The "Must-See" Directors

There are movie directors and there are "must-see" movie directors. The one's that make you say "Oh, he directed that? I should check it out" -like Scorsese, or Spielberg or maybe for some people Tarantino...but not for me. I want to pay tribute to the greatest "must-see" directors of all time and they range from the golden age of Hollywood to some of the foreign legends. Chances are you have probably already seen at least one film from most of these directors. If not then I think you MUST SEE at least one before you die. That's why I call them "must-see" directors.


John Ford


You cannot discuss American film without mentioning John Ford. He has won the most Academy Awards for directing with four and he is absolutely the king of the American western genre, although, ironically he didn't win an Oscar for any of his westerns. Just a small sample of his great films- Stagecoach, The Searchers, The Grapes of Wrath, The Quiet Man, How Green Was My Valley, Mister Roberts, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

Billy Wilder


Billy Wilder directed so many classic films that sometimes I forget which ones, even when I'm watching one! Like John Ford he won a few Oscars including two best picture winners The Lost Weekend and The Aparment and those two are fifteen years apart! He is one of the most versatile directors with classics in film noir- Double Indemnity- comedy- The Fortune Cookie- and wartime drama- Stalag 17. His greatest film is probably the dark but magnificent Sunset Boulevard. But the one that's gotten the most acclaim is Some Like It Hot which AFI voted the greatest American comedy of all time.

Federico Fellini


Fellini is always mentioned when film buffs start talking about the "greatest director ever". He is certainly at the top of the Italian school of directing. Many of his later films became too sensationalist for my taste but you could never say he wasn't interesting. Even his bad films are interesting. He's most famous for the classics La Strada, La Dolce Vita, and his very personal masterpiece 8 1/2, but he has many critically acclaimed films like The Nights of Cabiria and Amorcord. For the uninitiated I would suggest starting with La Dolce Vita. It is in my opinion a perfect film with all of the Fellini elements: religion, sex, and death. Which is just another way of saying it is very Italian!

Elia Kazan

There was a time in my twenties when Kazan was my favorite director. Like the others on this list, nearly everything he made was incredibly good. It is amazing watching his very first film, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn when you realize he had no previous experience because he was a stage director. And he only got better from there thanks in large part to a certain unknown actor (at the beginning) named Marlon Brando. Together they made A Streetcar Named Desire and 1954 Best Picture winner On The Waterfront vaunting them both to the top. Kazan later introduced another unknown actor to the world in his classic film adaptation of John Steinbeck's East of Eden- James Dean in his best film role.

Alfred Hitchcock


The master of suspense is still influential and relevant today. There's no way to escape his classic body of work. North By Northwest, Psycho, Strangers on a Train, Vertigo, The Lady Vanishes, Rear Window, Notorious, The Birds, etc. If you are already familiar with his most famous works look into some more obscure titles like Foreign Correspondent,
Spellbound, Shadow of a Doubt, or Saboteur.

I will highlight some more directors next time.

Swashbuckler!

Now that we've established that Ben Affleck and Keanu Reeves are equally horrible in the latest poll question, I want to apologize for my lapse in correct grammar. I had just gotten home from work and was barely awake when I posted the question "Whose acting is worse" instead of "WHO'S acting is worse". I'm sorry but being a stickler for my own grammar that was unnacceptable!

Swashbuckler!
This is the genre that every schoolboy in America loved the most in the middle part of the last century and influenced many newer genres, including the Star Wars films. It has had a resurgence with the popularity of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise but nothing compares to these swordfighting classics- my top ten favorite swashbuckling films.


The Sea Hawk


The face synonymous with the swashbuckler genre is undoubtedly Errol Flynn, hailed as the "king of the swashbuckler". He made many good films in other genres as well, but his acrobatic abilities, charming personality, and good looks fit well with these tales of chivalry, action, and derring-do. The Sea Hawk is set during Queen Elizabeth's reign and the battle of the Spanish Armada. Flynn has one of his best swordfighting sequences in the finale set in the Queen's palace.

The Black Pirate


If Errol Flynn is indeed the "king" then Douglas Fairbanks is the "father of the swashbuckler". As only Jackie Chan could now appreciate, Fairbanks did it all himself. He is the original film daredevil, stuntman, acrobat, and action hero and this silent classic is one of the best showcases of his talent. Check it out and remember, no stunt doubles, no safety nets...this is how they did it old school!

The Crimson Pirate


Burt Lancaster was well known for his dynamic acting style but he was probably more talented as an acrobat. With his former circus sidekick Nick Cravat playing alongside, Lancaster pulls out all the stops for action and adventure. This one still holds up today and is fun for the whole family.

Scaramouche


Speaking of pulling out all the stops, this classic, starring Stewart Granger in his most famous role, boasts the longest sword fight in film history clocked at about ten minutes!

Ivanhoe


This classic based on Sir Walter Scott's novel is like a companion piece to the classic Robin Hood. Both are set during the exile of King Richard and usurpation by the evil Prince John. This story has more depth though, with it's examination of anti-Semitism and a compelling love triangle between Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, and Joan Fontaine. The action in this one is top notch.

The Adventures of Robin Hood


This Errol Flynn classic is the most popular swashbuckler of them all and is still shown regularly on TCM and elsewhere. If you haven't ever seen it, what's your problem dude?

The Mark of Zorro


Of all movie sword masters none was more talented than Basil Rathbone. Early in his career Rathbone made a name for himself as the legendary slueth Sherlock Holmes in over a dozen films. But he became better known as the suave, sword fighting villain in many swashbucklers including The Adventures of Robin Hood and this film, The Mark of Zorro. Tyrone Power, who plays Zorro was paid the highest compliment by Rathbone who said he was the best swordsman he ever fought on film. That's saying something since Rathbone sparred with Flynn and many other action stars of the time.

Captain Blood


You remember that old movie Sloth is watching in his little cell in The Goonies where the pirate thrusts his dagger into a ship's sail and slides down to the deck, which Sloth copies himself later aboard One-Eyed Willie's ship? That was Errol Flynn in Captain Blood, one of his all-time best films. Once again as in Robin Hood he is paired with Olivia de Havilland and once again he captures her once unwilling heart. This one only gets better with age.

The Court Jester


The swashbuckling comedy combining the talents of Danny Kaye and Basil Rathbone into one of the most fun movies you will ever see. The script is clever with every twist imaginable and a sword fighting sequence which is equally thrilling and funny. Watch it with your kids repeatedly.

The Princess Bride


This contemporary Wizard Of Oz-type fairy tale has one of my favorite sword fights- The Dread Pirate Roberts vs. Inigo Montoya. Like The Court Jester it combines some written wit with some dexterous swordplay. And of course Inigo's revenge is classic, too!

My Favorite Animal Flicks

(In the latest poll Lance Armstrong is the runaway favorite for today's "greatest athlete")
(You "picked" Neil Peart)



You will notice that in this list of my ten favorite animal movies that most of them are one animal. I think it's because movies about horses are usually a little more sophisticated in the storytelling than the average man's best friend movie. I don't know. I didn't include any animated movies, thrillers like Jaws, or fictional animal movies like King Kong. If you're asking why Garfield and Stuart Little aren't on this list maybe you should be reading someone else's blog!


Seabiscuit

Based on a true story and full of great performances. This is just a great story.


Dreamer

Also based on a true story and features some great acting.


Babe

Also based on a true story....just wanted to make sure you were reading. Actually this is the only film of its kind nominated for Best Picture. My kids wonder how I can hate talking animal movies but like this movie (and another movie on this list) I just don't want CGI animals with their mouths moving. That's too cheesy for me, kind of like that stupid talking baby commercial. Actually I hate talking (or DANCING!) babies even more.


My Friend Flicka

Excellent family film that stands the test of time. Avoid the remake Flicka which is family dysfunction, not fun.


Toby Tyler

Underrated Disney classic with the unforgettable "Mr. Stubbs" the chimp. My kids love this one.


Big Red

Speaking of underrated Disney films, this one isn't available anwhere but I remember loving it as a kid. It is very typical Disney which means overly dramatic but it's a good substitute for Old Yeller if you want a happier ending. And by the way, Old Yeller and The Yearling are both excellent too despite the sad endings.


National Velvet

Another classic horse movie starring Mickey Rooney and a very young Elizabeth Taylor.


Lassie Come Home

This is the most recognizable and accessible Lassie film with young Roddy McDowell (also in My Friend Flicka) and again Elizabeth Taylor.


Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

I realize this has talking animals (but NOT CGI!) and is a remake of the Disney classic from the 60s, but I don't even remember seeing that one and it's impossible to find. My kids have enjoyed this one for years and I have to admit I get caught watching it with them and try not to cry. I'm getting misty just thinking about Sassy falling in the water. (Do I really need to say I'm kidding?)


The Thin Man series

These aren't really "animal" movies but what would Nick and Nora do without Asta? Exactly.

I like steel guitar

(Saving Private Ryan wins "favorite Tom Hanks movie" by a landslide! Thanks for voting.)


I like steel guitar!


And what is up with the hate for 50s music? Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Ritchie Valens, Jerry Lee Lewis , Little Richard, Miles Davis, John Coletrane, Carl Perkins, Ray Charles...the BIRTH of Rock n' Roll??? You voted it the "decade with the worst music"....inexplicably.

I can see why the 80s wasn't picked "worst decade of music" with acts like Milli Vanilli, Michael Bolton, Debbie Gibson, New Kids on the Block, Roxette, Rick Astley, Pointer Sisters, Wang Chung, Bryan Adams, J. Geils Band, Loverboy, Eddie Money, and more crappy hair bands than I care to name. Not to mention the saxophone elevator music in nearly every movie that decade.

And which decade won "Best music"...the 1980s tied with the 1970s. In spite of all the horrible disco, the 70s did produce some of the best music, so no argument, but the 80s? C'mon people!

But thanks for your participation.

Where does Dorkdom end and begin?

If you watch lots of Harry Potter and Star Trek are you a dork? Or do you become a dork only when you throw parties and dress up like Harry Potter or Spock. I myself enjoy a little Star Trek (not Harry Potter so much) but I would never dream of going to a convention or wearing a Klingon costume. I also enjoy the occasional video game but don't frequent conventions or wear my World of Warcraft character costume to work. I am just wondering at what point people cross the "dork" line and become extremely lame or "girl repellant".
I like Star Wars (the original series, anyway) and I thought the new Star Trek movie was great, but I would never dream of going to an opening night showing at midnight dressed as a Romulan or Jedi. I guess that's where I draw the line of "dorkdom". Actually, I did stand in line for 3+ hours to get Episode 1 tix (and got rained on!!) but I realize now that was one of the stupidest decisions ever! (besides buying baby wipes at a gas station....never do that)

I guess those well-meaning dupes in the documentaries Trekkies and Trekkies 2 are textbook dorks but I'm sure others have different parameters. Let me know what you think.

My Favorite Concerts

(Full House is your pick for "worst sitcom ever". Thanks for voting.)


I have been fortunate enough to see a good bit of live music. Everything from Celtic to Classical to Ted Nugent! That was an experience, right T-Mac? Anyway here is the short list of my five favorite live shows. There are a couple I should give an honorable mention to first because they were also very cool.

First off I got to see Phish at Jazzfest in New Orleans 1996, or rather I heard them, because I couldn't really see over the sea of hippies in front of me. I would classify that as one of the most interesting concert-going experiences, but not the best, being so far removed and NOT doing any hallucinogenics. Plus I was a new fan of theirs so I only recognized maybe two songs before the encore- which was The Beatles ' A Day In The Life and that was fantastic!

I also really enjoyed seeing The Shins live because I like so many of their songs I just belted them out like a madman.

But my absolute favorite were these 5.......

Wynton Marsalis- MUW Columbus, MS early 90s


This is the only live jazz show I've ever seen and it was incredible. Besides Wynton himself what I remember most was the drummer who was this nearly anorexic looking little black guy who was killing that drum set. I've been into jazz ever since.

My Morning Jacket- Red Rocks 2008


I got to see My Morning Jacket open for Bob Dylan at Red Rocks about a year before and thought they were the perfect live act for that venue. Unfortunately our seats were a bit high and it was windy so that cut down on the listening experience for sure, plus it was an abbreviated set since they were the opener. When I got to see them headline we had decent seats and the weather was nice. I thought they were amazing. Jim James is not only a great singer but an intense showman wearing his cape James Brown-like when he's really "feelin' it". Musically they are obviously talented and like I said the perfect act for Red Rocks.

B.B. King- Bayfest, Mobile, AL 1999


I've seen B.B. twice now. The second show was a Father's Day gift from my wife and we saw him, Robert Cray, and Kenny Wayne Shephard at Fiddler's Green. That was also a great show even though The King of the Blues stays seated because that's what you do when you're over 80.

The first time I saw B.B. King was a surreal experience. I parked for free downtown (because it was so far away) and walked toward the show expecting to pay the full festival price to get in. I could hear Robert Cray playing the whole time and hoped I would be able to catch some of his act (which I didn't). When I walked up to the gate a woman I knew from work was standing there. She reached out and handed me a ticket, turned and went back through the gate like she had been waiting for me! I still don't believe it.

The concert itself was like segregation reversed, all of the black folks were seated, all of the white folks, "johnny-come-latelies", stood in the aisles. B.B. is one of those original old-school showmen. He puts on a concert the old-fashioned way. That is, his band, who are awesome, play for a good ten minutes warming up the crowd, just jamming. Then of course they pump up the crowd with a pep rally-like introduction of "the world's greatest blues singer". He enters to raucous applause. He stood for the opening song and then sat the rest of the way but his guitar playing had not lost anything. I almost cried at one point while he was soloing. It was that good. And the best part- it was FREE!

The Decemberists The Fillmore, Denver,CO 2007


This was the most fun show I've ever seen. The energy, the comedy, the music, all top notch. Colin Meloy really enjoys his job and makes the rest of us enjoy it too. As a bonus My Brightest Diamond opened up for them and it happened to be lead singer Shara Whorden's birthday. Then she sang backup for The Decemberists on a couple of songs. If you haven't ever seen these guys I suggest checking them out. There's no way you won't have a great time.

U2- Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA 2001
Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 2005


I can't decide which show I like more. The first one had an amazing set and I could see Bono from up high playing puppetmaster to tens of thousands. The second show we were on the floor about 20 yards from the oval walkway so we could see them up close and they did some stuff from Boy which was awesome. The only drawback to the second show was how mouthy Bono was. He was laying on the extra-curricular "save the world" stuff pretty thick. I just want to hear good music. Either way they put on the greatest show on earth. I can't think of any other band (besides Radiohead) I would rather see that I haven't seen. And I get to see them again in October! Can't wait!

(John Wayne is the "manliest man in movie history" on the latest poll)

Westerns I Love, Part 3: Tribute to The Duke

John Wayne, born Marion Morrison, has been dead for three decades but he is still the biggest movie star of them all. He made over 200 films but the genre he is most known for is the western. There are so many good westerns starring the Duke it is hard to narrow it down to just five, but I will give my opinion of the best here.

5. 3 Godfathers



Underrated John Ford classic with Biblical symbolism and one of Wayne's most interesting performances.

4. Rio Bravo



This popular Howard Hawks film spawned an identical film called El Dorado starring Robert Mitchum alongside The Duke. This one starred Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson who both sing and Walter Brennan in one of my favorite supporting roles of his.

3. Stagecoach



Aside from being the first great western, this John Ford classic was also responsible for bringing John Wayne out of his B-movie career for good. Ford knew how to direct Wayne like no other director and their historic collaboration produced over a dozen films, among them some of the best in American film history. Wayne's performance is small since this is more of an ensemble piece but his "less is more" acting was a departure from the campy westerns he had been making.

2. Red River



This is another earlier teaming of The Duke with director Howard Hawks. The story is Mutiny on the Bounty adapted for the cattle drive with Montgomery Clift in the role of Fletcher Christian and Walter Brennan once again in a fine supporting role. Wayne gives one of his most complex performances mostly as the heavy.

1. The Searchers



This was the pinnacle for John Wayne and director John Ford. Wayne plays his most conflicted character, Ethan Edwards, who must find his niece Debbie taken by Indians. The film was completely unappreciated at the time of its release and didn't receive one Academy Award nomination. Since then it has been included in numerous lists of the greatest films ever made and influenced the films of directors like Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Sergio Leone and John Luc-Godard.

(Cinderella Man was voted "best boxing movie" on the latest poll)