Film review: Doc Hollywood (1991)

As IMDB this week in honour of their 20th anniversary are celebrating the last two decades of cinema, I thought I would chip in and share an under-appreciated release from the 1990s.

Back to the future is probably always going to be Michael J Fox’s top movie, but this film is his best outside that franchise in my opinion. (Admittedly, I haven’t seen ALL his films)

Great tagline by the way on IMDB: He's a big city plastic surgeon...in a small town that doesn't take plastic.

My favourite part of this comedy/drama/romance/feel good movie is probably the opening credits, where Michael J Fox is riding along in his vintage porsche listening to the one and only by one-hit-wonder Chesney Hawkes:





The title "Doc Hollywood" and poster are actually very misleading, most of the film is set in a small country village in the south. The name Doc and the cool car are probably things they thought would appeal to the Back to the future fans. I read the love-interest Julie Warner was chosen, because she was slightly shorter than Michael J Fox. It would seem odd for her to be a head taller. I guess many women really are taller than him!

This summer time movie I rewatched recently and enjoyed again despite the clichés. The characters had genuine charm and personality. It didn’t feel dated at all. It’s about that time in your 20s when you have to make certain choices about your future, which direction do I want to go in? What is important to me? Someone described it as a fish out of water tale. The people Dr. Benjamin Stone meets on his journey are very warm and friendly, and the town is a place where you feel like, I want to go and hang out with those characters. I want to give them a hug. The only thing I was opposed to was the final 10 seconds of dialogue, which I thought was unnecessary.

See this underrated film for the sweet-natured country-life atmosphere, where everyone knows everyone else. And it obviously helps if you like Michael J Fox. And is it just me, or does Bridget Fonda have an extremely cute and sexy smile? ( :
The nostalgic summer atmosphere reminded me of another film I like, Fried green tomatoes (1991), which I also recommend. Another warm-hearted summer film I recommend is Box of moonlight (1996)

I think rottentomatoes got the rating right for Doc Hollywood, IMDB didn’t. This is the sort of film with gem written all over it. Like someone said in a review: It's a vacation for the mind.

Any thoughts, readers?

IMDB

Rottentomatoes

Songs for your iPod

Oh Mighty Engine - Neil Halstead

(I need to listen to the whole album, very promising acoustic song)



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Confirmation - Wild Nothing

(Thanks to Burning Reels for sharing this 2010 dream pop song on his blog. I love the whole album!)



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No shoes - The Roches

(I initially hated this folk song, but it kind of gets under your skin...)



Any thoughts on the music, readers?

Film review: Frankenstein (1931)

Based on the story by Mary Shelley, a lot has already been written about the Frankenstein movies. Known for its groundbreaking make-up, Boris Karloff as the monster is instantly recognizable around the world, but maybe not as scary now as it was on initial release. Certain quotes from the movie have become timeless like the doctor yelling “its alive, its alive!”The lighting and atmosphere was influenced by German expressionism films like Nosferatu (1922).

In the making of, it’s pointed out that the town people are almost villains at the end of the first movie, we sympathize with the outsider. The monster didn’t ask to be brought into the world. Because of his appearance, no matter where he went or what he did, people were frightened of him. He was more a victim than a perpetrator, who was innocent and didn’t understand the rules. Like an adolescent he was clumsy and awkward. Perhaps children and teens can especially identify, they can see the innocence, pathos and that the monster was very much a child like themselves.

Another interesting theme is about playing god, is it morally correct for doctor Frankenstein to do these experiments in the pursuit of science? Or are there certain boundaries we as humans should never cross? A little similar to the questions Blade runner (1982) poses, I think, which I previously recommended.

The scene in the mill was probably the inspiration for a scene in Tim Burton’s film Sleepy hollow (1999)

My favourite scene is from the arguably better sequel Bride of Frankenstein (1935), which now had a talking monster. I love the warm-hearted encounter between the monster and a lonely, blind hermit:



They made fun of this hermit scene in Mel Brook’s comedy Young Frankenstein (1974), a movie I feel is not as funny as I was led to believe. Some love him, but Mel Brook’s humor is not for me. I guess that's why there are 31 flavours at the ice cream shop!

Also, check out this week's recommendation of Gods and Monsters (1998), which is about James Whale, director of Frankenstein, and its sequel.

IMDB

Rotten tomatoes

Youtube

Any thoughts, readers?

Film review: Gods and Monsters (1998)

The title of the film “Gods and monsters” is a line from Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
This is a critically acclaimed biopic of the retired director of "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein" James Whale.

The story of doctor Frankenstein’s and the monster’s struggle to be accepted may have resonated deeply with James Whale. He grew up a misunderstood artist in a family of factory workers. Also, Whale was a homosexual, which added to him being different.
James Whale is played by Ian McKellen, who was nominated for an Oscar for his leading performance. The film won an academy award for best screenplay adaptation.

I usually hate Brendan Fraser movies, I feel this is an adequate effort by him, but McKellen is a much better actor in my opinion. It probably helped playing this role that McKellen is already gay in real life. Clearly Brendan Fraser was picked because his head resembles the monster. The film plays around with the idea of the outsider. The monster/Brendan Fraser wanting a friend is similar to the monster's behaviour in the old Frankenstein movies of the 30s.

I am not gay, but Gods and Monsters still impressed me. A good character study of what it must be like to have those tendencies and how others might respond.

Also, it’s about what it might be like to be a celebrity of the past. You can compare the tone of Gods and Monsters to Ed Wood (1994), a movie I liked as well, which also portrayed a fading star of the past who befriends someone younger. I definitely felt Tim Burton could easily have directed this, but the job went to Bill Condon. The movie owes a lot to Ed wood, so if you like that one, or just enjoy Frankenstein movies, I recommend you give this film a go. It is very similar to Ed wood, but still very different.

I liked the slow pace of the movie, the story didn’t have any big action scenes. For the most part it’s interaction and dialogue between Fraser & McKellen. The flashback sequences are interesting as well. However, I did feel there were too many scenes sitting or standing around drinking, they could have mixed it up a bit more.

It definitely has Oscar written all over it, but that didn’t bother me, instead I was touched by the vulnerable characters.

To me, Gods and Monsters is about remembering the past, friendship, loneliness, the psychology behind Frankenstein. And about being a father figure to someone in need of a friend. Not just about being gay. The first 20 minutes or so almost play out as a comedy.

Definitely gives you the itch to rewatch James Whale’s two Frankenstein movies, which is probably the movies mission, to share the love and admiration for those classics.

Also, check out my recommendation of Frankenstein (1931)

IMDB

Rottentomatoes

Any thought on this film, readers?

Songs for your iPod

Anywhere I lay my head - Scarlett Johansson

(OK, I admit it, I have a crush on Scarlett. Are there any 20something males who don’t?! Her looks aside, I was impressed with a couple of tracks I’m sharing here of her Tom Waits covers. To me her voice is unrecognizable, you wouldn't know it was her unless you were told. Some criticized her debut album for being too impersonal, but who cares. I enjoy covers of Tom Waits. This is a decent live recording)




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Falling down - Scarlett Johansson

(album version of song)





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Russia - Ramona Falls

(Indiearto, a music blog I visit sometimes, really likes this 2010 song and the imaginative video. To me, it starts a little slow, but I love the section from 1.55 and onwards. Maybe the louder you listen to this song, the more powerful it is?)