By Robin E. Simmons
SING STREET
Writer/director John Carney’s charming but derivative musical with a big heart and beguiling cast is fun even with its familiar plot. Set in 1980s Dublin the story unfolds from the point-of-view of a 14-year-old boy Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) who is hoping for a break from a stress-filled home and a Catholic school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher. He hope in the beautiful Raphina (Lucy Boynton and invites her to star in his band’s music video. Only problem is he has no band — yet. she agrees. Somehow, Conor delivers what he’s promised. He starts calling himself “Cosmo” and forms a band with a few lads. Then kids pour their heart into making music and shooting videos. Inspired by director Carney’s life and love for music, this feel-good movie shows invites us into a world where music has the power to transport us from the stress and angst of everyday life into a time and place of something grander. Now playing.
NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER:
I COULD GO ON SINGING (1963)
In electrifying Blu-ray, Judy Garland’s final film celebrates her titanic gift as both actress and singer with four songs and top-notch support from Dirk Bogard and jack Klugman. This is a star vehicle in the best sense of the word. In the sensitive hands of director Ronald Neame, the film strikes an excellent balance of on stage performance and compelling backstage drama. For Garland fans the movie is just about perfect and rises far above ordinary expectations. Garland stars as an American singer who visits London and can’t resist the temptation to meet up once again with a lost love and the now teenaged son she left him to care for many years before. This limited edition (only 3,000 units) from Twilight Time Movies will sell out quickly. Once they are gone – they are gone.
APPASSIONATA (1974)
This new on Blu-ray title is the provocative sexually charged Italian drama of erotic fantasies crossing family boundaries stars Ornella Muti (photo), Gabriela Ferzetti, Eleonora Giorgi and Velentina Cortese. Otherworldy beauty Ornella Muti headlines this erotic drama centered on the competition of two nubile girls who attempt to seduce the patriarch of a household. The film is greatly enhanced by a lush score from composer Piero Picconi. Twilight Time Movies. Blu-ray.
GARDEN OF EVIL (1954)
Now on breathtaking Blu-ray in all its Big Sky Cinemascope/Technicolor glory: director Henry Hathaway’s brawny western adventure with Gary Cooper, Susan Hayward, Richard Widmark with a memorable score by the great Bernard Hermann. Susan Hayward is a desperate woman who hires three prospectors (Cooper, Widmark and Cameron Mitchell to help her rescue her husband (played by Wally and Beav’s TV dad Hugh Marlow) who’s trapped in a Mexican gold mine in hostile Apache Territory. The magnificent Hermann score — his only Western score — is available on an isolated track. Twilight Time Movies. Blu-ray. (Limited edition of only 3,000 units)
CAT BALLOU (1965)
Finally on hi-def Blu-ray, comes this much-loved comedy western classic starring Jane Fonda, Michael Callan and Best Actor Oscar® winner Lee Marvin’s over-the-top performance. Directed by Elliot Silverstein from a screenplay by Walter Newman and Frank Pierson. This delightful comic western stars Jane Fonda as the titular big-hearted beauty who hires a notorious gunman to avenge her father’s death. Marvin is Kid Shelleen who also appears as his own evil twin brother. Only problem with Shelleen is he’s a pathetic has-been and a drunk. Stubby Kaye and Nat King Cole are featured as a pair of troubadours who narrate the tale in song like a Greek chorus. Screen Archives. Blu-ray.
SPECIAL “ALL THE WAY” SCREENING WITH BRYAN CRANSTON AND DIRECTOR JAY ROACH
Cinema’s Palme D’Or is hosting an invitation only showing for Bryan Cranston’s Tony Award-winning Broadway performance recreated for an HBO special. If you are a Cinémas Palme d’Or Grand Prix rewards card member, show your ID at box-office (for up two free tickets) Thursday May 26 for the 6:30 showing. Sadly Cinema’s Palme d’Or will be closing at the end of June. This special event is a thank you from the theater to their dedicated and loyal movie family. A Q&A with Cranston and director Jay Roach will follow the screening.
Comments or questions? RobinESimmons@aol.com
