“Eight Men Out” to “The Elephant Man”
<!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:”Cambria Math”; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:””; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”,”serif”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} –> Eight Men Out (1988) John Sayles affectionate recreation of the 1919 Black Sox World Series scandal that rocked the nation and changed baseball forever. The baseball game sequences are a thrill to watch as are the terrific ensemble cast with standout performances from John Cusack, David Strathairn and D.B. Sweeney. (GS)
El Dorado (1967) John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and James Caan team up in this rousing Howard Hawks oater. There are a couple of un-PC moments, but overall this film illustrates why Wayne is a film legend. This is my favorite John Wayne film. (GS)
Election (1999) Reese Witherspoon plays Tracy Flick, who appears to have the school election for class president all sewn up that is, until nebbish teacher Mr. McAllister (Matthew Broderick) convinces another student to take up politics and Tracy declares war. A wonderfully odd little black comedy that is rather fulfilling. (GS)
Electra Glide in Blue (1973) Lets get the title out of the way right off the bat. Electra Glide is a type of motorcycle that was once favored by motorcycle cops, which also takes care of the blue reference as well. Robert Blake stars as Big John Wintergreen, a motorcycle cop who gets his chance to work with the homicide division when a recluse is murdered. This is possibly the best police film ever made with sharp direction and high production values; and an ending that will stay with you for a long time after the movie is over. (GS)
The Elephant Man (1980) David Lynch’s stylish monochrome recreation of a Victorian Gothic in this story of disfigured circus freak John Merrick (John Hurt). Anthony Hopkins and Freddie Jones are superb in supporting roles. Marvel at Freddie Francis’ award-winning cinematography. “People are frightened by what they don’t understand.” (KT)
Originally published in Raspberry World – Volume 2, Issue 1 (June/July 2007)