Heavy Issue 67 - ScotsGay Magazine

FILMS TO KNOW ABOUT by Malcolm Epstein
It might be tragic to disillusion Frank
Sinatra fans, but within minutes of him leaving
this life, books were being written explaining
what an unpleasant man he really was.
Growing up in New York, he thought it was a
good idea to befriend crooks in the Mafia and
was close to them throughout his life even
though he always denied it. Anyone who
annoyed him could be beaten up by an
unknown assailant.
Now a movie has been made about a disastrous
trip he made in the 70’s to sing in
Australia called “THE NIGHT WE CALLED IT A
DAY” (15). From the stage he called a local
female journalist a whore, which brought a
union strike of theatre workers, and the local
impressario was manhandled by Sinatra
hoodlums. It is unfortunate to have to learn
the truth about such a
talented man, who
was the idol of so
many, but this film
only touches the
surface of how
unwise he could
be.
Another
January opening is
“BREAKFAST ON
PLUTO” (15)
about a boy growing
up in an Irish
town with a passion
for wearing
dresses who
tracks down his
legal mother in
London. Anyone
with a transvestite
interest will love it
and his adventures are constantly amusing.
“MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA” (15) points out
Japanese girls trained in dancing and playing
an instrument didn’t offer sexual services. Its
locations are almost as good as a holiday
there.
“THE MATADOR” (15) has Pierce Brosnan
as a hit man happy to wipe out anyone for the
right price. In Mexico he suddenly decides
that murder has killed him on the inside.
Filmed in four countries it gets the point
across that money isn’t everything in life.
Those of us who remember how chilling
Anthony Hopkins was as a sadistic killer in the
“Silence Of The Lambs” movies will be surprised
to see him as a loveable pensioner in
“THE WORLD’S FASTEST INDIAN” (12a) in
February. Those of us who know little about
motor bikes won’t know an Indian is a bike of
the past which, in his New Zealand home, Mr
Hopkins keeps updating to ride on an
American track. You have to be a Hopkins
lover to witness this or be obsessed with
speed.
CURRENT RELEASES
Part of my education on old movies was
tracking down the 1933 producation of “King
Kong” as I know it stunned moviegoers at the
time. The latest “KING KONG” (12a) will have
a similar effect on current audiences as it is
the most impressive film of the year. Made by
the man responsible for “The Lord Of The
Rings” trilogy it will bring more Oscars to
director Peter Jackson. Set in the American
depression years of the early 30’s it has a film
director eager to take a rundown ship to an
undiscovered island. His cast has experiences
too terrifying to relate here, but the special
effects of battling dinosaurs and other prehistoric
creatures have to be seen to be believed.
You will be engrossed for the entire three
hours.
A Mel Brooks 1968 film
“The Producers” did
so well he added
music to make it a
hit Broadway stage
musical that is
now packing them
in on the London
stage. The movie
version of this
musical “THE
PRODUCERS”
(12a) is worth
every penny to see
it. Much humour is
derived from a
mature stage producer
and his
accountant, who
decide the best
way to make
money is persuading
investors to give them far more than they
need to stage a disaster that comes off quickly.
The producer is prepared to stimulate
wealthy elderly ladies to give him cheques.
There are brilliant musical production numbers
and it is great entertainment.
Those of us eager to please nieces and
nephews at this time of year must consider
“LASSIE” (PG) based on the best selling novel
“Lassie Comes Home”. Falling on hard times
a Yorkshire family is forced to sell their
beloved dog to a duke in a remote Scottish
castle. But she is determined to walk 500
miles back to the family she loves. It is a film
that will bring tears of joy to many.
For me the most memorable new girl in
movies is the British Rosamund Pike. In the
17th century drama “THE LIBERTINE” (18)
she is Johnny Depp’s hard faced wife and in
“DOOM” (15) set in Mars in 2046, a sci-fi horror
film, she is a sympathetic doctor calming
the nerves of dying men. If there was a contract
system here or in Hollywood that systematically
built stars, as there was in the
past, this girl
would stun the
world.
“KEEPING
MUM” (15) is
the black comedy
of the year
with Rowan
Atkinson as a
nervous village
parson so
obsessed with
writing good
sermons he is
unaware of the
problems of his
wife, Kristin
Scott Thomas,
and two children.
When a
sweet greyhaired
housekeeper
arrives,
Maggie Smith,
she decides to
cure everything
in a very dramatic
way.
Kristin feels so
neglected she is
about to have an
affair with golf
instructor
Patrick Swayze.
More detail
would spoil it for
you. I was
intrigued
throughout.
DVD WORLD
There could be readers who have never
heard of Mae West. She was the most charismatic
blonde bombshell of the thirties and
most highly paid woman in Hollywood who
wrote as well as starring in her films. Her wit
has been repeated ever since. Lines like “It’s
not the men in your life that count dear, but
the life in your men.” When a cloakroom girl
comments about her beautiful fur coat with
“Goodness!” Mae retorts “Goodness had
nothing to do with it honey.”
Six of her best films are now on “MAE
WEST - THE SCREEN GODDESS COLLEC-
TION” and if you can’t find it locally call
MovieMail on 0870 264 9000. Essential reading
is “Mae West - It Ain’t No Sin” from Faber
and Faber that will make you realize how
incredible this woman was.
Steve Guttenberg, whom many of us will
know from countless movies, has now directed
and is playing the lead in the most unusual
film of the year “PS YOUR CAT IS DEAD”
from TLA Releasing. A struggling writer who
is often burgled is on his biggest crisis day as
his girlfriend is moving out and he catches a
burglar in his flat.
For reasons known only to himself and
his psychiatrist, after knocking the guy out, he
chooses to tie him up face down on a table
and talk to him for hours. When three gay
friends happen to arrive they can see the
humour of the situation and decide to tie him
up as well. It is the first time I have seen a film
for anyone who loves bondage.