The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.
We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...
A Brief History of Time
Spine Number: 703
Director: Fred Newmeyer and Sam Taylor... but let's be honest, this is a Harold Lloyd movie.
Genre: Comedy
The world of silent film comedy is reigned by Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. And with good reason. They are wildly popular, incredible influential, and their work has been shown all over the place for years.
However, there is a "third genuis," who easily stands as an equal in terms of popularity and influence. And while this genuis may not be as well known today as Chaplin or Keaton, he was possibly more popular than both at the time. While the other two lost control over their films and found their later years in trying to recapture their fame, this man had amassed a fortune that afforded him what is considered the largest and most opulent of the old Hollywood mansions, and had moved on from his his time in front of the camera to a comfortable retirement, that included founding The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Basically, Harold Lloyd was that rare success story that ended with ... and he lived happily ever after.
His films were wildly popular. However, for all his thrilling, stunt intensive work, his most popular film was smaller and more personal, but still a solid comedy.
The Freshman is an interesting film. It still follows the Lloyd formula of an everyman struggling to find success and love, it relied more on character and emotion than on thrills. Don't get me wrong, there are still some very funny physical moments, but the heart of the movie is in the character and his struggle to fit in, and in the audience relating to his struggles and humiliations.
It's just a damned fine movie. So, check it out and join us as we discuss this often overlooked comedy classic.
Next time...
We revisit the lamps of madness and the sacred geometry that is... John Cassavetes with,
Spine number 721: Love Streams
Also, check this out.
The Life Masters is now it's own show with its own site and own dedicated feed. That's right, we have two completely different shows!
Right now check it out at www.thelifemasters.podbean.com.
You can also drink in our brilliance on Youtube for both The Film Thugs and The Life Masters.
http://fantasymovieleague.com/
Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League.
It looks quite fun. Here's how it works.
You have an 8 screen theater.
Every week you pick movies and have a budget/salary cap you have to stay under.
Then you compete against other theaters in your league.
It's fantasy football for movie people.
Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.
And remember, you can be a part of the show any time you wild like. How's that? All you have to do is call or e-mail us. If you live in the US, or any place that makes calling the US easy, just dial 512-666-RANT and leave us a voicemail. We will read the Google Voice transcript and play your message. It's both funny AND informative.
If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.
E-mail us at thefilmthugs@gmail.com and we will read/play whatever you send us, or you can e-mail thugquestions@gmail.com to be part of an upcoming "Ask the Film Thugs" show, where we answer questions on any subject without having heard them first.
Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.
Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.
Thanks for listening, and until next week...
Criterion Year Week 41: Ace In The Hole
Criterion Year Week 40: La Haine (Hate)
Criterion Year Week 39: The Bicycle Thieves
Criterion Year Week 38: Dazed and Confused
Criterion Week 26: Ghostbusters (again), why PC nonsense is nonsense, and Mr. Arkadin/Confidential Report
Criterion Year Week 36: The LIfe Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Criterion Year Week 35: Hoop Dreams
Criterion Year Week 34: Ghostbusters, Civil War, and Opening Night
Criterion Year Week 33: The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
Criterion Year Week 32: A Woman Under The Influence
Criterion Year Week 31: Faces
Criterion Year Week 30; Shadows
Criterion Year Week 29: The Battle of Algiers
Criterion Year Week 28: Ikiru
Criterion Year Week 27: The Rules of The Game
Criterion Year Week 26: Throne of Blood
Criterion Year Week 25: Bed and Board/Love On The Run Double Feature
Criterion Year Week 24: Stolen Kisses
Criterion Year Week 23: Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
Criterion Year Week 22: Hopscotch
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