Torgo
Moderator Emeritus
-segment with Crow?
Posts: 15,420
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Post by Torgo on Jul 24, 2009 0:57:47 GMT -5
I've actually sought out Lost Souls, but was unable to find it. It's unavailable on DVD, I think.
I saw the 70s Dr. Moreau on Sci-Fi/SyFy a long time ago. Didn't think too much of that one either, but at least it felt like someone tried.
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Post by spacedink on Jul 24, 2009 1:42:54 GMT -5
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Post by Mighty Jack on Jul 24, 2009 1:51:39 GMT -5
Man I can't beleive it's not on DVD! I saw it back on VHS. They need to release that, and do a Critereon release for One Eyed Jacks too.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Jul 24, 2009 18:41:13 GMT -5
The Brave (1997) Directed by Johnny Depp Cast: Brando (McCarthy), Johnny Depp (Raphael) Oscars: None
I’ve never seen this story of a man who agrees to star in a snuff film for money that will help him family- but I’ve heard Brando’s part is very small. I found this at IMDB – “Johnny Depp was deeply upset at the negative reviews received from the American critics attending an otherwise successful screening at the Cannes Film Festival. As a result he has refused to show the film in the United States.”
Free Money (1998) Directed by Yves Simoneau Cast: Brando (The Swede), Charlie Sheen (Bud), Thomas Hayden Church (Larry), Mira Sorvino (Karen), Donald Sutherland (Judge Rolf) Oscars: None
I didn’t know a thing about this Canadian made movie, but early on at least it was darn funny - before it ultimately turns dark. Brando gives a lively turn as the dangerous Swede, an insane and violent Warden at the state Pen, who squares off against his son in laws, who are planning a heist so that they can break free from being under his thumb.
Sheen and Church are both sound as the dim bulb would-be criminals, stuck in dead end jobs and married to the Swede’s childish daughters. Brando earns laughs but is a mean SOB that I seriously didn’t like! Marlon plays it broad but he’s much smoother at it than he was in his youth for “Bedtime Story”. This is the most screen time he’s had in years and he seems to be having the time of his life. He also wrote or suggested so many scenes that it’s surprising he didn’t earn screen credit.
The tone of the movie is skewed, off kilter. It has laughs, but there are also a few bits that bothered me. Mira Sorvino is an FBI agent investigating the Swede after the death of a prisoner and she takes some verbal and physical abuse that I didn’t care for (though a trip through the ‘net seems to indicate that many people think it’s funny when she’s called a slut and is later smacked on the head with a shoe. I guess it is in line with the rest of the humor, but it made me uncomfortable never the less). All told I’d call this a black comedy with slapstick elements. Not a bad flick, an interesting one to say the least and it did make me snicker frequently.
Of Note: Brando seemed to look at directors as the enemy at this point in his career; on the other hand, he did display affection for crew and fellow cast mates. On his final day he signed autographs, mingled, was charming and left a good impression. It’s nice to hear and be able to share these kinds of stories because we read so many tales about his insolent side.
Up Next: The end...
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Post by Mighty Jack on Jul 25, 2009 3:43:48 GMT -5
Autumn of the Patriarch Marlon was set to star in this film slated for release in 2000. Sean Penn was to direct, but the pending writer’s strike put it on hold and ultimately it was never made. Scary Movie 2Marlon agreed to play the Priest in this film but had to back out when he came down with pneumonia. It was something that lingered and effected his health to the end. The Score (2001)Directed by Frank Oz Cast: Brando (Max), Robert De Niro (Nick Wells), Edward Norton (Jack Teller) Oscars: None As his career was winding down, the quality of the roles he took swung back and forth between terrible and fun. In his final performance he teams up with Robert DeNiro and Edward Norton in a slight entertaining caper about a group of thieves who –in DeNiro’s case- work one last score. This story has been done a number of times, and done better. Still, there’s enough tension and top notched acting to make it enjoyable. A knock on Norton was that he was too animated when compared with the reserved performances of Brando and DeNiro, but he has his subtle moments too (Listen to the fine commentary track on the DVD to see a few of those moments pointed out) and he was outstanding in his Brian persona. Brando doesn’t have a lot of screen time (He’s around for the first half hour, then disappears save for 2 scenes). While this isn’t an acting tour de force in the same league as Streetcar, DeNiro and Brando are such old pros, so natural and at ease in front of the camera that their scenes are a pleasure and become the strength of the picture for me. It was an absolute joy to see the 2 Vito Corleone’s together for the first time. In an early scene where Nick confronts Max at his home, Marlon sounds a lot like Stanley Kowalski, I got a big smile out of that. The making of the film was not an enjoyable experience. Brando and Frank Oz were at odds and the director admits that he didn’t deal with the situation well and later realized that while Brando might be considered the greatest actor of our generation, he was as insecure about whether his work was worth a damn, and got scared just like any other actor got scared. Note: I’ve not mentioned it yet, but Brando’s mother was an alcoholic and his father was a tough SOB, abusive to his son. He told the boy that he’d never amount to anything… and when Marlon proved the old man wrong, he still wouldn’t acknowledge he did all right for himself. Hence, Marlon struggled with authority figures and directors were perceived as authority figures. If a director was too lax, Brando would walk all over them, too dictorial and he fight them tooth and nail. The director he got along best with was Michael Winner (The Nightcomers). During shooting Marlon was reportedly a joy to be around. He knew all his lines and nailed them cold on every take. Winner just seems to be a regular guy, who could take a joke….
One Nightcomers story – Brando didn’t like the class system in England and wanted to eat with the crew in the cafeteria, not in the private dining area with the director. That didn’t work out too well and Winner had to tell Marlon that they didn’t want him around. At breaks they wanted to pal around with their mates and not have their boss (the director) and the star hanging around making them feel self conscious.After the Score…Marlon began an acting class, which was filmed and turned into a documentary titled Lying For A Living. The director never cleared the making and release of the film with Marlon, and the actor blocked its premier and to this day, it has not been seen. A few months after the release of the Score, Brando would be seen in Michael Jackson’s silly video for “You Rock My World” In 2004 Marlon received a script for a film titled Brando and Brando, about a young actor who comes to America in search of Marlon Brando. As this was being developed Marlon did voice work for The Godfather game. And finally… Big Bug ManMarlon did voice work on this animated film, about a candy factory worker who gains super powers after being stung by insects. This movie’s release has been delayed year after year – there is no news on whether we will ever see it. Marlon played a woman; Mrs. Sour, the owner of the candy company. He was frail and on oxygen so he recorded his 3 scenes at his home on June 10th 2004. Marlon Brando died less than a month later at age 80 on July 1st 2004 at 6:30 pm with his sister Jocelyn at his side.Brando said of his acting, that he tried not to tell an audience what to feel - Nor did he aspire to “play a part” but rather he told himself to “…experience the emotion your trying to convey”. For the most part, he accomplished this brilliantly. It’s difficult for modern audiences -who grew up watching his disciples imitate his work, and thus, watering down his impact- to understand and appreciate how much he changed the face of acting. When you watch many of your favorite stars today, from Sean Penn to Johnny Depp to Leonardo DeCaprio, your catching a glimpse of Marlon Brando. I hope people who love film never forget that, or fail to appreciate his contributions to the field. God bless you and keep you Marlon – you might not have thought much of your profession but you gave me, and many others a lot of happiness.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Jul 25, 2009 3:45:59 GMT -5
ListsMy Overall Rankings (The first 15 would be the essentials)1. On The Waterfront A+ 2. A Streetcar Named Desire A+ 3. Last Tango in Paris A+ 4. The Godfather A+ 5. One Eyed Jacks A 6. Mutiny on the Bounty A 7. The Freshman A- 8. The Chase A- 9. Burn A- 10. Teahouse of the August Moon B+ 11. Sayonara B + 12. Don Juan DeMarco B + 13. Superman II (Donner Cut) B+ 14. Julius Caesar B 15. A Dry White Season B 16. The Missouri Breaks B 17. Guys and Dolls B 18. Viva Zapata B 19. The Wild One B- 20. Reflections in a Golden Eye B- 21. The Ugly American B- 22. The Score B- 23. The Young Lions B- 24. The Men B- 25. Free Money C+ 26. Morituri C+ 27. Superman C+ 28. Bedtime Story C+ 29. The Night of the Following Day C+ 30. The Nightcomers C 31. The Appaloosa C 32. Apocalypse Now C 33. The Fugitive Kind C- 34. The Formula C- 35. Desiree D+ 36. Candy D 37. The Island of Dr. Moreau D 38. A Countess From Hong Kong D- 39. Christopher Columbus F 40. The Brave (never seen – Not Released in the USA) 41. Big Bug Man (Voice work – Not released) My 10 Favorite Brando Performances10. Sakini, Teahouse of the August MoonWho says Brando can’t do comedy. He steals the show as our guide thrugh this enchanting story 9. Rio, One Eyed JacksHe’s not a nice man, but he’s not truly evil. Rio can be dangerous and charming at the same time. 8. Carmine Sabatini, The FreshmanSure it’s the Godfather revisited, but there is no much warmth, humanity and presence that it is undeniably one of the actor’s best works. 7. William Walker, BurnWorld weary, somber. Walker is sly, manipulative and conflicted. He’s the agent provocateur, doing a job, but on the other hand he admires this man (Jose Delores) that he built up and later destroys, even though he doesn’t fully understand him or his principles. This was Marlon’s personal favorite. 6. Marc Anthony, Julius CaesarJohn Huston said it best… “It was like a furnace door opening—the heat came off the screen. I don’t know another actor who could do that." 5. Major Weldon Penderton, Reflections In A Golden EyeBrando’s closet homosexual is bottled up and repressed, he keeps his emotions in constant check and when he loses control of that reserve it is as brilliant a moment as any I’ve ever seen. 4. Vito Corleone, The GodfatherDon Corleone is a quiet commanding figure. A man of great will and strength, but also a loving father and family man. 3. Stanley Kowalski, A Streetcar Named DesireOne of the most emotionally charged performances in history. There’s humor, sex, cruelty and a palpable sense of violence in the man. 2. Paul, Last Tango In ParisRaw, and completely without artifice. Marlon drops his usual mannerisms to give something real and breathtaking. 1. Terry Malloy, On The WaterfrontIMHO the greatest performance ever seen on screen (Premier ranked it #2, behind Peter O’Tooles turn in Lawrence of Arabia, ironically that was a role Brando turned down) Marlon completely disappears and becomes this man. It has nuance, is sensitive, powerful, romantic and heartbreaking Honorable mentions: Sheriff Calder, The Chase (for the subtle touches he puts in this quiet role- pride, jealousy, inner unrest). Fletcher Christian in Mutiny (for his turn from fop to leader of men), Peter Quint in the Nightcomers (scary, playful and full of spirit). Maj, Gruver in Sayonara (the reserved romantic), what a charmer in Don Juan, and how passionate in A Dry White Season
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Post by Mighty Jack on Jul 25, 2009 11:25:22 GMT -5
This thread is dedicated to the memory of my father, the original Brando fan Everything I wrote in these reviews came from hours of reading and research but it’s still a daunting task finding the absolute truth – For example, Brando and Coppola tell completely different versions of what went into making Apocalypse Now. There are times when I’d find a quote from Brando that he would later contradict in another interview. And sometimes legends can be called into question (did Brando suggest and improvise much of that taxi cab scene in Waterfront? That’s the usual story, but people who have seen the original script say the way it was performed, was the way it was written). Sources of research for this thread: I owe a debt to the reviews of Pauline Kael, Roger Ebert, Dave Kehr and Bosley Crowther and dozens upon dozens of internet authors and sites like IMDB, Wikipedia (both taken with a grain of salt and requiring confirmation as I found several mistakes). Articles published in EW, Premier as well as several whose titles have since slipped from memory. Interviews and/or discussions with Elia Kazan, Karl Malden, Rita Moreno, John Geilgud, Michael Winner, James Mason, George Takai, Arthur Penn and others. DVD commentaries from the likes of John G. Avildsen, Hubert Cornfield, Yves Simoneau, Frank Oz and Francis Ford Coppola. Books I studied include Richard Schickel’s “Brando: A Life In Our Times”, Carlo Fiore’s “Bud, the Brando I Knew”, Charles Higham’s “Brando: An Unauthorized Biography”, Stefan Kanfer’s “Somebody”, Lawrence Grobel’s “Conversations With Brando” and Marlon’s own autobiography, “Songs My Mother Taught Me”.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Jul 28, 2009 0:34:28 GMT -5
Miscellaneous!Marlon was born on April 3rd 1924, Omaha NebraskaBrando on BroadwayLike most actors this is where Marlon got his start. Once he made it big on film he never looked back - the repetition of doing the same thing night after night, his difficulty remembering lines kept him from returning to the stage. His peers, among them George C. Scott were upset that he never returned to Broadway, but I never understood that. Isn’t it his right to act where and when he wants? The same way it was the right of the Beatles to stop touring and concentrate on their studio work. He shouldn’t have been pressured (one person even suggested during the 60s that unless Brando returned to the stage that he would never return to greatness. Obviously “The Godfather” proved him wrong) Here are his stage credits: 1944 Sayville New School Summer TheaterTwelfth Night (Sebastian) Signarelle (Title role) Hannele’s Way (Dual role – Decrepid teacher/Jesus) BroadwayI Remember Mama, Music Box Theatre, 1944 (Nels) Antigone, 1946 (Messenger) - Replacement Truckline Café, Belasco Theatre, 1946 (Sage McRae) Candida, Cort Theatre, 1946 (Eugene Marchbanks) A Flag Is Born, Alvin Theatre, 1947 (David) A Streetcar Named Desire, Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 1947 (Stanley Kowalski) On The RoadThe Eagle Has Two Heads, 1947 (With Tallulah Bankhead) One Shot “Actors Studio”Reunion in Vienna, Feb 1949 (Archduke von Hasburg) In 1948 Brando auditioned for the lead in “Rebel Without A Cause” – the film, at the time, was not made. Marlon made his debut on television Jan 9th 1949, in episode 16 of ABCs The Actors Studio titled, “I’m No Hero” . I’ve not been able to track down this show, nor do I know if copies still survive. Soon after that, he made his way onto the big screen and the rest was history. Documentaries that featured and/or included Brando1970: King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis 1975: Raoni (narrator) 1981: The Rebels (biographical) 1991: Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse 2007: Brando (TCM televised documentary) Pictures I likeMarlon makes the cover of The Beatles Sgt PeppersAs Terry MalloyMy favroite picture of the actor, with friend...
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Post by Mighty Jack on Aug 1, 2009 13:17:53 GMT -5
The role of Sakini earned Brando a Golden Globe Nomination in 1957Brando’s AwardsI’m gonna post them, even though he said he hated them (but those who knew him said he really, really wanted that Oscar for Waterfront… even though he acted like he didn’t give a damn) 1990Nominated for an Oscar, BAFTA & Golden Globe as Best Supporting Actor in “A Dry White Season” 1989 Won Best Actor Award for “A Dry White Season” – Tokyo International Film Festival 1979Won Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Special for “Roots: The Next Generation” 1974* Nominated for an Oscar, BAFTA as Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Last Tango in Paris” * Won Henrietta Award at the Golden Globes as World Film Favorite – Male * Won Best Actor, NY Film Critics Circle Awards & National Society of Film Critics Award for “Last Tango In Paris” Brando was a cover boy once again!1973* Won Best Actor Oscar, Golden Globe, Kansas City as well as NY Film Critic Circle Awards for “The Godfather” * Won Henrietta Award at the Golden Globes as World Film Favorite – Male * Won Jessi Award as Best Actor of the Year * Nominated Best Actor BAFTA for “The Godfather” and “The Nightcomers” 1972Won Fotogramas de Plata as Best Foreign Actor in “Burn” 1967Won Western Heritage Award, Bronze Wrangler for “The Appaloosa” 1964Nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Motion Picture Actor – Drama for “The Ugly American” 1962Nominated for Director Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures, “One Eyed Jacks” 1961* Won San Sebastian International Film Festival, Golden Seashell for “One Eyed Jacks” * Nominated Golden Laurel – Top Male Star (12th place) 1959* 3rd Place Golden Laurel Top Male Star * Nominated for a BAFTA as Best Foreign Actor in “The Young Lions” 1958* Nominated for an Oscar as Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Sayonara * Nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Motion Picture Actor – Drama for “Sayonara” * Won Laurel Awards “Golden Laurel” as Top Male Dramatic Performance for “The Young Lions” * 2nd Place, Golden Laurel for Top Male Star 1957Nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Motion Picture Actor – Comedy/Musical for “Teahouse of the August Moon” 1956Won Henrietta Award at the Golden Globes for World Film Favorite - Male 1955* Won Oscar, NY Film Critics Circle Award & Golden Globe as Best Actor in a Leading Role for “On The Waterfront” * Won BAFTA as Best Foreign Actor in “On The Waterfront” * Nominated for Henrietta Award at the Golden Globes for World Film Favorite – Male 1954* Nominated for an Oscar as Best Actor In a Leading Role, “Julius Caesar” * Won BAFTA as Best Foreign Actor in “Julius Caesar” 1953* Nominated for an Oscar as Best Actor In a Leading Role, “Viva Zapata” * Won BAFTA as Best Foreign Actor in “Viva Zapata” 1952* Nominated for an Oscar as Best Actor In a Leading Role, “A Streetcar Named Desire” * Won Best Actor at Cannes Film Festival for “Viva Zapata!” * Won Jessi Award Diploma of Merit, Foreign Actor for “A Streetcar named Desire” and “The Men”
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Post by Mighty Jack on Aug 2, 2009 9:34:08 GMT -5
This thread has been been a lot of fun to work on, but I've ran the well pretty dry. One final tidbit. Marlon owned a Tahitian island. For info and pictures click here… www.tetiaroa.com/News on what’s become of the atoll since his death… www.latimes.com/business/la-tm-brando43oct23,0,362172.story For those who actually read/left comments this, thank you. I appreciate it. Later all.
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