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Summer Films (Plus My Overlooked Pick for the Week)

Folks we are truly and deeply into the summer now. So I decided to troll the internet and look at some of the lists of “best movies about summer.”

Confession Time: Dirty Dancing, a film that graces many of these lists, has never crossed my eyes. Is that a good or bad thing?

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Question: Can you think of any other films that did not make the list?

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Overlooked Film of the Week: SpaceCamp (1986)

After reviewing the list I was reminded of my one of my favorite films as a child, SpaceCamp. For a number of years, attending the real-life SpaceCamp was a dream of mine. Unfortunately that obsession eventually waned and all I was left with was the ability to live vicariously through the fictional characters. At the time, this film captured my imagination and desire to explore the stars. Even though I knew that they were not ACTUALLY in outer space, I was still quite envious of the cast’s experience in making this movie.

When it was released, SpaceCamp was both a critical and financial failure – due in part to what can only be described as bad timing: it was released six months after the Challenger disaster. In spite of this lack of fortune I think that in a world where there is a sufficient lack of young people (especially young women) pursuing STEM-based education, a movie like this can serve as an inspiration for further math, science and technology learnin’. My favorite character was/is Trish (played by Kelly Preston), who was the most remarkable (if not a bit unbelievable) genius one could possibly imagine. (Side Note:  they have SpaceCamp for adults, so the dream is still alive folks, the dream is still alive).

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Be sure to check out more overlooked/forgotten films, by visiting Todd Mason’s blog.

 

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Tuesday’s Overlooked: Return to Me (2000)

For more titles be sure to visit Todd Mason’s blog, Sweet Freedom.

My selection this week came as I was passing through the channels over the long holiday weekend. My movie-loving blogging colleague Ruth of Flixchatter, has recommended this film many times over and I just never got around to watching it. The film I am talking about is the 2000 romcom/dramedy Return to Me starring David Duchovny and Minnie Driver, directed by Bonnie Hunt.

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If ever there was a human transplant story to make you laugh, cry and ultimately feel romantically fulfilled, this is it. On the one hand, the grief and heartache (literal and figurative) are so pronounced – the combination of: the tragedy of losing a loved one, the agony, anticipation and hope of receiving a life-saving gift and a new lease on life is balanced with the most subtle yet effective comedic touches.

Everything about this film works for me: the setting, the characters (and the wonderful cast who portray them), and the music. It’s a shame that Bonnie Hunt has not directed more feature films. I think I might start a petition of something.

On a slightly sadder note, Return to Me also marks the final film appearances of both Carroll O’Connor and Dick Cusack (father of John and Joan).

For a more thorough look at the film (from several angles), I refer you to Ruth’s site.

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Tuesday’s Overlooked: Hitchcock Silents

This week’s selection(s) is a preview of what’s to come at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). The Hitchcock 9, is a touring series of the entire surviving collection of Hitchcock films from the silent era. From Jun 29—Jul 3, 2013, the series makes its stop here in the greater New York City area.

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When most people think of Hitchcock, it is the Hollywood classic suspense thrillers. What I find so fascinating about these little-seen British silents is that while many of the titles would not be considered typical of the “Master of Suspense,” there are cinematic techniques and conventions that would later end up in many of his signature movies to be seen.

Check out the BAM trailer for the week-long screenings here:

My recommendations?

  • THE LODGER (considered the most “Hitchcockian” of his silents)
  • MANXMAN
  • BLACKMAIL

I for one am going to catch The Lodger and the 1927 Hitchcock adaptation of the Noël Coward play Easy Virtue. The most exciting bit? The opportunity to catch these films with live music accompaniment.

For more information, The New York Times published an in-depth piece on the film series last week.

Lastly, special thanks to the British Film Institute who curated the extensive restoration project and chronicled it in their “Restoring Hitchcock” website:

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