Seeing The Godfather (1972) for the first time on the big screen

My local AMC theater was showing a 50th anniversary screening of The Godfather; I had never need it, believe it or not - only parts of it. 

First of all -- I wish there were an intermission! Movies that are 3 hours should always have an intermission! It used to be a standard thing in the 1950s and 1960s; what happened in the 70s? Sigh. 

But, the movie was good, and emphasizes "family loyalty" in organized crime family. Al Pacino never wanted to be in the family business, but he is drawn in to protect his father at the hospital. His first murder at the restaurant is very suspenseful and dark. It 'feels like this character is being born' says Deep Focus Lens in the video review (see below). 

I need to see Part II and Part III to fully experience the full Saga. I remember when Part III came out but just wasn't interested in it or Part II enough. What bothers me in the film is the racism of the characters; several uses of racial slurs are used and makes these characters very unsympathetic to me. 

But Al Pacino's character is really the focus of the saga. See Siskel and Ebert's review below in honor of the 25th Anniversary. Siskel says the sequence where Al Pacino hides out in Sicily is something that was never seen in a mob film before. I liked this sequence and I think it is my favorite in the film. 

Vlog review of The Godfather by Deep Focus Lens which covers earlier gangster films and how they compare with this film, as well as how it inspires later Italian gangster films like The Sopranos later on.

The trailer for the 50th anniversary show is really cool.

Siskel and Ebert review (1990s)

Fellini's Amarcord (I Remember) (1974)

This is Fellini's Italy as he remembers it when he was a young boy. It's an an ensemble featuring a number of interesting characters centering around teenage Titto, his friends, family and neighbors. Fellini was not a fan of the fascism of the time and we see that in character's reactions to the new developments in the government. The film is like a scrapbook with a number of humorous stories about fascism, the Catholic church, school, and family. For example, Titto has a very grouchy and temperamental uncle and a loving and devoted aunt, and they often argue. These family scenes are very enjoyable. The town has a prostitute, and we get to meet her a bit. There is also a hairdresser character, Gradisca, played by Magali Noël. She's the woman who every man has a crush on, and eventually marries in the end, in a big wedding where everyone in town is invited. There are also funny moments in the classroom and with the teachers.

I really enjoyed this movie very much. I thought of Woody Allen's Radio Days and how similar they both are, and also thought of other coming of age films that owe alot to this film. It is very lyrical and beautiful to watch, photographed by Giuseppe Rotunno the same cinematographer who shot Robert Altman's Popeye, another movie that this reminded me of.

Though much less cerebral than 8-1/2, there are a number of symbolic elements that have kept critics discussing ever since the film came out, including the famous ship scene and the peacock scene. Why do they appear in the film? Well, the ship is a grand construction of Italy (based on the real SS Rex), and is source of great pride to the villagers. The peacock, well, that's not so easy to explain. It's rare appearance suggests royalty or even a angelic spiritual presence. There are a number of wonderful moments like that in the film, including a scene showing a rare snowfall that really happened one year. I haven't heard the DVD commentary yet but plan to because there's so much to enjoy in this, and so much history as well.

Magali Noël in Amarcord

Our instructor for the course was Dr. Constance Markey, who is the co-author of the 1978 book Federico Fellini: A Guide to References and Resources and the author of the 1999 book Italo Calvino: A Journey toward Postmodernism. She has taught Italian literature and film at DePaul University for many years. During our final class discussion, she and her husband brought in two bottles of wine for us to enjoy! It was nice. She taught us a few Italian words and phrases and talked about her travels to Italy, pointing out that many of the settings in Amarcord are still as they look today; she roomed in houses just like Titto's family's house.

She also mentioned that she and her husband went to see the Venice-set The Tourist (which I reviewed the other day here) but didn't care for it much other than for the scenery. She said movies like that don't stay in her head long after the film is over, like Amarcord . I didn't argue with her about it. The Tourist for me I guess is a guilty pleasure I suppose. 

Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo

The Tourist (2010) with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie

Sometimes I like to check out a new movie without knowing much about it. Such was the case with me and The Tourist. I only knew the basics: that it was a spy film and that it had Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, and Italy - where I've always wanted to visit.

Photo: Destination360.com

From the reviews I've read so far, they are not calling this a classic, but I am. Some don't like the story (despite it being written by the Oscar winning writer of The Usual Suspects) and some have likened it to old romantic thrillers films from decades past. Roger Ebert in his review said the movie had a few clichés. I don't fault it for that; it's still fun to watch. The old-fashioned spy romance feel was what I loved about it. Others have criticized Depp's character as a bit of a timid traveler. Well, he may be at first but he redeems himself eventually. He just playing another slightly odd and misunderstood character that he's famous for, so don't think of Cary Grant in North by Northwest. And the scenery of Venice is really beautiful. I recommend this film if you love to travel or love watching movies about traveling, or if you are fan of either Depp's or Angelina's. I don't think you will be disappointed.

There's a couple of violent parts but they come from the baddies who you're not supposed to like anyway. The fella that plays one of the main gangsters looked really familiar. When I looked him up I realized it was Steven Berkoff who was in alot of 80s movies like Rambo II and Beverly Hills Cop and Octopussy. Speaking of Bond, Timothy Dalton is in it too. It's a light film, comical at times, and there's some good chase scenes in it. It's not like Salt if you've seen that one. I liked this one better (though I loved Salt too) So if you are looking to escape the winter blues, I recommend The Tourist at your local cinema.

Here's a review from The Movie Goddess who also loved the film!!

Peter has written a good review of this movie at Armchair Audience.

I Vitelloni (1953) by Fellini

Italian. 101 Minutes. Directed by Federico Fellini. Beautiful music score by Nino Rota.  Starring Franco Fabrizi (1926-1995), Alberto Sordi (1920-2003), Franco Interlenghi (1931 - )

Fellini's comedy-drama about a group of five slacker best friends in a post WWII Italian town.  The title translates into "good-for-nothings".  In America, these guys might be called "bums", or even "mama's boys". They are healthy young men, and have no excuse not to look for a job. They just lack ambition. When one character does find a job, he gets fired soon afterward due to his misbehavior. So they continue to walk the streets, shoot pool, and pretty much waste time.   A song by The Dave Matthews Band came to my mind after seeing this film, "Wasting Time".

The men in the movie are old enough to have served in the war, but there is no mention of WW2 in this film. I Vitelloni is often called a "neo-realist" film, but there is debate about that. Films usually considered neo-realist are usually grittier (Open City, The Bicycle Thief ), have more of a political message, and are not as off-beat as I Vitelloni. .

The characters are all interesting.

There is a playwright character, Leopoldo (Leopoldo Trieste), who dreams his plays will one day get noticed. In one sequence, he meets an actor he admires and who expresses great interest in his work. You'll have to see the movie to find out what happens next.

Fellini cast his own brother Riccardo Fellini as another member of the group. (Riccardo resembles his brother, actually) In one scene, Riccardo expresses his dissatisfaction with his town by calling it "a rat hole". His character is not full developed, and we know the least about him. However, I don't think this is a major flaw of the film.

The character with the most screen time is the character of Fausto, a real ladies' man. He's played by the actor Franco Fabrizi . Even when married (and with a child to support) he still can't give up his womanizing.

Many filmmakers were inspired by this film. Some of Woody Allen's characters can be found in the men of I Vitorelli, such as Leopoldo (and his encounter with the director) and Fausto, who has been compared to Judah in Crimes and Misdemeanors.  George Lucas also loved this film; the episodic storytelling and hijinks of the immature characters influenced his American Graffiti. And the opening narration where the characters are introduced is just like how Martin Scorsese opened Goodfellas

I think Fellini's own personality can be found in several of these characters. Certainly the writer Leopoldo. Maybe a little of the womanizing of Fausto, who has a conscience in the form of his best friend Moraldo (Franco Interlenghi). I think Moraldo is Fellini. Both despise the hypocrisy and laziness of those around him, and both have bigger dreams somewhere else, in another town (Fellini loved Rome, of course)

There is another minor character a young boy who befriends Moraldo named Guido. Could this be the Guido who grows up to be the character in 8-1/2? An interesting thought. One of the last shots of the film shows him walking on a train rail into the distance, and it sort of reminded me of the end of a Chaplin film.

Though the film doesn't discuss the war, there are a few elements that remind us that the film takes place in post war Italy. First of all, the poor economic conditions. Also, the characters in the film talk about Esther Williams, Ginger Rogers, and other American movie stars. This was a period where Italians were enjoying American films for the first time in years because such films were not brought into Italy under Mussolini.

Other than some of these elements, I think the human nature of I Vitelloni is timeless, and this story could really take place in any decade, even in modern times. As mentioned previously, It's almost a statement (Fellini's statement) against the lack of ambition of these characters, and Fellini (a real life go-getter) is sort of critical of it. The Moraldo character represents this. However, it does make you think about families in general as well.

In American society these days, if a young man in his 20s or 30s is single and lives in the basement of his parent's house, that raises a "red flag" among some single women. They're laughed at. Single women want a "real man". But in some cultures, living with your family is perfectly acceptable.

There's a great scene in I Vitelloni where Alberto Sordi's sister storms out of the house and leaves town, and Sordi is left to be the sole caretaker for his aging mother. Without a job, he is faced with the reality that he needs to find work - and put down the bottle. Scenes like this show that these characters have heart, and are devoted to their families (Although Fausto remains questionable). Additionally, religious characters for the most part are treated with reverence and respect in this film (Fellini is a bit more critical of the Roman Catholic church in his later films).

This is a fascinating movie, filled with emotional dramatic moments, balanced with humor and comedic touches that are very funny. (Available on DVD/Netflix).

Roman Holiday (1953)

I love this movie, and the scenes in Rome. It's fun and cheery and always puts me in a better mood.

Newsman Gregory Peck is after a hot story and one falls into his path as a princess, played by Audrey Hepburn, who escapes from her royal entourage while on a state visit to Rome. She's simply fed up with all the rituals and pageantry. 

Audrey won a Best Actress Oscar for her cute performance. Eddie Albert co-stars as Peck's photographer, and he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. 

The movie's depiction of a newspaper office with desks and typewriters is so old-fashioned and I can only imagine what it would be like in that office and living in one of those apartments that Gregory Peck lives in.