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From the obscure to the obscurest to the merely overlooked or underappreciated; they all have a home in the TiVoPlex! All times Pacific.

Tuesday 09/23/08

6:35 PM Sundance
The Planet (2006 SWE-NOR-DEN): Fans of Godfrey Reggio's Koyaanisqatsi series will go ga-ga over this Scandinavian feature. Shot in more than 20 countries over the course of two years, The Planet is a visually stunning indictment of the mistreatment suffered by our home planet at the thoughtless hands of humankind. Filled with footage both shocking and beautiful, the film bolsters its case with substantial segments from authoritative interviewees, including Guardian journalist George Monbiot and evolutionary biologist Jared Diamond. The Planet may not have a Philip Glass score, but it's a remarkable viewing experience nonetheless.

Wednesday 09/24/08

1:15 PM Turner Classic Movies
Lady For A Day (1933 USA): TiVoPlex fave Warren William stars in this above average Columbia comedy as Dave the Dude, a well-heeled Manhattan gangster who takes Times Square street vendor Apple Annie (May Robson) under his wing in order to give her the My Fair Lady treatment. Dave (who's no relation to Alaskan First Dude Todd Palin) considers the working-class lass a good luck charm, whilst Annie has been sending letters home boasting of her position in high society and now faces an imminent and inconvenient visit from her daughter. A Runyonesque tale (based, appropriately enough, on a story by Damon Runyon) directed with style and flair by the as yet uncalcified Frank Capra, Lady For A Day is a delightful Depression-era fantasy with a marvelous supporting cast, including Glenda Farrell, Ned Sparks, Nat Pendleton, and Guy Kibbee.

10:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
The Boss (1956 USA): John Payne takes the lead in this obscure period drama about political corruption in middle America. He plays Great War vet Matt Brady, who's returned to his hometown, now the bailiwick of elder brother Tim (Roy Roberts). Though his sibling is more interested in partying than patronage, Tim intends to groom Matt to inherit his position as ward boss — and when he unexpectedly drops dead of a heart attack, Brady the younger gets the job a little earlier than anticipated. Soon enough he's fixing elections, knocking heads together, and cutting unsavory deals that attract the attention of crusading newspaperman Stanley Millard (Rhys Williams). Written by the blacklisted Dalton Trumbo (fronted for this project by Ben Perry), The Boss is a middling feature highlighted by a surprisingly strong effort from the generally bland Payne.

11:35 PM Encore Dramatic Stories
Faithless (2000 SWE-FIN-NOR): A dour drama written by Ingmar Bergman and directed by protege Liv Ullmann, Faithless features Erland Josephson as Bergman (hmm), an elderly Swedish writer trying to complete his latest work with the assistance of imaginary character Marianne (Lena Endre). The film contrasts the creative process of Bergman's 'real' life with the 'fictional' life of Marianne, an actress engaged in a torrid affair with David (Krister Henriksson), the brother of her husband Markus (Thomas Hanzon). An autobiographical confession by the genuine Bergman (you know, the REALLY real one), who had engaged in a lengthy, soul-sapping affair during the 1940s, Faithless delivers the goods for those anxious to get a late in life peek into this renowned filmmaker's psyche.

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