Since I could not find a youtube video link to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introduction to legendary Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1970 political drama The Spider’s Stratagem, readers will have to rely on Cox’s intro transcript (read here). The episode’s original airdate was July 6, 1992 (read here). I nod in agreement with Cox regarding all of the praise that he lavishes on this film and as a Bertolucci film, it serves as something of a major dress rehearsal for his equally masterful follow-up entitled The Conformist – also released in 1970. If any of you readers are interested, here is a link to my favorite Bernardo Bertolucci films (read here).
Since I can’t find a link to the film’s original theatrical trailer, readers will have to find clips of it either on youtube or some other site.
I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introduction to French filmmaker Henri-Georges Clouzot’s classic 1955 psychological horror thriller Diabolique. Readers can also read Cox’s intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was June 29, 1992 (read here). Not much to add here except to say that I agree completely with all of the praise Cox showers on this true masterpiece of horror. If any of you readers are interested, here is a link to my favorite Henri-Georges Clouzot films (read here).
Here is a youtube video link to Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro to Diabolique
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
Once again, I could not find a youtube video link to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introduction to director Wes Craven’s 1988 horror entry The Serpent and the Rainbow, readers will have to rely on Cox’s intro transcript (read here). The episode’s original airdate was June 14, 1992 (read here). While far from Craven’s best work, The Serpent and the Rainbow is nevertheless interesting considering that it may be loosely based on a true story (read here, here, here and here).
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
Since I could not find a youtube video link to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introduction to legendary macho director Sam Peckinpah’s underrated 1972 Neo-western rodeo drama Junior Bonner, readers will have to rely on Cox’s intro transcript (read here). The episode’s original airdate was June 7, 1992 (read here). Not much to add here, except that I agree with all of Cox’s sentiments on this overlooked gem. If any of you readers are interested, here is a link to my favorite Sam Peckinpah films (read here).
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
As with last week, this Moviedrome Monday entry consists of a double bill offering of two great films for the price of one. Only this time, the two featured films here are directed by the same person, who in this case, would be the legendary David Cronenberg. In addition, Dead Ringers and Rabid (this week’s titles) can also be labeled as just two of many classic examples of cinematic body horror, a sub-genre that Cronenberg popularized, If not invented (read here). If any of you readers are interested, here is a link to my favorite David Cronenberg films (read here).
Dead Ringers (1988)
I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introduction to master Canadian auteur David Cronenberg’s 1988 psychological body horror/drama/thriller Dead Ringers. Readers can also read Cox’s intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was May 31, 1992 (read here). Though I disagree with Cox regarding the acting in Cronenberg’s then previous films (deliriously wooden), on a whole, I absolutely agree with him about everything that is positive about both the aforementioned filmmaker and Dead Ringers itself. Last, but not least, Jeremy Irons dual performance as twin gynecologists Beverly and Elliot Mantle (loosely based on the real life Stewart and Cyril Marcus) is a tour de force.
Here is a youtube video link to Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro to Dead Ringers
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
Here is a youtube video link to British film critic Mark Kermode’s commentary on Dead Ringers as his BFI Player choice of the week
Here is a youtube video link to British film critic Mark Kermode implicitly arguing that Dead Ringers is director David Cronenberg’s crowning achievement
Rabid (1977)
I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introduction to master Canadian auteur David Cronenberg’s 1977 body horror gem Rabid. Readers can also read Cox’s intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was June 1, 1992 (read here). While I do disagree with Cox regarding his thoughts on directors Dario Argento and Brian De Palma, I nod in agreement with all of the praise he lavishes on both Cronenberg and Rabid. Though I may not echo Cox’s sentiment of Rabid as Cronenberg’s best (he has surpassed himself numerous times since), it is undeniably every bit as masterful as his other films (body horror or otherwise).
Here is a youtube video link to Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro to Rabid. Cox’s introduction begins at the 4:05 mark on the video
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
Series 5 of Moviedrome opens spectacularly with not one, but two great films in my opinion. It also happens to be (as you guessed) another double bill entry 🙂
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introduction to Australian filmmaker George Miller’s widely acclaimed 1981 post-apocalyptic action masterpiece Mad Max 2: The RoadWarrior. Readers can also read Cox’s intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was May 24, 1992 (read here). For me, Mad Max 2: The RoadWarrior ranks alongside 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road (also directed by Miller) as my two favorites of the Mad Max franchise, which consists of four films altogether. Along with Fury Road, I also rank The Road Warrior as one of the two many greatest action films ever made (sequel or not). If any of you readers are interested, here is a link to my favorite George Miller films (read here).
Here is a youtube video link to Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro to Mad Max 2:The Road Warrior
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
F for Fake (1973)
Since I could not find a youtube video link to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introduction to legendary American filmmaker Orson Welles bold 1973 avant-garde masterwork F for Fake, readers will have to rely on Cox’s intro transcript (read here). The episode’s original airdate was May 24, 1992 (read here). On the surface, what makes F for Fake so innovative lies in how Welles cleverly blends form (the film essay format) with content (the theme of fakery). At the center, it comes from Welles playful delivery of this already inspired combination. If any of you readers are interested, here is a link to my favorite Orson Welles films (read here).
Here is a youtube video link to what may be a 9-minute trailer for the film, though it reportedly contains no scenes from the film (read here).
Here is a youtube video link to another trailer, but I am not sure If it was one for the U.S. or another country
This youtube video link is for another trailer to it
Here is a youtube video link to documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville’s commentary for it from The Criterion Collection
Here is a youtube video link to film director/critic/historian Peter Bogdanovich’s commentary for it from The Criterion Collection
Here is a youtube video link to Bogdanovich’s longer version of that commentary
BTW, the then unfinished film Bogdanovich talks about in the link (The Other Side of the Wind) got completed and was released on the streaming service Netflix back in 2018. Here is a youtube video link to the trailer below
Last, but not least, If any of you readers are interested in learning more about the term film essay (or essay film), here is a link to a 2013 BFI (British Film Institute) article on it
Once again, I could not find a youtube video link of Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox introducing director/co-writer Paul Schrader’s 1985 experimental bio-pic Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, readers will have to rely on Cox’s intro transcript (read here). The episode’s original airdate was September 8, 1991 (read here). I agree with everything that Cox has said here. Though a certain number of other viewers may have implied this before, for myself, as a bio-pic, the film’s biggest flaw lies in it’s sanitization of the more controversial aspects that shaped Japanese writer Yukio Mishima’s life (personal or otherwise). Nevertheless, it is a good film with a unique music score by famed minimalist composer Philip Glass, an interesting approach to narrative regarding it’s subject and it’s visually dazzling use of color – just look at that amazing colour palette on display throughout.
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
Since I could not find a youtube video link of Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introducing master Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 science-fiction classic Solaris, readers will have to rely on Cox’s intro transcript (read here). The episode’s original airdate was September 1, 1991 (read here). Once again, not much to add here except that it ranks as one of (If not) the greatest of Tarkovsky’s great films. If any of you readers are interested, here is a link to my favorite Andrei Tarkovsky films (read here).
BTW, a shout-out to frequent visitor Steve (his youtube channel is here) that I just approved his comment under my blog entry regarding my favorite Billy Wilder films. I had just discovered the comment there today. The comment did not show up under my notification feed and I thought everything was fine. Little did I know, the notification for this showed up under my e-mail, but not on here – what’s up with that? Nevertheless, I feel bad that I replied to Steve’s comment so late and I just want to let him know that I will do better in the future to make sure his comments get approved on here right away and not days later. In the future, I will also make sure that I check my e-mail every single day so a mistake like this does not happen again. Once again Steve, I apologize If you got worried on whether your comment was ever going to get approved 🙂 In closing, I just want to let Steve know that I just left a complimentary reply to his complimentary comment 🙂
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
For those that prefer a subtitled trailer, here is a youtube video link to a special showing at the Austin Film Society back in 2018.
I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox’s introduction to director Robert Aldrich’s 1962 classic psychological horror/melodrama/thriller Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?. Readers can also read Cox’s intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was August 25, 1991 (read here). Not much to add here except that Cox is absolutely spot on in his thoughts concerning Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?. For me, it ranks as the quintessential film about sibling rivalry. If any of you readers are interested, here is a link to my favorite Robert Aldrich films (read here).
Here is a youtube video link to Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? The Moviedrome aspects of the video begins at the 0:55 mark and ends at the 5:08 mark of the video.
Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer
BTW, a shout-out to frequent visitor Steve (his youtube channel is here) for reminding me about this International Film Series podcast hosted by Alex Cox and Pablo Kjoiseth (click here for the link). Four of the episodes on there talked about Cox’s Moviedrome days. If it was not for Steve, I would have never discovered it and each episode makes for fantastic listening 🙂
To Steve: I would like to sincerely apologize to you for hurting your feelings in regards to those two Moviedrome videos you uploaded. Though it was unintentional on my part, I truly feel sorry for any pain I may have caused you. Please do not delete your videos because I love watching any Moviedromeyoutube video regardless of quality. When I used the word lousy to describe them, I assumed you felt the same. Nevertheless, your hard work in getting those videos together was far from it. In fact, you deserve high praise from me and everybody else for your hard work. You are also right in your implications that when that rare Moviedrome video is uploaded, it offsets any shortcomings. Please re-upload your videos because I do love watching them regardless of quality. I did not intend to use the word lousy in extreme terms (personally, I do not think any thing about it is lousy). Nevertheless, words can hurt and people can look at what I say in a different light. Please do not delete your two Moviedrome videos because I really do love them. I am glad that you enjoyed looking at my Moviedrome Monday blog entries, please continue to do so. If not, I will not hold it against you, but I do want to let you know that I am truly sorry for any hurt I may have caused you.
To My Readers: The above apology letter was in regards to the blog entry regarding the Moviedrome Monday double bill entry of Hell’s Angels onWheels and Rumble Fish (read here). When I linked to the youtube videos of Alex Cox introducing both films, I used the word lousy to describe the audio and quality of it. The word lousy to describe both videos have since been removed by me, but I think it may have played a significant role in Steve’s (the uploader of the videos) deletion of them. At the time, I assumed that he probably felt the same way – in other words, I was with him in thinking better this than nothing. Sadly, Steve mistook it as a harsh criticism and I feel responsible for his removal of the videos. Personally, I could care less about the audio and quality of the videos and like him (and hopefully you dear readers), I love any Moviedrome video regardless of audio and quality. Steve’s efforts took a lot of hard work and I sold him short. Of course that was not intended, but he mistook it as such. Right now, Steve feels hurt and I partly need the help of all of you readers. First off, as with Steve, I owe all of you dear readers a huge sincere apology and second, I do not want to hurt my relationship with him or any of you. I do not know If this idea will work, but I want all of you readers to try and encourage Steve to re-upload his Moviedromeyoutube videos by leaving this reply in my comment box below. The letters are in bold.
Steve, we truly appreciate all your hard work in uploading whatever Moviedrome videos you can put together on youtube. Please do not delete them, all of us could care less about audio and quality. Your hard work always pays off.
cinematiccoffee 