TiVoPlex
By John Seal
September 6, 2010
BoxOfficeProphets.com
Tuesday 9/07/10
7:45 AM Showtime
The Naked Face (1985 USA): The last feature film to date by director Bryan Forbes, The Naked Face doesn’t come close to matching the man’s best work (Séance on a Wet Afternoon, The Whisperers), but at least features a superb cast to distract us from its failings. Roger Moore plays Judd Stevens, a cardiganed Chicago shrink whose clinic seems to be a serial killer’s victim supply center. When the police connect the dots between his practice and the murders, suspicions naturally fall upon Judd, who determines to take matters into his own hands in order to clear his name. The Naked Face isn’t the least bit original and its cheapo eighties production values are a major weakness, but Moore is ably supported by Rod Steiger (devouring the screen as usual), Anne Archer, Elliot Gould, Art Carney, and David Hedison. Also airs at 10:45 AM.
11:35 AM Showtime Extreme
The Last Safari (1967 GB): It might more accurately be entitled The Last Gasp - director Henry Hathaway was getting close to the end of the line, as was star Stewart Granger - but this shot-in-Kenya adventure tale looks pretty good thanks to Ted Moore’s location photography. Whether or not Showtime Extreme will be airing the film in its correct aspect ratio will ultimately determine whether or not you should watch, but assuming the best case scenario, here’s the skinny: Granger plays Miles Gilchrist, a seasoned big game hunter accompanying annoying wet-behind-the-ears youngster Casey (Kaz Garas) on a hunt. It’s another example of a plot being well past its sell by date, but again, there’s compensation: though Granger looks thoroughly disgruntled onscreen and Garas is pretty much a non-entity, viewers can enjoy the scenery, John Dankworth’s score, and, erm, Johnny Sekka. The Last Safari was based on a novel entitled Gilligan’s Last Elephant, which was apparently NOT set on an uncharted desert isle.
6:00 PM HBO
My Trip to al-Qaeda (2010 USA): This brand spanking new HBO original doc makes its world television premiere this evening. I haven’t seen it yet, but considering it’s directed by Alex Gibney (Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Taxi to the Dark Side) it has to be considered must-see material. Oddly, the film is apparently based on a play, but one written by journalist Lawrence Wright, author of the well-regarded (though unread by moi) The Looming Tower: al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11At the very least, this promises to be a most interesting film. Also airs at 9:00 PM and throughout the month.
Wednesday 9/08/10
4:15 AM Turner Classic Movies
Man in the Road (1956 GB): Fans of obscure British cinema - assuming they exist beyond the confines of my living room - will be thrilled to bits by this one. Derek Farr plays James Paxton, a brilliant government scientist who takes a blow to the head, loses his memory, and gets placed in the care of Professor Cattrell (Donald Wolfit). There’s a scheme afoot, however, as Cattrell subsequently tries to convince Paxton that he’s actually an accountant named Mason. Will our forgetful hero catch on to the subterfuge - or will he cough up his valuable scientific secrets to the nefarious commies plotting against Her Majesty’s Government? Man in the Road is a few degrees better than your average quota quickie and marked the final screen appearance of American actress Ella Raines, who retired in favor of family life in 1957.
6:15 AM IFC
Where God Left His Shoes (2006 USA): Does John Leguizamo ever sleep? Here’s another entry in the man’s filmography (already up to an impressive 67 titles, and he works on stage and television, too!), a better than you’d expect indie about a washed up boxer trying to take care of his family. Set during a bitterly cold Big Apple yuletide season, Where God Left His Shoes tells the story of Frank Diaz (Leguizamo), whose career in the ring has slowly but inexorably ground to a halt. With his family now facing eviction and life on the streets, Frank hopes to get them into low-income housing - but in order to qualify must prove that he’s gainfully employed. The multi-talented Leguizamo is excellent as illiterate Frank, who has one day to find a full-time job that pays just enough but not too much, and he’s well-supported by young David Castro as stepson Justin, who accompanies Dad on his job search. Also airs at 12:00 PM.
Thursday 9/09/10
3:00 AM Sundance
This is Not a Robbery (2008 USA): You CAN teach an old dog new tricks! This is Not a Robbery relates the real-life misadventures of nonagenarian felon J.L. Rountree, who took to a life of crime at the ripe old age of 87 and kept robbing banks until he was finally arrested in Abilene, Texas in 2003. The film tries to explain why a once successful businesman and all around regular Joe would suddenly develop a taste for armed robbery in his late 80s, and includes an interview shot with the irascible Rountree shortly before his death in 2004 at the age of 92. Also airs at 2:00 PM.
10:50 PM Sundance
Last Stop 174 (2008 BRA): Not to be confused with the similarly titled documentary Bus 174, Last Stop 174 is the dramatized account of events that transpired aboard the aforementioned Rio de Janeiro vehicle on June 12 2000. Directed by Bruno Barreto (Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands), the film focuses on Alessandro (Michel Gomes), the hop-head who hijacks Bus 174 and ensures himself a place in the Brazilian Hall of Infamy. Much is made of Alessandro’s incredibly crappy childhood and the film veers dangerously close to poverty porn territory at times, but Barreto is skilled enough to avoid the worst excesses of that deservedly maligned "genre."
Friday 9/04/10
9:00 PM IFC
Coffin Joe: The Strange World of Jose Mojica Marins (2001 BRA): If you missed this amazing documentary when it debuted on IFC in June, don’t miss it now! For fans and neophytes alike, The Strange World of Jose Mojica Marins is a great compendium of clips (many from impossibly rare features Marins made early on) and interview footage that really captures the flavor and the feeling - not to mention the philosophy - of Coffin Joe, still a going concern after all these years. Incidentally, I’m fairly certain this is the first TiVoPlex to feature two Brazilian films in one week. Whoopee!
Saturday 9/05/10
7:30 AM Turner Classic Movies
Let’s Go Navy! (1951 USA): The Bowery Boys had been in the Army only months previously (in Bowery Battalion) and the Air Force was still relatively new in 1951, so I guess the Navy was, logically, the next branch to suffer the little man-children. Series entry 23 finds our heroes joining up to track down the crooks who stole some cash belonging to the wonderfully named Bowery Chowder Party charity. A better than usual supporting cast, including a slumming Allen Jenkins and Tom Neal, elevate this one a notch. Oddly enough, Let’s Go Navy! currently has no IMDb reviews, but that will change with this airing.
Sunday 9/06/10
11:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
Mexicanos al Grito de Guerra (1943 MEX): From the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema comes this patriotic paean to the man who penned that nation’s national anthem. As with their brother nation to the north’s The Star-Spangled Banner, Mexico’s is a martial little ditty entitled Mexicans, At the Cry for War, and was adopted by the republic in 1943 - suggesting this film was extremely topical in its day. The song’s writer is played by young Pedro Infante, and whilst the film is far from an easy sell for non-Mexican viewers, it’s always interesting to see how other countries wave the cinematic flag. Patriotism: the last refuge of scoundrels and filmmakers the world over!
Monday 9/07/10
5:00 AM More Max
Black Widow (1987 USA): This hasn’t been the most abundant week in the TiVoPlex, hence the inclusion of middling intriguers such as this one. Sorry, folks, but I have no control over the hand dealt me by network programmers. As for Black Widow, it’s not the worst eighties erotic thriller ever made, though the absence of Shannon Tweed is a little disconcerting. Theresa Russell plays titular bad girl Catharine, a woman unlucky in love but lucky in inheritance acquisition. Leaving a plethora of dead middle-aged men in her wake, Catharine has attracted the attention of G-Woman Alex (Debra Winger), who suspects that there may be a common thread connecting the killings. When Catharine aims to acquire the hand of wealthy art dealer MacAuley (Nicol Williamson, great as always), Alex gets wind of the plot and aims to intercede. Can she get to him in time, or will the Black Widow bag herself another legacy? Directed by Bob Rafelson, Black Widow co-stars Dennis Hopper, James Hong, Leo Rossi, Diane Ladd, and Terry O’Quinn.
9:15 PM Turner Classic Movies
The Rabbit Trap (1959 USA): Ernest Borgnine stars in this obscure but worthwhile family drama directed by Philip Leacock. Ernest is Eddie Colt, a workaday drone called back early from vacation by ogreish boss Everett Spellman (David Brian). After the family’s hurried departure from R&R, son Duncan (Kevin Corcoran) remembers he’s left a fully-set rabbit trap on the holiday premises, and is deeply concerned that an animal will die a slow and excruciating death within its gaping maw. Eddie must make a decision: continue back to work, or turn around and make sure Bugs doesn’t slowly bleed to death. I think we all know he’ll make the right choice.