The Legend Of Billie Jean

While the majority of my recommendations have been older movies this one is about as "recent" as I'll get. The Legend Of Billie Jean is from 1985 and is once again a film loosely based on a novella, The Legend Of Michael Kohlhaas. While it was not well received in it's initial release it has grown into a cult classic. I have loved this movie since it first came out and don't see why it wasn't more popular.

Billie Jean Davy; played perfectly by Helen Slater, is nothing special. She is a normal girl from the trailer park; her only real concern at the start of the movie is to cool off in the hot Texas weather. So she and her brother head to the local pond to take a swim. Her brother Binx; played by Christian Slater no relation to Helen, tries to convince Billie Jean that they should head to Vermont to escape the heatwave. Their discussion is interrupted when some rich kids decide to steal Binx's scooter. They are long gone with the scooter before Billie Jean and Binx get to the shore. Binx wants to go get it back immediately but Billie Jean assures him that it is best to go to the police.
She reports the incident to Detective Ringwald (Peter Coyote) who doesn't pay much mind to it. Binx finally tries to get it back himself but is beaten and his scooter gets trashed. Outraged Billie Jean confronts the main bullies father; local business man Mr Pyatt, to get the cost of repairs for the scooter $608 exactly. At first it seems he is going to comply and lures her upstairs with the promise of the money. When they get there he tries to rape her but she runs back downstairs where Binx is waiting with a gun he found in the store. When Mr Pyatt tries to get the gun from Binx by saying it isn't loaded he fires it and wounds Mr Pyatt in the shoulder. Billie Jean and Binx flee the store and with the help of some of their friends from the trailer park become fugitives.
When the detective gets to the scene of the crime he realizes he has helped cause the situation to blow up. As the media gets involved Billie Jean starts to become an icon for teens and young adults. Throughout her journey she adds to her legend by deeds she actually performs and others invented by the media. And ultimately leads to a final confrontation with Mr Pyatt.
While the acting isn't great from some of the supporting characters there really isn't anything else negative I can think of. Helen is great in the role and easily transitions from "trailer trash" to unwanted martyr. The story is nicely adapted to the 80's culture at the time though it makes it seem dated now. To me it was ahead of its time with its use of the media creating both an evil fugitive and youth rebellion figurehead. There's not much more I can add other than check this movie out.

M

Today's film is one from the German master Fritz Lang M (1931).
One of the reasons I love Lang's work is because he was ahead of the
curve when it came to telling stories. You need to look no further than
his masterpiece Metropolis to see what I mean. However that is for another day.M starts with a series of shots showing an apparent investigation into the disappearances of children. And it is quite apparent that the killer is doing more than just killing them. We only get glimpses of the killer at the start in shadow. As he stalks he whistles "In The Hall of The Mountain King". He lures a girl away after buying a balloon for her from a blind peddler. Most modern day movies tend to shy away from humanizing the victim but Lang takes the time to bring us a heartbreaking scene depicting the little girl's mother as she waits for her daughter to return from school. Sadly she does not.
As the number of children disappearing start to increase citizens grow suspicious of both friends and neighbors. They take no second thought in pointing the finger of blame. This leads to increased police raids on both common citizens and the criminal underground. The career criminals grow increasingly tired of the killer because; to put it simply, he is bad for business. After the killer writes a note to mock the police; both the cops and criminals have had enough. Unknown to either side or the killer they join together to hunt him down.Ultimately it leads to the killer being marked with an "M" and a classic chase and hunt takes place.
Peter Lorre; in his first starring role, is excellent as the killer Hans Beckert. He is able to show both control and confidence as he "hunts" but also sadness at the beast he has inside. M is a very mature themed movie for the time; though most German films of the era didn't fall under the Hollywood gloss. The film deals with a subject that even to this day is rarely touched and gives it a unique twist as both the cops and criminals vie to get the same man off the streets. This is a great film from a true master and I highly recommend it.

A Man For All Seasons

Well looks like I finally have one not based on a book this time, rather a play; Robert Bolt's A Man For All Seasons(1966). In it we have; in my opinion, the second greatest performance by an actor with Paul Scofield's portrayal of Sir Thomas More who refused to help annul Henry VIII marriage to Catherine of Aragon. It is second only to F Murray Abraham's Salieri in Amadeus; oddly enough also based on a play. Both films and men took home the top Oscars and there is no disputing the wins. Both men totally become the role; vanish on the screen if you will, into that other person. They draw you in and you can't escape until the movies are over and you are left breathless by the fact that actors can on occasion truly act. I only wish this happened more often alas no luck. Of course the rest of the cast is made up relative no name actors like Orson Welles, John Hurt, Vanessa Redgrave, and Robert Shaw to name a few.

We start with Thomas More; I can't emphasize this enough played amazingly by Paul Scofield, being called to Hampton Court by Cardinal Wolsey (Orson Welles). Wolsey seeks his aid in pressuring the Pope to agree to allowing the king to divorce his queen so he can then marry Anne Boleyn (Vanessa Redgrave). Outraged by the suggestion he refuses and returns home. Waiting for him at his dock is Richard Rich (John Hurt) who's main goal is to get a place at court. More tells him of the current state of corruption and suggests he becomes a teacher. When he enters his home he only meets with more "trouble"; though not as severe, his daughter wants to marry a Protestant. More refuses to allow as he is a devout Catholic.
Not long after Wolsey dies in exile after he fails to get the divorce. The king then appoints More as Lord Chancellor of England. Shortly thereafter the king arrives; played wonderfully by Robert Shaw. Though Keith Mitchell's Henry in the BBC series The Six Wives of Henry VIII is still the best. He is eager to learn whether he will help to get his divorce but More refuses. The king uses both promises of promotion then threats but again More refuses. The king continues until More refers to Catherine still as queen; angered by More's stubbornness he then leaves. The king then sets in motion the gears to have More removed from his post and stripped of his power. But I will not go into all that as I would prefer you actually see the film.
Through it all More stands up for his beliefs; no matter the threats and ultimate actions. And Paul Scofield simply embodies the role of a man of principle who will not waiver for any man. God is the only one he will answer to. It is rather strange that the two best male performances are similar yet radically different. Murray as Salieri so easily corrupted by his envy and Scofield as More steadfast with his virtues. I know I sound all gushy and silly but Scofield's performance is just amazing; words can't accurately describe the caliber he reached. He could have been dressed in a bunny outfit reciting to dogs and still have won the Oscar he was that good people. Instead he was blessed with a great supporting cast; Nigel Davenport as the Duke of Norfolk in particular, and amazing locations.
I don't care what movies you like old or new, horror or comedy, high brow or low brow. If you start to watch this movie I dare you to try and stop watching after Scofield hooks you. There are very few movies I recommend to anyone as people are fickle but this is one of those few. A great performance transcends time and genre. Check out A Man For All Seasons as well as Amadeus; actors rarely reach such levels and I don't see any reaching them again anytime soon.