Ah, MBCR
You come around for money
When the train is late
Author: mfordfeeney
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#haikommute: MBCR
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Little Voice (1998)
#140RVW
Good not great little film featuring the show-stopping Jane Horrocks. Great British comedy, but I suspect this made a better play than film.
What’s more:
Playwright Jim Cartwright apparently wrote his play “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” specifically for the immensely talented singer Jane Horrocks, a fact that is completely believable once you hear her. (Future Oscar-winner Sam Mendes directed the play, which was then adapted for the screen by writer-director Mark Herman.)
Little Voice (so nicknamed due to her extreme shyness) shuts herself away in her overbearing mother’s house, obsessively listening to her deceased father’s record collection and perfectly mimicking the singers. Her mother (Brenda Blethyn) is a loud, brash tart, always looking for a successful man. When she brings home never-been promoter Ray Say (Michael Caine), he instantly recognizes LV’s talent and he plots to finally hit the big time behind this unexpected miracle. If he can only get her out of her room…
Little Voice is a neat little movie, although its origins as a play are incredibly apparent. It may be a tale best told on stage, as all the best thrills come from hearing Horrocks sing. It doesn’t really seem fully baked, frankly. Ewan McGregor has a nice little role as a shy pigeon-fancier who is sweet on LV, but there really isn’t any particular need for the love story – it isn’t relevant and doesn’t advance the plot. There’s a ton of great acting going on, but no one character really gets a worthwhile story to tell. Horrocks is simply masterful as LV, and has some lovely scenes with Caine, but the story is in a terrible rush to get to her performances and feels underdeveloped. I’m nitpicking a bit, but only because I enjoyed the movie so much, I just hoped it could be a bit more. It’s still highly recommended.
Poster:
Trailer:
Bechdel Test:
Pass
The Representation Test Score: B (7 pts)
(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)
Main Cast Brenda Blethyn Mari Hoff, Jane Horrocks LV, Michael Caine Ray Say, Ewan McGregor Billy Rating R Release Date Fri 04 Dec 1998 UTC Director Mark Herman Genres Comedy, Drama, Music, Musical, Romance Plot The pathetically shy LV lives the life of a recluse listening to her late father’s old records in her room and in the process driving her abusive… Poster 
Runtime 97 Tagline Finding your own voice can be magic. Writers Jim Cartwright (play), Mark Herman (screenplay) Year 1998 -
Freaks and Geeks (1999) – series review
#140RVW
Gone too soon, but not forgotten. Star-making series is just as good as people have told you it is. Heard about it for 15 years – it plays.
What’s more:
This show is the spiritual successor to the John Hughes films of the 80’s. Usually cult shows that get prematurely cancelled take on a mythic status that ultimately is impossible to live up to for those of us who missed them the first time, but this one really is just as good as everyone said.
I don’t know really how to review an entire series, other than to say that I couldn’t whip through these 18 episodes fast enough. I found myself so immersed in the world of these superbly written and realized characters from the pilot on. The writing is great, the acting is better. This show should have run for years.
The 1980 setting of the show is great, but interestingly it took me more than halfway through the pilot before I was sure it was a period piece, and even longer to realize exactly when it was set. I could tell we were late 1970’s, but other than that I couldn’t nail it down. What’s so amazing and uncharacteristic for television is the soundtrack. In addition to the Joan Jett theme song, there is a staggering amount of source music. They must have spent the show’s entire budget on licensing the music. These are major artists, the likes of whom you’ve never heard on a tv show before. I have no idea how they could afford to re-license them for the video releases, but the show wouldn’t be the same without it.
Sigh…
Poster:
Trailer:
Bechdel Test:
Pass
The Representation Test Score: B (9 pts)
(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)
Main Cast Linda Cardellini Lindsay Weir (18 episodes, 1999-2000), John Francis Daley Sam Weir (18 episodes, 1999-2000), James Franco Daniel Desario (18 episodes, 1999-2000), Samm Levine Neal Schweiber (18 episodes, 1999-2000) Rating TV-14 Release Date Sat 25 Sep 1999 UTC Director Genres Comedy, Drama Plot A television show about two unique groups of teenagers dealing with life in high school during the 80’s. Poster 
Runtime 60 Tagline It’s 1980 and this is what high school was like for the rest of us. Writers Paul Feig (creator) Year 1999 -
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
140 Character Movie Review – #140RVW
It’s the 100th anniversary of the opening of Wrigley Field, but I’ve already reviewed a lot of Cubs films. This has the one great Cub scene.
Spoiler-free Movie Review of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off:
The rare movie that is exactly as good as its reputation, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of John Hughes’ most beloved films for good reason. Yes, the actors are far too old to be playing high school students. That’s it. That’s my criticism.
It’s just a hell of a good time. Not as insightful or meaningful as his other teen comedies, it’s a much more straightforward ride. And there’s nothing in the world wrong with that.
As is typical in his films, the teens have all the great lines, and the adults are a bit underwritten, but that’s not really a problem for this story. Hughes wrote the screenplay in less than a week!
Matthew Broderick is ridiculously charming in what would have been a star-making role – if he wasn’t already a star. As Cameron, Alan Ruck is absolutely fabulous in what was only his third film. The two have a easy-going camaraderie made believable by their previous experience working together on Broadway. Mia Sara completes the trio capably as Ferris’ girlfriend Sloane. Would their roles have been better filled out by alternate choices Emilio Estevez and Molly Ringwald? I don’t think so.
The supporting cast is excellent, led by Jeffrey Jones as the Dean of Students. Jennifer Grey & Charlie Sheen are good, but no one approaches Ben Stein’s economics teacher.
There are so many quintessential Chicago scenes. The film really is Hughes’ love letter to his city. It’s great when a filmmaker lets their obvious love for a place so deeply saturate their art.
Alright, that’s enough. Go watch it again – you know it’s been too long. Enjoy Ferris breaking the fourth wall and reacquaint yourself with quotes you’ve known for so long you forgot they were quotes. #SaveFerris
Poster:
Trailer:
Bechdel Test:
Pass
The Representation Test Score: C (6 pts)
(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)
[schema type=”movie” name=”Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” description=”A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite of what the principal thinks of that.” director=”John Hughes” actor_1=”Matthew Broderick” actor_2=”Alan Ruck” actor_3=”Mia Sara”]
Main Cast Matthew Broderick Ferris Bueller, Alan Ruck Cameron Frye, Mia Sara Sloane Peterson, Jeffrey Jones Ed Rooney Rating PG-13 Release Date Wed 11 Jun 1986 UTC Director John Hughes Genres Comedy, Drama Plot A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite of what the principal thinks of that. Poster 
Runtime 103 Tagline While the rest of us were just thinking about it…Ferris borrowed a Ferrari and did it…all in a day. Writers John Hughes (written by) Year 1986 -
The Man in the White Suit (1951)
#140RVW
Classic Ealing comedy is a slow burn. Actually better than it needs to be, though unusually not all that funny. Could have been chase movie.
What’s more:
I was expecting this to be typically screwy comedy from Ealing Studios, and it definitely fit that formula, but I was rather impressed with the sophistication of the storyline. With a little more work or an inclination in that direction, this could have been a drama or a chase picture.
The story centers around Sidney Stratton (Alec Guinness), a bright if reckless chemist working in the textile industry, whether they like it or not. He has been moving from one mill to another, covertly working on his very costly experiments without the knowledge or approval of management. While working at his latest home, Birnley Mill, he befriends and impresses Daphne Birnley (Joan Greenwood), daughter of the mill’s owner, and she persuades her father to allow Sidney to continue his experiments.
Sidney has developed an indestructible fabric that repels dirt and never needs replacing. Naturally, this development would lead to the complete breakdown and extinction of his and all related industries. Sidney must be made to see reason, and the discovery suppressed. But he’s not going down easy.
Audiences familiar with Guinness only through his later work are in for a treat with these Ealing comedies. He really was a most resourceful actor and was at the height of his talents at the time of this film.
(Another thrill comes from seeing Alfred Pennyworth himself, the late Michael Gough as a young man.)
The film was directed by Boston native Alexander Mackendrick, who would go on to direct Guinness in The Ladykillers a few years later. The script was nominated for an Oscar and the movie was a hit. It remains a classic and is highly recommended.
Poster:
Trailer:
Bechdel Test:
The Representation Test Score: D (3 pts)
(http://therepresentationproject.org/grading-hollywood-the-representation-test/)
Main Cast Alec Guinness Sidney Stratton, Joan Greenwood Daphne Birnley, Cecil Parker Alan Birnley, Michael Gough Michael Corland Rating Approved Release Date Tue 01 Apr 1952 UTC Director Alexander Mackendrick Genres Comedy, Sci-Fi, Drama Plot An altruistic chemist invents a fabric that resists wear and stain as boon to humanity but both capital and labor realize it must be suppressed for economic reasons. Poster 
Runtime 85 Tagline Should they let him play…or should they put him away? Writers Roger MacDougall (play), Roger MacDougall (screenplay) … Year 1951
