As an opening act of the on-going MoMA series, Scorsese Screens.This has been added to the oldest title of Robert De Niro film. Scorsese-De Niro pair moves on to another project three year later Taxi Driver (1976). In between these two, The Godfather Part II (1974) sits there. These are definitely De Niro's first golden era. I learned that his acting skill was consistent from the very beginning period of his carrier. It might be interesting to watch his many of great works in chronological order.It was introduced as as that story line is based on Scorsese's daily life back then. This is a typical moment that I feel that I still need to know more about not-so-long-time-ago history of boroughs around here. Is there a soundtrack of this movie? If there is, I love to listen to it.
This title begins with McCartney's voice! The opening scenes shot in NYC were exciting to watch. James Bond in a white suite wondering Harlem and stroll into a soulful bar is just a joke, very huge joke, especially during 70's. Now I can sense that kind of humor. : ) Not only NYC, watching another shooting location, New Orleans, was another joy for me as I finally could be there in 2011. Next time I go there, I am not going to be a spectator of a funeral marching band, though. : )
Going over all kinds of gossips regarding how Sean Connery was in and out for the role of 007 around this time was very interesting. This was the "official" last Connery title but I also have to check "unofficial" last Connery in "Never Say Never Again", which was not listed under MoMA's 50 year anniversary event in 2012. Many articles say this was the beginning of comedic Bond series, which leads to Roger Moor titles. I totally understand after watching "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". It was that serious. The scenes in Amsterdam were fun to watch because I was reading Dutch related book at the same time. "Plenty" Lana Wood reminded me Courteney Cox right away but the answer towards "Tiffany" Jill St. John wasn't easy one. After spending a couple of days, I came up with a Japanese actress's name, Kumiko Okae, but I am still not sure if that was the right choice or not... I know, nobody cares about such a thing. : ) Wow, she did appear in Seinfeld's "The Yada Yada". I've gotta check it!
As an opening act of another Film Forum series titled as "SON OF SUMMER SCI-FI, FANTASY & HORROR" in 2013. Thanks to the new 35mm print, the color quality was superb! When I didn't understand the first sentence of this title's introduction on their brochure, which was "Five musical notes heard around the world", it has become clear that the fact that I haven't encountered this famous Spielberg title yet. This was released five years ahead of another story directed by him for "all generations". It was for sure that this one was for a bit more matured generations, it jumps around all sort of touchy subjects, such as family, religion, politics, and even psychiatric ones. I can understand whole a lot better now with the knowledge of the actual distance between Indiana and Wyoming. : ) My own trivia was one year younger "Apollo", Carl Weathers, as a military personnel. And also, I believe Vincent Schiavelli, who is famous as a subway ghost, was playing a policeman although he was not in the credit. Do I have to watch this again? Maybe, when I have to search for the importance of this finding. Remember his words whenever you feel an extra terrestrial implanted an image to someone's brain, try sculpting, not just drawing!! Some music skills will also a plus!!! : )
From the line up of Film Forum's "SUMMER FESTIVAL OF FANTASY, HORROR & SCIENCE FICTION" in 2013. It was brought to us as a DCP version and the level of restoration was so high! I felt honored to be able to watch the work in "may be better than the original" condition. The length was almost two hours but I cannot think of that many other "long" movies, which make me forget the sense of time. The high tense of the last half of story lasts until the very end. Sigourney Weaver was at 30 years old when this was released and that was the best timing to shoot this role "Ripley", a young, beautiful, intelligent and yet athletic lady. That also reminds me that the next timing I was impressed by her beauty in 1995 released "Copycat", which is 16 years later from this one! It looks like this was director Ridley Scott's first commercial big success title. By skimming through his list of works, I feel so powerless. There are still too many titles I have to conquer with!