Un film fest de Monkey (part 2)

Night seven: Neo realism and it's discontent
I dig the Italian neo realist films of the late '40's and '50's and I love Open City the most out of those films. I saw parts of it in college and I finally saw the whole thing a few years ago. It's an impressive bit of film making.

And to lighten the mood after Open City we'll screen this light comedy that playfully and gently mocks those overly earnest neo realist films. The Icicle Thief is a treat all the way around. I first saw it at an art house theatre down the street from my old apartment in Roanoke VA.
Night eight: Grandin Memories in black and white
I loved the Grandin so much that I had to devote a night to a few of the many films I saw there. Very often I was the only person in the theatre when they'd run some of the lesser known art house or independent films and I clearly remember being the only one in the place when I saw this over looked gem:
Say what you will about Robin Givens, in this movie she shone brighter than the sun. It's a crime that this film did not do better at the box office.

It's also a crime that White Mischief isn't out on DVD. This film is about some debauched Brits who live in Africa, sure that doesn't sound like much to base a movie on but believe me, it's kick ass good. Greta Saachi never looked better and her performance in this film is off the hook good.

Night nine: Hollywood comes to me
Yes, kids, I'd screen the film I'm in. Hey come on, not only am I in it, it's also a good little movie. Katherine Keener is very funny in this movie and Sam Rockwell is good in it too, as is John Turtrruo. It's another overlooked film of the past few years. Not only was I in a film but a few films have been made near places I used to live. Parts of Crazy People were shot in Roanoke when I lived there, in fact one scene was shot across the street from my old apartment. They also shot parts of What About Bob? near Roanoke when I lived there.

Night ten: Monkey business!
Did you think I'd not show some movies with primates in them? We'll screen this classic:And then this classic which I saw for the first time at the Grandin Theatre:The day this film opened they put up on the marquee, "Now showing: Gorillas in the Midst." Thankfully someone noticed the mistake and it was changed later that day.

Night eleven: Bill Murray
Bill Murray has always been one of my favorite comedian/actors. Since I already screened one of his early works I'll use this night to show off some of his later stuff.

His supporting role as the shady lawyer in this fine film is one of his best. He's the much needed comic relief in this sexy suspense flick. The whole thing works all the way around and who knew Neve Campbell could be so conniving?

We'll close Bill Murray night with one of my new favorite's of his: Night twelve: Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it

History has always been one of my passions, I did major in it in college after all, and so we'll close my personal film festival with a couple of historical films made by one of America's best film makers, John Sayles.This great film shows the story of the Matewan massacre that took place in Matewan WV. It's a damn fine realistic and sympathetic portrayal of the south that is not burdened by big time actors who do shitty southern accents and go all "actorly" on our asses. Chris Cooper deserved an Oscar for his role in this film.

And finally we'd end with this sports drama about the Chicago Black Sox. It's one of the most poignant films ever made. The entire cast gives great performances in this movie and among them those of Studs Terkel, John Cusack, Charlie Sheen, and Bill Irwin really stand out.

Thanks for the tag PJ, this was a fun meme and it reminded me of how much I love films.