shrieking, drinking, pleading, sloppy, irrational...Tyrell throws herself into this part with ferocious abandon. Gawwwdammmerung!! (Hey, at least it's not the "F" word). She killed me. What was sad or lesson-learning is watching how these folks seemed to get in their
own way... and that a
tsunami wouldn't be enough to wash them away from clinging to despair. They clung to being on the wrong side of things for all they were worth. The fight scene between Keach and that Latino guy was amazing. Not fancy edits and slo-mo like a "Raging Bull" but two fighters practically on death's door with internal bleeding and rocks in their brains...slugging it out for this little prize money. Keach wins the fight, but seems dazed and dead. And watching the other fighter walking out of the arena was sad. But I liked that the film took its time to watch him leave.
Nope, it wasn't a "fun" nite at the movies if "Fat City" is any measuring stick. But it was good solid acting. Thanx for the suggestion Wendy. Now, if Ellen has finished arguing and suing her rich ex-husband...I hope
she goes back to making movies.