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The Revolt of Mamie Stower
Director- Raoul Walsh
Cast- Jane Russel, Richard Egan
Country of Origin: US
Writer: Chris Emanuel
“The Revolt of Mamie Stower” is a particularly interesting film that quite never captured the attention of hay day cinema movie goers. This film was shot in Hawaii, mainly on location, and at the Twentieth Century Fox studios located in Los Angeles, California in 1956. Directed by Raoul Walsh (White Heat) and starring iconic Jane Russel (Gentleman Prefer Blondes) and Richard Egan (Gog) this film depicts a prostitute, portrayed by Jane Russel, who is forced to leave her surroundings due to the shortcomings of the infamous World War Two.
If it’s one thing Mamie Stower has going for, it is the lush and beautiful atmosphere of the on location scenes involving Hawaii. The scenes have to be seen to be believed, thus proving that we charted into a very serious and dramatic film. Russel, who gives a dazzling performance as an out of luck gal with sass for days hides her past and plays a radiant ballroom dancer who has eyes for Egan, a wealthy man on the island. Russel, had a lot of competition during this era, and she is truly one of the most underrated bombshell actresses during this time period. Russel shows off her acting chops, and has the skills and talent to be vulnerable, while also being tough and knowing her self-worth.
A melo-drama, and shot on cinemascope. “The Revolt of Mamie Stower” shows us frankly that this was not a film where it displays happiness in every scene, given its colorful scenes and locations. It is actually very smart and ahead of its time. Russel, gives us a memorable performance, all while lying to herself and trying to successfully better her life. It is quite rare, to see such an iconic beauty give us a performance so accurate of a being such a heartless prostitute.
While this film was based on a book, which is actually a very decent read through, it is not quite necessary to read it. You can in fact purchase the film and be immensely content with just viewing the film. “The Revolt of Mamie Stower” is a dazzling piece of cinema, just clocking in at ninety-two minutes. It is worth every single second.
The blu-ray looks as if I saw this at the cinema today. The 1080p HD showcases the films cinemascope to perfection and the colors pop out, especially Jane Russel who steals every single scene in HD.
The audio is immaculate; we can hear Hugo Friedhofer’s score really shine in this film. It is such a lovely score that truly has to be heard to be believed. The audio alone adds so much to the viewer’s cinematic experience.
The Blu-ray extras consist of the theatrical trailer, an isolated track of Hugo Friedhofer’s score and a limited edition quantity of 3000 copies.
The Film 4/5
Audio/Video 5.5/5
Extras 2.5/5
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Genghis Khan
Director- Henry Levin
Cast- Stephen Boyd, Omar Sharif
Country of Origin: U.K.
Writer: Chris Emanuel
When you have such an iconic character and emperor as Genghis Khan, one cannot expect a film titled “Genghis Khan” to display such accuracy to a movie such as this. This definitely was not the point, especially since “Genghis Khan”, directed by Henry Levin (Journey to the Center of the Earth) stands as a very peculiar piece of Hollywood cinema, trying a bite to desperately to make a splash in the epic big budget cinema classics of this era.
“Genghis Khan” serves as an epic, as these were popular and easy to make for the studios during this time. A lot of studios wanted very legendary and iconic characters to headline these films, primarily to rival “Ben-Hur”. The movie does display some beautiful shot on location scenes in Yugoslavia, and our titular character Genghis, portrayed by actor Omar Sharif (Lawrence of Arabia), does give us quite a very attempt at accuracy and was as believable as one can be as the emperor.
While the film was not perfect, what film actually is? Credit is given to every single person involved. We have a fantastic cast, stunning cinematography and luscious art direction. Also, the script is at times very predictable. This film, while unfortunately fellunder the cracks of predecessors, still remains a stunning epic of a film. If anything, curiosity needs to be in action for this film to be seen, which truthfully film aficionados should seek out, clocking in at just 125 minutes, it sure is a film to watched on a rainy day.
The Blu-ray looks superb, truthfully it would blow away the casual film goer. The scenes all felt fresh, colorful and authentic and very true to form.
The audio also was magnificent, the HD Master isolated track sounded very smooth and full of rhythm. HD Master Audio English was also quite immaculate and there were zero issue with both sets of audio.
Blu-ray extras include, liner notes and an isolated track.
The Film 2/5
Audio/ Video 5.5/5
Extras 1.5/5
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Cinderella Liberty
Director- Mark Rydell
Cast- James Caan, Marsha Mason
Country of Origin: US
Writer: Chris Emanuel
“Cinderella Liberty” stars James Caan(Misery) as a sailor who ends up falling for street walker Marsha Mason, and unknowingly gets caught up in the family core, when Caan becomes a surrogate father to Mason’s only son (Kirk Calloway) Cinderella Liberty unfortunately never quite got the respect, attention and recognition it ultimately deserves as a landmark piece in American cinema. Mark Ryeall (The Cowboys) directs a truly dazzling piece of film.
“Cinderella Liberty” is adapted by a novel by Darryl Ponicsan. While the novel is easily achievable to find, the film serves just right for it’s essential viewing. This movie was made in 1973, and every singe scene displays the gritty, and down trotted life of our Marine, who unfortunately during this era, gets backlashed in the film, which was also a current outlook on those who served in the memory during this time frame. The film takes the stereotypes of hookers and sailors and clearly makes it a more accurate spin on the two. Caan plays such a beautiful and raw portrayal of a sailor, and Marsha Mason, plays a very beautiful down on her luck prostitute. Also, her black son, Kirk Calloway, shows so much loneliness and heart, that we see that he is need of love.
“Cinderella Liberty” shows us the unlikely connection between three different personalities, all clashing together. The three personalities are all in dire of love, understanding and acceptance in a very cold gritty New York City landscape. This film provides a slew of social awareness and very rarely in terms of film, it captures moments that truthfully, a remake or perhaps another director cannot ever quite touch or grasp.
“Cinderella Liberty” focuses heavily on lush cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) and music from John Williams. “Cinderella Liberty” has to be seen to believed. A film like this rarely ever comes along, and to be quite honest it changes your perspective on things to come and where our current society is heading now. Clocking in at just almost two hours, it is worth every single second and frame.
The 1080p transfer shows us the grittiness and darkness of New York City circa 1973. Twilight Time delivers arguably one of the best transfer ever seen.
Presented on this disc are four HD audios, one being a commentary track included as a bonus feature with director Mark Rydall, and the other one being the isolated music track by the one and only John Williams. The other two audio options sound perfect and it was very hard to choose an audio preference.
Blu-ray extras include, Commentary with Director Mark Rydell, On Location with Mark Rydell, a Theatrical Trailer, one TV Spot and liner notes.
The Film 5/5
Audio/Video 5/5
Extras 5/5
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GERONIMO: AN AMERICAN LEGEND
Director- Walter Hill
Cast- Jason Patric, Wes Studi, Gene Hackman
Country of Origin- US
Writer: Tyler Miller
Lt. Britton Davis (Matt Damon) tells the story about how he joined the hunt to stop the Apache chief Geronimo (Wes Studi). As the US soldiers get closer to the man known as Geronimo, they soon realize how wrong this world is.
Walter Hill is one great tough guy directors. Despite some hiccups like the trainwreck that is SUPERNOVA (2000) and the wrong headed and trans-phobic THE ASSIGNMENT (2016), Hill’s career has been one of the best in terms of action cinema. Being raised with a deep love of the Western, Hill has continued to make modern day Westerns that will put hair on your chest.
He said every movie he directed was a type of Western. So with the auteur theory in place, Hill is one of the great action directors with hits such as 48 HOURS, THE DRIVER, and RED HEAT. But when he made a actual Western proper the results were always interesting. Cut to GERONIMO: AN AMERICAN LEGEND(1993). Despite a slightly misleading title, This is a movie about Geronimo, even if he isn’t the focus or main character.
The screenplay was written by the great John Milius (CONAN THE BARBARIAN, DILLINGER) who turns a simple story of the American west into a complex tale of legends, modern day warriors, and failure. Geronimo may be wrongly treated, but Milius shows that both he and some of the US troops are just warriors cheated by the system.
As a overall film, Its sadly underrated. Logic and pacing are out the window. But the film has a scenic view with plenty of down time to be sucked into the time period. The film is bathe in a warm orange haze. Realism isn’t the point. This is a legend brought to life with a witty and large then life screenplay. In terms of casting, Wes Studi (Michael Mann’s HEAT, DANCES WITH WOLVES), dominates every scene he is in. Also rounding out the cast are fine performances from Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Matt Damon, and John Finn. Jason Patric is top billed but sadly he comes off as flat and uninteresting.
Twilight Time brings GERONIMO to shiny life with this impressive visual showcase. This is one of Hill’s best filmed movies, and every shot is a sight to see. The disc comes with two audio options. First up is the 5.1 English DTS-HD Master Audio mix. It looks like it was recorded yesterday. Bold and smooth with no hiss or pops. The second track is the slightly softer English 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio mix. English subtitles are included.
In terms of extras we are limited to a Isolated Music track and the original theatrical trailer. The disc itself holds some liner notes by Julie Kirgo.
The Film 3.5/5
Audio/ Video 5/5
Extras 1/5
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TAKE A GIRL LIKE YOU
Director- Jonathan Miller
Cast- Hayley Mills, Oliver Reed
Country of Origin: U.K.
Writer: Tyler Miller
Jenny (Hayley Mills) is your usual simple and respectable small town teacher. Once moving into a new town and lodging at a eccentric house. Life seems simple. That is until she meets Trouble maker and playboy Patrick Standish (Oliver Reed). He soon becomes obsessed with sleeping with her. But there is a small issue, she is a happy virgin.
TAKE A GIRL LIKE YOU (1970) is a strange comedy to enjoy in a post-Metoo age. Based on the comedic novel of the same name by Kingsley Amis, the story is a tongue in cheek reaction to feminist rights and free love of the 60’s. By the time the film came out in 1970, this movement and cultural shift had progressed even further. But while Amis is known for being a fun satirist, the film’s biggest issue is something that can’t be unseen.
The stories main drive is forcing one’s self onto someone and taking their virginity. Something that has always been sleazy. It’s ok to have tough love in a sex comedy, but this film just leaves a off putting taste in your mouth. With at least two scenes of different men's trying to force themselves on Jenny. It makes for a tough viewing.
The movie does have some high points to recommended. In terms of casting, Oliver Reed steals the show in this cartoonish role of a hot headed playboy. He even has the “cool” job of teaching graphic design. Reed makes some of the questionable material lighter and you almost forget the gross undertones. Former child star Hayley Mills (Disney’s POLLYANNA) makes a likable lead, but for headlining the movie she quickly gets lost among the more charismatic performers. The movie also features a catchy theme tone that will get stuck in your head for days.
Twilight Time offers up another handsome release. The movie comes with an English 1.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track that is clean. There is no hiccups or pops. The score by Stanley Myers is simply splendid and makes having the Isolated Music Track even better. English subtitles are included.The 1080p HD transfer is bold and colorful showing the movie in it’s best light.
Other then the music track, this disc includes The original theatrical trailers and a superb packet of liner notes by Julie Kirgo.
The Film 3/5
Audio/ Video 4/5
Extras 2/5
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