Fast X (2023) and The Killing Fields (1984)

I recently watched these two movies in the last month (The Killing Fields was actually a re-watch for the third time; it goes without saying that it's a great classic film that I highly recommend!). 

These two movies have almost nothing in common except for one scene where the main characters find themselves needing to create a passport in a desperate situation. 

If you've seen The Killing Fields, based on a true story, then you may remember the heartbreaking scene where the American journalists (including Sam Waterson and John Malkovich) rush to create a passport for their endangered Cambodian colleague Dith Prahn (Haing S. Ngnor) so he can escape imprisonment by the rebelling militia. Sadly, the journalists can't develop a decent photograph / passport fast enough and can't help him escape, leading to Prahn's four years of enslavement in the death camps of Cambodia.

In Fast X, the young son of Dom and his uncle (John Cena) escape the bad guys by creating a passport using digital photos and a printer in a matter of seconds in the trunk of their car. I couldn't help but think of how people 50 years ago would or could use the technology we have today.

Fast X is what I'd call a "dumb fun" / guilty pleasure movie. Almost every situation is pretty ridiculous, especially the ending (spoiler alert). The writers have a challenge to explain how Giselle (Gal Gadot) is back; was she hiding all these years by Mr. Nobody? Did she not die at the end of Fast 6, falling out of that plane? If she survived with bone fractures, paralysis, or loss of limbs, it would make a little more sense, and an action hero with a disability is something we haven't seen in this series yet. Or is she Giselle's long lost twin sister? Two years is a long time to wait for the answer! But they have me hooked!

I liked Rita Moreno's cameo in the beginning, but why was she all by herself visiting? When an abuela (grandma) comes to visit doesn't she normally come with at least a caregiver / sister / aunt / cousin or two? How about bringing in some additional characters/cameos? Gina Rodriguez could play cousin Myra. Or Bad Bunny could play Cousin Jaime. 

By the way, when the bad guys come breaking down the walls and doors of the house to attack Dom's family, I was hoping Rita Moreno wasn't still in the house. I must have missed the scene where she left because I thought she was still in there. Bad / choppy editing in my opinion.

I liked that Dom's young son has a bigger part now that's a little older, and is able to take part in the action some more himself. I think this series is going in the right direction by setting up the next generation of heroes!

Also, Laura from Laura's Misc Musing also enjoyed this movie, too! Read her review at her blog here. 

   

Kennedy Center Honors 2015

The annual Kennedy Center awards are given to people in the performing arts who have made an impact on American culture. Usually there are 5 recipients per year, but this year, there are 6  (Sources: Rolling Stone.com, Washington Post), a welcome change, I think; I'm sure there is a large backlog of worthy recipients - why not open it to 10?

This year's  honorees include:

George Lucas, creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones. A filmmaker receiving a Kennedy Center distinction is rare; in the past 40 years, only a handful have been selected: Steven Spielberg, Billy Wilder, and Martin Scorsese are among the few.

Rita Moreno, a consummate performer who has excelled on the stage and screen for over 60 years. (Oscar-winner for West Side Story).

Cicely Tyson, another consummate actor of stage and screen for over 60 years, with a legacy of legendary film (Sounder) and television performances  (The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Roots, King, A Woman Called Moses)

Also honored: from the field of popular music: The Eagles and Carol King, and the field of classic music: conductor Seiji Ozawa.

The Kennedy Center televisions specials are always some of the most entertaining and classy shows on television. Not only do you get to learn about the career of a lesser-known performer from those influenced by them, but you also get to enjoy a variety of performances in one program: where else can you see a ballet performance, a classical piece, a Broadway performance, a soliloquy or monologue from a play, and a rock performance in on program?

Cinerama Weekend: Day 2 of 3 recap

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Three movies today:

12:30 PM:
Arrived at the theater, got my seat. Front  row. Resident Cinerama expert John Sittig, donned in a Cinerama labcoat, came to introduce the film (The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm); he said this was the only known print in 3-strip Cinerama in the world. The print came from a private collector in Australia. Sittig said this print is "well worn", and that there would be 5 people in the projection booth throughout the entire film to take care of it.

Then stepped out one of the stars of the film  - Russ Tamblyn, who talked for about 2-3 minutes. He has a big dance sequence in the film with a princess (Yvette Mimieux). He joked that he thought he was in a screening of West Side Story. Surprisingly, two of his co-stars from that film were actually there in the theater - Rita Moreno and George Chakiris (they didn't speak; they just stood up for applause when Russ announced them. They were there to support Cinerama and Russ).  Tamblyn went on to confirm how difficult the entire process of shooting a Cinerama film was, and how frustrating it was.

There was a problem in the beginning getting the film to start - the first (!) of two delays. Then came a beautiful overture (all of the films featured an overture). I had heard the music from the trailer and so I was already somewhat familiar with it. When the movie started, I was in complete awe. Every corner of my eye was filled with something colorful and exciting to look at on the screen.

Really enjoyed this movie! There were some stop-motion Puppetoon scenes with elves and a dragon, and I couldn't help but think of how far we've come with CGI. But it was entertaining nonetheless. Very underrated gem.

After the intermission, there was another delay. The film started for a few seconds, then went dark. There was another delay - this time for about 20 minutes. Apparently something happened with one of the projectors. When one goes out, the entire movie is affected.  I was biting my fingernails, hoping that the movie event wouldn't be cancelled. I chatted with the gentleman sitting next to me. He saw me taking so many notes and asked me if I was a professional writer. I told him I was just an amateur blogger. He told me about the movie The Golden Head starring George Sanders and Buddy Hackett - the movie screened earlier this morning (at 10 AM) but I was missed it.

Projectionists work to get the Cinerama film running again

After 20 minutes, the movie started up again. The three film strips were not completely in sync right away, but after a few minutes, the projectionists got it right again. Whoa -- this was Cinerama??! I guess so. This must have happened alot back in the day. It was cool nonetheless to experience an actual Cinerama mishap! LOL

 3:00 PM

The next film was Search for Paradise. The movie was a trip to India, Nepal and other Oriental "hidden paradises". Somehow  producer Lowell Thomas was invited to be an American ambassador at a ceremony in Nepal, which included an elaborate parade. And wherever Lowell Thomas goes, the Cinerama camera goes.

John Sittig announced that the music was composed by Dimitri Tiomkin, and that there were members of his family in attendance at the screening. Neat!

The first half of the film has the camera crew trying to find the "mythical land of Shangri-La". Spoiler alert: They never find it. The river raft sequence down the Indus river has to be seen to be believed. I was convinced that the entire crew -  especially Lowell Thomas -  were completely out of their minds. What a bunch of crazy fools. And apparently a crew member died when a raft capsized.

The print was three-strip Cinerama, but was faded to the point where the only color was Magenta, a sort of dark pink. I thought it was interesting seeing how prints fade, but after a few minutes, I really wanted to see more colors (guess I'm spoiled). My friend lives in LA and he said he's seen a bunch of faded prints of other movies, so it was nothing new to him. I hope to see this movie again restored.

After the movie ended, I got a chance to meet one of the editors of the film. He was sitting in the front row. He must have been at least 85 years old. Can't remember his name, but he was the nicest guy. I asked him if he knew the crew member that died, and he said he did.

7:00 PM

Seven Wonders of the World. This was another film featured in Susan Sackett's book, and a movie I had always wanted to see. It was exciting to finally see it!  John Sittig announced that the film we are about to see has been "30% restored" by Image Trends.  I didn't really know what that meant until the movie was over. Basically the first and last half hours of the film were crystal clear, beautiful, colorful, amazing-looking sequences, but everything in-between looked fuzzy. Blurry, really. It looked different than any of the other films shown. I wished the entire film looked as good as the restored sequences. One day I hope to see it restored fully.

But I still enjoyed the film. It was like flying over the whole world. I thought to myself, "I never have to visit the real Grand Canyon now. I felt like I was there!"  Really, it was that awesome.

The final sequence of the film showcased Rome and the Vatican, with a Papal procession that puts you "in the picture". This must have been absolutely thrilling for Catholic audiences at the time. No wonder it was such a big hit movie, I thought. And then the grand finale includes a shot of the Pope looking directly at the camera and giving the audience a blessing. I couldn't believe they got so close to the Pope. Someone had connections, for sure. I haven't read my Souvenir Booklet yet, but there is some information on the making of that sequence. When I've done some more research I'll do another post on this film.

11:00 PM -  Holiday in Spain. I thought this was a travelogue of Spain, but it isn't; it's about a man on vacation (Denholm Elliott) who tries to solve mysteries for no believable reason. The title is a bit deceiving. In fact, the title was changed completely. Originally the film was called "Scent of a Mystery", and was one of the first "Smell-O-Vision" films where different scents were sprayed in the theater when certain objects appeared on the screen. Needless to say, it was a fad that didn't last.

The film was produced by Michael Todd Jr. --- his son (Daniel Todd) and daughter (Susan Todd) introduced the film that night. Susan said, "you can't say the movie stunk" (referring to Smell-O-Vision).

I really, really, really wanted to like this movie. I TRIED to like this movie. But I couldn't. I found it to be so dull.


I stayed about 25 minutes, but then left the theater and called it a night. One more day of Cinerama tomorrow with This Is Cinerama!!!

Meeting the cast of West Side Story (Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn and George Chakiris)

Below: Hollywood Palms theater in Naperville, Illinois (4/10/10)



Below: Banner inside the lobby. I saw people bring vinyl record albums, DVDs, and some pictures to have signed.


Below: I tried to snap some pictures of them while I was waiting in line without looking like a complete stalker. My camera does not take very good indoor shots. Either that or I haven't mastered the settings. I might need to get a new one. Please send me your suggestions for a good camera.


Below: Bernardo and Anita



George Chakiris looked exactly the same as he did in the movie, with just a few more gray hairs. He looks very fit and healthy, and was very charming, nice as can be. He and Rita were talking and chatting to each other like old friends. I don't know why he has not appeared in more movies. I should have asked him. Dang it.

Below: Riff / Tom Thumb / Gideon Pontipee



Russ - a real gentleman. You could tell he was so happy to be there, not snobbish like some actors. In fact he even thanked ME for coming, but I was thanking him.

His wife sat right next to him while he met and talked to fans. I had never seen what his wife looks like before; when I first saw her I immediately noticed the resemblance to their daughter, actress Amber Tamblyn. They look so alike!

Below: The Legendary Rita Moreno



I couldn't believe it was her. And that she was here, in person. The one and only. One woman in line ahead of me brought her a dozen roses. Ms. Moreno was so nicely dressed, I was so glad I wore a tie. She was tough and fiesty, just how I expected her to be. She was seated next to the general manager of the theater. There was no time to chat, really because the line was so long and people were moving along but I thanked her and told her how excited I was to meet her. She signed a poster for me and a photo.

I later learned that just a few weeks ago, she was presented with a medal (performing arts award?) from the President in the White House. Also did you know that she has won the Oscar, a Grammy, a Tony, and an Emmy for her sizzling performance on "The Muppet Show".

This weekend: "West Side Story" reunion and screening

Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn, and George Chakiris will all be appearing in-person to meet fans for autographs, Q & A, and a screening (49th anniversary) of West Side Story this Saturday at the Hollywood Palms Theater in Naperville, IL (approximately 30 miles west of Chicago). I'm planning to go; it should be an exciting event. Will report on it afterwards.

Upcoming screenings of West Side Story with cast reunions

There are two special reunions that I am aware of: one on the West Coast (Burbank, CA) and one here in the midwest (Naperville, IL)

Just announced on the website of the Hollywood Palms theater (Naperville, Illinois):

Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn, and George Chakiris will all be appearing in-person to meet fans for autographs, Q & A, and a screening (49th anniversary) of "West Side Story" on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at the Hollywood Palms Theater in Naperville, IL (approximately 30 miles west of Chicago)



West Coast appearances:

All three of them are also making an appearance in Burbank, California at the Hollywood Collector's Show on February 13 and 14, 2010.

Other than LA and the Chicago-area, I'm not sure what other cities they will be appearing.