Drama in Cinema

Hey folks! I was just going over a few writing ideas for the week when my lady love pointed out that I do not embrace drama that often. To which I was overly dramatic and defensive... nah I am in agreement with her in that I do not cover a lot of the heartfelt tear jerkers. The main reason why is while a good story of humans trials, struggles and goals does hold my interest for the day, I normally do not need my heart strings throttled that often.  However, this is not entirely for my own enjoyment but it is also for the readers. That in mind, I will subject myself to the current standing of drama for the last 3 years. Keep in mind that the last 15 years there are too many hybrids between the genres. I have seen comedy dramas, romantic dramas, dramatic horrors, comedic horror films with drama. There is too much mix-mashed now that it gets confusing on how to catalogue it and frankly that is irksome.

Why is the camera so far away?

So I will do my very level best to find drama with only one real tone to it. Think Spielberg's The Color Purple or Schindler's List or Robert Altman's MASH and Gosford Park. Where additional elements of humanity are underlined but at the end of the day this is drama.   Dark and sad things are on the rise throughout this film and you can just suck it up, grab some tissues and marshal through it. While I myself, do not mind the genre it seems several writers and directors cannot simply tell a tale without something evil or zany added to it. I am guessing this is to distract the audience that they are sitting down for a film recanting tales of historical atrocities and if that is the case, why the Hell are you watching in the first place if you do not want to see it??!!! Aside from all this, I still feel that drama is a valid genre in cinema, novels and television and it deserves the respect for those that do NOT over add from the other genres to give it a bit of pep. Let's see what we can find to watch.

STOP FARTING IN MY TRUCK!!!!

Timothy Dalton Week: The Lion in Winter

Hail and hearty greetings to you all. Welcome to Day 1 of Timothy Dalton Week. It took me a fair amount of time as Amazon Prime is not infaliable but nevertheless I found a copy. Today we look at the adaptation to film of playwright James Goldman (The Lion in Winter, They Might Be Giants, Nicholas and Alexandra, Robin and Marian and White Nights) the visage of King Henry the II of England's political and personal struggles, joys and conflicts. This film marks two interesting facets of conversation, as it is Timothy Dalton's second film and Sir Anthony Hopkins' feature film debut. Believed in many's eyes as one of the highest grossing movies of 1968 and won three academy awards including Best Actress for Katharine Hepburn, this is The Lion in Winter.

Now then, what of Ming of Mongo?

Set in the year 1183 during the Christmas season, King Henry (Peter O' Toole of Lawrence of Arabia, Great Catherine, Murphy's War, Caligula, Creator, Joan of Arc and Troy) spends his latter years grooming and preparing his youngest son, John (Nigel Terry of Excalibur, The Last of England, Edward II, Covington Cross, Rules of Engagement and MI-5) for the right to his throne while Henry's enstranged wife Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn of Stage Door, Bringing Up Baby, The Philadelphia Story, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, On Golden Pon and Love Affair) favors their eldest son Richard (Sir Anthony Hopkins of A Bridge Too Far, The Elephant Man, Othello, Silence of the Lambs, Dracula and Nixon) as the one true king.

Don't be such an old poop, Richard.

Great turbulence hits these fair shores as King Phillip the II of France (Timothy Dalton of The Three Princes, The Voyeur, The Executioner, Agatha and Chanel Solitaire), former husband of Eleanor demands his half-sister Alais (Jane Merrow of The Girl-Getters, The Hands of the Ripper, The Patrica Neal Story, Romance Theatre and Accused) be wed or the return of her dowry.

Being one of Henry's many mistresses, Henry plots to deceive Richard with a mock wedding and it will satisfy King Phillip's demands as well but Henry's middle child Geoffrey II and John both plot with Phillip to wage war on England. Appalled at his own sons, King Henry has the lot of them thrown into the dungeon while Alais has his heart and possibly future heirs to his throne.

Will war be on the horizon? Must Henry ask his people to take up arms with him? What is to be done with his traitorous sons?

A few observations now. With its combination of tragedy, drama and witty comedy, the dialogue alone will keep you captivated. The performances of this entire cast will mesmerize you and yes will this is not wholly accurate in fact, this film dares to be entertaining, have an astounding musical score and holds the spirit of the story. Admittedly while I adore Hepburn in all works I have seen her in, I could never have expected this performance of a cunning, bitter woman seeking vengeance on her less than faithful husband and to such meticulous detail. With his sentiment one minute and his bluster the next, you will feel as I did, O' Toole commands the respect of men.

The main castle is the actual Abbaye de Montmajour in the south of France while most of the interior shots was Ardmore Studios in Ireland. With almost seamless transition, blocking techniques and wonderful atmosphere, you forget that films of yesteryear truly set the bar. With director Anthony Harvey (Dutchman, They Might Be Giants, The Glass Menagerie, Player, Richard's Things and The Patricia Neal Story), the story shows all scope of life and what is intertwined with actions and consequences.

The true pain my dear, is starring in a film with Ben Affleck

Sean Bean Week

A big hello, hi there and welcome to a week I thought amusing for all.  We have seen this Englishman a villain, a reluctant hero and a fellow striving to do the right thing.  Alas we have also seen this charismatic fellow die numerous times and sometime horrifically.  I speak of none other than Sean Bean.   standing at 5'10", this green eyed, sandy blonde has been working in all forms of the acting medium ranging theater, TV, radio and movies this gentleman has played some of the most angst-ridden villains to some of the most emotionally worn warriors of the land.

They didn't want me as pretty as Brosnan.

 













With no less than four divorces under his belt and three children I could see why most of his characters have a penchant for brooding and scowling.  Nevertheless our actor of the week has some of the most screen captured deaths in more than 20 times and I thought it fitting and proper given his new TNT drama Legends where he may stand a running chance of not dying horrendously he deserved the spotlight.  This marks a new era for a man that has worked with the likes of: Robert Deniro, Pierce Brosnan, Harrison Ford, Viggo Mortensen, Miranda Otto, John Hurt, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Julian Glover, Laurie Holden and Radha Mitchell.  So keep them eyes peeled and stay on target because this week is Sean Bean Week.

Mr. Jackson, why are you tight zooming on me?

Dunaway Week

Howdy readers!  I have recently been through several of my posts and I realized I have not given leading ladies of Hollywood their due and am a bit ashamed on that.  Starting this week I felt I would pay homage to a sultry siren of the silver screen from her resonant voice to the amazing set of eyes she has worked with the likes of Jack Nicholson, Steve McQueen, Robert Redford as well as the likes of Christopher Lee, Michael York, Oliver Reed and Gary Sinse.

Dishy, ain't she?

Her lasting power in the industry she has managed to produce, write and even direct.  Tinseltown can be merciless to starlets but this lady has persevered in a town that had the standing that any woman over 30 has a limited shelf life Faye Dunaway has ranked at #32 in 100 years of Heroes and Villains for Bonnie and Clyde as well as #41 for her portrayal of Joan Crawford in Mommy Dearest.

So pilgrimage with me and see this actress throughout the ages and hopefully you will enjoy.