The Lost Classic: Free Movies from ON DEMAND on Comcast

Marked for Death (1990, dir. Dwight H. Little)

2007-02-05T23:41:00.001-08:00

Marked for Death (1990, dir. Dwight H. Little)

What Is It?: It is a wonderfully risible Steven Seagal actioner.

What About It?: Well, this is may not be fine film making, but it is terrifically enjoyable stuff. Why? Well, we could say that Steven Seagal is hilarious and he can sometimes surround himself with talent. Basil Wallace and Keith David do the best with a bad situation here. But, really, we're telling you that this movie is great because killer rastas are taking over the drug trade in northern Chicagoland. One supposes that there were enough African American or Hispanic gangs and that the writers needed an additional kick and Jamaicans more than adequately provided the exoticism for the white filmgoers of the fall of 1990.

Why Should I See It?: Because it's rivetingly, watchably bad. The aforementioned Wallace is terrific as over-the-top baddie Screwface (usually pronounced SKR-ee-uu-fay-ah-suh, awesomely enough) and the astoundingly convoluted screenplay should be taught in film schools around the land in how to pad a script for a bad star. And check how Seagal always runs like a girl and looks like he's going to poop whenever he's trying to look mad. Chock full of awesome.

What Else Is It Like?: New Jack City, Lethal Weapon 2, The Transporter.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 3/8/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: The Best Years of Our Lives, Bullets Over Broadway, Colors, The French Connection, M.A.S.H., Midnight Cowboy, Spartacus, Tom Jones, You Can't Take It With You.

Tombstone (1993, dir. George P. Cosmatos)

2007-01-31T08:47:00.001-08:00

Tombstone (1993, dir. George P. Cosmatos)

What Is It?: A straightforward retelling of the tale of the Earp brothers, starring a startlingly thin Kurt Russell as Wyatt.

What About It?: The reason for watching this sometimes fun, sometimes lugubrious actioner is Val Kilmer hamming it up as drunken TB sufferer Doc Holliday. Dennis Quaid was supposed to take home the gold for starving himself in the competing OK Corral film, Lawrence Kasdan's epic Wyatt Earp, but Kilmer pitched his performance perfectly for this pop flick - he got to be the likable inveterate gambler/drunk, the superhuman shot/draw and the perfectly loyal friend -- and stole Quaid's thunder entirely (though that was indeed an admirable take on the character). Kilmer's a curious case: he was on the rise for so long, it seemed like almost an afterthought that he hit the top -- and quickly slid from that place. Was it The Saint (an unbeliveably bad, but really interestingly so movie. Almost dadaist in its opacity)?

Why Should I See It?: For Val, really, though the movie is fun enough. And speaking of disappearing acts featured in this, whatever happened to Michael Biehn?

What Else Is It Like?: Hour of the Gun, Geronimo: An American Legend, My Darling Clementine.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 2/15/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

Silverado (1985, dir. Lawrence Kasdan)

2007-01-30T09:29:00.001-08:00

Silverado (1985, dir. Lawrence Kasdan)

What Is It?: Kasdan's attempt to revitalize the Super-Western in the wake of his ginormo success with The Big Chill.

What About It?: It's a too-big-for-its-britches rollicking fun 80's action film, typified by its overlong running time and its three subplots (and villains) too many. That said, Kasdan clearly wants you to have a good time, and it's hard to begrudge him that. And, it's easy to forget just how darned appealing Kevin Kline was in his prime. He had this impeccable easy charm that few have replicated since. Of course he's about as 19th century as a microwave, but who cares?

Why Should I See It?: If you want to rock out to some excellent gun battles, a pre-Lethal Weapon Danny Glover and a pre-everything Kevin Costner hamming it up as the wild youth, you're in luck. Easy to spend time with, even if it asks for a bit too many minutes.

What Else Is It Like?: Lonesome Dove, Open Range, The Magnificent Seven.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 2/14/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: After Dark, My Sweet, In the Heat of the Night, Lilies of the Field, Love Object, The Bride, Mandela, Mississippi Burning, Random Hearts, Remains of the Day, Stargate, The Kiss, They Call Me MISTER Tibbs!.

3:10 to Yuma (1957, dir. Delmer Daves)

2007-01-25T10:40:00.000-08:00

3:10 to Yuma (1957, dir. Delmer Daves)

What Is It?: A tight, chamber Western about a infamous outlaw (Glenn Ford) and the regular ol' family man (Van Heflin) who guards him until the train -- the 3:10 to Yuma, natch -- comes.

What About It?: A terrific, taut film notable for the fantastic camera work and the excellent interplay between Heflin and Ford. Ford, in particular, is great in a seething, charming sexual performance. Shot by the great Charles "Bud" Lawton Jr. -- he also lensed Lost Classic fave The Tall T in the same year -- the opening crane is stunning and the bar scene, where Ford and his gang celebrate and challenge the town, is taught in film classes the world over, surely.

Why Should I See It?: For lovers of all Westerns, in particular the lean psychological Westerns that the Lost Classic is partial to. Also for those who want to catch a semi-Lost Classic before it's remade with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale in the coming year.

What Else Is It Like?: High Noon, The Shooting, Ride Lonesome.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 2/2/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: Class Action, Hard Bounty, Fiddler on the Roof, John & Yoko's Year of Peace, Men of War, Merry Andrew, Thelma & Louise, Wall Street, Wild Bill, Ali, Get on the Bus.

Night and the City (1992, dir. Irwin Winkler)

2007-01-25T00:22:00.000-08:00

Night and the City (1992, dir. Irwin Winkler)

What Is It?: Robert De Nero plays Harry Fabian, an ambulence chasing lawyer-cum-boxing promoter in this remake of the Noir classic by Jules Dassin.

What About It?: Who knows what possessed veteran producer Winkler to try and update Dassin's work, but it's clear why De Nero was drawn to it. The sharply delineated character -- the update was scripted by the redoubtable Richard Price -- is a motormouthed loser -- think Rupert Pupkin without the psychosis. Bobby had lost a lot of weight for Cape Fear, and you can still see it in this film, in his gaunt face, looking the semi-charming nebbish of the part. Jack Warden plays an ex-boxer with such an alarming physicality that we nearly didn't recognize him. Really amazing.

Why Should I See It?: It's really only a must for De Nero fans, though the story pops along at a Noir-lite pace pleasantly enough. Winkler has no idea what he wants to do visually, which is unfortunate -- he finds some fine sets and he works with the actors really well -- the poster above is the most pitched thing about the flick and that's just too bad.

What Else Is It Like?: Kiss of Death, Romeo is Bleeding, The Good Thief.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 2/1/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: The Birds, Blue Sky, Bright Future, Cabin in the Sky, Much Ado About Nothing, On the Beach, Only You, The Survivors.

All The Kings Men (1949, dir. Robert Rossen)

2007-01-20T21:31:00.001-08:00

All The Kings Men (1949, dir. Robert Rossen)

What Is It?: The Oscar-winning adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, loosely based on the Louisiana demagogue Huey Long.

What About It?: Pales in comparison to the brilliant novel by Robert Penn Warren, this is still totally worth watching. The script and direction may be a little clunky, unfortunately treating Warren's work as though the words came from G-d Himself -- to an almost laughable degree. The story is still fascinating and, though the entire enterprise may be sanitzed for Hollywood, it still retains some of the original work's deliciously sharp edge. The performances by Broderick Crawford as Willie Stark (the Long stand-in) and Mercedes McCambridge as the dark queen who is the catalyst for Stark's meteoric rise are more than deserving of your time. Both won Academy Awards for their work here.

Why Should I See It?: Primarily for those two performances, really, but it is definitely worht it just for that. McCambridge's impatience and sexual hunger is stunningly palpable. And Crawford rips into this role as if his life depended on it. He truly gets the desperation and heart of Stark in a way that Sean Penn misses by a country mile in the 2006 adaptation.

What Else Is It Like?: A Face in the Crowd, A Lion is in the Streets, The Great McGinty.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 3/1/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: Afterglow, Author! Author!, Like Water for Chocolate, Mothra, Shoes of a Fisherman, Two Rode Together, The Unholy, Something's Gotta Give.

Rob Roy (1995, dir. Michael Canton-Jones)

2007-01-19T09:05:00.001-08:00

Rob Roy (1995, dir. Michael Canton-Jones)

What Is It?: A fine actioner about a Scottish clan leader trying to do his people right and the evil fops that try to do him in.

What About It?: Rob Roy had the misfortune to follow Braveheart in 1995's Scottish-freedom-fighter twin bill, and with Mel's opus taking the gold, Roy flopped and was sadly ignored. It was a shame, too, because of the two, Rob Roy was more narratively satisfying and far less pompous. Liam Neeson has yet another viral, likable turn as the titular hero, wronged by the landed elites from the dreaded England. Jessica Lange plays his headstrong wife and the two of them have real chemistry. Which makes sense, as they are, each of them, easily among the most sensual actors of their generation.

Why Should I See It?: That aside, the trio of baddies are the real reason to see this flick and are played with verve by John Hurt, Brian Cox and, in an Oscar-nominated role, Tim Roth. The roles are all written exceedingly well by TV veteran Alan Sharp, and the three chew up each role for all that they're worth. That the rest of the story is a treat of a throwback to adventure pics of yore is gravy. Big fun, this one is.

What Else Is It Like?: Ivanhoe, Gladiator, El Cid.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 2/28/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: Breaking Dawn, Guns of Navarone, Heaven's Gate, Raging Bull, Tommy, 20 Million Miles to Earth.

Only Angels Have Wings (1939, dir. Howard Hawks)

2007-01-14T19:54:00.001-08:00

Only Angels Have Wings (1939, dir. Howard Hawks)

What Is It?: An exotic action/drama, with Hawks in fine man's-man mode, featuring another excellent dramatic turn from Cary Grant.

What About It?: Set in the Peruvian jungle, at the base of the Andes, Grant runs a mail service airline delivering -- in a journey fraught with peril -- over the mountain range. To get over the jagged peaks, the airline's antiquated planes must fly through a notch in the range as their engines aren't strong enough to go over the top. The actors, however, have plenty enough power to play their parts to the hilt. Grant is an excellent, macho Hawks hero, Jean Arthur is sassy and appealing as always, and Rita Hayworth stops all looking their tracks in her A-list movie debut. Thomas Mitchell, a Lost Classic favorite, has a great turn in a year that was filled with great films for him: Stagecoach, Gone With the Wind and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Why Should I See It?: For a rip-roaring, old fashioned action adventure with snappy dialogue spoken by those who were born to banter (see above). To be sure there's some hokum in here, but it's really easy to overlook when you see all that you're getting for your time. Heartily recommended, this is yet another true Lost Classic.

What Else Is It Like?: Rio Bravo, Flight From Glory, Sorcerer.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 2/2/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: A Few Dollars More, Bound for Glory, A Fistful of Dollars, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Hang 'Em High, Last Action Hero, Rob Roy, Run Lola Run, Yentl.

... And Justice for All (1979, dir. Norman Jewison)

2007-01-10T23:55:00.000-08:00

... And Justice for All (1979, dir. Norman Jewison)

What Is It?: A satirical black comedy about the justice system starring a young and charismatic Al Pacino.

What About It?: This brisk, somewhat facile comedy contains what is generally thought of as Pacino's last great 70's performance, from that string of greats including Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico and the first two Godfather films. And Pacino certainly doesn't disappoint in this movie. In fact, not only is he powerful and engaging as ever, he's also surprisingly attractive in this – he's been such a creepy skull-head for so long, it can be hard to remember how good looking he once was. That said, the movie is good, but parts of it make for somewhat of a mixed bag. It's more dated than many of its era – the jazz-funk Dave Grusin score in particular stands out badly – and the script is about as subtle as a ball peen hammer. That said...

Why Should I See It?: It's really funny. Jewison's direction of the actors is uniformly excellent, drawing fine work from Jack Warden and a young Jeffery Tambor, among others. Also, its interesting to note while watching it that the film served as a template for many of the satirical legal television shows that followed it. From “L.A. Law” to “Ally McBeal” to “Boston Legal”, all owe a huge debt to Jewison's film.

What Else Is It Like?: True Believer, Absence of Malice, Network.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 2/22/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

Broadcast News (1987, dir. James L. Brooks)

2007-01-05T23:52:00.001-08:00

Broadcast News (1987, dir. James L. Brooks)

What Is It?: A "backstage" romantic comedy, centering on a trio of (late) thirtysomething urban professionals working at a network evening news program.

What About It?: Broadcast News is a funny, melodramatic, romantic comedy that's a pleasant, well-crafted throwback to earlier media-bound examples of the genre (see below). James L. Brooks owes an obvious debt to both Billy Wilder and Howard Hawks in his films -- tightly scripted (some might say "airless"), with strong female characters and highly choreographed pratfalls. The film is no different: the dialog and scripting are a deft as they come, Holly Hunter (and, really, all of the female cast members) is powerful and complicated and, among other scenes, Joan Cusack does this delightful run to get a late tape on air.

Why Should I See It?: This is a high mark for romantic comedies in general, in addition to being somewhat of a touchstone 80's film. Something about Brooks' handling of the details makes this an indelible reminder of the time, much like Annie Hall is for the late 70's. Albert Brooks does is at what is easily his most likable character (Finding Nemo notwithstanding), stealing his scenes with genius line readings, Holly Hunter shot to prominence following this role and William Hurt is good ol' mildly charismatic William Hurt. This also improves upon repeat viewings and is worth checking out again, if you haven't seen it in a while.

What Else Is It Like?: His Girl Friday (and all the various permutations of The Front Page), Tootsie, Ace in the Hole.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 2/22/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: Idle Hands, Species, All the Kings Men (1949), American Yakuza, Boys, FM, The Return of Frank James, Somewhere in Time, Spaceman, Door to Door, Titanic.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962, dir. John Frankenheimer)

2007-01-04T22:23:00.000-08:00

The Manchurian Candidate (1962, dir. John Frankenheimer)

What Is It?: The granddaddy of all conspiracy thrillers about political assassinations, brainwashed moles and evil mothers.

What About It?: Hardly "Lost" by any stretch, it was at one time. Relatively successful upon release (largely due to the stand-out performance by Angela Lansbury as the aforementioned evil mother), this largely disappeared from public view following the Kennedy assassination. When the rights fell to Frank Sinatra (also excellent in the picture and friends of the Kennedys) in 1975, he pulled it from the market until its re-release in 1988. Since then, it's taken its place at the head of the conspiracy thriller genre table and there was even an OK remake in 2004, starring Lost Classic fave Denzel Washington.

Why Should I See It?: This is a must-see for all fans of political films and for fans of tightly written, impeccably shot, really tense, well acted thrillers. Frankenheimer was one of the masters of the genre, making Seven Days in May (also exemplary) two years after this, between the two films providing a primer for sweaty faced, freaked out leading men the world over. If you haven't seen the original Manchurian Candidate in a while, or you've only seen the remake, you owe it to yourself to check it out.

What Else Is It Like?: The Parallax View, Winter Kills, Snake Eyes.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 1/31/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (directed by Dreamgirls Bill Condon), Frankenstein Unbound, His Girl Friday, Music Rising, ALL of the Pink Panther movies (save the recent one with Steve Martin, but including the one with Alan Arkin, the one after Sellers died and the one starring Roberto Benigni). Here they are in order: The Pink Panther, A Shot in the Dark, Inspector Clouseau, Return of the Pink Panther, The Pink Panther Strikes Back, Revenge of the Pink Panther, Trail of the Pink Panther, Curse of the Pink Panther, Son of the Pink Panther.

Gun Shy (2000, dir. Eric Blakeney)

2006-12-28T19:51:00.000-08:00

Gun Shy (2000, dir. Eric Blakeney)

What Is It?: A quirky romantic comedy about a stressed-out DEA agent played by Liam Neeson who's trying to weather one last mission by attending group therapy sessions and dating Sandra Bullock.

What About It?: In a world of romantic comedies where nary a character is recognizable as a real human being, this piece of piffle is worth the 101 minutes of your time. The wildly underrated (and underused, in most films) Oliver Platt delivers what should have been a star-making supporting role as the mob underboss that Neeson is trying to bust. We're particular fans of Neeson -- he has a way of carrying his hulking frame in such a manner that makes him both approachable and extremely likable. And he shines in what feels like an underwritten role. The only real downside of the film is that it grinds to a halt whenever Bullock (who also produced) is on screen. Her character isn't given any motivation or reason to exist outside of providing an attractive foil for Neeson's, and that seems to be too little.

Why Should I See It?: For Platt and Neeson's individual performances and for their chemistry together. Official Friend of the Lost Classic, JM, hated this movie and commented that it has no business being recommended to anyone. While we respect his opinion, we still find that there are many small pleasures to be had in watching this lightweight, under-seen comedy.

What Else Is It Like?: Amateur, Panic, Analyze This.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 2/15/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: ... And Justice for All, Body Double, The Wings of the Dove, Breaking News, The Dark Half, Das Boot, Only Angels Have Wings, Playing God, A Raisin in the Sun, The Scout, Sherlock Holmes in New York, Young Guns of Texas.

Major Dundee (1965, dir. Sam Peckinpah)

2006-12-27T23:55:00.000-08:00

Major Dundee (1965, dir. Sam Peckinpah) (Special Edition, 2005)

What Is It?: An epic Western, set during the last days of the Civil War about a flawed calvery Major and his mad quest to fight a war against the Apaches with a small fighting force made up of Confederate prisoners of war.

What About It?: A sprawling, engaging mess starring a steely-jawed Charlton Heston, chewing on most of the scenery in sight with a studied deliberation. His rival officer, plucked from the ranks of the Confederate prisoners, is played with a similar verve by a young Richard Harris, who inexplicably wears eye make-up for the duration of the film. It suits his acting style and his character, however, so perhaps we shouldn't complain. The cast is rounded out with bit parts played by Warren Oates, James Coburn (who, as a one-armed scout, has a fantastic fight scene with his Apache scout partner) and Slim Pickens.

Why Should I See It?: Saved from a savage studio cut after the film was taken from Peckinpah's hands, it was re-released in 2005 in something close to what the director intended. The (re)finished product this is well worth the time for any fans of this era's Western, before the revisionist period – where Peckinpah was a major force – and the death of the Big Studio Picture precluded most epic-size flicks.

What Else Is It Like?: Rio Lobo, The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Professionals.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 1/o4/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: Four Weddings and a Funeral, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Fiddler on the Roof, Gun Shy, Man of the Century, Marked for Death, Road House, Single White Female, Three Amigos, Tombstone (Special Edition), The Usual Suspects, Weekend at Bernies.

No Way Out (1987, dir. Roger Donaldson)

2006-12-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

No Way Out (1987, dir. Roger Donaldson)

What Is It?: An espionage thriller starring rising star Kevin Costner when his shtick was still refreshing and engaging and people called him a young Gary Cooper without groaning.

What About It?: A remake of the noir classic The Big Clock, starring Ray Milland, but with a contemporary (to 1987) Cold War-era plot directed with muscular verve by the go-to government thriller guy, Roger Donaldson (The OK White Sands, the pretty good Thirteen Days, and the ludicrous The Recruit). The twisty spy thriller starts out with a fairly standard, and none-too-interesting love story between Costner and flavor-of-the-mid-80's starlet Sean Young. Once that's out of the way, and the second act begins with a satisfying bang, it's solid stuff the rest of the way.

Why Should I See It?: Great supporting performances from the great Gene Hackman to a break-out creepy performance from Will Patton. The Lost Classic thinks that Patton is, himself, a lost classic, and feels bad that he's not an A-List baddie to this day. Too bad, but he is terrific here.

What Else Is It Like?: Mission: Impossible, Enemy of the State, A Perfect Spy.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 1/31/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

Gimme Shelter (1970, dir. Albert Maysles, David Maysles)

2006-12-05T23:44:00.000-08:00

Gimme Shelter (1970, dir. Albert Maysles, David Maysles)

What Is It?: The classic (hardly Lost, but still) rockumentary about The Rolling Stones on the road to disaster at the Altamont Speedway.

What About It?: The Maysles brothers (known for the cult classic Gray Gardens and the brilliant Salesman) made a thoroughly atypical Rock Doc with Gimme Shelter. Opening with the Rolling Stones in the editing studio with Albert and David Maysles listening to Sonny Barger of the Hell's Angels on KSAN blame the debacle at Altamont on the band, then flashing back to the opening of their 1969 US tour at Madison Square Garden, the film is structured as a thriller. In an almost Hitchcockian fashion, the viewer knows what will happen, that James Merideth will be stabbed while the Stones sing “Under My Thumb,” so all of the actors' actions are suffused with suspence and tension. By the time we get to the show in Northern California, the entire enterprise is fraught with anxiety. And Rock.

Why Should I See It?: If you're a fan of the Rolling Stones, or of 60's era R&B, then there is much to love here before it all goes to shit. There's a scene in particular with Tina Turner singing the Otis Redding Classic, “I've Been Loving You Too Long”, that will stop your universe in its tracks. In addition, if you're into documentaries, the Maysles have made a fascinating document of a seminal event that many have called the death of the sixties. We won't be quite so grand, but we will say that it both rocks and is a bummer.

What Else Is It Like?: C**ksucker Blues, Monterey Pop, Festival Express.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 1/24/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: Air Force One, The Bishop's Wife, Dead Man Walking, Drunken Master, Fargo, Far Away Home, Get Shorty, 12 Angry Men (1997), The Manchurian Candidate, Midnight Cowboy, My Girl, No Way Out, Rocky I, II, III, IV & V (!)

The Last Dragon (1985, dir. Michael Schultz)

2006-12-04T23:50:00.000-08:00

The Last Dragon (1985, dir. Michael Schultz)

What Is It?: The ultimate blaxploitation kung-fu, fantasy, musical, comedy guilty pleasure.

What About It?: Also known as Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon, this trash classic was made in 1985 for 10 million dollars and untold gallons of Jheri curl. Ostensibly about the rise of a young kung-fu legend, Leroy Green, and his romance with Prince protege Vanity and his rivalry with Sho' Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, easily one of the greatest screen villians of all time. No, really, he's phenomenal. Julius Carry, who plays Sho' Nuff, imbues the character with a grandeur and mania not seen much this side of Brando. That it was directed by Michael Schultz, the auteur behind Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Also available ON DEMAND until 12/31/06 and also staggeringly great/bad/wondrous/totally watchable) and Krush Groove, makes it all the more great.

Why Should I See It?: Because you enjoy fun, over-the-top guilty pleasures now and then. This is one of those. Watch it with someone you love, because they likely won't believe that it exists otherwise.

What Else Is It Like?: Nothing of this universe. OK: They Call Me Bruce?, Big Trouble in Little China, Black Samurai.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 12/14/06, so get on it.

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: Breathless, Bustin' Loose, The Deer Hunter, Destry Rides Again, Johnny Mnemonic, Last House on the Left, Dallas 362, The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things, Mute Witness, Nightmare, One Missed Call, One Missed Call 2, Pretty Woman, Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave, Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out, Young Frankenstein.

The Sea (2002, dir. Baltasar Kormákur)

2006-11-28T23:41:00.000-08:00

The Sea (2002, dir. Baltasar Kormákur)

What Is It?: It's a superb, standard-issue family melodrama of the sort that's told over the course of a single weekend where everything blows up.

What About It?: Set in Iceland, at a remote fishing village controlled by a benevolent patriarch, he calls his children home for reasons unknown. The film subverts expectations of the characters and their situations and makes the audience care about the narrative even as we're driven away by most of the repellent protagonists. In the prologue, we're given some sort of idea of where the film is going, but it gets there in its own sweet time, engaging and entertaining.

Why Should I See It?: Primarily if you're fond of family dramas, this is a high watermark for that genre. Kormákur, who made the acclaimed 101 Reykjavík two years previous to this, has a deft, blackly humorous touch with bleak subject matter, and it does get pretty bleak. Strong performances and impressive direction make this easily recommendable.

What Else Is It Like?: Mifune, Home for the Holidays, The Celebration.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 2/20/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: 3:10 to Yuma, Alice, "Amazing Stories", Legend of Custer, Night and the City, Nói Albínói, Notorious, Tom Dowd & The Language of Music, Young Bess, Zardoz.

Dune (1984, dir. David Lynch)

2006-11-27T15:30:00.000-08:00

Dune (1984, dir. David Lynch) [Special Edition]

What Is It?: The notorious adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi classic novel by beloved quirky genius David Lynch.

What About It?: This is the special edition of the film that Lynch was none too pleased with (so much so that it's an Alan Smithee film, officially), but it's not all that different from the original. Not being a particular Herbert fan, many of the voluminous complaints against this film fall on deaf ears here at the Lost Classic HQ, though there are plenty of things here to complain about outside of fealty to Herbert's geek vision. First among them is the dazzling density of the film. Passions are inflamed, families are embattled, lines are crossed, none of which are made particularly clear to the non-Herbertified viewer. Imagine an entire film made up of the dull parts of the “new” Star Wars trilogy – that's kinda Dune.

Why Should I See It?: That said, there's much to love here – firstly, the visual design of the film is literally stunning. The sets alone are worth the price of admission (the 187 minutes of your life, in this case) and the special effects, though uneven, are inventive and, frankly kinda cool. Lynch was given something like $40 million for this – a huge amount at the time – and, like the cliché says, you can see the dollars on the screen. The acting is very Lynchian – big and mildly silly – but the film is worth watching (if not too closely) if you want to see a high point in epic sci-fi before the age of CGI.

What Else Is It Like?: Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith, Flash Gordon, Excalibur.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 1/11/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

Directed by John Ford (2006, dir. Peter Bogdanovich) [Not Available on Video]

2006-11-17T21:56:00.000-08:00

Directed by John Ford [expanded version] (2006, dir. Peter Bogdanovich)

What Is It?: A richly deserved mash note of a documentary about the late, great director, John Ford.

What About It?: Initially made for an AFI tribute to the director in 1971, this never received wide release due to difficulties with rights for the numerous clips of Ford's films. Last year, Bogdanovich approached Turner Movie Classics to get clearance for many of the scenes he needed and the idea was hatched for a revisiting of this -- literally -- lost classic. Both share the original's candid interviews with John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Jimmy Stewart and the lucid and engaging narration by Orson Welles. The newer version has remarkably concise interviews with some living greats who were greatly influenced by Ford: Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Walter Hill and Clint Eastwood. Their love of film is as infectious as the film's. This is a rare treat that should be savored.

Why Should I See It?: Because you love great films and what's better than watching a documentary to remind you what you loved and tell you what you've missed all these years. This movie is huge fun and should not be missed by any lover of film.

What Else Is It Like?: George Stevens: A Filmmakers Journey, A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese through American Movies, Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 12/22/06

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: 40 Guns to Apache Pass, 84 Charing Cross Road, The Big Street, The Deep, Joe Kidd, The Fisher King, Mean Guns, Nightwatch, Quicksilver, Sense and Sensibility, Take the Money and Run.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002, dir. Chan-wook Park)

2006-11-17T21:53:00.000-08:00

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002, dir. Chan-wook Park)

What Is It?: A revenge thriller, of sorts, about a young deaf-mute man trying to find a kidney for his dying sister and a manager at a industrial plant just living and the terrible acts brought upon them by themselves and others.

What About It?: This is the first in Park's "Vengeance Trilogy" (the others being the phenomenal Oldboy and Lady Vengeance) and it's an impressive piece of work, though difficult to describe its ways. It's a slow-moving film, with beautifully drawn characters and the craft that Park brings to the affair is stunning. We can't think of another recent filmmaker who has appeared so assured and is so gifted on so many different levels. That said, this is not for the weak-hearted. Though nothing as gory as many of its Asia Extreme brethren, it still is punctuated with a brutality that could be hard to take for some viewers.

Why Should I See It?: Because you want to see a movie from the most vibrant and alive film scene in the world. South Korea is at the vanguard of East Asian cinema, and Park is one of their shining stars. A must-see.

What Else Is It Like?: Fireworks, Bad Guy, Fallen Angels.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 11/28/06

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: Cattle Empire, Dune (Special Edition), Encino Man, Mischief, Mystic Pizza, Taps, Ulee's Gold.

So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993, dir. Thomas Schlamme)

2006-11-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993, dir. Thomas Schlamme)

What Is It?: Mike Myers' first post-Wayne's World romantic comedy about a poet who suspects his fiancee might be a serial killer.

What About It?: One supposes that, if you're a Mike Myers fan, you've already seen this one, but even if you aren't it does have its moments. Myers always seemed an unlikely candidate for a romantic lead to the Lost Classic, though we have to admit that he does have the charisma for the part. He's more of a sketch comedian than an actor, however, so his performance here is uneven, as in all of his films. He's a charmer, but he's only truly laugh-out-loud funny when he's playing his Scottish father. The bad poetry is pretty amusing, too.

Why Should I See It?: It's a cute little movie that makes the most out of its beautiful San Francisco location and it offers more laughs than most romantic comedies of its ilk. Fine supporting performances from early 90's star-hopeful Nancy Travis and many, many amusing cameos from Steven Wright to Amanda Plummer, Charles Grodin to the dearly departed Phil Hartman.

What Else Is It Like?: Married to the Mob, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Hexed.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 1/25/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

The Long Riders (1980, dir. Walter Hill)

2006-11-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

The Long Riders (1980, dir. Walter Hill)

What Is It?: The tale of the James-Younger Gang (better known as the Jesse James gang) drawn in broad, moving mythic strokes.

What About It?: The central conceit of the film -- that the siblings are played by siblings -- works far better than it should. Stacy and James Keach play Frank and Jesse James, respectively, the Younger brothers are played by David, Keith and Robert Carradine and Dennis and Randy Quaid play the Miller brothers. Heck, even Bob and Charlie Ford are played by Christopher and Nicholas Guest. And though this could be gimmicky, it comes off as we're sure Hill meant it to -- that the actors would have an ease and, well, familiarity with one another that would be both literally and cinematically genuine. The film has a classic Western feel to it, and, though the violence is balletic and Peckinpah-esque, it is most decidedly not a revisionist take on the genre, as Hill's later, Wild Bill, is. Hill is here to lament the passing of Jesse James and the mythical West, not to show us some larger truth. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Why Should I See It?: The chemistry among all the actors is infectious. The scenes between David Carradine and veteran character actress Pamela Reed (before she was a veteran, natch) are alive with sexual tension and resentment. The editing by long-time Hill cutter Freeman Davies is truly character enriching, as weird as that may sound, and the score by Ry Cooder is folky and appealing. Highly recommended.

What Else Is It Like?: I Shot Jesse James, The Great Northfield, Minnesota Raid, Night Passage.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 11/30/06

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

Alien Nation (1988, dir. Graham Baker)

2006-11-03T20:23:00.000-08:00

Alien Nation (1988, dir. Graham Baker)

What Is It?: A buddy cop/sci-fi hybrid about a new race of extraterrestrials (the "Newcomers") assimilating to life on Earth.

What About It?: Though this is, at the end, just another buddy cop movie, there is interesting stuff going on with regards to immigration and race. Casting questions about fear of the "Other" and of being usurped by someone from outside one's experience certainly wins it some respect for trying. The story is standard 80's cop movie, some good chase scenes, partners bonding, and lots of hammy goodness from James Caan, with the alien skeleton-in-closet stuff coming at the end. Terence Stamp is great as the creepy William Harcourt, an up-and-coming Newcomer who has nefarious plans in store for his fellow immigrants.

Why Should I See It?: Because you like sci-fi movies and sci-fi hybrid flicks (Event Horizon=sci-fi/horror, Serenity=sci-fi/Western, etc). The movie itself moves along and a brisk little pace, winning it some Lost Classic love, and we loved that all of the new alien race seem to settle in LA, fittingly. Gale Anne Hurd produced this one, and she always has a knack for making science fiction films that, while imperfect, are always interesting. Like this one.

What Else Is It Like?: Enemy Mine, V, The Hidden.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 11/30/06

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?:
Born on the Fourth of July, Boxcar Bertha, Carrie, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Dressed to Kill, Emma, Flatliners, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, Parenthood, A River Runs Through It, Silverado, Swamp Thing.

None But the Lonely Heart (1944, dir. Clifford Odets) [Out of Print]

2006-10-31T20:22:00.000-08:00

None But the Lonely Heart (1944, dir. Clifford Odets)

What Is It?: A Cockney Melodrama about a ne'er do well son and his sick ma.

What About It?: Notable for both Cary Grant's stretching out of type and for a return to his own cockney roots, None But the Lonely Heart is fine heartstring-pulling stuff. Grant plays Ernie Mott, a roustabout coming 'round the homestead after wandering the English countryside for years. After finding out his Ma has the big C, he sticks around to try and do the right thing with mixed results. Set in between the wars, the whole enterprise feels like an allegory for something, it's beyond the Lost Classic as to what that allegory might be.

Why Should I See It?: To see how the greatest romantic lead of all time does in a standard drama. Grant acquits himself admirably as Mott and Barrymore as Ma Mott is hammy and fun (she won the Oscar for the role). June Duprez is lovely and the most believable actor (esp. as a Cockney) and a nice revelation to us. A fine film for Grant fans and lovers of 40's melodramas.

What Else Is It Like?: Since You Went Away, The Beachcomber, The Quiet Man.

When Is It Available Until ON DEMAND?: 1/4/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

Nixon [Special Edition] (1995, dir. Oliver Stone)

2006-10-27T23:56:00.000-07:00

Nixon (1995, dir. Oliver Stone)

What Is It?: An overlong, yet still somehow riveting biopic of our disgraced former president.

What About It?: The Lost Classic recently saw a note on a video copy of this film that read, "The greatest film biography since Citizen Kane." While we can't entirely echo that sentiment, we were pleased to note that someone else has love for this deeply flawed masterpiece. Nixon is far from perfect, but what it gets right is powerful and unexpectedly moving, oddly drawing some of its power from its weaknesses. For example, Anthony Hopkins doesn't look or sound like Richard M. Nixon, but he just feels like him in much of the film that one starts to believe in the performance almost immediately. If the role was filled by someone who was a gifted mimic, the Lost Classic believes that the power would have been drained out of the role. Hopkins wears his sportcoats like they weigh fifty pounds and he plays Nixon's sweaty, raw neediness in such a way to make it akin to charisma instead of repellent. Stone plays the whole story like Shakespearean drama, pitched like, yes, Citizen Kane -- with shots cribbed, to boot -- but still never losing his inimitable style.

Why Should I See It?: This should be seen by all lovers of epic drama, fans of political folderol and subterfuge and for fans of that oft-imperiled genre -- the biopic. The casting is excellent -- James Woods as Haldeman, Ed Harris as E. Howard Hunt, Joan Allen as Pat Nixon, and the great J.T. Walsh as Ehrlichman, not a bum choice in the lot. Even Paul Sorvino as Kissinger works beautifully. The whole thing is a towering achievement, that the Lost Classic believes will get its due some day. This Special Edition, released in 2002, adds a handful of scenes, the only one worth noting is a terrific, kinda funny scene with Sam Waterson as Dick Helms, head of the CIA. Stone was right to leave the scene out in the official version, but it's a pleasure to watch him go for it in this scene where Helms is literally portrayed as the devil. Living in a hothouse filled with orchids. The movie is worth watching for that scene alone, we think. The whole thing is highly recommended, though.

What Else Is It Like?: Secret Honor, LBJ: The Early Years, Hoffa, Citizen Kane.

When Is It Available Until ON DEMAND?: 1/4/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

What's New This Week (That's Worth Watching to One Degree or Another)?: Krull, It Came From Beneath the Sea, Nadine, Roy Colt & Winchester Jack, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.